A 50th birthday

It is a beautiful warm, blue sky day today. I went for a walk earlier before it got too hot but it was already 24 F by the time I got home. After lunch I thought I'd sit outside in a nice shady spot but unfortunately the wind spoilt things so I'm back inside.

A week or so after we came out of hospital we celebrated our youngest daughter's fiftieth birthday. 

Her birthday had actually happened while we were in hospital so she decided to celebrate after we arrived home. Aaron and Sofi had also decided to come down from Auckland to visit us and so she put her party off until they arrived. She didn't want anything fancy, just dinner at home with her hubby and her brother and sister and their partners. She didn't think the kids would be interested but the boys had other ideas and turned up anyway, bearing gifts.

We went out shopping in the morning and bought her a nice present and some flowers. Jacqui and I had already wrapped a lot of silly and fun little presents for her and we bought a 50th helium balloon. One of the boys' girlfriends, baked a cake - decadent chocolate, yum. Very rich.

Vanessa had cooked a lovely roast meal and set it up as a buffet. Roast lamb and chicken with roast veges, peas and salads for those who preferred it. And new potatoes. We had fruit salad and jelly with cream and ice cream for dessert as well as the chocolate cake. At the end of the day there was enough left for us to bring some home for another meal.

And seeing as we were all together it was a good opportunity for a family photo, even if only two of the grands were there and one great grand.

It was a lovely day with the family, and we didn't have to do a thing. It does make me feel old though, knowing my baby is fifty :)

*****

As for our health, we are getting there slowly. Bob is doing remarkably well and has started doing some of the light chores around the place again. We are still waiting for a speech therapist to see him but at the moment he has a physio coming in to do exercises with him three times a week. I am starting back volunteering at the shop this week and I'm hoping I'll be cleared to drive again soon.

And that's it from me for today.

keep well,

Diana

Tunnel walk

 The North Island family have flown home again but while they were here we went for a walk through the newly opened Chain Hills Tunnel walking and cycling track on one of our sunny summer days. They've been few and far between so we make the most of them when they come about.

 I was wanting to walk through it and was thrilled when granddaughter Chloe rang to see if I wanted to join them, I didn't want to go by myself. She said 'Mum will be by to pick you up in a few minutes'. So I grabbed a quick snack for lunch, a glass of orange and then we were away.

When we arrived at the carpark the kids were already playing on the swings next to the community hall.

Once baby was in her pram we set off. Seven of us plus Sassy, the dog.

It was a couple of hundred metres further down the road to the track entrance then up a slight rise before we came to the tunnel entrance.

We hoped the lights wouldn't go off while we were inside, well I did anyway, but there were quite a few people doing the walk and I'm guessing we all pressed the button before we entered. No one wanted to be left in the dark.

It must have been a tight squeeze for a train to get through here.

No not a toilet stop just the kids playing with the stones.

Out the other end.

And a short stop before we headed back.

Baby had woken by now and wanted to walk with Mum ☺️

A short walk through a bit of bush and we were on the homeward leg.

 Eventually the tunnel track will link up with other tracks and tunnels on this side of the city to make a good long track for those who want to make a real adventure of it.

It was an enjoyable walk with family and I was away from home for just about an hour and a half so not too taxing for us older people :)

******

Take care out there. and keep safe, there are a lot of weather related disasters happening in the world, from fires and floods to severe snowstorms and land slips.

My prayers are with the people in our North Island and the families who have lost loved ones.

blessings

Diana

Church and cake.

 It's been quite a special day. 

This morning was the first service of our new church plant here on the Taieri. Our new pastor has been here for several months and there has been a lot of background work and prayers going on to get us up and running. But today we did it with a small group of just 25 plus four children. We're meeting in a school hall and it was freezing with snow on the local mountain. Some mentioned bringing cushions and a blanket next week :) But the morning tea and conversation afterwards in the staffroom was lovely and warm and I met new people which is always good.

And then of course it is Father's Day and so both the girls arrived over to see their Dad and bearing cake. 

