Winter update 2022

Mark started a new job with Childhood Cancer Support he loves it which is so important. He still does his maintenance jobs about 10 hours a week.

There was a massive flood in February. We were safe here but for a few days I couldn't get out as the intersection with Manly Road was flooded. Mark was able to get to work (the only one who could) by going the back way and driving through water. The green space at the end of our street was flooded.

My friend Carol's apartment building in Yeronga was totally flooded in the basement and she couldn't get out for 3 days. Finally was able to get through the water to her car parked out on a nearby street. She made her way here with Val her dog and stayed for 4 days until we could find her a dog friendly apartment to stay in for 2 weeks. Val decided he liked Mark's chair.

Not long after I contracted Covid. Luckily it was before Easter.

At Easter time Mark and I drove to Tamworth to meet up with Danny and Charissa at Bek and Jordan's new property. Had a lovely catch up. I throughly enjoyed the road trip. 

Bek loves her horses. Puting on their pyjamas before bed.

We visited a wildlife park and met a cheeky King Parrot. He loves to steal earings.

In May there was another flood scare. This time not as bad in Brisbane but desperate in Northern NSW.

I do love this house more and more. My new herb garden.

Danny sent me money for Mother's Day so I bought this lovely plant.

I have found an excellent marmalade recipe.

I found an excellent osteopath and have been doing gentle exercises plus swimming regularly. My pain has almost all gone. So liberating to have control over this. I have been suffering in one capacity or another for over 6 years. So grateful to be living here with all of it's advantages.

My New Year 2022

 On October 1st 2021 my plans came to fruition. Mark and I moved to Nev and Monica's old house in Tingalpa. Graham sold the house and we are renting form the new owner.

I just love it - it has everything I needed. We had a lot of help from friends with items for our new home. Graham left a lot of furniture and so many plants for me, plus electrical appliances. Dale gave me a lovely pale green lamp shade - perfect for my bedroom plus linen for the guest room.

I bought the brass lamp stands above on Facebook Marketplace. One for my bedroom and another for the lounge with a lovely palm leaf shade that I also bought on FB MP.

The big table I had in Carramar Street for all the lovely lunches we had has moved here. Graham and Mark moved it over, then Mark refurbished it. I couldn't wait to have friends over for lunches etc.

Mark was given a big bag of limes. So I made an excellent Key Lime pie.

Finally found a rum ball recipe that is the ultimate.

Mark's and my furniture works well in this house, plus the pieces we have purchases  on FB MP. This lovely vases was a gift from a neighbour on Lamb, Pete.

The guest room with the MP bed that Mark refurbed, and the linen from Dale, another lovely Lamb Island neighbour.

We planted new lavender in the front garden.

The lovely Palm leaf lamp shade.

Dale also gave me a lovely green vase as a gift. There is bird of paradise flowers in the garden.

New Year New Hope

 So much has changed in the world since I started Blogging on a regular basis. 

After I broke my leg and started to get back on track, the pins dropped out of the bone. I was in terrible pain for ages not knowing this. The short story s i then had a hip replacement. This was kindergarten compared to the knee replacement.

Covid struck early 2020. We spent a lot of time walking cooking and not being very social.

I was lucky to go to Tamworth before the lock downs to visit Bed and Jordan. Danny and Charissa flew over and we drove to Tamworth for the Australian Championship Rodeo. I had a great time.

Anzac Day was a lot different to normal years. We were encouraged to stand in our driveways and hold a candle at 11am. We did this in Tina Ave. I made Anzac biscuits for our neighbours.

I did a lot of cooking and trying new recipes. The apple tart and caramel sauce was excellent.

There was a lot of time to appreciate the beauty of sunsets sunrises and the change in the garden.

The highlight of the year was a trip north to Cairns with Mark. He came back to lamb in June from Tasmania. Luckily he moved then as not long after state borders closed. We had a lovely time.

2021 started the same way- restrictions, lockdowns, mask wearing, social distancing. It was much easier on the island BUT I was starting to miss my friends on the mainland. Mark moved to the mainland for work. I realised part way through the year that I need to move.

Social Distancing

Yes, it has been a long time since my last post. Lots has happened that was not good, but we are now focusing on the positives.

Writing this looking out over Moreton Bay to Stradbroke Island on a beautiful day, it is hard to believe the world is going to hell in a hand basket.

Still baking

How beautiful

Ideal for afternoon gazing or reading

Good morning

The curlews are still breeding

Parrots still socialising

 

An eventful few months

After having a really bad flu last winter I decided to have a flue shot to preserve my health. I elected to have my left knee surgery on May 22nd. All went to plan including 2 weeks rehabilitation at the Mater Private at Cleveland.
I came home just needing a walking stick. Just as I was feeling confident and repairing well, I fell over at Carramar Street and broke my leg.
I had been to a party with Georgia and after arriving back I decided to look for Maxi. I fell in the dark. I managed to get to bed but by morning I needed the ambulance.
I had 3 pins put in my leg. The fall happened on September 1st.
Both my knee and leg are healing well now. By the end of this week all of the post operative appointments will be completed.

The weather is already starting to warm up. We have had quite a lot of rain which is great for our garden.

Our lovely geraniums 

The park bench for viewing

The November lilies are out as usual.

So beautiful

After a big storm on Sunday afternoon the light was just amazing.

We had some good harvests over the winter. Our friend Ron keeps an eye on fruit trees in gardens of houses that he does lawns etc. A lot of houses on the Island are not inhabited all of the time. When there is an abundance he always drops off some produce. Lemons, Oranges, Limes, cumquats and pawpaws. Our herbs are growing well plus we had a great crop of lettuce, spinach and baby kale. of course cherry tomatoes - they grow the best here.

Great for orange cake

I miss the sunsets over the water that we could see from the June Parade house. I snapped this shot a week ago - it was beautiful.

On Sunday afternoon a man pulled up on a bicycle and set up his easel and started to paint. I spoke with him and made him welcome. He has land on the Island and will build here eventually. I took a photo through my window as I wanted to show Jonnie. I didn't like him to see me photographing him. I hope he returns.