Many of you will be aware of the notices on the Essons Valley swing gate about the upcoming dog law, if not you may have seen Tanya with her petition.

Whether you are a dog owner or simply someone who enjoys seeing dogs around town, please take action and write a submission to Marlborough District Council to oppose the new proposals.
See below:

Dog Control Policy And Bylaw Review

16 December 2011 Marlborough District Council is reviewing its Dog Control Policy and Bylaw and wants to know what you think.

There are some major changes being proposed, but before any decisions are made, Council is calling for submissions from all members of the public.

Anyone can make a submission about the draft Dog Control Policy and amendments to the Dog Control Bylaws, and we encourage you to tell us your views.

Simply write us a letter telling us what you agree with, what you don’t agree with, and why.

Find out more on the review, where to send your submission and read a copy of the Statement of Proposal detailing the draft policy and proposed changes to the Bylaw on the Dog and Animal Laws page.

Information about Council Submissions is on the Marlborough District Council website

PDF Document Statement of Proposal for Dog Control Policy and Bylaw Review (741 Kb)

If you want to oppose the draft Bylaw

If you want to oppose the draft Bylaw, you are welcome to use the letter below written by Tanya Orchard as is or as a basis to add further comment.

For anyone wishing to use a General Submission to email in to council: mdc@marlborough.govt.nz or post to Marlborough District Council, Dog Proposal, PO Box 443, Blenheim 7240

FOR PICTON.

I wish to oppose the following changes to the proposed by laws:

Dogs Prohibited on Leash in areas of the Picton CBD

I believe this to be unnecessary due to no complaints regarding dogs in the CBD since the current bylaws have been in effect and as such it is uneconomic to police this and unrealistic to the community’s needs.

We require a separate ruling regarding dogs in the CBD than Blenheim, as we are 2 different towns and the lifestyle of many Picton residents revolves around community interaction within the town area and for many, their pets are part of this.

Our economy relies on the tourists along with Sounds residents, many of whom own dogs and therefore are limited in where they can go – this gives a negative impression of our town creating difficulty for those holiday makers and loss on spending within the CBD.

The benefits to this being an on-leash area are many – enhancing a community feel as it is generating many conversations with people greeting dogs and their owners, creating a healthier environment for owners with increased access for their pets encouraging exercise and in turn encouraging shopping within the town. It also enables holiday makers and Sounds residents to come into the town area with their pets, as a welcoming environment for responsible dog owners enhances this.

Leash Only Areas – Victoria Domain, Essons Valley/Tirohanga, Bobs Bay Track

I believe these should be off leash areas as they are great spaces to allow dogs plenty of area to exercise in and provide maximum enjoying for dogs and their responsible owners.

Wet weather limits other dog exercise parks, with the majority being ‘water laden’ after rain and not large enough to allow good exercise areas – removal of the above mentioned areas will increase the number of dogs in small area, increasing problems with over populated exercise areas.

Dogs that are potential dangers or threats should always be on leashes.

Dog Prohibited Areas – Shelley Beach, Marina Entrance,

The following areas need to be allowed for dogs on leash:

*Memorial park entrance – to enable dogs to access coathanger bridge and Victoria Domain walkways – ensuring an on leash area from the ferry terminal to Waikawa Rd *Shelley Beach Carpark and beach area – to have access to the lower Bobs Bay track as well as a beach where dogs can have wonderful swimming exercise.

Please also advise me of date and time for upcoming hearing

Yours sincerely

…………………………….(name + signature)
…………………(contact ph)
……………………………..(address and/or email)
…………………………………(date)

Thank you for your support, get your submission in before the Deadline:  17th February 2012

Tika

Happy New Year – 2012 is going to be an amazing year, full of positive things for Marlborough. How do I know? Well because just about everyone I meet here has some fantastic talent, inspirational vision or creative venture, and loves the place they live in, so it can only be good, hey.

