tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72704746947555648032024-03-13T06:06:03.914-07:00dreaming of open seasdreaming of open seas
Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-28655495678206908062022-05-09T17:15:00.002-07:002022-05-09T17:15:16.049-07:00Sunrise yesterday<p> <br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="margin-left: 120px; text-align: left;">Two photos from yesterday morning's sunrise (looking westwards!)</p><p style="margin-left: 120px; text-align: left;">I have not changed the colours at all.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguR0FUcykBmxZ1Hl5e_FzT6AZOqac9uiGpDnlph0nyrZVa_dJV5Vh3HxD3cC4awomv8NpLWJaJ6yYNsOQoxLzwDR16uChtEGVFUjSLVK2i5YsH_p_xNi53fElXbKYy0dJ9eYZ0T0UhBKD0qx-g69icXwbIIpnYkyaPrRlSLtaetVAHHSIuxTOMQXlA/s4000/pink%20sky%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2684" data-original-width="4000" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguR0FUcykBmxZ1Hl5e_FzT6AZOqac9uiGpDnlph0nyrZVa_dJV5Vh3HxD3cC4awomv8NpLWJaJ6yYNsOQoxLzwDR16uChtEGVFUjSLVK2i5YsH_p_xNi53fElXbKYy0dJ9eYZ0T0UhBKD0qx-g69icXwbIIpnYkyaPrRlSLtaetVAHHSIuxTOMQXlA/w640-h430/pink%20sky%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0a6Bw87if2TWnJKKLEb9E5wDiSfH5Wd4AEQ_pRRk1P6QW6wKyA9R3N8xVY3XFNpp65GvO-_Cf9S7KdsheBkWoVQ-ggL0V4lJda37uJmlB4JF7UfQKmzdhKER-wMO1LwQjedQeta9l_GQYaf8wUKJYLnQjl_aMwnllr1j3FW4b3f6O6WELupTEYjI/s4000/pink%20sky%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0a6Bw87if2TWnJKKLEb9E5wDiSfH5Wd4AEQ_pRRk1P6QW6wKyA9R3N8xVY3XFNpp65GvO-_Cf9S7KdsheBkWoVQ-ggL0V4lJda37uJmlB4JF7UfQKmzdhKER-wMO1LwQjedQeta9l_GQYaf8wUKJYLnQjl_aMwnllr1j3FW4b3f6O6WELupTEYjI/w640-h480/pink%20sky%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-28463887797751720632022-02-05T15:52:00.013-08:002022-02-05T15:56:29.548-08:00Early morning walk<p> </p><p> More early morning walk photos. Trying to avoid the heat of summer days!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil2gfkn9LSqoDqAwqT0gqPMpB9XTUTixtS4J0-tlC2UyTObqdbWmAJt1tyJ-Y_4krr_qlZz_Nb2WW3MqL--bSKPgF0BXN4DKt-YwTG3rmrQ5rvLBuem6PQg2yOWJLjE0_MWH3hNngjXdmRIyVEDRmLPz0UayVCsIZzCo62PvJSL3YeFD9mhhKCsxoE=s3718" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2776" data-original-width="3718" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEil2gfkn9LSqoDqAwqT0gqPMpB9XTUTixtS4J0-tlC2UyTObqdbWmAJt1tyJ-Y_4krr_qlZz_Nb2WW3MqL--bSKPgF0BXN4DKt-YwTG3rmrQ5rvLBuem6PQg2yOWJLjE0_MWH3hNngjXdmRIyVEDRmLPz0UayVCsIZzCo62PvJSL3YeFD9mhhKCsxoE=w640-h478" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRTUansiPHRLMNUO3s0AevylHI7LxQ72rJ0cYAfF45s97oH_laPkO77M2TzMQy6eVht5P1tgCeG8FjEn-ZOAUOEaUSBaDf6cm9PZ54IDrLJl91QZqvtY1qLHCFHQQTHyNF1UxSz5Kjap18OwKEE-f7buxqLgr6i3Kpid5PMlqUABmld8K-wSKGRDEo=s3830" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2885" data-original-width="3830" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRTUansiPHRLMNUO3s0AevylHI7LxQ72rJ0cYAfF45s97oH_laPkO77M2TzMQy6eVht5P1tgCeG8FjEn-ZOAUOEaUSBaDf6cm9PZ54IDrLJl91QZqvtY1qLHCFHQQTHyNF1UxSz5Kjap18OwKEE-f7buxqLgr6i3Kpid5PMlqUABmld8K-wSKGRDEo=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdCo0MdaXo4YZ4LX7WyjjxOEN6oY3Uq2RcF6G4ieDRrFpnUOauatXL67mn-XSRgGhYEN1SQprZeifiUJl2A-aSIi43EviYY_F_rNq6mn4ayKt23dVte7a47pXq5reeWuEzFKrl1zLIbBRSyJ7QJLMGeEQxDYqR_3rH2U2h65jKbu6LqAOPRVC9-tgl=s3098" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3098" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdCo0MdaXo4YZ4LX7WyjjxOEN6oY3Uq2RcF6G4ieDRrFpnUOauatXL67mn-XSRgGhYEN1SQprZeifiUJl2A-aSIi43EviYY_F_rNq6mn4ayKt23dVte7a47pXq5reeWuEzFKrl1zLIbBRSyJ7QJLMGeEQxDYqR_3rH2U2h65jKbu6LqAOPRVC9-tgl=w640-h620" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /> <br /></p><p></p>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-74825461818321737212022-01-17T13:43:00.103-08:002022-01-19T13:12:06.690-08:00Night-flowering cactus<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At this time of year, I go for my daily walk very early in the morning, usually at about 5.30 a.m., as it is far too hot later in the day. I am not going to walk anywhere when it's 32 degrees Centigrade, which is what is forecast for later today!</span></p><p style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This morning I detoured to see if the cactus I have seen on other summer mornings is still alive, and still flowering during the night... <br /></span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="margin-left: 160px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjWllmN9F8gyiqBf63-BW-O5BK9ZhcRHXhx_MzWRCq0ADCZdk9bAOwHg3X-Sk1Dgo8-U1iaV_ltHnhUG_3TcB0PD-8XHuLZ0aHbs9-KB4c2fsFWwRlE9pU2qiS5Lbva-9Tsp-Tdn4bXV3xKxp56BNhw0PWRAiHD4sS0cLf5pC9OxlZoBEde-M-1VgT=s3180" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3180" data-original-width="2444" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjWllmN9F8gyiqBf63-BW-O5BK9ZhcRHXhx_MzWRCq0ADCZdk9bAOwHg3X-Sk1Dgo8-U1iaV_ltHnhUG_3TcB0PD-8XHuLZ0aHbs9-KB4c2fsFWwRlE9pU2qiS5Lbva-9Tsp-Tdn4bXV3xKxp56BNhw0PWRAiHD4sS0cLf5pC9OxlZoBEde-M-1VgT=w492-h640" width="492" /></a></p><p><br /> </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As you can see, it is flowering beautifully. The sun is not properly up yet, and the delicate pink tips of the petals are still clearly visible...