tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43979558597670093982024-03-18T14:05:54.555+13:00doodles 'n' daydreams...random jottings on what may be happening in my life at any particular time, not necessarily anything earth shattering, just ordinary every day stuff; and photographs, mainly taken by me, my GKB and other family members as we travel through this journey called life...doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.comBlogger360125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-58388815528109556132024-03-15T19:13:00.002+13:002024-03-15T20:05:58.142+13:00Autumn is here<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> March has certainly come in like a lion, but it is the beginning of autumn here so not altogether unexpected. Further inland it is snowing but at least it is just squally showers here today. The mornings are darker too, so it is harder to wake up, and the evenings are drawing in. Time to think about putting the winter sheets on the bed.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24vOTXPfgvaCX3DosdqKy0ByfgDsya4MJfqRotVxtnhwFPVUEfZBM-RjYKeRokLGCPdMte_DQs2K9sb5ensv7Rw769LXER0R71tNlzmG65W2EEEBuuNZj1ktsvFz835TYbpl-N1EzSX6u-XTB9MTq_9vO4sNK-RrkBu9eIwz3tC1rMdnFaVpdMo0Asls/s1920/received_826107096011435.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24vOTXPfgvaCX3DosdqKy0ByfgDsya4MJfqRotVxtnhwFPVUEfZBM-RjYKeRokLGCPdMte_DQs2K9sb5ensv7Rw769LXER0R71tNlzmG65W2EEEBuuNZj1ktsvFz835TYbpl-N1EzSX6u-XTB9MTq_9vO4sNK-RrkBu9eIwz3tC1rMdnFaVpdMo0Asls/s320/received_826107096011435.jpeg" width="180" /></a><br /></div><span><div style="text-align: center;">Early morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today was gym/walk day and we had thought we would meet up with the new mother and take baby for a walk but it was too cold and blustery. Instead youngest daughter and I ended up at the gym and on the treadmill before heading over to participate in baby Theo's bath time and have cuddles. He's a good, contented baby. So Sassy missed out on her walk with me today. I also took the opportunity of delivering the baby album my GKB and I had bought for them. </span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k8RJJGrZJ4931_BTgcIrFL31kNtyZ5iXXpfs7vBPjqqdQGNT2JnUPbOpt0VyEeIe4lRrzQKJO5YcvJ_bPFSuBOgrKlzMX6afVu2Ve75lziqWWg_sN6aXr_x5Qo1NGdibk5ZWqFCiQuc2iXzFIt_QZkpygekttI-maR7_MflT5gxAd8tVj8IMG7qsYm0/s4000/20240315_122131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k8RJJGrZJ4931_BTgcIrFL31kNtyZ5iXXpfs7vBPjqqdQGNT2JnUPbOpt0VyEeIe4lRrzQKJO5YcvJ_bPFSuBOgrKlzMX6afVu2Ve75lziqWWg_sN6aXr_x5Qo1NGdibk5ZWqFCiQuc2iXzFIt_QZkpygekttI-maR7_MflT5gxAd8tVj8IMG7qsYm0/s320/20240315_122131.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxb0vVfmfLcoy4Q51RYGE3WB6ovs3emICpV44UrhqKhZ7AAOmXtsyzIS-ZxwAx_o_j6OfDDhqCH8Yd6SRJWK8y5b-aLp-EULd1wfxJNomW-BgXQXCKOkK0Z9n8U40o3G6ZeKu6OxoxgUElvDE_I4IsnR20fQBSxrf3rpvEwa7i5Sgl7aHWpNG91p5LCI/s4000/20240313_143614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxb0vVfmfLcoy4Q51RYGE3WB6ovs3emICpV44UrhqKhZ7AAOmXtsyzIS-ZxwAx_o_j6OfDDhqCH8Yd6SRJWK8y5b-aLp-EULd1wfxJNomW-BgXQXCKOkK0Z9n8U40o3G6ZeKu6OxoxgUElvDE_I4IsnR20fQBSxrf3rpvEwa7i5Sgl7aHWpNG91p5LCI/s320/20240313_143614.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the end of last year I joined a small collective where for $7-50 I can get a small bag of vegetables that last us for 2 weeks. You're informed of what's in the bags before you order, there is not an option but I don't mind as we like most veges, and if you don't like the selection there's no need to order. This week we received potatoes, onions broccoli, marrow and a cabbage. No root veges this time but no matter, I already had some in the fridge. There's also the option of buying a meat pack, and extra vegetables if you want. And you can opt in and out as you want so you don't have to buy every week if it doesn't suit. A good deal I think.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And apart from that it has been a quiet week. I haven't been out much as my hearing aids are playing up and it's not much fun when you can't hear what people are saying and can't hold a conversation. But hopefully next week will be better - I've had an appointment with the audiologist and she has hopefully fixed the problem :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So not much to share.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until next time look after yourselves,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p></div>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-45879046275066518092024-03-08T13:14:00.002+13:002024-03-08T15:17:36.083+13:00Celebrations<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It's been a week of celebrations for our family.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Friday we had a visit from middle Granddaughter and her new fiancee. They came around especially to tell us they had just become engaged. She is a lovely thoughtful girl and he is an outgoing and caring man and I think they are well matched. We're very happy for them. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c1mClZddrETp4VetXsyrweE89ftI5trlMxCdqGPHLYnkPYzKRcvLaSqOu3hnavbEwZoatPH1RB287jta-YYWm2WAY1CkKjmyvZRDVQjspwE46Mn3PFkOhAjfsX8gVfr3ihkKa6LfqbgNc5gyslh2sYVG8CkB6YmUxxwdKV-xlOHdcK7v8gDddZSZxAQ/s4000/20240301_172949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1c1mClZddrETp4VetXsyrweE89ftI5trlMxCdqGPHLYnkPYzKRcvLaSqOu3hnavbEwZoatPH1RB287jta-YYWm2WAY1CkKjmyvZRDVQjspwE46Mn3PFkOhAjfsX8gVfr3ihkKa6LfqbgNc5gyslh2sYVG8CkB6YmUxxwdKV-xlOHdcK7v8gDddZSZxAQ/s320/20240301_172949.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On Saturday my daughters took me out and bought me a 'decent' pair of walking shoes for my birthday. All the kids contributed. Asics. They've taken a bit of getting used to, and I think I look like I'm wearing Daisy Duck shoes, but they're really comfortable. Just as well for the price :) That evening we went to number one son's home for a lovely birthday dinner. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKkqMFvZemhP9w8fe81PIWvPctYg2BSDRjXtPNd2W-kJzvlPFpkh5wTNlbPVPUkY4JA3t4Ha6idFdm2Ug3x_jFUQmsHW9wYeR1y7mkmgkqgBKXrGWQgnl5-XOE3DqsqRAfZUYfpNdlNVGymg9lindAnR6wC67JX1r58Ojltz5vSVtZqAaKXh4R1aWusY/s4000/20240304_100856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKkqMFvZemhP9w8fe81PIWvPctYg2BSDRjXtPNd2W-kJzvlPFpkh5wTNlbPVPUkY4JA3t4Ha6idFdm2Ug3x_jFUQmsHW9wYeR1y7mkmgkqgBKXrGWQgnl5-XOE3DqsqRAfZUYfpNdlNVGymg9lindAnR6wC67JX1r58Ojltz5vSVtZqAaKXh4R1aWusY/s320/20240304_100856.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And a couple of days later we welcomed a new addition to the family. Theo was expected to arrive on my birthday but he had other ideas. He wanted his own day :) He is our grandson's son and our fourth great grandchild. He is well loved :)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1R_ZTtFWzkRY8CePKfm0RdlB5lowxo2wnKk_0McGPYtjIvzkgId7494lPkkFE14N7pSQDqcvcGlYqZRLFxlEVWjH-B8XVF8eyKzuylJ-OAAWy7jnDSmil3hkD921O1AIOdY50UECMCPF1OdsSqbLLufIvhudU0cosBUaFNNxNKFn9zK0sJagbWHYigY/s1000/received_769184365103867.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1R_ZTtFWzkRY8CePKfm0RdlB5lowxo2wnKk_0McGPYtjIvzkgId7494lPkkFE14N7pSQDqcvcGlYqZRLFxlEVWjH-B8XVF8eyKzuylJ-OAAWy7jnDSmil3hkD921O1AIOdY50UECMCPF1OdsSqbLLufIvhudU0cosBUaFNNxNKFn9zK0sJagbWHYigY/s320/received_769184365103867.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will leave you there and try and have a catch up with everyone as the day goes on.</span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy your week, keep well, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></span></div>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-9894280935551337012024-03-03T16:35:00.000+13:002024-03-03T16:35:20.487+13:00Round up of the past week <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's been a busy week. Monday was just the normal round of housework and making sure I had everything ready for the Aglow meeting on Tuesday night.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tuesday I spent a bit of time finding last minute substitutes for people who couldn't get to the meeting after all, for various reasons, so couldn't help as had been planned. But it all worked out well and we had a great meeting. People are pretty good at filling in on the night anyway but it's nice to have things organised.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJcu77-JHUdEHRmNUj9qZkV_QzQIMGHpH0-so-9Q_-QKxcqGePZfXonsbfPojsUk2oxZCr6Frd3KqT8CvKf731uBlqnYs07x9eSb6209Q1rQY3X-B5vhRux4LgrnKLF7TvUltic4zKIW9NcYx2IElawJejjB9OcOmbewlHl0KCurYeLmwEAP5aa41-WE/s2957/20220726_143133%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2782" data-original-width="2957" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJcu77-JHUdEHRmNUj9qZkV_QzQIMGHpH0-so-9Q_-QKxcqGePZfXonsbfPojsUk2oxZCr6Frd3KqT8CvKf731uBlqnYs07x9eSb6209Q1rQY3X-B5vhRux4LgrnKLF7TvUltic4zKIW9NcYx2IElawJejjB9OcOmbewlHl0KCurYeLmwEAP5aa41-WE/s320/20220726_143133%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday is my half day in the local Christian bookshop where I volunteer. We have people come in for all sorts of reasons, some want prayer, some want to drop off a prayer request and others just want a chat. Some even buy books or gifts! :) It's a nice wee shop, selling a great range of goods from books and clothing to cards and gifts.</span></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk1TtwK2bKCALlJmpc_BpMwHzJZr2NlT4KSY86rmlbKjZiel1y4O8TznIj6sebF6E14UwYH0Q0skTzdlbJt-5zn7qau5jEN4QbNYGZIGqNCjhtyAOu9xaBeXGEC5WVeNMzG5y-WUaHXiN3ofxa0v5Q9TNf-TLDppM8MzEClOn2Ey0Cr07biGp7Y1Q3lk/s4000/20231108_131131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk1TtwK2bKCALlJmpc_BpMwHzJZr2NlT4KSY86rmlbKjZiel1y4O8TznIj6sebF6E14UwYH0Q0skTzdlbJt-5zn7qau5jEN4QbNYGZIGqNCjhtyAOu9xaBeXGEC5WVeNMzG5y-WUaHXiN3ofxa0v5Q9TNf-TLDppM8MzEClOn2Ey0Cr07biGp7Y1Q3lk/s320/20231108_131131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday saw me up with the larks - before 6am - so I could be over at my friends house for a 7:45am start on our trip south. I don't like to rush in the mornings. We were headed to Gore, which is a couple of hours drive away, for a combined Aglows board meeting. People come from all over the south of the south and it's good to have a catch up with those we haven't seen for a while and to meet the new board members.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlzMg5IGmEt9B9xryGSGVB4cv2iqEI2FfkFoeL5qCL6k8QSj8kZzmlw3MOsgII7A_ydeKgcIEu7E8NUKYAuHztGBmALMAy-9nafxeME7GsnsOynZmFzJOm2VpQfw7un9NeU9H0vMnKTrmtgsNlNDUTbwxXe9C5aXjFCURq_AOtg2xy7aHZu4371zkdTw/s4000/20240229_072751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlzMg5IGmEt9B9xryGSGVB4cv2iqEI2FfkFoeL5qCL6k8QSj8kZzmlw3MOsgII7A_ydeKgcIEu7E8NUKYAuHztGBmALMAy-9nafxeME7GsnsOynZmFzJOm2VpQfw7un9NeU9H0vMnKTrmtgsNlNDUTbwxXe9C5aXjFCURq_AOtg2xy7aHZu4371zkdTw/s320/20240229_072751.