Dragon Rambles

It has finally happened, my blog reader new posts section is empty! Ok, so I only read back a certain number of weeks, but I’m all caught up. This was done by having a stack of files I have had to go through over the last two days. And as every one takes a couple of mins to open, it’s been perfect little slices of time to read blog posts. Please forgive me if I haven’t left a comment. I do love seeing what everyone has been up to even when I stay silent.

I know I’ve been really quiet since I got back from NZ the last time. I’ve been a little depressed for the last few weeks. So I’ve felt the need to withdraw into myself somewhat. And pamper myself. Which means ignoring everything I should be doing and spending most of the time I’m not at work, knitting or sewing. It has made for a productive month and a half though. In additiion to the 12 FWQ blocks I’ve shown you, I’ve also knitted a shawl, finished a scarf and knitted half a throw. I’m hoping to block the shawl and scarf this weekend, so pics soon.

But it’s time to stop letting my mood win and start getting other things done. I now have just three weeks left of work. There’s a lot to finish off in my current job between now and then. I also have a list of work I need to do for my new job before I start. And add in packing up my flat. Then moving day will be the 6th, with the new job set to start on the 11th. Busy, busy.

At least I have a new home to move to. After nine, yes nine!, refusals for renting with a cat, I finally got a landlord to say yes. It’s a small two bedroom terrace house on the outskirts of Saffron Walden, just 5min walk away from the shuttle bus stop to work and 15min away from the public bus stop to work. About 15-20 min away from the town centre and shopping district. A good friend kindly viewed the property for me so I could rent it, and will be helping out on moving day, meeting the cat and movers while I’m still on my way from Cardiff.

Macros has been at the vet twice this week, and will be going back on Mon. He had two claws on each fron paw imbedded in his paw pads. One really deeply leaving a badly infected foot. So the first visit was the painful one to take them out, the next for an antibiotic jab, back again on Mon for another jab and probably some antibiotic tablets. After that hopefully no more visits as that will take it up to £150!

So, I think that’s you all caught up. I’ll be back with pics in a day or two.

Thanks everyone for your kind comments on my last post. At first I wasn’t sure about posting about it here, but decided I needed a tribute to Granny.

I’ve been home for 1.5 weeks now, but I’ve been battling with the worst case of jet lag I’ve ever had. Hardly surprising though given I flew around the world with just 2.5 days in Auckland. But I don’t think it’s just the jet lag that’s had me so exhausted. I’m sad and probably a little depressed, and I expect I will be for a while. So please forgive my infrequent posting or blog commenting for a while. But when I’m sad and tired I usually like to withdraw from the world a bit. Hopefully I’ll be back to my old self soon.

Granny died yesterday. Neither she nor I are religious. The only life after death that I believe in, is that which is passed on in the genes or the memories left behind. In that respect, Granny will live on a long long time. She is in all of my happiest memories of my childhood. She has also always been my role model. If I ever become half the person she was, I’ll be proud. She was the best person I know, will be remembered forever, and missed always.

Until a few months ago, we thought she’d be getting a letter from the Queen. These photos were taken when I was in NZ for her 90th, so you see what I mean. Instead, she died aged 92. She deteriorated quickly, which while sucking for us, I was grateful for because it meant she did not suffer long, and when the worst part came, it was over in a few days. I have to be grateful for that.

I’m also so very glad I was able to visit with her last month. Now, I’m flying back to NZ just one month later to attend her funeral. And to say goodbye.

She is the person I loved most in this world and her death leaves a very large hole. I hope she knew just how much she meant to me.

I love you Granny. May this blog post show the universe a little just how much.

Last week I mentioned the thousands of daffodils planted around Cardiff. This afternoon I was looking for a distraction so went for a short walk to enjoy the sun and take some pics for you.

This lot is at the end of my street, as it joins the main road.

And walking down the main road a little way you come across more.

Somehow there are several stages of daffodil in the fields, from shoot to bud to bloom. And while this is great because it lengthens the time they’re prettying up our roadsides, can you just imagine what they would all look like in bloom at once? Now that would be awesome.

I woke up this morning at 12.45am, but instead of going back to sleep (which I tried), I just get waking up more until by 1.45am I was completely awake and gave up trying to get back to sleep.

So, I got up at 2, and after a leisurely shower and doing a stack of dishes, I decided to make pancakes for breakfast. Not because I was hungry, but because I could.

