There was a lot more of that kind of spontaneous connection between complete strangers here during the years we had hundreds of earthquakes and aftershocks. I think we were all reassuring ourselves and each other.
Thanks for the good wishes, @Huia and @Gee D.
To add to my miseries, I've now been diagnosed wiith facial shingles by an after-hours doctor. A kind friend fetched the requisite prescription as I'm not able to leave the flat.
I'm in considerable pain and feeling quite wretched but simply have to get through this somehow.
Today was a very emotional farewelling a very dear friend. R was just 72, a bad diabetic, double amputee. His wife died 3 years ago and never really got over her passing. We had many laugh, meals and weekends away over the 40+ years of friendship.
He will be missed
Asgard Swamp, where this was taken, is at the head of the Grose Valley, below the Darling Causeway. So at a fair altitude and what is at the moment a chilly part of the world:
Obviously the bloke charging through the wattles isn't allergic to them. Years ago I worked in Rotorua and as part of my job had to visit a small
called Kawerau. The drive there was lovely, but it took me a while to work out why I always got the sneezes in the approach to the town itself. Hidden amongst the native trees was a stand of wattles, and when they were in bloom my sneezing rate increased significantly.
Kawerau is a mill town that turns the vast plantations of pine trees planted nearby into toilet paper.
While I was getting the bbq etc ready to cook on in a while, Shipmate Dennis the Menace, and the little church he attended, came to mind. Has anyone heard of him recently?
While I was getting the bbq etc ready to cook on in a while, Shipmate Dennis the Menace, and the little church he attended, came to mind. Has anyone heard of him recently?
Hi GD, nice of you to think of me. I did post last week. The church building we attend is not so little but the congregation is!! Average around 35 each Sunday, the building used to be full both morning and evening in the 'old days'. Very sad for an almost inner city church.
Good to hear that you're still alive. My memory of the church from driving past was that it was on the small side. Numbers at St Sanity had dropped a lot pre-covid and even more after, alas.
I suspect that's the story in lots of places. I only started attending St Pete's post-pandemic, so I don't know what the congregation was like before. Having said that it was quite generously filled yesterday, which was nice.
It's a very small building, so it doesn't take too many to make it look well-attended!
I am fed up with winter, but the short snow flurry yesterday, which melted before it hit the ground was pretty.
Also the news programme which celebrated the rediscovery of the Takahe, a native bird, 70 years ago (when it was thought to be extinct) was great and included the news that there are expected to be 400 at the next count in October. Birds are not counted until they are a year old.
Death to all stoats and rats (both introduced) which threaten native birds.
Likewise @Huia. While we haven't had snow, the nights have been bitterly cold, and as our house faces southeast it doesn't seem to warm up during the day. We both fell victim to influenza B during May which hasn't helped, as the recovery has been very slow. I have thus been less than active on here.
We are starting a wellness program through our private health insurance provider which we hope will encourage us back to fitness and weight loss as the months warm up.
Some of the worst and most successful predators here are feral cats. I used to think that they were someone's beloved moggy that had met with a misadventure, but recently discovered that early settlers purposely let cats loose. I know that move was from ignorance, and one of the problems is that we don't know what we don't know, but I'd still like to give them a piece of my mind about that (except I am managing on little enough as it is).
Barnabas, sorry to hear you have been ill. A wellness programme sounds like a great idea. I have discovered that some of the similar programmes that used to exist here, funded by the Ministry of Health have disappeared since Covid, but your post has given me some encouragement to explore what else may be available, or how I can get out of my winter doldrums. Thank you.
We are starting a wellness program through our private health insurance provider which we hope will encourage us back to fitness and weight loss as the months warm up.
What a difference a few sunny days in a row makes, even though the weather forecast is again looking dire.
I was wracking my brains about how I could organise something for myself that would help me feel more motivated and connected, when I got an unexpected email from the woman who led the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses that I attended before Covid. She will be running a weekly meditation group back in the city starting this week. I am so excited. She has been running courses at her own home, but it's out of town in an area with no public transport. Now we are back in the same venue we were before, and the buses at fairly close at hand and frequent, There might even be someone I know whom I can hitch a ride part way home with.
I have also been scouring notice boards and talking to the other committee members of the community library (who between them have a wide knowledge of what is on offer) and I have a couple of other things to follow up.
I'll echo what Gee D said - I'd hate it, but I hope you have a great time!
I thought I would hate it too. Had to obey 'he must be obeyed' but so far very enjoyable. We take ourselves down to breakfast about 9 then sit by the beach for an hour or so then back to room for a sleep then a swim in one of the many pools. Have dinner then repeat next day. So far the heat etc has been bearable. Both of us have English complexion that burns easily so we have to be careful
We've had a couple of stop-overs there, breaking the long journey home. Our routine was much as you describe your recent stay. But a brother-in-law and his family enjoy it very much, talking of getting out and about.
We've had a couple of stop-overs there, breaking the long journey home. Our routine was much as you describe your recent stay. But a brother-in-law and his family enjoy it very much, talking of getting out and about.
