A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles

On Saturday I drove out to visit Sue W

as some babies had finally arrived that morning!!

I WAS SO EXCITED!

 These sheep are still full of babies!

Except for the Ram.

 No babies here.

Babies? There are babies? Where?

Tucked up inside a shelter was this mum and her brand spanking new twin lads, so cute to.  Only hours old so I couldn't get close.  Like most new mums, she needed her space and time to bond with her babies. 

On my way home this bunch of bovine caught my eye, and it would seem I caught theirs as they gathered at the gate to check out what I was doing.

 They are such funny animals,

look at them watching me watching them.

I  gave up first as it started to rain!

Can you see the rainbow?

Perfect timing as I stopped at this old barn.

Life in the country looks idyllic to me.

But I know it is hard work.

Spring is trying to arrive now.

On Monday I drove out to visit Dawn as she is finally in her new house.

I took a photo of this handle-less cup she gave me to show her what I am using it for.  

While I was in her studio I drew a picture of a toothbrush and toothpaste holder that she might have a go at making.  It is a spin on one of her birds so it will fit in with her collection.

 

Dawns new studio is awesome, light and roomy and such a good place to hang out in.  She was busy making busts and half caravans, while I was busy watching a Kingfisher that kept landing on the farm fence outside.

All of these gorgeous things are seconds, not that I could really find much wrong with them, but she is incredibly fussy.  So these are all for sale.

Coming home from Dawns place I stopped to photograph the best chicken coop ever, a log cabin style one.  Across the road was a paddock full of deer.

Because it was such a lovely sunny day (cold, but sunny) I drove round the Lake I love.  Lake Rotoroa, the one in the middle of our city.  The building above is a restaurant/cafe called The Veranda.  Nice spot to have lunch for sure.  There is a cool playground to the right of it that generations of Hamilton children have happily played in over the years.

I suspect there are as many, if not more Pigeons than ducks residing at the lake.  They live in the tall palm trees and the bugger shit everywhere.  They coo while they poo!

Lots of people were out walking dogs, pushing prams etc around the lake.  I really should do that one day, walk the dogs, not push a pram!

I came home with some more filler bits for my totem, so it is now complete.

I was going to bake a cake in the afternoon but I ran out of time so I bought this scrum-diddle-umshish one from the supermarket.  Looks home made perched under the dome and it won't last long. 

 

But I did have time to make soup.  Idea came from Dawn.  Roasted pumpkin and garlic, with fresh fennel and chicken stock.  Pumpkin grown by Sue W and the garlic and fennel from our garden.  It was YUM!!

Layers of warmth and colour for me on this sunny cold day.

Today I drove back out to Sue Ws place as it was another sunny day and those lambs needed another visit.  Max of course followed us everywhere and kept me entertained, he is such a classic little dog.

Four days old and looking as cute as ever.

Mum kept a protective eye on me at all times.

Of course we hung out with the goats.

I mean, why wouldn't you?

A Tui was sitting singing in one of the trees

on the driveway.

 

Some Kingfishers were chilling out in other trees.

Beautiful rolling landscape of country colour.

Sepia finish for that gorgeous old barn.

BACK IN MY GARDEN...

So glad I have friends that live rurally so I can soak up the peace and tranquility that the countryside offers.  Thanks girls.