The last day of winter

It's been a quiet day and I'm pleased about that. I didn't sleep well so was thinking I might need a granny nap this afternoon but I've managed to get through without it :)

It was a lovely day and by lunch time was a pleasant 20 C. The washing was on the line so after lunch I put the cushions on the  swing chair and took my book and sat and indulged myself for half an hour. 

 Then it was time for a drink, inside by now, and I thought I should get out for a walk.  I'm supposed to walk for at least 20 minutes per day to help keep my blood pressure down. I told the doc I don't do cold if it can be avoided and definitely don't do wet and cold. So I've been a bit remiss over the winter, only been out occasionally.

It was lovely to be out and about and much to my surprise 

I really enjoyed it. Spring was in the air and there were quite 

a few others out and about as well. 

When I got back home I took a wander around the yard and came across this little clump of snowdrops and a solitary daffodil down by the back fence. The jonquils at the front of the house are in full bloom as well and look lovely.

And over the fence this is one of two beehives on the neighboring  property. The house is empty now but  the grand daughter of the owners is the beekeeper. There were a few bees about but not many, the wrong time of day I think and maybe not quite warm enough yet. 

And finally I decided to tidy these shelves in the kitchen/dining area. I've still got the very top to do and the toys at the bottom. And I now have a table covered in 'things' I don't recognise (probably my GKB's), books to give away and small games to find a box for. 

Now our evening meal is over and we're sitting relaxing, my book is at my elbow and the paralympics are on the TV.  Well they were, I see my GKB has changed over and is now watching Midsomer Murders :)  I don't mind.

And that was the last day of winter 2024.

Have a great week,

Diana

Looking back...and to the future

In June last year we took a road trip to Hanmer Springs with our son and his wife. They had a discernment retreat to attend as he was seeking ordination in our church. Several couples from all over the South Island were in attendance. 

The cream house in the picture above is where they were staying and my GKB and I stayed in a motel in the township and did our own thing.  Yes, we were up in the mountains, somewhere between Canterbury and the West Coast. And as it was June it was getting near to the middle of winter :) The first night away we stayed in Rangiora and  headed to the pub next door and had ourselves a hot meal. It was cold outside but the days were dry, crisp and clear so the cold didn't matter so much.

We took walks and had a look around the area. The old sanitariium where TB patients were sent to recuperate in the early part of last century was here and we wandered around the grounds. I remember when I was a child that people were also sent here when they had had a nervous breakdown. I imagine it was a restful place to recover from either of these maladies and it is only a couple of hours to town if needed.

The day we left for home we went to the hot pools. I had my togs but my GKB wasn't interested, He took photos and relaxed in the cafe while he waited for us, which was most of the morning. 

Son, Daughter in law and me enjoying the pools. We eventually thought we should get out as we were heading for Dunedin and that was a good six hour drive away. It was hard to leave those lovely hot thermal pools though. They were very relaxing and rejuvenating.

And just because I can, a photo of Alice at her fifth birthday party today. It's hard to believe she starts school on Monday! Where did that time go?

Have a wonderful weekend,

until next time

Diana

 

Spring is coming

"What is this?" youngest daughter wanted to know. 

"I've never seen one before."

Someone suggested an onion flower!

She sent a closeup so we could all see it properly.

Of course it's a snow drop, but she'd never seen one fully open or with the green spots.

That started everyone posting photos of  their spring flowers.

Jonquils on my kitchen windowsill, blown over by the wind

 so I rescued them.

A collage of eldest daughters spring garden,

and some close ups.

Eldest daughter has inherited my grandmothers green thumb,

 I haven't :)

She always has a nice display whatever the season.

So although the weather hasn't quite settled down yet and the sun is shining at the moment and we've been told it could be a wet and windy weekend, the promise of spring has arrived.

 

Sunset at the village

Last weekend I went down to Gore for a women's retreat with American author Sharon Garlough Brown. I went with a couple of friends and we shared a unit at the hotel. We were asked not to take photo's at the retreat but I thought I'd show you these that I took at sunset the night we arrived.

We were filling in time until we went out for our evening meal and so decided to visit the little heritage village across the road from the hotel.  I thought I had one or two more of the buildings but no :(

Once through the gate we were met by this flock of ducks, and the occasional goose, on the grass just beside the stream.

Some of them objected to us disturbing them and departed for the water where I guess they thought we wouldn't follow them and as it was winter they were right :)

There was a display of old farm implements.

The gate to the right of the church is a memorial to the 

pioneer women of the district and was erected in 1944.

(Though probably not in this spot, I'm not sure).

We wandered over a little bridge, around the path and up the 

side of the stream opposite where we had entered.

Then across another little bridge where we were met by this duck and goose who had wandered away from the main bunch.

It was a nice walk but by then it was starting to get dark and colder so we headed back to the hotel, got in the car and went out for our meal. Chinese, it was delicious.

That's it for the moment, I'm sorry some of the photos are a bit dark, but it was just on dusk.

Have a good week,

blessings,

Diana

We're coming home

Jack rang his mother and said, "we're coming home. Can we stay with you?" Mum and dad decided they didn't have room in the house without moving the current occupants around so they opted for getting a sleepout for the yard. It duly arrived and the yard went from this...

to this...

via these steps...

The sleepout was backed up the drive on a trailer...

carefully removed...

lifted with a small hydraulic crane...

and swung over the cars that were parked in the yard.

My GKB and I were on hand to watch the process

 having gone over to daughters home for a visit and a coffee. It was interesting because they had a tight space to do it in. 

Of course we were not being nosey :)

Regardless, Jack and his partner are now safely ensconced and I think everyone is happy.