On Monday I had the specialist appointment about my hip saga. After some discussion of history, looking at scans and xrays and prodding and poking he said that I should delay any surgery while the physiotherapy and exercising are helping.
To celebrate I spent Tuesday and Wednesday working to the point of exhaustion in the chook yard. Amazing transformations though only the chooks and I will notice it until the old sheds are removed and the grass has a chance to grow. I hope to create some vegetable gardens that can be temporarily fenced for rotation purposes and strip grazing by my beautiful chooks.
I still have 3 speckled sussex hens and about 14 silkies (roosters and hens). All are laying well so if you would like some eggs ring me to arrange a visit. I will keep the chooks till they die of old age and may even hatch out some more silkies if the numbers begin to decline too much. They are all so pretty with their new feathers after the autumn moult. All the other chooks have long since gone to good homes and as far as I know they are being used as breeding stock by their new owners.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
September in Berry
Last weekend I spent 3 nights with Janice, Rauri and Ruby.
I spent some time practising with my new camera. It has a great macro feature and with help from Belinda have learned how to use it.
Tony and Martha came and helped with lots of weeding on Saturday. The garden is looking quite fine now and Janice is mulching it all.
Rauri has a new vehicle. It looks very new and shiny but I am sure it will blend in very soon.
The Wisteria was in full bloom and Surrey's ghost was present underneath gutting and plucking ducks as in a photo taken some years ago.
Saturday evening Belinda and David arrived and stayed till Monday.
The big entertainment on Sunday was watching a truck arrive with more coal washings for the gate areas to fill the holes made from continual driving through. They get very boggy in wet weather and need filling and compacting. The amazing thing was watching how the 'dog' is emptied first then backed out of the way so the truck itself can be emptied.
I spent some time practising with my new camera. It has a great macro feature and with help from Belinda have learned how to use it.
Rauri has a new vehicle. It looks very new and shiny but I am sure it will blend in very soon.
The Wisteria was in full bloom and Surrey's ghost was present underneath gutting and plucking ducks as in a photo taken some years ago.
Saturday evening Belinda and David arrived and stayed till Monday.
The big entertainment on Sunday was watching a truck arrive with more coal washings for the gate areas to fill the holes made from continual driving through. They get very boggy in wet weather and need filling and compacting. The amazing thing was watching how the 'dog' is emptied first then backed out of the way so the truck itself can be emptied.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Another award for Surrey
This past week Barre Hellquist journeyed to San Angelo, Texas to attend the International Waterlily and Water Gardening Society's annual meeting. Each year they induct people who have promoted the study and growth of
waterlilies worldwide. Barre nominated Surrey and made a presentation. There were slides of all the waterlilies he named. It was very well recieved. I am so happy that they have recognized all the work he did with the Nymphaea. He joins Don Les and Barre as a member in the IWGS Hall of Fame.
waterlilies worldwide. Barre nominated Surrey and made a presentation. There were slides of all the waterlilies he named. It was very well recieved. I am so happy that they have recognized all the work he did with the Nymphaea. He joins Don Les and Barre as a member in the IWGS Hall of Fame.
Brisbane break - episode 8
Tuesday 21 September 2010
After breakfast Barbara and I drove to the city to the Valentino exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery - lots of beautiful gowns from 1950s to 2009. Magnificent clothes and even some inspiration for my patchwork.
Our next stop was the Hans Heysen exhibition.
We enjoyed a light lunch at the River Cafe between galleries and drove back to The Gap to collect my bags.
On the way to Banyo we made a quick stop at the Virginia Dolls & Antiques shop and enjoyed a short browse.
The evening was restful with lots of chat with Aunty Dot and Uncle Des and of course Daisy needed a pat or two.
Wednesday 22 September 2010
My last morning in Brisbane was spent quietly. I was able to skype Barre and catch up with a few emails.
We ordered the taxi for 11:30 so that I could get lunch at the airport on my way through as Virgin Blue offers no complimentary food or drink on the flight.
I arrived home around 4pm to find that Leigha had locked herself out of the house that morning with no car keys and no money. She was pleased to see me as you can imagine.
After breakfast Barbara and I drove to the city to the Valentino exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery - lots of beautiful gowns from 1950s to 2009. Magnificent clothes and even some inspiration for my patchwork.
Our next stop was the Hans Heysen exhibition.
We enjoyed a light lunch at the River Cafe between galleries and drove back to The Gap to collect my bags.
On the way to Banyo we made a quick stop at the Virginia Dolls & Antiques shop and enjoyed a short browse.
The evening was restful with lots of chat with Aunty Dot and Uncle Des and of course Daisy needed a pat or two.
Wednesday 22 September 2010
My last morning in Brisbane was spent quietly. I was able to skype Barre and catch up with a few emails.
