Cave men, country blooms, cherubs, circles and conferences

I was browsing through our 'downloaded pics' file just recently and came across this cartoon - I know I didn't save this one, but in spite of being of the feminine persuasion, I have to admit, it's quite funny!
(especially since I seldom open my mouth and when it comes to 'pecking orders' I certainly know my place!!!)

 On the 15th of June each year, we celebrate International Pancake Day in honour and recognition of Alan's life.
For those of you who didn't know Alan, he was an unbelievably special guy, a husband, a dad, a cop, a brother, a son and made his way through life with the kind of humour that most of us wish we could find! Unique in our world, he was often unable to speak for laughing, baked pancakes at two in the morning on returning from a late shift and loved the swirling passion of the bagpipes.
The 15th of June was Alan's birthday and we, as a family, have pancakes on that day - if we are up to it, we settle down and watch Peter Sellers in 'The Party' - since that was Alan's favourite and best film of all time and which had him helpless with laughter even after the two hundreth time he watched it!!
So Al - here's to you little boet - we had an International Pancake Day here in New Zealand in your honour this year!!

We needed to go to Palmerston North a little while ago and on passing the entrance to Duddings Lake, (not very far from Wanganui off the State Highway) were struck by the red hot pokers lining the country road for as far as the eye could see.

Just had to stop and take a picture for you. I also learned that these blooms are known as Vuurpyle in Afrikaans - being 'flaming arrows' which is almost as descriptive as the English name.

 

 Faithful blog followers will remember the family's tragic loss of Estan van den Berg (17) - beloved son, nephew and cousin. Here is the newest addition to the Botha Clan - young Johann Estan Botha, beautiful baby son born to Melinda and Johann in Senekal, Freestate, South Africa.
Grandads Johann Botha and Johann Botha are thrilled to have another namesake - however, he will be called Estan - a very good idea if you ask me!

 
 Wanganui City Council has recently finished this 'entrance to the city' circle.
I'm not too sure what the symbolism is here - that is, if there is any symbolism - maybe they wanted a sort of 'golf bat' look.

Some folks have all the luck - when the author attends a symposium or conference, it's usually held in a musty, dusty church hall somewhere with mega-uncomfortable wooden fold up chairs that feed on pinched fingers as you sit down if you're not careful. Boring speakers, (often not even that clued up on the subject at hand) and cold tea and slightly soft Marie biscuits the only fare on offer.
Other folks, (given that life is incredibly not fair and we do accept this fact) go to places like this beautiful one in New Zealand - Queenstown - playground of the wealthy and provider of winter sports, haute coutier and award winning cuisine. We won't even mention the musicians and artists languishing there - plying their wares at startling prices. All the same, although the author does enjoy a bit of 'alone time' it is a bit irritating knowing that others are 'suffering through a symposium in Queenstown'!! Expected home later today, here's hoping there will at least be a couple of spectacular photographs to consider for acrylic 'masterpieces'!
Dis al!