“How beautifully leaves grow old!” wrote John Burroughs, the American naturalist and essayist. “How full of light and colour are their last days.” Burrough’s himself could have been shuffling through the colourful leafy carpet around McLaren Falls Park when he made his equally vivid autumnal observations more than 100 years ago. A few weeks ago,… Continue reading The Hues and Moods of Autumn – McLaren Falls Park
Housesitting in New Zealand – Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel Peninsula even in winter is a slice of heavenly white sandy beaches, hidden coves and lush forested hills all the essential elements of a classic Kiwi holiday. For us, it is a sort of holiday in that we get out of our home environment to head off to experience a small community we… Continue reading Housesitting in New Zealand – Coromandel Peninsula
A Girls Weekend in Melbourne
What a fascinating, vibrant city to revisit after so many years of not doing so. The purpose of this trip was to extend the 60th birthday celebrations of myself and my 3 weeks younger cousin. Even writing this I find it hard to believe I am now not only 60 it's now got a plus… Continue reading A Girls Weekend in Melbourne
5 Reasons to Visit Dunedin
We had the pleasure of having five grand days in Dunedin (Otepoti), it wasn't so much to re-explore as it was to visit friends who were soon off on another overseas adventure housesitting. Though when one of them is a tour guide, we had the opportunity of having a knowledgable local guide to show us… Continue reading 5 Reasons to Visit Dunedin
A Tour Guide at The Elms/Te Papa
Today is the day I get to do a few more hours at The Elms. The time I thought to share a few snippets about this fascinating piece of history in Aotearoa. Starting from the beginning of how the Mission established itself. The Background Let's take a glimpse back to around the 1880s where there… Continue reading A Tour Guide at The Elms/Te Papa
Life at No. 22 