Month: April 2021

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Pretty in Pink…

Look, I found some more ‘pink bits’ from home and away to share 😊.
And as its the last day of April I couldn’t let the chance of another posting
to the Pink editions of Life in Colour pass by

Always a pretty good idea – don’t you think ?

Pretty pink tulips – a stress relief gift during the long lockdown (May 2020)

Another from the 2019 Leunig exhibition– I’m not sure what he had in mind here – but he does have a liking for the colour pink though.

Plenty of pink thongs on the remaining Thong Tree
on the newly renovated riverfront in Echuca ( April 2021)

I have to admit that the pink coloured walls inside the Anglican Cathedral Napier NZ were confronting to begin with. After a while they were less obvious – just blended with the other (cream) walls and the blue painted ceiling (Dec 2011)

There were several of these very fanciful lounge benches in Calgary Alberta
at a place called Olympic Plaza.
Where all the medal presentations took place for the 1988 Winter Olympics but now its a fabulous water park – a little haven in the middle of a busy city. (Sept 2010)
The benches were basic but also very ‘modern’ looking…and very pink 😊


Then there was the delicious pink fronted many windowed house we stumbled upon during a walk on Fogo Island Newfoundland (Sept 2013).
You can see more of it here

And in the distance on Waikiki Beach dwarfed by surrounding high rise buildings is the fabulously luxurious Royal Hawaiian Hotel
The beautiful Pink Palace
We spent a few nights there on our first visit to Hawaii 1988
haven’t been able to afford it since, so now it’s basic apartments for us 😊


Linking an extra (pink) edition to Life in Colour April 
hosted by Jude at Travel Words. 
Next month’s colour will be revealed on Sunday – Maybe you’d like to join in some time

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I need a little help….

I haven’t done much reading this month – just one novel.
Well actually, I finished it on the first of the month but put it into last month’s listing so really the amount is nil
All those authors and books I took note of last year because they sounded ‘interesting’ just aren’t looking that way at the moment. Books have come home from the library and been returned unread…not even opened in some cases.
However, when I dropped into the library the other day to return some of The Golfer’s loans I saw this on the recently returned trolley- you know the one where they put books before they are shelved…..and much to the librarians delight, lots of times they mysteriously find their way out the door again on the same day 😊

Have any of you read.
The Spire – William Golding?

( it deals with the construction of the 404-foot high spire loosely based on Salisbury Cathedral; the vision of the fictional Dean Jocelin. Wikipedia)

I read The Lord of the Flies years ago and after a quick read of the back of the book blurb thought this would be as easy to read as that one.  Short answer (for me) it’s not a ‘hard/difficult’ read, it’s just not an easy read. I’m finding it confusing trying to ‘work out’ what is happening in real life and what is happening in the main characters head. I’ll plod on and finish it because I want to know if the Spire is actually built on the cathedral and what becomes of the Dean and the other characters.

Right now, I’ve a little question for you. I’ve ‘looked it up’ but can’t find an explanation. So I’m wondering if any of my ‘well read’ readers know what is meant by:- (page 21)

“He had a tariff of knees”

“He knew how they should be after this length of kneeling or that. Now, when they had passed through a dull ache, to nothing, he knew that more than an hour had passed”.
Any ideas anyone ?

Gosh, this week has flown by. As usual early on a Monday morning I sit here ‘thinking’. The Golfer is still abed and it’s quiet and peaceful….inside. As the weeks are passing since we got a sort of ‘all clear’ more and more people are back at work…..which is good…..but it’s becoming noisier…..outside. So as far as the roads are concerned (at this time of the morning) it’s almost back to the way it was.

This time last week I was wondering what the next would bring.
Well, It’s been all go….I’m now ready to meet influenza head on, my BP is back down to where it was last November (before my lovely little sister’s illness and subsequent death), my feet are feeling fabulous after a visit to the ‘clippers and scalpel wielding lady’ who is a foot massage genius, my back was ‘put right’ by my other ‘lovely lady’ with her little clicky thing and I can tell you the water at the pool was refreshingly cool. Obviously my idea of what heated means and that of the local council who run it is different – like the ocean feels when you dip your toes, it’s alright once you get in!

The kettle has just come to the boil so I’m off to make another cup of tea
My last week seemed to revolve around health and well being…..what was yours like?

