CORROSIVE MOSES HotWaterBeach - Bees
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Surf Lifesaving
HotWaterBeach
feature artist
CORROSIVE
MOSES
Bees
The Seagull
February 2021 - number 7 - Out the first Monday of every month
editorial
W elcome to Issue 7!
Here’s hoping you’ve been having a marvellous
design and advertising
The Seagull magazine apreciates the support of all
summer, visitors and locals alike, enjoying our beautiful it’sadvertisers.
beaches and the fabulous activities there are on offer
in the greater Mercury Bay.
If you would like to advertise with us please have your No Ragrets
artwork or ad through to us by the
February 14 is Valentine’s Day, and you may be 10th of the month. dead in the eye and welcome them to the share
“Any1 want 2 hang owt wid me 2dae??!!! Lol
surprised to read about the odd origins of the equal space in my psyche with the good stuff.
email davidbayerdesigns@gmail.com probz not…..”
festival. There’s a bit of love and passion in many of I can’t believe I wrote that when I was 12 on Unusually that group of people inspiring me are
our stories this month…the love of books with our Facebook. I also can’t believe when I was 12 I used those practicing polyamory or ethical/consensual
Hometown Hero Kate Piper, love for the community If you need an advertising designed for you non-monogamy. Jealousy, jealousy, jealousy!!
please call 027 506 3110 to want grotesque tattoo’s that looked like
they serve with our lifeguards at Hot Water Beach, a realistic wounds - the more gore the better! I The green eyed monster is the first emotion that
love of music with our guest artists Corrosive Moses or saved so many pics of them onto my iPod touch, springs to mind when thinking of attempting that
and you’ll love our sweet bee story about Debbie email davidbayerdesigns@gmail.com impatiently waiting to turn 16. Inside scoop: I type of relationship. Yet those practicing ethical
Scobie and her hives. don’t currently have any tats. non-monogamy embrace this emotion which is so
Digital Artwork often experienced as negative. They work through
We’ve popped in a ‘Save the Date’ for the 11th March All digital greyscale and color art should be at 300 dpi. Those memories bring up mildly uncomfortable
for a Women in Business networking event…more emotions. But we don’t always have the luxury what is a barrier to so many people, and eliminate
The following digital file types are accepted:
exciting details to come. It will be a great evening for of mild embarrassment, shame, guilt, jealousy, it as a barrier to enjoy the relationships they
Acceptable file formats: All Adobe Products – Acrobat (PDF
rejection, anger… those emotions can come raging desire. It proves that we can get better at sitting
women from the greater Mercury Bay to get together files with fonts embedded), InDesign (INDD or IDML files with
accompanying links and fonts included), Illustrator (EPS or AI files), untamed, hijacking our entire consciousness. The in uncomfortable spaces, with any uncomfortable
to share ideas and support each other.You’re welcome
plethora of “negative” emotions we shove into emotions, and enjoy an enriched life because of it.
whether you’ve been in business for ages or are Photoshop (JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD).
our black bag, unchecked, and pretend aren’t our I want to rock these tricky emotions. Shutting
wondering how to get started…and everywhere in them away in my metaphorical black bag isn’t the
between. Not accepted formats: Freehand, Corel Draw, Paint, own. The witty line I should’ve smoothly said
when I blanked on my new friends name when answer because then we have to heft this ever
On a serious note, that horrible Covid has been Quark growing black bag around in life. Imagine if you
mutating and there has been a community case causing introducing them last week is still echoing around
my head. I have gone over the exact line a weren’t afraid of feeling rejection, jealousy or
angst in Northland. Now is certainly not the time for Vector artwork should be saved in an .EPS format with fonts and
hundred times I should’ve said when a school angry because you were confident you could deal
complacency, whip out your phone and scan those images embedded, or all images and fonts must be supplied.
All screen and printer fonts must be provided. friend scoffed at the pointlessness of learning te with those emotions and come out the other side
QR codes everywhere you go! Try out the Bluetooth
We will substitute with similar fonts if originals are not submitted. reo māori, or the comeback that ghosted me when stronger? As a mysterious 20-something-yearold I
app, it’s easy to switch on in your phone. It does not
replace QR code scanning so keep doing that, what it Text can be converted to outlines, but if proofing errors are a would feel infinite with the world at my fingertips
does is enable you to receive an alert to your phone discovered, new art may need to be submitted. guy said he didn’t like my hairy legs. We all say to not be afraid of the wrong side of myself.
if you have been near another app user who tests the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong Comfortingly, we all live with cringe moments. I
positive for Covid-19.You’ll then know very quickly Images from the web are not suitable for person, but are we willing to accept that comes wonder if in 2030 the High Court overturning
and can organise to be tested straight away. TCDC’s decision not to sign onto the climate change
printing. from the same version of us that succeeds? That
the light and dark co-exist? declaration will feel like my tween Facebook
Stay well and all the very best for February! There is a group of people that springs to mind, status regrets…
Please call David if you have
questions or would like to who inspire me to get my hands dirty and yank
advertise with us. my uncomfortable emotions out of my black bag.
They inspire me to stare my unwanted emotions
Graphic Designer
David Bayer
Graphic Designer and illustrator
Editor www.davidbayerdesigns.com
Deli Connell 027 506 3110
theseagull@xtra.co.nz davidbayerdesigns@gmail.com
Reader’s contributions of letters and articles are welcome. Publication of these is at the discretion of the
editorial team and may be edited. Contributions will only be considered for publication with the author’s
full name, residential address and contact number. Opinions expressed in The Seagull are not necessarily
those of the publishers.
The Seagull is published by Oystercatcher Enterprises Ltd.
Disclaimer: No responsibility is accepted for loss or damage suffered by anyone relying on the information within. No endorsement of any service or product
advertised or featured is implied or assumed.