So with that in mind, it brings me great pleasure to let you know about a seminar tomorrow evening, Friday 13th January 2012 7-8pm.

The awesome Dolphin Watch & Nature Tours team (some of the cool folk mentioned above) are presenting a seminar on native Falcons with guest speakers from the Marlborough Conservation Trust at their office on the corners of Wellington Street and London Quay.

It will be an informative talk and slideshow about these stunningly beautiful birds and how we can preserve them for the future. There will be a donation entry with all proceeds going directly to the Marlborough Conservation Trust. www.nzfalcons.org.

Bring a friend or four and make an evening of it, I am certain, it will be worth while…. I hope to keep you all in the loop about future seminars too, and in the meantime, if you are a facebook follower, like the Dolphin Watch page and you will have your finger on the pulse of Picton wildlife happenings.

Any questions re the event, please phone 0800 WILDLIFE or 03 573 8040

K – have a good night,

Tika

This stunning image is by photographer Andy Trowbridge, who I hope won’t mind if I borrow it until I find a local image for the cause of preserving these birds. Any volunteers for an alternate? Will at ? Driftwoodecotours?

Feast on fine fare whilst relaxing, overlooking the Marina.

Give Hilary a ring now & book your table

03 573 9152

XMAS LUNCH MENU $90pp

Bubbles on arrival

ENTRÉE

Seafood salad of hot smoked salmon, prawn cutlets & scallops on a watercress salad with lemon & aioli

OR

Pork belly marinated in 5 spice, hoisin & orange on coconut jasmine rice with a mango salsa

MAIN

Baked ham with pineapple chutney & gravy

Roast turkey with a cranberry stuffing & gravy

Served with steamed buttered greens & roasted root vegetables

To share on the table – Green salad

_ Minted new potatoes

_ Platter of panfried fresh local fish with

aioli & lemon

DESSERT

Xmas pudding with brandy custard, vanilla ice cream & whipped cream

OR

Tiramisu with fresh berries & whipped cream

Tea/Coffee
Buffet with chocolate truffles

www.spinnakerwaikawa.co.nz

It was perfect weather, sunshine with a warm breeze for the most of the walk, and only raining slightly as we dropped down to The Portage Resort Hotel, where we dined at the Retro Bar, indulged in the spa and spent a very pleasant comfortable night in the Kowhai Rooms. Many thanks once again, Alison & staff at The Portage Resort Hotel. We had our rucksack ferried to Portage by Cougar Line to save our backs, and enjoyed their boat ride home  to Picton in the morning, ready for work, refreshed.

Check out other Queen Charlotte Track options with Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company, their office is just down by the foreshore.  Enjoy!

Tika

A slightly obvious plug here as Indigo is my daughter, but I am all for promoting live music in Picton, so here goes – on Friday the 9th September at 8pm for the small sum of $5 Indigo Greenlaw will be singing, along with Blair Gibsone, freshly back from Aspen Colorado on lead guitar.  Should be a great night, so beat the winter blues and pop down to your favourite music venue, Le Cafe – awesome food and ambience.

Indigo is heading off to Europe again, so this might be the last chance to hear her for a wee while. <3

Tika

Spread the word, share this on facebook.

Just thought I’d give you Peter’s latest newsletter as he’s the man of the moment after the Marlborough Express article celebrating his involvement in encouraging live music in Marlborough, specifically at Le Cafe, and to let you know about the next upcoming musical offering at Le Cafe tomorrow Wednesday night. So here goes, I give you Peter Schoni:

“Hey folks!
The comments about the beautiful photo in the paper are slowly subsiding – why didn’t the papers turn up 20 years ago, when it could have granted some valuable contacts, when one was fit and indestructible??

