Its almost time to put up the feet or get busy with FUN…the last month has been crazy busy with activities, worklife and jobs…in readiness for a small break. It seems silly that to prepare for a holiday we decide we have a million tasks to complete before the big day.

Since we said goodbye to Dad in October, we have had two months of rolling into Summer, finally this last week the thermals are in hibernation, and shorts and T’Shirts have come out of mothballs! We are hoping the weather gods do not shower us with “El Nino” (whatever that is) rain and floods as they did last Summer.

Russells family was up at the end of November and we took the opportunity to take Russ (ashes) on his final journey to his favourite fishing spot, having to pick the day and change it at the last minute, as the day of choice promised to be a rocky boat ride. The save a day was perfect and dropping Russ’s fishing rod in the spot – he caught 6 fish in 10 minutes! Possibly a record for Russ!

Time (in between busy work weeks) has been spent….mowing lawns (far too often), gardening, cleaning, and more spring cleaning, Christmas shopping, the odd party, grabbing meals on the run and planning for a few days of leisure over the holiday period

This year has come and gone faster than one would like, with my three months sojourn in the northern hemisphere, catching up with family and friends, the exciting news that I have two more grandbabies on the way, saying goodbye to our people, deciding to retire one of the old cars (and finding a solution to dispose of it), and forever hunting that elusive sunshine and warmth….

As 2024 fast approaches we set our goals and dreams for the next little while – never looking too far ahead, and enjoying the moments……a problem is always the opportunity to find a solution, and while life (and jobs) can seem an uphill climb, the view from the top is always worth the ride.

Right now, as summer peeps through the clouds, we look forward to a few days of family fun, fishing and feasting. Merry Christmas to all my people here and around the world….

Coming up five weeks of being on home soil in New Zealand, it’s been a whirlwind of events….

I got the call in Texas that my dad was failing, and leapt on the next plane, to be home and spend time with him for his last week on Earth. Then followed a whirlwind week of my head in the clouds, trying to stay on top of work, sorting my house out and catching up with family and friends!

Labour weekend treated us to a glimpse of sunshine….

Shorts and beach weather for a minute or two…

Planting some veges with my little helper…

And preparing food for Dads last party!

We said goodbye to dad on Tuesday the 25th October – public speaking at funerals becoming my forte! A skill which I hope I can now retire!

A chance to see old friends – and share our dad stories!

This event was then followed by a familiar Auckland weather event – yes a raging storm! Trudi and I have joined a local group of “Dotteral Minders” These are little coastal birds (diminishing in numbers) who are currently trying to breed…

They obviously haven’t adapted to climate change (or coastal storm surges) as they make their nests in Sand!

Well with 100km winds the tidal surges washed away the three nests! We became quite invested in a rescue mission, moving the last remaining nest 2 times…

Finally up onto the last dune standing which became smaller and smaller with each high tide!

Until the sand didn’t hold and the tyre nest was washed off the remaining lump of sand along with the last eggs out to sea! A few days of braving the elements to get to the point in 100km wind and rain with spades and gumboots! Shovelling sand to no avail!

Two weeks later and there are three new nests on the flat sand! The dotterals have bounced back for round two! (no smarter for their last experience)

Last weekend I travelled to Katikati for a grandparents visit on the Friday afternoon! It was atrocious weather again and My grand baby just wanted me to take him home! We did manage a jigsaw with the help of another boy before getting out the door for a wet drive! Saturday and Sunday saw clearer days and we visited Auntie Barb, Mums dear friend in Tauranga. I was on babysitting duties Saturday night and all went well(ish) – bedtime is a bit of a challenge!

The end of this week bought us sunshine, still cool in the mornings and evenings, but at least some vitamin D during the day!

Russell Rose has bloomed in all his glory! The gardens actually needed water! Lawns had a haircut, washing got dry on the line and we have a busy weekend ahead with the working bee at Riverhaven (bach) today and more birthday celebrations tomorrow (not mine)

It is just so hectic back here, with a house to maintain, time in cars! Hours to and from work, (at least three a day), everyone is a bit sad after a long winter, and everyone is busy and stressed! I miss the miles and miles of smiles, the laughter and the time to sit and chat!

