Bike ride to Skudders Beach

Today we went on a bike ride to a nearby beach. On the way we found a black labrador who decided to follow us. When it seemed obvious she wasn't going to stop following us, we guessed she must be lost, so we visited a couple of local houses to try to find her owners. One of the people we visited spotted a mobile phone number on her collar and called her owner to come and collect her and they were soon reunited. Apparently, she does it quite regularly and is known at the local pound! She certainly seemed a happy girl and was soaking wet, so had obviously been for a swim somewhere...

Anyway, it provided a welcome break during our 14 mile ride...

Silvereye

Another regular visitor to the shrubs just outside our back door(s) are these tiny green birds with a distinctive silver ring around their eyes. They are Tauhou (Maori for "Stranger") or more self-evidentially "Silvereyes":

Growing Vines and First Grapes

Some of the Chardonnay vines have reached the top of their protective sleeves now - so we must have planted them OK. The weather has been pretty good for new vines of late, with nice sunshine during the day and some rain overnight.

The Syrah vines are growing really well and there are even the first signs of what we're guessing will be bunches of grapes!