Thread: Life downunder Board: All Saints / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Sailors from the Ship cover many thousands of kilometres downunder.

I have opened thread for 2018 with a general title to cover all down here.

Happy New Year to you all and a pleasant voyage.
 

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Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
Happy New year to all down under - of whatever nationality.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Ah - smart solution! We might even let Peruvians in here.

Happy New Year, fellow antipodeans!
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
(PS ... but the comma on the closure announcement ... so metaphysical, so symbolic ... )
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
Ah - smart solution! We might even let Peruvians in here.

Happy New Year, fellow antipodeans!

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Paddington Bear would be most welcome.

Happy New Year everyone.

For me the highpoint so far is the new lenses in my glasses and how comfortable they make reading and needlework . I have designed a Thanks card for my optometrist that has a wee smiley face with purple glasses, now all I have to do is stitch it.

Huia
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
And a Happy New Year to all.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
(PS ... but the comma on the closure announcement ... so metaphysical, so symbolic ... )

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That must have been the third glass of red.
I have left it.
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
(PS ... but the comma on the closure announcement ... so metaphysical, so symbolic ... )

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Happy New Year: all.



[ 31. December 2017, 23:16: Message edited by: Ian Climacus ]
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Happy sailing everyone...stay safe amidst the crash/pop/bite of summer down under...
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
It was four years ago today that Miss M, my granddaughter, was diagnosed with acute leukaemia.

Her hair has regrown, she has thoroughly enjoyed her first year of High School, has caught up after missing massive amounts of school and was very happyt to receive awards for her work in 2017.

I find it hard to express just how grateful I am for this and for all the prayers and support on SoF.

She has one more year before doctors will officially declare the remission.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Loth, my prayer life is somewhat sporadic, but I often pray for her continuing good health. So good to hear she is doing well.

Huia
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
As is mine, Huia, but thank you.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Still remembering Miss M. and your family in my prayers, Loth.

Happy new year, one and all!
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Miss M. Good news indeed, Loth.


You NZ-ers are an inventive lot!
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Wonderful about Miss M. I pray that this damocles-year may pass with no return.

Took a drive yesterday to Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu .

As you do.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Had you passed throughthe place before you said complete name?
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Given that the place is about the size of a caravan, yes! Except that we stopped to take the obligatory photo.
 

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Posted by Wesley J (# 6075) on :
 
May I wish all Downunderians a very Happy New Year indeed, as voiced by a number of small Oz-dwellers in this ABC link.

(With thanks to Ian Climacus, whose link further up made me look at more articles!)



[ 02. January 2018, 09:44: Message edited by: Wesley J ]
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Thank you for your searching, Wesley; that was uplifting.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I am a Boy Scout and I am prepared. Saturday, Sunday and Monday are forecast as 34, 40, 33 degrees Celsius, even here where I am close to harbour and river. Much hotter further out.

I am cooking half a dozen large lovely legs of chicken to use cold at lunch or dinner. A few drops of good oil, ground harissa powder and a heavy sprinkle of chilli flakes.

Will cook some veal with fresh herbs soon and have turned leftover steamed veges from last night into a quasi potato salad.

I like throwing lunch together in a short time by having such food all ready and waiting in the fridge. Will now add a six pack of Little Creatures to fridge to cool and add some more to grocery order for next time.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
I am a Boy Scout ...

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Crikey, Loth - is there something you haven't told us???

Seriously though, your provisions sound like a delicious feast - if it wasn't for the heat, I'd be right over!

We're going very much the other way - the temperature here's been in quite big minus numbers here for well over a week, and now they're forecasting up to another foot of sn*w on Thursday. Could do without that ...
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Snuck up towards 30 for a while this arvo. I discarded my pullover
 

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Posted by Nunc Dimittis (# 848) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
Thank you for your searching, Wesley; that was uplifting.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Nunc Dimittis:

quote:

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Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
Thank you for your searching, Wesley; that was uplifting.

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*waves to Ian Climacus* I think about you from time to time and wonder what's happening in your world! I'm glad you're still part of the community here on the Ship.

Happy New Year y'all.

MTW is still alive and happy in her current role in life. One of the Mad Tea Girls was ordained deacon in December, which was pretty exciting, too.

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Glad to hear of MTW and her girls. Thank you.
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Nunc, I'm glad to see you back. I hope you stay.

Moo
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Welcome back indeed, Nunc!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
The disc for my automatic Time Machine back up of my Mac was on its last legs. I had got it working but son said to get new one.

I have just installed a new one, same capacity as old one. This looks like an old fashioned cigarette case in size and thickness. Previous disc was about the size of an old fashioned video case. It is now chugging through its first back up and all seems to be going well.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Yesterday we travelled at 300kmh in a train from Rome to Naples. Then I drove an enormous people mover through Naples traffic AND on mountain roads in the mist to our home for next 6 nights, Agerola, while we check out Pompeii and Amalfi coast. Today will be a rest day with poor weather, then it’s looking fine.
My big question is how do I make pizza this good at home? Mind you, I won’t want to eat any for a while...

mr curly
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Different flour and cheese? Also, less is more for toppings
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Don't know Agerola, but Amalfi is a must see for anyone (at least in our opinion. And in addition, we could possibly bring ourselves to live there. Just keep out of the sea - even the sea of Bondi is clean by comparison.
 

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Posted by Sarasa (# 12271) on :
 
Mr Curly, wow braving Naples traffic. We were there in October and crossing the road was an adventure, I wouldn't want to drive it, and I know those roads on the Amalfi coast, every car has a dent or two. Enjoy the pizza, the lemons and the latte di fiori mozzerella.
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
I am very envious. Pompeii is on my bucket list.

Enjoy!
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That does sound like a wonderful holiday, Mr. Curly (although I'll second the trepidation re: Italian traffic - don't fancy that at all).
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Yay it's raining, although I need to temper that by say Christchurch hasn't had nearly the rain and storm damage further north in the country (except for the areas that are known to flood). That may be yet to come when the wind speed increases and it changes to a southerly later tonight.

High tide is about 8pm so that could cause more damage as both the main rivers are tidal through built up areas. I may put on my lovely purple raincoat and check the river at the end of the street. It's already flooded further upstream, but that's not unusual. It hasn't flooded in my street for as far back as neighbours remember and that's almost 50 years.

Huia (fingers tightly crossed)

[ 05. January 2018, 04:51: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Waved goodbye to Miss 10 (B3.1) today as she heads back to Adelaide. 45C is forecast for her area tomorrow - grateful our city will be a few degrees cooler. TP is already a morose puddle, so I suspect I will just try to keep out of his way until the next cool change drifts in.

BL... happy it's not winter.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
I confess I slow down a bit when things hit 45C. I remember the first time I experienced the mid 40s (in Adelaide and surrounds, as it happens, a few weeks before the infamous Ash Wednesday fires) I thought I was in heaven. But I wouldn't run a marathon - and it is imperative to keep fluids up.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
45°C.

We have an Extreme Cold Warning for tonight, which means it'll feel like below -35° with the wind-chill.

Even I'm happy not to be out in that.

Further
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
Happy NY everyone.

Wow, Loth in some ways it seems like longer ago that Miss M was diagnosed. Such a great outcome, but a hugely stressful, arduous process to get there though I'm sure. to Miss M.

Ah Agerola, I have very fond memories of spending a week there-well actually a little town of Bomerano that is on the Agerola Plateau, there are some spectacular walks around there-the footpath of the gods is worth doing. The local food is also spectacular. Have a very nice trip Curly family.
 

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Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Evangeline:

Ah Agerola, I have very fond memories of spending a week there-well actually a little town of Bomerano that is on the Agerola Plateau, there are some spectacular walks around there-the footpath of the gods is worth doing. The local food is also spectacular. Have a very nice trip Curly family.

