Self fulfilling prophecy

When I named our home, it was because of family links with a village by the same name in N. Yorkshire. At the time, rabbits were far from my thoughts.

Well, it would seem that word has got round the rabbit fraternity, because they are making themselves very at home on our property.

This morning these youngsters were very helpfully grazing on the weeds at the centre of the driveway. I wonder if we could encourage them onto the payroll? The poor quality of the photographs are due to camera shake on such a long telephoto shot via our office window.

Needless to say, our three feline "hunters" were still in the land of Nod when Flopsy and Mopsy appeared. The walk in wardrobe is the current boudoir of choice due to the cool breeze from the bathroom window.

With warm greetings from Coneysthorpe in the county of Watership Down.

Wishing you all blessings at this time of year

In the midst of the mayhem of the Christmas season, I wish you the peaceful presence of the Most High, leading you beside still waters.

The Kuku stream at the bottom of our road.

Paddock Diary 7

We have some interesting occupants of the paddock. I am told they are known as "dorpers" or self shedding sheep. When they arrived from the farmer next door, I thought a drunk shearer had had a go at them, as their fleece was hanging off in strange places. Some even sported mullets. It appears they are able to rub off the fleece themselves. Here is evidence - the paddock gleanings. Oh, and the feather didn't belong to them, in case you were wondering.

How to embarrass a donkey

.......dress it up as a reindeer and take it for an outing to a Christmas Fair

Te Horo Christmas Market, today.

Our "local"

Five minutes drive away, down State Highway 1 is the Quarter Acre Cafe. We had a meal there on Friday evening with 22 colleagues from my husband's workplace. The food was worthy of an award it was SO good. This cafe is also our local "coffee stop", and we enjoy its peaceful garden at least once a week. Yesterday I took my camera.

The sparrow was hopping around gathering bits for a nest, when he wasn't stealing crumbs close by one of the tables.

Ditch posies

We were driving from one of our neighbours two days ago and I shrieked with delight when I looked out of the car window.

The ditch leading from their property was full of clumps of hearts ease. Hundreds and hundreds and all different colours. I have just scrambled in the ditch to take these photos.

The other bit of my life

Yesterday I spent some time with this lovely gent, The Rev Bob Peters. He is the Chaplain at the Missions to Seafarers in Wellington Harbour.

If you are not familiar with the work this organisation does, it really is amazing. They give pastoral and practical help to seamen in the port. Most seafarers are not paid much, often have massive issues due to being away from home 10 months of the year, and it is really great for them to have somewhere comfortable and friendly to go when they have very little shore leave, or money.

Bob does a heap of stuff for "his men", including giving couselling, feeding them, free wifi a small shop and cafe within his building. He even provides them with free warm wooly hats, knitted by folk in Wellington. So many of the fishing vessels work the Southern Ocean and many of the men don't have good protective clothing on board. So the beanie hats fly out of the door!

He was telling me that sometimes he gets visits from passengers on the big cruise ships. When they know there is a priest close by, those with problems often seek out him and his Catholic counterpart.

If you are thinking of donating money to any charity as a "thank you for life" this holiday season (Christmas / Channukah etc), the Missions to Seafarers really is a good lot. Thanks. They'll be taking care of those without families to share the holidays with.