Cloudhill

As I was such an abysmal failure in the photographic department, while Dilys and Richard were here, this is a picture she sent me of the day we went to Olinda to look round the gardens at Cloudhill.As you can see, the day was beautiful, without being too hot, and the gardens were really worth seeing. This is just one very small part...there are loads of different pathways, and areas....all beautifully planted and cared for. A thoroughly enjoyable time. That is me, obviously having an extremely in-depth conversation with Richard!!!   As you do!!

Visitors have come and gone!!

Well, the visit by Dilys and Richard has gone much too quickly. They arrived on Thursday afternoon, and on Monday morning we drove them over to her aunt Betty in Berwick. They took her out to lunch, and then in the afternoon, they took the train to the city, and then on to the airport to fly home. It was most unfortunate that Jim had picked up a gastric bug, and was really quite ill. He is starting to get better now, but he had it the whole time they were here. Consequently, he wasn't able to come with us when we went out for dinner. Went to Elevations in Emerald...a little bit pricey, but the food was good.
 Richard and Jim spent many hours in his shed, while Dilys and I trawled the Op. shops for bargains .... of which we found quite a few.
 The last full day we went to Cloudhill up in Olinda, and as luck would have it, the weather was beautiful...blue sky with a bit of a breeze. What a lovely place...the gardens are well worth a visit.

So now they are winging their way back to the UK, and to minus temperatures at the moment....what a shock to the system. Still they have been in NZ for the last few months, so they have missed a lot of their Winter. They stayed with their daughter Claire and family.
 So now it's back to e mailing and sending photos once more, with the occasional Skype.  It was too short a time here, but I think they really enjoyed themselves.
 So that's it....until next time!!!

One more thing.....my interest in Op. shops has been revived, especially as we  happened upon 2 brand new watches....$4 each!!  Cheaper than getting a new battery for my old one!!   As they say   "It's all good"!!

Last but not least....I should offer an apology for the dearth of photos...it seemed that whenever we went anywhere, I forgot my camera, and when we were at home, we were too busy chatting. So this is it!!  I hope Dilys has a few more, but of course, she won't be in them!!!!

The Shed Renovations Continue

So the shed renovations continue. Today....with the floor finished, Jim built a desk for his laptop. He is trying to minimize things as much as possible, and we bought him a proper chair to sit in, to save the pain in his hip from crouching over.  All good so far, and hopefully, relatively dust free. More benches to go down the back wall, but the important things are now in place.....i.e. fridge, bench, laptop and chair (not to mention the TV). So anything else can be done as and when.  So the really hard graft is done....just the finishing touches.

Tarting up the Shed

It's a cool and rainy Saturday, and a good time for indoor jobs. We bought the wood for the shed floor yesterday, and so Jim has made a start. Getting it level was always going to be tricky, as there are tree roots under the earth, where they have spread from outside. As many as possible were cut back a while ago, but after a bit of jiggling, he managed to get it fairly even. The sheets of flooring weigh a ton, and are in the carport at the moment, so I hope, between us, we can manage to drag them in without mishap. So the first stage is well under way, and hopefully , before too long, he can start re-building his benches in a new, and better, configuration.

Guess Who!

Chelsea Heights Primary School

Yes, you can see by the badge...This is Fraser when he had just started school.
 I noticed this little tiny photograph tucked down in the corner of my bedroom mirror. It has been there for ages, and like all things you get used to seeing all the time, after a while you don't consciously notice them. So when I was dusting the other day, I decided I really should scan it into my computer, in case it got lost.
  I had a go at touching it up with Picasa...there were a lot of big creases in it, and while it is better than it was, it certainly isn't  perfect.  So here you are Fra, in case you want to have a copy for yourself, and probably you or Summie can do a better 'clean-up' job on it. How times, and people, change!!!

A Change of Direction

Here is my latest "Internet Buy". I decided that I would have a change from the ordinary handbag, and also down-size all the clutter I carry around in it. I saw this wallet on the Internet (Kate Hill website) and thought I would give it a go. Well, today it arrived, so I have been spending the last 10 minutes or so getting it set up. It is surprisingly roomy, and if I had a modern slim-line phone, I could get that in too, but it holds all the essentials, and looks stunning, to boot! (Well, I think so).
 So as far as I am concerned, it is money well-spent!  (I would say that , wouldn't I?)
 So this can be a late birthday present for me!!
 I should say that Jim is convinced that I will just put it down somewhere the first time I use it, and lose everything. We'll see!  In mitigation, I have been having quite a lot of pain in my shoulders recently, so to go out without a strap hanging from them will probably be all to the good.

                                              

Not long now!

Just to let you all know, that Dilys and Richard are arriving here on Thursday 21st March, and leaving on the Monday. I hope the weather is nice, but not TOO hot...I think we have had enough of high temperatures to last us a lifetime. So really looking forward to catching up on all the comings and goings....a good chance for a get-together and  a nice long natter.
  More later.

"Sail away"

This is the sail we bought on the Internet. Jim sussed it out, and we thought we would give it a try. Yesterday he cemented the posts into the ground, and today we put it up. Surprisingly easy....so we shall see how it goes. Cheap as chips, so if it works out, good value. As we are  having at least a week of temperatures over 30C, we need the coverage.
 As the saying goes..."Nice when a plan comes together"!!

Thank you Summie and Fra

My sincere thanks to Summie and Fra for a wonderful birthday gift. Who DOESN'T like Natio products?  I have had a few bits and pieces of Natio in the past, and have always found them to be a high quality product.
 So now, with advancing years, I shall need all the help I can get!!  What's next I wonder....DON'T say Polyfilla...not yet, anyway.
 One thing about these products...the perfume is divine, and not overpowering. I shall really enjoy using them. 

The Cake

This is it...Pristine, Untouched!! But not for long!!  I have a feeling it is fairly rich, so not to be guzzled at great speed!!  (Unless you want to)!!  How spoiled have I been this year?
 Many thanks to Angus and Tiff...it is much appreciated.
From now on, I have decided that there will be no more birthdays for me!!   70 is quite enough, so I shall begin to go backwards, or just ignore them!!

My 70th

Twisted Vine restaurant

Getting settled!

After a good meal

Lovely setting

Jim the photographer!

Attractive place

What a view to come to work to.

Angus and Tiff took us out for lunch for my 70th Birthday. The Twisted Vine, on the Sylvan road, has been there for ages, but we have only ever just driven past. What a beautiful place. The views across the hills was breathtaking, and inside, the food was great, and the whole place very comfortable. We ate until more than full, and after, we wandered through the lovely gardens. The weather was warm, but not hot, and the clouds were blowing across the sky, with a bit of a breeze. Altogether, absolutely delightful.
 Later on, we have birthday cake, which Tiff successfully hid until we left the restaurant!!  When we have room for more food!!