So this is Christmas

It's another Christmas, and another year nearly over. So here is a Christmas card for everyone, and now we look forward to 2019. This sounds an almost impossible date, and it sneaks up on you when you least expect it. So happy Christmas to all....enjoy the festivities, and let's hope the next year is even better.

I am sure it will be for us, with the arrival of little James Anthony...our first grandchild.  Now, we get ready for the Christmas meal, where undoubtedly we shall all eat too much, and forget any well-meaning diets for a day or so.   So why worry?  Once a year I consider you have a licence to eat and drink what you like.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Latest Trip

Finally, after many months, we managed to have a few days away.  We left last Sunday, 28th October, and ended up staying for 5 days. Normally we only have 2 or 3 days, but this time we ended up where it all began, many years ago, at  The Riverpark Motel in Moama. We had stayed 2 days with Debby and Paul, then gone to Albury for 1 night. After that we were at a bit of a loose end, because we really didn't want to come home, but were undecided where to go next.

In the end, we came back to Echuca and then had a big debate as to where to stay. We looked at a couple of motels, but they were a bit like  barracks, so in the end Jim just drove round the corner and I asked about a room at Riverpark. There have been a few changes since Colin went, and  we found ourselves settling in quite comfortably in Room 1. The weather was hot and we swam in the pool. Unfortunately, as this was a spur of the moment decision, we hadn't brought any bathers with us, so we decided, rashly, to swim in our undies. As our room was next to the pool, nobody noticed, but we shall be prepared next time, and there certainly will be a next time, as it was a thoroughly enjoyable stay.

Then home, finally, on Friday, feeling much refreshed after the break.

This was a beautiful sunset in Albury. Luckily we had the camera with us, and so Jim took this before it all disappeared.

On the drive up, we passed through Rochester and saw these stunning paintings on the silos. We just had to stop and take pictures as they looked so new and fresh. We suspect it is the same artist who has done a similar thing on silos around the country.

Finished at last

Finally we have got the frame up round the pond, and the netting covering it. It may look like overkill, but this way we hope we can stock up on fish and they will be safe from Kookaburras etc.

So, needless to say, Angus went straight out and bought some fish, and we purchased quite a large filter that stands outside the pond. This has cleaned the water up .

 

So here is the finished product, and a couple of pictures of the beautiful flowers that are so prolific this time of year.

 

Pond covered in black netting, which was quite a job to get it centred and taut.

 

Beautiful Banksia rose trailing the shed

 

Red Rhododendron in full bloom.

 

At Last

It isn't a job for cold wintry weather, but at long last we have emptied and cleaned the pond!! The sludge, roots and weed were so entrenched, that it was like thick green soup.
First we took out all the plants...no mean feat, as the roots were so massive that some of them took the two of us to lift them. Then up to the back, and all were severely cut back and repotted.
We faced a dilemma as to how to empty out the water, but, with Jim's know-how to the rescue, he rigged up an apparatus to syphon it out. When it was as low as the pump would work we were left with a dark brown thick sludge.

 So there was nothing for it but to sweep and bucket out the rest.

The plants removed before emptying.

The brown sludge at the bottom

Scooping out the wattle flowers

This was a pretty back-breaking job, but finally it was as clean as we could make it. Then the plants and the pump were placed back in, and it was filled. This was the easy part, except when I went into the pond to place the plants properly, I found a leak in my welly!!  Of course, sod's law stipulated that while it was filling with fresh water, the wind got up, and promptly blew the little yellow wattle flowers (by the million) into the water!!
However, a big, back-breaking job is done...for a while, and we will just have to remember to scoop out the leaves regularly.
The 3 fish...yes, we found 3 in the murk, were reinstated this morning, but I fear for their safety with the Kookaburras about. We have put in a few hiding places, so we shall see.
That's one more job done round the place, and hopefully this will last for a few years. So today is a day off, while we recuperate!

