The Federal Store, Ngāmotu #brunch #holiday #roadtrip #friends #Taranaki

Collage of photos of The Federal Store. Signs, interior woodwork, dog water bowl, smiling friend.

Books and coffee, Taranaki style #books #coffee #NgāMotu #Taranaki #holiday #roadtrip

Two books (one titled “Eliot’s Book of Bookish List”) and two flat white coffees.

A break by the lake. #RotoKawau #LakeVirginia #Whanganui #roadtrip

lake view

Mōrena from Hōkio! #hōkio #hokiobeach #horowhenua #morena #AtaMārie

morning sunset

Te Aro Park, early morning. #TeAro #TeAroPark #pōneke #wellington #mōrena #AtaMārie

A pohutukawa tree lit up with festoon lights reflected in a tiled pool of water in an inner city park

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.