Cheerful Chappie

.. This little cheerful chappie was spotted at the Mt Maunganui harbourside beach the other day. I asked his Dad if I could photograph him and he allowed me to. I don't know his name but he seemed to be enjoying himself. He looked so cute in his long baggy shorts, and looked like he hadn't been walking very long.

Fairfield Bridge, Hamilton This is the start of the three arches on each side of the Fairfield Bridge, photo taken on the right side facing from Victoria Street, Hamilton. As the plaque shows it was completed in 1937 and is probably the most attractive of the six vehicle bridges across the Waikato River in the Hamilton City boundary. I took this photo today while out walking along the river path. (Click on photo of the bridge arches to enlarge)

Humourous door mat for sale . During a recent visit to Mt Maunganui I was amused by this door mat for sale in a store which we passed. (Click photo to enlarge)

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Scarecrow

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The only scarecrow at the Hamilton Gardens "Kitchen Garden."

I thought this lass looked pretty good with her flaxen hair and straw hat with a flower in it! (Click to enlarge)

Hand gardening fork

This is my trusty hand garden fork used to loosen soil around established plants to allow aeration.

I look after my tools, of whatever type and most of them still look a lot newer than they actually are. This fork is about 30 years old and when not in use hangs amongst my other garden tools against the wall in my garage.

It's easy to care for garden tools. Just wash them with the hose after use and dry them in the sun before putting them away. Don't leave them lying around outside as they will soon rust if this is done.

Tools of all types are expensive to buy and will last for years if properly cared for.

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Sign showing directions near Farewell Spit

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New Zealand showing the location of Farewell Spit, Golden Bay

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Satellite picture of Farewell Spit

Farewell Spit

Farewell Spit is located on the north west corner of the South Island of New Zealand. During a tour of the South Island I visited Golden Bay and observed the Spit close by, but unfortunately although in season one can ride a special vehicle along the Spit, it was not operating the day we visited.

A satellite picture like that above on Google Earth can enlarge the spit right up and it is interesting to see.

Sailing on theFerry

This photo is from my collection and depicts sailing on the Inter-Island Ferry between Wellington and Picton through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. The photo was taken late winter.

Old style lamp . This picture is from my archives. I am not exactly sure where I took the photo but think that it may have been at the jetty at Akaroa, Banks Penninsular, Canterbury in the South Island, NZ. I don't think it is actually as old as it looks as it has an electric lamp in it.

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Ornaments . These are some of my wife Jill's ornaments. The wooden cats were given to Jill by our daughter Sandra who brought them back from a holiday in Phuket, Thailand. Jill is very fond of them. The two tall green ornaments and the smaller ones around the cats are Blue Mountain and were all gifts from our children or others. She has quite a collection of Blue Mountain ornaments. Click to enlarge.

Pansy

This pansy is one of several that came up self-sown from last years seeds. It is growing in Jill's 'jumble garden' along with many other assorted plants.

The garden looks great with it's variety of flower and leaf forms and all of the colour.

Grafitti art

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This grafitti art was a part of a wall display which looked like it was organised as a competition on a building in Frankton, a suburb of Hamilton a year or two back.

There were many such works which were very clever and interesting to look at.

Funny Shop Sign at Tirau

This photo is from my collection and was taken some time ago. I thought it was funny.

A bunch of pansies

These pansies are self-sown, crossed between pansies and violas. I feel that their 'whiskers' make them attractive. Click to enlarge the photo.