</span><br /></p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWy7WNYMVMdz9oPMu91I4Qz8RFH7jV63MKT4BRUxYywGk-QBTcP8YQaQSZ5u_R-F3dU8pS5z89no8iR8GkACEnCrSk1v6DECKN53vecyNJKIPzwVffTz4u5FRj_Vjz07aOu9Lvu1M5rSDZt6WP1XeIxlL_dsEc-w3CZnaRTVcjh8rf3E3dWSupeiQo=s1880" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="1387" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWy7WNYMVMdz9oPMu91I4Qz8RFH7jV63MKT4BRUxYywGk-QBTcP8YQaQSZ5u_R-F3dU8pS5z89no8iR8GkACEnCrSk1v6DECKN53vecyNJKIPzwVffTz4u5FRj_Vjz07aOu9Lvu1M5rSDZt6WP1XeIxlL_dsEc-w3CZnaRTVcjh8rf3E3dWSupeiQo=w472-h640" width="472" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"></p><p> <br /></p>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-79322314025939632382021-11-15T15:27:00.003-08:002021-11-15T15:43:43.304-08:00Farewell, Manu<div><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last Thursday afternoon, our lovely little Jack Russell dog was put to sleep. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He was 16 years old, and up until a few months ago, he was the gentle, well-behaved, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">happy little chap he had always been. </span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlxHfuiGW-Q/YZBrb5mIEQI/AAAAAAAAIo4/vSDDvU_L28A5aJCrAjkK3_GEhj16838FACNcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Baby%2BManu%2B04.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlxHfuiGW-Q/YZBrb5mIEQI/AAAAAAAAIo4/vSDDvU_L28A5aJCrAjkK3_GEhj16838FACNcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/Baby%2BManu%2B04.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><span></span><p></p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We got him when he was 6 weeks old. He was the runt of the litter, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">the
last pup left - when I sat down on the floor he just climbed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> into my
lap, and that was that. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zwBDveiTFM/YZBv1NGPlxI/AAAAAAAAIpM/BD-EWRevSZYQWhZ4xpzkfHUkuSbzytPPACNcBGAsYHQ/s604/Darcy%2B%2526%2BManu%2B11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="366" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7zwBDveiTFM/YZBv1NGPlxI/AAAAAAAAIpM/BD-EWRevSZYQWhZ4xpzkfHUkuSbzytPPACNcBGAsYHQ/w242-h400/Darcy%2B%2526%2BManu%2B11.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He loved his walks, and the beach, and our cats. </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZYKTF_jRnE/YZB0bikkj7I/AAAAAAAAIpc/FRvxfZ7b-Jsu4OPnZWWCGNr3xW0kMCElQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3587.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZYKTF_jRnE/YZB0bikkj7I/AAAAAAAAIpc/FRvxfZ7b-Jsu4OPnZWWCGNr3xW0kMCElQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3587.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the last year it became clear that Manu was losing his hearing, and his eyesight. He was still keen to go for a walk every day, and would wait at the door for me to be ready. However he would run out of steam after a short time, our walks got shorter and shorter, and he would sleep a great deal during the day.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The time came for his annual check-up, and I knew that this would be the last one.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our lovely vet found several issues; his heart was beating at twice the normal</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">rate,missing a beat every now and then, he had a smell which she thought was </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">probably to do with liver function, and she could feel a mass in his stomach.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We came home, and after a long discussion the decision was made. I would </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">take him back on Thursday,and he would go gently to sleep. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Farewell, little mate.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-54193553696361906722021-10-11T21:44:00.001-07:002021-10-11T21:45:21.200-07:00Spring leaves<p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMVgMrVKn70/YWUQC_r171I/AAAAAAAAIno/Ebwhj3qjqz8EJMfdYYtfKmxZAo7LmughgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/spring%2Bleaves%2Bborder.