It’s been a lot easier to sneak up on these adorable birds. They don’t seem to mind the camera either. This pair is one of four pairs that come in for a feed throughout the day. They all have their own colour tones and preferred times to eat. An interesting lot.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
Retirement can be challenging but there’s always something to learn and do, especially when it comes to the garden.
Well done, Norm. You’re never too old to learn new skills. 🙂 I can’t wait to see what other species of birds will visit the garden.
Archived in: 🦋 Retirement
A little bit of sunshine brings life back to the garden plots, blueberry shrubs (potted between plots) and the avocado tree. The blueberry shrubs were covered with netting after these photos were taken. This week we have harvested carrots, spring onions, perennial spinach, snow peas, leeks and herbs (herbs not in photos) but just enough for ourselves. Once Spring is here, we’ll be feeding the neighbours again. 🙂
Archived in: 🦋 Down on the Farm
Someone asked me recently “Who are you?” Even if you have previously read ‘About Chrissy’ click on the link anyway and check out the added new lines at the end of the page.
Archived in: 🦋 Updates & Announcements
Another sunny afternoon enticed us outside to watch the birds.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
In addition to yesterday’s post, Midday Shadows our front garden, home to our friendly gnomes, is soaked in sunshine every day in winter – except on cloudy and rainy days of course.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
According to Google, June 21st 2022 is the shortest day of the year for Australia.
Over the next two weeks, we may just spy the shadows beginning to creep back the other way back to greet the Spring.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
Winter crops of carrots, spring onions, leeks, spinach and brown onions. Not much growing this year with lower temperatures overnight. We have also planted an avocado tree in a large pot. It will be interesting how it does. A pear tree is under consideration too. 🙂
Archived in: 🦋 Down on the Farm
Two of our parlour palms brought with us on our move in December 2019 and at less than two foot high, have grown ridiculously on our back verandah where I had created a little tropical atmosphere of sorts. Here’s the photo of one. Both are about same size.
If you have been following my I’m in the Garden category on Riverside Peace you will know that the garden space is minimal. But we did it. Or, at least I pointed and directed and Norm did it. 🙂
With the two big potted palms relocated we then reorganised the verandah plants before enjoying a bottle of 2017 Sangiovese. Two neighbours also joined us with their wine glasses filled with their favourite whites.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
It’s a much wetter May this year making the garden soggy and keeping us out of the garden.
Photos by Norm.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
All this fuss over one apple.
Well, I can’t complain that we don’t have birds come to our garden. Two years ago I would never have thought it was possible.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
900 isn’t a huge number of followers but I do appreciate everyone of you. Thanks 🙂
Archived in: 🦋 Announcements
Forever and Always. I’m so blessed to have you as my wonderful husband. You’re my best friend, my partner in life, my husband, my hero, my love…my everything. You make me so happy just by being the man and the husband you are. Even after all this time, you never stop amazing me. – Happy Birthday!
Archived in: 🦋 Announcements
There wasn’t much room to land but they kept coming.
Focusing got more difficult no matter how many photos were taken.
Norm almost missed the confusion of take-offs.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
My dear neighbour and friend across the road kindly let me have her fairies, toadstools and gnomes that have been out grown by the grandchildren. “The Pond” has been overwhelmed by more fairies, little gnomes and fairy houses. One fairy has now become the centre piece of the birdbath which has inspired me to set aside a quiet day to sit and imagine before placing everything in different places. We have a young blue tongue lizard that roams my garden, and the neighbours, that bumps the poor little fairies into the pond. Some might say I’m a little crazy with my gnomes garden out the front, and now The Fairy Pond, but no one has yet disliked it. I think if I ever do get dementia, I’ll be happy in my garden. 🙂
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
It’s been two days since we returned from a two day break in beautiful Port Stephens. The weather was nice with just a few showers over night. This is where we stayed. This photo is a photo of an advertising photo taken from the other side of the golf course. The apartment we stayed in was on the first floor facing the golf course in the building centre right of the photo – one of the taller buildings with the triangle frame at the top.
On the first morning we took a ten minute drive to Nelson Bay where we enjoyed a quiet coffee while we waited for the ferry to take us to a little riverside town named Tea Gardens.
The ferry was pretty old but it added to the glamour of the trip. There was only half the passenger capacity so social distancing wasn’t a problem and the captain, and one crew man, were very informative.
With the swells being quite high through the heads, it was not easy trying to stand let alone holding a camera and taking photographs. These are just a few photos taken on the way to Tea Gardens.
