I like this.

Swimming

First swim of the season and it was before Christmas, amazing. The weather has been unseasonably hot this year so the ocean is warm. Was a lovely swim with friends and a booggy board.

Reward from a bank.

While in town shopping in Picton I wanted some money from the ATM tried one and found a large sign saying  it had been vandalized and was not to be used til repaired, so I went further down the street and tried the next ATM but try as I might I could not put my pin number into it. The key pad numbers were all pressed down into the back so it couldnt be used. Off I went to the next machine and got my money out no problem, however I know from experience that the bank will charge me for using an ATM that is not from my bank.
When I got home I thought I had better ring the Bank and tell them their ATM had also been vandalized so it could be repaired The head office of the Bank of New Zealand was so pleased and grateful to me for telling them that they said I would get a .reward of $20 into my account! Wow who ever heard of a bank handing out rewards. 
Thank you Bank of New Zealand I appreciate the reward. 

my orchid

My lemon/lime yellow orchid is still looking quite good even though it has been hiding in the hedge to escape the winter chills. It has manged to flower happily there.

Mid Winter Solstice Picnic

Four of us went on a mid Winter solstice picnic. We were going to hold it whatever the weather and we did.

Weather put on a great summer display for us there was no wind even. Yesterday was cold and rainy tomorrow is meant to be raining, we were so lucky. We ate platters of interesting things and a huge pizza in the sun all washed down with a good glass of wine..

We were watched by a big hungry looking Maori totem but he didn't eat much. After our picnic we walked down to the beach where sat and dreamed together and watched the dolphins pay out in the bay.

 Young Couple came along to go fishing and took a selfie together.

. A young couple also came to the beach to fish and took a selfie of us all.


It was a perfect day with perfect company.

Chinese Banquet

Erle and I went out with the Senior Citizens Club for a 10 course Chinese Banquet at Bamboo Gardens Blenheim.

 More than 30 of us attended and thoroughly enjoyed the feast. Erle had a small glass of warm Saki and I had a glass of wine, one of the men came past and took our photo, such a happy smiling photo, so unusual for us, I was over joyed when he gave the photo, I planned to take it home and show Erle but some how I managed to lose the photo. The man was happy to reprint another for us.

We do not have a working scanner any more so I had to take a photo of the photo to publish.
There were several raffles for us the prizes being the pretty flower plants on the table

Mum's Remembrance family picnic 2017

Once again we gathered as a family in celebration of Mums life and Dads too. This time the Picton Foreshore was chosen to hold a pot luck picnic. All of us made either a pizza or a bacon and egg pie there were many delicious versions of these yummy treats. Everyone tried valiantly to have a piece of each. There were other yummy goodies to sample too. Seems Mum taught us all to be good cooks. After lunch we had a merry game of mini golf not sure who won but it sure wasn't me. All the children had the time of their lives on the little train and the merry-go-round as well as playing golf. They made the most of all the Grand parents there with cash to spare. Nice to see them all so happy.

Newest member of family Millie

Mums Cyclamen

My Mother grew this Cyclamen from seed  a few years ago,  Never has it flowered like it has this year. So very profuse ad several different colours in there too.

sunset

Beautiful sunset tonight