We haven't left the resort. Filling in the days reading, crosswords, sleeping, swimming and walking. And of course eating!! Might venture out today if rain holds off.
Hubby and I became great great uncles this week. The thought makes me feel much older than 72. It is by marriage for me, and familial for K. The said parents are in their early 20's.
I bought a pot of mini daffodils today. They are just coming into bloom. I wondered why the scent was so strong and I discovered that I had placed them right in the stream of warm air coming from the heat pump.
I've now moved them so they last longer.
My next door neighbour has mentioned her plans for planting vegetables which has inspired me to plan planting my small raised gardens. The usual time for doing that here is Labour Day, the last Monday in October - but I will need to spend time digging out the soil, laying weed cloth and replenishing the soil, so now is a good time to start. I hope I have the energy to follow through.
Hubby and I became great great uncles this week. The thought makes me feel much older than 72. It is by marriage for me, and familial for K. The said parents are in their early 20's.
Congratulations to all involved!
I had posted a load of bumph about how you don't have to be that old to be a great-aunt or -uncle, and then counted the number of "greats" in your post ...
I've been a great-aunt since not long after I turned 50, but my sister is six years older than me and started a family in her mid-20s. None of her children started their families until their early 30s.
Congratulations @Dennis the Menace and Hubby on the great great uncleship. I doubt I'll ever be a grandmother so I'm aiming for great auntship, but none of my nieces seem to want to oblige.
In two hours we start our homeward journey. A taxi to airport the flight t I Singapore then on to Sydney. Arrive about 10.30am tomorrow. What a relaxing time this has been. For the time ever on a holiday we have stayed in and not do any tours or sightseeing.
The joys of worship in a rural church. This morning we were joined in singing by a pair of swallows which had managed to enter through the open eaves of the building and were swooping and chirruping from porch to sanctuary and back again.
I knew it wasn't my imagination, I heard a weather forecaster on the radio say this has been the coldest August for years. Of course it co-incided with my attempt to save power.
Snuggling with a warm cat isn't quite enough. (with apologies to said cat who is doing her best).
We've had a very warm month. I've lit the fire every night of course, but there's still plenty of wood to give a good start to next autumn. I've not seen any reports of snow on the central ranges, let alone the Blue Mountains.
Was in Bleak Heath ( Blackheath right up the top of the escarpment @ 1100 m above sea level) on Sunday for the annual choirs festival. Forecast weather was rainy with 4 to 11C. Up at 4 to catch 5-28 to Mt Victoria; when I alighted at 7-40 ( for 8-15 Festival Chorus rehearsal) it was 10 C and sunny. I was ridiculously overdressed & had to shed a layer of choral black.
Lots of great singing-mainly Renaissance polyphony- a pub lunch & best of all a lift to Parramatta station by an old friend & home by 8.
Congratulations @Dennis the Menace and Hubby on the great great uncleship. I doubt I'll ever be a grandmother so I'm aiming for great auntship, but none of my nieces seem to want to oblige.
If my children and nieces / nephews don't oblige, and I'm not sure they will, I'm hoping that my Godchildren will provide me with Godgrandchildren.
My son is Godfather to a delightful toddler, and I'm enjoying admiring photos and video clips of him. I have a wee top I spotted in a sale to post to my son, to give to him.
Just a one-off. Haven’t sung regularly in close to 9 years and probably won’t do again. It was a bit of fun.
A good place to break your fast. None too warm, of course, but it is winter. The train sounds a good idea, no worries about driving after you've had something to warm you. We like Blackheath, especially if you avoid Govetts's Leap and go to one of the lesser known vantage points. And a detour via the oval where Bradman hit a century in three overs.
The choirs I sang with ( Byrd Consort, directed by a former fellow chorister from St-Pat’s-in-the West) Bel acapella ( community choir from inner western Sydney) & the 100 voice festival chorus ( mix of interested parties) did all our singing in local community hall. Terrible acoustic but great experience. Some choirs also sang at Presby church nearby. Lots of community choirs in mountains and more than a few from Sydney. Standout youth choir from Newcastle ( Hunter Singers all aged 16-20) who joined festival chorus. A very big day & grateful for lift to Parramatta courtesy of old mate Madame La Directrice who was co-opted as accompanist for some very complex Renaissance music ( including 12 part motet. We were ably conducted by erstwhile organ scholar (2005-8) from St Frank’s who now lives in UK and works as a choral conductor.
Hunter Singers are directed by a former colleague of mine with whom I coordinated a couple of regional choral festivals for primary schools eons ago. They have toured internationally and have produced some fine soloists. I think Miriam Allen was an early member of HS as well as the cathedral choir at Christ Church Newcastle also Anna Sandstrom, whose parents I know well.
Yes I recall Miriam when she was very young and was invited as a sop soloist at St Frank’s in the late 90s; a Haydn orchestral Mass if I recall. I have heard Anna sing @ Samcta Maria non Immaculata & have an idea she is married to a cornettist. Gorgeous voices, both of them.
