Saturday 31 December 2011

Weekend reflection


Smith the Grocer, Old Bank Arcade, Wellington, NZ

Friday 30 December 2011

Blessings in the Botanicals


Today we have had some much needed, heavy rain. It made a coffee stop in the Botanical Gardens a rather soggy one. Somehow it felt like the vegetation was drinking and sighing with relief.

Thursday 29 December 2011

Preparing to hunt


Half an hour after I took this photo, Cumin caught her first bird. The only evidence was the tiny black feathers on the end of one whisker and caught on both front paws. I was really sad - I was hoping she would stick to hunting cicada, weta and the odd stick insect.
Sigh - dry rations aren't even a punishment!

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Whimsical Windows Delirious Doors 4


These Ukelele were seen as THROUGH a window. I couldn't help but smile at their cheery colours. Very appropriate to the Pacific island culture, colourful, cheeky and whimsical.
Cuba Street, Wellington, NZ

Sunday 25 December 2011

The inner bedouin will out


Ask me later how it tasted.

Wild goat, marinaded in allspice, cinnamon, and a Tunisian rub given to me by some Kiwi friends who work there. Then there is a leg of lamb and mushroom moussaka. Who is coming over for dinner?

Saturday 24 December 2011

Christmas Eve



Plimmerton, Kapiti Coast

Thursday 22 December 2011

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Whimsical Windows Delirious Doors 3


Thorndon Wellington

For the meme hosted by Toby at www.iwishiwereaphotographer.blogspot.com

Sunday 18 December 2011

Scent of a woman


Abel Smith Street, Wellington

Wednesday 14 December 2011

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Beware what comes through the cat flap

From today's Dominion Post

Photo Annette Swoffer

A baby seal gave a Tauranga woman the shock of her life when it fumbled its way through her cat door and cuddled up on the couch.

"I was looking at it thinking, it's got flippers, it's not a cat or a dog ... I thought I was hallucinating," said Annette Swoffer, who found the pup on Sunday.

It crashed its way through the cat door and up into her kitchen, where Swoffer discovered it hanging out with the cats.

Not knowing quite what to do, she called a friend to come and look.

"I said to him 'what's that?' and he said 'a seal' so I know I wasn't having a stroke or something."

Swoffer said at first she though the cats had brought in a rabbit, or perhaps the noise was an intruder. But she knew it was something different when the dog didn't react.

"I got a shock. It's kind of like finding an elephant in your house," she said.

The baby fur seal, however, was not perturbed. It waddled its way into the lounge and onto the couch, where it then took a nap.

"It got itself quite comfortable. I wanted to pat it because it was just so beautiful but I knew you aren't supposed to touch wild animals," Swoffer said.

"Apparently they have a very vicious bite and are quite toxic so I'm glad I didn't."

Swoffer called the SPCA, who called the Department of Conservation, who were already looking for a seal reported ambling along Welcome Bay Rd.

Biodiversity programme manager Chris Clark arrived to remove the young pup and release him back into the water.

He told the Bay of Plenty times he'd spent the afternoon catching what was likely the same seal after it wandered along the Devonport Rd area.

Clark said the pup had probably just weaned from its mother.

He said anyone who encountered a seal, or other wild animal, should call the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT before emergency services.

Swoffer, meanwhile, said she believed the seal would be back.

"I'm just waiting to see if it comes flopping back up the driveway."
A baby seal gave a Tauranga woman the shock of her life when it fumbled its way through her cat door and cuddled up on the couch.

"I was looking at it thinking, it's got flippers, it's not a cat or a dog ... I thought I was hallucinating," said Annette Swoffer, who found the pup on Sunday.

It crashed its way through the cat door and up into her kitchen, where Swoffer discovered it hanging out with the cats.

Not knowing quite what to do, she called a friend to come and look.

"I said to him 'what's that?' and he said 'a seal' so I know I wasn't having a stroke or something."

Swoffer said at first she though the cats had brought in a rabbit, or perhaps the noise was an intruder. But she knew it was something different when the dog didn't react.

"I got a shock. It's kind of like finding an elephant in your house," she said.

The baby fur seal, however, was not perturbed.

It waddled its way into the lounge and onto the couch, where it then took a nap.

"It got itself quite comfortable. I wanted to pat it because it was just so beautiful but I knew you aren't supposed to touch wild animals," Swoffer said.

"Apparently they have a very vicious bite and are quite toxic so I'm glad I didn't."

Swoffer called the SPCA, who called the Department of Conservation, who were already looking for a seal reported ambling along Welcome Bay Rd.

Biodiversity programme manager Chris Clark arrived to remove the young pup and release him back into the water.

He told the Bay of Plenty times he'd spent the afternoon catching what was likely the same seal after it wandered along the Devonport Rd area.

Clark said the pup had probably just weaned from its mother.

He said anyone who encountered a seal, or other wild animal, should call the DOC hotline 0800 DOC HOT before emergency services.

Swoffer, meanwhile, said she believed the seal would be back.

"I'm just waiting to see if it comes flopping back up the driveway.

Sunday 11 December 2011

Hiding in Martha's Pantry


Sometimes "High Tea" is called for

And a painted ginger cat watches as you sip ginger spiced tea


Fairy cakes with fairy candles eye dance

Saturday 10 December 2011

Only in Wellington



If your Christmas presents arrive late this year, blame the tipsy Santas on Cuba Street.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Whimsical Windows, delirious doors


A friend over at www.iwishiwereaphotographer.blogspot.com has launched a new meme, to showcase architecture around the world. Here is my first contribution from Greytown in the Wairarapa.

Sunday 4 December 2011

In the Old Bank Arcade, Wellington





Ms Bunny is sitting inside "Ruby" fashion shop.

Wallace Cotton

Saturday 3 December 2011

Earthquake tonight

There was an earthquake this evening. It actually took place on the S. Island, but was a strong one. Our house shook and squeaked and the china in the cupboards danced around. I don't think there was any damage anywhere on our property.

When you don't get them very frequently they can really spook you. It is simply unimaginable how the folk of Christchurch and Canterbury have survived over 8000 of the suckers!

Thursday 1 December 2011

perspicacity

....now there's a word to conjure with.

Does it mean a city of cats who purr?

or that the cats who are purring pick a city to dwell?

Intercity, Perspicacity, letters that trundle, letters that dance, as per pick a city, pick a ditty, Piccadilly, Piccalilly.....

I probably need help, or perspicacity.