Queensland

This week we have come up north to Queensland. Friday we went out to Burleigh Heads and had a quick look at the beach, in-between the rain showers 

a bit further along we found Palm Beach

David had meeting at a business park and as luck would have it just down the road was a fabric shop

it was an amazing shop,  so much to look at, 2 floors of fabric! A few jumped in my bag to come home with me.

Yesterday the men were gaming so us ladies went out to search for caches at Perigian Beach. Our first stop was at the community gardens

we found a Costa scarecrow and some beautiful pottery stacks

next we went to the village and the beach

lots of little pohutukawa trees are in flower here.

Last night we had dinner at the Coolum pub and afterwards we had a ride on the Ferris wheel

and of course had to sit in the big deck chair!!

another day of adventures awaits today

Happy stitching.

Catching up again

                                                                      Today blogger has decided to put the photos in reverse so we will see the week backwards!

A couple of weekend ago we had a visit from Shane, #2 son, his partner Rilla and her Mum Fiona, we had a great visit with them and they were very happy to be out of the city and enjoying the big outdoors after being in lock down for so long.

The Storm at Sea quilt top is finished, I didn't quite have enough for the border so a little extra had to be added in on two sides.

Here are the finished blocks

a block made in the week

I had some wonderful happy snail mail in the week and now need to get pen to paper and write some replies. Mmm blogger has decided to put this photo on its side!

Two Storm at Sea blocks made earlier in the week

This one had to be unpicked and a new piece added, I obviously got trimming happy!!

More hexies have been added together

I brought a heap of these books home from Eve's house and have read this one

Earlier this week I made a book of family photos from the last three years to send to Mum for Christmas, it turned up in three days, very efficient service!

I also received a lovely parcel from Ondrea this week, containing her beautiful stitched book mark, word search to keep the grey matter on the move and a notebook. Thank you Ondrea.

You know how sometimes you see things advertised on Instagram or facebook and you are not sure if they are for real or not?? Well these mugs below were advertised and I thought I would give it a try. The sale was in US dollars so I thought if it gets here it will take forever, but No! The cup turned up in 6 days, despite me misspelling the street address.....😕

here is the back

and the front,,  Jenny and I cavorting off into senility together!! (Hopefully not for a long time!!)

I contacted the makers to explain about the incorrect address, the mug was already in the mail - that was day 2 after ordering. So I contacted the delivery people, it was already in their system in that it had gone from Melbourne to Geelong so could not be changed once it was in the delivery system.

I have had three follow up emails from the seller, they even offered another mug and I just had to pay for the delivery. So happy it has arrived and I am very impressed with the service. Now to send it on to NZ.

I had a walk up around the subdivision behind us in the week and saw the street planted with pohutukawa trees otherwise known as the NZ Christmas bush, was so lovely to see.

The yesterday while out in the garden, I noticed this bush that I hope might have been a pohutukawa covered in flowers and heaving with bees. Very happy to see it in flower. We have planted three small pohutukawas around the garden but they are too small to flower yet I think. This might be a different variety to the ones I saw up the street as the flowers are smaller.

I was over in Drysdale on Thursday evening and noticed this W painted on the wall of the Woolies supermarket, How pretty is that?

Hopefully I have not put you to sleep! 😊

I am off to get some lunch and then it is sewing time.

We had a 31degC day yesterday, today there is a cool breeze blowing up the bay and it has just started to rain!! Yay! I hope it lasts.

Happy stitching.

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.