🇳🇿 Shayne Parkinson

Writer of New Zealand historical novels. Countryside dweller in Aotearoa New Zealand.

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npub1v5tvtcdkqtsn3npl8evxqm99xhzhy9nv9856wgm5ug5zh25pju2qtnc06u

NIP-05 Address

ShayneParkinson_at_mastodon.nz@mostr.pub

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Last Notes

2024-09-14 00:23:52

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@npub1gpx…32t3 Well done! I've found an occasional trowel in the compost heap. The secateurs, though, were unfortunately unusable.

2024-09-13 06:20:34

Tried our homemade #sauerkraut tonight for the first time - definitely a success. I love the way such a simple process yields such a delicious result. #fermentation

2024-09-12 00:32:29

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@npub15k2…jknp "A bird may love a fish, but where will they live?"

2024-09-05 18:57:32

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@npub1l74…runl Evidence of cats' ability to take on liquid form when they wish.

2024-09-05 06:41:48

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@npub147m…7rue thanks for the nudge! They do look lovely.

2024-08-30 23:23:17

Okay, I admit I can be a bit lax at times, but this may be a record even for me: while doing a little tidying up just now, I came across this old tag.
The price is in French francs. France began using the Euro in 1999.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/113/053/537/774/337/940/original/7169bf9f980daae6.jpg

2024-08-26 20:39:13

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@npub17nc…9dam So very sad. What an amazing legacy he has left us.
Kua hinga te tōtara o te wao nui a Tāne. May he rest in peace.

2024-08-14 19:07:54

Stonehenge megalith came from Scotland, not Wales, ‘jaw-dropping’ study finds
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/14/stonehenge-megalith-came-from-scotland-not-wales-jaw-dropping-study-finds

2024-08-13 21:02:09

This pūtangitangi couple are currently regulars on or near the pond. Note the little trails they leave in the damp grass.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/956/716/426/363/265/original/1f36e076c99b982f.jpg

2024-08-04 00:48:05

The #bumblebees are just loving the spring onion flowers. Almost every flower head has two or three bees aboard.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/900/981/905/012/617/original/10e7f069e257beb6.jpg

2024-07-31 00:08:36

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@npub17wv…pvu5 Congratulations! That's excellent news.

2024-07-28 04:25:58

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@npub1j39…3fg3 We passed through there a few days ago. There's an excellent memorial with information panels, done for the centenary last year.

2024-07-26 02:28:34

Toutouwai/North Island robin, #Zealandia #Wellington #birds
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/850/421/897/227/062/original/ee728376b2378a56.jpg

2024-07-26 02:24:25

Kākā at their feeding station, #Zealandia #Wellington. #birds #BirdsOfMastodon
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/850/408/666/410/415/original/c916f675f5255399.jpg

2024-07-25 22:07:40

Some excitement this morning. There we are enjoying a very nice breakfast, eating outside despite the noise because Covid, when a huge spray of water suddenly rears up. They hit the water main! #Wellington
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/849/398/706/312/941/original/a43f7fdfebd69f6b.jpg

2024-07-25 06:48:53

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@npub1hsn…d4wa What a lovely way to commute!

2024-07-25 03:08:41

Another glorious day in #Wellington. #IslandBay
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/844/917/882/910/513/original/2949dc11a561df63.jpg

2024-07-25 03:05:56

Otari Wilton's Bush #Wellington
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/844/908/093/408/238/original/a7a8ce584602548c.jpg

2024-07-24 09:52:50

Just back from seeing "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen and Another Lady (Penny Ashton) at Circa Theatre. Huge fun! Amazing work by a small cast playing 24 characters between them. Female actors in all the roles.

2024-07-24 03:38:32

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@npub1gny…t4lc Congratulations to them! And best wishes for quick recoveries.

2024-07-24 03:30:55

Had a fun time at the #DoctorWho exhibition.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/839/345/712/169/271/original/33cb6d5fa4212233.jpg

2024-07-24 03:23:06

#Wellington on a good day. #CableCar
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/839/297/578/018/737/original/f3bcff2297db93a0.jpg

2024-07-23 00:03:43

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New viaduct aa seen from the old one.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/832/869/478/314/150/original/42fea6c398fa926b.jpg

2024-07-23 00:00:29

Road trip! Following the route of the Main Trunk line, as the main character in my WIP did in 1925. Favourite bit so far (probably because I had to put in some effort to get to it): the #Hapuwhenua #Viaduct. #trains #MainTrunk
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/832/855/974/120/112/original/4d89fca419832b74.jpg

2024-07-20 21:25:23

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@npub1gpx…32t3 Fabulous! They look to be having such fun.

2024-07-20 10:24:17

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@npub1vu7…nmuv Yes! I was a very small part of that vast amount of work. Amazing (and infuriating) that people are still talking about it as something that never happened.

