Friday Feathered Friend
Louise Thomas has provided this weeks Friday Feathered Friend.
"Nature abhors a vacuum. The old adage has seen the white-fronted terns/tara (Sterna striata) move onto the Petone Wharf as a convenient perching spot for hawking (terning?) for fish. Such sleek birds, they turn on a dime, their brilliant white feathers catching the sun as they dive like professionals into the briny.
The old wharf, stretching almost 400m out into harbour, was closed (although a few foolhardy humans ignore the signs and climb the fence) in January for six weeks (hah!) for “urgent” repairs after the earthquakes over the New Year caused it to slump a bit in the middle. To be fair, the piles are infested with marine worms turning the ancient trunks into so much Swiss cheese and the bolts holding it all together are rustier than my first car, so it wouldn’t have taken much. Having seen a cross-section of a pile, I’m surprised it hasn’t collapsed before now. I am looking forward to it reopening though, I miss being able to walk so far out into the harbour – it’s where all the good stuff happens."
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Moe mai rā, Nicholas.
We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.
Tactile texture
Welcome texture into your room by using leftover Resene Anaglypta wallpaper to accentuate furniture and décor items. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.