You may remember me mentioning that my chickens were devoid of a man in their lives .. and quite frankly, I don’t think it bothers them one bit either. That was until my neighbour’s rooster who is free ranging realised that there were 10 rather attractive chickens over the fence, who needed some male attention!
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted the casanova the other day .. and as can be expected, raced up to the chook paddock hollering.
He was given his marching orders and didn’t waste any time flying over the fence and disappearing into the long grass – destination home!
Needless to say, not everyone was concerned
Our garden is full of flowers .. the roses are looking gorgeous
And the dahlias are showing off in the pots on the deck
Eric our black cat is also looking rather gorgeous parading about
We went to a different part of the beach the other day in search of Toi Tois.
I thought Okiritoto stream looked lovely
Muriwai beach in the distance
Pretty coastal plants
Slow down it’s the beach
Nothing better than watching horses being ridden on the beach .. yes I’m jealous
I’ve been super good too – I was out and about spraying the orchard with seaweed brew!
Baleage on a neighbour’s property dots the hillside
Happy gardening
You have quite the good looking cat!
And, I cannot ride a horse!
Thanks Rajiv … best place to ride a horse is on the beach! Never to late to learn 😉 I think Eric is very good looking …
No, no! Horses sway too much!
Toi Tois? What’s that? Great pics, all looking wonderful 😄
As an American, I wouldn’t have known either, except for a visit to NZ almost two years ago:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austroderia
Thanks Steve, had no idea if it was a wee beasty, but thanks for the info. Grass with education, who knew? 😄
Thanks Steve! 😀
Was just about to post the very same question!
🙂
😀
Silly me … I see that Steve has answered. He is the plant guy for sure! Glad you enjoyed the pics 😀
What a charming “visit” to your place! Of course, I loved the photo of your handsome black kitty (I have two of my own), but the beach and the surroundings, the flowers, and all were a welcome change from the fall scenery where I am!
Oh thank you! 😀 He is a really handsome kitty – but incredibly nervous. So pleased you enjoyed the pics, it’s great being able to share our world 😀
Yes, I feel the same about mine! Of course, it is really fun to “visit” places like yours!
All beautiful photos. The Muriwai beach photo is stunning. The lonely rooster was just our trying to fine some fine chicks to puck up. I see your neighbor does rectangular bales like we do here.
Hey Tim thanks! Glad you like that shot of Muriwai beach – I have lived here for years and never ever shot this angle. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked in the view finder. 😀 That lonely rooster is up there again .. yep, he sure is trying to pick up some girls. Thanks for stopping by
You well and truly scuppered his plans didn’t you? I’m also wondering about Toi Tois??? 🙂
Hey Gilly, I sure did! But not for long. He was up there again this morning at breakfast time, so I shooed him off. Guess who is back already? Toi Tois are a native NZ grass .. silly me I expected people to know 😀
When I read your reply I thought you meant the grass in your photo, one we call shaky grass, but I searched and found its more like pampas grass 🙂
What a beautiful place you live in, Julie. Super jealous!!! Some really great photos. 🙂
Thank you Julie … I think so too. Glad you enjoyed the pics 😀
I read through the comments so I could find out what Toi Tois was! A beautiful plant of the grass nature! I love seeing your world. As rich and lush and full of color and growth and late SPRING!!!
I wonder if that Rooster will be back…he looked decidedly interested in that very pretty hen. And he IS a handsome Roo. Handsome roo and pretty hen makes for little baby CHICKS!!! Chuckle.
I loved seeing your fur children also!
Linda
Hey Linda .. whoops forgot to mention what the Toi Toi is (we named our wine after it). It is a beautiful native plant. Ha, that rooster has been back many times – caught him up there again this morning and shooed him off. Guess who is back already? LOL No no, no chicks! ha ha. Glad you enjoyed our fur children. Hugs
Aw come on…a passel of baby chicks…tee hee
the visitor looks royal 😉
Hey Joshi .. he thinks he is for sure! 😀
The roses look divine, the kitty is most handsome and Dan looks like he is enjoying his summer-and loved the chicken story. Hubble says if he had been there that ol’ rooster would be on his way pronto😆
Thanks Meg … he is a handsome kitty and Dan always enjoys walks on the beach. That damned rooster is back already! LOL Yep, where is Hubble!
Gorgeous images Julie. You certainly had a handsome visitor, though he obviously knew it 🙂
He is very handsome and like strutting his stuff … glad you liked the images 😀
That rooster has quite the strut and who could blame him, he’s out on the prowl! Lovely photos and colours. The surf on the beach looks spectacular. Andrew will have to get his board out. The roses, Eric and Dan and the silhouette of the bird are all wonderful. Do you gather and do anything with the Toi Tois? There is a a plant called Sweat Grass here, that looks similar. It can be used for smudge sticks. Very enjoyable report from Frog Pond and Muriwai. Take care, Julie. Bob
Ha ha Bob … he sure was on the prowl. Couldn’t believe his luck! So pleased you enjoyed the pics and colours. Andrew will have to get out his board, now that the shoulder is better. I was after the Toi Tois as we were at a wine show and needed them for that. Didn’t find them in that locale though. Sweat grass – must Google it! Glad you enjoyed the visit Bob …
It is beautiful there, Julie, and I love all the photos, especially Eric the Black Cat and the chooks. Your uninvited rooster is a handsome fellow!
