#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (30s?) wearing business black finishes her lunch in a cosy Levantine cafe. She dabs her face with a floral handkerchief, checks her lipstick and then rolls perfume on her pulse points with elegant precision. At a dentists: The receptionist offers a weathered man (80s?) a cuppa and a biscuit. It arrives in a china cup, with a choc chip biscuit propped on the saucer. A waiting teen (17?) asks: "Hey, do I get a biscuit too?" Weathered Man gives Teen a grin: "One day. Ya gotta earn your biscuit." A couple (20s?) are basking in the sun, legs outstretched, their backs propped against an antique water fountain. Their dog (White Staffy) is sitting nearby, alert, protecting their small moment of chill. A smiling man (40s?) strides out of McDonald's with a big paper bag not long after school finishes. Three young humans (7-11?) wearing school uniform are hurrying behind him in a procession to their car. Courtiers following a benevolent burger king. Two men (50s?) are ambling along a quiet street. One says to the other: "Dave's one of those blokes who says yes to something then instantly forgets. Ya gotta remind him. All the time. He's a good bloke but he'll forget. Just how he is. Hasn't changed in sixty years, not gonna change now." Any typos spotted in this post are Biscuit Earning Forgetful Beasts. If spotted, please remind them that they've earned a biscuit for doing all the work today. They'll appreciate it.

#Spotted on an Evening River Walk in Aotearoa New Zealand: Three women (20s-50s?) are leisurely floating in a riverbend water hole. Hair piled up on their heads. Hands swooshing idly, keeping them buoyed. Toes peeking out of the water like little piggy wiggies, curious to see what's going on. A young human (9?) in a mud splattered school uniform exits a mountain biking track and parks near a clump of trees. Looking furtively about, he retrieves a full-to-bursting school bag from the undergrowth. Heaving it onto his shoulders and heading home. Sneaky fun on a sunny afternoon. A cow is studiously munching her way through a paddock covered in a riot of buttercups to the echo of mountain bikers racing down a nearby hill. Munching Cow is not bothered by humans doing bike things. She's more focused on this juicy patch of grass. It's the important things in life... Three women (late teens?) are running side-by-side at a steady pace along a dirt track through a valley. Laughter and chatter drifting in their wake. Ponytails swinging jauntily as they go. A boxer puppy scampers by a waterhole, tongue lolling, tail a blurred whir. Meanwhile a grey-muzzled blue heeler is trotting behind her with an impressive stick in his mouth. His body is Minecraft-cubic with age and good dinners, his eyes benevolently tracking his new puppy friend. --- Also, just because it was such a lovely day, here's a picture of some flowers in a paddock. (More in alt text) (Continued below)

#Spotted at a Gallery Opening in a Converted Shearing Shed* in Aotearoa New Zealand. Two small humans (3 & 5?) in pretty party dresses are bolting around people Then outside to look at a nearby apple orchard Then back inside Then back outside Fistfuls of lollies* clutched in their hands. A young human (8?) with bare feet covered in beach sand and tousled hair says to Dad: "I reakon we should get fish and chips after this Dad eh. I think that'd be a good idea." Dad scratches his jaw: "Seems like a reasonable request." Two DJs--tired from doing a gig the night before-- are wandering around looking at artwork and strafing the nibblies before heading home over a mountain range to Golden Bay. Someone asks if they're missing their beds and one says: "And the porch, and the garden. And the couch..." A tiny human (2?) has decided that the adult whatnot happening around her is just not her cup of tea. She's parked herself on the floorboards in the corner and is doing a very good job of munching on the end of her headband. Staring dreamily into space. An artist has installed some coal dust in front of a roll of paper. She encourages people to walk through it to leave footprints. Suddenly there's a rush! People taking off their shoes. Grinning faces. Bare feet. There's creative fun to be had! (Continued Below)

