‘Pooh’ was among more than 800 dahlias on show in a joyous riot of colour at Robinson’s Bloom Flower Farm, near Rolleston.
Robinson started growing dahlias five years ago, branched out to a few hundred last year, then decided to annex the paddock to open a pick-your-own patch.
“It’s such a conversation starter, because everyone asks, ‘What’s your favourite dahlia?’ and I say, ‘You wouldn’t believe it, but it’s named ‘Pooh’.”
‘Pooh’ was among more than 800 dahlias on show in a joyous riot of colour at Robinson’s Bloom Flower Farm, near Rolleston.
Robinson started growing dahlias five years ago, branched out to a few hundred last year, then decided to annex the paddock to open a pick-your-own patch. Read more here
@sab: South island, east side, about halfway down, give or take.
I recommend the Botanic Gardens. Haven’t been there since the big quake rearranged downtown Christchurch myself though.
There’s a big old extinct volcano nearby that sticks out into the Pacific Ocean. The drive up to Akaroa (where the main crater meets the ocean) is very pretty and a bit scary-steep. Worth doing as a side trip while there.
@Chris T.: I had planned to travel in my retirement. NZ at the top of my list. Then Covid so no. Now on again. I suppose we could drive to Canada and then fly out. Not travelling by air in the US ever again.
There is so much happening I only caught this news yesterday morning: Colorado Senator Michael Bennet announced on Friday that he is running for governor. Reps. Joe Neguse and Jason Crow immediately endorsed Bennet. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is also in the race and will face Bennet in next year’s Democratic primary.
Bennet’s Senate term runs until 2028; he said that if he is elected he will appoint his successor for the remainder of his term. Among other sites, Colorado Newsline reported on Bennet’s announcement.
High enough up to be dodging goats instead of sheep?
No, the really tall spots are elsewhere. Plus, the merino sheep are comfortable at 3000 meters (roughly 10k ft) anyway. But the tall spots around Akaroa are below 1000m (3k ft); see https://en-us.topographic-map.com/map-krkkl/Akaroa/
The US/Iran nuclear talks got off to promising start Saturday in Muscat, Oman. That nation has managed to stay on good terms with Iran as well as the Arab Gulf States, and has become a favored venue for sensitive negotiations like those between Iran and the US.
Oman’s only drawback is it’s so far away. That is said to be one reason a second round of nuclear talks this coming Saturday will take place in Rome. Barak Ravid reported on this for Axios.
The Iranians insisted thst the Oman talks be “indirect,” and they were for the most part. The two delegations stayed in seperate rooms as the Omani Foreign Minister carried proposals and counter-proposals back and forth for a couple hours.
However, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Araungchi were reported to have had a brief and cordial encounter afterwards. Barak Ravid’s latest report is that Witkoff and Araungchi actually talked for 45 minutes.
I’ve just come upon a news source, international intrigue, run by some former diplomats. It’s an international news summary subscription.
Has anyone read them much? Some of their articles are showing up on blue sky. What do people think about them?
@Gloria DryGarden: Yes, I hear Bennet voted to confirm some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees. I wonder if many Democratic primary voters will hold that against him next year.
When I looked up Colorado, one thing that stood out is how fast the state’s population is growing. It’s been growing over 10 percent per decade this century. A lot of the new people seem to come to the Denver Metropolitan Area, which is home now to over half the state’s population.
@Geminid: it’s been growing. In 76, colorado had 3m population, half in Denver. I don’t know what the numbers are now. But it’s crowded and expensive.
traffic has gotten way worse in the last 5 years. Add 15 minutes to your former drive time. It’s gotten so congested. Big new luxury high rises, probably vacant but great tax write offs for someone. Rents are sky high.
it’s no doubt part of how the state votes Blue in presidential elections nowadays.
@Gloria DryGarden: I think Colorado’s population is a little over 5 million people now. That makes it the 21st most populous state. It also has the 5th or 6th highest Hispanic population, at ~20% of the total.
@Geminid: There was another important meeting in the Middle East this weekend: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. The Emirati government initially was sceptical of al-Sharaa because of his Islamist background.
