yes, then, more stuff off of New Zealand, look you see. actually (not that chronology matters too much with how i have done all of this) one of the first things what i gone done whilst there. like, i went here before i went off and bought tapes or anything.
where the here is from the previous paragraph is, as the title probably gave you every indication, One Tree Hill. my sister, knowing full well how my brain (or mind) appears to function, kindly made it a priority for me to visit the place. perhaps just to "get it out of my system", or being aware how important i hold symbolic things like this, yet maybe just because it's a beautiful place.
for clarification, if such should be required, no, this has absolutely nothing to do with some television show called One Tree Hill. never seen it, but i believe it to be quite highly regarded by a devout set of fans. this, what with my love of things like Twin Peaks and that, i can relate to.
needlessly starting another paragraph to pad it all out here, my interest in One Tree Hill was purely based on the song One Tree Hill off of U2. it's one of the most beautiful, powerful, poignant, heartbreaking and ultimately defiant songs what i have ever heard. as i write this i keep sort of stopping and sing parts (or aspects) of it. no, i don't have a good singing voice, yet oddly once someone mistook me for a "slightly chubby Bono".
by the way yes, i do indeed appear in every picture. sorry, i should have put some sort of warning about that, as weirdly a number of you like reading this but (absolutely) do not harbour any wish to actually see me. one or two of you, i suppose, would like to see images of me in distress or perhaps even pain, which is understandable. who knows, one day you may get that for what you wish.
one or two of you, i suspect, with have noted (observed, even) that there isn't actually a tree on One Tree Hill no more. various accounts are out there explaining why. the monument has taken its place, but if i recall right a special, native tree is being grown (cultivated?) to stand there eventually. still, just the name of the place creates such a vivid image in the mind. well, mine at least.
as you can see above, yes, 80% of the human elements of the Farnworth family were with me. sorry, Grant enthusiasts, but he elected to go work that day, propping up the economy or whatever. i am not all that sure either Daniel or Katie were all that aware of my wishes to visit the place, but all the same were delighted to. not only did it give them chance to spend time with this up to now mythical Uncle Lee character, there was also a most splendid cafe. in respect of the latter, the French toast was superb, and we accidentally gatecrashed a 90+ birthday party.
someone, a good friend, did see these pictures what you have glanced at and asked if i, as point of fact, actually made it all the way up to the top. no, to be frank (or blunt). i am pretty sure it was due to me still getting acclimatised or what have you, and not any general levels of unfitness what might have led to me begging please let us stop. reason enough, if one was needed, to go back one day and really have a right good go at going all the way, so to speak.
certainly there is some video (above), if you were intent on asking of such existed. well, kind of. this isn't video (in VHS mode) taken at One Tree Hill, but rather of it. helpfully the place was pointed out to me whilst we were up (rather than down) in the Sky Tower. for those interested, here is the link to that particular adventure from my odyssey. if you are not interested, apologies for the seconds of your life which you shall never get back which you spent reading this. this bit too.
many would say that i have no heart in the emotional sense, that i am incapable of caring, yet possess some despicable skill which enables me to wear a mask that makes it seem to those who don't know me that i actually have feelings. in the end it may well be that they are shown to be right. all i know is that visiting this place with my family created a whole new, seemingly indelible association, far beyond just the song which led me there. on my flight home i played One Tree Hill in the U2 form and found myself uncontrollably crying my eyes out.
getting either closer to or further from the point, i would have no idea if One Tree Hill is on the list for most tourists heading to New Zealand. if we are honest there are so, so, so many incredible things to do and sights to see. once again it is highly unlikely (and would be extraordinary) that anyone is here looking for any sort of useful information or tourist guidance, but if so, yes, yes, it very much is well worth the visit. even if you are not that bothered about the song. perhaps a trip there will lead to you hearing it and appreciating it. or, you know, just enjoy the time there.
not too sure there's that many more adventures from my Aotearoa odyssey to tell, or pictures to showcase. in respect of the latter, i was surprisingly inclined not to snap away, instead enjoying the moment. people in this modern world which i do not understand may do well to do the same. but yes, probably other pictures to show, tales to tell.
i don't believe in painted roses or bleeding hearts.
kia pai tetahi ki tetahi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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