Central Plateau, North Island

Central Plateau, North Island
View from a friend's farm

Friday 4 June 2021

The Ayes and the Nays

 Down south, the flooding has ceased for the time being, and the  massive cleanup has to begin.For many, the mess, the devastation, loss of fences, grass, winter feed, no water for stock or their home, no power, no roads in or out , they literally do NOT know where to begin.A massive Government help is truly needed.

Back up here in the North, there is snow that is looking like a good ski season. After last year, with loss of income from overseas tourists, this will be so welcome.

Our Central Plateau, maybe taken in 2004,  from the Eastern side  along  the Desert Road.




Home news,  One Nay for the 8th, one Aye for the 24th....my eye surgery has been postponed until 24th June, a cold, cough, and that dreaded herpes have put kaput to next week's date with the surgeon. However I do not have to go to the very end of the queue. And I am hoping there will not be another equipment breakdown.  3 weeks will fly by. 

I need to look out the dark goggles, just wish I was as young as this photo some years ago, taken in Australia when we were on holiday to visit Hugh's brother and s-in-law. Queensland at its very best. 

I still have that wonderful  Burke and Wills 100% pure leather hat, with the instructions, do not wash, bleach, etc. When we flew home, Hugh and I were chosen for a random drug test at Brisbane Airport, the inspector ran the wand round the inside of my hat, then asked Hugh to take off his sandals, and did the same to them. Then he took out the detector card, ran it through the machine, and waved us through.Phew, why did he ever think we would be importing anything illegal, at our age,???


Nothing exciting happening, the fire keeps us cosy morning and night, some sewing, but that is getting to the  impossible stage, I have 2 friends overseas who,I  hope, will wait patiently for this goodies to arrive,Sewing for myself is OK if the seams are not straight or points matching, but for friends, it must be a whole lot better.Roll on the 24th for the right eye only, left eye date to come later. 

A BRAG,,, Grandson has finished his Master of Science with the thesis handed in, and he has passed with .... DRUM ROLL.!!!!!!

1st Class Honours.

Josh, we are so proud of you. beginning  work with a  global engineering consulting  firm  in  Wellington  in March, ,  doing all the interviews online late  last year .  

How wonderful that pay packet would be after 5 years of living on a student loan allowance.


Quotation of the day, author unknown

It never hurts your eyesight to look on the bright side  of life

Greetings from Jean


12 comments:

Susan Heather said...

Well done Josh. Sorry about the surgery and hope the cough/cold go quickly.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jean,
I hope your cold and cough have gone away and you are feeling better.
Sorry you eye surgery had to be postponed again. I love the photo of you and your cute hat.
I have been checked over two different times in airports on the way home from Belize and in Iceland. It is a weird feeling to be pulled out of a crowd, they say it is done randomly. Take care and enjoy your day!

Marie Smith said...

Congratulations to your young man. Well done!

In Canada, the sniffer dogs at the airport make me nervous though we’ve never had problems with them.

Jenn Jilks said...

Flooding is such an awful problem. Heavy snow we can deal with, here, but the mold and all...
Good for Josh!
And your poor eyes. I feel your pain. Good luck with it all.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Big congrats to that clever grandson, Jean. What an achievement. You look so cute in your hat and yes, imagine getting checked for drugs. My friend used to joke that I could get away with drug carrying as I would look like the least likely person to be doing that. Meanwhile, hope you are feeling better and can carry on with that surgery. We need all our senses at these ages.

Julie Fukuda said...

Wow, a lot to catch up with! So sorry you have to wait longer. I still remember how happy my mother was after her surgery. Those expectations will keep you going. So, that's where all the water went! The west coast had a very dry winter and the coming summer is not looking good.
Take care!

Out To Pasture said...

No wonder you are proud of Josh. What a bright future ahead for him! Sorry you'll have to wait a few more weeks for your eye surgery. I lived in Australia for five years but unfortunately never got around to visiting Queensland. Your trip sounded wonderful.

Carol Mattingly Photography said...

Hang in there Jean. The 24th is around the block and before you know it both eyes and you will be at 100%. I just know it. Congrats to your grandson. What a smart and resourceful young man. Good thoughts and prayers your way. Carol

Kathleen said...

Sorry for one more delay. Love that picture of you in the hat. Congrats to your grandson - such a thrill to see them succeed.

Tanya said...

What an accomplishment for your grandson! Congratulations!

Sorry there's been another postponement...

KB said...

Congratulations on joshes accomplishments! I am sorry that you had another postponement of your surgery but three weeks will indeed flyby. Thank you for sharing the gorgeous photo of your home country.

Fundy Blue said...

Congratulations to Josh! He will have a fascinating career because of all the environmental changes and threats our planet is experiencing. And he will learn so much about geology that I will never know! May he have much success and fulfillment throughout career!