There was something on the pathway. Cornwall Park has a past and a 'presence.'

As we wandered through the pathways in Cornwall Park, the big beautiful reserve that Aucklanders so love, we came across three little lambs sitting quietly as their mum watched on. Perdy strained at her lead, wanting to go and investigate. Of course I was not about to let her off, knowing her propensity to chase anything that moves and these 'objects' of her attention looked very much like some of her toys and from expensive experience I know that they do not last long when she gets her teeth into them.
Head Momma bleated and the lambs ran off, one though taking a curious look at Perdy. Maybe she wanted to play. I pulled her back and we continued on our way. Jack Russells hate to be constrained too often. they prefer the freedom of running, exploring, chasing and creating mayhem. That is not possible in the inner city parks, so the leads the rule.
We came across a water feature and Perdy delighted in running along the wall and drinking the cooling waters. It seems that at every turn there is a different vista in the park and it is possible to spend a few hours there seeking out all the corners and niches. Whether you want to play ball, run, relax under a tree or picnic with your friends, Cornwall Park never seems too crowded; all this just a short distance from the centre of Auckland. Governor Grey did well leaving this park to us, although some of the original people  (Tangata Whenua) may take umbrage at this. After all, it was Grey who launched the invasion on the People of the Waikato in the 1860s.
Just think about the history of this place as you wander through the peaceful glades and wide open green areas but take strength from the fresh air and the views from the higher points. Cornwall Park; a true treasure and a Jack Russell's delight.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

 

We came across these little packages of mischief

Just taking a break.

 

A unique solution to having a china cabinet that is overflowing!

I shall let the picture speak for itself. When the china cabinet is full of 'stuff' then you have to look for solutions that work. Yes, the items in the picture, consisting of English china, are for sale or will be very soon. They will be on Trade Me. If you cant see the pictures on Twitter and Face Book, then go to my site and follow the blog; that is after you have downloaded ROSKILL  of course.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Its all for sale---fish tank and the English China. 

Vote!---Don't bitch about how things are bad.

Yes, it's local body election time and you are confronted with a plethora of candidates, all promising to either spend all of your money or save you heaps. In that since, you really do have a choice. For those candidates promising to keep the rates down, you can safely assume that there will be little in the way of 'infrastructure' spending, meaning that services will suffer and you will be moaning about this and that not being done, leaving it all for another election cycle for some other group to play catch up, so before you tick the box for so-called austerity candidates, take a deep breath. You are gonna pay one way or the other; it's just a question of when. Then, we have candidates who promise 'free this, and free that.' That too comes at a cost, the difference being that, maybe they have a point, especially when it comes to getting people out of their cars and freeing up cash for projects other than expensive motorways and the destruction they cause to local communities as they rip through the heart of our suburbs.
Then there is the consideration about who the candidates align themselves too, in terms of political parties or ideology. There are of course those 'independent' candidates who claim no political allegiance. The only way to know who they and what they purport to stand for is to meet them, go to meetings  (its getting a bit late for that) to read about them or to go online. There are other ways too. If you favour a certain political party then you can sometimes assume that the billboards with lots of red on them generally favour Labour and those with blue, National. Of coursed that is a pretty rude measuring device, so if you really care, you will have to make the effort to find out more.
I cringe when I hear how some people make their choices. They vote for those at the top of the list, they choose better looking ones, they avoid names that they perceive to being too different (read in race factors!) or they vote for people that others tell them to vote for. Is that any different from what people do for General elections? Democracy comes with a price. it is only as good as the manner in which we vote and hold our candidates accountable and the knowledge used to make decisions is only as good as the information people use to make their choices. That doesn't say much for the process, does it. Oh well; go and make your choices and don't bitch about how things are stuffed, if you don't' get off your butt and do it. Have I done it? Of course I have---TODAY.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Kindle---is it as good as the real thing?

I have been reading from my Kindle now for about 6 months and in that time I have only been to my local library about twice. Is this the beginning of the end for books in the hard copy version? I don't think so. Yes, I enjoy the Kindle and I have been imploring you all to download ROSKILL and other books to come but that does not mean that I have given away the idea of holding a book in my hands. I suspect that many bookstores will have to change and redirect their focus about what they sell and what new directions they will need to take in order to survive, but survive they will.
I enjoy the functionality of my Kindle and there sheer convenience and I seem to get hooked on an author and search out their other books. I find myself reading a series that excites me and sometimes I settle on a particular genre before breaking free and trying something else.
The Kindle stays charged for quite a few books before needing recharging; mind you I only have a basic one--no colour or extra backlighting for me, so it needs to read in good light, but then again, so do hard copy books. I guess there are kids out there who are reading their Kindles with a torchlight under the blankets, because they simply can't stop reading their 'story of the moment,' so in a sense, nothing has changed.
I shall continue to read books, no matter what the form. I hope you do too---just make sure that you download mine. Go to my website and followed the link to the 'Book  shop' and click on the Kindle version of Roskill. Please write a review.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Ex-Tangaroa College 'kids' are helping out big time! Thanks for pushing ROSKILL.

Kids---hell, some of you have hit the magic 50 and while I will always be 'Radar' to you, then you will always be the kids for me. I even have the privilege of working with one of you (she knows who she is) and working with your kids and soon your grand kids. At this stage I expect that I shall probably receive a bit of a ribbing on  Facebook!
A huge thanks to Karen for her wonderful review of ROSKILL. It is these reviews that make all the difference and although the download on Kindle for ROSKILL has not been huge, I don't mind. Rome may have not been built in a day so my 'Romanesque' attempts may also come to fruition one day. If you have a Kindle or a tablet and other reading Apps just go to my website www.authorneilcoleman.com then click on the Book shop then  the Kindle version of ROSKILL. There is also an APP you can download if you don't have a Kindle. Please write a review in the option provided if you can. That makes a big difference to me. Thanks again my friends, for your support, be it in thoughts, actions or comments. You can even help by passing on the link to my site to your 'groups, circles and contacts.

This is what Ron Phillips, author of Gem Of The First Water, said about Roskill---Read on.

Here is an endorsement written by Ron Phillips, author of 'Gem Of The First Water,' said about ROSKILL.

Neil knows about the youth of today. As a long serving school guidance counsellor at one of South Auckland's larger high schools, he hears the stories of today's adolescents. Neil's experience has given him empirical insight into the minds, nature and behaviours of our youth. His knowledge brings Roskill alive; a compelling read with a page-turning plot, supported by authentic dialogue and wonderful snippets of New Zealand culture and Auckland City life. Neil has written a brilliant novel suitable for both young and old. Without hesitation I recommend Neil Coleman's first novel.

Ron Phillips, author of 'Gem Of The First Water.'

Go to my website, www.authorneilcoleman.com to follow the link to Ron's website and details about his books.

Solar oven, now nudging 100C

Watch this space. Maybe I am finally going to be able to cook some 'man food,' in my solar oven. All I need is for the temperature to reach about 110C and maintain that level for at least three hours and I will be cooking meat. I can then play 'survivalist,' with the big boys and go out into the wilds and play frames. Hell, all I need to do then is shoot a few deer and rabbits, skin them and cook them up in my oven. Nah, that's not my style, so look to reading that I boiled some water and maybe cooked up a 'butcher-prepared meat or chicken.' Bet the feckin clouds come out stuff up my efforts. I suspect that it will be well into October before I finally get consistently higher readings on the little thermometer in the oven. Amazing events eh! I shall open bottle of bubbly when  I achieve my goals!
www.authorneilcoleman.com