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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two plastic dinosaurs (A pink diplodocus and a blue stegosaurus?) are having a very involved and quite physical conversations on the windowsill of a street-facing office window. Two small hands holding them. A wild head of red hair just visible over the top of the sill. A dapper man (70s?) wearing a knitted cardigan and straw trilby is sitting on a park bench. An old fashioned Casio tape deck by his side playing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (30s?) in full cowboy getup is sitting on the tailgate of his ute* in a city-centre carpark. A thermos and lunchbox by his hip. Strumming a guitar and singing in a soft baritone while consulting a small notebook at his side. A border collie asleep behind him. A portly man (70s?) is strolling along. Hands clasped behind his back. Tummy leading the way. Stopping to admire a plant here, a flower there. Expression content. Meanwhile his portly...

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  #Spotted While Roaming In Aotearoa New Zealand: A tall man (30?) in sturdy hiking gear is standing in line for coffee with his partner. He reaches into his pocket for his wallet and pulls a very odd expression before pulling out a roll of toilet paper. His partner exclaims: "What's THAT doing in there?!" He shrugs. "Made sense at the time." A tiny human (2?) is taking holding his little brother's hand very seriously as they cross the road. Walking next to Little B...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (70s?) approaches a friend while holding a potted rosemary plant with a big blue bow around the pot. Grinning as she hands it over, saying: "Happy birthday darl!" Her friend asks. "Rosemary?" "For remembrance." Her friend exclaims. "How could I ever forget YOU?!" They share a big hug. It's the cafe lunchtime rush. Every table is full. A queue at the till. People still approaching from down the s...

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  If it's anyone's cup of tea, the lovely Perlina Lau from RNZ's Culture 101 program (think New Zealand's BBC, NPR or ABC) interviewed me last week about Beautiful Words. It was such a fun chat and quite a buzz to get so much time to speak on such a great program. Still reeling a bit quite honestly! Would have shared earlier but I was a bit nervous about listening back to myself. (I've been a bit sleep deprived and was worried I'd just answered all questions with the equ...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (3?) is MOST AGGRIEVED. Tears streaming down his face, bottom lip a wibble-wobble. Mum says: "What's wrong?" He wails: "I bit Braden and he didn't THANK ME!" Mum sighs. "You bit your brother and you want him to thank you?" "YES! He ASKED me to bite him!" A tiny human (2?) has a rather special shiny black feather in her hand. She's flouncing through the shampoo aisle of a supermar...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) is holding Mum's hand, pointing at a digger hard at work. Looking at passersby with an awed expression. Trying to communicate the majesty of what they're witnessing. A server is roaming around a cafe with a coffee in each hand. Looking here Looking there Laughing and saying, "This place isn't THAT big, I have NO idea where they've gone!" Seen still wandering with coffees over five minutes later. (Seen s...

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  #Spotted at an Indie Bookshop talk in Aotearoa New Zealand: An author (30s?), looking a little nervous, a little excited is greeting guests. She's complimented on her dress which is decorated with mushrooms, holding the skirt out and looking down at it with a happy smile. The smell of paperback books and potential wafting on the air. A small human (5?) is not quite sure about all this book chat. He's being very good. And very quiet. Hugging Dad's leg with both arms. Studying...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (4?) is walking along, hands waving emphatically in the air as he declares with an air of MAXIMUM gravitas: "I have so much to do Mum!" SO MUCH to do!" A woman (40s?) is rolling her wheelchair along a tree lined street. A big bouquet of lilies on her lap. A big goofy dog (Labrador cross muppet?) with a waggy tail trotting at her side. Friends on an adventure. A woman (30s?) in running gear is chatting to a friend...

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  Hello beautiful people. If you didn't catch my post from a few weeks ago, I've been spending the past 4 months setting up a pay-what-you can/affordable indie writing festival that will be both in-person here in Nelson, Aotearoa New Zealand, but also online. (Ooohh ahh.) https://www.beautifulwords.net/ The in-person program's been announced and we're super excited. It'll be from the 1-26th September. The online program's going to be announced in two weeks and will run...