And I’m attaching this little postcript as a reminder we all need a little joy in our lives.
Carols by Candlelight are just that for everyone who attends or watches on tv.
One of the things children (and adults) missed out on last year due to Covid restrictions
Song of Joy sung by David Hobson. Melbourne 2012

Denyse is hosting  Life this week – why don’t you pop over and see what’s going on

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They come in all shapes and sizes

Close to home they are fairly simple

Montrose Victoria – nestled below the nearby Dandenongs (above)
Croydon Victoria – in the middle of a busy roundabout (below)

I have found elaborate ones on my travels
Numurkah Victoria – beside passing traffic (below)

Yarrawonga Victoria – in the town centre (above)
Mareeba Far North Queensland – on the main street (below)

And a very fine one in Napier New Zealand (below)


As well as a plain but solid one high above the bay at Twillingate Newfoundland (below)

Then there are the enormous ones 
Calgary Alberta Canada (below)

Perth Western Australia (below)

There are different interpretations
like in Akaroa New Zealand (below)

And Cooktown Far North Queensland (below)

But all are built with the same purpose
Not to glorify but to honour and remember


Today is Anzac Day

Anzac Day  is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”.  Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli Campaign, their first engagement in the First World War (1914–1918). source

Linking with Sunday Selections (hosted by EC at Elephant’s Child)

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Sharing is caring…

Talking to my sister the other day she mentioned how touched she was by some of the recollections of our late sister that friends had shared with her.
It reminded me of how I felt when someone ( a stranger) had shared some information with me – information that helped to unravel a ‘mystery’ concerning one of my grandfathers.

The man seated is my maternal grandfather – Isaac John Joseph Thompson, my mother’s father.  A few years ago I posted this photograph (and his name) on a military forum in the hope of getting it dated – to my surprise I learned a whole lot more than the date.

Yes, we knew he served in the RAMC (Royal Army Medical Corp) and we knew he was a regular and had ‘fought’ in both WW! and WW2 – Mum had told us he was a hero, ‘mentioned in dispatches’ but that was it.

Well, from that photograph, I was given the approx year it was taken and his rank.  Also from looking at the medal ribbons on Grandad’s uniform this person was able to determine his ‘mention’ and  (through contacts he had) then went on to supply me with information on which conflict he was in at the time.

This is when my jaw dropped – after giving me the date of the award, the forum member told me “he earned his mention for gallantry in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF)”  When I looked it up I discovered the MEF is another term for The Gallipoli Camapign!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipoli_campaign

Even though I was not born here in Australia (am a long time naturalised Australian) it brought a smile to my face when I realised he took part in and performed an act of bravery in a campaign that is dear to the heart of most Australians.

Anzac Day – National day of remembrance and first landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli – is this coming Sunday 25 April.
source – https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day

Are there any unknowns in your family’s past
that have become known through research?

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Possible rerun…..

It was this time last year that travellers were being encouraged to ‘return home’ before they became stranded overseas.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-17/coronavirus-australians-should-return-home-from-overseas/12065050.

Earlier the month before, two family members had ‘close shaves’ – one had been gone a few weeks seeing and doing what was on ‘the bucket list’ but getting more worried as days went by, finally managing to get a flight back from Glasgow (nowhere near where they were). They had booked with a travel agency which had worldwide outlets (High Street ‘shops’ all over the world) so appreciated the negotiations that took place between their ‘contact’ in Melbourne and someone in the uk to get them onto one of the fast filling aeroplanes coming back to Australia.

Another, plus her daughter, were booked to fly out; granddaughter had obtained a work visa with employment all lined up, daughter was going along to keep her company; they’d have a week or two sightseeing, granddaughter would start work, daughter would then go and visit family before coming home. So not hearing from the agency they continued to think everything would be ok – until g/daughter’s contacts in the uk said….”we recommend you don’t come”. . They spent days cancelling everything and watching the world shut down

Then the task began for both families to try and get refunds, in other words recover everything they’d outlaid already. Flights, accommodation, other transport plus entertainment and other bits and pieces. Trouble was…..just about every other traveller (worldwide) was trying to do the same…and it took a long long time. Both families were lucky in getting back all payments – there was a little argy bargy with some companies offering credit vouchers not cash but last I heard (at Christmas time) that was ‘all sorted’

So what this is leading up to is that after all this time of a closed international border (apart from instances of approved returning Australians who then go into a quarantine program) Australia and New Zealand have finally opened their borders to each other. The first flights took place the other day…..quarantine free but with a catch. The bubble will be burst if the virus raises its ugly head on either side of the Tasman….people could be ‘stranded’ away from home not knowing when they could make their return journey …..people will be looking for refunds….and if this article is anything to go by (see link below) – they will need to pick their airline carefully or there may be problems getting them!

12/4/21.
“Those undertaking travel on either side of the ditch will do so under the guidance of flyer beware. People will need to plan for the possibility of travel being disrupted if there is an outbreak,” Ardern said.
‘ While everyone is hoping it doesn’t become necessary, there is still a possibility that additional travel restrictions could be reimposed at any time. This could involve the trans-Tasman bubble being paused or suspended with little or no warning, in the event of a new COVID-19 outbreak somewhere in Australia or New Zealand. If this unfortunately happens, the government is unlikely to help and most current travel insurance policies specifically exclude cover for getting stuck somewhere due to COVID-19 border closures’
Link – Which airlines will refund cancelled trans – Tasman flights.
https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/refund-cancelled-trans-tasman-flights/

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He’s been at it again….