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1216" data-original-width="2048" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sMVgMrVKn70/YWUQC_r171I/AAAAAAAAIno/Ebwhj3qjqz8EJMfdYYtfKmxZAo7LmughgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h380/spring%2Bleaves%2Bborder.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I do love spring, although it can be incredibly, annoyingly changeable! <br /><p style="text-align: center;">It's so good to see our young trees getting their spring foliage (although </p><p style="text-align: center;">they're getting buffeted by the wind out there today).</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxJR1VlV1CE/YWUQGr4C4AI/AAAAAAAAIns/sPHc-APU_o8LKKZUEBGMUAlKJwFUHIYGACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/spring%2Bleaves3%252B.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="2048" height="324" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LxJR1VlV1CE/YWUQGr4C4AI/AAAAAAAAIns/sPHc-APU_o8LKKZUEBGMUAlKJwFUHIYGACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h324/spring%2Bleaves3%252B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">I love autumn even more, except for the horrible fact </p><p style="text-align: center;">that it id followed by winter...<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-12827729095400803182021-08-30T15:56:00.000-07:002021-08-30T15:56:02.249-07:00Last day of winter...<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwf8uCVz0aA/YS1ggH1QKiI/AAAAAAAAImE/xDsTvxvO0lwM2pn8QqZInL61cQMxLGI_gCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Last%2Bday%2Bof%2Bwinter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1166" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwf8uCVz0aA/YS1ggH1QKiI/AAAAAAAAImE/xDsTvxvO0lwM2pn8QqZInL61cQMxLGI_gCNcBGAsYHQ/w365-h640/Last%2Bday%2Bof%2Bwinter.jpg" width="365" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /> Tomorrow morning I will be extremely happy </p><p style="text-align: center;">to say good-bye to winter 2021...</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-9955603895057386532021-06-06T19:46:00.003-07:002021-06-06T19:46:24.781-07:00Winter, Day 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p style="text-align: left;">I have finally made the effort to use the new method of setting up a post. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I much prefer the previous system, but I suppose I will get used to it - not much choice, really.<br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnzPHCTkiB8/YL1pNEMbxUI/AAAAAAAAIfs/1T93KqaI6hApsBEy5tEbZ4qmaqDt9w1MACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WBeach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OnzPHCTkiB8/YL1pNEMbxUI/AAAAAAAAIfs/1T93KqaI6hApsBEy5tEbZ4qmaqDt9w1MACNcBGAsYHQ/w686-h360/WBeach.jpg" width="686" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> Waihi Beach on a wintry sort of day. Mayor Island (Tuhua) in the background.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOY0TfLkEGs/YL1vFk7zAtI/AAAAAAAAIgM/LGwb_CkJJlks1levI2cTy4ZQLky4IjOggCNcBGAsYHQ/s2574/Manu%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bbeach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="2574" height="304" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOY0TfLkEGs/YL1vFk7zAtI/AAAAAAAAIgM/LGwb_CkJJlks1levI2cTy4ZQLky4IjOggCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h304/Manu%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bbeach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 240px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Same beach, different day. Manu enjoying the water.<br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 200px;"><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Rainbow behind our house <br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rr9jXiS7r-8/YL1qQGYVU9I/AAAAAAAAIf0/3oQO0zVqCSY0_m3RH7sHeooKgZpz-7XpwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/rainbow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rr9jXiS7r-8/YL1qQGYVU9I/AAAAAAAAIf0/3oQO0zVqCSY0_m3RH7sHeooKgZpz-7XpwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/rainbow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BzYfBQHyCs/YL1qlH9r4qI/AAAAAAAAIf8/cGdcc7YddXA5E3xh2PS7v0BG5vIJG2jzgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/rainbow2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="2048" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BzYfBQHyCs/YL1qlH9r4qI/AAAAAAAAIf8/cGdcc7YddXA5E3xh2PS7v0BG5vIJG2jzgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h396/rainbow2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-787WqirO7IU/YL1rFuDy9_I/AAAAAAAAIgE/rJF1LYcDQDUp3141vPJ9C24VnYNcGeUZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/sunrise%252C%2Bwith%2Bmoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-787WqirO7IU/YL1rFuDy9_I/AAAAAAAAIgE/rJF1LYcDQDUp3141vPJ9C24VnYNcGeUZgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/sunrise%252C%2Bwith%2Bmoon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 280px;"><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Sunrise, with moon.