In church this morning, a swallow joined us, which seemed most apposite given that Psalm 84 was read -
The sparrow has found her a home,
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young:
even your altar, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
I can't read that without hearing it sung, in my head. I thought I knew it by one of the great composers but it's one Samuel Liddle. (Bless you, Google, who shows endless manuscript pages to close from!)
I saw some impressive looking double decker buses when I was in Wellington, but I don't know if they can be lowered for ease of access. Hopefully your bus route has easily accessible buses.
I was surprised to see swallows in Christchurch. I remember seeing them on my uncle's farm in Manakau, near Levin but because I had never seen them in Wellington didn't expect them here.
Off to warmer climes (Brisbane) for a conference tomorrow...and one in which I have a speaking part. Am I wrong to hope no-one turns up so I can depart and have a coffee by the river?
The night before last I managed to lock myself out at 10pm . Thank goodness for a friend's flatmate who came and got me. The locksmith cost $95!!! the next day and it took him a couple of quick wiggles of the tool he carried. I wish my education and included useful skills like lockpicking.
Fortunately for me the rescuing friend has just taken up eating more healthily, so will be given copious quantities of soup (he admitted to having tried to make bacon hock* soup I make and it turning out badly, so I will also give him some guidelines - there isn't an actual recipe, as contents vary depending on what's around.
* I realise bacon hock isn't the most healthy, but it beats cheap pies and fish and chips. I know it's his choice, but I will also give him samples of other easy to make soups so he has a variety.
The night before last I managed to lock myself out at 10pm . Thank goodness for a friend's flatmate who came and got me. The locksmith cost $95!!! the next day and it took him a couple of quick wiggles of the tool he carried. I wish my education and included useful skills like lockpicking.
After this happened to me once or twice I now have a key hidden in the yard and this too has been used more than once!
Medicare has rebated me for a consultation I did not make. Hopefully I can get it sorted out tomorrow.
A gloriously sunny day today, though a chilly wind. A number of ducks were perched on chimneys as I went for a walk this morning which gave me a smile.
I hid a key the next day. It's years since I've locked myself out as I usually have keys attached to my backpack and another set in the cupboard that I use for guests, but this time I stupidly detached the ones from the backpack.
Actually part of the reason I bought a cell phone was to ring the locksmith without having to use the neighbour's phone.
Heading up to Cowra tomorrow to attend a colleague's funeral between Blayney and Bathurst on Thursday. Still does not feel real; I'm hoping attending the funeral will help with my feelings. But moreso than me, that it may aid the family.
In happier news, got news 2 dear friends from the US are coming over for a visit [to Sydney] in November. Plan to take a week off and annoy them for some of it.
Spring is finally fuzzing the trees green and the veld is covered in wild flowers. I'm busy editing theology texts, a return to one of my favourite occupations, and have started gardening in small pots that I can sustain with grey water if we have a dry season. More drought restrictions are possible and we're just waiting to see if we get off to a late wet spring. So far, so good --
Thanks. Safely in Cowra. A pleasant drive with bright fields of canola interspersed with paddocks ranging from deep green to brown. Large numbers of cows and sheep wandering around or sitting down. The wattle is out which always cheers me.
We're celebrating spring with a series of 10° – 11°C days. Kowhai trees totally gold all over and it will all be gone in a week or two, while my winter flowering tree has had leaves and blossom since mid-June and still has plenty of both (having lost a lot of leaves to the Kowhai moth caterpillar and re-grown them). The white stars of the native clematis are showing in several clusters, having been spreading quietly since last year. And remembered blossom trees in the vicinity are spectacularly in bloom, especially a couple of tulip magnolias.
Spent Friday afternoon till Sunday morning service at a Common Ground (Progressive) conference based at a central city church. Friends from previous biennial conference in Napier (you would have enjoyed it, Huia) others from out of town, a bunch from our Ephesus gathering, some of whom are members at the host church, interesting speakers all from New Zealand. Conference dinner catered by a group of refugees and all very tasty Middle Eastern foods. Today's service on a Creation theme, and all the hymns were written by the minister, some to well-known tunes but two tunes written by one of the congregation. For the Lord's Prayer they use Jim Cotter's paraphrase, which I have never quite dared to do in a service.
The church has very limited parking and on the street there's a 2-hour limit, and although there's a direct bus from near home the timetable was not helpful. But over the road from the church was the optician who's looked after us for decades, and they were quite tickled when I asked if they had a parking space in their private car park that they didn't use on Saturday. So I had #27A with the practice manager's card in my window. I don't walk far and normally use a 'disabled' park.
