Unfortunately the expected overnight thunderstorm passed us by. The day, although cooler, remained overcast and humid.
This meant further watering – mostly done by Jackie, with me chipping in a bit. Nugget sent me back inside for my camera. I did oblige, but he was waiting with a companion who was more twitchy and they flew off. I had one shot at a joint portrait, but it was so out of focus that I deleted it.
As we left home this afternoon heading for Everton Post Office to send a parcel to Pauline in Dunedin we received a package from Lavinia of Salmon Brook Farms in Oregon.
On Old Christchurch Road we noticed further artistic tributes to the front line carers coping with Corvid-19. As usual the galleries can be accessed by clicking on any image which may be viewed full size by clicking the box beneath each picture. These can be further enlarged if required.
We continued on a drive into the forest,
On the hillside beside Braggers Lane caramel coloured cattle and their calves were their usual inquisitive selves; horses in the fields below simply continued grazing.
The clopping of hooves along the lane alerted me to a couple of equestriennes who gave cheery greetings as they passed me.
On our return home I unwrapped Lavinia’s CD which we both enjoyed. I imported it into my iMac and I already know that listening to the artist’s melodious voice and clear diction, occasionally accompanied by Rick, against the gentle guitar will make a perfect accompaniment to my daily uploading of photographs for publication on WordPress.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s authentic lamb Jalfrezi, mushroom rice, and paratha with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank Alma da Vinha Douro Doc 2018.
Lavinia does have a beautiful voice and I’m so thrilled she continues to perform.
You and I have even more of a link besides our love of nature – Lavinia planted a tree for both of our sons Michael. Something I will never be able to thank her enough for!!
She did, indeed. Me too. Thanks very much, GP
Oh, that is so touching. What a lovely idea!
Absolutely 🙂
I SO agree!
Thank you, GP! Your Michael’s tree is around 7 feet tall now. The new tree for Derrick’s son Michael is about 2 feet tall and working hard at growing!
That is such a heartwarming link.
Thank you so much for the update!! You are such a sweetheart, so talented and caring. My adjective list for you is endless!
Me, too XX
Totally love the second cattle photo of mum and calf.
Oh, me too! Isn’t that precious? With his little black nose & both of them looking at the camera.
😎
It doesn’t take much to arouse the cattle curiosity. 🙂
Thank you very much, Sheree.
The painted rocks paths leading to decorated benches are so touching – a wonderful tribute.
Indeed, Dolly. Thank you very much.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
It’s such a lovely tribute. So effective.
Yes. Thanks very much, Gary.
The rocks were intresting. Have a great day.
Thanks very much Mrs W.
Your welcome.
Ugh – We are very dry, too. And Michael doesn’t like me to water too much because he’s afraid I will run the well dry. I spent part of the day watering by watering can, instead of the sprinkler, since that gets the job done with less water.
Love those cow faces! And enjoy your Lavinia CD!
Thank you for the kind words, Jodie!
You’re welcome, Lavinia.
Thank you very much, Jodie. Gosh, are you reliant on your own well? We are to expect a day of rain today.
Yes, we are very much country folk here in Elk Township, New Jersey. Well and septic. And the well pump needs electricity, so a lengthy power outage is a bit of a crisis for us.
I’ll bet.
Hope you get your rain, Derrick! We had less than a 10th of an inch this morning, but I was happy for it.
We got it – but less than expected.
Our daughter in Sicklerville also has a well/pump.
The bench and the painted rocks are so lovely! Very spirit-lifting and smile-bringing! 🙂
The cattle are so beautiful! Oh, those calf-faces! 🙂 The Mom and Baby portrait is THE bestest! 🙂
OH! How nice to get a CD from your friend! Good music is such good company and so helpful for our minds, emotions, and spirit! 🙂
I’d like to hear the conversations on Braggers Lane! 😉 😛
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Oh wow. Painted rocks. Love them.
Thanks very much, Chrissy.
PS…I went by Lavinia WP blogsite to see if I could listen to her music.
OH! She has such a beautiful, calming, joyful voice! As I listened, joy-tears came into my eyes. 🙂
More-HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you for listening!
🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂
She does, indeed, Carolyn. Thanks again. X
We have started to encounter these painted rocks on our walks too, but not in the quantities that you have. I have enjoyed hearing Lavinia sing when I have visited her website.
Thank you for listening, Mr.T!
🙂
She is very good. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal.
Aw…how sweet of Lavinia to send her CD. I’m sure it’s wonderful. Fantastic shots today!
Thank you for the kind words, Jill!
🙂
❤️
Her voice is lovely – and the album gentle. Thanks very much, Jill.
