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

Coromandel Sojourn, sun, surf and bird life.

On Thursday we travelled south east to Tairua a small coastal village
on the Coromandel Peninsula for a few days relaxation 
staying with friends at their iconic Kiwi bach (you can google bach)!

Tairua sits on an isthmus with
a tidal estuary on one side
and a typical east coast ocean beach on the other.
A favourite for the young surfies.

Each evening we enjoyed drinks and nibbles on the deck
overlooking the estuary.
It's ever changing movement from the rise and fall of the tide
made for great photo opportunities for Moi!

The Estuary

This time we had a special visitor join us each evening.
A poor little seagull with a broken leg whom our friends have befriended.
In the first photo you may be able to see how her right leg is hanging loose.
She has come to trust Don and he saves
fresh morsels of scallops and fish for her each day!
I nicknamed her Gammy.

The Ocean Beach

The New Zealand Dotterels (Plover family) make their nests in the sand dunes

on our northern beaches.
They are well camouflaged and blend into their surroundings
but still vulnerable to dogs if they are not on a leash.

Being a bird lover I feel dogs should be banned from these beaches
during the breeding season.

I'm joining Maggie for Mosaic Monday
and Eileen for Saturday Critters
and Jeanne for Blue Monday

However I'm so sorry to see because of the internet issues in her area
Jeanne feels unable to continue hosting Blue Monday.
I'm hopeful and keeping my fingers crossed that someone will take up the baton!

Thank you ladies for hosting!

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Visiting Gardens with my dear friend...

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

Mosaic Monday

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane