Early Autumn Down Under

My garden is losing it's energy - slowly and quietly 
giving in to the demands of Autumn

A host/ubiquity/quarrel of Sparrows.
I couldn't think what a group of sparrows was called
I consulted Mr Google
and I found these names here - and thought they were quite interesting!

An amazing Autumn sunset

Some of the delicious fruits of Autumn

Oh how I love these figs - given to me by one of my work mates.
I poach them in a little white wine, add a drizzle of honey
and serve with a scoop of vanilla Ice Cream. Oh so yummy!


I'm joining
Fast Five on Friday

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you for visiting!

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

Visiting Gardens with my dear friend...

In March last year one of my dearest friends moved out of Auckland.

It took me a long time to come to grips with Jen not being here.

We've been friends such a long time, 

in fact since I was 18 - that's 56 years! 

I think I've mentioned before that Friday is my MahJong day

and I would usually catch up with Jen for a cup of coffee or lunch afterwards.

She's also my best shopping mate - we like the same things

and I've missed our shopping sprees hugely.

However she is happy in her new home at Mount Maunganui

a seaside town in the Bay of Plenty.

She made the right decision to move out of the big city.

In about October Jen phoned to tell me there was an

Art and Garden Festival in her neck of the woods in November

and suggested I pop down for the weekend!

This was our first catch up in person since she stayed with us

before her big move.

It was so good to be together again and see her new home,

and catch up with her children

Annie her Labradoodle and her cat Molly..

We talked and talked late into the night - as all old friends do. 

The Gardens

We picked out several country gardens to visit

and they were all well worth while seeing. 

I take my hat off to the organisers who managed this event.

Everything went like clockwork,

as well as stunning gardens and friendly hosts and hostesses.

Directions and signs were spot on too - thank you!

There were delightful watering holes along the way to stop

and enjoy a cup of tea, sandwiches and other yummy goodies!

I hope my Northern Hemisphere friends enjoy my Summer photos!

I  must tell you how much I'm enjoying your "snow" photos.

Being a bird lover, I'm particularly interested in seeing photos

of your bird feeders and the birds who visit your gardens.

Where I live in New Zealand, it doesn't get cold enough for snow in winter

so maybe that's the reason we don't have a good selection

of feeders available here.

My friend Mary who blogs at A Breath of Fresh Air

welcomes all birds who venture into her garden for winter snacks.

In fact generations of birds have been taught by their parents

to include Mary and Bob's garden on their Winter food GPS route!

Do pop over to her blog and say hello

you will love her amazing bird photos.

She ensures there is an unlimited supply of food available

during the cold winter months,

in the form of suet, seeds and peanuts 

(which sometimes the naughty squirrels devour)!

On behalf of all those hungry birds and squirrels

Thank you Mary dear!

I'm joining Maggie for

Mosaic Monday

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Five on Friday

Our weekend breakfast often consists of

bacon and egg on toast

followed by a couple of cups of coffee

and enjoying eating at a leisurely pace!

I subscribe to this magazine and it

arrived in my mailbox during the week.

I love a good magazine

and there's lots to inspire in this issue.

A patio rose in my garden called
The Fairy
she's not a good picker but lovely in the garden.

This little antique french porcelain box
was given to me by my embroidery friends
for a special birthday.
It's only 2 inches (2.5 centimeters)
just to give you an idea of size.
It's one of my very favourite things!

Can you see the little bird
sitting expectantly on her nest?
As you know we are moving into Autumn
on my side of the world,
therefore she seems to have her seasons mixed up!

I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday


Thank you all for your visits and
wishing everyone a happy weekend.

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt


Shane

Gobble, Gobble, Quack, Quack, Fences!

My daughter's village in France is

surrounded by farm land

mainly wheat fields, a few sun flower fields

and this farm with a yard full of hungry birds.

My youngest granddaughter

was always keen to walk down the hill

to feed the chooks, ducks, geese and turkeys.

I'm joining Tex for Good Fences

and

Eileen for Saturday's Critters

Thank you ladies for hosting.

Thank you all for popping in!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Parc Moulin en Tan - France

Another excursion in France was a family visit to

Parc Moulin en Tan,

it is a real favourite for the girls

as there is so much to see.

This time I'm sharing photos of some of the bird life on the

 River Vanne which runs through the 15 hectares

of park land.

It was an extremely hot day

so we enjoyed staying under the shade of the trees

to try and keep cool!

I'm joining 
Eileen for Saturday Critters
Gemma for Scenic Weekends 
and Shadow Shot Sunday
Natasha for Sundays Down Under
 Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy & Jennifer for
Our World Tuesday
Kim for Water World Wednesday
and
Gemma for Wednesday Waters

please join us or just pop in and see what others

are posting.

Thank you ladies for hosting your weekly memes.

Take care and

be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt

Shane

June Note Cards & Vicki's Giveaway

The 3rd Wednesday of the month is

traditionally

Vee's Note Card Party.

So in due fashion I prepared my little post

with a cat and bird theme - a little weird I know...

but my grandies will love these note cards!

So tonight I popped over to Vee's blog

to check that I have the right date

only to find that the next

Note Card Party isn't happening

until September......

Oh well I decided to go ahead and share mine anyway!

Vee probably told us about her plan

and I just wasn't listening that day!

Vee, I don't blame you for taking time out over Summer

and I hope you enjoy your break!

Well dear friends pop over to Vee's blog anyway

and see what she is up to.

She has an awesome sense of humour

and is always a fun person to catch up with!

Just a little reminder about Vicki's amazing

Giveaway

you only have a few days left to join in

here is the link

the draw is on Saturday 21st June!

Take care and 

be kind to one another

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x

Grey furry visitors.....

Hello dear friends

we've got new neighbours

and recently they jumped over the fence

to say hello!

Isn't he just so handsome

sadly he hasn't got a collar

 so I don't know what his name is.

We haven't replaced our last cat

as we are bird lovers.

I still like cats but decided I would like to encourage

birds into my garden.

I feed them daily and enjoy their company.

It's fascinating watching their antics

especially when they are playing

in the bird bath!

Each time I'm weeding the garden

a little Blackbird visits

waiting for me to unearth a worm or two!

He/she is very tame and obviously

feels safe around me.

I don't want to lose my feathered friend.

So here's my dilemma

I think all cats should have a collar with

their name and their owners phone number

and most importantly

a bell attached

 to alert the local birds of their presence.

What are your thoughts?

I'm linking to Michelle for Grey Dey Thursdey 

and

Kim for Little Things Thursday

Thank you everyone for your visits and comments

and welcome to my new followers

it's lovely to meet you!

À bientôt 

be kind to one another

Shane ♥