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Vesuvius and Herculaneum today, Path of the Gods tomorrow, Pompeii the day after that. Magic.

mr curly
 

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Posted by Evangeline (# 7002) on :
 
I'm jealous! I highly recommend a day trip to Capri (yeah it's touristy but still beautiful) and Ravello if you have time and they aren't already on your itinerary.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Very envious, Mr. Curly - all that history, and you haven't even got on to the food ...
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 
Greetings to all the gathered friends. If there was anything imperfect about 2017, may all your 2018s be better – if that sounds a bit muddled, well, you get what I mean.

I go to church every Sunday, but I'm not going today. It's the season when all the local clergy take turns to have a break, and today our congregation are going Up The Road to St Luke's, where I doubt I could find a park near enough to be able to walk to the door without crossing the street. And the same for next week (a sister Presbyterian) – parking limited, unless I went very early.

And isn't God right here anyway?

I shall get into the car and go and buy NZ navel oranges for my breakfasts.

GG
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
34 degrees here at 9:30 am in inner Sydney and clinbing rapidly. Everything now closed up.
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
On its way to 40 here. I hear Western Sydney is steaming...

Watermelon, or GG's navel oranges, areva wonderful thing.

I hear a new gin distillery has opened up not too far away. I think I need a visit. They have a whiskey, or whisky, one near too...I think it will be ready next year.

[ 07. January 2018, 01:59: Message edited by: Ian Climacus ]
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Probably a bit silly to have volunteered to shift a library full of books today, but the trailer was only available at 4pm. Pretty much the hottest part of the day - although the mercury was beginning to drop from 39C. Mercifully at 3.45pm there was a brief shower of fat rain. The temperature cooled 10 degrees instantly then slowly went back up to 36C by which time all the books were shifted, and the trailer had steamed itself dry.

TP is outside now trying to resuscitate his camellias. I can hear the local cockatoos and magpies fighting for space at the birdbaths. It is definitely going to be a hot summer night.
 

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Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
My son and his wife are at Penrith, where it reached 47.3 today, the second-highest recorded temperature ever in NSW. Our 43 was almost temperate by comparison. After church and a quick shop for a few things left off yesterday's list, we have been ensconced in the air-conditioned living room watching the cricket. 42 predicted for tomorrow, so I suspect the same routine. Mrs BA's blood pressure has been playing up, so keeping her cool and comfortable is a high priority.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Haberfield over the main road I overlook was 45, so I guess it was close to that here. I was fine for most of the day, sitting in front of fan with wet towel over my shoulders.

I do have aircon but in my bedroom only. The unit would have needed a larger aircon and rewiring to cope with that, so I thought that at least I should be able to sleep. I really was fine and had to tell each son that . I know, police said to check on neighbours and family. I was fine. Only 36 tomorrow, supposedly.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm very glad I don't live somewhere where 35°C is a blessèd relief!

It's continuing to be very cold here - we're being told it's the longest-lasting period of such extreme cold on record.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
We survived yesterdays 40C temp quite well by visiting family with aircon during the hottest part of the day. Grandchildren aged 5 and 3 got a mini sound mixer for Christmas, so entertained us with some impressive DJing. They soon had us doing all the required arm movements for various tracks. They happily loaded things from a double playlist, back shuffled, split songs, remixed sound levels and connected light shows with no adult input. Can't help thinking that if this is what they are capable of at pre-school age then they are well placed to be competent citizens in an age of fast paced technology changes.

The mixer was not a toy - but a piece of kit sourced by their DJ loving dad so he can keep them off the more serious equipment in his den. I need to practise my "nanna is not surprised face"! (But I am - I find it amazing).

Piglet... some Australian Summer problems. We are now in uncharted heat territory. I find this amazing too. I must be getting old!
 

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Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 
We survived the 43 deg. We resigned from our old church last week. I had been playing organ at another most Sundays for the last 6 months and felt that is where I am needed. The people are very friendly and of mixed age. It is a pipe organ, not very large but quite powerful. It was reasonably in tune for an extremely hot day, maybe not so next week as there are to be a few more hot days. The only thing so far I miss about the old church is the a/c!! I heard I was given a nice farewell yesterday, pity I wasn't invited!!
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
That very much sounds as if you have made the right decision. A farewell and you weren’t invited?

I have made the right decision too in my choice of a new supplier for my fruit and vegetable supplies many branches of the family are invoved in shops etc and market work. Definitely dearer than I was paying, but extremely good quality so I buy less but use it all. Pleasant staff, well presented goods.

Last Friday I had a delivery. This morning the security buzzer went. The driver from last Friday arrived at my door with a lovely fresh lettuce. Apparently one had rolled out of box on Friday and the principal said to bring me a fresh one. I have been using Fridays delivery. Always needed wshing anyway.

[ 08. January 2018, 01:05: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I googled the exchange rate between Canadian and Australian dollars and they're almost on a par (one of ours is $1.03 of yours), which makes me think that even with delivery factored in, the grapes are very expensive indeed.

I love the idea of veggie-boxes, but I very much doubt that we'd use them quickly enough to make them viable.
 

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Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 
I don't believe it. have just come in from visiting my sister and BiL. Her house is still hot from yesterday and is currently 34 deg and no a/c, they are very well off and sit and sweat it out.
 

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Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
[QB] That very much sounds as if you have made the right decision. A farewell and you weren’t invited? QB]

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
[QB] That very much sounds as if you have made the right decision. A farewell and you weren’t invited? QB]

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Yes, apparently three people 'spoke' of my contribution over the last 12 years. Decision was not an easy one, but made easier after I heard what the minister didn't do on Christmas Eve!
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
A decision well made, and we hope you both settle in quickly and comfortably.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
May the wind of the Spirit blow away all the cobwebs and fill you with fresh enthusiasm for this next season of service, DtM.

My aged P is very shaken today. Her table mate had a stroke in front of her two days ago, and died this morning. I am glad for his sake that help was at hand instantly and that he did not linger any longer. He would have hated that. But he was a lovely man who always made an effort to remember the name of every staff member at the aged care facility and could discuss sports results with my mater over their meals. I would say 'Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory, Frank'...but he was very much a non-believer. What can one say? I guess he knows the truth now, one way or the other. A kindly soul who has departed, and fewer graces around my mother. Sigh.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
How very hard for your mother, BL.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Banner Mum and for the soul of Frank.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Piglet:
I googled the exchange rate between Canadian and Australian dollars and they're almost on a par (one of ours is $1.03 of yours), which makes me think that even with delivery factored in, the grapes are very expensive indeed.

I love the idea of veggie-boxes, but I very much doubt that we'd use them quickly enough to make them viable.

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Yes the cherries were expensive. I did not buy any. They came from Tasmania, so extra transport, were an unusual variety, it is the end of cherry season. The season here is so short, just a few weeks that I allow myself a cherry indulgence while they are good. Otherewise I stick to more mundane fruits.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
"job" interview in ten minutes !
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I hope it went well Zappa.

Huia
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Indeed
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Done. Went well. Now we'll wait and see.
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
for the waiting and seeing.

for BL's aged P, and Frank.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Zappa
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Today I got my first tattoos. Yes, plural. No, I did not get a pair of marijuana leaves inked on my chest (like a one of my in-laws)...I am celebrating my sixth decade on this planet by re-instating my eyebrows. They had been rapidly disappearing, and now I have them back. It was a pleasant experience with a pleasing result. Where's the one eyebrow raised emoticon when you want it...
 

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Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Today I got my first tattoos.

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You wild thing!
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Mid-life crisis, eh, BL?

I have no tattoos; I suspect that if I got one, even if D. didn't disown me, his mum certainly would - she hates them with a passion.

