355: blackberry beginnings

Out clearing the jungle that is my 'back garden' this morning, I came across these blackberries- with their promise of treats to come in the late summer/ autumn. I cleared away the convolulus that was climbing all over it- and hopefully there will be a feast for the picking in March...

354: Joseph St Kitchen

I had another trip to the dump this morning with some more green waste... and stopped off on my way home for a hot chocolate at Mike's Joseph St Kitchen. Oh, and an afghan too :-)

353: Mt Cleese & Anzac Park

You don't always get what I 'plan' on this #365 jaunt. I was heading to the dump to take some green waste- don't panic- it gets turned into compost. It wasn't supposed to be my 'photo opportunity', but then I was reminded of the Mt Cleese sign, which has quite a story attached to it.

Actually, you do get quite a good view back down the river from this 'mountain' as well...

Next I planned to drive up the hill to Anzac Park, to check out exactly how hilly and strenuous the track looked from a walker's point of view. (Quite steep was my verdict.) And you were going to get a landscape view here on #365 from the viewpoint over the city. But there was some unforeseen action up there: several policeman were using the spot to train their dogs. So of course, you have to get a couple of pics of that instead!

The dog's aim was clearly to 'disrobe' his assailant's arm of the protective sleeve- and he did that with gusto, quite successfully.

352: sheep resting

Holidays have arrived and  I am glad to 'officially' start my training regime for Cluny next April. While I was sweating up and down a few hills, it was nice to see these sheep still had time to relax and be peaceful under this tree.

350: Holiday Flowers

Yesterday was the last day of the school year and I am now on holiday! This beautiful bunch of carnations was given to me. 

349: tui on flax

It is that happy time of year again, when I can watch the tui feeding on flax in my back garden. I am giving you three photos: none of them is a perfect shot, but the different angles show you more about the bird, in this case a juvenile.

346: weeds & seeds

Gardening is not my forte..... weeds have become seeds to become weeds..... I will be busy in the garden these hols, but it's too little too late...

345: roadside rest

In just four months time I will be starting some long walks in France, so the summer needs to be full of walks to improve my fitness. Today I took one of my 'circuits' around some quiet country roads. I started earlyish, just after 7am, and after three and a half hours, I decided it was time to stop for a morning tea break. And ahhhh how I love taking my shoes off!

344: Pipe bands

Each year in December there is a Pipe Band contest in the Square. I always like wandering through when it's on, and listening to all the goings-on. This is a local group of mainly young ones, getting ready for their performance.

And just because I am getting to the end of Project365- a bonus shot- this time of an older band preparing their way...

342: peace in the courtyard

At the end of the school day, when the sun is shining, the courtyard outside some of our classrooms is a lovely peaceful spot to walk through...

340: Art Expo

There's a wonderful event at school this week: the Art Expo. All our parents, grandparents, locals and anyone at all who is interested can come along to see it in the Hall. Floor to ceiling art. Magnificent. Here's a peak at our little New Entrant corner.

338: two bikes

two bikes at the supermarket

337: Christmas in the Square

It's Christmas in the Square here in Palmy today. The Red Cross Fair was on this morning, and later on will be the Santa Parade and Carols. Then they will light up the tree for the season.

335: Night time in the Square

This is now the last month of my 365 project, so a 'reflection' seems appropriate. On my way home this evening, I saw these reflections in one side of the 'butterfly' lakes in the Square.

And in case anyone is wondering, December 31st will indeed bring the end of this blog. Next year I will be walking in France, probably without too much e-mail access. But there will be a different blog for recounting it all...

332: for paper chains

Even when you have been teaching as long as I have, you still get ideas from all over the place. Another teacher's four year old daughter at day care brought home a poem with 25 paper chains attached, made out of Christmas gift wrap paper, to count down the December days until Christmas. Soooo, today we have been learning all kinds of things about 25, to help us count the 25 paper chains we will make tomorrow. And here is the Christmas gift wrap paper we will make them with...

331: Himatangi Beach

This was the first really fine day we have had for ages and the beach was calling. The tide was really high, and I ended up with really wet trousers, but the water was surprisingly warm. Loved the walk. And it was especially good to have a day that provided an inkling that summer might truly be just around the corner- because most of November the weather has not been so good...

330: peaceful spot

A peaceful spot beside the stream, along the Turitea Walkway. 

I'd been walking just over two hours before I arrived here, and this was a great spot to have a drink of water and an orange, before climbing back up the hill to where my car was parked.

329: celebration

There was a celebration this evening- for some young teachers and some retiring teachers. 

328: river high

The rain stopped and the sunshine finally returned this afternoon- but the river is running fast and high...
and hrmmmmphhh the forecast is for gale force winds tomorrow.

327: here comes the rain again...

Here comes the rain again..... November has been like that. Sigh. At least the wind doesn't seem to be quite as strong as it was a few days ago  -not yet anyhow...