-3C at 3 o’clock in the morning
Its freezing today and has been chilly walking around the Lakes around Queenstown, but beautiful.
My step count is down again this week; I’ve needed a couple of days off as days have started at -6C and the garden has not thawed due to extreme frost and freezy rain; more of that ahead.
Finally, Treble Cone, ski resort in Wanaka opened. https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/wanaka/perfect-day
3o’clock in the morning … Anyone remember Crystal Gayle 1977?
Wonderful what you can find on U tube to amuse in the early hours….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iNrbIUDeIg
Sadly, no-one else talking in their sleep here; Sarah left on Monday for a quick trip to HK to sort out a few things but is back Saturday.
Immediately before she went, she was determined to get some exercise and get me out to do some steps.
Rugged up again we did a quick march around Lake Hayes; which certainly got my heart rate up into the fat burning zone. I had to go home to put my feet up; she arrived at the airport late of course as was the plane! This only encourages Sarah to continue to arrive at last minute before it is too late behaviour without me.
Interested in the algae blooms on the parts of the ponds around the Lake. This has been a problem for some years around Lake Hayes
http://www.scene.co.nz/featured/can-we-save-lake-hayes/
Algae is also becoming more of a problem in Lake Wanaka. Locals call it Lake snot.
The Lions have been in Queenstown plus several thousand supporters. A great advert for the weather and resort. Didn’t realise that beer and adventure sports was good for international rugby training, but it seems to be a pattern for Lions tours; we shall see what they can produce on Saturday night. I’m supporting the All Blacks (I’ve had the kit since 2015, am NZ resident and partaking in the delights of the NZ Health service) Sarah is, of course, supporting the Lions.
The plants have been a bit confused by some days of snow and extreme cold and then the sun coming out and being a little Spring like.
The cherry tree in our garden has blossom on it much to the delight of the birds. The roses are still going strong, although I have finally pruned the rest of ours nipping out between frosts.
Australia wins the competition for the most colourful and loud squawking bird life; NZ has some lovely smaller birds.
Encouraged by neighbours Athol and Diane, I’ve had my first go at bird spotting, entering a garden survey complete with a helpful brochure.
Trouble is the birds are so small and so fast that by the time I have consulted, they have flown off.
Managed to spot blackbirds, fantails, finches, song thrush, sparrows and a Tui or 2.
In addition to the bird bath, we might have to invest in a bird feeder for winter.
The lovely Shirley took me the chemo treatment this week.
We managed a short walk by the river before dropping into the Wool-on exhibition (locally made wool clothes)
Not sure I can see myself in any one these. The tartan kilt had a zip up the front and I am not sure what the fashion is for wearing white wool hats over the eyes (spot this on models in back ground)
My favourite was a black vest top (merino) but this reversible flowery poncho thingy came close …it’d probably be something worn once and never again.
Mum had a Singer sewing machine when I was little.
Not sure she ever thought of keeping it for its artistic value. The latest use for these plus Royals and Liberty machines seems to be sculptural, complete with added lawn mower wheels and even a spoon.
I had some wonderful emails from friends over the last few weeks. Thank you all. I will get to answering them, sooner or later as the snowy weather sets in and I get to relax by a luxurious roaring fire or snuggle up in bed under a possum rug (made by our very talented friend Rosalind Moseby) as I am doing now.
Adventurous cooking has not been on the agenda recently apart from attempting Congee with red dates (jujube) and lotus seeds.
Once soaked, I could taste the sweetness of the dates and crunchiness of the lotus seeds but I used coconut congee (According to Betty Chui- my wonderful HK Chinese medicine friend from HSBC IT days, the wrong thing for this recipe) It was similar to a rice pudding that had a metallic taste.
Back to searching for millet and congee rice to cook up together or else red date and lotus seed recipes. Chicken soup with red dates and Goji berries, or ginger and red date tea with red date cake. For Lotus seeds I think I will try adding them in a curry. Too late for moon cakes this year. Any other ideas welcome.
We made the big decision to sell our holiday home at Grace’s Barn, Arrina. Not a decision taken lightly, but with what lies ahead for me, it is very hard to get back to it to enjoy what the area has to offer, or to do the required maintenance on the house twice a year. First viewing is on Saturday so fingers crossed, but it is still available to let through Unique Cottages for the rest of the year. Perhaps it will attract a young family or someone else like us (it was our wonderful escape in the Highlands of Scotland from the hustle of international cities and the growing 68 million population of Britain). Details here:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49181190.html
Despite this sadness, I have been feeling much more cheerful this week. I suppose it is the project manager in me as I do like to know what to expect and now I have some dates for my treatment plan. Unlike a project, I am not in control, I just take my drugs and turn up at the right place at the right time for medics to do checks or/and stick needles and drips in me attached to machines that go ping. I am due a long chat with the treatment coordinator in Christchurch later today, to find out what those sessions in hospital will involve in more detail.