Celebrated in style – Texas Style!

Last week found me relaxing at the homestead in the warmth of Texas fall (autumn) and venturing out (by Uber) to the township of Lake Jackson to explore the shops and meet Russell’s friend (Trudy) for lunch! Only in Texas do you get to ride in a Ford F150 when you call an Uber! My first ride was with Jack, the next one was with Daniel! Guessing the 3rd one will be George! Two degrees of connection wherever one goes!

Friday saw (and I listened to live commentary) the All Blacks finally pull up their socks and provide a much needed win in the Rugby World Cup giving us Kiwis some excitement for the rest of the tournament!

This guy (banana spider) decided to pop in for the party weekend – thankfully outside my closed window.

Friday afternoon shopping for the family party (for my birthday!) A great evening with my hosts (Tona and Chuck) a few beers by the pool and listening to our favourite music!!!

Saturday, Tona and I began our day early with a drive north to watch Emma (one of the gran babies) play her five year old soccer game! Followed by a breakfast of champions (cooked by her Dad) crepes!

We then headed back to prepare our Grazing table for the party!

Expecting 20 Adults and seven grand babies, Chuck prepared the pool toys and Tona and I built our table of food! With the Fall theme….around five the party began! And the girls added to the spread…

Kelly(Tonas and Chucks daughter) had provided the Key Lime Pie birthday cake to herald in my 63rd celebrations and Ashley (daughter in law) had made her famous apple pie to ensure we were all totally sated! I of course had both!

Then it was time for the water balloon fight!

When it’s in the (90s farenheit) mid-high 30s Celsius – what’s a little water between friends! Drying time 20 minutes! The party wound up around 10pm with a (Travis) margarita, food pack up, tired kids and big kids and we collapsed into bed!

I had lots of messages and calls from my family and friends in NZ, as being 18hours behind here, my NZ birthday was on Saturday USA time.

My Texas birthday began on Sunday, and more cleanup before Church, then off to visit the kids and grand babies!

The afternoon visiting number 2 son and family and the evening watching baseball grandson play, before post match hotdogs (just what the stomach ordered after a busy day)

Arriving home in the red sky Texas sunset and a graze on the leftovers from the party – we will be grazing all week!

I have certainly been very spoiled with my three day birthday celebrations!

The weekend loomed, Friday afternoon, we took off on a Road Trip to Greune (pronounced Green) near New Braunfels north west of Lake Jackson – inland…. a three and a half our drive. Tona and Chuck had arranged the weekend roady to attend one of their grandbabies (9th) birthday party at an amusement park, and catch up with more family….

We arrived at our hotel in Gruene late afternoon, checked in and took a wander….

Right on the Guadalupe river….wedding venue of Choice (three in a row this weekend)

However we did not have a wedding in our plans and headed into the township of Greune – planning a little shopping hunt before meeting Tonas Niece and her three boys for dinner…

Temperatures rising late afternoon and a cool beer was in order, flagged the shopping and chilled out in a garden bar listening to live music…a unanimous decision. Lucky we had to meet family, or we may still be there.

A great dinner on the edge of the river, in the air conditioning (outside temperature 38 degrees C) and by the time we left, shops were closed and the travellers were weary! 

Next morning, I took a walk around the grounds and spied these little guys playing in the trees….

Far too noisy for birds!

It was then in the car to meet the family for the birthday adventure park at 10am….again temperatures rising, good we were there early, as car rides, train rides, playgrounds, ferris wheel, merry-go round, sensory house and waterpark were not too crowded…

Morgans Wonderland, is a Theme Park for kids of all ages, abilities, and accessibility for anyone….25 acres of playland….very special place. the kids and big kids had a great time.

We packed up around 2pm and headed to Fredricksburg, another 2 hours north west, for the next part of our adventure…checking in at next hotel, ready for a cool shower and freshen up, the heat rising, nearing 40 degrees Celsius. Tona and Chucks Daughter and family joined us and their cousins also for the evening….

Halloween decorations, we checked in at an infamous (no bookings taken) restaurant around 5pm to get a table for Nine – folllowed by a great meal and trip into town, settling in a bar to watch the college football….and listen to live music!

