Love Those Sports! ~ Tuesday 4

If you'd like to join in or see what others have to share in this weeks topic just click on the link: Tuesday 4: Love Those Sports!

Love Those Sports! ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 friends!  I am always so happy to have people come and take part.  The Olympics are taking place and  we just had the Super Bowl for American football so perhaps we can talk about sports a bit.  Thank you to Diana of  Doodles and Daydreams for suggesting sports as a subject for this week! So, let's think about sports this week...........

 1. Do you enjoy any of the sports from the Olympics either Summer or Winter? Would you tell us about it?  

I love watching the summer and winter Olympics but probably more so the summer ones. I always wanted to take part in the Olympics, swimming, but never made the grade. When my sister was picked to go in the regional coaching team as a teenager and only stuck at it for about a month I was so disappointed. I couldn't understand why she didn't make the most of the opportunity. I gave up going to Swimming Club not long after. I guess my siblings and I were quite sporty when we were young. I'm thoroughly enjoying the winter Olympics just now, especially the ski and snow boarding events.

2. What sports have you taken part in and what good did you get out of participating? If not, was there one you wish you had taken part in? Did sports help you in life?

My summer sport was swimming, I was passionate about it, Our public pool wasn't covered and so we had to wait for the warm weather before it opened and that waiting was a terrible time for me :) I played cricket one year during High School and softball one year at Primary. Marching was another summer sport I really enjoyed. I loved the discipline of the marching and taking part in competitions, and I loved our gold and royal blue uniform. Athletics was once a week but I wasn't very good at them.

During winter there were two sports for girls to choose from, as far as I knew, basketball (not to be confused with today's basketball game) or hockey. I opted for basketball. Teams were nine a side and I was a wing defence, couldn't shoot a goal if my life depended on it :) I loved that as well and it is the only winter sport I played until I left school. 

in my netball (basketball) uniform aged about 16

Once I left school I didn't play sports until I came south to live when I played basketball (today's game) for a season but I didn't enjoy it and wasn't very good. Then when I met my hubby I played darts, because he did. I was picked for our local rep team once but played so badly it wasn't funny. We were in a large warehouse in the middle of winter with no heating and I was frozen. That's my excuse anyway :)

 I loved the team sports as they gave me a sense of belonging, when you're shy you need that. But I also loved the competitiveness of the swimming, me against the rest :)

3.  Is there a sport you still engage in or one you enjoy watching a lot?

No, I don't play any sports now, although my girls keep wanting me to join a leisure marching group. I consider it :) Hubby watches sport all the time and I think you can have too much of a good thing. I've tended to stop watching a lot any more, after you've watched the darts every day for almost a year you go off it a bit :) 

4. Have you any favorite teams you cheer on? Or perhaps a favorite sports figure? How about both??

I don't really follow the local teams unless they are playing a rep game, then I'll watch if I'm home. And any of the national teams, after all we're only a small country so we've got to cheer them on. We're a very sporty little nation with some of the top teams in the world for some sports.

What's the most memorable comeback or turnaround you've ever seen in a sports game, and what made it so special?

None that I can think of off the top of my head.

************

Well It's a rotten summer's day today. I have soup simmering on the stove for tea, the rain has been bucketing down and the Silverstream at the bottom of the street is in flood. Some schools have been closed and there is some surface flooding. But I won't complain - the North Island has taken a hammering in the past fortnight, first the top half and now the bottom half and top of the South Island. We're only getting the tail end of the weather bomb.

photo courtesy Taieri Community Board

So keep well until next time,

 blessings,

Diana

Tuesday 4 - Watching TV

It's time again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 and I hope you are in the mood for it. If you'd like to take part just click on the link:  Tuesday 4

Television has become part of life for many. 

Let's talk about Television okay?