#Spotted at a Mask Carnivale in Aotearoa New Zealand: A dreamy young human (7?) is participating in a haka but he's a bit distracted. But it's okay. His friend is at his side. Hip bumping him and reminding him how it goes. Yes! He's got it now! Eyes wide. Face fierce. He's in the zone. Two small human fairies (3 & 5?) are holding Dad's hand as they follow a colourful parade. Youngest fairy is wearing yellow and is skipping and chattering. Oldest fairy is scowling. A disgruntled fae force, trying to tug Dad towards a crepe truck. Fairy dinner is calling and she wants it NOW. Two small humans (5?) are crouched over an air grate in the footpath, waving bubble wands over the outrushing air... And WHOOOSH. A giant cloud of bubbles! Ohh this is fun. They do it again! Looking around to see if anyone has noticed their admirable bubbly ingenuity. A woman (20s?) dressed as a giant pumpkin is grooving along at a silent disco. Headphones on. Her expression euphoric as she twists and turns in happy wobbly movements. She's the happiest pumpkin in town! A tall woman (40s?) is standing in the middle of a crowd looking around with a serious expression. Suddenly her face breaks into a huge grin, she cocks her ear to the side and exclaims breathlessly: "Morris Dancers! I can hear the bells! You never see them arrive or leave. They're magic." (continued below)

#Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (1?) wearing a green onesie, tiny sunglasses and bright blue sneakers is holding Mum and Dad's hands as she navigates the footpath with wobbly steps. Grinning up at Mum. Then Dad Carefully moving each foot forward. Look at her go! A couple (60s?) are beaming with happiness as they talk into a phone. Their son is on the other end of the call and Mum is saying: "You need to take the bone out first. Yes. Yes. No, you need another piece of meat. Don't rush. You'll get this. It'll be DELICIOUS." Vital Mum cooking advice. A big man wearing a crocheted beanie with flowers stuck into it is idly ambling along, holding a box with a chili plant inside. He passes friends who call out their admiration for his hat and he belly laughs, the chili plant wobbling along in leafy merriment. A tiny human (1?) does NOT want to go into her pram. Mum's lifted her up and is trying to lower her in, but she's having none of it. Squirming. Making her legs all squoodly. She will not be contained! Mum gives in and puts her down. She immediately demands to be returned to her pram. A small human (5?) is making some VERY impressive karate noises. He's HAAAing And HEEEYAAAAAing Yes, this is very convincing. Although, maybe the rotating arm flail is not quite on point. Or... is it? Is this... Small Human Windmill Style being created before our very eyes? (Continued Below)

#Spotted Recently at a Country Fair in Aotearoa New Zealand: A group of three teens (13?) are wandering along in summer dresses. Drinking cola. Competing with each other over how loud they can BUUUURP. One's got volume. One's got style. The other can't quite manage it and has snorted her drink up her nose. A young human (8?) and her nana give each other a BIG hug before Nana drives home. Young Human yells: "I LOVE YOU NANA!" Nana yells: "LOVE YOU MORE." Young Human begins walking back to the fair, roaring: "LOVE YOU MORE." Nana drives past bellowing: "LOVE YOU MORE!" grinning as she zooms off. A couple (20s?) are having a very considered and serious debate about what age you have to be to unironically rock a tricorn hat. (While trying on the tricorn hat.) One thinks after seventy. The other thinks before ten. Two sun weathered farmers (60s?) wearing high vis over their good town clothes are efficiently directing cars into a temporary paddock car park while quietly chatting about harvest time, the weather and life. The vibe is quiet, contemplative friendship. A big blue sky overhead. At a school fundraising stall tables are practical bowing with delicious cakes, muffins, scones and other baked scrumptiousness. Two women are standing in line, both armed with Tupperware, ready to buy up. Chatting animatedly over how much they can truly fit in their containers! (OHsomuch.) (Continued Below)

#Spotted recently at a Country Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand A tiny human (2?) is given a cone of ice cream covered in chocolate from a Mr Whippy truck. He looks at it, frowns, then MASHES it against his face. Startled chortle-splutters. (Hehe!) Ice cream and chocolate going everywhere! A woman (30s?) is commanding a horde of six small humans (3-4?). Cupping her hands around her mouth she says: "Line up for sunscreen. No arguments. And Polly, don't eat the sunscreen. It didn't taste nice last time. It's not gonna taste nice today." Polly gives her a pugnacious scowl. A woman (40s?) is talking to a teen (14?) who is guffawing at something he's just said. Mum says: "You're not funny. You're not. That wasn't funny." Teen retorts: "Yeah it was. Humour's a matter of taste Mum and mine's more sophisticated than yours." Four small humans (6?) have taken command of an epic dirt pile. The one at the top is commanding his troops with admirable authority. But what is this?! An interloper? A GIRL! A GIRL who's climbed a tree that is taller than his dirt pile?! Oh no! Usurped! The group has a new tallest leader! A man (30s?) in boardshorts and a surf brand T-shirt is chatting to friends while eating a momo lunch. Meanwhile their three tiny humans (1-2?) are sleeping at their feet. Sprawled out on the grass like snoozing puppies. Safe in their Dads' shadows. (Continued Below)