I don't really mind one way or the other - my sister started getting tattoos when she hit 50, and some of them (I think she has 6 or 7) are really quite tasteful.

A friend who used to teach in a school for delinquent children* got a tattoo to increase her street-cred with her pupils, but she sort of forgot to stop. What started out as a rather pretty ladybird in some foliage has blossomed all over her arms, legs and back into dragons, flowers and you-name-it, all to her own designs (she's an art teacher).

I expect she'll stop when she runs out of skin ...

* Not sure what those establishments are called these days - it's where they send kids who are convicted of an offence.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Warning: Possibly NSFW and definitely not for the squeamish.


Retired school teacher leaves his skin to National Gallery. This teacher taught one of my sons and many pupils from that year remember his sayings. One in particular was Promises, promises. All I ever get from B...is promises. B being my son.

Tattooed skin bequeathed to gallery.

[ 10. January 2018, 23:50: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That is all.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Definitely not a mid-life crisis, Piglet. I am simplifying as I get older. My daughters are a little horrified that I so happily abandoned make-up when TP retired (he detests the stuff), and wanted to give me some kind of pampering for my next birthday - which co-incides with B4's wedding day. I suspect they are trying to make their feral mum look at least a little presentable for the occasion.

TP thinks it rather funny that in the last few months he has grown a moustache and I have "grown" eyebrows. A hirsute season in our lives...?

But if you are imagining fuzzy caterpillars, thick straight line tattoos, or me doing a Freda Karlo, think again. Cosmetic tattooing is a most subtle art these days. I doubt most people I meet would even guess they are tattoos.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Hey there, hoopla, the circus is in town!
Have you seen the elephant, have you seen the clown?
Have you seen the tattooed lady, reclining in her tent?
Have you seen her lovers old, weeping their lament?
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Lots of fun, those old verses. I was also thinking of the bulland on the waallaby’s tail. No tattoos but my boys loved that one.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
This one is pretty new - about 6.20 today in fact.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Well yes, and no copyright problems either.
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Very nice Gee D.

Go BL!

I was looking for "7" cards for the birthday of my youngest niece...when I suddenly realised she will be 8. Gosh they grow up quick.

We had a storm and a nice bit of rain which just stopped. 39C forecast, and possibly another storm.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Piglet:
Zappa

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I got the position. Will explain on Sunday, when announced. Though I'll probably forget. So for now let's just say it's an up to six(ish) month locum/interim ministry in possibly NZ's most aesthetically stunning parish (and a faith community that strikes me as spritually authentic, too)



It's been a tough coupla years and this is part of the journey back from a vortex
 

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Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
I got the position.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

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Originally posted by Piglet:
Zappa

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I got the position. Will explain on Sunday, when announced. Though I'll probably forget. So for now let's just say it's an up to six(ish) month locum/interim ministry in possibly NZ's most aesthetically stunning parish (and a faith community that strikes me as spritually authentic, too)



It's been a tough coupla years and this is part of the journey back from a vortex

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All the best.
 

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Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :
 
Good on you! (and good for the parish too!)
 

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Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 
Zappa

Moo
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Wonderful news Zappa! So happy for you.
 

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Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Wonderful news, Zappa!


 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Well done Zappa, and best wishes from us.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lothlorien:
Well yes, and no copyright problems either.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
I got the position...in possibly NZ's most aesthetically stunning parish...

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Congratulations!!! Your description could cover many places in NZ! Looking forward to hearing the details.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Zappa congratulations.

I am so pleased for you - now I can uncross my fingers and toes.

Huia
 

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Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
Brilliant news, Zappa! Enthusiastic virtual hug
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
I got the position ... in possibly NZ's most aesthetically stunning parish ...

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In what might be the planet's most aesthetically stunning country, that must be saying something!

Huge congratulations - prayers continuing to ascend for your new ministry!



Will you have to move far? (If you'd rather not say, I'll quite understand)
 

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Posted by Polly Plummer (# 13354) on :
 
Zappa
 

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Posted by Lamb Chopped (# 5528) on :
 

 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Zappa:
So for now let's just say it's an up to six(ish) month locum/interim ministry in possibly NZ's most aesthetically stunning parish (and a faith community that strikes me as spritually authentic, too)

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quote:

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Originally posted by rexory:
1000 km in NZ? You'll fall off the edge! :-)

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It's quite long up and down the way though, isn't it?

The opposite sort of thing happened to us - we moved 1000 miles or so from St. John's in Newfoundland to Fredericton, and the distance barely registered - we're still in Atlantic Canada.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Sounds like out of the wilderness into the rather remote, Zappa. Incidentally, I think being rather remote from the central politics of the Anglican Church is actually the safest place to be...I got very close to the middle of it all for a while there and it was appalling.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
My internet connection died suddenly last night and I was left with nothing on iPad and computer and 4G on iPhone. After pokijng round in settings for a while I remembered debit card expiry date and security number changed recently. With some difficulty reading phone, I checked bank balance and saw that deduction was always made on same date each month and one had not happened. Poked a bit further and updated things.

However, it was still out this morning so reluctantly I rang IP. A native english speaker! With hearing aids I find accents of call centre workers next to impossible for me to decipher. As I explained my problem, an update went through and I am back online. Firstworld problem perhaps, but still a problem.

However it alerted me to continue through bank statement. I found another six places which needed updates. Now all done. I wonder why some sites send reminders for updates and others say nothing. My details had been valid for a long time, six years. Now new date is in 2022.
 

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Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Glad it's all sorted, Loth.

I once had a business that continued to take payments after card expiry...then one day they decided they would stop. Not sure why.

2 weeks and 1 day until I am on holidays. The laziness has begun. First sign: checking the Ship at work!
 

---

Posted by Tukai (# 12960) on :
 
In an effort to promote trans-tasman links, the Marama and I will be in wellington for a professional conference 21-23 Feb, and plan to stay on for a couple of weeks holiday. Is a shipmeet a social possibility?
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Tukai, are you venturing south to the more scenic, less populated Island? I remember meeting The Marama some years ago here in Christchurch, I think it was before you moved away from Australia for a while.

Christchurch looks a bit different from what it did then

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
As Huia, Moo, PeteC and others would know, having hearing aids working properly makes a big difference to life.

My audiologist closed down for a couple of weeks over Christmas. Of course, the tube in one broke then. Not a problem generally, I usually fix things, but a small flange for fitting tubes tobether snapped off completely.

Sons were horrified at my hearing, or lack thereof, at Boxing Day function. Two tried for a while withoout success.

I went to audiologist yesterday to have it fixed and to have check. While loss is still classed as severe, the levels of hearing are almost identical to two years ago. Aids were cleaned, tubes replaced in both and some tweaks were made to their setting.

Today is first day for both working for some time. I realise now what a difference the second aid makes. However, I could do without the gardener chainsawing and using leaf blower outside.

Check for eyes scheduled for next week.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Sometimes the best thing abut hearing aids is the off switch

Glad it was a simple repair - the first time I cracked a tube I thought I gone deafer. Pity there's not a simple fix for the hard of thinking as well as the hard of hearing

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tukai:
In an effort to promote trans-tasman links, the Marama and I will be in wellington for a professional conference 21-23 Feb, and plan to stay on for a couple of weeks holiday. Is a shipmeet a social possibility?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Sometimes the best thing abut hearing aids is the off switch
Huia

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tukai:
In an effort to promote trans-tasman links, the Marama and I will be in wellington for a professional conference 21-23 Feb, and plan to stay on for a couple of weeks holiday. Is a shipmeet a social possibility?

---

I was at a Wellington shipmeet years ago but apart from occasional appearances from Arabella Purity Winterbottom I don't think any of those i met are active shippies now. There was ARP, and the photo-ey dude, and whatsername ...

