"Art on the Walks"

A couple of months ago when we were in Michigan, Mary took Fred, McKenzie and I to see the 2015 Art on the Rocks exhibit in Marquette. It brought back a lot of memories for me.

Over the years, Mary, Jeanne and I had attended quite a few Art on the Rocks, most of them when it was held among the rocks and beneath the trees of Presque Isle. That location, it seems to me, was the ideal setting for Art on the Rocks. Now that it is being held at the lower harbour, and the exhibits are arranged in a grid, and in the direct sun, it has lost a certain flavor. And from what I saw that day we visited, attendence is down compared to the old days. 

In honor of the old Art on the Rocks then, I am calling this post Art on the Walks. Henderson boasts many pieces of art in public places. As I wander around town, I'm often delighted to find yet another. I like a town that likes to dress up it's public places. 

This is on Great North Road as you approach Henderson from the south.

A newer one that appeared one day on one side of the mall carpark.

Another very new one on the side of a computer store near the Railside Avenue train/bus stations. 

Some of them are very modest. Just a bunch of volcanic stones arranged to satisfy somebody's aesthetic sense. 

Outside a store front in downtown Henderson

I don't know if the bed store commissioned this, but it very new

This is a Maori community building. 

Kitty-corner from the Pak-N-Save supermarket. Also new

On the way from the train station overpass to the City Offices.

I like this one. I wish you could see it better. The fish extend across 7 of the fence sections that enclose the Henderson Primary School.

I don't understand why this next one is located where it is.  I suppose it needed a long (about 100 feet) section of wall and that was available on the back side of the Westfield Mall in town. 

In the picture just below, I am standing near the south entrance to the lowest level of the mall. The trouble with this position is that if you walk down the length of the wall, expecting to be able to continue and to have access to either another mall entrance or to another footpath leading back to a carpark, you are disappointed. You simply run in to a fence preventing you from falling into Henderson Creek. 

As you can see from their shadows, there are trees along the footpath and then a drop-off down to Henderson Creek which runs parallel to the wall.  That prevented me from getting better pictures of this very nice mural.

This is a straight on shot of a small section of it. I'm as far back as I can get. One more step and I'm going to be splashing  into the creek, twenty feet below me.

And this is the far end looking back.  Each fish was individually made of ceramic, I think, by local school kids. I thought briefly of counting them, but was on my way to an appointment and didn't want to take the time. 

This is really beautifully done. It's a shame that it is being wasted where it is. Even Allie said that she had no idea it was here, for all the times she has been through this south entrance. I wish it were somewhere where it could be viewed in it's entirety. They at least need to put a bridge over the creek at the far end of this walkway that would allow people to pass it. It's wasted on a dead end.    -djf

Here's just a little framed bit of beauty that I found in a park. Thanks Henderson.

Today's lunch special at Doug's Diner

The routine here each morning is to seat the boys at the counter in the kitchen and to serve them whatever breakfast is on the menu for the day. Allie presides over their often rambunctious behavior from her position of authority on the end of the counter. 

On one such day some time ago, as I helped Allie serve the McD's, (explained soon) and stood across the counter from the boys, with a small dish towel thrown over my shoulder, ever ready to mop up spills, I had a flashback to my Denbo Motel days and my life there for two years as a waiter and fry cook. 

I decided that morning to acquaint the boys with those days by calling our breakfast kitchen, 'Doug's Diner,' and I started regaling them that day as they ate, with stories from my hash-slinging days. They seemed to enjoy it and to this day, I often remind them of some of my old stories by asking, "What'll it be this morning boys, the usual?" They know how to respond now, being, as they are, favoured 'regulars' at my diner.

We have lots of different breakfast specials at Doug's Diner that they enjoy. Many years ago, I 'invented' the egg McDougal, for Allie, when she was young, and that sandwich continues to be a staple at Doug's Diner. Other menu items include the scrambled egg sandwich, an English muffin, with cream cheese for Amiri and with butter for Arram, crumpets, cold cereals of course, oat meal, or porridge as it's called here, and yogurts. Doug's Diner, because we cater to the Kiwi taste as well as the American, also offers baked beans on toast and spaghetti on toast. Bbot is very popular with the boys. Fairly often, Doug's Diner welcomes guest chef, Grammy, who cooks up batches of her famous pancakes, waffles or, when the bananas have gone a bit brown on us, her really famous banana muffins. 

