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Monday, October 26, 2020

It’s my Birthday

The year has rolled around and it’s my birthday again.  This weekend was spent with our caravan club buddies at Kaitoke   Regional Park in Upper Hutt.  Instead of birthday cake we supplied some lovely light sponges with fresh cream and jam for afternoon tea on Friday.

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Happy Birthday to me

It was a long three day weekend and the park was full to bursting with hoards of happy campers.  Some in caravans and campervans like us, and lots of people in tents too.  The area is classified as a rain forest and the hills are covered in beautiful native trees.  Bird life is abundant and we saw plenty of kereru (native wood pigeons) flying around.

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Our little camping area

There was a lot planned for this weekend away, and we all enjoyed lunch out at Aston Norwood Café just a short car trip away.  This establishment has beautiful gardens, and I loved the decorative bicycle in the entranceway.

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Another highlight was an evening spent on the river bed when we toasted marshmallows over the embers of a fire.  Such good fun, and it was nice to see several family groups nearby all doing the same.  Mind you, the gusty wind was blowing the smoke all over the place, and we all  came away smelling of wood smoke!

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Marshmallow time

Fans of the Lord of the Rings books and films will know about Rivendell, home of the Elves.  Peter Jackson did filming here in the Regional Park and the area has plenty of information panels and posts for visitors to view.

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At Rivendell

Close by was a swing bridge – it’s been quite some time since we were last in this park so I was keen to cross over it again.  I’m fine with walking on a swing bridge, as long as others don't get silly and start to bounce on it.  Luckily that didn't happen, so I walked over it, holding on tightly of course, turned around and walked back.  There – I did it without any mishap!

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Over the swing bridge

With such a lot going on over the weekend, I didn't get very much hand work done.  Except to start stitching the binding down on my New Zealand Botanical quilt.  It’s been ages since this project has come out to play, so I’m happy I’m up to this stage.

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Binding time

12 comments:

Cathy said...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Jenny! It looks as though you really had a nice time with friends. New Zealand is so stunningly beautiful! I’d love to see more of your NZ botanical quilt!

Karen S said...

What a lovely way to celebrate your birthday. Happy cheers!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love swing bridges too as long as I can be on them by myself - my husband walks too heavy and I hate when he is on it at the same time. Lovely to go to the park that has something to do with the Lord of the Rings - I love those movies and the scenery is so fantastic. Happy Birthday love campfires it looks like your group is having so much fun.

Julierose said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What a wonderful getaway celebration...such lovely photos of that area...
That sponge cake looks delicious...and with jam==oh yum!!:)))
You are at the final finishing step on your Botanical..that must feel great...
hugs, Julierose (and best wishes for many more B-day celebrations to come;))) )

Tired Teacher 2 said...

Happy Birthday! How I wish COVID wasn’t an issue here so people could gather safely in groups again.

Karen's Korner said...

Happy birthday - that looks a great way to celebrate - cake, friends and lovely scenery

Jackie said...

It looks like you had a lovely get away.

So nice that your are getting your Botanical quilt worked on.

I loved Lord of the Rings so it was really interesting to me that you were in an actual location of filming.

God bless.

Kim said...

The happiest of birthdays to you, Jenny. How lovely to celebrate with a host of friends and get out and about and enjoy your beautiful landscape. I love The Lord of The Rings movies. How fabulous to visit those landmarks and retrace the storyline. Have a great, great week!

Janice said...

Happy birthday! It seems only yesterday that you were posting about your 70th birthday. Your weekend away was a great way to celebrate and you visited some beautiful spots.

Birthe Marie said...

Happy Birthday! It looks like a perfect celebration with camping and friends. Thanks for the nice naur pictures you share! Good luck with the binding of your botanical quil! :-)

Connie said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Jenny!!! Springtime in New Zealand, oh such beauty. When you get the binding finished on your botanical quilt please share with lots of photos . . . your little sneak peek has got a lot of us excited :)

Michelle Ridgway said...

Happy birthday Jenny. A cream sponge sounds perfect! What a beautiful spot to camp. Love the swing bridge! Binding is such a perfect away project as it doesn't need too much concentration xx