Out and about and Care home update

Some late Sunday afternoon sandwiching happened and yes it was a bit cold but the job got done!

I have been plugging away at the Aussie hero quilt, more free range quilting to be done on the green grasses and the sea and water.

In the week we went over to Queenscliff, for a wander around and to find caches, there is one in a tree outside this house, one of the originals in Queenscliff, the owners were from Ireland.

On our way home we passed a paddock with a small herd of these Highland cattle

This young one (I presume ) or a teenager ? They do not grow that big.

Another Anthology block is completed, this one had 2 resews before it was the right size.

I had some very special happy mail in the week, Ingrid did some phone shopping at Lizzie's Quilt shop in Geelong and also bought some of the new batiks for me. Thank you Ingrid, I am very spoilt.

This afternoon the weather was quite good, the wind was a bit cold, so we went for a walk along another section of the rail trail, we found 3 out of 5 caches, two were no where to be found, or my caching eyes were not working!

We came across this train station, Suma Park used to be a horse stud, now the old house has been turned into a weddings,  functions and accommodation centre.

The train station is really well looked after and bonus I found the cache!! Yay!!

Feel free to skip the next bit.

Radius Matua Update: 20 May 2020

What a busy day we have had today, with a constant flow of family members visiting our Residents.

I was hoping that we might have had a reduction to level 1 in Jacinda’s announcement at 1.30pm, but it really just signalled that we might be a few weeks off yet. Her decision will likely affect any change in our precautionary approach to preventing Covid, and in turn the visitation restrictions.

We will await Monday with interest.

Some changes that we have put in place with the reducing to level 2 is:

·         Recommencement of visiting our resident’s

·         Van trips have re commenced

·         The mobile library will be back soon so Klara can commence obtaining books that are more specific to the resident’s taste.

·         We will start to plan the return of entertainers to our facility when we finally drop to level 1.

DHB and Aged Care:

I held an interesting Zoom meeting with the DHB yesterday to discuss the effect the Covid threat had had on Aged Care Facilities and how we had managed, how the DHB had supported us and any issues around the availability of PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). I was happy to say that so far with the help of staff, residents and families, and the timely support of the DHB we had not had any major issues (touch-wood).

It’s times like these when people work together, that shows that we can overcome some tough times. The one thing this horrible virus threat has taught us, is that you are not alone when you are part of a community both professionally and privately. People are inherently kind, willing and patient.

Activities Today:

·         Usual paper reading (cannot wait until other news is included other than Covid and the government’s quandaries)

·         Skittles : a smaller , less tiring game of ten pin bowling

·         Arts and craft club (preparing Crowns for upcoming royal morning tea for Queens birthday)

·         Video: Comedy in the hall (one foot in the grave ….requested by the residents)

·         Richard’s poems/stories

·         500 club

·         Baking scones

Did you know?

We have a resident in our rest home who was the first player to play 100 rugby union games for Manawatu? He was a nippy little (some may say yappy) halfback.

I was discussing it with him the other day and I asked him how many he actually played before retiring. He didn’t know, so together we googled it and found he played 101. He found it fascinating reading about himself, he also played against the French!! His son also played three games (at halfback) for Manawatu as well. He still sits at 10^th in the all-time list of games for Manawatu , what a legend!!

We have many residents with talents unknown in Matua and I will endeavour to share some of them with you in future newsletters.

I will be away for a couple of days so there will be no further newsletters this week. I will recommence on Monday.

Keep smiling everyone.

Craig Shipton

Radius Matua

Facility Manager

Off for a warming soak in the bath now awaiting fish and chips for dinner!
Happy stitching.

Yesterday

hubby and I went over to Queenscliff to have a walk in a different place and to find some new geocaches, we found 3 out of 4 which isn't bad for us. Hubby even found one!!

The first cache was near this Tandberg cartoon, this man used to be a cartoonist for one of the Melbourne newspapers, he lived in this area and used to walk along the beach here. 