Doug's Diner also serves great coffee to the adults and they generally each choose their own sort of breakfasts around the perimeter of the main event of feeding the regulars. 

The breakfast menu at Doug's prides itself on not only the it's wholesomeness, but also its dependability. There are rarely surprises. Oh, guest chef Grammy may occasionally slip raisins into her muffins, but that's about as wild as it gets.  

Today however, Doug's Diner is expanding its hours of operation, and including a lunch menu. This is sort of a test. If it is successful, Doug's may very well decide to offer other lunch specials from time to time. 

These lunch "specials" make no promises at all. The specials offered here will be interesting and possibly unusual. They may be extraordinary or awful. Probably peculiar to most people. 

I'm sorry that your participation at Doug's Diner will be limited to virtual participation only. Only Jeanne and Allie have the opportunity of enjoying to the fullest the offerings of Doug's, and even they are not required to sample anything they don't really want. (Doug's has occasionally found items that are just too weird to try)  So maybe you, the reader, find that you are perfectly happy to be sampling only virtual food. 

Today's special will be......Fish Maw Soup

"Huh?  Fish what? Mah?  What the heck is a maw?  Is that like, "Ah mah, I hate fish!"  Maybe its a soup made by a fisherman's mother?  I hope it's not something gross, but knowing D like we do, it probably is. Oh well, like he said, WE don't have to really eat it."

Here it is. I'll admit that I shuddered a little when I picked up this package up the first time. They reminded me of bleached doggie doo. After doing some reading about it though, my attitude changed and I went back to the Silver Bell and purchased a package. 


Fish 'Maw' refers to the swim bladder. That is the organ in fish (although not sharks) that allows them to control their buoyancy. Since this is a Chinese product, these maws most likely come from a conger pike, Muraenesocidae cinereus, which is a type of eel. And, before you turn up your nose at that, consider this. In Chinese cuisine, there are what the Chinese call the 'big four delicacies.'  These are abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin and yup, fish maw. I understood when I read about them why these maws are quite expensive. (in the U.S., about $60 to $80 per pound)

These are deep fried. To use them one soaks them in water for a hour or so, cuts them into bite sized pieces, boils them in ginger flavored water for 5 minuts and then cools them. Only then do they go into the soup or stew. 

My soup will be made taking a short cut. Traditional fish maw soup is made with chicken broth but I'll be using Mrs. Grass soup instead. I'm also adding rattan shoots to my soup. I discovered these the same day I found the maws. You've heard no doubt of rattan furniture. Well, these are the very young (interior portion) shoots of the woody plant that makes rattan.  

I would guess that half of the shoots in this bottle are too woody to eat. Those that are tender have a somewhat bitter aftertaste. I didn't really like them much and I was glad I hadn't put many in the soup. Jeanne didn't think the level of bitterness was a problem for her, but didn't care for them much either. 

I'm very pleased with my soup, although a lot of the credit goes to Mrs. Grass for providing such a pleasant base.  I added some ginger and garlic to the ingredients shown and also shook a few dried pepper flakes into my bowl as I served myself. The egg of course was beaten and drizzled into the boiling soup to make threads. The pan of soup looks a little odd because I also used the package of tiny noodles that comes in the soup mix and they were all floating as I took the picture. 

A very nice looking soup, if I do say so myself.

A bit of rattan shoot on the left and  fish maw on the right in my spoon. The fish maw has a spongy feeling.

Jeanne had the idea of topping the soup with fried noodles. Added crunch and eye appeal too.

So what do you think, diners? I have laid out below three sets of virtual bowls for your dining pleasure. They are sized to reflect your acceptance of my soup. Help yourself to as much (or as little) of my lunch special as you would like. How hungry or adventurous are you? Which bowl will you choose? Will you try a bit of maw; of rattan?

Jeanne, Allie and I each had two bowls. It really was quite good.

To those of you who just couldn't bring yourself to try it; that's okay. You can skip right to dessert. Today we're having toddy palm's seeds. MMmmmm.          -djf

North Head makes the news! Conspiracy theory? Just a rumor? As Carl Sagan said, "Precisely because of human fallibility, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."

It has been some time since I took these shots of North Head. I have not used these particular pictures before. They are not my favorites. They are of the more 'public' parts of the tunnel system. Some of these parts, as you will notice, have lighting intalled and almost everyone sees them when they visit.

