by Juliet Batten | 30, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
What a surprise, to look out my window and see a red sail. Someone was out there, enjoying this beautiful fine day.And then there were moreand more stillall colours, it seemed.Later in the afternoon, I took a walk and watched the yachts scudding up and down while... 
by Juliet Batten | 28, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
It’s done! Dear blog friends, I have just brought in the harvest of over two year’s work: my new book.I like to savour such moments. Before I set out to walk to the post shop, I enjoyed crunching into one of these ‘NZ Beauty’ apples, which are... 
by Juliet Batten | 23, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
This autumn gift arrived today from the south island. Here it is, freshly unwrapped from its litttle box. What is it?I’ve never seen such a thing before.Here’s a clue: my fingers were sticky as I unpacked it, and when I licked them –... 
by Juliet Batten | 21, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
It’s autumn equinox, the rain is falling – three month’s worth in 24 hours up north, creating more floods. And yet the fruits are ripe and lush. I visit some blogs where people post delicious food that they’ve cooked, and my mouth waters.... 
by Juliet Batten | 18, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
Yesterday was cloudy and the beach a little sombre, with the tide right out and the clouds darkening overhead. I took my friends from England down to the south end of the beach, where driftwood curled into strange shapes, looped and tangled with kelp and... 
by Juliet Batten | 16, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
One o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock, four. Summer’s gone, it’s out the doorIt didn’t come here anywayStill the children want to play.It’s been a month since I visited the bach, and here I am, blessed with that rare... 
by Juliet Batten | 11, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
Sandspit is an hour’s drive north of Auckland. There we headed for a family weekend, as the unexpectedly fine day began to gather clouds. There’s something soothing about estuaries, and watching the tide slip in and out, changing the beachscape as it... 
by Juliet Batten | 8, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
The first thing the visiting fairy said to me was, ‘Help me put on my wings.’ Of course I did. A fairy must be able to fly. In return, she set to work trying out my new blue watering can and making sure all the plants had a good drink. She... 
by Juliet Batten | 4, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
A ‘storm bomb’ hit New Zealand this weekend, hurtling across the Tasman Sea from Australia. We had planned to arrive at Half Moon Bay, where the class reunion was held, by ferry. ‘Not safe,’ decided my friend’s husband, who drove us... 
by Juliet Batten | 2, Mar, 2012 | Uncategorized
We don’t mind windy days, little Mira and me. When we notice the wind is blowing, we look at each other and say, ‘Windmills!’And out to the balcony we run, to see if we can catch the wind.Sometimes we have it, and sometimes not. It’s...