The NZ Green Warrior

Three years ago I saw a small block of waste land at the end of Moana Street in Woy Woy with nothing growing upon it of note except for a few large Australian bush trees in one corner and I listened to the spoken vision of my friend Jill to turn this space into a community garden. Initial garden site view Initial site view This space now at the end of three years  is a proud example of great gardening from a community of dedicated people all inspired by the vision to create a public growing space that everyone in the community can use and enjoy. There are herbs, fruit trees and various vegetables all sharing this community garden space along with compost bins full of worms, scarecrows, toys for the children to play with and a fantastic mural on the garden wall.  I was told by Jill that initially a garden site plan was designed  and then various stages of that plan have been implemented as the garden has developed over the three years since I last visited....

This last week saw me, Fabrice and Bryan over 3 days, drive down from Whangateau in Northland to Wellington via Taupo, the Desert Road and Palmerston North and then back again via Whanganui, National Park and Te Kuiti-a total of 1869 kms. We stayed overnight in two holiday Parks on this trip, the best being the park at Paekakariki where it was $75 for a small cabin, more like a motel room and where I was able to cook dinner for the three of us and sleep on a great bed. The reason for the quick trip to Wellington was for Fabrice to meet with the French attache in the French Embassy to sort out his passport so we can apply for new immigration visas by the next new moon. Wellington was the same as ever-I still think it is one of New Zealand's nicest cities even with the wind tunnels of the inner city streets-inner city parking is always tricky but the place has good public transport, a great South Indian restaurant and nice energy for a city-something in my mind to do with its siz...

We arrived at a time when it was hot and wet. Just before we came there was large scale flooding in part of the island. It's not cheap and we have so little money left after spending too much on three nights accommodation.  Fabrice lost some money on the plane and when trying to get it back today had to walk almost 15km there and back as no one would pick him up and give him a lift. I am not sure that he and Bryan can get any money to stay here and maybe finding exchange is not so easy- with three of us now it is quite complicated anyway.  Bryan is desparate to be with other children who at present, because it is influenced by the northern hemisphere, are all in school. They have a park not far from us where there is an outside gym, a volleyball/soccer playing area and the equivalent of a play park with swings, slide and climbing bars but when it is raining they shut this because it is slippery. Bryan speaks English to everyone automatically although actually his firs...