I thought I could be tough on what was 'good enough' with this documentary-style series capturing the Hangi. But I'm finding that I want to include almost everything because all the photographs seem important to the story.

I realised that it's not just about cooking food in the ground, it's about the community that forms as people work together. And it was about the people who came and went during the process - it was kind of tidal, with different folk appearing at different stages.

But most of all, it was about the people who worked on it - those on a tour who saw help was needed and climbed into it with their experience from 'back home in NZ', with their strength, despite wearing boat shoes or white sneakers.

In the end it was all about the feeling surrounding the process ... it was quite staggeringly beautiful.

At the moment, I'm not sure one photograph captures it all. It's a story to be told with many photographs.

I'm almost sure I have things to say ...

I was accepted by the NYC gallery, as one of their photographers but I couldn't afford them. There was a lot of money involved and, in the end, it seemed more about money than art. I would have loved working with them but by the time Gert and I reached the end of the contract, it was clear. And so very over.

Today a client ... a friend, the lines often blur, sent me a pdf of the book she's been writing. It's full of my photographs from that time when I was working with her, having some of the most excellent adventures and wandering the world, photographing so many friendly and talented artists.

So I'm excited about that.

And I won a prize today. Last Friday, I almost couldn't breathe for stress because I was two weeks behind on my rather intensive marketing course. I sat here at the computer, Saturday, Sunday ... Monday, and mostly caught up. And somewhere along the way, I posted news of my one-day photography workshop for women. It sold out in 12 hours. So I won the prize that I had taken no notice of last week. I was 'that' far behind. I shared the winning with Chris, the one we all knew would win.

I transcribed two Genova interviews this afternoon, then wrote them up as short pieces for a most exciting new Ligurian website launching soon. Photos were sent. And now for the rest. These were the shortest interviews.

It's been slightly manic of late. Life is humming. I'm attending a Māori hāngi in the months ahead. Photos and stories shall surely be posted because I can see how that event might become one of those big old delicious stories, out there on Flanders Fields.

There's talk of Norway and a favourite friend at the end of summer. Lots of photography. And I'm organising a series of 5-day workshops in Genova. If you have ever wanted to work with me then this is the one because I have a truly superb group of Genoese people willing to work with me. However my webpage is still under construction. It's all there, just not the 'Buy' button nor dates. I'm currently looking at July, earlier if there's time for anyone to be interested, then September, October, November.

However, I will get that under control in the days ahead.

Amy Turn Sharp is one of the poets I love best and she has finally published her first collection. I wrote. I have ordered. News of that will follow. Kay McKenzie Cooke is another favourite poet. She has also published a new book. I want to get there too. And Ren Powell is writing and will publish again, I'm sure of it.

Life is good. It's slightly surreal. I'm busy. I'm babysitting Miss 9 for this week-long crocus vacation, and sure enough, there are some little yellow beauties out there in the garden. And in-between everything else, I'm reading my way through a most excellent book ... the Man Booker prize-winning book, The Luminaries, by Eleanor Catton. I shall be sad when it comes to an end.

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