<br /></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vEIob_27lk4/YL1v8JRBYWI/AAAAAAAAIgU/I5v2IKzHF7wotpP9Z_PhVGRfMk75qr4qgCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Sammy4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1376" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vEIob_27lk4/YL1v8JRBYWI/AAAAAAAAIgU/I5v2IKzHF7wotpP9Z_PhVGRfMk75qr4qgCNcBGAsYHQ/w269-h400/Sammy4.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><p></p><p style="margin-left: 360px; text-align: left;">Sammy<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNbJyUctjuA/YL1wBMyYdqI/AAAAAAAAIgY/dkWMk3coD5EPq016I4rF7oU0wW5vnkgvQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Sammy5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1162" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UNbJyUctjuA/YL1wBMyYdqI/AAAAAAAAIgY/dkWMk3coD5EPq016I4rF7oU0wW5vnkgvQCNcBGAsYHQ/w228-h400/Sammy5.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 80px;"><br /></div>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-86031212279144287242020-07-25T21:19:00.005-07:002020-12-20T19:00:52.030-08:00Early signs of spring...?<br />
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Our 3-year-old magnolia is covered with blooms this year. </span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
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Sadly we have had
several storms recently </span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
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which have left it rather battered.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">At least Manu is enjoying the sunshine, after a long walk at the beach:</span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
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<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-34745974568570629522020-06-27T20:30:00.001-07:002020-06-27T20:32:35.719-07:00Wet, wet, wet<br />
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After months of drought, water restrictions, farmers complaining (rightly) </div>
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about lack of pasture for stock, we have had rain. </div>
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More rain in the last three days that we have had for a year. </div>
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Heavy, heavy rain, complete with thunder, lightning, power cuts and in </div>
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some parts of the region, tornadoes.</div>
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Today it finally dawned sunny, with blue skies and mild (for midwinter) temperatures.</div>
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I decided to go for a short walk, just to get some fresh air and exercise.<br />
Even took a photo of some bright berries.</div>
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Then what happened? </div>
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Rain, complete with wet clothes and total bedragglement.</div>
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Ah well, at least the farmers will be happy.<br />
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Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-10492801223014908442020-05-16T20:10:00.001-07:002020-05-16T20:15:00.761-07:00Freedom to fish...Covid-19<br />
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In New Zealand during the pandemic we have had a lockdown structure ranging from Level 4, the most limiting and severe phase, to Level 1 - we haven't got there yet.<br />
We spent nearly 5 weeks in Level 4, only allowed to leave our homes for groceries or medical care, or for a walk or bike ride. A few more freedoms were allowed in Level 3, which lasted for nearly 3 weeks, including fishing (from the shore or wharf, no boats), swimming and surfing. Two days ago we moved to Level 2.<br />
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One of the best things about lockdown, in this country at least, has been the general peaceful quietness of streets and beaches.This was the scene at the Bowentown Estuary last Saturday morning when Manu the dog and I went for a walk: no wind, hardly a ruffle on the water, just people quietly enjoying themselves.<br />
