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

A French Tea Boutique

Café Thé et Delices - Nemours, France.

Last year I posted about this charming old village

here

we enjoyed our day meandering about

visiting the ancient castle and

I thought you might enjoy seeing

 the gorgeous tea boutique.

I'm joining these parties

Karen for Sunlit Sunday

Sally for Blue Monday

Judith for Mosaic Monday

Bernideen for BTTCG

and

Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration

Thank you ladies for hosting!

My Spode Camille Tea Cups you can read more here!

Thank you all for visiting

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Lawdy Miss Clawdy - it's hot over here.....

I'm staying inside today trying to keep cool

in this very hot humid weather.

Much as I need to have a tidy up in the garden,

because of the high temps in Summer

it's now become an early morning job!

The roses and perennials need dead-heading

in fact the whole garden needs a good weeding throughout

so I intend getting up with the birds tomorrow

to get a few hours work done.

I've photographed flowers from my garden

both dried and fresh.

For my friends in the Northern Hemisphere

I know you are looking forward to the arrival of

Spring

take heart because it's only a matter of time before

our seasons will be reversed and in the words of

Percy Bysshe Shelley

"O wind, if Winter comes

can Spring be far behind".

I'm joining Karen for Sunlit Sunday

and

Judith for Mosaic Monday

and
Bernideen for Tea Time, Cottage and Garden

and
Stephanie for Roses of Inspiration

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane