A little sewing

I had a little time on Saturday to get to the sewing machine and have nearly finished three rows on the book reading quilt

I hope to get some more done tomorrow.

I did some circle sewing while in NZ, but got the most done in Auckland airport and on the plane

very elegant airport sewing position!!

Now I have another 54 circles to add to the collection.

I found some photos I had taken in NZ, from when I had a walk after dinner

down the end of Woods Avenue, the tide was way out, here Mount Maunganui is in the distance

and I wandered along the waterfront and thru Ferguson Park and saw a little of the sunset

the back through the primary school I went to many moons ago, loved this heron mosaic

and the bollards

I liked this sign, I hope the students are encouraged to read it.

another heron at the front gate...my parents house is four houses down the road. Kind of a fitting sign for our time there coming to a close.

I had better be off and sort some dinner, it is that time of day once again.

Happy sewing.

Nearly Christmas

Here I am home once again after a busy week in New Zealand. My Mum had 4 weeks in hospital with that A strain flu, then it was decided she could no  longer live in her own home. Luckily the local rest home had two rooms vacant and once Mum agreed we could take her straight there. My mother is a very private woman and firmly believes children should be seen and not heard and NOTHING regarding finances, health etc should be discussed with them. So it has been a difficult task finding out where her money is, sorting her clothes and getting her sorted. Luckily most things fell into place. I did have to escape now and then to the beach for some quiet time

one afternoon it was extremely windy and there were about 20 windsurfers hurling around down at Ferguson Park

the tide was out but the view is still good looking over to Mount Maunganui, the tree on the right is a pohutukawa , other wise known as the NZ Christmas tree, so many are in flower at present.

One evening I went geocaching and found a cache right at the far end of this bridge trains use to cross from Tauranga to Mount Maunganui where the port is. No trains went by when I was there but it was super windy, but bonus...I found the cache!!

another cache was near this waka (canoe) which has beautiful carving on it and I believe is used on Waitangi Day.

I found this interesting book swap down the end of the road, I managed to leave some books and took one to read. I think these are a wonderful idea. There are two little free libraries (not phone boxes) in the same area.

pohotukawa flowers,

Super low tide this day and a huge cruise ship in at the Mount wharf. 

I had to have the hire car back on Dec 19th, so stayed in a hotel near the airport that night, 

Jenny came to have a catch up, we had dinner at the restaurant next to the hotel and then after much searching found a geocache between the hotel and the main road. Luckily it was hidden in some trees and bushes so I didn't look too much like I was lurking!! It was wonderful to spend the evening together and have a good natter.

I completed 22 circles while away, most of them at the airport waiting for the plane and the last three on the plane. I need to cut some more circles to do some more.

When I got back there was a surprise from Michelle, a beautiful hand drawn card, elf tree decoration and some pocket mini's stitching patterns. Thank you Michelle, it was a lovely surprise.

I also received a parcel from the lovely Ondrea..it is under the Christmas tree...the excitement builds!!

Four more stars have joined the family.

this elf or Santas helper also came home with me, I found him in the hospital gift shop...love him!!

and this one was a present from Jenny, just love this one too!

Well there is lots to do, I am attempting a fruit and nut cake today, full of dates, nuts and a little almond meal, so had better get a move on.

Very Happy Christmas to everyone and a safe and creative and healthy New Year.

Tauranga and FNWF

Yesterday we drove from Gisborne to Tauranga. ..I was told it would take three and a half hours, but it took us a whole lot longer...it was about 288km which in Aussie terms doesn't sound like much, but when you drive through many kms of a gorge is takes forever!!!!!

We stopped at this camp/rest place and found this old tressle bridge way up the back

This what we were driving through, lots of windy road with towering hills on either side and a river near the road...this was through the Waioeka Gorge.

We stopped for a look at Opotiki, Eve found postcards in the museum, the on to Whakatane where we had lunch by the river

Whakatane is build between the end of a bluff and the river

And Captian Cook must have been here at some stage of his travels, maybe for lunch at the cafe?? Lol!!

From  here we went on to Tauranga, took Eve to an antique shop, and then went to my mothers house.  She is 91 and fiercely independent, except when she needs the neighbours  and friends to do things for her, she has a very strict routine and finds it hard when people come to the house. So we got takeaway for dinner and then Eve and I went down the the beach to watch the sunset

The tide was way out so we got the sandy beach

This place is called Ferguson Park and behind me taking the photo is 20 acres of playing fields, there was soccer training happening, adult soccer games happening, people walking dogs and people just walking, people sitting watching...there is always something happening down here.

Heading back to Mums now.

Happy days.

PS..Dont forget tonight is Friday Night with Friends, you can sign up over at Cheryll's , she is the hostess with the mostess for a night of virtual stitching and fun. You can see what many like minede people are doing over there on the weekend.