1
The Seagull
Gary is philosophical, “There were many stakeholders involved
in the positioning of the clubhouse and a few were worried
about views and so on. With the setting of the building into the
Clad in red and yellow the youngster raises the binoculars to “It’s been a slow process, but we’ve come a long way since the bank we think we’ve alleviated those concerns and had a lot of
his eyes, intent on the bobbing heads in the waves he scans club was housed in a paddock.” A Mrs Mc Cracken owed a couple people pleasantly surprised with the result.” It’s so good, in fact,
meticulously for any signs of a person in trouble or the ocean of sections opposite the store and generously allowed the club other clubs are keen to utilise their innovative designs.
subtly changing its patterns. A waveless, discoloured patch operate off one of them for years, a caravan and ATV stored there, Club Members can’t even began to thank all the people involved
on the surface of the water may indicate a rip forming and and apologised when she came to sell. in the build.
necessitate a quick shift of flags or an intervention. “We’re really grateful we had that location made available to The Trust Waikato HWB Lifeguards have also had to innovate
It’s this vigilance that saves lives and, on this un-seasonally cool, us close to the beach,” says Gary. It was a place to gather for around the way they patrol having a major tourist attraction,
briefings and have a bite to eat or rest on a busy day at the beach. the pools, where punters want to rinse off immediately adjacent
The guards must be pinching themselves every time they turn up to the hot water even if it isn’t the safest area of water on any
to do a shift at the new clubhouse. particular day. “Most beaches have flags positioned according to
the conditions, but we need to patrol right where the people
are, so that’s where the flags go.”
windy day, our lifeguard has the luxury of the shelter of the There’s a spacious garage for the Can-Am all-terrain vehicle and The Club is in the unique position of attracting large numbers The old signage in the tower is a grim reminder of
brand-new Hot Water Beach Surf Lifesaving Club House. It jet-ski, (Hot water Beach is the first club in the country to use a of visitors and they struggle to cover the costs of providing full
the days when the beach was unpatrolled.
hasn’t always been the case. jet-ski) and equipment neatly lines the walls. coverage of the beach for 8 months of the year. With Hahei and
A paddock, a caravan, tents and pop-up shelters have been A medical room with hospital-style bed allows a dry, safe and Cathedral Cove now manned over the peak period, at around The first official club in New Zealand was the Piha Surf
home base for the Trust Waikato Hot Water Beach Surf warm treatment area for those patients requiring extra care, the $60,000 per site, funding is even more critical. “DOC flies in Lifesaving club, 1934, which was allegedly conceived by a
Lifesaving Club since it began in 1997 with paid guards, guards are usually the first responders to serious medical events the towers for us and provides some dollars which is fantastic,” group of rugby players in a bach by the beach “sitting around
more than a decade before that Gordon and Lois Pye had before a patient can be evacuated by ambulance or helicopter. Gary says appreciatively. But, as with many mainly voluntary a keg and a bowl of sausages.” The club was established
organised tubes to put out for emergencies. There’s actually a kitchenette, absolute luxury, enabling meal prep organisations, they run on the whiff on an oily rag, a lot of based on the Australian model and in response to a number
Sitting in the tower with Club Captain Gary Hinds I’m and hot cuppa…essential for those wild and woolly days when goodwill and donations.
of drownings on the dangerous west coast beach.
appreciating the fabulous view along the sweep of Hot the crew just don’t get a chance to dry out and warm up…it’s not Head over to the
Water Beach taking in the hot pools and far beyond. While always 25 degree days. Hot Water Beach is regarded as one of New
www.sporty.co.nz/
he talks Gary scans the ocean, a habit that’s hard to break, “It’s been a while in the planning to get to where we are today Zealand’s most dangerous beaches due to its
the satisfaction is clear on his face. with the first set of designs drawn up around 20 years ago.” hotwaterbeachlifeguards to see how you
combination of high visitor numbers and frequent
can help. rip currents.
2 3
The Seagull
Treaty of Waitangi
It’s a bit like Christmas when Christians try valiantly to was before that day, would never be the same. Controversy
remind the general populace of the ‘reason for the season’. and protest, legislative change, reparation (or lack
Waitangi Day rolls around, usually in the best period of thereof) and political and social debate have dogged the
weather for the year, offering a long weekend and a second commemorations of Waitangi Day for 181 years.
stab at some summer respite away from our jobs and/or The Treaty, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, was a written agreement
cities. between the British Crown who was represented by
But, like the Christians, what is the ‘reason for the season’? William Hobson and tribes (iwi) and sub-tribes (hapu)
We’re grateful for an extra summer day off but should we/ of Aotearoa represented by their chiefs (Rangatira). It’s
do we reflect of the significance of the day? important to note that not all tribes or sub-tribes were
The original Waitangi Day, 6th February 1840, was a represented or wanted to be part of the agreement.
defining moment in our nation’s history, Aotearoa as it
Caption: King, Marcus, 1891-1983. [King, Marcus] 1891-1977 :[Reconstruction of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. ca 1950?]. Ref: NON-ATL-0173. Alexander Turnbull
Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23054085
In fact, a local Rangatira Taraia Ngakuti Te Tumuhuia, 'undisturbed possession' for as long as desired, but should
of Ngāti Tamaterā (Thames area) was one of those who Māori wish to sell any of their land or property it must be
declined to sign. offered to the British Crown.
Controversially also there were two versions of the treaty, It’s easy to see why the Treaty has generated much debate
one in English and one in Māori, and there were some very and angst over the past 181 years. It’s great to see excellent
important differences between the two. Most Rangatira teaching resources available to our schools around the
signed the Māori version while only thirty-nine signed Treaty nowadays, looking back at this momentous day with
the English. With obvious language difficulties it begs the a more balanced lens and encouraging healthy debate and
question as to how much was really understood by the reflection.
chiefs, did they know what they were getting into?
The English version grants the British Crown 'sovereignty' Keen to explore the topic at home? A great family
Thank you to over New Zealand but in the Māori version, this is watch is Waitangi-What Really Happened a TVNZ on
DMITRI KOTELEVSKI expressed as 'kawanatanga' – governorship. Demand production available on Youtube in 7 short
The Māori version guarantees Māori 'tino rangatiratanga' instalments.
PHOTOGRAPHY + VIDEO
(full chieftainship) over their lands and possessions
www.fernvision.co.nz however the English version states they are granted
4 5
The Seagull
culture
A Maori Phrase a Month
Would you like to introduce a little Te Reo Maori into your day to day
conversation but feel too nervous?
Don’t be! Each month we’ll introduce a commonly
used phrase to help kick start your Te Reo journey.
BACK TO SCHOOL
So are you or your children heading back to school or uni? Here are some
great phrases to use in the classroom. WORD SEARCH sudoku
Ko wai tō Kaiako?------ Who’s your teacher?
