EPISODE 751 NEW ZEALAND CAMPING IS LUXURIOUS and “TAKE OUR HOUSE IN WELLINGTON”
“Alone, alone, all, all alone,
alan skeoch
feb. 25, 2023
I hope these New Zealand pictures cheer readers up, especially this living here in Ontario where
winter winds and driving snow have kept so many housebound.
This episode deals with Camping…New Zealand style
IS THIS CAMPING? COMMUNAL CAMP KITCHEN IN EVERY CAMPROUN
As soon as we landed in Auckland we bought new sleeping bags and two gigantic bath towels
No need for hotels in our trip. The towels served as extra blankets if we got cold. Felt a little resentful doing so.
As it turned out that was all we needed. Our first campsite was
unbelievable. Small cabins No need for a tent. Each campsie had a communal kitchen fully stocked except for food.
These communal kitchens meant that meeting new people was automatic. Easy to make new friends
and get ravel tips. Showers, clean washrooms…all part of the New Zealand camp experience.
Enough…take a look at the picture above. Says all that is necessary.
PRETEND THE CANADIAN BLIZZARDS ARE GONE: IMAGINE YOU ARE IN NEW ZEALAND
(John Lennon said imagination is “easy if you try”)
While readers are freezing in Canada, let me warm you up in New Zealand. Pretend you are with us…an
imaginary trip. Not meant to make you jealous. Just for the joy of those of you with an active
imagination. And so let Marjorie and I remember something special in your lives.”
YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED ON A DARK NIGHT IN A CAMPGROUND
ON THE NORTH ISLAND.
Imagine a pitch black night. We had booked a campsite en route to Wellington and from
there to the South Island. Shadowy people drifted past us…. Then I got a glimpse of a man in a Boy Scout
leaders uniform. Never did see his face. Let me recreate the dialogue.
“Hi there, what troop”
“Wellington Scouts.”
“I’m a Canadian Rover and ASM, 38th troop back in Canada. Nice to see you.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Wellington,,,then ferry to South Island”
“Why not stay in Wellington for a bit of time”
“No campground near.
“Take our house…we are heading north to the 90 mile beach for a few days.”
“Are you kidding?”
“No, take our house…the key is under a pot…beer in the fridge.”
“We couldn’t do that.”
“Sure you could. My brother is nearby.”
So we did.
Hard to believe that happened but it did. And we spent a night in
Windy Wellington and next day Andrew dove for Abalone shells
from a rocky shore.
“Dad. stop the car…. now backup…”
“Why?”
“I feel like a swim…a swimming hole “
“You cannot dive there…could be rocks.”
“ will check first then dive.”
And so Andrew did.
HOW COULD I DO THIS == SHOULDN’T I BE TEACHING?
Education in Ontario was in turmoil. The Ministry of Education was about to drop the Grade 13 year.
The President of our Teachers union, Margaret Wilson, asked me to serve on a
committee to look into the issue. Others there as well. I applied for a short sabbatical leave and flew south to examine how
Australia and New Zealand high school functioned. All at my own expense. No public or union money
involved therefore I was free from any red tape. Yes, I did get a reduced salary for which I remain grateful.
Signed agreement to come back to teach…no guarantee where but thankfully back at Parkdale.
Turned down job offer at Facutly of Education that time. Preferred to teach just like most of my friends.
What was the result? I do not remember. Blank. The Ontario government did away with the Grade 13 year.
There was a hue and cry that students were too young for higher education such as University or
Community College. But it was a done deal Grade 13 was gone. No one asked my advice. What would
I say if someone asked?
What did i learn? As I sit here in 2023 I must confess I did not learn much. Sad to say.
I knew we would need strong evidence to save Gt. 13. Did not find ilt The only strong memory is
that Australian and I also believe New Zealand High Schools took a mid morning break so the
teachers could relax with a cup of tea. Enough said. Not every change in life is earth shattering.
I rather liked the tea breaks. Impressed to say anything about eduction I would say that kids…students…
all seemed the same to me bo matter where I had a chance to teach…Canada, England, Slovakia, New
Zealand, Australia. Throw out a big question…a question that is not some phoney pedagogical trick…
throw something that triggers their curiosity….and they seem to have sudden energy that explodes
like a rocket .
What question? Here is one question:
“Let’s suppose we are living in the year 2050, how will our lives be different?”
I asked that question once while teaching at Forest Hill Collegiate to a bunch
of tough demanding…take no prisoner…students. One answer remains in my brain.
“Sir, in the year 2050, we will have sent spaceships throughout the solar system and beyond
and we will discover one thing.”
“What is that?”
“We will discover that we human beings are absolutely alone.” “ALONE, ALONE, ALL, ALONE”
Samuel Coleridge came to mind …
“Alone, alone, all, all alone,
Alone on a wide wide sea!
And never a saint took pity on
My soul in agony.”
That is a treasure. Earth is a treasure. Our place on this earth should be treasured.
“But, sir, isn’t this history course about the 20th and 21st centuries?”
“So, I guess my big quieten is irrelevant, right? A waste of time.”
Now is a good time to take a break for a cup of tea…
How did I answer the question? Took the whole class t o see DOCTOR STRANGELOVE