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  #Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A teen (16?) is sniffing the air dramatically, eyes half closed. He says: "I can smell... I can smell fried chicken..." Little Brother (14?) gives him a hopeful look: "You gonna get us some?" He grins wickedly. "Nah. Just gonna smell it for a while eh." A mighty head noogie battle commences! Four adults (30s-40s?) are standing in a circle talking about elections and cost of living. Meanwhile a small human (4?) is...

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  A small human (4?) is standing next to a crosswalk, intensely focussed while eating an ice cream. Holding his free hand out as if to halt traffic. The Ice Cream Police are on duty and all must stop to admire their majesty! A grinning man (40s?) is driving a small school bus full of young humans. Music playing loud. Everyone seat dancing. Heads bobbing. Arms waving in the air as they zoom down a highway into the countryside. A woman (50s?) is pushing a trolley full of groceries through a...

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  #Spotted at a Gallery Closing in Aotearoa New Zealand: A crowd is singing a waiata* to bless the closing of a community gallery. Voice merging and echoing in an empty room. The song ends and a man (40s?), speaking in a faint English accent says with quiet satisfaction: "That's the first time I got all the words right. I'm proud of that." A woman (50s?) is talking about the new gallery space that will be opening up soon, saying: "What we're hoping, is that our new sp...

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  #Spotted in an Op Shop* in Aotearoa New Zealand A woman (70s?) in a floor-length fake fur purple coat and a matching pill box hat is admiring a display of teapots. With a huge smile she picks up a pink one and exclaims. "These're all STUNNING, but THIS one's m'favourite." A tiny dog (poodle cross feather duster?) is trotting by a row of vintage chairs. His human (80s?) is asking him, "Which one do you like buddy?" After much inspection and sniffing, Tiny Dog a...

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  #Spotted at an Italian Film Festival Opening Night in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (80s?) is sitting in an armchair in an art deco cinema's foyer. Wearing a dapper suit. Neatly parted hair. Walking cane at his side. Smiling benevolently at the crowd milling around him, chatting, laughing, drinking wine, eating pizza. Merriment in the air. A woman (60s?) is doing a wiggly happy dance as she bites into a double-scoop cone of ice cream that's covered in chocolate with nuts sprinkled on...

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  #Spotted on the Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever in Aotearoa New Zealand People of all makes and models are congregating in a city square. Wearing red frocks, red socks and in some cases, red crocs. Extravagant bouffant wigs. Kate Bush playing. Raucous cackles as newcomers are shown to a big bin of second hand red clothes. No excuses! Frock up and have fun! A dance instructor, dressed in red, is directing a crowd in a practice run of Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights dance. It's all...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tall man (50s?) wearing farm clothes, is moseying around a fruit and vegetable shop with a wicker basket tucked under his arm. A couple of onions from here... A leek from there... Maybe a cauliflower from over here... Humming thoughtfully under his breath as he selects each one. A small human (5?) is standing in line at a bakery, eyes big as he surveys pies, sausage rolls, cakes, donuts, pastries and custard tarts in the glass display case...

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  Also a new cafe has opened in my city. Locally owned, employees are lovely. The only hitch is that the owners refuse to serve tea and I am currently tempted to pop down there with my card table, tablecloth, tea pot, tea cups and set up on the footpath, enjoying a brew and a book in gentle protest. Any suggestions to make my little tea party protest for one a bit more cosy or flamboyant. would be welcome.* 😂 *Please note this post is written in total good humour, not ire. The cafe is a huge ass...

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  #Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand* A couple (70s?) are served two pepper steak pies in a country cafe. Their animated conversation abruptly stops. They pick up their knives and forks and get to work. There is no room for small talk when serious trencherwork is required! Two women (50s?) are sitting across from each other in a library, enjoying a game of backgammon. As they roll their dice, they chat about the weather, their families and friends. A relaxed moment of friendship and...

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  #Spotted At A Country Market in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (40s?) is walking along with a skip in her step. Two jasmine plants in sturdy pots tucked under each arm. A triumphant look on her face. Jasmine plants wibble wobbling at everyone she passes. A woman (60s?) with a kind face and a husky smokers laugh knows everyone in the markets. Trackable by the sound of her infectious raucous cackle as she talks with friends. Smiles still on people's faces after she's moved on. A walkin...

