Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Waihou stream trip
These photos were taken at Waihou Stream.
I went with KCC and Forest & Bird.
We walked for about two hours along the waihou stream to some pools.
I took the photos.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Jean Batten
Jean Batten was born in Rotorua in 1901.
At the age of four, she moved to Auckland.
After spending fifteen years in Auckland, Jean’s parents split, leaving her with her aunt.
In 1929, Jean Batten visited Australia and sought out Charles Kingsford Smith to have a flight with the Southern Cross.
In 1930, Jean left Auckland and moved to London, the centre of the aviation world.
Later on in the year, Jean Batten also joined the London aeroplane club.
In 1931, Jean Batten gained a license.
Jean said later that she took to flying ‘like a penguin takes to water’.
Others thought that she was ambitious and determined, but a slow learner and TERRIBLE at landings.
Later on in 1931, Jean gained her commercial license.
Jean Batten was determined to fly to Australia from England and to achieve more than ‘just’ this.
On the 8th of May 1934, Jean Batten took off again on her third attempt.
Battling the elements, she reached Darwin in 14 days and 22 hours, almost a day longer than her stated goal, but smashing the previous record by five days.
Jean travelled by boat to New Zealand and toured for six weeks before returning back to Australia and flying back to England, the first woman to make the return trip.
Jean Batten continued to break records, including men’s.
She proved to the world that females can be aviators and can break male records.
At the age of four, she moved to Auckland.
After spending fifteen years in Auckland, Jean’s parents split, leaving her with her aunt.
In 1929, Jean Batten visited Australia and sought out Charles Kingsford Smith to have a flight with the Southern Cross.
In 1930, Jean left Auckland and moved to London, the centre of the aviation world.
Later on in the year, Jean Batten also joined the London aeroplane club.
In 1931, Jean Batten gained a license.
Jean said later that she took to flying ‘like a penguin takes to water’.
Others thought that she was ambitious and determined, but a slow learner and TERRIBLE at landings.
Later on in 1931, Jean gained her commercial license.
Jean Batten was determined to fly to Australia from England and to achieve more than ‘just’ this.
On the 8th of May 1934, Jean Batten took off again on her third attempt.
Battling the elements, she reached Darwin in 14 days and 22 hours, almost a day longer than her stated goal, but smashing the previous record by five days.
Jean travelled by boat to New Zealand and toured for six weeks before returning back to Australia and flying back to England, the first woman to make the return trip.
Jean Batten continued to break records, including men’s.
She proved to the world that females can be aviators and can break male records.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Hunting Fungi in the Kaimais
This fungi feeds on dead wood, and is as hard as rock!
This one was blue, but the flash on the camera turned it a grey-white
More rock hard fungi
Jelly fungi
And bright orange fungi!
These photos were taken on a walk up the Kaimais on the Rapurapu track.
I went with KCC (Kiwi Conservation Club)
It was heaps of fun, and we saw some cool fungi!
I will post more photos soon, as I currently don't have enough time
:)
Kakepuku Catastrophe
Kakepuku Catastrophe
By Flower Kitty
Prologue
I am on top of Mount Kakepuku, at the tip of a tree.
There are wild animals around me, and I am swaying precariously on a branch.
A gust of wind ripples through Kakepuku, and I fall…
I wake up on the floor, breathing hard and sweating.
A wave of excitement rushes through me.
Today Room 5 is going to climb our team mountain, Mount Kakepuku.
I get ready and head to school, taking with me the basic essentials I would need to survive if something happened.
Day One
We’re finally heading off to Kakepuku!
On the long trip over, we sang ‘The wheels on the bus’ and talked about climbing the mountain.
After what seemed like ages, we arrived at Mount Kakepuku.
The strange thing was, was that there was no signs, no cars around, strange bird calls, no parents, and Mr Woody even thought that there was more bush than usual.
We decided to go ahead without the parents.
A few stayed behind to wait, so we decided on a few groups, and headed up the mountain to look for a lookout that Mr Woody knew about.
About ½ an hour later, after discovering that the lookout simply was NOT THERE, we continued up the mountain.
We stopped for lunch in a clearing.
Mr Woody started talking about the trees and the birds.
We kept hearing strange bird calls which Mr Woody identified as huia (which are now extinct), and then started to wander around the clearing muttering to himself.
We ignored him, and continued eating our lunch.
A few minutes later, we discovered that Kitty Milo and Mr Woody had disappeared!
Candy cane, Zac and I decided to head off to find Kitty Milo.
After a long trek through the bush, we stumbled across Empress Penguin, Sherbet, Snow Gal and Kitty Milo.
As it was getting dark, we scrambled into a nearby tunnel and tried to go to sleep.
It was spooky outside.
There were mysterious noises and shapes moving around.
Rolling over I fell into a deep sleep.
Day Two
I woke up in a cave.
Two dark and scary figures were slipping away.
I straightened up and looked around.
I was sitting around a fire, with several other children including Empress Penguin.
There was a pile of long snaky eels freshly cooked and waiting for us.
