Sharing

Yeasterday I had the pleasure of my friend Mary helping me to bag up a sheep that we had had slaughtered for the freezer. I was reminded of the many time I had shred taskd with women and how pleasurable it can be. Was this how it was in the cave man period brfore the days of marriage etc. There is instinctive knowledge that we hold and this enable tasks to be done whilst we chattter and discuss stuff. Each of us intent on what we are doing and somehow knowing what is expected. Throughout my life I recall other experiences of sharing ......group feeding of young children before our sposes/partners got home from work providing much needed adult company for young mothers. Recently I held a wedding here on our property and my sisters Denyse, Lesley and myself prepared the food and set up the decorations and cleared up afterwards with some extra help. We enabled Jojo and Tony to have a lovely wedding at little cost. I am wondering if women are pack animals too because I really enjoy the company of my woman friends and relatives. Does isolation disempower us and intere

sting idea This picture is me an the jersy Daidy knitted for me in the 1980's which I cant bear to part with.

RIP Nelson

Well it has been some time since I wrote in fact over a year.This week we loast one of our cats a lovely Birman Cross called Nelson. He had a short illnes only unwell for 2 days though when I think of it he had been getting thin. When the vet xrayed him he was found to have cancer stomach and probably liver plus heart failure. Graham and I made the only descision that could be made and he was put down by the lovely vet and her assistants at South Wairarapa vets. Neelson started off life with us in Breaker Bay about 2000 we think. When he arrived we assumed he was a female so when the time came right he was sent off to be speyed . Some time later the phone rang and it was the vet who had cut her/him open to find his true sexuality, name was changed from Nellie to Nelson. He was always an independent soul watched us balefully with his crossed blue eyes. His speciality was hunting leaves and twigs which he used to bring in at night littering the hall. When Max arrived he joined max sleeping on our bed scarcely room for Graham and I. We have a Black Boy Peach tree to plant where he is buried. Farewell old friend

Yesterday I turned 72 scary when one thinks about it! Had a lovely day starting with lunch at Catherine's kitchen in greytown with some of the craft group. Later Graham and I went to see "The Book Thief" at Circus in Martinborough. We were the only 2 in the theatre so it was a private showing so to speak. Spoke with Alex that went fine though a little guarded. Mere and Steve called as well. Have to start thinking about holiday next week. Jo and Anthony are going to house sit. Am hoping I will be able to writes while we are away

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.