Two trips in the camper

After the business of the last week I decided to run away for the weekend to somewhere very quiet and was lucky enough with the weather that I was able to spend Saturday and Sunday nights at Kirita bay on the Coromandel where I have been several times before. I met up with Jane and Cavalli at waiomu for morning tea which was great although weather was too drizzly to play on the beach or playground. The weather improved by the time I made it to Kirita Bay. Only two other campers there the first night ( and the fish they gave we was great ) and me alone on the second. Beautiful bay, sooo peaceful and serene and very safe as the farm owners keep an eye on me and way off the road and right alongside the water. I painted, drew, sewed, read, meditated, walked and just totally appreciated the opportunity.  The road up the coast had six different lots of major roadworks but at least it was now passable and still a lovely  drive not far from Auckland.

Kirita Bay

My breakfast view

Then after a relatively quiet week with no crises I set off to spend the weekend with the family in Palmerston North. An uneventful drive down followed by a session at the pool where I am the springboard for the kids to jump off! and then Saturday we drove to a big farm inland from Whanganui. The objective was a gathering of donkey lovers and we walked the donkeys around the VERY steep farm - the paths we took werent too bad although the kids rode Amy's donkeys when hey could especially where there were thistles on the ground.

Dinner at Chinatown and everyone slept well. The girls took turns at sleeping in the camper with me. Sunday was a quick shopping trip and then three lots of visitors.  Then I sewed badges on Kea shirts for the girls. I did the school run on Monday and had nice lunch with my friend Christine. Then at 4 pm just as i got back from the school run and was helping get a quick dinner organised before Cubs and Keas I got a call from the rest home.

Peter had been crying all day - he finally told them he had been told I had been killed in a car crash... so I spoke to him on the phone. He was very upset and I decided to do a fast drive home - all in one go as long as I wasnt too tired. I left without being there to watch Callum's investiture into Cubs but I got a good start with over an hour of daylight driving. I made it home in 7 hours without too much trouble but my eyes are sore and I am a bit shattered today.

When I went to see him this morning he was Ok and I suggested he rest a lot today. My art class wasnt all that useful. I could have done more if i stayed home and played.

So off to bed I go and will try and catch up on all the to do list tomorrow.

the first 10 days of March

March started with a residential weekend with the School of Philosophy - a weekend spent in meditation, reflection and some practical work in the beautiful setting of the property overlooking the islands of the gulf. Spiritual knowledge is not able to be acquired just by applying the mind in an intellectual way - it needs a still and quiet mind and I am working on it - another one of my challenges.

The School of Philosophy house we use for residential weekends - all maintained by volunteers - a beautiful setting

Sunday night Peter's son-in-law Phillip had a massive unsurvivable heart attack. Such a sad time for Robyn and her family - her mother died at the end of January and now this... knowing that Phil had made a huge contribution to the sport of rugby league particularly in the almost single handed organisation of the Masters league tournaments is small compensation for the loss of a  loved husband, father and grandfather.

I had another art class - still not sure that I am very good at this - I had half a dozen attempts to paint skies that I was happy with... this was the best of the bunch.. long way to go!

Our daughter Catherine arrived late Wednesday night and we had a very busy but productive three days. No photos unfortunately but we tidied up the garage even more, did some of Catherine's favourite shopping outlets and I enjoyed and valued the chance to chat. Catherine visited her father a few times which was one of the purposes of her visit. Cas is now secretary of the local league club and puts in a lot of time organising teams, registration procedures and organising events..she really enjoys it I think.  On Friday we went down to Kawakawa Bay to spend some time with Robyn and I am so glad she and Cas had the chance to talk.

Saturday I went to Quilting Guild and the discussion on wool applique techniques went well. Four people brought along work they had done or in progress.. rather inspiring and lots of the members seemed interested!

Margaret and Shona with some of Shona's work

Part of Margaret's beautifully embellished work

This is Bobbie's  "B" challenge quilt - I love it!

Then Cas and I set off to Thames to spend time with Jane - we met up at  the 75th birthday party of Jane's neighbour - a member of the Ulysses motorcycle club - really interesting group of people. Fun! It was good to see Jane - and Cas enjoyed catching up with her. I think Cas is going to enjoy her week back here in May, she already has several visits arranged.

After doing all the little jobs on the "to do" list I have had fun today trying to do my painting homework...I did a couple of paintings - some parts of them were Ok although some were definitely not right - one tree looked right and the other was NOT! - I think I am improving but as long as I enjoy it, it doesnt really matter if I will never be Monet!