The lay minister who's spent a lot of time looking after our own congregation while we look for a new incumbent is a musician with a fine voice. The entertainment at the conference dinner was provided by his opera singer son who has a magnificent voice, who sang, and acted, items from Don Giovanni to Tom Lehrer with songs from many musicals in between. An absolute treat.
GG
In our services today, we were able to advise the congregations that, with some conditions, the bishop had accepted our parish's very detailed submission, and our three centres would remain open rather than two being closed and sold to fund redress. A great relief after a very stressful few weeks. A redundant rectory will go, but that relieves us from some future significant expense, so in a sense a win.
The Conference sounds wonderful GG, I wish I had thought to book my tickets later and attended both that and a visit to my brother at the same time.
The tulip magnolia outside my kitchen window is in full bloom. It's not mine, but is growing next door and is quite old, The house on that section was originally a farm cottage I think.
I have had kowhai moth in a tree and it's one of the few times I've used insecticide. The small kowhai I have left is one of those "tortured" ones with the zig-zag branches (not sure what it's called) and has only grown a couple feet it the 27 years I've been here. I do have seeds of a more upright one collected from my youngest brother's place, so am going to try growing some more.
I came across the kākāpō in my twitter feed; what a magnificent bird!
What you need to see is the video of Sirocco performing the whole mating sequence with the ranger's hair as the female partner. His claws meant that it was very painful for the ranger but it was a hilarious few minutes. I'll see if I can find it on YouTube.
GG
The Conference sounds wonderful GG, I wish I had thought to book my tickets later and attended both that and a visit to my brother at the same time..
Huia, I'll have to write a bit about it for the parish newsletter — I have a strict rule that I don't write stuff, I just edit, but there was no one else from our parish. And we were promised to have copies of presentations sent out to us. So I'll send you something.
I don't know if anyone came from the South Island.
Apparently after the celebrated event mentioned above he 'went bush' for a couple of years and his transmitter stopped working, but earlier this year he reappeared just in time for his 21st birthday.
GG
I have been very quiet about apartment sale as I was quite dejected with things looking optimistic but falling through. 30 minutes ago at 5:00 pm, the cooling off period ended. Buyer asked if I would consider early settlement so that may be three weeks today. I am having trouble getting my mind round this. I dropped price a bit but market went kerthump and dropped a lot. I have come out of it well..Tomorrow’s inspection is cancelled and SOLD sign goes up tonight.
Great news Loth. I love the looking for new places bit of moving, but the stress of having to sell the old place is such a pain. We lost out on lots of places we could have bought last time we moved because it was taking so long to sell the old place. Not that I'm not very happy with what we did end up with. Hope the actual move goes smoothly
So happy to hear your news, Loth.
Living in the house we built 50 years ago, I haven't had to go through selling and buying, and hope I can be supported here for the rest of my days — though I dread the clearing out that will be left for my loved ones. Yes, I know I should be de-cluttering, but the sheer volume of stuff is so daunting.
With spring our council's monthly Music in the (Botanic) Gardens has started again. Packed some wine, crackers and dip, and a camp chair, and headed off to meet some friends and listen to a tango ensemble with vocals. Chilly wind when the sun hid behind the clouds, but excellent music -- and good to catch up with friends.
Amazing how such a thing can stir and uplift the emotions.
Thanks for the reminder Climacus. We have some similar happenings in the Gardens here. I often miss things like that when I would have enjoyed them.
Christchurch has a long weekend of celebration when the new Central Library Turanga opens in The Square on October 12. I'm not sure whether I will actually go to the opening because the crowds will be incredible, but I will sneak in quietly and browse the shelves at a slightly later date. Bliss.
I'm not planning to totally retire my e-reader, but to hold books in my hands, and riffle through the pages before deciding whether or not to borrow them is a pleasure I am very much looking forward to.
I have been reading many ebooks while inspections were on to sell here. I too prefer printed books but on instructions from agent, all my books were packed away before sales campaign started..
Comments
GG
I can't go
I love swallows. Because of the waste land over the river we frequently have them dancing in the air over our street.
Yep, I'll be there. It couldn't be much closer! But I haven't tackled a bus trip for ages, even a short one.
(We have swallows at Matarangi)
I was surprised to see swallows in Christchurch. I remember seeing them on my uncle's farm in Manakau, near Levin but because I had never seen them in Wellington didn't expect them here.
Off tonight to the conference social which is Star Wars themed. I am going in shirt and jeans.
