George Penney
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georgepenney.bsky.social
George Penney
@georgepenney.bsky.social
Author of funny books, cultural omnivore. I like tea and cats, not necessarily in that order. I inhale deeply when first stepping in to bookshops and libraries. 🌈

https://linktr.ee/Georgepenney
🧵Spotted From a Cafe in Aotearoa New Zealand:

Two men (20s? Brothers?) are tucking into hearty breakfasts.
One says to the other: "Did I tell ya I'm thinkin' of gettin' married."
The other looks aghast: "Why?!"
"Why not?"
"Cos Aunt Belinda's gonna come!"
A long contemplative silence ensues. (1)
November 25, 2025 at 12:37 AM
I have just learned, much to my giddy delight, that there are Sea Shanty societies here in Aotearoa New Zealand. I will be going to sing the salty songs of the sea at some point.
That is all.
November 24, 2025 at 10:32 PM
For any of the lovely Nelson Tasman people here.

Our launch celebration is on the 27th at Quiet Dog Gallery, 5:30.
All warmly welcome.
There will be chill tunes by DJ You Glow Grrrl (MC Kyla)
There will be fairy bread. (Just because.)
There will be friendly faces because this place is amazing.
November 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A woman (30s?) is sitting on a quiet park bench next to a gurgling stretch of river.
Body gently curved around a tiny new human in her arms who is having a feed.
A soft smile on Mum's face.
A treasured moment of peace. (1)
November 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM
🧵Spotted at an A&P Show in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A tiny human (2?) has spotted a pen of puppies.
Studying them for a long moment, she bursts into tears.
Dad asks what's wrong and looking up at him in abject anguish she wails: "I WANT TO PAT THEM ALL!" (1)
November 22, 2025 at 2:59 AM
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

In a misty paddock, early morning, a farmer belts across buttercup strewn grass on a quad bike, two border collies streaks of black and white either side. Cloud draped mountains in the distance. The smell of green and the sea in the air. (1)
November 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A smartly dressed woman (50s?) storms across a supermarket carpark, speaking in a thick Kiwi accent* to her husband. She flames: "Darren, it's NOT a party without chips and dips. HOW can it be a PROPER PARTY without CHIPS AND DIPS?!" (1)
November 20, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Reposted by George Penney
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A tiny human (2?) runs his fastest down a garden path to greet his big brother (5?) home from school.
Big Brother stoically accepting all hero worship.
Little Brother doing a happy skip-dance of welcome as he leads the way back into the house. (1)
November 19, 2025 at 3:22 AM
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A tiny human (2?) runs his fastest down a garden path to greet his big brother (5?) home from school.
Big Brother stoically accepting all hero worship.
Little Brother doing a happy skip-dance of welcome as he leads the way back into the house. (1)
November 19, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Reposted by George Penney
🧵Spotted From a Cafe in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A brightly dressed British couple (60s?) are sharing a slice of cake.
She takes a bite: "Oh. This is quite nice."
He takes a bite: "Nice that is, aye."
She takes a bite: "Very nice."
He takes a bite: "Nice. Nice."
She takes a bite: "Very nice." (1)
November 17, 2025 at 11:51 PM
🧵Spotted From a Cafe in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A brightly dressed British couple (60s?) are sharing a slice of cake.
She takes a bite: "Oh. This is quite nice."
He takes a bite: "Nice that is, aye."
She takes a bite: "Very nice."
He takes a bite: "Nice. Nice."
She takes a bite: "Very nice." (1)
November 17, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Reposted by George Penney
🧵Spotted at a Vineyard Picnic in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A very friendly dog (red cloud kelpie), her bottom square with age, is sprawled on a picnic rug as numerous small humans compete to see Who Can Pat Her Best.
Friendly Dog is in her element, a doggy smile on her face.
This is the life. (1)
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 AM
🧵Spotted at a Vineyard Picnic in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A very friendly dog (red cloud kelpie), her bottom square with age, is sprawled on a picnic rug as numerous small humans compete to see Who Can Pat Her Best.
Friendly Dog is in her element, a doggy smile on her face.
This is the life. (1)
November 17, 2025 at 3:51 AM
🧵So last week I asked Kiwis and Aussies if people prefer their fairy bread with margarine or butter, crusts on or crusts off, squares vs triangles. I figured since it has been ages since I've sampled the food of the fae, I should make sure the recipe is correct for my upcoming book launch party.
November 16, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by George Penney
🧵Spotted at a Vintage Christmas Market in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A woman (50s?) in a floral dress wraps her arm around her friend's waist, grinning cheekily: "Shall we go in the shop over there and gasp at the prices?"
Her friend laughs: "Yes!"
They wander off, heads bowed together. (1)
November 15, 2025 at 3:28 AM
🧵Spotted at a Vintage Christmas Market in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A woman (50s?) in a floral dress wraps her arm around her friend's waist, grinning cheekily: "Shall we go in the shop over there and gasp at the prices?"
Her friend laughs: "Yes!"
They wander off, heads bowed together. (1)
November 15, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Day 6 of our book launch week: Market day! And look at this wee stack of book beasties seen in the wild at one of our favourite writing cafes!

