#Driving

Forget about world peace. Visualise using your turn signal!

Good Morning to Thursday...31st, 5.56, Mum's weather station tells me 8.3dg outside which is not very winterly and it is persisting with rain, last night we had a good percussion display from the heavens. 10cm new snow overnight on TC and gusty Nor'west winds with snow showers forecast through the day. Thankfully today is not a day I have to take Mum out for any appointments, unlike yesterday, battling winds and driving rain with an infirm little sparrow on your arm is challenging. We are spending our days sorting her two bedroom Villa out to fit into a one room resthome situation so there is nothing speedy about anything we are having to do. We are making progress and the first cull is sometimes the easiest as Mum is doing a lot of the stuff largely unsupervised, but then we have to do the second cull together.... that is when the fun starts. With thanks to my Wanaka besties who are currently on Europe leave, I have a very smart little Mazda to tootle around in. It has been a while since I was behind the wheel, but I can still use an indicator stick, quite easy really. 

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The Land where I was born....

Aotearoa
Aotearoa is the Maori name for New Zealand,...
(literally, ao = cloud, tea = white, pale, roa = long). This could be translated as (the) long white cloud. It does not mean "Land of the Long White Cloud". In Māori that would be Te Whenua o Aotearoa.

As with many Māori place names, the context from which the name derives is important. Traditional accounts suggest that Hine-te-aparangi, wife of well known pacific navigator/explorer Kupe, after a long ocean going voyage, sighted a particular cloud aotea that usually indicates the presence of land. The term roa can also indicate a length of time. Thus, a more accurate translation could be 'It has been a long time since seeing a cloud that indicates land'.

Aotearoa is commonly given as the Māori name for New Zealand. Before the arrival of Europeans to the New Zealand, it probably only referred to the Te Ika a Maui (i.e., the North Island).
I left Christchurch in brilliant sunshine, out over the Canterbury Plains, across the mighty Waimakariri River, and it is the beautiful Southern Alps in it's winter coat....over South Canterbury, then it is long white cloud time through the McKenzie basin, sadly as we passed Aoraki Mount Cook home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers, it was in hiding. The Mt Cook National Park (also known as Aoraki National Park) is alpine in the purest sense - with skyscraping peaks, glaciers and permanent snow fields.
Mt Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand, helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of Everest.

According to Ngai Tahu legend, Aoraki and his three brothers were the sons of Rakinui, the Sky Father. While on a sea voyage, their canoe overturned on a reef. When the brothers climbed on top of their canoe, the freezing south wind turned them to stone. The canoe became the South Island (Te Waka o Aoraki); Aoraki and his brothers became the peaks of the Southern Alps.
Then it is into the Southern Lakes region, over Lake Wanaka and the Cardrona skifield in flat light, across the Crown Range and into Queenstown where we did circuits for a while and came in over Lake Wakatipu from the Glenorchy end. Perfect. Over the hill with friends as chauffers and into Wanaka... home for two weeks with Mama.

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#Life

Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.

Good Morning to Monday 28th, 7.47, hovering around 0dg, forecasting a clear sunny day... perfect and the forecast for Wanaka / Queenstown is for the same. A very smiley face as that means no diversion into Invercargill and bus to Wanaka as can happen if the weather is a true winter's day in Queenstown. Oh Yay !!! Busy busy time in Christchurch, now it is time to say goodbye to this part of my family and head South to spend big and busy days with my Mama. Incoming challenge. Resthome sorted, decision made, now I have to start what my sisters will have to finish in my absence. Yesterday made me feel so sad after leaving the viewing of a lovely facility I could have just cried, but the writing is very much on the wall and so it is. So incoming Queenstown / Wanaka where I will do my best for the next two weeks with some hope of some lovely kind winter weather. The winter does seem to be a little mild and I read today that they have cancelled the Mt Hutt Master races due to lack of good snow pack in the race arena. What a shame for those that participate in the annual weekend. After the South Island it is into the North Island... Poppet time.

