This is the green, green grass my son calls home. This is the view from the kitchen window, of the rolling, lush farmland, that I will be seeing for the next 10 days, as we house sit for Laurie and Kerry while they go on their honeymoon.
This is the neighbours dairy farm across the road and he milks hundreds of cows.
Laurie’s farm is only 7 acres so we only have 5 beef cows to look after, no milking required…
I smile when Kerry tells me the names, “Steak” and “Sausage” but the worrisome one is called “Houdini”!!! That is the one at the front that is eyeballing me…
Then we have “Nisha” the cat, named after a tiger, and she is a cat with attitude. I fed her, so we were friends, and she would curl up on the bed with her hot little body draped over my legs. Jack was a different story and when she bit him one day they were no longer friends…
In the early morning, as the neighbours cows went to be milked, we would go for a walk around the lane.
It was so peaceful and perfect light for photography.
The young yearlings would watch us wonderingly as we walked by. I don’t think they are used to seeing people walking along the road.
I was so absorbed in capturing the beauty of the world around me that I didn’t realise that Jack was having fun capturing me, until we downloaded the mornings images, then, oh dear, I had to laugh. No wonder the cows were looking at me…
These are a couple of the neighbouring farmhouses we walked by and they are typical of the farm houses in this area, with the barbed wire fences and the lichen covered fence posts, so photogenic.
As we arrive back at the gate to Laurie’s place I look across the road at this magnificent Macrocarpa tree. Later in the day I attempted to capture its strength and beauty in a sketch.
But now it is time to have breakfast.
*******************
I have joined Restless Jo’s walking group again this week. Another different New Zealand walk Jo. I hope you enjoyed it.
You simply must pop over to see Jo’s amazing walk around the Lumiere festival it is stunning.
Beautiful
LikeLike
Thank you. Did you see the donkeys?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just catching up on some blogs and glad I made it for this walk! Great shots and “only” 7 acres??? Sounds huge – and my fav pic is the post with yellow paint – such an artsy shot that said much – and of course nice to see jack got u in action – and I did by know u also sketched – you two have so much in common and I like your sketch of the tree.
Okay – have a good week and hope you have a great time traveling
LikeLike
Thanks for the encouraging comment Yvette. Now we are in one place for a while I’m looking forward to catching up with my blogging buddies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool – and sounds like u guys are having a nice adventure 💗💗💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Once again, beautiful photos. I really have to visit New Zealand and see if the beauty you capture in photos is real. Seeing the photos captured of you in the various positions, I understand why the cows seemed perplexed at so why the ‘being in the red jacket’ was twisting herself like that. 🙂
LikeLike
NZ is even more beautiful than I can portray in my photos I’m sure you would love it here if you get to visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a magnificent place! Tell Jack not to worry about the cat – cats always bite me, people even say ‘that cat’s never bitten anyone before!’ lol 😀
LikeLike
Surprising how many people say they have been bitten by a cat… The cat and Jack they had a spat!!!
LikeLike
Haaaa! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
great pictures !!
LikeLike
Thanks Gwennie NZ is a lovely country.
LikeLike
On my bucket list 🙂
LikeLike
The next door farm had 2 donkeys, you would love this area.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to visiting one day
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a great place, lovely green…love the lichen on the fencepost!!! great shot
LikeLike
It is a small piece of heaven BF
LikeLiked by 1 person
truly!! I need to go to NZ again, see more of it
LikeLike
So much to see for such a small country.
LikeLike
And beautiful, too…from pictures I’ve seen
LikeLike
Thanks for the lovely journey. How wonderful that you can house sit, enjoying the beauty, and they can go on their honeymoon.
janet
LikeLike
It was a win win Janet…
LikeLike
Beautiful shots. The place looks so peaceful and serene.
LikeLike
It is a lovely place to live and for us to visit, like a 5 star retreat…
LikeLike
Ahhh lovely Pauline, this reminds me of my relatively recent visit to my niece and her partner’s farm north of Coromandel. I so enjoyed this walk with you. Even my cat can nip at times,although with me she doesn’t do it hard!! I will have to take a walk with you all around here soon!
LikeLike
Coromandel is one of my favourite places in NZ. Look forward to walking with you Sue
LikeLike
Oh this takes me back to Raglan and the wonderful rolling countryside around there. Love the fence posts and the lichens and the rusty barbed wire – great photos PP. New Zealand is gorgeous.
LikeLike
Thanks Jude I don’t think there is any where in NZ that is not photogenic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really hope that I get the chance to go back and explore more.
LikeLike
Maybe next time you come over here you can make a side trip….
LikeLike
Perhaps a round the world ticket with stopovers in New Zealand?
LikeLike
Now that would be my idea of heaven, but maybe a bit volatile at the moment…
LikeLike
Yes, indeed, blowing up aeroplanes has that effect on you. Or rather on me. I remember the 70s when planes were being taken hostage, but then I couldn’t afford to fly often. Shame we don’t still have all the ships that we had then. Now that was a nice way to travel.
LikeLike
But cruising has become big business and I think it is because of the drama in flying
LikeLike
Yes, but cruising is expensive as you pay for all that entertainment etc. There used to be regular shipping on smaller ships between England and South Africa and Australia that were more accessible – mail boats!
