Bluebell

Who would have thought a little puppy could bring so much joy!
Since Bluebell has joined our family she is such a lot of fun to have around, even if it did mean lifting up all the rugs on the floor, just in case and taking up all your time in a day.
Had her last vaccination, micro-chipped, and medical check up on Friday and she seems to be very well and healthy. We took her to a puppy socialising class and there was only one other dog, a little Parson Terrier Rosie, so the two puppies had a great time running and playing with each other.

Also we visited a friend Anne and her West Highland Terriers, Jock and Lassie for a playdate.
They are both 8 years old and mature and sensible, so put Bluebell in her place.

 Out for our walk around the Esplanade this morning was lovely in the sunshine.
Seeing the sea for the first time  was captivating for her and she wanted to stand and stare.
There had been rain the night before and there were some dirty, muddy puddles and guess who walked through them? So a bath was needed to get her coat clean and silky again.

Lastly this photo was so cute, my husband was making a pork terrine and the great temptation of the smell was all too much for Bluebell. I think she was really hoping some of the meat would fall on the floor for her. She did however get a small piece once it was cooked.

Now to go and wash the deck door windows, forgot how a little puppy wants to make them all smeary and dirty.

Do hope you are enjoying the weekend
hugs
Carolyn

Sailing on the ocean blue

Nothing like spending a day out on the water and enjoying time with friends.

It was an opportunity of saying goodbye to summer and welcoming Autumn days.
Kawe is a wonderful vintage style wooden boat, made from teak and owned by some friends of ours.

It is like a comfortable lounge as you sail along and watch the world go by and the stern area converts into a double bed.

My favourite time was escaping to a quiet little bay, where we dropped anchor and away from the hustle and bustle of the world, we enjoyed a picnic lunch and glass of champagne.

With all good things that must come to an end, we headed back to shore and home again. 

Wishing you a happy week
hugs
Carolyn

Out and about on Waiheke

Hi Dear friends,

Hope you have had a lovely week and now it is the weekend again!
Today just a few random things I snapped photos of around our little Island

The first is this lovely sculpture of the sweet fantail ( the Maori name is Piwakawaka)
We can often see these beautiful little birds flitting around in the bush near our deck - I love watching them as they always seems so happy.

Next is an ambitious wooden architectural sculpture, that was built with the help of a group of Unitec students.
Named the ' Gateway,' this 16 metre long structure resembles a meeting house. The skeletal show stopper is built from more than 250 planks of wood. I like how the view of Rangitoto Island is framed as you look out. With the shimmering sea and the beautiful light it looked amazing and life seemed so very tranquil

Summer in New Zealand seems to come later and later each year and when it does we have had a few sweltering days.

Last Tuesday though we had a whole months rainfall in one day which proved to be a problem for many people, with flooding, and landslips.

Do hope you have a lovely weekend
hugs
Carolyn

Out and about in the village

 First of all, thank you for all the kind Anniversary wishes, I feel so very lucky to have such lovely friends who dropped me a note, in your busy lives.

I had to run some errands yesterday so took my camera with me to take some photos of a few things to show you. 
Over summer the village becomes an art exhibition when local sculptors showcase their artwork in the public spaces. It is always fun to see what they do.

The lovely lady was made of the branches pruned from the grapevines,  from one of the local vineyards.

Selfie taking penguin family - cute

Time for a cuppa at the Mad Hatters Tea Party - this is on the roof of the local Four Square Supermarket

The summer weather has finally arrived and I had my first swim for the season in the sea. Even though the water was a little cold getting in, once you started swimming around soon warmed up.
 Looking out over the peaceful waters of Oneroa Bay ~ nothing like spending some time at the seaside

Also had to go to the dentist on Tuesday, to have a crown - and afterwards went to a little cafe for a coffee and with having an injection, my mouth was all numb on one side and made it so hard to sip the hot drink.
Felt like a small kid and was dribbling and was glad when the injection wore off. That is a little from my week and now I will go and spend some time pulling out a few weeds and make the most of the sunny day

Hope you are having a wonderful week
hugs
Carolyn

New Year, new start

Hope your year is off to a great start dear friends.
I love the start of a new year and the thrill of having a blank page and writing down thoughts and dreams in a journal or like painting a picture on a fresh blank canvas.
We can look to the next twelve months with excitement and dream of what we want to do and achieve.
After taking down Christmas and storing it away until next year, it always feels good to have the house clean and tidy.