All washed up by around 9pm it was then back to the hotel for a good nights sleep.

Next morning A Breakfast of champions…

Followed by Girls shopping, and Boys Navy Museum visit, meeting for lunch at a German Restaurant…..

A final grandparent (including Gran’ma Sue) and grandkid photo, before embarking on the 4-5 hour trip home to Lake Jackson (by 7pm) ready for the working week.

Today in Texas would have been Russ’s 66th Birthday and he will be here in spirit celebrating with his American brother from another Mother!

Throwback to one of the great trips we shared with Chuck and Tona to New England!

He will be happy that I have finally made it back to visit with his Texas family!

Since I arrived on Saturday evening, I have coughed my way through the week…relaxing at the Lake Jackson homestead, in between split working shifts. (A little difficult to juggle the 17 hour time difference)

Sunday, was social, church in the morning, and one of the grand kids birthday parties in the afternoon. Everyone welcoming me with southern hospitality!

Since Monday, we have all got on with our work days, mine much more relaxed than theirs! A few hours work, a walk around the area (short) … deer spotting

Sit by the lake….

And look for alligators! (Yes I saw one yesterday) watching me from a couple of meters away, but he dived down the minute I moved for my phone (camera)

Afternoon swim in the pool….

Reading and recovering from my summer travel cold….which today is feeling decidedly better!

A healthy lunch and a cool beer in the evening before another healthy dinner….followed by my 2nd work shift between 7-10pm!

Rinse and repeat…and NO I am not bored or lonely – just loving the R&R and getting spoiled rotten!

So today as we celebrate Russ’s birthday and the good times we shared with friends and family….a couple of collages!

Out and about in the world!

Russ’s kiwi family…

A tiny snapshot of our adventures!

About nine hours into my 10 and a half hour flight from Frankfurt (Germany) to Houston(Texas), I assimilated my experience to childbirth…long and painful and seeming like it will never end….then it does and you will do it all over again! Maybe learn a few tricks on the way!

So today I have no beautiful pictures, just some not so beautiful words. I boarded the plane in my designated group “5” and took my middle seat next to a women from Azerbaijan (near Russia), a quite large women who looked like Jennifer Coolidge (Tanya in the White Lotus) ensconced in her window seat. I slid into the one next to her and waited for my Aisle seat companion! A hundred and 50 Kg black man, with a lovely smile and very nice, sandwiched himself into the seat next to me.. knees touching seat in front- enormous thighs that sat two stories higher than mine and three times as wide, and shoulders that overflowed over the armrests onto my seat back! Yes I felt like a sardine, the middle one in the can!

So the one on the left needed my armrest and the one on the right needed my armrest and a quarter of my back seat (while sleeping all the way) ! No other option for yours truly except to sit in a straight line and read for most of the journey – elbows tucked inside the, otherwise occupied, armrests! Looking forward to the two snacks offered on the way! Daren’t drink too much as I couldn’t escape to the aisle over the sleeping giant (very nice man though) !

Needless to say I was very pleased when we touched down in Houston (10.5 hours later) and I could unfold and stretch a very sore back and cough with abandon!

Tona and Chuck collected me and we travelled to their home in Lake Jackson, where I have a very very spacious apartment to spread out in.

Work from and relax in for the next week while I try and recover from my recent ailments, without bothering anyone!

Time out to be spent by the pool!

Yesterday morning I left Zurich after a week with the Swiss Family, and caught the day train to Frankfurt!

First goodbye to Benjamin as he was heading off to school…

Verena guided me to the station and Florian met me to make sure I got on the right train!

Having pre booked a window seat – I was a little dismayed to find my window seat actually meant the wall between two windows. So I settled in for the four hour ride to read my book…

Arriving at Frankfurt main station around 2pm…despite having googled connecting trains to my airport hotel – I found myself rather lost! I went to the information centre to ask which train and which platform would take me in this direction, only to be given a ticket (number) to wait for assistance in about 35 minutes! And waved away without a smile from the very abrupt women (who’s job it seemed was to only had out tickets)

Uber app to the fore! I walked out a door (there were hundreds of them) and booked a 19€ Uber door to door! Standing on the footpath with a hundred other confused travellers, I was watching out for the rego number, when the phone rang. My Uber driver was there! No he wasn’t – he kept suggesting I go somewhere which I didn’t understand but eventually we made a sensible (to me) communication and he agreed to come to my spot, which was probably safest before I got lost (even more).

