🧵Spotted on an Afternoon River Walk in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (30s?) is having a snooze in a sunbeam beneath a huge gnarled wattle tree. Head resting on her pack, hiking poles to her side. Her dog (staffy?) curled up cozily around her booted feet.

🧵Spotted While Cafe Writing and Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two burly men (30s?) are sitting across from each other. Both have tiny brand new humans strapped in slings across their chests. Tucking into fry-up breakfasts, comparing notes on sleeplessness and being new dads. (1)

BEHOLD the majesty of the Kiwi cheese scone. This scone isn't here for a fancy tea. This scone has come to rumble. This scone demands MORE butter. This scone has OPINIONS about jam. This scone is three square meals and elevenses. This scone has HEFT. You do not eat this scone. You experience it.

🧵Spotted at a Beer Garden Record Store Sale in Aotearoa New Zealand: A teen (15?) has spotted Hot Chocolate's single, 'You Sexy Thing'. He calls over a friend and says: "I've got something to say about this eh." His friend says: "Your new theme song?" Teen nods with a goofy grin. "Could be."(1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A young human (10?) reverentially pulls two brand new paperback fantasy tomes from a crisp paper bag. He examines the covers in fine detail before carefully stowing them away again. Magnificent treasures to read later. (1)

🧵Spotted While Cafe Writing in Aotearoa New Zealand: A couple (80s?) are sitting side-by-side. She's wearing a fluffy bobble hat. He's wearing a tweed bucket hat. A hot chocolate arrives and he drawers a smiley face in the foam--two marshmallows for eyes--before sliding it over to her. (1)

🧵Spotted on a recent Beach Walk in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) is toddling along the tideline, dragging a string bag behind him. Whenever he sees a promising shell he picks it up, inspects it and then carefully places it in his bag with the seriousness such an undertaking deserves. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (40s?) is chilling with friends. She casually says: "You can totally spank a wombat." Her friend says: "What do you mean?! Have YOU spanked a wombat" She laughs: "I have spanked a wombat. With permission. They've got a really hard butt." (1)

🧵Spotted On a Sunny Spring Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) is officiously stomping around a park telling all nearby humans (and some curious dogs as well) that: "The grass is VERY SQUISHY. You HAVE to be careful!" (1)

🧵Spotted at a Garden Tea Party in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (70s?) and a tiny human (1?) are both laying on their backs under some blossoming plum trees. Looking up at the sky while Grandad points at interesting clouds. His fedora sitting on the grass nearby. Chortles from tiny human. (1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (4?) is walking along, carefully shielding his plushie dragon toy from passersby. Frowning sternly at the world while giving Dragon a comforting pat on his furry scales. He is Dragon's friend and he will protect him. (1)

🧵Spotted on the School Holidays in Aotearoa New Zealand: A young human (7?) swaggers into the library with Nana. He's got three book bags looped over his arm and is wearing a very serious expression. Pausing by the door he says: "I'm going to be a while. These bags hold a LOT of books." (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A family is cycling near the beach. Mum and Dad leisurely pedalling up front, admiring the view. Big Sister (11?) seems lost in thought. Little Sister (8?) bringing up the rear, roaring. "I'm SO HUNGRY! I hope we're having FISH AND CHIPS soon!" (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (4?) in a leopard-print dress and sparkly cowboy boots is playing with her teddy as she sits across from Mum in a cafe. Mum is sipping coffee, eyes half closed in the sunshine. Listening intently to Vitally Important Teddy Facts. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: In an indie bookshop: A gentle big dog is eager to greet any customer who'll give him a pat. With his tail wagging invitingly, and soulful brown eyes, he gives all newcomers an optimistic look that says: "Will you be my friend?" (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (50s?) is leisurely cycling through a park on a tricycle. A spotted black and white staffy is sitting in a wooden fruit crate on the back, doggy grinning at everyone they pass. Life is awesome. (1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (30s?) is walking along, solicitously holding a small pot full of chives. Sheltering them from a strong gust of wind by gently cupping her hand around them. She's going to make sure these get home safely. She is the chive guardian. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (40s?) has stopped in front of a library. She hesitates, looking a little overwhelmed. Another approaches and asks if she'd like someone to accompany her inside. She nods. They walk in, hand in hand. A small act of kindness. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: In Kmart at 9pm. Two men (late teens) are looking at the Star Wars Lego. One slowly says to the other: "Hey...whaddya think the Death Star smells like?" The other frowns: "Dunno. Lynx deodorant?" Thoughtful silence follows. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (6?) is sitting in her driveway, carefully selecting different coloured chalks out of a sparkly unicorn pencil case. She's got spectacular drawings to make. But which colour should she start with? Hmm. Blue? That seems about right. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (3?) is showing Dad her skills. First she balances on one foot. Whoa... tricky but doable. Then the other... yeah this one's harder. She looks at Dad for approval. He nods with a grin. "Not bad. eh." She beams. This is everything. (1)

If you've followed me for a while, you'll know that sometimes the lovely Amanda Taylor paints pictures of the vignettes I post. It's always a joy to see one.

