Going out on a limb

[Hitcher]

For my tenth birthday my parents bought me a tomahawk. It was an American Estwing. Its handle was part of the same casting as its head. The metal parts were polished to a shine. It had a wound leather grip and a leather holster so I could attach it to my belt. Tomahawks should be part of the daily wardrobe for ten-year-olds. After all, what’s the worst that could happen?

Tomahawk was nicely balanced. With a bit of practice it could be thrown at things and it would embed itself. Finding things to embed it in was part of my formative learnings in the dark arts of public relations. There are two kingdoms of natural things: plants and animals. While tomahawks embed nicely in both, the scale of repercussions is quite different for each kingdom, I observed.

Once sharpened, tomahawk would hold a keen edge for a while. It was too small for the purposes of tree felling, but tree ringbarking was a different matter entirely. I learned that ringbarking trees had a measurable negative effect both on the health of the selected tree and on the health of my mother. Tomahawk managed to get confiscated for a period of time on one occasion.

Once reunited, tomahawk and I decided to do our bonding further away from the house section. A row of pine and macrocarpa trees was located to the west of our house, primarily for the purpose of deflecting the prevailing sometimes salt-laden south-west winds that whip through that part of Taranaki.

The pines had a bevy of low limbs that could be whopped off, not to mention pine cones that could be bagged up and used to curry favours with mothers who enjoyed using these to start household fires. Smaller pine trees may even have been ringbarked. Limbs were used to build dams in the creek that ran beneath. The North American beaver could have learned much from my dam-building master classes.

Macrocarpa trees were great for climbing, as they had gnarled and multi-limbed barrels. Having got oneself and one’s tomahawk well up a macrocarpa, there were smaller limbs that could be whopped off and used to construct fortifications amongst the entwined limbs. Notches could be carved into the bark to create footholds for ease of access and egress. There were also grand views to be had of the Land to the West.

Forts up a macrocarpa tree were essential camouflage and protection against the Enemies of the State that lived in the Land to the West. These were the Evil Forces afoot from the citadels of Mangatoki and Lowgarth, for instance. It was the job of me and my legions to keep careful watch, to plan defensive strategies and harness the resources necessary to repel these potential invaders.

My army was legend. Well trained and superbly equipped, it could move with pace and strike at the Heart of Evil when necessary. My soldiers’ loyalty was unquestioning. I ruled with compassion and fondness and was universally loved and lauded my my troops. Our authority over our dominion was unquestioned, as long as I was home in time for dinner.

Sometimes tomahawk and I would have scouting expeditions further west, to familiarise ourselves with the tree-clad territories in which we may have to engage with Evil Forces. Whilst there, limbs could be whopped off and smaller specimens ring-barked, for their own protection and for strategic purposes.

Can a ten-year-old with a tomahawk create a legacy that changes the world? In my mind they can.

[unstuck]

I have always loved climbing around in macrocapa trees, and still do on occasion if truth be told.:yes:

[Nova.]

ahh I still remember my first hatchet, and machete :shifty:

[Grizzo]

Great story.

When I was ten, all the neighborhood kids would play war in a bunch off trees up the road.
It was critical that we would be there to shoot and grenade (pinecone) each other as early as possible till the sun went down.
No playstations, no screens to babysit us.
To us it was real and we changed the world every time we grabbed our uzi shaped toy guns and marched out our front doors.
Lots of cuts n bruises but that was all part of the mission.

[Grizzo]

I have always loved climbing around in macrocapa trees, and still do on occasion if truth be told.:yes:

Easier to spot the bike in the river aye!:bleh::laugh:

[unstuck]

Great story.

When I was ten, all the neighborhood kids would play war in a bunch off trees up the road.
It was critical that we would be there to shoot and grenade (pinecone) each other as early as possible till the sun went down.
No playstations, no screens to babysit us.
To us it was real and we changed the world every time we grabbed our uzi shaped toy guns and marched out our front doors.
Lots of cuts n bruises but that was all part of the mission.

