Click on image for full view and caption SStay-Reefton2-MNR_mw.webp SStay-Reefton-MNR4_mw.webp SStay-Reefton-MNR3_mw.webp SStay-Reefton_Stewart_Nimmo_CC_mw.webp Article title Author Up Up this item , p pageNum GO TO Celebrating Summer Pull quote FC status SEASON 2024 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Feilding, New Zealand ​

​ ​ BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption event-morisons-grahamleslie_mw.webp event-motukarara_mw.webp event-campfest.webp event-campfest04722_mw.webp event-mtsomers_mw.webp event-MWF+Fest+2023_mw.webp event-orton_mw.webp event-oxford_mw.webp event-waikato_mw.webp event-waimate2_mw.webp event-whanganui_mw.webp EVENTS — Camping Editor Join up with others and go camping. Oxford Pre-xmas Farm Stay 8–10 Dec, Fri, Oxford, Nth Canterbury Run away with us. Avoid the Christmas shopping a little longer (or see if the Oxford Farmers Market will fill out your list). Children and pets welcome. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/oxford-xmas | ckw.nz/oxford-rsvp Pre Christmas Fun 8–10 Dec , Fri, Arapuni, Sth Waikato Relax before the craziness of Xmas. Kayaking, swimming, bush walks, cycling, glow worms, campfires and more. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/arapuni-camp | ckw.nz/arapuni-rsvp Christmas/New Year in the Park 24 Dec–2 Ja n, Motukarara, Canterbury Come for a cuppa, a day, a night, relax for a week at Waihora Domain! All welcome. Water, toilets, playground, rail trail, horse racing 29th. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/motukarara-xmas | ckw.nz/motukarara-rsvp Whanganui Vintage Weekend camp 19–22 January , Fri, Wanganui, Region Markets, vintage car display, bands and other events. Camp in the city. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/vintage23-camp | ckw.nz/vintage23-rsvp Waimate Getaway! 26–28 Jan , Fri, Waimate, Sth Canterbury Join us at this hidden jewel, Knottingley Park & Arboretum. Pet friendly. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/waimate-getaway | ckw.nz/waimate-rsvp Camp at Morison’s Bush 2–6 Feb , Fri, Martinborough, South Wairarapa Camp under manukau trees by the Ruamahanga river for Waitangi weekend. Swimming, fishing, visit the Martinborough Fair. Dogs on leads. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/morisons-feb23 | ckw.nz/morisons23-rsvp Campfest 2024 9–11 Feb , Fri, Bulls, Rangitikei An incred-i-bull family venue: join us for a fun camping weekend with a market, walking distance to shops and cafes. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/campfest-24 | ckw.nz/campfest-24-rsvp Marlborough Wine and Food Festival Camp 9–12 Feb , Fri, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough Camp the weekend and visit the biennial wine and food festival on Saturday, just a 15 min drive away. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/waihopai-camp | ckw.nz/waihopai-rsvp A weekend at Orton Bradley Park 23–25 Feb , Fri, Charteris Bay, Canterbury Cast a line, have a round of golf or tennis or just relax at Charteris Bay, at the lovely Orton Bradley Park. No pets. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/orton-feb23ckw.nz/orton-feb23-rsvp Mount Somers in Summer 22–24 March , Mt Somers, Canterbury Explore this picturesque region from the Holiday Park. Dogs on leads. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/mtsomers-mar23ckw.nz/mtsomers-mar23-rsvp For more camps keep an eye on l allpointscampingnz.org/events l ckw.nz/nzfunadventures-events (FB) GO TO Celebrating Summer ​ ​ Up Up ​ , p 35

