Pearl

Here is a photograph of my Grandmother Pearl Ann Maddock as I remember her. This was taken at 193 Sutherland Rd where she had lived probabably all  of her married life. 

The memories of her home are what kept me going as a young person, my own life being gypsy life from as far back as I can recall. To me, she was always an old person but I guess the hard life she had had showed. Or do the young see old as old11

Robin Taylor and i often ponder on what she was really like.Domestic chores and motherhood were never her strong point. as a mother according to Fay.  To me she was a wonderful Grandmother, we kept in touch until she died either by writing or visiting.

Somehow through the Great depression and WWs 1 and 2 she had managed to urge her daughters to be independent and have high expectations of what their lives should be. This did not always turn out well for them but they all seemed to have the idea that nothing was too good for the Maddock girls and they kept looking. A good example of this is Ronnie Witcombe, Fay snatched him off her sister Dianah after the war ended they went for a drive and returned home engaged. He was a weakish character so was putty in her hand I wonder if Dianah knew he had a suitcase full of sterling contraband from the African campaign that is another story in itself. Am wondering if the introduction to Tony Harris some years later was a form of payback for Dianah!.

 

A Concert In Otaki

 

The first half was a classical selection I must say the Elgar bought tears to my eyes it reminded me of times we would probably never see again. The audience was sitting socially distanced and required to wear a mask so as one can imagine it was a pretty small gathering. 

A relative of Ina Te Wiata sang a selection of his songs which bought back many memories. Now is the Hour that had me almost sobbing!

He was quite a good tenor but not a patch on his uncle.

Graham has gone to Nelson for a fishing jaunt Maxie and I are at home I have quite a bit of bridge on and will be glad when its all over. Today I bought some Star Jasmine to put with the white roses hopefully the plants will cover the ground.

Max and I had a nice walk on the beach between showers.

last night Bridge Club meeting re covid requirements of course we have some nutters who don't wish to reveal their status or don't want to be vaccinated. One I suspect has a good medical reason and the other is just bullheaded for want of a better word

Trying to get stuff cleared up for when Denyse arrives there was a talk on the radio a couple of days ago about co - living apparently it is becoming more common.

Here at Rangiuru Rd is the first house I have been able to keep house plants alive so far!! The sun shines through the windows and there is enough space to allow them to live through the winter such a joy to see them thriving. I have replaced all the dressing table shit with plants so much more relaxing and less dusty

In my office I have created plants for my desk top which is supposed to inspire me. This is a lovely turret at the top of the house and in the mornings I can lie on the bed gazing out over the treeetops and enjoy  the early morning sun shine . Since I have been going to bed earlier I seem to be waking earlier which is logical . It certainly is a peaceful time of day

Today I am going to the book club lunch in town at the Back Bencher it will be good to see the group. 
 

New Intentions

Well I am going to start this up again I like writing and have a lots of reminices and family goings on to write about. After feeling rotten for most of this year I seem to have turned a corner last visit to yet another GP made me feel I should get on with it he took me off the last medication a previous GP had given me because it was doing nothing for me ..... say no more. Immediately I felt better than I had for months , I still get a bit breathless but that is something I always have done having never been the fittest. Tonight will be a test I am going to Waikanae to play in the teams as a sub so hope I manage to get home before I fall asleep!!! I have beeen going to bed earlier than before which is better for me. Knitted a vest for Carmen in that fake wool/fur looks good but cost me $24 to post hopefully she will like it. Maxie and I went to the beach for a walk and and an airing he met a little black schnauzer who gave him a run

Here is a picture of the black hens who keep us suppplied with eggs and potter atound the apple a fjeoa trees. Maxie and I enjoy our turret he has his bottom shelf in the wardrobe and I have my desk and a relaxing bed which is loely and sunny in the mornings. Makes me feel like a Nana now. Looking forward to Denyse coming I do hope it works out for us all. Just need to get Mere up here and life will be perfect

A Harris Country Wedding Part 1

Last night I heard this story related again by my stepsister Lesley. Even though Graham and I were there I remember very few of the events. Graham and I were in our lets behave properly phase and probably didn't really want to even see what was happening. The Setting Simon and Tracy had beed renting a cottage on the property of Tom Scott a renowned and well known cartoonist in Wellington, The main house was a big two storied villa over looking the main road to Paraparaumu Simon and Tracy's cottage was surrounded by a rather high hedge. It was one of those really hot days the heat seemen to be trapped behind this hedge. Also there were a number of Simons's mates camped outside the perimetre of this hedge in tents and some had bought their dogs. First thing to go wrong The previous night Tracy and Tony Harris had argues about the music for the wedding which put Tony into a sulky mood he was a person who liked his own way. On the wedding day Tony arrived dressed in shorts and rough clothing he began to play some music on the organ then stood up and announced that the organ was rubbish and he couldn't play it and he wasn't going to be the Master of Ceremonies. The Bride and Groom were about to arrive. What to do Sister Denyse's ex husband Bob was there why he was I cant for the life of me understand. But Bob being properly dressed and personable was roped in to be MC. The bride and groom were about to arrive ......no music have no fear brother Boko who had been smoking dope behind the hedge and hiding from Battle Axe wife Linda pulled out his comb and piped the happy coule in to the theme from Coronation Street through his nose.

Country Life is over

We are now at Otaki Beach living beside the sea in a rambly house with plenty of space and a different sort of garden

Max and I on a windy day and the beach at Otaki. Every time I come here Kapiti is a different shade and perspective