Life, Death, & Drains

"The koru, which is often used in Maori art as a symbol of creation, is based on the shape of an unfurling fern frond. Its circular shape conveys the idea of perpetual movement, and its inward coil suggests a return to the point of origin. The koru therefore symbolises the way in which life both changes and stays the same."

Tree ferns are a feature of the "bush" or forest in New Zealand. They are everywhere. It is their symbolic property of regeneration that causes us on the road a fair bit of work. New fronds constantly grow as others die. The dead fronds find their way into the drains, culverts and watercourses, and they are marvellous silt traps. Not just silt, but stones, vegetation and inevitably plastic soft drink bottles. This mess blocks culverts, and then the road workers real enemy, water, can get to work, tearing into the road foundation, or percolating under the seal.
We watch culverts and drains, and every now and then, usually at least annually, a thorough check is made of each culvert along our 200+ Kms of road. We have to find each one off a ream of computer sheets that are often not in order, and all have a cryptic identity code. Culvert No 62 may be at 118/12.68. (68 metres past the 12 Km peg, in the 118 Kilometre block) we may be able to clear it with shovels, it may need chainsaw work clearing away vegetation, or may be put down for a visit from a digger.
We are making good progress. Soon I will be revisiting quite a few and carting the silt and dead fronds to the dump site, getting ready for another winter, and so it goes on. Perpetual movement, yet staying the same.