MASKS and OTHER PPE

How wonderful is this outfit ?

It's one clever person's take on providing themselves with an outfit to ensure that they are safe from those awful Covid19 germs when they go out into the dangerous world to do their shopping.

The spiderweb skirt ensures that people  are kept at a safe distance...

( Is that a look of envy on that biker's face?)

though it does have certain drawbacks !

The face mask gives good protection to the face and eyes and also ensures that hands cannot come in contact with mouth, nose and eyes....

And those gloves  !

This pandemic is certainly bringing out all sorts of creativity.

Cheers.

I have stolen all of these photos from Facebook.

COVID19 - GOOD THINGS !

Some good must come from the Covid19 pandemic

Seen on Facebook and too good not to share !

LOCKED DOWN IN BELLBOWRIE

Like the rest of the world  we have been locked down at home during this world wide pandemic caused by the Covid19 virus.

No visits from friends or family, 

no outings to the city or shops,

 no visits to cafes or restaurants ,

no haircuts , perms or hair colours to hide the greys!!!!

no visits to elderly relatives in Aged Care Facilities.

Luckily , I can add to that,    no sickness .

It seems that all of that and the actions of our government in closing our borders to the world have finally started working and the outbreak in Australia has been contained and not developed to the awful stages in has in many other countries.

We are still locked in our homes but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel and some restrictions will soon be eased .

In the meantime during the last 8 weeks of lockdown we have cleaned  and cleaned and cleaned this house.

Boy, did it need it !

The back of cupboards that have not seen the light of day for more than ten years has been exposed and washed down, linen cupboards have been tidied, old blankets cleared out to new homes where they will be needed in the coming colder months and the floor in these cupboards  - oh my  did they need a clean up!

 Dust, dust, dust like I have never seen before !!!

Anyhow it's been done and it is all sparkling now !

Added to this Tony was in the throes of renovating the two back bedrooms

and they have now been completed with paint refreshed, new carpets, beds and bedding and windows that slide properly.

Lovely .

It seems that all plans for this lovely holiday to see the Northern Lights will have to be cancelled. 

Such a shame but the finances have taken a considerable hit and travel is out of the question until the world is safer and a vaccine for this awful disease has been found.

So what else have I been doing?

I've been clearing out my stash of yarn.....

all those bits and pieces left over from other  past projects.

I made a vow not to order any more online and just try to do something with what I had.

This is what I have come up with so far.

It became quite difficult towards the end when I didn't have enough of a colour to get all the way around and would have to join in a colour that was not the same so I called it  day.

It has ended up a good size though and nice and bright and will be well received in front of the tv in the coming months.

My next project is now on the go.

Here is the palette.

I've since added a couple of tiny bits of a darker blue and brighter pink 

and I've got rid of the little bit of grey (I think ??)

That's it !

Hope there will be enough there to come up with something pretty.

I'm off to a good start.

Cheers.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS

SATURDAY EVENING IN BRISBANE TOWN

During the day it's HOT in Brisbane in late November

but

 if you are lucky, 

in the afternoon a breeze comes up and turns the evening into a balmy summer night.

Just right for a stroll through the gardens in the city centre,

along the manicured banks of our winding river.

These gardens were once our Botanic Gardens and so are planted with a host of lovely old trees 

and wide stretches of lawns - the only green lawns to be seen anywhere in Brisbane at the moment. 

There are also some scattered patches of colourful garden beds

The whole garden covers several hectares.

 It's not semi-wild like Central Park or Hyde Park

or nearly as big

but it's a lovely manicured oasis in the centre of the city never-the-less.

The best thing about it is that when you exit through the big, wrought iron gates you are right in the city 

and it's easy to find a lovely quiet spot for dinner with your fella.

Cheers.

I ❤ NEW YORK CITY - 2

Big cities usually have big churches and NYC is no different except in the age of the church.

St Patrick's is  really beautiful and pristine inside.

Big buildings is what NYC is all about.

Impressive buildings like this weird one called The Oculus. 

It is built as part of the 9/11 Memorial complex and is actually a Transport Hub 

- a modern day Central Station - 

with a complex of subway lines below and a huge open hall lined with shops above.

And this one with its viewing platform ( unfortunately not open yet ) on the 100th floor

Here's a weird looking building for you.

 It is a staircase to nowhere built purely as a tourist attraction from what I can see.

Of course no visit to NYC would be complete without a pilgrimage to the 9/11 Memorial.

Two giant holes in the ground where the buildings used to be, constructed as a huge water feature.

All around the edge inscribed in the steel surrounds are the names of all those who were killed on that awful day.... 

 And on their birthday a white rose is placed there .

The opportunity to see wonderful artwork from two of my favourite artists was very special.

Monet

and Van Gogh

How wonderful to get this close !

We walked over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge

Then spent some time exploring DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights.

before walking the length of the Brooklyn Promenade with its fantastic views back to Manhattan's Financial District.

Speaking of promenades of course we walked the Highline.

In all its Autumn glory. 

So much to see and do....

But we gave it a pretty good try !

What a wonderful city.

We ❤️  NYC

Cheers.

I ❤ NEW YORK CITY - 1

Big cities are usually not our favoured place for a holiday 

but we have always wanted to see New York. 

We arrived late in the afternoon and it was dark by the time we checked into our accommodation after more than 36 hours transit so it was an easy meal and off to bed for us.

( accommodation for 14 days at The Wellington Hotel - terrific !)

Next morning we set out to get our bearings so headed north a couple of blocks to Central Park and a leisurely stroll to wipe away the cobwebs. 

We were joined by lots of others with the same idea.

We followed pathways round corners and soon were a little lost 

but eventually arrived at The Boathouse in time for lunch.

It is no wonder New Yorkers love this beautiful park.

Times Square was a few streets south so we paid it a quick visit.

Been there, done that !

( best seen at night )

Next on the agenda was the Empire State Building as the weather was fine and sunny.

The art deco interior was very impressive and the view was MAGNIFICENT !

 

 AMAZING !

My favourite building was the Chrysler building with its pretty spire.

We had the opportunity to have a look inside later in the week and it certainly lived up to the exterior.

Later in the week we went to the Top of the Rock - at the Rockefeller building. 

Having first purchased a ticket we booked to go up in time for sunset on another fine day.

The sunset was magnificent and lasted for ages

yielding many wonderful photo opportunities for The Photographer.

Of course we visited this lady...

very impressive she was too !

More adventures to come !

Cheers.