We are humbled and delighted to
have the support of Hemi Kelly who
A
is generously providing the phrases
He karaehe tāku ---------I have a class for us from his most recent book. If
Kia kaha tea ko -----------Go hard learning you’re impatient and can’t wait for a
Titiro mai, whakarongo mai --------Look and listen up new phrase next month then purchase
Hemi’s book and enjoy a new phrase
He pātai tāku ----------- I have a question every day!
He aha tō tino Kaupapa?---- What’s your favourite subject?
- Kaupapa------------ subject
- Pāngaru-------------Maths
- Pūtaiao -------------Science
- Tōrangapū---------Politics
- Te Reo Pāniora--Spanish
Kaua e mate wheke------------Don’t give up!!! B
BEE HIVE RESCUE
Chinese New Year 2021
CHAMPAGNE HOLIDAY RIP
CHOCOLATES HONEY SIGN
CLUBHOUSE IWI SWIM
DOCUMENT KNEEBOARD TREATY
Followers of Chinese Astrology believe each year is imbued FLAGS LIFEGUARD VALENTINE
with the characteristics of a certain animal and that the year FLOWERS PROTEST WAITANGI
in which you were born also determines your personality HAPU RANGATIRA
and traits. The animal characteristics also influence the year solutions on page 9
Get a Wheelie bin for home this year
generally for all of us, regardless of which animal our year of
The 12th of February marks Chinese New Year, birth corresponds with. We’ve got an Ox Year coming up so
another chance at some resolutions and a reason for what does that mean for everyone?
renewed optimism if your year hasn’t started quite as well as The Ox represents hard work, positivity and honesty
you would have liked. and the Ox is thought to be grounded, loyal, gentle and
According to Chinese astrology the 12th of February 2021 trustworthy. His element is earth, representing stability,
3 SIZE
OPTIONS
Co nt ac t us tod ay !
will mark the beginning of the Year of the Ox. The timing fertility and nourishment.
of the New Year is dependent on the lunar calendar. It is Sounds peaceful? With the departure of a certain lunatic PHONE 0800 4 MY BIN (0800 469 246)
believed that this ancient form of astrology first appeared in politician and optimism around the efficacy of the vaccines EMAIL sales@smartbins.co.nz
the Zhan Guo period [5th century B.C.] being rolled out let’s hope we can look forward to safer,
Legend has it, although it is disputed regionally or told more-grounded and enjoyable year. ONLINE www.smartbins.co.nz
differently in China and around the world, that The Jade
Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards.
If you were born in any of the following
He sent an emissary into the mortal world to spread the
message to the animal kingdom that the order in which the years this is your year!
animals appeared to him through the Heavenly Gate would
correspond to their ranking or status.
The Ox was second to arrive after giving the devious Rat 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961,
a ride who jumped off at the last minute and bolted to the
gate to come first.
1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021.
WE ARE LOCAL – proudly 100% Kiwi owned & operated
6 7
The Seagull
places
‘sailer’. A ‘cat’, or catamaran, was used for dragging out logs
on a skid road and a ‘sailer’ was a limb that broke off a sawn
Hometown Hero STREETS
of Whitianga
Hospital
(aka Mercury Bay Hospital)
tree as it fell and was caught up in surrounding trees.
One of the more severe injuries to occur at the mill was
suffered by a Mr Houton who jumped onto the travelling
saw bench and slipped, resulting in a completely severed
The Mercury Bay Hospital was built in 1898, at 19 Buffalo Beach foot. While waiting for a cutter to take him to Auckland, the
Road. It was a single six-room building with a 15-bed capacity and bleeding was suppressed by tying his leg in a bag of flour.
a doctor who made his rounds on horseback as far south as Tairua, With no benefits or Accident Compensation Cover in those
Original library as the Ferry Landing Ferry Landing Library now over 40 kilometres away. days, he made himself a wooden foot and secured a job as a
'Cash Store' Serious cases were sent by steamer to Auckland and maternity mail carrier on horseback at Dairy Flats, Auckland.
The wee library has had its challenges with a storm in 2009 cases were attended at home, with the exception of a small The hospital closed in the 1980s, but in December 2012,
causing water to inundate the building, damaging books and nursing home run from 1909 to 1912 at Hodge’s home on Coghill after significant remedial work, it became home to Rural and
carpets. “We had to live with a horrible damp, musty smell for a Street. Community Services.
From left - Elizabeth, Anne & Kate couple of years,” says Kate. “It was the catalyst to fundraise for If the cook’s horn (a bullock horn blown like a trumpet) sounded
a new building which was opened in 2011.” A lot of community at an unscheduled time in the mill bush camp, or the mill whistle Mercury Bay Hospital, 1913.
Kate Piper work went into creating the replica building designed by ex-local
Nick Strachan and built by Peter McVicker and Murray Strachan.
blew in town, many hands rallied to transport a patient to the
hospital by sack and sapling stretcher or pull-cart. See pull-cart in
and the little library that could. “The prime movers were Peter and Murray,” says Kate, “and their top photo, page 16.
Apparently, it’s one of the most photographed buildings in workmanship is fabulous. There were so many in the community, In the hospital’s early days there was much community fund-raising
the district with visitors incredulous that it is actually a fully- residents and ‘tradies’ and businesses, who donated time or to ensure its future (see Catherine Crescent, page 41). Eventually
functioning, community library. Like the Tardis, it has a surprising money or helped to source materials cheaply, and Annie made the Government subsidised it, and in 1939, the Thames Hospital
amount of space inside and is well-stocked with thoughtfully wonderful morning teas.” Board took it over.
selected books of both fact and imagination. Without Toby Morcom’s valuable support around sourcing funds All workers were expected to pay 6d a week, which entitled them
The driving force, engine if you like, of this Tardis is Kate Piper, and donations along with Council member Alison Henry and then to free medicine and hospitalisation at half-price.
Ferry Landing librarian of 34 years. TCDC Area Manager Leslie McCormick’s help it would have been The doctor had his own dispensary, which still stands to the left
“I really stumbled into the role,” says Kate, “I was doing the “a huge struggle” according to Kate. It took a village to raise a of the driveway today, and it was necessary for him to learn the
census in 1986 and called on Mrs Evans who told me they library! local ‘bush language’ as a bushman might have been hit by a ‘cat’ or
couldn’t find anyone to be the librarian, and…I love books.” The result is something to be really proud of, a lovely airy space
And so, it started. Originally on her own Kate now has the with a comfy chair in the corner to contemplate your next
help of Annie McVicker (“I’m just the cleaner!” she laughs) and withdrawal, you want to linger a while.