#Conscience #ShopTillYouDrop

A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
Good Morning Saturday...26th, 8.26, 0dg, clear and sunny out the window forecasting a good winters day in Christchurch. I have been blessed with the weather, v cold but mostly dry and that is fine by me for what I have been doing in getting around by bus. Yesterday I went into a shopping area I know well and one that is totally intact and humming post earthquake. I chose not to go into the central city area of Christchurch as I do not recognise much of it really after the devastating earthquakes, it is way too sad for me, so I cannot begin to guess how the residents of Christchurch must feel, and after such a long time, so much of it all seems to just be limping along. I think it comes under the red tape v insurance companies v Government v Earthquake and War commission v residents file. I find it tragic that so many are still forced to have everything in their lives on hold. And so I shopped in order to help fuel the Christchurch economy... as you should!! ... winter sales are on, as the summer ones were on in Singapore...   I have finally found a pair of replacement boots that I have been searching for for the last year so with those and all the other on sale bits and bobs a thoroughly excellent couple of retail days. I found a cutie pie range of Merino wool dresses, jackets, tops and leggings that had the Poppet's name written all over them in pink and orange stripes and hearts, mix and match, all at half price so she will be a cosy little rabbit. I spent a lovely, late afternoon, couple of hours with the Mother of the Bride... they had hunted me down at the hairdressers!!! so we were chauffered back to home and spent a happy time in catch up and discussion over a delicious bottle of Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc. So for today, Saturday is a day to spend with my sister and brother in law, sit down catch up, discuss options for our ageing and failing Mother, then a couple of things to do and places to check out with incoming friends for a dinner party tonight. My little feet are never still for long, and in all honesty, my conscience is still working well, but keeping me in check ?... that is another story.

#I❤NewZealand

Hello Canterbury.... I think it is Good Morning to Thursday...24th, 11.18, blinking jolly cold at 9dg... that is a serious Brrrr factor after Singapore at 35dg. Good flight with sleep!! Brilliant crew as always on Singapore and a seamless flight supping Bolly and dining on NZ lamb.  . Landed in lovely sunshine semi prepared for the cold but bare feet in my Birkies..opps!!! $50.00 for a taxi out to my sister and brother in law.. gulp, but ooohhh it is nice to be here, and on my NZ passport for the first time  My next three days are just chilling, quite literally, quietly here in ChCh in preparation for my flight on Monday to Wanaka to spend time with my Mother. Suitcases sorted and repacked for the next two parts of the trip... leave one here filled with Poppity things and wedding finery, and take the warm and wooly to Wanaka. All in all a good day and a very smiley face.

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#I❤Singapore

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.

Good Morning to Wednesday... 23rd, 7.20, 28dg, forecasting another Singapore stunner. Yesterday was a day that even for me was too hot to be on a lounger. Had good pool time and some swimming practise but my knee does not like breast stroke as it is a sideways movement and my stupid knee has decided that sideways does not work yet. This had better sort itself before the winter. Just saying. Because of the extreme heat I figured it a good idea to be inside where the air conditioning is so pleasant... that is a good excuse, as in any other language that means retail. I think I have done a deal on my belated Birthday present. :) One thing I did do late afternoon was sit pavement side in the Marriott bar and grill for a little people watching and refresher, well two really, in the variety from Marlborough, nice and chilly... Jeez... SD $49.50. Bottle price for glasses!!  Saying that I just love Singapore.. if it had mountains I would be in seventh heaven. Logistics of snow and these temps is a biggie so Austria it is at the moment. I was going to walk out to the riverside dining strip last night for supper but the heat was a massive disincentive by the end of a day already spent walking, so lovely sour crisp Granny Smith apples and almonds for supper instead. A few last minute walk and do things for today, a cruise really, and then I am back air bound, 19.45, incoming Christchurch.  The temperature change will be a massive shock so a little juggling of the cases so I am organised to have something warm to wear on arrival... looking at the forecaster, fine but only 8-9dg.  Now the airspace over Tel Aviv has been declared a no fly zone for a period of up to 36 hours as Israel struggles with problems between Israel and militants in the Gaza... It is a jittery travel world at the moment.

#GoodwoodParkHotel #TheBest

Good Morning to Tuesday...22nd, 8.22, high broken overcast early, as you do in Singapore, forecasting hot n sunny and 30dg. Mmmmmm Yesterday was an easy sort of day. Fab flight on Singapore Airlines, brilliant onboard people. Installed back in my, always stay here, hotel Goodwood Park. So wonderful as a returning guest. I spent the day lying poolside, in all honesty, probably with my mouth open just a little. Thankfully not too many by my pool area at that hour of day. !! Took my legs for a circulation mover early afternoon to get " supplies " and had a wander looking for an appropriate birthday present for myself... not decided on yet. Back onto the sun lounger by the pool for an afternoon top up. I use the back pools that are not as open to the sky as the main pool but even so the heat had this girl mopping the brow. My leg has been behaving as it should, even though there is still a lot of TLC required pre flight, during flight and after, but the bulge on the shin is just sitting quietly.. and I am in flats for the moment !! Today is sadly just more of the same as yesterday... poolside after a long leisurely breakfast, then a little retail touring when it is cooler. Later this evening I may walk out riverside to cruise the restaurants.. the world is my uncomplicated little oyster for these couple of days in Singapore. FYI... as my sink is a bathroom one then the glasses are just on the bench... A leopard never changes it's spots, and then why should it. Bliss.