We ordered the taxi for 11:30 so that I could get lunch at the airport on my way through as Virgin Blue offers no complimentary food or drink on the flight.
I arrived home around 4pm to find that Leigha had locked herself out of the house that morning with no car keys and no money. She was pleased to see me as you can imagine.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Brisbane Break - episode 7
Monday 20 September 2010
My last morning in Kilcoy! One of the fascinating plants around Kilcoy are the Xanthorrhoeas. They have such long flower stalks and the birds love them. I tried to get a photo of the Rainbow Lorikeets feeding on one that we could see from Kathy's verandah.
After a slow start watching birds, drinking coffee and breakfasting Kathy took Barbara and I for a tour of the acreage blocks north-east of Kilcoy. There are certainly some lovely places to live. This was followed by lunch together at Chantilly Blue.
Barbara and I then said our goodbyes to Kathy and headed south to Brisbane. We took the main highways east then south after some discussion. Barbara had wanted to go via the Mt Glorious road but with the rain and fog it could have been quite dangerous and we would not have been able to see any of the views anyway as we would have been in cloud.
Home to Barbara and Keith's by about 4pm and spent the evening slowing down. I decided to have a very light dinner to alleviate the pressure on my rib. This has worked somewhat and I am now much more comfortable.
My last morning in Kilcoy! One of the fascinating plants around Kilcoy are the Xanthorrhoeas. They have such long flower stalks and the birds love them. I tried to get a photo of the Rainbow Lorikeets feeding on one that we could see from Kathy's verandah.
After a slow start watching birds, drinking coffee and breakfasting Kathy took Barbara and I for a tour of the acreage blocks north-east of Kilcoy. There are certainly some lovely places to live. This was followed by lunch together at Chantilly Blue.
Barbara and I then said our goodbyes to Kathy and headed south to Brisbane. We took the main highways east then south after some discussion. Barbara had wanted to go via the Mt Glorious road but with the rain and fog it could have been quite dangerous and we would not have been able to see any of the views anyway as we would have been in cloud.
Home to Barbara and Keith's by about 4pm and spent the evening slowing down. I decided to have a very light dinner to alleviate the pressure on my rib. This has worked somewhat and I am now much more comfortable.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Brisbane Break - episode 6
Sunday 19 September 2010
Up a bit later today and eventually drove east to Woodford and the fortnightly markets. These were very disappointing but our late morning tea at the Jallas Cafe was fabulous - macadamia fruit slice - biscuit base, coconut, fruit and condensed milk filling, dark chocolate and macadamia top. No lunch was required after this. I found a recipe on the web for macadamia fruit slice but would need to modify it a little to achieve the result we had.
Back home to do a bit of photo and computer management and then a bit of 'justing' before Barbara arrived mid afternoon.
A tour of the house and garden for Barbara and a lot of chat before we headed for the Kilcoy Exchange Hotel for dinner. We all ordered salmon steaks and were really impressed with the quality of our meal.
Back home for TV, chat and bed.
Up a bit later today and eventually drove east to Woodford and the fortnightly markets. These were very disappointing but our late morning tea at the Jallas Cafe was fabulous - macadamia fruit slice - biscuit base, coconut, fruit and condensed milk filling, dark chocolate and macadamia top. No lunch was required after this. I found a recipe on the web for macadamia fruit slice but would need to modify it a little to achieve the result we had.
Back home to do a bit of photo and computer management and then a bit of 'justing' before Barbara arrived mid afternoon.
A tour of the house and garden for Barbara and a lot of chat before we headed for the Kilcoy Exchange Hotel for dinner. We all ordered salmon steaks and were really impressed with the quality of our meal.
Back home for TV, chat and bed.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Brisbane Break - episode 5
Saturday 18 September 2010
After an easy start to the day we packed a picnic and headed north from Kilcoy to Jimna.
Jimna is a tiny community with forestry origins. There is a small museum and information centre where we browsed for a while. We visited the wooden fire tower, the pride of Jimna. There were dozens of little finches in the grass (Red-browed Firetails) and many other birds flew in and out of view all day.
We drove to the Peach Trees camping area via the Donkey Falls fire track which was quite steep in parts. There was a lovely walk across the creek on a suspension bridge.
After an easy start to the day we packed a picnic and headed north from Kilcoy to Jimna.
Jimna is a tiny community with forestry origins. There is a small museum and information centre where we browsed for a while. We visited the wooden fire tower, the pride of Jimna. There were dozens of little finches in the grass (Red-browed Firetails) and many other birds flew in and out of view all day.
We drove to the Peach Trees camping area via the Donkey Falls fire track which was quite steep in parts. There was a lovely walk across the creek on a suspension bridge.
Again, lots of birds and wildflowers. It is great that Kathy is able to identify the birds and plants because all these semi-tropical species are foreign to me.
Some Kangaroos came in and were obviously very used to people. They allowed us to get very close.
