Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Monday 25 February 2013

Garden Produce, Packing and Bees Galore

 

The summer garden continues to supply us with so many vegetables, beans, courgettes, and when you glance away for a day  or so, they are marrows, blackberries from thorn less plants, beans, tomatoes,silver beet, carrots,lettuce,cauliflower, broccoli,parsley, chives and spring onions, The chillies are very late, I hope they ripen before cold mornings arrive.

Yellow  Submarine tomatoes and large courgettes. One day’s growth.

Produce by the plate full

The Bottlebrush shrub has been over-run with bees, both the drones, and bumblebees. The big ones are almost drunk, after filling on the nectar. the other day about 6 were lying on the concrete below, rolling over in a stupor, unable to fly away.

Bees on the flowers

The Bernina has been busy with merino fabric, neck warmers, hats, long johns and long pants. Fleece pants, and hats lined with merino, I know, I know,  I KNOW, our days are hot here, about 27C to 30C lately, but at Piropiro Flats, it will be cold in the early mornings, a few weeks ago it was 4C at 9 a.m. So I am a very good “boy scout” and will be prepared. Thick merino socks, thinner ones for the ordinary shoes, over trousers of oilskin, and the Gore-Tex raincoat with hood, all ready to be packed tomorrow.

I am not advertising any particular brand, but because I have small feet, have great difficulty finding boots specially that fit. Both the Merrell and Salomon are 7.5 US size, YES, tiny feet,  so when I see a pair in my size, the message is “ buy now”. The Youngstown gloves have had lots of hard use, and still keep my hands so warm, leather on the palms, fleece lined, Velcro straps to close up tightly, I have heard that they are so good when cleaning out a frosty deep freeze that has a build up of ice in large quantities!!! As well as when outside  in –10 Celsius, and snow depth of 12 inches!!Merino clothes labelled

Yes, I will be packing some clothes for the hot midday hours, but it is always better to go with the gear you might need.  Over one and a half hours to the nearest shops!!! So no quick trip out to buy what you left at home. Books are packed, knitting sorted, some hand work with stitcheries, baking done, tomorrow we load up.

Quotation  of the day, author unknown,

“ When things go wrong, keep your hat on,

that way you cannot  pull your hair out”

Greetings from Jean

13 comments:

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

Hope you have a wonderful break.
Who's going to look after all the garden goodies while you are away?
You look to be very organized. Have a great time. I'm looking forward to lots of pictures when you get back.
Have fun!
Linda

Nancy J said...

Linda, we have our wonderful House Gem here. to look after cats, garden goodies and guests. Organised, well I have to be, Hugh has already given me the time to leave on Wednesday, 7.30 a.m. sharp!!! Hope to get some good pics , it will be a long 3 weeks with no blog, internet or phone!!! Cheers from Jean

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Dear Jean ~ You are clearly getting things ready and I hope your 3 week get-away is delightful, a refreshing and invigorating time away with Hugh. Enjoy being away from phone and internet. Listen to the silence. Soak in the natural beauty, and enjoy reading and crafting in a different world.

I owe you a letter and thank you for the one you wrote me. I am thankful for your friendship and encouragement.

Love and hugs to you and Hugh ~ FlowerLady

Carol Mattingly said...

Can't wait to see some photos from the park.

MandaBurms FarmStay for Cats. said...

Have a great trip away
Love leanne

Judith said...

My beans have given up but I still have courgettes every day - I only have one plant but it's very busy! Have a lovely trip and take plenty of pictures.

Ashling said...

And what do you do at this cold place? Ski? Hike? Relax by the fire? Whatever you do, we'll need photos...have a great trip!

Susan Heather said...

Have a great trip - you are soo organised

Nicky said...

Love all your goodies from the garden, so fresh and yum. Have a wonderful trip, I will look forward to lots of pics when you get home to civilization ....

Nancy J said...

Hi to you all and so many thanks for lovely words, and wishes for our camping holiday.Lorraine, yes , your words will encourage me to do that, rest,relax and enjoy nature and the quiet.Leanne, as always, it is so much better when I actually arrive there,thanks Judith, will really try to do my best and enjoy.Carol, lots of bush, tall trees, streams and tracks, swing bridges, so should get lots of pics.Ashling, there is a large area with grass, FOUR , 3 sided shelters with a table and free standing fire in each, long drop toilets, bush walks, no snow,but lots of tramping tracks, relax is to be my motto.Susan and Nicky, I have to be ready, as Hugh is a " precise personality" and always organised and packed well ahead of time.Garden goodies keep on providing, this year has been the best one ever. After tonight no more blogging, unless we travel to TeKuiti for a day and I log in at the library.I will have so much catching up to do then!!! Greetings to all from Jean, and I thank you all so much for our friendship, your words and caring messages.

Gayle said...

I will miss you... three weeks is a long time... but what fun you will have. Look forward to the photos when you return. Camping sounds so fun, but when I look out my window I still have below zero temps and two feet of snow!

Nancy J said...

Gayle, we had 5.5C at 6.30 a.m. so mornings there will be colder, lots of merino gear packed, ( not at all cold by what you are so used to)... YES, 3 long weeks, no blog, no internet at all unless we drive back about 1.5 hours, mostly metal rough road till we join up with the main highway. Lots of snow still at your place, and cold as " a frog's bosom" as my Dad used to say, but his term was maybe a bit more to the point. Both the wagons are packed, only frozen meat, camera and laptop to go in tomorrow.It will be fun when we get the tent up and camping gear in place, till then a long drive, about 4 to 5 hours, as Hugh will be towing the trailer. Catch up with you when I get home, meantime greetings to all at TWH, LOL to you, Jean.

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