Domestic Executive

Power and Pets – an unscientific analysis of the differences between dogs and hounds

Having a canine guest always opens my eyes to animal behaviour I'm unfamiliar with. That eager to please, what can I do to make you happy attitude missing from life with basset hounds. Spend a few … [Continue Reading]

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On Being an Ambivert

For a long time I've never been able to reconcile why I can happily lead a crowded room of people at work yet crave peace and quiet. A craving that usually has me avoiding social gatherings like the … [Continue Reading]

One of the many frustrations of being a photographer

It's just typical of me to unpack my photography muse from its long vacation just as we're headlong towards winter when the light is less forgiving to a photographer. It's like being all dressed up … [Continue Reading]

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The Promised Land

Surrounded by such natural beauty in the South Island of New Zealand it's a real challenge not to walk around with your mouth wide open. There are jaw dropping views all around you with autumn … [Continue Reading]

The risks of leaving your bassets at home

One of the least relaxing things about going on holiday is leaving the bassets at home. I have this constant low-level anxiety about them misbehaving or pining for us, causing untold annoyance or … [Continue Reading]

Daily Snap: Heartland

Amongst the drizzle lies the pioneer heartland of New Zealand Wanaka, New Zealand … [Continue Reading]

Daily Snap: Bleak Beauty

Even in the wind and rain there is a deep bleak beauty in New Zealand's lakes. Lake Hawea, Near Wanaka. … [Continue Reading]

How one view can bust your stress

I've written about 50,000 words in the last two weeks. It's a pity that none of them have been here on the blog. Instead I've been up to my wrists in essays, proposals and writing reports all of … [Continue Reading]

When pet owners start to behave like their pets

It would be easy for me to claim a sudden onset of seasonal adjustment disorder for the embarrassingly long time since my last post. Those long sunny days have vanished and replaced by flashes of … [Continue Reading]

Daily Snap: Zesty Promise

It's all getting topsy turvey in the garden. The greens are turning to yellow and the fledgling green lemons are starting to show signs of turning yellow. An exciting first here at … [Continue Reading]

All Hail Tomato Season

As the seasons change so does the Domestic Executive routine. Nightly chores include putting the chickens to bed, watering the vegetables and tucking up the tomatoes for the night in the greenhouse. … [Continue Reading]

Sweet As: How I Conquered My Chocolate Nemesis

My world of baking insecurity started over ten years ago when I tried and failed several times to bake the River Cafe Chocolate Nemesis and joined the legions of people defeated by what was reputed … [Continue Reading]

The Crisis in Blue

There is a pitter patter on the veranda roof and a few raindrops in the air. This is only a gentle sprinkle though and won't be enough to break the drought, the driest spell in New Zealand over 70 … [Continue Reading]

Tracks and tracking: a bassets delight

When you're a creature of habit, making change can be a pain, a chore and even a down right bore. I may have grumbled at the time but restrictions on basset walking forced us to find new walks and … [Continue Reading]