Aye, and to think you are not even allowed to throw snowballs in some parts of the world.I dont really hear many kids playing in the neighbourhood anymore, must be all inside with the x-box.:no:

[bosslady]

good story, very cool, thanks for sharing.
I grew up in south Auckland and often played "avoid the stray, rabid dog and hope it doesn't attack you" ahhh good times..

[schrodingers cat]

Pfffffttttttttt.
A slug-gun and the trusty swandri and let the battle commence!

Until the day my sister was giving the game away on my ambush spot. A hissed 'piss off' didn't work so it was time for a warning shot by her feet.
Damn the pebbles and resulting richochet. A small flesh wound - a scratch. John Wayne wouldn't have even felt it (for you young folks - John Wayne could kick Chuck Norris' ass and fight off the Cherokee nation with his spare hand)

Anyway I digress. So a scratch, a flesh wound and the gun confiscated for MONTHS.

Who would stop the sparrows crapping in the gutters? This is a serious question cause our drinking water came from a roof fed tank!

Mind you, there would be no-one to shoot the lawn mower fuel tank half way up requiring endless fills. No one to pepper the gutters with a near miss. No-one to crack the woolshed windows.
Nothing for it but to spend my days jumping my treddly of ramps and banks until the frame cracked

I suppose I got a hiding as well.
Anyway, all of the these things would be frowned on now I suppose
I bet they don't let kids play with gunpower either.

[Karl08]

you mean you still don't climb trees? You are never to old to stop climbing trees.

The day that I refuse a climb (or jump off Days Bay Wharf) will be a sad day.

NZ would be a better place if more of our boys climbed trees and were intrusted with a tomahawk....

[bosslady]

you mean you still don't climb trees? You are never to old to stop climbing trees.

The day that I refuse a climb (or jump off Days Bay Wharf) will be a sad day.

NZ would be a better place if more of our boys climbed trees and were intrusted with a tomahawk....

and girls? ;)

[Kickaha]

I bet they don't let kids play with gunpower either.

Dunno but I made my own when I found the recipe

The neighbour did stick his head over the fence once to see if the sleepout was on fire as I emerged from the smoking cloud coughing my lungs out

[awa355]

I remember chopping a Cabbage tree down as a 10 or 11 year old. Gee, the wood was soft. :stupid: Always enjoyed chopping at various shrubs and trees.

[Zedder]

and girls? ;)

Girls? Well I s'pose they're handy to have around ...

[yungatart]

Tomahawks?
And slug guns?

Luxury.

We were poor, all we had was cricket (on the road), not even a proper cricket pitch, or even a lawn!
Oh, and kites...homemade of course, out of last week's Taranaki Daily News.

[nighthawk]

Tomahawks?
And slug guns?

Luxury.

We were poor, all we had was cricket (on the road), not even a proper cricket pitch, or even a lawn!
Oh, and kites...homemade of course, out of last week's Taranaki Daily News.


Oh my god,

Don't forget chemistry sets and sling shots, we were spoilt rotten as kids,we had it all,even a river to swim in and hills to roam until we knew mum would be expecting us home for tea.......

When I think back now how we ever survived our childhood I'll never know,mind you I can remember several holidays spent visiting A&E and I have the scars to prove it.

[unstuck]

Our neigbourhood used to be alive at night with torchbeams, go home stay home or spotlight until the old dragon at number 93 threatened to ring our mums.:laugh:

[Karl08]

and girls? ;)

Boys. Boys who need to learn how to take risks before they get into their late teens. Boys who need to learn when aggression is fine and when it is not. Boys, who in my last twenty years of dealing with young offenders, need to be trusted with responsibility at a young age.


....So yes, boys.

[bosslady]

Boys. Boys who need to learn how to take risks before they get into their late teens. Boys who need to learn when aggression is fine and when it is not. Boys, who in my last twenty years of dealing with young offenders, need to be trusted with responsibility at a young age.


....So yes, boys.

I don't see why some girls wouldn't benefit.

[Padmei]

Monkey apple fights!!!!

This reminded me I used to have a tomahawk - obviously passed down from my older brothers along with lead knights & buildable steel castle, lead cowboys & indians with horsedrawn covered wagon, steam engine etc etc etc.

[HenryDorsetCase]

my favourite hammer is an Estwing. Fuck it was expensive but paid for itself many times over in my years of DIY.

