Life + Style - 13 August 2021

21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 1

Photo: John Borren.

Renew and redo with a blue do!

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life+style The Weekend Sun 21 13August, August,2015 2021 Lord Buckle (Mick Morgan) Photo: John Borren.

Steamtember!

Renew and redo with a blue do Renewing wedding vows steampunk style makes perfect sense in this uncertain world, where upcycling and repurposing is all part of adjusting to the turns in life.

Lady Hannah Dashery Buckle (Lindsey Morgan) Photo: John Borren.

Flying copper kettle. Photo: John Borren.

Plague doctor made by Richard Parker

Rosemary J Sloman, JP Wedding Celebrant

Mick and Lindsey Morgan are just one of the six couples renewing their wedding vows this September during a spectacular steampunk ‘Blue Do’ weekend.

“I can’t believe we have been married for 25 years,” says Lindsey. “We have been having way too much fun.”

She says she “absolutely” married her best friend.

“He is my world. He makes me laugh every single day, without fail.”

Due to their shared interest in the steampunk genre, they are active members of Steampunk Tauranga and are busy helping organise the group’s annual Blue Steamtember – in September – which focuses awareness on supporting prostate cancer work.

The weekend begins with a Friday evening ‘HAG’ night at their regular Wharf Street bar, The Barrel Room.

“HAG is a combination of ‘not a hen party and not a stag do’,” says Lindsey.

Punkers and ‘Re-do’ couples dressed in plenty of blue will be teapot racing outside the bar and enjoying the camaraderie that has sprung up since the group started.

The next morning, following an ‘op shop ‘til you

drop’ event around Tauranga’s charity shops, a ‘ReDo’ wedding will be held at the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club, with seven couples renewing their vows steampunk style.

Wedding celebrant and JP Rosemary Sloman, herself a Tauranga Steampunk member for the past five years, will be performing the ceremonies, dressed up steampunk style.

“A lot of them are coming up to milestone anniversaries,” says Rosemary. “One couple are at 40 years, another 30 years, and another 25.”

She likes that there’s a ‘broad brush’ of people that come together in the group.

“Steampunk Tauranga is not ageist,” says Rosemary. “It’s not sexist. It involves singles and families, and all of us are really creative.

“Most of us are trying to save the planet, so there’s a lot of recycled bits and bobs that we reimagine and create.”

She works with couples to help create the wedding magic they’re looking for.

“One of the things about this [steampunk] ceremony, in these unsettled times, is that it’s quite special that people want to reaffirm their commitment to each other.

“None of these couples are doing this in a flippant way. The fact that they happen to be interested in the steampunk genre is just one of the things that brings them together.”

Following the Saturday afternoon vow renewal service, it will be party mode back at the yacht club at Sulphur Point, as steampunkers in full

13 August, 2021

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The Barrel Room bar manager Virgile Meiller serves Lord Buckle. Photo: John Borren.

“Bowler hats, brass fittings, waistcoats, corsets and goggles all contribute to the ‘what if?’ alternative history and nature of things that happen in steampunk.”

blue-themed gear groove to live music from popular local band Shabang. This is Steampunk Tauranga’s main Blue Do event for the weekend, and the theme is Aeronautica.

Industrial beginnings

For those who are unsure what ‘steampunk’ means, it is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retrofuturistic technology and aesthetics inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.

Steampunk style comes from the idea that technology never developed past the steam power of the Victorian era in England, and that science and industry took a different turn.

Bowler hats, brass fittings, waistcoats, corsets and goggles all contribute to the ‘what if?’ alternative history and nature of things that happen in steampunk. The aesthetic is also inspired by the Belle Epoque in France from 1871-1914, and the Civil War era in the United States in the 1860s.

Richard Parker, the el supremo designer at Black Chilli has become captivated by the steampunk theme, creating top of the range props for hire for Saturday night’s Aeronautica that could be found on any movie set.

“It’s a great theme,” says Richard. “I would look at steampunk and think ‘that’s cool’. And I realised props have to look like they’re going to work.”

Re-Do in reverse

His steampunk throne, ideal for a photobooth,

has been created with a fuel tank.

“It’s got a little engine in it, so it looks like it works,” he says.