They appear to have gotten over thir reservations though; Emirati leader Mohammed bin Zayed told al-Sharaa that “the UAE will support Syria with all its might.” Syrian-American journalist Hassan I. Hassan found this significant:
The UAE’s position on the new [Syrian] era has changed over the last two months. It is now positive, supportive, and in line with the Saudi position. The position is based on the conviction of majority of those involved in regional affairs, rather than merely a public stance.
Very timely, as Mrs. Van Buren potted up Dahlia tubers all afternoon yday, terribly inconveniencing me with repeated requests to move pots, etc. While I was busy trying to watch golf.
Early indication is that this guy was upset about his property being foreclosed on. Maybe something political will come out as the investigation proceeds but I haven’t seen it yet.
@Chris T.: 3 friends of mine from university in the UK have emigrated to NZ over the years. None of them knew each other All of them live in Christchurch.
Boris Epshteyn—indicted Trump election conspirator and not actually a member of the government—is personally negotiating Trump’s Big Law shakedowns, per WSJ.
War for Ukraine Day 1,144: Russia Bombards Civilian Targets in Sumy’s City Center on Palm Sunday
sab
I don’t have a favoite dahlia, but Pooh could be it.
lollipopguild
Much better to light a light(flowers) than to curse the darkness.
Jay
My Mom loved dahlia’s. Every winter, boxes of dried tubers in the basement, scented with spring soil. She had giants, dwarves, every possible colour.
I never had the knack. Here dahlia’s have to be dug up in fall, dried and stored, or they rot. It’s a very fine line between rot, and mummy.
eclare
What a wonderful and beautiful idea. And such modesty: “I think I’ve done ok.” You have done much more than ok.
Chris T.
Tip: nobody outside NZ knows where Rolleston is, so, it’s a suburb of Christchurch. Now you know.
(Assuming you know where Christchurch is, anyway!)
eclare
@Chris T.:
I just googled it, thanks!
sab
@Chris T.: Isn’t Christchurch somewhere in NZ?
/// I did know at least that much.
NotMax
Another spot for the cretin-in-chief to yap about getting his grubby, greasy little hands on?
Chris T.
@sab: South island, east side, about halfway down, give or take.
I recommend the Botanic Gardens. Haven’t been there since the big quake rearranged downtown Christchurch myself though.
There’s a big old extinct volcano nearby that sticks out into the Pacific Ocean. The drive up to Akaroa (where the main crater meets the ocean) is very pretty and a bit scary-steep. Worth doing as a side trip while there.
sab
@Chris T.: I had planned to travel in my retirement. NZ at the top of my list. Then Covid so no. Now on again. I suppose we could drive to Canada and then fly out. Not travelling by air in the US ever again.
NotMax
@Chris T.
High enough up to be dodging goats instead of sheep?
;)
NotMax
@sab
Not travelling by air in the US ever again.
Not really an option in the Aloha State.
;)
eclare
@NotMax:
At least you don’t have to go through CBP.
NotMax
BTW, as there has been no thread about it, wishing those to whom it applies a Happy Passover.
Geminid
There is so much happening I only caught this news yesterday morning: Colorado Senator Michael Bennet announced on Friday that he is running for governor. Reps. Joe Neguse and Jason Crow immediately endorsed Bennet. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser is also in the race and will face Bennet in next year’s Democratic primary.
Bennet’s Senate term runs until 2028; he said that if he is elected he will appoint his successor for the remainder of his term. Among other sites, Colorado Newsline reported on Bennet’s announcement.
NotMax
SNL Trumpeaster open, for those who care.
IMHO, too tame. Like swatting flies with a Q-tip.
NotMax
@Geminid
Will Boebert throw her unoccupied hand into the ring to run for Senate?
//
Chris T.
@NotMax:
No, the really tall spots are elsewhere. Plus, the merino sheep are comfortable at 3000 meters (roughly 10k ft) anyway. But the tall spots around Akaroa are below 1000m (3k ft); see https://en-us.topographic-map.com/map-krkkl/Akaroa/
Ten Bears
No, no no … light the candle, curse the glare. It’s even worse than it appears
I was going to retire. Good thing I’ve kept myself in shape …
Gloria DryGarden
@Geminid: he’s been awfully compliant w trump.