One had a very fat belly with extra legs poking out!
We drove home along the Monsildale Road. The top end is narrow but well formed but the road was quite good further toward the Kilcoy end. There were beautiful creeks running across the causeways and hillsides of magnificent Xanthorhoea.
Back home to afternoon tea. Kathy made fantastic pizzas for dinner - pita bread base, caramelised onion, marinated feta, olives and preserved tomatoes - mmm excellent! with a glass of white wine. This was followed by rhubarb and apple with ice cream.
TV ended our day and of course I fell asleep before we found out who-dunnit.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Brisbane Break - episode 4
Friday 17 September 2010
I was up at 6:15 am and finished exercise, emails and diary by the time Kathy got up. After breakfast I took lots of photos of Kathy's beautiful home.
We decided to eat out for lunch at a lovely cafe - Chantilly Blue. It was also a lovely old Queenslander with many rooms and a wide verandah. Some of the rooms held lovely items for sale but nothing really caught our eye.
Then there was shopping to be done - putty, dynamic lifter, craft shop, bread rolls and even prawns from a fishmonger who brings a refrigerated truck up from the coast each Friday.
Back home and while I had a nanna-nap Kathy puttied and painted a patch in another spare bedroom ready for Barbara's visit. I was quite impressed with Kathy's ironing board cover. I'll have to make one myself.
Later in the afternoon we drove down to the town park to meet Mary (from singing group) for a walk. I experimented with my camera while the others went for their regular walk. My rib hurts a bit much for walking although my hip is feeling much better.
I am slowly learning my way around the camera but seem to have a bit of hand shake sometimes.
Back home for our prawn and salad dinner before settling down to a bit of TV then bed.
I was up at 6:15 am and finished exercise, emails and diary by the time Kathy got up. After breakfast I took lots of photos of Kathy's beautiful home.
Kathy has a large number of sheds as well as storage spaces under the house. Here she is in her beautiful 'girl shed' and she does not even have to put her car in there as it has another garage under the house.
We decided to eat out for lunch at a lovely cafe - Chantilly Blue. It was also a lovely old Queenslander with many rooms and a wide verandah. Some of the rooms held lovely items for sale but nothing really caught our eye.
Then there was shopping to be done - putty, dynamic lifter, craft shop, bread rolls and even prawns from a fishmonger who brings a refrigerated truck up from the coast each Friday.
Back home and while I had a nanna-nap Kathy puttied and painted a patch in another spare bedroom ready for Barbara's visit. I was quite impressed with Kathy's ironing board cover. I'll have to make one myself.
Later in the afternoon we drove down to the town park to meet Mary (from singing group) for a walk. I experimented with my camera while the others went for their regular walk. My rib hurts a bit much for walking although my hip is feeling much better.
I am slowly learning my way around the camera but seem to have a bit of hand shake sometimes.
Back home for our prawn and salad dinner before settling down to a bit of TV then bed.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Brisbane Break - episode 3
Thursday 16 September 2010
Up at about 6am to make sure Uncle Des was ready for his taxi at 7:30am to take him to an eye appointment. Des returned before Kathy arrived for morning tea.
Kathy and I then went to visit her daughter Kelly and baby Hamish (8 weeks old).
Hamish is, of course, beautiful and completely exhausting his mum like the good little baby he is. We had a light lunch that Kathy had brought with her then left early afternoon to head for Kilcoy and "home" for the next few days.
We stopped briefly at the Mt Mee lookout where, through the haze, we could look down over the coastal plain to Caloundra in the far distance with the Glasshouse Mountains puncturing the view.
Then on to Kathy's home in Kilcoy. No wonder she loves it here! A beautiful old Queenslander home, small town and fantastic views.
After dinner we went to Kathy's choir practice with the Somerset Singers. We sang lots of music I knew. They are small in number but such a lively, fun bunch of people.
Back home to settle in for an excellent night's sleep.
Up at about 6am to make sure Uncle Des was ready for his taxi at 7:30am to take him to an eye appointment. Des returned before Kathy arrived for morning tea.
Kathy and I then went to visit her daughter Kelly and baby Hamish (8 weeks old).
Hamish is, of course, beautiful and completely exhausting his mum like the good little baby he is. We had a light lunch that Kathy had brought with her then left early afternoon to head for Kilcoy and "home" for the next few days.
We stopped briefly at the Mt Mee lookout where, through the haze, we could look down over the coastal plain to Caloundra in the far distance with the Glasshouse Mountains puncturing the view.
Then on to Kathy's home in Kilcoy. No wonder she loves it here! A beautiful old Queenslander home, small town and fantastic views.
After dinner we went to Kathy's choir practice with the Somerset Singers. We sang lots of music I knew. They are small in number but such a lively, fun bunch of people.
Back home to settle in for an excellent night's sleep.
