August is flying past.

This being retired is keeping me busy. There always seems something i should be doing around the house or garden. My gym sessions havent got me as fit as I want yet but it took a few years to get overweight and unfit so i guess it might take at least a few months to reverse those outcomes. weather was horrible last week and certainly not cycling weather. I have been using the heat pump and hopping into bed relatively early with the electric blanket so not much more winter to go. The daffodils are out and spring is on the way although the first real frost I have had was only a few days ago. last weekend I had another residential weekend in Auckland and after a trip up in the rain I spent a congenial night staying with a friend in wattle downs and then friday visiting othr friends that i havent seen since shifting. Minor fuse problem int he van was fixed by my favourite motor home repair place in South Auckland. My residential weekend was peaceful and some good opportunities for meditation and reflection on study topics. Tui was, as usual, a great little companion and warm huggable body to have along with me. On the way back the forecast was not good so I went as far as Lake karapiro amidst some quite heavy rain and it was no surprise to find no other campervans there. It was a very quiet night albeit a long one, winter nights in campervan are very long but a good book and a hot water bottle make them bearable. Then the next morning I checked google maps and discovered that what i thought might be my alternative route because of a snow forecast was closed. both central routes south of Lake Taupo were closed due to heavy snow falls and I was directed to go via new plymouth which was certainly the long way round but only probably an extra couple of hours driving, so I wasnt too upset. It was an easy drive and rain was intermittent rather than persistent. Home by about 3.30pm so I was in time to do the Cubs and Scouts run int he evening with the children. I have been reading a lot this week - a couple of good books - one a thriller "Archangel" and the other romantic fiction by Jude Deveraux. Also listened to "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek " which i enjoyed - - set in the 1930s and the heroine was a "blue skinned " woman from the Kentucky mountains who was employed as a pack horse mobile librarian bringing books to the pverty stricken people of the Appalachian mountains. well researched and a good story and I am now listening to "Kal" by Judy Nunn - set in kalgoorlie goldfields - family saga - also well researched and interesting. Need to get back to my sewing - I have a couple of projects I want to get finished. One for a significant birthday. Going to be a quiet weekend as we dont have the kids and jonathan and amy both have a busy weekend - amy at Donkey show and Jonathan in wellington at board meeting. I have several commitments planned so quiet is good. Suddenly found out when going to re register the campervan that it didnt get given a wof when i got it serviced back in february so i have been driving round without a warrant of fitness for months! Oops - need to get that sorted. No pictures this time. More later...