Still, I had them put away and intended to use them sometime, and that time is now. The reason is that I heard a news story about North Head on tv today. It had the feeling though, of a filler piece that the broadcaster had been saving for a while. (just like me and my photos) 

Some people apparently claim that there is enough ammunition buried in secret tunnels at North Head, that have been sealed off for decades, to blow the entire place to smithereens, and take a good piece of the surrounding neighborhoods with it. The news babe reading the story hastened to add that this is not a conspiracy theory. That it is just a very interesting rumor. One person was reported to have claimed that there is even a 30's style airplane down there somewhere.  

A beach visible from the carpark at the main entrance to the North Head complex. Are these swimmers aware of the danger that lurks above them?

The 'backdoor' of the most visited portion of the tunnel system. Today we will explore from the back to the front.

Heading down the steps at the 'backdoor.'

Here, I've turned around and am looking at the steps leading to the 'backdoor.'

When I heard the news story, I thought immediately of these pictures I had stashed away. Notice that there is a steel trap door in the picture above. Could this be one of the entrances to the mysterious arms stash? 

A passage leading to the 'echo chamber'  And look, another trap door. This CAN'T just be a coincidence!

As in other parts of the system, narrow passage abound. I hope that's not an open flame she's carrying...

Hey, has anyone seen a really big pile of explosives?

According to the Military Spokesman the investigative reporter interviewed, ground penetrating radar was employed years ago to search the site for any evidence of unknown tunnels or caverns that could contain the plane and explosives. No such structures were found. Or at least, none that they're admitting to. I ask you, how long did Michigan's DNR deny that cougars were in our woods? How long has Area 51 been denied? )

At one time, there was an enormously heavy gun positioned above this room. Hence, the need to reinforce the ceiling. The boys call this large room the 'echo chamber,' because of it's excellent acoustics.  I don't know who's idea it was to put in lights of  pastel colors, maybe it was during the disco craze. Me, I would gone with black lights and strobes.

Light at the other end of the tunnel.  In this picture, we are approaching the corner which leads to the font entrance of North Head.

Here is another very well-viewed part of the complex. This portion goes into the hill some distance on either side but is not connected to the tunnels presented above. Hmmm, at least it is not NOW connected...were they in the past?  

This room is not too far from the entrance that is shown above. Close enough that some dim light filters in from the outside.

But what about this photographic evidence that one of my team discovered? Behind this section of broken wall is a second wall. Is that hidden wall simply an interesting rumor? Or is it really much, much more?  (This perplexing photograph was not mentioned in the information presented on the news.) 

One thing is for sure. The only way to get to the bottom of this mystery is to continue to investigate. My crack team of spelunkers is ready to boldly descend again into the depths of this labyrinth-like maze of danger. We're ready to unearth extraordinary evidence. We'll keep you posted.   -djf

"Birthday Beach"

Today is Sunday, August 23, and we have just returned from an adventure to 'Birthday Beach.' It's called Birthday Beach because in 2015, just after Allie and the boys returned from Chicago, Allie took them to this beach on August 8, her birthday. And, since the sign you turn at to go to the beach says, "Beach, 9 km, we figured it hadn't been named yet. The rest of the Kiwi world doesn't know it yet, but it has now been named. (Google Maps has it labeled as Muriwai, but it's about 8 miles north of the main Muriwai Beach)

Birthday Beach is a little different than some of the other beaches we've seen. Based on the condition of the rustic gravel road that led to it, we thought that we were heading out to a 'secret' place, but found instead that dirt bikes and 4 wheel drive trucks love this place. Because of the vehicles running up and down, it has a different feel that many of the other 'natural' (no camping, no fires, etc.) beaches we've visited. It's also quite popular with fisherman. We were nearby when a guy pulled in a Kahawai.

What the boys liked best were the sand dunes. Until the guy caught the fish, they had spent the entire time up there. Here then are some photos...                -djf

We just got here and set up our chairs at the base of the dune. The boys headed for the highlands...

Grammy found herself a perch up there from which to oversee, and the boys continued to explore. 

Believe it or not, that long viney looking thing is a type of grass that grows all over the place.

This is from the top of a dune. At high tide the water comes all the way up to the dunes. You'll see shells embedded into the side of the dune a couple of feet up from the beach proper.

This is looking north, across the opening in the dunes. To the right is the carpark. This is the main track that the vehicles take on and off the beach.    

Allie discovered this dead seal a couple of hundred yards south of were we were set up on the beach. It was getting rather smelly, but the next high tide would claim it again. 

Most of the fishermen use big surf casting rods. The guy in the center of the photo has just a regular sized rod/reel, but he turned out to be the only one I saw catch a fish.

