Life in New Zealand What fun we have had! What great friends we have made! …We LOVE it here… We’ve been to A&P (Agricultural & Pastoral) Shows (New Zealand version of county fairs in the states). The horse jumping was our favorite – below, my favorite horse. Beautiful view from ‘the hard’. An early morning, fall walk. Two kingfishers and beautiful scenery. The scenery is spectacular – the two photos above are within 1/2 mile of where we’ve been on RED all summer (southern hemisphere). People tease us about not exploring more of New Zealand – they’re just so much to see! We took a ride on (the angel) Gabriel train. We’ve met the nicest people here in New Zealand. Without exception people have been friendly, open and kind, generous with their knowledge, time and friendship. Two of our favorite New Zealander’s are Hazel and Neil. We met at the first sheep dog trial we attended in early February and became fast friends. They’ve hosted us to their home, included us in their activities and family – we’re so happy to call them friends. Hazel & Neil retired from dairy farming a few years ago, to a ‘small’ beef farm (700 acres). They gave us a tour of a neighbor’s dairy farm – what an experience. We had no idea what strange creatures cows are. And so cute when they’re small! Richard contemplating a career change…NOT! They’re so cute! It really tickles! Our good friend Hazel and her little friends Cape Reinga, the farthest north in New Zealand We have been to about 6 sheep dog trials around the Northland. We find it fascinating the interaction between dog and ‘operator’, and, of course, those blasted sheep (they rarely do what they’re ‘suppose’ to do). We’ve met some very lovely people as well as beautiful dogs. Many operators use a whistle to guide the dogs’. I am now the proud owner of three, yes, three of them. Richard is afraid, very afraid… When is it MY turn? Watching the competition Sheep dog trials Sheep dog trials in the Northland Post navigation Oh how we love New Zealand!It’s fall here in New Zed.. 4 Comments OK – it’s three whistles that I now own, the three dogs will come later 🙂 Richard’s afraid that I’ll either expect him to respond to the whistles, or that I really will bring home a few dogs… Maria – we’ll be in Alaska the first week of August – we’d love to see you! Beautiful photos!! NZ is definately on my bucket list! So glad you crazy kids are doing so well and loving life!!! Smooth sailing, Jim Wow, thank you for the great photos and story! I missed hearing from you. Same question: You now own three dogs or whistles??? When are you coming to Alaska? We would love to see you! We are leaving Kauai on Monday, will spend three days on Oahu and then go back to Alaska. Where are you going next? Australia? You both look fantastic, happy and trim. We miss you! 3 whistles or 3 dogs? Whistles probably, but it’s hard to imagine Richard being afraid of anything. Baby cows ARE cute; just don’t name them. Lambs are cute too – they don’t run so much as hop. Boing! Boing! Boing! When my dad would have the ewes sheered, the mamas recognized their babies but the babies had trouble finding mama. (These were the sheep my dad bought in MN when he and I were renting a farm house & he wanted them to keep the weeds down – then there was the day they got out and we had to chase them through the harvested corn stalks — talk about fun.) Love the pictures & I’d love the horses too – the equestrian events at the Olympics are amazing. A horse can trust its rider so much that it will jump a fence to land in a pond of water which is of a depth unknown to the horse. At least that’s how it looked to me.
OK – it’s three whistles that I now own, the three dogs will come later 🙂 Richard’s afraid that I’ll either expect him to respond to the whistles, or that I really will bring home a few dogs… Maria – we’ll be in Alaska the first week of August – we’d love to see you!
Beautiful photos!! NZ is definately on my bucket list! So glad you crazy kids are doing so well and loving life!!! Smooth sailing, Jim
Wow, thank you for the great photos and story! I missed hearing from you. Same question: You now own three dogs or whistles??? When are you coming to Alaska? We would love to see you! We are leaving Kauai on Monday, will spend three days on Oahu and then go back to Alaska. Where are you going next? Australia? You both look fantastic, happy and trim. We miss you!
3 whistles or 3 dogs? Whistles probably, but it’s hard to imagine Richard being afraid of anything. Baby cows ARE cute; just don’t name them. Lambs are cute too – they don’t run so much as hop. Boing! Boing! Boing! When my dad would have the ewes sheered, the mamas recognized their babies but the babies had trouble finding mama. (These were the sheep my dad bought in MN when he and I were renting a farm house & he wanted them to keep the weeds down – then there was the day they got out and we had to chase them through the harvested corn stalks — talk about fun.) Love the pictures & I’d love the horses too – the equestrian events at the Olympics are amazing. A horse can trust its rider so much that it will jump a fence to land in a pond of water which is of a depth unknown to the horse. At least that’s how it looked to me.
