Down on the beach
The Beginning Of A New Journey
80 Years of naturally regenerating bush Here is the main food garden, various fruit, berry and nut trees have been planted. Its a work in progress and started in a little clearing in the bush. Most of the work, (its even fun!) has been done by hand with our own energy. Hand tools help us to step lightly on this earth, which comes from a heart felt respect for the land. Our wish is to keep heavy machinery out of this garden space, its a space to listen to the vibrations of the cicadas, the songs of the birds, the ocean on the beach not too far away, the creek close by, the wind in the trees. In this garden there is no time, but thyme. |
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Other things that keep us busy A fence was put up to establish the food garden and keep the red deer, pig and weka from grazing. The round structure was built, originally for a greenhouse but the wind blew the plastic roof off (it does get windy) while we were away, still it’s very useful for the tomatoes and other wind sensitive plants. The iron bathtub was already there, and we are definitely grateful for it as it is very necessary , just make a fire underneath and soak those muscles (kiwi bush bath). Clean up of the fallen and dead manuka/kanuka trees was a big task. Because it was old wood, the main uses are firewood for the kitchen in the bach and wind breaks. |
Our chicken's (Chookie) home was made from dry logs as well as green logs, she really only spends the nights in there , during the day she is in the bush foraging. We did bring her a friend on our last trip to the mainland and she (piklet) doesn’t lay eggs either, hmmmm. They both keep a careful look out for the native falcon endemic to New Zealand.
Inside the batch we made a plaster mix experimenting with dried local grasses, manuka leaves and sawdust. Clay is everywhere we don’t have to go far for that and really we are just experimenting, with building furniture we are also using what we have and what has been left behind from previous peoples.
Manuka/Kanuka green logs have been worked by hand with hand tools to form the compost toilet, roundwood work with wooden joints and pegs, a green roof made from epdm, mosses and native grasses. The cobbing was started before we left for the winter.
Nature around us
To get to D'Urville Island turn off the state highway 6 towards French Pass. After Okiwi bay spectacular views are found from up high. Elmslie bay is the closest village on the mainland. From there watertaxis operate to d'urville island. The bach itself is surrounded with regenerating bush, and the rising sun invites us up for the day. The ocean is clean and with plenty of sealife , let's keep it that way. An old farm track takes us up to the mineral belt with wonderful 360 degree views at the top of the Island through ancient Beech forests, where wonderful sunsets can be seen, connecting us to the mainroad on D'Urville Island. Below are some links to more detailed information regarding the nature of our environment on and around the Island. |
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Links
Sustain Our Sounds Protect, restore and enhance the Marlborough Sounds
D'Urville Island Wikipedia
JPS The Cultural Succession & Ethnographic Features of D'Urville Island
Marlbourough District Council D’Urville Ecological District Report
PDF, The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. Population status of the New Zealand king shag