Day 151 It's been a busy day gardening

The dogs have been following the 'gardener' (My father) around today, and they are exhausted

But they are still alert!

Day 150 Mount Eden

We went for a walk around the top of Mount Eden. Great views to some of the other volcanoes in Auckland.
Here is the crater inside Mount Eden.

This is One Tree Hill

And this is Rangitoto

Day 149 Timeless and Handless

Spotted this clock with no hands!

Day 148 This is what I do...

I was running one of those courses today that needed 3 computers, 3 projectors, 3... and of course an iPad!

Day 147 More Autumn Leaves

I saw this tree in Hamilton today, the colours were stunning!

Day 146 Yum Cha

I was invited to join some teachers at their local 'Yum Cha' restaurant today! It was very 'yum'!

Day 145 Hunting Days

Day 144 Somebody needs to rake the leaves...

Day 143 First Fire of the Season

Day 142 Wood Pigeon

Occasionally we have 'one' Wood Pigeon (Kereru) visit us.
The Kereru is native to New Zealand and is an endangered species (hence the furore that was caused by some international tourists recently).

Today we had SEVEN!!!
They are the most amazing bird, they are huge 51cms (20 inches) long. You know when they are flying over you as their wings move quite slowly and make a noise like a helicopter in slow motion (Whooshing). They swoop quite low and with their large wing span can be quite intimidating.

None of my shots of several of the Kereru in a group were very good, so this was the best of the lot.

Day 141 More leaves

Leaves at Favona!

Day 140 Surveying my domain

Day 139 Chocolate Pudding

Special occasions in our house means 'Chocolate Pudding'!

Second year of Macadamias

Our Macadamia crop has doubled this year!

Day 137 Getting ready for winter

It's that time of year again!

Day 136 Autumn in Taupo

We drove down to Taupo in darkness on Friday night and in the light of the day on Saturday we were overwhelmed with the beauty of the Autumn colours. As we drove back to Auckland on the Sunday I was able to take photos of this remarkable scenery.

Day 135 A very expensive bottle of wine

Jim Barry's 'che Armagh' Shiraz is considered to be one of Australia's foremost wines...and we enjoyed it!

Day 134 Longlands in Hawkes Bay

Percy Pilcher is the owner of the 'Thresher'. My cousin's Great Grandfather is on the far left. This farm is still in his family.

Day 133 Volcano Animation

Students having fun animating Volcanic Eruptions, rocks rolling down mountains, lava spreading and ash clouds rising. I love my job!

Day 132 Poppy Field

I saw this fantastic memorial to our ANZACs at Mountain View School today. The children participated in the painting of the poppies and each class had their own planting ceremony where they marched and planted one poppy per class. The 'Poppy Field' looks outstanding!