An amazing day on our Harbour

Kerrie and I had a catch up day yesterday and after meeting at Circular Quay decided to get on a ferry to Pyrmont Bay. We often just decide when we meet what we are going to do for the day.

We wandered around Pyrmont a little way then had an early lunch at Grill'd at the Pyrmont end of Darling Harbour. Next decision was to walk across the foot bridge. We were lucky enough to be there just as it opened at noon. I've never actually been on it when it has opened before. Nothing went through so we assume it must have been a test run right on 12:00.

We walked along to Barangaroo Wharf but unfortunately waited on the wrong wharf and saw our ferry leave a wharf further down. We actually waited on the wharf where the ferry dropped people off on the way in but it seems it is the wrong one.

Eventually we found the correct wharf and had a lovely slow trip back to Circular Quay.

We had noticed that the ferry was continuing on to Watson's Bay so we decided to just stay on. Just after we left Rose Bay the ferry sped up quite suddenly and I guess it was to get off the seaplane landing area because one landed within seconds of us escaping. I tried to get a photo but unfortunately missed it.

At Watson's Bay we wandered up the hill to The Gap. It was really quite hot and sunny so we did not linger long.

It was very crowded down at the coffee shops and eating places so we decided to forego our coffee and get on the ferry back to the Quay. After expressing our disappointment at the very fast ferry trip on the way down we were blessed with a very languorous trip back up the harbour. All boat traffic was slowed to a crawl by the SailGP International Catamaran Race There are some fantastic photos at the linked site but mine is as I saw it.

Eventually we arrived back at Circular Quay and had our long awaited coffee before heading up to the station and home. I arrived home quite exhausted as we had stood for most of the trip down to Watson's Bay.

What a great day for a trip on the harbour!

A Weekend of Music and Patchwork

Over the last long weekend I joined the Chorus Oz (Sydney Philharmonia) Choir to enjoy singing for two days. One day was a rehearsal in Pitt St Uniting Church and the Sunday was spent in the Opera House, giving our performance on Sunday evening. I wore my coat decorated with all the Tshirts we've been given over the last 12 years and whilst having lunch on the Sunday Jacqui from Sydney Philharmonia too some photos...

It was an amazing two days only marred by the long walk up Macquarie Street afterward and the crowds from Vivid. What a pity they did not all come to hear us as well.

On Monday I spent the day at home finishing off my pink quilt getting it ready for a competition in September. It won't win any prizes but at least it used up some of my pink fabrics of which I have far too many.

Royal Botanic Gardens 200th Birthday Picnic

Those who were watching the ABC News on Monday night might have caught a glimpse of Ma and Ivy. We were photographed at the Royal Botanic Gardens 200th Birthday Picnic. It was a great morning and we found John P so were able to have a long chat and walk together, catching up on old times and new ventures. Lea from St Stephens Choir also met up with us.

Of course we took our picnic rug made from Surrey's shirts to include him in the picnic too.

Chorus Oz 2016

This year was my 12th year with Chorus Oz, one of the Sydney Philharmonia choirs. There were around 700 choristers, 5 of whom were from the Sutherland Choral Society - Lee, Janetta, Betty, Phil and Lyndel.

Of course we all had a fantastic two days learning and then performing Handel's Israel in Egypt in the Opera House.

On our way home on Sunday we were treated to glimpses of Vivid. The only drawback being having to join the huge crowds to shepharded to Martin Place Station to get home.

Retirement is very very hectic

It has been ages since I updated my blog and I feel it is about time.

Since my return from Tassie I have been occupied with

• Grandkids - I really enjoy any moments I have with my two boys and Ivy. Ivy and I spend Thursdays together each week and every second Tuesday. She just loves being outside so I am able to do small jobs in the garden whilst playing with her.

"Where is it?

"stars"

• House repair - I've had various jobs done that I could not do myself. The window washing man (fabulous) cleaned windows inside and out, upstairs and down, took down all my curtains so I could wash them, replaced all my fire alarm batteries and a light globe, adjusted the night light sensor at the front and refitted one of the curtain rod brackets! He then said if there were any other bits and pieces I needed done to just ring him. Then there was gutter cleaning man. I had a plumber come to fix taps that had started to disintegrate. And Geoff spent most of a day with me doing odd bits of heavy work mostly outside. My dishwasher broke down and had to be replaced. Then I was offered 3 new single beds to replace some broken ones I had.

• Visiting doctors for the usual body maintenance - I've been trying to have this back-hip-leg-knee thing investigated with an xray and ultrasound used to find issues. I had had to curtail activities because I was in such pain. Last Monday I had a steroid injection in my hip bursa and that has made some difference in the amount of pain I have. I do hope it works for a long time. Maybe I won't need that wheelie walker too soon now. While all this has been going on I have stopped pilates but hope to start up again soon. My monthly massages are an absolute must though and keep me moving.

