Last month my partner and I managed to steal away for a weekend to Queenstown which is a most beautiful place in Central Otago (South Island of New Zealand). It was a late autumn here and we were fortunate to catch the stunning shades of autumn. It is just over three hours from where we live in Dunedin. There was very little traffic on the roads and it was a smooth run. We passed the fruit growing area and picked up apples at a roadside stall. There were heaps of pumpkins too. On our journey we spied several Australasian harriers, also known as the harrier hawk or swamp harrier; a bird of the open country. It is often seen soaring and looking for prey, or eating dead rabbits or possums on the road. We saw them soaring majestically in the sky and there was one stubborn one eating a dead possum on the road, it was loathed to move until we almost came to a halt and sounded our horn! Lake Hayes was beautiful, I include a photograph below, so you can see too. It was so still, it was just like a mirror. There are lots of vineyards in the area and it is a major wine growing region. We also visited Arrowtown which inspired me to paint my version of it. You can see that in my portfolio (labeled Arrowtown). What else have I been up to? Well one of my daughters Kate, who is a playwright self published a play called Sketch and asked me to design the cover, so that was an enjoyable request. I also have a friend who writes very humorous poetry and she wanted ten illustrations to break up the text, so that was another little job. Last weekend it was buzzing here in Dunedin because the All Blacks played Wales, their last match to be played at the old stadium Carisbrooke. There is a huge new stadium well underway which will staged future international sports events. Then a day after the All Whites surprised the world by drawing 1:1 with Italy in The World Cup!!! I wrote a poem last week. It was a very dark and dank winter’s afternoon and I was really wishing I could open the front door and it would be a hot and sunny summer’s afternoon. I had read Alice In Wonderland a few days earlier (the film was such a disappointment to me). Here is the poem: Ode to Summer I go outside to enter my Utopia My wonderland where I can be Alice. Soft blue towers of delphiniums Are my lofty spires on which I can dream. Was that a white tail I saw amongst the lavender? A mouse behind the willow pot? I doze some more. Spiders, high construction workers Relentless and skilled with such delicacy Of touch, they weave and contort. Their silkwork The finest that can be wrought. The late afternoon sun so warm and full now Cradles me as I sit on my garden throne. The orchestra of crickets and bees Make music with the strings of sunshine That fall from branches of lilac Heavy with bloom. All the dogs are quiet now They doze… Sleeping stone statues Seeking shade and cool, They wait for fresh air to kiss their noses. Hot feathered birds full of dust Perch on the lichen etched bird bath Like pegs. They splash and flick diamonds over The emerald lawn below Unaware of watchers Soon the sun will rest Dip over distant hills, A sunset of lemon sorbet and tangerine Will refresh the sky A late evening cocktail before The last blackbird sings And the earth sighs Into its soft pillow of night. ~ Anni Morris Well I’ve rambled on quite a bit. I’ll post again soon and include a recipe for a spiced apple cake which is very easy, cheap and incredibly yummy. Sending lots of creative vibes out to all of you wherever you are. Kind regards ~ Anni Morris www.annimorris.com