I didn’t do it on purpose
at the time it was easier for him to do it than me.
Just look at what he came home with this time.
Theres no point in me complaining about him bring home unnecessary stuff because
I did ask him to look around and maybe pick up something ‘interesting’.
Interesting- adjective
Unusual, arousing curiosity or interest, holding or catching the attention, strange or different

They definitely caught his attention 😊

We have lots of little shops out here in the eastern suburbs that sell ‘interesting’ food stuffs. Little corner like asian shops where as you walk in you get the feeling you’re walking in to an Aladdin’s cave as well as slightly bigger bordering on small supermarkets selling ‘international’ bits and pieces.

When our loose leaf Chinese Green and Oolong tea is getting low it means a trip to one in Croydon to hunt through the shelves jam packed with things I’ve never heard of but look very interesting…….if I was confident enough to try.

It’s the only one locally where loose leaf is available rather than just tea bags and as they move things around the ‘teas’ are never where they were before, which means I’m constantly getting lost in unfamiliar territory trying to make sense of packets in very unfamiliar languages – now I’ve got into the habit of taking the tin along and asking for help. Which in turn makes other shoppers in there curious and they all have a go at finding my tea. It’s a very relaxed environment with lots of interesting chatter between shoppers and owners…..not that I can understand a word they’re saying to each other…or me at times…interesting to say the least😊

Further up Main Street is what we used to call ‘the dutch shop’ (now goes by a more upmarket name) where for years it was the only place I could get sweet soy sauce (ketjap manis) and the lovely oval almond cakes we enjoy. Now it has branched out and specialises in food from all over Europe, if The Golfer is curious to know if things he ate as a child still taste the same he’ll pop in there for English sweeties…..an international food mart indeed. If you’re a European migrant hankering for home, they have so many unusual products that something might catch your attention as you look at the interesting catalogue

And for real modern ‘interesting’ stuff there’s the chain that buys up weird and wonderful unheard of imported brands plus well known but nearly out of date products, also non sellers with what you think are surplus ingredients the manufacturer wants to get rid of. It began by buying and on selling goods that came off the conveyor belt looking ‘not quite right’. Perfectly ok, but maybe not the right shape or size. Now it’s all about clearance and discounts- buy now before it’s gone but occasionally they do have some ‘interesting- wonder what that tastes like’ things on the shelf

Guess where The Golfer picked up the chips with the ‘interesting flavours’ 😊

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I’m slowly catching up on the new daylight hours after our recent time change- it’s dark at the moment, the sky starts to lighten about 6.30am, so there’s still a bit of time left to enjoy another cup of tea before the day proper starts.
The Golfer is all set with tea for a while now (Oolong is his morning choice, mine is Dilmah Premium Ceylon….I’m not a strong tea lover) and as I was able to get a soft pack refill for him the other day he can continue to use the old tin caddy.
Our gain….the op shop’s loss!

And I just have time to wonder if anything interesting in the form of strange, different or unusual will happen this week. Here’s to an interesting one for you too!

Do visit Denyse’s blog to see the latest edition of Life this week – you’ll find lots of interesting people over there

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The Pink Side of Life….

I’m sharing this with Life in Colour hosted by Jude(found at Travel Words) and also with Sunday Selections hosted by EC (found at Elephant’s Child)

Jude has decided that for her ‘Life in Colour’ challenge Pink is the colour for April.
Pink is the color most often associated with charm, politeness, sensitivity, tenderness, sweetness, childhood, femininity and romance. source

Thinking I was going on a wasted journey looking for Pink in my archives I ended up being surprised with what I found there

Firstly I knew there were some of those little memes and sayings I love to gather.
My favourite- obviously 😊

Always something to look forward to

I discovered it around the house….It was there in the bedroom

In the kitchen and the hallway

Window Dressing series
Flowers in the Hallway series

Out in the garden – there were Pink Camellias Roses and Succulents

Crassula Multicava – London Pride

It was on the deck -discarded after a hard day outside working planting and caring

A colour I usually reserve for littlies but
it seems I must have at some time used it for biggies as well.
Special made to order cross over scarves and winter slippers!

And of course for the little ones of mothers who like traditional colours 😊

When photographed I’m always surprised that colours never seem to be as they are in real life – the camera has a habit of changing things – here peach/apricot and even brown hues appeared
Pink is not always Pink

Source

Joining EC and others for this week’s Sunday Selections
There’ll be plenty of pink to see at Life in Colour – check out the comments in her posts for the links
Sharing your photos…old and new…black and white or colour
Why don’t you join us one Sunday!

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Never seen anything like it in my life….