The old pier and coastguard shed

The ferry leaving for Sorrento

Past the old pier and towards the lighthouse

I am working on an Aussie Hero quilt, the request was for beach and all things beach related

So after some repairs and re sewing, I found a cut in the fabric after I had joined on the top row!! Must have had it folded under when I straightened the edge. All fixed now thank goodness.

I have also being doing some secret sewing with left overs from the One Block Wednesday quilt.

I had better go and sort something for dinner, it is that time to the day again. 

Happy stitching.

Care home update

Radius Matua Update: 15 May 2020

Our first 2 days of visitation have gone off pretty well. Our fantastic team has managed over 55 visits yesterday and today. Thank you again for those who have been very cooperative with our rules during this time (particularly around the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment).

Labels on clothing:

We can now order labels for your families’ clothes and have a contractor who can sew them on for you for a small cost. If you would like to do so, please contact Laurence by email  to order labels and/or have them sewn on.

Activities:

The activities team in Radius Matua is a great example of cultural diversity. We have a Czech Mate, an English Rose, a Southern Belle, a South African Queen and finally 1 “lonely” Kiwi delivering activities to the residents of Radius Matua.

I thought this was a great opportunity to help our resident’s families to know a little about our activities team. This team that has been putting in such amazing work, not only during lockdown but also during the rest of the year.

Radius Matua Activities Team:

Sam – our English Rose is from Wolverhampton and moved to New Zealand on Auckland Anniversary day in 2007 with her family. She is a dental assistant by trade but nowadays prefers to have fun with our residents, and she does an amazing job. In her spare time, she loves to walk her two dogs and is learning to play electric guitar.

Heather – our Southern Belle is from Florida, USA. She moved to NZ in December 2009. She has a university degree in Leisure Services and Studies, so in her early life she worked in a similar role but mainly with children and youth. She decided that the children were too darn noisy, so she decided to follow the quieter path and work with the elderly generation.

Karin – our South African Queen is from George on the Garden Route in South Africa. She moved to NZ in 1994 after a stint in Canada. Karin was, and actually still is a magazine editor and in her spare time, she officiates wedding and funerals. She loves spending time with our residents and learning about their lives.

Klara – Czech Mate is from Ostrov in the Czech Republic, she arrived in New Zealand (permanently) on 11.11.2011 at 11pm. She is probably the loudest member of our team and as a former teacher and tour guide, she keeps a beady eye on all her “charges” and there isn’t much she doesn’t know. She also runs quizzes at the local pub and during her spare time helps her husband with his photography business.

Our “lonely” kiwi Charmaine is from Auckland who moved to Tauranga as a teenager. In her own words, she is a saint and she has never caused a problem in her life. Yeah right!!! … but she is great with the residents and will spend her days making their days happy and filled with fun, songs and nonsense. During the lockdown, Charmaine became a nana for the 10th time! She is looking forward to cuddles with grandbaby number 10 and number 11, which is due in May.

Kitchen Manager:

It is sad to finish on a low note but our fantastic kitchen Manager, Diana Cook, has handed in her resignation after over 19 years with Radius Matua and Matua Lifecare. I cannot speak more highly of her work and the manner in which she has run the kitchen. Diana has always had the

resident’s best interest at heart and the amazing teamwork and commitment (particularly for our restaurant themed dinners) could not be better. I will be very sorry to see her go but understand she wishes to reduce her workload over the next few years leading into retirement. Thank you Diana for everything you have done. Diana’s last day will be 29 May.

It has been an interesting and busy week, thanks to all my staff for their hard work in all areas of our facility.

I have met some of these ladies and they are all wonderful people.
Meanwhile back in Aus, yesterday I visited Belinda at her home and dropped off 11 quilts for the oncology ward,

Belinda modelled a few

She was very happy to get them. 

I had a thank you from a patient yesterday, she said treatment can take 4 to 7 hours and over a period of time they can get very cold, so a quilt is just what they need.

I also had happy mail yesterday, Susan very kindly sent me two quilt tops

for oncology quilts, aren't they beautiful colours?

And then today I had happy mail from Ingrid, and these fabrics were included, they are perfect for backing for the tops sent by Susan, How is that for the universe providing!! Thank you both very much.

