At Home - Five on Friday

I've been under the weather for almost  week.

I caught the dreaded viral flu from one of my work colleagues.

He told us all that it was a viral flu and therefore not contagious - not so.......

I've been in bed most of the time

taking all the potions I could lay my hands on

and sending my dear one out to the chemist for extra supplies

as the need arose!

This is the first day I've felt like getting up and doing anything

constructive.

Luckily I had all my photos for this post edited and ready to go!

My husband was late planting our vege garden this year.. for various reasons

but we are starting to reap the benefits of his hard work.

I picked 2 beans last week - not much one can do with so few
 except snap-freeze and wait for more to come!

These are Scarlet Runners - still our favourites after 47 years!

The Gardener here insists on growing Beefsteak tomatoes every year,

they are good eating and particularly good for preserving and freezing.

I usually make several batches of Pasatta

to use as a base in Ratatouille, Lasagne and other Autumn/Winter dishes.

However I enjoy the the small cherry tomatoes
sometimes they're called grape or plum tomatoes.
Wonderful for adding to salads.
My Gardener planted one plant but sadly
it was the only tomato plant that curled up it's toes - wouldn't you know it!!!!

I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday

thank you for bringing us all together Amy!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you all for popping in to say hello

I know time is precious in the business of our lives!

Five on Friday - NZ House & Garden

I subscribe to New Zealand House & Garden Magazine

so I thought I would give you a sneak preview of what's

inside this month's issue.

This country home appealed to me for it's

casual living style.

The family kitchen is filled with treasures

collected by the owners over a lifetime.

One of several bedrooms with french doors

opening on to the verandah to catch the breeze

on balmy summer evenings.

What really caught my eye was the Summer House

a wing off the side of the main house

with a delightful entertaining area

looking out on the paddocks and livestock beyond.

Do you subscribe to a magazine or just buy one occasionally?

 I keep several folders of clippings torn out of old magazines

 for future houses/renovations, paint colours and finishes,

and kitchens/bathrooms.

Wishful thinking if the truths known

but I'm always hopeful  - who knows we could win Lotto tonight

the big prize is $7million!

If I won, I would still want a comfortable understated home

with wooden joinery, french doors, shutters

an open fireplace and a window seat in the living room!

I like light and airy spaces.

A modern country kitchen and bathrooms would be on the list too!

Glitz and glamour are not for me!

I might show you some of the clippings from

my 'Kitchen Ideas' folder next week?

I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday

thank you Amy for hosting!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you all for popping in to say hello - I love reading your comments.

With my work committments I visit as time allows - usually at weekends!

Summer Boating in Auckland

I've taken hundreds of photos with my iPhone 7 Plus
so for Five on Friday this week I thought I would give you a taste
of Summer Downunder 2017.

1. Bean Rock Lighthouse in the harbour approaching Auckland.
(do you recognise it H from your visit to our shores in December?)
I so, so wish I had known you were coming......

2. Yachts of sizes and class enjoying the light breeze.

Our niece Amber and Tony shucking scallops!
Thank you Tony for diving - you're a great hunter and collector!

Their youngest shipmate 'Miss Pippy' who loves being out on the boat.

This is the Cruise ship season here, from November to April.

I love going down quayside to see what ships are in port.
This one is 'Ovation of the Seas' of the Royal Caribbean Line.
Auckland really comes alive when the ships are here and
the tourists add to the holiday atmosphere while visiting our shores.


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

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Five on Friday - Summer Down Under

1
A bowl of Catmint and Lobelia

enjoyed by both Mr and Mrs Goosey Gander and

the visiting neighbourhood pussycats!

I've observed several cats eating both the tips of leaves

and flowers - hence the alternative name of Catnip!

2
Chimes in one of the gardens I visited last year.

This country garden was filled with bird houses and feeders

all beautifully crafted by the owners.

3
The Light Between Oceans is the first book I've read this year

and I loved it!

I know the film is already out but if you haven't seen it yet

do try and read the book first.

 It is set on an island off the south west coast of Western Australia.

4
Boats moored at the new marina in Tairua, Coromandel Peninsula.

Photo courtesy of New Zealand Herald

5
This photo was in our newspaper last week.
I couldn't resist showing my friends in the northern hemisphere!

It was taken at a ski field at Cardrona in the South Island

where there was a freak snowfall in Summer!!!

Usually at this time of year the mountain

is a haven for day trippers - mountain bikers and walkers
clad in light tee shirts and shorts!

I'm joining Amy for

Five on Friday

(sorry I'm late Amy)

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Five on Friday - Boats

My post today is all about boats

I may have told you before that

Auckland is known as

The City of Sails.

Auckland is surrounded by water so many children

learn to sail at a very young age.

Westhaven marina is a favourite haunt for us.

Both Reston and I belong to the RNZYS

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Today we had a lunch at a cafe called 'The Sitting Duck'

as the Squadron restaurants etcet don't open again until next week.

Afterwards we drove around the harbour looking at boats!

It was fascinating watching the crane lifting large crates

on to the top deck of this luxury super yacht.

She is named Vibrant Curiosity and as she was flying the

Union Jack she must be from the UK.

We imagine she is here for a refit.

The exchange rate makes it worthwhile for many

overseas boats to come to Auckland to have work done.

Our local shipyards build many new boats too

for overseas owners.

Our nephew is a boat builder who works on these new builds.

Near the New Zealand Maritime Museum

are several heritage boats.

This yacht is the Aramoana built in 1938 by Gordon Pollard

a cousin of my father-in-law Russ Pollard.

They were great mates and sailed together on her for many years.

Notice there are no staunchons or handrails,

one needed to be sure footed moving about when under full sail.

Those were the days!

The Menai is a heritage launch which we owned in the 1970s.

It was the perfect boat for when our children were young.

It always brings back many happy memories!

I'm linking this post  to Amy's Five on Friday

Thank you Amy for hosting - it's been a while since I've joined in!

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!

It's lovely to be in touch again!

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!

Vezelay, Shutters, Windows and Doors

For my Five on Friday post this week

I'm going back to our 2013 France trip

when we visited the ancient hill town of

Vezelay.

1.  This is the main road up to the Abbey Church

I thought I would focus on the doors,

windows and shutters of these beautiful old stone buildings.

2.  A new front door for this house.

Adorned with Wistaria which must look

spectacular in Spring.

3.  A variety of shutter styles

4.  A chambre d'hôtes (guest house)
one of several I saw.
Would you like to stay here?
Vezelay has a population of 400+
depending on the season. 

It is situated on top of a hill with wonderful
vistas of countryside France.

5.  I love the architectural details of the windows.

This building has a beautiful patina typical of 

medieval Vezelay and other medieval towns in France.

I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday

Thank you for hosting Amy.

Take care and 

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you for visiting!