Elizabeth Nicholls who nominated Kate as Hometown Hero. But you have to choose your book in the daytime as it doesn’t
“Kate works tirelessly in the background to keep the library have a power supply. “We couldn’t afford to pay a power bill
going and to advocate to continue the service, which is very anyway” Kate laughs, the serious readers desperate for a book
well-utilised and appreciated by the community,” says Elizabeth. after dark need a torch or a campers’ headlamp.
“34 years is a long time to dedicate yourself to a role like this.” Long may the ‘little library that could’ continue to bring the joy
Kate, however, can’t see what all the fuss is about, sees a job of books to its community.
that needs doing and does it without fanfare. She may have This month our Hometown hero Kate receives
one perk though, getting first dibs on new books…”Then I can a $50 voucher from Paper Plus!
recommend them,” she laughs.
Rural and Community Services, 2019.
Excerpt from “A Brief Guide to
sudoku Solution the History of Whitianga”
90 pages of Historic photos and
A B personal Whitianga
stories.
Available at Mosaic,
53 Albert St
whitiangahistory@orcon.co.nz
8 9
CORROSIVE
with Leo, we play a mellower sound so playing a
harder style felt new and fresh to me, some new The Seagull
ground that feels unique.” Stu explains.
Gabe adds,
MOSES
“Thrash is an older style, there is a niche scene
but that’s not what’s important, it’s a sound that
emerged naturally for us so if there is a large scene “I drank from punk
or not it doesn’t matter. Genres are irrelevant, rock for a chunk of my
sometimes a feel just comes with jamming and childhood, the Ramones,
practice.” Clash, Skatalites, The
Leo goes on.
Talk with David Bayer. Stu is a librarian, so a good story matters, sharing
Specials, Brazilian music
Primal sound slams with energetic rhythm. Leo’s heavy and Ska. Energy sums up
kick drum pedal times a pounding beat, arms flailing who we are, but lyrics are
finding snare and cymbol. Stu’s clear, solid vocals rip important”.
smart lyrics through thrashing melodies held together
by Gabe’s rock-solid bass lines that weave through the
layered sound.
This thrash band has funk and smarts. Rooted in rock,
Corrosive Moses flirts with many styles. Rhythms of ska
with a dirty rock sound support the story and thoughtful
lyrics of folk. You can’t help but move, sing-along and
jump.
“Our sound has always evolved and the evolution is positive messages, political, working with
always happening refining, slicing, making it lean…yet other bands in the community. Crafting
always expanding” something that can be said to have meaning
Gabriel Johnston on bass, Leonardo Magri drums there. The storytelling gels with the simplicity
and backing vocals, Stewart Pedley lead vocals of our style.”
and guitar. The trio produces noise that hammers
your chest. It’s difficult to put to words the “Our first gig?” Leo
Was a trip up to Auckland and we were excited “I admire Stu and Gabe. It’s great to be in a band where everyone is
energy that is created by these three talented
“We have a broad list of influences for our first gig out of lockdown. passionate about what they do, enjoying the journey, respecting everyones
musicians. Amped, nervous but confident, we had people routines and having fun.
reggae, funk, soul. A Venn diagram Music has amazing theraputic value. It connects people, and gives
who wanted to have a good time while we were
of our influences would surprise on track, prepared, fit and trusted the songs. expression. it can focus and channel what is going on in your life. And
people with its range. But once we got We could feel the crowd was loving it, for songs playing heavy music is a rush; it takes you to a different zone.
together the thrash sound naturally they had never heard before! A trip, a cool trip.”
came out. That common ground Stu
We are starting to build something tangible, “Writing music is like taking little pieces of a puzzel and trying to assemble
glued us and we hit our pace. Not one we want to build a solid foundation, back up them until, bam, something tangible and real exists. And once you have made
particular genre, we agree on energy, our promotion with quality music. We are the puzzel you can let it go; it is no longer yours, it is for everyone.”
finding our niche and giving what we not so young and can enjoy it for what it is. Corrosive Moses next plays - New Town Festival, Wellington.
can to the audience.” Jamming with really cool guys.
The Journey, not the destination.
Corrosive Moses. Two words that just go nicely together.
There is no huge meaning there but it’s nice to play with
the sounds of words. Leo, being from Brazil, with English
as his second language, points out these nice sound
combinations.
The band has a bit of an open relationship. Leo and Stu
have a long musical history, they met at a cafe in Whiti,
got to talking about music and they learned they both
played.
“Stu thought ah f#%k everyone’s a drummer.” Leo laughs.
But since then they have been playing together for about
7 years.
Gabe moved up from Wellington and opened Hula cafe. Stu
being originally from there, met Gabe and got on. Luckily,
he wasn’t another f#%ken drummer.
Gabe had seen Leo and Stu play and thought they needed
a bass player. They started to hang, jam and slowly over
the next year, a sound began to develop.
“This is the music
that we are enjoying “Life got busy then at the start of the lockdown we had
creating right now. another practice and found a style and direction...the
We are doing what we music found a life. The journey of working towards
something is important and what really helped was the
like and having fun.” community. A small place like Whitianga lets us create
a scene bringing the people together. I play solo and duo
10 11
The Seagull
Drink Yes Chef!
like a Viking The Pour House Hahei
“I’m off to the Pour House” may conjure up
visions of lost fortunes, watery broth and
It's common to be asking what Hops or even Malt a beer two yeast groups. Kveik yeasts have just half of their DNA from ragged clothes…it couldn’t be further from the
is brewed with and yet we rarely hear questions about the ale group 1 and the other half is of unknown origin. Its years of truth!
yeast used. Whatever the yeast it is generally assumed to isolated development in parallel to 'modern' industrial yeasts has The Pour House, Hahei is
have been chosen for its suitability for the style of beer in produced a very different organism. a “fun, family-owned, craft
question but rarely discussed over a cold one at the bar. What is so different about it? It ferments at very high brewery, bar, and restaurant”
When the original Bavarian Beer laws were made yeast temperatures that would either kill other yeast or produce a providing the riches of a warm
wasn't even included – Just malt, hops and water. The yeast phenolic (clove/medicinal) bomb.This means a homebrewer welcome, hearty food and The names of beers on tap are written in chalk on blackboards as they’re fresh from the brewery
was thought to be a 'contaminent' that had to be continually needs no temperature control in hot weather and lower power cooling, hand-made ale. and likely to change according to what Neil and the team are pumping out. Entice your tastebuds
removed! How little was understood until the men at consumption in a brewery. It can survive incredibly long periods with funky names like The Hahei Doctor, The Munted Monk, Bean to Heaven (a Chocolate & Vanilla
Carlsberg first isolated pure yeast. as a dried yeast. It ferments incredibly quickly and has a very Porter) or Tsunami Alert.
