It’s always been satisfying to go home to see my family and friends. I love my family and adore my friends and think myself blessed beyond worthiness of their presence in my life. For much of my life though, home has been a great distance from where I find myself travelling and working. I used to be concerned that I was missing out on sharing the special occasions because I was somewhere else, other than home. I would worry that I was in some small way letting everyone else down with my absence, and was creating gulfs between myself and home and all of its entities. Worried that friendships would wither and family bonds would fade. Except when I do return home, I realise that it has all been my insecurities which have allowed these thoughts to creep in to existence. For when I go home, there is no evidence of resentment, shame or guilt. No questions about my reasons for being elsewhere, for not being home more often. All I get is love and warmth and hugs and smiles, everything that makes me feel centred and calm and the very reason why I still call it home.
So to all the family and friends whose company I enjoyed last week, thanks for the great times. I truly relive the moments every day and feel warm and restful. For all my family and friends including the ones I rarely see and the ones who live on the other side of the globe, thanks for being part of my life. It is because of you all that I continue to live and laugh and grow. Together, you are the water in the river of my life, carrying me gently to the ocean of eternal bliss.
My mother used to say that there are no strangers, only friends you haven't met yet. She's now in a maximum security twilight home in Australia. Dame Edna Everage (1934- )

Hamilton Zoo

As I sit writing this, it rains outside. In the past two and a half weeks we have had 359 mm's, that's more than the yearly rainfall where we lived in Australia.

One of the preliminary postings I was going t o make on this blog was a brief introduction to Hamilton Zoo so all and sundry can see the environment I have been working in. Almost a year after arriving here, I have remembered this and so in a lame attempt to create ‘the bigger picture’ here is a short introduction to Hamilton Zoo. I have used a few figures of comparison to Adelaide and Monarto Zoos, for those who know or work there can use these as a comparison to augment the impression.Hamilton Zoo is a moderately new zoo. Started in 1969 (the year I was born) it was originally a game farm where birds such as pheasants were bred for release for hunting. Not a very pleasant beginning to the story. There were also numerous other bird displays as the owners were avid bird keepers. Eventually a few exotic mammals come in to the collection and there you have it, a Zoo. The Hamilton City Council stepped in during the 70’s to prop it up financially and when the Zoo faced financial ruin, the Council took it on board completely, rejuvenated it and has run it ever since. Now it is 25 hectares in size (Adelaide Zoo (AZ) 8 hectares, Monarto Zoo 1000+ hectares), holds approximately 450 animals (AZ 1800, MZ 400) of 95 species (AZ 200, MZ 40+). Unlike Adelaide Zoo though, the collection is not filled with little critters like fish or invertebrates or small birds, but larger species of mammals as well as numerous birds, especially waterfowl and parrots. It is just outside the city set among thickets of native and exotic vegetation on low undulating hills, peppered with lakes, stream and waterfalls. The zoo is involved heavily in native New Zealand conservation programs as well as being highly regarded for its success in breeding White Rhinoceros. The zoo is about to expand in size by about another 10 hectares, with the land already fenced off and ready to be developed. This area will become the new African section with the addition of Lions, amongst others. There will also be safari tent accommodation and educational facilities. One of the best things about Hamilton Zoo is the size of the enclosures. Nothing is being kept in tiny cages for the ease of the viewing public. The African section at the moment is a large field, which from different locations you can see herds of Zebras, Giraffe, Blackbuck, and Nilgai mixing with Ostriches and Guinea Fowl as they would naturally. There is walkthrough aviary which is the largest in the southern hemisphere and a series of lakes which are home to numerous waterfowl in a natural environment.

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. (Albert Einstein)

Following on to my previos post taking the piss out of New Zealand, here is an add with a similar angle about Australia.

"Where the bloody hell are ya?"

For any Aussies who remeber the "Where the bloody hell are ya?" Australian Tourism campaign, with Lara Bingle, here is the New Zealand version. No offence to anyone, just a giggle.

Me? Snowboard??

Here I am, roaring down the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. The person that falls over in about half way through, is not me. I am the one zooming past in the orange jacket. Anyone else impressed? Or just me....?