October at A Deer Cottage – Garden Blooms and Gentle Days

adeercottage
Oct 28
6 min read

As October unfolds, life at A Deer Cottage finds its own gentle pace — a mix of rain and renewal, muddy boots and blooming flowers. Between garden chores, cosy evenings, and a few small adventures, it’s been a month of quiet satisfaction and simple joys.

October has drifted in quietly, bringing with it a mixture of sunshine, showers, and those cool, moody skies that seem to change by the minute. Even though the weather hasn’t been quite at its best, the garden is beginning to bloom again — tender shoots, bursts of colour, and yes, the inevitable weeds springing up alongside everything else. There’s a comforting rhythm to it all: a reminder that life keeps growing, come rain or shine.

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One evening over the Labour weekend, Te Kani and I took a short drive to Liberty Burgers and Beers at the local brewery in Helensville. It’s only a few minutes from A Deer Cottage, but it felt like a proper outing. We sat back with a delicious chicken burger and a cold craft beer, enjoying the easy atmosphere. Before we left, we filled a couple of 1.5-litre take-away plastic flagons — Pub Pet, I think they’re called? — with some of their beer to bring home. A simple, lovely evening, filled with good flavours and good company.

Back home, the hens have been keeping us on our toes. A few have gone broody again, so I’ve had to set them up in separate cages — not too comfortable, mind you! As much as I adore the little chicks, I’m not in need of any more babies right now. With around twenty heritage hens already, I’m hoping for more eggs instead. The soft clucking and shuffling of feathers around the coop feels like the soundtrack of cottage life.

Our gorgeous Henrietta seems to be not too put out.....

We had a small victory recently that left us both quite chuffed. Our faithful washing machine decided to stop mid-cycle, and with all the washing that A Deer Cottage demands — towels, sheets, and endless loads — it couldn’t have picked a worse time. Rather than calling for help, we rolled up our sleeves, ordered a new pump, and fitted it ourselves. And just like that — bingo! It’s working perfectly again. A small triumph, but immensely satisfying.

A highlight this month was our day trip to Rangitoto Island.(find out more regarding tickets, click on Rangitoto Island).

Before setting sail, we stopped off at Commercial Bay in the heart of Auckland city. It's such a perfect place to start a day like this - the buzz of the city, the mix of locals and travellers, and the ocean just a short walk away. We grabbed some lunch to take with us, knowing there aren't any cafés or shops on the Island. Picnic supplies in hand, we made our way to the Ferry Terminal on Quay Street.

The ferry ride itself is part of the adventure as we were going over to visit a friend staying in a little bach tucked among the trees. As we left the Auckland skyline behind, the boat made a quick stop in Devonport, picking up more passengers and giving us a glimpse of the charming seaside village - its villas, Naval Base, and calm harbour waters. From there, it was just a short trip across the Hauraki Gulf to Rangitoto.

Stepping onto Rangitoto Island, always feels like arriving somewhere ancient and untouched. The island, a Volcanic cone, emerged from the sea around 600 years ago, making it the youngest volcano in the Auckland volcanic field, its very rugged black lava fields and unique plant life tell a story of rebirth, how life rebuilt itself after fire and ash. Today Rangitoto was peaceful and bright, it is a haven for native flora and fauna, with conservation efforts keeping it pest-free so that birds like the Saddleback, Tui and Bellbird can thrive. Te Kani, myself and our friend Fran, wandered along tracks that weave through lava rock and Pohutukawa, and came across the Kōwhai in bloom and birdsong echoing through the grove, we had a fun filled walk, with happy chatter. We wandered the tracks, admired the old bachs, and paused often to look back across the shimmering water towards Auckland City. The ferry ride was easy — $60 return per person — and, true to island style, we carried in our food and carried out our rubbish. It was a beautiful day of exploring, with just the right balance of adventure and rest.

As the afternoon ferry took us back across the harbour, we both agreed: days like this are what make living in Tāmaki Makaurau (Māori for Auckland) so special - a balance of urban energy and wild, living history.

Leaving the gates of Rangitoto Island (Te Rangi-i-totongia-a-Tamatekapua) Translates to: "the day the blood of Tamatekapua was shed"

Another quiet delight this month has been my Snugglepot and Cuddlepie jigsaw puzzle — a Hospice shop find that turned into a bit of a project. When I discovered it was missing three pieces, I decided to make them myself. With a little patience (and some creative design), I filled in the gaps. Once finished, I framed and hung it on the wall. Can you spot the three pieces I made?

Now where are the three missing puzzle pieces I wonder?

We also shared a lovely dinner with some neighbours at the Sakebar Nippon in Takapuna — good food, laughter, and that easy feeling of friendship that lingers long after the meal is done.

The Sakebar Nippon in Takapuna: Angela, Te Kani & Makoto (Owner)

This month on the 12th day, we attended the Passchendaele Memorial at the Auckland Museum. It was a deeply moving ceremony, remembering one of New Zealand’s darkest days. On October 12, 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium, more than 840 New Zealand soldiers lost their lives within just a few hours — the greatest loss of life in a single day for our Country. Standing there, surrounded by quiet reflection and poppies, was a humbling reminder of the cost of peace and the importance of remembering. In a previous blog, I told the poignant and sad story of how both Te Kani's Great Grandfather and my Grandfather would have met each other, while fighting side by side in D Company, a Contingent of only 200 men, shot and wounded on the same day, and triaged together, sadly Te Kani's Great Grand Dad, (Koro) William Friar ended up dying, and is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, France, while my Grand Dad James Gilbert, survived, and died many years later due to his War wounds. Rest in Peace, William Friar, James Gilbert & Frank Colwyn Jones.

The photos below: Te Kani and I at the Passchendaele Memorial at Auckland Museum. Judy reflecting on her Uncle Frank Colwyn Jones, who was shot down in WW11. James Gilbert, (my Grand Dad) William Friar, (Te Kani's Great Grand Dad) Frank Colwyn Jones, (Judy's Uncle).

So, despite the unpredictable skies, October has been full — of small victories, thoughtful moments, and gentle adventures. The garden hums with life again, the hens mutter their soft commentary, and the washing machine hums along happily in the background. Life at A Deer Cottage feels just as it should: simple, busy in the best of ways, and quietly content.

Until next time, from A Deer Cottage — may your days be bright, your gardens forgiving, and your heart full of small joys.