Greetings

Morning has broken on this Christmas Eve down under.

We are ready! Shade sails up in lieu of the veranda roof.

And I am very happy with the results. I found the bunting I had made a few years ago and it as if made to fit.

The swing seat was brought back up from the garden and brushed down. The canopy not in such a good state so I pinned an op shop lace tablecloth over the top. Tadah!

Hoping for a fine day tomorrow so we can set up a tressle table out here for Our Christmas lunch of cold meats, salads, new potatoes, and of course delectable deserts.

I hope that wherever you are you are blessed with the company of loved ones,

May the glory of the message of Christmas fill your hearts 

With joy and peace.

I wish you all, safe travels, good health, and happiness.

And may the magic of Christmas fill your homes with light, joy and love,

May blessings abound

Love, Trills.xxx

Nasturtiums

I've got it right this time. My spell check just didn't get where I was going before. 

Wandering about the garden, as you've probable guessed is a favourite pastime of mine, I was drawn to our straggly Nasturtium population.

Here in NZ it only takes one seed or as in my case one special hybrid plant and before you can spell the word Nasturtium there is a population explosion 

In more corners than you ever thought you had.

Their glowing colours brighten areas you had cast aside for "the proper garden".

Their tendrils sneak along the ground. Even the driest doesn't deter them in their quest to spread their joyfulness.

This baren little corner looks like it needs some Nasturtium magic, says the wandering seed pod.

I think I'd like the company of pumpkins, says another.

I think my orange glow will go well with the blue Highdranger. I'll just burst up through the middle and say Boo! It's me! You thought you had weeded us all out of this patch. Ha Ha!

Some like climbing trees.

Some try to disguise themselves in the hedge. "Yes it does have flowers, you see".

And others just know that if they drape themselves seductively over a wood pile they will tug at my heart strings and brighten my day, and cause me to grab my iPad to go clickety click and weave a special tribute to THE NASTURTIUM .

Now my iPad knows what I am about and I only have to begin with an N and there it is.

NASTURTIUMS!

Blessings, Trills xx

Wonder

I just had to capture this glorious morning. As I hung out the washing I looked up and it was a GASP! Moment. The sky soooo beautifully blue with the fresh green of the trees standing still. Certainly a moment to capture and drink in as our weather these past days and forecast for tomorrow is crapitty crapp as Dottie Angel would say.

Let's take a walk around the back. A few tiny clouds, looking past the newly stained shed out South ward.

Self seeded Nasturshens colour the bank where gardening rubbish goes.

Likewise, these pelargoniums lend more colour to the other end of the bank which is also now planted in young flax that will one day be as big as the flax on the right, and frm here it will be hard to see the Robinia tree below.

The field is looking so pretty at this time of year with the long grasses dotted with daisies. The neighbours beastie has not been through to feed here for a while.

The last of the Pines stand continual over everything. They have to come down but I insisted not until Autumn. Every Spring and Summer it becomes a multi story apartment block for the birds of all kinds. We can sit on the veranda and watch them fly to and fro, with nesting material, then the busy feeding schedule, and lastly the flying lessons. They have up to three families a season here. We have Starlings in the roof by the back door on their second brood now.

The sun was also hiding behind the Pines and shading the front for a short while. Emmy seems to be hot already, sleeping on the temporary step.

Well, sigh, on with the day. Shopping,ooooh, op shops! I wonder what treasures lie in wait!

Bye for now and blessings to you all. Love Trills.xx

Nearly there.

Yes! Christmas is around the corner and as every year it's a busy time, juggling all the needs of the season. First the cards. I set myself up in the spare room at the desk I used to have in my retreat. It felt good to sit there and contemplate all the folks on my list, wishing them good tidings as I wrote.

And I wasn't short of cards, having amassed three boxes of them over the years of buying packets and not using them all. So I set myself the challenge of not buying any new ones till these are used up.

My rather stern and very Roman looking ancestor kept an eye on the proceedings ready to chastise any deviation from my resolution. I do see a likeness to my dear Dad but I haven't a clue who it is.

