Kawhia Solo Trip.

 Hi folks ...again.

Back into blogging mode heading north to a 4 string festival in Kawhia!

But first some recent news and an update of activities in the last few months.

I have been incredibly busy running a jewellery box making workshop down at the Mens shed which has been running for several wednesday nights.

I have been making all the parts and setting up machines for the guys to make the cuts (safely we hope)

Each bloke gets 5 boxes (of three different styles) to give away for Christmas to family

(I’m holding one in the photo)

I also decided to get back into doing some woodwork again and am setting up a small workshop in the garage at home! Because of this I also took a class up at the Centre for Fine Furniture out at Whakapuaka in Nelson on making Japanese kumiko, which is the wooden infills in shioji doors.

We are increasingly lucky in New Zealand with our reaction and current situation with Covid 19 in comparison to many other parts of the world. We had a short quick and very successfull lockdown and now are mindfully living a near normal existence.

Here are some pics of the Kumiko workshop and some tools seen and lusted after...!

This workshop was attended by only 6 others...two of which had been in NZ’s managed quarantine.

Yes we do live in interesting times????? 

I left most of my tools and larger machines behind at Rosedale (and a lot of lovely wood) when I retired. Now I slowly start to amass a smaller more detailed kit to explore the re-introduction into woodwork again.

This is a Japanese Dozuki pull saw (they are .3mm thick and cut on the pull...obviously) 

This is a Canadian made low angle hand plane with a thicker than normal blade.

Lou the english teacher...did not teach any english, but loved talking about tools (and everything else)

This was our starting kit including jig blocks for the Kumiko panel

It’s as simple as that.....!

It took two full days of detailed accurate quiet work to make this little Kumiko panel.

I did also take my Japanese Obi material collection to show them and three people took up my offer to have a small piece to use in their next kumiko project.

This was a band called Hopetown Broun who were on tour throughout both islands. I saw them when they had played 14 nights straight in different locations.

Superb playing, slick, funky and totally on top of their game! Loved the base Clarinet.

We recently got an  5.2 meter awning fitted to the bus as below 

We also got Peter from Just Sails to fit a skirt along the length of the bus to keep the wind out.

We jointly figured out how to make a good fit around the doorway.

Another event I attended was the local vintage and classic cars display and a Rally, which I checked out some fine cars as below....

Nice number plate mate!

Just another New Zealand Richmond Sunset.

 So I take off for the North Island, gratefull to be living in NZ with freedom to travel and ability to go where ever I want to.......true freedom!

Along Rocks Road 

Onwards to Picton  .... hop on the Bluebridge Ferry

And along the Marlborough Sounds

And out onto the Cook Straight...heading for the North Island 

This was the first time I’ve seen sheep going across, usually its cattle!

Coming into Wellington Harbour is always an impressive sight! 

 Rush hour traffic in the Capital.

That’s enough for this starting blog....plenty happening and therefore more to follow.

 Kia kaha...stay safe and be creative.....your health depends on it!

Cheers Jimu