Prefatory note: I had intended to publish this months ago but it's been a busy old year. Now, with bushfires almost surrounding Sydney and threatening many national parks including parts of the Blue Mountains, it's timely to pay tribute to the stunning and glorious Grose Valley. Hopefully it will survive. So here finally is the … Continue reading Hike in the Grose Valley, Blue Mountains April 2019
Protected: Little Criffel hike
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Mt Brewster Hut – 17th December 2018
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Protected: Liverpool Hut hike – 17th November 2017
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Can non-scientists tell science stories?
In the 1960s a group of musical Dadaists challenged the British music scene with a series of albums that blended anarchy, parody and musical virtuosity. The group was called the Bonzo Dog Doodah band and their second album, The Donut in Granny’s Greenhouse included tracks like the twelve bar blues "Trouser Press" — featuring a … Continue reading Can non-scientists tell science stories?
Changing Face of Lake Wanaka
A stand of trees makes way for a watersports facility on the edge of Lake Wanaka's famous Roy's Bay. The question we should be asking ourselves - is this the thin end of the wedge. Watersports facility today - five star hotels tomorrow? An inevitable sign of what's to come perhaps, sadly. The projected growth … Continue reading Changing Face of Lake Wanaka
Sustainability or Death
“It’s what you fail to imagine that kills you.” Michael Lewis, The Fifth Risk In one of Eddie Izzard’s classic sketches, he satirizes the Church of England in medieval times for being too nice. Instead of torturing unbelievers, the inquisitor offers a choice: Cake or Death. Not surprisingly they choose cake. Why would you choose … Continue reading Sustainability or Death
WANAKA AIRPORT – FLIGHTS OF FANCY?
Wouldn’t it be great to have a commercial airport in Wanaka! Fancy flying direct to Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington – maybe even Australia. No more driving over the Crown Range, dodging through the Frankton traffic, hustling with the Queenstown parking and airport crowds. Sounds brilliant doesn’t it. So handy and convenient. And grown-up! Our very own … Continue reading WANAKA AIRPORT – FLIGHTS OF FANCY?
Protect Wanaka’s Water!
Water, water, everywhere – how long before it stinks? (with apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge) We are blessed with water in the Upper Clutha – Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, the mighty Clutha and its subsidiaries, the Hawea and Cardrona rivers. And beneath us lies the Wanaka Basin-Cardrona gravel aquifer, a reservoir for farming, rural communities … Continue reading Protect Wanaka’s Water!
Growth v. Community?
A provocative question perhaps but one that many people in Wanaka and, I suspect around the region, are discussing. That Wanaka and Queenstown are growing at a rapid rate is undeniable. The speed of growth and the lack of a coherent plan to manage that growth and ensure that it doesn’t overwhelm or destroy the … Continue reading Growth v. Community?