Happy New Year

It’s been much too hot and sticky lately to do any hand stitching or knitting, so nothing to report on that.  But we have been having a great time driving around and exploring on our South Island Trip.  Here’s an update of our adventures.  Boxing Day at the Beach is a Kiwi institution.   The day was hot and sunny, but the cool sea breeze cooled the temperatures down while we were sitting on the golden sand at Marahau Beach .  There was plenty of action happening off shore.  Several people were enjoying para-sailing, with the wind carrying them along at a great rate of knots. There were a few yachts sailing around, the sea kayakers were out in force, and we could see the Water Taxis going by as they carried people to various walks in the Able Tasman National Park.  And what’s better than paddling in the water on a hot sunny day?

Marahau Beach on Boxing Day

After five days spent in Richmond with Robin’s sister Kaye and her hubby, it was time to move on.   We were presented with fresh new potatoes from the garden, and I was encouraged to take some of the abundant grapefruit from the tree – all very much appreciated.   It was time for thanks, and goodbyes, with promises to call in again on our return back later as we head to the ferry. 

Kaye with oldest brother Robin

It was even hotter at our next stop in Murchison, we had a couple of days at 30deg C, much hotter than we are used to.  Murchison lies close to the Alpine Fault, and in 1929 a powerful quake centered in Murchison was felt throughout the country.  The town as evacuated, but 17 lives were lost, and the surrounding area was left in ruins, causing the Maruia River to gouge out a new channel, creating the Maruia Waterfall.   Originally known as Hampden, the discovery of gold led to the establishment of the town.  Several old, rather interesting buildings are still standing, and right next to the NZMCA Camp where we were staying is  the old Commercial Stables building.  Now it trades as Dust and Rust Vintage Store, selling all sorts of bits and pieces.

The old Commercial Stables

An advertisement for “The longest swing bridge in New Zealand” caught our interest.  A 15km trip along the Upper Buller Gorge, and we arrived at the destination.  The swing bridge is only one part of the operation.  Jet boating, flying fox rides and gold panning are also on offer.  We decided the swing bridge would be enough excitement for us.  Goodness me, at 110m  long, and suspended 17m high above the Buller River, we stepped on and off we went.   I know some people do have a problem stepping onto swing bridges, we are fine as long as no one decides to jump up and down, and try to swing it from side to side!

The swing bridge in Buller Gorge

Heading towards the West Coast, we decided to stop for the night in Reefton.  The discovery of rich gold bearing quartz in the hills and valleys around town soon gave rise to the nickname Quartzopolis.  The other claim to fame is that Reefton was the first town to “see the light”.  Reefton Power Station supplied electricity to the very prosperous gold mining town and was the first power station to supply municipal electricity in the Southern Hemisphere. It started operation on 4 August 1888.  This time we stayed at the Reefton Hotel, which offers free parking to caravans and motor-homers.   Robin went into the bar to make sure it was OK to stay here, and the reply was, “We are happy to have you, please support us”.  Of course we did, and enjoyed a huge meal in the dining room that night,  roast beef for me and a big burger for him.

We stayed in the car park at the hotel overnight.

Walking up the main street I discovered a lovely mural painted on a wall. Using an old photo as inspiration,  “Trucks of Quartz Mural” is a tribute to the vital part that horses played in the early days of mining towns.

Beautiful street art paying tribute to working horses

Where to next?  We continued along the Buller Gorge to Cape Foulwind on the West Coast.  This is a rather slow and winding road but the most challenging part is driving under an overhang of rock.  Hawks Crag is a prominent landmark in the Lower Buller Gorge, where the road has been cut into a cliff that drops into the Buller River.  We have driven this way before towing our caravan, so we know we fit through as do big motor-homes and trucks, but this stretch on the road still makes me hold my breath as we drive through.  Just as well it is a single lane on this stretch.

Passing under Hawks Crag

We are now staying at another pub, this time the Star Tavern at Cape Foulwind, where we are parked up on grass with a sea view.  We wanted somewhere for New Year and this is an ideal spot for a couple of nights.    Just as well we are not too near the cliff edge as there is a danger sign warning to keep clear.  I gingerly walked up to the fence and looked over.  Such a pretty sandy cove down below, what a lovely sight.

