🧵Spotted While Recently Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (30s?) in a suit, holding a take away coffee cup, leaves an office, swaps his shoes for sneakers, drops a skateboard on the ground and rolls away. Sipping coffee, expression content. Work's done for the day, now's the time for play. (1)

🧵Spotted Recently While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two men (late teens?) in boardshorts are chilling at the beach on camp chairs next to their campervan. Pouring heaped piles of cereal into bowls. Energy drinks by their bare feet. Undies draped over their van's side mirrors to dry. (1)

🧵Spotted A Little While Ago in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (70s?) is sitting with his grandson (2?) on his knee. They're reading a book about farm animals and he's relishing doing the piggy noises. Small human is copying in between chortling with glee. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aoteaora New Zealand: A mustard yellow VW Kombi is motoring along a winding country road. Past vineyards, cow paddocks and apple orchards. A happy looking black dog (staffy?) poking its head out the window. Eyes closed in doggy bliss, getting smell drunk as they go. (1)

🧵Spotted on Sunday Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: An athletic woman (40s?) is walking with a teen (14?) towards the markets. With a cheerful smile at the blue sky overhead she says: "It's such a nice day, we shoulda gone bare feet!" (1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day on Valentine's Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (70s?) in delightful boho fashion is sitting at a pretty cafe table. A pot of tea and a little pink cupcake decorated with a love heart sitting before her. A small, contented smile on her face. (1)

My lovely friend Neil is an amazing jeweller and just an awesome human being. He's doing a marvellous giveaway for Valentine's Day . My favourite are the D20 earrings😊 (Neil plays in our weekly Pathfinder (D&D) game and is a kickass monk who punches things mightily!)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (30s?) is drawing big chalk love hearts on the pavement in front of his tattoo shop. A friend calls out a hello and he pauses to give her a welcoming smile. Pink chalk streaked across his cheek but he doesn't seem to mind. (1)

Hello lovely people, just in case you need to snatch up a small moment of happiness today, you can find Tiny Moments of Joy here in both print and ebook form. www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments...

🧵Spotted While on a Camping Trip in Aotearoa New Zealand: A little furry black dog sits by the entrance of a country inn, monitoring people coming and going. His human is chatting with other locals, but Little Furry Dog is vigilant. If there's anyone to quietly woof at, he's the one to do it! (1)

🧵Spotted on an Overnight Camping Trip in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) is toddling from tent to tent, proudly holding a little pot of potatoes, explaining to all the other campers that he's cooking them for dinner. Potatoes are serious business and he's a serious little chef. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (1 and a bit?) is in full exploration mode in a park. Toddle-running at full speed here. Huff-stomping there. Crouching down to inspect interesting rocks. Looking uncertainly at a very big duck... Everything is interesting! (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two young humans (9?) are unicycling and skateboarding down a quiet tree-lined street. Matching each other's pace, arms out for balance. "WHOAAAING!" at their wobbles. (1)

🧵Spotted on a Very Hot Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (60s?) suddenly stops and plucks at the seam of her undies through her shorts. Her partner laughs, asking: "Ya right there?" She nods. "Yep. We've all got bums. I just had my knickers riding up mine. Happens to the best of us." (1)

🧵Spotted at the Beach on Waitangi Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) clutching a Barbie toddle-races down to the surf. Dad yells out: "Where ya goin' Maudie?" "TO WASH DOLLY'S HAIR!" "Ya sure Dolly needs a it?" "It's an EMERGENCY!" Dad chuckling as he wanders down to supervise. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (80s?) wearing a 1970s pastel pink pantsuit, a straw cloche hat with a white ribbon and sparkly silver sneakers is sitting in the window of a corner cafe, gazing out at a sunny day with a faint smile, idly sipping her coffee. (1)

🧵Spotted at the beach in Aotearoa New Zealand A sturdy man (60s?) is fast asleep on an All Blacks towel. Hairy tum moving up and down with tremendous snores. All is peaceful. All is well. But what is this?! Two giggling small humans (5 & 7?) approaching with a bucket of water? Oh no! SPLOOSH! (1)

🧵Spotted at a cafe in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (3?) declares to Grandad, "Grandad did you know I'm a bug?!" Grandad nods thoughtfully. "Oh yeah? What type? A fluffy bum*" "No a BIG SPIDER!" "You sure? Because you look more like a fluffy bum." "Noo! A SPIDER!" (1)

@georgepenney.bsky.social Can you share this?