Was trying to remember what my father looked like when he was my age. I had left school, into my second year as an apprentice chef, I already knew lots about most things important, was able to judge situations in a grown-up fashion, made mature decisions and generally had a grip on the scene – I was convinced! Also, my socio-political viewpoints were pretty much bang on unlike the majority of politicians and most authoritative powers that were! Funny how it’s actually still the same, aye. My viewpoints are still the closest to the point of just about anyone around, only now I’ve come to realize that that actually applies to most people’s idea about the way forward. Maybe that’s why we argue every now and constantly, us people! Dogs are no better or cats for that matter. Not sure fish fight over ideas or mating rights or whatever….? I know Crayfish are said to be territorially pre-occupied. Only they can re-grow limbs lost in combat- I’ve seen it!!

Anyhow, I was going to tell you about the two stellar instrumentalists that are performing here at LC tomorrow night. Wednesday 25th of May 2011 at 7:30pm

Endorsed by the Culture Ireland Council (promoting Irish Arts worldwide) and the Conseil des Arts et des lettres Québec

Sophie & Fiachra www.sophieandfiachra.com

Traditional Irish and Québecois Music Uilleann Pipes and Fiddle $10.- cover charge.

Book now – check out the new dinner menu featuring Lamb from our “house farmer” down at Ocean Bay Farm, Portunderwood!”
So book your table now : 03 573 5588 and all those who seek travel, sometimes Picton can give you a taste of the world just by visiting Le Cafe.

Ciao Tika – best get back to work.

Tickets are available now from Le Cafe at $15 until the 4th May, when they will be $18, so book your tickets now . Reserve your table now 03 573 5588 and enjoy a wonderful evening.

Browse through the previous post, or the singers’ websites for more info.

www.annacoddington.com

and www.facebook/juliadeans

The wind is howling outside, the fan palm by our door is being battered and the draught is cold under the door, all the more reason for something to look forward to, a night out.

On Friday 6th May 2011 at Le Cafe in Picton come and hear two awesome lasses of the New Zealand music scene, Anna Coddington & Julia Deans. They have both played previously at Le Cafe, but this time double the value as they are touring together  “Keepsakes Tour”, which promises to be one of the most enchanting tours of the year.

Julia Deans is surely the possessor of one of modern rocks most interesting voices; able to shift elegantly between soaring falsetto and assured growl. Known primarily as the charismatic front-woman of Fur Patrol, Julia released her debut solo album ‘Modern Fables’ in 2010 to critical acclaim. As well as being a world -class vocal talent, Deans has proven herself as a prolific songwriter, having being recently nominated for both the prestigious Silver Scroll Award and The Taite Music Prize.

Anna Coddington is one of New Zealand’s foremost heroines of independent pop music, as is evident on her debut solo album ‘The Lake’ (one of my favourite albums ever) and new sophomore release ‘Cat & Bird’.  Anna has been quietly kicking around New Zealand’s music scene for some time, fronting casually released pop gems by her former bands Handsome Geoffrey and Duchess and performing with musical collective Fly My Pretties.

Don’t miss two of the finest gems New Zealand music has to offer when Anna Coddington and Julia Deans come to Picton, Marlborough  for The Keepsakes Tour.

Book your table at Le Cafe 03 573 5588 and buy your tickets now – they will run out! You can buy them from Le Cafe right now.

It was torrential rain in Picton, but driving through to Blenheim, the skies cleared and as we headed off into the vineyards the sun came out and a glorious afternoon unfolded. Heading up the Waihopai Valley Road at Grove Mill Winery, passing the strange Spy balls (huge golf ball like structures) set in amidst beautiful vineyards, the colours beginning to change, we settled into our adventure. It was brilliant to skip away mid afternoon during the week! (Many thanks to Nicky who looked after Tarn, leaving us free to escape.)

Having been here ten years now, it’s odd that we still haven’t been into the High Country, associating Marlborough more with the Sounds and pristine bush and vineyards than mountain land, so it was a wonderful occasion to enjoy new vistas. A rogue apple tree at the roadside provided us with good snacking opportunities  (scrumping a bag for later), and hopes of stratifying the seeds for seedling apple trees, as the small russet like golden apples were crisp and tasty.

