Who gets to DEFINE what 'normal' is?

“The journey to being yourself depends on how you think” ~ anon.

I saw a rainbow in my bay when we stopped for coffee .. couldn't resist a quick photo!

I think “HAPPY” most days .... and generally, most days, I’m a happy person. My kids would say I’m weird, whacky ... NOT normal .... but who gets to define what ‘normal’ is. I’m my own kind of normal and that’s all that really matters. My kids might not appreciate their weird and whacky mother quite so much if and when they have children.

Happiness is ..... rolling on the grass with your buddy!

My definition of a ‘normal’ day is a day that begins with a ramble .... a LONG ramble. Giggling and laughing is good for the soul and this morning’s ramble was full of giggles and laughter. We didn’t ‘do’ the beach thing, just grabbled coffee and headed to Waiaitarua. Indy RELISHED in the freedom of NOT being on leash - he was running here, there and everywhere ... there just wasn’t enough time to sniff all the spots he wanted to sniff. 

AWESOME reflections!

We couldn’t have wished for a more beautiful start to the day. Yes, there was cloud cover but when the sun broke through it was magical .... vibrant blue skies and open fields stretching into the distance.

We could smell the Eucalyptus Trees as we walked through the woods.

I LOVE walking at Waiatarua ... most of the hounds that ramble there are well socialised and don’t cause any trouble. They’ve all got the same goal in mind .... sniff as many behinds as possible and leave as many calling cards as they’re able .... that’s what makes for a happy hound!

A HAPPY Indy!

The large undisciplined chocolate Lab that always pinches the hound’s rugby ball was there too - we were thinking ahead this time and I took the ball of Chocolat before the other hound could. Despite repeated calls from it’s human, it tagged along with us trying to get the rugby ball off me. It’s a persistent beast  and eventually we hid the rugby ball in the backpack as he wouldn’t leave us alone. 

Undeterred by this he tried to grab my camera - maybe he thought it was some kind of strange shaped ball. Touching my camera is a no-no and I gave him a sharp whack on his nose. At last he seemed to register that his presence wasn’t welcome and he ambled on back to his human. When we did spot him again he was on a long lead ..... finally! We need to create some “Rules for Rambling Hounds” .... or maybe “Rules for the owners of Rambling Hounds”. I can think of a few humans with hounds that would benefit from a refresher course in handling their hound!

A rather shy Pukeko

I had to explain to one elderly lady why I wear shorts when I ramble ... she was very concerned that I’d get cold. When she realised how wet my hound gets ... and registered that legs dry quicker than trousers ... she walked away nodding her head thoughtfully. My hound swims regardless of the weather .... getting wet is mandatory .... I don’t have a choice,

This one flew away ....

.... and this one "walked on water"!

I managed to snap some awesome pics of the Mallard Ducks this morning ... I’d have loved to get some close-ups of the Pukeko too but they’re a little more reticent. I did get some of one of the Pukeko trying to ‘walk on water’. His mate had flown off as I moved closer and for  some reason, he thought ‘walking on water’ was preferable to flying. The reserve at Waiatarua is the ideal spot for them ... their other name is the New Zealand Swamp Hen .... and that’s exactly the environment that’s been created for them at Waiatarua.

The baby spiders have left the nest!

Sasha ... one of the hounds we met.

Satisfaction oozed from every pore as the hounds, Julia and I headed home. Brilliant weather, our favourite 4-legged friends, lots of smiles and laughter ...... and ...... oh yes, Coffee and Cupcakes from the Village Co-op!!  Satisfaction guaranteed!

They had SUCH fun!

Oh wow ... didn't think I'd see so many reflections today!

Oh dear .... Indy's pinched her ball!!

.... and she's trying to get it back .... maybe if I just drag it a little ....

Bax ... short for Basil ... maybe???  Can't remember but what a character ... all of 10 months old and full of
bounce and energy ..... look at his huge ears!! Not that the ears do much good, he still didn't know how to listen!

.... and he's got her ball again!

More reflections!

This little boy's feeding the Ducks and the Pukeko

My city, going to bed.