THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE

THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE

STORIES FROM THE WISTERIA BOOK CASE

MARSLAND HILL

As the three of us set off for an evening walk with no place decided; until we reached the bottom of the driveway; where we turned right and started to walk towards the city. I didn’t start getting excited till we turned at the clock tower and headed to Marsland hill. Loraine and Jasper love walking here and I had been once or twice before. It is a wonderful place where you have views of the mountain and ranges, the sea; all the way to the North Taranaki Bight; if the weather is right; the port and the city. Did you know that Loraine has been walking here with her three lovely big dogs and of course now my little friend Jasper for over forty five years? So she knows all the pathways and can often be heard complaining about how poorly the grounds are looked after these days. It is such a wonderful historic site; and of course it is on Loraine’s list of places she loves to walk to and around.

There were several rather neat places to have my photo taken. But this time I choose to sit on one of the lovely early nineteen hundreds seats with the black wrought iron sides. They are all about the Empire with the rose of England, the thistle of Scotland; on the top and on the lower part of the seats there is a shamrock of Ireland, and the lovely prince of Wales Feathers for Wales. All so very British and old worldly. Right behind the the seat I’m sitting on is the wonderful carillon which are a set of bells; that have been on Marsland hill since 1971; they play several times a day and I have heard then play a long time ago maybe; last winter when we could go so much earlier to make sure of hearing them ring at four pm. There is a nice tall memorial with tall wrought iron railings; also a round fountain without any water with rather big concrete fish; at some time water must have flowed from them but there is no water now. Come the summer they often have flowers planted. Last year there were bright golden yellow Gazanias; rather delightful is what I think Loraine would say about them. Loraine took lots of photos of them. I loved the way they trailed over the rim of the fountain; I wonder what will be planted there this year?

There is also a lovely long stone seat dedicated to the New Plymouth artist Bernard Aris.

I wanted my photo taken sitting on the seat; so out came the little Canon camera for one more photo. There is also an Observatory but that is on the other side and I haven’t been taken there yet. Maybe another time. Just to look at the outside of course; they would not let dogs in; or little dolls. We took our time walking home in the cooling evening light. The jug was put on at once for coffee and biscuits for Jasper and Loraine. I was really tied, so I settled down on my usual home on the wisteria book case for a good rest after a very pleasant outing.

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THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE … LETS COLOUR OUR WORLD

SHADES OF BLUE FOR OCTOBER.

Living on the west coast of New Zealand’s north Island; I get to see a huge expanse of blue skies and the amazing Tasman sea nearly every day. So in my life I have shades of blue every day. It make life so relaxed most of the time.

There are so many shades of blue from the palest tint that some times gives us just a

moment of perfect peace, though to sky blue that opens us up to soft quiet moments; time to take little breaths to settle our busy minds, Sapphire blue to help find hope and keep faith in every day things; alive and well; to the deepest blue and to those amazing French blues and the navies that can be so diplomatic and effective; then those rather lovely Turquoise and kingfisher blues with their cheerful, confident outgoing qualities. We can open our hearts with the help of this colour and heal past hurts. These colours give us a chance to be more balanced as we look at issues. It is the healer of our emotions. It cools; it calms.

My daughter Serendipity send me some money to buy what ever I liked for my birthday this year. I had been into a lovely shop here in New Plymouth earlier in the year to buy fun and very cosy bed socks for gifts and had seen the delightful cotton dressing gowns; a little expensive but I really liked them. So that is what I brought myself a good few weeks ago; much to cold to ware before this week. So comfortable and and surprisingly warm. It has a busy pastern with flowers of deferent types and lovely swirls of all kind of shaped and sizes; on a lovely bright deep turquoise; almost kingfisher blue background.

My whole family are fans of the lovely kingfisher birds with their wonderful bright colours and swift movement. Kingfisher’s are often associated in many cultures around the world as being like royalty; because the birds themselves believe they are elite in the world of birds. They look so regal balancing so carefully watching the world go by; when they do move it is so swift and direct. My whole day can be made if I see one on our walks. That wonderful vibrant turquoise brings in feelings of courage; freedom to find new adventures it also helps us to be more balanced with our every day living.

Some one asked me a few weeks ago What did I miss about England? Apart from my daughter Serendipity. Very little indeed. But when I hear an old favourite song ( We’ll Gather Lilacs) I saw the Film; Lilacs in the Spring; when I was about fourteen. I loved Ivor Novello’s music. This song is so very English and A little bit of my heart gets a little home sick when ever I hear it. The other thing is photos of English Bluebell woods.

I have very fond memories of going to pick bluebell flowers with my dear father when I was a young child. It was a long walk to get to the wood and we would pick a great many. I was told just how to pick them; pulling then from the soil; after picking a good hand full you had to put the flowers over your arm with the flower heads pointing upwards so you did not crush them. It was many years later that I can remember telling my little nieces how to pick these lovely flowers when we went as a family to the Bluebell wood at Little Brickhill in Buckinghamshire.

My father and I would cut a fair bit of the stems off and put them in my mother favourite cut glass vase when we got home; I was always told to take some of the flowers up the street; just three house up where my aunty Gladys and two of my cousin lived. By the time I got back home my parents were having a cup of tea and there would a piece of cake to go with it. It is so lovely to think about those beautiful peaceful moments; in the busy lives we lead these days. Let;s try to focus on blue as we head into the weekend. Let us find

moments of being tranquil, compost and relaxed; with the delightful colour blue.

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THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE

WALKING THROUGH ST MARY’S

Over the last forty five years or so; I have walked through the church yard at St Mary’s here in New Plymouth so many times. Walking different dogs, back and forth; to and from work and now, with wee Jasper who knows his way around the church yard just like all my other dogs. He knows all the favourite head stones that I like to stop at. I only have to say “shall we go and say “hello” to George and he will make his way to George’s place of rest

Under the huge non deciduous Magnolia tree. Right in the corner of the church yard. The tree overlooks Vivian and Brougham streets. This lovely tall trees lets George enjoy it friendly shade in our hot summer’s and protects him for our amazing Taranaki rain through the winter and spring.

Over that time I have noticed that apart from a few joggers or other people on bikes most people just slowly walk along the main pathway in a slow day dreamy pace; rather lovely to watch; It is almost like we have to slow down to pay homage to the past and the early settlers and loved old family members. There is a feeling of appreciativeness to those who have gone before us. We can find peacefulness and kindness at seeing the many shades of green; the difference; shapes of the leaves; the strong old trees and their heavy tree trunks; spreading branches; making a canopy of green under a blue sky; some times under a sad gray sky or an amazing bright sunny sky. We need that slow walking so we can feel the magic of the trees and the peace a church yard should always bring us.

It’s a great short cut through to town and lots of people use it. For me it is a very favourite and special place. A good few years ago when I lived very close to town; one or two mornings when it was spring time I would take my small blue flask and a couple of ginger nut biscuits and sit on one of the lovely old seats that used to be along the top pathway; underneath the pink and white blossom trees. It was always so quite. Some times there would be a slight breeze. I loved to watch the flower petals fall like pink and white snow flakes. I would enjoy just sitting; then I would enjoy my early morning tea. Slowly I would make my way to work for my ten o’clock start.

Another time; would see me walking to and from work each day through the church yard. The mornings were fine but that walk home in the heat and bright light of the summer was no fun at all. As I would let myself through the lynch gate at Brougham street. The wonderful feeling of peace would surround me. The delightful dark green of the many trees, some of them so huge making a canopy of coolness, some times a gentle breath of breeze so gentle would caress my skin. I remember how I slowed my step down, just to make the feeling last till I left the church path and got home.

We have many visitors who love to visit the historic church and the pleasant church yard.

Sadly the church is closed because it is having earthquake strengthening done. It closed in

2016. The work on the church itself started a month or so ago. So I think it will be a good while before we see it open again and some refurbishing of the inside is finished .

The garden of remembrance was made about ten years ago. For a donation people could paint there loved ones name onto stones. It was very popular and the garden is edged with these stones it a lovely place to sit for a while. I love the beautiful carved sculptures in this pretty area. So often while walking through the church yard, I have found myself reading the names on the stones. You may occasionally see some one quietly sitting on one of the seats near the garden enjoying the peaceful place with its white roses and the dark green box hedge. Come the Autumn; it is great fun to stride thought the leaves that fall along the paths and lawns . The colours of Autumn are a delightful time. Always my favourite time of the year. Some times; I feel that it is the old trees that make this such a lovely place to walk. They are every changing with the seasons. They bring such feelings of harmony,

balance and comfort for each of us.

