Post 466 Mostly blooms, bags, books and bats

 Plenty of hot days again this week, so I've been watering every day in the hope of keeping the blooms coming.

It has worked so far, but I'm not sure what will happen while I am away next week. 

At least this precious Almanda Blue, propagated from one of John Walmsley's original plants and given to me by a friend, should be OK in its saturated pot and saucer filled with water.   It has quite a way to go before it creates the ball for which it is famous, but it's well on the way. 

I've been bunkered down reading and stitching. I have a chapter to read for my brother, but have not given it my full attention yet. I've read The Maid, for Book Club, another in the Cathy Ace WISE Detective Agency series and 3 more in the G R Jordon Highlands and Islands series. I think I still have enough between my Kindle and my Kobo to not run out while at the beach next week.

For several weeks now, the toilet sistern in my bathroom has been dripping and occasionally refilling suddenly. I have tried to pretend it will fix itself and told myself there is no point in calling a plumber over the holiday period. Yesterday morning I bit the bullet and called the plumbing company I use. They promised a plumber around 3pm. Scott arrived at 1.15, borrowed a screwdriver, investigated, explained what he was doing, went and bought a replacement part, returned, installed it, tested, demonstrated - and left just before 2pm. I've never had anything but fabulous service from them. No more drips. I always stress about calling up a service - and I always end up happy and relieved. Slow learner! 

On Friday, while walking around the Square to clock up a few steps, I glanced up and realised that my Christmas bunting was still on display, but my neighbour's string of lights had disappeared. Checking the date ( I lose track at this time of the year) I realised I had missed my mother's 5 January deadline to remove Christmas decorations. I hurried back and went about restoring them to storage. For this year I am now following the tradition that says the Twelve Days of Christmas begin on Boxing Day and  end on 6 January, rather than my mother's Anglican tradition of beginning on Christmas Day and finishing on 5 January (which happened to be my parent's wedding anniversary). I was brought up in the belief that it was unlucky to leave decorations up beyond that date. I hope I've squeezed in by switching dating tradition! In southern parts of England, Twelfth Night is 17 January.  Maybe none of it works Down Under.

The 125 extra bags from the green and checked fabric purchases from the Guild are now completed and stowed away. I've begun work on a sampler apron for the Guild Exhibition in March. This is using up some seersucker I bought to make nightdresses but which proved to be rather too pink.

                     

It's a project with enough challenge to keep me interested. I have embroidered the front to the right of the centre line and  now have to embroider a mirror image on the left side Each column is a different stitch.

It has slowed down my baby cardigan knitting, but not by too much.  I'm now on the first sleeve. I've also borrowed a copy of Vintage Knits, from Katherine, which has a couple of baby jacket patterns without lacy holes. I might try those as well.

I spent today at a friend's place entering another set of data into a database for the Embroiderers' Guild, this time an amazing collection of samplers, mostly associated with the Guild's Certificate Course. This is the work of one retired member (now sadly suffering from dementia) over some 15 years,  8 variously sized folders of samples worked to illustrate every aspect of the certificate course, probably 150 beautifully worked samples or samplers. They form an extraordinary resource for others doing the course, or just interested. It was a two person job to sort, categorise and enter the details. Hopefully the database will make the samples accessible. We completed 6 of the 8 folders and will hopefully finish the job before the end of the month. We are in awe of the skill and persistence that went into this collection. It is hugely satisfying to work on a project like this for a whole day, both of us focused on the task and the joy of handling such skilled work - becoming part of its imparting.

The bats have been very active of late, flying in just after sundown and making a terrific racket feeding on the figs. The sounds are apparently echolocations, guiding others to the food. In the heart of the city! I took these photos last night.

The bats are arriving again as I write this. I'm resisting the urge to take more photos. 

This time next week I  expect to be writing from Carrickalinga where I will be staying with family. It has been difficult for interstate family to get leave and my fingers are crossed for smooth travel in difficult times. I am so looking forward to seeing them.  

The wifi isn't good at Carrickalinga, but I hope to be able to post. Until then.