“when me, Julie and Nana were out taking photos around our area we went to this humongous,awesome tree! by Mackye”

Mackye is one of my darling great nephews. We have had a lovely day driving along the coast road from Thames to Corrimandal. Along the way we stopped at various spots to take photos, walk in the sand, look at the rocks and beautiful scenery. On one side we had the beach and on the other high undulating hills with sheep, cows, and stunning New Zealand bushland. We travelled through arcades of Pohutukawa trees. Nasturtiums covered the cliff faces with their bright red and orange flowers and I noticed honeysuckle lurking about. Unfortunately both species are now classified as weeds because they take over and reduce the growth of the natives.

Our first stop was at the Te Puru community hall, didn’t actually notice the hall it was this very large, gnarled Pohutukawa tree that caught our attention, it leaned over and gave the impression of bowing to allow us to cross over it.

Of course I could not resist taking some photos with Mackye sitting on the large trunk of this beautiful and wonderful tree.

The Sun kept popping its bright face out and as it did the water would turn multi colours of blue and turquoise with sparkles catching our attention.

Another treat was seeing the volcanic rocks large and small scattered along the beach. So many coloured flowers on the rock faces… purple, blue, white, pink and yellow ~ daisies, buttercups, mullein as well as many natives. It appears that our native Callistemons are a popular tree/bush here and not surprising as they are similar in look to most people with an untrained eye.

The beaches in this area are shell or pebble, unlike our Aussie beaches where the sand is very fine. So much driftwood laying around, the wood so smooth from being washed over by the sea.

Once again I have fallen in love with the country side here in New Zealand my first homeland and today I have decided that I want to work towards having a small batch/cottage here in this same type of environment.

We took a detour up a stoney winding old road and it was sooo peaceful. Along side the road was a fresh water creek running down into the ocean. The houses were old and a couple were very typically English country cottage style gardens, one of my favourite designs. 

I have always preferred the countryside over the ocean and here you can have both. I love the beaches in this area as the waves are low and gentle, peaceful and calming…

My Heart has been touched once again by Aotearoa…Land of the long white cloud.

When we came back to my sisters, Mackye ran to collect the mail and the local paper. There was a write up about the Pohutukawa tree we stopped to admire in awe and it is the second largest Pohutukawa tree in New Zealand!

I have a special place in my heart for Pohutukawas as when I was a young lass, there was one very big one in the school at the back of our home, myself, my youngest sister and nieces would play hide ‘n’ seek and I loved to climb that tree and sit in it. It was magickal and I have had many a dream of those times… laughing, giggling, screaming with excitement… What a wonderful world we live in!

The degree to which you Cherish yourself is the degree to which you will be Cherished. Have a Cherishing thought for yourself Right Now ~

“Friendship is a treasured gift, and every time I talk with you I feel as if I’m getting richer and richer”

(Source: aromatiqueessentials.com.au)

 

Are you getting married? Would you like a creative, stylised documentary style film of your wedding day?

Or portraits of your children?

ANB Photography is looking at expanding into the wedding photography/videography world and into child/family portraiture so I am updating my portfolio.

I am currently offering wedding videography (within Sydney or Central Coast or Blue Mountains areas, NSW) for the discounted price of $150.

I am currently offering child/family portraits (within Sydney, NSW) at a discounted price of $50.

An example of filming style can be seen here on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/15580533

More of work can be viewed at my website: http://www.anbphotography.net/

Only accepting a limited number of bookings!

Terms and Conditions apply for these offers so please contact Amy to find out more details.

Email: enquiries@anbphotography.net

Or call: 0415364499

Family Love~

Smiles are Magickal ♥ remember to share them around and give them away ♥ By doing this you will light up someone’s day ♥

 What Inspired me to write this article today ~

Last week one of my beautiful sisters was thought to have had a mini stroke…

Her husband went for a walk with Charley Girl their Black labby… when he came back my Sister was acting odd, he said. But then I realised that this was not a game there was something wrong! Her short term memory had gone and she was talking in the past…

My brother in Law rang her Eldest daughter who then rang me. He wanted to take her to the hospital and of course she was refusing and didn’t understand why he was trying to get her into the car~ Buy the way My sister is very stubborn and does not like hospitals. You can imagine how difficult this situation was becoming.

After a couple of phone calls from my niece and I trying to encourage My brother in Law to call an ambulance and speaking to my sister there was no advance. The problem was, was that they live in the blue mountains, her daughters live in Sydney I am in the Hunter Valley and their closest friends were away. To cut a long story short … the hardest part of it was that we couldn’t be there as soon as we would like. My niece rang an ambulance and then drove to Katoomba hospital. My other niece was trying to get away from work and couldn’t because there was no one else to cover her. We are many and spread about. We have one brother and 3 sisters in New Zealand another sister in Sydney. So much was happening phone calls and emails to keep every one in touch and up to date with what was going on. It was frightening for all of us as our Parents have passed away… Mum nearly 4 years ago and dad 6 years ago. 

Sometimes we are distant in our communications and caught up in our own lives… we get together every couple of months and have a family gathering and through FB, emails and phone calls we do most of our communicating. 

What I am I going on about?

I am proud of my family and love them all so much! When the chips are down and something like this happens we all band together like a raging fire that no one can stop. 

So my Lovely’s I am sending love, hugs ‘n’ kisses to my family and friends because I know how blessed I am.

In no particular order I thank Di, Caz, Pete, Rae, Sal, Jo, Li, Vix, all of my beautiful nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, my friends and especially my loving Amez xxx

P.S. My lovely sis is fine and it turned out to be a reaction from another condition, which is now under control.