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

Edwina

Edwina is a little ginger white and black cat probably about 1 year old. She was left here by daughter Meredith who failed to tell us she had been a wild cat.
Once we left for out trip to England she ran away to the Dairy Farm across the road.

After our return she was spied a couple of times but too elusive for us. Finally we trapped her in a possum cage and bought her home. Kept her inside for two weeks and when she finally escaped I threw my hand in the air and said ce la vie thinking at least she was neutered and not adding to the cat population.

That night she arrived home for food and the night games that she likes so she is now settled. The others continue to be mean to her and refuse to play with her.
I am hoping that Meredith will leave her here now as I fear to move her again will be too traumatic for her.

Tempus Fugit

Can hardly believe we are in 2012. Where does time go??
Last year was a special year for us Steve and Millie were married in France it was a memorable family time for us and we all enjoyed being together. Afterwards Gra and I travelled through France on our way back to London had a very interesting journey and ate some great food.
We had two stops in Beijing and Vancouver Island both were disasterous I have decided that I am not going to stay with people I don't know again .
In Beijing we were trapped with people who were terrified of being poisoned by the local food. We only managed to get away once to some real street food the rest of the time we were trapped in the upper floors of an apartment where there was a shortage of door cards!
Vancouver Island Gra went salmon fishing with Peter (that was the object of the visit ) and I was left with Willie who was very boring had no interest other than Peter and his accomplishments. Stuck in the burbs our only activity was shopping where I spent too much. We were both pleased to escape the harsh Dutch accents which were exacerbated by the Canadian drawl. Willie meant well fortunately I had books on my Kobo and my Ipod so I could escape to bed early.
We were both glad to get on the Ferry off the Island Canada is a stangely old fashioned place but very beautiful.
Ths picture is a beautiflul French Village where we stopped for morning coffee the nameof which escapes me

Today 9th May

As usual have left it a tad late today I planted more leeks and tried some carrot tape I wonder if it will come up. Put broad beans in one of my raised vege gardens and tomorrow I have some curly Kale to put in that should do us for the winter.
I had a lovely visit with Alex Brooke and Heidi she is surely a little trick does not seeem to miss a beat.
Struggling with the book club book Corrrections all too disfunctional for me.
Trying out Paradise duck breasts tonight

Scotty

Life in a small area is thwart with preferences which I took on board when we first arrived here. In Greytown we have a very upmarket butcher which has all sorts or gourmet and organic goodies. These come at a price of course, this was my butcher for the first 12 months here. I accepted that Scotty in Martinborough was evil and his meat was bad. I even agreed with this thinking back to a large chicken I purchased which had legs like a much larger creature. I was never going back.
As I got to talk with people that lived in Martinborough I learned that Scotty was revered and his meat was good. So being a fair minded person I decided to give him a trial. One main reason being that I am in Martinborough more than Greytown.
Scotty is a big meaty fellow with grey buzz cut hair around Christmas he sported a black eye. He has all the butcher banter an answer and a word for all his customers.
Friday nights are busy for him as the weekenders have arrived and are in town getting last minute supplies I have watched one of Scotty's young workers deal with an inordinate number of customers with the utmost speed. There are two of them and they in their own ways have fierce faces but have the manners of angels.
So this is Scotty's Meats at Martinborough and he has my custom now.
What is missing from here is a photo I will have to see if I can get one when I am next in town.