Yeast is the engine in the production of our beer and its high alcohol tolerance. Of course, you can have a wine if you really want to, they have a great drinks menu.
viability and management is critical to producing top quality Tummies are kept happy with St Louis Pork Ribs, Macadamia and Kelp Crumbed Fish and Chips and
ales and lagers. The high alcohol tolerance comes from the hearty burgers and pizzas.Vegetarians, vegans and the fussy young-uns don’t miss out with special
way it was used. In the traditions from which items on the menu. But everyone should have the ‘The Legendary Fries’…we’re not kidding, they are
Norwegian Kveik yeasts were brought out onto the world it developed if you wanted to honour your that good.
stage by Lars Garshol – a software engineer and enthusiastic guests you would serve high strength It’s a family friendly space in which you’ll love to linger, So if you are in the area enjoying our stunning
beer drinker. The yeast was very much in danger of dying beer – it would be seen as an insult beaches, do drop in for a bite, and sample their local, made with passion, beers. Or why not try one
out in its own back yard. In giving the yeast away to the to serve a low strength beer to a of The Pour House’s award-winning coffees?
world, in very much the guest – so beware “There is lots of space for families and friends, so come on over and hang out in the sun!” says Karen.
giving nature of the Norwegian's “We are also dog-friendly, so if your pooch is well behaved, bring them too, and introduce them to
Craft Brewing offering you low Max, the Pour House dog,“ Max has, at times, borne a wee tag saying; “Please don’t feed me”. Karen
business, he has alcohol beer! and Neil don’t want him keeling over from a heart attack caused by too much ‘tummy love’, (he is
hopefully saved its At our small hard to resist).
future. brewery in Hahei
we experimented
No one knows exactly how long ago kveik (FYI: it’s with these
pronounced “kvike,” not “kveek”) rose out of the yeasts over the
glacier-scoured valleys much like the landscape of our course of 18months and many small trial brews. It is quite
own Fjordland. But we do know that Norwegians have disconcerting at first to put your hand on a Fermenter and
been brewing since misty prehistory, and that, to no feel it to be warm to the touch! Also surprising can be to
one’s surprise,Vikings had a taste for beer. Historically, find that while you're still cleaning the brewery on brewday
brewing only occurred a few times per year, as the that the wort you transferred just 30 minutes ago is already
region’s bare, rocky turf never did yield much grain, which bubbling away.
meant that beer was reserved for special occasions only.
This new but ancient yeast has been dated back at least as far So why should you want to drink Kveik fermented beer? I can't
as the 15th Century maintained by a geographically isolated categorically state that the beer is better tasting than all of
farmhouse brewing tradition. the many other yeast strain choices though the clean tropical,
In the early 2010s, even if you were a Norwegian beer stonefruit and pineapple notes we get from our chosen strain
enthusiast like Garshol, you probably hadn’t heard of kveik, has been excellent. What you will be doing however is to help
and you wouldn’t have known that Norway’s remote, oceanic preserve a great historical tradition and encourage diversity. At
west fostered one of Europe’s last-remaining, uninterrupted a time when we're being challenged to 'Try something new New
pockets of farmhouse brewing. One that had somehow Zealand' that new thing could actually be pretty old.
escaped the ravages of modern industry. But a vague
recollection of his grandfather’s homemade beers had floated The most difficult thing might be finding out what yeast your beer
to the top of Garshol’s mind, and an off-hand comment his has been brewed with. We know that many breweries have used or
uncle made, about local brewers, was cause enough to book tried it though possibly only a few such as Volstead and Meandoses
a trip. This trip surprised and shocked him changing his life use it regularly. We have been so impressed with it that we have
and setting him on a course of discovery that he has now changed our house yeast to it.
brought to a wider audience. It’s a wonderful thing to have great food and hand-crafted beer in such an iconic
If you cant find Kveik brewed beers locally then why not come to location close to some of New Zealand’s greatest tourist attractions, yet to retain
DNA and genonome sequencing (a term we have become The Pour House in Hahei on the Coromandel where we serve our the feel of your ‘village-local’ welcomed in your jandals or a tux, they won’t judge.
surprisingly familiar with of late!) has shown that modern Coromandel Brewing Company beers and you can 'Drink like a The beautifully landscaped garden offers tables amongst NZ lilies and flaxes which
ale brewing with Saccharomyces cerevisiae uses one of just Viking' – preferably without the pillaging! See you soon. gives the ‘al fresco’ dining an intimate outdoors feel. Generous wooden tables
welcome you indoors if the weather turns cool.
Neil Vowles Pop in for a bite and a beverage and enjoy the ambience, and say hi to Max for us
Brewer – The Coromandel Brewing Company will you?
12 13
The Seagull
practice in being a bee-keeper. “I watched it years ago, of flowers and then labelling her jars appropriately.
I hadn’t been bee-keeping long and had mostly learned Most people move their hives all the time chasing the
from books. I found the information in the film both manuka and causing masses of colony losses…there is
enlightening and disturbing.” She couldn’t recommend a lot of competition for food sources for the bees and
the movie more highly, a must-see for everyone therefore starvation.
interested in health and well-being of the planet.
“I’m very alternative and don’t use bees for orchard Old Coach Road is harvested straight from the hive
pollination as I don’t like the idea of the chemicals (with some left for the bees to feed their community) to
some orchards use. I also prefer my bees to live in a the extraction plant and pumped into the jars. Larger
multicultural/multi floral area so they get to forage on operations will usually leave the honey in drums or vats,
many types of native trees as opposed to a monoculture where it solidifies and then heat it in order to pump it to
where they are forced to produce a certain crop like the jars.
