Monday, June 3, 2013

June already!


The lady Pukeko looked prim and proper in her pearls

Here are just a few things I snapped on the way home, from our night away.

I take my camera most places and my husband is  happy to stop the car so I can  take some photos of interest, along the way. Thought you might like to see some little rural New Zealand towns.

We passed through Tirau, a vibrant little quirky town and love the corrugated iron works that were on most of the shops and cafes.

 This little town is called Cambridge with a magnificent old white church - as you can see it was a grey old day driving down and rained most of the way, so taking photos was a little hard.
These two towns are predominantly there for dairy farming with a few charming cafes, boutique gift shops, galleries and antique shops for browsing.




The Autumn leaves were really pretty and just starting to change colour.

The first of June is officially the start of winter here in New Zealand.
Winter hasn't really arrived and on Sunday was a glorious day  so we were able to eat our breakfast and lunch at the outdoor table.
Painting yesterday, I was still able to wear shorts and tee shirt, so I am enjoying the good weather while it is here.

 Today is Queens Birthday weekend and Monday is a holiday - always great to have an extra day off, so will soon get back to the painting.
We are so close to finishing the lounge and will be very pleased to have everything back, to how it should be.

 I hope that you all had a happy and relaxing weekend and now wish you a wonderful week ahead.
Also want to say a big thank you for the birthday wishes you sent to our daughter.
hugs
Carolyn



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40 comments:

  1. LeslieJune 3, 2013 at 2:12 PM

    So fun Carolyn .. and I like the way you have all these little excursions! keeps things fresh and fun. Thanks for sharing .. always enjoy stopping by!

    xxleslie

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  2. DianneJune 3, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    Pretty little villages and how nice they had the added comfort of a coffee shop ... lovely to see that brush of autumn lingering in your corner of the world.
    I love your little French toppers in your previous post Carolyn ... how come I missed it?? time just flies by. xx

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  3. Castles Crowns and CottagesJune 3, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    It is SO stunning to me how we have different experiences with JUNE; we here are now feeling the promise of summer, and you, the promise of winter. How beautiful New Zealand is for I have seen photos of various parts of your country Carolyn, and am SO intrigued! I am so happy you had such a lovely getaway experience! Be well sweet friend, Anita

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  4. Linda PJune 3, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    First of all a belated birthday greeting to your daughter - it must have been nice to have some time together that week. Thanks for taking us through those two pretty towns when you went away. Autumn has certainly arrived for you
    although I do love that season myself. Hope you're having a good long weekend with some fun as well as painting! x

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  5. GeliJune 3, 2013 at 6:02 PM

    Dear Carolyn!
    You live on a beautiful place on earth ...
    I wish you a happy week and a lot of autumn sun!
    With love,
    Geli

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  6. UnknownJune 3, 2013 at 6:52 PM

    Cara amica...è sempre un piacere passare a trovarti, i tuoi post ci fanno girare il mondo con te!!! Bacio e buonissima settimana. HUGS dearesrt!! ;) NI

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  7. millefeuillesJune 3, 2013 at 7:04 PM

    Dear Carolyn,

    Looking at your photographs makes me want to jump on a plane heading to New Zealand and come visit. Your country's beauty is unknown to be yet. One day, I hope!

    Stephanie

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  8. MoniqueJune 3, 2013 at 7:13 PM

    Hi dear Carolyn!
    The autumn in my favorite season!
    Here, even if it is almost summer, it is colder than usually...
    Have a nice new week
    Monique

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  9. cuckiJune 3, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    Beautiful villages..winter stared here too :) lovely time of the year..
    Love and hugs x

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  10. Rustic Vintage CountryJune 3, 2013 at 8:26 PM

    I love the look of that little church! Lovely trip out! x

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  11. ClaudiaJune 3, 2013 at 8:28 PM

    Dear Carolyn,
    lovely pictures from New Zealand!
    Hope you had a wonderful weekend and enjoy the holiday you have :O)
    Love and hugs
    Claudia
    Will write more soon!!! ;O)

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  12. It's meJune 3, 2013 at 11:03 PM

    Happy new week darling....it is almost autumn i see the colors of the threes !!...love from me...xxx...