4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0

BUY PDF CONTENTS 6 Summer 2023 Up EVENTS — Camping Up Editor Join up with others and go camping. Oxford Pre-xmas Farm Stay 8–10 Dec, Fri, Oxford, Nth Canterbury Run away with us. Avoid the Christmas shopping a little longer (or see if the Oxford Farmers Market will fill out your list). Children and pets welcome. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/oxford-xmas | ckw.nz/oxford-rsvp Pre Christmas Fun 8–10 Dec , Fri, Arapuni, Sth Waikato Relax before the craziness of Xmas. Kayaking, swimming, bush walks, cycling, glow worms, campfires and more. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/arapuni-camp | ckw.nz/arapuni-rsvp Christmas/New Year in the Park 24 Dec–2 Ja n, Motukarara, Canterbury Come for a cuppa, a day, a night, relax for a week at Waihora Domain! All welcome. Water, toilets, playground, rail trail, horse racing 29th. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/motukarara-xmas | ckw.nz/motukarara-rsvp Whanganui Vintage Weekend camp 19–22 January , Fri, Wanganui, Region Markets, vintage car display, bands and other events. Camp in the city. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/vintage23-camp | ckw.nz/vintage23-rsvp Waimate Getaway! 26–28 Jan , Fri, Waimate, Sth Canterbury Join us at this hidden jewel, Knottingley Park & Arboretum. Pet friendly. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/waimate-getaway | ckw.nz/waimate-rsvp Camp at Morison’s Bush 2–6 Feb , Fri, Martinborough, South Wairarapa Camp under manukau trees by the Ruamahanga river for Waitangi weekend. Swimming, fishing, visit the Martinborough Fair. Dogs on leads. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/morisons-feb23 | ckw.nz/morisons23-rsvp Campfest 2024 9–11 Feb , Fri, Bulls, Rangitikei An incred-i-bull family venue: join us for a fun camping weekend with a market, walking distance to shops and cafes. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/campfest-24 | ckw.nz/campfest-24-rsvp Marlborough Wine and Food Festival Camp 9–12 Feb , Fri, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough Camp the weekend and visit the biennial wine and food festival on Saturday, just a 15 min drive away. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/waihopai-camp | ckw.nz/waihopai-rsvp A weekend at Orton Bradley Park 23–25 Feb , Fri, Charteris Bay, Canterbury Cast a line, have a round of golf or tennis or just relax at Charteris Bay, at the lovely Orton Bradley Park. No pets. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/orton-feb23ckw.nz/orton-feb23-rsvp Mount Somers in Summer 22–24 March , Mt Somers, Canterbury Explore this picturesque region from the Holiday Park. Dogs on leads. All Points Camping Club. ckw.nz/mtsomers-mar23ckw.nz/mtsomers-mar23-rsvp For more camps keep an eye on l allpointscampingnz.org/events l ckw.nz/nzfunadventures-events (FB) Up Up ​ ​ event-morisons-grahamleslie_mw.webp event-motukarara_mw.webp event-whanganui_mw.webp event-morisons-grahamleslie_mw.webp 1/11

4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0

Click on image for full view and caption SSTay-Horahor-JENI-CW_mw.webp sstay-horahora1-apc_mw.webp SStay-Horahora_mw_edited.jpg Article title Author Up Up this item , p pageNum GO TO Celebrating Summer Pull quote FC status SEASON 2024 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Feilding, New Zealand ​

