Once again, the guest picture of the day is a gallery from Matilda, our guest photographer. She was hunting bees today as well as capturing the morning sun on the Calibrachoa
I had a walk round the garden with Matilda after breakfast where we saw two blackbirds basking in the sunshine . . .
. . . and I took a couple of pictures of my own . . .
. . . including the nasturtiums and clematis at the front door. They make a good contrast, the clematis with lots of flowers but few leaves, and the and the nasturtium with many leaves hiding its flowers.
Then I took a break from grandparenting fun, and went up the hill to have coffee with Sandy. He is off to visit his son for a few days, so it was good to catch up with him before he left. He introduced me to the Royal Game of Ur, a ancient version of Ludo. It is obviously just a game of pure luck, as he managed to beat me easily when we played.
When I got home, I walked to the park with Mrs Tootlepedal and Matilda on their bicycles. I sat quietly on a bench as the ladies whizzed around. I caught a picture of Matilda in motion . . .

. . . but Mrs Tootlepedal was too speedy for me and always passed me in a blur.
I took a picture of the river instead.

Did I mention that it was another perfect day for pedalling in the park?
It was such a nice day that when Matilda’s father, who is ‘working from home’ had finished his tasks for the day, we went for a outing to the Tarras water.
It was very peaceful.

We parked our cars on the flat ground beside the river.

Mrs Tootlepedal and I had walked along this road a couple of days ago and seen goats and birds aplenty. Today, when the light was much better, there was not a goat or a bird to be seen. But there were cinnamon buns to be eaten and rugs to be sat on . . .

. . . sparkling water to be enjoyed . . .

. . . stones to be piled up . . .

. . . and Frisbees to be thrown (and occasionally caught).
There were some pretty flowers on the bank on the far side of the stream.

Rather frustratingly, we had seen large dragonflies flitting about from time to time without ever getting a chance to take a photograph them. Then, just as we were getting ready to leave, Clare spotted one settling on a grass at her feet. It took the rest of us some time to spot it, but both Alistair and I got a picture of it in the end . This was my effort . . .

. . . and this was Alistair’s.

It clung to its grass very patiently while we waited for our cameras to get in focus.
Meanwhile, Matilda and Mrs Tootlepedal had found another one on the bank of the river a few yards away!
Happy with this success, we drove home in time for a cup of tea and my second strategy game of the day. This time, Matilda and her parents introduced us to Dominion, an interesting game where the winner is the player who has acquired the most land by the finish. You might have thought that Mrs Tootlepedal, with her knowledge of the recent community land purchase, would be the expert at this, but it turned out that game experience was the most important thing and Matilda won by miles.
Google Lens obligingly told us that it was a golden-ringed dragonfly that we had met on our outing, and a full length portrait stands in for the non existent flying bird of the day today.

I think there are few things more beautiful than a dragonfly’s wings.
Agreed.
Stunning portrait of the golden-ringed dragonfly. So glad to hear the weather has been outstanding while visiting with family.
The weather looks set to change unfortunately.
😦
Those are very beautiful photos from the family outing. Matilda is becoming a fine photographer.
What a marvellous photograph to end with – I feel sure the birds won’t mind standing aside for the day!
I didn’t ask them so they didn’t have much choice. 🙂
Great shots of the dragonfly !
It is rare that I see a dragonfly let alone take a photograph of one.
What a beautiful day you had, great pictures too.
Congratulations to all the photographers, bees, dragonflies and peaceful picnic scenes.
A splendid holiday outing with perfect weather. A family of great photographers.
Everybody tries. 🙂
I’m sorry – despite your excellent dragonfly pictures you cannot match a young lady who gets a bee in shot
A picnic on the riverbank…it doesnt get much better!
We were suitably grateful to some fine weather.
That is a very striking dragonfly, glad it was cooperative. Seems like a glorious time is being had by all – enjoy the rest of your holiday.
I have found getting dragonfly pictures almost impossible so this was a bonus. Having more than one pair of eyes helped.
I have chased dragonfly photos around many a garden and rarely gotten a good one.
I’m with Lavinia—Matilda is becoming a fine photographer. What a great place to eat cinnamon buns!
We have plenty of good picnic places. What we need are more cinnamon bus.
Always!
Matilda’s album is growing and getting filled with great photos. Wonderful photos of the dragonfly.
I will retire as photographer shortly. 🙂
Nice to see the nasturtiums back in flower again.
I’ve never seen a dragon fly so close up before 👍
It is rare that one settles just where you need it to.