#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!"

Two young humans (6 & 8?) are playing Frisbee on the beach.
Oldest has devised many Important Frisbee Playing Rules.
Youngest is having none of it.
Snatching the Frisbee up, he's off and running into the surf! (Gasp!)
Oldest is SCANDALIZED!

A man (30s?) is talking to a friend while standing in his garden.
He says: "I've got my little cuz helping me out for a week. But he's a bit cheeky, eh."
Little Cuz (14?) looks up from weeding to find Big Cuz and Friend grinning at him.
Faux scowling, he throws a weed at them.
They duck.

At the beach: A man (40s?) has made some driftwood rugby goals. Clapping his hands to remove the sand from them, he turns to look at his large family with a big appraising grin.
Now... who's he gonna pick for his winning team?

A tiny human (1?) has discovered that rolling along the beach is MUCH more fun than walking.
Except she can't quite work out what to do with her arms...
Maybe just laying on the sand and kicking her legs is far more fun.
Delighted giggles ring through the air.

(Continued Below)

#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?"

A small human (3?) races into a small accounting firm while roaring: "DADDY! I'VE GOT YOUR SANDWICHES!"
His very pregnant mum is telling him to slow down, but Small Human Sandwich Deliverer takes no notice.
Daddy needs sandwiches and he needs them NOW!

A tiny human (2?) is told to hold Mum's hand before they cross the road.
He takes this instruction very seriously, holding Mum's hand in his left, and the hand of his SpongeBob plushie in his right.
Looking both ways, all three of them cross the road safely.

A small human (4?) dressed as Wonder Woman is being tackled by her dastardly big sister.
(Oh no!)
What will she do?
WHAT WILL SHE DO?!
A mighty roar saves the day!
She is Wonder Woman.
She SHALL NOT be defeated!

A small human (3?) is nonchalantly munching an apple while Mum fastens the strap of a bright pink bike helmet under her chin
Once the helmet is on, she climbs deftly onto the back of Mum's bike and they cycle off.
Still munching her apple, completely chill.
The sun shining overhead.

Any typos spotted in this post are very careful to hold on to their hashtags when they cross the road. If spotted, please accept all sandwiches they may offer you. They're very good sandwich deliverers.

#dog

#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.

Two women (20s?) approach a brand new food truck selling Hong Kong style egg waffles.
They're the first customers and the owner excitedly steps out of the truck to explain the menu, beaming when they order.
They wander off to grab a coffee.
He gets to work making waffles!

A man (30s?) wearing a business suit, steps out of an office to greet his partner who is holding their tiny brand new human.
His serious expression transforms to a soft smile as he holds out his arms and says: "Time for Daddy cuddles!"

A woman (20s?) pauses to collect herself in between serving customers at her gnocchi and pizza truck.
She takes a deep breath, nods to herself and keeps going.
The lunch rush is on!
Delicious aromas of passata and garlic in the air.
Chill mid-century jazz playing in the background.

At an art deco cinema: A woman (30s?) speaking in a lilting French accent is explaining to a friend about the ideal place to sit for total immersion in a film.
People nearby leaning in to hear the conversation, surreptitiously munching Maltesers and ice creams.
This is interesting.

(Continued Below)

#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.

A woman (60s?) pulls over at the side of a quiet street and calls to a friend who's walking, "Want a ride up town? I'm goin' that way."
Her friend replies: "No thanks! I love looking at the gardens. They're bloody stunning this time of year!"

A woman (40s?) says to a friend: "I never know what's going on, but Mum does. She's like the local newspaper, radio station and Facebook all in one! Whenever I want to know something, I just ask her."
Her friend laughs: "Can I borrow her? All mine does is tell me she hates my curtains."

A teen (13?) approaches a neighbour while cradling a huge ginger cat.
Teen asks: "This cat yours? He keeps coming into our house and stealing our food. We don't mind. I like him. But he could probably go on a diet eh."
Fat Cat gives them "I've eaten all the breakfasts" love eyes.

A young human (8?) is sitting cross legged in the middle of her front lawn with a big white rabbit sitting on her lap. She's picking flowers, offering them to Big Bun who seems to approve.
A bumble bee buzzing nearby, unbothered by Big Bun and his plus one.

(Continued Below)

#Spotted in Golden Bay in Aotearoa New Zealand:

At a pretty countryside campsite at seven am: A small human (4?) is skipping next to Dad. She says: "Dad I really NEED to SING!"
Dad says: "Well sing then. Just do it quietly, eh. Let people wake up properly before ya unleash the force."