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Below is a picture of the back garden of the house we met at, a great space for relaxing and chatting over a hot or cold drink. The lady of the house said the garden didn't look too good this year - I wish my garden didn't look this too good :) We arrived home about tea time and I was pleased to see my bed on Thursday night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRibVZcX5nt7B3klv-xA-O8DLmm0v_B0J6KD8l5pEAKCTYXEL-vwn4iQ0A6QbUfIdpn4_MVBnb4yC_NTyso-yw9i3epQ7sg6lDVptG6D-wKJzqnw1_jvJuY7c9kUgRV11Q4T92NNpmT15JtsHuh3UpjOeIK0N-5H1nNoNprKDeWJAo4PbxfxP7MAjebU/s4000/20240229_130239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRibVZcX5nt7B3klv-xA-O8DLmm0v_B0J6KD8l5pEAKCTYXEL-vwn4iQ0A6QbUfIdpn4_MVBnb4yC_NTyso-yw9i3epQ7sg6lDVptG6D-wKJzqnw1_jvJuY7c9kUgRV11Q4T92NNpmT15JtsHuh3UpjOeIK0N-5H1nNoNprKDeWJAo4PbxfxP7MAjebU/s320/20240229_130239.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friday was walk the dog day again. Sassy was really excited to see me as the last few times I've been over we've been out walking. Today we went over to John Wilson Drive. which has the beach on one side and the golf course on the other.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfqCthCW6y8-Y7fqtAktxbnEYbKMHiMP2hOPVlIaKwJvcsfm3V9V0Moe72KyEBn3AQZnC1AT8_8Ea__rhGtnHF6CbaTVhDXKrzZnJ8GkceXD556CXRrj7BaGBPXGp2yLDFCJK-k029xnu5re_Fit-u2qWtyb5eD3bdTGGOtFNG6ryVt7FmbfGoUPFU40/s4000/20240301_110553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfqCthCW6y8-Y7fqtAktxbnEYbKMHiMP2hOPVlIaKwJvcsfm3V9V0Moe72KyEBn3AQZnC1AT8_8Ea__rhGtnHF6CbaTVhDXKrzZnJ8GkceXD556CXRrj7BaGBPXGp2yLDFCJK-k029xnu5re_Fit-u2qWtyb5eD3bdTGGOtFNG6ryVt7FmbfGoUPFU40/s320/20240301_110553.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">All dogs have to be on a leash as it is baby sea lion season and some of the mothers have taken their pups over to the bushes by the golf course to keep them safe from any bull sea lions. They stay well hidden usually but sometimes come out and sunbathe on the road or on the course. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And no, Sass is not pooping, just wondering why Granma has to take a photo of her - again :) she's got better things to do.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KP60BYUHL0gWe5AY0TooKvOMbLKkCiLW_vL8uvq0BkXOkSZFgRo1Pfo4n33XuY0bfDdqfa8X5_5XV54kXQz7acauegUG-kMribE_gXBLcYHN0AZSr_QzYLyWvb94rmoskBVB1nOcF2Fdz5hlvXUQ7GPQXJKwOSmZR5ekfu2m4gUwzcelrV6ImjMs3xw/s3000/20240302_153700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="3000" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KP60BYUHL0gWe5AY0TooKvOMbLKkCiLW_vL8uvq0BkXOkSZFgRo1Pfo4n33XuY0bfDdqfa8X5_5XV54kXQz7acauegUG-kMribE_gXBLcYHN0AZSr_QzYLyWvb94rmoskBVB1nOcF2Fdz5hlvXUQ7GPQXJKwOSmZR5ekfu2m4gUwzcelrV6ImjMs3xw/s320/20240302_153700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This pic is just for fun. I love the mural above the centre shops.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is an optometrist on one side and a cookie shop on the other.</span></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-49337133718971314072024-02-23T16:39:00.002+13:002024-02-24T11:00:16.862+13:00A party in the park.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last Sunday afternoon my GKB and I went over to The Party in the Park. It was being held at a new venue this year, which is about half a kilometre from home. Very handy :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIT1rOyNNpbDZPaHWTJgTHA157-wVEj1qlW44yOVcIyRuYNYgsc4o6IKpfRUZ4KcTrJJpIj2HS3CKhgCjVu2Ih_AYEpRM36Jh4BK2guB5gjttl12gci5b3wIeGN0bbi3mancEF1Vh369c8McMYD-N0acBJzaxRfC_1miRAQ912fDvnOnok3sE_OQooDMM/s4000/20240218_132204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIT1rOyNNpbDZPaHWTJgTHA157-wVEj1qlW44yOVcIyRuYNYgsc4o6IKpfRUZ4KcTrJJpIj2HS3CKhgCjVu2Ih_AYEpRM36Jh4BK2guB5gjttl12gci5b3wIeGN0bbi3mancEF1Vh369c8McMYD-N0acBJzaxRfC_1miRAQ912fDvnOnok3sE_OQooDMM/s320/20240218_132204.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is an annual event aimed at families and always well attended, but of course was interrupted by covid for a year or two but finally able to be held again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKpcfUIbPvuXlEJumAm3R1URiXPapS_vleuqH0RO48fUd1iktrQ7HAA7ac7cnZh_NDwxPfagPyTQ-AhYxhyphenhyphenl44xFe1uSH0kVFWkvPI_WWCu_-30MZqmaYx3AmwD7_Tjrql8HuPcH7_8DsmrmTRxFSJAAQwHLC3nsIDgC7t9aMejnTyovzAm8fmTEdHk4/s4000/20240218_132552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKpcfUIbPvuXlEJumAm3R1URiXPapS_vleuqH0RO48fUd1iktrQ7HAA7ac7cnZh_NDwxPfagPyTQ-AhYxhyphenhyphenl44xFe1uSH0kVFWkvPI_WWCu_-30MZqmaYx3AmwD7_Tjrql8HuPcH7_8DsmrmTRxFSJAAQwHLC3nsIDgC7t9aMejnTyovzAm8fmTEdHk4/s320/20240218_132552.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It was a hot, hot day, over 30C and we only stayed about half an hour. Most people were trying to stay out of the sun by keeping to the stalls, under the trees or under the shade sails that were scattered round about. It would have been nice to have had a water sprayer or two for people to walk through :) But these are not normal temperatures for our part of the world and so no-one would have anticipated how hot it would be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthj4wMuyn2W9eEMEv_Fr8pF27_QSKkzsMv7atGqC_8myWIyJzV7LqgS-EZxqOcdl_Ts8IhKDE-rkaexWd7X7iTYYQQZH3zSSZajk293keqabMVduRYgIp05fEvQzfSuAG5CPqIu3psdrO2nfR9aus5GwetReb0tr6SpeyrUv56wWgms3iQoUeFztcmCQ/s3000/20240218_133404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2343" data-original-width="3000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthj4wMuyn2W9eEMEv_Fr8pF27_QSKkzsMv7atGqC_8myWIyJzV7LqgS-EZxqOcdl_Ts8IhKDE-rkaexWd7X7iTYYQQZH3zSSZajk293keqabMVduRYgIp05fEvQzfSuAG5CPqIu3psdrO2nfR9aus5GwetReb0tr6SpeyrUv56wWgms3iQoUeFztcmCQ/s320/20240218_133404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No one was taking advantage of the chairs in front of the sound stage but plenty of people under the trees to the side. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were all the usual types of craft stalls and food and drink trucks as well as service clubs advertising.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvvlVw1mMHU4kgGwChuKmENRqKAbN-BbNaZNdUGw_XAyb8mEgyunR2pxChB09jYSMfoyUnC58LZYmRh76Wz_Fcxr1FBmbSs6YTWuU7jrxtKtJ2k4y1A0kzXWVd0Mjf_OgntEFxQmRZssPU7ezqomFgVUPu6_5Aa4ewV8NgQtzNP0a8MB3vVuyHPQzJ6E/s3000/20240218_133759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2515" data-original-width="3000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvvlVw1mMHU4kgGwChuKmENRqKAbN-BbNaZNdUGw_XAyb8mEgyunR2pxChB09jYSMfoyUnC58LZYmRh76Wz_Fcxr1FBmbSs6YTWuU7jrxtKtJ2k4y1A0kzXWVd0Mjf_OgntEFxQmRZssPU7ezqomFgVUPu6_5Aa4ewV8NgQtzNP0a8MB3vVuyHPQzJ6E/s320/20240218_133759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> There were bouncy castles and other fun activities for the kids including rides on the miniature railway. I was pleased I didn't have any little kids to contend with, I didn't envy those parents who had wee ones out in that heat all afternoon</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH64AgZaMaZTCwmYdJi_596FkicppkH59P6c03Tqz_F68s4QQoxrQ0CtFDqGcUZMQ340Zo5HpZh_eFDmOmoEhPTZH7Y45zpEkvty9uRIrMtKVy37L5M_Ah4T_jb56Spk9khDLblc-suAqOyZLirDsP3aWpgSN0Qr-esXfyEl_48labhQH7P-z2DDzTY2w/s4000/20240218_134132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH64AgZaMaZTCwmYdJi_596FkicppkH59P6c03Tqz_F68s4QQoxrQ0CtFDqGcUZMQ340Zo5HpZh_eFDmOmoEhPTZH7Y45zpEkvty9uRIrMtKVy37L5M_Ah4T_jb56Spk9khDLblc-suAqOyZLirDsP3aWpgSN0Qr-esXfyEl_48labhQH7P-z2DDzTY2w/s320/20240218_134132.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvbOm_xomWhwLzvDesnzjIhxNUy5iUMjXi0YSoYDskxOSbdO_dDhy691MkuBJdR7_QiZBZ1CBTLH9OHnD_jb9zSYa_kwjSywY2-RxVU9OqXG9TB_0vV6VINdwIXwSUcXgqMh5R2DTyI5UN4PBLUSxi3mbCSH7KvnvsZBt9Iaj3H0kygaPQmO43rhxHSM/s3385/20240218_134033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3385" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvbOm_xomWhwLzvDesnzjIhxNUy5iUMjXi0YSoYDskxOSbdO_dDhy691MkuBJdR7_QiZBZ1CBTLH9OHnD_jb9zSYa_kwjSywY2-RxVU9OqXG9TB_0vV6VINdwIXwSUcXgqMh5R2DTyI5UN4PBLUSxi3mbCSH7KvnvsZBt9Iaj3H0kygaPQmO43rhxHSM/s320/20240218_134033.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Because of the heat we didn't stay long, I think I'll take an umbrella as a sun shade another time, my hat was hot and uncomfortable and I was pleased to take it off when we got home. There is a cafe at the venue but it was full or we would have gone in for a cool drink. But still, I'm not complaining, it was an afternoon out doing something different.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA8dfSKmtR7INFHjTxF5icHR0zb4BTR0UVhD3_bhumvVkOMpgnBBYRytqxsR9WzT1Z0bavh_D8UTNIp_PD9EWAlOHRQpe-eAhj_T7m5DSxVMg6VwX-c7nB51mLpged5HdXKnkCbU9-0NUOWOmnDWj4Ch2WnsjnWg-g5lWney4fjnsgCRyUR_nd0YaI_w/s4000/20240218_132704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA8dfSKmtR7INFHjTxF5icHR0zb4BTR0UVhD3_bhumvVkOMpgnBBYRytqxsR9WzT1Z0bavh_D8UTNIp_PD9EWAlOHRQpe-eAhj_T7m5DSxVMg6VwX-c7nB51mLpged5HdXKnkCbU9-0NUOWOmnDWj4Ch2WnsjnWg-g5lWney4fjnsgCRyUR_nd0YaI_w/s320/20240218_132704.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">That's all for today. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Look after yourselves until next time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Diana</span></i></b><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-79037748127687120652024-02-17T12:11:00.003+13:002024-02-17T15:06:13.724+13:00Morning walk with Sassy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Friday mornings are supposed to be reserved for youngest daughter and I to go to the gym. I say supposed to be because it doesn't always happen. Sometimes we go for a walk instead around the area she lives in. I enjoy that because it makes a change from my usual scenery and we take Sassy with us. Sometimes we don't make it at all.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZ9FdGUJcOTtgjEHi2hvhr-bRy8diZ4qKqAZ-Mg8y3Yi3ENrjlpyQB9Q-STyiLEnXHH6-ByDN2H-DcehtCODeuQVg5IUhOx_NO7r5vuqai6-5gOfTUzcNv-M-bhPyT247WSEhR0HZEhoQgZYuv6g3o9MrXIyrDJGE4Is1DEpWBjJ7W_uA3u68-DqHFNM/s3156/20240216_112930~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3156" data-original-width="2478" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZ9FdGUJcOTtgjEHi2hvhr-bRy8diZ4qKqAZ-Mg8y3Yi3ENrjlpyQB9Q-STyiLEnXHH6-ByDN2H-DcehtCODeuQVg5IUhOx_NO7r5vuqai6-5gOfTUzcNv-M-bhPyT247WSEhR0HZEhoQgZYuv6g3o9MrXIyrDJGE4Is1DEpWBjJ7W_uA3u68-DqHFNM/s320/20240216_112930~2.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">In deference to me daughter drives us down the hill and we start lower down. We walk further downhill for a few more minutes until we come to town.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZS2Xds8U17zcUuXimAmGUQ75LQHq_9bO8SDEgf5QqRM6k2zK3Wbood2S0zZsKZYAZY4OZ1B7SPr9jp3hmvH8s_ObLeR-enq6pH03mE61vOGEstDVK7lZAwkAf_kxWzf4T_l2UmVpli0pgfVuv8o-N3bFMPh-HY2KgCZ4p9dKHacn8wvXWRY4hKJRulI/s3000/20240216_112922~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2900" data-original-width="3000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZS2Xds8U17zcUuXimAmGUQ75LQHq_9bO8SDEgf5QqRM6k2zK3Wbood2S0zZsKZYAZY4OZ1B7SPr9jp3hmvH8s_ObLeR-enq6pH03mE61vOGEstDVK7lZAwkAf_kxWzf4T_l2UmVpli0pgfVuv8o-N3bFMPh-HY2KgCZ4p9dKHacn8wvXWRY4hKJRulI/s320/20240216_112922~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keep going past the gym.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIkrXOPGC59Cm30R-k26A6nWXj-2B92Ea2uynQHtuLNqKrOlVfTCgr-Ve3C1oxhTFpdNql9JTm4_z5ElIeyTILZGTTe3zpu7aLy1RmWwkmTsLTTQ2iANFpwEDv3je3466unGixfSEt6-wEg8A39I6QqPyN0RMU2oT2BIsj5lBvIhbV23P9JjohLQzBSU/s2665/20240216_113345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2063" data-original-width="2665" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIkrXOPGC59Cm30R-k26A6nWXj-2B92Ea2uynQHtuLNqKrOlVfTCgr-Ve3C1oxhTFpdNql9JTm4_z5ElIeyTILZGTTe3zpu7aLy1RmWwkmTsLTTQ2iANFpwEDv3je3466unGixfSEt6-wEg8A39I6QqPyN0RMU2oT2BIsj5lBvIhbV23P9JjohLQzBSU/s320/20240216_113345.