2024-07-13 00:53:40

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@npub1gpx…32t3 lambing's generally in July up here, which does always feel very early. At least the weather's nice for them just now!

2024-07-12 20:29:36

Clear, chilly morning with new #lambs to be seen.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/775/397/346/458/029/original/f913ec6194cd64f0.jpg

2024-07-09 01:36:26

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@npub1kdv…rn5m My great-grandfather's death was one of those. He died of typhoid in 1885, just a few months after arriving in Wellington.

2024-07-08 22:14:13

Some pūtangitangi (paradise shelduck) action in the orchard. A pair pottering about, and a second female arrived and tried to join in. She was soon given her marching orders by female one, and peace was restored.

2024-07-05 00:06:55

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@npub1h2w…ycg4 Waving a greeting from Aotearoa New Zealand.

2024-07-04 21:16:36

Brr, quite a frosty morning. My hands were hurting through my running gloves. Lovely and sunny now, though.

2024-07-04 02:33:36

#Daffodils #BloomScrolling
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/725/873/905/070/996/original/b8f8a75244ffbdbd.jpg

2024-07-02 05:59:11

My books are discounted this month in the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale.
https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos
My books:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/shaynep

2024-06-30 01:14:04

Nice article about the titipounamu.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/520865/rifleman-nz-s-smallest-bird-may-be-missing-link-in-birdsong-evolution-study

2024-06-28 22:14:40

Our lemon trees have taken a while to recover from a particularly bad possum incursion that peeled all the fruit and left them hanging there like sad Christmas tree decorations. But at last the larger of the two is again bearing well, and this morning we made a batch of lemon curd. Utterly delicious.

2024-06-27 21:15:35

Mānawatia a Matariki! Happy New Year.
I was greeted by a lovely mother-of-pearl sky this morning when I set out on my run.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/690/651/666/788/656/original/fa52c24a26f43c8d.jpg

2024-06-27 21:11:59

2024-06-26 05:46:45

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@npub1ecc…l0du Because it's so ridiculously early? Yes, I have mixed feelings, too.

2024-06-26 03:23:04

A clump of #snowdrops and a lone #daffodil. #BloomScrolling
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/680/766/230/349/242/original/5ecf6a8119c6fdec.jpg

2024-06-26 03:19:08

The first #daffodil of the year, and it's only June. I'm sure this is a record for us. #BloomScrolling
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/680/752/357/039/576/original/6e6fd1b28c55eb44.jpg

2024-06-24 06:19:11

Science Cat:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2436045-tom-gauld-science-cat/

2024-06-23 02:34:41

Current DIY project:
A while ago we fermented a batch of juice from our Seville orange tree. Today we ran that through the still, and got a decent yield of spirits. Am now steeping some sweet orange and bitter orange peels in this. In a few weeks will add syrup, age for a while, and then (hopefully) have a nice orange liqueur.
We make very nice limoncello, so I'm optimistic about this.

2024-06-22 09:49:46

Felt like watching something sweet and sentimental, so pulled out our DVD of "The Railway Children" (film version from 2000). The ending melts me into a puddle every time. "Oh, my daddy. My daddy!" ❤️

2024-06-21 03:59:03

Our house is designed to take sunlight into account. In summer, the wide eaves keep the interior cool and shady. In winter, every scrap of sunlight is welcome. And at the winter solstice, light from the clerestory windows strikes the back wall of the lounge.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/652/599/405/474/731/original/324dca89695d7659.jpg

2024-06-21 01:58:10

Very pleasant spot for my birthday lunch.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/652/120/791/043/288/original/1e4c7445c89d173c.jpg

2024-06-21 01:54:35

A lovely day for winter solstice - and my birthday. We went for a walk along the beach.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/652/105/248/350/701/original/bcb9c2060e92d983.jpg

2024-06-20 21:43:07

As a winter solstice baby, sunshine is not the norm for my birthday. But today has dawned crisp and bright! I went for a run first thing, and am now ready for what small adventures the day might bring.

2024-06-16 00:05:26

Happy #Bloomsday! We'll be celebrating as usual with Leopold's gorgonzola sandwich (homemade soda bread), and have just listened to the last part of Molly's soliloquy to get into the proper frame of mind.
Bloomsday always reminds me of the wonderful few days we spent in Dublin. One day we went to Davy Byrnes' pub for lunch and of course I ordered the gorgonzola sandwich (which was on the menu with no Joycean commentary). "With mustard?" the waiter asked. Yes, of course. Yes, I said yes.

2024-06-13 22:30:25

A lovely story about a lady who raises guide dog puppies:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/519507/octogenarian-s-15-year-guide-dog-puppy-raising-journey

2024-06-08 21:48:24

Made 14 jars (probably a year's worth) of guava jelly using fruit from the guava bush that I share with some of our resident kererū. Such a lovely rich colour, and deliciously tart and flavourful.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/583/193/603/990/171/original/7611f4d9bb430063.jpg

2024-06-08 02:02:12

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@npub1gpx…32t3 oh no! It feels odd to be wishing you a cold, but nevertheless: I hope it's "just" a cold.