[Road kill]

I had a machete when I was a kid an still do but it's a flash Svord one now days.

Anyway one thing I managed to chop off with my when I was a kid one was Andrew Birds little finger as well as making a pretty good impression on the next finger to the one he no longer has.

Silly shit tried to pick up a Weta just as I decided it's life was now over.

Fuck did he carry on about it or what !:crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby::crybaby:

Good memories fer sure:laugh::laugh::laugh:

[pete376403]

my favourite hammer is an Estwing. Fuck it was expensive but paid for itself many times over in my years of DIY.
My Estwing was free - found it walking home from Sunday School, which means it was second-hand when I got it over 50 years ago. The handle is getting a bit smooth now, but it's still a better hammer than any other in the tool box.

[fuknK1W1]

Pfffffttttttttt.
A slug-gun
Hmm I see The Webber's still rule Merivale :msn-wink:

[Karl08]

and girls? ;)

I am sure they would- never said they wouldn't.

The fact remains it it males that are over represented in all our crime stats; it is makes who beat their kids and partners (in the overwhelming majority of cases)....I could go on and list other areas in society where males (and others suffer) because they did not develop all the skills necessary to grow into a good man. Risk taking at a young age, rough-housing, skinned knees, bruises, responsibility, taking out the neighbours window in cricket, first pocket knives, the list is endless all play apart in the growth and development of boys. With these activities there is often a large degree of interaction with peers and older "role models"- essential for boys.

When my two wee daughters (who climb, ride bikes, learn to boogie board, swim in rivers, and the like) become adults they deserve men who have learned to deal appropriately with their anger, can communicate, be responsible, have empathy etc.. Any male lacking these attributes is simply a boy (regardless of his physical age).

[mashman]

Those days are gone, gone I tell ya :crybaby:

[Zedder]

I am sure they would- never said they wouldn't.

The fact remains it it males that are over represented in all our crime stats; it is makes who beat their kids and partners (in the overwhelming majority of cases)....I could go on and list other areas in society where males (and others suffer) because they did not develop all the skills necessary to grow into a good man. Risk taking at a young age, rough-housing, skinned knees, bruises, responsibility, taking out the neighbours window in cricket, first pocket knives, the list is endless all play apart in the growth and development of boys. With these activities there is often a large degree of interaction with peers and older "role models"- essential for boys.

When my two wee daughters (who climb, ride bikes, learn to boogie board, swim in rivers, and the like) become adults they deserve men who have learned to deal appropriately with their anger, can communicate, be responsible, have empathy etc.. Any male lacking these attributes is simply a boy (regardless of his physical age).

From what I understand, interacting with a father and mother who utilise correct parenting skills is part of it as well.

[Karl08]

or just mum, or just dad.

Village to raise a child etc......

[Zedder]

or just mum, or just dad.

Village to raise a child etc......

I'd think the optimum would be mum, dad and the extended family/village scenario but these days it's more likely to be just mum or just dad or others.

[Swoop]

It remains risky to pass by the frontage of Shloss Swoop without getting a "grenade" thrown in the general direction. Tree climbing is mandatory for a well armed 10yr old and either sword or nerf-gun could be deployed.

Oddly, the Mrs is concerned about tree climbing with chainsaw in hand. I fail to see the problem but quite large branches attached to ropes, held by the aforesaid Mrs, seem to be an issue.
Odd really.

[300weatherby]

I'd think the optimum would be mum, dad and the extended family/village scenario but these days it's more likely to be just mum or just dad or others.

Grew up in a rural town, played war, cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, carried "six shooters" on our hips in quick draw holsters, fell out of trees, chased (and got chased by!) the bulls in the back paddock.

Went fishing and camping, if you were home in daylight it was cause you were sick.

If you were being a dick, the bloke next door (or the local cop) would give you a kick up the arse, and then tell your old man who would immediately give you another.Didn't have a plethora of axe murderers back then.........

Learned how to make trollies ( not get trollied!), a usefull pushbike out of bits of other bikes, graduated to cars, up the drive on a saturday arvo, pull the gearbox fron the old EH, fit the clutch and pressure plate we got from the old car wreaker that morning, and go cruising saturday night.

