Monthly Updates, The Changing Seasons

What’s been happening? June 2021

Suzanne

Life seems to be moving faster these past months for folk around our part of the world, more cars and more pedestrians out and about in downtown Tauranga. Our city centre is going through significant changes and how we live—more apartments with shopping underneath. Earthquake strengthening is the primary driver in shops being empty. Having patience, positivity and confidence in those who are managing these new changes are needed. I know it’s a giant leap to trust any city council always to do the right thing for it’s ratepayers without hidden or not so hidden agendas.

Matapihi railway bridge on a glorious sunny day

Thankfully, those giant cranes and workers stop at our side of the Matapihi bridge. I find the journey over the said bridge a lovely contrast to city life. As life is quieter over there and where Twiggy the Kunekune pig still resides. She has a mate now, in the form of a fattened sheep. I know I did mention Twiggy had parted ways with life and became pork roast in a previous post. Once again, I was wrong, for there she was more significant than life itself. I could tell she wasn’t watching her waistline anymore as her hoofs barely touched the ground when lying on her side. Perhaps, her human family move her now and again for respite care and a change of scenery. Unless I knock on the front door to find out, that won’t happen as the house doesn’t look like one that encourages strangers to call asking questions. Some of life’s mysteries will never be answered.

Rain, more rain and kissing the pavement stone

Duck loving weather

Bucket loads of rain, more in some areas than others. So far, we haven’t had as much as the Canterbury plains down South. Walking has been a highlight of our month; similar to May, our raincoats and we had a few outings together. What was different from the previous month was my spectacular cartoon act with legs being parallel to the ground and landing with a thud on my ass with the final encore of kissing the pavement stone. After regaining my composure, the only thing that was damaged was my pride, with the sheer annoyance of it happening as I am usually so careful. Luckily no broken bones. The next day, I had the opportunity to glare at the offending paving stones and bypassed them, not wishing to push my luck. Never trust paving stones; they have a weird sense of humour about how they can entertain themselves during stormy days.

A small roadtrip to Auckland

Tree shadows and the Auckland Museum. Taking time out from hospital visits to wander around the Auckland Domain.

Yes, it was that time again to check in with how the Squire’s Specialist and his team are progressing with his Stem Cell Transplant procedure. All is moving along at a good pace, considering the world chaos and the huge demand for cancer services. So, we wait, and we wait, and one day it will all fall into place. In the meantime, we find distractions to keep focused on the “present”.

The best part of this trip was finding the most delectable meat pie we have ever had the opportunity to experience. The perfect lunch as we stopped on our way through the foggy cold Waikato region. We were too busy eating to capture that enjoyable moment, which means you will have to use your imagination.

Here are some more memorable moments

Some days …
The last of the Autumn colours
Sunset – looking towards the Mount from Otumoetai foreshore

Connecting with Ju from Touring My Backyard for The Changing Seasons

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

39 thoughts on “What’s been happening? June 2021”

  1. Pavement stones and above ground water pipes have the same sense of humour. I discovered I can fly but, alas the landings are harder than they used to be 🙂 Hope you’re staying well. xx

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    1. The landings are harder and more ungainly after childhood. Somehow falling seemed easier as toddlers with nappies on 🙂 As well as can be, hope you are too, Wendy xx

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  2. Gosh – be careful Suzanne. It is so easy to trip and hurt ourselves badly with little divets and uneven pavers. I realized how dangerous when pushing a wheelchair around the streets here. It was only then that I noticed how many obstacles there were, before that I had blindly stepped over them without noticing.
    We have had lots of rain over here too – unusual for us to get so much in winter, but I am loving it, along with the garden.

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    1. No rain here for over a week, it has been perfect winter weather. Yes, we both have family in Queensland and get a regular weather report! Thankfully you are now out of lockdown.

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  3. Such lovely photos, those ducks are amusing and I love the autumn colours! Glad to see that you are feeling positive despite all the goings on and the weather. Winter doesn’t look too bad from what I am seeing. And good that no bones were broken in the fall.

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    1. Thanks Jude. I suppose our winters are very tame compared to the South Island and over your way. We have had a lovely week with a temperature from 3degs to 16degs and sunshine so not bad for winter. I am sure we will get more wet days as time goes on especially in Spring. Some days positivity doesn’t always occur it’s a work in progress 🙂

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    1. Thanks very much, Donna. Yes, I too was pleased to have no lasting effects from my fall. Afterwards we did have a laugh about it hence sharing the experience 🙂

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    1. Thanks very much, Anabel. Yes, being clumsy is one of my specialities too though I’m not as bad now as I was when younger. Which should be the other way around?

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      1. It’s going well, thanks. I ran my own private marathon in December and I’m running about 40 miles a week. I’ve lost so much weight that you wouldn’t recognise me if you saw me 🙂

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  9. Lovely set of images and I loved the sunset one in particular. Glad you’re being positive about all the changes in the town. It’s a problem, isn’t it, knowing if what they are doing on our behalf is the right thing or just the ‘economic’ thing.

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  12. Pingback: The Changing Seasons: June 2021 – Touring My Backyard

    1. Thanks Janis. Yes, that duck is popular and it made us smile watching them bobbing in and out of the water. Not sure if they were rewarded with food for all their efforts.

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