It's a big day today. Our regular markets for breakfast and shopping, then a country Christmas market for early present perusing.

(More in alt text.)
November 14, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Reposted by George Penney
🧵Spotted While Roaming In Aotearoa New Zealand:

A young human (8?) is crouched in front of a white picket fence, clutching a super soaker to his chest.
He tenses, then...
JUMPS UP
and sprays his little brother who's sleeping on the porch.
GOTCHA!
Little Brother roaring vengeance.
It. Is. On. (1)
November 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM
🧵Spotted While Roaming In Aotearoa New Zealand:

A young human (8?) is crouched in front of a white picket fence, clutching a super soaker to his chest.
He tenses, then...
JUMPS UP
and sprays his little brother who's sleeping on the porch.
GOTCHA!
Little Brother roaring vengeance.
It. Is. On. (1)
November 14, 2025 at 1:03 AM
🧵Hey lovely people. I've had a few questions about shipping times for Tiny Moments of Joy.

We've got local printing and shipping in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand for buying direct from us, so you'll get your books within the week/a few weeks max.

www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments...
Tiny Moments of Joy | Swashbuckler Press
Delightful moments captured from people watching in a small city in Aotearoa New Zealand.
www.swashbucklerpress.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Reposted by George Penney
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A tiny human (2?) has spotted Mum's cake on a cafe table.
Ahh...
Mum is distracted talking to a friend.
Hmm...
If he just climbs on this chair...
And then onto the table,
And then SITS on the cake...
She'll never notice, right?
(She notices.)(1)
November 13, 2025 at 2:11 AM
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A tiny human (2?) has spotted Mum's cake on a cafe table.
Ahh...
Mum is distracted talking to a friend.
Hmm...
If he just climbs on this chair...
And then onto the table,
And then SITS on the cake...
She'll never notice, right?
(She notices.)(1)
November 13, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Okay, vital book launch nibbly question for my lovely Kiwi and Aussie people:

When making fairy bread, white bread is of course mandatory but do you traditionally do margarine or butter?

(I was raised with marg on mine, but I love butter... I'm not sure what other people prefer though!)
November 12, 2025 at 11:00 PM
🧵Hey lovely people. I know some Nelson Tasman people follow me here, so this is for you.❤️

If you live in the region. We're having a celebration for the launch of Tiny Moments of Joy at Quiet Dog Gallery on the 27th of November at 5:30pm, and we'd love you to come. (1)
November 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reposted by George Penney
🧵Spotted from a Sunny Cafe in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A effervescent woman (80s?) wearing a flowing yellow floral dress bustles from her wooden cottage and carefully crouches down on her garden path to offer a bumble bee a drink from an outstretched teaspoon.
Beaming when her gift is accepted. (1)
November 12, 2025 at 2:39 AM