Life is a lottery; sometimes life is loving, fun, adventurous, exciting, full of new sensory delights; other times routine, mundane, plodding. Once in a while there is suffering, a big shock, a wake-up call, with associated pain, hurt, tears. Anything can happen, we just have to make the best of it when it does.
Who knows what it will be today.
Xxxxx
Finally, Treble Cone, ski resort in Wanaka opened. https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/wanaka/perfect-day
3o’clock in the morning … Anyone remember Crystal Gayle 1977?
Wonderful what you can find on U tube to amuse in the early hours….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iNrbIUDeIg
Sadly, no-one else talking in their sleep here; Sarah left on Monday for a quick trip to HK to sort out a few things but is back Saturday.Immediately before she went, she was determined to get some exercise and get me out to do some steps.
Interested in the algae blooms on the parts of the ponds around the Lake. This has been a problem for some years around Lake Hayes
Algae is also becoming more of a problem in Lake Wanaka. Locals call it Lake snot.
The Lions have been in Queenstown plus several thousand supporters. A great advert for the weather and resort. Didn’t realise that beer and adventure sports was good for international rugby training, but it seems to be a pattern for Lions tours; we shall see what they can produce on Saturday night. I’m supporting the All Blacks (I’ve had the kit since 2015, am NZ resident and partaking in the delights of the NZ Health service) Sarah is, of course, supporting the Lions.
The plants have been a bit confused by some days of snow and extreme cold and then the sun coming out and being a little Spring like.
The cherry tree in our garden has blossom on it much to the delight of the birds. The roses are still going strong, although I have finally pruned the rest of ours nipping out between frosts.
Australia wins the competition for the most colourful and loud squawking bird life; NZ has some lovely smaller birds.Encouraged by neighbours Athol and Diane, I’ve had my first go at bird spotting, entering a garden survey complete with a helpful brochure.
Trouble is the birds are so small and so fast that by the time I have consulted, they have flown off.
Managed to spot blackbirds, fantails, finches, song thrush, sparrows and a Tui or 2.
In addition to the bird bath, we might have to invest in a bird feeder for winter.
The lovely Shirley took me the chemo treatment this week.
We managed a short walk by the river before dropping into the Wool-on exhibition (locally made wool clothes)
Not sure I can see myself in any one these. The tartan kilt had a zip up the front and I am not sure what the fashion is for wearing white wool hats over the eyes (spot this on models in back ground)
My favourite was a black vest top (merino) but this reversible flowery poncho thingy came close …it’d probably be something worn once and never again.
Not sure she ever thought of keeping it for its artistic value. The latest use for these plus Royals and Liberty machines seems to be sculptural, complete with added lawn mower wheels and even a spoon.
I had some wonderful emails from friends over the last few weeks. Thank you all. I will get to answering them, sooner or later as the snowy weather sets in and I get to relax by a luxurious roaring fire or snuggle up in bed under a possum rug (made by our very talented friend Rosalind Moseby) as I am doing now.
Adventurous cooking has not been on the agenda recently apart from attempting Congee with red dates (jujube) and lotus seeds.
Once soaked, I could taste the sweetness of the dates and crunchiness of the lotus seeds but I used coconut congee (According to Betty Chui- my wonderful HK Chinese medicine friend from HSBC IT days, the wrong thing for this recipe) It was similar to a rice pudding that had a metallic taste.
Back to searching for millet and congee rice to cook up together or else red date and lotus seed recipes. Chicken soup with red dates and Goji berries, or ginger and red date tea with red date cake. For Lotus seeds I think I will try adding them in a curry. Too late for moon cakes this year. Any other ideas welcome.
We made the big decision to sell our holiday home at Grace’s Barn, Arrina. Not a decision taken lightly, but with what lies ahead for me, it is very hard to get back to it to enjoy what the area has to offer, or to do the required maintenance on the house twice a year. First viewing is on Saturday so fingers crossed, but it is still available to let through Unique Cottages for the rest of the year. Perhaps it will attract a young family or someone else like us (it was our wonderful escape in the Highlands of Scotland from the hustle of international cities and the growing 68 million population of Britain). Details here:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49181190.html
Despite this sadness, I have been feeling much more cheerful this week. I suppose it is the project manager in me as I do like to know what to expect and now I have some dates for my treatment plan. Unlike a project, I am not in control, I just take my drugs and turn up at the right place at the right time for medics to do checks or/and stick needles and drips in me attached to machines that go ping. I am due a long chat with the treatment coordinator in Christchurch later today, to find out what those sessions in hospital will involve in more detail.
Life is a lottery; sometimes life is loving, fun, adventurous, exciting, full of new sensory delights; other times routine, mundane, plodding. Once in a while there is suffering, a big shock, a wake-up call, with associated pain, hurt, tears. Anything can happen, we just have to make the best of it when it does.
Who knows what it will be today.
Xxxxx
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