---

Dee, who held your socks to ransom. I've forgotten the photo dude's name ( I think he changed it at some stage), but he sent me some lovely photos of Kapiti Island - wasn't he in The Lord of the Rings too?

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Yeah, he was an extra. Dee was at the Hamilton (not "Gamilton", but I was posting via a phone ) meet ... with the Furry Franciscan and Liturgia Appasionata or somesuch) ... I have regular FB and phone contact with Dee. Only Black Knight (who I saw at a recent unnamed "meet" in Perth) was at my second meet in AKL (I am in regular FB contact with him) though I also met Cattyish (who I see hasn't posted since July, though again, regular FB contact) ...

meets were fun and I kinda miss them ... as it happens I may be passing through Wellington on the dates Tukua mentions en route from Scarily Close to Bloody Far Below ...
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Sometimes the best thing abut hearing aids is the off switch
Huia

---

A very elderly lady, some sort of distant connection rather than a relation, used say that if there were a loud party nearby she'd just take the aids out until morning, then sleep well. She was very much une grande dame, in the best possible sense of that term, and a dozen or more years after death, I still miss her greatly.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tukai:
In an effort to promote trans-tasman links, the Marama and I will be in wellington for a professional conference 21-23 Feb, and plan to stay on for a couple of weeks holiday. Is a shipmeet a social possibility?

---

I was at a Wellington shipmeet years ago but apart from occasional appearances from Arabella Purity Winterbottom I don't think any of those i met are active shippies now. There was ARP, and the photo-ey dude, and whatsername ...

---

Dee, who held your socks to ransom. I've forgotten the photo dude's name ( I think he changed it at some stage), but he sent me some lovely photos of Kapiti Island - wasn't he in The Lord of the Rings too?

Huia

---

There's me (unless the hospital has kidnapped me, in which case we could all meet there) and Arabella who's at her new garden Up The Coast.
Huia, I'd have a bed for you if you came up to join us (again, if I was in circulation).
I'd love to meet the wandering Shippies.
Who was the other in Wellington? Is she still active?
You guys go back further than I do (Sighs)

GG

Edited because it's after my intended bed time.

[ 18. January 2018, 07:26: Message edited by: Galloping Granny ]
 

---

Posted by Uncle Pete (# 10422) on :
 
I remember a lovely Wellington shipment with GG,the Grandad, Cosmic Dance, and APW and partner. It still sends warm tingles down my spine. And then there was Huia in pre- (just pre-) earthquake Christchurch.

Hi Kiwis! Wish I could be there. Lots of water under the bridge since then - and it is only 7 years since Zappa and family sheltered me from the cyclone.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Your timing was brilliant Pete. Just after the first big one that caused less damage than the later, smaller fatal one. (the deadly one had both lateral and horizontal ground movement, which made it more destructive.) I remember some footpaths were closed making it more difficult to move around the city and there was a curfew on the buses. I'm glad I didn't know then how much more difficult life would become for a while.

Which reminds me - I must update my emergency kit and add Georgie's new preferred food.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Actually it's fascinating thinking about Downunder and UnderDownunder and other antipodean shippies who have passed through our pixellated lives ... I was trying to find a handful who I have met in meets and elsewhere, some of whom I know IRL and FB life, but who are disguised in Ship annals behined fine nommes de ship ... tricky ... and I can't say who they are as it could out them. One who nearly made an Auckland meet was Bernard Mahler, but he rang in with an apology at the last minute. Hasn't posted for years now. There's a couple from different ends of the NI that I run into from time to time elsewhere ... a few I've met in OZ meets too who have depixellated with time ....

All out there the diaspora af the anonymous ...
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
... Liturgia Appasionata or somesuch ...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
... and whatsername ...

---

• Arleigh
• aj
• Craig B
• Cranmer's Baggage
• Cusanus
• Dangerous Deacon
• Duo Seraphim
• Fatmac
• GeorgeNZ (though I'm not sure he ever posted here)
• Goldfish Stew (still posting, but has never never posted here)
• Innocent Stranger
• James the Confident
• Jemimah
• Jugular
• Kiwimac
• Kuruman

I will have missed some as I say ... and L to Z another day.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Philip Charles - who posts very sporadically. Actually I recognised his name because I have a vague memory of him having given me a ride from the Dunedin Airport once about 20 or more years ago. His name stuck in mind because of Princes Philip and Charles - although I am hard put to remember names of people I see at church.

Also Storage Jars who lives in Christchurch, whom I remember because of that and the information he posted about having been cleared of one cancer and being diagnosed with another - it just seemed so unfair . (OK, I'm a grown up and I know life isn't fair but...).

Kiwi Goldfish/a.k.a Goldfish Stew's wife also posted for a while as Mrs Kiwigoldfish.

There's also a woman here in Christchurch whose name totally eludes me, although we have met briefly.

I remember too meeting Shrinking Violet, an Aussie, as she was passing through.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
MTW and daughter. Lots of Yay, although she did post recently.

Is fatmac a separate person to Giant Cheeseburger?

[ 19. January 2018, 04:42: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Ultracrepidarian (# 9679) on :
 
Hello!

Congratulations to your PM, EnZedders, and prayers for a smooth pregnancy and safe delivery of her baby. As always, I like Annabel Crabb's take on things, although it would also have been interesting to hear more about Benazir Bhutto's experience as the first head of government in the modern era (I think??) to give birth in office.
 

---

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :
 
I last saw aj at ken's funeral. He's married to Emma Louise and in the UK.

You missed Ecumaniac, and not that you've got there yet, Parsley Sage.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ultracrepidarian:
Hello!

Congratulations to your PM, EnZedders, and prayers for a smooth pregnancy and safe delivery of her baby.

---

Just saw a local news clip . Jacinda Ardern has taken on a lot being PM and pregnant, but then she is a very competent woman with a lot of support. The only downside I see is the Deputy filling in for her, but that's a personal bias and he might surprise me.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
MTW and daughter. Lots of Yay, although she did post recently.

Is fatmac a separate person to Giant Cheeseburger?

---

yeah, i'll try and get l-z done later ... and that about Fatmac rings bells ....
 

---

Posted by simontoad (# 18096) on :
 
If the children of Emperors of Byzantium are born in the purple, will the child of New Zealand's PM be born in all black?
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Small wobble here about 5pm

I hate the little ones when they're like that and I have to look it up in case I just imagined it, but I guess they're preferable to the big ones. Best place to be is on a bus and you can't feel a thing.

I still reckon bushfires would be worse.

Huia -slightly shaken
 

---

Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Small wobble here about 5pm

I hate the little ones when they're like that and I have to look it up in case I just imagined it, but I guess they're preferable to the big ones. Best place to be is on a bus and you can't feel a thing.

I still reckon bushfires would be worse.

Huia -slightly shaken

---

Your buses must have much better suspension than ours. I don't know when I was last on a bus with a good train service only a short walk from home, buses being a much longer walk, giving an infrequent service and not going where I need to. But the suspension on the last bus I caught was very rough indeed.

I suppose that a fire is worse in that you can see it coming, but that also makes it better. Firefighters are very much at great risk, but many other people are able to move to a safe spot. The great losses of life occur only in the real horror fires. But there's precious little you can do to avoid an earthquake and next to no warning. No clue whether the next little rumble in the middle of the night will suddenly become the worst the city has ever experienced.
 

---

Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
I think Facmac was previously linzc, not same as Giant Cheeseburger. I see him IRL/FB and he is well.

We’ve just checked in for our return flights day after tomorrow. Tapas tonight and picnic with our friends tomorrow, then it’s goodbye Barcelona, hello pile of bills and the Visa card statement (gulp).

mr curly
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
GeeD - not better suspension - just heaps of potholes, so the quake gets lost in all the bumps.

