Hello 😀
Remember me? I know, it’s been a while!
It’s taken some time, but I’m back with a smile 😀
I’ve been busy working on myself, slowing down, lots of alone time, sorting out my life, “getting my shit together” as it were. Listening, but clearing the noise. Finding me again. And here I am, ready to run! Except for my knee, that doesn’t want me to run … yet, but I am determined.
While I haven’t dragged my camara about much the past year – which the intention of this blog is to showcase my best images – I have been taking a lot of images on my phone. I haven’t updated that for a while either, an S22 Ultra. Unusually for me, I see no need, it’s good enough … for most stuff.
Anyway, let’s kick of with some proper photos from the OM1, from my best night of last year, November 12, when the aurora was absolutely cranking overhead – swirling and pulsing, while I danced on the beach, in the dark, by myself. Thank you universe!
This night was also a bit sad. The previous night I had a dream about my ponies – I rarely dream – and it was so vivid and happy. I reunited with them, cuddles, kisses and beer sharing. The little shy one – Snowy, even let me rub his belly. It seemed so real, I woke up with tears of joy, but something didn’t sit right, so in the morning, I contacted the girl I had given the ponies too.
That evening driving home after work, she texted … the oldest pony, the big bully Trojan, had passed away on the weekend, and she had been struggling to tell me. It was oddly like the universe had spoken to me.
Trojan had a good life, was around 32 years old and had never required a vet visit. At least Snowy wasn’t left alone, as he had made friends with her other horse and pony.
I had 60x90cm prints made of the beach aurora shots and put them above my fire place – below. Also my modest Christmas tree, complete with two headed gingerbread man on top. I wasn’t going to get a tree until I saw a Landcare post asking people to take them from an area they are trying to rehabilitate, so helping the environment helped me get into the spirit of Christmas 😀 I’ve also been teaching myself guitar this year, always wanted to play, so why not!
Mmm, this was going to be a quick post …. lol. I guess I owe you 😉
I’ve had takeaway dinner only once since I moved in in March! I cook for myself and usually make a few meals at a time – I have so many photos of various meals it would bore you, but maybe I’ll put some together in a post. I’m now pulling pink-eye potatoes from my garden and lettuce! I have spent quite some time in my garden, I find it therapeutic and productive, while procrastinating on the big jobs inside the house I should get in to 😉
It’s been unusually windy here since September, throwing the growing season out, but on the plus side for me now on tank-water, there has been plenty of spring rain to fill them. Below is one of Betty’s rose that didn’t get beaten up by the weather. These are old-school roses with a sweet fragrance that is dizzying! Thanks Betty, she also planted my pink-eyes 😀 And raspberries!
I could go on, but for now I’ll just do today. This morning I went for a kayak paddle up the Carlton River-mouth. I’ve been a few times this year on the odd day between wind blasts. It was supposed to be with friends on stand-up paddle boards, but no time was specified except early. Their idea of early on New Years Day was ridiculous O-clock. Mine what when-ever I wake up – a reasonable 8.30am. They had left by the time I got there. But I still paddled 10km over a few hours and had a great time.
I bought two similar kayaks second-hand and they are great for the flat river and in the surf! I just need some spray decks for them as they are easily swamped by waves.
Soldier crabs lined the beach at low tide like they were defending the shore-line from attack! They scattered when I approached, so weren’t very brave, but I guess I am a bit bigger than them.
I hadn’t paddled the Carlton River at low tide before, you have to take more care as there are sharp oysters and rocks to avoid.
Exploring one of the little inlets up the river.
And now it’s bed time – so I’ll finish of with some music …
Most diverse day? Most days are like this, but it was the week of my birthday and I was on holidays 😀
Here’s some bands to look up if you’re curious …
The Cat Empire – featured heavily mid-year for me, a great Australian band that’s been around a while, but their last two albums really resonated with me – “Bird in Paradise” and “Where the Angels Fall”.
Lately I discovered Cage the Elephant.
The Undercover Hippy for clever lyrics.
Ren will leave you amazed, insanely dueling with the voices in his own head in a song called .. Hi Ren, but his other music is worth a listen too. here’s the video … and I’m going to bed now! Night.