1. Do you own a TV or do you have more than one? Is it old fashioned or one of the new wide screens?

We have one. I suppose our telly would be classed as old fashioned but I'm old enough to remember rabbit ears and getting up to change channels - we only had 2. Sooo...to me ours is modern. Not wall mounted, not 54 inch or larger, just your standard sit in the unit tv. It suits us or has done, hubby has made noises a couple of times lately about getting a big one for the wall but I want a new kitchen bench top. So we're at a bit of an impasse.  :)

2. Which progams do you like to watch ?

We like quiz shows, not game shows so much. At the moment we're enjoying Tenable. Sports are on quite a bit and we're enjoying the winter Olympics just now. Good to see a local hometown girl competing too. Other than that I pick and choose, I prefer to read really.

3. Were you ever a soap opera or serial fan and if so what series or soaps were your favorite?

I enjoyed the original Forsyte Saga series way back in the day but can't get into the remake of it. Also Midsomer Murders was a favourite and we watch reruns when there's nothing else on. I enjoy Call the Midwife too but its not on just now. Currently we're watching The Piano, where amateur pianists were invited to play a piano in various railway stations in Britain. Several were selected from each venue, then one from each group was invited to play in a concert with world renowned pianist Lan Lan and singer songwriter Mika. Each one who took part was invited to the final concert which we're watching tonight. Which means we'll have to find something else we both want to watch :)

4. Is there a TV character that stands out in your mind and if so what makes them special or noteworthy? 

No, sorry.

I hope you're having a good week. We started the day off having coffee with friends from Aussie who are away to other parts tomorrow. It was great being able to catch up for an hour this morning.

Have a good day and stay well until next time.

Diana

Wal's for lunch

 Out of the blue today Bob said 'lets go to Wal's for lunch'. So we did. Although it's only a five minute walk from home we take the car as half that time is walking up a dirt path and Bob's legs are not the best. I'm not sure whether he finds the dirt path or the asphalt footpath worse but he won't walk it.

Wal's Plant & Fun Land also has a cafe attached. On the left of the picture below is the mini golf course and the Miniature railway runs around the periphery. Another great attraction for kids and adults when it's running. I remember having a ride on it myself many moons ago :)

When you come out of the cafe its straight into the tunnel house with all its young seedlings and bushes that are waiting to be planted out.

It's always nice to take stroll through and browse the plants. Sometimes we even buy something, which I suppose is the reason for this being the way to the exit. Clever marketing.

To the right of the tunnel house is a large open area with all the more mature trees, bushes and roses. It's lovely in the summer just to stroll through, though we didn't today as I was feeling the cold. There's also this old rusty tractor.

Indoor plants and accessories are in a big open barn like space at the end of the tunnel house and no choice here either but to go through it if you want to leave :)

Turn 180 degrees and you are in the gift shop. There are some lovely items and we have been known to buy the girls Xmas presents from here. The exit is halfway down the gift shop :)

As well as plants, gift shop and cafe Wal's also has mini golf, a driving range, a maze and an ice cream stall and is a popular place with families. I haven't found the maze yet, let alone found my way around it :) I wouldn't mind having a go one day though but I don't really think it's Bob's cup of tea. Maybe when sis comes over in a few weeks we'll go and do it. 

That's it for today. 

Take care until next time, 

Diana

Anniversary lunch and Sooty.

 It's our wedding anniversary today so we decided to go to a pub for lunch as opposed to going to one of the local cafes. The cafes are good if you want something light or just a cuppa and cake but we wanted a hot meal so we could forget about cooking tonight. That was my plan anyway seeing as I would most likely be the one cooking. Mitchell's where we used to go has burnt down so we thought we'd try the Waterloo just down the road from where it was. Well, we'll certainly be going back. I had roast beef and Bob had the fish meal. Medium. I wouldn't like a full sized meal, I managed this one but...

Both meals cost less than $20 each.

On the way home we decided to call in and see eldest daughter Jacqui and have a cuppa with her. That is how the next sequence of photos came about with Sooty.

As soon as I sat down Sooty, who has been 16 for about three years, decided my knee was the ideal place to sit. His backside is also on my arm so not really the best place but he was comfortable apparently.

I also had my legs crossed so he had to hold on...and his claws don't retract so no sudden moves on my part.

After a short snooze he spotted my open handbag and decided to explore the inside. Luckily nothing in there that he could harm.