As well as lighting up, there’s a working fan and potential for a smoke machine to pump ‘steam’ out of the top.

Nearby, a snakeskin corset is cleverly wrapped around a giant martini glass that doubles as a pedestal table. There’s a plague doctor and other props that he’s keeping secret until the Blue Do. “I’ve just designed and built them as I’ve gone along, based on the steampunk theme.”

For those looking for even more fun, and perhaps those that want to reverse their earlier ‘Re-Do’, there will be an ‘Un-Do’ breakfast on Sunday morning at Raft in Chapel Street. Lindsey, however, is unlikely to ‘un-do’ her renewal with Mick.

“Renewing my vows is committing myself to him all over again, confirming that I will look after him, love and care for him always,” says Lindsey.

“Just saying these words has got me a bit choked, I can’t imagine a life without him.”

Blue Steamtember is an annual event run by Steampunk Tauranga to raise funds for and awareness of prostate cancer.

The weekend’s events this year will be held from September 17-19.

For more information and to purchase tickets to Aeronautica, contact Leone via: slurps@kinect.co.nz or visit the Steampunk Tauranga Facebook page.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

VINNIES The Society of St Vincent de Paul WBOP

Danny and Leone Turner.

Photo: Barb Lewis.

Mick and Lindsey Morgan.

Photo: Barb Lewis.

BEFORE

Want to make a difference in your local community?

WE NEED YOU! Donation pick up 07 578 3184

Tauranga 766 Cameron Rd 07 578 8218

Greerton 134 Chadwick Rd 07 578 3186

Mt Maunganui 1 Dee St 07 574 9423

AFTER

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13August, August,2015 2021 life+style The Weekend Sun 21

Heights, wine and kai A weekend in Hawke’s Bay A weekend away in Napier for our 10th anniversary seemed like the perfect place to celebrate, seeing as we hadn’t been there since before we got married.

The trip from Tauranga is really easy, with great sights along the way. Driving past the Te Ahi Tupua sculpture in Rotorua is always a highlight for me. Also, as soon as you leave Tauranga drivers seem to get more polite!

After checking into our hotel we ambled along the waterfront into town, stopping to admire the sculptures and views towards Cape Kidnappers and the Māhia Peninsula as well as taking the obligatory selfie at the pier.

The 3km esplanade is well thought out, connecting The National Aquarium and the nearby skatepark and bike tracks with the city centre. There’s also playgrounds, and the contemporary artworks blend in well with the iconic soundshell, the Tom Parker Fountain and Pania of the Reef statue.

We headed to The Emporium for drinks, which is located in the Art Deco Masonic Hotel. Like most places in the city it embraces its roots and is filled with trinkets of years gone by.

Old suitcases, bikes, biscuit tins and photos fill up empty spaces on the walls and shelves, while some of the bar leaners are filled with tin toys, shaving kits, pill boxes, cigarette cases, games and

other 1920s and 30s memorabilia.

A great way to keep the kids entertained would be to get them to write down all the different things they can see, while you enjoy a tipple from the extensive drinks menu.

Finding most of the restaurants were full we headed to Lone Star, where you’re guaranteed a table and the food won’t let you down.

A trip up Te Mata Peak was on the cards the next morning, and for someone with a huge fear of heights, I think I did well to stay up there and enjoy the 360-degree views for around an hour.

The husband braved the walk along the cliff edge while I cautiously remained around a metre from the barrier at all times.

You can walk or bike from the base to the top up a number of different tracks, or head to the peak in your car. Walks range from an hour up to two-and-a-half hours, and biking trails vary from grade two to grade six in terms of difficulty. A stop in the Redwood Forest is also a must do.

We tried to grab a coffee at the cafe on the way back down, but were told they were too busy and could only serve cold drinks. It was a sign of things to come in the day ahead.

We planned to spend the afternoon at Havelock North wineries, so headed to Craggy Range for a tasting.

The expansive lawns and small lake looking back towards Te Mata Peak are impressive.

Our Subaru seemed somewhat out of place

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13 August, 2021 21 August, 2015

“Hawke’s Bay really lives up to its name as food and wine country, and we won’t be leaving it 10 years between visits from now on.”

amongst the McLarens, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, but we parked next to another Japanese car to try and blend in.