After some window shopping, we wandered around to read the lunch menus on various cafe and restaurant windows. We settled on the Seagrass Cafe with gluten free options. I ate just over half of my meal. Norm ate all of his and almost the rest of mine.
The Singing Bridge was named after the hand-railed pedestrian fence that had been installed. Apparently when the wind blows, from a certain direction at around 80 kilometres an hour, a very loud whining can be heard up and down the river until the wind lessens and changes direction. On the first occurrence, those who heard it were quite frightened by it. We didn’t get to hear it though.
The outing took just over three and a half hours with our return ferry ride being escorted at one time by a lone dolphin. We did see a few dolphins leaping out of the water some distance away on the trip out too.
Most of the time away was just to relax and watch the day go by. Returning home on Good Friday would have been OK except for road works that backed up traffic. We discovered just over this hill, two lanes suddenly became one. This photo was taken when the traffic came to a dead stop. We then proceeded at a speed of 2-4 km an hour for the next 5kms. As soon as we passed the roadworks, the traffic disappeared.
Archived in: 🦋 Retirement
Click on photo to view complete.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
We have been in this beautiful town of Coffs Harbour since Sunday March 13th. We have so far visited the dolphin and marine research centre, a pebble beach, walking trails, spa, swimming pool and restaurants.
We also visited the Honey Place today but no photos. The information on beehives and whole honey process was very interesting. We’ll be here in Coffs Harbour for another three days. When we return home, there will many, many photos to sort through.
Archived in: 🦋 Retirement
What did I do on my 65th Birthday? Swim with a dolphin, of course.
She’s teaching the dedicated team of vets and researchers more than they can teach her.
Archived in: Retirement
Seriously though, we have not witnessed so many birds in our garden since we began creating it in January 2020. We were so engrossed in the birds flocking to the top of the water tank that we didn’t notice the usual three or four on and in the blue bird feeder on the back fence until they flew off leaving the the bird feeder bouncing and shaking. There is one photo that was way to blurred for here that showed at least six birds in on and around the owl bird feeder. Like it was stacks on.
Click on each photo to view entire photo.
These photos were just the ones Norm manage to take on my mobile phone. I’ll check the photos on the Canon EOS 650D while we are on a week’s holiday, starting tomorrow, up the coast. I was busy trying to keep the tablet focused, and without falling off the back steps, so our 9 year-old granddaughter could see them via messenger video call we had been on for ten minutes when the birds came down. She was calling from a very wet and soggy Sydney where her family, like thousands of other families, are still cut off by flooding rivers. Bridges have been under water now for ten days. She’ll be back at school on Monday. Not sure about anyone getting to work on the other side of the river though.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
I have always wanted a white picket fence. Because we live in an over 50’s lifestyle village, there are rules for height and colour etc. The local Bunnings store had these garden surrounds made from treated pine.
Day. 1 & 2. Painting the pieces.
Day 3. Joining the pieces together and marking the location of where each spike will go.
After we had eaten Norm’s wonderful roast beef dinner cooked to perfection in the outdoor kitchen the rain came down in force. It was such a heavy rain we couldn’t see the new fence from the front window.
Over the next few days, I’ll touch up where the ends were cut as well as hiding the screw heads with white paint.
A job well done, Norm. Your handyman skills are improving.
Archived in: 🦋 Retirement
Spinach seedlings replanted to replace the spinach I planted 2 years ago – originally in polystyrene banana boxes. It’s seems a life time ago now. I’m hoping these will also yield multiple times throughout the next year or two. The seedlings I grew from seed. You may be able to see more seedlings sprouting in the 3rd photo below in a 2nd grey rectangular pot.
Archived in: I’m in the Garden
Archived in: 🦋 Riverside Walks
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
Kangaroo Lane has made progress. Plants are thriving and the grass is green.
Finally the high temperatures of the past two weeks of 35 plus (Celcius) have dropped to a much more pleasant mid 20s. This evening, a gentle rain cools hot surfaces.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
Click on Photos to see complete pictures.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
Click on photos to see total pictures.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
Click on photos to see the complete pictures.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
As suggested by one one my favourite bloggers, we set about looking for an outdoor mirror for the shed door. Norm finished fitting it today between heavy showers we have been experiencing on and of for two days.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
We bought him when he wasn’t much more than a stick. After his growth in Spring and Summer 2020 he grew to big for his pot. We had to re-pot him to his forever home during last winter. We have read on various websites that poincianas flower some time between 5 and 10 years after it’s first Spring.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
If you regularly follow my “I’m in the Garden” posts you would have seen that whatever we put in our front garden it’s usually unsuccessful which is why we resorted to growing gnomes. Since Nemo graduated to the Hilton, Nemo Moves into the Hilton we decided not to waste the pot in which he’s been thriving in for over 12 months.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
From the Archives:
Faith to the Rescue
Faith Loses a Friend
Faith Goes on a Holiday
Faith’s Christmas Surprise
Faith’s Close Encounter
Faith’s Discovery
Faith Becomes a Mother
Faith – That’s my Blue Eye
Partly true, partly fictional. 8 very short stories about Ken and his dog faith. Suitable for all ages. Please note: story “Faith Loses a Friend” may need parental guidance for younger children.