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<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-73994295518268162052020-05-06T17:30:00.001-07:002020-05-06T21:14:47.151-07:00Afternoon light<br />
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<span class="sics-component__story__body sics-component__story__body--nativform">About 10 years ago, a family of five left their home in Texas </span></div>
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<span class="sics-component__story__body sics-component__story__body--nativform">to settle in our small mining town. </span></div>
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<span class="sics-component__story__body sics-component__story__body--nativform">Nicholas Brumder, the father, is a long-time respected ironmonger who went on </span></div>
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<span class="sics-component__story__body sics-component__story__body--nativform">to set up a metal studio here. He has since produced </span><span class="sics-component__story__body sics-component__story__body--nativform">beautifully crafted entrance </span></div>
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<span class="sics-component__story__body sics-component__story__body--nativform">gates, railings, lighting, furniture - and monumental and public
works of art. </span></div>
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This afternoon our walk took Manu and me back to 'our' park. </div>
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It was later in the day than we usually go for a walk, and the light was fading somewhat. </div>
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One of the features here is a favourite sculpture of mine; it stands about 6 metres high<br />
and depicts New Zealand native birds feeding from a Kowhai tree. </div>
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My photos aren't very good, but they give an idea of the work.</div>
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I found the following photos online; </div>
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they will give a better idea of the size and the beauty of this piece:</div>
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Last four photos: Waihi Metal StudioAlexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-55983930376291458982020-04-26T17:34:00.002-07:002020-05-06T17:25:37.465-07:00Another day, another walk<br />
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Since our Lockdown began in earnest, nearly 5 weeks ago now, I have made sure to go </div>
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for a walk every single day, even if the weather's blustery or damp. </div>
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I take my dog and off we go, for about an hour and a half's brisk outing. </div>
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Manu is getting old now - he's 15 - but he still loves his walk, and </div>
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keeps up with me the whole time. </div>
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Today we came across some more lovely autumn colours at this park, </div>
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about half an hour from home. </div>
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The playground is closed off with safety tape; there are no "toy" sailing boats </div>
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being manoeuvered around the lake by the group of seniors who are usually here; </div>
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even the public toilets are locked. </div>
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But there are still ducks and geese enjoying the peace and quiet, and </div>
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occasional dogs walking their owners. </div>
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I like the way these fungi look, especially when they first pop up, </div>
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but I'm not at all tempted to pick them.</div>
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<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-40017695580065621192020-04-20T20:26:00.001-07:002020-05-06T17:27:37.204-07:00Sunday walk<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">In the very centre of the town I live in there is an opencast gold mine, named Martha Mine</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">after the hill which used to be there. On Sunday, a misty, windless morning, I walked </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">part of the walkway which goes right around the rim, about 4 kilometres in length. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">About a year ago there was a collapse on one side of the pit, as you can see below.</span></div>
