Happiness is as simple as a long weekend

So our long weekend has come to an end, and it has been lovely.  I know, I always have a long weekend but when everyone else gets to share it with me it is kind of fun.

Saturday it rained off and on so we spent the day mooching at home, and of course time was spent in the garden.

Droplets of rain clung to the plants, flies had sex, and I even ate a couple of Strawberries.

On Sunday my good friend Diane came in from Raglan and we went into town to the Diwali Festival that was on.  We thought it was going to be a big affair, and the day was amazingly sunny.

borrowed from the web

We were thinking along the lines of Bollywood style dancing, stalls of Indian clothing and food.  But unfortunately it was not to be.  There were only a few stalls as in about 3, and we only watched a couple of lovely young girls perform a traditional dance.

I was keen to get a Henna tattoo but there was a line of people waiting and only one Henna artist.  Amazing work for free hand.  So I ended up buying a tube of Henna and I am going to give it a go myself.

Late afternoon TOF and I drove out to Raglan as we had been invited to a BBQ at Diane's home.  

We went for a drive to check out the beach first because that is what you do when you go out to Raglan.  The main street was chocka block with people all enjoying the glorious weather and being at the beach.

 

This is just one of the beautiful views from our friends deck.  I love just taking in the endless vistas on offer.  

While dinner was cooking the sun started to set. 

It looked so amazing, so magical.

Sunsets are just another one of Mother Natures

divine gifts she delivers to us.

After an amazing meal and a great evening of laughing with friends, we were sent home with some fresh White Bait that was gathered that morning, and a crayfish from their freezer.  I love this time of the year as it means dining out doors, and good old fashioned Kiwi BBQ with family and friends is my favourite.

Directly across the road from our house we have a park.  There is an  entrance way  in between a couple of our neighbours.  Today we decided to wander over, it has been a while.

 TOF and I took the dogs for a play. 

We let Sheba off her lead for a run,

she just has endless energy to chase her ball.

Oscar on the other hand can not be trusted so stays on his lead.  He has a tendency to wander off into people's gardens and turns deaf when called.  I cannot be bothered chasing a small white dog, so on a lead he stays.  He is happy to roll on the grass and pee on the trees!

The park is edge in big trees and numerous homes back onto it so lovely plants hand over fences.  Our kids spent many hours in the park while growing up, playing sports or hanging with their mates.  It was like having another back yard but across the road.

I am wondering if I can grow some of the Clematis and Wisteria from cuttings?   There is an abundance of both growing over the fences on the walkway back to our place.

 From the road our house is tucked up behind a row of Conifers.

We feasted on White Bait fritters and salad tonight for our dinner, takes quite a bit of beating does a feed like this.

Note how all three animals decided sleeping on my lap was the ideal place to be this evening.  Can you see Tex, he is on my shoulder.

He got the hump with having to share and moved to his own chair. 

Well it has been a lovely three days, and it is time I showered and headed off to bed.  Hope where ever you are you have enjoyed your weekend be it a long one or not.