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's much nicer being outside on a day like this.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then daughter says "do you want to keep going up there or go through the tunnel?" "Through the tunnel" says I.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So we walk on a little way, turn right and cross the bridge...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuW-bq74LxFy3Ly8DtcFya7hbhkj4U6guMPorXeIjAys19TKHcG6Fk5YdTC4PcsInzQS534GfA7BdGDoRyCrIvMyfJ8Oj9-JVaU9EQ3Lok5dRp-e-aP-no7yPfAfu2lUfHfWFzg7bN2d2Bx5HNiKqaD9ZALef3CLMZpw2rtnzzcxhC0aAM_jEGqCCfVg/s4000/20240216_113500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuW-bq74LxFy3Ly8DtcFya7hbhkj4U6guMPorXeIjAys19TKHcG6Fk5YdTC4PcsInzQS534GfA7BdGDoRyCrIvMyfJ8Oj9-JVaU9EQ3Lok5dRp-e-aP-no7yPfAfu2lUfHfWFzg7bN2d2Bx5HNiKqaD9ZALef3CLMZpw2rtnzzcxhC0aAM_jEGqCCfVg/s320/20240216_113500.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">...go under another one and enter the tunnel.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSPpBk9jHtU7b_4080pcK-VMBxb_kybmx2fmcxZyCqamc8FPsfQX6Elm09UYRFcGCUJLovKJ2O8vRS4CXthG7vckAiJ1Yo1GBR78_JS_GKhWtuduTRSnOh4JTOOHVqBj5ylbhsTWPvTV3X-GUfDhOUyZO3AI-_7Urzb0I3r4bCOHiTVEZ-aeOQjaqNwQ/s4000/20240216_113621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSPpBk9jHtU7b_4080pcK-VMBxb_kybmx2fmcxZyCqamc8FPsfQX6Elm09UYRFcGCUJLovKJ2O8vRS4CXthG7vckAiJ1Yo1GBR78_JS_GKhWtuduTRSnOh4JTOOHVqBj5ylbhsTWPvTV3X-GUfDhOUyZO3AI-_7Urzb0I3r4bCOHiTVEZ-aeOQjaqNwQ/s320/20240216_113621.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were some really rather nice murals painted on the walls but I never got a photo as it was too dim. Once through we're back in the sun and heading back towards the car.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmvhAPMVbO7afsLv9Vdhmg-QKHYWSVUFd-185nIDCvaIPPLufkQPa5dbhL-08yho4quxROHjTjMJXdq4MLuEy_4pUHzIkV-ja-R0VaPiuTZSH5w76Vw3ZtsgUj4xkySQmRz8yFgDJbpyvPkY_zF4DjTTrppxI-VmUOB8kJz0tXnlXiI8F8lsYgb0UV5c/s4000/20240216_114946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmvhAPMVbO7afsLv9Vdhmg-QKHYWSVUFd-185nIDCvaIPPLufkQPa5dbhL-08yho4quxROHjTjMJXdq4MLuEy_4pUHzIkV-ja-R0VaPiuTZSH5w76Vw3ZtsgUj4xkySQmRz8yFgDJbpyvPkY_zF4DjTTrppxI-VmUOB8kJz0tXnlXiI8F8lsYgb0UV5c/s320/20240216_114946.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">From the tunnel to the car is a slight rise and I had to have a rest about halfway - I'm not as fit as I once was :) Of course when you have your four legged friend with you there is a lot of stopping to smell the ... flowers :) and we did a bit of that.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once back at the house it was time for a drink and a catchup on family news. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I always enjoy Friday mornings with my daughter.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a great weekend</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></span></p>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-20477856121127519462024-02-11T17:25:00.001+13:002024-02-11T17:29:27.898+13:00New beginnings <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It has been quite a busy weekend after a slow week. And it could have been busier but I chose to forgo the working bee. Instead I baked a fruit loaf to take out with me on Saturday evening.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ggSSQM1EFjpJRUDrmTf03u7TjXhknR3Iwennx4_26KFOBHmhuecEK7YkydyTet10iWZhhyphenhyphenBFtFmwDiVkkZkKG8zXdbR7_vl1cf1plUTXc9eop6xwtg13JTeawURUixjZUMPR3Z-KH6kpOBGG0aOfcB3ydc7XV-hRNODweHU19bkJFiNdjIvQ3sBtL1M/s4000/20240210_193222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ggSSQM1EFjpJRUDrmTf03u7TjXhknR3Iwennx4_26KFOBHmhuecEK7YkydyTet10iWZhhyphenhyphenBFtFmwDiVkkZkKG8zXdbR7_vl1cf1plUTXc9eop6xwtg13JTeawURUixjZUMPR3Z-KH6kpOBGG0aOfcB3ydc7XV-hRNODweHU19bkJFiNdjIvQ3sBtL1M/s320/20240210_193222.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday evening two of the young people from my study group celebrated their engagement with a shared meal followed by a ceilidh. An open invitation was issued at church and instead of taking a gift we were asked to take a favourite family dish, savoury or dessert, to share and to include the recipe. There was a great variety of dishes as we have a great mix of ethnicities among us. Son suggested I take the fruit loaf I used to send him while he was at bible college so I did as I was told.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6412RbzL6NisWBRzUnaHJim1GyoDOSpVESh4Sf8WC2EwTS3AOvYsDFVMAzW7BGEdRQ2ZyClKrvLMj2Gq2Jb9Yc8vIN0o3q6R4O08rcxNJFDiCMEzU-25FP85tg2ZRXN_hhGPtTt0uXKGxwX766EYVrUTF4o9fsy8bg4F6ksBKXp-TD56TtC_oqqi3VfE/s4000/20240210_192525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6412RbzL6NisWBRzUnaHJim1GyoDOSpVESh4Sf8WC2EwTS3AOvYsDFVMAzW7BGEdRQ2ZyClKrvLMj2Gq2Jb9Yc8vIN0o3q6R4O08rcxNJFDiCMEzU-25FP85tg2ZRXN_hhGPtTt0uXKGxwX766EYVrUTF4o9fsy8bg4F6ksBKXp-TD56TtC_oqqi3VfE/s320/20240210_192525.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">For those who are not familiar with ceilidh it involves music, singing and dancing. Scottish or Irish dancing. Quite enthusiastic dancing at times. It was a lot of fun, even though it was the first time for most of us. We had a very good instructor in the wee girl who had just become engaged and her fiance played the fiddle. I joined the circular dancing which didn't require a partner but once we were told to pair up I decided to sit them out. I thought some of the younger people might be a bit too enthusiastic for me and I didn't want to end up on the floor! There's a bit of whirling and twirling that goes into it :) And so for that young couple we celebrated their new beginning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The second new beginning was for our church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqAiv9TuvIjrseXlXEkSMYtgLneDWIsQdnCwXVZ5ZCBWo8wajZeDivHaIvgTvG-VhyYwSRy6m_JKfrYduiEkW9nHOyiMlu3ju8GPeHH2NttOMlIMdXFKzl3rok6InrXb1UIGMoXkl8aWNBQE6KLQWuxSQBWcj_TD3FFoBTZNbjHqKH4P649TuXXHSqGc/s4000/20240204_120930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqAiv9TuvIjrseXlXEkSMYtgLneDWIsQdnCwXVZ5ZCBWo8wajZeDivHaIvgTvG-VhyYwSRy6m_JKfrYduiEkW9nHOyiMlu3ju8GPeHH2NttOMlIMdXFKzl3rok6InrXb1UIGMoXkl8aWNBQE6KLQWuxSQBWcj_TD3FFoBTZNbjHqKH4P649TuXXHSqGc/s320/20240204_120930.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the rugby clubrooms</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillTL4qhH_uaakhhBkUHaMC1uKo6siER0-BcecatY15QRhG5JfQUVRMmPsEu2x-n5GtsA1Xw9Y-vyNeMEc-yfiaQWpJze72x-lAUeri6l2sCOiE4HuspQjWqRJfQuy6jl_ILnmn9n7yGcObxS69Xq9aSj2PW27iPxQK77i8Ucgmc5Kil9PsrEibc_sLiw/s4000/20240204_113324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillTL4qhH_uaakhhBkUHaMC1uKo6siER0-BcecatY15QRhG5JfQUVRMmPsEu2x-n5GtsA1Xw9Y-vyNeMEc-yfiaQWpJze72x-lAUeri6l2sCOiE4HuspQjWqRJfQuy6jl_ILnmn9n7yGcObxS69Xq9aSj2PW27iPxQK77i8Ucgmc5Kil9PsrEibc_sLiw/s320/20240204_113324.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We finally moved into our own building after five years of worshipping in borrowed buildings, two years in another church building and the last 3 in one of the city's football (rugby) rooms. Today was a really joyful occasion in that we were not only in our own premises but we celebrated the birthday of our eldest parishioner - 95 tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBrXTMOjcNydZsiCc3t39VUKiPPKAZLf6DopMWYeQh5jwK-EGAviOXMV3_ub1LdZSUqrF0MN7TY1dxfCgJJvZH9U5X5YKwP1FhJ-oDCZumNuOYmtVU8eDfvQzNhyphenhyphenBx4TPxQA_1Ofmnorcjjea9a19iRxXQ4qs4rozN32FrQvO5i3XMUOfKScUJXSnywM/s4000/20240211_115414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBrXTMOjcNydZsiCc3t39VUKiPPKAZLf6DopMWYeQh5jwK-EGAviOXMV3_ub1LdZSUqrF0MN7TY1dxfCgJJvZH9U5X5YKwP1FhJ-oDCZumNuOYmtVU8eDfvQzNhyphenhyphenBx4TPxQA_1Ofmnorcjjea9a19iRxXQ4qs4rozN32FrQvO5i3XMUOfKScUJXSnywM/s320/20240211_115414.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The rugby club were gracious enough to let us borrow some of their chairs until we get our own as there is not enough seating with just the pews. There was a working bee on Saturday morning to get everything ready, the one I decided not to go to :)</p><p style="text-align: center;">I think it will take a little bit of getting used to being back in a formal church setting but it is lovely to know we have a permanent home.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">That's it today.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Have a wonderful week</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Diana</span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></i></b></div><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></i></b><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-19055995476000000432024-02-02T15:53:00.003+13:002024-02-02T15:55:28.033+13:00Lunch at The Village Green<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We slept in this morning! By the time we had finished breakfast and done our morning chores it was midday. The morning was dark and wet, which probably explains it. By early afternoon it was really quite dark and we put the lights on to make lunch and they're still on. It has been very wet and squally this afternoon and my GKB says hail is expected.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLW7ROPiF4ljQ7uk9cm1WDzRvzm4uwAFrodUWYrkOYykt755KLAbC-bn-SMK5K91fLFA8VZ7PSDpzJki2jrAM0tknJIeRPAG8YQAmVYrcWzjM38WHqfBzUK4V_hfZ40_Qok0vOVtW9TmSxLIG4d4serpZ4cn0jab_RiJOVJ8odj1DrbGJWGNpW2Wx5M0/s2805/20240130_130823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2805" data-original-width="2637" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLW7ROPiF4ljQ7uk9cm1WDzRvzm4uwAFrodUWYrkOYykt755KLAbC-bn-SMK5K91fLFA8VZ7PSDpzJki2jrAM0tknJIeRPAG8YQAmVYrcWzjM38WHqfBzUK4V_hfZ40_Qok0vOVtW9TmSxLIG4d4serpZ4cn0jab_RiJOVJ8odj1DrbGJWGNpW2Wx5M0/s320/20240130_130823.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But it hasn't been like this all week, we had blue skies and warm temperatures earlier on. We also celebrated our 53rd wedding anniversary with lunch out at a nice wee cafe called The Village Green at the nearby soccer grounds. It doesn't look much in the photo but once you find your way in it is rather nice inside. The entrance is at the front of the pavillion, (not up the steps) through the door, down the corridor, up in the lift and along another corridor. A hidden gem And the food is lovely.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOPSca3F3ThiOivgp1wZJd9VIR3lapvAC8YrKS5kU3Pf_jVHO2a1NARG_8QfIm31k2b8u5CzJQuwdJ90GSQ7GT_mBpwir8vkSSqlUsuI6Hvq7ffFAKNzQxbNPI5IGpjhMYvk77WHjBpNBrYxmTFUr-pxNCIZReYzptN7P0l2j6kaqeJ_wESIgeTHCm5M/s1267/received_924861635466148.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOPSca3F3ThiOivgp1wZJd9VIR3lapvAC8YrKS5kU3Pf_jVHO2a1NARG_8QfIm31k2b8u5CzJQuwdJ90GSQ7GT_mBpwir8vkSSqlUsuI6Hvq7ffFAKNzQxbNPI5IGpjhMYvk77WHjBpNBrYxmTFUr-pxNCIZReYzptN7P0l2j6kaqeJ_wESIgeTHCm5M/s320/received_924861635466148.jpeg" width="182" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had a Thai salad and my GKB had battered blue cod with crispy potatoes and salad. Both meals were delicious. You can have a drink from the bar or tea and coffee to accompany it. We generally have a soft drink of some sort. Youngest daughter works here and she always jokingly warns us not to spill our food all over the floor when we go. