New Zealand
Here in New Zealand as I write it's 31 August, around 8.20pm - so for us this is the last day of winter and tomorrow 01 September, is our first 'official' day of spring. Fortunately it's been an outstandingly fine day in Tapanui. Earlier today I glanced out the laundry window and saw a bright... Continue Reading →
Officially spring in New Zealand starts Sept 01 so we're nearly there and there's plenty of evidence that spring is on its way. When we drive through rural areas there are little lambs everywhere! On Tues 27 Aug we had a walk in Queens Park in Invercargill and the gardens are starting to brighten up... Continue Reading →
"At the end of winter, its naked branches bear silver white pompoms that open up in spring to reveal golden stamen bouquets." -- Laure Hamann -- Quoted text is from an interesting article I read - "Salix Caprea ‘Kilmarnock’, a miniature weeping willow". According to the above article, the trunk of this willow cannot grow... Continue Reading →
It's a little world of fantasy in 'The Stumpery' - Queens Park, Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand. "Invercargill artist Frank Wells has created this upside down world from stumps and logs damaged by storms, roots from peat bogs on the Awarua Plains (donated by several families), recycled railway sleepers and hardwood poles, and timber from reserves... Continue Reading →
Painted rocks at the entrance to The Stumpery in Queens Park, Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand. Found and photographed by Nigel, 27 August 2019.
Lovely day today in Tapanui. Around 5pm I took a walk up the street to see if anything might catch my eye in the late afternoon sunshine. Here's what I found. Tapanui, West Otago, New Zealand. Taken 28 Aug 2019 (late winter/early spring). This variegated holly brightened up cold grey winter days - near and... Continue Reading →
Yesterday in Queens Park, Invercargill we walked to 'The Stumpery' along a path from the main gardens and found these beautiful variegated cabbage trees lighting up the late winter landscape. Cabbage trees are native to NZ with the usual form having green leaves. These are probably Cordyline australis 'Albertii', a stunning variegated form with a... Continue Reading →
Native manuka flowers in Queens Park, Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand. Leptospermum scoparium 'Jubilee'. Taken by Nigel, 27 Aug 2019.
Cashmere fibre for cashmere clothing. A field day was held on-farm at Clinton on Saturday 24 August and we decided to go. We'd been in Roxburgh overnight so drove home and only had 15mins before it was time to drive to Clinton. The goats are an integral part of a 400ha beef and sheep farm.... Continue Reading →
Street trees ablaze with immense profusion of red crabapples, their fiery effect stunning in the bare winter landscape of Alexandra, Central Otago. Taken late in the day with the sun about to disappear, 08 Aug 2019. New Zealand. Earlier today, Jane Dougherty pondered weighty questions in her poem Questions, few answers. I invite you to... Continue Reading →
Lovely winter view this morning at 9.39am in Roxburgh, Central Otago, New Zealand. Taken by Liz 24 Aug 2019.
The clouds seem to extend the reach of the tree branches, and I like the long shadows. Red crabapples provide bright colour on this winter day. Alexandra, Central Otago, New Zealand. Taken 08 Aug by Liz.
Exploring Colour 