It's hard to concentrate on much else with a cyclone bearing down on us. This past week I took my mind off the once in 20-30 year event, by burying myself in work for my high-country merino station project. We're about halfway through with this project now (together with Dunedin writer Paul Hersey) and it's a long way from the beach, but one of the best assignments I've been able to work on.
This past week we spent some time on the 40,000 hectare (yep, that's about 300sq km) Otematata Station. Nestled up the Waitaki Valley the station is run by Hugh and Mandy Cameron and it has been in their family for nearly 125 years. They run the station (which includes Aviemore Station) traditionally – they still use horses on the farm and very much operate to the rhythm of the seasons with very little intensification. Sure, animal health is a priority, but so too is the condition of the high-country and their large, broad expanses of tussockland.
"It makes sense," Hugh explains as he hovers his Hughes 300 over an emerald green tarne in the farthest corner of the run. "The health of the high-country has a direct relationship to the health of the stock." He's a quietly spoken man, but I get the feeling he's thinking more than 125 years into the future when he considers the expanse below us.
Back on the coast and talk of cyclone swells dominates conversations. But it is tainted with the terrible toll Pam has taken on our friends in the Pacific – especially Vanuatu. You can donate to their recovery here.
The swell is scheduled to arrive today in the South Island – no one really knows if it will be big or huge, or how long it will last, but we'll be out there right now, as you read this, documenting whatever it brings to our coast.
Stay safe and see you at the beach ... Derek
PS: We've been involved with a very cool photography project called Privateering Light conceived by some SIT photography students. Their exhibition is on right now at the Fringe Festival HQ on George St, Dunedin, until Saturday, when you can literally steal your favourite piece of the show. More info here.
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