Here he is with his Kahawai. 

The boys had come down to see the fish and then stayed to play in the sand. Mom is getting a picture here.  The tide had turned and was coming in...note the condition of the sand here and then in the next photo.

"Playing 'chicken' with the waves"
I like this picture. Allie had been telling the boys to come up away from the waves, that it was time to go home anyway and it would only be a short time before the waves reached them.  But you know kids. They dawdled and argued and wanted to stay put.  Well, finally, even they saw that the waves were getting pretty close.
Here, they both have their eyes on the water and Arram has started the process of jumping up and clearing out.  Amiri appears to be unconcerned, but he can really MOVE when he wants to.  A couple of seconds after this was taken, the wave filled in their little hole in the beach. They were very sandy, but happily not soaked. 

Okay, back to Fantasy Island

You know, Jack London wrote stories about two of my favourite places. Way up north and the south sea islands. I read a lot of his stories as a kid. There was also Steinbeck and Michener and Melville and Heyerdahl and Stevenson and on and on. I think the movie, The Swiss Family Robinson, which I saw when I was nine, probably started my fascination with island life. 

Little wonder that I entertained all sorts of fantasies as I grew up, of travelling to distant places and experiencing for myself all the wonders that I had read about.  

There were times when I wanted to pit myself against the rigours of an Arctic winter and it's deadly darkness and cold, but more and more as I grew older, the south sea islands with it's uncombed beaches and friendly native peoples, (especially the island girls), appealed to me. 

Well, I finally made it. I am on a sort of fantasy island, but it's real. As I write this, palm trees of three varieties are swaying in the breezes outside my window. Okay, okay. It's actually pouring rain down sideways and the backyard is so sodden I can't set foot in it without sinking to my ankles. It has warmed up to about 45 degrees. I think one palm is frost-bitten.  
These days apparently, fantasy islands are all too much a part of the real world and we have had Way too much of a certain sort of pest here. Oh, uh, I mean mosquitoes of course. Yeah, mosquitoes.  

Anyway, when the mosquitoes aren't tormenting us, life here is very good. Today I was able to indulge in yet another fantasy. I harvested my very own live abalone from a salt-water pool, shucked and cleaned it, and fried it for lunch.  

Well, actually, that's mostly fantasy. In truth, I told the guy at the fish market I wanted a paua out of his tank, he got it for me using a step ladder and a spatula, and I paid for it. 

I did shuck it (the term used for prying the critter out of it's shell by forcing your thumb under it's 'toe,') tenderized it, cut it up and fried it in butter and garlic. It was very good, although not worth the outrageous price they charged for it. 

Here are a few photos of the process.

Here is the real 'salt water pool' from which I 'harvested' my paua. Thank goodness that an American dollar right now is worth about $1.40 Kiwi.

the shell side of an abalone

The edible side. Pauas have only one shell. This is the black foot paua, Haliotis iris. 

To shuck an abalone, you put your thumb under the black fringe and feel for the white 'toe' at it's center that holds the creature to it's shell. You then force your thumb under the toe until suddenly, it releases it's hold on the shell and pops right off into your hand. Here you see me holding all the edible stuff. The shell, with it's 'scar' from where the toe held on and the guts are on the plate. (note the colors on the shell)

The next step is to place the paua inside a towel or cloth and give it a good pounding with a meat mallet to tenderize it. This has also been sliced and is ready for the flour.

Garlic and butter in a fairly hot pan. About two minutes on a side. You don't want to overcook it.

Smells promising. 

I have had paua mince (chopped up pieces of the black fringe part) that they sell frozen for paua fritters and found them to have the consistency of rubber bands. I was never impressed.  This one on the other hand was tender and delicious.

You might have noticed that the inside of the shell is beautiful. The outside is too, but it is covered with all sorts of deposits that hide it. My next project is to clean the outside of the shell and shellac it.  

If it weren't for the Asian markets here that sell so many fantastic products, life here would be a bit more commonplace. Here is one I hadn't noticed before. It is ginseng drink with a piece of genuine ginseng root in it. Beats a worm in Tequilla any day, wouldn't you say? (this drink is non-alcoholic)

It tastes just slightly sweet and if I hadn't known that it was a ginseng root, I might have thought it tasted vagely carrot-like. "Life is endlessly delicious."  This at least, didn't set me back an arm and a leg. $2.99 for the bottle.                           -djf