Sunday, June 1, 2014

Happy Birthday Your Majesty


I can't say I really paid attention to when Her Maj actually had her birthday before we moved over here. But now, as we have a long weekend every year on the Queens official birthday, it has become a date that is always highlighted on our calendar.

The long weekend tends to be really needed at this time of year. The days are shorter and the nights are colder. Most nights our little wood burning stove is lit and the kids have to wear their slippers and dressing gowns in the morning to keep out the chill.

Although it never really gets as cold as it does in the UK, the clear nights can be surprisingly chilly and frosty. The wind chill factor in Wellington should also never be underestimated. Our house has double glazing and insulation but occasionally we do miss central heating as the wood burning stove has to be fairly constantly maintained once it is lit.

Luckily this year the long weekend has been bright sunny and warm and I actually ended up in a t-shirt on our wintry walk this morning.


I thought it was quite appropriate that since it was the Queens birthday we ended up at Queens Elizabeth Park.
 


It's a great place to walk the dog. Ted always meets lot of other friendly dogs to run manically about with.


There was literally not a cloud in the sky.


The model airplane club was enjoying the good weather today. I got told off for stopping between the signs and gawping at the planes. Apparently this is very dangerous as the planes fly low in this area. You have been warned!


This is the tree that, according to my kids, I always stop and take a pictures of. Well in my opinion its a beautiful tree. So here is another picture of it to add to my collection.