Then it was a smooth ride…to my hotel in a business park near the airport! Checked in, joined their club (for free) and got my (free) token for an early morning shuttle to the airport. Beautiful room with a “bath” so was pretty excited (being a bath gal and only showering for the last 2 months!)

After a long day, I went off in search of a beer and something for dinner!

Both of which I found – a salad, grapes and a nice cool Pilsner at an Italian cafe…

Relax! Still with troublesome back and nagging cough, one was enough, so I headed back to hotel, ran a bath and soaked! In my Jammies by 6pm I decided to eat my salad, with a teaspoon! (Didn’t think about a fork when purchasing)! And snacked on my grapes…while trying to find a German TV channel that may be playing the 2nd All Blacks rugby World Cup game! To no avail, so it was back to the book and sleep for my early wake up and this mornings shuttle to the airport!

AirNZ codeshare with Lufthansa meant I couldn’t check in online, and by the time I found the counter, could only be allocated a middle seat of three! Yay this is going to be a fun trip, lucky I have my noise cancelling earphones for the 11 hour flight! I hope the window person does not have a weak bladder!

Or rather the perfect hosts! When you turn up for a visit after four years, nursing a cold and sore back (night time coughing fits and limited exercise) and your hosts are 15-50 years younger…you try to put on a brave face and roll with the fun activities! Which is easy to do when the sun is shining, as it was for the first three days!

But when the cold turns a little gastric, and you dare not venture too far from the bathroom there is no pretending!!! Florian, Verena and Benjamin had taken a half day off yesterday afternoon….to go exploring with this old gal! But my body decided otherwise and an afternoon of naps all round was the great adventure! The day also bringing rain and thunderstorms, mirroring my condition!

Today, my last day, feeling a little better, a full work/school day for the hosts, and I had the energy to repack, and take a lunchtime walk with Verena (who works from home).

Again five minutes from suburbia to the country….

Over the motorway and into the forest, no motors allowed…

And out to the farms….this time apples…

One which I pocketed (off the ground) and enjoyed on my return…the rows of rosy red and orange apples still laden on the trees.

Another Northern European Staple (food) the cabbage – rows upon rows, and as the lane winds through the farmhouses, the seldom seen (in my country now) roadside stall…

Next to the owners barn, and their homes…

High on the hill, in a perfectly manicured (as all things Swiss are) garden….and

I found some Gnomes! Together with chickens, rabbits and other carefully placed treasures!

Doing a full circuit and back to the down of the uphill bit…looking down at my neighbourhood (for the week).

Zurich being a city of around 1.4 million and quite spread out its is a city of green spaces and tall trees, vegetable and fruit gardens, Roses and very well behaved children! (At least young Benjamin is – age 9 – very independent, half an hour homework the minute he walks in the door!)

Verena had some more work to do after our walk so I thought a back rest and book read would be a pleasant way to pass the afternoon! Consequently I fell asleep and treated Verena to my last (hopefully) party trick and snored the hour away, lying flat on my back!

The last family member is Ginger…

20 years old, and deaf, which, in light of my state this week, had probably been a blessing for her!

Monday afternoon, public holiday in Zurich, My hosts and myself worked in the morning and headed off around 1pm for a pumpkin adventure (and lunch) at Jukerfarm, Seegraben, about a 30 minute drive south-east from the house! Swimming things packed also…but first all things pumpkin – and not just the orange type…

Now quite a commercial village and lunch venue selling and sporting everything “pumpkin” But first lunch!

Florian, Benjamin and I opted for the traditional bratwurst sausage (not pumpkin) but Verena played the game and chose a plate of pumpkin delicacies!

Perched on the edge of Lake Pfaffikersee…swimming beach on the other side..

Pumpkins, tractors, hay bales and ART!

Joan of Arc, Frieda Kahlo, and Sue!

