Cold and grey outside.

John has gone fishing, he rang to say we have fish but it was a bit rough and he is tired. My younger daughter and family came out this morning to catch and remove 3 roosters and take home the cob stallion, sad to see him go but he hasn't been used for a couple of years. Lovely to see them. I am now I side sewing, started on the baby blanket and it is nice I side, George and I are enjoying the fire. I am so pleased with the second flowering of this orchid, I seem to have found the ideal place for it, there are three lovely flower trusses. I bought the echiveria (succulent)at the market yesterday, lovely shape. Better go and feed the cooks. Yes there were fish, three nice big King George whiting and the red ones are for George.

Daily stitch and a young peacock.

I spent most of this morning listening to three young men who were hoping to be pre selected in our area in next year's State election, an interesting procedure, we have done it before and we're pleased that our choice won. Our local member is not re contesting. It has been quite cold, the fire is still going so I have been enjoying reading by the fire and doing a bit to my daily embroidery. The peacocks have not enjoyed the damp weather and tend to come in close to the house.

aroound the garden

My debutante camellia is always the first to bloom, not many out yet but I can see it from the kitchen table, always a delight. A lovely pot of succulents that will need to come in undercover shortly or it will get too wet or even worse frosted. It is very cool but lots of clouds. My large not very hot pepper is still producing quite well. We walked this morning, more lovely clouds. I seem to have been a bit indolent today, reading and enjoying not doing too much. I keep washing and then when I put the clothes on the line to dry we get another shower, we need to blow all the leaves from the glory vine but they tend to get wet and stick to the concrete. If I am not careful I will be moaning because we will be too dry. I like having the fire though, and so does George.

More clouds and a spider

The weather has changed, we have lit the first fire for the year, damp and overnight a lot of wind. Now calmer but who knows. I hope people are not bored with my photos of our walks, not a lot else is going on here, although I have just bought some blanket for a cot blanket for the next great grand child, only problem is I dont know what it will be so will go for yellows and a bit of pink or blue, the next project. I need one at the moment as things here are a bit fraught, not quite knowing what the future holds. We walked around the mouth of the Inman River today, the tide a bit high for the beach and a lot of swells coming in, this was also a bit more sheltered from the wind. We met a delightful airdale terrier named daisy as well but I didnt like to take her photos. My repaired knee that I fell on a few months ago has been worrying me a bit too, maybe the change in the weather. Too long a walk and I am knackered, I suppose age doesnt help but I dont really like to give in to that. Time seems to be flying by and there have been some hideous tales of nursing homes in the papers lately. Another thing I dont really want to think about! Yesterday I watched the big ANZAC day football match (Australian Rules) on tv while I sewed, a very moving start to it with a lovely rendition of the New Zealand national anthem by a, I think Maori service man, ours which I dont like, "girt by sea" I ask you sung by a girl, ok but not my favorite song. I have to say that the last post always brings me to tears. Back to do a few finishing stitches on that quilt, I forgot I hadnt stitched down the corners. Oh the spider! It was a very large orb weaver in a huge web that I couldnt manage to photograph but I was pleased with the spider. She was in some shrubbery by our walk, I like orb weavers although they always look a bit fearsome.

Stunning clouds this morning, and I am not a quilter.

There were some magnificent clouds over the sea this morning as we walked. Not a long walk as there was a lot of sea weed and it was difficult. I have been feeling a bit upset lately, nothing to worry about, just things not going quite to plan. I have been working on this little quilt over the last few days. I am not a quilter but at Ballarat Elizabeth used it as a cushion as she was a bit low for her machine and when we were finishing asked if any one wanted it. I thought it might do for my latest great grandson for a floor mat. When i looked at it there was quite a lot of work to be done so I did my best. Any way it is now finished to the best of my ability and isnt too bad. Only thing is I have no idea if the fabrics had been washed first. If it runs we will know. Any way something for nothing and it is bright and fun looking. I will never be a proper quilter. Thanks to whoever started it and to Elizabeth for giving it to me.