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  13. Couture CarrieJune 3, 2013 at 11:21 PM

    Fun pics, darling!
    Thanks for sharing!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  14. JeanneJune 4, 2013 at 12:06 AM

    Big hugs and much love to you and yours. I love your photographs and all you share. Thanks for your visits and kind words.
    Love you

    Jeanne

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  15. AnonymousJune 4, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    Lovely pictures, I think that New Zealand has to be very beautiful, especially nature.
    Nice is like to see Italy now ... rain and cold also if we are near the end of the spring and summer has to start.
    Have a great week.
    Bisou, Babi

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  16. Angelsdoor * PennyJune 4, 2013 at 2:27 AM

    Dear Carolyn,
    Thank you for taking me along with you.. What a treat! Love the church, and the poppies on top of that building..
    Enjoy your time off.
    blessings,
    Penny

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  17. ETT RÖTT MONOGRAMJune 4, 2013 at 4:25 AM

    That was nice pictures from your trip,
    i like the church. And when the leaves turn
    yellow in New Zealand, they get green here.
    Hugs
    AnnaMaria

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  18. Shane PollardJune 4, 2013 at 8:09 AM

    Brrr Winter is here today Carolyn!!!!
    Lovely photos of your trip south and I love stopping at Tirau and Cambridge for a wander too.
    My husband is not quite so keen and always wants to get THERE.
    I tell him it's not just about the destination but the JOURNEY along the way - he doesn't get it even after 40 odd years!!
    I've got our embroidery group here today and I must remember to take some photos - I've been forgetting lately!
    Have a lovely week and I hope you get that painting finished v soon!
    Hugs
    Shane ♥

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  19. Celestina MarieJune 4, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    Hi Carolyn,
    Wonderful pics from your night away. Love the little white church. Wishing you a wonderful start to the winter season as I sit by the pool.
    Big hugs my friend.
    Celestina Marie

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  20. ~Lavender Dreamer~June 4, 2013 at 9:07 AM

    I love seeing what it looks like in the small towns. The church looks a lot like one we see here...lovely! It's nice to have time to stop and take a few photos to share. Happy Fall to you!

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  21. Red Rose AlleyJune 4, 2013 at 3:55 PM

    Carolyn,
    Lovely pictures of Cambridge. I love the little white church. You know, my husband is always telling me that he would love to visit New Zealand. He has heard many wonderful things about it. I laughed when you said your husband stops for you to take pictures, as my husband does the same thing. I guess they know how important it is to us hehehe.

    It's wonderful that winter has just arrived where you live.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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  22. LilliJune 4, 2013 at 10:05 PM

    Hi Carolyn! Your country must be so amazing, is onto my wishlist to visit it some day soon! The little towns look very nice as well as the pics! Have a great week ahead you too and enjoy your day off!:) Kisses! xo

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  23. orchid0324June 5, 2013 at 1:10 AM

    Dearest Carolyn,
    Lovely pictures (I especially love the second picture) and I truly enjoyed the trip with you♡♡♡ Made me feel to visit your country again.
    How sweet of your husband that he stops when you wish to take pictures♬♬♬　My husband does have patience to do the same p;)
    Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  24. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderJune 5, 2013 at 5:34 AM

    Dearest Carolyn,
    Some great photos from rural New Zealand; loved that beautiful Church building!
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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  25. DortheJune 5, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    So beautiful and cosy photoes from your tour, I love the white church- so lovely looking.
    About the painting I hope for you, it is soon finished ,so you can enjoy the new redecorated lounge, and your life :-) ( I only love painting in my studio,lol)
    Wish you a happy rest of the week, dear Carolyn.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  26. Down by the seaJune 5, 2013 at 7:42 AM