We were out driving when we had to stop and take  some pictures of these sunflowers, that I would like to share with you. Such bright and cheery flowers and make me smile

Out on a walk the Tui was drinking nectar from the flax flowers

Lastly the Pohutakawa tree blooming a few weeks back, with bright crimson flowers. 

These trees are often found around the coast and the flowers appear in late December. This tree is often referred to as the New Zealand Christmas tree.

' Let new adventures begin',  
the message read on the wooden seat, overlooking Hekerua Bay on our walk the other day. Waiheke Island has some beautiful walks with spectacular views and we are so lucky to be able to ramble around and take in all the beauty of nature.

Wishing you a wonderful week
hugs
Carolyn

A few photos from here

I hope your holidays have been lovely and a little break away from the normal routine, has been relaxing.
Now that Christmas has all been put away for another year, it is a good feeling to have the house clean again. I must admit though, I feel a little sad having to pack all the Christmas decorations back in the boxes.

Here are a few little things that made me smile over the past week

The big fat Kereru {wood pigeon} was happy to sit on the railings of the deck and enjoy the early morning with us. When we had cats the birds would not come anywhere near the house, but now often we have tuis drinking out of the guttering and fantails flitting happily about. There have even been a family of Kaka, a large Native parrot living down in the bush and often at dusk you can see and hear them flying about making a loud screeching noise.

Prada is coming to Waiheke! I think not! ... found that it was a hoax by someone celebrating over the New Year. The story goes that over maybe a few too many glasses of Veuve Clicquot, someone thought it a good idea to have a signwriter make a sign for the window.
The building called Crockers store, used to be a pet store and one day we took the children out when they were small to have a look at the animals. My DH saw a little rat in the cage and put his finger to pat it - the little chap took a nip at his finger with razor sharp teeth and was very painful.

The blue of the sky and sea, was beautiful on our drive out to Onetangi

Lastly this sweet dog sitting in the car and peering out the window, made me smile when I was walking down busy Queen Street
 I hope 2016 is off to a wonderful start.
May it bring much joy and peace your way
hugs
Carolyn

This week on Waiheke Island

Where did the week go?
Fresh flowers are always a lovely start to the weekend

Days and nights have been stormy here on the Island, so much so, that driving by the bus stop on Monday morning ... it was no match for the strong wind and it ended up on its side.

There is something really beautiful about the beach on a stormy and overcast winters day.
Here are a few snaps from our little Island.

The waves were pounding into Oneroa bay and after the storm there are often shells and debris that gets washed up on the beach

Have shared the boatshed before, always love this and it has been made with recycled materials

The sky over Enclosure bay looked pretty in the early morning light

It's the weekend which I couldn't be happier about.
Enjoy your weekend
hugs
Carolyn

Summer 'show and shine cars'

A few weeks ago we went to a fundraiser, for the Waiheke Volunteer Coastguards, to  look at some gorgeous old vintage and classic cars.
On a brilliant sunshiny day, the cars really did look wonderful  the chrome was gleaming and cheerful pops of polished colour everywhere.  After looking at all the  wonderful old cars, these were some of my favourites.
How I wish they still made some of these beauties, the shapes and colours were really outstanding.

Alongside this car, our friend Nicole matched this car perfectly,... both looked stunning, in purple.

How would you like to drive down the road in this Chevrolet or which one do you like best?

Let's imagine we are driving along the road in 'Anabel', and we can stop for a picnic by the seaside .... we will throw down a blanket, place the picnic hamper down and enjoy a picnic lunch with lots of delightful food.  Sounds like a fun day!

Thank you so much for stopping by
Wishing you all a very happy weekend
hugs
Carolyn

Summer holidays

Palm beach ~ you can still see the red flowers of the Pohutakawa tree in the foreground.

Summer in New Zealand is here and that means swimming at the beach, the sound of happy children, the deafening noise from the cicadas, sizzling barbecues, salads and long lazy days.
Chores are put off until another day.

Onetangi beach, which I think is one of my favourite beaches on the Island and where we mostly come to swim.

"Then followed that beautiful season ...Summer. Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I took my camera when we went to the beach, as there is a Summer photo competition, that I would like to enter.
Waiheke Island is a popular tourist destination for holiday makers to come to at this time of the year.
I hope that the first week of the year, is going well for you and you are having fun, if it be in the sun or snow.

Enjoy this season with its many happy reasons to celebrate!
Hugs
Carolyn