Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Merry Christmas, Blossoms

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  • Sacha, in reply to barnaclebarnes,

    I'd never thought of that. May you have a relaxing (and high-contrast) break, sir.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Julie Cross, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,

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    Won't someone think of the poor South Islanders and inland North Islanders who can't enjoy pohutukawa in full bloom?

    Robyn, we expats feel the pain too. This is the best I could find here in small town Oz... a saturnalian celebration for my homesickness.

    I'm more Pogues than Rudolf this time of year, but thanks all for the warm welcome to PA. I was '1 post' a month ago and JP and friends on Capture have been downright friendly. That ol' kiwi hospitality doing its magic thing. Have a great Christmas, you talented bunch of writerly folk. tis a good thing you are making here.

    Australia • Since Nov 2011 • 120 posts Report

  • Deborah,

    Congratulations, Danielle. I'm so pleased for you. I'm at my parents' place, where they don't have wireless, and the computer is very old, so internetaccess is creaky at best. I spnet all yesterday thinking, I guess Danielle's baby must have arrived by now... And he has! Lovely news for Christmas.

    I can report that the pohutakawas are just starting to burst in New Plymouth, with the exception f one that we can see on the foreshore, which is a brilliant crimson. A day or two more of this warm weather, and Christmas Day itself should be gloriously red.

    Merry Christmas, everyone.

    Also, the internet problem here? Someone has cunningly given Dad an iPad, so we'll be sorting out the wireless later on today or tomorrow.

    New Lynn • Since Nov 2006 • 1447 posts Report

  • 3410,

    I'm with barnaclebarnes.
    Unfortunately, Pohutukawas do nothing for me.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • Yamis, in reply to Christopher Dempsey,

    will turn into the largest Pohutukawa you've ever seen and your new house will suffer. That or religiously prune it every year and place a caveat on the title to that effect so each new homeowner has to do the same.

    Sorry to be grinch like, but trees grow. Big. Very Big.

    It's all good. I've planted a few thousand trees and plants already and grew up on a farm/bush block so have located it well away from anything it might bother in coming decades. What's more of a worry is the bloody maple tree that was planted next to the driveway and is now proceeding to rip it up in slow motion!

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,

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    Won't someone think of the poor South Islanders and inland North Islanders who can't enjoy pohutukawa in full bloom?

    'salright , we got a lovely subdued seasonal
    Feijoa in flower...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

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    'salright , we got a lovely subdued seasonal Feijoa in flower...

    That is lovely and for those who miss the native mistletoe.... ('cept barnaclebarnes who may spot the pine cones), have a glimpse of the Waitemata as well.

    Congrats on your new arrival Danielle. All my life I got Merry Xmas and happy birthday gifts. Just the one each year. I've never forgotten that. Probably why I mention it to other half every year now. Not that I think it's important. Jus' sayin' ;)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Hebe,

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    Merry Christmas on Banks Peninsula

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Hebe,

    Merry Christmas on Banks Peninsula

    Oh wow! So there are a few of those big red trees down your way!

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Raymond A Francis,

    Yes we poor old South Islanders are on the hind tit again
    And although I have spent several Summers up North I don't remember see the Pohutukawa in full flower, Rata,Feijoa yes but not the same
    New Year resolution coming on early

    On the plus side we do have our long twilights and plenty of strawberries

    Well done Danielle on your son, my dear wife was born on Christmas day and thanks to her having a significant one this year, it is all on ..cast of hundreds, Havic hams ,BBQ texas style brisket, the list goes on

    Have a good one everybody

    45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    A very Merry Christmas to all readers and writers on PAS alike.

    I will spend a week on Waiheke after Christmas, doing my best to think of nothing whatsoever beyond my whanau and relaxation.

    The giant pohutukawa that now obscures much of their sea view also attracts tuis and wood pigeons, and there is always an appreciative cluster of people in it's shade at the hottest point in the day, so feelings are mixed toward it, but it will certainly not care about any of that, and celebrate the hottest part of the year as it's kind most likely have been doing since before Christmas was invented, most likely before humans had the ability to mess with trees, and the tuis would have been singing the same songs, and the sea also. The beach was probably the same shape, and many of the same pebbles would have been there, although they're probably smaller and rounder now. In another ten thousand years, I expect all of this will still be true, perhaps the beach will be slightly sandier.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Russell Brown,

    More and more pohutukawa are being planted along the coast down here, and there has always been a a few big trees in Sumer that flower every year (the one I particularly liked was by a cliff at the bottom of Clifton Hill -- haven't checked its condition lately). They do okay if they are sheltered from the frost; but the southern rata and crosses are more reliable if not as showy.

    That tree in the pic was spectacular when I saw it a couple of years ago in the first few days of the year; the really deep red flowers are hard to find this far south - they tend to have an orange tint. I believe that Banks Peninsula is considered the southern limit for pohutukawa, though I would be interested to hear of (and see ) sightings further south.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Hebe, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    Feijoa's better -- you can eat them as well as look at the flowers.

    Christchurch • Since May 2011 • 2899 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to BenWilson,

    In another ten thousand years, I expect all of this will still be true, perhaps the beach will be slightly sandier.

    ..and a bit further up the hill

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • JacksonP,

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    Oh oh oh!

    In the background is our currently budding Kermadec Pohutukawa, which will probably flower again in late Jan early Feb.

    Merry Christmas one and all.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel, in reply to JacksonP,

    glazed ham...

    oh oh oh!

    or a drunkenly lurching OI OI OI
    ( in slab serif caps of course!)

    or if they're a bit angry,
    it could be a game of
    noughts and cross-eyes...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • JacksonP, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    a game of
    noughts and cross-eyes...

    Take me to your Breeders...
    Oh
    Last flight
    Get lost in the moss
    Oh, oh
    Fall in the neon mine
    Push me down
    Push me down
    Push me down

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to JacksonP,

    oh oh oh

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Rob Stowell,

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    Merry Christmas all!

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report

  • Rob Stowell,

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    Waiting for Santa...

    Whakaraupo • Since Nov 2006 • 2120 posts Report

  • rjal,

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    Pohutukawa at Waikaraka Cemetery. I took this today. It was lovely down there, quite a few people tending the graves. (Hope this works, can’t see the pic in the preview).

    Merry Christmas everyone.

    Since Dec 2011 • 7 posts Report

  • WH,

    Merry Christmas. You've made something quite special at Public Address. I like the idea of making the world a better place one person at a time.

    I've got tickets for the upcoming Above and Beyond's event at the Brixton Academy - lucky because they are all sold out now. It's going to be great.

    Since Nov 2006 • 797 posts Report

  • Jackie Clark,

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    We don’t have any pohutukawa up here on Mum’s property – but there are going to be lots of dogs. 3 to be exact. Which will be interesting since they’re all very young, and very rambunctious. And here’s one I prepared earlier.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report

  • Fooman, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,

    Won't someone think of the poor South Islanders and inland North Islanders who can't enjoy pohutukawa in full bloom?

    But they do get to enjoy the crimson bloom of the rata, both Northen and Southern.

    FM

    Lower Hutt • Since Dec 2009 • 87 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Jackie Clark,

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    lots of dogs.

    This one says merry Xmas to you. She is keen to get on the road. I am having coffee first. Will catch up after the trip. Merry hols to all.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

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