Surrey's gift

Over the years Surrey gave me rose plants that had sometimes flowered but languished until he planted some in pots in full sun. Seeing how well these few did I then transplanted all the old ones into large pots in full sun. With this recent rain they are now doing famously and I could not resist a photo of my latest bunch which includes Firefighter, Papa Meilland, Peace, Brandy, Mother's Love and Avon. The perfume in the dining room is wonderful.

What a lovely way to remember my generous, loving man.

Friends from far and near

This last week or so started with a significant birthday for my friend Elaine. Some of her family made a surprise visit from NZ and I joined them and the other playgroup mums Anne and Ev to celebrate with Elaine.

That night Jeanette and Graham arrived from WA. Elaine and I had met them on our Rocky Mountaineer train trip. Jeanette joined our patchwork weekend and worked very hard both on the weekend and in the following days to learn a few more quilting skills.

We had time for some travels too. Our first was to Kurnell then along the coast to Wanda for lunch. Then on past Cronulla to Miranda for some shopping and Elaine's for dinner.

Pernilla (Sweden) and Julie (Tasmania) joined us for dinner one night and we spent lots of time catching up on musical news.

Then I took Jeanette and Graham to see a bit of southern NSW. First to Underhill where we found the quinces were ripe enough to pick. There were also a few apples ready.

Then on to Fitzroy Falls where the mist was very thick. There we were fascinated for some time by two different Lyre Birds just close by.

 

On to Berry where we stayed two nights with Rauri and Janice. This put Jeanette and Graham in their comfort zone with some fence mending (they are also farmers) but gave them a completely new experience working and living with rich green grass and lots of rain.

 

 

On the way back we stopped off at a few landmarks. The first was Seven Mile Beach which was significant to Jeanette and Graham. Then Gerroa and Gerringong. The Kiama blowhole was showing off and we enjoyed coffee and cake at the cafe there for morning tea.

Following the coast up we drove over Seacliff bridge (in the middle distance) and stopped at Hargraves Lookout at Stanwell Tops for the view. We had lunch at Audley.

 

Home to a visit from Luke who had a sleep over with Ma. We drove Jeanette and Graham to the airport so they could continue their journey. What a wonderful week we all had!

This was all followed by a birthday party for my 2 year old friend Rosalind. William (3) was also very excited and the party was a great success.

The Straggly Quince

I went down to Underhill for two nights and was joined by Terry and Ellie with great expectations of doing lots of sorting and tidying. However the weather was so hot that none of us did much at all. One job we did achieve was to remove the non-productive 'quince' that was about 20 years old and had never even flowered! This is in preparation for replacement of termite ridden awnings that look as though they are about to collapse any day.

 

 

 

 

At one stage there were some really threatening clouds to the south and east but this resulted only in a few rumbles of thunder and an immeasurable amount of rain. However, we had had 120mm over the previous month.

The harvest was very light but we did get a fair number of peaches from the tiny peach tree near the caravan. It is in the photo above. 

There were only a few pears left, quinces and apples are not ready yet, and a few sour plums left from our earlier harvest. There are no damsons at all this year. Although we have had plenty of rain over summer we did have a dry spring and some very very hot days between the rain falls that burnt off all sorts of things both at home and at Underhill.

We did a bit of bird watching. They just loved having a bath after the tiny bit of rain. There were grey fantails, striated thornbills, shrike thrush, yellow robins, and at a distance we could hear the magpies.

I must remember for next time - 2 mozzie ends for the tank overflow pipes, a potty and some WD40 for the fire bolts. It would be good to think of some sort of bird bath/trough where we could watch the bird antics more easily.

Thanks Terry and Ellie for your company and chats. It made the whole weekend worthwhile. 

The Last Corner

Last week Kim and I tackled the last big garden job - move the cycad that scratched the car every time I drove up the drive to under the loungeroom window where it can scratch burglars if they attempt a break in. 

It all worked fairly well and the bole was not as big as we had anticipated. We used the plants from the front garden as 'instant garden' to fill the gap left in the back yard. Now we just have to wait and see whether they live or die.

 

A hot week in January

Last week Sydney had its hottest day on record at almost 46 C. That was the day after we went to a performance in the Botanic Gardens of The Wind in the Willows. It was also another hot day but not nearly as bad as the next day. My day started with a cup of coffee and a book 'under' Surrey's tree while I waited for the others to arrive. What a beautiful spot to sit!

 

The next day I went over to visit Lynne for the weekend. There was a barbeque on Sunday but as Lynne had damaged her arm she was grateful for help tidying and cooking before hand.

We had a great get-together of old friends from Eastern Suburbs Musical Society days. Pernilla was able to come because she is in Sydney at the moment.

 

 Thanks Lynne for a great weekend.

Gerroa Beach Holiday

Jen and Geoff on their 'honeymoon'. The real one will come later in the year.

Jen and Geoff joined me for a Gerroa beach holiday to start our year in drop-out mode. There were lots of swims, walks along the beach, visitors and shared meals. We missed Ellen and Rod and the boys as Luke had chicken pox. I hope next year they are able to join us.

Sunset over Seven Mile Beach.

  

A wife comes in handy for rewinding the fishing lines.

Early morning mist over Crooked River at Gerroa.

Bushfire smoke to the south after our very hot day (over 40 C)

Clouds heralding in the southerly change to bring relief from the excessive heat.

Too choppy for a good swim.

We went fossil hunting instead along the rock platform.

There were lots of skinks.

The crowd at our biggest shared meal with Matthew, Iain, Stevie, Pernilla, Rauri, Janice, Geoff, Charmaine, Jen, and Jason. Ruby is under the table. Elaine and Anne also joined us but had gone home before this meal.

    

Welcoming the new couple

 

On 1 January 2013 we welcomed the newest member of our family, Jen, with family and friends gathered at Camelia Gardens.

 

 We had a fabulous gathering despite the mosquitos. Between the ceremony and dinner lots of family and friends gathered at my place for a cuppa and a nanna nap for some. We then all went to the Dynasty Restaurant at Belmore for a wedding feast!! No formal speaches and other nonsense so the whole experience was a casual, happy event.

Welcome to the new couple!

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.