It feels like I have gone missing.

Work is so busy at the moment so I have been at work a lot this week, in fact I am going again tomorrow.  I seriously don't know how women work full time and do everything else that women are supposed to do.  I take my hat off to them, so not my gig.  

I mean to say,

when do you get to play???

Today I went a bit animal print with black, hair up, as I was in serious mode for work.  The temperature has dropped off a bit, but not too bad, so light layers all the way for me.  I don't mind if it is cold I just don't do RAIN!

I have been so busy that I haven't set foot inside an op shop since last week.  But today I popped in to a few on my way home and look at the shoes I found!!  Brand new too and only $6.

The fluffies aren't happy about me not being home through the day and follow me everywhere when I get home.

Oscar was getting a bit lippy outside!!

So hows your week been going?

BUSY?

I ordered these slippers on line and they arrived yesterday.  Slightly too big but so warm and so dam nice, cow hide tops lined with sheep wool with nice rubber soles so I can wear them outside.  I have cosy toes now.  I am a slipper girl I am.

I let my hair down in the garden this afternoon.

Now for some

thought provoking

words.

 (none of us bite)

(this must mean I am great)

The rest of the week went a bit like this

I woke up this morning with one of those MOFO headaches that make you go back to bed and just sleep, so sleep is what I did and an entire has been lost to me.  BUT the MOFO headache has gone, so all is good again in my world.  Did I need Sunday?  Probably not, so nothing really has been lost.  Anyway I last blogged on Tuesday and I am glad you enjoyed our little walk in the Arboretum.

Wednesday was worthy of adding some Hot Pink to the day.  After work I hung with my pets in the back yard.  Oscar and Tex still battle for my lap.  Lucky for them it is of ample size!

Hot Pink even brightened up the garden.

I may not be able to Jump Up any more but I can Jump Down and I would like to apologise to those in Wellington and Christchurch that thought they were experiencing an earthquake (there has been a few small ones), next time I shall put out an advanced warning!

Thursday turned into a Cobalt Blue 

with Cartoon print leggings day.

Thursday was another beautiful day of sunshine, oh how I love a bit of sunshine in Autumn, may it continue!

Friday evening saw me re planting the tiered planter box with a few plants I had purchased while out that afternoon with my lovely friend Rose.  We had the most divine lunch at a garden centre, me  feasting on Scallops wrapped in bacon with a feta salad, Mmmmmmmmmm!!  We wandered about the garden centre and managed to fill her boot with plants, as you do.  I also added to the planter box cuttings and baby plants squirreled from my own garden, now it just all needs to GROW!

I love how the girls settle in for the night, some perch, some nest, but on closer inspection, some were missing.

Where were they you may well ask, as I to pondered that exact question.  I found Mrs Wickham and her new friend Florence up a tree.  They were removed and put to bed.

It has been suggested that the new girl name Maybelle should have been named 'The Machine'.  Apparently it goes much better with Florence!!  I think Joan is more of a Machine not Maybelle.

This is what Fluffy bottoms look like at night!! 

Ok, right now you may want to take a deep breath, have a potty stop and get yourself a cuppa, as I am going to share Saturday with you, and it is a little photo heavy but they are all worth sharing in my mind.

READY??

I had great intentions of getting up when TOF did on Saturday morning to head off to the Dawn Parade in town.  TOF was going off fishing and was obviously in stealth mode as I slept in until 7am and the Dawn Parade was at 5:30am.  THINK I AM TOO LATE!!

This is for those who do not know about ANZAC Day.

Being the 100th Anniversary, the Commemorations were huge this year.  In fact TOFs brother in law and nephew were lucky enough to get to go to Gallipoli this year through the ballot that was held, I am sure they will have interesting stories to share when we catch up with them.

Because I had missed the Dawn parade I went into plan B mode which involved horses, lots of gorgeous horses and this was at a more suitable time of day, 11am.

Horses and riders walked their nags in twos for 6kms through the streets, from the Equestrian centre.

I have since found out that I am related to these two red coated riders, how fabulous is that!

This gorgeous little girl and her teeny tiny pony stole my heart along with many other people that had lined the streets.

I want a Horse!!

After watching the Horses wander past I decided to head into Memorial Park where the Dawn Service had been held.

I found a park at the top of these stairs that lead down to Memorial Park on the Waikato River bank.  As kids my sisters and I played on these stairs and the path that ran along the back of the house as our Nana and Pop lived in the neighborhood.

Plenty of people  were still at Memorial Park,

maybe like me they slept in.

People of all ages and walks of life mingled together,

in a sea of Red Poppies and White Crosses.

How lucky we are in Hamilton to have a beautiful park on the edge of our might river. 

When I got home I found this photo of me on a Horse back in the late '70s when I was a teenager.  My one and only time to.

I spent my afternoon potting up plants and seedlings from the garden.

TOF arrived home with fresh Snapper which we are dining on tonight.

And the pets proved that two bowls and three animals can be harmonious.

Walkies, let's go walkies!!

Yesterday afternoon I decided to go for a wander around the Taitua Arboretum which is about a 10 minute drive from my place.  With Autumn being in residence in this part of the world I thought the trees would be looking all colourful.

The couple mentioned above planted this and now our City Council manages it.  This I do not mind our rates contributing to as it is so beautiful.

Once I had parked my car the Welcome Committee arrived.

The car park was pretty much empty.

Mother Hens and their cute as chickens were scratching about in the sunshine.

Then I spied some of the lads!

Cocky colourful Roosters all lined up

as if they were in a bar having a blokes meeting or some sort.

 

 I would love to have a Rooster

but it is a no go in town.

 A rustic hut built in the design of a small Maori meeting house

is perched on the edge of the track to rest in

or just take in the sights and sounds.

If you can spot the Redwood Circle, then you will see how far I wandered.  Only because as I was walking alone I wondered if it really was a sensible thing to be doing on my own.

 Looking all gorgeous and lush.

 Probably most grateful for all that rain the other day.

As I wandered along the gravel path some of the locals appeared

to check out what I was up to.

 Numerous Natives to wander amongst and under.

A Red Hibiscus looking flower stood out like

you know what on a male dog.

The Redwood Circle is beautiful,

and such a lovely spot to just sit and take in the surrounding bush.  

 I love the photo on the right looking up to the sky

through the tall Redwood Trees.

 Dead leaves and colourful Fungi added to the Autumnal feel.

Obligatory selfie to prove I was in fact there.

 Dr Seuss style bark on the left

and curly lichen.

A couple of Fantails followed me dancing and twittering in the trees.  They were kind enough to come close and stay still long enough for me to take their photo.

In fact the sounds of the birds chattering, the Roosters having an almighty crow off, and cows mooing was quite lovely.  To think all of this is so close to the City.

Leaves are changing colour, plants are going to seed and bark is stripping. I think I will go back in a month to see the burst of colour that happens before Winter. I shall take TOF along for protection/company.

Back out into the sunshine and nearly at the car park.

So back at the beginning and ready to leave.

 But not before saying good bye

to this gorgeous boy.

Homeward bound.

That is the edge of the city on the horizon.

TODAY:

Back to light weight layers

and

I cut me a fringe!!

Don't look too close tho'

it is slightly scrappy. 

This will be me.