I hope you have all had an excellent Christmas. We did, spending time with friends, eating a lot, having a long Skype chat to family in the US and generally pottering about reading, doing puzzles and forgetting what day it was. I do, however, know it is Saturday, so here I am for the last Six on Saturday for 2018. Thanks once again to The Propagator for allowing us to share what is going on in our gardens.
First up, on Christmas Eve we were visited by three kererū. These native pigeons are large, fly quite low and have a distinctive wing beat sound in flight also draws attention to them being around. They are not endangered, but to see three in our garden at once is quite something. You can read more about them here and also about the ‘warning kererū’ road signs here in Wellington.


Second up, my new watering can. I also picked up some new shears to cut back some of the undergrowth (and to allow us to get up the stairs to our house without being attacked by plant life).

The marigolds are beginning to flower at least. Nothing yet on my homegrown nasturtiums, but there are plenty around the neighbourhood.

My new mint plant is doing well, and the old one is struggling a bit but perked up with some sunny days.

You may remember I posted a picture of the brambles, peaking through the fence down the hill from our house. I know that strictly speaking these are not in our yard, but I have been following their progress as I am sure you can all appreciate. On Friday morning, they looked like this…

And by Saturday morning, after a lovely sunny Friday, they looked like this…

Finally, I’ll end with this beautiful sunset from Thursday night, taken from our terrace, so it was seen in our garden. And yes Friday was gorgeous, so it definitely was a case of pink sky at night, shepherd’s delight.

I’ll be in Brisbane next Saturday, so won’t be posting anything here. I’m hoping to visit some gardens when there, so hopefully will have something to share on the blog after our trip.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistleandkiwis. As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com
Nice Six on Saturday. I always like the tropical looking shots of the palms, etc. You live in a lovely location. Marigolds make a satisfying pop when deadheading by hand, though the sap is strangely pungent.
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Thank you! Gosh yes you are so right about marigolds – had forgotten.
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Unusual pigeons, I have never heard of them. It would be nice to have more shots of your garden, love the view in your second photo.
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Yes they are one of the special NZ birds. I should do a tour post sometime.
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Lovely sunset. Interesting to see your local pigeons.
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We do get some lovely sunrises and sunsets here.
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I love the colours on our native kereru but sadly we don’t get to see many of there here in suburbia.
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We live close to the Botanic Gardens and Zealand which helps a lot!
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