Olives and figs This years crop of figs and olives look good! #garden #produce #olives #figs #Hōkio #Horowhenua #Aotearoa

Collage of olives and figs from around the garden

Finished reading: Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo 📚

Wow. That was a ride and a half!

Last night in Carbrook, Queensland. A most delightful and relaxing week. #Family #Holiday #Relax #Recharge #Brisbane #QLD

Bright orange sunset over an aqua-marine swimming pool

Delightful dinner with Louise, Dave and Aiden at Victoria Point, Queensland. #Family #Dinner #Brisbane #QLD

family dinner at a restaurant

AIR exhibit at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art. 🖼️ #Family #Art #Exhibit #Brisbane #QLD

Two people standing in a room of thousands of black paper butterfliesThree people looking at an installation of thousands of feathers, shells and other natural objects that form an ellipsis reminiscent of a murmuration of birds

Finished reading: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo 📚

Well crafted tale of magic, privilege, colleges, and the dead. Looking forward to the sequel.

Family walks ! #Bakers #Barrs #Australia #QLD #walk

Five people waling up a road, turning and waving. With a dog on a leash.

My new home for the next week 📷 #Brisbane #Australia #Pool #Relaxing #Family

An outdoor dining and relaxation area; lit with festoon lighting.A glass fenced swimming pool, early evening

Finished reading: The Justice of Kings by Richard Swan 📚

This one was fast and furious, gripping and gory. Excellent grimdark fantasy. Can’t wait for the sequel. #BookReview #Fantasy #Grimdark

Fresh produce from the Eketāhuna country garden 📷 #Eketāhuna #CountryCottage #family #garden

Leeks, multi-coloured potatoes spilling out of a hessian bag, and a cabbage on a rustic table.

Good morning from Eketāhuna cottage 📷 #eketāhuna #cottage #morning #light

Morning light streams through an open French door and window in a wooden country cottage onto chairs and a table. A garden is visible outside.

Finished reading: The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka 📚

A marvel. #mīharo

Quick visit to Eketāhuna Cottage. 📷 #Eketāhuna #cottage #garden #family

Small country cottage with white walls and grey roof. Surrounded by a profusion of flowers. White clouds and evening blue sky above.

Back at Hōkio….

📷 #hōkio #hokiobeach

View of beach community. Lush greenery; blue sky.

Happy New Year! Had a fabulous evening partying with a wonderful and eclectic group of people. Such fun :)

Two friends celebrating New Year's Eve. Party and laser lights reflected on their faces.

New Year’s Day walk, Mākara Beach. #Mākara #walk #nyd2023

two people on a hill side track, by the sea

Year in books for 2022

Here are some more of the books I finished reading in 2022:

{{< bookgoals 2022 >}}

Finished reading: Fen, Bog and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis by Annie Proulx 📚

A troubling but gloriously well written call to action to save or rehabilitate or fens, bogs and swamps.

Meri Kirihimete à tous le monde!

Sending good wishes to you all; may you have a wonderful day :) #MeriKirihimete #AtaMārie #JoyeuxNoël

Gingerbread Xmas Tree

The grandkids brought their chickens with them on holiday. We even set them up with their own ‘batch’ under the olive trees for shade. They enjoy their supervised outings around the garden as well! 📷 🐓🪴 #garden #chickens #holiday #batch #Hōkio #HōkioBeach

Chicken coop under shady olive trees.Olive trees in a garden with a chicken coop beneath.Chicken coop with two people waving. Two chickens in the foreground.Two chickens enjoying foraging under lush vegetation.