Adventure - but I like soppy romances too!

Classical music, light opera and easy listening.

I love a good adventure story ... when work-related reading allows... and admit to being easily side-tracked. I guess the Bible is the greatest adventure story of all as its impact reaches from here to eternity. It deserves to be well read - hence the picture of the well worn copy here!

Warm colours - pink - red - orange - but I like dark blue as well!

An important issue:


And another worthy of support:

Periperi chicken wings.
Chai Latte.
Chocolate.

LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD

There is a legend, that at the time of the Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree, that it was chosen as the timber of the Cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus, nailed upon it, sensed this, and in His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering said to it: "Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a Cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a Cross...two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower there will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."

We enjoyed a 2 week visit to the South Island in with friends November - enjoyed wonderful weather and good company!
I have linked a Virtual Tour of New Zealand here - until I can load some of my own photos. Yes, I know! I am slow - or just too busy.


Summer has been wonderfully warm and dry this year. It is supposed to be Autumn now - but the weather gives little indication of this. A few weeks ago we drove down the Awhitu Peninsula to the South Head of the Manukau Harbour and visited this historic lighthouse.

Married for 38 years and still together! Mother of two sons and one daughter (and the associated two daughters in law and one son in law)and grandmother to one delightful grand-daughter now aged 3 years and a bit - she was born in October 2006 and one equally delightful grandson born 12th May 2009 in Ireland to Neil and Rose. All of our children - and grandchildren - are now overseas. One son, Richard, is working in England and the other, Neil, in Ireland at present - probably away for at least another couple of years .... not sure if and when Richard will return premanently - but he and his wife visited (on our air miles) for my husband's significant birthday in April 2009. Richard's wife had never been to New Zealand and it was wonderful to be able to welcome her here. Their presence made Ted's birthday a very special celebration. Our daughter, Catherine and her husband and 3-year-ol daughter left to work in Alice Springs in mid January - at least Ben will be working this year - Catherine is having a year off as the next little one is due in mid April. We are looking forward to being with the family to greet the new arrival and hope to stay for 5 or 6 weeks.

My little grand-daughter now aged 3 years - who had her birthday in October 2009 - and new grandson born in May 2009 in Limerick - I love them both so much. We have had both of them with us this Christmas - along with their parents, of course. That has made this Christmas very special.

Travel: We have travelled overseas on many occasions. We visited Great Britain and Spain and Portugal during the year before last. Last year we enjoyed home exchanges in Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand and in the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia and, in the early part of the year, visited Thailand for our son' Richard's wedding - a mid point for the NZ and UK based parents and a country with romantic associations for the couple as that is where they met several years ago. This year we visited the Gold Coast of Queensland - beaches that go on for ever overlooked by incongruous skyscrapers and backed by a green hinterland, and, closer to home, Wellington and the South Island (the Mainland to those who live there!)
My computer: How could I forget my virtual good friend!

Cold weather - I love warmth.
Anger and resentment.

Photography: I really enjoy digital photography because it allows me to be snap happy without concern for the cost - then play with the end result!

Wonderland - The Magic of The Rose follows last year's Orchid Display at the War Memorial Museum. I thoroughly enjoyed it and could return for more!
I made a Smilebox of our visit - along with pictures taken at the Wintergardens down the hill that we visited on the same day.
Create a digital slideshow