A few of us (including me) trooped over to try them.
I forced one down my throat, and then promptly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
◊◊◊◊◊
I woke up, the fire still glowing.
I cowered back. A howl of rage cut through the still air, and water was flung over the fire, which hissed and died.
I looked around, my eyes still adjusting to the light.
It was surprisingly quiet, and cold.
An icy shiver creeped down my spine, and I had a sudden urge to turn my classmates into one of me, a Patupairehe (fairy person).
I swiftly ran out of the cave, on long and slender legs.
I silently stole through the dense bush, my wavy coppery brown hair flowing behind me.
Five minutes later I heard a noise.
In an opening in the bush I could see some dim shapes moving about.
I let out a bloodcurdling howl, and flung myself forward.
Terrified screams rang through the air, as several boys saw me.
A rock was flung towards me, which I caught in mid-flight, and threw back.
There were odd noises coming from behind me.
I whirled around, only to come face to face with a crackling fire.
I howled in anguish, turned heel, and ran.
After a few minutes of steady running, I found a creek, leading into a small cave.
I followed the creek, and found a ledge in the cave covered with covered with soft cushiony moss.
I curled up, and fell asleep with star like glow worms twinkling on the roof of the cave above me.
Day Three
I woke up in the cave.
There was hardly any light, so I decided to head outside.
I washed my face in the creek, and then noticed a fuzzy figure appear.
I turned around to come face to face with a dog person (cross between a dog and a person).
“Who are you? What do you want?” I asked.
“Go to the crater!” the dog person said.
On swift and agile legs, he ran off through the bush.
I spun around, and jogged up the mountain.
The bush slowly thinned as I ran, and I knew I was getting there.
About ¼ to ½ an hour later, the bush thinned off, and I found myself looking at a crudely drawn grid in the dirt, with a different tree in each square.
I felt drawn to one, a small kowhai, with bright yellow flowers.
I walked over to it, and sat down.
Suddenly the crater filled with light, and a group of people appeared.
One of them stepped forward and said, “We are superheroes. If you want to, you can come with us to the portal, which can turn you back into a human, and take you back to your own time.”
I decided to go.
After a short trek, we came across the portal, which was a small cave, with blue light flowing out of it.
I was last in the line.
When my turn came, a loud rumbling filled the air.
I darted into the cave, just in time, as the entrance to the cave crumbled around me and I found myself dropping down, and spinning faster and faster.
I landed with a bump, and found myself blinking around at our classroom.
Mr Woody stood up and said “Okay, now that we’re all back, why don’t we write about our adventures!”
The portal was closed, and I had made it.
©
Flower Kitty 2008
By Flower Kitty
Prologue
I am on top of Mount Kakepuku, at the tip of a tree.
There are wild animals around me, and I am swaying precariously on a branch.
A gust of wind ripples through Kakepuku, and I fall…
I wake up on the floor, breathing hard and sweating.
A wave of excitement rushes through me.
Today Room 5 is going to climb our team mountain, Mount Kakepuku.
I get ready and head to school, taking with me the basic essentials I would need to survive if something happened.
Day One
We’re finally heading off to Kakepuku!
On the long trip over, we sang ‘The wheels on the bus’ and talked about climbing the mountain.
After what seemed like ages, we arrived at Mount Kakepuku.
The strange thing was, was that there was no signs, no cars around, strange bird calls, no parents, and Mr Woody even thought that there was more bush than usual.
We decided to go ahead without the parents.
A few stayed behind to wait, so we decided on a few groups, and headed up the mountain to look for a lookout that Mr Woody knew about.
About ½ an hour later, after discovering that the lookout simply was NOT THERE, we continued up the mountain.
We stopped for lunch in a clearing.
Mr Woody started talking about the trees and the birds.
We kept hearing strange bird calls which Mr Woody identified as huia (which are now extinct), and then started to wander around the clearing muttering to himself.
We ignored him, and continued eating our lunch.
A few minutes later, we discovered that Kitty Milo and Mr Woody had disappeared!
Candy cane, Zac and I decided to head off to find Kitty Milo.
After a long trek through the bush, we stumbled across Empress Penguin, Sherbet, Snow Gal and Kitty Milo.
As it was getting dark, we scrambled into a nearby tunnel and tried to go to sleep.
It was spooky outside.
There were mysterious noises and shapes moving around.
Rolling over I fell into a deep sleep.
Day Two
I woke up in a cave.
Two dark and scary figures were slipping away.
I straightened up and looked around.
I was sitting around a fire, with several other children including Empress Penguin.
There was a pile of long snaky eels freshly cooked and waiting for us.
A few of us (including me) trooped over to try them.
I forced one down my throat, and then promptly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
◊◊◊◊◊
I woke up, the fire still glowing.
I cowered back. A howl of rage cut through the still air, and water was flung over the fire, which hissed and died.
I looked around, my eyes still adjusting to the light.
It was surprisingly quiet, and cold.
An icy shiver creeped down my spine, and I had a sudden urge to turn my classmates into one of me, a Patupairehe (fairy person).