Amidst the categories of refugees Australia accepts from other countries is there one for Kiwis escaping the most boring and irritating election campaigns in living memory?
The valley where I grew up, and where my youngest brother still lives was mentioned on the news this morning as there have been high winds causing a lot of damage. I texted him after hearing this to check he was OK.
His gleeful response was, "Yes, but all the election signs have been totally demolished ".
Comments
To add to my miseries, I've now been diagnosed wiith facial shingles by an after-hours doctor. A kind friend fetched the requisite prescription as I'm not able to leave the flat.
I'm in considerable pain and feeling quite wretched but simply have to get through this somehow.
He will be missed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaXxyYL1Q-k
Asgard Swamp, where this was taken, is at the head of the Grose Valley, below the Darling Causeway. So at a fair altitude and what is at the moment a chilly part of the world:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Asgard+Swamp+Trail,+Blue+Mountains+Nat'l+Park+NSW+2787/@-33.5613638,150.287335,13z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b12740f9346f9bb:0x5dac5114725cc23c!8m2!3d-33.5613683!4d150.2899099!16s/g/11cjg9s5b7?entry=ttu
called Kawerau. The drive there was lovely, but it took me a while to work out why I always got the sneezes in the approach to the town itself. Hidden amongst the native trees was a stand of wattles, and when they were in bloom my sneezing rate increased significantly.
Kawerau is a mill town that turns the vast plantations of pine trees planted nearby into toilet paper.
Hi GD, nice of you to think of me. I did post last week. The church building we attend is not so little but the congregation is!! Average around 35 each Sunday, the building used to be full both morning and evening in the 'old days'. Very sad for an almost inner city church.
It's a very small building, so it doesn't take too many to make it look well-attended!
Also the news programme which celebrated the rediscovery of the Takahe, a native bird, 70 years ago (when it was thought to be extinct) was great and included the news that there are expected to be 400 at the next count in October. Birds are not counted until they are a year old.
Death to all stoats and rats (both introduced) which threaten native birds.
And also small animals.
We are starting a wellness program through our private health insurance provider which we hope will encourage us back to fitness and weight loss as the months warm up.
Barnabas, sorry to hear you have been ill. A wellness programme sounds like a great idea. I have discovered that some of the similar programmes that used to exist here, funded by the Ministry of Health have disappeared since Covid, but your post has given me some encouragement to explore what else may be available, or how I can get out of my winter doldrums. Thank you.
A very sensible insurer.
I was wracking my brains about how I could organise something for myself that would help me feel more motivated and connected, when I got an unexpected email from the woman who led the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses that I attended before Covid. She will be running a weekly meditation group back in the city starting this week. I am so excited. She has been running courses at her own home, but it's out of town in an area with no public transport. Now we are back in the same venue we were before, and the buses at fairly close at hand and frequent, There might even be someone I know whom I can hitch a ride part way home with.
I have also been scouring notice boards and talking to the other committee members of the community library (who between them have a wide knowledge of what is on offer) and I have a couple of other things to follow up.
I thought I would hate it too. Had to obey 'he must be obeyed' but so far very enjoyable. We take ourselves down to breakfast about 9 then sit by the beach for an hour or so then back to room for a sleep then a swim in one of the many pools. Have dinner then repeat next day. So far the heat etc has been bearable. Both of us have English complexion that burns easily so we have to be careful
We haven't left the resort. Filling in the days reading, crosswords, sleeping, swimming and walking. And of course eating!! Might venture out today if rain holds off.
I've now moved them so they last longer.
My next door neighbour has mentioned her plans for planting vegetables which has inspired me to plan planting my small raised gardens. The usual time for doing that here is Labour Day, the last Monday in October - but I will need to spend time digging out the soil, laying weed cloth and replenishing the soil, so now is a good time to start. I hope I have the energy to follow through.
Congratulations to all involved!
I had posted a load of bumph about how you don't have to be that old to be a great-aunt or -uncle, and then counted the number of "greats" in your post ...
Snuggling with a warm cat isn't quite enough. (with apologies to said cat who is doing her best).
Lots of great singing-mainly Renaissance polyphony- a pub lunch & best of all a lift to Parramatta station by an old friend & home by 8.
Better than Prozac….
If my children and nieces / nephews don't oblige, and I'm not sure they will, I'm hoping that my Godchildren will provide me with Godgrandchildren.
My son is Godfather to a delightful toddler, and I'm enjoying admiring photos and video clips of him. I have a wee top I spotted in a sale to post to my son, to give to him.
Sounds like Heaven. Envious, moi?
A good place to break your fast. None too warm, of course, but it is winter. The train sounds a good idea, no worries about driving after you've had something to warm you. We like Blackheath, especially if you avoid Govetts's Leap and go to one of the lesser known vantage points. And a detour via the oval where Bradman hit a century in three overs.
Where were you singing?
Signed - Desperate
His gleeful response was, "Yes, but all the election signs have been totally demolished
He's a bit of an anarchist.