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When we first moved here, in 1984, the intention was to fill the pit with water </div>
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in the near future, and landscape around it, so that the town would have a </div>
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lake on which people could sail, row, and generally enjoy themselves.</div>
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At that stage, gold-bearing rock was still being taken from the bottom of the pit. </div>
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However, once the pit was more or less out of gold, the mine's owners turned to </div>
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exploring underneath it, re-opening some of the old shafts which had been closed, and </div>
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finding there remained good pickings to be had. </div>
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We still don't have a lake...</div>
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This Saturday is Anzac Day, an important day in the lives of New Zealanders and </div>
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Australians, as we remember the brave men who died fighting at Gallipoli in Turkey </div>
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in 1915, and all of our soldiers who have died fighting in foreign wars, in foreign lands. </div>
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Along part of the safety fence around the pit rim stretch a number of poppies, </div>
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each bearing the name of a loved uncle, father, grandfather or friend.</div>
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We shall remember them. </div>
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<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-73591562825549544062020-04-17T17:18:00.001-07:002020-05-06T17:26:33.296-07:00This morning's walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A walk in the park...</div>
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This morning Manu and I walked through town to Gilmour Lake. It was quite warm for the time of year, as we are well and truly into Autumn now, with snowfalls being recorded in the South Island. I'm glad I went when I did, as it is absolutely pouring with rain now. </div>
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<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-54070023005714237862019-04-16T21:21:00.003-07:002019-04-16T21:21:35.339-07:00Notre Dame (not the #daily photo)Like many others, I was greatly saddened to see the beautiful cathedral of Notre Dame, in the heart of Paris, badly damaged by fire this week. I was there, on a grey and damp day, one year and one week ago. What a privilege to have seen it as it was then.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Walking through the streets of the </span><span><span style="font-size: small;">Île de la Cité towards the Cathedral</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Approaching the main entrance. You can see the top of the spire between the towers</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the statues of the saints above the entrance</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the astonishingly beautiful rose windows</span></td></tr>
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<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-37572972191606917592019-02-28T15:43:00.001-08:002019-02-28T15:43:37.021-08:00Daily photo #11Here's another of our town sculptures. Every time I walk past this there is someone taking a photo of it!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CML3qUkrtuY/XHhxzgTZ0zI/AAAAAAAAHq0/Jk3bdfyxfjokx4Luo5wmtF5MgCpsP_GqgCLcBGAs/s1600/children.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="1600" height="514" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CML3qUkrtuY/XHhxzgTZ0zI/AAAAAAAAHq0/Jk3bdfyxfjokx4Luo5wmtF5MgCpsP_GqgCLcBGAs/s640/children.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b> </b>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-32359507670343753252019-02-26T18:32:00.000-08:002019-02-26T18:32:20.170-08:00Daily Photo #10Another town sculpture. This one is dedicated to the pioneer women who lived here in the early days. <br />
