It is over.

It is very hot, we had a very early walk on the beach, heading for 40 degrees now. I have been playing in my little sketchbook and am now sewing a strange object, more on Tha when it has finished. I am surrounded in scraps of fabric under the air conditioner watching a hot north wind blow our little street tree about. Our dear old rescue dog Max didn't make it through Christmas night. He had been slowly deteriorating over the last few weeks but wasn't in pain, he hated the vet so made him comfortable and left him to it. I shall miss him badly. I remember getting him and the woman I got him from was so grateful as she didn't think she would find a home for him. I think he made about 16, a blue heeled cross, possibly alsation. He loved me and eventually John and life on the farm. He had not been well treated. Came from Pt Augusta in a suburban back yard dominated by a small yappy female dog so I was told. He hated small dogs and we had to be careful with him. Wasnt keen on men either. He coped when we moved here as he was getting old and deaf. I doubt we will get another dog. At our age not rea lly fair on any of us.

Wishing any one who reads this Merry Christmas.

This has been a difficult year. Deaths and births. We lost a granddaughter and a very old friend. John's fishing mate D'Arry Osborn who had a good innings, just short of his 9th birthday. Two new great grandchildren. Hugh to Isabelle and Danny, at that gorgeous age of smiling and burbli and baby Paige time Jarrod and Tanya. The tribes are growing. John is busy reviewing books which is keeping him busy. I am slowing down. A few arthritic bits of me telling me I am getting old, still knitting and hand sewing. My walking has come to a bit of a halt as my back, well enough said. We will have a quiet Christmas, just the two of us, some scallops, prawns and brandy butter on the fruit cake I made. One of 5 made this year. John made 8 mugs of pate. All almost delivered. I seem to sleep a lot more. I miss Kangaroo Island but we did manage to get over for a day which was lovely. Sarah and I managed a trip to Victoria, she was judging, I managed to catch up with old friends and subsequently she ought a newly born colt foal having seen it's full brother Next year who knows but at some time in April we need to be out of here and in to a new place. Not a happy thought. Wishing any one who reads this a lovely happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.

A bit of this and that

A few of the things I have done over the last few days. A pair of birds, number four of the Christmas cakes. A large pile driver at the boat ramp. Placing new chanel markers. Bits of the coast and a view of the cruise ship from the ferry at Penney haw on Kangaroo Island. No wonder I am tired

I had a week end away.

I went over with Sarah to keep her company to a judging appointment she had in Victoria. We left on Friday and spent the night with Isabelle and Danny and baby Hugh, lovely to catch up. Then we headed to near Ballarat. The roads in Victoria were terrible with loads of pot holes. We arrived at our accommodation safely. Lovely people who looked after us beautifully. Very wet and cold. Out to dinner that night,so nice to catch up with old friends. Up early on Sunday morning to drive up to the lovely little town of Kingston. A nice show ground but the weather was awful. High winds and very cold showers. I was OK as I was ringside in the car and had a lovely view, even though on the whole I didn't have a clue what the ponies were. Caught up with more old friends. Dinner that night with more old friends. It was interesting to see the decisions and how they differed between the NZ judge and Sarah. We had thought of going home that night but sensibly drove home on Monday, called in to see baby Hugh and John collected me at double bridges at about 4pm. I am still recovering! Stitches out of my foot yesterday, and yes it was a skin cancer. Today a trip to Adelaide for haircuts. A very long detour part way there. I should be right next week. Oh and another great grand child born today. A girl, she looks very sweet. Now to finish the rabbits clothes and get on with the baby rug. So tired!

More like winter than November

We have had floods, thunderstorms, gale force winds and horizontal rain. Not easy to think that Christmas is only a few weeks away. I am not ready for it.

Flowers for Evie

Today we went up to the top of the Pike to get to the cairn but both a fence and the scrub defeated these two 80 plus year Olds. WE can't bend as we once could. Our beautiful 26 year old granddaughter had her memorial service today in Melbourne and we couldn't be there. It is all so sad. Her cousin Celina born on the same day was there to represent the rest of our family. Such a waste. So upsetting.

I am very slow these days.

I am still getting over the virus I had and am still pretty slow. A few walks on different beaches, or rather near different beaches. Some incredible clouds. For the end of October it is still wet and cold with the odd blue sky day. I tend to still ache but the front garden has really enjoyed this weather. Of course once the heat begins it will all fall in a heap as it is so soft. Sarah has finished foaling and I have seen some of them. They are a lovely lot this year. Baby Hugh is growing and has started the most gorgeous giggles and laughs. so far life is good.

I have not been well, a rather nasty virus

It took the former of being very dizzy and continously vomiting. Horrible. It has taken a while to get over it. I am very slow, it is taking me ages to do much. I have another great grand child on the way so I have knitted another rabbit. As I don't know the sex of this baby I am doing clothes a bit later. We have not walked a lot, I am a bit wobbly on my feet, but a few drives out into the lovely spring country and around the beach have helped.

Feeling sad

The death of our Queen today was not really a shock but having known her all of my life it brought me to tears. I actually met her aged about 15 on one of her early Australian visits and have admired her as our Queen. Who would want that job. I hope our new King will manage as well and I hope he remains our head of state.I have no time for the Republicans. I picked a few of the Spanish bluebells that are flowering in the garden. I have managed to knit two pairs of bootees, one with the odd mistake! I am having trouble with my right hip and can hardly walk but I have managed the odd walk and taken photos of some of the incredible skies we have had. Wet andd drizzly today but spring is certainly on its way.

The last few days

The weather has been wet, cold and windy over the last few days and my arthritis doesn't really like it. Getting out to walk has not been easy as we try to go between showers, well yesterday it was heavy rain for most of the day. I am trying to knit a rabbit but have to stop frequently as my fingers ache. So then I tried a bit of hand stitching. I am doing a lovely on line course with Shelley Rhodes but am having g to take it slowly. I did a face to face course with her a few years ago when she was teaching in South Australia , I feel this one is much more in depth but I have it for ever so am enjoying picking out bits. The rose, a very late David Austin which I am enjoying Our beach walks have been definetly hit and miss, the beach has changed shape and the amount of sea weed makes for difficult walking and there is not much in the way of shells. Trying not to worry about things but not easy.