It was great to see them and catch up with the news over tea, coffee and cake. Vanessa and her hubby have just arrived home from their holiday in Perth, Australia and so we had a fun time comparing notes on our respective holidays and travel experiences. Only the second time travelling to Aussie for Vanessa and her hubby's first time. He's a real homebody and I don't see him going again any time soon :)

We're anticipating a phone call from Aaron and Sofi this evening, it would be unusual for them to miss calling on a special occasion.

And with that I will finish.

Keep well until next time,

Diana

A day out in Devonport

We're home again and adjusting to the cooler southern weather.

We stopped over again in Auckland for a few days with Sofi and Aaron and attended church with them on Sunday. I wanted to show you the altar table, dressed by one of the Pacific Island congregations. I thought it was so pretty I had to photograph it.

On Monday we spent the day over in Devonport - drove 40 minutes to get there and didn't leave the city. We small town people aren't used to those sort of distances in the urban area :)

Devonport is a nice little village with a lot of well kept colonial style houses and I suspect, a lot of money. I tried to take some pics of the houses with their delicate iron latticework and white picket fences but the car was travelling just a little too fast.

 

After some op shopping, where some of us found stuff to buy and others decided they couldn't fit anything else in their bags we found a nice wee cafe for lunch... 

...and then decided to go and explore the Naval Museum.

Below is a model of HMNZS Otago which my brother served on and went to Mururoa Atoll with when the New Zealand and Australian governments sent ships to protest the testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific in the mid 1970s. The man in the photo is our then Prime Minister Norman Kirk who died in office a few years later.

And this is the medal awarded to all personnel taking part. The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing). My brother didn't apply for his medal but his twin sister decided it belonged in the family and applied on his behalf - and received it!

Then it was time for coffee, or tea in my case, and a chat then we went outside to play :)

Captain and crew, Bob and Aaron.

Admiring the Auckland CBD across the harbour and rainbow spotting. We guessed it had been raining where we'd come from so a good day to get away for a while.

Aaron and I 'played' chess. Well Aaron did and I pretended to. I've only ever played on the computer and that was years ago so he finished me off in about three moves, mainly because the only moves I could remember were the pawns and then I went blank 😂

Then it was time to head home and pack our bags for the trip home the next day.

And guess who was waiting to board with us? Mary Poppins! was my initial thought but then - no, it's one of the Marx brothers!

I'll do my best to catch up with some blog reading over the next few days. Have a good week. 

Diana

Eating out and other stuff

 It's a beautiful blue sky day today and so we decided to go out for lunch at a tavern a couple of suburbs nearer the city. The place we used to go to has burned down and they're not rebuilding so we need to find another 'favourite' eatery. We enjoyed being out in the sun even if it was still a bit cold. When we arrived the carpark was full, we parked outside the takeaway shop and I hoped the owner wouldn't object.

 The tavern was crowded but we managed to get a table for two. There were renovations/extensions happening next to where we were sitting but all closed off so no danger to the customers. And nothing going on today. 

We had a delicious meal but unfortunately it was very noisy, the restaurant and the bar were both full, and we couldn't hear ourselves speak. But it rounded off nicely a week of grey, cold, miserable weather. 

We didn't bother to stop for a hot drink after but left pretty much once we'd finished our meal and headed over to youngest daughter's place to have one. And to check out how they were going with setting up their new home. They have just bought their own home and are still settling in.

Sassy and Purr exploring their new back yard.

 

Theo had been visiting for the night and was waiting for Mum to pick him up so not a lot was getting done but next weekend is a holiday weekend so they're hoping to get everything finished up then.

And feijoas! There are still a lot on the tree, and yes I am over them, but they are not as prolific as they were which is a blessing. I'm managing to keep up with them :) I found a recipe for a feijoa loaf so I've made that a couple of times as I don't have any more room to freeze any. It's a nice change and will only be seasonal so that's good. I've also used the leaf rake and deposited the smaller ones in the green bin!

I think I'll finish on that note.

