Our New England Autumn Amble

above: John Stanley's 1926 12/50 ducksback Alvis at Gostwyck Church

 

Last weekend Armidale had a visit from the Alvis car club

and Graham and I spent the day with them to spread some Lotus magic!

There were about 20 Alvis cars and a few ring ins like us.

We met up with the others at their motel and travelled down the Dangarsleigh Road

stopping at the old Church at Gostwyck near Uralla.

 

As you can see by the photos the Gostwyck Church is a famous local photo spot,

especially when its in its autumn colours. (A special favourite for wedding photos).

After our photo stop we travelled on a short distance to the Phoenix Foundry for a tour.

The foundry is famous for making wrought iron lace work in its hey day.

Next – we continued to travel south to Walcha, ending up at the Apsley Falls.

Another one of the many famous waterfalls we have nearby in the New England,

and due to all the recent rain it was gushing.

We then headed for our lunch stop at a historic property called Langford near Walcha.

We pass by this house when we travel to Sydney and it was in disrepair for many years.

Its been nice to watch it being slowly restored over the last ten years

and I’ve always been curious about what its like inside.

So it was nice to have a look, and the owners took us for a tour of

the restored rooms. This is a huge labour of love.

The last stop of the day was at a property owned by the Whiteheads

to look at his collection of buxom curvy Lagondas.

And of course the dusty old shed with the dusty old projects in waiting.

 

Alvis Autumn Amble VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Until next time, Kim

Violets 80th Birthday Garden Party

The family decided that in honour of Violets 80th birthday

we should do something special.

above- that's me behind Vi’s head at the back…

 

So we organised a lovely garden party at Paul and Mel’s place.

Well, actually I suggested they volunteer their place.

(“But, I’m not bossy” says Kim,  – just ask any of my work colleagues -

I can hear their laughter ringing in my ears as they pick themselves up off the ground…..)

The day went off incredibly, wonderfully well,

the weather was glorious, and the food and company good.

Above: This is a scanned menu (on very lovely 2 sided Christina Re paper)

YES, I have been watching My Kitchen Rules!

I cooked most of the food, with Mel doing the salads, a lovely punch and a potato bake..

and of course I seriously over catered!

(My mantra – “Better to have too much than too little”)

Setting the tables.

I had a flower and butterfly theme.

Each guest had a little gift and there was a pretty menu on each setting.

The gifts were Jumbo Caramelo Koalas which I wrapped up

with a little gift card that I made online from Vista Print.

Gail made the most spectacular and delicious cupcakes –

she should go into business producing these for weddings and events as they were wonderful.

Jessica also made some Apple and Berry crumbles which were scrummy.

Kayden supervised the event.

 

Above: Putting the marquee away at the end of the day.

Ever tried to put a sleeping bag away in its cover? This was like a giant sleeping bag!! ha ha.

Phew – Good fun doing the organising but hopefully no other big parties for a while!

 

But I’ll forget and then it will be –

“I have an idea, why don’t we…..”

 

 

Until next time, Kim

Andrew's Graduation

Hey he's finally done it and he now has a piece of paper to say he can speak German proper!

But he's re-enrolled for another degree in Education

Hummm, I notice he dressed in 'Andrew Style' for the occasion.

We are very proud of you Andrew - well done on finishing this degree as I know it was a drag at the end.

Until next time ... Kim

Peta and William’s Summer Wedding

Graham, his mother and I have just been up to Brisbane for the Wedding of Peta and William.

Peta is the daughter of Graham’s Cousin Jeanette.

It was a lovely ceremony outside in a beautiful tropical garden.

 

Peta & William VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Until next time, Kim

Sick of rain

What is going on with this crazy weather – it rains and rains, and then for a change it drizzles.

What has happened to summer?

The house smells damp and the dogs are going mouldy.

But, the basil likes it…

Until next time, Kim

Getting sick of little black triangles…..

Update of the kaleidoscope quilts. I am about 85% finished the smaller one (Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered).

 

I’m going to put it away for a few months while I complete the larger quilt, which is about 75% complete.

Mainly as I’ve run out of room on the design walls.

I’m getting a little frustrated as I have a lot of plans for new projects, but I have a lot of old projects that I need to finish first!

Until next time, Kim

Welcome to the New Year

Hi all, I took a little break from the blog after having such an intensive blogging period during our Grand Tour. Thanks to all those who travelled along with us via the blog for your positive feedback.

So we have landed back to reality with a thump. Work has been busy and stressful. I spent the first five weeks after our return stepping up to the managers role. But now I am back to my normal shift work.

Christmas was quiet, as I worked. Andrew came over and we had a nice meal of middle eastern inspired lamb and salad, plus a spectacular Pavlova. Graham gave me the most brilliant Kenwood Chef for my birthday, so I was itching to use it and mixing up a meringue seemed to be a good christening.

Christmas 2012 will be different as I have already booked leave! YEH.

New Years Day we spent on a mystery run with the car club. Finally, a beautiful sunny day after what seems like weeks of rain! We ended up at Uralla's racecourse lagoon, which I never knew existed despite living in the area for over 17 years.

 

Last year was the year of the Grand Tour and this year I hope to be the year of the Grand Design. We have spent so much money on travel over the past 10 years that we have neglected house maintenance. Now everything needs to be done at once – from the floorboards to the roof tiles. So I am busy sketching plans and thinking about how we can improve our living environment.

We may yet throw up our hands in horror and just move! We will make a decision in the next month, because if we are going to renovate I need to get things organised.

Alfie wearing his reindeer antlers for Christmas.

He says “this is so humiliating, but I’ll let you do it cause I wub u mum”

I’ve been a bit slow getting back into the rhythm with my unfinished quilts, but I hope to give an update on my kaleidoscope project soon.

Until next time, Kim