Merry Christmas!
“It liberates the vandal to travel — you never saw a bigoted, opinionated, stubborn, narrow-minded, self-conceited, almighty mean man in your life but he had stuck in one place since he was born and thought God made the world and dyspepsia and bile for his especial comfort and satisfaction.” Mark Twain
Celmisia lyalii on the plains near Tekapo, New Zealand.
And Happy Solstice! It’s been an absolute dream come true to be able to spend this holiday season exploring Aotearoa. I have more than come to the conclusion these last few years that life is short and if you don’t take the opportunity when you have it you may never get to do it. The world is filled with a lot of dyspepsia and bile these days, but I have seen some amazing hospitality and friendship in this country. A huge thank you to Panayoti Kelaidis for making some introductions for us, we have been hosted by some wonderful plantspeople, gardeners and orchardists so far. Here is a brief photo gallery as a teaser, you’ll have to get a talk lined up with your garden group or club to see all the adventures:
This has been an amazing trip to end an amazing year, and I can only imagine what the next will bring. I have been so fortunate to get to finally live out my dream of building the alpine and bulb nursery that I knew I was capable of. I’m fortunate to have the mentorship, backing and support of some amazing plantspeople in my life. I’m lucky to have found a partner who loves plants and travels as much as I do. Thank you to all the customers who bought plants and baskets this year! I’m grateful for all these opportunities and thankful for everyone around me that has made it possible. This trip will end and I’ll be hard at work back in the nursery but for now in this season of giving, I want to say thank you to everyone who has made this year what it has been as it has been an epic one for sure.
Happy Holidays!
Mark Akimoff