At Cape Foulwind

Gemma rather likes it here, there is a lot of birdlife for her to look at, and desperately dream of catching one, no show of that, Gemma  .  Being a bit of a diva, although she really wants to go outside on her lead, she hates the wind blowing in her face, so refuses to go out the door.  The next best thing is sitting on top of the sofa and looking out the window, where she chatters away at those pesky birds.  There are several weka running around, native birds about the size of a hen, and sea gulls perched up high on top of a lamp post.  All out of reach, and so much bigger than her, so all she can do is sit and watch!

There are big birds out there, Mum

We had been playing Telephone Tag with fellow bloggers Irene and Ian who write Free Spirit blog and had arranged to meet at this camp for News Year Eve.  They have come over from England and are traveling around New Zealand in a tiny little van.  We hadn't met before so it was so nice to finally catch up.  We were booked in for a pub meal at the Tavern to celebrate New Year, and we enjoyed a drink while we waited for our dinner booking time to roll around. All of us decided on Crumbed Camembert for starters, nice and tasty indeed.  For the mains it was salmon for me, and steak for Robin, no surprises in our choices.  Ian chose fish, and Irene struggled with a large Mixed Grill. 

Jenny, Robin, Ian and Irene

By the time we had finished our meals, the patrons had thinned out, the music was getting louder, so we all went back to our van for coffee and cake. It was a lovely evening indeed, although we have to confess that we just couldn't stay up till midnight to see the old year out, and the new year in.   Staying up past midnight was no problem in earlier years, but these days, not so much.

If you were wondering how Cape Foulwind happened to get such a name, it was from the intrepid explorer Captain James Cook.  His boat the Endeavor was blown off course by the prevailing westerly winds in 1770.  This area was originally called Rock Cape by Abel Tasman when he sailed by earlier in 1642.

Happy New Year to all my readers, it’s so nice to have you along for the ride.  May 2023 be kind to us all, with new projects starting and old ones finally getting completed.  Bless you all.

Cats on Tour

We are away on another trip (lucky us), the weather was good and the car and caravan just hummed along.  We had our  favourite radio station belting out all the songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s “songs that you know and love”, as the adverts say, rather like spending time with good friends, as we hummed along.  Gemma came too, of course, and she is quite good on car rides, she usually spends her time beside me, leaning on the consul with her head facing backwards as we drive along.  Rather like an ostrich with her head in the sand, I often think.

Arriving at Waiouru we parked behind the  National Army Museum for lunch, usually plenty of room plus a café and restrooms inside the building if required.  The museum building looks rather like a castle, I always think.  We ate inside the van enjoying “something I had prepared earlier”.  I did check out the café which is now under new management, maybe we will lunch inside next time we are passing by.  And check out the wonderful view of Mt Ruapehu through the café window.

Mt Ruapehu

A small tree and a plaque were close by our lunch spot behind the museum.    Australians and New Zealanders  all know about the Anzacs and the Gallipoli Peninsula battle at Lone Pine during WW1.  A solitary pine tree stood at the battle site, and this remaining tree was almost destroyed during the battle.  Once the fighting had subsided, two Australian soldiers collected pine cones still attached to the branches used to cover the Turkish trenches.  These pine cones were carried home with the soldiers after the war, resulting in the germination of Turkish pines throughout Australia.

This tree is one of many raised in the Scion research nursery in Rotorua from seeds collected in 2012 from the Turkish red pine growing at Paeroa Golf Course.  This tree is an authenticated New Zealand descendant of the Gallipoli Peninsula’s original Lone Pine, and three seedlings were gifted to the museum as part of the ANZAC Day centenary in 2015.   How special to see this tree surviving here in New Zealand so many years later and so far from home.

Lone Pine at National Army Museum

Then on to stay at Taupo for two nights, with the “other” cats on tour, my Colourpoint Cats quilt top.  Remember these blocks I laboured over while I was taking part in the RSC each month?  Those arcs and curved piecing almost got the better of me, but I persevered and finally got the nine blocks completed.  I was meeting up with Linda of Razzle Dazzle Quilting who had agreed to work her magic on this wall-hanging.  We sat a discussed what I would like, and what Linda thought would look good.

Colourpoint Cats

Linda showed me a lovely gift she had received from fellow blogger Nancy who writes at Wyoming Breezes.  I read Nancy’s blog too, isn’t it wonderful how we are all connected through blogland!