Geminid
The US/Iran nuclear talks got off to promising start Saturday in Muscat, Oman. That nation has managed to stay on good terms with Iran as well as the Arab Gulf States, and has become a favored venue for sensitive negotiations like those between Iran and the US.
Oman’s only drawback is it’s so far away. That is said to be one reason a second round of nuclear talks this coming Saturday will take place in Rome. Barak Ravid reported on this for Axios.
The Iranians insisted thst the Oman talks be “indirect,” and they were for the most part. The two delegations stayed in seperate rooms as the Omani Foreign Minister carried proposals and counter-proposals back and forth for a couple hours.
However, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Araungchi were reported to have had a brief and cordial encounter afterwards. Barak Ravid’s latest report is that Witkoff and Araungchi actually talked for 45 minutes.
Gloria DryGarden
@NotMax: nicely said.
she better not. What an unspeakable person.
NotMax
@Chris T.
First read that as “the metro sheep are comfortable at 3000 meters.”
An oopsie on my part which regardless, I kind of find visually appealing.
;)
Gloria DryGarden
I’ve just come upon a news source, international intrigue, run by some former diplomats. It’s an international news summary subscription.
Has anyone read them much? Some of their articles are showing up on blue sky. What do people think about them?
NotMax
John Oliver en fuego.
;)
Geminid
@Gloria DryGarden: Yes, I hear Bennet voted to confirm some of Trump’s Cabinet nominees. I wonder if many Democratic primary voters will hold that against him next year.
When I looked up Colorado, one thing that stood out is how fast the state’s population is growing. It’s been growing over 10 percent per decade this century. A lot of the new people seem to come to the Denver Metropolitan Area, which is home now to over half the state’s population.
Gloria DryGarden
@Geminid: it’s been growing. In 76, colorado had 3m population, half in Denver. I don’t know what the numbers are now. But it’s crowded and expensive.
traffic has gotten way worse in the last 5 years. Add 15 minutes to your former drive time. It’s gotten so congested. Big new luxury high rises, probably vacant but great tax write offs for someone. Rents are sky high.
it’s no doubt part of how the state votes Blue in presidential elections nowadays.
Geminid
@Gloria DryGarden: I think Colorado’s population is a little over 5 million people now. That makes it the 21st most populous state. It also has the 5th or 6th highest Hispanic population, at ~20% of the total.
Geminid
@Geminid: There was another important meeting in the Middle East this weekend: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. The Emirati government initially was sceptical of al-Sharaa because of his Islamist background.
They appear to have gotten over thir reservations though; Emirati leader Mohammed bin Zayed told al-Sharaa that “the UAE will support Syria with all its might.” Syrian-American journalist Hassan I. Hassan found this significant:
Van Buren
Very timely, as Mrs. Van Buren potted up Dahlia tubers all afternoon yday, terribly inconveniencing me with repeated requests to move pots, etc. While I was busy trying to watch golf.
Glory b
Has anyone mentioned the arson at the PA governor’s mansion?
It happened at 2 a.m., Governor Shapiro, his family and dogs were successfully rescued.
There was A LOT of damage but the alleged arsonist has been arrested. He seemingly entered the house (!!!) with “an incendiary device.”
https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/13/us/pennsylvania-governor-josh-shapiro-arson/index.html
Gin & Tonic
@Geminid: Witkoff managed to take time off from fellating Putin?
Baud
@Gin & Tonic:
Maybe it was Putin who wanted a break.
Betty
@Glory b: I was shocked to read about this. How do we stop the hatred that Trump keeps feeding?
Baud
@Glory b:
@Betty:
Early indication is that this guy was upset about his property being foreclosed on. Maybe something political will come out as the investigation proceeds but I haven’t seen it yet.
Baud
sab
@Baud: Well, he (the perp) will have housing for a while now.
kalakal
@Chris T.: 3 friends of mine from university in the UK have emigrated to NZ over the years. None of them knew each other All of them live in Christchurch.
rikyrah
Good Morning Everyone 😊 😊 😊
Baud
@rikyrah:
Good morning.
zhena gogolia
Vargas Llosa, RIP
prostratedragon
The Gangsterism Beat:
Geminid
@Geminid: Reports are International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi will visit Tehran this week; Times of Israel says Wednesday.