Coromandel Sojourn, sun, surf and bird life.

On Thursday we travelled south east to Tairua a small coastal village
on the Coromandel Peninsula for a few days relaxation 
staying with friends at their iconic Kiwi bach (you can google bach)!

Tairua sits on an isthmus with
a tidal estuary on one side
and a typical east coast ocean beach on the other.
A favourite for the young surfies.

Each evening we enjoyed drinks and nibbles on the deck
overlooking the estuary.
It's ever changing movement from the rise and fall of the tide
made for great photo opportunities for Moi!

The Estuary

This time we had a special visitor join us each evening.
A poor little seagull with a broken leg whom our friends have befriended.
In the first photo you may be able to see how her right leg is hanging loose.
She has come to trust Don and he saves
fresh morsels of scallops and fish for her each day!
I nicknamed her Gammy.

The Ocean Beach

The New Zealand Dotterels (Plover family) make their nests in the sand dunes

on our northern beaches.
They are well camouflaged and blend into their surroundings
but still vulnerable to dogs if they are not on a leash.

Being a bird lover I feel dogs should be banned from these beaches
during the breeding season.

I'm joining Maggie for Mosaic Monday
and Eileen for Saturday Critters
and Jeanne for Blue Monday

However I'm so sorry to see because of the internet issues in her area
Jeanne feels unable to continue hosting Blue Monday.
I'm hopeful and keeping my fingers crossed that someone will take up the baton!

Thank you ladies for hosting!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Five on Friday

Sorry Amy, I'm a little late joining,
 it's been a busy week for me!

1. It's been a sad week as Gerald one of our dear friends
died last Saturday. We celebrated his wonderful
life on Thursday morning with many great memories,
stories and song.

On the same day John, the husband of Vee
one of my blogging friends was called home.
Many of you will know Vee who blogs at 
A Haven for Vee.

My heart goes out to both families.
Please remember them in your prayers.

2. It was such a beautiful winter's day
without a cloud in the sky.
We decided to make the most of it and drove
out to Clevedon and along the Kawakawa coast.
The bird life was abundant
mostly Oyster Catchers and Dotterels.

The Dotterels are harder to see, in the bottom photo.
They're well camouflaged, blending in with the sand
and shells on the beach.

3. The last dandelion.

4. The Liquid Amber trees are at their best in
late Autumn. I love the prickly seed balls
which look like conkers.

5. This little yellow bird sang me a song

as I chatted to her/him!

I've no idea what type of bird - do you recognise it!

I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday
Thank you for hosting.

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you for visiting and especially my friends
who have left me a comment!

Highlights of my Week

Flowers from my late summer garden

it has been a long dry, hot summer

with very little rain.

However three days ago the Heavens opened

I wanted to race outside and do a little dance!!!

Yea!

This is Red beach on the
Whangaparoa Peninsula 
about an hour north of Auckland.
I took this photo on the edge of the cliff
where one of my friends has a beach house.

Summer means BBQ's
and one of the best things is Sweetcorn on the barbie!

My favourite summer tea is
Twinings New Zealand Earl Grey.
I drink my tea without milk or sugar
so I like it weak and this blend is perfect for me.

I've been wanting this dog for as long as I can remember
well not this particular one....
but a wire haired terrier.
I met him while I was walking through the park
however his mother had a tight hold on his lead
otherwise
I'm sure I could have persuaded him to come home with me!
NO - honestly I'm not a dog snatcher!
but all the same I would loved to have picked him up and run home with him.
A piece of advice - lock up your dogs!!!


I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday
Congratulations Amy on "Fives" first birthday!
and
Eileen for Saturday's Critters

Thank you so much for your visits

Take care and
be kind to one another


à bientôt


Shane

Cote d'Azur, Provence in summer

Last August/September we enjoyed our summer vacation

with our daughter and per family
 at Le Lavandou on the Cote d'Azur.

                I'm told this is where many french families holiday.

                                  Le Lavandou had a wonderful atmosphere, 
                     great beaches, shops, restaurants and markets.

Each evening we drove in to Le Lavandou

for our promenade along the walkway near the beach.

Each evening there were people building sandcastles

works of art in sand

the children loved watching the artists

Jean Blanc beach

which was 2 minutes from the villa.

                   As with many of the Mediterranean beaches, 
             we climbed 90 something steps down to the sandy bay 
           the hard part was climbing back up at the end of the day!! 
                                  But it was well worth it.

At Cap Negre just a short boat ride away 
the french President Nicholas Sarkosy 
and his wife Carla Bruni 
were holidaying at her family holiday estate. 
We could just see a beautiful villa 
peeking out of the trees at the end of the point.

On a day trip to St Tropez we drove past the turn-off 

which was heavily guarded by the Gendarmerie. 

Helicopters were coming and going all the time. 

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Photo courtesy of Mr Google

Very exciting for the visitors from Auckland, New Zealand!!

Please leave a comment so I know you've visited!

Until next time.....

Merci à bientôt
be kind to one another!

♥ Shane ♥