Inland Travel Part One

Today was a day out to take photos. We travelled North, to Taihape, then inland North-easterly,  to Kuripapango, on the Taihape-Napier road. There were patches of frost on the road,  The last time we  drove on this road was in 2002, with our Japanese host daughter Mayumi. The houses are spread a long way apart, and for her, this was something she had not seen before, and much of the road was gravel.I have had some fun trying different settings with my camera, and the telephoto lens was put to good use.Here is some farmland, the wind was bitterly cold, and below a large patch  of snow from a few days ago was still at the bottom of the paddock. The sheep were quite unconcerned as I walked through long grass to the fence.






A little further along, the Rangitikei River was far below. A huge valley, with barren hills, not much grass at all here, and the sky was dull .



We drove on, and in the Kaweka Forest Park is a large area, with camping spots and a track to the same river that runs under the bridge. Clean, clear, almost  blue in colour. Freezing cold!!!

There were snow showers at the top of the range, and still very cold with a wind chill that forced me to don another hat, under a double layer coat that had its own hood,  and tramping boots for extra warmth.The sheep seem to manage very well, thankfully lambing is not for some time.

Mt Ruapehu looked as though it had shining cake icing, the snow glistened,  in the weak late afternoon sun.  Nearer to home, snow dusted the top of the Ruahine Range, this is where Hugh takes his quad for exciting day trips.



Tomorrow Part Two will continue with more from today,  the Rangitikei River Bridge No 75 has a great story to tell.

Quotation of the day,from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Over all the mountain tops is peace”

Cheers from Jean

Winter Afternoon

This bag pattern looked good. it was cut, lining was interfaced, and I started.It still looked good, until I began to put the lining in, Very fiddly, and I changed the V at the front and back to a gradual curve. It is finished, and might be used for socks, hats or anything else when it is hidden in the wardrobe. Does that say “ I am not pleased with it at all!!!”


Outside there are  the long shadows of winter on the lawn, the English Elm Tree has lost all its leaves, and the sky tells me there will be those stunning colours for such a short time later on



In the same book as the bag pattern ,( “ Patchwork and Quilting, February ?? 2002) is this design for Funky Town HOUSES. There are 12 blocks, 4 patterns with variations. If anyone would like a copy, please let me know. The houses are sewn onto a background, using fusible  web.

I missed the dusk colours by a few minutes,there was this pale glow, and paler blue sky, turning to a dark grey.The Moon was up as I looked to the East, in a few nights it will be “ Full Moon” so I am hoping for some good photos, with a tripod and telephoto lens. Keep watching.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

May our homes be warm and our friends be many.

Cheers from Jean

Frozen Showers

Today we went for a drive to Mt Curl Road, the highest part is  over 400 metres above sea level. The Metservice said there might be snow about the 400m level this afternoon. We drove, I froze, and no snow!! We did have some hail this afternoon. Then tonight heavy hail rattled on the roof, and coated the table. it piled up on the tarp on an outside table, this is on the West side of our home.


This pile of wood is great winter comfort on a night like this.

Quotation of the day, from the Webster Dictionary

“ Hailstone, (noun) a single particle of ice falling from a cloud”

Cheers from Jean

Quiet Day

Today we have had strong winds, squalls, and the stream is running fast and brown. There was no good reason to brave the weather and work outside. Hugh edited some of his GoPro video camera footage, then we tried to view it on the TV. No luck, so looked at it on my laptop. I then Googled some quilt patterns, and found all kinds of  wonderful  designs. I like this woven design. Then there were the New York Beauty ones, which one do I like the best?? So easy to see my favourite colours. All these are courtesy of the Internet.





look at this, a flower garden made with New York Beauty blocks, Beautiful.The Internet is the source of inspiration, talent, colours,designs and all else.

Flowers over the years. Birthday Flowers December 2004, the arrangements for the table outdoors.

Day Lilies in our garden.

These were  given to our very dear friend Elaine , in Auckland.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

“ Friends are flowers in the garden of life”

Cheers from Jean

Tall Trees

The New Zealand Kahikatea, or White  Pine , is one of the tallest of our forest trees, growing to a height of  150 feet. Years ago the wood was in much demand for butter boxes, tallow casks and cheese crates. This was before the fibre-board containers were made  It grows straight, with a long slender trunk.Today Hugh and I went on a short walk, in the Pohangina Valley area, where there are many of these trees.The track was slippery, with many leaves plastered to the dirt, and knotty tree roots that needed  careful steps, to avoid falling over.

These trees will not have been  pruned or limbed, and grow to the sun.


Further along, there was another tree that had been felled to make  it easier to walk along the track.This had been a huge  tree, and the slab left with the smooth face after the chainsaw had cut through showed some fascinating lines.


Most  of the walk was in deep shadow, and the stream below well hidden by so many trees and branches.The sun shone through so very briefly, then rain set in. We brought our picnic home .Pumpkin soup made by Hugh yesterday. Delicious.We did not hear one bird until we left that area. So  W.S. Gilbert must have been in another place when he wrote this.

Quotation  of the day from W.S. Gilbert

“ On a tree by a river a little tom-tit

Sang “ Willow, titwillow, titwillow”

Cheers from Jean

Sky colours

This morning there was no frost, instead we had 3 Celsius, and these glorious colours, that proved so elusive. A minute, and they were gone. Looking South, right where the  power lines are, snow is on the tops of the  Tararua Ranges, which stretch from Palmerston North, southwards  to  North of Wellington.This is our view  from the steps outside the dining room.A few birds flew overhead, as the sky slowly changed colour.












Last night there was a spectacular display of the Southern Lights, Aurora Australis , which was seen at its best in the far south of the South Island.  Here is one photo, courtesy of Stephen Voss.This was taken from Sandy Point near Invercargill, between 11 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. The conditions were perfect for him to capture this stunning photograph.
 

Quotation of the day  from Edward Caswall

“ When morning gilds the skies”

Cheers from Jean

Breakfast for the Blackbirds

This morning the day started out at –3 Celsius.  There was frost hanging off the trees, and the birds were so happy to gather round the bread I threw out. Some  stay on the grass  or frost, and eat, others grab and fly away fast. This one sat for a while, and was joined by about 6 others.

This garden is planted with tulips, daffodils, earlicheer, freesias, and more.Another bird, this one has a patch of white feathers on his neck.

Tomorrow will be a white lawn again, we have ZERO Celsius at 8 p.m.

Quotation of the day, from Samuel Taylor Coleridge“

The frost performs its secret ministry,

Unhelped by any wind”

Cheers from Jean