from European Environment Report - just one of dozens of scary maps of the future

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Perth, WA

WA has been a wonderful experience for us, enjoying Carolyn's cheerful company and lovely sights of Perth City and the SW corner which is my fav part of Oz. I was also able to attend a 2 day conference for the Kenya diaspora here.. about 15000 Kenyans are in Australia, approx. About $120m USD is remitted on average, every MONTH,to Kenya from the diaspora worldwide. This is huge. There are lots of issues about citizenship and voting in elections, about inward investment, about how to harness the skills of those living at a distance..I enjoyed meeting as many as possible.. a great vibe.

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West australia

South coast of wa remains to me the most exciting and enjoyable of the big sandy playground that is oz. amazing seascapes, unique plants incl monster trees...so happy to see again and in company of family...

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Kenya Diaspora Conference in Perth WA 8-9 September

I hope to do lots of networking at this meeting: who else from my groups might be there?  Any others from NZ?  http://www.kenyadiasporaconference.com.au/   

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six Olympians from one school

James Hargest College have six former students in the New Zealand team
competing at the London Olympics.

Rower Nathan Cohen is a contender for gold in the men's double sculls,
alongside Joseph Sullivan, with the duo having won the last two world
championship titles.

The Uru brothers, Storm and Jade, will also be busy out on the waters
of Dorney Lake, with Storm lining up in the lightweight double with
Peter Taylor, and Jade racing in the men's four.

Louise Ayling will be gunning for glory in the women's lightweight
double with partner Julia Edward.

Eddie Dawkins will race in the men's sprint track cycling team, while
swimmer Natalie Wiegersma will compete in the 200m and 400m individual
medley events.

Southland will have a seventh member at the Games with
Christchurch-raised Natasha Hansen riding in the women's sprint and
keirin.

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paradoxi of political leanings

It's so strange that I call myself a 'liberal democrat', and decry the power of the state over the individual, whereas all the 'conservatives' in the west SAY they want LESS government, but SUPPORT government monopoly on information. Witness the case of Julian Assange.  PS Beware of 'labels'!

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Assange - like or loathe what he has done?

quote ' Does Assange terrorise people? Emphatically no. Does he terrify governments and their sponsoring powerful corporations? An unqualified yes – using truth and exposure of their lies. It really is as simple as that. '  from  http://www.noseweek.co.za/article/2769/Code-Breaker 

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Three Gorges Dam is fully operational

World's biggest power generator is finally fully operational  http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2012/07/three-gorges-dam-fully-operati.html 

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Failure of genetically-modified maize in USA

Short video about how Bt corn is failing in USA because - guess what - the pests have already developed immunity, after only about a decade. 

http://aje.me/MbPqOL

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Shortest day in the southern hemisphere

Shortest day for us here in the deep south - havin' a wonderful
domestic time, been to Heard Island, (furthest away spot on planet
earth!) by internet, chatted to Austin Texas on phone, lunched with
family, lit the fire and baked a cake. Also discovered David Brooks of
USA who writes and talks about human interaction in an entertaining
way.

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A critique of Fonterra's plan to set up an NZX listed fund to trade equity.

About the author of the first report:
Dr. Onno van Bekkum (1969) is a cooperative expert resident in the
Netherlands. He has
researched and consulted cooperatives for 17 years, looking
particularly at ownership
issues. His research database covers over 700 agribusiness
cooperatives in about 40
countries worldwide. After 15 years with Rabobank Nederland and
cooperative institute
NICE at Nyenrode Business University, he started his own company called “CO-OP
Champions” in January 2010. Onno lectures cooperative case studies
(including Fonterra)
in three modules of the Executive MBA in Food & Finance at Nyenrode Business
Universiteit.

The second raise many questions to the parliamentary select committee.

Both are worth reading before we vote on this, as Fonterra shareholders.

VanBekkum Fonterra 2nd Vote Report May12 -7-8.pdf Download this file

morrison James report to taf select commee.pdf Download this file

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Joan Maxwell visiting: say hello Fortrose to Fortrose!

We're talking about all our mutual acquaintance - join in n say Hi!

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Visitors from Fortrose Scotland tomorrrow

Hoping Scottish visitors have their brollies for a day tour through The Catlins finishing up at our place.. weather has just broken, into a typical late May scenario.. time to think about the dairy cows' winter holiday....btw there was a workshop in town today called "Hitting Heifer Targets" he he.

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Nepalese New Year

It's 2069 by the Nepal calendar and Invercargill Nepalese celebrated their New Year with song, dance and tasty food - made it a fundraiser for Samata Schools. Most surprising and entertaining was a break-dancing teenager who really set the stage on fire. Great to see people get together and celebrate their connections.

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Invercargill rocks!

Lots of quite big things happened today in Invercargill... well.. big for Invercargill, that is. 

For me, the highlights were:

• Mayor Tim's extraordinary good performance right through to the end of 26 hours' interview. A world record and still going strong at the end!
• The movie 'the best exotic marigold hotel'.. Britain meets Bollywood.. I laughed and cried (it's my age, I think).
• The fabulous Steinway piano at the Civic Theatre resonating to the ceiling with four-handed performance from two Russian pianists of the highest order.  The Liszt Rhapsody no 12 had everyone on their feet.
• Being with friends, the greatest joy, + Turkish apple tea. (the kebab was nothing to write home about so I won't)
•  Met a couple from San Miguel de Allende, that's in the middle of Mexico, where I visited with cousin N in 2004. Not often encountered in Invers!

The weather has broken in a big way, maybe floods tomorrow. 

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Events tomorrow Sunday 29 April in Invervegas:

Invercargill Sunday 29 april: 

1pm repertory House: NZ String Quartet, interactive session

3.30pm: movie house " The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'

7.30pm Fantabulous Piano fest at Civic Theatre.

If the weather is good, (and even if it's not, but I won't be going) there's a walk from Daffodil Bay Otatara 10am, raising funds for rural women in the less-well-off world.

Will look for you there!

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An end, and a beginning

I guess the curtain may be coming down on the best southern summer ever. March 31 end of tax year - AND the clocks go back tonight - we have an ethereal gentle evening sky with wisps far above us, and a half-moon. And tomorrow? Tomorrow is April Fool's Day, let's see what mischief may be afoot!

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