I have finished another little section on my #sewalittlehappinesseveryday sampler, there are so many of these beautiful pieces of work coming together over at Instagram.

I have also started knitting a shawl with the lovely wool I received last week from the Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill. 

Our weather has changed today, a cool change is coming rain tonight and for the next few days. It will be good sewing weather no more being tempted to sit our in the sun!

Happy stitching.

A photo heavy catch up

Earlier this week the govt lifted some of the restrictions to do with us moving around during this virus time, and we were allowed to go hiking! So one day I took myself off to the Bellarine Rail trail, about a 20 min drive away

The trail runs along side the old railway line from Geelong to Queenscliff. There is no train rail from Geelong to Drysdale, but from Drysdale to Queenscliff you can sometimes see the steam train running or maybe a Thomas train. Of course as it is a voluntary organisation and train have people close together is is currently closed down!

Great old trestle bridge for the train to go over.

This morning I had a walk along the road and down to the beach, there are many people out walking at Edwards Point and along the paths, some forgetting their social distancing.

Had this part of the beach to myself

A couple glided by in their kayak, it looked so relaxing. 

During the week I was happily sewing and singing along to Procol Harum, I have not listened to them for years! ( was a great nostalgia wallow).  When I got to the corner I realised I had sewn most of the side without bobbin thread! Woops! Time to clean out the machine I think. The little alarm didn't go off.

New boat ramp at the Yacht Club is coming along, the birds have moved back in I noticed this morning.

When finishing off this quilt top I noticed a cut in the fabric, so I did a few stitches and dabbed on some fray stop. I hope it works.

The no fishing rules have been lifted, I counted over 100 boats out Friday and again yesterday, the car park at the boat ramp was fill and the over the road overflow full too. 

The sunny weather had everyone out.

I have finished off two donated quilt tops, like these colours

This crazy one is finished too.

I am hoping to drop them at Belinda's house tomorrow so they can go to the hospital.

My stack of hearts has been slowly growing thru the week.

I was out sandwiching on the front deck and had to take a break to watch the galahs over the road

Bit of grooming happening I think.

Always good to take advantage of fine weather.

I am off now to do some hand sewing or letter writing in the sun, or I might just sit and read a book, spoilt for choice.

FNWF 2

I managed to sew 5 labels onto 5 quilts, they can now go in a bag until they can be delivered to the hospital. Nice to tick that one off the list!

I did a little stitching on the #sewalittlehappiness project. A little bit of Australia.

And sewed two sections of the KOGO blanket together, I have part of the last seam to do and then it is time for the crochet border.

our virtual sewing link up is here. Thank you Cheryll for hosting us.

Happy stitching.

Friday

Tonight is another gathering of FNWF, this is #2. An extra gathering that Cheryll has organised as we ate still home bound.
This week a long avoided project saw the light of day

These are from the New Hexagon book by Katja Marek, published in 2014, I think that was when I started. I am not making all 54 blocks, the ones I have made might be a table runner one day.

The photos I rescued from dads old photo albums are now in an album

I appreciate having the photos, sadly not all of them are dated, good to have the record though.

The ones that didn't fit here will go in the family history album.  At least they are off the book shelf!

Another Anthology block made with paper piecing.

Then I attempted another one, with tiny tiny pieces

and after unsewing three times, I decided I was happy with it as it was.

I looked up from sewing one evening and saw this most magnificent sunset, had to go outside and watch for a while.

The ast couple of nights I have been sewing these knitted squares together for a KOGO blanket.

One Block Wednesday came home from the quilters this afternoon, Joan has done an amazing job, so happy with it.

Some happy mail arrived this afternoon too, this beautiful wool from the Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill, it is a polwarth and alpaca, so beautifully soft and light.

A friend from the Guild asked to do a postcard swap, so I have started with this bit of NZ fabric, have given it some free motion quilting, now it needs a backing.

The day has nearly gone, it started off sunny and windy, so I washed the sheets, I had better go get them in as not it is cloudy and still, we are due for a change and rain possibly over night, definitely in the morning.

Join us for a virtual sew along tonight.

Happy stitching.