To Work To Wed To Weep to Wander

Published by Pollock Books, Auckland, 2006, 390 pages.

Mable Pollock (nee Jamieson) was born in 1927 on Cape Saunders Lighthouse station, New Zealand. Her childhood to 16 years of age is recorded in her first book as Kate in 'The Children From the Lighthouse'. This book follows her experiences and occupations from her nursing career to her departure from New Zealand in 1974.

Mabel returned to New Zealand from Europe via the 'Hippy Trail' in 1976 to acquire nine grandchildren; lose her daughter; build a native New Zealand forest from a steep abandoned 7 1/2 acre rubbish dump; design and promote an alternative national New Zealand flag and to travel countries of the world from Iceland to Antarctica.

Her photographic record of the creation of Polly's park - the Mary Barrett forest 1993 to 2007 - illustrates Mabel's practical determination to accomplish every task she sets herself and to bring life and beauty to her dreams.