I absolutely adored your photos from the Old Christchurch Road, of glorious artistic tributes to the front line carers coping with Corvid-19. A lovely way of honouring the workers Derrick…
Indeed. That is the same village that has the hedgerow fairies. Thank you very much, Ivor.
Well that’s a very kind community minded village…
I found some of Lavinia’s songs on Internet Archive. I’m listening to one. Such a lovely voice. Out of your photo group today, mama cow and her calf are my favorite.
Thank you for listening, Liz!
🙂
My pleasure, Lavinia!
Thanks very much, Liz. Those cattle always take notice 🙂 Lavinia’s voice is lovely.
You’re welcome, Derrick. A very enjoyable post all the way around.
🙂
Lavinia does make some good music. So nice to get her CD in the mail! I was happy to see the painted rocks. They often show ingenious creativity. That robin one was cute. And of course the cow and calf photo was a very nice capture.
Thank you for the kind words, Lisa! I loved the rocks, especially the robin rock, as well as those beautiful cows .
Yes, when I was growing up, all the farmers had chubby little Herefords and Angus and then someone got some of those Charolais and they were a bit bigger and very pretty. We all admired them. Those cattle look like them, but their coats are not the same.
I imagine they are a mix of some kind.
Thank you both very much.
Thank you so much, Lisa.
Wonderful and peaceful. Perfect reading and photos as I recline on my pillow, asleep in a few minutes. Thanks, Derrick. Oh, the stones were excellent.
And thanks to you, Steve.
I listened to Lavinia’s lovely voice on YouTube just now. It is very soothing. The rocks are wonderful! I’ve done some rock painting but have never lined them up like that. It’s a nice wavy pattern, like a rock art show.
Thank you for listening, JoAnna!
🙂
My pleasure!
Thank you very much, JoAnna. I’m pleased you liked all this.
Well of course I love the photos of the Charolais herd, bringing back memories. And the painted stones are delightful, especially the pair made up of Mary Poppins and Nurses Rock, pun intended I assume! Of the two lady equestrians I cannot understand how the gal closest can handle riding in shorts. In all my years of riding I never set a saddle in shorts. Bareback, yes.
Thanks very much, Maj. The nicety of equestrian wear is lost on a non-rider like me 🙂
Seeing that CD cover made me smile. This afternoon, Clif and I listened to “Keepsake,” too. Such a lovely voice!
Thank you, Laurie!
Linking the states and the continents.
My pleasure!
Indeed. Thank you very much, Laurie.
Riding a horse remains an unfulfilled dream. Thank you for capturing the equestrians. And thank you for introducing Lavinia Ross to me. I do believe in tomorrow!
Thank you, Uma! That song was written for my grand-nephew Tyler.
Wow! Thanks for replying. I have just added you in my Apple Music library.
Thank you, Uma!
I’m pleased.
That is good. Now I will think of each of you when I listen to it 🙂
😊
🙂
Thank you very much, Uma. Lavinia is helping us believe in people and in tomorrow.
Thank you so much, Derrick and Jackie! May the music bring you peace, especially in these turbulent times.
I loved the painted rocks, especially the robin. And of course the contented cows and horse and riders. 🙂
And thank you very much, Lavinia. The music will do the trick.
What a great set of photographs, especially the cows and calves.
Aren’t the stones a lovely idea? Sophie and Evie found a trail on the riverbank, unlike Sophie’s rainbows the paint will last.
We had a hot sunny day until teatime and then the thunderstorm began, it’s still raining, and such a lovely sound but it’s remained very warm too!
Thanks very much, Sue. Maybe we will get our promised rain today.
It will save all the watering!
🙂
The bad weather didn’t get as far as the east. Sat outside until 11 o’clock and harvested potatoes in the twilight. Happy Days! A bit of drizzle this morning.
Good for you. Thanks very much, Andrew
It sounds like you had a lovely day, despite the lack of rain. What a thoughtful gift!
The painted stones are such a nice gesture. I love the mother and baby cow portrait.
Thank you very much, Merril
As per your earlier conversation, we also have our own well and septic. I LOVE the freshness of our well water – and pray that it continues to faithfully produce! I loved photos of the “caramel coloured cattle,” Derrick. And of course, those rocks tickled my fancy. I have a couple of painted rocks that my mother-in-law did. That was one of her hobbies, so these brought her sweet memory up into my consciousness. Thank you!
I’m pleased. Thank you, too, Jan.
clopping of hooves use to scare me as a child, it sound like a bunch of marching around. Lol
But they are gorgeous.
Delicious meal you had
Thank you very much, More. I trust you are feeling better
😃 yes yes
That’s good.
Those painted stones are so nice! A great tribute indeed!
Gorgeous cattle and their calves 😍
Thank you very much, Ribana