Photo taken in the Botanical Gardens in January on a very hot day. Now it is well and truly Autumn, the conkers are on the drive, note to self don't go down the drive in bare feet. The shadows are much longer, it's amazing how quickly the Sun looses it heat.

Dear Dave in the geraniums, he died last year and said we wouldn't get another cat. We have been offered a part Maine Coon male cat, but are dithering as only we can do, whether to take him or not.

The beach in all 

it's glory, early one summer's morning. I walk there more often now that have Thursdays off.

My photography has shown no real improvement, but it amuses me. I have got myself in mud, sludge and swamp, trying to get the perfect photo.

Baking is not so much of a joy, since the "men" of the house seem to hoover everything up, and AJ doesn't live at home anymore. I made crackers on Thursday night, a trial in economy, don't bother, it might have worked out cheaper, if they hadn't been eaten by Friday night.

I have got myself under way, my sister has re-started her blog on Wordpress, she is Tessacontessa, it is a foodie blog, as I have said before she is a brilliant cook, even I am looking forward to her next post. Not sure I'm keen on what she does with figs, but I'm sure it'll be interesting. Babs.

I don't believe it

I don't believe I have been away this long. Life has really been hectic, and I have felt I have had nothing to say. I am going to start again with fresh impetus, and hope in my heart. 

So I'll throw some photos in and away we go. That was interesting not the old way of putting on photos.

Still walking on the beach, note,  I hope someone will read this. The duck photo was to show I still try and get out and take photos of the wildlife.

This will do for now, but it a start, and hopefully it will continue. 

Dipping my toes.

300th post

the full moon, 

one very well fed Pukeho

Dave can be quite judgemental

Down at the Estuary

Pukeho in the reeds

I haven't being doing much, but taking photos with Matt's camera. Although I did go to the market, and bought something so kitsch, it's ugly,  beautiful in it's own way. So I'll do another post just to show you, this is how I hope to start blogging again, I decided my hiatus is at an end and I should keep blogging. Aunt Bee.

Teenager cattle intimidate old woman, should they have been wearing hoodies.

The stare says it all.

I was imaging a study of bullocks in a field, not intimidation by cattle

I moved back to leave, they followed to the fence.

How a different (borrowed) camera can perk one up a bit.

My beloved doll Kathleen, this for you Tess.

taken yesterday last day of Autumn

Taken 1st June, first day of winter, 7.30am, it was freezing.

Dave sleeps with Basil, they both work the night shift.
I have borrowed Matt (at work) camera, might buy, so I have actually updated my blog.
The camera has given me a boost I think, I did get up at 7 this morning to take photos in the park, so tomorrow who knows what, your'll get. Love Babs Ace photographer,(sort of).

No, really I don't look this good.

Using the app but giving it a 70's vibe, my best years I think, not that I remember them.

More lights from the Sensory Room it's for the clients but I love them.

This me after using a photo shop app on my phone......not a great advert for the app.

These small things give me pleasure the LED lights at the Sensory room and playing silly buggers with my phone. I'm off to watch a double episode of the The Blacklist, love this show. If there are any British people reading this, I must say I'm hooked on the The Great British Sewing Bee, found it on Youtube after reading about it in an English paper. Love, love it, have watched up to S2 E5.Can't wait for the next episode, it's the sort of programme we will never get here anymore, the dreaded Scandinavian thriller is worming it's way in here, and the dysfunctional policeman/woman hunting a serial killer type show.  Am I getting old, no don't answer...............and there I said I love The Blacklist, but that's American as if that explains all. Love Aunt Bee.

When Lusi visits there is only one thing to do.

Not all the bookcases in the house, in fact not even all my bookcases, but privacy of others would have been invaded if I took photos of them all. Tom said we need more bookcases, mmmm, I thought, maybe not, when you move out we'll have two more. 
The weather outside is frightful, (name that song), so as I'm still in my PJ's it's back to bed with a cuppa and books and mags. I've started a new blog,  Aunt Bee's Book List 2014, feel to pop in and tell me what your reading, comment, disagree, or recommend. I so hope there's no flooding, 11/2 hours to work last time was not fun, fingers crossed. Love AB. 

A catch up of the week, a slightly more interesting post than the last, ever so slightly.

Tree in Hagley Park split by storm

Sunday morning treat.

Tom and AJ sparring at the gym, me trying to take the photo and not watch.

Pattern picked up for $2, and threads I bought with a Christmas present.

This photo wont behave, but GG biscuits were on sale yesterday.

Last Sunday we, that is the city of Christchurch had a epic storm, the thunder and lightening kind. This was late in the afternoon, and we (not royal I assure you) Basil and I, were going to the Lantern Festival that evening in the Hagley Park, the festival had been on over the weekend, but I choose Sunday night to go.

hailstones on the front garden to confirm my story
The weather cleared by six, refreshing, ok freezing, but we are made of sterner stuff, and Basil, often impervious to cold went in sandals, and just a hoodie, I had a coat and wool scarf and ankle boots. Not many cars there, but we could see people, children  walking around, the lanterns floating in the river.

We noticed the lanterns weren't lit, but we continued walking around, through the mud and pools of water, till we came to the end or the beginning depending which way you started.

There are all the tents with the food sellers in them ,not, and the stall holders selling things you don't need but want. But they were empty, they had packed up and gone, and the lantern display was cancelled. Nobody was informed, all they had to do was put up a few signs and people would have been happy. As I said to Basil, at least we had a walk, I can't repeat here his reply as he was freezing.That's summer for you. When harvesting veges from the garden Tuesday, I found one of the Camellia trees had split and was broken, it had squashed the rosemary and currants, so I hope this storm wasn't a harbinger of the winter to come. Must go buy my winter slippers, I usual do that at Easter.

Bagpipes and cat training, could my life get any more exciting.

This is the Bronze medal they won, in the St Louis Exhibition, they traveled around the world to 3 World Exhibitions in the late 19th century and came home to NZ.

Basil's great Grandfather's handmade bagpipes, played at Alamein. Tom gave a talk about them. Basil's father Gordon
took with him when he went overseas.

That's better Dave, on the chair, not on the table

Before I do anything I'll load the photos.........the bane of my life

for your own safety do not enlarge, haven't shaved my legs for awhile

Dave sunbathing

my artistic offering

 

taken from the back of the garden, Basil sitting on chair, me on the bag of compost, a metaphor on life really

Christmas Day, the real story.

I am back to tell the truth, I said the weather was beautiful and it was Christmas Day, till the afternoon. It didn't ruin our walk in the Botanic Gardens, and it's rained every day since. I can't pretend sometimes at 

The Rose garden, Barry , me and 3 German tourists.

Driving through town.

No one in the streets, but us idiots.

Christmas time the weather is horrendous, it's a bit hit and miss whether we get a hot day. So here is the proof.

Not cold but torrential rain