Some South Island photos for your enjoyment

Akaroa Harbour

Moeraki boulders (yep it was high tide!)

Looking across Foveaux straight to Stewart Island from Riverton, Southland

Dramatic Milford Sound (actually it's a fiord - carved out by a glacier)

One of many spectacular rivers in the Fiordland National Park

Beech forest and mountains

Beautiful Lake Wanaka

D enjoying the crystal clear water at the Blue Pools, Makarora River, Haast Pass

One of many waterfalls

Fox Glacier

Mt Cook/Aoraki

Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere (Franz Josef Glacier)

Mahitahi (Bruce Bay) South Westland - where rimu forest meets the coast

Spectacular bridge along the Arthur's Pass road

Hops in sunny Motueka, near Nelson

Hope you enjoyed viewing these photos!

Abducted by aliens?

OK so I've been offline for a while.........and you were probably wondering why..

no, I wasn't actually abducted by aliens (so far as I know!). We were on holiday in the beautiful South Island (photos to come).

Meanwhile, this is what happens when you leave scallopini (patty pan) squash to their own devices......!

Giant scallopini sqush

It weighed in at a staggering 1.7kgs! Yes we did eat it although it wasn't particularly tasty! I stuffed it with a mix of spicy mince, rice, tomatoes and cheese, and the chickens got our (substantial) leftovers.

Has been incredibly dry for weeks but we've had a little rain overnight and drizzle today. The sweetcorn in the above picture are nice and ripe.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone!

It's a beautiful sunny day here on Cabbage Tree Farm. I've been out picking my Grosso lavender flowers.

Now I have to tie them into bundles to hang up and dry.

Anyway, all the best for 2013!