Hey Lavinia we are very lucky! So pleased to enjoyed the pics. That rooster sure is a handsome lad …
You can’t blame the poor old rooster 🙂 Now he’s find a lovely little harem you won’t keep him away will you? Riding on the beach always looks so exhilerating and romantic at the same time.
Hey Anne … he is a lovely boy but has been known for being a bit feisty. My girls are doing fine on their own! ha ha … Riding on the beach is so wonderful (I haven’t done it in ages) – so exhilarating. But that fear factor has set in as it does, a walk on the beach for me now would suffice! LOL
Haha…I’m sure this was not the first time that the neighbour’s handsome rooster takes care of your chickens….he’s on duty.
He is handsome isn’t he? And very good at sneaking over here! 😀
Haha….the grass always seems greener on the other side…. ;-))
Lovely, lovely photos, Julie. I love the look of discontent on the rooster’s face. Everything and everybody else looking quite happy indeed.
Thanks Miss … he wasn’t happy with being shooed home. Everyone else couldn’t have cared less! LOL … Glad you liked the pics Angeline
Beautiful photos and how rude of that rooster!
Thank you 😀 I agree, very cheeky of that rooster!
Hi, Julie 🙂 The pastures, the horses, the sea, everything there seems a synonymous of freedom… Thank you and kind regards. ^_^
Oh thank you .. The blogging world misses you 😃 Me especially …
I’ll try my best to come back ^^ I always think in you when I think in gardens and sunny days, happy thoughts. : ) I’ll be more connected.
Hi to you both, well I don’t know what happened to your blog never got it am I off the mailing list! Photos just stunning makes me feel at home, which I will be soon. Sort that email out or it might effect the preserving! Waking up to a very cold morning about minus three, not so bad as some parts it’s minus six . Still here looking after the boys JOE should be back on Thursday or Friday. They’ve been good but one of the dogs climbed onto the kitchen table and ate Charlie’s dinner, i covered it up but when i went into the kitchen I thought Charlie must have come home. But no the dishes were as clean as a whistle that will teach me a lesson to put things higher up. Lucky i had something in reserve! All for now lots love to you both Bill xxx
Hey Bill … Glad you liked the pics 😀 Looking forward to your arrival! I couldn’t believe reading about the pooch eating Charlie’s dinner. LOL …
Splendid pictures. Life can be so simply and so fine ! Thank’s for sharing and give strong and hope 😉 Have a perfect day !
Lovely to hear from you .. so pleased that you enjoyed the pics. Love being able to share what’s happening at Frog Pond Farm. Hope you have a lovely day too
wonderful images, Poor chickens lol!
Thank you! Yep poor chickens .. LOL 😀
He is a handsome dude indeed; too bad looks aren’t everything. I’m going to Ontario on Friday and intend to look for your Toi Toi wine!
Hi .. He sure is handsome and looks aren’t everything 😃 let me know where you are headed I should be able to track some down for you 😃
Tried a LCBO in Cambridge today; someone looked it up for me: bottles in Guelph, Waterloo and Stratford but none in the Cambridge store! Weather permitting I wil be in Stratford on Monday.
Oh best of luck! I hope you find a bottle 😀
Bought 3, one for me to take back to PEI, one to give my daughter and one to drink here! I took a picture of your wine on display in the “Vintages” section of the store but can’t attach it here.
Enjoy! 😀👏
Absolutely gorgeous photos! Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada. 🙂
Thank you .. Warm greetings right back at you 😃
You do get your share of unwanted visitors Julie. We have been roosterless for some time now as Mr T could no longer put up with the early morning call, though I love that sound- it’s comforting. Your visitor looks like a handsome dude- maybe he could be encouraged. Thanks for the lovely beach shots too.
Ha ha Francesca .. Always! I miss hearing the morning crow .. It’s very reassuring😃 handsome dude but feisty.
Some beautiful images, Julie. Looks like paradise from here! 🙂
Thank you 😃
Now you are a storyteller with words and images… stunning. I am sitting here with a cup of tea enjoying your post, Julie. A kaleidoscope of action :-), landscapes and impressions. Very entertaining… Smiles. Reinhold
Hello Reinhold .. always so good knowing you stopped by. I like the idea of being a storyteller .. 😀 ha ha Pleased to entertain … big smiles back at you
Happy gardening to you too! I’m attending to the stuff inside these days. Scotch bonnet pepper trees that keep growing bigger and bigger…. but few blossoms come to fruition. (First time I’ve used that word in its proper meaning…)
I love scotch bonnets! All chillies come to think of it. I wonder why those blossoms aren’t happening? I know that chillies like it hot .. maybe you should give it a good feed (whoops will grow bigger not doubt!) Fruition is such a good word! Great to see you at Frog Pond Cynthia
I’m finally home and back in the land of reliable internet and can come have a peek! Oh look at that bad boy. He is rather beautiful though. No wonder the ladies were impressed. (the little tarts) Love seeing summer coming to you now Julie. It’s so sold ad wet and dreary here in Van. We had a lovely week in the tropical warmth just now so I guess it’s twice as hard. Oh well, at least I can always pop over to the Frog Pond and get a little sunshine. 😀
Hello V 😀 Oh I hope you had a fantastic time away. How superb .. nice to get to the warmth! Laughed when I read your comment (little tarts) LOL Yes he is a looker alright. Great to know that dropped by .. come and enjoy summer with me 😀
The ornery rooster may come a-calling again with all those lovely ladies around. Pretty roses, I’m swooning over the stream and seascape photos–just beautiful! You got the PERFECT shot of the horse and rider on the beach.
