Visitors and pre-Christmas parties

Morning tea at Botanic Gardens with Rose and Tui

It has been a busy few days with end of year parties for two quilting groups, and visits by two lovely people. Rose, the mother of one of Jonathan's friends had an overnight stopover on her way to Palmerston north and it was a delight to make a new friend. Rose lives in the rain forest above Byron Bay and she is a water colour artist, but our conversations ranged wide and deep. Brief visit but we walked our foreshore here at Wattle downs, I had an impromptu lesson on painting, and we had a weather
interrupted walk and cuppa at the botanic Gardens. I hope we can catch up in Palmerston north - maybe take a girls day out painting??

 Then Joan, a good friend Sydney,  called in for the beginning of a week's R&R - another welcome visit. The Botanic Gardens got another visit in the early evening, and we took Peter

The pohutukawa avenue in December - glorious

Joan with one of the sculptures - each disc had a picture and the name of a Vietnam vet

with us, and after my sewing group lunch we went to Waiheke for the afternoon. Beautiful weather, beautiful island and good company! And fabulous sunset coming home on ferry. Walked, talked, and meditated - wish it could have been longer but knowing you look forward to further visits is what makes these visits even more special.

Oneroa beach Waiheke

Coming back on the ferry - the city aflame in the sunset

Peter and Tui helping with the shopping

I have been out in the garden planting, after an expensive visit to Bunnings, and with the weather continuing to be so hot and dry watering is a necessity. When they put the houses in here I think they scraped the soil down to clay, so need to build up the beds - going to be spending lots on compost! Blackberries ripening and hoping the blueberries will be ready soon.

Baby quilt for Wynn - better late than never!

Not enough sewing this week, although I posted off the baby quilt to Kelly and made a little dress for Annabelle which only needs hemming - need to check her length - but I spent up large at the Farmers half price children's clothing sale. I followed that by a basket full of stuff at  Toyworld - bits and pieces - now all I need is some more stocking fillers. Had a brilliant idea for a present for Jonathan, photo later! and the online shopping I did arrived - great photobook for the kids but it was printed in India! It truly is a global marketplace!

Glorious weather, especially now I have mastered getting the heating system fan blowing cool air. So quiet and peaceful here I hate leaving to go out.

A magical weekend

A quietly busy week with my usual commitments, but adding in lovely hot weather which required garden maintenance. Took Peter for an energetic walk around the foreshore ( me being energetic) and a couple of other shortish walks with Tui plus some digging in the garden had me feeling quite physically well, although no lighter on the scales!

I had fun experimenting with painting on fabric on Thursday thinking about how I could do a quilted block with an illuminated letter L and maybe with a lily behind it? Not sure if I can do this the way I want to but will hopefully find another day to play in this busy month.

Saturday was a busy day - there was the Auckland Quilting Guild Christmas party which wasnt quite as festive as I would have liked - maybe just too many people and not enough mixing and mingling.. and then went on to Digby Crompton's funeral at St Marys  at the cathedral in Parnell. A very beautiful service with a huge crowd, only the family spoke which prevented it turning into a long drawn out affair. He was a giant of a man physically, spiritually and in so many ways. Much loved. So glad I went. Then on home and quickly packed the campervan.

I set off about 5:30pm and found Peter and Su at Waiomu on the Thames coast - there is a spot there

 that self contained campervans are able to park so that was great - close to the water and a beautiful sunset which I cant seem to photograph well!  The next morning dawned still and big blue sky, and Peter Pat and I went for a paddle - gorgeous - over two hours and although the arms protested a bit there was no problem, I still now how to do it and I was in heaven. Thank you Peter for bringing the double! The pohutukawas are starting to bloom so there was red colours all along the foreshore, just love the Thames coast road - predicting a long hot summer, so they say!

Afternoon was mostly resting, soaking up the sun, did some hand sewing, Jim and Pat Mercer live across the road at Waiomu so they came across and chatted for an hour or so, and much later around 5:30 Jane came up from Thames to join us and we had a good chinwag. Lovely to see her..  Love these long summer evenings. The first time I have put the awning up ( so easy!) and sat around for such an extended period of time. This is what campervans are for!!  Another gorgeous sunset!

Monday morning we went for another paddle - another awesome, still, warm morning - only an hour or so as the arm muscles were protesting a bit - we are all over 70 so I thought we did well. After a late morning tea we loaded up and drove tot he end of the Waiomu Valley Rd to do the Coast to Kauri walk. An hour each way and the last bit was very steep stairs but alongside a clear stream, a ell maintained track and gorgeous NZ bush all the way. My legs made it back to the van, just!

Bridge number 2

Ponga fronds unfurling

A few of the 100 steep stairs near the top

Filmy ferns 

We made it! A pretty big kauri tree ! not as big as Tane Mahuta at Waipoua but a great specimen!

A leisurely afternoon tea/ early dinner  and I set off back about 5:30pm  Real easy drive back.

I have been in at the University this morning selecting two women who will receive full fees scholarship for their degree at University of Auckland. These are slightly older women who are having a second chance at education. Great people - very deserving and so very committed.