Linda with her pretty scarf

Of course I had to take of photo of Linda’s sister Peggy too.  She was tucked up on a comfy chair,  busily sewing in the thread ends on a quilt, and one of the family cats on her lap.  IT was a picture of contentment.

Peggy and one of the cats

While at their home I admired some of the lovely quilts on display.  I loved the little village quilt with the matchstick quilting, don't those lights in the windows glow!  And I was in awe of the wonderful quilting on the dahlia panel.  It was so nice to meet up with these two lovely ladies again.

Two examples of Linda’s beautiful work

Then it was time for a little shopping before heading back to the caravan.  We had to make an urgent trip to the local vet, not because Gemma had taken poorly again.  No, I had forgotten to pack her Hill Science Diet crunchies, and they are only available through a vet, not a supermarket.  We arrived home, unpacked the groceries, and Gemma decided to see what was inside the shopping bag.  Maybe she could smell the meat we had purchased at the supermarket?  The bag certainly made a great cat sized hidey hole.

Gemma hiding in the shopping bag

Annie’s Store and meeting up with NickiJ

Annie’s Country Quilt Store in Tinwald, Ashburton,  is a real delight.  Stepping onto the verandah of the 100 year old cottage, there were baskets of goodies to check, and that’s before I even stepped through the door.   Room after room was full to overflowing with beautiful goodies, leaving me to wonder just where to start looking. 

Passing by on Sunday, I really didn’t expect the shop to be open.  But, as I was told, they are open 7 days a week.  How’s that for great service!  I asked permission to take a few photos as I looked around the shop.  There is so much to take in, fabric, threads, kits, patterns, all beautifully displayed in different rooms.  You really needed just to quietly browse as you walked around.

Owner Rachel admits to having a passion for egg beaters, and there was a great variety strung up high, including some rather interesting large wooden ones.

Some of Rachel’s collection of eggbeaters.

After a good look around, I decided that I couldn’t really leave the shop without this – a  wool embroidery project which I loved.  I like to have some hand work to do while we are away on trips in our caravan, so will probably save this till a little later.

New hand stitching project (for later)

While in Ashburton I contacted fellow blogger and quilter Nicki who writes as Patches of Cats.  Luckily the fates were aligned and we organised to meet up last night for a meal at one of the local restaurants.  Except, being a Monday evening, that particular establishment was closed.  Never mind, Plan B was soon put in operation and we followed Nicky in her car to Braided Rivers Restaurant and Bar.

We perused the extensive menu and decided against my first choice of Roast Pork for the more exotic sounding wild venison Denver leg, served on potato and herb gnocchi, with asparagus, prosciutto, and peas finished with Red pepper coulis, feta and a side of jus.  And it tasted just as delicious as it sounded.

Robin decided on a ribeye steak, served with garlic and herb fries, beer battered onion rings finished with a bacon and Peppercorn sauce, and Nicki ordered a burger of crumbed chicken breast, served in a brioche bun with Napoli sauce, parmesan cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion served with a side of fries.  All meals were declared delicious, and we got to know one another as we enjoyed our meals.  There was plenty to chat about, patchwork and quilting of course, travel, work, and life in general.

Nicki and me at Braided Rivers Restaurant

It was so nice to finally meet up with Nicki, after reading her blog and her quilting stories.  Thanks for arranging such a nice evening.

Gidday to Lou and Tony

One of the lovely things about blogging and travelling is the chance to meet up with fellow bloggers, as we did yesterday. Lou and Tony live in Timaru and Lou blogs as Manxgirl.  I was hoping we would get the chance to meet up, and they kindly invited us to their home for a BBQ meal – so kind.  What a great evening we had, getting to know each other, meeting Belle the cat, having a wonderful meal, and of course, a little Show and Tell on Lou’s part.  Here’s Lou in her sewing room with a WIP hanging up.  As well as patchwork and quilting cross stitch and crotchet, she collects tiny sewing machines and yes, they certainly do sew.

Lou in her sewing room

Then there were all those wonderful quilts that came out of such a huge cupboard (I want one that size).  It was interesting to hear the stories behind them

Some of Lou’s quilts

We had a tour of the garden, and a peek in the glass house full of tomatoes and peppers.  There’s nothing like the smell of fresh tomatoes on the vine, is there?  Tony fired up the BBQ and started to cook our dinner.  It was a lovely meal, with a variety of salads made with ingredients from the garden.

