The long languid days of Summer.....

Hello dear blogging friends

have you wondered where I've been?

We have had the most amazing Summer

down under - like the ones we all

remember from our childhood.

When every day is more perfect than the one before!

When not working, my days have been spent

out and about, walking along the beach

to catch the sea breeze

or in the park beneath the huge old trees

trying to keep cool!

For me the languid hot days are not conducive

 to sitting at my computer writing!

I have been reading your posts and

I'm pretty much up to date with what you

are all doing!

I see my dear Northern Hemisphere friends

have been dealing with snow, snow and more snow.

Seeing your photos of shovelling 

mounds of snow to create a pathway

made me feel exhausted!!!

My garden has suffered from the drought

this Summer.

I have been reluctant to water more than

once a week, in my effort to conserve water.

My five new David Austen roses are all

looking rather sad......

However we had a good downpour yesterday

so they will bounce back and fingers crossed

I will have flowers again!

These photos were taken on a visit to the

Auckland Botanical Gardens

which covers 64 hectares of gardens and forest.

~

The day we visited it was full of family groups

and it was wonderful to see the children

running and playing as I'm sure many of them

live in smaller houses and apartments now

with small gardens.

The price of property in Auckland now is prohibitive

for young families, I really feel sorry for the ones

buying their first home.

Is it the same where you live?

.....until next time.

I look forward to reading your comments and

catching up with what you are up to!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane xx

Sandspit Fences

Last weekend we drove north to Sandspit

to see the new marina development.
It was a gorgeous mild Autumn day
I packed a picnic lunch which we enjoyed
after a little walk along the spit.

Marina arms A and B are complete and the

pontoons are currently being manufactured

and floated for C, D and E arms.

Also at Sandspit is a ferry service to Kawau Island

in the Hauraki Gulf.

Kawau is 45km north of Auckland

and is a favourite destination for yachties and boaties

at weekends over the summer months.

I'm joining Tex for Good Fences

Thank you for your visits and comments

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you Tex for hosting!

Moments in my Week

Little Jimmys is a new cafe

in Greenwoods Corner near where I live.

The Embroidery Group girls took me

there for my birthday lunch

and the food was great.

Can you see the water bowls on the pavement?

Dogs are welcome at cafes here 

so long as you sit at an outside table.

My usual Cafe Latte

and the yellow rose was attached 

to my present from Mary.

This is usually a white hydrangea

I love the pink hues it takes on

as we come into Autumn.

Could we be in Italy?

I wish!

It is a conifer lined driveway

in Epsom near where I live!

It's fun to dream - don't you agree?

A gift from my dearest friend

we've known each other since we were 10yrs

that's 60+ years.

Have any of you read it?

I can't put it down.

It's so beautifully written,

I won't tell you any more about it - I don't want to spoil it.

It is a "must read".

I'm joining Amy for Five on Friday
Nancy for Random 5 Friday
Tanya for Willy Nilly Friday
and
Cath for Fun Friday Favourites

thank you ladies for hosting
it's a fun way to finish up the week.

Thank you for your visits

Take care and

be kind to one another.

à bientôt

Shane

Cornwall Park farm walk

One of my favourite places to walk in my area is

Cornwall Park.

It is a working farm with a herd of

Swiss Simmental cows.

They are in general a docile breed

apart from the mothers who are

very protective of their new born calves.

Many people walk or run in the park

with their dogs, which should be to be on a leash.

The cows are not happy when unleashed dogs

approach them in their paddocks and are

quick to display their feelings.....

The dogs learn very quickly to stay

on the right side of the fence!

I'm joining Tex for Good Fences

and

Eileen for Saturdays Critters

Thank you both for hosting.

I've read some lovely comments from you

over the last couple of days on my tribute post

for Smiling Sally of Blue Monday

Thank you my dear friends. 

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Gathering the Moments - August 2014

August was a very busy month working....

but a quiet one in other ways

with some enjoyable weekend moments to remember.
We had some of our coldest winter days
so there were many weekend days
staying at home and keeping warm
and enjoying hot soups and hearty casseroles!

A special photo arrived from my family in France

lighting candles for us in Church.

We enjoyed several meals with friends
to watch the All Black vs The Wallabies
Bledisloe Cup rugby games.
Yea!!! The New Zealand All Blacks have retained the cup
for the 12th year in a row! 
We're so proud of our team!

For a long time now I've been interested in 
patchwork and quilting.
This month I had my first class
with Robyn the owner of Patchwork Passion.
Now I'm hooked on English Paper Piecing! 

I'm joining Cheryl of Thinking about Home for

Gathering the Moments

Thank you Cheryl for hosting

I always look forward to seeing what you

and others have been up to during the month.
I'm sorry I'm arriving late to your party.

Thank you to my dear friends who visit

I'm trying to visit you over the week.

Take care and

be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt

Shane x

New Lambs and Daffodils

On my walk in Cornwall Park on Saturday

there were new lambs everywhere!

They look so very cute keeping very close to their mums.

Spring is just around the corner...

I can't wait for the warmer weather

and longer days.

I'm joining TexWisGirl for

Good Fences on Thursday

Please pop over to see other interesting fences!

Thank you everyone for your comments

they're what make my heart sing!

Take care and

be kind to one another.

Merci à bientôt

Shane

Meeting friends while out walking.

It's Saturday and as usual I went for a quick
walk in Cornwall Park.
The weather was crisp, yet fine and
we even caught a glimpse of the sun for
about five minutes!

It seemed like everyone had the same idea.
I met up with these two characters
we stopped for a chat
and then we went our separate ways!
You've got to agree they're cute!

I'm joining Eileen for Saturday Critters
please pop over and check out
everyone's delightful posts!

Thank you all for your comments

Take care and
be kind to one another

Merci à bientôt

Shane

Gathering the Moments - July

Most of my moments during July were filled with

long days at work, however I got out and about

most weekends.

The best part about July was when
friends of mine visited my family in France!

It was wonderful to get some first hand news
on their return and see new photos...
oh how those three girls have grown.

In the centre of the above mosaic you can see
 my youngest grandie 
and on the right the butterfly wings I sent her.

...and I also popped into my fave patchwork shop and bought

a couple of fat quarters.

I'm a fabricholic - is there such a word?!

We went up north one weekend for a lovely wedding.

My husband is still beavering away restoring the boat.

There was some baking and of course a few walks.

I sometimes buy veges at a market garden nearby.

Hardly a month goes by when I don't visit
the garden centre - I'm addicted to them
and they're always good for a photo!
Lobelia and sweet Heartsease in my garden pots.

I'm joining Cheryl for her monthly meme

Gathering the Moments

why don't you join us and show us what you've

done in July!

Take care and

be kind to one another 

  Merci à bientôt

Shane x