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#OnTheMove

Me to a " T " today.... God Morning to Sunday... 19th, 9.01, Zurich Flughafen on a sunny day, in lounge having a rest... Heavens last night's dive from Airbnb was a true test of my already fraying nerves... not helped by the greek Git that owned the dump being incommunicado. The help section on issues with Airbnb host and accomodation was about as useful as tits on a bull... I am still waiting to hear the fact that they are resolving the problem, only rising 20 hours after I filed a formal complaint... a full refund is about the only thing that would make me happy with the company and the host. If I was not an Airbnb host myself I would never use them again. So sitting quietly one coffee down about to get the second then all will be right with the world. Into Singapore then it is poolside for three days.....

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#Saturday

Good Morning to Saturday...19th, 6.10, 16.1dg forecasting a blinder today and then weather is returning to all seasons next all of week... Well at least all the tubs will be watered in my absence !!! Yesterday was just a ticking off rats and mice day, thankfully in a slightly less frantic mode than the previous day. I think I am done... but you always get those little niggles, did I remember to, have I, is it off ? I have, It is and it will be. Lordy have I got luggage... quite a bit to leave here there and for others, but all the same luggage. Today we head into Zurich for an overnighter and an early departure for me Sunday. With the tragic news about Malaysian Airlines and now the need for full batteries on all phones, computers and tablets, I am assuming that the security checkin may be a little slower than normal. Singapore Air were very quick with the emails yesterday to say they have suspended all flights over the area, not that I fly that direction, but you do take a moments pause to think. There, but for the grace of God go I. Absolutely tragic for the families and friends, tragic, and for Malaysian Air, the second devastating incident. So, the world continues to turn and we are lucky enough to go about our lives. Last minute things to finish and then off. The weather where I am going in the South Island sounds wintry.. yesterday here was 32.5dg in the shade at 17.00, today they say higher, the next three days will be similar where I will be, then it is straight into the ChCh winter ... crazy crazy. The conundrum being the clothing choices!! I cannot believe that it is already July 19th. Bump bump, wiggle wiggle 

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#FinalStages

Coffee makes my mornings. But Friday makes my week

Good Morning to Friday...18th, 6.44, 13.5dg, forecasting a better stunner than yesterday with highs in the 30's... wooo summer has arrived. Yesterday my own private Butler changed hats... quite literally.. and became my own personal hedge cutter as I have been prohibited from ladder work . Jobs a plenty inside and out and all being achieved, slowly in high heat for those unfortunate to be assigned the outdoor things. Last full day in Schruns, then we are all on the move. A social evening last night away from the house, so all my boxes ticked with that. Fridge nearly empty of edibles, cases are looking a little more organised, oil delivered yesterday, last bits to do today, terrasse tubs in a row, and lastly organise the mail...Tick, tick, tick. Tomorrow we head to Zurich for the night and then it is " so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye....goodbye, goodbye, goodbye "

#Time

How long a minute is depends on which side of the bathroom door you're on.

Good Morning to Thursday...17th, 5.25, 14.6dg, forecasting a super summer stunner again. Yesterday was a fantastic, sunny, hot day with quite a gusty warm wind in the afternoon, dying out in time for dinner outside. Perfect. A quick trip in to the village to do rats and mice, order cash, and a handful of necessities. A little more packing and fine tuning on selections... with a little help from resident New Zealand. It is nice to have a second opinion on occasion. One stayed in house with me and the Butler went off to play 9 holes in the late morning heat. Brave. We are down to hand holding to gauge weights of combined jackets against one long coat....Heaven knows what the combined suitcase weights will be in the end!! Sun lounger time after lunch briefly and then it was time for my last conversation with my Wednesday Girls. Many and varied topics as always and a lovely way to spend an hour. We had an easy supper outside then a wander in the balmy evening. Today is another day hopefully that bit closer to closing the cases, and finishing things that need to be done. Time waits for no one, but a little control is always a help. Happy busy Thursday. 

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#MuchToDo

The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob also turns to the left....