The Cellar Door was incredibly busy so we didn’t get the tasting we were hoping for, but we enjoyed the surroundings for a few minutes.

We daringly ignored the multiple warnings we had been given about booking for lunch at any of the vineyards. I didn’t expect it to include tastings as well, but I’ve learnt my lesson.

Te Mata Estate’s Cellar Door is no fuss and welcoming, and despite the room filling quite quickly after our arrival, the sommelier was friendly and quick to make a joke. My top picks were the 2020 sauvignon blanc and viognier.

At most of the wineries a tasting will incur a small fee, but this can be redeemed by each purchasing a bottle of wine or spending a certain amount.

Black Barn Vineyards was next on the list, but with our lack of lunch booking we could enjoy a view of the vines and nothing more.

With the husband getting slightly frustrated at the amount of times we were being turned away, I took to Google and found Smith and Sheth. A quick call advised us there was availability.

What we weren’t told is the tasting of five wines would take an hour and be so in-depth that you hear about the soil type the grapes are grown in, how much sea air and salt they received while maturing and the exact percentages of yeast and malic acid the wines contained.

While this might be a wine connoisseur’s heaven, it wasn’t ours. I received dirty looks but also amused giggles from the husband, and seeing as we hadn’t eaten it was time to leave wine tasting behind.

A quick stop at the Rose and Shamrock pub ensured full bellies and a decent pint.

It was back to Napier for dinner at Market St, where walk-ins are accepted and you can enjoy everything from burgers to sous-vide pork loin.

We grabbed a tasting platter to enjoy a bit of everything and weren’t disappointed.

We loved everything about Napier especially the CBD, which is well considered and fully embraces its art deco culture. Even the street signs are in an art deco font.

My advice is to book restaurants and wineries well in advance, especially if you can’t handle rejection.

Hawke’s Bay really lives up to its name as food and wine country, and we won’t be leaving it 10 years between visits from Alisha Evans now on.

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August,2015 2021 life+style The Weekend Sun 2113August, Shelley Clark with Prada, left, and Gucci.

Photo: Alisha Evans.

Gone to the dogs The art of agility and training When Shelley Clark adopted her first Schnauzer she never expected it to lead to a new hobby and more than a decade of sharing her skills.

It was suggested Shelley try dog agility with her dog Tully, who came to her at 18 months old, to increase their bond.

Some 15 years later, Shelley has entered countless competitions with her Schnauzers and taught hundreds of people how to train their dogs.

Shelley took Tully to classes at the Tauranga Dog Training Club, where they did agility for fun. Then they moved on to competing.

Teaching dog training started when Shelley helped out with the club’s foundation classes, and soon she began taking classes on her own.

She has been at the Tauranga Dog Training Club since 2005 and teaches a weekly class.

Why Schnauzers?

Shelley has had Schnauzers for 16 years and loves their loyalty, quirkiness, their sense of humour and protective nature.

“Once you have a Schnauzer you won’t go back,” she says.

Schnauzers are not typically used for agility -

border collies or heading dogs are generally the canine of choice for such activities - but Shelley has done it with all of hers.

If you visit her Whakamārama property you can see her two hounds, Gucci and Prada, whipping around the agility course she has set up. The pair have weekly classes at the Tauranga Dog Training Club as well.

On occasion she has been told to “get a real dog” by other agility competitors, but she finds that “a little bit offensive”.

Despite the occasional judgment about her choice of dog, Shelley loves the friendships she’s formed through the club and the dog agility community.

While Prada is often more interested in looking for rabbits at their home agility course, and Gucci prefers cuddles with residents at the rest home where Shelley works, she has worked hard with them.

As the dogs clear each obstacle on command, you wouldn’t think they have other priorities.

All training requires repetition and rewards, and for most agility dogs the ultimate reward is a game of tug. For Gucci and Prada, food is their chosen reward.

“Mine work for food,” says Shelley. “They have a higher goal.”

Gucci is a miniature Schnauzer while Prada is a standard, and they have multiple ribbons from

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When it comes to training dogs, it’s more about teaching people how to train rather than training the dog itself says Shelley.