2024-06-06 03:08:41

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Something else I noticed: typically for non-urgent appointments it's been a 4-6 week wait. Now? Just a couple of days. I suspect that's a sign of how tough things are just now - "discretionary" spending that fewer people than ever can afford.

2024-06-06 03:04:56

I had an oral hygiene appointment at the dentist today. Because one is more likely to make poor decisions when taken by surprise, I'd thought out what to say if hygienist was unmasked (ask her to wear one; brought a spare to give her; prepared to walk out if refused). As it turned out, she was wearing a mask when I arrived, so none of that was required. I did notice the HEPA filter was turned off, though. :(

2024-06-05 21:40:37

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@npub1zg9…nh26 Same. Just one of those mornings.

2024-06-03 20:53:23

A lovely #morning.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/554/662/552/996/454/original/068834afb7135134.jpg

2024-06-01 03:24:49

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@npub1gpx…32t3 Ours gets a bit complicated, with most of the book royalties arriving as overseas income, but yes, it's so much easier now that things like bank account interest is already filled in.

2024-05-31 03:50:38

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@npub1uyj…92uc They're quite fun to make! I usually buy the beans paste, but got caught out when I found the local-ish Asian grocery store has just closed down. So this time it's fully diy.

2024-05-31 03:05:58

I'm making red bean paste for filling steamed buns. Adzuki beans duly soaked and cooked, so I set to pureeing them with my stick blender. I remembered not to turn it on except when safely under the surface for *almost* the whole time.
As I said to Roger when he came in for afternoon tea,
"And that's why I've changed my top."
Not to mention cleaned up the kitchen bench.
Fortunately most of the mixture survived in its bowl.

2024-05-27 00:39:10

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@npub1zg9…nh26 That sounds an excellent idea - a way to make something good come out of all this.
And what fun it will be, planning and then seeing it take shape.

2024-05-24 19:23:43

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@npub10wr…ccx9 Excellent news! Congratulations!

2024-05-22 19:20:13

The Rotorua Redwoods nighttime walk is a delight. Walking on platforms and suspension bridges 20 meters above the ground, surrounded by lights.
Here's a pic of some of the lanterns. My attempts to capture the masses of fairy lights failed utterly, but the web site does a better job:
https://www.treewalk.co.nz/the-walk/redwoods-nightlights/
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/486/353/232/542/049/original/32a930f26cc89c8a.jpg

2024-05-22 08:01:10

Morrinsville is a small town in dairy farming country, so it's not so surprising that they have a thing about cows. Dozens of models cows, decorated in different patterns, all through the town.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/483/676/014/175/939/original/103301e4aceed20b.jpg

2024-05-15 05:36:50

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@npub1nzh…8qy7 So sorry, Robyn. Wishing you a rapid recovery.

2024-05-13 03:54:19

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@npub13f0…ca07 My old home town.

2024-05-10 22:46:50

Kererū checking out the guava bush. I got there first this morning, but left plenty for him (or her). #birds
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/419/210/307/083/127/original/d5458c53271fd999.jpg

2024-05-10 06:04:26

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@npub1gpx…32t3 That's wonderful! Looking forward to seeing all this when we next make it back to Ōtepoti.

2024-03-28 20:45:20

Hot Cross Buns fresh from the oven. #food #baking
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/112/175/253/291/706/067/original/2fc6faed9a4f0076.jpg

2024-02-29 19:57:20

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@npub1zg9…nh26 Yes, they only seem to go into any detail regarding costs of removal when it's about views or development. I'd say there's a case for interpreting that as suggesting that removal for any other reason (health of residents, danger of collapse, etc) should be done at no cost to residents. Might be worth pointing that out to a councillor/other appropriate person.

2024-02-27 19:36:57

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@npub1zg9…nh26 Will do. Poor Missy, and poor you.
They're really good with anesthesia these days. Our lovely boy Kimi cat had a bunch of teeth out when he was nearly 18, and he bounced back wonderfully - the vet phoned me afterwards to tell me that as soon as he'd regained consciousness he was shoving the nurse's hand aside to get to his food bowl (eating had been difficult for him). We knew he was getting towards the end by then, but it made the last part of his life much more comfortable,

2024-02-18 08:57:58

The tunnel leading to Tunnel Beach.
https://mastodon.nz/system/media_attachments/files/111/951/649/566/526/497/original/2005d763a3814aa2.jpg

2024-02-15 05:00:34

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@npub1zg9…nh26 I've had success with garlic in the past, but after my last attempt fell prey to rust I've given up (for now, at least).