Town and Around

 We have been busy lately, tooing and froing all over the place.  Last week we met our caravan club friends for lunch down at Denny's in Porirua.    Denny's is a casual, family style restaurant, with quite an extensive menu, something for everyone's tastes.  Our group of 20 was spread out over three tables, and the restaurant was fairly full with other family groups too.  Our members are spread out geographically, some driving over the hill from the Wairarapa, some from the Horowhenua, Kapiti, and the Hutt Valley.  The serious business of checking out the the menus took place and we all made our choices.  It was roast pork for Robin and salmon for me.  It took a while for all the 20 meals to be delivered and the noise from our tables certainly decreased while we ate our lunches.  A few ordered dessert, some had coffees and we were all happy little campers indeed.  Robin can never pass by a chocolate sundae, and I finished my meal with a coffee.

Chocolate ice-cream sundae for Robin

With the meal finished, we said our goodbyes and went on  our way.  While we were down in Porirua I wanted to call into Pete's Emporium.

All sorts of goodies are sold here, and the haberdashery section is wonderful.  Aisle after aisle of delightful things on offer, buttons, buckles, lace, cord, ribbons, fringes, all sorts of things to tempt you.

Lots of wonderful goodies here

I was after some wide green ric rac for a project I'm working on.  Luckily I had taken some completed green blocks along to get an idea of the shade I wanted.  Once home, I washed it straight away, just in case there was shrinkage.

Just what I wanted

On Saturday our town hosted "Age on the Go", with various stalls offering services to the older people in the community.  Robin was helping at his Menz Shed stall.  Menz Shed is a country wide group, also found in Australia, I believe, which offers friendship and fellowship, and a place to do practical skills such as woodwork and metal work.  They also do community projects.

Menz Shed members with some of their work

While Robin was on duty I wandered around the hall I came across a couple of ladies selling quilts, bags, and other small items.  They call themselves M & M.

Lovely quilts for sale

I was looking for a particular stall, "Grandparents raising Grandchildren" and had a nice chat to these ladies.  I had previously donated a couple of children's quilts to this charity down in Kapiti so was pleased to see that there was now a local branch.  "Would you like some children's quilts?" I asked.  They certainly would, and were so grateful for my offer. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to have your retirement turned upside down when you find your grandchildren in need of your care.  Sadly, most of these children need care because of drug and alcohol use  by their parents.  I often make children's donation quilts so will be more than happy to pass some on to this wonderful group.

A wonderful charity

Another stall I was happy to stop and chat to was Age Concern.  I am a member of this group and go along to their rooms for a weekly gentle exercise class, aimed at helping with balance.

Age Concern for seniors

After walking around the hall I was ready to sit down at the pop up cafe for a coffee and a muffin.  This cafe was run  by young people training in hospitality, cooking and kitchen management skills at a local polytech just down the road from us.  A friend came to join me too, and we had a lovely time chatting away.

I was back at Age Concern today to attend the newly set up Arthritis Support Group.  Just a small group this time but hopefully the attendance will grow as the months go by.  

So that's what I have been getting up to lately.  I'm still doing some quilting, and knitting.  We are off for another short trip in the  caravan shortly so must make sure to take my knitting bag with me.