Wednesday 30 January 2013

January 29th Another Bad Text

From a Photographer friend - who was on a photo shoot near the beach today

Tuesday 29 January 2013

January 28th Two Beautiful Flowers

What a great way to spend a day
on what was a Public Holiday
With Samara Rose, newly born and six days here
And Havana Jo, who is special and dear
Two Granddaughters whom we dearly love
sent to us with butterflies from above







Monday 28 January 2013

January 27th A Kauri Tree

Waking to views of forests and a kauri tree
time to head back home to routine and reality


January 26th Waiheke Wonders

Today we ventured to a place we have never been
Until now heard of, but unseen
To Waiheke Island - across the sea
35 Minutes actually by ferry
There was a Headlands on the Gulf Sculpture Exhibition
So to see them on the day was our mission
Then a walk to Oneroa for some lunch
Followed by a beach walk after our munch
Sitting at the Sculpture Pavilion at end of day
With local beer and cider the only way
Then back to Laingholm to ponder what we have seen
What a memorable day this has been 


Peek A Boo I See You!

The Birds - The Birds

Play Music For Me

Butter Curls

A Woolly Path

Every Which Way?




Here Come The Smiths

Do You Mean We Have To Take Our Clothes Off?



Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Ply-er















Sunday 27 January 2013

January 25th The Beverley Hillbillies?

No, it's the Titirangi (or nearby) Troglodytes.... (remember the Beverley Hillbillies Theme Song? Well please sing the following to that tune)

Oh let me tell you a story bout a long weekend
We decided a couple of days with friends we would spend
We thought we would blend in kinda well
and you can tell we looked real swell

Titirangi Troglodytes
Laingholme near by
lots of forest and lots of blue sky

Well we wondered why we got lots of strange looks
I think we're normal and people are big sooks
Wouldn't you like to take us home to meet your Mum
at least we don't look.. cough, cough very glum






Friday 25 January 2013

January 24th The Elephant Fairy

I must admit I was feeling wan and pale
but still decided to check my mail
Well I have to admit I was apoplox
with what I found in my mail box
A parcel addressed personally to me
and it was sent by the Elephant Fairy.

Perchance I think she lives in Timaru
and knows I love the odd elephant or two
here is what she kindly sent 
and that wasn't all with an extra present
Another elephant and a  beautiful soap
pass the tissues, I am such a teary dope!






Thursday 24 January 2013

January 23rd A New Life Enters the world

Welcome to my second granddaughter. No name as yet, as special thought is required for a special person. Taken at 16 hours of age





Tuesday 22 January 2013

January 22nd Freaking Flashbacks in Clarence Street

Well today is a blast from the past. I had to attend a Specialist's appointment (nothing major, they were just checking if I have a brain), and when I looked at the street name, I thought whoa I used to live in that Street. This was approximately 1975 to 1976, it is that long ago that I can't remember how long we stayed there or even the house number - and thought nothing of it. Until I got there.

Then deja vu hit me. This was a house we rented, which eight of us shared. This was the house.





No wheelchair ramp back in our day. Just the steps. That window you can see at the front steps was my bedroom.

I am so glad I was early for my appointment, as memories came flooding back. Whilst living in this house, I was working sole charge for an Accountant - a very grumpy old bugger with huge big bushy eyebrows,  (as this blog is public I won't name names as he may still have descendants here in Hamilton). As well as that job, from Wednesday to Saturday evenings I was waitressing at the hippest (and only) night club in Hamilton - 'The Lady Hamilton'

OK I know those of you  who know me, can't picture me as a waitress. I did it with the goal of saving funds for the big OE across to Australia, gasp - that was a big adventure (now we can pop across for a weekend).  Although I recall one night telling one patron to fork off (but I didn't use the work fork), as we wore these silly frilly aprons with long ties at the back and he tied mine to a post in the booth.  And then there was the sweet taxi driver who used to drive me home every night I worked, absolutely no strings attached, as he was concerned for me leaving after midnight to head home. Which looking back now was a cool thing for him to do.

Anyway I am digressing as I head down memory lane. Here is the reception area, and my bed (ok I was young and broke and it was a mattress on the floor) was under this very window.  I almost wished I could secretly carve somewhere in that room - Irene Slept Here. Yes, here is my bedroom....


And finally the driveway from hell. Looks innocent doesn't it. But can you imagine being tipsy, ok remember I was young, and I admit to being quite drunk, and walking down that driveway in 6 inch wedge heels and the front of the shoe curved upwards (ie didn't touch the ground).  Grant, whom I later married, walked me down this driveway with me clutching on to him for dear life. Whenever we went out after that, he asked me to please not wear the wedges - I wonder why?




Oh memories, how sweet and funny they are. I never thought I would see the inside of our Clarence Street house again.


January 21st That Old Chestnut...



Today in the Park, there was just Minnie and me,
and over in the distance you can see,
yes that certainly is a Chestnut tree,
can we keep that quiet, just between..
you, you, you, you and me!

Sunday 20 January 2013

January 19th Rock Lobster


Do you remember the 1980's song?
By the B-52's if I'm not wrong
Rock Lobster was the name of the refrain
I'm fairly certain that was the name

As for this sharp looking guy
he came from Canada, and I guess he did fly
By aeroplane you silly billy
A flying Lobster would be fairly silly!