Tuesday 31 May 2016

On Vacation



On Vacation 


Last Sunday I was enjoying an afternoon out at the Three Shires Garden Centre with Ray and Rosie. Rosie who chose  this venue for a birthday treat, for its playground, hot chocolate and ice cream 


Today, I am eight thousand miles away boarding a Washington State Ferry at Friday Harbour for Sydney British Colombia. 

A short drive to Butchard Gardens followed, then two nights in the Empress Hotel, Victoria. 






Sunday 29 May 2016

Redmond, Washington



It's raining, and I am on holiday in Redmond with my friend Carol and our hostess, Darlene. The rain is steady and vertical, but that's OK, because it's what keeps everything green.













Tuesday 24 May 2016

The Ship That Flew

"It all started with a toothache ..." Doesn't seem much of an opening, but when I started reading this story to my grandchildren last week, it was with a thrill of nostalgia. 

I was eight years old, and my father gave me a book that had belonged to him. Hilda Lewis' children's classic, 'The Ship That Flew'. The little boat, once owned by Thor carried the four lovely 1940's middle class children across the world and back through time to all sorts of exciting adventures. 

I can't wait. Today, we tried to return the ship ( unsuccessfully)  to the old man who,sold it to Peter. Next week we will visit Matilda back in 1070, soon we shall be off to Egypt,,ancient and modern, then ... Who knows? It's been more than fifty years since I read it, and I can't remember. 

Friday 20 May 2016

Gloucester City Mission

Two weeks ago GCM met for the last time at Park Street Mission. Here is a visual record of the last day:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday 10 May 2016

The Smell of Lilacs

Summer has arrived and my window is open and I am suddenly caught up in the joy of birdsong and for the first time this year, I smell lilacs.

 

It's good to be alive isn't it?