Wood Pigeons

I love Wood Pigeons or Kereru/Kukupa. They've been getting a bit *tipsy* on some fruit around the farm recently, and we duck every time they fly overhead as they only just miss us and the house.  Love this shot - shame it was on my old camera, but still pretty cool

Oakura Bay Northland. Fun beach days again. Big storm one day but the rest of the days were beautiful.

Clara's Cardy

I am ashamed to say my knitting took a bit of a back seat recently, I started this cardigan for Clara in March last year, and have only just finished it. I got bored. So many grey rows... But it looks great. Pity it's now a size too small for her!

Mmmmm Pudding

Annabel Langbein's Honey Lemon Cream Puddings

Mmmmmmm rich but not heavy. Tart lemon, smooth cream and underlying sweetness of honey.

Majestic

The beauty of this giant never ceases to amaze me. Tane Mahuta on a drizzly summers day.

Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest) is New Zealand’s largest known living kauri tree. According to Maori mythology Tāne is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatuanuku the earth mother. Tāne was the child that tore his parent’s parental embrace and once done set about clothing his mother in the forest we have today. All living creatures of the forest are regarded as Tāne’s children and he his thought to be around 2000 years old.

There are other big Kauris around this area, but none quite as big as this one. With a girth of 13.8 metres and height of 51.5 metres, Tane Mahuta dominates Waipuoa Forest in the Hokianga region of Northland. This is just under 2 hours from our home.

Taking a few shots in the garden before the rain started. Huge crop of Avocados this year (the big fat Reed ones, so creamy), some lovely bright flowers, a bit of a spicey casserole base, a young one in her favourite spot by the Blueberries and the last of the Plums.

Beach fun

Beach fun on a hot January day at Bayleys Beach, Dargaville

Mid Summer

Have been doing a few jobs around the orchard this weekend, including thinning the grape vines with a three year old helper in tow. The fruit is growing well though - that's one thing that does like a long hot dry summer.

Duraware

I love the colours of this Duraware that we were just given. They just don't make stuff like this now. Perfect for camping - or "Glamping" as I have been calling it - Glam camping. Can't wait - only a week and a half until we head off.

courgettes, zucchini, marrow

Whatever you call them we have a heap of them. Courgette fritters, ratatouille, stuffed marrow, stirfried greens seem to be the current menu .... Yum I love summer!!