It’s been a while since I have sat myself down to focus and ramble on about what’s been happening in my neck of the woods. Most days, I plod along, enjoying the rhymic motion of my life, where sleep, eating, and exercise are the main components of each day, interspersed with medical appointments and fun moments. Somehow, it all feels pretty “nice”.
Hello Petal, Spring is here.
Being spring, gardens and blooms are well up there as things to admire and reminisce of past experiences of gardens we once knew. No better situation to do that is on a garden ramble. The Squire decided to decline my kind offer to accompany me, and I am sure I heard a loud sigh of relief when I told him a friend would be coming with me. It would’ve been too long a day for him. Next time the event is in two years, he may be up to a lengthier stroll. Though, truth be told, he is happier to spend his limited energy on a game of Golf Croquet. An outdoor social event with a smidgen of competitive play, what’s not to love? Though arriving home exhausted, most days sleep and food fix that issue. The Squire’s progress is slow and unpredictable, so we’re still chanting the same mantra – “take one day at a time”.
Back to all things colourful and blooming. The Bay of Plenty Garden and Art festival gardens were a treat, and one garden especially captured my inner child and creative gardener all at once. It was an incredible garden, not so much the actual plants in themselves; it was the combination of the layout of the land and the imagination and playfulness of it’s owners.





Walking Basketball
We are coming up to our end-of-year competition/lunch in early December, where things are getting, dare I say, somewhat competitive on the court, and playing tips are rolling off the lips of those more experienced players like a hot knife through butter. Most playing tips are absorbed by myself, and I hope I remember those professional-looking moves on the day. I am rather chuffed if the game flows and I can assist someone or myself in achieving a goal, which is happening far more frequently now than when I started. More importantly, I thoroughly enjoy the chats and laughs that come with socialising with a lovely bunch of inspiring women.
Happy to share that our end-of-year event went very well, and I just happened to arrive home with a medal for being the last one standing during a round of goal shoot-outs after our games. In the previous year, I was usually eliminated in the first five, so to say I was chuffed with my achievement this year is an understatement.




Then it was Christmas – Meri Kirihimete

Happy new year to you and the squire! I hope you had an enjoyable festive season.
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So lovely to see you both again, and I’m delighted to see that pohutukawa tree. Happy New Year to you both, the road goes ever on.
Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.
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Love the poem, thanks Jude 🙂 Lovely to be reconnecting with you all. Happy New Year to you.
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Hope all’s well with you guys. x
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Some days more enjoyable than others x
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Stay strong. x
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It’s good to see the Squire making steady progress like this – you must be very happy/relieved? Congratulations on your medal, and what a lovely garden festival!
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Sarah, we are neither just try our darnest to stay neutral until he is cancer free. Specialist is pleased he is stable though not happy with his blood counts. A long road to travel before the celebration begins. Happy New Year to you.
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That’s understandable, and I hope the journey along that road goes well for you both
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Thanks, Sarah.
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happy new year and I envy you your summer sun… still we all have it to look forward to. Have a joyous 2023!
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Thanks Geoff and the same for you.
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Some creative gardens – including the yellow umbrella picture. I wish The Squire continued progress
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Thanks very much, Derrick. Under the umbrella is me and my moving sunflower. It is actually an umbrella that protects me against our harsh sun and rain though not all at once.
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Good to hear from you – what a great garden, and we’ll done on the medal! Glad The Squire is progressing nicely – best wishes to you both for 2023.
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Good to hear from you too, Anabel and all the best for 2023. I love visiting gardens and enjoying the creativity which is such a joy.
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Happy New Year to you both. What a fabulous garden! I love it.
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Happy New Year to you, Cathy. You would’ve loved capturing it via your camera.
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I really would!
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The Squire is looking good, and after the grueling treatment he’s been through, Suzanne, progress can’t help but be slow, but it’s definitely progress! I play Golf croquet too, and it’s good fun and not too vigorous exercise. Me and running have never got along. Those gardens have a touch of the Hobbit about them. Absolutely wonderful! So good to see smiles from both of you. Onwards and upwards into ’23!
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Thanks, Jo. Yes, we knew the road was going to be a long windy and bumpy one. As I have mentioned in a previous reply we try to keep our emotions in check until Les receives a clearance from cancer. Every time I have said he is doing well something goes bump. Here’s to a jolly onwards and upwards, for us all.
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🤗💗
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Happy New Year to both of you and well done with the medal
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Thanks very much, April, and a very Happy New Year to you.
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Those gardens look great Suz, what fun creative souls they must be to create such artistic spaces. Wishing you and the Squire well and yes sometimes it’s a case of ‘one day at a time’. Lovely to see back blogging :). Take care x
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Thanks very much, Deb and it is lovely to be back. Seven years blogging. Hard to believe. The gardens were magical and I enjoy a good garden ramble. Take care too x
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Both you and the Squire deserve medals for your achievements last year, Suzanne.
That garden is such fun.
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Thanks very much, Tracy and yes the Squire does deserve a medal as I am not sure I could’ve endured what he went through, it was horrendous. The garden ramble was fun even with the odd shower which made a moving sunflower.
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Happy New Year to you! Wishing you much laughter and happiness this year. Mel
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Wishing you the same too, Mel and look forward to reading more about your adventures.
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So good to hear from you! I’m glad you are having a lovely spring. That garden with the “Hobbit Houses” looks magical!
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Thanks very much, Janis and it is lovely to be back blogging. The garden was magical and built by the couple to entertain their grandchildren, lucky them 🙂
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