    It was lovely to see some these images of your rural villages. The church is amazing. Thank you for your address I have been so busy but will get it in the post by the weekend. Hope you had a good long weekend and get your painting finished!
    Sarah x

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  27. Annie CholewaJune 5, 2013 at 12:33 PM

    Those trees are such a blaze of colour. I know a family here who during our winter head to warmer climes for four months, me I think I'd chase autumn and winter around the planet, they're my favourite seasons :D

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  28. Michelle May-The Raspberry RabbitsJune 5, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    What a fun tour. Your photos are beautiful. A few more weeks til summer is upon us. It's still not as warm as it usually is for this time of year. The weather is just crazy!

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  29. The white cabbageJune 5, 2013 at 4:45 PM

    ciao Carolyn,

    thanks for sharing your photos , I enjoy to see the rural village , and for me is a little strange to think you are getting into Winter , but still I'm sure you are enjoying the rain the water for you home .
    I'm quite busy ...I'm still working and one of my daughter is going to marry .She is living abroad ,so far I've gained the degree of "wedding planner "

    ave

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  30. BarbaraJune 6, 2013 at 12:07 AM

    Thanks for taking us along on the tour, Carolyn. So often I see really fun things along the side of the road and wish I had taken a photo. People are so inventive!
    It's rainy here this week and I hope that's not an indication of our summer weather.
    Enjoy the rest of your week!

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  31. marykapsiJune 6, 2013 at 2:03 AM

    Great photos, my dream is to visit NZ and Australia
    MaryFashionLove
    Rings and Tings Giveaway

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  32. TammyJune 6, 2013 at 6:13 AM

    Charming little towns indeed. Hope the painting is coming along nicely. So hard for me to believe it is June already. I only have one week of school left and yet we are having a 3-day weekend;plus,school was closed on Sunday because of high school graduation. Just doesn't make sense at all. So strange that you are entering the winter months while our temperatures have reached to 50 C already. Hope you are having a good week and still enjoying mild winter weather. Best wishes, Tammy

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  33. koraleeJune 6, 2013 at 12:16 PM

    Loving your images...one of my favourite things to do is wander around the streets of small towns...you never know what you will find. Perfect for the Fall..with the leaves falling..oh now I really can't wait for that time of year! hugs.

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  34. Happy-SonneJune 6, 2013 at 3:11 PM

    Dear Carolyn
    What a lovely tour. Thank you for the nice pictures.
    I wish you a happy rest of the week and send you a lot of greetings. Love and hugs Yvonne

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  35. GiancarloJune 7, 2013 at 11:47 PM

    Un felice fine settimana a Te...ciao

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  36. TomokoJune 8, 2013 at 12:09 AM

    Hi,Carolyn
    I really see that we have opposite seasons. I enjoy your autumn leaves and your charming town.Your husband is always kind and considerate person! You are a happy woman.

    Enjoy your weekend.
    Tomoko

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  37. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderJune 8, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    Dearest Carolyn,
    Hope yesterday was also a pleasant Birthday for your dear husband!
    Hugs and happy weekend.
    Mariette

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    Replies
    1. Draffin BearsJune 8, 2013 at 9:06 AM

      Thank you all for your lovely visits and lovely of you to remember my husbands birthday. We did have a pleasant day.

      hugs
      Carolyn

      Delete
  38. DeannaJune 9, 2013 at 10:18 AM

    Carolyn,
    Soon it will be Hot Chocolate weather for you and we will be sippin' lemonade on the porch wishing we could cool off. Our Spring has been cooler than usual and wet. Too cold to swim.

    We hung a small shelf up today in our guest room and I put some small teddy bears on it. Thought about your sweet teddy bears. One of these days I hope I can muster up the nerve to sew a large bear.

    Have a sweet day,
    d

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  39. UnknownJune 13, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    i hope it was a good day for you :D

    fashion blog miriam stella

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx

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