Moments in my Week

This is the pretty card my friend Rose
sent for my birthday.
A heart shaped garland of hydrangea flowers,
gypsophila and berries.

My new watch - a present to myself!

I'm relishing every bloom my rose gives me
as Autumn approaches.
In past years I've had roses until the end of May.

The April copy of New Zealand House and Garden
and
a packet of yummy salted caramels from 
France.

Early morning walk on Kohimaramara beach.


I'm joining 
Amy for Five on Friday
Karen for Sunlit Sunday
Judith for Mosaic Monday
Bernideen for BTTCG
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration 


Thank you for your comments

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt




Shane

Our delightful French Gîte and Garden

I found these photos in one of my 'France' folders.

I had forgotten about them

however they are perfect to tie in with the

parties I'm linking to this week!

I can't remember if I told you that I organised a gîte to rent

for our time in France last June/July.

The family have been doing major renovations

so we thought it best that we had our own retreat!

It was within walking distance of the family and as

you can imagine there was much excitement and 

toing and froing with the girls!


The house was built in the 1700's

it had two staircases inside

which indicates part of it was probably a barn

originally.

This photo is of another barn on the west side of

the house.

You can just see the ping pong table on the right,

this was our entertainment each afternoon!

The girls had wonderful fun exploring

every nook and cranny in the house.


It was a very comfortable house to stay in

 and well stocked with books and music CDs.

The elderly owners were originally from England

and lived there for several years.

Sadly they have both died but the house is still

in the family.

They befriended my daughter and kindly lent

her books to read in english.

I'm joining Karen for Sunlit Sunday
Judith for Mosaic Monday
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration
Bernideen for BTTCG
and
Jess for The Art of Homemaking Monday

Thank you for your visits and comments

Take care and
be kind to one another.

à bientôt




Shane

Sunlit days France and Australia

My first two photos are especially for you Karen!
She is little Snowball my son's cat
whom I looked after before the 

great move across the Tasman Sea to
Australia!

Hard to tell in a photo but she has the

most amazingly silky black coat.

I felt so sorry for her in the heat

when we were there at Christmas.

She has adapted well to living in a foreign land

however, I've heard a rumour she might be coming

back to her real home one day in the future!

Another beautiful cafe at a crossroads in France

bathed in glorious sunshine!

What could be nicer than enjoying a cup of tea/coffee

surrounded by roses!

Evening Primrose.

I'm joining Karen for Sunlit Sunday
Bernideen for BTTCG
Judith for Mosaic Monday
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration.

Thank you ladies for hosting your fun parties!

I'm sorry this is a very hurried post
before I leave for work!

Do you remember I told you on Friday
that we were having friends for dinner on Saturday.

Yesterday I was too exhausted to
even spend time on my computer!
I languished between bed and couch
and nibbled little left overs from Saturdays dinner!

Thank you for your visits

Take care

and be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Pretty Blue China

I have always had a penchant for blue and white china.
Much of my collection has been handed down to me
by my mother.
Not these pieces though.

I bought this pretty set of blue Mason plates
 at an antique shop in Auckland
for my daughter's birthday!

I very carefully wrapped them in yards of bubble wrap
and carried them with me in my hand luggage
on one of my trips to France.

You're probably wondering why didn't I look for
a set of lovely french china plates in France.
Well I fell in love with these and just had to have them!

I'm joining Sally for Blue Monday
Bernideen for BTTCG Blog Party
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration

Thank you all for your visits

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt


Shane

Lake Taupo, playground of New Zealand

In the middle of the North Island of New Zealand is
Lake Taupo
our largest lake of 238sq miles.
With miles of beach front it is a great holiday destination
in Summer.

These photos were taken in November
and I wrote this post back then but forgot about it!
Most photos were taken in the late afternoon
so I apologise as they are a little dark
(adds to the atmosphere - that's my story)!

Lake Taupo attracts many fly fishermen and women
both local and from overseas.
The lake is stocked with trout, both rainbow and brown.

These photos are of Huka Lodge a luxury lodge
where those looking for a special experience will stay.
It has beautiful rooms most of which look out on to
the Waikato river.
 The restaurant offers fine dining
and the current executive chef has worked in
one, two and three Michelin star restaurants! 

There have been a plethora of famous guests
but none more so than:

Image courtesy of Google

HM Queen Elizabeth; The Queen Mother.
Did you know she was a keen and
accomplished at fly fishing!

Lake Taupo is a great location for a bach
(that's what Kiwi's call a holiday home)!
It's all about life on the water, fishing and having
fun with the children/grandchildren!
What more could one want out of life?

Three majestic mountains stand guard at the
southern end of the lake.
Mount Ruapehu has two world class ski grounds.

Taupo has much to offer
as an adventure playground for the young action seekers
 and also
a special environment for young families and
older almost retirees like myself!


It's Sunday so I'm joining Karen for Sunlit Sunday
Judith for Mosaic Monday
Bernideen for BTTCG
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration.
Thank you ladies for hosting!

Thank you for visiting
reading my posts and leaving your lovely comments!

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt



Shane

A Sunny day in Noyers-sur-Surein, France

It was a beautiful mid summer's day

when we visited the charming village of

Noyers-sur-Serein.

This village is a commune of artisans

living out their dream in this beautiful

medieval village in the Chablis

wine growing region of France.

We wandered around the narrow lanes

most barely wide enough for a small car.

There were charming stone houses with

gardens spilling out on to the walkways.
Peeps of pretty gardens,
and self sown flowers lining the little lanes.

It is the sort of village one could imagine living in

and being part of their artistic way of life.

Things seem to move at a slow pace

and no one is in a hurry.

We stopped at a cafe and enjoyed a cool drink

of Orangina, so refreshing on a hot day.

Later we spread a picnic rug beside the river

and ate a delicious lunch

of ham rolls made by my granddaughters

followed by a piece of fruit,

what more could one want?

A perfect day spent with my family

in the middle of France!

A day when beautiful memories are made.

I'm joining 

Karen for Sunlit Sunday

Judith for Mosaic Monday

Bernideen for BTTCG

and

Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration.

Thank you for visiting and reading my posts

take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Roses... I Love You

My new rose Munstead Wood bred by David Austin

As I'm writing this post it is late afternoon on

St Valentine's Day.

A special day to say

I'love YOU.

It has become a day for giving someone special

in your life

a bouquet of Red Roses

or

a box of Chocolates

This is the biggest day for flower shops

and the post popular order is

a bouquet of one dozen red roses.

This was a birthday card I received last year but wouldn't it make the perfect Valentine card!

My husband wished me a
Happy Valentine's Day
this morning.
We don't go overboard on these commercialised days
sometimes he will buy me a box of chocolates
and I might make him a card
however this year
there are no choccies as we are both watching
our respective waistlines.....

With clear blue skies
I've been busy in the garden all day
so I haven't had time to make a card.
We're very low key compared to some of our friends
We feel we don't need chocolates or cards
to say "I love you",
we both know we love and appreciate each other!

I'm joining Karen for Sunlit Sunday
Judith for Mosiac Monday
Bernideen for BTTCG
and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration


Thank you all for popping in to say hello

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt


Shane