Home again , home to exercising in the pool plus a visit the chiropractor….long story, not a good week ‘back wise’, now having to contend with ‘weak hips’ lol.
Home to cool very cool weather interspersed with a few sunny sort of warm hours minutes. Home to my own bed – what is it with us oldies and our own beds. There was a time when I could sleep anywhere ….not these days.

Anyway……. I think it’s time for a bit of light relief



The Golfer has a some of these hiding out in our garage – wonder if they’re related 😊

Fun Friday – the day you forget the worries of the week.

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Gone bush…..

The phone’s off the hook – we can’t hear you!
The blog is off limits for a little while 😉

‘60 Years’ might sound a long time for some
We’ve been too busy enjoying life to notice it passing by

8 April 1961

Shame we can’t have another 60!

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Learning to Love…

Sometimes we just have to slow down and learn to love ourselves.
As I’ve found out recently

There’s one in you who’s sweet.
There’s one in you who’s mean.
Can you love them both?
Can you let them both be seen?

Can you love the one who tries?
And love her when she fails?
Can you love the one who lies?
And love the one who wails?

Can you love your tears?
Can you love your worry?
Can you love your darkest fears?
Can you love your fury?

Can you love indifference?
Love the one who clings?
Can you love the vibrant one?
Love the one who sings?

Can you love your addict?
Can you love your thief?
Can you love your vanity?
Can you love your grief?

Can you love your inner child?
And your body as you age?
Can you love your wild side?
Release her from her cage?

Can you love the one fulfilled?
And the one who’s not?
Can you love the one who’s chilled?
And whose temper’s hot?

Can you love the weakling?
The one who’s sometimes sick?
Can you love the warrior?
Who fights through thin and thick?

Can you love your crazy?
Can you love your sane?
Can you love your foolish heart?
Love your scattered brain?

There’s one in you who’s bored.
And one who’s often stressed.
Can you love them both at once?
And she who tries her best?

If the answer’s “no.”
To some of the above.
Then can you love the one in you.
Who’s learning how to love?

Leah Pearlman.
Dharma Comics
Inside Coaching

Pop over and say hello to Denyse – she’s hosting the latest edition of Life this week

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Painting is not my thing….

Painting or drawing – be it on paper, canvas or walls just doesn’t interest me.
Colouring in didn’t appeal as a child and I’ve never considered it as an adult.
It’s just one of those crafts I’ve never been drawn to.

Art classes at school were a disaster
‘What do you think of when you hear the wind blowing Catherine?
’My mother yelling at me to make sure the clothes are pegged on the line securely’.

‘What about leaves blowing about – maybe you could work with that idea’
It’s a shame my splashes of red and orange all over the paper weren’t appreciated. The art mistress wanted actual leaves not my interpretation.

However, because of all the preparations (or as someone once described to me as the ‘rigmarole’) connected with knitting- selecting patterns, choosing colours, deciding which sizes I’ll make, knitting swatches (little samples to check gauge) making copious notes on bits of paper….I do acknowledge how much ‘thought and effort’ artists put into their works.
I’ll admit there are times when, a bit like book genres some styles of art don’t always appeal to me….. but I’ll have a look, trying to find something I like in it…and always end up wondering what was going on in the artist’s mind at the time.
Where does any artist’s inspiration come from – how do they go about transferring an idea into reality

Two years ago the NGV had an exhibition of Hans and Norah Heysen’s works.
(Father and daughter).
Two generations of Australian art

Along with many different examples of their paintings there were these pieces
which show/explain part of the process of producing a ‘work of art’.
I was intrigued and spent time a lot of time
moving backwards and forwards between each one


The actual painting.
Approaching storm with bushfire haze

Then alongside it is this – a study taken of the actual painting.
dated the year after
(sorry about the strange angle)


It was a similar process for his well known work ‘The three gums’
The beginning of an idea and the execution



And just because….here’s my favourite of the day
Droving into the light
With a ‘closeup’ of the drover




Unfortunately some things don’t photograph well
These ‘will enlarge’ so you are able to see more clearly
Hope you enjoy them

Interesting PDF produced for earlier tour discussing exhibits.
Bluey – Nora Heysen

Joining EC and others for this week’s Sunday Selections
Sharing your photos…old and new.
Why don’t you join us one Sunday!

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Today is My Day..

Hopefully yours will come soon
~ ~ ~ ~

Yesterday was My Day
for remembering I’m the world’s worst for jotting things down
with no clue as to when & why & where they came from.

Do you remember this – I thought I was getting better
But guess what I discovered yesterday – another scrap of paper
In amongst some knitting patterns


“the sky that morning was so flat and new it looked ironed “.
I have a vague inkling where I read/heard it
but it’ll mean rereading a book to prove myself right😊

Yesterday was My Day to admire the most beautiful clear (almost flat) blue skies
that I just had to record – there should be sound – fingers crossed it works

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