Back from NZ

Back home to my Spartan lifestyle (for a short time anyway) to compensate for the extravagances and indulgences of my trip to New Zealand. I had a wonderful time and again extol the virtues of New Zealand as a holiday destination. I hadn't been to Queenstown for decades and it it a beautiful place although changing quickly, I'm told, as it attracts increasing numbers of international tourists.

My niece's wedding was beautiful and a delightfully extravagant affair. (She was heard to say "Just because Mum and Aunty Ruth had hippie weddings doesn't mean I had to !") I was sorry that our daughters were unable to attend the wedding but it may have been a good thing; the bar was set high! I can share the view from the hotel room and the delights of the autumn leaves on the balcony.

Back in Christchurch we enjoyed some old favourites: a visit to the Botanic Gardens (I'd never been there at this time of year) and a walk in Victoria Park. Lunch at the restaurant in the Gardens is highly recommended! As usual my sister also produced some wonderful culinary delights.


The weather was great while we were there: cold, but clear and sunny. We were lucky because it clouded over on the day we left and was actually raining as we flew out of Christchurch.

Table Runner

Last week I decided that a table runner would be a good project for me as a beginner patchworker and quilter and by accident, rather than design, I chose a pattern that required me to exercise a few new skills. Things didn't go well and I got angry with myself for being so stupid. (So stupid that I don't want to provide any details - but I cut wrongly, sewed wrongly, reacted wrongly...) After I cut out the pieces I seemed to have a lot of material left over, which was good because I had to recut some pieces! I consoled myself with the fact that this was intended as a learning exercise - and if I didn't make mistakes I wasn't going to learn , was I?

After directing my energies into other areas I returned to the project and have now completed three of the basic blocks. I am quite pleased with the results (finally) - and learned a few lessons!

Our younger daughter has decided to come to Toowoomba this weekend which is lovely. (Not sure why we're suddenly so popular.) She can come shoe shopping with me tomorrow and maybe I'll have more success than I did today.

I'm starting to look forward to my trip to New Zealand next week. Mum and I are the only ones going from Australia. My niece's wedding is in Queenstown on the Saturday and we will spend most of our time in Christchurch where my only sister and husband have recently moved into a new apartment. Mum looks remarkably well after her treatment for breast cancer last year and it will be great for the three of us to spend some fun time together. My sister is a gourmand and brilliant cook so I expect to be heavier on the return trip!

Cauldron Fire

Our plans were modified a bit when our elder daughter decided at short notice to spend the long weekend in Toowoomba. We enjoyed her company - and the visit did make me clear off the spare bed. We do tend to use it as storage space and dump a lot of stuff on it!

Last night we had a cauldron fire on our water tank where we enjoyed several hours of fire gazing, star gazing and quiet conversation. We've always enjoyed bonfires and since the introduction of fire restrictions we have modified our methods. It was such a beautiful evening with a glorious clear sky.

During the week we cleared a bank of lantana. It wasn't actually convenient for me but the time is always right when male muscle is volunteered! I should add that it has been there for decades but only recently earmarked for destruction. The results suit both of us and my scratches and wounds are healing nicely.

I thought our computer was dying earlier today so freaked out a little. It must be three years old and there are some files which should have been backed up. It seems ok again now but the experience served as a reminder to save files responsibly!

We are still without our 4WD after it was taken back to the dealer's workshop last week (for the thrid time)! I'm going to New Zealand in ten days' time so there won't be any camping trips in the immediate future. I just checked out the weather in Queenstown: maximum of 8 degrees today, minimum of -4!