Quote for the day:
“If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow” by Beyonce
Welcome to day 17, another fabulous autumn day in paradise. It occurred to me today that I think I live in paradise because of my own environment and my life style. If you have just lost your job, got several kids at home with no area outside for them to run around and get rid of that excess energy, you probably don’t think you live in paradise. If you are a small business owner with employees (who depend on you) and not knowing how long this lock-down is going to last – it is unlikely to feel as though you are living in paradise. What we class as ‘paradise’ will solely depend on our own circumstances. What do you think?
If you have missed reading day 16’s comments click here to catch up. I really appreciate you taking the time to post your comments, it’s what makes this blog most interesting – thank you.
Small business in rural Waikato
Saturday morning is my longer bike ride day, where I venture a little further away from home 
(on my own) and on the look-out for small rural businesses. Today’s business “The Clock & Watch Workshop“, 179 Te Miro Road, Te Miro. Roger Jennings is a Horologist. He repairs clocks, watches and barometers. I can recommend Roger as he repaired my grandfather clock a few years back and my clock hasn’t missed a beat since. He loves to chat and if you are interested he’ll show you his collection of clocks etc. The setting is quite beautiful as you can see in the photograph on the right. The photo is not that clear, again the sun was in the wrong direction, actually I choose the wrong time of the day to take the photo, but you get the gist!
The drive up to Roger’s business (about half way up the hill to Te Miro) is worthwhile, (of course once this lock-down is finished).
Signs of autumn
This garden reminded me of my mum’s garden out at Ratapiko many many years ago. Then it was quite common for homes of farming families to have gardens on the verge of the road. The lady that has planted this garden did so because she was waiting for her new house to be built and wanted to get a flower garden started. I loved the bird house, and the garden is full of colour, quite beautiful at this time of the year.
To-do list
- Transplanted two hydrangeas and divided and planted 4 clumps of Japanese iris (gee they’re hard to divide up)
- Started emptying the compost bin, getting garden ready for dividing up the clivia plants. (My garden very dry)
- Had virtual drinkies this afternoon with good friends – always good catching up
What can you tick off your to-do list today?
Well that is it for day 17, the days are ticking by quite quickly, don’t you agree? Look forward to hearing about your happenings and events.
Be patient and be kind to yourself and everyone else in your bubble, Take care – Goldcard Gal 🙂
Great to see some rain after I had been moving a few things in the garden yesterday. Did not get out for a walk today as the weather put us off. Worked on my book again, it is slowly coming together. The leaves on the mighty oak across the road are turning red. Last year we left for the USA before the leaves fell and they were all gone by the time we got back.
Had a lazy Dr Oetka frozen pizza dinner followed by Rustic Apple Pie made by Chef Sara Lee. Being doing a lot of reading. have just finsihed “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Elizabeth Wilkerson, winner of the Pulitzer Prize. It is an account of the great migration of Black
Americans to the north and west. Keep safe and follow the rules and we should all be OK.
Thank you Alison, I do enjoy hearing what people are up to in lock-down. You will be feeling pleased with the progress on your next book – well done. 🙂
Lockdown day 17.
Head line that caught my attention this morning:
“Czech nudists told to wear face masks by police”
Grumble day!
Why are the NZ police not policing the Helmet Laws?
The lockdown has brought Uncle Tom Cobbly and All out onto bikes.
Many young to middle aged adults who have not been on bikes since they lost interest at 12 years of age are suddenly swamping our roads, pavements and byways.
Gangling awkward and dangerously unstable they perambulate along sometimes alone, but mostly in family groups.
The most common feature is the kids all with helmets and the adults without.
Aside from the absurd issue of E scooter riders not being required to wear helmets but cyclist force to do so, there is a ban on swimming, surfing, and other such pursuits as being dangerous enough that they “may” place unnecessary demands on rescue, recovery and repair for the essential services.
Where is the consistency in legislation, law writing and enforcement?
Maybe the police have better or more important things to do like attending an increasing load of domestic violence call outs.
Don’t get me wrong, I have cycled in 3 continents and in many countries both for pleasure and competition and know full well the value of wearing a helmet.
