NZ field trips - October 2010

[David Lyttle]

Hi Gerd,

The hens were point of lay pullets for our domestic egg production. We purchased them from a poultry farm that has a reputation for supplying good birds.They have settled in happily and are laying well. The last lot we purchased ( from a different supplier) appeared to be culled birds from a commercial operation.

I am including a violet picture - Melicytus alpinus: the flowers have developed a bit far to see the detail.

[Gerdk]

David, Thanks for the clarification and for the ' violet ' pic. Due to my fixation on plants I suggested something like 'hens and chicken'  .

Gerd

[Robin Callens]

Clint left for home today, gonna miss having another keen plant hunter around home.
A few shots of the areas (and plants) he visited during the last few weeks. (I hope it isn't too long before your next visit mate, the Celmisia's and I will be waiting!)

I am only a few days home after having the time of my life in NZ and I already would like to start packing again and fly back to this amazing country... I have seen some beautifull plants and places on this planet such as Nepal and Alaska but nothing beats the allmost surreal beauty of NZ where treasures as Celmisias, Ranunculus, Carmichaelias and many other alpines grow abundantly. Everyone who calls himself a true 'rockgarden plantlover' must go at least once to this paradise. And hopefully we will see some more NZ alpine plants growing in Europe in the future, I know I will give it a try.

I would like to thank all the very nice people in NZ who helped me during my travelling and especially Doug Logan (and of course his family) for letting me stay at his home and for showing me around in the mountains. THX!!!

Clint Callens   

[David Nicholson]

...... and, I think I read, they are looking for a New Zealand girl for you Clint

[kiwi]

Anytime Clint, we've always got a spare bed here for you bud.