Mum and Dad look much happier, here on their Wedding day. The photo was coloured and enlarged for their 50th wedding anniversary and my brother made the brass wall hanging.

He was so talented. I miss them all, and it is lovely to have them here with me at this time. Christmas is a special time for remembering lost loved ones.

I can thank my folks for a love of gardening as I tend my little patch.

We've had some lovely rain lately that the garden just drank up. These Russell Lupins will flower soon.

Granny's Bonnets flowering at last. This is such a delicate colour combo.

The new Penstemons are a lovely soft pink. I love them.

Dead heading has prolonged the Anturinums. They have been a delight.

With the rain we also had strong winds and I gave a gasp of horror when I saw the sweet peas all bent over and smothering the Dalias.

It was quick smart with the twine and stakes and all was saved but don't know how much longer the Sweet Peas will last, so what next for this space? Another trip to the garden centre for mouth watering ideas and temptations. One with a cafe I think.

On the crafty side of my life I thought I would try an old doily pattern with a bright twist. A sort of mandala. It will probably need a hula hoop to support it and maybe hand under the veranda. The green loopy rows used up nearly a whole ball of yarn. I won't be making a habit of these! But it was fun.

On a much smaller scale I started making these little stars for the Christmas tree while on the cruise. Yes! They had knit and natter sessions while at sea and I don't go anywhere without some hand work. It was lovely sitting with other like minded ladies, mostly from Australia, sharing stories, ideas, and patterns. Quite a few of them were making poppies for the 50,000 Poppy challenge.

This is a secret as these wonderful gems of the seaside are to become Christmas presents. Keeping our family tradition of home made or second hand gifts I have decided to be creative with these gems from our stay at the Mount a couple of months ago.

We took a day off and Emmylou took us to Port Waikato for a day. Such a lovely peaceful spot. We were almost the only ones around.

It was not the flashiest of days but they have been rare lately so it was a case of ' Let's just do it!' And so we did. And thoroughly enjoyed the drive and relaxing by the still waters of the Waikato River near its end. At the gap in the middle you may just be able to make out the white line of breakers at the River mouth.

Coming home we decided to take fish and chips down to our coast beach for tea. It always takes our breath away as we round the corner to this view.

Not many folks here either. So many busy shopping etc. I know which I'd rather do.

So it's all go now to be ready for Christmas Day when the family will be here for a very laid back easy going time together. That's really what it's all about isn't it. 

If I don't get back in the next week I will wish you all a peaceful,joyful,and happy Christmas with blessings aplenty. Love Trills.xx

Life's a cruise.

This is the Dawn Princess. Our home for two weeks. We are home again now of course and have the added baggage of influenza A. I spent the last two days confined to barracks, or my cabin, with Kerry trotting back and forth with sustenance. Up until then We had a great time.

It was a very new experience for us and a taster before we embark on a trip to Alaska next May. We were very happily impressed with everything. Our comfort, the food, service, entertainment, and company was excellent. Leaving from Auckland our first stop was Tauranga where I had photoed the sister ship a few weeks ago. 

We ventured over to the main Tauranga township and found a crafty market. Had to take pic of this awesome bike.

Also this amazing dolls house totally crafted by a very dedicated master.

Next stop Napier where we hadn't been for too many years. The Art Deco capital of the South it didn't disappoint. The sun shone as we strolled the lovely streets. Ready for a drink we glanced into a cafe and surprise! surprise! There was Kerry's sister Karen and husband Chris waving out. They live in Auckland but used to live in Napier and were there for a funeral. They had only waved us off 2 nights ago. A lovely surprise and of course we joined them for refreshments.

We also sat and listened to the bells chiming out some tunes in the garden square.

And enjoyed the 20s and 30s cars and street fare set up for all visitors adding a special atmosphere to the day.

