MEDS AND A SUNNY DAY

 It is nearly 3 months since I was put on Metformin for my diabetes (I was diagnosed in 2000).  The G.P. wanted me to take 2 tabs a day but I agreed to one with a blood test and review after three months.  I had the blood test on Monday and saw a new G.P. on Friday.  I have been extremely tired and lightheaded and, without my asking, she suggested stopping the Metformin as my blood sugar levels have been stable for years and are around the 40 mark.  She also suggested stopping the small dose of aspirin that older people are prescribed here and the statin I was taking.  

I was really pleased with this and go back at the beginning of December after another blood test to see how things are progressing.  Exactly what I was hoping for.

This morning we went back to the Growers' Market which was wonderful.  I much prefer being able to choose the vegetables I buy rather than get a box full.  We got there at about 6.30 a.m. and it was much busier than usual.  We then went to the supermarket where only one person is allowed in.  I only had a few minutes to wait before it opened at 7 a.m. and there were about half a dozen of us waiting.

We had just got home when Doug's youngest daughter arrived with a paper for us and stopped for a cuppa, consequently, we ended up having a late breakfast and have not worried about lunch even though I cooked a pot of mince.

Tonight the clocks go forward for Summer time so next week it will be dark when we get up to go to the market.

SPRING IN QUARRY GARDENS

Today's Parkinson Walk was at the Quarry Gardens and Spring is starting to show itself.

The view towards the old Quarry from the car park

This is Kumarahou - the flowers were more of a primrose yellow.

I don't know what this flower is.  They were lying on the ground beneath the tree and the flowers are quite solid and heavy.

You can just see the buds of future flowers on this plant.  A bit hard to see against the hillside.  Not sure what the flower will be.

The flower below will be striking in a week or so.

A beautiful day and we sat at a picnic table under a tree at the end of our walk and enjoyed the various refreshments we had brought with us as the cafe is, unfortunately,  closed on Monday and Tuesday

TEDDIES CONVERSATION (continued)

 

This conversation refers to a couple who left Auckland using an "Essential Worker" exemption but then travelled to their holiday home in Wanaka.  They were dobbed in by locals.  His mother is a District Court Judge.

Meanwhile three men have been arrested after using their "Essential Worker" status to travel to Turoa ski Field.  The Ski Field staff were suspicious of their documentation for a ski pass.

TODAY'S TEDDIES

 

Today's teddy bear conversation refers to a patient and visitor in an Auckland Hospital who decided on some "nooky" in a 4 bed ward during Lockdown.

WAIMAHANGA TRACK

 This morning we had the first Parkinson walk since Lockdown.  We went to Beach Road in Onerahi and walked the Waimahanga track.  It is a lovely walk planted with mainly New Zealand and Australian natives and they were showing signs of spring.  The track is a lovely surface for walking, much better than concrete paths.

I tried to get photos of as many flowers as possible although many were in awkward places.  There were Tuis singing all along the track although I didn't actually see any.

Next to the pathway just before the track the Council has planted bananas although they are looking very sorry for themselves after the winds we had recently.  Good for locals to be able to pick one or a bunch.

and further along in a sheltered place an Abyssinian Banana which is non fruiting (or does not have edible fruit anyway).

We took tea/coffee and snacks with us and had it at a picnic table keeping in our own "bubble".

We were expecting a load of firewood to be delivered this afternoon but it was in the drive when we got home.  Doug had a G.P. appointment for his Driving Licence medical so we got some stored between us before he left and I carried on.  He has just got home and put the last lot away.  Great as rain is forecast for the rest of the week.

A very satisfying day (and I should sleep well tonight but then I always do).

SUNDAY

 Doug had an enjoyable birthday yesterday.  We stayed home and he spent a lot of time on the phone with calls from his daughters, grandchildren, sister in Perth and a nephew.  The new oven worked well and we enjoyed a roast chicken with his youngest daughter as well as some of the cake I made him.  In the afternoon some friends we have not seen for a while called in and the cake was almost finished by the end of the day.

We have been talking about getting back to doing the longer circular walk from home and, this morning, Doug suggested that we do it as it was a nice fine day.  The red is our daily 1.75 km walk and the purple the walk we did today which took us 1 hr 30 minutes.

There were signs of spring all along the walk.

The lovely old chestnut tree has come into leaf

It is very tranquil walking alongside the river

The Whangarei Falls

Then up the hill alongside the Falls

A pair of teddies watching over everyone from the Retirement Village

Someone has been busy making these delightful toadstools

Nearly home and looking down to where we have been.  The river is just behind the far paddock with the cow in it.

There is a longer walk we can do taking in more of A.H. Reed Park and we have not done that for a while either.

We had just got home when a grandson arrived with his partner and daughter so it has been another enjoyable day.