Keep well, keep warm 

and I'll catch up again in a few days.

Diana

Mother's Day

 Just wanting to wish all the mothers in blogland a very Happy Mother's Day.

I hope you've all had a lovely relaxed day doing things you enjoy doing with the people closest to you :)

I've had a very lazy day myself and might send my GKB Bob up the street to get curry rice rolls and chips for tea.

I've been feeling tired lately so had a long lie in and then watched our church service on line today. And after lunch both the girls visited at different times, bearing gifts :) I'm so glad they keep them simple. One gave me a nice scented bath bomb and the other a tub of slightly more expensive ice cream than I would normally buy, in a flavour I've never tried. I'm looking forward to trying it. Supper tonight probably, if I can wait that long.

Leaving you there. 

Have a wonderful week.

Keep well.

Diana

Here and there

Well the kids have been here ... and now they're there. 

 It's been quite an emotional few weeks.

And I'm feeling a little blue.

My GKB came home from hospital and the next day was Aaron's ordination. He wasn't able to attend but I went with Jacqui our eldest daughter, our youngest daughter was away visiting her grandchildren for Easter or she'd have been there too. 

Aaron and Sofi after a relaxed but suitably formal service. 

Very proud Mum and sister.

There was a nice celebratory supper put on afterwards.

Aaron called in on his way home and donned his robes so his father could have his photo taken as well which was really thoughtful of him. We appreciated that :)

A couple of days later it was time for our house group to farewell them so we had raspberry chocolate cake before we started our study that evening. Yum. Very rich though.

Then at the weekend the family wanted to have a farewell get together and as Vanessa was home from her visit we gathered at her place. Nothing formal, we had takeaways - fish n chips, Chinese and pizza so there was something for everyone. Including the wee fellow.  Followed by GF cream puffs :)

Not long after Aaron and Sofi left on their trip north to their new home and appointments in Auckland.

They crossed on the ferry on a beautiful day, after the crossings had been cancelled for three days due to stormy weather. 

Out for a meal with Chloe, Atu and the kids in Palmerston North.

They drove up and stayed with friends and family or called in for coffee and a catchup on the way.

Catching up for coffee with Andrew in Cambridge,

and spending money in his shop before they left.

Then arriving in Auckland to discover their furniture hadn't arrived and was still on the wharf in Picton. I was quite pleased to hear that's where it was as we'd seen containers toppled on the wharf in Wellington due to the winds and hoped theirs wasn't among them.

So they're camping in their new home at the moment. Luckily they'd packed their camping gear in the car in anticipation of their first night being without furniture so are coping okay for now.

So they've been here, and now they're there. Not a five minute drive away but a two hour flight. Sigh.

Hoping everyone is well and enjoying the season, whatever it is. There is always beauty to be found in our surroundings if we only look.

Until next time,

Diana

A bit of a fraught week

 Good morning folks. I'm sorry, I've been MIA the past couple of weeks. I was about to sit down and write a post on our visit to a couple of places in The Catlins when my GKB became ill and needed a doctors visit. While there he collapsed and was taken to hospital by ambulance and was quite ill for a few days. He was given several units of blood and had some investigative procedures. After a couple of days, when all seemed well and he was stable he was sent home. Three days at home and we had another ambulance ride. More blood transfusions, more procedures and some medication changes which should help but finally he is home. 

Tonight he is going to watch our son Aaron become fully ordained as a Presbyter before he heads to Auckland. Unfortunately he won't be going to the church to watch, will see it on livestream, but wants me to go in. He said one of us need to be there in person. It's such a shame as Bob is very proud of Aaron but I think he's making the right decision for himself.

Waiting with Jacqui for discharge paperwork. The kind nurse brought us all a hot drink while we waited as Bob had missed the afternoon tea trolley when it arrived. Both the girls were very good with taking me to the hospital and back, it saved the stress of finding car parks, there's never one when you need one and the hospital car park is always full. I'm very grateful to them :)

I'll leave you there. 

Have a good week.

Diana