Brisbane Break - episode 2
Wednesday 15 September 2010
Up with the dawn chorus at 5:30 am. Pam was already up. Pam, Bryan and I shared breakfast before Pam had to go to work. Bryan stayed home and worked from home for the morning. I had time to update the blog, complete exercise routine and read. We then drove Caroline to uni on our way back to Banyo where Bryan and I had lunch at a local cafe before arriving at Aunty Dot's and Uncle Des's.
While I was away, one of the orchids had decided to open. It is quite beautiful.
A quiet afternoon followed by a load of washing, dinner and TV.
Up with the dawn chorus at 5:30 am. Pam was already up. Pam, Bryan and I shared breakfast before Pam had to go to work. Bryan stayed home and worked from home for the morning. I had time to update the blog, complete exercise routine and read. We then drove Caroline to uni on our way back to Banyo where Bryan and I had lunch at a local cafe before arriving at Aunty Dot's and Uncle Des's.
While I was away, one of the orchids had decided to open. It is quite beautiful.
A quiet afternoon followed by a load of washing, dinner and TV.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Brisbane Break - episode 1
Monday 13 September 2010
Today I flew to Brisbane to visit relatives and friends. Rod drove me to the airport on his first day of leave between jobs. My first stop is with Aunty Dot and Uncle Des at Banyo. It is so good to be with them after so many years (perhaps 2002 with Surrey, 2003 for a conference).
Daisy the dog greeted me with the offering of her forehead for a scratch of course. She is not as blind as she looks in this photo. That is lack of editing software on my part.
We had a quite afternoon touring the garden and looking at photos. A butcher bird came down begging for food while we were sitting outside. He did like dog pellets.
Tuesday 14 September 2010
We had a slow and easy start to the day feeding the magpies and blue headed honeyeater (?).
Then Aunty Dot and I walked up to Banyo shops for some instant coffee after I decided that I really would enjoy a cup of coffee rather than tea.
While up there I visited the computer shop to investigate pre-paid internet USB connection - no luck! However, he did say it was worth shopping around as prices varied a great deal.
Later in the day I rang the Banyo Post Office who had 3 different options so I took another walk up and purchased some internet access. Like a mobile phone, I'll be able to use it wherever there is mobile access. I wonder if it will work at Underhill better than my phone?
I was then able to show Aunty Dot and Uncle Des all the family photos on the blog and photos of the Noosa house from the old blog.
Bryan came to collect me just after 5pm and we drove back to his house (one hour) to collect Pam. Off out again to dinner at Ceylon Inn. There we met David. Good company, delicious food and incredible ladies room decor!
Back to Bryan and Pam's where we skyped Sang-Hee and baby Ian who are currently in Korea visiting friends and relatives. There were tears and laughs as I had not spoken with Sang-Hee since just after Surrey was diagnosed with his cancer. It was great to chat together again. Unfortunately skype does not do hugs and I did not get to cuddle Ian.
Then Pam and I spent time looking at my various blogs as she had not seen them recently.
Today I flew to Brisbane to visit relatives and friends. Rod drove me to the airport on his first day of leave between jobs. My first stop is with Aunty Dot and Uncle Des at Banyo. It is so good to be with them after so many years (perhaps 2002 with Surrey, 2003 for a conference).
Daisy the dog greeted me with the offering of her forehead for a scratch of course. She is not as blind as she looks in this photo. That is lack of editing software on my part.
We had a quite afternoon touring the garden and looking at photos. A butcher bird came down begging for food while we were sitting outside. He did like dog pellets.
Tuesday 14 September 2010
We had a slow and easy start to the day feeding the magpies and blue headed honeyeater (?).
Then Aunty Dot and I walked up to Banyo shops for some instant coffee after I decided that I really would enjoy a cup of coffee rather than tea.
While up there I visited the computer shop to investigate pre-paid internet USB connection - no luck! However, he did say it was worth shopping around as prices varied a great deal.
Later in the day I rang the Banyo Post Office who had 3 different options so I took another walk up and purchased some internet access. Like a mobile phone, I'll be able to use it wherever there is mobile access. I wonder if it will work at Underhill better than my phone?
I was then able to show Aunty Dot and Uncle Des all the family photos on the blog and photos of the Noosa house from the old blog.
Bryan came to collect me just after 5pm and we drove back to his house (one hour) to collect Pam. Off out again to dinner at Ceylon Inn. There we met David. Good company, delicious food and incredible ladies room decor!
Back to Bryan and Pam's where we skyped Sang-Hee and baby Ian who are currently in Korea visiting friends and relatives. There were tears and laughs as I had not spoken with Sang-Hee since just after Surrey was diagnosed with his cancer. It was great to chat together again. Unfortunately skype does not do hugs and I did not get to cuddle Ian.
Then Pam and I spent time looking at my various blogs as she had not seen them recently.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)