BANANAS

Our bananas were covered in a blue plastic bag for protection from the elements and any vermin so we could not see whether they were ripening or not.  We had decided to pick them anyway but had put it off until we had cleared the boundary fence.  On Friday I happened to notice ripe bananas lying on the ground.  They had over-ripened so we set to to pick them.  It is a big job as the bunches are quite heavy and high up but we got them down and then cut up the stems for mulch around the remaining plants.  Seeing they were over-ripe we decided to pick the second bunch as well.  This is still quite green but we think/hope it will ripen.  Anyway, even though a lot of the bananas have split they are absolutely delicious, far tastier than any bought in the shops.  We have given quite a lot away but still have plenty as well as the green ones to look forward to.

A bowl of ripe bananas

The rest of the bunch hanging up to ripen.

The second bunch as we were picking it.

The plants after the first two plants have been removed.

 

SPRING - A BUSY TIME OF YEAR

Spring is always busy.  Old vegetable beds to be cleared out and replanted, winter flowering plants to be cut back or removed.  Here, in the north of New Zealand, everything keeps on growing so we don't actually have a winter rest period.  Although the grass grows more slowly, it still grows and needs mowing and most plants keep on growing.

Apart from this general maintenance Doug decided that the edging of the flower bed along the drive needed replacing.  He built it in 2009 just after he moved here.  This is the flower bed earlier in the month before the old edging was removed.

This is the new edging.  Doug cuts each piece individually then nails them on to the backing timber in panels.

The following photos are of the garden a couple of weeks ago.

We then decided that the various creepers growing on the boundary fence needed removing and a new fence put in.  It was a fairly big job removing the creepers and we have a skip booked for tomorrow to take the rubbish away.  We got a quote for a new paling fence but as it was nearly twice as much as we expected, even allowing for the huge increase in the price of timber,  we have decided to build it ourselves. Fun times!!!

I had not taken a photo of the new edging so just took a couple which also show the old fence with all the creepers removed.  The garden looks a bit bare as we removed a few plants while clearing out the creepers.  Yesterday we planted various salvias, zinnias and petunias.  We got them in just in time for today's steady rain.

SPRING IN THE QUARRY GARDENS

 We really enjoyed Monday's walk in the gardens.  It was a cloudy day but quite pleasant.

Clivias are doing well at present.  We have several clumps in our garden.

We also have a small pot with a Poor Knights Lily only found in the wild on the Poor Knight's Islands.

A couple of us decided to walk up to the Arid Garden.  Although I have been to the higher path many times I had never been on this path to the Arid Garden halfway up the cliff.  This photo taken half-way up the path shows how high one climbs in a short period. That is the car park we started from.

Higher up looking down on the rest of the group at the lake.  The water is quite murky following rain.

I don't know the name of this plant but it is very pretty although I wouldn't want to grow it as it has vicious thorns.

The bottom photos are Doug's who did not go up to the Arid Garden.  This is a bug house 

and below with one of the doors open.  No bugs in residence.

another photo of Chris Booth's sculpture

A pretty tea tree which I believe is an Australian one. 

I was asked to stand next to this tree to show the size of the leaves.

We always enjoy our walks in the Quarry Gardens which was followed by a cuppa at a nearby cafe.  Unfortunately the Gardens' Cafe is closed on Monday and Tuesday.

QUARRY GARDENS - CHRIS BOOTH SCULPTURE

 In 2018 I posted a photo of a Chris Booth Varder Sculpture which is designed to be consumed over time by fungi.  

We have seen it several times over the years but were surprised to find this when we had the Parkinson walk there today.

This is the sign that was underneath it.

We had a most enjoyable walk around the gardens.  More photos in a day or so.

97th BIRTHDAY

Yesterday, Saturday, was my aunt's 97th birthday.  She is the widow of my mother's youngest brother and the sole surviving member of that generation. She still lives at home and her eldest son has moved in to care for her.  She still enjoys her garden and greenhouse and likes to make sure it has been watered.  

I phoned her, in Wrexham, and had a long chat with her son (my second youngest cousin) and then a short chat with my aunt.  After she handed the phone back to her son I heard her ask "am I 21"  now that is the right attitude.

Back here, we put the clocks forward last night.  I am not in favour of daylight saving.  I prefer to get up early and get work done and then by the evening I am usually too tired to want to take advantage of any extra evening daylight.  Anyway, it has been a beautiful day and we have had a good day in the garden - sowing seeds, putting up frames to support the dahlias when they grow and moving some plants.  

Tomorrow is a special holiday for the Queen but the walking group will meet as usual weather permitting. We often have more people walking on a Public Holiday than a normal day.

VEGETARIANS LOOK AWAY

 We still have a couple of pieces from the last whole fillet steak we purchased but when I saw it on special again on Saturday we bought another one. There were not many left and I chose the smallest.  I have just trimmed and cut it into portions using my new toy, a vacuum sealer, to get it ready for the freezer.  We ended up with 9 packets with a mixture of 2 and 3 servings plus another 4 packets of off cuts for stir fries and enough for lunch today.  The portions are not large as we are not big meat eaters. I know it will be delicious.

TODAY'S CARTOON

 

We watched the funeral and procession "on demand" today as we were too tired to stay up last night.  The funeral was from 10 p.m. here and we had a busy day yesterday with an unexpected delivery of firewood that we duly put away in the shed so knew that we would most likely nod off if we tried to watch it live.

We still have more to see as we had appointments today - an 8.30 a.m. one for Doug at the skin clinic and both of us had podiatry appointments this afternoon.  One thing the British is good at is Pomp and Ceremony.  

REST IN PEACE YOUR MAJESTY.