Pharoahest of them all

I have a friend who thinks Jill (our dog, for  those who get confused) is a Saluki.  After some intensive googling I have decided, and Jill has decreed, she is a Black Pharoah Hound.   Who knew such a thing exists.  We celebrated on Saturday when Madam Cyn and Rockface Towelling came to lunch.  Madam Cyn is a sucker for dogs so Jill had an indulgent time.  Then Dave and the Green Bean dropped in on Sunday having holidayed at Bicheno, and more frolics for the Pharoah.  Of course I have no photos of these events but will regale you with yesterday.

It started well with a dog in a truck parked outside our place.  Naturally I was thrilled that I had the camera with me.  I was off to the Blood Bank where previously I'd been impressed with the rooftop views from their first floor carpark.

Needless to say they didn't look anywhere near as interesting when I had the camera.
Sadly my veins wouldn't cooperate with the nurse and we struggled for some time but fell short of providing the required amount of blood by 100mls.  I was quite worn out by all of this and had an iced coffee and 2 mini quiches before I left the building.  I decided I'd regain my equanimity  with a bit of a read in the Botanical Gardens.

You may just be able to see the chosen bench in the photo above.  I've decided I'm going to keep an eye on this bit of the garden over the seasons.  It is exactly the sort of garden I love.

view from a distance

list of roses at entrance to garden

nostalgia for my Wentworth Crepuscule rose

excitement that the Bot Gards are putting on Alice - though surprised I haven't had a call yet

Feeling much revived I drove to Subway in Glenorchy for yet more nourishing blood making food.  I'm a fan of their wraps with roast beef, avocado, all the fresh salad and jalopenos.

view of Mt Wellington / kunanyi from Subway

Then I drove home the Brighton / Tea Tree way.

It is a beautiful road with typical scenery like this.  However many of you will not have seen this:

the new Chinese Cultural Centre, though most people refer to it as the Buddhist Centre.  I haven't been inside yet and this is as close as you can get from the road.  Very intriguing.

And since I had the camera with me, I could finally take this picture:

The Cherry Farm near Runnymede.  Hopefully the cherries will be ripe soon.  The white daisies line the East Coast Drive at this time of the year.  From the top of Bust Me Gall hill they look like salt pans.  You can see that sheep graze in the orchard during winter.

I find the fleece caught on the fence endearing.  It always makes me think of Georgia and Wales.