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A very tubby, woolly white dog (Poodle cross sheep?) is lying in a busy thoroughfare with her tummy on show. People SHALL NOT PASS until they've paid tummy tax. Pats and laughter ensue. Doggy smiles and squirms of happiness in return. (1)

Hey lovely people, if you're thinking "Ohh a book of small observations about life in Aotearoa New Zealand would be a marvellous gift for Valentine's Day", Today's the last day to order Tiny Moments of Joy to make sure it gets to you in time🌻 www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments...

🧵Spotted at a Kai* Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand: A cheerful man (30s?) resting on crutches, holds his arms out to an approaching group of people and roars: "Kia ora whānau!* So good to see you!" He's asked what happened to his foot and looking abashed he laughs, saying: "My bike bit me eh." (1)

Hello lovely people! If you're thinking of ordering a copy of Tiny Moments of Joy for Valentine's Day, this weekend would be the best time to guarantee it gets to you in time. (Prices in NZD so cheaper in USD/GBP/Euro, Roman Sestertii and Klingon Darsek😁) www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments...

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: In a Vinnies op shop* a man (80s?) is looking at tea sets. He turns to one of the volunteers and says: "I'm looking for two cups with saucers. I'm on my own now but I always like it when someone drops in for a cup of tea." (1)

🧵Spotted in a Supermarket in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (3?) runs into the bakery section and starts jumping up and down Mum asks: "What are you after Bub? What's up?" Small Human gives Mum a heartfelt look before roaring. "I NEED THE BIG BUNS MUM! They are SO good!" (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A couple (80s?) walk out of a supermarket in a small country town, search through their trolley for a pack of fresh baked cupcakes and gleefully crack it open. Standing in the morning sun, nibbling on little frosted morsels of happiness. (1)

No spotted post today lovely people. We're had some unexpected life shennanigans. (Nothing doom and gloom, just time consuming.) But I'll be back to regular schedule tomorrow!❤️😊

🧵Spotted on a Morning Beach Walk in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (60s?) is rubbing sunscreen on his fidgeting partner's back as they stand next to their car. Huffing she says: "Can you hurry up?" He grins: "Shaddup and relax will ya? We've got nowhere to be but here." (1)

🧵Spotted On Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (60s?) is waiting to cross the road with three small humans (3 to 7?) Gran tells everyone to: "hold hands and ONE TWO THREE SKIP!" as the little man goes green. Chaotic skipping and breathless giggles as they cross to the other side. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two tiny humans (1?) are being carried in different directions down a busy street. Their mums cross paths and Tiny Human Strangers reach out their hands, momentary touching fingers, expressions marvelling at seeing another so small as themselves. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (20s?) in a sunny yellow gingham dress is standing in a sunbeam outside a cafe. Holding a tiny new human to her chest and gently rocking side to side. Looking down at Tiny New Human with a soft smile. This is love. (1)

Also, because this is so wonderful. Crested penguins/tawaki. Live! I love this sooo much. tawaki.cam

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (70s?) wearing head-to-toe leopard print workout gear is walk-dancing down the street. Waving to friends who call out a hello and doing a little twirl on the spot when someone yells: "Look at you go!" (1)

🧵Hey lovely people, I've just signed up to Tidal. If anyone here is on Tidal and would like to share a playlist they love, I'd so appreciate it. I'm seriously a music omnivore and pretty much love everything. All genres (including metal, electronic and classical) welcome!🤘🎻🎵

