BUSY SUNDAY

We used to be on a power plan (electricity) that gave us 30 cents a litre off petrol every month.  This came to an end in January and we are now on a plan that is slightly more per Kw but we have free power on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This has made my weekends much busier as I do my washing then as well as some cooking.  

A while ago we bought a Bissell Upholstery cleaning machine and it has been sitting in the spare room but yesterday (Sunday) Doug decided to try it.  He ended up cleaning the cushions on our three piece lounge suite as well as 6 dining chairs.  While he did this I got several loads of washing done and roasted a leg of lamb.

After lunch I decided that I might as well wash some cushion covers as well as the arm covers from the lounge suite.  We usually try and put our feet up for a while at about 3 or 4 p.m. but it was nearly 5 p.m. when we finished and I noticed our neighbour opposite was home and I had some bananas for her.  As I went to cross the road her daughter was coming to see us in the other direction, she had been fishing and had a snapper for us. This meant that I went home and filleted the fish but it was well worth it with delicious fresh snapper for our evening meal.

We have both been out of action and not been on the Parkinson Walk for a couple of weeks.  Doug after having a skin cancer removed from his nose with a skin graft and me being on two lots of antibiotics with a sinus infection.  Today, I rejoined the walking group and eleven of us had a very pleasant walk around the Loop at the Town Basin.  Hopefully, Doug will be back walking next week.

Life is busy but good.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

I always have a vase of flowers in the house, usually on the dining table and pick them from the garden.  This week at the Growers' Market I noticed some bunches of Chrysanthemums and just had to have them.  I had some growing in my previous garden but none here.  I have always enjoyed their unusual scent and like the colour of these ones.  They were the princely sum of $4.00 (GBP 1.89) and there were enough for a vase on the dining table and a smaller vase in the lounge.

I have been keeping an eye on the Hydrangea Paniculata Sundae Fraise as it has been changing colour and picked three stems yesterday hoping that they dry to a pleasant colour.  Not sure, I may have left them a bit late.

HUNDERTWASSER ART GALLERY

 It is just over two years since this opened and we have finally been to see the Gallery.  We had been waiting to go with visitors but it never worked out and our visitors who went on Monday while we were on the Parkinson walk said we must go and see it. I had read that it was well worth getting a guided tour so that it what we did.  Thursday was horrible with strong wind and much needed rain and the school holidays start today so yesterday seemed a good day.

The hour long tour started at 11a.m. and we thoroughly enjoyed it. You are also able to visit the Gallery for the rest of the day if you like.  

A couple of photos of Friedrich Hundertwasser at his home in the Bay of Islands

Some of his paintings

Two of the rugs he designed.  He liked top one so much he had it in his cabin on his final trip on the Q.E.II.  He had a heart attack and died on the ship in Cairns.

Some of the posters he designed. I understand his first one was for Conservation Week then he did several others for causes he supported.

A fantail in the floor tiles

On the spur of the moment we decided to have lunch at Aqua which is attached to the Gallery. This is a seahorse in tiles reflected in a mirror in the Ladies Toilet.  We were so pleased with our decision to have lunch there.  Line caught snapper with the most delicious salad.

KUMARA (SWEET POTATO)

In spring Doug grew some "slips" from an old kumara we had and we planted them at the back of the flower garden as well as in a tub. 

Yesterday, we harvested them.  There were only a few plants and, although we did not get a lot of kumara, we are pleased with what we got.

We still have half a box of potatoes, mainly my favourite, Agria but some Cliff's Kidney.  We are very pleased with our vegetable garden this year.  It is time to get more in the ground for winter.

TODAY'S PARKINSON WALK

Today we walked from Reotahi past the old Freezing Works (there are some photos and information here)  to Little Munroe Bay and back.

The weather was lovely.  There are quite a few steps but eleven of us made the full walk there and back.