Biker's Category

As well as the classic car section and the hot rods, there was also a category for motor bikes. Most of the bikes were Harleys in all shapes and sizes. I never realised that there were so many different models.


There was one Indian and a few Triumphs. My brother used to own a Norton Commando about a 1972 vintage. It was a beautiful motor bike, all gleaming chrome and very very powerful. (pictured below)

50's and 60's

I was actually age 14 at the end of the fifties, a rather immature farm kid, not really very aware of the wider world - and Elvis and the rock and roll culture. Things changed a little when I left home in the 60's and went to Training College.

American cars were quite popular here at the time. We used to marvel at their excessive size, the 'wings' at the sides, and some were the very first convertible cars I had ever seen.

My parents owned a Model T Ford, then a British car - a Singer, then a Vauxhall, a large Dodge, a Simca, and after my Father died my Mother bought a Daimler. A rather eclectic collection of cars from a variety of countries.

In New Zealand there was a mixture of American and British cars available in the 50's and 60's. We saw Chevvies, lots of Fords, Buiks, Chryslers but seldom any Cadillacs or Lincolns. British cars were the usual makes - Minis, Austins, Morris, Vauxhalls, Daimlers, Rolls Royce (seldom seen), Jaguar, etc.

Here are some more photos from the Beach Hop.

Lost in the 50's

This weekend I have been here - at the Beach Hop. This is an annual celebration, held over a weekend, of all things pertaining to the 50's and 60's. With the emphasis on American cars and culture.

















Now the 50's is not quite my era. I am ancient by some standards, and although I was around in the 50's, I was a teenager in the 60's so the 50's really passed me by a little. However the cars were still around, and the juke boxes, and the milk bars, and Elvis.

Some images of my weekend................








































To be continued..............

A Walk in the Bush

Here are some photos my son took on one of our walks up the river a few weeks ago. They show typical NZ bush. 'Bush' is a term we use to mean forest. If a New Zealander says we are going for a walk in the bush - be prepared for a hike in a forest! Not a walk through some little bushes!

Which Austen heroine are you?

Take the Quiz here!

I am...Anne Elliot!
Anne Elliot!

You are Anne Elliot of Persuasion! Let's face it; you're easily persuaded, particularly when friends and relatives try to use "the Elliot way" against you. But this doesn't mean that you don't have conviction. Actually, your sense of duty is overwhelming. And though you won't stick your neck out too often, you have learned to speak up when it counts. To boot, you know how to handle sticky situations. You love deeply and constantly.

Bromeliad colour

Splashes of Autumn colour

This week is officially the first week of autumn so I'm told. And the garden is generally reflecting this with many plants past their best.

However there are always those that are 'late bloomers' - literally - and are only just having their brief moments of glory.



Thank you Gail for reminding me that I actually do still have a garden!

The plants pictured are :

Australian Bottlebrush.

Moses in the Bullrushes,

Dahlia,

Tree Hisbiscus

Painted Cats

An email arrived today with these images of painted cats. I couldn't resist sharing with you.

I think that I really would prefer the poor animals to be left as they are. I don't think that the cats need to be embellished any further.

But it puzzles me how they could get the cats to sit still for long enough to be painted. I hope that it didn't involve sedation.

The World Village

What a small place the world is - a hackneyed phrase but so true.

A few days ago my husband had an unexpected visitor walk into his office. An Englishman visiting New Zealand, this man had been sitting as a passenger in a car going past the front entrance of the office. They had to stop at the roundabout and as he idly glanced out the window he saw our business sign in the window. It turns out that he has the same surname as us, its a relatively unusual one, and his business is called the same name as ours also. He is in the same line of work with the same background training. His first name is also similar to my husbands.

He came up to the office for a few beers after work yesterday and I went in and met him. A very pleasant man - I am pleased that we share the same surname - and business names. He and my husband had a lot to talk about as they compared the various facets of their work in the two countries.

This morning we had the pleasure of meeting his wife also. They depart for home (South England) tomorrow.

My husband now talks jokingly about 'our Head office in England' while the Englishman will be going home and referring to his 'South Pacific' branch!

We have made two new friends.

Fruit season.

A quick post to let you know that I am still here. But seem to have been away from home a lot lately and when home just busy busy. But doing mundane things.

We have two apple trees - one at our beach house - a Gala apple, and one here at home, a Golden Delicious. Both are ripe at the same time and I have been peeling and cooking buckets and buckets of them to freeze. In earlier days I would bottle the fruit but now with a freezer it is so much easier. They are great for winter cooking, I use them for puddings and sauces etc.

We also have a pear tree which has had a good crop this year, by the time I have finished all this fruit I never want to see another pear or apple again,. I have also given a lot away to friends.

So - I will be back but taking a break for now.