• Gardening - In the last few weeks I have had the paving under the back windows and down the drive redone. Now there are no steps and rough areas for when I need to exit the property with my wheelie walker (not necessary yet though). In this process all sorts of other bits of the garden have needed sorting. The paver man used all the good bricks I had used as garden edges and retaining walls so all these had to be replaced by me. Not quite finished that yet. Then I used some of the concrete blocks from the driveway to extend the concrete path to the chook shed so I can go up and collect eggs in soft shoes. The paver man also moved all the rose pots so I am having to put them somewhere for the long term. That will be a slower job. As Surrey always said if you finished everything then you would have nothing left to do and that would be sad. 

Before

After

• Singing - lots and lots of practice. This weekend I have two major functions, a choral matins at church on Sunday morning in which most of the service will be sung (except the sermon and readings), followed by the Sutherland Choral Society concert - Durufle's Requium and Schubert's Mass in G. On the June long weekend I'll be taking part in Chorus Oz with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs performing Handel's Israel in Egypt (I've been doing my own practise with that one as it is completely new to me). Just because we all felt like something to fill our time I had a choir lunch at my place today.

• Quilting  - Unfortunately I am not getting much of my own patchwork done but I still attend the group at Kogarah Library every second week and also have the Rainbow Connection Quilters here every two months. As well as that I am making new curtains to replace the ones that fell apart in the wash.

• Projects - Just occasionally I am asked to help with projects like the plant cheat sheets for the Tassie Devils trip and I love the challenge of doing that sort of educational/botanical work. However, the other day I was asked if I could volunteer on a lizard behaviour project which I declined - they wanted me full time for a month!! I don't think so! When would I get time to do that?

• Travelling - since Tassie my travels have only taken me to the city, to Ulladulla and to Berry but I do have a long trip lined up for later in the year which will be exciting. Then there are visits to Underhill when I can. Surrey's birthday picnic was a small affair with Geoff and family. The tree is progressing well.

Surrey's tree is the one directly behind Geoff.

• Friends -  of course most of these activities are peppered with socialising with friends in various ways. Keeping up with friends (online, by phone or in person) is probably one of the most important parts of retirement as friends keep your mind and body active as well as giving joy and laughter in many small ways. Thank you to all my friends.

So if you are wondering why I don't update my blog as often as you look at it, or you can't actually get me on the phone, perhaps this explains a little. I will return emails and return messages left on my phone as soon as I can. 

A busy end to October

The great grand daughters Alexandra and Ivy had a lovely visit with Gram. One day they'll be old enough to get to know one another. We also had a great lunch together in Cooper Park.

Arianne's final exhibition in early November was a stunner and despite the flu she was able to reach her target and enjoy the process. Friends and family came to stay at mine and helped with the transport of it all.

One surprise during October was that I actually did have potatoes in my garden. I thought they had all died. In fact I ended up with about 4 such trays of potatoes.

Dealing with excess has meant lots of chopping and freezing. And I've even tried some with my potatoes, making some little potato patties out of left over mashed potato ready for heating for another meal.

The celery and capsicums below are not from my garden.

The spinach is from my garden and I froze some cup cake sized servings for reheating later or using in stews etc.

I continue to get fabulous carrots, one of which was about 20cm long! We have eaten some fresh but I have also diced some to freeze for later cooking.

October ended with a lunch for St Stephens choir members. It was a great afternoon with people coming and going to fit in with various gigs around town.

Last weekend was a mammoth 15 hours of singing with a final concert in the Town Hall. A wonderful experience.

Now it is my turn with the flu so I am cancelling things left right and centre.

Australia Day

This year I spent Australia Day in at St Stephens on Macquarie Street. The day was filled with music and cars.

First the parade of old cars along Macquarie Street which was closed for the event.

Soon after this came the St George and Sutherland Pipe Band.

They played outside the church for a while but then the rain forced them into the foyer on an off during their performance.

They finished with a march into the church and played there for a while as well.

This was then followed with a range of performances by various musicians and as I was on door duty I was lucky enough to hear all performances.

I don't usually go to the city on Australia Day but I'll certainly be repeating this activity. What an amazing day.

Great Music in a Fabulous Setting

If you would like to come to listen to great music our choir is hosting Hymnfest at St Stephens in Macquarie Street. Click on the flier below to see the details.

Christmas Presence

No, I do not have a spelling mistake in the title. The best bit about my Christmas was not the presents but the presence of family and extended family in three different homes over the Christmas break.

On Boxing Day Janice and I shared a meal with Geoff and Jen in their newly completed dining and kitchen area. Their first meal at the dining table.

On Christmas Day I visited Rod and Ellen and the boys who were unable to join us at the other meals because of Chicken Pox. What a great time it was to be with them all.  

On Christmas Eve Geoff and Jen joined me at home after taking my family to see the renovations at his house.

Family came from far and wide to share a meal around my table - Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney.

I was so glad that Mum was able to make the journey too. She enjoyed sitting in the comfy chair by my new back window with the fan on to keep her cool.

The newly renovated room proved to be most comfortable and useable. 

So if you are wondering about the presents/presence spelling issue some of it is explained in the story I read on the ABC website this morning. A very perceptive child's reaction to Christmas presents is described in the article. 

I received some very thoughtful presents as well as the many cuddles including homemade biscuits and homegrown vegetables and flowers, some handmade jewellery and covered coat hangers, some books to read, and lots of yummy consumables like chocolates and champagne.