LikeLike
I thought the cost of the cruise we went on was more than comparable with a similar time spent in a resort. All the entertainment and meals are in the initial cost. Of course there are lots of extras eg casinos, alcohol, massage, beauty treatments, endless unnecessary stuff. But for a simple, relaxing holiday it was affordable. For my restless feet not enough time allocated for shore time.
LikeLike
Mmmm… maybe I need to investigate 🙂
LikeLike
Our 2 week cruise to NZ cost $1998 each, all meals, accommodation and entertainment. Though we enjoyed it I think it will be a one off experience.
LikeLike
I don’t think we are cruise people, but I have considered the Baltic cruise to St Petersburg, and the one up the Norwegian coast. I’d prefer the smaller ships.
LikeLike
If we ever go again I would pay a bit more for a “stateroom” with a balcony. The cabin we were in had no window to open (we were at the bottom level and the sea would come in!!!) and I blame the aircon for a very bad cold we developed.
LikeLike
I would have to have a porthole – it would be too claustrophobic for me otherwise. And I am a dreadful sailor, so maybe a cruise is not for me!
LikeLike
We did have a port hole and could watch the ocean slipping by, but it was sealed. As for feeling the motion of the ship I couldn’t, it was so smooth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful and peaceful place to live, Pauline! You must be so happy for your son and his wife. Yes, your red jacket really does pop amongst all that green. 🙂
LikeLike
It is always heart warming to see our children happy. I think the red popped for the cattle too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love cows as long as they aren’t one of the larger breeds because they are rather too powerful! This landscape is bursting full of spring Pauline, absolutely gorgeous!
LikeLike
One of the best times to visit NZ. for approx. 10 years I milked cows in NZ, I have a soft spot for them.
LikeLike
A look of Hobbit land here Pauline and what a splendid view to look out on as you put the kettle on each morning ! Your drawing really captures the elegance and shadowy evergreen – ness of your inspirational Macrocarpa tree nice work Pauline 🙂 Your cat tale made me smile … Lil Maud is giving me some attitude at the moment clambering over my keyboard . Must be Supper time ! Poor Jack
LikeLike
Thank you for the comment about the sketch Poppy it inspires me. Are you doing much painting at the moment? I smiled as I imagined your Lil Maud demanding her supper, they really do rule the roost don’t they??? The film set for the Hobbit movies is not far from here. I did a post on it. https://pommepal.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/the-entrancing-land-of-the-hobbits/
LikeLike
I’m trying on and off Pauline 🙂 Hope you ‘re enjoying your little rural idyll x
LikeLike
we loved it. Jack said it was like being in a 5 star resort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks gorgeous – and your sketch is brilliant! Laughed at the cat with attitude – isn’t that all of them? Nisha is a beauty – and knows it, I suspect.
LikeLike
Thanks Anabel. Most cats think we are their servants don’t they…
LikeLike
Yes – know your place, human!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful walk. I so enjoyed it!
LikeLike
Thanks for joining me Dawn.
LikeLike
Always a pleasure with you Pauline.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful lush country. We have cows nearby and they always watch me with great interest as I walk by. I likewise enjoy watching them, they are curious and smart, with fascinating social interactions.
LikeLike
I have a real affection for cows as I milked cows in NZ for approx. 10 years back in 1960. They do have pecking orders too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a lovely place to house sit. Enjoy your stay.
LikeLike
Thanks Ruth, we are on our way to Sydney next week for another house sit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful spot to spend some time. We are so blessed to have the time to really take on ‘living’ to it’s fullest. Love your sketch. Enjoy your stay. Blessings always. Marilyn
LikeLike
Hi Marilyn, how are you? pleased to hear from you. Where are you now, are you still travelling? We go to Sydney next week to do a house sit.
LikeLike
I’m at home. I have put my home on the market. I shall miss this amazing place but it is just too much for me now. I am hoping to settle maybe close by in Maleny or somewhere on a half acre block so I can still have my dogs and a garden of course. Then I want to go get on the road again. I shall keep you informed. I have a new family member named Chelsea Brown….a delightful brow lab who is just the sweetest dog but has no idea of where her body is. She is two and snores like a trooper! Do enjoy your stay. I would love to move closer to my kids too.
Love Marilynxo
LikeLike
Maybe when we get back from Sydney (January 2016!!!) we can have that long planned get together and of course if you ever need a house sitter!!!…:)
LikeLike
What a wonderful idea …to both of those ideas! xo
LikeLike
Have a great Christmas till then…
LikeLike
I wouldn’t have the first idea how to look after a cow, Pauline, but what beautiful countryside! Enjoy the ‘rest’, darlin’, and many thanks for the link and great support. 🙂
LikeLike
It is stunning countryside, photos do not do it justice. Thank you Jo for creating this world wide walking group. Now I must go back, put my feet up and a glass of wine to go cyber rambling. Far more interesting than TV
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a glorious landscape, Pauline. The peacefulness oozed out of the screen. Apart from that staring cow – seeing red perhaps!
LikeLike
Chuckling about the red Tish. Never thought of that connection when I put my jacket on….
LikeLiked by 1 person