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  #Spotted at a Country Market in Aotearoa New Zealand A tiny human (1.5?) is crouched in the middle of a big expanse of lawn dotted with little white flowers. Junior Botanical Scientist is inspecting each flower she sees by giving it a careful poke and a wide, toothy grin. A young human (8?) is optimistically dropping crumbs on the ground to attract a new seagull friend. Seagull inspects the crumbs from a distance, then struts off to inspect someone eating a cheese toastie. But what is thi...

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  #Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two women (80s?) wearing a delightful assortment of floaty whatnot are walking arm-in-arm down the street. They pass a clothing store window and one booms: "You know my tits were MAGNIFICENT in my twenties." The other nods and smiles: "I remember. They were bloody lovely weren't they?" A man (30s?) is kneeling in front a small human (3?), helping her do up her bike helmet. Small Human is aiding the process by doing a v...

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  #Spotted While Roaming During the School Holidays in Aotearoa New Zealand: At the beach: Mum (40s?) is presiding over a picnic table covered in a plastic polka dot tablecloth. Smacking Dad's hand with a serving spoon as he reaches for not one but TWO barbecued sausages. Dad howling in feigned outrage. Young humans cackling gleefully. Perfect family moment. At the beach: Mum (30s?) is patiently holding a fishing rod, waiting for a catch, sea calm. Meanwhile her small human (3?) is doin...

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  #Spotted at the Beach in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small EXTREMELY stubborn pony has decided that he would very much like to trot into the sea for a BIG splash. His small human rider is roaring and spluttering about this NOT being a good idea, but Stubborn Pony's not having it. It's in the water for them and that's final. Two small humans (5 & 6?) have decided that the best way to build a sandcastle is on the tideline. That way... Every shovelful of sand they pile up... Washes...

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  #Spotted while roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A burly man with a sturdy tum (40s?) is standing next to a vintage Triumph, smiling affectionately as he helps his son (12?) zip his leather jacket up. Mist in distant green valleys. A rainbow overhead. Perfect day for a ride with the boy. A small human (4?) is helping Dad grocery shop. Dad's dawdling near the sausage roll counter and she's not having it. Arms crossed, legs akimbo, she roars: "MUM SAID WE NEED POTATOES!" Dad gri...

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  #Spotted At the Beach in Aotearoa New Zealand: A weka* is VERY curious about a sandwich currently being absent-mindedly held by a man sitting in a beach chair, reading a paperback. If Weka is very quiet... And very sneaky... And sidles up like this... Maybe... It shall have that sandwich... A young human (10?) is crouched in the sand, painstakingly drawing the distant snow-capped mountains with her finger. The tide's coming in and she doesn't have long, but for now she's going to...

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  Hey lovely people. Big announcement today. We're launching Beautiful Words, an indie writing con based in Nelson New Zealand and Online in September & October 2026. https://www.beautifulwords.net/ So many awesome events, including in-person and online Tiny Moments workshops that will be for everyone. There'll also be workshops about friend making and networking. Practical writing and publishing workshops. And some really amazing talks by some wonderful writing people. We&#39...

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  🧵Spotted at a Matariki* Night Market in Aotearoa New Zealand: Multiple small humans (1 to 6?) are Brownian Motion in human form as they bounce off each other, run off in different directions, then bounce off uncles, aunties, mums, dads, then back again. Giggling and snortling. Breath chuffing in the cold night air. New friends and play in the new year. A young human (8?) is being address by his incredulous mum who's saying: "I gave ya $36 dollars! You went to get a donuts! Where&#...

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  Mānawatia a Matariki lovely people! If you're celebrating, I hope you have a wonderful day with friends and whānau❤️✨ *No post today. Spending the day celebrating Māori New Year with a big walk at the beach.

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  #Spotted at a free Light Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (5?) with a fluffy unicorn hat is giving Big Brother a supercilious look as she demonstrates her ballet moves. Can Big Brother plié? NO! Can Big Brother pirouette? NO! For some reason, Big Brother is not looking impressed! (Quel horreur!) Hmm. Maybe a majestic leap is required... A small human (4?) is MOST distressed! Wailing, tears flowing, mouth aquiver. Mum's explaining that they have to wait 10 minutes for their...