“Training the dog is probably easier than training the person,” she laughs.

wins at dog agility competitions.

Each of Shelley’s dogs she has trained for agility will have an area they can improve on, so with the next dog that will be a focus. She is always learning.

How to train your canine

When it comes to training dogs, it’s more about teaching people how to train rather than training the dog itself says Shelley.

“Training the dog is probably easier than training the person,” she laughs.

“People don’t realise that it’s actually quite hard because you’ve got to do homework. You’ve got to be consistent every day.

“It’s a little bit harder than just coming to a class once a week and expecting the dog to learn it.”

Shelley says training is good for bonding, exercise and mental stimulation for dogs.

“It’s really good for mental stimulation, especially for high-energy dogs because it can tire them out just as much as going to the beach.”

If you get them thinking, they’ll tire and settle quickly, she says.

Shelley also enjoys seeing the connections people create with their pooches during training.

All about agility

Agility training involves teaching dogs to

navigate obstacles off lead with accuracy and speed. Common obstacles are tunnels, seesaws, jumps and weave poles.

For agility, dogs need to be at least 18 months old so they don’t injure themselves while they are still growing.

There is a lot of training that can be done prior to this in preparation, which is done to teach control and connection, says Shelley.

When getting into agility it’s important to do it through a club or with a trainer, because they understand a dog’s structure and will do things safely, she adds.

When competing, a dog must complete an obstacle course of 16-to-25 obstacles and points are lost if a dog doesn’t go over an obstacle correctly or refuses.

Rounds are timed and judged, and the fastest clear round wins.

The Tauranga Dog Training club started 45 years ago and has around 30 members that compete in agility. Club members range in age from their 20s to their 80s.

The club offers puppy and obedience classes for dogs aged three months and older, as well preagility and agility classes. The Mount Maunganui Dog Training club offers similar courses.

Interested? Visit: www.dogagility.org.nz to find your local club.

Alisha Evans

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

Te Kaunihera a rohe mai i nga Kuri-a-Wharei ki Otamarakau ki te Uru

What’s up Western Bay August - September 2021

In the first month we’ve diverted from landfill: 37.5 77.6 99.8 tonnes of food

tonnes of glass

tonnes of recycling

– that's a total of over 214 tonnes collected for recycling and composting in the opening month of our new kerbside collection service.

It's so important to get our recycling right.

When a recycling bin is contaminated with unrecyclable items it can contaminate all of the recycling in the truck and lead to the whole load going to landfill.

Get more tips on reducing our landfill bulge

kerbsidecollective.co.nz

New name and facilities for 83 Ford Road

New mural at TECT Park

210810 - WBA DISTRICT UPDATE_AUG 2021_WSUN

We're renaming 83 Ford Road, Maketu to Otaiparia Reserve as part of a concept plan to develop the coastal site.

The approved concept plan allows for Maketu Coastguard to develop their own building on site, for Maketu Hoe Waka Club’s continued use and development of their facilities, a large multiuse open space for recreation and community events, a new raised picnic area, boat trailer parking and public More info bathrooms.

Call: 07 571 8008

Haere mai to our new CEO John Holyoake has officially stepped into his new role as CEO of Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Originally from Rotorua, John says it is great to be back in the Bay of Plenty and he's eager to bring his skills and learnings to the rohe (area) and apply them to the inevitable challenges Council will face, particularly the Future of Local Government and More info Three Waters.

Email: customer.service@westernbay.govt.nz

Western Bay local Shane Walker has just completed a new mural at TECT Park.

Shane’s handiwork now covers the walls of the State Highway 36 underpass that connects the two sides of TECT Park.

The mural features native birds and scenes of people enjoying some of the many activities on offer at TECT Park, including horse riding, motor sports and dog walking.

The Park is located on SH36, halfway between Tauranga and Rotorua.

More info

westernbay.govt.nz

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Find out more

Ōmokoroa playground construction kicks off Construction of Ōmokoroa Domain’s new million-dollar playground will start later this month, kicking off the build of a facility that will become a drawcard for kids and adults alike.

The new playground equipment will include swings, trampolines, tunnels, climbing structures and a hamster wheel, creating a new recreation More info experience for all.

@westernbaycouncil