When I first stayed with Shell and Robin Alexander in Indianapolis, USA in 2004, they had a very young Yorkie named Toby. He took a liking to me from the start and would sit on my knee and come up to me at the table. When I next arrived to stay in Coatesville in 2010, he was pleased to see me and had not forgotten me. Likewise the last time I saw him in 2014. What a dear little dog!
Sadly he has passed away. Goodbye old pal!

Remembering Pat.

My great friend and soulmate Pat died twenty weeks ago today. He was a great gardener and loved the New Zealand native bush. He always found walking in the bush a source of peace as well as energy. Some Mondays he would go to the wetlands in Pauatahanui to plant fledgling trees with the Forest and Bird Society people. He planted all the native plants and trees here at 117 Holborn Drive in the fenced off area. Bindi, my cat loves to look over the area from the garden shed roof.
Pat had a vegetable garden of his own and grew such vegetables as carrots, parsnips, courgettes, turnips, pumpkin, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, beans, silver beet, spinach and tomatoes. One year he grew quinoa and amaranth. He did not realise how tall they would grow!!

THE SPRING GARDEN.
I love the spring garden. The flowers come in succession according to the soil temperature and you get an almost daily surprise as one plant after another bursts into bloom.
Some photos of what I found in the garden today.

THE MEADOW

Tread carefully in the meadow lest you step on my memories.

Memories of a five-year old boy gathering wildflowers for his teacher.

Making a posy of bright, yellow shining buttercups,

Sweet red clover and pink-tipped daisies, purple vetch and cow parsley.
See the teacher graciously receiving the bouquet.
She puts them on the window-sill in a crystal vase.

Now the boy with his twin sister is on his way home.
He boards the bus clutching  the penny fare in his little hand.
They mount the steps to the top of the double -decker bus.
From there they can look down to the stream by the mill
And the tops of the trees as they pass through the wood.
Walking from the bus stop,  there is time to gather flowers for mother.

After tea, the little boy makes his way to the stream with his big sister.
He carries in each hand a jam jar with a string handle.
Excitedly he dips each jar into the stream and waits patiently.
Meanwhile it is growing dark and the midges are beginning to bite.
From across the stream mother's voice is heard calling them in.
Time to return home across the bridge with his precious catch of tadpoles.

THE MANY FACES OF ME - expressions I never Knew I had!

While visiting the Roosken family in The Netherlands, I went out and about and my friends Hans and Ludy took these candid photos of me. I never knew I had so many facial expressions.

Beautiful Places I Visited on My Trip

These are my photos of beautiful places I went to on my recent travels from 11 May to 1 July 2014:

Rishworth, near Halifax, West Yorkshire, England.

 A garden set in Portland, Maine, USA.

 Looking over Plymouth Harbour, Devon, England

 Scarborough Beach, Maine, USA

 River Dee, Chester, England

Belfast Docks, Northern Ireland

DOGS ON MY TRAVELS

When I arrived at my cousin Gail's house in Boston USA, we were almost at the door, when she asked me if I was O.K. with dogs. I had no sooner said yes than this little female Boston Terrier shot past her to lay a ball at my feet. She is called Wheezie because she makes that kind of a noise. She is a very appealing character and had me throwing a tennis ball outside and doing soccer moves indoors.
When we were packing to go up to Maine for a few days, she kept coming and putting her ball inside my bag and looking hopefully at me. She sometimes goes to stay at the house in Maine. but, not this time.