Another story following Cyclone Gabrielle a year later. When there are no fishy tales from inmates we get desperate for a Monday story.

Turangi has been enjoying a fine long dry summer which results in the garden drying out and struggling. The river delta substrata and pumice soils provide good drainage, rather than moisture-retaining soils.

About a year ago, Cyclone Gabrielle shredded and destroyed over 6500 hectares of pine plantations north and south of Turangi.

In Turangi majestic mature Oaks on Taupahi Road were blown over. On the reserve opposite mature deciduous trees crashed over – see photo below. Old Macracarpas on the school boundary collapsed on the boundary fence.

TRM did not escape – the 60 year old shelter belt along the main road SH1 frontage was shredded by savage swirling winds. Most of the trees eventually died.

When the dead foliage was removed it left the motel exposed with new views across to the park opposite on SH1. Many regular inmates, who consider TRM as their second home, complained about our eco-vandalism, so this is a belated explanation.

To satisfy the inhouse conservationist, SWMBO, the main road shelter belt was replaced with a row of 18 Kauris. Obviously She anticipates living at least another hundred years to watch them mature… They all appeared to be doing well until the long dry spell arrived.

On the first drought threatening occasion over a month ago we spent all day perfecting our miserable single-hose irrigation system. Then it rained the next day. That is called a coincidence.

Most of Turangi residential enjoys free water supply, but as the council decided a motel in a residential zone is a commercial use, TRM have to pay for water at commercial rates. So it is a carefully considered decision. Accordingly, SWMBO tries to be careful not to waste water irrigating lawns, but this was a global warming climatic emergency. It means Her elderly staff have to spend all day moving the hose sprinkler about every half hour along to the next tree

On the second occasion when the seedlings were suffering and drying out again, the irrigation was increased and it rained the next day. So perhaps it was not a coincidence?

Then this last weekend when everything was drying up, all the Kauris were generously watered for two days to give them a good soaking.

It is now raining. That is not a coincidence. I take full responsibility.

I wish I experienced more coincidences with my fishing…