Chanel No. 5, Greta Thunberg, Marge Simpson, womens rights activist and a bath person!

Barns with food halls and pumpkin products for sale…

Temperatures climbing, stomachs full and sightseeing done it was off to the beach on the other side. The lake beach – with grassy tree’d areas to sit, jetty’s to jump off, children’s playground, SUP paddle boards to rent and very warm 24 degree lake water to swim in!

We set up camp on the grassy verge and cooled off with the locals!

This guy, not at all concerned about the humans, having an afternoon nap on the waters edge! Florian and Benjamin and several other kids joined in a game of stick throwing – not sure what it is called! While Verena and I cheered from the picnic blanket – dodging the errant sticks that came our way… Still a balmy 30 degrees at 5pm, a little geocaching (theirs new hobby) on the way to the car park and home around 7pm. Florian taking me to the local Pharmacy to get some painkillers for a very troublesome back – usually avoiding any drugs, I was at the point of passing out or vomiting with the pain so had to succumb to the relief – and it was! As we sat in the dusk watching the evening Zurich air travel!

Another three days here, I decided on a home day to try and kick my ailments before the next round of travel, so a morning of work at home, just Verena and I, the boys in their respective workplaces and schools, and after lunch Verena suggested a small (?) walk in search of the Water buffalo (cows in this region) Nowvbeing in a lot less pain this was a good idea! Their suburb is a 5 minute walk to the countryside

And through the local farm….with the very friendly water buffalo kids…

All wanting our attention and number 7225 (who you can’t see) took a real liking to my shorts and would have eaten them if he could get through the fence. These young boys were vying for attention and looking for mums milk….

In all the wrong places!

The mums, chilling on the other side of the barn in the shade…

And of course there is the odd Ginger!

And Blonde, pride of place….sunbathing!

The afternoon is clouding over, still warm after our walk in the country and forest…

Remnants of a tornado that ripped through this area a couple of years ago uprooting a lot of trees and crushing cars!

Rain is forecast for tomorrow, probably a welcome event for the Water Buffalo..,but for us (Adult) humans it will be business as usual in the morning!

Dropped to the Malta airport by the Sammy express taxi on Saturday, I said my last goodbyes (for now) to my Maltese family and winged my way to Zurich to visit my Swiss Family, Florian (who was our homestay student 25 years ago) Verena, his wife and now 9 year old Benjamin.

Saturday evening catching up with a fabulous spread (and refreshments) prepared by Verena…

Being very spoiled, trying to quietly nurse my 2nd summer cold (so as not to share) and back issues! Nothing that can stop the adventures!

Sunday day off for all, we took a late morning bus and transferred to a train….which took us along the length of lake Zurich

To Rapperswil, a medieval town at the northern end of the lake, and the home of Roger Federer who is building a mansion lakeside! Also known as the town of Roses!

A lakeside village, castle, flowers, boats, cafes and blue blue water….

A wander around, up and down, the village partaking in a delicious ice cream from a vending cart and lining up to take the 2 hour boat cruise back to Zurich city….

A perfect 30 degree day, no wind and a cool beer on board…the boat stopping several times at pick up and drop off the length of the lake…

Getting the best vista of all the lakeside homes and towns and Tina Turners abode, where she lived for many years until her recent passing ….

The White House with the black boat sheds either side. Arriving back in Zurich city around 4.00pm for a late lunch early dinner pizza!

And a beer! Still a balmy 30 something degrees…Zurich city bustling with trams and strollers (people) enjoying the afternoon sunshine and colours of the early autumn..,

With full tummies and sore feet (in my case back) we caught train and bus back to my hosts apartment…a quiet time, and for me actually a little Nanna Nap, and as the sun went down…..

We enjoyed the cool(er) evening on the terrace watching the airplane trails in the orange sky! Florian and I grabbed some today the Fiji-Wales World Cup rugby game, which he found much more enjoyable than the All Blacks-France effort of Friday.

This morning it was work for all the adults, a half day for the Swiss contingent and no school for the youngest member of the team as it is a sort of half day public holiday, and they have plans for this afternoon which includes Pumpkins! Watch this space!