spring is good for the soul

I went on another walk through Regent's Park today in the semi-sunshine. The park's gardeners must have the best time. Some of the gardens are so ridiculously pretty it's hard to believe they're real. The English definitely know what they're doing when it comes to flowers. 

new zealand new year's

A small island off the East coast of the Coromandel.

 

Sea swimming. BBQs. Guitar singing. Eggs in the hole.

Cabin sleeping. Solar showers. Sting ray spotting. Blue hydrangeas. Oyster Catcher dodging. Fishing.

Rock pooling. Crossword puzzling. Serenading the end of 2012 as the sun was setting.

christmas in new zealand

We actually did manage to escape the UK winter this year, for 3.5 weeks in fact (I have no right to complain do I?). We went home to NZ for Christmas and my brother-in-law's wedding. 3.5 weeks spent hanging with our favourite people and surrounded by so much love (and sunshine!), it doesn't get much better than that does it?

I took these photos of Pohutukawa trees on a walk around Mt Maunganui the first day we arrived back in NZ. At Christmas time the Pohutukawa tree's bright red flowers burst open, which is why it is known as New Zealand's Christmas tree.

Bunny!

Sheep (and baby Pohutukawa)!

les jardins d'eyrignac

Avenue of Hornbeams

Visiting Les Jardins D'Eyrignac was one of the best things we did in Dordogne.

Avenue of Vases

French Garden

French Garden and Avenue of Hornbeams

Flower Garden

Kitchen Garden

White Garden

View of the Manor from the Enchanted Terrace

The garden, whose gardeners have some mad topiary skills, is a true work of art.

30

I turned 30 today. It was quite wonderful in the end.

We started easing the pain the celebrations early, on my birthday eve, with a bottle of champagne and sunset-watching on our balcony.

This morning we bought pastries from the boulangerie at the bottom of the hill, drank birthday tea and opened presents. I Skyped my parents and spoke to my in-laws. I received messages from my wonderful friends and felt very loved. I was totally spoilt by my awesome husband.

Foie gras. Of course.

We had a very long lunch at Chez Julien in Paunat. It was the most idyllic spot.

Attempting to pose for a photo whilst being mauled by a herd of dogs (seriously, this was only half of them)

When we got back to Beynac, we had a quick dip in the Dordogne before an evening stroll through the countryside where we met a real life dog lady.

It was the bestest day, and although I sometimes forget, at 30 I have a whole lot in my life to be happy about and so much to look forward to in this brand new decade (plus, I hear 30's the new 21). Also, I became an auntie yesterday. A baby niece may be the best birthday present ever.

waterlow park kitchen garden

I have a thing for community gardens at the moment, so on Sunday (after the Heath) I was delighted to discover a community kitchen garden hidden away behind a high hedge in Waterlow Park. Seeing the strawberry, courgette, runner bean, borage, chilli and spinach plants, which were mostly planted by school kids, growing in this quiet and colourful space made me very happy indeed.