our last wednesday on wairua mountain

Christmas is here. We listened to a Caroline's story about Mary, Joseph and Jesus, who were kept warm by a spider who wove a web across the doorway..


We followed the clues to the Woodsman's Den, where we were held spellbound by local author Annie Rae Te Ake Ake, who told us of her growing up years over the hills of the mountain, listening to her grandma telling the stories.. "Grandma, grandma, tell me another story.." as she went to sleep each night. Now she is a Nanny and enchants her own mokopuna with the stories of her people.
Annie Rae explained the story of our mountain, known all over the world, and how he got his name: Mauao = caught in the light of the day
There is so much magnificence in the ocean.
Kia ora, Annie, you are inspiring.


R13 brought Millicent the kunekune pig inside for a squealy visit!!!


Making the baby Jesus in his manger: with beads, felt and walnut shells.


The finished babies, snugly wrapped in their mangers, ready to hang on the Christmas tree.


Making paper from shredded, pulped paper. Straining it through a sieve, patting it dry between layers of towels. Drying it in front of the fire: Caroline has brought the European (wet, cold) Christmas to the mountain today!!


At last, the sun came out... and wow, fresh spring growth has overtaken the Twealm Realm since we were last here. Things have definitely changed. New flowers, new plants.
There was much lighting of the fire, swinging on the tree swing, mammas chatting and laughing together.


Safira, beautiful flower fairy.


Tiahnee and M5 playing amongst the grasses... whispering secrets and finding insects.
There is so much tranquility in the forest.


Another fabulous lunch.. of pita breads and dips and salad bits.. our kids have been converted to herbal tea!!
There are so many good memories in the harvest.


Aneesha with her ribbon.. twirling and dancing in the breeze


Thanks a million for everything: a pohutukawa for Caroline, which will flower bright and red at Christmas time. Aloe Vera for Cornelia and Peter.. a plant of healing.. did you notice the babies sprouting from the aloes??


Final cake and celebration.. the sparkler didn't go all the way out... hinting at more to come.
There is so much hot energy in the fire.


The crew- what a wonderful year we've had.
As Caroline wrote: "Today will certainly be a day of festivity, thanks-giving & the closing of a wonderful chapter. Every closing has an opening for a new gift, so as well as closing, we will also be preparing for something new, remembering our interconnectedness and important part in life's intricate & surprising web as we go our separate ways."

Vigour shine through me

Strength sing through me,
Shine and sing
Through legs and arms,
Sing and shine through
Hands and feet:
So I will grow vigorous,
Will grow strong
In heart & head,
Vigorous and strong
In breath and speech.

- Rudolph Steiner