Then you have 3 ankle biters under five, a mortgage, a job you cannot afford to lose, never any money so you go without untill you have a lucky month with extra shifts, so busy having a life you don't care about the obsessive/compulsion causing gaming stuff.

We are communicating via the internet, yet that is exactly one of the major causes of the way the kids grow up and the way the world now functions. The internet has made the world smaller, but it has created greed/want/disenchantment in our youth, that has no cure.

As kids, we had fuck all, but didn't know it, and never went about harbouring resentment, and being fucksticks like they are now.

Kinda sucks, the good old days, were actually just that!

The village theory worked when the world was a better, less selfish place, now your village is say, South Auckland, you are fucked.

Untill you take away the net, alcohol, the benefit, the ability to finance stuff, it is all downhill from here.

Untill teachers have authority given back them, untill the cops catch fucksticks and the system actually punishes them, untill parents are made party to their childrens activitys, it is all downhill from here,

When I am old, (SHUT UP!) and am sitting in my rocking chair in the late afternoon sun, I will remember the day we learned how to tickle a trout, I will remember riding and crashing the first pushbike I built myself,

The youth of today will remember the day they got past level 647 on grand theft wargame something or other.

I liked the OP's story, it reminded me of a better time, now gone, and will never be matched.

[Zedder]

Grew up in a rural town, played war, cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, carried "six shooters" on our hips in quick draw holsters, fell out of trees, chased (and got chased by!) the bulls in the back paddock.

Went fishing and camping, if you were home in daylight it was cause you were sick.

If you were being a dick, the bloke next door (or the local cop) would give you a kick up the arse, and then tell your old man who would immediately give you another.Didn't have a plethora of axe murderers back then.........

Learned how to make trollies ( not get trollied!), a usefull pushbike out of bits of other bikes, graduated to cars, up the drive on a saturday arvo, pull the gearbox fron the old EH, fit the clutch and pressure plate we got from the old car wreaker that morning, and go cruising saturday night.

Then you have 3 ankle biters under five, a mortgage, a job you cannot afford to lose, never any money so you go without untill you have a lucky month with extra shifts, so busy having a life you don't care about the obsessive/compulsion causing gaming stuff.

We are communicating via the internet, yet that is exactly one of the major causes of the way the kids grow up and the way the world now functions. The internet has made the world smaller, but it has created greed/want/disenchantment in our youth, that has no cure.

As kids, we had fuck all, but didn't know it, and never went about harbouring resentment, and being fucksticks like they are now.

Kinda sucks, the good old days, were actually just that!

The village theory worked when the world was a better, less selfish place, now your village is say, South Auckland, you are fucked.

Untill you take away the net, alcohol, the benefit, the ability to finance stuff, it is all downhill from here.

Untill teachers have authority given back them, untill the cops catch fucksticks and the system actually punishes them, untill parents are made party to their childrens activitys, it is all downhill from here,

When I am old, (SHUT UP!) and am sitting in my rocking chair in the late afternoon sun, I will remember the day we learned how to tickle a trout, I will remember riding and crashing the first pushbike I built myself,

The youth of today will remember the day they got past level 647 on grand theft wargame something or other.

I liked the OP's story, it reminded me of a better time, now gone, and will never be matched.

No arguments there.

[Karl08]

I still teach people the fine art of how to make and play Fireball Soccer- last time was 5 months ago. There will be many more to come!

Nothing like kicking round a flaming ball of chicken wire and hessian- Dept of Labour and PC wowsers be damned!

[nighthawk]

What about sky rocket wars, we would buy hundreds of penny rockets and other now illegal fireworks and loose mayhem on each other, not the neighbourhood or defenceless animals(there were unwritten rules and nobody broke them)because Mr plod:Police: had a big boot and dad had a bigger one.:angry:
No one lost an eye or got hurt, and nothing got burnt down,plenty of bruises and the odd scorch mark but nothing more.:laugh:

[Zedder]

I still teach people the fine art of how to make and play Fireball Soccer- last time was 5 months ago. There will be many more to come!

