Cyathea Dealbata, the Silver Fern - ponga in Māori – is a species of tree fern only found in New Zealand. The silver fern has been the symbol of New Zealand's national identity since the late 1800s. The undersides reflect moonlight, which makes them useful in navigating bush pathways at night.
While exploring the back yard, we came upon these wooden gate cutouts of the New Zealand silver fern. I would love to take them home with me to Idaho, but there is no room in my suitcase.
On Sunday Elder Rooks and I were asked to join a Primary class. I played the piano in Primary and also for Sacrament Meeting.
The teacher drew this globe on the board, with New Zealand where we usually see the United States. I was interested to note the comparative sizes of the islands of New Zealand (the size of Colorado) and the continent of Australia, neighbor to the west and north.
Elder Rooks raking several years' worth of leaves. He hauled away a dozen or so wheelbarrow loads to dump further back in the yard. You can see one of the New Zealand silver ferns behind him across the fence.
It was cool and wet after a rain. Thankfully I have my lined rubber boots. We found a number of children's toys and a garden spade (yay) in the piles of leaves.
A silver fern grown near our geothermal stream. The silver ferns here look much better than some around town that don't have the same warmth as the stream does.
The silver ferns across the stream. As you see, they can grow as big as trees.
Logo of the New Zealand national netball team
I made a lemon meringue pie (my favorite) out of the lemons growing in our yard for a dinner for the elders and sister missionaries. The Americans loved it, but the islanders, to whom lemons are a remedy for a sore throat, were disappointed to find it wasn't a banana cream pie. I think they are missing out, but that's just me. As my sister says, More pie for the Americans!
These three sweethearts were introduced to us following a baptism, as The Three Nannies of the local ward. Although the lady in the middle, Chris K., objects strenuously to being called a nanny. Or being called Christine, either. She invited us over for a visit. She is delightful, as are they all, including Veronica, on the left, who objects strenuously to being called anything but Ronnie.
Chris K.'s house, which was full of visiting grandchildren. We promised to be back so we could help her do some of her Scottish family history.
Wednesday, we visited the tiny St. Paul's Catholic Church and its cemetery in Ngapuna. It is located in the middle of an industrial park, and the church has not held services since approx. 2016. The church itself is in disrepair. But the cemetery surrounding it is lively and in current use.
Fortunately, we came across members of the Ngati Hinemihi visiting the cemetery. It is mostly members of this tribe that are buried here. We asked if it was ok if we took photos of headstones, most of which have not been recorded before. They assured us that it was, as long as we did the ritual sprinkling of water following our visit.
Monuments and vaults of the St. Paul's churchyard. We took over 100 photos here.
This is where our hosts did their own ritual sprinkling, so we did, too.
Elder Rooks noticed that the headstones are not as easy to transcribe as those in the soldier's cemetery. They contain all sorts of memorials, epitaphs, (mostly in Maori,) and names of relatives, which is great when you are doing the whakapapa, family history.
Next to the church and cemetery was the Marae of the Ngati Hinemihi, with its central hall (whakanui) and gateway with the words "Te MaruMaru O TuHoto," (The Shadow of an Enemy) painted across it.
On Friday we walked the 1.6 kilmeters (1 mile) to Nihoriki Rd to visit Mary. The hill in front of us, under the setting sun, is Mount Ngongotaha Scenic Reserve.
Mary is a wise grandmother who lives life on her own terms. She is a counselor to young people but would like to retire and work on genealogy. Her rain gutter was coming apart over her front porch, so Elder Rooks took a look at it and we will be back Monday night with some help from the Elders' Quorum of the Fairy Springs Ward.
On the walk home, the Utuhina Stream from the opposite side of Lake Road. You can see a puff of steam, with the Red Rock Thermal Motel on one side and the Utuhina Hot Springs Fishing Lodge on the other.
Elder Rooks wanted to stop at the Mitre 10 Mega building materials store, where he has developed a friendship with one of the cheeky grizzled associates who likes to tease him about his spiffy suit. We were looking at guttering materials for Mary's house. While waiting for help, we of course had to visit the gardening section, which is gearing up for the coming spring months. This 6-pack of cherry tomatoes looked cold and shivery so I brought it home and set it in the warm and sunny south-facing window. Just as good as a greenhouse, since I am not convinced that Rotorua will be warm enough to actually grow tomatoes. Also, some tomato potting soil (we found a few pots in our back yard cleaning) and a netting to keep out the pukekos. I leave the details of that to Elder Rooks.
Mr. Pukeko, or, Mr. Obnoxious, as I like to call him, showing his white tail feathers.