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTwuf19I19Z_XxXSSuAOMXGkbcORLVkVbu4dViMpoKIXZ_36p8nGvmK6Z2WnM9CZM4WpZwj5q9o9trCKdMW-E0vNumhGKiipmwjl8I5tcTnZZxXB6pGrZwmRK7NAL7-iWvcQvXffNZX6c41bQHmnXHFOLFxzByYVj5G03xLNoa6txAiPIAkGNYC-6mlk/s4000/20240130_141049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTwuf19I19Z_XxXSSuAOMXGkbcORLVkVbu4dViMpoKIXZ_36p8nGvmK6Z2WnM9CZM4WpZwj5q9o9trCKdMW-E0vNumhGKiipmwjl8I5tcTnZZxXB6pGrZwmRK7NAL7-iWvcQvXffNZX6c41bQHmnXHFOLFxzByYVj5G03xLNoa6txAiPIAkGNYC-6mlk/s320/20240130_141049.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we arrived home we found this little bag of runner beans in the letterbox. Daughter had dropped them off, picked fresh from one of her friends' garden.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think that is all. I'm going to do some reading and await this expected hail storm, which will probably be accompanied by thunder. Maybe I'm strange but I quite like a good thunder storm - as long as I'm inside!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></span></div><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></i></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></i></b></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-50822237606888246002024-01-29T14:50:00.000+13:002024-01-29T14:50:11.371+13:00A play date with Arlo<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> On Friday young Arlo came to visit us. He had wanted to visit the week before but I was volunteering in the local Christian bookshop so we made an 'appointment' for this week. I suggested to his gran that we meet at the playground if the weather was halfway decent - and it was. He had a great time playing in the preschool area under the trees and met some others his age to play with.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXGI3H3F2khl6XCGG-B6MaRPzvxH6tDlAABJxm-KKQI5zvdmCYMmqVWq6T_9OdY-6DL5RmxtLHwOYZdx35rJRd0f5CogwIpRCngE0y2p9I_SzNRs_1Q0GWwygyMbJd4bA18c1_SG0nDdGtUI5ntCj7lqnXD0sJGeVZHHjtRNXEIC_jBqun68dovM9YxE/s4000/20240126_143836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXGI3H3F2khl6XCGG-B6MaRPzvxH6tDlAABJxm-KKQI5zvdmCYMmqVWq6T_9OdY-6DL5RmxtLHwOYZdx35rJRd0f5CogwIpRCngE0y2p9I_SzNRs_1Q0GWwygyMbJd4bA18c1_SG0nDdGtUI5ntCj7lqnXD0sJGeVZHHjtRNXEIC_jBqun68dovM9YxE/s320/20240126_143836.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Granma and I sat under the trees and supplied snacks and drinks when they were needed. Of course after a while he wanted to explore the older kids area on the other side of the fence so we went for a wander out there. He had a go on the climbing net and one or two other pieces of equipment that were okay for him but as it is still school holidays there were quite a few older kids around which was a little intimidating for him.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbB86aYVGuFnn_ACgOIrrbhXAvxiqm-dui5CfJUmLSVh8KtALh_bS5hhlAO7tKQKVbeouSboX_Uzyqi6BZShOvS0526at079EGjnopZeUw4EbddyhCqZfpNZf3_k43ht3zzuovQ4KcDSASRRFR7MyaPoXGF-eMmL8tVoUVMIk4EKnWt-YpsTdqtTyYLss/s4000/20240126_150742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbB86aYVGuFnn_ACgOIrrbhXAvxiqm-dui5CfJUmLSVh8KtALh_bS5hhlAO7tKQKVbeouSboX_Uzyqi6BZShOvS0526at079EGjnopZeUw4EbddyhCqZfpNZf3_k43ht3zzuovQ4KcDSASRRFR7MyaPoXGF-eMmL8tVoUVMIk4EKnWt-YpsTdqtTyYLss/s320/20240126_150742.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then it was over to the library where great Granma (me) had a book to drop off. That lead to a quieter visit and playtime out of the heat of the day. Colouring in and board games among them - and cars and trucks.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzQr8z3YPcRnvqYnN6k19uCtwW8P-eAm7Fb5MgDBLn25w7dpObqt5Uwtf_HZ7Bp9uRMm2HDHNBdoMupZga4smA5T7VlFpqS4JQv7M_z3zZzf2ghae-x5Hdk_n_e0EmmkkpDJ5MGMC9B7e-xXdGeCbspOT7JPI9jp2whT6luWzzxBm5CCHhvF_Vxqe1Tg/s4000/20240126_151910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzQr8z3YPcRnvqYnN6k19uCtwW8P-eAm7Fb5MgDBLn25w7dpObqt5Uwtf_HZ7Bp9uRMm2HDHNBdoMupZga4smA5T7VlFpqS4JQv7M_z3zZzf2ghae-x5Hdk_n_e0EmmkkpDJ5MGMC9B7e-xXdGeCbspOT7JPI9jp2whT6luWzzxBm5CCHhvF_Vxqe1Tg/s320/20240126_151910.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When he was finished we came back to my place for ice cream and berry fruit, for Arlo, and hot drinks and a biscuit for the grannies. Oh, and great granddad had set up the little construction rail set for him to play with while we had our drinks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Arlo is the eldest of our great grand kids and will be away to school later this year. Where does that time go?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's it for now</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Diana</span></i></b> </span></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-71506983426083516562024-01-24T11:57:00.001+13:002024-02-02T17:13:33.842+13:00A sociable day<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday dawned, cold wet and windy. Our high was 14C. It's the middle of summer for goodness sake. I wasn't impressed.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Regardless, we were due to meet my GKB's sister and her husband down in Port Chalmers for a lunch date, so we rugged up warm and headed away. The wind was howling down the main street when we arrived and really quite unpleasant, cutting through our layers.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There had been a cruise ship due in but the stopover was cancelled due to the high winds. But that worked in our favour as there was plenty of room in the cafe we chose. We still had a few minutes before SIL and her hubby arrived so we went inside to wait. When they arrived BIL was carrying a large brown grocery bag - my GKB laughingly said, 'he's brought his lunch with him'. But no, it was a bag of garden produce for us from his garden.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0U1a247ukh_KlNh8mNADLLCQJdXMpxQgPnaywCup69GRqsHOsP6iW99mFrLUv4ndBAH48ODjaU9HHBVER7-H2DE05usa-h_w1SBhFqy9Si4Br6pTzE06eOt1Egi6nfsL5eNO7d8cvBWnUK_2UgYXn3qkQFG4JoBPEBAvbK7wNdVOTarBPOCWJCqHLgY/s4000/20240123_160900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0U1a247ukh_KlNh8mNADLLCQJdXMpxQgPnaywCup69GRqsHOsP6iW99mFrLUv4ndBAH48ODjaU9HHBVER7-H2DE05usa-h_w1SBhFqy9Si4Br6pTzE06eOt1Egi6nfsL5eNO7d8cvBWnUK_2UgYXn3qkQFG4JoBPEBAvbK7wNdVOTarBPOCWJCqHLgY/s320/20240123_160900.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He has a big garden and he is very generous each time we visit, we always head home with veges freshly dug from the garden. It is never expected, I'm always surprised even after all these years, and it's always appreciated.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had a lovely relaxed lunch and caught up with all the family news, we hadn't seen each other since well before Christmas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Later in the evening my home study group was meeting again for the first time this year. It was to be a dessert and coffee evening and we all took a dessert. I have to admit to cheating as mine came from the supermarket, my excuse - I'd been out all day. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was the first time we'd met together as a group for about six weeks, so again a time to catch up and just enjoy each others company. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3DCooJpY0mCsUsYj51z1KnapcrpJWC4BsOII-svU5qBc5G0sWnyeiRQOgM4vq2Qqy6KGOVJ6L56sR1A2aI6P_L85XADPDc4nUemPazXOlsDBeHurKiJf1-AuXcQmo7yBeIg-YsZpJ5ellnOMM5MKNzCdb2IHQ8vE7Z5H_3cyBjppCihfXEfxgeIwPcs/s2048/received_7310357549016179.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3DCooJpY0mCsUsYj51z1KnapcrpJWC4BsOII-svU5qBc5G0sWnyeiRQOgM4vq2Qqy6KGOVJ6L56sR1A2aI6P_L85XADPDc4nUemPazXOlsDBeHurKiJf1-AuXcQmo7yBeIg-YsZpJ5ellnOMM5MKNzCdb2IHQ8vE7Z5H_3cyBjppCihfXEfxgeIwPcs/s320/received_7310357549016179.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two hot, two cold, cream and icecream, some snacks and home made shortbread, Yum. And of course tea or coffee depending on your preference.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's it for now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a good week,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-51900761312037500752024-01-20T16:41:00.003+13:002024-01-20T16:52:09.069+13:00A day trip<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> A few days after I got home from my holiday we decided to take a day trip up to Roxburgh to buy some stone fruit. So after breakfast and the essential housework, dishes and beds, we got on the road. It was a good day for travelling and we made good progress</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our first stop was a comfort stop at Lawrence where the public toilets are guarded by a statue of a gold miner who seems to be looking to the hills and working out his route.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH_laQne0Erz1Ncq3A7EmdYiFesx5wHgREauKYialHZfUhyphenhyphenu0Raw8U4aLLvBgBpt2_nh92deVGQkyF1whSEA03TngNeDwF5trWNiSJTl4PntOXPrZ49ve0gXTUa_af4nIY8rbVFAd4mktTCfqbFI-s1_JFUH5BddyuVkttdtWoqcOyc1XFiPlGgzdKts/s4000/20240116_105659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYH_laQne0Erz1Ncq3A7EmdYiFesx5wHgREauKYialHZfUhyphenhyphenu0Raw8U4aLLvBgBpt2_nh92deVGQkyF1whSEA03TngNeDwF5trWNiSJTl4PntOXPrZ49ve0gXTUa_af4nIY8rbVFAd4mktTCfqbFI-s1_JFUH5BddyuVkttdtWoqcOyc1XFiPlGgzdKts/s320/20240116_105659.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then on to Roxburgh where we took a stroll along the main street and did some window shopping. Not a lot of the shops were open in this small rural town, we had travelled on a Tuesday which seemed to be when they closed for the day. But never mind, our favourite cafe was open and we went in for lunch. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9kxZyUZwCvSdOyR_tDKKDKImlRe0_BxRiy9MK0CjO5TBt_Z4jqlLYMthv-CWk1C2LA3ME-0Ea88XjWoqZ_5mFP4ayO0ZcG1n9MovMWCpCcswLalmKxdGbfVOEcldahEhZA-3y6DZcxxLQD10z_TA6o-zlCHfnt0puYBQZZRiH7FfKJ9RW7RtbKd5Ka4/s4000/20240116_115329.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9kxZyUZwCvSdOyR_tDKKDKImlRe0_BxRiy9MK0CjO5TBt_Z4jqlLYMthv-CWk1C2LA3ME-0Ea88XjWoqZ_5mFP4ayO0ZcG1n9MovMWCpCcswLalmKxdGbfVOEcldahEhZA-3y6DZcxxLQD10z_TA6o-zlCHfnt0puYBQZZRiH7FfKJ9RW7RtbKd5Ka4/s320/20240116_115329.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We opted for fresh scones with cream and fresh apricot jam. Fresh as in we were in apricot country and the jam was made from this season's fruit from one of the orchards.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also browsed the gift shop, the cafe and gift shop are combined, but didn't see anything that took my fancy. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After lunch it was time to head home, checking out the roadside fruit stalls on the way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYDGg6NGYF2I4v33ge4EbxlYI9VXnAYUVuBuMvcOC_vndVSNf9vu2mhoAh0nBzs6gDWICvaeD43D5OZmei2eJu64moqum7W79dj6qTTFsm_9gMp6f-8fHFeU-Q1EF2N6SLZdPgsXdTDvnv4p8DweaAD894781bLJ7-l4uUPjiky1k4oq2XC1SFreuccc/s4000/20240116_125436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMYDGg6NGYF2I4v33ge4EbxlYI9VXnAYUVuBuMvcOC_vndVSNf9vu2mhoAh0nBzs6gDWICvaeD43D5OZmei2eJu64moqum7W79dj6qTTFsm_9gMp6f-8fHFeU-Q1EF2N6SLZdPgsXdTDvnv4p8DweaAD894781bLJ7-l4uUPjiky1k4oq2XC1SFreuccc/s320/20240116_125436.