Maggie-May

Here is the newest addition to the family. Her name is Maggie-May, and she belongs to Gayle. Amelia organised it for her mother's birthday, and I have to say that it was one of the best presents ever.
 At the moment she is a puppy, and full of all the mischief that puppies get into, but much loved, and probably spoiled.
Amelia was 'puppy-sitting' while her mum was at work, so I took the opportunity to take some quick pics. It's not easy when she is rocketing around at 100 miles an hour, but I just had to record her for posterity. I am sure she will grow so quickly that these times need to be grabbed when possible.

looking good....for the moment!

She is looking for her favourite toy.....called "Road Kill"!!   

Mothers Day

Yes, another Mothers Day has come and gone, and I just had to record for posterity the beautiful bunch of flowers from Angus.
As usual, I had lovely presents too from Amelia and Fraser and Summie.

The flowers are now all starting to open, and I nearly had a disaster when I found all the water in the vase had gone!!  So now I stick my finger in the vase every day to make sure!  So far they have lasted the week in a warm room, and there are still a few more to open.
A really beautiful display.

Update

Just a quick update on my Fitbit. I found some more clock faces...quite a lot in fact, and so here is my current favourite. No doubt this will change in time.

There are loads of different faces to choose from. This is the one of the moment.

Fitbits are Us!

Here is my latest toy!  I have worn my Vivofit given to me by Summie and Fraser ever since I had it. Literally, it has hardly ever been off my wrist. However, with general gardening and housework etc. it has become so scratched on the face, that  it really started to look very tatty. I must say, it has been a wonderful present, and for the battery to last several years was quite surprising.

So, I decided on this Fitbit Versa....fairly new on the market. This is a whole lot more complicated than the Vivofit, and as yet I have just managed to put the app. on my phone, and work out....with the help of Jim...the very basics. I know I am fairly impatient with things, and like them to work immediately, so I ended up pushing the 3 buttons so fast that it must have got a bit flummoxed. However, Jim to the rescue, and now I am able to work out a few of the easier moves.

I realise it can do far more than I will ever do, but telling the time is a good start...plus my daily steps etc.   A real toy.

So we shall see how we go, and whether I can keep this relatively unscathed for a while.
In the future, I hope to learn more about the functions.

Up, Up and away......again!

So finally we both came to a decision as to when and where we had our next trip. Last Monday....up with the lark, and off to Albury. We had one pleasant night, in somewhat warmer weather than Emerald, and then drove through to Moama where we stayed 2 nights in our usual place.
 Jim took up residence at the outside setting, where he can chat to other guests and Debby and Paul, when they have a spare moment. This, of course, is part of the pleasure of staying, as there is usually someone of similar age to pass the time of day with.

Himself......In residence and available for chit chat!

As in Albury, the weather was sunny and warm, so that always makes one feel better.
Then, back home on Thursday, ready to catch up on things and get back to the day-to-day regime.....that is, until the next time we feel the urge to take off and unwind.

75 Going on 35

The title of this post was given to me by Amelia. Doesn't 35 sound so much better than 75? However, 75 is what I now am, and today I have been spoiled by lovely presents.

Firstly, Fraser and Summie sent this absolutely beautiful scarf and cosmetic bag. The scarf is wonderfully soft, and in the dark cold days of Winter, I shall be more than glad of it....not to say dashing at the same time!  (Well, as dashing as a codger can be).

From Angus and Amelia, this beautiful orchid, and a just-as-beautiful pot. If I manage to look after it, there should be flowers for a very long time, and, of course, the pot can have a multitude of uses.

The other thing that we are pleased about, is the fact that we awoke this morning to gentle rain!! As February has been almost totally dry, this was treated as some sort of miracle, and I just hope it keeps on for a bit longer. Many plants in the garden look to be on their last legs, so hopefully, this will act as a bit of a reviver.

So today will be a day of doing whatever takes my fancy, as I get my head round the idea of another year biting the dust!!