Manuka from one tree species. It’s not sustainable for It doesn’t get any fresher or more natural as can be seen
Old Coach Road Honey - A ‘bee-spoke’ business the bees to live like that.” Just like we humans the bees by the foam or air bubble speckles in the jar.
A gentle hum, like a choir warming up its vocal chords need variety in their diet in order to thrive. “So, I’m Deb never wants to be a big operation, she respects the
for a performance, emanates from the wooden hives. A happy to promote and sell whatever honey type my bees and understands that they are a living community,
soothing sound in the summer sun, busy bees go about bees produce. At the moment there are so many out-of- an extremely complex society within which every bee has
the business of producing liquid gold. town beekeepers who bring their hives in from north a role.
Up Old Coach Road, a world away from the crowds, on to follow the Manuka flow down the country. It’s very Complementing the honey operation Deb’s daughter
her lifestyle block, Debbie Scobie gently nurtures her hard on the hives being shifted from site to site. There’s Billie is also making candles and calendula balm, the
thousands of bees, often with the eager assistance of her always a huge amount of colony loss. My bees stay put flowers steeped in cold oil to preserve their natural
4 year old granddaughter Reeva. year-round so they are not put under any extra stress.” properties. With three generations it really is a family
Deb’s foray into bee-keeping was almost accidental. My bees produced manuka in 2019 and then in 2020 enterprise, every jar bottled with a bit of good old-
Her brother-in-law moved away, more than 20 years Kanuka, and that’s fine by Deb. She labels her honey fashioned ‘Old Coach Road’ love.
ago, leaving behind a few hives. Deb was intrigued by truthfully allowing the bees to select their main source
the hives with their honey spilling out and sourced a
book to help her understand what to do with them.
By the time she got back to them ‘the piggies’ had The use of honey as an internal and external
decimated the hives and she had to start from scratch. remedy is much older than the history of medicine
Deb purchased 6 hives in those early days and with itself. It was used to treat a variety of illnesses in
300 acres backing onto DOC land the bees have been ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
delighted to have such a large area to forage. The family steed, Chester, recently put his leg
She now has 50 hives and enlists family help, especially through a fence causing a gory injury. A local
from daughter Billie and granddaughter Reeva who vet asked if they had any honey, so Chester has
has her own pint-size bee-suit. Reeva at age four has been sporting a nappy smothered in honey and
become very engaged with whole process and even feels bandaged to his leg…the result is a wound healing
a responsibility to rescue bees which have fallen into beautifully and filling in the lost tissue. The
the family pool. “She carefully picks them out and we properties of both manuka and kanuka are well-
put them in a matchbox, in a warm spot, with a dab of documented around their healing qualities.
honey and after an hour or two they’ve dried out and
recovered enough to fly off,” says Deb. “My grandson Don’t put out sugar water or honey for the bees…
Archie, also 4 years old, assists with bee rescues when it can attract too many bees from different hives
he comes over as well.” and therefore facilitate the easy spread of disease.
(It’s a truly family affair with step-daughter Crystal It’s better to have a dish of water somewhere for
designing the labels and t shirts and partner Mike doing them to rest on the edge of and drink.
the heavy lifting and harvesting for Deb as the boxes can “You're just a bee charmer, Idgie Threadgoode.
weigh upward of 20kg each.) That's what you are, a bee charmer.” Ruth says to
Idgie as she reaches in a hive, unprotected to pull
The Documentary film ‘Queen of the Sun’ What are out honeycomb. ‘Fried Green Tomatoes 1991 film
the bees telling us?’ was hugely influential to Deb’s based on the novel by Fannie Flagg
The ancient Druids saw the bee as symbolising the
sun, the Goddess, celebration, and community.
14 15
The Seagull
Sharing the Ocean with Sharks
Emma Elsworthy’s
Sixteen Small Steps to They’ve always been there, usually under the surface, going about
their business of being an apex predator. The movies would have
Areas to avoid are deep channels, areas with
concentrations of baitfish or feeding seabirds or dolphins, and
Happiness
us believe they are ‘fins up’ signalling their presence and on the anywhere anyone is fishing or has discarded fish remains. Sharks
hunt for humans…so many of us were psychologically damaged generally become more active and hunt at night so swimming at
by the movie ’Jaws’ in 1975. night is not recommended,”
1. Push yourself to get up before the rest of the world - start with 13. Think long and hard about what interests you. Crime? Sex? In 50 plus years of spending a lot of time in the ocean I’ve only Clinton adds that the number of shark sightings reported over
7am, then 6am, then 5:30am. Go to the nearest hill with a big coat Boarding school? Long-forgotten romance etiquette? Find a book
had one close encounter (that I’m aware of, of course) and that the Christmas-New Year period does not indicate an overall
and a scarf and watch the sun rise. about it and read it. There is a book about literally everything.
was with well-known local bronze whaler, Bruce (or Bazza) increase in shark populations.
2. Push yourself to fall asleep earlier - start with 11pm, then 14. Become the person you would ideally fall in love with. Let cars at Otama Beach a couple of years ago. He glided through a
crystalline swell a mere couple of metres away from me, all 2.5
“Shark sightings usually peak over spring and summer as more
people head to the beach and several coastal shark species
10pm, then 9pm. Wake up in the morning feeling re-energized and merge into your lane when driving. Pay double for parking tickets and
comfortable. leave a second one in the machine. Stick your tongue out at babies. metres of him, obviously wondering what I was and what I was move inshore to pup and feed on abundant inshore fishes.
up to. He’s been likened to a curious dog sniffing around its During this period, calm conditions and cleaner water makes it
3. Erase processed food from your diet. Start with no lollies, chips, Compliment people on their cute clothes.
territory, but I still didn’t feel compelled to remain in the water easier to see sharks swimming close to shore.
biscuits, then erase pasta, rice, cereal, then bread. Use the rule that if a
child couldn’t identify what was in it, you don’t eat it. 15. Challenge yourself to not ridicule anyone for a whole day. Then with him. Since then, I’ve seen several ‘bronzies’ at Otama and
two. Then a week. Walk with a straight posture. Look people in the maybe it’s just because the water has been so clear. While the movements of most sharks are poorly known, several
4. Get into the habit of cooking yourself a beautiful breakfast. Fry eye. Ask people about their story. Talk to acquaintances so they Pilots report sharks beyond the breakers at Matarangi regularly, species are known to move inshore and southward in summer,
tomatoes and mushrooms in real butter and garlic, fry an egg, slice become friends. have done for years and spear-fishermen have often lost a fish and offshore and further north in winter.”
