Happy Christmas to all. After a very quiet midnight Mass, with about 20 in attendance, we are now recovering from a hectic day of present-opening with the grandkids. Eldest son has now taken on the task of Christmas lunch, and served an enormous seafood spread. Turkey dinner postponed to Boxing Day.
Back to winter clothes. After lunch on Sunday I settled down in the LazyBoy with a rug round me and a wheat bag in my lap, to listen to the Concert Program and read a library book (which had been waiting while I finished writing Christmas cards and emails). Not a very Kiwi kind of post-Christmas relaxation.
Where else but in NZ could the 2020-21 summer holiday carry on as usual with various friends and colleagues - and family - taking turns to drive to our seaside property for their summer break?
Down south it didn't carry on as usual with snow, hail, strong winds, thunder and lightening. Between the weather and the shortage of fruit pickers, some orchardists will be having a hard time of it.
Same in Oz; for the first time ever fruitpickers have been brought in ( after the necessary quarantine) mainly from the Pacific after so many of the backpackers scarpered home....
Same in Oz; for the first time ever fruitpickers have been brought in ( after the necessary quarantine) mainly from the Pacific after so many of the backpackers scarpered home....
Whereas here, we are still reluctant to let the usual Pacifika pickers in, and the local people who have lost their jobs don't want to pick fruit or vegetables. Cynics (realists?) are pointing out that New Zealanders would expect higher wages anyway, so cost of fruit and veg in shops would rise dramatically. No win — or no fruit.
I'm enjoying delectable big dark cherries, anyway, costing just over 20c each, which I think is much the same as last year.
Cherries are wonderful. I excuse myself for paying so much for them as they are available for such a short time. Once I saw some in the depths of winter that were imported from America. The cost was astronomical, so I bough 24 and sucked the pits for a long time. It was worth it because summer came flooding back for a while.
The American cherries compare poorly to the beauties from Tasmania & Victoria. The ones from Young (SW NSW) have been a bit ordinary but there have been some very good ones from Orange...cherry season is too brief, alas!
A colleague used do quite a bit of work for some solicitors at Young. Each Christmas, he was sent a box of cherries of a quality that would always be reserved for such a presentation.
Happy New Year to all in the Antipodes from me in South Africa! Another glorious hot summer's day and that's probably the most positive news I can offer for now. Hoping 2021 is kinder to all of us.
I had two nephews (brothers) - I used to refer to them as "my favourite nephew" and "my other favourite nephew". Whichever I was speaking to at the time was my FN and his brother was referred to in our conversation as my OFN...
Call this summer? Most of the country is on heavy hail and thunder watch until 10pm tonight. Aroha is inside and I have cleared a sheltered place for Spooky from up the road who would like to move in. I have also moved my mini roses that are in pots to a more sheltered place. Unlike other areas we have not experienced the torrential rain and flooding that has ruined the holidays for many and I am hoping this storm will avoid us too. I think forecasters err on the side of caution. but I'm not taking that for granted.
I bought some more cherries today and depending on which areas are affected, these may be the last of the season. Hail protection cloth has been shredded in some places.
Well, that was a damp squib. I'm not complaining though as we have a brilliant morning and a pleasant maximum of 21C, which is gardening weather. I may go into town later as Blithe Spirit is on at the movies, although it is probably a far cry from Noel Coward's original play, which I saw acted by the local dramatic society when I was a teenager.
It was panned by the critics (i.e my mum) "Jeanie in a sheet is just Jeanie in a sheet" but I enjoyed it.
Same in Oz; for the first time ever fruitpickers have been brought in ( after the necessary quarantine) mainly from the Pacific after so many of the backpackers scarpered home....
Whereas here, we are still reluctant to let the usual Pacifika pickers in, and the local people who have lost their jobs don't want to pick fruit or vegetables. Cynics (realists?) are pointing out that New Zealanders would expect higher wages anyway, so cost of fruit and veg in shops would rise dramatically. No win — or no fruit.
I'm enjoying delectable big dark cherries, anyway, costing just over 20c each, which I think is much the same as last year.
The way the owner of the berry farm at which two of my nieces work, in Tai Tokerau and recently featured on the iconic programme Country Calendar, is despicable, and no self respecting citizen of this or any nation should have to work for her. She makes a Dickensian sweatshop manager look benevolent.
I have a brother in law in southern NSW who ( among other things) grows blueberries. He pays his pickers properly and has remarked that as regards the worst pickers it is a close run thing between the locals and British backpackers....
I think it was Prayers of the Faithful @Gee D but no updates for some time. I commented on a thread in Heaven that this time last year, we were under the smokecloud from Gospers Mountain and Kerry Ridge, and that brought to mind Rowen's ordeal in Gippsland.
We're in the middle of a fortnight's hosting of daughter, son-in-law and 3 kidlets who have moved out of their hotspot to safely move across the border to Qld so s-i-l can start a new job on 1 Feb. Even shared with his dad, this has been exhausting. They are lovely, very bright and inquisitive kids but keeping them occupied is a daily challenge.
I remember that book from my years as a teacher-librarian @Huia. My story-reading and -telling skills have been deployed to good effect in preparing the 3 little ones for bed at night. The two younger ones on each arm of my chair, and the oldest in the adjacent armchair makes for a cosy and settling session.
