my much neglected blog

 Wow, it is almost a year since I posted on here. Realistically, probably one of the most 'different' years of my life. Not necessarily in a bad way but in the adjustment to a completely new retired lifestyle in a new and totally different location. 

Anyhoo - I'll resurrect this blog and see if it still works for me. 

I'll begin with a few snaps from the year neglected:

we are sailing

...and a happy new year!

It's already the 17th of January - half way through the first month of the  year - and I have only just found time to get back to my blog. Last year I did my inaugural year of Project365. It was a highly stimulating project to undertake. At times I absolutely loved it and at other times I just wanted out but I persevered and completed on the 19th December. I will continue to post to 365 but not every day and that's a relief. I hope to post more regularly this year to Spooling. Well that's the NYR (new years resolution) along with a whole heap of others, will see how it goes.
The new year involved a week in Coromandel Town on the Coromandel Peninsula. Coromandel is one of my favourite places in all the world. If you've never been there put it on your bucket list. And yet again we discovered new places to visit - Waiau Falls and the Siamese Kauris. I've yet to visit New Chums beach, Stony Bay or Kennedy's Bay so there is plenty of exploring left to do.

waitete bay

Everyone has their favourite beach. Mine is Waitete Bay. I'm probably influenced by my father, who always preferred places that were isolated. None of this sharing the picnic spot with others. So beaches such as The Mount and Whangamata do nothing for me. In fact, I don't feel like I've been to the beach or had a summer until I've been 'up the Coro'.
Waitete Bay is north of Coromandel Town. When and/or if I ever win the lotto, that is where I would buy a bach.

a new book

My second Blurb book has arrived! I am so happy with it. Such wonderful technology -  anyone can make their own book so easily and for a reasonable cost. There's even an eBook version. I love Blurb.

Knopenwinkel

Went for a visit to Den Haan and Wagenmakers, the quilt shop that sells reproduction Dutch fabrics. Then on to Knopenwinkel - the button shop. I resisted the fabric but a few buttons will be going home with me.

Firenze

Hello Florence.
Climbed Giotti's Campanile (bell tower built in 1334), all 441 ste, to watch the sun set over Florence.

Kerks

I went for a wander today and visited two Kerks. St Nicholas Kerk and Oude Kerk.
Oude Kerk is under renovation and is the oldest church is Amsterdam. It's a gorgeous building, completely surrounded by brothels! - which made getting there interesting!

Wellington

Spent the weekend in Wellington catching up with Daniel and the Capital. Fine calm weather appreciated as was the great coffee! Will be back.

I forgot Arrowtown!

Visited Arrowtown on a glorious autumn day.

Living dangerously

Sixth trip to Queenstown and I'd never been to Milford Sound so decided to do it the dangerous but spectacular way - fly across the southern alps in a single engine plane followed by a cruise on the Sound. No words to describe it.

Mordor

 Southern Alps

 Milford Sound reaches the sea

 Mitre Peak

Queenstown

Went to the New Zealand quilt symposium in Queenstown during the April holidays. It kindly snowed the night before we arrived. Early each morning and on dusk, the paragliders jump off the cliff above the town and land in the school field. Magical.