Nothing like kicking round a flaming ball of chicken wire and hessian- Dept of Labour and PC wowsers be damned!

Lol, you're an evil person.

That reminds me of an NZ kindergarten I read about a while back (in ChCh I think) where there was no PC or OSH crap. The kids did "really dangerous" things like riding trollies down ramps etc.

Parents were lining up to get their kids in the place.

[Karl08]

There is also a school which has a similar approach (I think in the Hawkes Bay) Which received publicity because it encouraged "old fashioned" play for boys.

There are a few sensible people left in NZ

[Zedder]

There is also a school which has a similar approach (I think in the Hawkes Bay) Which received publicity because it encouraged "old fashioned" play for boys.

There are a few sensible people left in NZ

It certainly gives me some hope.

[Genestho]

Grew up in a rural town, played war, cops and robbers, cowboys and indians, carried "six shooters" on our hips in quick draw holsters, fell out of trees, chased (and got chased by!) the bulls in the back paddock.

Went fishing and camping, if you were home in daylight it was cause you were sick.

If you were being a dick, the bloke next door (or the local cop) would give you a kick up the arse, and then tell your old man who would immediately give you another.Didn't have a plethora of axe murderers back then.........

Learned how to make trollies ( not get trollied!), a usefull pushbike out of bits of other bikes, graduated to cars, up the drive on a saturday arvo, pull the gearbox fron the old EH, fit the clutch and pressure plate we got from the old car wreaker that morning, and go cruising saturday night.

Then you have 3 ankle biters under five, a mortgage, a job you cannot afford to lose, never any money so you go without untill you have a lucky month with extra shifts, so busy having a life you don't care about the obsessive/compulsion causing gaming stuff.

We are communicating via the internet, yet that is exactly one of the major causes of the way the kids grow up and the way the world now functions. The internet has made the world smaller, but it has created greed/want/disenchantment in our youth, that has no cure.

As kids, we had fuck all, but didn't know it, and never went about harbouring resentment, and being fucksticks like they are now.

Kinda sucks, the good old days, were actually just that!

The village theory worked when the world was a better, less selfish place, now your village is say, South Auckland, you are fucked.

Untill you take away the net, alcohol, the benefit, the ability to finance stuff, it is all downhill from here.

Untill teachers have authority given back them, untill the cops catch fucksticks and the system actually punishes them, untill parents are made party to their childrens activitys, it is all downhill from here,

When I am old, (SHUT UP!) and am sitting in my rocking chair in the late afternoon sun, I will remember the day we learned how to tickle a trout, I will remember riding and crashing the first pushbike I built myself,

The youth of today will remember the day they got past level 647 on grand theft wargame something or other.

I liked the OP's story, it reminded me of a better time, now gone, and will never be matched.

Yeah, great story OP!
I agree with your point things have really changed, parental styles have changed from enabling kids to take responsibility for their actions to making excuses..

There is a general sense of born entitlement, the internet has changed everything and 'knows all', despite our mama's telling us to never believe everything that you read and the freedom and attitude aspect is so different; compared to biking anywhere and exploring, disappearing until dark, in bare feet... ahh

I do believe there are still huge pockets of NZ where the simple life still exists, the community still kicks butt, 'village' styles and look out for each other and the good times are still, for free. Do not despair... Although it's up to us to keep it rolling.

I raise kids on my own but, am blessed that my direct community are there for us and I, them and theirs. :)

FYI! I made my own slingshots, push-biked for miles and miles exploring creeks, climbing trees, bull-rush, riding on the backs of ute's, trampolines without nets etc, helped dig lawn area for massive huts and dugouts with the local mob of kids with bits n pieces from the local tip, sold home made lemonade and lol, home made perfume from roses and expensive perfume that I'd helped myself to (boy did I get a walloping for that!!) out on the street to the kind neighbours for pocket money, progressing to a paper then milk run, weeeeeeeeeeee fun times!

Sure seems like we were luckier and learned more than the young ones today. :sunny: Ohhh, I feel old :crybaby:

[Padmei]

yep all good but as I harp on to everyone - we're the ones that have changed it - Not our kids- Not our parents -US!
Our generation has become the PC one - we are the ones guilted into following the party line when it comes to safety for our kids.

