News

It rained so heavily in the night that no-one wants to go anywhere, including us. The weekend papers are not all doom and gloom for once. The llamas are sheltering under the totara after a little snack of leftover celery which some of them seem to enjoy more than...

An enormous huhu beetle was sitting by the hot tub. The adults don’t eat for two weeks, they just lay eggs and then they die. Not much of a life. The cats are disdainful about insects and haven’t been interested in butterflies since they were kittens. Negotiating the...

One of our favourite beaches is along Nook Road. There is very rarely anyone there so the dogs can have a good run. Clary learned to swim when she went through the creek after a ball. I had a lovely swim in the warm shallow water. Happy feijoa There was heaps of fine...

Honeysuckle has to go. It smells divine but it is a complete menace in the bush and needs to be controlled before it spreads. Paper wasps are another problem. We found two more nests. Fortunately the kitchen blow torch works well. Certainly not as delicious as creme...

Lovely llamas really like their breakfast treats and they prefer eating off the table. After a snack and a browse they like a little lie down on the deck. Lily resting The cats have found a new scratching patch, much better than the back of the sofa. Taking...

Lovage has discovered a perfect perch in the totara tree, it is clearly a comfy little place where he has safe place out of reach of llamas (who can be a bit pushy with the cats) and out of the way of rough and tumble dogs. Time for a rest It is definitely feeling...

Although I am missing being able to pick flowers from the garden it’s amazing what I can find on a beach walk and beside the road. The worms are doing such a great job I should have flowers to pick soon and there have been a few roses already. Super fertile worm...

The absolutely best time for a dip on the hot tub is first thing in the morning when the llamas are visiting. Sunny is always up for a cuddle Sorrel loves to lie around in the sun. She finds the best poses. When I was taking her photo I spotted a paper wasp making a...

Yesterday I went on a bus trip with the Parua Bay Garden Club. I came home so exhausted there was no way I was going to write anything. We visited amazing gardens and it was refreshing to be with a group of keen knowledgeable plants people. Then I got home and looked...