Next was supposed to be Wellington but a force 9 gale caused problems for the tugs and the docking was aborted. We were not disappointed as Wellington in a storm was not a very exciting prospect. Instead we left the storm behind and were treated wonderful views over a white capped choppy sea to the Kaikoura coast with a snow capped mountain backdrop as our ship cut a smooth slow passage to our next port. 

It was amazing how smoothly we sailed through these seas. Normally we would not see this as the ship sailed each night and arrived at the next port by morning. We loved it!

Next morning we were anchored in Akaroa harbour and the tenders were lowered to take us ashore. Many folk, Austrailians especially were booked for tours away from the port but we were very happy to spend another sunny day in this quaint French flavoured seaside town. We just strolled along enjoying the pretty buildings and gardens.

It was Sunday and when I saw there was a Mass being held at midday in this old church for the visitors I was thrilled to join in.

It was a very special and moving time for me. Kerry had gone for a walk and we met later for lunch before strolling back for a returning tender.

Our next port was Dunedin and here we had booked to do the Taieri Gorge Railway excursion. We were not disappointed. The scenery was fantastic but not easy to photograph with iPad so bought postcards. The mountainsides were aglow with golden broome. We stopped at very isolated places where people were living and farming.

And at our turn around point there was a market set up by the locals with NZ themed handcrafts for sale. You can see the quilts and knitwear. It was a fab trip. A new experience for us into places we could never take the bus.

Now! Doesn't this look awesome. The moody Fiordland sounds. 

This is Dusky Sound the first we visited. I think the grey skies add to the mystical beauty. Do you see the snow on the distant peaks. There was an icy wind coming off them.

No one lives here and very few visit this protected environment. This is a conservation boat checking us out. We were very lucky to get in here today. The last 4 cruises were prevented by rough weather.

We also went through Doubtful Sound but the weather was deteriorating as we headed out and up towards Milford Sound, so we were not surprised when that venture was cancelled and we headed out into the Tasman Sea for a two day sail to Melbourne.

Every day and night on the ship photos were taken of us to purchase but we, and especially I am not very photogenic so this is our best selfie as we left the sounds.

Sunrise along the NZ coast.

Sunset at sea. Taken from inside as we struck a very bad storm. The ship was skirted round to the North of the worst of it but we endured 6 to 7 mtr waves and swells and many folk were unwell including Kerry. I was surprised I was ok after our straight crossing in March but my biggest problem along with other folks was walking with the swaying and rocking of the ship. I worried for the old and disabled of which there were many on board.

The number of folks with walkers, sticks, wheelchairs, and even a few disability scooters surprised us, but after some thought it seemed pretty awesome that these folk whose lives are probably fairly confined normally, could come on these cruises and have a lovely holiday and break from their usual lives, and their carers too. 

Melbourne put on a glorious day for us though we were a bit late docking due to the storm but we ventured forth for a few hours.

Taking in the wonderful buildings.

Pretty parks.

And colourful markets. Our appetite was wet for another trip over here for a longer more leasurely time.

We walked a long way, hurrying back for the early sailing back to NZ.

It was a very calm 3 day crossing back and around to Auckland but I didn't get to see much of it. The first day I came down with what seemed like a cold the next day I was in the med centre and diagnosed with influenza A and a chest infection. A mask was promptly put on me, and rightly so with 2000 people on board. Evidently it came on board from Melbourne before we got on so I was lucky it was at the end when it hit me. I was confined to cabin with many medicines and when we finally reached Auckland we were escorted off the ship and it was soooo goooood to be in the fresh air and home. Just the train journey to Papakura then John picked us up.

And home at last. Looking soooo gooood!! 

Our moggies didn't even look up. So good to see them relaxed and well in the wonderful care of our special house sitter, Roz.

The garden looking wonderful. I gasped when I saw the sweet peas.

So many blooms and Roz said she had given bunches away. I've never grown them before, but my Dad was a champion and this was the bed he last grew them in. He must be smiling on these I'm sure.

Well on that note I will take to my bed to recover, soon, I hope. 

We have many wonderful memories of our great cruising holiday. See you again soon.

Blessings, Trills.xxx