Following the road, watching Australian harriers glide, passing Churton vineyard (so that’s where it is!!) we soon found ourselves stopping to take photographs and enjoy the Waihopai  River, gather some pine cones for future kindling, and viewing the Hydro Power Station, which dates from the 1920s, the most advanced in New Zealand at the time.

As the road gave way to unsealed gravel we knew we were near. Welcomed by Dan and Sarah at Spray Point Station as Jenny and Roland were gathering sheep from the hill for crutching, we made ourselves at home, and wandered down to Cobb Cottage, where we were to stay for the night.

First of all, it has to be said, it is one of the most beautiful buildings you are likely to see set, as it is in mountains by a glorious fast flowing crystal river. We took a wee wander about and found the shower overlooking the Spray River, and the baths (next time we will indulge in a starlit bubble bath!) before exploring inside. Every thought had been given to our comfort, the fire set and ready and everything welcoming. It’s the details that make Cobb Cottage even more delightful, the lanterns illuminating the rooms with gentle electric light whilst giving the illusion of times past, the beautiful copper plumbing  and sink setting in the bathroom, the towel rails made from what was once a swingle-tree from a horse harness and many other things, which I will leave you to explore yourself when you arrive! Photo albums to show the conversion/restoration are set out for your interest. It’s interesting to read the website before arriving eg showing examples of the graffiti to give you further history of Cobb Cottage. We relaxed on the deck, reading, listening to the birds, the river and the sheep, simply enjoying the peace. Dining simply with a glass of wine overlooking the hills and river is just beautiful, a treat. Jenny, with children Ben and Sarah came to visit, taking the time to welcome us inspite of being run off her feet with innumerable lists of tasks.

Built in the 1900s when sheep were driven through to Molesworth and Hanmer, Cobb Cottage is a blend of history and charm. Today the station’s activities include environmental conservation, carbon farming, horse breeding, cattle raising, walking tracks, tourism and of course Jenny and Roland are still busy with sheep farming. There are lots of options for activities whilst staying at Spray Point Station: hike on the Waihopai Walking Track, swim in the crystal clear Spray and Waihopai rivers, explore  conservation wilderness, help with the predator control programme, go bird watching, hunting, fishing, or horse riding,  just ask Jenny and Roland for further information. We just mooched, read and relaxed, enjoying the sunset and the moonlight, breakfasting on the deck in the morning sunshine, but we will definitely return to walk the hills, the lure is set.

So finally thank you so much to Jenny and Roland for such a wonderful time away and please give them a ring on 03 572 4222 to book either Cobb Cottage or Boundary Creek Cabin for an awesome Marlborough experience. Whether you live locally and just need a break or you are from further afield, take the time to go Off  The Mapp and enjoy your holiday in Marlborough!

Sorry for the silence our home has been filled with a series of travellers/family/couch surfers and I am only just surfacing, what can I say it has been exhausting but such good fun, but to cut to it…. music. On Friday 25th February Pacific Curls are to returning to play live at Le Cafe on London Quay overlooking the wonderful Marlborough Sounds. They have been touring in Canada. Their beautiful vocals with lyrics in Te Reo Maori, Rotuman and English and their unique combination of Scottish fiddle, Taonga Puoro, ukulele, cajon, guitar, klimba and percussion have captivated audiences wherever they have gone.

With its World-ribbed sounds, precise arrangements and a catalogue of songs that link the Pacific’s primal myths to Scotland’s mysticism, Pacific Curls – one Rotuman one Maori and a Scots – make music that is both worldly and enthralling, so come along to Le Cafe and see for yourselves. You know the deal, phone 03 573 5588 to book a table. Pacific Curls are on around 8pm I think, but do check with Peter or the front of house staff.

For now,

Tika