Sunday 25 February 2018

Catching up again....

Here we are and it's Sunday night again. It is a bit scary how fast time is going, as 7 weeks from today I will be in the city, and wondering if I will get any sleep before being at the airport at 4.15AM the next morning. In the meantime there is a lot to tick off the list, and lots of quilts to finish.

I managed to tick a visit to the optician off the list this week. I knew my distance vision had changed, as my driving glasses have not felt good for the last few months. This was confirmed on Wednesday, and new glasses are on the way. And another task was achieved at the clothes shop, and this "little" pile are some of my purchases for the day. Not looking forward to working out what to pack, and still leave room in the suitcase to bring "essential" purchases home from America.


 My quick phone post from yesterday showed a photo taken from the cafe looking across the river to where we used to live. After my coffee break I drove onto the ferry and crossed the river, then drove the memory lane road again. Things have certainly changed in the area, as a lot of dairy farmers have sold their irrigation licences, and many dairies are no longer used.


This is the school my girls all went to before we moved to Bordertown.


It was a short drive from here to my next stop, which was the home of my nephew, to celebrate his recent engagement. The party was held in the shed on their farm, at Langhorne Creek, which is a well known grape growing area. The vines are looking good, and harvest is about to commence. I am told there was a nice selection of local wines at the party, and here you can see just one of the lovely platters available. A BBQ and salads followed.



Miss Bridie had some new shoes............

.....and look Aunty Lisa, at my shoes!

There was a lovely area set up for the children, with games........


...........and bubbles to blow, although the bubbles did not show up very well in the photo.




Sorry the next 2 photos are a bit dark, of the cake......


and the happy couple, making their speeches.


 It was a lovely evening of catching up with family that I don't see very often. (Note to self - take time out more often, the quilts will still be there when I get back!)

After the party, I decided to drive a bit further and stayed at Strathalbyn with my cousin and her husband. Helen and Harold have stayed with me on several occasions recently, and were the recipients of my grandparents bedroom furniture that had been stored in my shed. They have retired to Strathalbyn, and purchased a very old house, that suits the old furniture. The bed that I slept in had one of my quilts that I gifted to them on the bed, so I felt quite at home........


...............and the furniture was in the room also,.......



Their home has the original fireplaces......



..........lots of high, ornate ceilings,......


                                                     .......stained glass windows........


........and doors.........


This is the house, and it used to be the hospital in an earlier life, so has quite a history.


They have a fantastic garden, and I love these dahlias.



I left this morning, and took another detour to visit Neville's 89 year old aunty, who I had not seen for a few years.  A visit to my mum and dad in Murray Bridge was next, before heading south and home. It was only about 24 hours after I left, but really feels like I was gone for much longer.

Tomorrow it will back to work, on that quilt I showed yesterday. This is the largest quilt that I have ever loaded to Max and will take a few more days yet. And maybe there will be a call from Melbourne soon, and I will be off again?????

I shall be back soon, with a few quilt photos from the files.

Blessings, From Jude

4 comments:

Chookyblue...... said...

Lovely time catching up with family...... Yes you do need to stop and smell the roses........

Sue SA said...

You sure packed a lot into that trip Jude! Fingers crossed that you are on your way very soon to Melbourne for another happy event!

Susan Smith said...

I have been catching up with your news but silly blogger was playing up a week or so go & my comment on the retreat news disappeared into the nether. Anyway, you have certainly been busy & yes, the year is flying by. Your family time looks very enjoyable & you need that 'me' time before your big trip. Take care/

Raylene Edwards said...

You can’t go wrong with a LIST! A celebration is great for catching up with family you don’t often see. Exciting time ...we are all waiting for “NEWS FROM GRANNY JUDE”. 🍼