A prayer for ANZAC Day

 We thank you for the peace and security that you have gifted our great nation. We thank you Lord, for the courage and sacrifice of the ANZACS over 100 years ago. As we remember those who have fallen in battle, we give thanks to you, gracious God, for their great sacrifices in conflict and in captivity.

God of nations, At Thy feet, 

In the bonds of love we meet!

Hear our voices we entreat,

God defend our free land.

Another sunny Sunday

The sun was shining and so we decided to go on a short road trip down to Lake Waihola and have a stroll on the lakeside. And maybe grab a hot drink before heading home. We headed down the road behind a horse float and I couldn't help smiling as I remembered our daughter in law's astonishment at seeing a "car for horses" the first time she was over from Japan on holiday.

But as we travelled south the clouds started coming in and we thought it wouldn't be very pleasant down at the lakeside. So we decided to take a detour to airport and do some people watching and plane watching instead while we had a drink. The sky was looking a little moody over Mangatua.

 

A new feature at the entrance to the airport was this 'rainbow crossing'. Well it was new since last time I was there early in January. I hope it doesn't become as controversial as the one in one of our larger cities which was painted over by an objector who then ended up being prosecuted for his trouble.

People were only just starting to arrive for their flights so we were able to get a table reasonably close to the windows and where we could see what was coming and going.

One of our national carriers taxiing up the tarmac for takeoff. I prefer this livery to the all black one with the silver fern on it. 

Photo taken through tinted glass.

And some lucky person's private jet parked up. The owner could be in Queenstown as the pilots often need to fly the jets to Dunedin to park them due to lack of space to park in Queenstown for any length of time.

And a statue of our Southern Man is outside the entrance. A tribute to our high country farmers and stockmen. The horse is so realistic I kept expecting it to move while I was taking the photo.

Southern Man plaque. 

Speights is the name of the local beer brewed in Dunedin.

Autumn colours, I couldn't resist taking a photo as we were driving away from the airport. It looks much better in reality and some of the trees are looking decidedly bare but others still have a lot of leaves.

But that's autumn I guess :) 

I hope you've all had a good weekend.

Keep well until next time,

Diana

Some unexpected visits

 It's been a real autumn week weather wise but that didn't stop us from catching up with both our southern great grand boys.

First off was an invitation to have morning tea with Theo and his Mum and Granma at the Village Green. And of course we didn't turn down the opportunity. It was a miserable day but we had all gathered just after 10am. The Village Green is part way between both our suburbs and is at a sports ground - so no searching for a carpark. Yay! And the first thing we saw as we went through the doors into the restaurant was a roaring fire.

We put our orders in, my GKB and I had cheese rolls for breakfast, and were directed to a reserved table by the window. Youngest daughter, also known as Granma, works here so the boss came over and sat with us for a few minutes and had cuddles with Theo. Orders arrived and we spent a very pleasant hour or so chatting together.

Later in the day I called around to a local rest home and visited with a friend. She has no family here and so there is a little group of us who visit and do her personal shopping for her. You can see the state of the weather in this photo but it was nice and warm inside.

Then the next day I had a message from eldest daughter, can Arlo and I come out and visit this afternoon? Of course we said yes. That was another wet and miserable day but a little better than the one before. My GKB set up the construction set before they got here, he always likes to play with it and it takes a bit of putting together and he can get the Lego and a few other games out himself. Guess what he decided to play this time? Chess! None of us play chess but we have a set so at some time one of the kids must have played. I think it was our son.

He taught himself how to set the board up, and we had a lot of fun playing 'Arlo's rules', but we have told him that there are other rules and he will need to learn them if he wants to play with other people. He is 4, turns 5 next month and will be away to school. Where has that time gone? He is the eldest of the great grandkids and Theo is the youngest at 6 weeks. 

Today the sun is shining and it has been nice and warm. We went for a drive to Outram for an ice cream and I went for a stroll up the street afterwards. As you can see, a beautiful blue sky day.

That's it for today, until next time

 be kind to yourself :)

Diana

A nice day for a short walk

The sun was shining, there was only a slight breeze, a pleasant day for a short autumn walk. I went to the top of the street and turned right which takes me out into the countryside. Well almost. It's rural shall we say. Plenty of autumn colour, the leaves are starting to turn now.

Autumn coloured hydrangeas.

Half grown calves watching me .

A few yards further down the road there is a small orchard.

The traffic was starting to get a bit heavy and no 

designated walking paths so I didn't go much further,

 just beyond these trees.

Nearly home again, about 30 feet to the corner 

and we're back in town.

I love living on the edge of town, I have the best of both

 worlds to pick from when I go walking.

I hope you've had a good week. 

Until next time,

Diana

 

Easter weekend

 Easter was a quiet time for my GKB and me.

 As well as it being Easter quite a few people tack Otago Anniversary day onto the end which gives them a five day long weekend. Many head off for a holiday break and sadly there are usually a good number of accidents and deaths on the roads at this time of year.

On the Saturday we had an unusual visitor. A magpie! I haven't seen one for years, probably since the big tree they used to nest in a couple of sections over was chopped down about forty years ago. So it was a bit of a thrill to see this one, we didn't get too close though, just left him in peace to do his foraging for bugs. He hasn't been back since so our backyard can't have suited him as a pantry :)

I attended the Good Friday service at our church which was quiet and contemplative, a lovely service. Who knew our pastor could sing like that? Wow! 

Sunday was a day of celebrating our risen Lord but I watched the morning service on live stream. We have a 25 minute drive to the other side of the city to attend in person. But Sunday night was a different story We had three adult baptisms happening and seeing as one was the son of a friend I wanted to be there for that. It was a wonderfully joyful service and the young folk who attend the evening service put on a lovely supper for everyone - and gave us goodie bags to take home!

For my four little people Easter had a different focus. Easter eggs.

Arlo had an Easter egg hunt at his grandmothers place. She only has a little garden but big enough to hide eggs for a four year old.

Alice and Sitiveni also had Easter baskets to fill, they had a hunt around their back yard and it was fun watching them looking so hard that they missed some right in front of their noses. I had a video of them hunting that I hoped to share but it refuses to load :)

I also like to get the little ones a book telling the Easter story and this year the older ones received The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story. The newest family member got a board book with felt pictures. I like to start them young with books. And both Alice and Arlo enjoy reading which is really good.

Exhausted after a busy day :), I think the kitten has more bed than wee Sitiveni. (For those of you who wonder, Sitiveni is the Tongan way of saying Stephen. He is named for his paternal grandfather which is also traditional for the eldest grandson).

Theo had a sleepover at his grandparents home over Easter as well.

And that is my round up of Easter.

Keep well, 

until next time, 

Diana

Resurrection Sunday

 

Hallelujah! 

Christ is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

Good Friday

Behold Jesus!

The Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!

He was pierced for our transgressions!

The punishment that bought us peace was on Him, 

and by His stripes we are healed!

John 1:29b & Isaiah 53:5