I’ve just had a fascinating week in the Chatham Islands, interviewing lots of locals about the days when the RNZAF’s Sunderland flying boats provided one of the main links to mainland New Zealand (1940s to 1960s). I heard wonderful stories, but sadly it was too early to see the glorious blue of Chatham Island ‘lilies’ (as the locals call the ‘forget-me-nots) in flower. However, I did return with a HUGE crayfish, lots of blue cod and a small pot of lily seedlings.