If cycling is recognized as I believe it should be, a sensible way to travel, keep fit and healthy and to commute especially at this time, then it follows that the laws for doing so safely are also required to be practiced and enforced.
If not, then it also follows that the laws themselves are wrong or poorly written.
The medical profession advocates helmets because of the injuries they see and have to deal with.
Head injuries are usually fairly traumatic and usually come from striking the head against the ground. If it gets squashed by a car or truck, it is usually over.
Mum and Dads being the main support and care givers of families, if injured in simple falls while out exercising during the lockdown will become another unnecessary Covid 19 statistic.
Rant over! Time for lunch.
Enforced riding on the wind trainer be it because of adverse weather conditions, injury or as now because of enforcement is a not some thing most people would say they enjoy.
Approaching it as way of retaining fitness, together with certain level of stress and calm inducement for me has become exactly that. Enjoyment!
The mind can wander, with no traffic to worry about or road works, pot holes, punctures, etc.
I can be drifting down a quiet lane in Wales or steadily climbing a major mountain pass in the high country of Europe, the next moment riding in a chain gang of elite athletes and feeling the adrenaline that comes with performance.
Better still, when finished, go straight in doors have shower and know that I feel better than when I started.
The only thing missing is the company, but if by allowing imagination to creep in even that can be simulated.
For example today I rode along with my all time hero Tom Simpson who I met on the road to Little Dribbling. Once I worked out what he was saying in his strong Yorkshire accent, we had a marvelous time.
So today was my day, the Tour de Garage can wait. We travelled all over the Yorkshire Dales and across into the Lake District, The weather was a goldilocks day, not to hot, not to cold, the sun was shining and the wind was from behind.
We stopped for a pint at the Muddy Duck pub and then trundled on into the evening.
Then I went inside, had a shower and fired up the BBQ.
What’s with this “being bored” riding a wind trainer?
Unhurried in Hamilton
Nice long interesting update Heather.Its raining here in Wanaka at the moment.Is this the end of the golden weather?;I hope not: Last night we watched the Beatles story on Choice TV. It bought back memories of my childhood. I was only 10.Memories of JFK and Martin Luther King. The swinging sixties- it felt like something special was going on and I was only a little kid.My sisters would argue who was the best Elvis or Cliff. I’m a hugh Elvis fan and my vote was there. Of course I was silence as my sisters are older than me. Today we are sorting more of our Hamilton stuff as we work on putting 2 houses into 1. Recycling and the Sallies have done very well thru the process to date. I also did my UK blog; the friends over there are getting frustrated with lock down as they are all over 70. On line shopping is very slow, not seeing friends and family and wondering where it will all end.Btw it’s still raining here: sounds like a real west coast mountain rain: yours I-Solution Wanaka
Great to hear from you “I-Solution Wanaka” and hear about your happenings – thank you. Thanks for sharing your childhood memories, I remember my older sister was a huge Elvis and Beatles fan! Happy downsizing, it seems to be a common activity for those people of a certain age – but you have a different excuse – 2 houses into 1 – good luck!! 🙂
Hello day 17. Made my feijoa chutney this morning, thanks for the recipe Heather. Looks good. Tried my hand at click and collect for the first time yesterday afternoon. Found the site, ordered my groceries, weird finding what you want when just used to ordinary shopping in the store. Got right through to check out only to discover that before I had ordered anything I had to be registered. Oh well, 2 hours later feeling fed up with the computer and all things electronic settled down to read my book, much more relaxing. I took a leaf out of your book Heather and was grateful that at least I can order our groceries and have the ability to pay for them, as you say many others not in the same situation. My second order was not as expensive so not sure what I actually forgot the second time around. Guess I will discover that when I need it. Had to settled for chilli baked beans on toast for lunch today as that was the only sort I had left in the pantry. Not an ideal way to eat them usually better with mince, chips and cheese. Enjoy the rain that is forecast for tomorrow and thanks to everyone who is staying in their bubble, we can all get through this as Jacinda keeps telling us.
Great to hear feijoa chutney is made, looks pretty good from photograph “Carly of Tamahere”. Good on your persisting with the “Click and Collect”. Yes looking forward to the rain, you know is was supposed to come today??? Still waiting. Thanks for your updates! 🙂