Governor's Bay

One of the places where we go often for a walk is Governor's Bay, a little town on the other side of the hills. We don't live far from Dyers Pass, a road over the hills. When you come down the hill on the other side you enter Governor's Bay. It is south of Lyttelton. Governor's Bay is one of the earliest settlements in New Zealand. It owes its name to Governor Sir George Grey. He welcomed the colonists in Lyttelton in 1850

One of the great things about living in Christchurch is that the winter has mostly clear days Eventhough it is cold it looks like a summerday and with all that beauty you can make nice pictures.

The jetty in Governers bay is so long because of the shallow waters at the end of the harbor and has recently needed to be lengthened because of the silt build up.

As you can see this boat doesn't get anywhere. That's how low the waterlevel is on this side.

While we walked alongside the water on the right side you saw several formations of this in the rocks. Natures art

Where in the world

Prompt this week is Where in the world for Sunday Scribblings Oh I have made a few travels in the past and I loved them all. In Holland you live close to many countries so I went to Germany France Spain to name a few. There are many places in the world where I would like to go. Some of my favourites are Greece, France, Italy,Indonesia, India. When the children are older and I have some more space than I sure want to discover some. Today the place where I wanna be is home, by the fire with a glas of wine. I had a busy week, but an exciting one. I taught 11 adults a computer program and loved it. 2 hours talking is however topsport for me so my weekend is there to rest.

Where in the world would I like to be
 India or Italy, Holland or Hungary
It would all be a possibility
when I could spread my wings like a bird and soar free

Snuggling up by the crackling fire
I dream and drift in the wind
I see exotic places in silent wonder,
 I see a tapestry of coloured spaces

 It all happens in a location
which is a great place in itself
 where all are kind where magic is rule
that place is the world in my mind

Quote of the day

You are goodness and mercy and compassion and understanding. You are peace and joy and light. You are forgiveness and patience, strength and courage, a helper in time of need, a comforter in time of sorrow, a healer in time of injury, a teacher in times of confusion. You are the deepest wisdom and the highest truth; the greatest peace and the grandest love. You are these things. And in moments of your life you have known yourself to be these things. Choose now to know yourself as these things always. Neale Donald Walsch

Hanmer Springs

The children just had two weeks of holiday. As a treat Mayke and her friend went with us to Hanmer Springs, about 1 1/2 hours till 2 hours (when I would drive) from Christchurch. It was a fantastic day and afterwards we went to an Indian restaurant.

We were going to do the waterfall track but couldn't reach it because of logging. We couldn't have walked this steep track anyway I think because to our surprise there was a lot of snow on the mountains. We took another path It was slippery but fun and beautiful. I loved the crackling sound of the snow under my feet.

The thermal pools are in the centre of Hanmer. It is a delight after a long walk to soak in one of the many hot pools The one we were in most of the time was 37 degrees

You can have a swim as well but that was a bit to freezing in the middle of winter

This bridge is just before Hanmer. If you feel like bungee jumping or jet boating you are on the right place here.

Make the right plan

Post for sundayscribblings

Stepping stones
By Marja Blom

 Life is full of stones
You can stumble over them
You can break your bones
Or you use them for stepping up


And if you fear to go up higher
Fear to climb up to the top
Know that the view is great Up there
Know that you will feel faith Up there,


Don’t wait! Take the risk to touch a star
see the light, tune your radar
find love as your guide inside
Go for it. It is worth the fight

Up there you will understand
 It‘s your beginning not your end
It’s the start of being free
you'll feel one with all you see

Cool shop in Christchurch

For me shopping is a weekly chore. Usually we go to the mall once a week for grocery shopping. Most of the shops there are chain stores. They are the same in every shopping centre. There are 3 places were I buy my clothes. Clothes shopping used to be fun when I was younger (and slim)now it doesn't take me that long anymore. I stil have a weakness for scarfs though. A treat is when we go to the city centre and browse in the second hand bookshops and walk through the Art centre. There are however more beauties in the city tucked away in side streets. One of them is Fazazz classic cars. It is like a museum and sells next to gorgeous classic cars and model cars also other treasures. Have a look. Isn't it a cool shop

The gift of insults

Zen Story The Gift of Insults

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him. One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move. Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed. Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?" "If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

Prague last part

Last pictures of Prague You could easily fill a whole Blog about Prague It breves history and art from every corner.

click to enlarge

Prague castle and St Vitus Cathedral. Charles IV started to build The Cathedral in 1344 It was finished in 1929. It has numerous beautiful side chapels. The Parler's Chapel of St Wenceslas houses the crown jewels and the tomb of King Wenceslas. The door towards the jewels has 7 locks. The 7 most important people in Prague have a key each. Prague castle is the largest castle in the world and build in the 9th century. It started with a wooden fortress The last face lift was in the 18th century. It always was and still is the seat of the Czech rulers.

