Gift from a friend

Before I came to the coast, had a morning with my good friend Dianne, when we exchanged xmas gifts.  she is such a beautiful and clever friend, and I am the lucky recipient of another of her wonderful creations. I am now the proud owner of a colourful table centre, made from beautiful batik fabrics from Wacky Jacky.

To compliment the table centre Di also made a set of 6 coasters from her wonderful stash of kaffe fassett fabrics. ( think thats how it is spelt) Di said she chose the colourful fabrics to brighten my flat when the weather is cold and grey, if and when I go to the UK later next year.

My son and his wife are moving back to her UK homeland in march next year and want me to go and live with them there. They dont want to leave me here on my own where i live. It is all in the lap of the gods at present for me, because first I have to get the go ahead from my cardiologist, and second have to be accepted and given a visa.

But what better way to enjoy the last years of my life taking a chance and seeing something of the world.  Scary stuff!!!!! DIL has promised me a trip to Paris so what better incentive could there be.

Food is a big thing at chez Barclay in the run up to xmas with the fridge bursting at the seams.  I have been treated to some nice meals by N and A.  We have not even got to xmas day and already I have gained a kilo. 
Forgot to take pics of the peking duck, but the lamb koftas and greek salad last night was delicious. No I did not eat that big meal mine was a much smaller one.

After that meal I was very good and had fresh pawpaw or papaya as it is known elsewhere for breakfast. Straight out of the garden...yum....didnt take any of the weight off though.

The pups of course are as lovely as ever, and have just come home from a run in the park.  This is how they spend their days when not out playing.  Lying round sleeping in the airconditioning

Christmas Greetings and a Reunion

On wednesday my big son came and collected me and bought me down to the Gold Coast so I can spend Christmas with him and his wife and of course the pups.

It is good to be down here with them. Already i am being spoiled with lovely meals. Ali always leaves a lovely floral piece by my bed when i come and this year was no different. This one is very festive.

Recently I have been back in touch with my young sister Jackie who I have not seen for a long time. She now lives on the gold coast after moving from western australia. She came to see us today, and we had a lovely visit sitting on the back deck of my sons home catching up in our news.

This is a pic of us together.

Jay, as we call her, has written some childrens books about the pottaroos a small wallaby that is an endangered species here.  she wrote them many years ago, but because of a family illness publishing them had to wait.
Now she has published the first two stories and they are delightful books.  she has a wonderful empathy with children and these are perfect stories that young children can absorb. At the same time it creates an awareness of the plight of the pottaroos . I will add a link to learn more about the potoroos www.potoroonies.com.au

Well my friends, I will leave you while I loll around the pool deck.   I hope that each and every one of you enjoys a happy and joyous Christmas