🧵Spotted at the Beach in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) runs into the gently lapping surf, shrieking with glee at the cold. Dad, wading in behind her, a towel slung over his shoulder to scoop her up and keep her warm when she's had enough fun for the day. (1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (3?) is doing her best to rummage in her nostrils. Junior Nose Scientist is baffled when Dad looks down to say something and bursts out laughing. Yes she has her Special Investigation Finger up her nose, but where ELSE would it be?! (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A teen (14?) has just lifted her friend into her arms and is twirling her around. Her friend's head is thrown back in laughter that rings up and down the street, her long hair flying. Totally caught up in a fleeting moment. This is happiness.(1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two men (20s?) are fiercely debating which type of coffee is best for measuring how good a cafe is. One swears by macchiatos, the other counters with flat whites. A nearby table of women (60s?) are listening in, drinking tea, highly amused. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A family of three--Mum, Dad, and Young Human (8?)--are enjoying an evening run on a country track. Side-by-side. Each looking content in their own world. A lanky spaniel loping at their sides. A nearby river gurgling as it flows to sea. (1)

🧵My previous blackboard message to Tony, warning him not to interrupt me while I work (his idea) obviously lost its power to strike terror into depth of his cockles. Because he managed to bypass it multiple times yesterday to:

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (30s?) greets a friend with a hug and a booming: "Hey Big Man! Wanna catch up so you can tell me about your mahi*. It's been ages. Ages!" His friend laughs and returns the hug. "Yeah. Why not now? I've always got time for you, my bro." (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (1ish?) has worked out a new form of transport! (Ooh aah.) If he looks up at the sky, and raspberries A LOT, it can help him run faster. Mum sprinting after him, scooping him up when the power of raspberry propulsion gets too strong. (1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) offers a bite of her sausage to her plushie cat. BUT WHAT IS THIS?! Plushie Cat is a sausage snob?! (gasp!) This is NOT good enough... Or is it? Tiny Human's frown turns philosophical. Oh well, more for her. (1)

🧵I don't often do author photoshoots in supermarket carparks (or at all), but when I do, it's colourful. Taken a few weeks ago. I am very chuffed with them. I got almost 200 to choose from but these are a few Tony nodded stoically at over his breakfast coffee so I'm assuming they pass muster.

Lovely people, I just got home from watching possibly the funniest movie I've seen in ages. If you haven't seen the Aussie film, Lesbian Space Princess, I can strongly recommend it. It's wonderful. www.dailymotion.com/video/x9ps11w

🧵Spotted While Roaming In Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (4?) is sitting across from Grandad in a cafe, carefully taking numerous rocks and twigs out of his school bag and setting them on the table, explaining each one's importance. Precious treasures to be admired. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (20s?) walks up to a cafe counter and says, "I've had a terrible morning. What do you have that's a full tummy hug? I really need one right now." She's seen a bit later tucking into a big bowl of soup and a massive cheese scone. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A young human (9?) is skipping next to Grandad as they walk down a street lined with blossoming trees. A violin case and sheet music gripped in each of her hands. Humming bits of music into the still night air. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (60s?) is talking to a friend. She says: "Mum fancies herself an interior designer lately and the only plan I have to stop her from turning my house into a doll house is faking my own death!" Her friend belly laughs. (1)

🧵Spotted on the First Day of Spring in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Shetland pony stallion is prancing around a paddock while snorting and neighing his amorous intentions to a chestnut mare. He may be tiny but his adoration is MIGHTY. Spring's in the air and he's in the mood for BIG love. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A teen (15?) calls out to an approaching woman (60s?), wearing a purple demin jacket. Teen proudly holds a booted foot out: "Nan! Check out my new Docs! They're the same pink as the ones you used to have!" Nan is VERY impressed. (1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human is wearing hot pink sunglasses that allow her to be naughty when she puts them on and NO ONE CAN SEE! But what is this?! Dad has a pair of naughty SPOTTING sunglasses?! Oh no! Hmm. Maybe they're PRINCESS sunglasses instead. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A duck and ten tiny fluffy ducklings are paddling along the edge of a sprawling inlet, bobbing on gentle ripples. A big mountain range in the distance. The sound of gently lapping water and birdsong in the air. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (4?) is a judo champion! She runs out of her class and with a mighty roar. Fierce face on. She tackles Dad! She's ready for ANYTHING. Except maybe being tipped upside down. Small human giggles and Dad chuckles ensue. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A sharp suited man (20s?) is rolling along in his wheelchair, holding a take away coffee in one hand. Every few seconds, he deftly does a coffee-hand-change, keeping himself on track. Earbuds in, head bobbing to his own personal soundtrack. (1)

Happy Monday (or possibly Tuesday in NZ) @georgepenney.bsky.social Herewith another offering from one of your wonderful wanderings!

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A couple (70s?) are on a first date in a small cafe. He's shyly asking her about herself. She's quietly telling him about a book she recently read. He tells her about his little dog. (Snoozing under his chair.) They decide to order dessert. (1)

🧵Spotted at a Winter Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand: A young human (7?) has ALL the moves at a silent disco. She's in the zone, game face on. Meanwhile Dad (30s?) isn't quite as co-ordinated but he's giving it a go! Belly laughing. Doing his best dad dancing under party lights. (1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (4?) in a Darth Vader hoodie with the words "The Force is Strong With This One," is flailing a bag of spinach at his big brother. Whooshing it through the air like a floppy chlorophyl light saber. The force contains fibre today! (1)

🧵Spotted in Golden Bay in Aotearoa New Zealand: Three young humans (9?) in school uniforms are ambling down a pretty country lane. Suddenly one stops to pick two daffodils. She gives them to her friends with a cheerful grin. They walk on, chatting and laughing. (1)

🧵Spotted in Golden Bay in Aotearoa New Zealand: A couple (50s?) are unpacking groceries at a campsite. Suddenly one smacks her forehead. "Spuds! We forgot the bloody spuds! We gotta go back. It's not camping without roasted spuds and butter!" Operation Emergency Spud Mission commences! (1)

🧵Spotted While in Golden Bay in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two small humans (4 & 5?) are are carefully arranging a Batman toy in a jeweller's window. They are many treasures to be seen in the display. Sparkly things, special things. And Batman. Batman is most special.(1)