At a campsite on a sunny winter's morning, a man (40s?) is whistling while frying up eggs and mushrooms. He cheerfully calls out, "Breakfast's ready! Get out here and check out this view!"
His words are met with a series of dramatic groans from the tent next to him, in the key of "nope."

A grey horse with a dishevelled winter's coat of hair has broken into a vege garden. (Oh no!)
His human is huffing and heaving on his halter but Stubborn Horse refuses to move.
He's not leaving until he munches on something delicious.
Ohh these growing carrots look promising.

A woman (60s?) has just pulled up her vintage station wagon next to a charmingly ramshackle cottage. A young human (5?) bolts from the house, straight into a huge hug.
Moments later he's helping Gran unpack, excitedly telling her about all the things he wants to show her! (They're REALLY cool!)

A man (30s?) is walking along an isolated stretch of beach with mountains in the distance. He's holding a metal detector and is studiously waving it over the sand. On his heels a Jack Russel terrier is doing his own detecting, studiously sniffing, snuffling and sneezing away at promising smells.

(Continued below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand

Two small humans (2 & 4?) are walking through a supermarket while munching bananas. In the chocolate aisle Mum says carefully, "We don't want anything here do we? We've got yummy bananas."
Youngest Small Human cackle-roars: "Chocolate!"

Two men (20s?) are walking on a riverside track while having a raucous Dungeons & Dragons conversation. The topic is Silliest TPK* and they're howling with laughter over each other's stories of daft players doing very daft things. One upping each other with every step.

A small human (5?) and Grandad are rolling through town in a vintage 80s hot pink corvette.
Their magnificent car beast is a bit battered around the edges, but to them, it's the coolest ride in town.
Shades on.
Blasting ACDC's Thunderstruck.

A dapper small human (4?) wearing tartan trousers and a wooly red jumper is strutting down the street while clutching a large cookie to his chest.
Whenever he sees someone new, he holds his cookie up like coveted prize.
He's the Dapper Cookie King and they're all his (cookie adoring) subjects.

A vivacious woman is talking to a friend. She seems to have forgotten that she's holding a large bouquet of lilies and is gesturing with them to punctuate her words, waving them through the air like an extravagant fan. Wafting sweetness.

(Continued below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

Two people (50s?) appear to be on a very earnest first date and as they get up to leave, she says: "I have nothing really to offer you other than a bouquet of insanity... and I do a nice roast lamb."
He belly laughs and says: "Sounds good to me."

A woman (20s?) in a kickass tartan dress, a spiked dog collar and big black boots is walking hand in hand with two small humans (3 &4?) dressed as sparkly rainbow fairies. One fairy has a wand, the other a Banana in Pyjamas plushie. Everyone rocking their own vibe.

In a cafe: A server (20s?) mentions to a customer that she's having a bit of a flat day. He nods seriously, then says: "How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?... Ten-tickles!" He's rewarded with an incredulous snort of laughter. (3)

A very big and fluffy black cat is sitting in the front window of a pretty fairytale-like wooden cottage. Blinking slow love eyes at anyone who passes by. A plushie giant wētā* friend keeping it company on the windowsill.

A thoughtful man (60s?) is being given a pep talk by a friend (70s?).
Friend says: "You're never too old bro! Think of all the years you have to do stuff still! So many! Never too old! So just GET OUT THERE. And like, WOOOSH!"
Thoughtful Man nods. There might be something in this.

(Continued Below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A small, very stout dog is sitting on her human's lap as they drive into a supermarket carpark. Stout Dog is a cheerful dog and is pant-grinning at everyone they pass through an open window. Any day it gets to be with its human is a GOOD day.

A woman (20s?) is talking to a friend. She says: "Dad is so shy and biologically grumpy but he wants to make friends. Do you think if we put your dad and my dad together, they could be grumpy while fishing or something?"

People are bustling around a new community run arts space. A man (40s?) has just put together a donated Ikea chair and sits it upright, examining it thoughtfully before very gingerly and carefully taking a seat. Yeah. It's sound. He grins and allows himself a moment to relax.

In a craft shop, a tiny human (2?) has discovered a mannequin dressed in a teddy costume. Circling it a few times warily, they go in for a very big hug. It takes Dad quite a bit of convincing for them to let go. Teddies are for hugging, no matter the size, and that is that.