On the menu? Blueberry pancakes. I had three (yes, that’s a lot), layered with sliced banana, with warm maple syrup poured over the top. Mmm, pancakes for breakfast on a work day… Now that’s decadent. And slightly more tasty than pancakes in Sunday morning

And since I was finished by 3am, I left the house and am enjoying a crisp and peaceful walk to work.

How’s your morning going? I hope there’s room for some pancakes

I’m stressed, wound up and poised waiting for something bad to happen. It made for such a pleasant day at work.

I’m hoping an evening of knitting and maybe baking will help relax me.

What do you do?

Gotcha

Sorry, no show and tell of the Spring shawl today. The last couple of nights I’ve been unknitting as much as I’ve been knitting. Probably because I was too tired to be knitting in the first place.

March is daffodil month here in Cardiff. They usually start to bloom late Feb so we have a showing in time for March 1st. This is significant, because March 1st is St David’s day in Wales. You wear a daffodil, and there’s meaning behind the day but I’ve completely forgotten. Go google it if you’re curious

But, because the daffodil is seen as the national flower, informally if not actually, they are planted everywhere. So March sees thousands of blooms throughout the city. On roundabouts, median strips, parks, you name it. It’s beautiful and one thing I’ll miss when I move.

These photos though are just pics from my backyard. And just piddly little bunches compared to what the council has planted everywhere.

Fingers crossed I get a good day of knitting in today. Then I’ll be back tomorrow with the pics of Spring that you were really after

Yes, all has been silent in DragonRambles land this last week or so. And as well as my absence from here I still haven’t caught up on very many blogs. There are a few reasons for this, but the biggest is my Spring shawl. I have been seduced by the yarn and the shawl and most of my free time is spent knitting. But I don’t want to show another pic here until I have the centre finished. Don’t worry though, the rate I’m going, that’ll be before the weekend. Though you may have to wait until Sat so I can get a photo in decent light.

So that’s where I am. In case anyone was wondering

That job I interviewed for before I flew to NZ? I got it! This is especially good news given that after 10min back at work on Monday I was pissed off. And I lost count how many times that day I said “I can’t wait until I leave this place”.

Or a lot

First up, some Feijoa vodka, picked up in duty free when I arrived in Auckland. Had to be able to pack it in my checked luggage for the trip back, because of all the silly liquid rules they have now, even when you’ve just got off one plane and haven’t left the secure area before getting on a new one (yes, I’m talking about you, Brisbane and Dubai).

And on the drink front, at the other end of the scale there is syrup to make lime milk, mmmmmm.

And some feijoa tea. Mmm, feijoa

And now the parade of sweet somethings. First up some original kiwi flavours, though those two cadbury milk blocks were released in Oz at the same time.

And a bundle of kiwi classics: pinky bars, pixie caramels, a choc fish, peppy chew and caramel chew, jaffas, pebbles, pineapple lumps and eskimos. There were two each of the fish and chews but they didn’t survive the trip home. Don’t worry, I gave them a decent burial in my tummy.

And Griffins biscuits. I was only able to pick up a few: sultana pasties, toffee pops, squiggle tops and shrewsbury biscuits.

Dark choc and nuts anyone? Of course Nestle make the real scorched almonds, but I thought I’d pick up some Cadbury copycats just to see if they compare. And when did peanut slabs start coming in dark choc? Better pick up some while I’m at it.

And some classic kiwi treats for easter.

Then there’s the treats you can get in NZ and Oz but seemingly nowhere else unless you want to pay a packet. Like picnic and cherry ripe

And tim tams

And of course peanut butter (haven’t found a comparable one here yet), vegemite and NZ honey.

Of course, no bag full of goodies is complete without the ingedients for the classic kiwi dip

And good ol’ Watties strikes again with yummy savoury must-haves

Since I knew I couldn’t get my favourite chilli sauce in NZ, I asked my brother to bring some with him (he came over my first weekend there). He kindly threw in some Byron Bay sauce as a bonus.

And before you ask, yes, the above is all for my personal stash. I’ll ration it out so it’ll last me at least 12 months. But I did pick up some small bundles for others.

But I know what you all really want to see is my impulse buy in the jewellery store. Here you go, two polar bears hugging.

Told you you couldn’t guess what I’d got