Bohemian Cafe and Bar

The Bohemian was our choice for an evening meal after a particularly hard day’s work.  It’s close to home, and we didn’t feel like walking much further.  Sadly the weather was a little too breezy for us to be able to sit outside and enjoy the river view.  I chose fish and chips, billed as a “light meal”, but the plate held more than I could manage.  Stephen’s pizza was equally generous.  The food was good value, and the ambience pleasant but, wanting to unwind, I would have appreciated a little less noise from the other patrons.  It was obvious that they were enjoying themselves.

“Those diners in the large mixed group
were certainly a happy troop.”

“Her Fearful Symmetry” by Audrey Niffenegger

Highlights of my foreign travel have been visits to Highgate and Montmartre Cemeteries, and this book had an extra fascination for me because it is set in and near Highgate Cemetery.  The story involves two generations of twins and the possibility of what could happen after we die.  As we learn more about each of the characters new layers of relationship are revealed.  This is a captivating novel, occasionally gruesome, but with much warmth and love. 

“I’ve wandered in amongst these tombs
midst tangled bushes, scented blooms.”

Avon Loop Abduction

Our green wheelie bin has disappeared.  I put it out last night, full of banksia prunings, and this morning it was gone.  Usually it’s collected just after 6am and I hear the truck emptying it, but this morning I heard nothing which leads me to believe it was stolen during the night.  I rang the Council, but was told I had to wait until the end of the day in case it turns up – surely not likely!

“I hate to be without my bin
what will I put the prunings in?”

“A Change in Altitude” by Anita Shreve

This book’s descriptions of life in Kenya were appealing, although the story was not as gripping as some I’ve read before by this author.  Basically it’s about how a marriage can be attacked by external events, and the way these might be dealt with.  A good read.

“Ascending mountains can bring stress
and is it better to confess?”

Forbidden Flowers

A friend has gone to hospital for an operation.  I wanted to send flowers and phoned to check on progress and find which ward she’d be in.  The nurse informed me that many wards in the hospital do not permit flowers and the ward where my friend is is one of these.  Apparently flowers remove too much oxygen from ther air and this could be detrimental to the patients’ health.  I’ve heard of this before (photosynthesis?), and seem to remember that flowers were sometimes removed at night, but I’ve never known them to be completely forbidden, even in the intensive care unit.  I asked what else I could send and a basket of fruit was suggested.  Does anyone have any other ideas for gifts for convalescent friends?

“If I was sick I’d love some flowers
to gaze at during lonely hours.”

Relating in Real Time

My beloved daughters live on the opposite side of the planet, and we all lead busy lives.  I appreciate the convenience of e-mail and free phone calls.  With Skype we can even see each other, but calls usually have to be planned in advance to organise a time when we’re both awake and at home.  One daughter plays Wordscraper on Facebook with me and I treasure that brief daily contact even if she’s asleep when I play my move and vice versa.

Early this morning I switched my home computer on to send an e-mail (not my usual morning habit) and there was a message to say a daughter was online on Skype.  I immediately placed a call, which she didn’t answer, so I sent a Skype message.  This elicited an immediate reply to say she was in a room full of people and couldn’t talk, and we had a couple more exchanges back and forth.  Our e-mails usually pass each other in the night, and this ‘real time’ communication was a pleasant bonus.  It might even inspire me to join the texting tribe.

‘Her instant answer was a thrill
dispelling early morning chill.”

“Good Harbor” by Anita Diamant

Friednship between two women is at the heart of this story.  As their relationship slowly develops old and new secrets are shared, and they find support not available elsewhere in their lives.  Glimpses of Jewish culture add to the flavour of this warm-hearted honest novel.

“They walk together by the sea
giving support mutually.”

Book binding

One of my favourite books had come to pieces, so I joined a book binding course at Hagley Community College.

This book needed re-binding

The tutor, (Jan) Ying Hua Jiang is very skilled.  During the first two sessions we made hand stitched books, one fully bound, and one half bound.

My two handmade books

Then we were taught to re-bind old books, and I am pleased that my treasured tome now has a new lease of life.

My damaged book now rebound

There are still three classes to go, but I’ve decided not to return.  I’ve fulfilled my aim of restoring my book, and three hours on a Thursday evening is a lot after a full day’s work, especially as I have other tasks to fill my evenings.  This course was ACE funded, and now the Government has cut funding to ‘hobby’ subjects I wondered whether the class may not continue.  However, people from Hagley have told me that as the course includes measuring it will probably fit into the numeracy area which the Government will still fund.  Future students will be offered the option of having their work assessed and be able to gain unit standards.

“I’m pleased to have rebound my book
and given it a better look.”

Ideal Island

The venue for today’s wedding was Otamahua/Quail Island, named for the native quails which are now extinct.  Our group of sixty first loaded food crates, folding chairs, etc, on to the Canterbury Cat for the fiteen minute trip across Lyttelton Harbour.  On disembarking we walked the short track to Swimmers’ Beach, each carrying some item for the celebration.  The setting was perfect and the many young children enjoyed exploring beach, trees, and tracks.

Wedding venue at Swimmers' Beach, Quail Island

 After the ceremony I left the others to enjoy their picnic feast in the sunshine and caught the boat back to Lyttelton.

The Canterbury Cat arriving at Quail Island jetty.

 This had been a very different place to have a wedding – one I’m sure the guests will long remember.

“Though not one quail did we see
the venue suited perfectly.”

Sandstorm

The wind, which was mild when we started our walk, soon turned to the south west.  It became cold with sand swirling all around us so we decided to turn back before the rain started.  We headed to a cafe for warming hot chocolate.

Swirling sand on Waimairi Beach

 ”It’s not a pleasant place to be
That beach, when sand is swirling free.”