Tony on BBQ duty

Finally we said our farewells – they are a working couple after all, not like us on holiday.  Thank you so much, Lou and Tony,  for your hospitality, it was so nice to meet you both.  I must say that with reading other’s blogs you feel that you already a little bit about them, and it is so nice to get the opportunity to catch up with other bloggers.

Lou and Tony of Timaru

Meeting up with Nancy J

It’s always so nice to have a catch up with a fellow blogger.  We were staying in our caravan in Jean’s hometown – she blogs as Nancy J on All Points of the Compass.  Jean has been unwell lately so I wanted to pop in and see her, and took a bunch of flowers to cheer her up. 

With Jean

We had plenty to chat about, health matters of course – sad but true as we get older, family and quilting.  Jean is taking part in the 150 Canadian Women quilt project, which pays homage to the women who made Canada great and honours Canada’s upcoming 150th birthday.  She showed me the blocks she had made so far, and the glorious red batiks she has gathered for this project.

Jean’s Canadian blocks

It was nice to meet up with Jean’s house guest Joyce again, (hello Joyce) and members of Jean’s family who were staying for a few days.  We didn’t see any of the cats, they were keeping well away from the visitors.  This was just a short visit as the house was full, and as we said our goodbyes we reminded Jean to take care, and went back to the camp. 

Part of Jean’s lovely grounds

What’s a little subterfuge amongst friends

It was a first time visit from Jean and Hugh to our home, although we had previously called in to see them several times for a cuppa and chat when staying at the caravan park in their home town.  Jean (who writes her blog All Points of the Compass) was fabric shopping in  Levin she told me, and wondered if I would be home that day.  “Certainly, come for lunch”, I replied.  So they did.

Unbeknown to me, because of my recent health scare, Jean had been in touch with several blogger friends we have in common, and came bearing gifts.  Robin knew all about this little act of subterfuge, but had been sworn to secrecy.  What a lovely surprise.

Jean and Hugh came with bags of goodies

Mmm, what was in the blue bag, packed full of interesting little parcels?  All sorts of goodies, as it turned out.  Jean’s friend and house guest Joyce, whom I had met a couple of times, had sent a lovely bottle of Anti Stress Shower Gell – that will come in handy to calm the frayed nerves.  Thanks so much Joyce.  And from blog reader Jan, from Wanganui,  came a pretty burgundy hand towel and tissues.  As  burgundy is the furnishing colour of choice in our “home away from home” it will go very well in our caravan bathroom.

Then there were parcels from sisters Peggy and Linda, fellow bloggers and quilting sisters who live in Taupo, and we had met up with them too at their lovely home.  Peggy, who blogs as Kiwi Klippings, had made me the most gorgeous pink applique zipped  fabric pouch, so pretty, thank you so much.  And Linda, machine quilter with panache, who writes as Razzle Dazzle Quilter, sent some home made skin cream and lip balm.  Linda listed all the ingredients in these potions, with the extra special ingredient  being “love”.

Then last but not least, I opened Jean’s parcel, which turned out to be a pretty tote bag made with Jean’s signature batik fabrics, which she loves to work with.  Lots of lovely shades of different colours, green and purple,  with touches of pink and pale blue, Jean made the bag in mind of my future hospital appointments, so I can pack a book, hanky, snack, and whatever else I need to get me through the day.  The bag is just lovely Jean, thank you so much.  All these gifts came with sweet cards from all concerned wishing me well on my upcoming treatment and “journey to wellness”  I like the sound of that phrase.

Tote bag from Jean

Thank you so much to all bloggy friends concerned in this little venture, and special thanks to Jean for arranging it all.  I appreciate each and every one of you – the cancer treatment journey is long and it is wonderful to know so many are thinking of me and sending their good wishes.

After the excitement of opening all those wonderful gifts Jean came down to my sewing room for a little peek at some of my UFOs waiting for their number to be called.  Then we settled down to lunch, and plenty of lively conversation flowed between the four of us, trains, trips, pets, and the great outdoors.  It was a super day indeed.

