Toi Toi and Seagulls

Posted on | April 1, 2010 | 24 Comments | Previous Post Next Post

Toi toi is part of my memories. When I was a growing up we had a large hillock fronting a shared driveway, and toi toi, cutty grass, and the ubiquitous biddy-bids grew there. It was a great place to burrow into, make caves or nests or simply wriggle in and read in sunny shade. And, of course, toi toi could be pulled free and imagined into swords, flags, or whatever took my fancy.

There’s a particular smell that I can remember when I think of that hillock. It’s summer and grass and pollen and petrol fumes (from the road), sunshine and dirt and safety.

Seeing the toi toi on the edge of Lake Rotorua brings it all back.

*click*

Sure, everything else is different. That’s the point of going on holiday! The lakefront is filled with birds – seagulls, swans, ducks and more. The native grasses have adapted to the sulphur and warm waters. And there’s a great big lake with a great big island in the middle. But it’s New Zealand, and it’s home even when it’s half an island away.

The seagulls are hard to avoid – they perch on the piers and jetties, squawking and shitting and generally owning the place. But they add something too.

*click*

Where there’s a jetty, there’s an opportunity for a distance shot, so those seagulls had to go! Luckily there’s plenty of other places for them to settle – and I had my parasol to protect me if they decided to let fly with poop…

*click*

That’s one of the lovely things about being on holiday. There’s time to smell the toi toi, recapture memories. And make new ones, of course.

My lovely husband Apollo took these photos – and put up with my demands very well indeed

Category: Apollo, hnt, holidays, Memories, parasol, Photos of Dee

Comments

24 Responses to “Toi Toi and Seagulls”

Belladonnax
April 1st, 2010 @ 7:28 pm

Luffly pics!
did you catch a bit of sun on your holiday…?
Petal
April 1st, 2010 @ 7:54 pm

Just gorgeous…Rotorua is such a lovely place to visit too!
SapioSlut
April 1st, 2010 @ 10:16 pm

I know *that* jetty! Your story and pictures have put me in the holiday mood. Lovely Dee.
xx
Raspberry Swirly
April 1st, 2010 @ 11:15 pm

That last picture should be blown up and framed! It’s really nice. And I love that parasol. I want one, aw.
Dangerous Lilly
April 2nd, 2010 @ 12:23 am

Yes last click thru is awesome!! Beautiful view, so calming
Jay
April 2nd, 2010 @ 1:45 am

Such a peaceful mood settling photo. We are envious.

J
Sage
April 2nd, 2010 @ 2:13 am

You have the most umbrellas of anyone I have ever known! Great pics. Excellent views! Those damn sea gulls do some shitting, anyone who is constipated should just eat whatever seagulls eat it would clean em right out!
Jobthingy
April 2nd, 2010 @ 2:27 am

great pics hun. just lovely. (*whispers* i dont call them seagulls. i call them shit hawks

HHNT
13messages
April 2nd, 2010 @ 2:42 am

As always, so gorgeous.
Crystal Girl
April 2nd, 2010 @ 1:55 am

Just beautiful!!!

Crystal, xo
Vixen
April 2nd, 2010 @ 4:14 am

The scenery is just amazing. What blue water! Gorgeous!
Richard
April 2nd, 2010 @ 4:27 am

These look like many scenes along the Gulf Coast of Florida, especially in NW Florida. Beautiful and Peaceful!
Margaret
April 2nd, 2010 @ 5:00 am

Seriously love the view. Wow.
And you are lookin’ good, too.

peace…
lila
April 2nd, 2010 @ 5:00 am

how absolutely lovely!
the eternal list
April 2nd, 2010 @ 5:18 am

absolutely gorgeous pics! scenery unending…
Joanna Cake
April 2nd, 2010 @ 5:36 am

ToiToi! So that’s what that stuff is called! Quite a few people have bushes of this in their gardens and there is a traffic island/roundabout full of them close to where I live. I always admire them but had no idea what they were called. HHNT x
viemoira
April 2nd, 2010 @ 10:13 am

One of my favorite things about blogging is that I get to read perspectives from other bloggers around the world. I’ve never heard of toi toi or seen it before this post. Thanks for sharing your beauty and your part of the world.
Elle
April 2nd, 2010 @ 3:22 pm

Oh, what nice pics and memories! Looks like a great holiday spot.
Bella
April 2nd, 2010 @ 4:02 pm

Lovely! Wow!
Cheeky Minx
April 2nd, 2010 @ 4:28 pm

Such beautiful pics and words! I love the way scent can bring memories flooding back…
BFD
April 2nd, 2010 @ 4:49 pm

there are just soooo many places in the world – it always amazes me. you look relaxed – thank your man for the pics
Emmy
April 2nd, 2010 @ 5:14 pm

The pictures are beautiful! Between the colors and you, I am mesmerized.
Happy HNT!
Babe Lincoln
April 3rd, 2010 @ 1:29 am

I’m not sure what is my favorite… the gorgeous scenery, that lovely parasol, or you!
Dee
Twitter: curvaceousdee

April 8th, 2010 @ 1:46 pm

Belladonna – Sun? Naturally – it was hard to avoid.

Petal – It really is. The smell is quite something, but I found that I acclimatised to it very swiftly.

Sapio – You do? And yay for holiday moods!

Raspberry – You say the loveliest things. Thank you! (And yes, get yourself a parasol. They rock!)

Lilly – I am delighted you liked – thank you

Jay – No need to be envious. Find a lake and a jetty and have your own peaceful moments…

Sage – I will take that as a compliment! And yes, seagulls do make rather a mess.

Jobthingy – Shithawks. I like it!

Vixen – It certainly is. Perfect place for a holiday.

Richard – That sounds lovely.

Margaret – *beams*

Joanna – Well, it’s certainly what we call it here in New Zealand!

viemoira – You are most welcome. And thank you for taking the time to comment on it, too

Cheeky Minx – I don’t think scent is discussed enough, frankly.

BFD – I was, and I have. Thank you!

Emmy – Mesmerised? I like it

Babe Lincoln – I’d go with me *grin*

Crystal, 13messages, lila, eternal list, Elle, Bella – Thank you all for your lovely comments and compliments!

xx to all,

Dee

About Dee

Exhibitionist with words, skin and sex. Free with kisses, compliments, and friendship. Open with heart, passion, and laughter.
Labels I choose for myself: pansexual, polyamorous, fat, kinky, New Zealander, writer.
You can keep my partners and close friends not-mixed-up by reading more about them here.
I write fortnightly for GLBTI magazine Express, for whom I am also the sub-editor. I also write upon occasion for other publications!
If you want to get in touch, send me an email: curvaceous.dee@gmail.com.