More on Sharing

 More on the blackcurrancy market. We just had a couple of rather ‘invigorating’ days away in the Catlins – visiting the same time as a southern blast of freezing weather straight from the Antarctic.  Stayed in a DOC camp in our tent listening to the howling wind and hail.  Put on all the clothes I brought with me. Being a sensible southerner that did include wool socks, merino top, windbreaker and knitted hat. Excellent summer break. We went for a great walk during a break in the weather and found this gorgeous roadside patch in Papatowhai. 

Free Veges  says the sign. Help yourself. They have also added the verse about beating swords into ploughshares - a message of peace. 

Great adventure though and thoroughly recommended. For those of you who don’t know, the Catlins are in the bottom south eastern coast of the South Island of NZ and have really been only recently discovered by the rest of the world.  The native forests are awesome – especially where they sweep down to the sea.  It’s the old stomping ground for my husband and his family as they holidayed regularly at Curio Bay. The Catlins are easy to get to. The town of Balclutha is only an hour south of Dunedin (less from Dunedin airport) and is where you turn towards the coast.

 More freezing sleeting cold summer adventures in the South…

Not far inland but further south near Wyndham, we visited a garden that has been on my radar since I started gardening as a young woman in the 1980’s and 90s.  Maple Glen. Go there. It is one of the most beautiful woodland gardens you will ever see anywhere in the world.

They have a plant nursery there too and I was able to purchase a couple of treasures for my new woodland garden. I am so thrilled that I can grow these treasures more successfully than I could in the humid north.  Maple Glen is open all year round so pick your favourite season and just go. Take a picnic. You could be some time.