The weather has turned colder suddenly - cyclone Hola has bypassed Auckland but it has brought wind and cooler temperatures - not entirely unwelcome. Hope my garden bins go today so I can get ready for the next onslaught!

It is now Thursday 15th March and before I have got this posted I need to add a couple more posts.
Firstly Peter had another "chest pains" admission to hospital on Tuesday - this time with vomiting and apparently he looked ghastley but by the time I got there he was painfree and hungry. So I took him home again. Everyone has to do their duty and no one is prepared to risk being negligent, but there is very little that can be done except to make him comfortable. I guess we just have to take one day at a time.

By Wednesday he was OK again, so we went to Phillips funeral together. It was a big occasion and rightly so. The family did well and I am sure they will feel he had a well deserved send off.
Peter hung in there well and I am glad the boys and the twins were there.
So now I have been back to the dentist, had a nice day with my sewing friends and I think I need to get back into some good routines and hopefully get my mental energy back on track. Been a bit lethargic the last few weeks.

Visitors, road trip and good company

When writing this weeks happenings I was focussing on visitors and I have realised that last week started with Peter being admitted to Middlemore again with chest pains. I knew it was likely to be a very short stay as last November the geriatician said there was noting they could do with him if it was jut angina.. it was just a feature of an ageing heart and as long as it hadnt been a full blown heart attack or stroke then using the nitro spray and resting was the best course. However, I went up to the hospital armed with his favourite lemonade and some food I knew he would eat and then back again the next morning with  egg sandwiches and soup. As predicted the consultant said - all was as well as could be so back home we went. He was chirpy once the pain had died down and no further problems.

 I also went to a quite inspiring lecture by Pam Holland an Australian textile "artist"/ quilter.. Her major project is to recreate the Bayeux tapestry!

 Last Saturday Brian flew in from Canada on his annual trip back for his Mum's birthday. This year is special as she is 100 and is eagerly awaiting the telegram from the Queen. It has been a lovely few days and we did lots of talking, a good crack at the garden and several odd jobs including shifting the garden shed so that I can now open the other gate. Brian's attack on some of the overgrown grown shrubs, like a rosemary with thick trunks and over 5ft tall were really appreciated - although the blackberry seemed to have fought back. We have filled the large garden bin, the big garden bag and still have a pile to go in the bag after the next collection. Much more fun when there are two of you doing the gardening!

We took Peter out for a drive round the waterfront - our Auckland Tamaki Drive is always beautiful and it was great to see so many people out enjoying the return of the warmer weather after Cyclone Gita ( which mainly missed Auckland). Then on Sunday Brian, Tui and I headed off in the campervan to take a leisurely trip to stay overnight at Mangawhai.

Morning tea at Shelley beach Kaipara Harbour

We called in at  Shelley beach on the Kaipara, a spot I will return to stay sometime - it is fun to watch the comings and goings of fishing boats etc then a side trip to look at the new Regional park at Atiu Creek - a huge farm of over 800 hectares donated to the people ( no dogs allowed even in the car so luckily Tui didnt poke her head up), and then a late lunch at Port Albert.

Atiu Creek - Regional park Kaipara Harbour

Beautiful weather and Mangawhai was looking its best. After a quiet cuppa to the sounds of the trickling stream at the back of the beach house we headed off for dinner at The Dune restaurant - very nice food and hospitable wait staff. Tui was allowed to sit outside beside us which was great considering how hot she would have been in the car. A shortish quiet walk on the beach after dinner was so peaceful and Tui could run free - fewer holiday makers on a Sunday night now that school is back.

Looking up the Mangawhai estuary - see the little board rider!

Sunday morning saw a very leisurely start and then a longer walk along the beach up the estuary - low tide and mostly locals out with their dogs or having a quiet swim - even saw a little dog on his boogie board enjoying the ride. What a beautiful place.

Picture perfect  looking towards the ocean..

Another leisurely drive home via Pakiri, Goat Island and Leigh - the coastline is so varied and quintessentially NZ.  A relaxed delicious BBQ dinner with Gil and Dorothy - really topped off a lovely two days. Thank you.






I went into my art class on the Tuesday afternoon - ostensibly to learn about painting skies and landscapes - I have a long way to go! no pictures will be posted! I need lots of practice!

After our heavy gardening session on Wednesday morning, and a visit to Peter - Nana naps and some dvd watching of old but funny TV series rounded off a week of good company and lots of laughs.

Brian has headed off to Christchurch now, I have had a visit to the dentist ( dont eat crunchy crackers or muesli bars if you have old fillings in your teeth! ) and done a bit of sewing.

A residential weekend with my Philosophy group will be a valued end to this week - hopefully stilling this busy mind.