A moderate wobble in the night. I was awake, which was good because being woken is more stressful. The best is the kind where I sleep through and don't know about until I hear the news in the morning.

31c forecast for today. A bit hot or the street barbecue - must slip, slop, slap.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
We have had 6 hot days in a row - Thursday was 36C, Friday 38C, Sat 38C, Sun 38C, Monday a blessed 33C, today 37C and tomorrow is forecast to be just as hot.

TP has put in a valiant effort to keep the garden alive and so far has not lost a single plant.

We are fine, despite no aircon other than in the car. Just doing old fashioned sensible things to stay cool. Today I took an old kiddy train table left out on our street, and had fun pimping it into a lego table for the grandkids.

There was a lego "event" here on Saturday, where over a metric tonne of lego was sold to raise money for charity. B4 wanted to go, so I went with her. We cued for an hour in 38C heat; then spent an hour in a hot shed crammed with hundreds of other people scrabbling through paddle pools full of old lego. Finally, with sweaty plastic bags full of loot, we had to cue for an hour to get out.

It was like a nerd rave, without the lights, music, drugs... or fun. I had to talk B4 down from a panic attack because we were packed in like sardines and could only shuffle slowly forward through the thick BO. The lego had to be put through the washing machine it was so filthy.

Never again! However I HAVE had fun gluing lego plates and lego tape all over the recycled train table. I now have a unique lego crafting centre ready for B1.2 and B2.1 to have a lego challenge day next week. The tape means they can build vertically up the legs of the table as well as on top of it. Let the building begin!

BL. 60 going on 6.
 

---

Posted by Dark Knight (# 9415) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
I last saw aj at ken's funeral. He's married to Emma Louise and in the UK.

You missed Ecumaniac, and not that you've got there yet, Parsley Sage.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:



I see AdamPater regularly and John Donne occasionally IRL (as did you recently, Zap), so I can assure you they are well and kicking.

---

along with Piers Ploughman, FD, Clarence, Rexory .... etc !
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Banner Lady, you are a total heroine. I hope B4 appreciates you.


 

---

Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 
Visited our solicitor today to get copies of our will and enduring guardianship as we had lost them. After spotting our rings, which we have worn for almost 30 years, she asked if there had been a wedding and if so the old ones would be null and void. Something we never knew.

Anyone know if this just pertains to SSM or is it the norm for all?
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
A most welcome and spectacular thunderstorm last night brought the temp down to 22C - where it has stayed all day. Don't know how the BOM can be out by 13 degrees but we were grateful for the rain. The parched landscape desperately needs more.

TP still groaning that it's too hot.
BL now wearing a warm jacket and feeling sniffly.
 

---

Posted by rexory (# 4708) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dennis the Menace:
Visited our solicitor today to get copies of our will and enduring guardianship as we had lost them. After spotting our rings, which we have worn for almost 30 years, she asked if there had been a wedding and if so the old ones would be null and void. Something we never knew.

Anyone know if this just pertains to SSM or is it the norm for all?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
Unless a will expressly states that it's made in contemplation of a particular marriage, it is automatically void. Any marriage, not just SSM. Even if the will leaves the entire estate to your spouse, it's void and the estate would be administered as an intestacy.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
And Worm in the Grass...still lurks occasionally.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dark Knight:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
And Worm in the Grass...still lurks occasionally.

---

Indeed - but Fr Zappa said he would list L through Z another day.

Mulligrub would be on that list. I don't think she has been here in some time.

---

Though I'm quite happy if others do as my downtime is running out! Hope to get back to it on the weekend ...
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
PS ... temperatures reached a most pleasant 35 here today ...
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Pleasant low 30's here too for the next few days. TP is delighted to have taken delivery of a new rose arbour. He was worried about the formal rose garden he spent all winter putting in, and was contemplating how best to throw some shade on it for the scorching days still ahead. The two dozen rose bushes were all gifted to us, and as yet keeping roses is new territory for him. Hopefully this will work to keep them alive.

We will finish putting it in over the next few days and then plant white wisteria over it. It is a round metal gazebo and quite pretty without dominating the front yard. TP's sister is on a mission to take pictures of his garden in each season so I think this has been a spur to him to create some aesthetically pleasing vistas. I am enjoying this new side of his retirement!

BL. Now married to someone who retired to grow roses. Whoda thunkit?
 

---

Posted by Marama (# 330) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:

There was a lego "event" here on Saturday, where over a metric tonne of lego was sold to raise money for charity. B4 wanted to go, so I went with her. We cued for an hour in 38C heat; then spent an hour in a hot shed crammed with hundreds of other people scrabbling through paddle pools full of old lego. Finally, with sweaty plastic bags full of loot, we had to cue for an hour to get out.

It was like a nerd rave, without the lights, music, drugs... or fun. I had to talk B4 down from a panic attack because we were packed in like sardines and could only shuffle slowly forward through the thick BO. The lego had to be put through the washing machine it was so filthy.

Never again! However I HAVE had fun gluing lego plates and lego tape all over the recycled train table. I now have a unique lego crafting centre ready for B1.2 and B2.1 to have a lego challenge day next week. The tape means they can build vertically up the legs of the table as well as on top of it. Let the building begin!

BL. 60 going on 6.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
I overheard one dad say he was going home early to ninja some lego out of the cupboard and find a new box for it!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Marama:
Daughter 2, the one who's pregnant, is admiring of Jacinda Adern's courage, but very glad that she herself will get a year's maternity leave.

---

Oh, amen to both!
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
PS (again ) sorry, Dal, looks like I missed you, as I will have many, in my list of A-K antipodean shippies ... mea culpa

[ 26. January 2018, 00:20: Message edited by: Zappa ]
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
Ah, fond memories of Shipmates and meets.

Relaxing this public holiday doing not much more than washing clothes and reading. Tomorrow I'm off to a bookshop in a town about 40 minutes away to scour the shelves for children's books for the daughters of 2 friends I will visit next weekend. May even visit the local chocolate store here and see if they have any animal chocolates: I saw lions and I think hippopotamuses and others last time.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Jacinda Ardern's pregnancy has sparked a Knit for Jacinda campaign. Knitters are choosing an article of babywear they would like to make for the PM's baby, knitting it, and donating it to a hospital or charity.

If it's anywhere near as well supported as the knitting of warm clothing for Christchurch in 2011 after so many people were left without heating by the earthquakes, there will be heaps of warm, happy babies

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
What a great idea, Huia. I downloaded an easy but very sweet baby cardigan yesterday which was free for the day. I had no idea when I would use it but could do something like that. When Miss M was having the treatment for leukaemia, I knitted dozens of chemo hats for the hospital , babies to teenagers, up to date patterns etc. My son took in a bag and the nurse he gave it to cried when she saw them.

Namya baby cardigan This is from Ravelry the enormous craft site for kniitters. I think patterns can be seen by non-members

[ 26. January 2018, 08:06: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I don't knit, but when I was editing my craft stash I found a baby bib I had bought some time ago that has an insert for a cross stitch design. I remember working one with a design I arranged* that said, Eat a rainbow which I gave to the diabetic dietician who was about to go on maternity leave.

