Look at that happy face! Kids love to climb in trees, though Milo still needs a leg up. This is actually an olive grove, a little home garden one, at a house just outside Christchurch. We went for a barbeque this afternoon as our friends are house-sitting here, and Milo spent a happy time jumping on the trampoline and eating carrot cake. This was after we went to Dad’s day at playcenter in the morning where he moved wood chips with a wheel barrow and pounded nails into wood. It’s a kid’s world!
Give It A Burl 
He does look very happy. I don’t recognize that tree as an olive tree. Are the lichens throwing me off?
I think this grove of olives is the equivalent of someone’s backyard planting of apples in NY–they’re shaded by other trees, not pruned, and probably not growing as vigorously as if they were being well managed. They’re not as ancient as the impressive twisted ones that make the famous photos either.
That’s the smile of a fellow who has achieved a goal and is very proud! Thanks for the info on the Olive tree and the comparison to the un-pruned apple trees in NY. They were certainly abundant here…branches bending down to the ground laden with apples in yards on Farm Street and particularly the little yellow house on the corner of Farm and E. Front across from the Brick Pond. The dogs seemed to enjoy getting into and under those hanging branches and as they stomped around, the apples would fall off. That game lasted for a few weeks. They enjoy the neighbor kids as we are on our walks … at nearly 6 years, they’ve calmed down – or maybe we’ve better trained them not to knock people over; they take delight in Molly and Jack. (As long as Molly isn’t tearing around on anything with wheels!). Those kiddo’s keep their folks busy; it’s nice seeing them out playing together in the evenings. And of course there’s Everett…who just loves to come over and visit Tawm…or is it Tawm’s big green garden wagon?
Spring in NZ? It looks greener and warmer…but maybe that’s just my perception. The leaves have changed color here in Owego but the weather has been unseasonably warm – in the 70’s! We’ll take it! We know what’s coming. We spotted at least 15 deer in ‘your’ yard moving across the road to the field last evening as we were walking the dogs. Several were very young.They’re really hard to see as they blend in with the colors of fall.
Looking forward to hearing of baby’s arrival.