The big dry.

The whole country is very, very dry with drought conditions in many places. Rain is desperately needed by people who farm the land and who grow plants. I am watering my vegies and plants on a daily basis and further water restrictions are on the horizon.

It is hot and it is dry.

Some refreshment would be welcome and would provide balance.

I went in search of some cooler conditions this morning and enjoyed the green of the regenerating bush area nearby.

Something has been enjoying some refreshment eating this green leaved Kawakawa plant.

And a blackbird was eating these juicy berries.

Despite the lack of rain there is still green, juiciness to be found in my backyard thank goodness.

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Another walk by the Pauatahanui Inlet

The long spell of unbroken summer weather continues on here and earlier in the week I went for a walk along the Inlet on the Camborne Walkway.

I began my walk with this view ahead of me.

The boatsheds are a colourful and eclectic group of buildings. Each has a different character which makes it a very interesting place to wander by.

And between each boatshed is a glimpse of the stunning Inlet on a stunning day.

There are creative additions on almost all the sheds.

A finial to keep away any witches that might be lurking.

Colours to surprise you and which match the heat of the day.

Nautical settings with summer flowers.

And all the time the slap, lap, slap, lap of the water beneath the sheds and around the posts.

This dachsund does not usually swim but this morning he was happy to stand, tummy deep in the warm water

As we both looked out over the view

Wordless Wednesday

Counting Keruru

Here is a link to a website for counting Keruru.

Look at this stunning photo that someone snapped!

A gaggle of geese

As I walked down the lakeside path look who is here.

One head popped up from a snooze and by the time I took the photo another eye was upon me too.

I walked very slowly and quietly towards the four geese. My proximity caused some stretching to happen.

As I drew closer there was some gossiping beginning to happen in hushed tones, not hissing tones thank goodness.

In fact the four females were neither camera shy, nor aggressive towards me. All the while there was a discussion going on between them as to my credentials and authorization status. This conferring did require a team meeting.

One even posed to show me her best side.

And I was granted the right to proceed down the path to discover a lovely young Rimu tree.

A walk around the Upper Lake

After I picked up some provisions from the local shops I went for a walk along the side of the Upper Lake in my suburb. We have two man-made lakes and the upper one is smaller, more wooded and quiet. It seemed an ideal place to walk, to reflect and to focus the camera.

A short distance down the path I came across these four geese.

On the lake were these white ducks.

As I approached the geese, two pukekos emerged from the long grass and headed to the lakeside, wary of my intrusion.

Many native trees grow along this path but there are also homes on the left-hand side and a splash of vibrant colour caught my eye in one spot.

I paused at seat near the lake edge and looked out at the water-lilies and the reflection in the water of one patch of blue sky.

We have some unusual looking trees in our bush. This Lancewood is one. It makes me think of primeval times.

My camera batteries died as I neared the steep incline at the end of the lake. That seemed a good indication that it was time to head home.

Titahi Bay today

Here is another beach that I live near. Titahi Bay is a little south of Plimmerton.

Lots of people(and dogs) were enjoying the summer conditions there today.

Filling the well

It has been a dry season.

Our summer since mid January has been near perfect – hot, dry and calm or breezy with only the occasional deluge of rain.

The outdoor conditions have been mirrored indoors here with one issue and another needing a lot of resourcefulness and resilience.

Today I needed to fill my well.

I needed to play.

And seek treasure.

I needed to see growth and development.

I needed to hear waves breaking.

To look to a wider horizon.

To do some blue sky dreaming.

To witness flow.

To soak up colour and beauty and creativitiy.

To know that “all will be well and all will be well and all will be well.”

Thursday thought from Albert Einstein

” For the rest of my life, I want to reflect on what light is.” Albert Einstein

“You put your left leg in, you put your left leg out”

Jazz loves his banana box bed currently. It was hot this particular afternoon and Jazz was maximising the “facilities” that his banana box offers. Note to observant readers – Jazz does have a healing pink patch on his left front leg…..the result of a recent abscess from a cat fight!