Wet, 17mm of rain this morning

We had 20mm a couple of days ago and then this morning 17mm. Quite soggy underfoot. We had a friend out this morning to give an idea of the value of any of my paintings, he is a delight and although I am not sitting on a fortune so much that we like he likes too. No one wants walls of lovely paintings or of good old furniture unfortunately. After he had been we went in to get the mail and papers and then around the bay, tide was too high and on to Parsons Beach, not much of a walk but lovely to see that lovely beach, it is school holidays so lots of young surfers were ouyt and about. On the way home we saw this lovely echidna on the side of the road, having seen lots of photos lately of the Kangaroo Island ones I was struck by the difference in colour, ours are so much darker. It always gives me a thrill to see an echidna fossicking happily about. Trying to sort out this quilt I am finishing off. It may take me a while to sort it out as I usually do the binding by making the backing bigger, I need to do some judicious cutting I think. ANZAC Day tomorrow, for once John is not getting up at dawn to lay a wreath, he felt that for once he would like to not get up too early. I think age is catching up with all of us.

Goolwa wooden boat show this morning

A wonderful morning, into the market and then over to Goolwa before the crowds, had a wander, watched the paddle steamers, the Marion and the Oscar W and looked at people and boats, had a coffee and came home. I have had no internet for a few days so no posts. An accident by our front entrance last night, thank goodness we were asleep but not a nice one, not killed but badly injured. How could we sleep through all the things going on down there? All I can say is that it was just after I had fallen asleep.

This mornings walk

Quite warm and humid, overcast skies and thundering waves. A great walk.

I should be at a funeral.

I just couldn't face it a neighbor, only 60. I just couldn't go. Too much going on here. John has gone. We had an early trip to Adelaide and I have been too tired, too achy and really too upset. Flowers from the garden and a lovely collection of succulents my daughter gave me. Trips to Adelaide these days are exams ting.

A lovely walk this morning

The only trouble was I was a bit out of sorts this morning and perhaps not enjoying it or John as much as I should have. Came home to more tidying up. The spiders outside have been horrendous and stuff has piled up that shoudnt have been under the veranda . Now to let it dry out a bit and then get out with removing spiders webs. Thinking about it I suppose it has been a few years since I got onto it all what with replaced shoulders and knees and not feeling at all well. So much to do it is a bit of a worry.

Walking the cliffs and a new arrangement by the back door.

I managed to tire myself out today, the walk along the cliffs was gorgeous but tiring and when I got home I went on with getting rid of all the stuff by the back door and sorting a new smaller, easier to keep tidy arrangement. Both John and I are tidying, and getting tired.

George, my daily stitch and around the garden.

I am not sure why but I don't think all my photos were posted. There is always tomorrow. I love the colour of this rucifix orchid. George has to have his photo taken every so often and I haven't put up my daily stitch for ages. I have started to have a bit of a clean up. At the moment by the back door. Of course I have done too much so I am as always aching. We are having roast duck tonight, just because it was in the deep freeze for too long. I went in to the market this morning and then did my weekly shop, a day late even though down here the shops were open yesterday. Even so, loads of people around. I try to keep out of the town at Easter. On one of the blogs I am following some one was reading Georgette Heyers The quiet gentleman, knew I had read it and finally found it so nice to find I own a book and not have to buy it on my Kindle. I hope every one is having a good Easter. Well only one photo, I will try to add the others, this one was to show autumn has arrived.

to Ballarat Fibre Arts and home

The wonderful silos at Coonalpyn, on the way over. Early morning at the school in Ballarat, my Anne Kelly class, lots of fun on an old tea towel, added pieces, and embroidery. The book that goes in the pocket and the 15x15 I bought while I was there. I seem to have a bird theme going. I am terribly tired, it is a long drive and the 5 days of class are pretty full on. We walked this morning on the beach and the washing is done. We had a wonderful class of women, all very talented and caring. Sad to think that probably this is my last but is very tiring and I am not sure what the next few months will bring with the bank not being kind. Loved Anne Kelly and if ever you have a chance to have a class with her, do it. I think I made new friends as well as catching up with old ones, these retreats or whatever you want to call them are the best.