I swiftly ran out of the cave, on long and slender legs.
I silently stole through the dense bush, my wavy coppery brown hair flowing behind me.
Five minutes later I heard a noise.
In an opening in the bush I could see some dim shapes moving about.
I let out a bloodcurdling howl, and flung myself forward.
Terrified screams rang through the air, as several boys saw me.
A rock was flung towards me, which I caught in mid-flight, and threw back.
There were odd noises coming from behind me.
I whirled around, only to come face to face with a crackling fire.
I howled in anguish, turned heel, and ran.
After a few minutes of steady running, I found a creek, leading into a small cave.
I followed the creek, and found a ledge in the cave covered with covered with soft cushiony moss.
I curled up, and fell asleep with star like glow worms twinkling on the roof of the cave above me.
Day Three
I woke up in the cave.
There was hardly any light, so I decided to head outside.
I washed my face in the creek, and then noticed a fuzzy figure appear.
I turned around to come face to face with a dog person (cross between a dog and a person).
“Who are you? What do you want?” I asked.
“Go to the crater!” the dog person said.
On swift and agile legs, he ran off through the bush.
I spun around, and jogged up the mountain.
The bush slowly thinned as I ran, and I knew I was getting there.
About ¼ to ½ an hour later, the bush thinned off, and I found myself looking at a crudely drawn grid in the dirt, with a different tree in each square.
I felt drawn to one, a small kowhai, with bright yellow flowers.
I walked over to it, and sat down.
Suddenly the crater filled with light, and a group of people appeared.
One of them stepped forward and said, “We are superheroes. If you want to, you can come with us to the portal, which can turn you back into a human, and take you back to your own time.”
I decided to go.
After a short trek, we came across the portal, which was a small cave, with blue light flowing out of it.
I was last in the line.
When my turn came, a loud rumbling filled the air.
I darted into the cave, just in time, as the entrance to the cave crumbled around me and I found myself dropping down, and spinning faster and faster.
I landed with a bump, and found myself blinking around at our classroom.
Mr Woody stood up and said “Okay, now that we’re all back, why don’t we write about our adventures!”
The portal was closed, and I had made it.
©
Flower Kitty 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Hamilton Gardens Photos
.jpg)
Path up to Chinese Scholar Gardens
.jpg)
Bamboo forest
.jpg)
English flower garden.. Anyone know what this is?
Fountain in Italian Garden.. shaped like a cup!
.jpg)
Italian ampitheatre
.jpg)
Freaky light pattern
.jpg)
Azalea
.jpg)
Foxglove
.jpg)
Flower macro shot
.jpg)
The Mirror Pool
.jpg)
Freaky light pattern 2
.jpg)
A dove... that glows!
.jpg)
Tower & cloud
.jpg)
Fungi...
.jpg)
...fungi...
.jpg)
...and more fungi!
This is only a small section of what I took...
:D
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tragical blaze
On Saturday the 5th April, a huge blaze in Tamahere rocked Hamilton, and killed senior officer Derek Lovell, who was standing next to the fire engine driver at the time of the explosion. The two of them were injured, but Cameron Grylls was discharged from hospital after a few hours.
The blaze was one of the largest fires that New Zealand had ever seen, with smoke two kilometres in the air, and flames that could be seen twelve kilometres away.
The fire fighters were sent to the Icepac building in Tamahere, and were told by a key holder that they could kick down the door just before the explosion.
The Icepac building contained a lot of cheese, and had a lot of polystyrene to aid insulation in it.
It is now thought that the building contained liquid propane gas (LPG), which is highly flammable.
One fire fighter who was in intensive care in Auckland, was believed to have saved his life by shielding his face with his arms.
Tamahere School, which was a neighbouring property of the Icepac cool store, had a ‘pumpkin gala’ on which started about ½ an hour before the explosion.
They had to evacuate the school.
Tamahere School hosted the fire fighters in their hall, and gave them food that got left behind when they had to evacuate.
Derek Lovell’s funeral was on Friday the 11th of April, almost a week after the fatal blaze in Tamahere started.
The blaze was one of the largest fires that New Zealand had ever seen, with smoke two kilometres in the air, and flames that could be seen twelve kilometres away.
The fire fighters were sent to the Icepac building in Tamahere, and were told by a key holder that they could kick down the door just before the explosion.
The Icepac building contained a lot of cheese, and had a lot of polystyrene to aid insulation in it.
It is now thought that the building contained liquid propane gas (LPG), which is highly flammable.
One fire fighter who was in intensive care in Auckland, was believed to have saved his life by shielding his face with his arms.
Tamahere School, which was a neighbouring property of the Icepac cool store, had a ‘pumpkin gala’ on which started about ½ an hour before the explosion.
They had to evacuate the school.
Tamahere School hosted the fire fighters in their hall, and gave them food that got left behind when they had to evacuate.
Derek Lovell’s funeral was on Friday the 11th of April, almost a week after the fatal blaze in Tamahere started.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
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