A man (30s?) strides into a craft shop with a small human (5?) at his side. He says, "Right. We're going to keep on track here today. What's the one thing we're here for?" Small Human grins and shouts, "Sparkles!" Dad nods decisively. "That's right. Sparkles. Nothin' else, okay? Just sparkles."

(Continued Below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand

Multiple families arrive at a dinosaur movie screening in a pretty art deco cinema. Almost all of them are wearing pajamas. All packing in together. Munching popcorn. Laughing raucously when the dinosaurs eat people. This is big goofy, cosy fun.

At the movies, a couple are approaching the snack bar. One says to the other, "Do you think this is going to be a popcorn movie or an M&M movie?" They both turn and glance at The Count of Monte Cristo poster. "Yeah. It's an M&M movie."

At a community theatre performance. People filter in early, determined to claim the hard wooden chairs set out by the venue, only for the experienced hands to turn up later equipped with deck chairs, cheese boards, foot pillows and comfy blankets. The connoisseurs have arrived.

A tiny human (2?) wants to go play on the swings, but Mum says he has to eat something first. This is MOST UNSATISFACTORY and he goes full dying swan, only to realise that the concrete path he's performing his death throes on is VERY uncomfortable. Not skipping a beat, he rolls to some grass.

Two teens (16?) who look like they bench press mountains before breakfast are standing in front of the roast chickens in a supermarket while engaged in an EXTREMELY serious conversation about whether they should buy one or two chickens each for their lunch.

(Continued Below)

#Spotted at an Indian Food Festival in Aotearoa New Zealand:

An irrepressibly bubbly young human (8?) is standing behind a raffle stall. She greets anyone who passes with such an optimistic, "Wanna buy a raffle ticket?!!!" that people instantly buy tickets without caring what the prize is.

A small human (4?) is ricocheting off of every surface in the vicinity.
Dad hefts him over his shoulder and carries him to a nearby running track, setting down and saying "GO!"
Small Human last seen determinedly doing laps at magnificent speed, his legs (almost) a blur.

A bulldog is investigating numerous stalls and food trucks serving delicious food. First he's pulling his human THIS way. Then he wants to go THAT way. There are so many good smells here and, head raised, eyes wide, he is determined to snort them all!

A small human (5?) would maybe like to spend their pocket money on a rainbow shaved ice, but they're not sure...
Biting their lip, they step towards the stall.
No. No. They step back.
But wait... Maybe they DO want one.
They step forward...
Hmm. No...
They step back.
This decision is HUGE!

A man has just received a plate piled with deliciousness when someone walks by with their lunch.
He swallows dramatically and looks around wildly, saying: "There's dosa here?! Why didn't anyone tell me there's dosa?! I've already bought my lunch! I'm missing out on dosa!"
The pathos is real!

(Continued Below)

#spotted and prepared 😁

edit: 😒

#Spotted at a recent Country Fete in Aotearoa #NewZealand

Two psychics have been given stalls on either side of a small community hall. One has a customer and is intensely giving a reading. The other is watching on from the other side of the hall, shuffling tarot cards, expression pointedly pensive.

A small human (4) is speaking to the owner of a crochet teddy stall. He is earnestly explaining that their teddies are nice, but his bear is much better because it's his. He then holds out his very well-loved bear to show them.

A man (60s?) is at a table covered in vintage, well-loved Matchbox cars. This is a precious collection and when asked, he says: "I'm sellin' the whole lot." and watches with a smile when a small human is enraptured by a Lamborghini.

A man (50s?) is inspecting a fresh potato stall. A tiny Chihuahua is nestled in a woven bag slung over his shoulder with its head just poking out, sniffing all the smells.

A small human (3?) is standing with a tiny puppy (poodle?) Tiny puppy wants to make friends and is wagging its tail with the power of a miniature turbine, its button eyes shining. Small human wants to make friends by roaring: "I HAVE A PUPPY" at anyone who smiles in her direction.

Any typos spotted in this post were caused by this cat who triggered a cacophony of pspspsps from the audience waiting to see a band last night. This cat did not care for the lure of pspsps. It was a proximity creature (as are the typos) and wished to be adored from afar.

stalking.. zišli by sa tie polystyrénové krabice na ryby čo sú #spotted pred vchodom

edit: čo si ma fotíš ty... dones jesť radšej
edit1: niekto im sype granule do mojej misky, akože nevadí ale neviem kto