AT LAST.................Another post.

 Last year we had several trips to Sydney to sort things for my younger brother, but we took one holiday in early November just for us.

It involved seeing friends in Bathurst & Orange at the start of the trip, so I am going to show a small selection of photos from a day out to Hill End & Sofala, old gold mining towns from our early days of settlement here in Oz.

An old church we saw along the way.

More old buildings and I was taking these through the window, as it drizzled for some time during the morning.

Once we reached Hill End, it was lovely to see the kangaroos roaming about freely.

Also, a naughty goat trying to eat the leaves from a tree.
We know that too well, as many, many years ago we had a pet goat called William.
He loved the leaves on our huge cherry tree.

Second town for the day was Sofala, where we browsed all sorts of odd places,
including a vintage bric a brac shop, along with a few fascinating other places.

In the said shop, we had a good laugh at this and later in the week DH said he wished we'd bought it for fun.

Couldn't help but notice this.  What people think up is amazing.

I've always been amused by this name we see quite often on old buildings.

Next, while wandering we saw this old car.

OH.................and what could I see lurking behind the tree...........a Morris Minor.
We just had to investigate further.

A bit of fun with this lovely old panel van
and 
below as well.

Wandering further along we did have a giggle at these mocked up loos as chairs.
So much imagination on someone's part.

Does anyone remember what these are.
If you do I expect you are of my vintage. 😉
A silent cop.

The shed full of wonderful memories for many.

Ooh, who is this loitering along the lane.

Captured!!!!!!!

As everyone knows, I love all the murals we see these days, and this is definitely a good one.

Clicking on any of the photos will bring them up full size so you can see more.  This has taken way longer than I intended, so hopefully tomorrow I can get to the next part of our trip and show the Lachlan Valley Sculpture Trail, then lots more to follow through next week too.

Have been sewing a little until my gorgeous Bernina had a hissy fit and had to be fixed, but I did finish this for myself.

A sewing caddy I made to keep over the arm of the lounge I sit on of a night.

I'll leave it at that for now and hopefully post again tomorrow afternoon, after Car Club meeting.             It's been hot again today around 30° so an easy tea tonight of salmon & veg.  

Take care all and thanks if you are still following.

Hugs from Susan.

FRIDAY PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT - STARTS WITH "S"

Linking with Astrid for this Fridays word photo hunt.

 I am a bit early, but on Friday I have to attend a hospital appointment for a minor procedure, so thought I'd do this on Thursday afternoon.  It is a little photo heavy, because I kept thinking of all sorts.

The letter "S" stands out for me, as all of my names begin with this letter, so I am "SSS".................

SILO.

One of the many painted silos here in Victoria and  now other states in Oz too.

SOLAR PANELS.

The solar panels on the roof of our home helping us be a little green.

SEASIDE

I could have used many photos, but chose this looking out to sea over the beach huts at Mornington.

SWANS

A paddock full of black swans on the east coast of Victoria.

SHEEP

Sheep & some beautiful lambs, taken not long ago when we had a rare break from being in lockdown.

SPIDER

A huntsman spider on the wall of the Superintendent's Home at the Quarantine Station on the Mornington Peninsular which was another rare day out in January when we actually got to see DD and family.  We had a lovely day and another would be rather nice.  

SHELLS

A few shells I've collected over many years.  Taking a photo this afternoon was difficult once again with very cloudy skies, with little light coming into our house.

SEWING & SKATES.

Sewing, particularly my quilting is keeping me sane and the little quilt above was started many years ago as a mystery QAL, but running out of 2 of the fabrics at the beginning meant I put the few blocks I'd made aside.  Early this year I did some sorting & weeded out a few old projects & put them together as small quilts which I'm giving away as baby gifts.  My old skates which I've had since my teenage years haven't been used for a long time as my feet have changed shape & they don't fit anymore.  I was last on the ice in 2018 with my granddaughter & had to use hire skates.  It was great to be on the ice again.

STUDIO.

Something I miss is my old studio, which I'm showing below in its very messy state, as I've no other photos.

Most of these photos are from my archives and I'm sure I could have found many more, but as I'm a little on the STRESSED SIDE (um...a couple more S's) I have hopefully fulfilled this word hunt.

OK, that is my lot for today and if someone can tell me how I can get these 2 photos to go side by side, I'd love to hear from them as I've spent at least 15 minutes trying.

Thanks for reading if you get to the end.

Take care all, stay safe and hugs from down under.

Susan.

PLODDING ALONG!

 A quick post of what is happening here at home.  Although things have eased here at the moment with restrictions, the uneasiness I've been feeling is still with me.  It's as though we are living in a world of trepidation & walking on egg shells all the time.  We have been keeping ourselves busy.

MAKING.

                                                             HIS.........

Both bowls - the experimental & second one plus the trivet made from the leftovers.

My little greenhouse frame on it's new cement slab, again from leftover cement from the new extension.

Work in progress on the new extension of the shed.  Now waiting for a delivery of timber & iron today.

                                            ME...........

Finally painting the potting bench with just the slats to finish today.  It is supposed to look rustic.

The baby quilt for my Doctor who is due early December.

Up Hill & Down Dale now quilted and bound.

