Pedro the wonder dog.

I don't think I have introduced the smallest member of the immediate family. This is Pedro and he belongs to Becci & Adrian and lives 'up the coast'. For the first five years of his life he was passed from one person to the next and never really looked after. Three years ago when Becci and Adrian were setting up their first home an acquaintance gave them a bed and when it arrived Pedro was with it. If you want the bed you have to have the dog!!!!! Well my daughter has never been particularly interested in animals and I was worried when I heard they had acquired a dog but I need not. It was love at first sight. They dote on him and him them.

This is my home town, not as it is at the moment, as it is raining and blowing a gale, or so I have been told. I love being here with my family but I'm missing my home and the quiet, steady rhythm of my day when I am there. It is anything but quiet here and the family have the idea that they must entertain us at all times. I am happy that I can just join in their daily lives for a little while each year.

Being creative.

Today has been drizzly and chilly not the sort of day for the beach, the pool or even the park. Only one thing for it, a cardboard box and some paint. Is it a train? is it a plane? no Grandma it's 'Adrins' ute.

By the way this is the dining room table at Auntie Becci's house.

Number one son, the chef, doesn't cook at home in the UK and I don't ask him. After the long hours he spends in the kitchen the last thing he wants to do is come home and cook. But while in Sydney he loves to prepare us yummy meals cooked from scratch with lovely fresh ingredients. Unfortunately he can't bring his whites with him for fear that the Australian immigration will think he has come to work. We found an apron that was big enough to go around his girth.

It was toad in the hole with carrots, green beans and onion gravy. Yum yum.

Old Haunts.

My dear husband wanted to go to visit his old neighbourhood today. Where he grew up and went to school. A trip of perhaps an hour and a half, two buses, a train and another bus, not something I really wanted to do on such a warm day. Things don't always turn out as you expect though. The journey was fine and I saw parts of Sydney I hadn't since before, not all of them beautiful but interesting all the same. On the train journey Pampa had described to me how the street had looked forty years ago, including a milk bar and he was delighted to see the milk bar was still there only it now sold fizzy drinks and hot snacks. We walked along the road leading to his old house, church and school. At the church he wanted to go inside but the door was locked, as we were leaving we noticed a group of ladies sewing in the church hall. Well it's a long time since I have had such a warm greeting, a cup of tea and cake appeared before us and the promise of a call to the lady who held the key to the church. These ladies were part of a group who sewed for people in need in East Timour and several other places. Beautiful simple garments both practical and lovely to look at. A group of really nice, genuine people who gave up their time not to mention their cake, to help two complete strangers. Pampa was chuffed to go inside the church and show me where he used to sit. A day well spent even if I was very hot by the end of it. We did visit some of his other old haunts, his school, the shop where he used to buy his sweets, where he played tennis and of course the house where he grew up. He did remark that everything was a lot smaller then he remembered but then it always is isn't it?

So today's photo is of 'that bridge' as we were passing by on our way home. Ferry on this leg of the journey.

Rubbish at posting regularly.

I'm rubbish at posting regularly, went up north for the weekend and forgot the camera card. We had a very good time at Becci & Adrian's, good company and good food. We went swimming in the morning, swimming in the ocean, not something I would do in summer at home as our ocean is far from warm. Our granddaughter is almost swimming on her own, she can do a few strokes before putting her feet down. She has not fear and will jump into any water, we have to watch her very carefully.

Arrived back last night very tired but a good tired. Today was spent re-cooperating with several loads of washing on the side and a quick trip to the market for supplies. Today photo sums up what I have been enjoying today with some knitting as well.

7th January 2010.

We took a long walk this morning as the air was cooler and the sun behind low cloud. As we rounded the headland we came upon this deserted beach.

Well almost deserted apart from these guys and girls enjoying the peace. They were not best pleased to see us and we beat a haste retreat.

6th January 2010.

I just adore the creamy richness of these Frangipani flower. As I am walking to the market on these warm balmy days there perfume fill the air and fills me with joy.

Trees.

I've been out and about today looking at trees. A few particular trees set against a beautiful blue sky, so tall and straight.

Many many trees, so many there vastness was breathtaking. I love being up high, although it scares me and I love trees, so this view was just the best.

See you Steph.

4th January.

Cheating here as it's still Monday in the Uk. Today our Fannie goes home to her island in the sun. We have had her company for the Christmas Holidays and very good it was too. Steph is our unofficial daughter who has spent Christmas with us for many years. Bye Fannie xxxxx.

Just what I wanted.

I had some lovely presents from my family this Christmas. Amongst other I received cloth handkerchiefs, yarn and knitting needles. Also this great book about crafting with recycled goods. I will be busy with lots of the projects later in the year when I am at home.

This book from Benji will be a great help when I start my menu planning again as it gives so much information about larder management as well as what to cook. I haven't really had time to read much but what I have is very interesting.

The last thing I wanted to show you is this rather natty device to hold my knitting needles together and stop the stitches falling off while it is in my bag. Again given to me by Benji, he knows the way to his mother's heart, bless him.

I think my family have the measure of me at last, no more fancy stuff well apart from my plane ticket that is.

2nd January 2010.

A very boring photo from a very boring day. Returning to Sydney from our Christmas visit to Brisbane, not sure how far but over 850k. Traffic diabolical with over thirteen hours in the car. Absolutely wonderful time with all the family, twelve of us in one house. Plenty of food well cooked by DD1 and DS1, plenty of good conversation and plenty of simple fun had by all.

Happy New Year and a good and peaceful 2010. A new beginning or a continuation of how we were before. There will be some new beginnings, new ways of doing things but I will be continuing with many of my simple frugal ways. One new idea I gleaned from the forum this morning was about keeping a pictorial record of the whole year. The idea was to scrapbook a photo everyday but I'm going to blog a photo everyday for the year. Some days I will only post a photo or two and others a longer message. Lets see how long I can last, lol.

First photos, 1st January 2010.

Our water baby loved the pool at the house we stayed in for the holidays.

One of the small squares I am knitting for Milly's rainbow blanket.

One day down 364 to go.