up a fresh avocado and squirt way too much lemon on it. Sit and eat
it and do nothing else. 16. Lie in the sunshine. Daydream about the life you would lead or two off their float to an opportunist shark in Coromandel
waters.
if failure wasn’t a thing. Open your eyes. Take small steps to make it
5. Stretch. Start by reaching for the sky as hard as you can, then happen for you.
trying to touch your toes. Roll your head. Stretch your fingers. Stretch After the tragic death of a young woman at Bowentown in
everything. January of this year, have we become hyper-vigilant and over-
aware of sharks or do we need to change our behaviours in the
6. Buy a 1L water bottle. start with pushing yourself to drink the water this summer?
whole thing in a day, then try drinking it twice.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) shark expert Clinton
7. Buy a beautiful diary and a beautiful black pen. write down Duffy says New Zealand has a very low rate of shark attack,
everything you do, including dinner dates, appointments, assignments, with only one or two reported incidents a year, and a very low
coffees, what you need to do that day. no detail is too small. incidence of fatal shark attack.
8. Strip your bed of your sheets and empty your underwear draw “Most sharks, even great whites, typically exhibit
into the washing machine. Put a massive scoop of scented fabric little if any interest in humans. Species such as bronze
softener in there and wash. Make your bed in full. whalers generally avoid swimmers and divers (except spear-
9. Organise your room. Fold all your clothes (and bag what you don’t fishers).
want), clean your mirror, your laptop, vacuum the floor. Light a beautiful Any shark over 1.8m in length should be treated as potentially
candle. dangerous unless you are familiar with sharks and shark
behaviour. If you encounter a shark while swimming the best
10. Have a luxurious shower with your favourite music playing.
thing is to leave the water as quickly and quietly as possible.You
Wash your hair, scrub your body, brush your teeth. Lather your
whole body in moisturiser, get familiar with the part between your do not want to give a predatory shark the impression that you
toes, your inner thighs, the back of your neck. are injured and distressed, and therefore potentially easy prey.
11. Push yourself to go for a walk. Take your headphones, go to the
beach and walk. Smile at strangers walking the other way and be
surprised how many smile back. Bring your dog and observe the dog’s
behaviour. Realise you can learn from your dog.
12.
Mercury Bay Community Choir 2021
Message old friends with personal jokes. Reminisce. Suggest a
catch up soon, even if you don’t follow through. Push yourself to follow
through.
Mondays from 6 - 8 pm
Emma Elsworthy is a journalist living and working This all-comers choir rehearses in Mercury Bay Area School music room.
in Sydney. She has kindly allowed us to reproduce The choir will begin its 2021 rehearsals on February 8
working towards a concert in mid-April.
her words and these just might be our New Year New singers are always welcome.
Resolutions for 2021!
Please phone 0226437462 for further information.
Catch up with more on Emma at emmaelsworthy.com
16 17The Seagull
Ps & Qs Valentine’s
Day
February 14th rolls around again and it doesn’t matter if
you have a significant other or not, the world needs a bit more love
By Isabel Gilbert Palmer and kindness. The origins of the celebratory day, however, aren’t so
lovely, in fact they’re downright dodgy.
The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia from
February 13 to 15, by hitting women with the skin of a sacrificed
Steve Hart is the guy well known in Kuaotunu .3.what’s your greatest current concern? goat or dog. The women would happily participate in this event
believing that it would make them fertile.Young men could also
especially by the noise he and team makes daily in its midst .
draw names of the women from a jar to ‘couple up’ with for the
He on his mower together with able Angie and Carrie and The covid-19 pandemic .
festival and maybe longer.
their whirring grass cutters, as they crisscross the village It could so easily endanger the health of our people,
and, beyond maintaining lawns and berms into pleasing green create civil unrest and division in social structures and ruin Roman Emperor Claudius II also executed two men — both named
swathes and voluntarily keeping the paths at the Food the economic and the well being of our country. I find it Valentine — on Feb. 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D.
Forest under control . Ask around or read abit and one finds disheartening listening to friends and associates embroiled in These ‘martyrs’ were honoured by the Catholic Church with the
thats he’s not only busy with grass, he’s deeply involved in the various conspiracy theories concerning these issues and celebration of St.Valentine's Day.
‘Kuaotunu Land Search and Rescue, a key player in the local how their thoughts and everyday lives are totally consumed In the 5th Century Pope Gelasius managed to combine Lupercalia
with St Valentine’s Day while, around the same time Normans
Covid Response group and a moderator on Kuaotunu ‘s by them. I think its almost a current mental health issue.
celebrated Galatin’s Day with ‘Galatin’ meaning ‘lover of women’.
4.what’s the best advice ever given you?
Facebook page .
Much, much later the great romantics, Chaucer and Shakespeare,
aided and abetted the sweetness surrounding the day with the day
1.what’s your idea of Leave a stressful job before it kills you…..no matter how well with their honey-coated tales and ditties and then…hand-made
you are paid. paper cards with loving messages became popular in the Middle
perfect happiness? Ages! So, we can’t blame Hallmark!
All that I have . 5.what event enlightened you and gave E iti noa ana, na te aroha – Though my present be small my love
you a new perspective on life? goes with it
Good health, my awesome
loving wife, close friends, A book called “Fish”. It made me realise that stress and
having a neat home in our depression can lead you into a dark place and that only you
great Kuaotunu community, can lift yourself out of it and turn your life around for the
,having a successful business better.
which provides employment
opportunities and quietly
reflecting on these while
7.Your greatest accomplishment to
sitting above a clearing while date?
hunting in the Uruweras.
Setting up three
2.Whose a real life successful businesses –
Wilderness Adventures
hero? (Queenstown), Go
Kiwi (Whitianga)
My sister Jan. and Coast Lawns
She taught me how happiness & Property Care,
and laughter is one of the founding Kuaotunu
greatest healers in life. Land Search &
Battling cancer at the rise of Rescue………and of
the covid-19 pandemic last course marrying my
year she managed to survive wife Gay.
months of total isolation in
Australia away from family and
friends. Enduring such fate ,
she still chooses to laugh, smile
and be happy.