Good Morning to Wednesday...16th, 6.55, 12.6dg, forecasting a proper summers day with temps of 30dg. Yes. Then for tomorrow the same but with more heat... high five that !!! Shame of it is that I cannot do my lounge lizard impression as there is just too much to finish... the critical things like suitcases... although all the social finery has been sorted accessorised and packed, now it is just working out the "keep warm" clothing and how I can look as though I have some changes without having many !! Travelling from high summer into deepest winter, well New Zealand winter, does require bulky stuff. In glorious weather yesterday we went out to do search and find.. the garden centre to get a replacement acer, sorted, lunch in Hohenems, eaten but no raves there, then to Paulii's dream place, the Mega Baumax building centre to get replacement wood, paint, pipe insulators and so and so.... My Butler and his side kick the Maid will be here and there in Europe while I am away and so will come back here to the house at some stage and be uber useful...   Bless. Last night my Tuesday Girls came and we did our last conversation until my return, then it was supposed to be a simple clear out Bar-B-Que supper and early to bed for this girl. My powers of recovery are certainly not as they used to be !! No, it was not simple and early to bed.. yes we did some more clearing of the fridge which was fab, with the help of an unexpected guest, but the consequence of that was I was not in bed until after midnight. Too Too Old. Today is the final conversation for my Wednesday Girls, the weather is going to be perfect, my Butler may go and play golf with some of the party goers from Sunday, but I am in simple focus mode. Places to go, things to do. The second sign of maturity may well be to learn that water is a great hydrator when one is in social mode!!! Say no more.

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#NewDay #ClearHead

My hobby is collecting empty bottles, which sounds so much better than 'alcoholic'.

Good Morning to Tuesday...15th, 5.57, 15.5dg, forecasting a clearing sky and sun. Yesterday the sun came and stayed a while. Lunch on the terasse in the sun, fantastic, and it was a day to go slowly yesterday, just cleaning up, washing up, straightening and sorting. Talk about glasses. If I was a caterer the first thing I would buy would be a specially designed dishwasher for stems!! Today it is stand clear of moving parts sort of day. There are things to achieve and four days in which to do them all. I am going to have to become a finely tuned machine to do it I am thinking. Many hands make the work a lot easier, and while I have many hands then the jobs that are now impossible for me to do alone can get done... see, you get a year older and with that comes a little more sense and sensibility... that is my story anyway. Tuesday is re-cycling day. Thank goodness we are in possession of a car. The amount of trips I would have to make up the hill with my trusty trailer to remove all evidence of a busy busy weekend would be just plain embarrassing because the noise and clunking over the berms is a dead give away!! So new day, head in gear, body half a pace behind but under control, and things to do, places to go. Gosh yesterday was slow, I think the tanks were empty. 

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#Finished

Good Morning to Monday... 14th, 6.10, 13.8dg, 1.8ml, forecasting a cloudy damp day. Wow, wow... so yesterday has been and gone... what an absolutely fantastic day. A massive thank you has to go to my butler and my maid... heavens, without them I do not think the day would have gone nearly so well. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends, and doubly blessed that so many lovely people came and celebrated the day with me. The day was a massive success starting at 11.30 and we closed the door at 20.30. I think it is safe to say I am feeling a little tired, so today will be a slow clean up and clear down day without any need for anything else to be done. Thank you all for your Birthday wishes.   Now it is time to start the suitcases !!

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#Social #BubblesTime

Good Morning to Saturday...12th, 5.32, 13.7dg, 19.6ml since I was seen last, VB cold, forecasting sun and afternoon showers today and the same for tomorrow. Friday was a day lost spending it in recovery mode, in amongst trying to find some brain cells that still had enough power in them to keep moving with the list of things I needed to achieve before 11.30am Sunday. The problem was the arrival from New Zealand via Bali and Greece Friday afternoon... so what was an orderly drink  while I cook, arrange the flowers and socialise with a friend and her little through the afternoon, really just picked up the pace by five notches and the consequence of that was a very seedy Moochie yesterday, like seriously seedy. But how blessed I am to have my Besties back in Schruns.  My early control appointment Friday morning with the hospital did not really give me the results I wanted. They decided that it was not a good idea to open the front area of the leg to drain the haematoma because of my impending flights, so I am back in a plaster bandage until I leave and then I have to go back to giving myself anti thrombosis injections before each flight, wearing the super sexy stockings. I know the leg isn't good, so it was not a happy face on Friday... not at all. And it is wet and it is cold. God is not going to deliver the super gorgeous weather day requested for Sunday. So the small lack of self control, to my way of thinking, is adequately justified on all counts. Today is more of yesterday, ticking off the work to do on the lists so there is a minimum of fuss tomorrow. Table top change from small to large, and positioning everything for the possibility of being inside rather than out. Positive vibes, positive vibes. It will have to be flat shoes with a party dress... not the look I was after and nor is the beautiful stark white bandage from toes to misbehaving knee. La La La... Jeez. So you see why prepping for the weekend is a good idea.