We can't blame our kids for what is happening to our society - we are in charge of it. Don't go blaming anyone else but ourselves. I try to buck the system when I feel it necessary to retain a bit of idiotcracy with my kids.

(BTW if i had an ipad/internet etc when I was a kid I sure as hell would have wanted to play it all day - only the rich kids had the 'pong' game machine plugged into their phillips K9s - kids want instant gratification, something i think that hasn't changed over time)

[Genestho]

yep all good but as I harp on to everyone - we're the ones that have changed it - Not our kids- Not our parents -US!
Our generation has become the PC one - we are the ones guilted into following the party line when it comes to safety for our kids.

We can't blame our kids for what is happening to our society - we are in charge of it. Don't go blaming anyone else but ourselves. I try to buck the system when I feel it necessary to retain a bit of idiotcracy with my kids.

(BTW if i had an ipad/internet etc when I was a kid I sure as hell would have wanted to play it all day - only the rich kids had the 'pong' game machine plugged into their phillips K9s - kids want instant gratification, something i think that hasn't changed over time)

Well said, sir! Agreed as per bling :)

Must say though..

Addressing the freedom factor, the last thing on my mind as a kid, was worrying about whether I'd be snatched as happened in my suburb, recently.
Three attempts and know two of the kids - just before school finished for the year. Not that these things didn't happen then, but seems a bit more prevalent now.. Everything else I suppose is or should be common sense, only seems it's not so common, now.........



Everything's changed and you're right, it's our own fault...

[schrodingers cat]

yep all good but as I harp on to everyone - we're the ones that have changed it - Not our kids- Not our parents -US!
Our generation has become the PC one - we are the ones guilted into following the party line when it comes to safety for our kids.

We can't blame our kids for what is happening to our society - we are in charge of it. Don't go blaming anyone else but ourselves. I try to buck the system when I feel it necessary to retain a bit of idiotcracy with my kids.



Not me bro. I don't have kids and won't be any time soon.
I am however 'favorite uncle' and recently upped the stakes by giving a 0.166 gas powered Walther PPK Tacticle to my 14yr old nephew for Xmas

Good times

[Road kill]

Well said, sir! Agreed as per bling :)

Must say though..

Addressing the freedom factor, the last thing on my mind as a kid, was worrying about whether I'd be snatched as happened in my suburb, recently.
Three attempts and know two of the kids - just before school finished for the year. Not that these things didn't happen then, but seems a bit more prevalent now.. Everything else I suppose is or should be common sense, only seems it's not so common, now.........



Everything's changed and you're right, it's our own fault...

40% of Aucklands population are resent immigrants "last 30 years" and their coming to a town near you,,if their not already there.
The biggist change in this country in my life time has been in the population,,both numbers and make up.
We did not do this,,,,our Gov't that we have virtually no control over have done this.
If you have rock spiders where you live it's due to numbers more than any other single thing.
Yes they were here in 1957,,but they were one or two back then,,,not the numbers we have in almost every town today.
It's like hillbillys that come to Auckland a think the people are different from where they come from,,well their not,,there's just more of them.
This is not "our fault",,unless of course you are one of those that have run out on your own country and come to NZ seeking a new life but altered both our country and our life style with your very presence.
NZ is now a country where the Gov't and the popular press have actually given away the very cultural identity of it's own people.
Today you can be a South African, English or American "Kiwi",,,but if your a real born an bred Kiwi and say anything against these cultural theives stealing your very name,,,your labeled the fucking racist.

So don't hand me any shit about how it's our fault,,,"we" have never had a choice.

[Genestho]

Yeah, I don't love Auckland.. not a place I'd choose to settle. :bleh: I personally feel there's a bigger picture than what you describe but, I don't want (or mean) to intentionally swing Hitcher's thread too far away from the original point.. and it's already been done to death elsewhere, I suspect.

Just throwing it out there.... Is your argument invalid when most Kiwi's are descendant from immigrants from somewhere else? I was born here, but a couple of generations ago we rocked up on Big ole Sail Boats settling in with our religion, pests and diseases. Are we "Kiwi's" not Boat people essentially, too?