Where does the time go to?

Where does the time go to?    One minute it was New Years Eve, then we visited New Zealand, and now April is nearly finished.     

Where do I start with this blog?   So much has been happening during the past six weeks.   I certainly cannot complain about boredom, or that I am stuck in a rut, or life is passing me by or just inactivity.    Certainly we are not living a Darby and Joan lifestyle anymore, in our comfortable chairs, in our small heated maisonette, in the UK.  In between travels, that is. 

Here we have space, in our house, in our garden and in the area around us, and more than enough to do, without the travel.

But not to procrastinate.  

Port Willunga Beach.    Such a beautiful setting. and now that summer is finished and most people have left their holiday houses, we have it to ourselves, and the other local residents of course.

Piper loves this beach, especially when I throw the ball to her, which she now returns mostly.   But now and again she takes it into the water, where she leaves it for me to collect.    No sense it wearing jeans or sneakers during the ball games.   A definite wet feet and legs time. She also loves playing with the other dogs, and no escaping either, due to the high cliffs.

Just a few posts sticking out of the sand.   All that is left of the old wharf that was here, and the reason why it is called Port Willunga.    The township of Willunga is about five kms inland from here.

The old road that leads down to the beach, where once the horses and carts would walk down to the small ships anchored at the wharf.   I think the freight mostly consisted of slate and stone, which was mined here, plus grain too.

Another lovely walk with Piper, on the reserve alongside Aldinga Scrub, and around the wetlands.    Due to it being a conservation area, dogs are not allowed into the scrub area, and today I noticed signs on the fences by the houses, which informed walkers that no dogs were allowed in the wetlands either.    However, there are no signs on the reserve end, so perhaps the ruling does not always apply.   Not that I would let Piper off the lead, not with those large kangaroos around, plus snakes and she would annoy the beautiful water birds as well.

We have not had rain, other than a few light showers, since early December.    The ground is extremely dry.

Our new coffee machine!   And we do not have five coffee machines, only three, and two of those are pod machines.    Our trusty bean to cup machine died, and ended up in the electronic collection at Bunnings.   Then our very old handle machine, which was stored in cupboards, also died, due to the seals drying out.   It obviously did not like being stored for years.    That coffee machine ended up at the scrap metal dealers, who gave us some money for it.

And now we have a super new machine, together with a grinder and 'knocking box' which were also purchased over the years, in case we went back to a handle coffee machine again.   All for the sake of a good cup of coffee.

This one looks as if it has a face on the front, and when the on/off button flashes, I swear that it is winking at me.   Very disturbing.

We are enjoying the lemons, conveniently grown on the other side of the fence.    We have been given permission to pick the lemons, by the way.    Lemon juice for breakfast every morning now.

To be honest we have not had too many huntsman spiders, but this extremely large one surprised me when I took the lid off the pool filter.   Walter very kindly chased it, and it went under the patio beside the pool.    I now lift the lid very apprehensively.

I have very few photos of family events, and we have had many of them.   Steve's mother, Chris, visited Emma and Steve, and it was lovely to see her.  We also celebrated quite a few birthdays, for Jespa, Steve, Walter, Andreena and Patrick.    All were great events.   One at our house, one at Steve and Emma's new house, which was combined with their house warming, and one at Andreena and John's house in Gawler.   

The only photograph I have is of Jespa cutting his birthday cake, an elaborate and delicious affair, made by Isabel.   Isabel has become the family cake maker, and produces mouth watering cakes.

Piper takes up much of our time, and she is turning into a gorgeous and most loveable dog.   Except when she takes a liking to chewing something.    She chewed through the cords on our tall lamp, luckily it was not plugged in, destroyed her toy box, and all her soft toys are now rags, due to her taking the stuffing out of them.   But mostly she is very placid, and we try to keep her busy, early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when boredom sets in.    In the photograph below whe is waiting for Walter to throw a ball to her, her favourite pastime.    Luckily we have plenty of room.

Walter belongs to the bowling club, which he enjoys very much.   I still go on the U3A bike rides and walks, both of which are very enjoyable now that the weather is cooler.    I am starting to feel part of both groups, and enjoy the company very much.

I also take part in the Park/Run most Saturday mornings, a fast walk uphill and a slow jog downhill.   A very friendly crowd, and beautiful scenery, as the event takes place along the edge of the cliffs.

Emma and Steve have moved into their new house, which is in a beautiful location, on a landscaped street, with a park a few metres away, Aldinga Scrub a five minute walk away and the beach a ten minute walk away.   A perfect location.   The house is large too, four bedrooms, study, lounge and family room plus a large shed, and courtyard.   And not to forget the two car garage.

A view of the street.

The move, with plenty of helpers, from our house to their house.    Not only did they have all their furniture and effects stored in our garage, they had also bought furniture here in readiness for their move, so our house, shed and yard was full of new acquisitions.    It was all very exciting.

Our garage with a few boxes left, and they have now gone too.

The first dinner at the new house, fish and chips from Jimmies. 

Now why did I put this photograph in!    Just to show people how dry it is here, I think.   It was a photograph of the front garden of the block of flats, where we have one flat.   The gardener had not been for months, and it was a mess, to be honest.   So dry though.

And now I am nearly finished this blog.    Piper is sitting close by, ready to bounce up, should I look as if I might get up and throw the ball to her, or go outside and do some gardening, which I might now.   So pleased the really hot weather is well and truly gone.