1000 Posts!

It’s hard to believe, but this is my 1000th post on Romany Quilting, with it all starting way back on October 2009.  That’s a lot of blog posts, and many thanks to the everyone who keeps reading, and making comments.  Writing a blog is sometimes like writing in a vacuum, tapping away while writing about your thoughts, and things which are important to your life.  And hoping that you are perhaps making a difference, that someone, somewhere is reading and interested in your words, brightening up someone’s life, and making a connection all the way from little old New Zealand.

I was a latecomer to quilting and patchwork, although I have always sewn.  There are memories of saving up my pocket money as a young teen, buying yards and yards of fabric, and whipping up a full skirted dress to wear over my stiff petticoats.  Then of course there was the fun of attending the Sunday afternoon youth club, and rock’n’rolling the afternoon away.

Once I started work there was a little more discretionary spending available, and I kept sewing myself new dresses, and buying my first pair of high heels!  Marriage and babies soon followed, and my sewing changed to making sets of pyjamas, shirts, shorts and corduroy trousers for Michael, and pretty dresses and nighties for Nicky.

The years flew by, the children grew up, and I met and married Robin in 1983.  A few years later I took my first quilting class, and made a pinwheel quilt for our caravan. 

My first quilt

And as they say – the rest is history!  From that first quilt, I have made plenty more, plus accumulated quite a collections of UFOs, but I’m trying hard to get these in order.

On reflection, I’d like to finish this 1000th post with my thoughts of:

I Love Quilting Because……

• The fabric – looking, folding, fondling, buying, collecting, it’s all about the fabric.
• The patterns – whether a commercial pattern, from a book or magazine, or maybe from an idea that has been percolating in my mind.
• The excitement – of starting a new quilt, choosing the pattern and the fabrics.
• The process – cutting, pinning, measuring, stitching, pressing, watching it all come together.
• The joy – of finishing a project.
• To give gifts – to family and friends.
• To make quilts – for us, so that I can ring the changes on bed quilts and wall hangings.
• For Christmas – I love Christmas quilts and decorations.
• To stitch household items – table runners, place mats, cushions, oven cloths, aprons, they are all a joy to make and use.
• Individual artistic expression – making the design your very own.
• Social interaction – my local quilt club, and the Sew Wots friendship group.
• Relaxation – it makes me feel good, so it’s got to be good for me!

So thank you once again to readers and followers, and thanks also to all the other quilt bloggers out there who I avidly follow.  My life is richer with knowing you all.

A little shopping and a blog reader

There I was, concentrating on my shopping list as I moved around Spotlight in Palmy.  I had items on my list, such as a pair of knitting needles size 5.5mm.  Yes, I did have two in this size, but they were different lengths, so goodness knows where their partners ended up.  I’m slowly knitting myself a nice cosy woollen cardigan, and because the back and fronts were knitted all together, I used one of those new fangled (to me anyway) double ended needles with thin cord in the middle.  Don’t know what they are called but I’m sure the keen knitters out there could enlighten me.   I like to knit both sleeves at once, and wanted to go back to knitting needles for this part in the process.

I'm getting there slowly

What else?  Two cushion inners so that I can get on with the job of making my daughter two cushions for her Christmas gift.  And some brown felt and little black buttons to make the head of my Christmas yo-yo reindeer.  But  I can’t see him being completed in time for Christmas – not this year anyway.

For my reindeer

As I was approaching the service counter, a customer being served said hello.  It was Joy, from Wanganui, an avid blog reader, and we had met once before.  She is not  just a quilty blog reader, she also reads Romany Rambler, our travel blog, and follows our travels as we tour around in our caravan.  Joy now has a “Bucket List” of places to visit, thanks to places we have visited with our caravan, and written about.  So “hello” back to you Joy, it was so nice to catch up with you, and know that the words and photos winging their way around cyberspace are read and appreciated.  Here is an earlier photo of Joy and her friend Judy, who introduced themselves to me at the Cotton On Quilt Show some months ago.

Joy and Judy at the Cotton On Quilt Show

I’m Inspired by Amanda Jean

Amanda Jean of Crazy Mom Quilts has been an inspiration to me for quite some time.  She is celebrating her 9th blogging birthday and by way of celebration, she wants us to share if we have been inspired by something we have seen on her blog, and to share a link.

I was inspired to make a knitted rag rug, using up some of my selvedges – read all about it here.  The instructions said to use size 35 needles, but I had no idea what they were – just used the largest ones I had.  The other change I made was to stitch the selvedges together instead of knotting them and leaving tails.  I also decided to use a single string instead of two together as the instructions said.