No, that's not very interesting maybe I'll just use it to rest on.

Eventually he decided my lap was the best place and curled up and had a nice snooze while we drank tea and caught up on the family news.

I hope you enjoyed seeing Sooty. I haven't posted about any cats for a few years, not since my friend went into care. Her cats were the ones who made my headlines so to speak :)

That's it for this week.

With all thats happening in the world take care and keep safe until next time.

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

Tuesday 4 - We've got questions

We've Got Questions

 Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.   It's nice to have you take part.

Here are some questions for you.....

1. Where did your mother and father grow up?

Dad grew up in Nelson at the top of New Zealand's South Island where he developed a love of boats and the sea. He made his living as a commercial fisherman.

Mum grew up In Greymouth on the South Island's West Coast. They met at a dance mum attended with her sister and brother-in-law.

2. Where did you grow up?

I grew up on the West Coast in Greymouth. Loved every moment of my childhood but it was quite isolated and a lot of people, me included, moved away for work.

3. What was your favorite meal your mother made? What is your favorite recipe to make?

We lived in my grandparent's home and the meal I always enjoyed most was the Irish stew my grandmother made followed closely by a full roast, mutton, potatoes, parsnip, pumpkin and peas. I've never been able to replicate my grandmother's Irish stew and wonder if that has to do with the long stewing process on top of a coal range. I like easy cooking and love vege soup which mum was great at making.

4. What are the advantages you enjoy where you live?

Small town life. Not far to any amenities, 15 minutes into the city and 20 minutes to beach, lake, river or countryside. And the mountains are only a few hours drive away. Not everyone's cup of tea but we enjoy it.

That's it from me just now.

If you'd like to join in or read other's experiences  here's the link:

https://tuesdaysplace.blogspot.com/

blessings,

Diana

A day 'up Central'

It's been a dreary, grey summer so far, we've had the heat pump going for a couple of days now and last night I even turned the electric blanket on for a while. But on the day we decided to go 'up Central' for a day trip and to get some stone fruit fresh from the orchards it was a lovely warm blue sky day.

We decided to do the buying first as it wasn't quite lunch time when we arrived in Ettrick, the start of orchard country as far as we're concerned. We bought most of our fruit from the orchard below. It is ripening up beautifully and it's so much nicer when it's come straight from the trees, missing that cold storage stage.

We stopped at another couple of places and bought what we wanted - apricots, peaches, plums and cherries. The cherries are beautiful, juicy, sweet and full of flavour. Yum :) Once upon a time we bought enough to share with the family but for various reasons they are now able to get their own. Several families were grabbing buckets to go and pick their own cherries, we didn't. 

And then it was back to Roxborough for lunch. We managed to get a table, luckily. We had arrived just as the lunchtime rush started. It's still summer school holidays so quite a few holiday makers around. We had a 'discussion' as to where to eat as there was a new place next door but the tried and true won out and I'm pleased it did as there was a friend I hadn't seen for about a year sitting at the adjacent table. We had a short catchup as she was leaving :)

On the way home I thought the river looked lovely, on a good day it's a lovely teal colour but we were on the main highway so I didn't want to stop to take a photo. We thought we could pull in at Millers Flat across the river and take one, so that's what we did. The colour is not so deep as the clouds were staring to come over but this is a photo taken, very quickly, from the car window when we stopped on the bridge.

The bridge is a very narrow one way and as we stopped for a photoshoot a big truck pulled up at the other end. Hence the quick shot. But I like it. And we didn't want an argument with an irate truck driver :)

And this is one of a small inlet I walked to. The river was running very high and swiftly and I know they had opened the gates at the dam to release some of the water a few days earlier.

As we headed home the clouds were building up again. We've had a lot of thunderstorms this summer but these were not thunder clouds. This is about quarter an hour from home, Lake Waihola, the longest stretch in my opinion, those last few miles. 

And no trip to Central is complete without a stop for an ice cream at Milton. Very quickly eaten as they are so large they melt before you can get them finished, I got a smaller one this time - child size and it was plenty big enough.

And that's it for this week. 

Keep well and comfortable,

blessings, 

Diana