The Czech already made marionettes since the 18th century. They are hand carved from wood or made from plaster. Some other typical souvenirs are Chech crystal and Becherovka Herbal Liquor

The powder Gate was build in the 11th century, when it was one of 13 entrances to the Old Town of Prague. Later it was used to store gunpowder.

The Municipal House, an Art Nouveau building which was completed in 1911. On 28Th October 1918, the historic proclamation of the independent state of Czechoslovakia took place here.

Look over the Moldau with the Charles Bridge in the background The bridge is protected by three bridge towers and is decorated with 30 statues.

A street in the Old Town

Two Czech people chatting in the park on Kampa Island. The building on the right with a golden crown on top is Prague national Theatre Opera

A beautiful house in Josefov (Old Jewish Town)

This statue of Jan Hus dominates the Old town square. Jan Hus was a Priest and lecturer at the Charles Univerity. He was one of the most important Czech reformers and nationalists. Because he criticised the Catholic church he was burned at the stake for heresy in 1415.

Indulgence

Prompt Indulgence for Sunday Scribblings When I indulged in pondering about the word Indulgence, I thought you can indulge in many things. As long as you completely selfishly engage or emerge in a form of instant gratification. Of course eating and drinking have done that for me but for me but when I was young it was definitely dancing.

photo by Sandra Sten Weinstein

Indulgence in dance

Lifted into wonder of a mystical night

wakened by crying violins

Moonlight illuminates untouchable feet

of a swirling beauty who calls the one

 with a bitter song so sweet
 

Flaming black eyes enter the magic
 fuelled by thundering clapping
Awakening the spirit of romance
 of two silhouettes who understand
the language of a Gypsy dance

During the embrace of two souls
 the rhythm and the beat slows down
the stillness of the night returns
but in the heart of the dancers
an eternal fire burns

As the shimmering veil of dawn rises
Bouncing hoofs announce a departure
 a cloud of dust cloaks the horse and man

Dane Moeke

fantail photo by Mayke

Not only the fantails sing beautifully in New Zealand but also Dane Moeke. This 19 year old psychology student from Hamilton was a winner at Homai Te PakiPaki, a Karoaoke music show on Maori Television. He will be in the semi final in September. Dane sang "I will always love you" from Whitney Houston and when his video came on YouTube it was an instant hit. Check him out at You Tube What do you think Is he as good as Susan Boyle. I think he is.

Terezin concentration camp

When I was in Holland I became aware that the tolerance, once a character trait of the Dutch, is slowly disappearing. I saw more and more signs of intolerance, xenophobia and racism and people voted for the party of Geert Wilders and his hate speeches against Islam. I noticed that this is not only going on in the Netherlands but that a wave is going through many countries. It made me sad and I find it also scary as we have seen in the past where hatred could lead to.
On our Prague holiday we went for one morning to Terezin, one and a half hour drive from Prague. Terezin is an example of what can happen because of racism. Many buses with schoolchildren went there. Hopefully they learned a lesson from it and these things won’t happen again. In the 18th century Terezin was build as a fortress to protect Prague and got the name of Keizerin Maria Theresia Terezin. Terezin or Theresianstadt consisted of the large Fortress which was turned into Theresianstadt Ghetto and small fortress which was turned into a Gestapo prison from 1940. Although executions took place at Terezin, most jews who arrived at Terezin, were sent to extermination camps like Auschwitch were 88.ooo died. Because of disease caused by overcrowding and poor health conditions 33.000 died at Terezin. At the end of the war 17.247 of the 144.000 who entered Terizin had survived We went to visit the small fortress which left a huge impression on all of us. It was quiet on the way back in the bus

The slogan "Arbeit macht frei" was placed at the entrances to a number of Nazi concentration camps

 

Vell blocks A and B consisted of 17 group cells and 20 solitairi confinement cell. 1500 people shared these blocks

In these cells 60 to 100 people lived together

About 15.000 children passed through Terezin. Most of them died They found some poetry of the children and made a book of them called "I never saw another butterfly" You can find .poetry from the children in the camp here 

The Butterfly

The Butterfly 

The last, the very last,
So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing
against a white stone...

Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly ‘way up high.
It went away I'm sure because it wished
to kiss the world goodbye.

For seven weeks I've lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto
But I have found my people here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut candles in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don't live in here,
In the ghetto.

by Pavel Friedman, 1942

Pavel Friedmann was born in Prague on in January 7, 1921. He was deported to Terezin on April 26, 1942 and later to Auschwitz where he died on September 29 1944

A recipe for a human

Prompt human For sunday sribblings

A Recipe for a human
by marja blom

Take the fruit of evolution
Sift out the intelligence, make it into a solution
Stir in a bowl a spoon of fear taken from a memory
 a cup of happiness extracted from a melody
a pinch of C'est la vie

 Pour a billion words in a blender
 till you get a social stew
Spread it on a layer of gender
 Add the mixture from the bowl
Heat it in the oven of life
Garnish with a purpose and a soul

Add some creativity and fantasy
Take it with love and sensitivity
and a sprinkle of forgive ity
which guarantees longevity

Midsummer nights dream

Hermia and Lysander.........................................Puck surrounded by the fairies Yesterday night I went to the play Midsummer night dream performed and interpreted by the students of Mayke's and Davy's school Unlimited. First I was a bit apprehensive to go. I knew it was a play from Shakespeare. I didn't learn much about him at school and thought it was all heavy stuff . You know what; I absolutely loved it. I was enchanted and entertained all the way through. This was of course first of all credit to the students. I was very impressed by them. The story is about two couples Hermia & Lysander and Helena &Demetrius and the many complications in their love. This is made worse by Puck a mischievous spirit. Puck was sent out by Oberon, king of fairyland to apply a flowers juice to the eyes of Demetrius. The juice will make the person fall in love with the first one he sees upon awakening. Puck mistakes however Lysander for Demetrius. In the enchanted forest where most of the story takes place Bottom the weaver and his friends Snug, Snout, Quince and Flute practise a play for the wedding of the Duke of Athens and Hippolyta, a lady warrior A lot more happened, but find that out for yourself. I feel that me on discovery of all these great experiences thinks if only education was so exciting when I was young. The theme of the play is that emotion and imagination influences the perception of human beings and a famous quote in the play is "The course of true love never did run smooth" Sight

Funny New Zealanders

photo from here

A friend send me this today

These were posted on an NZ Tourism Website and the answers are the actual responses by the website officials, who obviously have a sense of humor. Q: Does it ever get windy in NZ? I have never seen it rain on TV, how do the plants grow? ( UK ). A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die. Q: Will I be able to see kiwi birds in the street? ( USA ) A: Depends how much you've been drinking. Q: I want to walk from Auckland to Wellington - can I follow the railroad tracks? ( Sweden ) A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water. Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in NZ? Can you send me a list of them in Auckland , Wellington , Christchurch and Queenstown ? ( UK ) A: What did your last slave die of? Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in NZ ? ( USA ) A: Africa is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe . New - Zealand is that island in the middle of the Pacific which does not ... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Auckland city . Come naked. Q: Which direction is North in NZ ? ( USA ) A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we'll send the rest of the directions. Q: Can I bring cutlery into NZ ? ( UK ) A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do. Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? ( USA ) A: New-Zealand is that quaint little country , which is ... oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Auckland city , straight after the hippo races. Come naked. Q: Can I wear high heels in NZ ? ( UK ) A: You are a British politician, right? Q: Are there supermarkets in Auckland and is milk available all year round? ( Germany ) A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal. Q: Please send a list of all doctors in NZ who can Dispense spider serum. ( USA ) A: poisonous spiders live in America which is where YOU come from. All NZ spiders are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make good pets . You should find some for yourself when you get here. Especially the ones with white tails . Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Can you tell me where I can sell it in NZ ? ( USA ) A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather. Q: Can you tell me the regions in Auckland where the female population is smaller than the male population? ( Italy ) A: Yes, gay night clubs. Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in NZ ? ( France ) A: Only at Christmas. Q: I was in NZ in 1969 on R+R, and I want to contact the girl I dated while I was staying in Wellington. Can you help? (UK) A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour. Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? ( USA ) A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first