Maddock Relatives

Have a lovely visit from Kit Divehall the next cousin in age to me he will be 70 in April. We talked about old times visited an old school friend of his whoo lives in Martinborough and is now an artist. On Wednesday night we went to the Tin Hut and had dinner whilst listening to the Local Blues singers, we ate Steak and Oyster pies vvery nice thank you Kit. Friday dawned bright and sunnny so we set off to look at the marine Memorial at Mackays Crossing in Paekakariki

. I was all very interesting for me reading about how the camp was developed during WW2. Had cafe lunch visited an art gallery and drove back home ovver the Paekakariki hill. Tres pleasant on a lovely sunny day. We did a visit to the Fell museum something Graham and I have never done and had a look at the Heritage museum which had relicts from the Japanese Prisioner of War camp and the big army camp thet was built in Featherston. Saturday we went to Mary Maddocks 90th birthday at Sue and John's in Palmerston so all in alll we have had a lot of looking back!!! It was lovely to see Aunty Mary looking so sharp and nimble and great to catch up with cousins. Another week til I go to the south island I am going to endeavour to document activitieds.

Lest We Forget

Steve Millie and I wenet to the service at the Isleworth War Memorial. There was a largish crowd outside St Bridgets Church which is beside the memorial. Interesting to see the crowd was mixed - with groups of families with young children as well as Service personel, I always find these ceremonies very emotional no matter which country I am in but it is always good to reflect on the price many men and woman paid in those years. At the conclusion we marched behind the band to the Legion where many went in for a drink. After that we walked along the river back to Alton Close.

Mrs Moons Lovely Shop

Today I went and found Mrs Moon's yarn shop. What a lovely collection of yarn, I have bought three balls of chunky Rowan to make cushion covers hoping to get back to the knitting group next Thursday. Wet and rainy today days seem to be getting longer. It has felt really wintry today. Still haven't taken any photos yet!!!

Yet another gap!!. Here I am in London staying with Steve and Millie. It was a long flight over here but luckily the flight was pretty empty so I had a spare seat beside me which is always nice in Cattle Class. Today I missioned off to find the Richmond Bridge Club finally got there after two buses and a London Cab, now I know how to get there I am set. They seem to play most afternoons and you can get lunch and decent coffee if you want it at a reasonable price. Partner and I managed 47.5 so thet wasn't bad as there were a few crafty old ladies there. Have to get used to the short days it was dark when I got back to get the washing off the line. Same old duties wherever you are. People tend to be friendly and helpful and the public transport good. We are going out for dinner tonight as Millie has cabin fever (she has been laid low with a cold but feeling better now. Haven't managed any photos yet but will get on to it.

A Long Gap Since.....

It is now nearly August and I always forget to write up the comings and goings so have decided to be more regular. Life has been busy with a lot of bridge which is normal for me over the winter months. The garden is a sleep will have to wait a bit longer for the ground to warm up.Spring blossom has appeared on the fruit trees and the grapefruit tree id bearing well. I have been able to make lots have used an Annabel Langbein's recipe which has whisky in it very nice as I had had to use Drambui instead. We had a lovely get together with my Step siblings on 17th August Warren who is 62 I had not seen since he was 6ish. Lesley I had caught up with recently and Russell who now lives in UK I had been in contact via face book. It was a lovely positive loving day in the words of my sisiter Denyse we were all blessed despite some difficult beginnings. Thank you Denyse for conceiving the idea.

We are expecting a granddaughter in Melbourine at the end of September. I will write more later this week

Family Ramble

Hello should anyone be out there I seem to have neglected my blog alas. We had a longish hot summer and then with the advent daylight saving winter arived. This summer we had a lovely visit from Steve and Millie during this time we went to Wharekahau on the south coast for a delicious lunch sister Denyse was able to come so that was great too. Over Easter we went and visited Denyse in her new house in Levin here we celebrated her Grandaughter Daisy's 12th birthday. Jan and Lew came down from Palmerston bringing Tim and Maria it was nice to catch up with them Tom and Gabrielle came late with Noah who clearly did not want to be there a grumpy little 8yr old still that did not detract from the fun. Stepsister Lesley arrived with her daughter Emma accompanied with two lovely grand daughters plus Lesley's son Ben who probably has aspergus or similar diagnosis. Ben was lovely though while reserved seemed to enjoy himself. Brooke and Alex are expecting another baby I am wondering how we will manage to get to see it and Heidi again it is very sad communications between Brooke and us have never been good now they are non existent. I worry about Alex as he is looking very tired and stressed. They have moved into their own home which is too small for us to stay in with them so we will have to find alternative accommodation. On 19th April I set sail for a 10 day bridge cruise to Vanuatu with Lynne and others from our Bridge club I am looking forward to that!! Garden is closing down for the winter I have got a small winter garden by the glass house. Looking at my last blog i need to update my reading lists Later...

Well it has been some time since I have written and now it is JUly!! We ahd a visit to Melbourne in February to see Heidi and Alex and to coincide with Steve and Milly's Australia trip that was all lovely. The weather wasn't that great a nasty off shore wind blowing on to the beach most days. We waved Steve ad Milly off and returned to NZ. The summer weather was not very warm seemed to have a lot of rain which has continued and really not a lot of warm - thank goodness for unlimited firewood!! The animal population has increased we have Romeo the Ram and Max a long haired Chihuahua. Lara Barbara and Aunty appear to be "in lamb" as one says in the counrty first due about the end of this month.Now that we have the beautiful sheep shed Graham has built they are all keeping warm

Taking the dogs for a walk over to the cross creek landing with Fran and Rosie