Archived in: 🦋 Teen Reading & 
Short Fiction
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
Dylan, the youngest of the now teenage grandchildren, has often been found in our kitchen with either Norm or myself at our house. This year he was eager to help his Pa cook the Boxing Day pizzas. Never to old to help out.
The secret to overcome the problem of leftovers from Christmas day is to make pizzas for three teenagers. Below include three of our grandchildren who are aged 14, 15 & 16. {We had an early Christmas last weekend with the younger two grandchildren)
More photos to add to our photo album from Christmas 2021. Crazy but lovable teenagers.
Archived in: 🦋 Retirement
Archived in: 🦋 Retirement
Archived in: I’m in the Garden
We were so busy watching a beautiful sunset that we almost missed the golden reflections in the garden.
New house rule: Unless we take the camera with us out of the house, it stays in readiness near the back door.
Archived in: 🦋 I’m in the Garden
These two Rosellas have visited the past four evenings. I think they just might be regulars now. I’ve been so looking forward to photographing birds in the garden.
Photos by Norm & Chrissy Siggee.
Archived in: I’m in the Garden
Too much rain lately but the heat is still causing growth in all areas of the garden. Pumpkin vines are weaving their long arms around and between the vegetable plots. Yesterday afternoon the air was steamy creating a haze throughout the garden. The new arch is beginning to blend into the back and foregrounds of a lot of the photos.
The Poinciana has finally come out of it’s winter’s rest. It’s branches are thickening up after it’s 2nd year in our garden pots. We won’t be re-potting again. I think this one will be big enough. 🙂
Archived in: I’m in the Garden
After two years of creating our garden, we finally found the perfect arch.
While taking a photos of the arch something caught my attention.
I have been waiting for a year and a half for birds to come in to the garden. We sometimes had minor birds that we would shoo away but at long last the bird feeder is finally being visited. 🙂 I’m so happy.
Archived in: I’m in the Garden
We returned after almost a week of traveling and catching up with family after the long Covid-19 lock-downs to find the rain, sunshine and the heat had created giant blooms in the back garden. The vegetables, well I forgot to photograph those beauties. We had enough greens for us and most of the neighbours.
Archived in: I’m in the Garden
After spending a few days delivering Dad’s estate items to family members and visiting some of our adorable grandchildren, we decided to stay overnight at one of our favourite destinations before returning home with an empty trailer.
After checking in at the resort in the Hunter Valley, we headed to Harrigan’s Irish Pub where the food is delicious and the chef is willing to adjust a recipe for my allergies.
On our return to the resort, we changed our footwear and went for a walk to burn off some of the calories. Photos- a joint effort by Norm & Chrissy
We came across a park bench seat where we enjoyed the same view as a pair of ducks who hardly moved the whole time we sat.
After a comfortable night and a light breakfast we drove the remaining 3 hours home.
Archived in: Retirement
Archived in: I’m in the Garden
Archived in: Retirement
There’s an app for everything. Even watching the pork roast. mmm…I think it’s more to do with right foreground.
Archived in: Retirement
and a new blog category.
Archived in: 🦋 Down on the Farm
This is Rainbow Beach. A beach teeming with shells and pebbles of different colours – probably how it got it’s name. It’s a beautiful day to be able to roam in spring. We love beachcombing. While re-hydrating with a cool bottle of water and nibbled on a finger-food lunch we sorted through our finds tossing many back into the surf or onto the sand. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, we didn’t do any stone stacking.
Archived in: Retirement
This week we harvested snap peas, broad beans, spinach, spring onions and 4 types of lettuce: Butter-Head, Red-Leaf, Loose-Leaf and Little Gem.
Yesterday Norm experimented with pizzas on his new outdoor cooker/BBQ. However, our new friends and alfresco dinner guests were totally surprised by the taste. Norm has always been often called “Normando” the pizza man. I was able to make up a beautiful green salad with item mostly from the garden.
Archived in: 🦋 Down on the Farm
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