NEW YEAR'S EVE

 It is now just after 6 p.m. on New Year's Eve here.  Last night I set the alarm for 5.50 a.m. and we duly got up and headed straight to the Growers' Market.  I had not checked as I was certain that, once again, it was going to be on Thursday, not Saturday.  We arrived to find two empty car parks.  (One is used for the market and the other for parking).  Yes, it is on Saturday this week.

We came straight home and I was able to get into the garden and, among other things, cut back some shrubs that we encroaching on other ones.  The rest of the day has flown with usual day to day jobs.  

I picked the first two tomatoes tonight (Black Krim, one of my favourites).  They are quite a good size.  We have a lot of large tomatoes and I have my fingers crossed for a good crop but one can never know with tomatoes as blight can hit and demolish a crop.

Today's harvest.

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  Let's hope with the new vaccine (and a new President in the U.S.A.) that things will improve for everyone).  I realise how lucky we have been here although, with Covid once again loose in New South Wales I don't want to be too complacent.  It could so easily turn up here again.

We are planning on a quiet night.

A QUIET DAY

 I was born 77 years ago today in an English winter.  It doesn't seem possible - the years just fly by.  I said I just wanted a quiet day and it started with phone calls from the Welsh border, Canada, Australia and Auckland and messages from around the world.  We decided that we would drive down to the Town Basin as we have not been there for a while.

The gardens around the large sun dial were looking good.

as were the gardens next to the Fudge Factory which sells delicious ice creams as well as fudge.

This was the view as we ate our ice creams

and the view of the new Hundertwasser building taken from the river with the large crane which has been there for over a year.

After that we came home and cooked lunch between us and then put our feet up to read.  I was just about to make a cup of tea when a neighbour turned up so the three of us have just had a cuppa and now it is time to water the garden.  

Every night, at the moment, we have a new episode of the English Repair Shed so after the News we will watch that.

SHOPPING

 I wanted to do a little shopping so first thing after breakfast we went into town.  Plenty of parking.  
To Farmers first where I bought a couple of pairs of jeans (not on shopping list) and some socks as the last lot I bought are perfect.  Also wanted to pick up a free cotton bag that was on offer.  Next to the Farmers' car park I noticed the lovely gardens

Then to Kathmandu where we had seen a bathroom bag on a good special so bought one of those each.  We then headed to Kamo where Doug bought a large bag of mixed grains for the birds.  We got home just as our hairdresser arrived - perfect timing.  

I noticed a box on our front porch.  Letters are not delivered until Thursday but, apparently, parcels are.  This was from my stepdaughter in Australia and was a wonderful assortment of goodies. We also had a message from Doug's eldest daughter that she would like to come for supper and would like some more flowers.

Hairdresser finished and just getting lunch when Doug took a phone call from a neighbour would we like to go to their place for afternoon tea.  I got the washing in and folded, picked the flowers, checked a few blogs and it was time to go out.  

We have had a pleasant couple of hours catching up on news and I have just picked a few vegies,  will get the watering done and D should be here.  I had planned to put my feet up and read this afternoon but it was very pleasant catching up on the gossip.

Can catch up on reading tomorrow.

PLEASANT WALK

A bit of a shock as we were woken at 4 a.m. by the phone ringing.  It was a cousin from Canada who had her times a bit muddled.  Anyway, once I was fully awake we had a lovely chat.  I managed to get back to sleep and we woke at 7.30 a.m. which was not too bad.

No Parkinson walk planned for today however four of us decided to go on a walk and met at the Tikipunga Sports Park.  We walked across the park and to the Whangarei Falls then down beside the Falls and back up the other side.  We then stopped for a coffee from the coffee cart there before heading back.  

The Falls are only a ten minute walk from home and we were amazed at the number of people and vehicles there.  Apparently, there were even more yesterday.  When we arrived we walked across a grass area and there were tape fences across it.  By the time we finished our walk this area was a car park filling up.

Anyway, it is an official Parkinson Walk next week so we decided to do the same again as the coffee was good and it is a pleasant walk.  Those that are capable can go down to the bottom of the Falls and those that want can wait at the top and get their coffee.

First Doug's photos taken with his camera.  He could not resist the hole in a sculpture to take photos in both directions

Some of the people there although as we went across the bridge and down beside the waterfall we passed bus loads of people.

Photos taken on my phone.  The waterfall is 26.3 metres high so there is a nicely placed seat on the way back up to the top of the Falls.  (or way down depending on which way you go)

This Puriri Tree is obviously extremely old.

Looks a bit dark in this photo but the overflow car park is filling up.

Back on the other side of the road walking around the park

We then went to the Supermarket which was quite full but not too bad.  We got through checkout quite quickly.

Home for lunch and the temperature dropped and we got some hail.  Sun out again now and Doug has gone to town to do some shopping while I write this and get the rubbish ready to go out.

BOXING DAY

Cooler here today and a shower first thing which was a good start for a lazy day.  When it cleared I went out to pick some flowers.  I had bought some bamboo jugs to use for water and decided one would make a great vase so picked some crepe myrtle and alstroemeria.

As we went out for a meal yesterday there were no leftovers so I roasted a half leg of lamb with roast vegies.  While I did this Doug put up the "Monarch Butterfly" and lights in a bottle that his youngest daughter had given him. As the bottle is in the shade we are not sure how well it will charge.

We have just finished lunch and it is now time for a siesta (could be a long one).

CHRISTMAS DAY

Doug joined me on my early morning walk which was good.  After breakfast we opened our presents - not a lot as we decided not to give them to each other but a couple of things from a lady we take to the Parkinson walks and friends but the main present was the annual pewter ornament from my cousin this year's was a lovely wild rose.

The card with the rose says 

Even under the most challenging conditions, the Wild Rose can grow and flourish, brightening our summers with its beautiful and fragrant blossoms.Growing naturally along the dunes of a windswept beach or from the rocky soil of a meadow, its roots run wide and deep, grounding it strongly in place. Rose hips, valued for their healing properties, cling to the stems throughout the fall and winter, sheltering seeds for the future. Thorns along its branches protect the flowers and leaves. A combination of grace and grit, the Wild Rose thrives in sunshine and warm summer breezes but also survives throughout turbulent winds and storms. Remember that we have this same strength and resiliency to see us through to where we too will flourish and blossom.

The flowers on the table on the deck today.

At 11.30 we headed off for the family Christmas with Doug's youngest daughter. We watched 2 year old Theia and everyone else open her presents.  There were 10 of us around the table enjoying delicious ham, chicken and lamb with all the trimmings plus trifle, fruit salad and mini pavlovas to follow.  Just after 3.30 p.m. we headed home and were just finishing the watering when Doug's eldest daughter arrived and we have just had some sandwiches and will have more trifle and fruit salad later. 

So we will be watching the news shortly and I think there is a film we may watch while eating the trifle and that will be Christmas for this year.  I hope everyone is able to enjoy their Christmas in these trying times.

CHRISTMAS EVE

 It was the Growers' Market this morning and we got there at 6.15 a.m.  After scanning in with the Covid App I took a quick photo.  The parking area was as full as it usually is at about 9.15 a.m. 

We bought the few items on our list - tomatoes (although ours are large they have not yet started to change colour, peaches (ours are a long way off, lettuce (I have a gap in supply) and avocados which we don't grow here, and half a dozen eggs (just in case).

We were home nice and early and I did some dead heading in the garden before breakfast.  We have just had  a lovely gentle shower.

I have the trifle to finish off with custard and cream and a fruit salad to make and that is it apart from some phone calls. 

Doug and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2021.  Hopefully, with the new vaccines there will be a vast improvement in everyone's lives.