A mythic spectacular

Just before the fireworks began downtown on Friday night, the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup took place at Eden Park.
I've just watched it for the second time, on TV on demand. I feel so proud of NZ for putting on such a fabulous piece of theatre, full of mythic archetypes, beauty, movement and power. TVNZ has the video available for 5 more days - so do take a look (don't be put off by the adverts - they don't last long)
The photo is of water on the wild west coast - one that captures some of the feeling of the Opening Ceremony (since I can't access an actual image)

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-world-cup/opening-edenpark-video-4393770

Fireworks

To my surprise and delight, I had a glimpse of the fireworks last night from my balcony. Sometimes, it was just a flash on the periphery.

Others flared up beautifully, and lingered in the sky long enough to photograph.

And then there were the moments when I received the full display - like spring flowers exploding in the sky, releasing their glory, hope and beauty.
The whole city was celebrating last night. After so many tough times, it's glorious to let fly and be joyful.

Waka sailing in

It's been a beautiful day in Auckland today and the big party to open the Rugby World Cup began on the waterfront at 4 pm. Bunting is hanging everywhere along the streets. This man was hanging out his flags, and feeling proud of the display. He waved when I took a photo.

Now I'm not a  rugby fan, but I do love a big cultural celebration. In the afternoon people were pouring down the streets towards the waterfront: whole families, with everyone dressed in black and silver to support the All Blacks. I didn't feel like tackling the crush, but wanted to get a glimpse of the waka (canoes) coming in to the Viaduct Basin. By walking along to the outer edge of Westhaven marina, I hoped to see something - but this was the best I could do: just a view of all the boats that were sailing out to get a good look - and a helicopter filming from high overhead.

But I got a photo by pointing my camera at the TV once I got home. 600 Maori paddlers have been practising all year for this event. It takes muscle and co-ordination to paddle one of these big canoes. The paddlers did a great job, with their paddles flashing white and brown, depending on which paddle side they displayed.

Once they climbed on to land, they did a magnificent haka. People are still partying down there; the venue is tightly packed and many have been turned away. When nightfall comes, there will be fireworks.
Rugby fan or not, I feel proud to see my country put on such a fantastic celebration.

Gift of fragrance

On my doorstep yesterday, I discovered a gift from a dear friend. She was thinking of our family, and the funeral that took place yesterday for my granddaughter's boyfriend of 3 years, and she wanted me to have a fragrant plant that she knows I love: daphne.

Not only is the fragrance of daphne sweet and strong, but it lingers and spreads. Now my balcony 'garden' is being renewed: as the tulips pass their best, the daphne sits between them.

Fragrance carries the energy of love so directly. It's amazing how comforting this sweet smell is, on a day when life seems terribly sad.

Your joy is your sorrow

unmasked.

And the selfsame well

from which your laughter

rises was oftentimes filled with tears.

Kahlil Gibran

In the Green Lane

Walking around Greenlane hospital this morning, I wondered what signs of regeneration there were to lift the spirits of sick and injured people. The trees are still bare, although the one on the left is showing a brightening of the twigs, which are turning yellow.

But leaves are slower to sprout than flowers. Most of the trees are still in winter, while the flowers are dancing in the spring sunshine.

Magnolias are spreading their heavenly perfume around the streets and hospital grounds.

And I saw my first bee, working the koromiko flowers very happily.
The inevitable flowering of this season eases my aching heart and weary arm. Even the bare trees, that seem arrested in winter's dormancy, will also respond to the rising sap and put out their leaves, all in due course.
Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment.  ~Ellis Peters

Bitter-sweet

Alongside the beauty and fragrance of spring, comes shock and grief.
My granddaughter's boyfriend of three years died last night from an accident. He was only 17.
Sometimes the flowering of youth is blasted by tragedy.
Nature is flowering.
I am grieving.

Spring flowering

Flowers were blooming all along the way as I took my morning walk.

A plethora of flowers.

Do not linger

to gather flowers

to keep them, but walk on,

for flowers will

keep themselves

blooming

all your way.

—Rabindranath Tagore