Under The Martinborough Stars

One hundred and forty-seven million kilometres away from the Earth, lies an important object. Something so massive that it takes up 99% of the matter in the Solar System, is 4.6 billion years old but feels like we have seen only a glimpse of it this summer in Martinborough.

I am of course talking about the Sun. It is incredible. An average yellow star in a relatively empty area of the Milky Way Galaxy, this glowing orb dictates our daily lives, keeps us warm and allows life to flourish.

Our Sun is only one of the billions and billions (sorry Carl Sagan) of stars in our galaxy and a pretty average one at that. It’s not the biggest or smallest, the hottest or the coolest nor it is the oldest or youngest. It’s pretty much average. It doesn’t even have a companion star, something that we have realised recently is a fairly common occurrence in our Universe. … Continue Reading

WHAREKAKA NEWS

Two new Wharekaka villas are almost complete – all that remains is the fencing and landscaping. The villas are a stylish addition to the Wharekaka Village and thanks to local architect, Victoria Read, they will be the blueprint for any further developments. One of the villas has already sold, but the other is currently on the market – please contact Louise at Wharekaka if you are interested.

Wharekaka is a wonderful asset for our community, and we want to ensure it continues for many years to come. A new Bequests Programme is being developed and a brochure is available from your local solicitor, accountant, library, doctor or from Sally at the reception desk at Wharekaka.   … Continue Reading

Why we’re lagging with wind power

If anyone has bragging rights on Global Wind Day, it should be New Zealand. However no new wind farms have been built in five years. 

Below the top half of the North Island is smack bang in the middle of the Roaring Forties which supplies an abundant supply of gusty, howling, and roaring wind ideal for creating electricity.

Is climate change going to take the winds out of the Roaring Forties sails though? Not likely, said Weather Watch’s Duncan.

“I can’t imagine climate change will affect the Roaring Forties too much. The reason why it blows a gale down there is because there is no land. You’ve got Antarctica this huge continent with this high pressure parked over it all the time, it’s the driest place on earth … That big belt of high pressure basically squashes against the low pressure that forms south of New Zealand over the Southern Ocean.” … Continue Reading

Will taking a photograph help you to remember?

Do you come back from holiday with your camera loaded with photographs?

You will remember everything, right?

WRONG!

Research says that sometimes taking a photograph makes it harder to remember a great view or experience.

Why is this?

Is it because we give less attention to an experience if it is safely stored in a photograph?

Recent research from the University of California shows that the photographer’s memory will suffer whether they expect to keep the photograph or not. … Continue Reading