Come on....we can all play this game. What were the highlights of your summer?
Yes, I know it's still summer but with many of us now back into school or work routines it feels a wee bit nose-to-the-grindstone-ish. I love having all day to potter about, planning and making meals and prowling about in the garden, but I'm not expecting anyone's sympathy about that!
Personally, my summer started pretty badly but since then I've been counting plenty of blessings!
On my 43rd birthday, arriving in Auckland to be met by David and Elly for a sightseeing tour before heading out to the fabulous U2 concert...what a treat. Lunch on the foreshore, the lissome Bono, a birthday never to be forgotten! Thanks so much for such a memorable and generous outing.
I've had so many lovely visitors! Being in Amberley means people can pop in on their way to and from somewhere and use the loo or have a cuppa. Please, everyone, keep calling in. If it is before 9am and I am slow to answer the door, it's because I'm dashing to dress. Don't go, and don't expect high couture.
I've met so many nice new people. As well as friends and family so willingly carting me and the girls here, there and everywhere, I've had Amberley's volunteer Cancer Society drivers take me places. I relish the friendships of my neighbours on either side, the Youles and the Rickerbys. I've spun my washing in their machines when my pump broke, had my lawns mowed, Pepsi's been fed, tasty treats been exchanged, the world sorted over coffee...the very best kinds of neighbours.
We've trekked to The Lakes - and yay!! I got to drive off-road! - as I've mentioned, and we've had days in town.
Very memorably, Auntie Marnie's Xmas treat to us all was The Big Day Out, where she took me and the girls for a couple of games of 10-pin bowling (awkwardly, we happened to go during Professionals night but we doggedly high-fived if we knocked down a single pin, while around us were long faces from Pro's who failed to score a Strike). We went to a mall where the girls scoffed icecream and I was treated to a pedicure, eyelash and eyebrown tint, then it was off to the Arts Centre where the girls and Counsin Genevieve made some jewellery at Beads Unlimited. We capped off the day at a restaurant. What a fabulous treat. Thanks, Marnie and Gen.
Also got to spend time with my other NZ-based sister, Mary, who joined us to see the Ron Mueck exhibition. Were you there in spirit, Trisha?
There were lots of other lovely things, but my fuzzy brain still isn't retaining everything. Nic Huxford took us to Amberley Beach where five girls piled into the sea fully clothed and had fun.
There was Christmas, of course, hosted so magnificently once again by Sue and Charlie and family, at which the annual tennis matches took place, along with the Booker/Buttle band. Earlier, the Barrells gathered to feast which took such of the travelling stress out of Christmas Day itself.
Now, plenty to look forward to. Biggest item on the Exciting Events list is the wedding in a coupla weeks in Nelson of Hannah Baxter and Jon Thomson. Thereafter, joining a couple of other families for the Spanish dancing horses show. After that, it's birthday season for the girls.
Who will join me, and reflect on the summer months?
Me, in the black, with my friend Kathy.
