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Monday, October 27, 2014

At Last.







At long last.
I was given this orchid well over twenty years ago by a friend. She died a long time ago.
I don't know how many times this plant nearly died but I seemed to save it.
I have begged, pleaded, and nursed this plant wanting to see what the flower was like.
Finally. I went out into the shed the other day to water my seedlings and found the flower.
After being sick with a virus for over a month, this was a lovely surprise to find such a pretty bloom.
I always thought the flower was suppose be be a purple.
The plant must like where I have placed it.
I praying it keeps blooming, and growing.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Nuts and Ginger.

On Sunday, we called into Yandina to go to the ginger, and nut factories. We all lined up for a ginger ice cream. Don't usually have much ice cream. But I love to have one when I go to the ginger factory. Everyone bought some products. Then we walked across the street to the nut factory. The bus was become more loaded with each stop we made. Luckily, I kept tabs on what I brought so I could find it when we arrived home.






We took a few country roads on the way home. For afternoon tea, we stopped at an old wooden bridge at Miva. First, we went across in the bus, had our cup of tea, then some of us decided to walk across the bridge.

Once, a long time back, trains, and cars, crossed the same bridge. At some stage the railway line was moved, cutting out country towns. So all the branch lines were no longer in use. Which was sad. The country people, the backbone of the nation, were forgotten in the eyes of the hungry, city controllers, of the money. Profits were put before those who had built the country. The bridge is still used by the farmers, and adventurous visitors.










I had not long stepped from the bus with all my luggage, when the Magpies landed at my feet wanting to be given some mince. Their singing alerted the rest of the birds. I had birds at the front, and back, calling for food, like I'd been away more than a week. I'd only been away for two days. And I'd left some out for them. Not my fault if they ate the lot in one sitting.

Maroochydore

We stayed at units in Maroochydore on Saturday night. I had three other women sharing the unit. There was three rooms, two bathrooms,  kitchen and lounge combined. A great place to spend a holiday because there was everything available to cook your own meals. A home away from home. The beach not far away. We had a great view from the sixth floor.





We went out to dinner at night to Alex's Bar and Grill. A great time was had by all. The food, and service was excellent. The food cooked to everyone's satisfaction.

Here are a few shots of the place.






Friday, July 18, 2014

Nambor Garden and Flower Show.

The alarm went off at 4a.m. on Saturday morning. I put my arm from beneath the covers to nearly freeze. I was a little cunning preempting the cold weather. After my shower, Friday night, I put on underwear ready to put on the top layers when I climbed out from beneath the covers.

"Just call me onion," I told my friends on the bus. I had on so many layers of clothes, gloves, feather cap. I was pleased to find the heater, not the air-conditioning, was turned on.

We stopped at Gympie to have morning tea. The chill of the wind went through all out clothes, even in the shade.

This is where we had our morning tea.






Most of the passengers were aged between 70 up to 93 years. I felt sympathy for those who felt the cold.

We arrived at the garden show at around 10 a.m. After such a cold start to the day, we had to peel a couple of layers of coats, and jumpers, off, when we arrived at the grounds. The day had turned out to be a warm, sunny day.

The lady who came to the bus to tell us where the bus had to be parked, and what activities were on during the day. She handed out books with information with a bag to carry some of the thing she hoped we'd buy. We spent over four hours walking around the big area looking at what was on offer. We all meet up to have our lunch.

I brought a few plants but mostly I took photos of what I couldn't buy, or couldn't take home on the bus. Less trouble to carry a camera, and cheaper, when working to a budget for the weekend.

Here are some of the photos.














The fingers are getting too cold to work. And time is running out. I have to go collect my uncle's washing to do, and some shopping. Will continue when I have time to spare.

Monday, June 16, 2014

George - Goodbye




                                                   Letter to a missing friend.


Dear George.
We hang our heads in sorrow.
Tears flow freely at the news of your passing. Followed by disbelief.
There will be an empty space in our lives where you once stood with the rest of our group.
Though we hadn't been acquainted for more than a couple of years, I though of you as a friend.
I look back over the bus trips you were able to take when you were able to travel. Days when you didn't have to be at the hospital on Dialysis for hours.
I will remember the time when everyone asked, “George. Have you got your leg on,” at the end of a trip. The way you laughed not taking offence of the suggestion. Or thought we made fun of you when we did mention your prosthesis.
Remember our last big trip to the Sunshine Coast over Easter. The way those were able helped those not so agile of foot. Slowed by illness. Pain. Impediments which were taken into consideration of those not so fit. Luckily. There was a lift at the units where we all spent the nights.
The first full day of the trip spent at the Big Pineapple markets, and touring the zoo. Our trip on the small train to take us down to see all the animals.
Driving through the countryside on our way back to the units. We travelled up steep hills. Travelled along the coastal strip to look at the beaches.
The two boat cruises where we had been shown all the expensive houses, and yachts, along the water ways. Told of who lived in some of the mansions. Travelled along many canals while eating the seafood lunch. Snapping photos of places you'll never get to visit again.
Remember the morning we woke to solve the puzzled you'd caused during the night with the loss of your walking stick. How were we to retrieve it from behind a four foot high glass partition. You having dropped it from the balcony during your sleepless hours. No one occupied the unit. The office staff were unavailable to open the door to give us access. None of us were capable of throwing our aging, damaged bodies, over the partition without breaking our bones. No teenagers were around to climb the wall.
Oh. Wow. I walked out the unit door and there he came out of the lift. Just what we needed. A muscular, fit, young guy. Without stopping to think I accosted him. With foot-in-mouth, I explained our predicament. The very helpful gentleman scaled the wall to retrieve the walking stick. He handed it up to George standing on the balcony above. We all thanked him for his assistance before he took off for the swimming pool.
People stared staring when the bus drew up to the hospital entrance to drop you off for your treatment.
We say our good-bye to a dear friend who now rests at peace.
Farewell to thee. George.



This is George at tea in one of the units on our Easter trip. A few weeks later, George died. He wasn't too well at times while we were away. We dropped him at the hospital on the afternoon we arrived home to have his dialysis done. Another seven hours would pass before he went home to his flat. At least, he enjoyed the time he had left.

Morning Tea for Cancer

Every year, our bus group hold a morning tea to raise money for cancer. Most of us know friends who have suffered from the results of getting cancer. Also have family with  it as well. There are a few who celebrate their birthday in the same month which we have on the same day.

Following are a few photos taken on the day. One of out group, George, passed away a couple of weeks later from a heart attack. We will miss him.