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A man (20s?) wearing a vintage 70s brown suit, polished brown brogues, shoulder-length brown hair, stubble and a captain's hat is carefully inspecting the pie selection in a busy bakery. A Wes Anderson character gone rogue and looking for lunch. (1)

🧵Spotted at the Beach in Aotearoa New Zealand: A couple (20s?) are snuggled up together on their tummies, side-by-side. A big fluffy blanket wrapped around them as they gaze out the open back of their camper van at a wind-churned sea. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two dogs (Lab and spaniel) spot each other from five stalls away. First their tails start wagging. Then their bottoms start wagging. Then their ENTIRE bodies start wagging. Straining at their leashes. They WILL say hello to each other.(1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (60s?) is walking along with a friend. She stops suddenly and says in a pensive voice. "Ya know what would make everything better right now? A stuffed spud."* Her friend nods in fervent agreement. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (60s?) is walking along with a friend. She stops suddenly and says in a pensive voice. "Ya know what would make everything better right now? A stuffed spud."* Her friend nods in fervent agreement. (1)

🧵Spotted While in Golden Bay in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (60s?), with silver hair in a gloriously chaotic bun is walking down the street singing George Michael's "Freedom! '90". Grinning as a passing stranger (40s?) joins in the chorus with her. (1)

Competition! For any artists or interested people the Beer Can Chair Competition is on for 2026 and is seriously awesome. $3k NZD first place. All you have to do is construct a chair out of a beer can. Last years results were stunning. Pictures of them on the site❤️ www.beerchaircompetition.co.nz

🧵Spotted in Golden Bay in Aotearoa New Zealand: A grey pony and a jersey cow are standing in the middle of a field covered in flowers, each giving the other a good groom. Tails swishing. Vibe mellow. Sun shining overhead, bees buzzing industriously about and the whir of cicadas in the air. (1)

🧵Spotted Recently at a Country Market in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (5?) is striding along with a notepad and coloured pens in hand. Looking around, appraising the situation. If there's gonna be an art moment, he's prepared! He's equipped with the vital tools and raring to go. (1)

🧵Spotted at a Sunday Country Market in Aotearoa New Zealand: A big burly man wearing a lavalava* is ambling through the markets, vibe totally chill. A cardboard tray of satay in his hand, a frangipani flower behind his ear. Face turned up to the sun with a smile. (1)

🧵Spotted on Market Day in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) is roaring: "WRONG WAY MUM! WRONG WAY!" as Mum pushes his pram away from the waffle truck. Mum is insisting that he's just had some ice cream but Tiny Human has spotted waffles and the struggle (to get delicious food) is real! (1)

🧵Spotted Recently at the Beach in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two teens (13 & 16?) and Nan are roaring "One! Two! Three! GO!" before all doing handstands. Legs flailing to stay straight in the air, heads underwater. Teens come up first. Nan wins! A triumphant grin as she splashes them playfully. (1)

🧵Spotted at the beach in Aotearoa New Zealand: A very content looking man (40s?) is reclining in an orange inflatable dingy on the sand. Reading a paperback novel. Sailing on a sea of chill. (1)

🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two young humans (7 & 9?) wearing damp clothes and hair from a river swim walk out of a dairy* triumphantly holding ice creams. They're having a very serious pony conversation, one declaring that she WILL have a pony this year OR ELSE! (1)

🧵Spotted at a Country Summer Fete in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (5?) is strutting ahead of his sister announcing loudly to the universe: "I AM THE FRONT MAN!" Little Sister (3?) stops in her tracks. Little Sister looks OUTRAGED! Little Sister roars: "NO! I want to be the FRONT MAN!" (1)

🧵Spotted at a Country Summer Fete in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (5?) is strutting ahead of his sister announcing loudly to the universe: "I AM THE FRONT MAN!" Little Sister (3?) stops in her tracks. Little Sister looks OUTRAGED! Little Sister roars: "NO! I want to be the FRONT MAN!" (1)