Knitting with my big ball of selvedges

I just love how all the different colours came through, offset by the various neutrals.  I used up long lengths, and shorter selvedges too, whatever came to hand, but kept the short lengths less than 12 inches for other projects, plus threw in a few narrow plain strips too.  The finished rug  fits nicely in front of my laundry tub, adding a pretty splash of muted colour.  I’m really pleased with it.  Robin did wonder what on earth I was doing in the evenings, wrestling with large needles and a big ball of fabric,  which was regularly replenished.  And of course it washes well too.

My knitted selvedge laundry rug

Thank you so much, Amanda Jane, for your wonderful blog and such creative ideas.  I really enjoy reading about your prolific projects, and you are an inspiration to quilters worldwide.  Please do keep on blogging – at least for another 9 years!!!

I have another WIP from one of Crazy Mom’s designs, I’ve started to make an apron made from a zillion small squares, my Amanda Jean apron I call it.  Must get it out again and put it on top of my “to do” list, and get it finished.

Happy Anniversary – and a blogger’s catch-up

We celebrate our anniversary today, 31 years, so I always like to have my Anniversary Quilt on the bed at this time of the year.  “Hearts of Love”  was made from swap blocks I received from an Internet Valentine’s Day block swap.  I made extra heart blocks, put them all together with star sashing in the corners, just in time for our 25th anniversary.

Hearts of Love Anniversary quilt

We had VIP visitors come calling today, Lis and Alan.  Lis is a fellow quilting blogger from England and writes her blog Piece’n’Peace, and are currently enjoying a North Island holiday.  We met them the last time they visited New Zealand several years ago, so it was lovely to catch up with them again.

Alan and Lis all the way from England

We showed them through our new house, and then they checked out the new caravan.  We talked about quilts, of course, and travels, and had a lovely time together.  Lis has been quite restrained on her trip and has only purchased a few small stitching related items so far on her travels.  I admired her lovely bag which she had made with beach themed fabrics.

Beach fabric bag

Marton Arts and Crafts Exhibition

I wondered if I would be lucky enough to see some quilts at the Marton Art and Crafts exhibition.  Yes, there were, along with pottery, glass, bronze pieces, weaving, embroidery and paintings.  Arts and Crafts are alive and well in Marton, and the Centre caters for all taste, it seems.

There was only one problem.  Photography of the exhibition was not permitted unless I had the express permission of each maker.  Bother!!  But then I met up with Maria, DIL of former caravanning friends, who was on white glove duty for the morning.  She was my own private curator as we walked around the exhibition (the hall was not busy at all)  and joined me while I indulged in a Devonshire Tea.  Maria posed happily while she showed me her recently completed Saddle Bag.  It’s so roomy, she even keeps her small laptop inside!

  Maria with her Saddle Bag

Maria’s friend Sue was also on duty, and was happy to show me her work in the exhibition, directing me over to her lovely orange and cream bag, .  Thank goodness – I had visions of a blog post with no photos.

Sue’s bag

There were only two quilts at the show  I was able to photograph, more of Sue’s work.  “Cats, Dogs and Friends”  was purchased as a kit and is a  Lynette Anderson design.

Cats, Dogs and Friends

“Throw with Daisies” was made by Sue  in lovely country colours.  An elongated four patch, with appliquéd daisies as the alternate blocks, it it just right to snuggle under.

Throw with Daisies

And lastly, Sue told me she had so much fun working on her Christmas Stocking, she was often found stitching it in her night attire.  Oops, maybe that was to be a secret!  The Father Christmas Stocking was purchased as a kit, and is heavily embellished with beads and sequins.

Father Christmas Stocking

Thanks so much to Maria and Sue for allowing me to show their work. Being such keen quilters, we are meeting up again on Saturday at the Cotton On Quilters Exhibition at Wanganui – should be fun.

Later in the day we called around to see my blogging friend Jean who writes her All Points of the Compass blog.  Over a cuppa and a chat, she brought out her lovely batik block of the month quilt she is working on.  Lots of lovely colours and fabrics here.

Jean’s work in progress

So I had a lovely quilty day.  It was so nice to catch up with Maria and Jean again, thanks ladies and especially Sue, who I had only just met, for sharing your work with me.