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#That'sMeWithTheBubblyInHand

Warning: Dates in Calendar are closer than they appear.
Good Morning to Thursday...10th, 5.39, 10.8dg, 7.7ml in the last 24hrs, fresh snow up high, forecasting a grey and uninspiring day but should be dry... Ohhh yay!!! Yesterday was just plain wet, wet and cold. Summer. Saying that it does get inside things done when you can't be outside enjoying sun and heat. Her from Wanaka is arriving today after spending nearly a month in 40dg heat in Greece... jeez is she going to get a shock !! Yesterday was an early call to the hairdresser only for colour as I am thinking I may need a little length for the NZ winter. Done. Home to cook lunch and test drive another new bubbly ... I am enjoying the ability to spend the week doing consumer testing... it is all for such a good cause. Once my needs were met it was back into finger food prepping. I am on top of it. Well I was until 12.30 this morning when I woke in a bit of a fluff as to the number of people coming. Resolved to write a proper list this morning to give me an idea of quantities... Smile...love me or hate me... Es ist egal !! The Wednesday girls came for there 16.00 conversation and our topic was the epic football game from the previous night. I left them to go into town for the usual and I stayed home doing more kitchen work. Shiny Halo!!! Today is another early call.. this one for D day at the hospital. One good thing about it is hopefully I will be able to have a proper shower tomorrow.. you know the kind where you get your whole body wet under an overhead stream of hot water. Hopefully the Doctors will say good to go. Fingers crossed as this is really tedious. Incoming besties tonight, ETA in time for, in his words, PDD. Fantastic, now I just need to do the dinner.

#RainRainGoAway

A clean desk is a sign of a cluttered drawer.

Good Morning to Wednesday...9th, 5.21, 11.4dg, 29.2 ml rain in the last 24hrs, and no, it hasn't stopped since this time yesterday morning and they forecast rain for the best part of today. Yesterday just persisted all day without a break...fine, inside things done. Broken the back of a lot of pre prep with the food, that then creates a freezer shuffle which is never a bad thing. Spent more time in the office making decisions about send, keep or biff, and have still not been into the attic. The time is literally flying so that may have to be detailed for autumn. The spare bedroom looks like a bomb site, between the boxes of books and my open WIP suitcases. Today starts with an early call to the hairdressers, and then back to do more in the kitchen. Menu tickled for time and early prep... good to go. I do the big shop tomorrow after the hospital appointment... see that is thinking positively!!! If I was a betting person, which I am not, I am not so sure about the leg. Full stop. News on the wires this morning was that Germany "trounced" Brazil last night. I had my doubts that Germany would do it... I cancelled my Tuesday girls yesterday evening after one rang to say she couldn't come because of the game and two were on holiday, that only left one available and conversation groups don't converse with only one. Sadly my hopes for a beautiful summery Sunday are not going to be realised, the prediction is for the four seasons over the day..... Rats. On a brighter note, I have a little bit of New Zealand incoming tomorrow   

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#BubblesOnTap

Some days it's not worth chewing through the straps.

Good Morning to Tuesday...8th, 5.40, 16.1dg, 1.8ml overnight forecasting a good amount of rain through the day. Ten day forecast say I may just slide in for Sunday on the right side of whoppeeee... Yesterday had me sitting back in A and E for the interminable wait as all the hospital systems are under avalanche, not helped by moronic imbeciles like me. Such a lovely couple of doctors, it almost makes it a pleasure to visit !!! Without the boring bits I am now in a variety of uncomfortable plaster bandage from knee to arch of foot to stabilise and pressure the haematoma down, until Thursday when I have to return and then it is D day. This baby isn't going quietly, and they cannot draw it out with syringe only by opening the leg and draining it. In the meantime I cannot remove the plaster bandage or get it wet. I am thankful for my NZ heritage as I learn to adapt to other means of washing  No exercise, but am allowed to walk.. small mercies. I am positive at the moment, but I was warned yesterday that flying may be tricky if they have to open the leg. Hey... a girl needs options, either that or a bloody great big bottle of something cool and bubbly to help the nasty medicine go down. Today I am going to spend the cool and rainy weather day in the kitchen.. full gas prep for the aperitivo food selection, lunch menu planned and shopping list done. My next job is to organise the wine fridge in the cellar with only that that we will be using for Sunday, rather than an eclectic mix of what ever takes my fancy as it is at the mo. Have been trying to buy a large tin bath to fill with ice for the terrasse, that has been an interesting task and one not complete at the moment...it just saves someones legs going up and down to the cellar refrigerator for freshies. It will not be me as I am hoping that I will present in high heels on Sunday!!!! I am liking the idea of the option presented 

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