Travels in New Zealand and beyond, going back to 2003!
It’s nearing the end of winter in New Zealand, with the days getting noticeably longer and more fine days in between the cold fronts, but still, when the southerly whips up from Antarctica, we need a little hopeful reminder of spring and summer to come. This weekend, whilst away in our holiday home in Martinborough,…
The colour of summer is blooming in the coastal sand dunes around New Zealand. This hardy, introduced Ice Plant, the Hottentot Fig, blooms along the coastline in startling beauty. Its colour stands defiantly bright, on even the wildest spring days in Wellington; scattered along walkways and through coastal dunes, as the wind bustles on through….
She’s got pedal power and she’s not afraid to use it! She’s done her practice ‘miles’, with cycling around the house and down the lane. This week Miss 4 decided she had what was needed to make it from the house to the village, and back, on her wheels (with a stop for a bite…
Had a beautiful week with my daughters and escaping out for runs. The clocks have swung into spring time in the northern hemisphere and having an extra hour of daylight in the evening makes a huge difference to our available ‘play time’. Sharing here a few loves from my week… ⤠Hanging out in the…
Yellow, in the garden, drawing butterflies in – Yellow, in the setting sun, drawing my eyes to the horizon – Yellow, reflecting off the water, as I finish my evening run – And yellow, of my youngest daughter’s pirate hat, blowing bubbles on a boat with her friend – Linking up with –
Love the girl that wants to give her Mamma flowers, whenever she sees an opportunity to pick them… though in many a situation I have to urge her not to pick them! Love Autumn here in Santa Barbara (though it’s the warmest, sunniest one I have ever experienced in my lifetime!). The days are definitely…
A visitor to my garden on Monday marked the start of a new school year and the end of the summer holidays. I have a special affection for Monarch butterflies. To me they are spiritual guardians, carrying messages from loved ones. After Charlotte set off happily to school on Monday the butterfly soared into the…
♥ LOVING the feel of summer, with reflections of sunshine, blue sky and time on the beach with my youngest daughter. This makes the sleep deprivation worth it! ♥ LOVING a visit to the rose gardens at Wellington’s Botanic Garden after school to smell the scent of summer, feed the ducks and have our fingers…
This week’s theme is ‘Flowers’. It’s summer in New Zealand, so we are surrounded by beautiful blooms, but if you’re tucked up in the Northern Hemisphere please feel free to indulge and take your mind on a trip to warmer seasons. I have included some links to flower themed poems by famous poets. I read…
This week we came across these wonderful cardboard flowers from the Warehouse Stationery. They are so handy to have for impromptu play-dates. The girls have really enjoyed decorating them with a variety of materials. For these flowers Charlotte used wool (left) and glitter glue (right): The beautiful flowers below were decorated using old magazines (left)…
How old were you when you received your first bouquet of flowers? Well, our dear Charli, walked out of her classroom on Friday, at the tender age of 5, with a big beamer on her face, carrying a beautiful bouquet of flowers… Her friend (who is a boy) had organized (with a little help from…
Just a quick post of some sunny cheer before we finally head off. It really was magnificent today and with the clocks having sprung forward we really are embracing the lighter evenings and warmer days. We joined the celebrations of the Spring Festival at the Botanical Gardens today. Poor ‘ole Charli still isn’t A1 and…