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THE FRIDAY BLOG PAGE

ANTOINE & LILI

A dear friend of many years of walking dogs together had been on an overseas holiday. She had spent a few days in Paris and decided to buy a scarf for me. It is the most delightfully exquisite scarf I have ever been given. A very large square scarf with a narrow red fringe

encircling an amazing array of colours and patterns; from flowers and birds with blocks of pretty dots and dashes; some rather folkies art work. Colours that will go with most cloths I have; adding some richness and glamour to every thing I ware. It came wrapped in thick “Orange” tissue paper in a very lovely shade of pink carry bag with the name of the shop written in white; Antoine & Lili. I must admit I was; just knocked for six; Such a wonderful and unexpected gift; what a delightful surprise. Such a romantic gift from Paris; which to me is such a fascinating city. Later that day and before I knew where I was; I found myself

humming songs I remembered when I was so much younger. Under the skies of Paris and I love Paris. Next of course I clicked onto U tube and enjoyed singing or humming along with Edith Piaf singing in French Sous Le Ciel De Paris; even found Andy Williams singing it in English; under Paris skies; and of course Ella Fitzgerald singing I love Paris. I also found myself dancing around the lounge to a slow quickstep. What fun. Some times looking back can bring so many smiles and I always find that very comforting in this world of upside

downiness every where I look.

I always love it when some thing comes along to remind me of days when I was younger; how I loved the the radio. There are always songs in the background of my mind. I grew up with the wireless to start with then the radio. I loved the music and the radio plays; even now I often upload radio plays to listen to. So many of those songs are still favourites.

My friend had brought the scarf from what I at first thought was a small shop in a

charming street filled with delightfully coloured little shops on the ground floor; but no all the small shops are the one company; Antoine & Lili and what seems to be a very large block of apartments or maybe a hotel above on the Rue Des Vinaigriers. I just love the brightness of seeing; Passionate red, Lime green, Enthusiastic magenta, sweet pink, Sunshine yellow; and nostalgic purple, all in a row together; for some one who life is so full of colour It was a an amazing sight to see. I of course fell in love with the street; who would blame me. I

Googled up the site and scrolled down to look at the wonderful clothes this company had for sale. It was rather like Aladdin’s cave. Such classic fashion and up to the minuet styles with brilliant colours for all age groups; I spent a good while day dreaming; spending

imaginary money. At the same time thinking how I could make my wardrobe a little more classy. So if you happen to see the older lady with the silver grey hair with the wonderful Mr J on his lead; then do please smile “hello”.

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STORIES FROM THE WISTERIA BOOK CASE

BEATRICE AND YELLOW

I’m always please to see Jasper and Loraine when they come home from their walks. Loraine often brings a few flowers that have been picked along the way. She brought home a handful of bright Yellow buttercup that I just loved and I was hoping that she would put the little vase on the Wisteria bookcase shelve close to me, but no not this time. They were put in a vase for the little table in the breakfast nook.

I wondered for a while if she knew that I like yellow; but of course she knows. I love all the shade of yellow; its such a bright; sunny colour to have a round you.

In the late winter and early spring we had lovely yellow Polyanthus in tubs on the deck and I loved looking at them through the windows in the lounge. We did have those pretty rich golden French Marigold with their strong fragrance too. Did you know that Yellow and golds give us a hint of being self-reliance, clarity of thoughts and of course happiness. It always adds a touch of sunshine; light and warmth to the day. Loraine is always; talking about colours and what they mean. I always listen when she is talking; Yellow of course is also about learning. I have been living with Jasper and Loraine for a long time now and I think by now she knows that “yellow; “is my favourite colour and she has taken me to places to have my photo taken. One of her friends popped in to have morning tea with her and Jasper; brought with her a delightful yellow Winnie – the -Pooh bear. I got so very excited indeed. We sat together on the tall kitchen bench and smiled a great deal and started talking mostly about honey and adventure we could have together. Winnie left me a lovely quote … “Some people care too much. I think it’s called love”. Over the years we have been living in the Orange apartment there have been lots of walks that I have gone with them. We heard that there was a little yellow monkey living in the primrose cottage next door to us; so I had my photo taken sitting close to him one day. There was a black metal chair with a yellow seat. I loved having my photo taken sitting on it. I hope this story lights up your day with the lovely colour yellow; I hope it brings in brave, lively and sparkling moments.