#Spotted at a recent Country Fair in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (4?) in bare feet, green shorts and an orange T-shirt with a fish on it is standing next to the "I'm Lost" stand. A grownup asks if he's lost and he says with absolute earnestness: "No, but my mum is." A woman (60s?) is sitting at a Dutch pancake stand reciting a litany of of her friends' illnesses and complaints to her sister (70s?). When she pauses for breath, her sister says briskly: "Tragic tale. Anyway, stir another sugar into that coffee of yours will you Darl. You need it." A small human (4?) has just accidentally dropped half of his red shaved ice onto the ground (OH NO!) The lip is quivering, eyes are tearing up. A passing young human (9?) stops to say: "You'll be okay. I lost half of mine earlier but the rest of it was still yummy." Small Human nods woefully. A farm-sturdy young human (8?) and his friend are patting a jersey cow. With great authority he announces: "I know EVERYTHING about cows." He points to a cow pat and says with adorable pomposity: "There's the poo." This is vital cow information. His friends are definitely interested. A group of Morris Dancers are roaming to the sound of a penny whistle and an accordion, their colourful tatters flashing in the crowd. Their leader announces the start of a new dance and they're off! Bells ringing, sticks knocking. It's spring and they're making the most of it! (Continued Below)

#Spotted at a Country Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand: A worried looking small human (3?) is given a peanut butter sandwich. Holding his sandwich protectively to his chest, he says to Mum: "I think I should hug you while I eat this." Mum picks him up for a bear hug. A small human (5?) would like to try riding a unicycle but he can't quite work out why it's only got one wheel. This is MOST inconvenient. Luckily, Dad comes to the rescue and holds him steady as he pedals over the grass. Victorious smiles all round. A tiny human (2?) has discovered a hula hoop. (Ohh ahh!) But she does not truck with the idea of making it circle around her. (Oh no.) The most obvious technique is to stand in the middle of it while spinning around. Arms flung out, giggling with glee. A small human (6?) has just gobbled a hotdog. Looking at Dad, rubbing his tummy with a woeful expression he says: "I feel sick Dad." Dad nods: "Yep. I told ya you would if you ate too quickly." "Yeah. But if I throw up, can I get another one?" For some reason Dad's not buying this plan. Two teens (13?) are carefully sorting through a pile of coins, each working out if they've got enough to go halves on a "6 for 11" churros deal. Ten cents saves the day! Victorious grins as they advance on the churros truck. Any typos spotted in this post have learned a new hula method. If typos spotted, please remind them not to gobble all the food all at once. The Ngatimoti Festival only comes once a year.

#Spotted at a Country Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (4?) with tiger face paint is facing another bigger small human (5?) with spiderman face paint. With great authority she announces: "I am a TIGER which is MUCH BETTER than SPIDERMAN. so you HAVE to do what I say!" Numerous tiny humans and their dads are lined up to sit in a fire engine and to make the BIG HOSE go. Both tiny humans and dads showing equal levels of excitement. This is a FIRE ENGINE. You don't get cooler than that. A small, stern young human (4?) is fiercely studying an elderly Jersey cow who is calmly accepting all pats as her due. When Mum asks if Small Human would like to pat the cow he scowls. "That is NOT A COW! It's a dog. You pat dogs!" Placid Jersey Cow seems unbothered by this bendy taxonomy. A tiny human (2?) is most insistent that her Care Bear should get to cuddle some sleeping piglets. The only problem is... how? Tiny Piglets are snuggled up, snoozing in their hut and she cant quite reach them through the fence. Hmmm. Maybe Care Bear cuddles can happen long distance instead. A young human (4?) is given a precious sausage wrapped in a slice of white bread, tomato sauce* on top. This is valuable treasure and she's carefully trying to maneuver it into her sparkly unicorn handbag. But what is this?! For some inexplicable reason Dad is objecting to this excellent plan.