Wandering at Pt Elliot, and whales.

Sorry no photos of whales, they were there, about four I think, maybe a female and calf and a larger one. My little camera doesnt take very good whale photos and I am always too slow when a fin, head or tail appear. We dont seem to have many whales this year, I think the dirty water from the amount of rain we have had this winter has put them off and also we have had weeks of rough water so if they were there you couldnt see them. It was a sudden decision to go over and walk the point, I find the path rather challenging these days and we were surprised when we saw the number of cars, I did say perhaps there are whales, and yes, in two different places. We really go to walk but it is always a thrill to see them. A lovely morning too. I didndt just take sea photos either, love the yellow yam daisy and the textures and colours. We also saw a very angry tern dive bombing a pair of Pacific gulls. Possibly a dead seal, not sure about that, and lots of people on a walk where usually we see very few. Lovely to get out though. I also came back from the market with a couple of plants and looked in on the orchid show. bought a yellow epidendrum, or that is what I was told it was. Hope it keeps going although I dont see why not. Oh yes and some lovely scallops to put in the freezer for Christmas. They were fresh yesterday and if I dont get them now there will not be any later. Actually we had a very sea food meal last night, 1/2 doz oysters each, naturel, and some mussels I did in a tomato/ sort of sauce (actually it was left over sauce from first mango chicken, then sausages in that plus a can of tomatoes, that used with a bit of mussel juice and white wine with fresh baked bread and butter. Fit for Royalty.

Mares and foals this evening

Sorry they are all a bit far away, they have only just been moved in here, a few little problems with the foals and much safer back here where we can keep an eye on them. So far 3 colts and a filly. A help call early this morning meant John and I had to go up the back and try to help, not that we are much use, but the foal had walked away from the mare and she was trying to mother her afterbirth, so into the stables they had to come for a few hours while they managed to mother up and he learnt to drink a nice big healthy foal like the other two Section B's by the stallion awe were lucky enough to borrow from a friend. I think there are 9 more to foal, only one Section B left and the rest are little Welsh A's. So a busy day.

Mouse, sea and around the garden.

I have finished this little mouse using Briony Jennings photos as the base for them I dont think I have done them the way she does but I am having fun. Another is on the way. We walked on the beach this morning, a flat sea but the beach has changed and is sloping so difficult for my knee and Johns hips, maybe not so much beach walking for a while. I wandered around the garden, so many weeds and I am upset that I really cant get to them but my body rebels and there isnt any one else. The big dendrobium speciosum out on the front terrace are going to have a big flowering year this year, still coming out. The early blossom is out, various flowers hidden away and a pot full of succulents that is doing well outside. Love my pots. We had another foal last night, a Section B welsh black filly, dramas as she was a maiden mare, not her problem but the foal didnt want to drink so S had a busy night until finally it got the idea. That is 3 foals so far, 2 colts and a filly, a very nice little Welsh A colt, might be a keeper to replace his sire who is getting old. More foals to come in the next few days.

Busy day

Cant say I really did an enormous amount but I am soo tired. Two walks in one day. One on the beach and another to see another new foal, that paddock is up a hill and far away and as soon as I got there she took off so only a baby in the distance, so took a photo the tree leaning over the fence, I also saw a fox who was too fast for my camera and Max gave chase but he is too slow. I re arranged the succulents in the sun room to get more sun.I am still working on my mouse, one arm to go and to cover his tail and add a bit more here and there, eyes. Oh and some washing done, I suppose it is a fair amount but I have got other things that need doing. Painted a mouse. Now to think about dinner. Or perhaps a quick snooze.

Gorgeous morning

Almost felt like early summer, but there is a way to go yet. Lovely walk along the beach near Kent reserve and then on the way home a photo taken from the road of the amount of sand washed around the shore of the Back Valley creek, could be good turtle nesting area later on. At home a few of the shells and an egg casing (ray?) in a bowl. I have no doubt George (cat) will probably take them all to play with later on. He loves playing with shells and then hiding them under the hearth rug. At last I feel like doing some cleaning and tidying, after what seemed like a long cold and wet, (normal?) winter the days are lengthening and its time to prepare inside and out. Have a lovely day, I intend to.

Walking at home this morning

We had the first foal of the season born this morning, not sure if its a filly or a colt but always exciting. John and I walked up the very steep hill behind the house, it was damp and a bit overcast. To think I once used to race up this hill with no problems. Now I tackle it with a stick and frequent rests. It was lovely to get up there and see the in foal mares and the green paddocks, even if some of them are now no longer ours. I have been sorting through some books and took some over for Millie and Mason, natural history books and references for birds and plants I thought they might find useful. Millie tells me she has glasses and it makes reading a lot easier. So glad they have sorted out that problem.

Pt Elliot this morning

We havent walked for a while, not a decent walk any way, and I had missed it. The sea was quite spectacular too. We have had some wild weather and finally this is showing up here along the south coast.Those lovely South African aloes are in flower, always such a bright spot along the coast in winter. People have a thing about introduced plants but plants are always evolving and something to brighten up a dreary winter day is always to be appreciated. We came home, I put a load of washing on the line, windy and bright blue sky and then it rained! Not really a problem as they are now inside on the clothes horse. I am trying to make a mouse, its not working very well. Back to the drawing (sewing) board.