A shocking photo, but I've now hemmed the one curtain & placed it on the rod.  I bought this ready made curtain fabric years ago & had so much trouble sewing that I put it aside after hemming the sides.

My old curtains were just not opening & closing easily anymore so I made the effort to get a rod & brackets for these, measured them for the length & got one done yesterday.  I'll try & get the other done today along with my bench painting, working on the instructions for a quilt, grocery shopping & other sundry housework & meals too.  One last little bit from yesterday which was a scorching 35°.

GARDEN.

The poor old veg beds will have to suffice for the time being.  I've few tomatoes in, along with 2 pattypan squash, some rather forlorn looking peas & a row of carrots just peeking through the soil.

Looking across the backyard just because..........................

OK, off now for morning tea and the rest of today.  Have a nice weekend all, take care, stay safe & huggles.

Susan.

APRIL PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT 2020.

Today we are linking with I live, I love I craft, I am me with our set of words for April  I did find this lot difficult, but here we go.

1.  HAPPINESS IS...

The bird life that visits our garden, especially the magpies who love snacking on breadcrumbs & then carol for me in thanks.  Buddy still comes to visit regularly & puffs herself out & has the loudest song of all.

2.  MAKES ME SMILE.......

Looking back through the photo archives of our trips to England & finding photos like this of the colourful beach huts on Scarborough's North Bay.  During these sombre times & dismal grey days, it makes me remember that summer will come again.

3.  RELAXING WITH....

My one & only coffee at morning tea with hubby & sometimes browsing a magazine or two on our back verandah in the sunshine.  It was definitely inside this morning, as it is still only 8° at 3pm as I do this.

4.  BUSY WITH....

Fondling fabric & coming up with new patterns & ideas for it's use today, but we have been busy in the garden earlier in the week.

5.  POSITIVE ABOUT...

Moving the veg beds to a better spot in the garden after we remove a very large hedge.  This particular spot is in shade now for much of the day & we intend making the beds higher & have four for better rotation.  The higher beds will be much better for my back.  It will be slow progress with winter coming on & not being able to access what we need for the ongoing project due to COV-19.

6.  MY OWN CHOICE.

Take all the above words and this is an amalgamation of them.  This photo and card sit just beside my computer in the study & mean a lot to me.  The photo is the most special I have.  It is the only one I have of our four children together due to distance.  The card on the left is one I've had for years & reminds me of my Dad who loved his cricket from a very early age.

Well that is my lot and although probably a bit disjointed & with the possibility of not joining in I've sort of done it.  I'm sure I have a lot more to smile & be happy about, busy & relax with & be positive about, but there you have it.

Have the best weekend available to you & thanks if you pop by.  

Take care all, stay safe & huggles.

Susan.

MARCH PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT 2020.

Linking with Kate at I live, I love I craft, I am me,  for the hunt for photos to go with her list of words.

I'm finding life very "strange" at the moment & will just plunge straight in for the hunt.  Knowing I probably will not get many lookers & not being able to concentrate, I 'm not sure I should be blogging at all.  I'm absolutely scared out of my wits, that this is how we will be living for the rest of my time on this earth.  Ugh..............  Thanks Kate for doing this word hunt. 

Keith had a birthday earlier this month & 4 of the photos are from our outing to celebrate.  No-one else was around as we were in the middle of the forest of the Strzelecki Ranges to our south.  We saw one car on Grand Ridge Road, until we neared the coast at Foster, tuned around & headed home, via a different route.  The scenery was delightful.  Oh, & we took a picnic lunch with us & a thermos.

1.  BIRTHDAY.

              This is where we ate our picnic lunch overlooking the hills of South Gippsland.

2.  JAZZY.

Along the side of the road, we noticed this rock.  We did a quick back-up, took a photo, all the time wondering who might have done this & why in the middle of nowhere.

3.  FLAG.

Before entering the forest proper, we traveled through farming country as you could see from where we ate our lunch.  Much to my surprise we came across this flag fluttering among the pine trees at the entrance to a farm.  Had to stop & take a snap, as it was just what I wanted for the hunt.  I was one lucky girl that day.

4.  THREE.

There was a reason we pulled over where we did for lunch.  The width of the grass verge would accommodate our car nicely away from the road, the view was to die for & I noticed these horses.
Yes, "three", just what I needed for another word from the hunt.  What a day & lucky I carry my words with me in my camera bag. 

5.  CUSHION.

I've shown these before.  I made them especially for my lovely stepdaughter in UK for her birthday in December & posted them over 4 months ago.  THEY HAVE NEVER ARRIVED................................

6.  MY OWN CHOICE.

OK, just a bit of nonsense for the last one.  Does this shadow remind anyone of an animal?  I took the photo one afternoon this week as the sun appeared for a few minutes.  You can see the wood on the rock behind, which is drying for, uh....something?

Well this about it for me & I've really struggled writing this with the world in turmoil.  Am I doing the right thing?  I've registered for our groceries on-line, to be delivered so we don't have to be close to others & only go out if absolutely necessary.  We will continue to take a walk around our neighbourhood every couple of days & yesterday we only saw  one or two people & kept our distance.  We musn't even travel anywhere more than 2kms unless it is vitally important.
PLEASE stay safe all, take care & the biggest virtual hugs I can give too.