​ ​ BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (RailTrail_5604) Clyde, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5305) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5379) Mocha in his 'buddy rider' ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5400) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5478) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5514) RailTrail_5547_mw.webp ©2023 M Richardson There are many tunnels on the Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5578) Curious: Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5588) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5592) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (RailTrail_5592) Omakau, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5636) The highest point marker, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5664) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5686) Brian Turner poem, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5709) NZ Railways nail. Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5734) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5764) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5875) Solar System sculptures. Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5885) Mile marker, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5954) Showing our overnights and our turn around points on the Otago Rail Trail. ©2023 M Richardson Tiroiti free camp, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5969) Interesting work inside the tunnel, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5994) Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson (Railtrail_5998) Heading down the valley to Middlemarch, Otago Rail Trail ©2023 M Richardson, Railtrail_6029 You have to be here… Miriam Richardson We gathered in Alexandra in Autumn, four of us and a dog. It’s a great season for biking in Central Otago, not too hot, and the weather is usually settled. We headed to Clyde to test out our gear and our selves, to buy a passport and take some starting-out photos.Three of us had electric bikes, one was muscle-powered. Mocha in his Buddy Rider We all had motorhomes or vans, and our route was planned so that we rode to a mid point then back, moved to the next park up, returned to the mid point then home to our vans again. Effectively we were riding the trail in both directions at once. We were not very fit, so the daily rides had to be under 25km, a planning challenge ably met by our intrepid leader Sue. Mocha, Sue’s companion, travelled in his “buddy rider.” 152 km to cover; twice. We were in no rush: we took a leisurely 11 days. The track surface was mostly good, with some uncomfortable, poorly-repaired places, and though it was never steep, it felt like it at times. Electric bikes are very good for not overworking muscles, but sitting on a bike seat requires its own kind of fitness training; even with our relatively short daily rides the sitting was a challenge. We woke to a flock of sheep and a closed gate at the free camping spot by the river in Omakau (photo, right), just over the bridge from the town. The overnight fee at Haye’s Engineering, Oturehua gave us entrance to their intriguing exhibits. Eight days in, we were at Waipiata, one of my favourite spots: a lovely domain with free camping (donations welcome), a pub, with superb pies (one now and two for later) a historic village to wander through, and various rail sculptures and memorabilia especially for rail-trailers. It was here we realised how well we had jelled as a group. Three of us ready to go, standing with our bikes, while our 4th was still making her morning cuppa. She looked out her window, oops — the time is now! We were happy while we waited. Enjoying the morning. No hurry. No sideways looks. Four relative strangers enjoying our journey. 1943 Hyde memorial It was quintessential NZ to meet a school friend at the Hyde railway accident memorial on our lunch stop. She is now a Wellingtonian and school was over 50 years ago. Middle of nowhere, “ fancy meeting you here … ” That’s NZ. The sky, the clouds, the hills, the vista changed as we travelled, but always vast and uplifting. We struggled sometimes, we had some glitches with our electric bikes. Our muscle-powered companion kept pace, right until the very last stretch, when the threat of rain had her disappear into the distance leaving us way, way behind. I really lovely ride, well worth the effort. Sue and Mocha at the finish gate. Our overnight parks Alexandra; Chatto Creek at the tavern; Omakau, a free camp by the river (above); Oturehua at Hayes Engineering; Ranfurly NZMCA park; Waipiata in their beautiful domain; Tiroiti a free camp (below), and finally Middlemarch at the campground. Viewed from the trail, the Tiroiti free camp, above, is a stretch of firm parking alongside a quiet side-road. You have to be here; you have to feel the deep slow surge of the hills, the cloak of before, the wrench of beyond. From ‘Van Morrison in Central Otago’ by Brian Turner GO TO Celebrating Summer ​ ​ Up Up ​ , p 8

Click on image for full view and caption battle_20230218_074430_mw.webp battle_20230218_125924_w.webp battle_20230217_191709_w.webp Article title Author Up Up this item , p pageNum GO TO Celebrating Summer Pull quote FC status SEASON 2024 ISSUE 1 BUY PDF CONTENTS Feilding, New Zealand ​

4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0

BUY PDF CONTENTS 6 Summer 2023 Up Horahora Domain Up Angela Bryan STOP and STAY Horahora Domain has everything any water-sport enthusiast could want. Situated right on the banks of the Waikato River, 2 mins off SH 1 it is the perfect stop whether you’re heading north or south. The only facilities provided are a toilet block with changing rooms, but they are very adequate and clean. Choose to park up in the front with a view of the lake or at the back against the hills with sheep over the fence. There is room for every type of vehicle, but if you want a front row spot arrive earlier rather than later and you can spend the evening watching all the action on the water. The weekend we were here it filled up fast from 3pm onward. Council rules allow up to 30 vehicles with a maximum 2 night stay. Dogs are allowed with the usual rules in place. Fill your tanks before you arrive, as there is no water on-site. Top photo: ©2023 Jeni C-W STOP and STAY Where to stop when travelling and camping in NZ — use it, share it, add to it. Stop and Stay is a free resource for NZ campers and travellers, brought to you by campers for campers. It might be a country pub for a meal, a rural property, a council reserve, a DOC camp; it might be a commercial campground or a unique day-stop or cafe. Please add your recommendations to the list. Anyone one can access the list or make recommendations. It’s free, too, for property owners to be on the list. Remember to always check with hosts first — phone numbers are provided on most listings, and keep in mind that some properties have restrictions. Dog-friendly properties are indicated on each listing, as are wheelchair accessible properties. STOP and STAY | Add a place to Stop and Stay Up Up ​ ​ SSTay-Horahor-JENI-CW_mw.webp sstay-horahora1-apc_mw.webp SStay-Horahora_mw_edited.jpg SSTay-Horahor-JENI-CW_mw.webp 1/3