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Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-34601556851945361782019-02-26T00:40:00.002-08:002019-02-26T00:40:11.797-08:00Daily Photo #9Scenes from today's walk along the estuary:<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nMXCIhwt04/XHT65eouEdI/AAAAAAAAHp4/vqfgWmCUKAoB8zDxt8PBZiKmxD7JgoCGgCLcBGAs/s1600/20190226_120144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nMXCIhwt04/XHT65eouEdI/AAAAAAAAHp4/vqfgWmCUKAoB8zDxt8PBZiKmxD7JgoCGgCLcBGAs/s640/20190226_120144.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Manu at Athenree</b><br />
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<b> </b>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-25624739657012368462019-02-24T17:40:00.000-08:002019-02-24T17:40:06.924-08:00Daily Photo #8Oops! No post yesterday; too much family stuff happening.<br />
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I live in a small rural town, which is surrounded by dairy farms and orchards - kiwifruit and avocados. It's not your normal small town, though, because there is a goldmine, opencast as well as underground, right smack in the middle of it. For this reason, we have a large number of tourists who visit to see the mine and all of the apparatus that goes with it.<br />
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There are a number of structures and sculptures to be seen, and today's photo is one of them. It depicts a miner and a lump of gold-bearing (perhaps) rock.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqWIMpMuRJI/XHNHDkILSOI/AAAAAAAAHpo/h9Lq_3umMoQAkNMM-C4zpgVaAhMYD-ngQCLcBGAs/s1600/miner%2Bwaihi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="893" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TqWIMpMuRJI/XHNHDkILSOI/AAAAAAAAHpo/h9Lq_3umMoQAkNMM-C4zpgVaAhMYD-ngQCLcBGAs/s640/miner%2Bwaihi.jpg" width="356" /> </a></div>
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<b>The Miner</b> </div>
<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-40349846284177922742019-02-23T00:34:00.000-08:002019-02-23T00:34:17.120-08:00Daily Photo #7This evening, an amazing sunset:<br />
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<b> </b>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-39211397056680273132019-02-21T19:53:00.000-08:002019-02-21T19:53:15.461-08:00Daily Photo #6Sammy the cat, looking grumpily through a branch<br />
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<b> </b>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-3249108630891008372019-02-20T18:21:00.001-08:002019-02-20T18:21:35.553-08:00Daily Photo #5Another shot from Monday's walk. (Blogger always puts yesterday at the top of my posts. We're way ahead of you, Blogger!)<br />
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<b> </b>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-23000033966016204962019-02-19T19:54:00.000-08:002019-02-19T19:54:19.443-08:00Daily Photo #4It's an extremely hot and humid day - enervating. So here's a nice cool winter photo:<br />
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<b>Tanner's Point, mid-winter </b><br />
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<b> </b>Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-70704970408841840682019-02-18T18:00:00.001-08:002019-02-18T18:03:29.549-08:00Daily Photo #3Manu, enjoying this morning's walk. He is 13 now, but still very fit and happy. If for any reason a day goes past without a walk, I am quickly made to feel very guilty.<br />
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<b>Waitete Stream track</b><br />
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<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7270474694755564803.post-84138535906228844142019-02-17T18:57:00.001-08:002019-02-17T18:57:07.324-08:00Daily Photo #2From our house we can see the cyclists heading along the Cycle Trail which runs from our town through a river gorge to the next small town, about 25 kilometres away, and from there branches out to other trails which lead further afield. It is usually called the 'rail trail' hereabouts, because it starts at the old railway station and follows the track for a kilometre or so, before keeping to one side of the river the rest of the way. It is an "easy" trail as New Zealand bike trails go, and is much used, especially in the warmer months.<br />
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Today I walked along it for a while and took a few photos. Strictly speaking, dogs are not allowed, even on a leash, but Manu came too.<br />
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<b>We haven't had much rain lately...</b></div>
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<br />Alexiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15405656530899442354noreply@blogger.com5