*I don't actually design - I take elements from other people's designs in published pattern books and arrange them into a new design - like buying salads ingredients at a deli, rather than preparing them all from scratch. I don't know if there's a word for this. If I did it with other people's writing I suppose it might be plagiarism, but I'm not claiming what I do is original, merely that I originated the combination, and the books I use are published with the intent that needleworkers will use the designs.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Just to add to the above - I've taken the question of copyright and craft to Purgatory as I want to discuss it further because it intrigues me.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Dal Segno (# 14673) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
PS (again ) sorry, Dal, looks like I missed you, as I will have many, in my list of A-K antipodean shippies ... mea culpa

---

No worries. It's fair to say I wasn't properly antipodean until two years ago when I moved to the one city in NZ that is covered in cloud during a heatwave. And the external air-conditioning is permanently turned on - 40km/h today.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
One thing about manning a charity book stall for three weeks at a local market place is that it shows how many people genuinely love browsing for books. Many sighs of regret that we won't be back until next January. In a touch pad - blue light world this is rather heartening. And most of the kids loved looking for books as much as the adults.

Books with paper pages - not quite dinosaurs yet.
 

---

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :
 
No, hope is not lost. We had a bookstore open here just last year (I think!)

The AC has been on here today too. Hot and muggy, muggy for Albury that is. I've gotten used to the dry heat.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
When Scorpio the best independent bookseller in Christchurch (IMHO) opened their new shop, and moved out of the containers where they had been temporarily housed, following the destruction of the earlier shop in the 2011 quake) I walked in and burst into tears. I was so embarrassed, but staff said my reaction wasn't uncommon. It's not that I buy heaps of books, but having a place where I could browse (and spend my Scorpio vouchers, no matter how old they were, was really precious -- and .... drumroll ... the New Central Library is due to open in August x 100 million.

Huia
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
That's great news about your library - that it all goes according to plan.
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Yes, every time I walk past the site I do a n internal dance, and any tourist who asks about the building gets a 5 minute lecture on how wonderful it will be

Huia
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I enjoyed waking to a cooler morning after the heat of January. It was also darker from clouds and I wondered when daylight saving ended here,

April 1. That is going to be a busy day and I can just see people not arriving at church on time. Easter Sunday, April Fool’s Day and the end of daylight saving, at least in NSW. A recipe with various options for complications
 

---

Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:

Books with paper pages - not quite dinosaurs yet.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothlorien:
... April 1. That is going to be a busy day and I can just see people not arriving at church on time ...

---

If it's the end of daylight saving (i.e. going into winter) won't your clocks be going back, in which case anyone who's forgotten about it will be an hour early?

When we were in St. John's, we dreaded the thought of the clocks going forward on Easter Sunday, as we had a service at 6 o'clock in the morning, and losing an hour of sleep on top of that would have been a real pain.

For quite a while now the clock-change in Canada has happened in early March (this year it's the 11th), which is before the earliest date Easter can be.

That suits me fine.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
By “on time”, Piglet, I meant not at the right time. I once knew people who were never on time whenever the clocks change. An hour early or halfawy through the service.

I do not think I would go in if I were late. Not embarrassment but not wanting to cause a disturbance.
 

---

Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I know what you mean. Being the wife of the organist tends to be an insurance policy against forgetting, either way!

We had a bass in the choir in Belfast who had occasionally forgotten to put his clocks forward, and he always got a lot of schtick about it. I don't think he ever forgot to turn them back though!
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 
Here in Arizona we don't mess around with the clock-changing nonsense (except in Navajoland). Often some new people to the state will arrive at church an hour late (in the fall) or an hour early (in the spring), not realizing that we don't change when most of the country does.
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Actually, I generally enjoy the extra hour, but this year seems to have been longer, hotter, more humid, less actual rain etc. I am over it, as are many others. If I lived at the beach, it would be OK. I don’t. The sea breeze in afternoon has been very welcome and I am fortunate to have it. Two sons live further west where it has been a furnace.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
still hanging around in the low to mid thirties

Actually a combination of this weather and the absence of daylight saving (which I do NOT like) would be my idea of heaven. Which is why I like (preferably north) Queensland / Northern Territory so much.
 

---

Posted by simontoad (# 18096) on :
 
I put a jumper on today to walk the dogs. Two days ago it was over 30 in the middle of the night and you could drink the air.
 

---

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
still hanging around in the low to mid thirties

Actually a combination of this weather and the absence of daylight saving (which I do NOT like) would be my idea of heaven. Which is why I like (preferably north) Queensland / Northern Territory so much.

---

Come to Arizona! We hit 28C today (in the middle of winter). And we never mess with our clocks.
 

---

Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Yes, a much cooler day and a really good amount of rain last night.
TP has taken B1.1 and B1.2 to the War Memorial for the day. After two days with grandsons ranging from 5 to 16, I am amazed at their fascination with destruction. The world has been killed many times over by plague apps, the lego town set upon by bionical monsters, and Jenga Boom given a thorough workout. They have designed things that invade your dreams and had nerf gun wars.

On the other hand they have played chess, backgammon and cards in quite civilised fashion and today B1.2 had to try on his Ring Bearer's outfit for B4's impending nuptials. He seemed to quite like rocking a vest and bowtie. Although now his family has taken to referring to him as "the Frodo"...
 

---

Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
High 20s to low 30s here, but more unpleasant than it has been as the wind has been in the NW (which is a hot wind here). Hopefully it will veer back to the NE or even the SW ( which will come with a bit of rain ).

Considering dancing in the rain wrapped only my a cotton sheet to celebrate supermoon/eclipse/ blue/ blood moon, but the cloud will probably be too thick to see anything.

Huia
 

---

Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
I'll join you in a little special blue moon dancing, Huia, but I'd be delighted if the skies were to be overcast! A rainmaking dance might be more called for.
 

---

Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by MaryLouise:
I'll join you in a little special blue moon dancing, Huia, but I'd be delighted if the skies were to be overcast! A rainmaking dance might be more called for.

---

BBC and even NZ's unbelievably parochial media are paying attention to Cape Town's crisis, MaryLouise ... very worrying

Interestingly Adelaide especially has for a long time been near crisis waterwise ... not sure how it is now. But NSW still insists of farming water guzzling rice and cotton, with little control of evaporation rates
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
The Cape Town situation sounds horrendous. I cannot imagine trying to get safely home from a distribution point carrying 50 litres of water. I guess anyone with relatives in other places will be trying to get out. I too hope ML is okay.
 

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Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
Thanks for the concern, BL. I'm fine now but not sure how difficult life is going to get in the next few months. My neighbour has a borehole and we are managing on very little water. Most poorer South Africans in informal settlements have been coping with these dilemmas for years because they live in areas with no electricity or piped water. I've stayed in places in the Northern Cape where no rain has fallen for seven years and the weekly water truck is all that keeps people going. So now we are learning to make do with grey water for laundry and washing up, how to purify water, how to make do with much less.There are small trolleys for managing 21-litre containers of water.

And as with any humanitarian crisis, there are those who are desperate to get away and escape any difficulties; those blaming and pointing fingers, already starting fights over bottled water at collection points; and those who stay and help neighbours and the elderly get through it together. Human nature.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Meanwhile family members here on the edge of the Marakai Plains are flooded in and others in North Queensland are hot, wet and tired of the myriad of moulds growing in cars, clothes and cupboards. The invasion of creepy crawlies also trying to find dry places to hide doesn't need imagining.

The super blue blood moon wasn't very spectacular in this part of Oz, but I have seen some lovely pics of it online this morning from other parts of the country.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
About 30C and strong northerlies here ... unlike in OZ they're not a warm blast though ... sort of neutral temp. But Scarily Close is actually in a weather shadow sealed off from what's happening across most of the rest of Aotearoa.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Other parts of UnZud are getting a rougher time
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
31.9c and a hot Nor'wester here. Rain and a cold Sou'west forecast. Christchurch is on weather watch for heavy rainfall and gales over night. Meanwhile I'm sitting draped in a damp towel.

Friday and Saturday's forecast maximum temps are 18c, but while the temperatures then may be in my comfort zone wind and rain may not be. There's no pleasing some people

Huia
 

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Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
Heavily overcast here, hoping for a little rain.

