Saturday, April 5, 2025

WHAT A DAY

Very dark this morning at 6 a.m. and we both turned over and didn't wake again till 7 a.m. so a bit later than usual at the Growers' Market.  First stop was to get some more chrysanthemums but she only had one so we bought that.  She will have more in a fortnight's time. The crew from Seven Sharp a New Zealand current affairs programme were at the market filming.  

I bought the usual eggs, local bananas, tomatoes, watercress, plus some heirloom apples that we have yet to try, feijoas  and some John Dory fillets.  We often meet up with Doug's eldest daughter at the Market but today it was his youngest grand-daughter.  

Then it was off to two supermarkets as our usual one was out of stock of some items.  Then home and packing everything away always takes a while and I did a couple of loads of washing and put it on the line.  In the meantime we had breakfast.  Yesterday we had phoned the Pharmacy to book our flu vaccinations and had an appointment for 11.30.  I had a third load of washing in the machine by then and put it out when we returned.

I also went across the road to see the daughter of our 92 year old neighbour who is going to live with her daughter in Western Australia next week.  The mother is in a Rest Home for a couple of weeks while the daughter gets things sorted.  I wanted to make sure that we had their contact details.

It turned out that someone was supposed to be coming from Auckland to collect their Hippeastrums but had to cancel so would we like them.  We ended up with about four wheelbarrow loads of pots plus a wheelbarrow and the shelving some of the plants were on.  I have always admired her Hippeastrums so was pleased.  I will share them with another neighbour if she wants them.  We also brought home a young plant that has both pink and white flowers on it (not sure of the name) and Doug got that planted in the afternoon.  

I think it was about 2 o'clock when I finally got around to cooking the John Dory for lunch and then cooked a pot of mince as I had got carried away at the supermarket and bought mince as well as a leg of lamb for tomorrow when Doug's youngest daughter is coming to lunch as it was her birthday on Friday.

The mince cooked I got the various loads of washing in and folded and did the dishes while Doug did the planting.

Tonight the clocks go back with the end of Daylight Savings thank goodness so it will be a bit lighter next week for the Market.


Some of the fruit from the Market plus both red and gold kiwifruit from the supermarket. The rest of the apples are in the fridge.

I will get a photo of the pink and white flowered bush tomorrow.  Getting late now.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

RAIN

We have had a lovely, gentle rain today and yesterday afternoon.  More, possibly heavier, is forecast for tonight and tomorrow.  I am not sure if it will  enough to break the drought but it is good that we don't have to water the garden for a few days at least.  

Prior to that I had been looking for some chrysanthemum plants.  I finally saw some advertised at Mitre 10 as well as some Romanesco cauliflower so we went in with the intention of buying both.  When we got there the chrysanthemums were dwarf and sad looking plants so we left them.  We did, however come across some dahlias and came home with 4 dahlia plants, one zinnia and some veg seedlings.  

Then at Saturday's market Doug saw a chrysanthemum plant.   It was pot bound and a bit lanky but we bought it and I have already used the flowers in a couple of vases (one for us and the other for a neighbour).  Everything is now planted and enjoying the rain.

            

  The lovely chrysanthemum flowers


The dahlias before planting. 

There should be more chrysanthemums at Saturday's Market.