Ok, OK, Dr Rubberfunk, Getdown Services, Exploding Pig, Butthole Surfers, HAAi, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Blue King Brown, Us3, Mungo’s Hi Fi, Father of Peace ….
It’s bed time!
I hope to post a bit more regularly this year. We’ll see.
Cheers, Tone.
TasView 
Good to see things from you again, glad you grabbed the ‘real’ camera OM-1 🤣🤣. Happy New Year
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Thanks Ted! I have a wedding to shoot in February … gulp! I really should be shooting more, but I still remember what the buttons are for 😀
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😆, that’s a good start
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So nice that you’re back,Tone. Have a great year ahead and don’t be a stranger on the blogosphere.
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Thanks Anneli, my plan this year is to stop staring at Facebook and endless reels and jump on WordPress instead 😀 All the best to you for the next lap around the sun!
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Thanks, Tone. See you on your blog.
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Hey Tone!! It’s great to see you back!! You have been working on you and that’s absolutely wonderful. YOU are worth it! Very beautiful photos as always, and I would love a paddle up that river, it looks so beautiful. Happy New year, Tone, I hope to see you back more often. Be well! 🙏🏻😎
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Thank you John, I have missed the global blogging family on WordPress! It’s been a long, but very worthwhile year putting the work in on myself. I did not want to rush into another relationship without sorting myself out first. I needed to step back from my old life, now I love my peace and freedom and am content with what I have. Me 😀 Have a great year John, all the best 😀
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That is wise, Tone and I get it after three divorces. The last was in 2016, I’ve been single since and not dated. You must be okay by yourself before jumping into the frying pan called a relationship. Best wiahes for this new year, Tone!
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Stunning images! The one with the soldier crabs is particularly amazing because that scene is something I don’t ever expect to witness in my lifetime. As a Canadian, Aurora is easy to take for granted, because it’s so frequent. That said, I would imagine it’s pretty exciting to see in NZ and you captured it well. Happy New Year!
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Thank you Terry, it’s only the second time I’ve seen the aurora swirling overhead, more often a green arc near the horizon with the odd beam shooting up – from Tasmania Australia – NZ next door neighbour 😉 I haven’t worked out the crabs yet, the don’t come out at every low tide but they are great to watch. Have the best year ever Terry 😀
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Oops, I meant Tas. Sorry about that, Tone. I had NZ in mind because friends from home recently visited there, and I was viewing their photos.
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All good Terry, NZ and Tas are like close cousins – except they talk funny 😁 My eldest daughter has been to Canada 🇨🇦 twice!
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So good to see you and your marvelous photos! The aurora photos are so amazing! Very sorry to hear about the pony. I would probably be running away if I encountered so many crabs. 😀 Very cool Ren video. Looking forward to more posts. 🙂
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Thanks Morgaine, it’s only the second time I’ve seen the aurora swirling overhead, so it was pretty special. I was thinking of Trojan galloping free across the sky, so it was very timely. The crabs freak me out a bit too! I have to remind myself they are not spiders in suits of armour, lol! I’m not so keen on spiders. I have a print of a soldier crab that greets me though the front door, they’re oddly kind of cute with their little antics 😉 I hope to start posting more here instead of being lazy on Facebook, I do love and miss this little global blogging community 😀 Have a great year!
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I’m not a fan of spiders either. However, when I became a home owner I had to learn to remove them by been sending them on one-way cruises (in the loo!). 😀
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Hey Tone! Wishing you a great, setback-free 2026. Moving house and finding your rhythm in a new place is never easy, and in a location as remote as yours it’s probably even more of a challenge – but you clearly get a lot in return, and so do we. Those auroras, man… absolutely stunning. I’ve read everything again with real interest and attention. Keep posting, take care, and until next time. All the best,Marc
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Thanks heaps for the encouragement Marc, I really appreciate your comment 😀 I was hoping to post again tonight to kick the blogging habit off again, but got talking to my sister for two hours and have my Market stall early tomorrow, so off to bed. All the best for the new year, may the reality of your visions and dreams be more than you ever wished for! Cheers.
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Wow! What a fabulous ‘catch-up’ report. That Listening Report near the end is amazing. I consider myself an eclectic listener, but my Spotify listening report was not nearly so fascinating. Loved listening to and watching Ren. Good on ya, Tone! ~Ed.
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