Went with a friend to collect 20+ litres of spring water in Newlands for a disabled friend. The queues were long but fast-moving because there were armed guards ensuring people weren't stockpiling, after fighting had broken out in the crowd the day before. People chatting in queues, everyone learning patience. Observers there on the side from India and Stockholm (apparently they had a water shortage scare a while back).
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
A bad day for family here today. I posted in prayer thread that BIL has been diagnosed with established mesothelioma.

MRI revealed extensive damage to DIL’s ankle which CT scan and xrays did not show. She will have operation on it next Thursday by top surgeon here and three months off work. I know from son’s operations how painful this will be. She is also worried about my step granddaughter who is a very anxious type little girl, prone to panic attacks.
 

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Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
Lothlorien and family
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
, Lothlorien and family
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Loth and family
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
(meanwhile I'm about one degree Celsius away from my longjohns cupboard )
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Definitely colder here too . The last 2 days I've actually had to close the outside doors - usually both are wide open all the time, with security screen doors sufficient to keep out both flying insects and burglars (well nothing will keep out a very determined burglar, but the ones here tend to be lazy and go for the local 24hour dairy).

Loth Sorry to hear about your family.

Every time we have heavy rainfall here the river at the end of my street, about 100 metres away, floods houses further upstream. This has been going on for years, but is worse since the quakes. Numerous attempts to alleviate it only led to further problems. Since drainage has been worse since the quakes I've been nervous about flooding, but a couple of "fifty year weather events" have happened and the stopbank hasn't been breached, even at high tide -so it seems less likely.

I wish I could track down the lawyer who did the conveyancing when I bought the house to thank him. He made extensive enquiries about flooding and advised me not to sign anything until he had the results from numerous sources. I know he was probably only doing his job, but I am grateful he was so meticulous as the river in question has been known to contain raw sewerage when it gets too high. Even without that floods cause devastation.

Huia
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
That's why you retain a solicitor, to think of problems and check before you sign your life away. You could try your local Law Society - they should have details if he's still in practice.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Have just heard from my sister whose ex had that dreadfiul diagnosis yesterday, that he is on hourly doses of Endone. The frequency suggests to me that things are grim indeed. Even with that, he is still in pain. They divorced many years ago but have been friendly most of the time since and she and their daughter are very upset.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
(meanwhile I'm about one degree Celsius away from my longjohns cupboard )

---

Goodness, Zappa, has it dipped below 30°C again?

Loth, prayers continuing to ascend for your B-I-L.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Loth and family
 

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Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Praying for you and your family Lothlorien, as you all deal with these dreadful circumstances.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you all for prayers and kind thoughts etc. I did not speak to my sister yesterday as something seemed to be wrong with her phone.

Update on DIL's ankle. MRI shows two detached and ripped ligaments of the three in ankle. Ankle reconstruction with top Sydney guy will be on Thursday and three months off work. He uses tendons to form a new stable ligament, a technique he developed years ago. She works in childcare and loves it but surgeon says leaving nature to take its course will produce an unstable mend in the ankle and she would not be able to look after children. All unpaid of course.

It never rains but it pours.
 

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Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
In matters purple, Bishop Peter Stuart was installed as Bishop of Newcastle on Friday, and has hit the ground running, naming Archdeacon Sonia Roulston and Archdeacon Charlie Murry as his assistant bishops-designate, to be consecrated in May.

Media coverage here
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
DIL has ankle reconstruction and was due at hospital today just after 6:00am. The hospital is not far from my place, so son will possibly be here for breakfast, certainly to crash for a while.

Niece took her dad to see the solicitir recommended in such cases for mponey from fund set up for asbestos victims with mesothelioma.
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Glad things are progressing Loth.
Just had a message from my sister to say she has to have facial surgery in March. As she is petrified of needles this is a very big mental hurdle to get over.

In other matters purple our diocesan is going upmarket shortly, and leaving all things pointy hatted to the administrators. I assume we will have another Asst Bish appointed soon and one of the existing ones will be promoted. Unless someone is trucked in from elsewhere. If so, I feel desperately sorry for them. The moral mess they will walk into is a massive pile of muck. [Come Lord Jesus...]

Also of more urgent purple import (to me) is the fact that this morning my overlocker seized...in the middle of wedding garment preparations. The purple thread was doing fine until the needle snapped and jammed the machine completely. Sigh.

Praying I can get it fixed quickly...otherwise I'll have to buy a new machine to get things finished by next week.
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
BL, I'm not sure what you meant by our diocesan is going upmarket shortly as I thought he was retiring. As for the departing Asst Bp, he seems a very considerable move down the candle for Bendigo. He'd be much more suited to NW Australia or a regional position here.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Banner Lady - any possibility of hiring one? I know of a shop here that used to do that.

Huia
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 
Gee D, I thought Vaucluse would be considered quite upmarket from country Goulburn, even if the purple one is retiring his mitre to be a rector again.

Huia, I have bitten the bullet and bought me a new overlocker. The 12 year old one was completely munted so it was traded in for something I hope will see me out for the rest of my sewing days. And joy of joys it has an automatic threader, and I have been assured I will never have to wrestle with tensions or tangled threads again. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it will.

BL. Exit stage left, humming "Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me...its a teeny tiny bit early but Happy Birthday to me..."
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Thanks - I was not thinking along those lines at all. And the country south along the range is not to be sneezed at by any stretch.
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Happy stitching, Banner Lady! (and happy birthday in advance).
 

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Posted by Banner Lady (# 10505) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gee D:
BL, As for the departing Asst Bp, he seems a very considerable move down the candle for Bendigo. He'd be much more suited to NW Australia or a regional position here.

---

I made two pointy hats for the departing Asst Bp and I agree that he would be much more at home down the candle than up it. I guess, because of his youth and enthusiasm, that he will be learning to be at home in a different atmosphere, and at the same time bringing "a fresh expression"* to that diocese.

*Sung to the tune "Let's get Evangelical, gelical..."
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Dil is home after overnight hospital visit for ankle surgery. Says she is in significantly less pain than at any time since the accident just on four weeks ago. She is on strong pain killers but had four weeks of them and they hardly touched her pain. So that is good news.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I hope your DIL is continuing to heal Loth.

Bit of a shake up in the National Party here with the resignation of the leader, Bill English. It will be interesting to see how they resolve it as the result is decided on a vote by sitting National M.Ps. One of Bill English's comments to them was not to split the Party over this.

Huia
 

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Posted by simontoad (# 18096) on :
 
I'm not sure where to put this idle thought, but if anybody is likely to be interested its you lot, so here goes.

I live near Hanging Rock in central Victoria. We are about an hour's drive from Bendigo and Melbourne. For almost every organisation imaginable, we are just in the Melbourne region, or just in the Bendigo region. When I was offered training for my Union, it was offered in Bendigo, when we were inquiring about fostering kids, it was the Bendigo office of the DHS that took responsibility for us. However, we are in the far north of the Dioceses of Melbourne for both the Anglican and Catholic churches. We are 'victims' of organisational geography.

I have been reading a book on the history of Hanging Rock, mostly for what it might say about local Aboriginal history and the history of contacts with Europeans. The Rock is the responsibility of the Kulin nation, but that responsibility overlaps with those of other peoples to the north. Yes, the rock is at the northern edge of Kulin lands.

I am probably both reading too much into that, and overlaying my own interpretations on Aboriginal ways, but I can't help thinking that in this respect at least, there is some continuity. What I mean to say is that I find it a little freaky.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thank you Huia, but more problems with the ankle today. They had been to see surgeon at the hospital before he startted his Thursday op list there. Despit spending all day on lound with foot up, mulrtiple layers of bandage, never exposed etc., etc. she has developed an infection.