Our latest trip

This time, we didn't just go away for a couple of days, but it stretched into 4. First of all Echuca for 2 nights. Of course, at the usual place, Paul and Debbie's Central Motel in Moama. Then on to Albury for one night, where, I am happy to say that Trish and Kevin, who took over from Graham and Anthea, have kept everything the same, except for the addition of microwaves, and new outside blinds.
After that, with a rush of blood to the head, we decided to go over the mountains to Lakes Entrance. This was a fair old drive, and sometimes a bit hairy too, but all was OK. The roads are vastly improved from the last time we travelled that way, with road works here, there and everywhere, obviously getting ready for the ski season.
When we got to Lakes Entrance, we drove up and down, looking for a motel, and finally decided on a Comfort Inn. We splurged out on a spa room, and found we could walk out of the motel and across the road to the water.

Motel at Lakes Entrance

Getting towards sunset, we walked along the path by the water, and looked at all the boats. After a few minutes, as the sky got darker, the fishing boats started to head out to sea. A lovely sight. It was calm and still, and had cooled down a bit, so a beautiful night.

Some of the boats at anchor

Sunset

First of the fishing boats heading out

A beautiful sky

The next morning we decided to come home, as when we awoke, it was already too hot for us. So we drove back, using my phone GPS, which took us on roads we never knew existed.
However, we finally made it, and later that day, Angus told me of a better app for the GPS. So next time I shall give it a try.

Aging Gracefully!

No, it's not about me, but I came across a youtube site where 3 centenarians were interviewed about their age, and their life.

Interestingly enough, one of them was from Eastbourne, and they showed the beach and pier etc.

Please look at the side, on my link list, and go and listen to these people.....2 men and 1 woman. None of them look their age, and are still very active.

Saboteur at work

Yes, it's Henry who is the culprit. Just because he looks all sweet and furry, and likes being petted....don't be fooled!  Show him a cable of any sort, and he will chew it to pieces. The other day he chewed up Amelia's phone charge cable, and last night, he really outdid himself, and chewed through the cable that went into the modem that gives us  the internet.

At first Angus didn't think he could fix it, but after a bit of fiddling, he managed to cut the cable, re-solder all the wires, and cover it with heat-shrink.  Lo and behold....good as new. So they will have to be very wary from now on, as you only have to take your eyes off him for a second, and he finds something to destroy.

But I guess this is part of being a rabbit!!

It's all very well looking so sweet and beguiling, but beneath it all there lurks an assassin's heart!!

Summer is here

Here is a picture of the front of our house. We have had Agapanthas along the fence line ever since we moved here over 30 years ago. They make a good barrier, and are supposed to be slightly fire retardant. Certainly, the stems are full of thick sap. which can turn your hands brown when cutting them.
The display is always beautiful, but then comes the unenviable task of dead-heading them all, to try, as best we can, to prevent the millions of seeds from taking root anywhere.

Not only that, but the heads and stems are deceptively heavy, and usually I end up struggling with barrow-loads to put on the bonfire.
Still, no grumbling....it is only once a year, and the display makes up for that.

Here they are...a good mixture of blue and white. I like the unregimented look!

Happy New Year

Well, here it is....2018!  Where do the years go?
We had a lovely Christmas lunch...actually on Christmas Eve. The weather was cool but sunny, so it was out in the garden, and the bonus was, barely any flies to bother us. There was plenty to eat and drink, and the conversation went on for hours. This year there was no turkey and traditional food, but loads of glazed baked chicken wings, courtesy of Amelia, and salads, followed by the inevitable pavlova and trifle....especially for Jim.
 So all in all, a very enjoyable day.

On Boxing day, Angus and Amelia went off on holiday for a week, and I baby-sat Henry the rabbit. They stayed 2 nights at the Canberra zoo. Not actually in the zoo, but with rooms adjoining animal enclosures. Their's overlooked the giraffes, as you can see!!

Nosy Giraffe

Likes the taste of Amelia's dress!

I had a few photos too from Summie and Fraser, and they went to Southbank for New Years' Eve to watch the fireworks. I also had a picture from them as small children. How charming. Have they changed at all?  Just a tad I would say.

No prizes for guessing who is who!

Here is a picture of them both (as they are today), when bringing in the New Year at Southbank. There was a beautiful firework display as always, all along the Yarra and incorporating all the buildings in the CBD.

Here is just a small part of the firework display, as taken by Summie.