4 Winter 2023 ISSUE 4 BUY PDF CONTENTS Up Camping The Kiwi Way, Winter 2023 ​ Up Featured ‘ Let’s go south for a few weeks ’ ‘How many weeks?’ ‘Eight.’ ‘How about six?’ Greenies on the road : Managing food scraps. Winter's here : Some of our most glorious times camping have been in the winter season. Tips and tricks. Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022. Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track : We put it to a family-friendly test: with my toddler (and his dada) in tow, we set out. Self containment changes in brief RV & Camper business services : Self containment, LPG work, electrical work, motorhome work & more. Table of Contents 2 Small town friendly 4 Editorial: The good news 4 One hundred nights a year 4 Winter’s not going to stop Mavis 5 ‘Let’s go south for a few weeks’ 6 Why we chose our Swift Sprite Quattro caravan 7 I am on track 7 Eight degrees of harm 8 Halfway through my 73 days traveling 9 Greenies on the road: Managing food scraps 10 A stove jack 11 It was cold at Mavora Lakes. Plenty of snow around. 12 Winter's here... Tips and tricks 13 Pegs for tough weather 13 Quinneys Bush Family Holiday Camp 14 Get on ya bike 16 Two long blacks and a cheese scone 17 I did it! My very first solo camping and tramping trip! 18 Gold miner Wattie Thompson 19 Before the cyclone : Freedom Camping Eastern Hawke's Bay, Winter 2022 23 Winter at Nokomai Station 23 CampFest — Bulls, 2023 24 Kiwi Burn Hut Loop Track, Mavora Lakes : A family test 26 Waikato west coast road trip 27 Camping as a young family 27 Recipes for camping: Vege Nachos 27 Our morning view, heater on 28 Game: Fill in the grid 29 Kimbolton Sculpture Festival 2023 33 Stop and Stay The Store cafe and camp – Kekerungu (Marlborough) Lakelands Holiday Park , Whanganui 34 NZers go camping: clubs & groups : Life of Van 34 EVENTS — Camping 35 EVENTS — Festivals and show s 36 Self containment changes in brief 37 RV & Camper business services 47 Coffee Time Up Up ​ 1/0

​ ​ BUY PDF CONTENTS Click on image for full view and caption bluesky2_mw.webp blues-swatches-nov3_mw.webp Nothing but blue skies… David Liddall Whananaki 2022: a cobalt blue sky From my early years a blue sky has affected me and inspired me beyond comprehension, it has always spoken to me of distant horizons and unexplored parts. When I was a teenager I had, on numerous occasions, resigned a job and hitchhiked off to distant places after having been awed by a big blue sky, into the wild blue yonder. In the late sixties when Harry Nilsson sung, I’m goin’ where the weather suits my clothes I adopted it as a life principal (… and Canned Heat’s I’m goin where the water tastes like wine / we can jump in the water and stay drunk all the time; though that’s not the subject of these thoughts at the moment). Even now, fifty years later, I regard those inspirational lines as motivating a lifetime of travel and adventure. Even now a clear blue sky gives me a deep-seated thrill. It gives me a desire to paint and motivates me like nothing else. I find it difficult to paint on a grey and chilly day, perhaps just as well, as watercolour doesn’t perform naturally if it’s not in a naturally drying situation (which perhaps explains why so many of the northern hemisphere artists use hair dryers to cure their work). As much as I like painting a tumultuous sky, there’s nothing like a clear blue wash to capture distance and grandeur (you can tell I’m enjoying painting in the southern landscapes) but it also makes me consider blue in the watercolour genre. Many of the paintings coming to us from history or from contemporary artists are northern hemisphere works, even the early New Zealand paintings done by European explorers are often muted and, to our eyes they can seem insipid or washed out, (though I’m sure the years since their painting may contribute to their pale appearance also); that’s because they generally use cerulean blue, a much paler blue than we would use to capture our skies. It’s great for a cold winter scene or a hazy, post-storm environment, but certainly wouldn’t give the sky enough strength and tone to capture one of our New Zealand skies in summer: that, I would suggest, would be cobalt blue, the colour I use in my skies more than any other. Mixed with a touch of Payne’s grey it combines wonderfully to create the chaos and turmoil of a storm-riven sky. I’m constantly reminded of this when I watch European artists at work, their choice of palette seems so muted compared to anything a New Zealand artist would choose, and an Australian artist would be different again, perhaps choosing the same skies but the other colours of the palette would reflect the burnt terracotta colours of their scorched land, also a wonderful world for the landscape artist. So I continue to seek that place I’ve never been, and take my paints with me. Still hoping to come across a river that tastes like wine but don’t relish the idea of being drunk all the time but rather Willie Nelson’s blue days, all of them gone, nothing but blue skies from now on. Peace. ©2023 David Liddall GO TO Celebrating Summer ​ ​ Up Up ​ , p 33