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We usually buy enough fruit to share amongst the family but this time only got enough for ourselves and youngest daughter. Eldest daughter goes through once a fortnight and number one son has just been holidaying up that way.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just the other side of Lawrence is the site of one of the Chinese goldfield camps. We'd seen the sign several times on our way through on previous years and decided to take a look on our way home. It was disappointing in that there were only a couple of buildings still standing. One was the renovated Joss House, or meeting house, which the locals call the Chinese church, and the old hotel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiimuat7s6xQJnbXWlSUIYOavW4ApJcc0fkAoiYGjRFjO-VcfNISbVvAHA6Y3hCrRgwjNw2vRyxHUq6rEAM66gHiaykuSKZ2shg33BQSvKJMGIZ83KopAXn3oKw9_KFJ0nP39lCg8rVnw64lIT6NzU4XDbqHezsq7ow_azXisOWYoAiP4RftQ3I8Nufk/s4000/20240116_134000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiimuat7s6xQJnbXWlSUIYOavW4ApJcc0fkAoiYGjRFjO-VcfNISbVvAHA6Y3hCrRgwjNw2vRyxHUq6rEAM66gHiaykuSKZ2shg33BQSvKJMGIZ83KopAXn3oKw9_KFJ0nP39lCg8rVnw64lIT6NzU4XDbqHezsq7ow_azXisOWYoAiP4RftQ3I8Nufk/s320/20240116_134000.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Even so the information on the notice boards was very interesting and informative.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That's it for now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have had trouble commenting on your posts </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">but hope I have it sorted now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-39622943147411731022024-01-15T17:33:00.002+13:002024-02-02T17:15:44.553+13:00And just like that..<p style="text-align: center;"> ...the holiday is over.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I had a wonderful few days up north with the family. The little fellow hits the floor running in the morning and doesn't stop until he is asleep at night. Just two, he is curious about everything. We took several trips to different playgrounds, usually followed by ice cream on the way home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdhfzPex1P-nwld6-5mEYiav_33hVKHpmLRFZB5LQ1atT6Wc9aEsdXN6Ukqbn6GBHJKiOYTPtu6iVc1N01Ac7q3IveMZLMb6GEZYwlQarKr0CTYsCKqyZ8ldHi4V5hFhY2pHHNty_I2Cs9IWa2BvfUCn9CMeIBEsgDOvdsZsmYTDWWn0kWaX_MQ3F9hs/s4000/20240113_160121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdhfzPex1P-nwld6-5mEYiav_33hVKHpmLRFZB5LQ1atT6Wc9aEsdXN6Ukqbn6GBHJKiOYTPtu6iVc1N01Ac7q3IveMZLMb6GEZYwlQarKr0CTYsCKqyZ8ldHi4V5hFhY2pHHNty_I2Cs9IWa2BvfUCn9CMeIBEsgDOvdsZsmYTDWWn0kWaX_MQ3F9hs/s320/20240113_160121.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Of course big sister was with us as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then suddenly it was time to pack up and head for home again. We were flying out of Wellington and granddaughter was driving us down. My daughter suggested we take a picnic lunch and leave early and take the kids to the zoo, so we did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2wf8c0XvdT6CrSEY-M4rbZ6NKbGY-fIO2FcP6Lb8lDLGk_McCe3ehwIr_HZdX8TxeypJHqSE7YLzKFtN7M1nBeJgQi3xTOZU2l9wZk4AH5VJXlr-Wl4O3HfkcCgxmw1zl13zwjJx88FYH4TGXP3Aq5b42_bclWDzufvOgZiBotLruyHVQDTnvPr-oSA/s4000/20240114_104313.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2wf8c0XvdT6CrSEY-M4rbZ6NKbGY-fIO2FcP6Lb8lDLGk_McCe3ehwIr_HZdX8TxeypJHqSE7YLzKFtN7M1nBeJgQi3xTOZU2l9wZk4AH5VJXlr-Wl4O3HfkcCgxmw1zl13zwjJx88FYH4TGXP3Aq5b42_bclWDzufvOgZiBotLruyHVQDTnvPr-oSA/s320/20240114_104313.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We all enjoyed it - big kids and small. Stevie ran everywhere, and it was on a hill. He couldn't get enough of everything, Alice followed close behind but a bit more subdued. She was a bit apprehensive of the big animals, tigers and giraffes for example but loved the meerkats and otters. Oh and the little wallaby. Stevie would have been in the enclosures with them if he could, having the fearlessness of a two year old boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG-c1_T8tIdZzZ3YQTUxLlPZGNMqD5QDdKrtKweHY2kJ_pN_vEUCVi3ANCMkXVVE5TBIkRRLJhOdvMQY59URk8Vv5fV9G3rKjj0TjDuBeshBU_aq1V-QkqqFth08D9NHlauU6CwvM3tR_MjLZCGKxXa8r6arDCyfhXgTKSUc9I-_5tfNHKQMWS2edOww/s4000/20240114_121706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvG-c1_T8tIdZzZ3YQTUxLlPZGNMqD5QDdKrtKweHY2kJ_pN_vEUCVi3ANCMkXVVE5TBIkRRLJhOdvMQY59URk8Vv5fV9G3rKjj0TjDuBeshBU_aq1V-QkqqFth08D9NHlauU6CwvM3tR_MjLZCGKxXa8r6arDCyfhXgTKSUc9I-_5tfNHKQMWS2edOww/s320/20240114_121706.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then it was time for lunch at the playground next door, a quick hot drink and comfort stop at McDonalds for the adults and more playtime for the kids. Then out to the airport for the trip home. Alice and Stevie slept all the way home, about a two and a half hour drive, their mother said.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to admit it was nice to be home again but I'm missing the little ones - and the warmer weather!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And so, until next time, take care.</div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-35056774650635594232024-01-10T23:08:00.003+13:002024-02-08T22:07:18.075+13:00Berry picking<p> Youngest daughter and I have arrived in the North Island for our week with her family. We had a long day travelling by car, plane, train and then car again, leaving home at 3:30pm and arriving here at 10pm. I was pleased to fall into bed that night I can tell you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5NBd9uwMVp8z_ucsLqBHfiqnXYJCgl3Pz7oV1x_yIddfv1wZnoXA-KN-yJ3NeA2KTvT6eDV9bHFmN6-p-VZxNL2RJjWEdlIPwsKjUF9HreGU6-C9BP88lz2xZFaXofbhIENRYLBHWpXvgU8BOVXLB-8tOx_uAzwjqelDdD-bK8HGn4cBz-8ny2M5doo/s2448/20240108_160137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2159" data-original-width="2448" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5NBd9uwMVp8z_ucsLqBHfiqnXYJCgl3Pz7oV1x_yIddfv1wZnoXA-KN-yJ3NeA2KTvT6eDV9bHFmN6-p-VZxNL2RJjWEdlIPwsKjUF9HreGU6-C9BP88lz2xZFaXofbhIENRYLBHWpXvgU8BOVXLB-8tOx_uAzwjqelDdD-bK8HGn4cBz-8ny2M5doo/s320/20240108_160137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The next morning I was greeted with excitement by Alice, who knows me, and a scowl from her wee brother who had no idea who this strange lady was who thought she knew him and what's more was drinking out of his mother's cup! But he has warmed to me and even climbed up for cuddles tonight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf41QD0SoGZgE0pjo7WDZIgjmiPMyroPNa1Arpm6dQ1dDYIl3fT2MJhOfZ_09CWAtoNFzC1lyJXWTBMvNTgaMZVHBznBtcN4k3V4pj6OpJw97kMr51Iox4AKej_V6CDYo3J0RRxkjjmWeUnzRJuQ2qXeHWXDSdX_OS4RtavgpirkLeWzQyxwUmpNDS8pg/s4000/20240110_135819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf41QD0SoGZgE0pjo7WDZIgjmiPMyroPNa1Arpm6dQ1dDYIl3fT2MJhOfZ_09CWAtoNFzC1lyJXWTBMvNTgaMZVHBznBtcN4k3V4pj6OpJw97kMr51Iox4AKej_V6CDYo3J0RRxkjjmWeUnzRJuQ2qXeHWXDSdX_OS4RtavgpirkLeWzQyxwUmpNDS8pg/s320/20240110_135819.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsfpYno2n14ZzpzI0DTpjPX4Ta9w__Db3w52W-T5-TUVoDUDgOnTSkkwVG_jSC9_IWKmggrrzU0gS_YiQE0CLrP5_aUWB_CcLtp614Ll2I9FFXAORD_R33hU0-h9kFN3Ji_2xD2SXr46-bdabDSBHKCVTm1eWs80GhIwwi5XfbvEXS101eOWL35Yw5gk/s4000/20240110_141659.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsfpYno2n14ZzpzI0DTpjPX4Ta9w__Db3w52W-T5-TUVoDUDgOnTSkkwVG_jSC9_IWKmggrrzU0gS_YiQE0CLrP5_aUWB_CcLtp614Ll2I9FFXAORD_R33hU0-h9kFN3Ji_2xD2SXr46-bdabDSBHKCVTm1eWs80GhIwwi5XfbvEXS101eOWL35Yw5gk/s320/20240110_141659.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Today after daycare we went to a blueberry farm and did some picking, something I've never done before. It was a really hot day and even in the shade of the bushes we felt it. Ice creams were the order of the day on the way home, then a stop at a little playground just around the corner from home, a short walk back for some of us and the others went in the cars. It was good to get back to the house and have a refreshing drink.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA8qWpdJCsa7Xtg_FiMhWuSZpMRlKhsjVtPpyCs4ZaGpkOXTiaYqpZO9l2Vcnl_zI8YqVyBxuT8GUP1J1Kb2GzSloJ3He4aG4wkn4Apa-B3djBYOKQmpttkcBphB5voTW54DB37zsIF5UCynNkPg0zEUnIrazrSQIcXU_L7pWBsg61iuPCb4tSKXWNho/s4000/20240110_152719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheA8qWpdJCsa7Xtg_FiMhWuSZpMRlKhsjVtPpyCs4ZaGpkOXTiaYqpZO9l2Vcnl_zI8YqVyBxuT8GUP1J1Kb2GzSloJ3He4aG4wkn4Apa-B3djBYOKQmpttkcBphB5voTW54DB37zsIF5UCynNkPg0zEUnIrazrSQIcXU_L7pWBsg61iuPCb4tSKXWNho/s320/20240110_152719.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And so now I am lying in bed anticipating another busy afternoon tomorrow with busy toddlers who don't quite understand that great grandma hasn't got the same energy levels as them. But what the heck, it's only for a week and I don't know when I'll see them again so I'll make the most of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-51326499396126907892024-01-04T14:09:00.000+13:002024-01-04T14:09:12.156+13:00Holidays<p style="text-align: center;"> The busyness of Christmas is over but here in New Zealand it is our main holiday season and at the beginning of next week I'm going to head north to the other island to visit my granddaughter and her babies. My daughter invited me to go along with her and we're leaving our menfolk behind.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Son and daughter in law have been away camping and tramping in the mountains with friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grandaughter has been away camping and boating in the rivers and lakes in Central Otago with her boyfriend and his family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While I'm waiting I soak up my vitamin d where I can and at the moment that is when I go walking or while I'm reading and having a refreshing drink out the back out of the breeze.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8whfTDVhspuXrURe7DXujRudclWBwQL52AqDoQebQUd1JZFtY8pf4Fw72_6P1_F73lUcjt64K8T8IwHFFGG0x5GY2H1Xt4aqb077QdYgIGSA9bR3ZEkqfkjWElUB9jGun61IpZpo5FXUxzIHjz9LUYrFlo6HlohiYWRVUstG7BFMqO1WLLBFAIzeQ9k/s2173/20240104_120457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2173" data-original-width="1610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8whfTDVhspuXrURe7DXujRudclWBwQL52AqDoQebQUd1JZFtY8pf4Fw72_6P1_F73lUcjt64K8T8IwHFFGG0x5GY2H1Xt4aqb077QdYgIGSA9bR3ZEkqfkjWElUB9jGun61IpZpo5FXUxzIHjz9LUYrFlo6HlohiYWRVUstG7BFMqO1WLLBFAIzeQ9k/s320/20240104_120457.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Until next time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-48226734510149860402024-01-01T15:36:00.005+13:002024-02-02T17:15:04.035+13:00Happy New Year 2024<p> Last night I realised I needed to write something here before the blog was deleted due to lack of use. </p><p>So I wrote a short post, posted it only to discover I'd written it on my photography blog. Not that it mattered, it meant I was active and so the blog is still alive.