Morning sunlight.
Aotearoa.
Morning milking time.
The spellcheck hasn’t heard of the Maori name for New Zealand. Actually it is the pakia name, Land of the Long White Cloud said in Maori. The spellcheck has put a red line under pakia too, it knows white man, Caucasian, honkie and gringo but it needs to learn Maori.
Pauline the fastest camera slinger in the west,
Anyway Pauline and I are back in NZ that is why I have not been keeping in touch with the blogging family. We are catching up with our Kiwi family. I am having a jam packed, joyous time in the most wonderful little country in the world, Australia is the most wonderful big country.
Pauline shoots a couple of desperados.
Pauline’s son needed us to mind the cat while he went on his honeymoon and I wanted to be on the right side of the Tasman Sea for the final of the world rugby cup, the Wallabies and The All Blacks. The Kiwis love their sport and are mad about the All Blacks.
A photographers paradise.
An advertising ploy was to put out a black milk bottle and a black Weetabix box featuring photos of The All Blacks team. No wonder they won with that kind of home support.
Interesting shapes on the Kaimais at Paeroa on our way to Tauranga.
We always get VIP treatment from our Kiwi family, so we are winners also. Laurence’s farm is better than a luxury holiday retreat. This weekend we are at Jackie and Greg’s place at Tauranga and the adjacent Mt Maunganui.
This tests me every time I visit, I think I am improving.
Walking the Mount has become a traditional challenge for me. I love that walk it is a most spectacular scenic experience.
We have taken heaps of photos, done some drawing and it is one long sightseeing adventure. I have found a gym in Waiuku. I need their cross trainer to get my endorphin flowing, as my knees can’t hack the impact of running.
Another wonderful day.
The sun is shining and I have lots of good things to do before my holiday is over. See you later.
Check Pauline’s blog for the wedding and more on our Kiwi travels.
Pauline gets a few more tips on art from the locals.
jacksjottings 
Looks like everyone had a grand old time! Beautiful scenery!!
[PS. whenever I write a post, the Pacific island names and cities are always underlined in red – I back-track thinking I’m wrong all the time and drive myself crazy!!]
Yes the scenery is great and the people are mighty. I have the same problem with Island and Asian words I still have to check Buddhist words.
Beautiful Scenery you are sure enjoying yourselves . Lovely lovely place , walking yes does you the world of good, especially also on a beautiful day.
Take Care and many best wishes and happy days
Sheila
Looking at your blog I know it is the kind of space you would appreciate. Like me you have a feeling for and love of natures beauty Sheila. It is nice to be friends with you in cyber space.
Looks like a fabulous trip Jack. Sorry the World Cup didn’t go your way, but I imagine your loyalties were split anyway?
The people are what made it especially nice.
No problem with the game I am not a flag waver. It was well played game. Great to see those fit men giving it their best shot.
I’m not at all jealous of that gorgeous view Jack enjoy 😉
It is not in your nature to be jealous.
You are too wise to be burned up by jealousy. I will do another post to make sure of your freedom from envy, I will show Pauline eating tasty food. That will test you. 😉
You’re right Jack, I don’t do jealousy at all, it’s a futile exercise 🙂
My daughter said NZ is the most beautiful country she’s seen, so far. I love the Maori word, and did know it, but not what it meant literally, ‘land of the long white cloud.’ Aaahhhh. Enjoy!
N.Z. is beautiful all beauty is really in the eye of the beholder. Some unfortunate people do not see the beauty. Your daughter has a good eye for beauty and having read your blog I am sure you would see the beauty too.
Very nice photographs and I enjoyed your writing. I will return. Hugs, Barbara
Thank you Barbara for letting me know and for the hugs too. _/\_
Great pics depicting the visual splendour of NZ. Enjoy jack…
Loved the picture of you standing on top of the Mount Jack.. Such a spectacular view from there.. In fact everywhere Looks fabulous.. What a beautiful place… and chuckled at the Donkey picture.. 🙂 Hope you didn’t get a buzz from it 🙂
Love and Peace to you Jack.. _/\_ Sue xx
Sue you would love New Zealand. The climate is more like England. Pleased you got a chuckle, The donkey was so friendly but we both kept our distance from the wire, it was not a dumb donkey._/\_
Jack I am certain I would adore NZ.. Lol.. and glad to hear no animals or humans were injured during the production of this film 😉 _/\_