Hervey Bay

Well,it's 2 weeks since I went to Hervey Bay with Mum & Dad...and since I last blogged!So here at last are some pics.

Nicola & Tony's beautiful haven....

The dam was flooded in this photo due to lots of rain

Mum,Nic & I visited 'Mavisbanks' in Maryborough-an amazing historic home with every room full of treasures from the past,& lived in by the owners.

Have never seen a dressing table like this before,with such beautiful coloured carved fruit & flowers

Depression-era homemade drawers-people had to be so resourceful....

  ....these ones made from old sardine cans!

 

We even got afternoon tea,thanks to leftovers from a busload of visitors

What a lovely & fascinating time we had.

Remember some time back I told you about a 'constructive eating' set Nic & I saw when she was here visiting me ,that we thought our Dad would like....

....well,we bought him one,which caused lots of laughs!

Me & Fi

I stayed the first night with her in the lovely new home that her,David & the boys have created...so good to spend time with her,as it was with Nic,& extra time with Mum & Dad.(& Blake,Jaiden & Tony)

Four really nice nights & days in Hervey Bay....Thankyou Nic x

Been Busy

Have had this lovely couple with us for the past 8 days,& we've been busy,busy,busy fitting in as much as could.

Teddy Bear shop at Morpeth

Been to a few second-hand (& junk!) shops

This one provided lots of laughs!

Toronto on Lake McQuarie

The Hunter Valley vineyards....

....where we saw & sampled lots of yummy food & some wine,of course!

Took the train down to the Hawkesbury River

Had fish & chips at Woy Woy

Plus lots more besides...Nelson Bay,checking out Newcastle,watching coal ships coming & going,op-shopping with Mum,....

Early(like 6.20am early!)tomorrow they are off to Hervey Bay to daughter no.1,....& they don't know it yet,but I'm going too!

Long Time,No See....

Well,it's been a while!I am now back in Oz(almost a week-where does the time go?) after having spent 2 weeks in NZ-was meant to be a week,but decided to stay another week for various reasons & was glad to have the  extra time.Not least of all as Mum ended up in hospital with a severe lung infection,but thankfully is now on the mend.Also we were able to have darling little Casper for 24 hours,which was an absolute joy.I got to spend some time with my sister Jo,nieces Jenny and Fran & great nieces & nephew as well,which was lovely, & a little more time for catching up with friends.And of course more time with my dear boys.
 It was lovely to stay & spend time with Mum & Dad,& was so pleased to see Dad recovering well from his heart surgery.It is a blessing to have them as parents.

 Here they are with no.17 great grandchild!


This little man is a treasure too.

And these are my big treasures!

Love them all to bits & feel so torn at times between being home in NZ & here- makes time spent together all the more special.

I found a few material treasures while home too....

-

These from The Village Junk Shop(unfortunately couldn't find a link) in Sumner-vintage thread,an old starched collar(now all I need is a stud!) & a 1950s Woman's Weekly.

Also in Sumner visited this shop-still my favourite shop ever I think.

Ribbons from Cossi

An amazing nursery rhyme book....

Complete with these....

And for free!!

And a 1950s scrabble set with the wooden tiles-have been in hope of  finding one ot these!

The sweetest silver coffee spoons in a satin-lined box with beautiful clasps,a birthday gift from my sister Angela

 A little stitchery 'swap card' from my sister Jo


Since coming home,I have found these....

 A wooden jig-saw puzzle

 A Little Grey Rabbit book-a childhood favourite

An  ice-cream of an ovenware dish & lid from Diana Pottery of Australia

Two old woollen blankets-the pink & blue for chopping up for craft(watch this space) & the other for keeping as it is truly lovely,its colours so rich(photos don't really do it justice)

Plus more-have yet to take photos....next time.

I have also been making these....

Chicken noodle soup

Apricot & walnut muffins-yummyyy!

And more bunting from these two new delicious fabrics

Was meant to be doing the craft market on Saturday,but due to no-one being able to swap a shift with me I have to work.Nevermind-have plenty of time to get lots together before the next one!And am doing the flea market on Sunday,which means just one early morning!