Central Plateau, North Island

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

Sunday 19 February 2012

Off To The Hills!!!

This week Hugh and I will be in the high  hills , just south of Waiouru. I will not be doing any blogging from there, as we have to go in by quad.
And in the nasty  places I will walk!!! Photos next week will explain this. The track  is steep in places, windy, ( that is curvy, not gusty!!!)
and has corners where you want to hang on for whatever reason.
During the last few weeks we have  met wonderful people, some N.Z.er’s, a couple from Scotland, and yes, they knew Cambuslang where my Mum was born
     A few weeks ago we  had a day out, some of it “Off Road” according to the GPS

Off Road by Garmin
Then I saw this in a paddock close to the road. An old Holland Baler, they  were used in the 1940’s !!!
The oblong bales get tied with good old baling twine, that is used later for all sorts of jobs on a farm.
Before the automatic tie system, one man had to sit at the back, on one side and tie each bale as it came out . Yes, we had these bales on my Dad’s farm at TeHihi, and in the early days we shared the baler, with the Conning  and the Paul families.
Later Mr Conning had his own baler and he came to each farm in turn. So much better than from further away in Pukekohe.

holland Baler at Wairangi
The three men were happy to pose, and agreed very nicely to their photo being in my blog.
I hope the rain held off long enough for them to get the baler fixed and all the  hay   done  before dark.
Three blokes with a baler
Further on was a little house, right on the side of the metal road.
I wondered what stories it held. I’m sure it offered comfort and warmth in the cold winter days
many years ago.
A little house by the roadside

Quotation of the day,  from  William  Wordsworth,
“ Dear God! the very houses seem asleep:
And all that mighty heart is lying still !”

Cheers from Jean

Friday 10 February 2012

They come, and They Go!!

Motor home at our place
 Our guests came in and found a  quiet part of the garden. They are off again today. A short  stay.
Our next guests were Jessica and Victor from France. Their campervan had engine problems, and our local BJW team  fixed it up and they were on their way South.
  Enjoy your holiday , I  hope the weather stays sunny and warm for you,  your blog will keep me up to date with all your exciting adventures.
you can find them here, at
http://tetealenvers.fr
Translate if you need to.I did!!! Wonderful photos of New Zealand, for us and their family and friends back home to enjoy.

Victor and Jessica on their way South
Ryan, Alana and Lewis are from Christchurch, living in the home on wheels while the
earthquake damage to their home  is repaired.
Lewis is ready for anything with a big stick  in his hand.
Lawrence and  Tanya, hope all is well when you return home.
Lewis with a stick ready for something.
Ryan,Alana and Lewis
Monday 6th January, and here  are Lisa and Christian from
Germany. They have seen much of NZ, and are  travelling North.
Visit their blog at
http://amanderenendederwelt-eintraumwirdwahr.blogspot.com
Again, stunning photos seen from a visitor’s eyes.
Happy and safe travels for both of you.
Christian, after your morning trip around our streets in the  Porsche 911,
the van will seem more practical, if not so glamorous
Christian and Lisa
Christian in the Porsche 911

Our dear friend Damien was here on  his way to the  Porsche Car Club meet at Taupo.
He was very generous, and that day gave Christian the driver’s seat, and  later on Hugh
drove for a short while on  their way back from Kimbolton, Apiti and surrounding areas.
Here is Laurie from  Ngongotaha, on her way south for a few weeks of  rest, ( not sure about that??) stitching and travel.
I hope you meet your fellow bloggers on the way Laurie, Safe travel.
look at her bike, when will Laurie fit in time for pedal travel???
Laurie’s photos and stitching news  are  at
http://breadmoretravels.blogspot.com

Laurie on her way south
The day is drawing closer and the machine is having a rest from the FMQ  February challenge of  FEATHERS !!! No one said it would be easy, They were so correct.
The pictures below (fabric only at that stage) are a tiny preview of the 100th post giveaway.
Sewing is started, and looking good. More photos to come on the day.
There will be a NZ  “Goodie”  and an overseas   “ Goodie”  as well. Keep looking.

100th post giveaway previewMore pieces for 100th post
Quotation of the day from  John Keats , 1795-1821
“ Much have I travelled in the realms of gold,
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen”
Cheers from Jean