Hospital squashed a vist to surgeon in very early/. He has taken a swab, and prescribed a preliminary powerful braods spectrum antibiotic prior to swab results.

However despite infection, general pain has been less and she had several consecutive hours of sleep last night

we will take any encouragement.
 

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Posted by MaryLouise (# 18697) on :
 
Saw Peter Weir's extraordinary film Picnic at Hanging Rock years ago, simontoad, and later read the (very different) book. What do you find freaky?

Unseasonal heavy rains fell a day ago in the Cape and I woke up this morning to news that our corrupt and devious President Jacob Zuma has finally resigned. Although I suspect there are more problems within the ANC ruling party, a moment of relief.

Loth, so sorry to hear about your DIL's setback, she is in my prayers.
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Three days until I begin the big(gish) move Further South™. Getting nervous.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
All the best, Zappa. I have been thinking about it and heard nothing so didn’t ask. Niece returned from time there a while baqck.

She was stunned by the beauty and wondered why she had never been there. Other far flung places around the globe, but not there. Went riding up high which reminded her of Patagonia.

Hope all goes well.

[ 15. February 2018, 19:45: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Piglet (# 11803) on :
 
All the best with your move, Zappa, and with your new ministry.

Will be thinking of you, and as "further south" for you presumably equates to "colder", the thoughts will be as warm as I can make them.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Well you're heading in the right direction 😉.

If you're taking your kayak talk to the locals before you go out. Conditions on some of those lakes can change rapidly, but my youngest brother, who has kayaked a few says they're stunning and well worth doing.

Best wishes for the work side of life too.

Huia
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I was cutting a nibble of English Red Leicester cheese which I have not had for ages. Large notice on packet, “this cheese contains milk.”

I was reminded of McDs putting a notice on takeaway coffee cups that contents were hot.
 

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Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Loth, Buy a Bale is really getting some coverage here in the Hunter due to the extreme dry conditions we are experiencing, and people must be responding. We've just tried to access the website and donate, and its reached its resource limit, asking us to try again later.

Dams and billabongs are empty and paddocks are parched brown. We were in Maitland yesterday and heard a mobile vet talking about cattle farmers buying 20 000 litres of water which was barely enough to keep their herd hydrated for a day.
 

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Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Thanks for news of Buy a Bale. A really worthwhile charity to support. Thishas been going a while but there are others.. Grocery cards, money to buy hay, special bus and trailer to carry volunteer tradies to work on farms fencing and repairing pumps and farmhouses etc.

Convoys of hay are run by other groups of farmers. I think they started in Murrumbuttock. I cried when I saw an ABC video of many huge semi-trailers loaded high with bales of hay. They were passing through a one horse town and the school children had come out to greet them, waving flags and junping up and down in glee. The last trailer had a pair of rubber thongs nailed to the back of it.

Farm life is often hard, never easy and I feel privileged to help support farmers.

It is indeed very dry but I had not realised your area is as bad as that. And people grumble about high prices of meat and other products.

[ 16. February 2018, 19:29: Message edited by: Lothlorien ]
 

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Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Hitting the road today ... may be a lumpy (or cancelled) Strait crossing tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Go well, Zappa. Cook Strait can be fierce at such times. Is there anyone in Wellington you can take shelter with if need's be? (bearing in mind the vulnerability of SH 1 to slips, and the alternate route being through an area where bad weather is forecast.)

Huia
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Ex tropical cyclone forecast to hit NZ this evening and for the following 24 hours.

Georgie-Porgy will be confined to barracks and I will pack a grab bag for both of us. We may lose power, so if I don't post that could be why.

Oh, and there was a moderate quake last night - which I slept through.

Huia - waiting for the 4 Horsemen to appear at any time.

[ 19. February 2018, 17:47: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

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Posted by Dal Segno (# 14673) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Zappa:
Hitting the road today ... may be a lumpy (or cancelled) Strait crossing tomorrow.

---

Looks like all ferries are operating, but I wouldn't want to be on the late crossings today.

Forecast is for gusts of up to 150 km/hr, which is very strong for the rest of the country and business-as-usual for Wellington
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Hope Zappa's OK. State Highway 1 is now closed both sides of Kaikoura.

A state of Emergency has been declared in Christchurch as there is bad flooding in some areas - those poor people have been flooded 3 times within the past year Crunch times for me will be high tides at 9.30 p.m and 3.30 a.m), but the wind may also be a factor as may be sea surges. We have been warned the power may go down at any time so I have torches and the cell phone is fully charged.

I have prepared a grab bag for Georgie-Porgy and am in the process of preparing my own - not because I think we will be flooded here, but Civil Defence suggested it so it would be silly not to.

So - it's just a case of waiting it out.

Huia
 

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Posted by Gee D (# 13815) on :
 
Not good Huia. The bag ready packed (including many cans of cat food I assume) will take care of a task which we both hope will be unnecessary. thoughts and prayers for all, including Zappa on his journey.
 

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Posted by Clarence (# 9491) on :
 
Huia and for all in low-lying areas in ChCh
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
I think there's some magical thinking involved on my part - if I pack a bag and get the cage ready we won't need them

I just walked down the drive to the road. The gutters are fairly full but there is no flooding on the road itself and actually far less rain than 9.30 this morning. The main vulnerability may be trees coming down on power lines in the high wind, but that would be an inconvenience, rather than a danger unless there are people walking around out there near broken, live wires.

A news report has just confirmed less rain has fallen here than predicted. Unfortunately other areas of the country are not so lucky, and the west coasts of both islands seems to have copped the brunt of the storm which has now split in two.

I'm taking a torch and a transistor radio to bed on the same magical thinking principal as the grab bag and cage.

Huia
 

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Posted by Marama (# 330) on :
 
Well, Tukai and I arrive in NZ and we encounter a cyclone! I thought we left them behind in Fiji. Actually it's not as bad as I expected in Wellington - wet and windy yesterday but the sun is shining this morning. Hope all is well with you, Huia.
 

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Posted by Huia (# 3473) on :
 
Welcome Marama and Tuakai.

Not sunny yet, but the rain has stopped and there is a moderate wind. Georgie-Porgy has finally been allowed outside after spending the night on a purple fluffy blanket - we have two and fight for possession.

I am definitely going to donate to the Red Cross as Tonga was hit by this cyclone before it was downgraded and I'll always remember they donated to Christchurch following the quakes.

Huia

[ 20. February 2018, 19:07: Message edited by: Huia ]
 

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Posted by Galloping Granny (# 13814) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Huia:
Welcome Marama and Tuakai.
Huia

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quote:

---

Originally posted by Banner Lady:
Funniest moment was when the mother of the groom discovered she had left her toiletry bag in her car and decided to go get it while wearing her pyjamas at around 10pm. She retrieved the item and then hopped back into the elevator. Doors were almost shut when they reopened and 6 clergy in full robes walked in.

---

Sounds like it could have been a scene in a silly movie or television show.


Glad that the wedding went well with just a few mishaps.
 

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Posted by Barnabas Aus (# 15869) on :
 
Our valley has had the blessing of steady rain overnight, with just about the best falls since last June. About 50mm or two inches yesterday, and continuing falls overnight and this morning. Thankfully, it did not fall with the severity of Canberra, or else much valuable topsoil would have been stripped away, as there was little growth to hold it together.
 

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Posted by Dennis the Menace (# 11833) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Barnabas Aus:
Our valley has had the blessing of steady rain overnight, with just about the best falls since last June. About 50mm or two inches yesterday, and continuing falls overnight and this morning. Thankfully, it did not fall with the severity of Canberra, or else much valuable topsoil would have been stripped away, as there was little growth to hold it together.

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