Thank you so much and sorry for the delayed reply. Yes, they do, and I'm pretty sure I extracted and ate some from stone pines near Christchurch years ago. Most of the pine nuts sold here are from the Korean pine though.
Congratulations on the mentorship! How exciting and for us too when we get to read the finished product :)
On special cultivated gardens, have you ever been to Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C., Canada? It’s not so much a botanical garden but it is quite something special. It was a gravel quarry in the early 1900’s, and as the pits were depleted, Mrs. Butchart the wife of the quarry owner, converted them to themed gardens. Like an Italian garden, the Japanese garden, rose garden etc. I worked there as a cleaner before coming to NZ and loved it. I got to take groups on tours when the regular tour guides were unavailable.
Thanks Bronwyn and sorry for the delayed reply. I've never been to that part of Canada although I'd certainly like to. But old quarries do make wonderful gardens. I had a great visit to the Whangārei Quarry Garden last year.
Congratulations on the award. I do enjoy your writing.
I grew Pinus pinea in Central Otago but it was always a race with the rabbits to get to the seeds. Removing the kernels was more difficult for us than it was for the rabbits!
You may have already visited it but if you are ever near Alexandra, Jolendale Park is an interesting collection of, mostly foreign, plants in the driest eco-region of Aotearoa.
Thank you so much Bill. Yes, the pines nuts are hard work to extract. I did try once many years ago, and I'd have to have a lot of spare time to think it was worth it.
I've never been to Jolendale Park - it's ages since I've been in that part of the country, but I'll check it out if I get a chance. It sounds great.
Congratulations Melanie! That’s fantastic. Just what you need. I look forward to seeing what comes next!
Sorry for the delayed reply, it's been a bit of a busy week. But thank you so much - it's very exciting.
Excellent news. Hope there is more to come and free botanical musings. I think those Stone Pines produce edible little nuts
Thank you so much and sorry for the delayed reply. Yes, they do, and I'm pretty sure I extracted and ate some from stone pines near Christchurch years ago. Most of the pine nuts sold here are from the Korean pine though.
Congratulations, Melanie.
It's quite deserved.
Looking forward to enjoying the finished novel.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it, also sorry for taking so long to reply.
Congratulations! Please let us know when the novel is published.
THanks Paul, I definitely will!
That's wonderful, Melanie. I look forward to reading your work of fiction.
Thank you so much Dave. I really appreciate it.
Great news Melanie
Thanks Peter, and sorry for the delayed reply.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful and fascinating gardens with us. Many congratulations and best wishes in your new adventure!!
Thank you so much and apologies for taking so long to reply. I'm glad you enjoyed the gardens.
Congratulations on the mentorship! I look forward to reading a novel that includes the natural world...
Thanks so much Jacqui, I really appreciate it, also sorry for the delayed reply.
Congratulations! Looking forward to more updates on your novel.
THank you, I will give the occasional update. I hope that things are going well for you.
Congratulations on the mentorship! What a lovely validation of your work <3
Thank you so much, yes, it really is.
Congratulations on the mentorship! How exciting and for us too when we get to read the finished product :)
On special cultivated gardens, have you ever been to Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C., Canada? It’s not so much a botanical garden but it is quite something special. It was a gravel quarry in the early 1900’s, and as the pits were depleted, Mrs. Butchart the wife of the quarry owner, converted them to themed gardens. Like an Italian garden, the Japanese garden, rose garden etc. I worked there as a cleaner before coming to NZ and loved it. I got to take groups on tours when the regular tour guides were unavailable.
Thanks Bronwyn and sorry for the delayed reply. I've never been to that part of Canada although I'd certainly like to. But old quarries do make wonderful gardens. I had a great visit to the Whangārei Quarry Garden last year.
Congratulations on the award. I do enjoy your writing.
I grew Pinus pinea in Central Otago but it was always a race with the rabbits to get to the seeds. Removing the kernels was more difficult for us than it was for the rabbits!
You may have already visited it but if you are ever near Alexandra, Jolendale Park is an interesting collection of, mostly foreign, plants in the driest eco-region of Aotearoa.
Thank you so much Bill. Yes, the pines nuts are hard work to extract. I did try once many years ago, and I'd have to have a lot of spare time to think it was worth it.
I've never been to Jolendale Park - it's ages since I've been in that part of the country, but I'll check it out if I get a chance. It sounds great.
Bravo !!
Thank you!