Warm and cosy

The weather has been totally foul this week, just the kind that makes you want to snuggle and be warm. Unfortunately, our homes in South-east Queensland are more suited for hot weather, so it is necessary to rug up well when we do have a cold snap.

I have been knitting a bit lately and produced the ruffled scarf in time to get some use from it. The mohair one is for my daughter, but I'm not sure if it will get any use this winter. I'd forgotten that mohair can be a bit tricky if you need to go back to fix a mistake and sadly, this lacy pattern has meant a bit of frogging. Grr... It's just not growing as quickly as I wanted. And, of course, now the weather is improving!!!

A very pretty lady

Last time I posted about my weekend in Bundaberg. On the Saturday, there was an open day at the school, with lots of displays and stalls. One lady was selling beautiful handmade dolls and bears and giving the proceeds to the school. Her work was gorgeous and I couldn't resist this pretty lady.

I have named her Grace. I had to get cross with her maker though; she wasn't charging enough for all the work and materials put into her dolls.

Back in business... sort of

I've been absent from blogland for a bit I know, no particular reason, just a bit distracted by other things going on around me. I have been reading other's posts... just not commenting much.
Anyway, I'm back... I think.
On the long weekend I travelled back in time... to my old high school, which is in its centenary year. I attended two high schools actually, Bundaberg was where I spent the last three years of secondary education. There were lots of events going on and it was fun catching up with former schoolmates.
This is the school now, it didn't look like this when I was there.

There's not much of the original building left and it's hidden behind new ones. This is the weather vane on the top of the old building.

Here I am, standing near my old home room.

Great weekend, and although the weather was a bit unpredictable, the rain held off for all the important things.

Visiting friends

Last Friday a National Trust group visited this gorgeous house in Ipswich as part of a bus trip. I wasn't on the bus of course as I live here, and because the owners of the house are friends of mine, I went over early to help with the setting up. It was a beautiful day and its beauty was only exceeded by the morning tea.

The owners won a Heritage award for their restoration of this house; when they bought it, it was divided into two flats and the verandahs were enclosed. The garden is also delightful and has been part of the Open Garden scheme.

Even the birds were impressed, although, as you can see, there wasn't much left for them.

After a lovely lunch at the nearby City View Hotel (not that we needed it!) we visited the Antiques Centre for a leisurely browse.

Just a lovely day out, and best of all, I didn't have far to travel home.

On Show

Our local show was held over the weekend and I went along on Saturday, mainly to check out my quilt and other crafts.

Not a very good picture I'm afraid, and sad to say, I didn't get a prize either. There wasn't a lot of quilts entered and although most of them were nice, the champion quilt was a standout. 

The photography section was excellent as were the flower displays.. the orchids were divine!

And it wouldn't be a show without one of these.. now would it.

Oh... and as you can see... the weather was perfect!

Way out West

I have just spent a couple of days in Perth. I was there for an education workshop, representing the National Trust. I have not been to Perth before and I must say I think it would be an easy city to live in. That's only a fleeting first impression of course but I thought it had some lovely old buildings.

This is His Majesty's Theatre, obviously built after Queen Victoria died in 1901.

The workshop was held in this building which was originally the residence of the Government Astronomer. The observatory where he worked has been demolished. This is now the headquarters of the National Trust Western Australia.

On Tuesday afternoon we went to Fremantle to see this house which belongs to the Trust. It was home to the Samson family.

Many of the neighbouring houses had towers like this, presumably to get great ocean views. I wonder how long they sat up there, gazing out? 

And this is the view they were looking at; the Indian Ocean. From the house we wandered down into the town with a very knowledgeable guide named Mike. This photo was taken from near the Roundhouse (the original Fremantle prison) just on dusk. Rottnest Island is out there on the horizon.

Flitting from one side of the continent to the other in a couple of days is a bit tiring, but I had a great time... oh.. and did a bit of work too! 

Mother's Day

Muriel 1925 - 2001

Miss you Mum.