KING ALFRED

The King Alfred daffodils have flowered true to their glorious golden colour this year,and these are some from the many bulbs my dear father-in-law planted along the fence line. He was not well, and struggled for many days digging the holes in the stony dirt, determined to plant the  hundreds of bulbs. Then he said “ It really needs another row behind this one”, Hugh said “ I’ll dig it up with the rotary hoe” F-in-L replied. “ Why didn’t you do that in the first place!!!”So when they bloom each spring I think of his gentle,generous,uncomplaining nature, honest and loving , and so much more . and while the vegetable garden was his first  choice of gardening , these are a lasting testimony.Rest gently ,I will always treasure your last year here with us.
For those of you who enjoy history, here is a rhyme that will entertain.I first heard it on the “ Millionaire” show, a young man had learnt it when in primary school .

English Kings and Queens

Willie,Willie,Harry,Ste,

Harry,Dick,John,Harry three;

One,two,three Neds,Richard two,

Harrys four,five,six,… then who?

Edwards four,five, Dick the bad,

Harrys (twain), Ned (the lad);

Mary,Bessie,James the vain,

Charlie,Charlie,James again

Will and Mary, Anna Gloria,

Georges four, then Will,Victoria;

Edward seven,  George and Ted,

George the sixth,now Liz instead.

If you   go out to pick flowers, do not expect to find this when you come back inside.

The bullfinch was lucky, not damaged beyond recovery, and is back outside, we have so many lately,they enjoy the newly weeded dirt to find their breakfast,or lunch.

Courtesy of the Internet, a photo of the ash cloud near Mt  Tongariro this morning after an overnight eruption.Ash cloud disrupted plane flights, some roads were closed for a while, and the ash spread over a wide area. we had just a few tiny specks on an outside glass top table. Mt Tongariro  last erupted in 1897, and is one of three major volcanoes, with Ruapehu  and Ngauruhoe  close by in the central North Island. The next photo shows one of the lakes on Tongariro, with Ngauruhoe in the centre, and  Ruapehu snow tipped at the southern end. This area is very popular in the winter for skiing, and in summer for cross country tramps, with many huts in the area for overnight stops, or a day trip visit. The next photo is Mt Ngauruhoe, taken in January this year, when  Hugh and I did a day tramp to the Waihohonu Lodge. ( third photo)

Quotation of the day, from Sir Martin Conway,

“ A man does not climb a mountain without  bringing some of it away with him, and leaving something of himself upon it”

Cheers from Jean