</p><p style="text-align: center;">A couple of pics from the past year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MA7McImXGhihXbITIpzmwsew56yUM3AlWkLzUcSvkVGZGzJtH-A6hrW0RwJ212yZaGpX5aRljXdqDAJhz6KxgT2fOhhiaqDIZRX_5phEEW-RCmV_7VcLnnh0SWECElIxJqL-N6cq-5OBzS_zPIDYwnfGVQm_0ketiGgoh2PLxl_hNLqIJ_ziGzsmf9g/s4000/20231212_114452.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6MA7McImXGhihXbITIpzmwsew56yUM3AlWkLzUcSvkVGZGzJtH-A6hrW0RwJ212yZaGpX5aRljXdqDAJhz6KxgT2fOhhiaqDIZRX_5phEEW-RCmV_7VcLnnh0SWECElIxJqL-N6cq-5OBzS_zPIDYwnfGVQm_0ketiGgoh2PLxl_hNLqIJ_ziGzsmf9g/s320/20231212_114452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Harbour cruise - a gift from the kids.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJMRrLJ2aijAIVqQI-xEiZJ4svkdEdWrzCxsx7ySPnZWxRkRnh4I_8b69ajSO6sHuW_4fFIUCfmGinmZ0y_ttWT2o4_ALPe2yc0a0uc9cRF1xMn2iaWPHi1gxIWMXQstt5ZwCwtE-VGHEmaceExo2l8NWMIRbmUNUhdM-Io30y9zXfSXrImisCT8xIms/s3000/20230614_122049~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2190" data-original-width="3000" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJMRrLJ2aijAIVqQI-xEiZJ4svkdEdWrzCxsx7ySPnZWxRkRnh4I_8b69ajSO6sHuW_4fFIUCfmGinmZ0y_ttWT2o4_ALPe2yc0a0uc9cRF1xMn2iaWPHi1gxIWMXQstt5ZwCwtE-VGHEmaceExo2l8NWMIRbmUNUhdM-Io30y9zXfSXrImisCT8xIms/s320/20230614_122049~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">House sparrows in the tea rooms at Hanmer Springs</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OicvQ0tbPeMV81RY93DNLSSibB8SRlxNGSnxOdaMHngVm3rjvXVbEyJ_rrHTbsaeiSf9baNynXzpCeOFU_9HuJ51uKTt09wGO755YnmLS5ZA-a5wUiQJX5CAd3sgrtigthhn8EcMqYMxxAioqOVogrelieFvQ8qkMdFyeIuin5VdmxMyRcSaJgJxmPw/s2902/20230330_152637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="2902" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OicvQ0tbPeMV81RY93DNLSSibB8SRlxNGSnxOdaMHngVm3rjvXVbEyJ_rrHTbsaeiSf9baNynXzpCeOFU_9HuJ51uKTt09wGO755YnmLS5ZA-a5wUiQJX5CAd3sgrtigthhn8EcMqYMxxAioqOVogrelieFvQ8qkMdFyeIuin5VdmxMyRcSaJgJxmPw/s320/20230330_152637.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the great grand boys with his Grandma.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVUVTwlWeseuGuLX3HYGJ3k68vkREM2a6TVhE8rylk0cY5IUXb2mphxlw9XRosin-gMV78zKIlUw2MPhFZ4s_LtR_11IV1xSCJl58P6uJLyY4lh_Ja-JfbtTSHya2u87jeoXPaaj-qnDZuB4HhV6XIT3Sr0E9FOh3sO-gJgiGq3grZ2zGfFdPNewXkrs/s4000/20231222_123641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVUVTwlWeseuGuLX3HYGJ3k68vkREM2a6TVhE8rylk0cY5IUXb2mphxlw9XRosin-gMV78zKIlUw2MPhFZ4s_LtR_11IV1xSCJl58P6uJLyY4lh_Ja-JfbtTSHya2u87jeoXPaaj-qnDZuB4HhV6XIT3Sr0E9FOh3sO-gJgiGq3grZ2zGfFdPNewXkrs/s320/20231222_123641.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas tree and gifts.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">With best wishes and abundant blessings for the coming year.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Diana</i></b></p>doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-76604203137337937232020-02-28T11:30:00.001+13:002024-02-08T22:10:01.568+13:00St Clair beach<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">On a beautiful, warm summer's day just recently</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I found myself at St Clair beach with a group friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The sun was shining, the surf was gently rolling in and we had a lovely stroll along the esplanade, stopping every now and then to watch the surfers riding the swells. And the occasional gentle breaker :) A nice, relaxing way to spend the afternoon.</span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-11033019039490991762020-02-09T18:13:00.000+13:002020-02-10T09:46:37.085+13:00Southern sojourn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was our 49th wedding anniversary so my GKB and I decided to have a weekend away. We packed the car up and headed south to Invercargill. We left about mid morning and as it's only a 3-4 hour drive, depending on how many stops you make, we were there in good time. After we'd booked into our motel we decided to take a drive out to Bluff where we lived for a couple of years early on in our marriage. Our two youngest kids were born while we were living here.</span><br />
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Bluff Harbour from the lookout on Bluff Hill</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> We only had a quick look around as there was a cold wind blowing, but we did go up to where we once owned a section to see whether it had been built on at all. We were interested to see that none of the sections available back then had houses on them. On our way back we called in to the new K Mart on the outskirts of the city. Twice the size of the one we have up here. There is a lot of building happening there just now, it'll be interesting to see what the cityscape looks like in a years time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Across the road from our motels was a large water tower that was once the town water supply. It is quite an impressive building and looks even more impressive when lit up at night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Built in 1898 it provided the city with it's first pressurised water supply. Unfortunately you can't go inside because it needs to have work done to bring it up to earthquake standard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next day dawned cool and with quite a brisk wind, so we dressed up warmly and headed to the Transport Museum, one of the reasons we had gone down there. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I won't write about it here as it deserves a post of it's own. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Part of one of the sheds</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After lunch we decided to go to Riverton, a seaside fishing port. When we lived here I'd only been once and was surprised at how far it was out of town and it </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">also </span>struck me how much prettier this port was than Bluff. It was a pleasant drive through farming country and then around little bays on the coast. Although it was still overcast it had warmed up considerably, enough for people to be out swimming, surfing and boogie boarding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> After a drive and look around we had a nice afternoon tea at a little 70's style cafe and headed back to town after an enjoyable day out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I'll finish there, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">so until next time, </span></div>
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<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Diana </b></i></span></span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-64568571378143278692020-01-31T09:35:00.003+13:002020-02-03T11:16:15.298+13:00scavenger hunt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <i>Lost</i></b>...and not yet<b> </b><i><b>found</b>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was getting ready to go out a couple of weeks ago and was changing my ear rings. I always stand over the bed when taking them out so that if they drop I don't lose them. Haha. One of my good pearl studs fell and disappeared. We have searched, the floor, the bedding and shaken out the bath robe that was on the bed. Nada. A mystery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prints </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I received a lovely Christmas card this year from my </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">granddaughter and her husband. Granddaughter is quite </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">arty crafty so she made her cards this year - with help</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> from young Arlo. He played in paint and we all received </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">cards with his hand<b><i>prints</i></b> and foot<b><i>prints</i></b> on them :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Something to treasure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v482QSON9aQ/XiDUHdtnbDI/AAAAAAAAKvc/Ceaad_zDB_ceg2924p-hBkRYinIb_PcmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0532%2B%25282%2529_LI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="492" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v482QSON9aQ/XiDUHdtnbDI/AAAAAAAAKvc/Ceaad_zDB_ceg2924p-hBkRYinIb_PcmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0532%2B%25282%2529_LI.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lunch</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Every now and then I go to a daytime concert with one of my friends. A light<i><b> lunch</b></i> is included in the cost of the tickets. It's usually a sandwich and a muffin with tea and coffee. I had to take something out to the car between the end of the concert and <i><b>lunch</b></i> this week and when I got back all that was left were the sandwiches in the picture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Starts with M</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b>Breakfast doesn't start with M but <b><i>Marmite</i></b> does. Yum. Nothing better than tea with <b><i>marmite</i> </b>on toast for breakfast - unless of </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">course you're an Aussie and you'd probably prefer Vege<b><i>mite</i></b> :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ends with T</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Windfall walnuts are sometimes on the path where I walk along the Silverstream. This is one of them. I know because I couldn't work out what they were when I first saw them so I picked one to bits - and ended up with beautifully stained fingers :) <i><b>Walnut</b>.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COpZflSekp0/XiZf3XlqhaI/AAAAAAAAKvs/8csOjLYqUqIZosHG2koUFTf9g_IO8u0_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COpZflSekp0/XiZf3XlqhaI/AAAAAAAAKvs/8csOjLYqUqIZosHG2koUFTf9g_IO8u0_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0542.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My choice </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A lone sheep, a lost sheep or just left behind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the bank of the Silverstream one evening.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_UsFk3ibsVk/XiZgjb23bUI/AAAAAAAAKws/I-9S6bK3WtwLICg1oUJ-JowicJ0_gsH1gCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_UsFk3ibsVk/XiZgjb23bUI/AAAAAAAAKws/I-9S6bK3WtwLICg1oUJ-JowicJ0_gsH1gCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0540.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joining Hawthorn for her photo scavenger hunt on:</span><br />