18 19The Seagull
many years.”
This is a free event over the weekends of March 6
Most locals would agree that Coromandel summers are magical and so
& 7 and 13 & 14, with studios open from 10-4, from
do the nearly 600,000 visitors to the Peninsula over the busy Christmas
and New Year period- a time when our team is at its busiest attending Tairua to Rings Beach and everywhere in between.
summer events. On the website, there’s loads of information about
the artists, as well as handy maps so you can
We love taking our mobile studio out on the road. This year we kicked START PLANNING YOUR design your journey: www.mercurybay-artescape.
off with broadcasts from Goldfields Mall in Thames and Santa parades
com. So, grab some friends and start planning your
in Paeroa, Whangamata, Whitianga and Coromandel. We also had a blast ART-FILLED own art-filled road trip now!
broadcasting live from fundraisers at the Onemana Market Day, the Keltic
Fair, Cooks Beach Summer Gala, Mercury Bay Seaside Carnival, as well
as attending the Emergency Services Day in Whitianga, the Mercury Bay
Our crew relish providing valuable communication about what’s MERCURY BAY ROAD TRIP The Open Studios 2021 kicks off with a Gala
Opening at Hot Waves Cafe at Hot Water Beach
happening and encouraging people to participate- it’s great to see these
Aero Club Open Day and the Whiti Beach Meet. Next up is Wings and events well attended and the feedback from organisers is fantastic. Many on Friday, March 5 at 6pm. The guest speaker is
Wheels in Thames at the end of January. have booked us again for next year, we’re grateful to have people valuing Ever wondered how artists come up renowned sculptural cast glass artist Di Tocker. Get
our contribution to their events. in quick to buy your tickets from the website.
As the Coromandel’s only local 24/7 radio station we are committed to with new ideas and inspiration for Opening night also marks the start of the Showcase
being the voice of the community and there is no better way than getting
out and broadcasting live at various public gatherings- plus who can beat
Thanks to everyone for making us a part of the Coromandel and Hauraki
wider community. If you are at one of these events be sure to pop by the
their work? Exhibition at the café, with all artists showing work
office views of the beach or an aircraft show! caravan and say hi or ask for a request. What do their studios look like? there until
April 5.
What sort of tools do they use?
Organisers would like to thank these local
businesses for their generous support of
the Mercury Bay Art Escape: Bayleys, The
Breeze, Magic, MORE FM, The Mercury Bay
Informer, Guthrie Bowron, New Zealand Holiday
Homes, Hot Water Beach Top 10 Holiday
Park, Rennie Cox, Sunlover Retreat, The
Pourhouse, and Hotties Beachfront Eatery.
here, CFM’s Breakfast Host. Hey I’m the Drive here - Saturday afternoon host and the
Originally from Auckland, I’ve been resident in Show Host and Promotion Coordinator for newly appointed Promotions Manager at CFM.
Whitianga since CFM began broadcasting in your local radio station the Coromandel’s I've worn a few different hats over the years
November of 2018. I love the pace of life here CFM. Life’s hard you know; waking up to the in my radio career... Newsreader, Announcer,
on the Coromandel, the beautiful landscape, sound of seagulls, jogging along the beach to Promotions Manager and Account Manager to
our fabulous beaches and being part of a great get to my spin class at Evolution Fitness and name a few.
community. Since making my home here, I’ve if I’m not there, you’ll find me in the second-
Having recently made the move to sunny
bought a house, become a member of the hand shops. I graduated from NZ Radio School
Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade and I referee in 2019 and have been hanging out with CFM Whangamata with my two kids and a very
rugby during the season for the Thames Valley ever since. spoilt British Bulldog- I can't wait to see the
Rugby Referees Association. rest of this beautiful part of New Zealand and
meet more of you! ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS
You’ll have the opportunity to find out all this and more
6-7 AND 13-14 MARCH 2021
Hey, I'm . I take care of the production Hi, I’m - Daytime host for the I’m presenting the CFM during the Mercury Bay Art Escape’s 2021 Open Studios. FREE ENTRY, OPEN 10AM - 4PM
side of CFM, making ads and other Coromandel’s CFM. late morning show, as a previous board and For the first two weekends in March, fifty artists across the
promotional audio. Plus I'm the go-to guy As a child, I enjoyed holidaying in the council member, I’m thrilled to still be serving eastern Coromandel Peninsula are throwing open their
for technical issues.You can catch me on air Coromandel, and I was lucky enough to raise the communities of the Thames/Coromandel GALA OPENING
mainly on weekends and filling in for other my own children here, enjoying everything doors so visitors can meet the makers, ask questions, GALA OPENING
district over the airwaves. 5 MARCH 2021, 6PM
team members. from hiking and tramping the beautiful ranges, watch artists at work, and even buy an original piece or two 5 MARCH 2021, 6PM
After winning a Radio DJ competition at age HOT WAVES CAFE, HOT WATER BEACH
Working in radio was always a dream job enjoying the white sandy beaches, and most
16, I was hooked and have worked as both directly from the creators. GUEST SPEAKER, DI TOCKER HOT WAVES CAFE, HOT WATER BEACH
GUEST SPEAKER, DI TOCKER
for me and luckily - it's still my dream job. of all being part of a vibrant yet laid back
a radio announcer and television presenter Artists this year include flax weavers, furniture makers,
My other hobbies include technical tinkering, community.
for 20 plus years…..and the hits just keep on jewellers, glass and mosaic artists, painters, photographers,
gaming, and a passion for smart home My radio career started 13 years ago in
equipment. Whitianga at a local community station and coming as they say! potters, printmakers, sculptors, and woodworkers. Seven SHOWCASE EXHIBITION
continues today with another great local new artists are taking part for the first time. 6 MARCH - 5 APRIL 2021
station- CFM. “Mercury Bay has a fantastic natural environment and that’s HOT WAVES CAFE
one of the reasons we have so many talented artists here,”
says Art Escape chair and Kuaotunu photographer Ian
Preece.
“The light, the bush, and the coastline all provide
wonderful inspiration and that’s reflected in the
high quality of the work visitors will see during the
Open Studios. The event is a major highlight of the
Coromandel’s thriving arts’ calendar and we’re excited @MERCURYBAYARTESCAPE WWW.MERCURYBAYARTESCAPE.COM
to have the largest number of artists and new artists for
20 21You can also read
