ANZAC

– Lest we forget

ANZAC Day icon

Our fathers, uncles and grandfathers went off to war during the last century to ensure that the future generations would have the freedoms of democracy and would be free from the ideologies that fascist forces sought to impose on us all, should the outcome of those wars had been different. Today we tend to take those freedoms for granted.

Today is a public holiday, which is a great thing not only because we get the day off work and can go surfing, but also because we have the time to slow down from our usual hustle and bustle and reflect on the significance of this special day. Here in Gisborne, as happens throughout the rest of New Zealand and Australia, the day began with a dawn ANZAC service. Then it was time to hit the beach. The surf was quite good, with a strong offshore wind nicely grooming the one metre south swell at the town and coast beaches.

ANZAC sunrise

day dawns at the cenotaph

nice surf for our day off

the beach carparks were full

paid our respects …now time for a surf

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legendary

Denny Aaberg at the Dome

Denny is not only a legendary surf writer and movie maker but also a great musician. Saturday night’s show at the Dome began with Denny playing a wide range of musical genre on his guitar as he took us on a journey of his wide musical experience and interests. What a treat! The laidback atmosphere at The Dome was the perfect setting for the night. From the beanbags to recline in, to the halftime pizzas and beverages, there was a great vibe at The Dome.

After being entertained by Denny the minstrel, we were treated to two of Denny’s short films Little Wednesday and Cactus Wagon. Little Wednesday is a documentary of the making of Big Wednesday – the 70’s surf movie classic that Denny co-wrote with John Milius. Big Wednesday was based on Denny’s short story about life at Malibu, titled No-Pants Mance, which was published in SURFER magazine in 1974. The night ended with the showing of Big Wednesday.

Haere mai, welcome to The Dome

‘Little Wednesday’ – documenting the making of it’s big brother

laidback Dome audience

pizza with your movie

Denny and his 70’s band FARM also contributed the very hip ‘n’ groovey soundtrack to George Greenough’s groundbreaking 60’s surf film The Innermost Limits of Pure Fun, that became a cult classic.

Hey, if you’re keen for a huge dose of surf movie madness, come along to the Aotearoa Surf Film Festival showing at The Dome this Friday and Saturday night.

Risen

the Son has risen

Easter is a special time for many of us. For surfers, Easter means the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach, Australia. Bells is the longest running Pro surfing contest in both Australia and the world. Yesterday saw the crowning of Womens champion, Carissa Moore. Today is finals day for the Men. Last year’s Bells winner Mick Fanning has been eliminated so the gates are now wide open for a new champion this year. You can watch it live from this link here.

For the Christian community Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after he was crucified, died and then placed in a sealed tomb. One of my favourite Easter stories is The Three Trees. I like to include trees in my beach photography.  Today I have some photos from the last week to illustrate this story of a tree with a special destiny. We all have a special destiny.     Ô

watchtower sunrise

the Three Trees

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: “I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I’ll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!”.

The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. “I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I’ll be the strongest ship in the world!”.

The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. “I don’t want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they’ll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.”

Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, “This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. “Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!”, the first tree said.

The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, “This tree is strong. It is perfect for me.” With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. “Now I shall sail mighty waters!” thought the second tree. “I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!”

The third tree stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. “Any kind of tree will do for me” he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.

Many many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But, one night, a golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. “I wish I could make a cradle for him.”, her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. “This manger is beautiful.” she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew that she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, “Peace.” The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man’s hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.

But, on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God’s love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.