National Tree Day!

Joy and bliss - the muggy fog has been displaced by gale force winds, torrential downpours but quite a lot of blue sky!!! It's feels so fresh and exhilarating and allowed us to celebrate Tree Day properly! At around midday we all got wellied up (not as straight forward as it may sound), donned macs and headed off in an orderly crocodile towards the village, just the odd bit of jumping in puddles. We had been invited to the Eugene's garden - a wonderful 2 acre site bordered by a Four mile Water river. He showed us around, explained all the Latin names of the trees (!!!) and allowed leaf collection. It is a magical place, full of statues ( a copy of the Venus de Milo elicited a lot of interest!!) , masks and carved wood. The collection of trees is also very impressive and included eucalyptus, acacia, handkerchief tree and even a Redwood. We enjoyed a damp picnic then the children were let loose. Rhea was much taken by this shiny spiky red leaf; it compliments her coat beautifully.

At first break Levi found this extraordinary creature - the big ones were sent off to do some research on the internet. It's the caterpillar of a Pale Tussock moth!! The moth is white and fluffy and looses its exotic colours and red spike.

Appropriately, last night we went to see The Tree of Life. What an amazing bold and beautiful film - audacious in its vision and achievement. Fantastic photography, great music and astonishing performances. We went with Annabel and Klaus who were equally knocked out, but two other friends came out harrumphing at its pretentiousness and length. Visionary I prefer. Anyone else seen it?