UPDATE TWO

 A couple of weeks ago my stepson came up for a few days and, while he was here, we went over to Matakohe to the Kauri Museum.  The first photo is a "slice" from a kauri triee as one enters the Museum. 

Then there is some very impressive kauri furniture (there was a lot more)

A wonderful tool chest

How is this Water pump for ingenuity.

Looking down at some of the machinery

and some of the "models" doing different tasks

This hollowed out kauri with a seat. 

The girths of several large well known kauri trees 

We spent an interesting couple of hours there and it was good to see so many people.  We then went across the road to the cafe and were lucky to order just before a large coach load came in.  (There were two other coaches parked when we arrived).  It was a very pleasant day out.

UPDATE ONE

 Well, the peaches kept on coming.  For a self sown tree it is amazing.  Unfortunately, a lot had the dreaded Guava Bud Moth in them but we eventually froze 38 x one litre packs of lightly stewed peaches, ate a lot more and gave lots away to family and friends.  

The above photos are back to front as the peaches are frozen in the 1 litre containers then removed and vacuum packed.  This way we can fit 18 in the small drawer of our upright freezer.

As we had excess bananas we decided to freeze some for use in smoothies.  It was my first time freezing bananas and has worked well.  These are also in vacuum pack bags.

YESTERDAY'S WALK

I posted my photos straight from my phone before writing the blog and they have gone on back to front.  Never mind.  It was another hot day so I had organised another bush walk for the Parkinson's Walking Group. It was a shorter walk with the possibility of adding on to it for the more energetic walkers.  As it turned out there were only six of us and we were all happy to go at a gentle pace. It was most enjoyable and lovely and cool in the bush.

Trees and branches are just left to rot naturally unless they are a hazard, this one fell across the small stream.

photos of the stream from both directions taken from a small bridge

it is a lovely path, much better to walk on than a concrete path.

I love the patterns on kauri bark.

lovely new growth on a Punga or Ponga tree fern

I liked this fern growing up the trunk of a small tree.

A smaller kauri with two smaller trees either side

This is the main kauri tree alongside the boardwalk from eye level and looking upwards.

the valley floor from the boardwalk

Someone must have tied this tree in a knot when it was young.  Often done to make a walking stick.

 

PEACHES AND SWEETCORN

 It is that time of year again. We have a great crop of peaches this year, so heavy that the second branch on the tree has just broken although I am leaving it attached in the hope that the peaches will still ripen.  

The poor tree is so dry that a lot of fruit are falling off.  I also have a very high tech picker (a fruit can on a stick) and have picked a few.

On top of this we went to the Growers' Market as usual early yesterday morning and bought a dozen corn on the cob.  We were going to process them straight after breakfast but had a visit from a delightful 22 year old young lady, she is the daughter of the lady who did a reading at our wedding and, when she was still at school would often call in with her family but we had not seen her for a while.  When she left we were surprised to see we had been chatting for almost two very enjoyable hours.

When she left we processed the corn.  It is blanched then the kernels removed, chilled and this morning it has been frozen.

By the time we had finished it was definitely time for lunch (delicious gurnard and vegies).  Later we both set to getting the peaches ready and cooking them for a short time.  We ended up with two bowls.  These were put into containers and frozen last night.

This morning the sweetcorn was also put into containers and put to freeze.  Lots of summer goodness ready for winter.

Photos back to front :)

The broken branch on the peach tree

One of four trays of peaches so far

One of two bowls processed so far.
 

VISITORS AND THE GARDEN

 Last week we had visitors, a cousin from the U.K. and his wife.  Last time they visited was about 28 years ago when they came with their toddler daughter who is now 30 and about to be married.  

Before they arrived I checked on their breakfast requirements and was surprised when the reply was porridge and fruit.  We have porridge and fruit every day of the year but I make it with added chia seeds, chopped dates and oat milk.  Yes, that would be fine.  They said the porridge was just like being at home so that went well.  Of course we did the walk to the Whangarei Falls but also added in the A.H. Reed Board walk as well.  

On Friday we walked  the Loop at the Town Basin visiting the Hundertwasser Art Centre and the Clock Museum on the way with a stop for lunch.  It doesn't sound a lot but it took most of the day and by afternoon it was 28 degrees and we were both tired.  Home for a cuppa and biccie.

We decided on a sleep in on Saturday morning instead of our usual 6 a.m. start for the Growers' Market.  They headed north along the coast for a swim and on to Kaikohe where they have cycled the Twin Coast Cycle Trail (the brought their bikes over with them).

We really enjoyed their visit and there was lots of discussion about the family tree and exchange of photos.  They also brought a video they took of our property up north when they visited previously.

Meanwhile our garden virtually stopped producing after the storm.  As we didn't go to the Market I have placed an order with Nadia who has an organic garden just down the road from us and delivers vegie boxes. I have ordered the small box plus a hand of bananas although since I placed the order ours have started ripening.  

New flowers in the garden are.  The top photo is the hydrangea that turns pink as it ages.

There is lots of fruit coming on the   Riesentraube tomato and the peach tree is laden.  I hope that the peaches survive the current humid weather.

We had a pleasant Parkinsons' walk yesterday in spite of the 29 degree heat.

My vegie box has just been delivered 

A bunch of bananas and 3 chillies

A bunch of spinach, a bunch of Swiss Chard, 4 heirloom tomatoes,  4 cucumbers, a bag of salad,  beans and  cherry tomatoes plus some Agria potatoes.  All freshly picked/dug.