Post 436 Nature takes a hand

While some of the disruption of last week flowed over into this one, I focused on productivity and put a bit of effort into establishing a routine for the Heart Foundation Walking program. In this second week of the program, my plan asks me to walk for 25 minutes three times.  On Wednesday I walked up Carrington St to Hutt St, then back down Halifax, and around the Square. On Friday I went to Centennial Park, visited Jim's grave and walked around the East section for half an hour, taking photos on the way, using my new phone.

I was delighted with these photos of a butterfly. It is a lovely place to walk. It's calm, well-maintained,  beautiful and quiet, except for the calling of birds.

On Sunday I explored the Victoria Park, Pakapakanthi Wetlands that the 5 Adelaide Councils and the State Government are developing on the site of the old Victoria Park racecourse, partly as a flood mitigation project.  It was opened a month ago. The basic design is clear, but there is a lot of planting and growth to happen yet.  I mostly explored the Urban Woodland section.

 

There are some beautiful trees and it's interesting to see quite a bit of dead wood, in both standing and felled trees, left in place, providing habitat for all sorts of wildlife.

There were quite a few people walking - lots with dogs - or riding bikes,  but it wasn't crowded. I enjoyed the walk and will return. 

I didn't see a lot of birds, apart from a few magpies, but I'm sure there will be plenty  when the plants are more established. It's going to be interesting to watch it turn from bare bones to a thriving ecosystem.  

The repair work to our apartment block roof was apparently concluded on Tuesday last week, but the carpark roof replacement was done on Wednesday morning - mostly in the rain.  This is the new section, finished by 10.30 in the morning, so would not have interfered with the postponed lunch. I have now organised a replacement date for that - realising afterwards that I had a commitment which I had not written into my diary and will now need to move.  Today I had two doctors' appointments - one of which, made a year ago, I thought was tomorrow. Seems I need to take more care putting things in my diary.

On Saturday I helped out at JEMS. Niamh still has a clash with netball, so wasn't there, but 9 other young women were. I was making up the required ratio for a safe child environment. It is interesting - such diverse interests and needs. It's great to see the Junior Embroiderers working on their individual projects, asking for help when they need it, but very self-directed. It's a long way from early days of following a lock-step program.  Margaret and Ellen were busy providing help on request and nudging projects along. It is heart-warming to see. Margaret's apple cake went down pretty well too!

My little horses have multiplied. I've embroidered 38 of them and begun to cover the back of each with an applique. 17 now appliqued. Again, my embroidery blog has the story. for anyone interested in the detail. While stitching I've been listening to an audiobook of Isabel Tree's Wilding, a recommendation from my friend Pat Manser. It's an account of returning an English property to  wilderness - oddly relevant to the Pakapakanthi Wetlands.

I cheated a bit for Monday's dinner. I had a lasagna in the freezer, bought a while ago as a back-up, so I bought another and used them together for family dinner along with a Greek salad. It used up the frozen one and bought me horse time! Fionn went for a run, Niamh had footy training, Brigid a committee meeting and Veronica explored the memory cards on my old cameras. All good. 

This morning I had my annual check up with my dermatologist. I have a new mole on my knee which she is going to remove in three week's time. There's no drama, but it is periodically itchy. I'd rather be safe than sorry. 

This afternoon I saw my GP to set up My Health record. I also now have a referral for treatment of a synovial cyst which has resurfaced on my right index finger. It's been a fairly grey and gloomy week and I'm very glad of these photos I took at its beginning!