Thursday Quilting - NZ Quilt

This is what I have been working on today at quilting group.  

So pleased I managed to get the whole quilt top finished in one day, it is now ready for the wadding and backing.

Over here today

I've posted over here today as it is Quilting Thursday and I am off soon to get back into the swing of things...

Cicadas

One of the first things that you notice when arriving at my parents is the noise of the cicadas.  They are very loud late February time.

This is the cicada shell they hatch out of.  The grubs climb the trees and then hatch out into the winged insects that chirrup all day long.

It is actually surprising how many varieties there are, although only the one is photographed in these photos.

A wander around Mum & Dad's garden.

Mainly just photos today as I wandered around Mum & Dad's garden.

Bobby, their lovely dog.  A 'walking compost heap' as my father calls him.

You looking at me?

Orewa Beach and Eaves Bush Scenic Reserve

On the first Monday after arriving in New Zealand, Dad and I went into Orewa so that I could renew my drivers licence.  Well you can't go into Orewa without a walk along the beach of course which we did after we walked through the Alice Eaves Scenic Bush Reserve.  This is  a lovely little walk of about 30 - 45 minutes in length through some lovely native bush with Nikau palms, fernery along a gentle boardwalk.  It amazes me how well these walks have been done now in comparison to many years ago when it was usually pretty rough walking.  So much more accessible to all walkers now.  Dad and I sat in the bush and enjoyed a nice lunch bought from a local bakery in Orewa.

In my late teens and early twenties I used to work in Orewa, both at the National Bank and then in NZI Insurance.  I have fond memories of when NZI was having the office refurbished and we took our desks down on to the beach!  What fun.  You would often see Killer Whales in the waters as well.  Wonderful.

Dad and I enjoyed a stroll along this lovely beach...amazed by the lack of people down there enjoying it.  

Could you imagine walking along a beach like this in the UK?  It would be crowded on a sunny day such as this!

Lovely little terns on the beach

Fancy living right on the beach front?  

Poor stingray much have got beached and died. :-(

For lots of photos of our trip to Long Bay Regional Park click here

New Zealand Holiday - Leaving London

Was it really only just over a month ago that I was sitting in the cafe at Heathrow airport with Mark ready to fly to New Zealand?  I can't believe I am now back home again, time really does go far too quickly that is for sure!  Although perhaps Mark and the boys wouldn't agree...

We arrived at the airport in plenty of time to book a window seat and check the luggage on, so while waiting for boarding what best to do than have something to eat!

I took Henry with me on this trip and more can be read and seen about his adventures on my other blog 'Sewing for Sasha' here.

We flew in this wonderful All Blacks plane, the first of its kind to be painted black.  More can be read and seen about it here.  What a wonderful treat for us ex-pats here in London!

As can be seen we left London on a dreary overcast and wet day.

That's right we were right behind the wings... it was rather noisy so I was glad I had my earplugs to lessen the noise to a slight degree.  

More to come...

Back home from New Zealand

I've arrived home from New Zealand (after what seemed like a very very very long flight!) to find the garden awash with colour.

The daffodils are blooming...

Looks like I have missed the best of the camellia, it must have looked glorious as it still looks pretty even now with the flowers past their best.

Will be updating with photos of my holiday soon.