This weekend, we ventured back to Waikanie to check out the results of last year’s tree planting expedition, and get in round two. For anyone who has never planted a seedling, (which may sound dumb, but lets be honest, how many chances do you get in modern life?) it is one of the most awe inspiring activities you can perform, short of giving birth (I imagine). There is something so cool about digging a hole, pouring in water, mushing it all up and then gently placing in the little baby plant and tucking the soil back around it.

They remind you of just how fragile life is, and when you are helping rebuild a wetland, and literally watch it prosper from year to year, the miracle of our environment is really rammed home. This year, they have just started to hear the birdsong of a particular native bird that hasn’t been in the area for years. In a world that is forever telling us to stop the negative impacts on our world, it is such a brilliant change to be actively aiding in it’s recovery.

In a society where (and I’m a prime perpetrator) people spend huge amounts of time indoors, the simple act of hanging out for an entire day without iPods, computers, alcohol or anything apart from a spade and the chatter of a 2 and a half year old is super refreshing and calming.

I LOVE modern society, but it did, once again make me pause to think how much extra the tvs, concrete and bars really offer, and if we actually were genuinely happier before we went ahead and invented it all.