Hi aren’t those roses beautiful! I really liked the stream too and got such a surprise when I looked at the beach scene through the view finder. Glad you liked the pic of the horses – I adore watching them on the beach and listening to the sound of their hooves as they strike the sand ..
They aren’t allowed on the beaches here. There are wild horses in North Carolina, south of us. There’s a stretch of beach where they roam, and people have to keep a certain distance from them, for various reasons. One of my local blogging friends goes down and photographs them.
I wouldn’t think that they would be allowed on all our beaches .. but this one is coastal. When I had my own horse, I used to love taking it swimming (river) such fun 😀
I hadn’t thought about them swimming! Can you tell I’ve never been around horses?
An amorous rooster! Such is life in the Garden of Eden. Great photos.
Thank you Mr D! Yes indeed an amorous rooster 😀
You know he’ll be back. 🙂
It’s certainly looking very summery for you while am in the UK for a foggy Christmas! Am jealous of those horses too and the beach! And what a rooster!
Summer has finally arrived! Oh dear a foggy Christmas … looks like we will be having a warm one. I just love seeing horses on the beach and listening as they often thunder past (jealous me) 😀
Yes, horses, always wanted one but now round only want to sit quietly on one. No racing! Enjoy.
I too had no idea what Toi Tois are. Thanks to Steve now I do!! That Rooster … better watch out for that guy ’cause now he knows there are females around he might be back. I LOVE the beach pictures and my Heart just flew when I saw the horses. *sigh* And yes I can ride and just imaging what it’s like to be on beach on a horse ….. oh ….. LOVE your flowers and am a tad jealous. Snow is coming our way … I think I’ll hang around in your gardens a while. LOVE your cat … oh that feline is a special one. He looks like when he walks everything shakes around him … powerful! I have a cat like that and the look on his face says it all …. oh yeah, I’m a male and I KNOW it. LOL Another great post from you. Thank you, Julie!!! <3
I have ridden on the beach a few times … it is marvellous. You stay in our garden for as long as you like! 😀 He is so powerful – literally, but a scared lad into the bargain. You would love him! He is reclining now on the office floor. Oh I’m so pleased you enjoyed the post Amy, thanks so much for stopping by. Love your profile pic btw 😀 Hugs
Ah my oilskin duster and hat. I would bet you know exactly what I’m talking about. 😆
I love the roosters but adore the roses! Just Adore them.. c
Thanks Celi .. they are still looking fabulous!
Everything is looking so beautiful, including the rooster. I love that your chooks are quite happy without a strutting rooster.
My girls are very happy without a strutting rooster … 😀
Gorgeous pics as usual, dear Julie, and that rooster is sooo handsome – you should have kept him! 😉 Eric seems in spring mood too, mind you. We took our horses to the beach in Ireland once. The waves made them “drunk” they wobbled all over the place. 😀 Take care xx
Hey Miss … thank you! And yes he was a handsome lad, but I believe he could be a bit feisty! Love riding on the beach .. Wobbly horses .. oh dear! Hugs to you xx
Just wow!
Oh thank you 😀
Love hearing your animal stories. Footrot Flats is real @ your place and mine… always makes me giggle!
Beautiful flowers and scenery – you live in a gorgeous place. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you, Andrew and family xox
Ha ha .. it makes me giggle too! Footrot Flats is perfect … Glad you enjoyed your visit Miss. And a Merry Christmas and a very Happy NY to you too! Hugs
🤓❤️🎄✨🌟🍧🍬🍹🍒🍓🐾😂
Your place and your surroundings are beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Must be very nice. And your photography… exquisite!
Thank you .. we are very lucky 😃
That’s a gorgeous river there! A lovely picnic spot too, I’m sure. 🙂
I have lived here for ages and only recently saw this spot .. it sure is lovely 😃
This is amazing post, loved so much, but my best one Eric 🙂 What a looking eyes… Fascinating all photos, Thank you dear Julie, Love, nia
Hey Nia … so nice to hear from you and I’m pleased you enjoyed the post. You would love Eric, he is such a lovely boy. Thanks Miss 😀
I am sure 🙂 You are welcome , have a nice day, Love, nia
Beautiful post. Such stunning photos..so alive.
thank you so much! 😀
You’re welcome.