The night before last I managed to lock myself out at 10pm . Thank goodness for a friend's flatmate who came and got me. The locksmith cost $95!!! the next day and it took him a couple of quick wiggles of the tool he carried. I wish my education and included useful skills like lockpicking.
Fortunately for me the rescuing friend has just taken up eating more healthily, so will be given copious quantities of soup (he admitted to having tried to make bacon hock* soup I make and it turning out badly, so I will also give him some guidelines - there isn't an actual recipe, as contents vary depending on what's around.
* I realise bacon hock isn't the most healthy, but it beats cheap pies and fish and chips. I know it's his choice, but I will also give him samples of other easy to make soups so he has a variety.
And for lovely people like you who give back...and in delicious soup! 😋
The dinner was so so. Great costumes, but terrible finger food. Nice wine though. Cheers! Full day of conference today.
After this happened to me once or twice I now have a key hidden in the yard and this too has been used more than once!
Medicare has rebated me for a consultation I did not make. Hopefully I can get it sorted out tomorrow.
A gloriously sunny day today, though a chilly wind. A number of ducks were perched on chimneys as I went for a walk this morning which gave me a smile.
Actually part of the reason I bought a cell phone was to ring the locksmith without having to use the neighbour's phone.
In happier news, got news 2 dear friends from the US are coming over for a visit [to Sydney] in November. Plan to take a week off and annoy them for some of it.
Spring is finally fuzzing the trees green and the veld is covered in wild flowers. I'm busy editing theology texts, a return to one of my favourite occupations, and have started gardening in small pots that I can sustain with grey water if we have a dry season. More drought restrictions are possible and we're just waiting to see if we get off to a late wet spring. So far, so good --
Off to the pub for dinner shortly.
On the way home. The cherry trees are blossoming here and look spectacular!
Spent Friday afternoon till Sunday morning service at a Common Ground (Progressive) conference based at a central city church. Friends from previous biennial conference in Napier (you would have enjoyed it, Huia) others from out of town, a bunch from our Ephesus gathering, some of whom are members at the host church, interesting speakers all from New Zealand. Conference dinner catered by a group of refugees and all very tasty Middle Eastern foods. Today's service on a Creation theme, and all the hymns were written by the minister, some to well-known tunes but two tunes written by one of the congregation. For the Lord's Prayer they use Jim Cotter's paraphrase, which I have never quite dared to do in a service.
The church has very limited parking and on the street there's a 2-hour limit, and although there's a direct bus from near home the timetable was not helpful. But over the road from the church was the optician who's looked after us for decades, and they were quite tickled when I asked if they had a parking space in their private car park that they didn't use on Saturday. So I had #27A with the practice manager's card in my window. I don't walk far and normally use a 'disabled' park.
The lay minister who's spent a lot of time looking after our own congregation while we look for a new incumbent is a musician with a fine voice. The entertainment at the conference dinner was provided by his opera singer son who has a magnificent voice, who sang, and acted, items from Don Giovanni to Tom Lehrer with songs from many musicals in between. An absolute treat.
GG
The tulip magnolia outside my kitchen window is in full bloom. It's not mine, but is growing next door and is quite old, The house on that section was originally a farm cottage I think.
I have had kowhai moth in a tree and it's one of the few times I've used insecticide. The small kowhai I have left is one of those "tortured" ones with the zig-zag branches (not sure what it's called) and has only grown a couple feet it the 27 years I've been here. I do have seeds of a more upright one collected from my youngest brother's place, so am going to try growing some more.
Not sure what those zig-zag branches are either Huia, but I know what you mean. Happy growing!
Wonderful, joyous news BarnabasAus!
Sounds wondrous, GG! And hurrah for parking spot #27A!
GG
GG
Link is in article which gives some more information.
I don't know if anyone came from the South Island.
GG
I met Sirocco when he visited Wellington. There was glass between us so my head was safe.
GG
I'm glad his Garbo phase is over.
Living in the house we built 50 years ago, I haven't had to go through selling and buying, and hope I can be supported here for the rest of my days — though I dread the clearing out that will be left for my loved ones. Yes, I know I should be de-cluttering, but the sheer volume of stuff is so daunting.
GG
Amazing how such a thing can stir and uplift the emotions.
Christchurch has a long weekend of celebration when the new Central Library Turanga opens in The Square on October 12. I'm not sure whether I will actually go to the opening because the crowds will be incredible, but I will sneak in quietly and browse the shelves at a slightly later date. Bliss.
I'm not planning to totally retire my e-reader, but to hold books in my hands, and riffle through the pages before deciding whether or not to borrow them is a pleasure I am very much looking forward to.