<a href="http://livelovecraftme.blogspot.com/2020/01/januarys-link-up-party.html">http://livelovecraftme.blogspot.com/2020/01/januarys-link-up-party.html</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well my intention was to join up with Hawthorn but I have been away for a few days and the link wasn't up before I left and it was finished when I arrived home. Never mind, you can still</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">have a look at what others have done if you follow the link above.</span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>Diana</b></i></span></span> </span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-4755306124845860842020-01-21T16:14:00.002+13:002020-01-21T16:20:19.043+13:00A stroll along the Silverstream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I went for a wander along the Silverstream today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was warm but with a bit of a breeze blowing at times and the fragrance coming from these lilies as I walked by was lovely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had decided to walk as far as the walnut tree about halfway along this section. It hangs over the path and I guess if you went along at the right time you might be able to pick up the windfalls. I've never been so lucky :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As you can see it was quite a dull day and I actually had the path to myself - usually there are dogs and walkers or runners there. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are seats every so often, some donated by Rotary and others put out by home owners. The ones above look like they came from Carisbrook, the local football stadium, when it was pulled down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCHCcJbXYSM/XiZga1CuiXI/AAAAAAAAKws/KS6Hgx-vVFoIcqjQTDsq8TBL_TVe_FDcQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uCHCcJbXYSM/XiZga1CuiXI/AAAAAAAAKws/KS6Hgx-vVFoIcqjQTDsq8TBL_TVe_FDcQCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0538.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I sat for a short while and just looked about and enjoyed the tranquility. Butterflies, bees and birds flew past but </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't see any ducks in the stream, it was probably </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">too early in the day for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the opposite bank it was quite pastoral with sheep and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> cows in the paddocks. I didn't see any rabbits about but</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> it was probably too early for them as well. We had a baby one in the front yard one day last week. I don't know where it </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">came from and we haven't seen it since.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iAUer-k2VN0/XiZfwx6NU0I/AAAAAAAAKwA/rtxSE2wJEAU9swkKxx_NMhTglNxmHGa9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iAUer-k2VN0/XiZfwx6NU0I/AAAAAAAAKwA/rtxSE2wJEAU9swkKxx_NMhTglNxmHGa9wCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0545.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There were a few windfall walnuts but not worth gathering up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure I'd know what to do with them in this green state anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: lime;"><i><b>**********</b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: lime;"></span></span>And for those of you who expressed an interest in seeing </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Alice's Christening gown up close here is a photo her </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Granma took of her on the tapa cloth mat.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjF3nhOOfys/XiZg1TsYyoI/AAAAAAAAKw4/YJrrrBKyAQU4UUIJra3wXITG6x9GzrnSACEwYBhgL/s1600/81302289_2618265061544713_731621780220805120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YjF3nhOOfys/XiZg1TsYyoI/AAAAAAAAKw4/YJrrrBKyAQU4UUIJra3wXITG6x9GzrnSACEwYBhgL/s400/81302289_2618265061544713_731621780220805120_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I will now finish and make my GKB a coffee, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">he's been out mowing the lawn so I think he deserves one :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: lime;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Diana </span></b></i></span></span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-90859937143740510912020-01-10T16:28:00.002+13:002020-01-10T16:30:33.846+13:00A baptism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sunday was a cool day but fine when the families gathered at the church for Alice Dawn's baptism. Alice looked beautiful in her new white gown and cape with a bow on a band on her head. The photos don't do justice to the wee dress, it was beautiful.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOuOEGekWDA/XhfcENY4uyI/AAAAAAAAKto/IZlG0y8h2OwhlRQkFD5PfSaCc2caB5uYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sOuOEGekWDA/XhfcENY4uyI/AAAAAAAAKto/IZlG0y8h2OwhlRQkFD5PfSaCc2caB5uYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">with her Mummy and Daddy waiting for people to arrive</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And yes, we all managed to find the church and arrive on time. It was a private family baptism but we managed to almost fill the little church. The service started with a hymn, in Tongan, so only half the congregation joined in but it was beautiful to listen to. No accompaniment, one of the men lead and they all joined in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love this picture of the parents and Godparents all paying attention to the pastor and Alice looking as well, as if she knew what was going on :) </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-022QbOO0oyo/XhfcEZqgCvI/AAAAAAAAKuE/cklct2ILz7QNj2uEbu0Ag38ct7tNOo90wCEwYBhgL/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-022QbOO0oyo/XhfcEZqgCvI/AAAAAAAAKuE/cklct2ILz7QNj2uEbu0Ag38ct7tNOo90wCEwYBhgL/s400/015.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also love this one, if you look closely you can see her bottom lip dropping, she'd had enough by this stage but didn't cry until it was all over and everyone wanted photos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WANEE1_R0To/XhfpWedkYRI/AAAAAAAAKuc/Uat-1dr-PYgAc0mNCGlmuyfp_0NUydHeACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/030.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WANEE1_R0To/XhfpWedkYRI/AAAAAAAAKuc/Uat-1dr-PYgAc0mNCGlmuyfp_0NUydHeACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/030.JPG" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had a lovely day, it
was a very joyful baptism, with half a dozen other babies and toddlers
of varying stages and ages in attendance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arlo
was also there but by the time his mother realised all the babies were
being photographed Alice was making her needs known in no uncertain manner. </span><span style="font-size: large;">As far as she was concerned her bottle was more important than photo calls with all and sundry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After all, she couldn't take part in the feast that had been prepared for the adults afterwards in the hall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">A whole pig was just part of what was on offer. There was ham on the bone, fish including salmon, prawns, salads, chicken and soft drinks to wash it all down. Some of the fare was European but a lot of it was prepared the Tongan way so gave some of us some new food experiences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Three Christening cakes on Tapa cloth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll leave you with a photo of the grandparents, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">one set looking much more comfortable than the other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Diana</span></b></i></span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-49019558467176924162020-01-03T14:10:00.000+13:002020-01-03T16:51:06.743+13:00Welcome to a new decade<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well New Year celebrations are over and we have a new year to look forward to. 365 empty days to fill with life and adventures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I wonder what the year will bring?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI4tjEz3zxw/Xg6CZCN3_sI/AAAAAAAAKrY/GCOkbODGILUe-xxSd75lD4dYqZ8TGQeWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/80541195_2407778722868416_6180093927580762112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="852" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI4tjEz3zxw/Xg6CZCN3_sI/AAAAAAAAKrY/GCOkbODGILUe-xxSd75lD4dYqZ8TGQeWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/80541195_2407778722868416_6180093927580762112_n.jpg" width="169" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We ended the last year looking after Sass for a few days so the family could go away over the New Year break. She and I went walking and played fetch until she tired of it and dropped the ball and then dropped herself to the floor. I thought I would get sick of it first, but no.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She watched through the window while my GKB mowed the lawns. She also 'guarded' the house while we went out on New Year's eve for dinner with extended family. Out of town family on my GKB's side were visiting with their new baby, so it was a bit of a meet and greet time as well. An early evening though and we were in bed before midnight :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On January 1st we awoke to orange skies - smoke from the Australian bush fires. Very surreal. We could smell the smoke in the air the evening before. The photo above was taken at nine in the morning and not long after we had to turn the lights on in the house. And they remained on all day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By 11:30 am it was really quite dark. Sass wasn't happy and declined her walk and wasn't keen on being outside at all. We live on the East Coast of New Zealand, at the bottom of the South Island, and although we were expecting a bit of a haze from the fires we didn't expect it to be so bad. Runny, itchy eyes and nose are the order of the day at the moment for most of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Met Service photo above shows the smoke plume in the lower left corner spilling across the Tasman Sea and reaching New Zealand. I know what we are experiencing is nothing compared to what is happening in Australia, it is really quite devastating and distressing to watch. What makes it worse is that some of the fires were deliberately lit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHEYBUa6tSA/Xg6CjhuQGfI/AAAAAAAAKr4/AwCrAw7haD00ro4bIFUuyiM6n2Uc6mrVQCEwYBhgL/s1600/81519022_763685090779665_8329053480962490368_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uHEYBUa6tSA/Xg6CjhuQGfI/AAAAAAAAKr4/AwCrAw7haD00ro4bIFUuyiM6n2Uc6mrVQCEwYBhgL/s400/81519022_763685090779665_8329053480962490368_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the 2nd we had a visit from Alice and her mother who are here for a couple of weeks staying with her daddy's family. Alice is to be baptised on Sunday so that will be another big family gathering - as long as we all get there. Some of us don't know where the church is but we have all been given directions, address and a map! