Our kitchen has been a hive of activity today. Mostly washing up after baking, preserving, roasting and simmering. MT took over baking duties today not wishing to risk the chance of no cake in his lunchbox this week. I’ve been busy pickling red cabbage and... My new camera has come into it’s own in recent days. With cloudy rainy skies, the bush walks have been a little on the dark side. But not a problem any more.  The recent showers seem to have brought out new and colourful funghi clinging to the side of... We’re still basking in above average weather. It was a fiery start to this morning. It was almost like flames shooting from behind the Tararuas.   This colourful start to the day was just what I needed. Having been running on adrenalin and coffee for... Don’t be fooled his cute wrinkled ankles. This is a basset who went deep paddling beyond his usual depth and all because he spied ducks on the other side of the river. You’ve got to love his enthusiasm even if he does almost give me heart palpitations... It’s hard to resist the temptation to kick your way through the piles of autumnal leaves. They are now a colourful blanket all around us. The extreme dry weather this year has deepened the colours even if it hasn’t stopped the leaves falling. With... 