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
Take care and
be kind to one another
à bientôt
Shane