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So watch this space.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And last but not least, I thought I would show you the cover of the little booklets I made up for the grandchildren and their kids. These are some of the stories my little mother wrote for her grandchildren and I managed to get them ready to give out at Christmas. Number one son designed the cover and I think it looks great. I think Mum would have been pleased with how they turned out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Looking forward to a year filled with promise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Best wishes as you go forth into 2020 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Diana</span></b></i></span> </span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-25799547893419058852020-01-01T11:29:00.000+13:002020-01-01T11:35:53.087+13:00January 1st, 2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img alt="new year gif 2020" class="size-full wp-image-4713" height="480" src="https://happynewyears2020.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/new-year-gif-2020.gif" style="border: 0px none; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; height: auto; letter-spacing: normal; list-style: outside none none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; outline-style: none; outline-width: medium; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" width="640" /><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="color: lime;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">from our house to yours</span></b></i></span></span></span> </div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-18890389302857363162019-12-27T21:10:00.000+13:002019-12-27T21:10:29.052+13:00Family time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">We filled the car boot with Christmas bags filled with presents for the family. The back seat was already filled with salads and desserts, cutlery and dishes. And we set off for youngest daughter's house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had already touched base with our granddaughters with their babies and received lovely photos of them on their first Christmas morning. And because I don't know which ones I like best I am going to show you two of each of them :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Arlo, our gorgeous blue eyed boy.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Arlo dressed up as Santa...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DF7vWPCItlo/XgWnTZjey8I/AAAAAAAAKp8/JuTzMS47wHgWZcs5jLWXZdQxBYwPHhaaQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Arlo%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="714" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DF7vWPCItlo/XgWnTZjey8I/AAAAAAAAKp8/JuTzMS47wHgWZcs5jLWXZdQxBYwPHhaaQCPcBGAYYCw/s400/Arlo%2B1.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">...and opening a present with help from one of the dogs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Alice dressed up and ready... </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">to go to church with her Nana and Grandpa.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love these photos of Alice, to me she looks like</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> a Christmas parcel tied up with a gold bow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Barbecuing was the order of the day and we all anxiously watched the weather forecasts as Christmas drew nearer. Wet. Wet. Windy and wet. Clearing. Wet. So the tent was put up in the backyard and that's where the food was cooked and salads served. Desserts were on the table inside. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4UmlYAPZW4/XgWnbiNyulI/AAAAAAAAKqQ/6Jd-rfgjQIwFvb4gzzpTcoi2n3CKXwhBwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4UmlYAPZW4/XgWnbiNyulI/AAAAAAAAKqQ/6Jd-rfgjQIwFvb4gzzpTcoi2n3CKXwhBwCPcBGAYYCw/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As it turned out it was cool, rain threatened but didn't happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Teenage boys appeared, gathered food and disappeared again :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Youngest granddaughter arrived with her new beau.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We all gathered around the tree and gave out our Christmas presents, teenage boys appeared again and disappeared again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">DIL snoozed, she'd just come off her morning shift </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and was in need of some zzz"s.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All in all we had a wonderful relaxed day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll leave you with this montage of photos of our adult children </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">with their partners, and my GKB and me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We hope your Christmas was as relaxed and happy as ours was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings and best wishes for 2020.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Diana </b></span></i></span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-23332381441244350252019-12-24T23:46:00.003+13:002019-12-24T23:46:33.400+13:00Merry Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Waxeye feeding </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">photograph courtesy Brian J Hunter </span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-89658642411272459242019-12-18T19:10:00.000+13:002019-12-18T22:21:44.832+13:00Christmastime<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite the sadness in the air, Christmas preparations still go ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wondered whether I should have taken my last post down but it was real and happening and just a tiny reflection of how I was feeling . The country is slowly coming to terms with the tragedy that occurred at Whakaari White Island and grieving alongside families of those lost. Such a sad, sad time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span></i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">I have been slowly buying and wrapping Christmas presents and posting those to family who won't be here for the day. I've still a couple more to get - but nearly there.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been to a 'production' of the gospel story put on by/for the littlies of Mainly Music and some of the older kiddies from church.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a fun time and followed by hot drinks, soft drink and Christmas fare to eat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've had a wander around some of the houses decorated with Christmas lights. Unfortunately my camera didn't do this yard justice. It looks so festive in reality and I wrote a Christmas card to thank them for the display and the added joy it brought to people at Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My GKB and I went down to the family fun evening in an alley behind the main shopping area. Merry-go-rounds and bouncy castles for the kids along with the candy floss, ice cream and chips. There were a lot of stalls selling a variety of crafts alongside the usual food stalls and the scouts fundraiser sausage sizzle. After some carol singing we had a sausage each but at $7 for a coffee we passed and had ours at home. It was a nice evening out despite the winter like temperatures :(</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I don't know whether I'll be posting again between now and Christmas so I'd like to wish you all a </span></div>
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<span style="color: lime;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">wonderful and blessed</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: lime;">Christmas </span></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">however you are spending it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Diana</span></b></i></span></span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4397955859767009398.post-21600268398377243092019-12-09T17:55:00.000+13:002019-12-13T18:53:38.052+13:00What a week...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's not a lot of fun for a lot of people at the moment. While a lot of us are enjoying the build up to the Christmas celebrations others are dealing with very real disasters. In my part of the world Australia is dealing with extremely large bush fires in NSW and Queensland and have been for several weeks. And it is only the start of their fire season. Fire fighters from New Zealand and Canada have been called in to assist with the fighting the fires. Smoke from the fires is actually evident on this side of the Tasman, particularly in the North Island. I have family in both states so keep an eye on what is happening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then just 3 hours flight over the Tasman Sea here in New Zealand we are having a totally different sort of disaster with big storms and flooding. The lower half of the South Island has been cut off for several days with road and rail links taken out by flood water and major slips. Communities have been flooded and people evacuated from their homes, not to mention the tourists trapped between slips on the West Coast of the South Island. The only way out for them at the moment is by helicopter, if they are prepared to pay. They are in a remote part of the country and many are having to sleep in their cars due to a lack of accommodation.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M31MmvliplQ/Xe3CzzHmR_I/AAAAAAAAKnU/-T3V5EZbazoxFuqP8c54LhTNt877KMhMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/tanya%2Bsalter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photo with permission of Tanya Salter Photography</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And just now breaking news that there has been a volcanic eruption of Whakaari/White Island just off the East Coast of the Bay of Plenty in the North Island. Just under fifty people were on the island at the time and several have been critically injured with some unaccounted for. This is ongoing as I write and snippets keep coming in on the news. Personally I'm having a problem with why they were there if the island was threatening to erupt. It's a monitored site, for goodness sake, that's been blowing it's stack on and off for years. I'm feeling a bit angry about it so should finish with that subject I think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I hope all is well with you all. Please give an occasional </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">thought to those less well off over the holiday period. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sorry if this has been a depressing post, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't intend that when I started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Diana </span></b></i></span></span></div>
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doodles n daydreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489851609110132969noreply@blogger.com6