Two Birthdays & An Aeroplane Flight ✈️

Greetings lovely friends & readers

And Welcome to the month of July !!

On my table today a jug of felt daisies, handmade by my friend Carolyn, along with a small bunch of roses from my friend Shirley.

 

On the very last day of June I celebrated another birthday, 66 years around the sun 🌞!! We had a simple family lunch together the Sunday prior, & The Mr surprised me with this stunning (& delicious) carrot cake from a local Bakery.

I was very spoilt indeed & received some wonderful gifts from family & friends  💗

A few days after my birthday I boarded a plane & flew down to the South Island to visit my dear friend Sandy.  Sandy & I met when our youngest sons were in Primary School so it is a friendship that has spanned several decades.  

Three & half years ago Sandy moved to the South Island to live just outside of Christchurch, & every year I would promise her that I would visit.  This year I finally did & I chose July because both our birthdays are within a few days of each other.  

The day after my arrival - Sandy's birthday - we drove to Kaiapoi as we were booked into Paris for the Weekend for a High Tea. 

What a wonderful experience it was - those Pink Scones were Vanilla & Rose & they were just so delicious !! We had such a lovely High Tea together ... 3 tiers of food & Yes we ate it all!!

After lunch we drove into the city, parked, did some shopping, walked to the Riverside Markets & then down to the brand new Te Kaha Stadium, only opened in March of this year.  It was stunning.

Then we walked back up to the Bridge of Remembrance & on along the Avon River which runs right through the centre of the city.

We both wanted to see the Memorial Wall which is in memory of the Christchurch Earthquake of February 2011 & the 185 lives that were lost.  It was a very sacred place & beautifully scripted.

Later that day we were booked into Strawberry Fare where we enjoyed Mocktails & Desserts.  By the time we drove home the rain was setting in but what a wonderful day to remember, celebrating our birthdays & friendship.

The weather stayed wet & cold for the remainder of my trip but I did manage to paint a table for Sandy in her garage.  I'd forgotten to take a before photo but it was a patchwork of different pinks as Sandy had confused herself trying to choose a shade.  We both settled on Pale Rose which I've used before & is a lovely soft pink - it still needs one more coat in my last photo. 

Everything Sandy does is done with such exquisite taste & her home is no different.  It was lovely & peaceful tucked away down a Close.  

Prior to my trip I'd sewn a drawstring pouch from some Japanese Woven fabric & added a tissue & a triangle zipper pouch to match.  I'd filled it with a selection of soaps, washcloths, matches box & this diamond art bookmark that Sid & I made.  Sandy loved her gifts.  

All too soon it was time to fly home again & we have promised each other we won't leave it so long next time.  Next time I fly South I shall definitely choose the warmer months though. ❄

And you will be wondering what a certain ginger furry being thought of Mum being away AGAIN in less than a month ???

She doesn't wish to talk about such a despicable thing (!!!) 😉

Have a wonderful weekend dear friends,

I shall get around to visiting you all at your blogs now I am home again,

Sending much love & friendship to you all.