Dragonfly Springs Wetland Sanctuary

Earlier in the month Jeremy Busck talked to the Kamo Club about these wetlands and there was an open day on Sunday so, after we had done our dog walking and been to the gym, we drove to Onerahi with a picnic and had a thoroughly enjoyable walk around the wetlands.

 We started off by having our picnic in a pleasant shady spot near this lake.  The nesting boxes on poles are for Grey Teal.

                                  

When I saw this rock wall I assumed it was new and was amazed at the workmanship but it turned out to be 100 years old.  We didn't discover why it was there.


                                 


and here it is from the other side.

There were some very pleasant walkways

These cabbage trees (or palms as they are called in Cornwall) were on a small island.

 We came back the same way - there is the rock wall again


                                  

and next to it was this "Dragonfly"  unfortunately all the dragonflies had left for the day along with the ducks and other wildlife

We then discovered that we could have come through this way.  It was a bit wet in parts due to a spring tide but there are plans to put a board-walk in.

This sign must have been discarded by the local school.

This is one article I found

this has a photo of an early planting day

Flowers, a Moth and a Meteor

Many years ago (30 or 40) I collected some brass and copper preserving pans.  Max had this tripod made up for one of them and we always had plants in it.  It has been sitting in the shed since our move over five years ago but as I have plenty of Streptocarpus in flower at present I decided to get it out.  It could do with a repaint but, in the meantime, I think it looks good.  I really must get going on Trade Me and dispose of the others.

This rose is outside my bedroom window.  A couple of weeks ago I counted over thirty buds on it for its second flowering of the season.  

Nothing very marvellous here just a general view of the top garden.

This morning when I got up I found this pretty moth sitting in the kitchen on my copy of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Light and Easy Cookbook.  Can anyone tell me its name please?

On Wednesday at about 10 p.m. just as Doug was heading home the sky was lit up.  We both assumed it was lightening but it didn't really seem like that and there was no thunder.  Yesterday we heard that it was, in fact, a Meteor.  Doug had a better view as he was looking up my drive.

JUNCTION BOX

At least I think it is a junction box.  There are various sizes of these boxes around town and they all used to be painted green often with graffiti on them.  I am not sure if these new ones are for Fibre or Power  ( it was about the time Fibre was installed here that the boxes started to be painted).

This is my favourite and one I see on leaving Max' Rest Home as it is straight across the road.

We have finally had some showers today.  Wonderful.  Hopefully, we will have more over the next few days.

Typical Summer Lunch

Yesterday, my lunch consisted of freshly picked lettuce with some grated carrot and grated cheese, slices of tomatoe, watermelon, and cucumber and roasted red capsicum.  Today, it is the same with the addition of some sliced roast veal and often a hardboiled egg with mayonnaise or some salmon.  Ideal for this weather and delicious.

SUMMERTIME

The weather has been, and still is, glorious.  Temperatures in the late 20's celsius with several days over 30.

On one of the hottest days I heard a native pigeon flying around the garden and then spotted him/her near the top of a tree.  I presume and, indeed hope, that he was in that odd position just to cool off.  A short while later I looked and he had gone.

We have just had a short shower - wonderful - no watering tonight.  I can't remember when it last rained.  It is much needed.

When I visited Max today he seemed to know me and was quite animated.  It is amazing how he changes but good to see him looking so well today.

85 YEARS OLD TODAY

Today is my lovely hubby's 85th birthday.  Unfortunately, he doesn't know it.  He has been sleeping more and more in the last few months and even when he is awake there is "no-one home".

Yesterday, when I went in he was in bed asleep  (he is usually sitting in a lazy boy chair) he was not looking at all well.  Today, he was once more in the lounge in his lazy boy.  I am not sure if he was awake when I arrived but he did not open his eyes or show any reaction.  He then fell into a deep sleep.

I had bought him some more summer weight trousers - not always easy to find as he must have an elastic waist to make it easier for the caregivers to dress and undress him.  Anyway,  I managed to find one pair that just needed shortening.

I unwrapped his present for him and put the trousers in his drawer and sat and held his hand.  There is a blind lady in the home and she was very restless so I went and brought her wheelchair over to where I was sitting with Max and chatted to her until it was time for them all to have their lunch.

 

I love this photo of Max taken when we were still on our "lifestyle" property in the Far North - it was taken seven years ago. 

MAGICAL LETTERBOX

My stepdaughter has just sent me photos of the mail box her partner has built.  I thought it was too good not to share so checked with Jamie this morning to see if he minded me putting it on my Blog so here it is:

Sue said  "We had it decorated with Xmas lights and it has been admired by many in the street.  Our neighbours across the street have had their grandchildren staying and they're convinced that it is a fairy castle (the grandchildren that is) and they have been coming across after dark to look at the "fairy/Xmas lights."  Cute."

They live in the Southern Highlands between Sydney and Canberra.  When I spoke to Jamie this morning he said it is not finished yet and he still has gargoyles to add to it.  So an update will follow