Hopscotch fun

Giant alphabet hopscotch. Hours of fun (the boys liked it too).

Winter garden

I found some winter hazel in a grown over corner of the garden today. It is so delicate and pretty, I couldn't resist bringing a few twigs inside. I'm off to clear some creeper from it now, and give a bit of room.

Winter beach stuff

The other weekend we went to the Petone winter carnival. It was amazing. I love a country that celebrates winter, but its not so freezing that you can't stay and enjoy it. This structure was one of many amazing fire sculptures.
Its been a wobbly old day here today. Fingers crossed for a safe weekend.

Flowering

Moving continents brings lots of surprises and adjustments. The garden of our rental house has mainly shrubs, lots of which are camellias. I had forgotten that these are winter flowering, and how much brighter and un-wintery they made the garden. I am missing my 'proper' garden but these are very beautiful.