When they were in lockdown 3 hours away last year, we used to do FaceTime story reading for them several times a week just before dinner. It gave their Mum a clear go at cooking the meal.
Thanks from me also, @Piglet. Mr WitG away, so very quiet life here. Grateful though for clear blue skies and odd patches of rain after last year’s awful smoke.
Hello everyone. Long time no see (must be more than 12 months).
I can update you about Rowen: I've been visiting her as often as I am able, given that we're in the same city at present.
I last saw her last Tuesday. When I arrived she'd had a fall, which was further delaying the possibility of going to rehab. I will be visiting tomorrow and am happy to post an update from then.
Please do continue to pray for her/send warm thoughts, love and light.
Hello everyone. Long time no see (must be more than 12 months).
I can update you about Rowen: I've been visiting her as often as I am able, given that we're in the same city at present.
I last saw her last Tuesday. When I arrived she'd had a fall, which was further delaying the possibility of going to rehab. I will be visiting tomorrow and am happy to post an update from then.
Please do continue to pray for her/send warm thoughts, love and light.
Thank you very much for the update! I shall certainly continue praying and send her virtual hugs and every blessing 🕯.
Hey Zappa Christchurch forecast temperatures today would suit you - 36C!!!!. Apparently the hottest temperature will be about 7 pm. Tomorrow it's forecast is 34C but by Friday we are back to 16 C with some rain.
I had to pick up a few grocery items and was very relieved when I saw a neighbour who gave me a ride home. He also gave me a flyer about the local Anglican church which is trying to build numbers after a split over equal marriage. Contrary to what I had been told, those who were against it left.
I remember that book from my years as a teacher-librarian @Huia. My story-reading and -telling skills have been deployed to good effect in preparing the 3 little ones for bed at night. The two younger ones on each arm of my chair, and the oldest in the adjacent armchair makes for a cosy and settling session.
I'm reminded of a bedtime story I was handed to read to the small child of my hostess while she finished preparing the adults' meal. When I let myself into the wee boy's bedroom he gave me a very wary look and said 'My mother is a VERY GOOD READER'.
I saw the boy again last year, now in his fifties; I did not tell him the story.
That's a hard one, I'd say. It depends on how your relationship has been in the intervening period. If you've seen very little of him, you'd not have much idea how he'd react.
That's a hard one, I'd say. It depends on how your relationship has been in the intervening period. If you've seen very little of him, you'd not have much idea how he'd react.
I hadn't seen him since my wedding, only a few years later, when his mother was matron of honour (according to the three boys, 'a kind of elderly bridesmaid') and when the boys' contribution was unwrapping wedding presents and separating them from their gift cards.
It was at their mother's funeral that I saw them again.
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A very happy Christmas to all you Antipodeans.
Just waiting for son & partner to front up for champagne & oysters....
Where else but in NZ could the 2020-21 summer holiday carry on as usual with various friends and colleagues - and family - taking turns to drive to our seaside property for their summer break?
I'm enjoying delectable big dark cherries, anyway, costing just over 20c each, which I think is much the same as last year.
In the meantime, and several hours late, a Happy New Year to us all!
I bought some more cherries today and depending on which areas are affected, these may be the last of the season. Hail protection cloth has been shredded in some places.
Off to find the torches in case of power cuts.
It was panned by the critics (i.e my mum) "Jeanie in a sheet is just Jeanie in a sheet" but I enjoyed it.
The way the owner of the berry farm at which two of my nieces work, in Tai Tokerau and recently featured on the iconic programme Country Calendar, is despicable, and no self respecting citizen of this or any nation should have to work for her. She makes a Dickensian sweatshop manager look benevolent.
I have a brother in law in southern NSW who ( among other things) grows blueberries. He pays his pickers properly and has remarked that as regards the worst pickers it is a close run thing between the locals and British backpackers....
I was searching for the thread to ask if anyone had news on Rowen?
We're in the middle of a fortnight's hosting of daughter, son-in-law and 3 kidlets who have moved out of their hotspot to safely move across the border to Qld so s-i-l can start a new job on 1 Feb. Even shared with his dad, this has been exhausting. They are lovely, very bright and inquisitive kids but keeping them occupied is a daily challenge.
Barnabas there was a children's book current when I was teaching entitled Why Are There More Questions Than Answers, Grandad?.
I always thought Grandparents would enjoy it more that their Grandchildren
When they were in lockdown 3 hours away last year, we used to do FaceTime story reading for them several times a week just before dinner. It gave their Mum a clear go at cooking the meal.
I took the liberty of posting a message saying we were thinking about her here.
I can update you about Rowen: I've been visiting her as often as I am able, given that we're in the same city at present.
I last saw her last Tuesday. When I arrived she'd had a fall, which was further delaying the possibility of going to rehab. I will be visiting tomorrow and am happy to post an update from then.
Please do continue to pray for her/send warm thoughts, love and light.
Thank you very much for the update! I shall certainly continue praying and send her virtual hugs and every blessing 🕯.
Prayers continuing.
I'm reminded of a bedtime story I was handed to read to the small child of my hostess while she finished preparing the adults' meal. When I let myself into the wee boy's bedroom he gave me a very wary look and said 'My mother is a VERY GOOD READER'.
I saw the boy again last year, now in his fifties; I did not tell him the story.
It was at their mother's funeral that I saw them again.