Drum roll please - the winner is.....

Good evening all,  Madame Muriel Flat Flossie here for a very important announcement.
My stay in New Zealand with my hostess and her HDHBEM has come to a close.   My hostess has prepared my travel capsule and tonight the HDHBEM took out her special bowl for the grand drawing.

Apparently there were 7 people who wanted me to come for a visit.   How great is that!    I feel very very popular and honoured that my fame has travelled so far around the Globe.   Why, there were offers from Canada, America, Germany and the United Kingdom.   I checked to make sure that all entries were in the bowl.

Anyway, let me just tell you how honoured I was that this bowl was used.   The HDHBEM received this bowl as part of a tea set 60 years ago when she got married.  How amazing!   It's still in one piece because my hostess doesn't use it except on very special occasions.  

So I watched closely while the HDHBEM drew a paper.   I will really miss the HDHBEM -  she might be really ancient but she is so kind and her hands are sooo soft.   Must be all that knitting she does.
Anyway the result of the drawing is that I am going to visit Jo

Jo says she lives in East Anglia and my hostess got out her Road Map of Great Britain to show me.  
Can you email your postal address to my hostess please Jo, and she will ensure that I get on the correct aeroplane.    I look forward to meeting you and the boys very soon.

Many thanks to all of you who extended an invitation.   Please don't give up -  I will come to you soon

Farewell New Zealand.    Rule Britannia!!

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go....

Well, it's me again and that title really says it all.   My hostess has been asking where I want to visit next.   Apparently she will book my flight anywhere I want to go but I must have an invitation.   She said there might be visa problems if I don't have a suitable sponsor hostess.

So tonight we had the atlas out.  All those pages - some of them very dog-eared too I might add.  I wanted to suggest just sticking a pin at random into one of those multi-coloured pages but my hostess was aghast at that idea.   She flatly refused to assist me with that and suggested a blog posting instead.  
Here we go with a little post I had prepared previously....

Unaccustomed as I am to posting about myself or my travels on this blog (or indeed any other blog), I have drawn on every ounce of my courage to make this plea.   I need a place to visit.  
My requirements are few so I list them below:
1.   I need an invitation from a willing hostess.
2.   The willing hostess needs to show me the sights of her town/city of residence and agree to take photographs and post them on her blog.
3.   The willing hostess will need to fill in my passport -  I find it very difficult to hold a pen in my hands and require the services of a scribe who can read, write and speak English.
4.    The willing hostess will need to provide a postcard of her town/city of residence to help fill the pocket in my passport.
5.    The willing hostess will need to provide a small gift for me to take with me when I journey on from her place to the next.  (BRIBE here -  I will be bringing with me a gift from my current hostess)

Yes!   I have just checked with my hostess and her HDHBEM and apparently that is the total requirement.  So if any of you out there who are reading this blog, are longing to meet me in person please leave a comment on this post.   The HDHBEM said she will assist in drawing a name from "Grandma's Bowl" on 20 October and my hostess said she has my luggage ready so I can travel immediately my destination is decided.  
 

PS   Perhaps I should let you know my destinations of choice are (in no particular order)

Scotland (anywhere they have tartan kilts)
Wales (A photo of me with Wills and Kate would become a family heirloom)
Dublin (I hear this is in the Emerald Isle and I just love emeralds)
London (a visit to the Queen would be high on my list but I would settle for Phillip, Charles, Andrew, Edward, Sophie, Camilla, Beatrice, Eugenie,  .... OK OK you get the picture )

and to a different continent
Zanzibar (I am told the beaches there are beautiful and I didn't get much of a tan while here in Auckland)
South Africa (If those emeralds I mentioned above aren't possible well there are diamond mines here)

or perhaps
Canada (I'd love to meet one of those handsome Mounties)

or
well anywhere really.   I'm not fussy!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

A day out at the Embroiderers Regional Day

We were both up early this morning to travel to Orewa.   Yes!   I didn't know where this was either - but it's a small beachside town about half an hours drive north of The City.   My hostess hates being late so we were early!!!   But this gave us time to go to the lookout and she kindly took a photo so I can show you the beach.   What a pity the tide's out otherwise I might have been tempted to swim.

My hostess drives a little blue Mazda car but you might be wondering how I get around to all these places she takes me.   So last night while she was preparing I suggested a photo of my 'travelling style' might allay all this curiosity.
My previous hostess found me this wonderful travelling pod.   It really protects me from too many knocks and bruises although it does rather crush my velvet skirt :-)  

My hostess says that this pod is fine for international travel but she feels it is too confining for domestic trips so she sat me in her special embroidery basket.   I was well cushioned by her "tool box" and her needle book.

Oh?  You want to see what's on that band?  So did I,  so this morning before we left I asked for another photo.   The other side is different but she said one photo was enough!   What?   So we compromised on a close up of the detail on the other side.

This regional day is for all members of the embroiderers guilds from the very Far North down to The City.  There were about 200 women there and I think I lowered the average age immediately I entered the hall. Ha ha! 

But here's proof -  all the grey hair here!  I was so pleased I kept my bonnet on and covered my own tresses.   These old greyheads ( to borrow a word from my hostess) were all looking at samples of work from each of the Guilds.   Apparently there's a lot of cross pollination in this field and many of the tutors travel from one guild to another teaching the same technique on different projects.

This lady is from the Far North and my hostess owes her a BIG obligation.   This lady was the tutor who taught my hostess how to do Kogin - look at that fantastic sample on her knee. I think this was right side up -  her work is soooo beautiful that the back is as good as the front.   Not like the work my hostess does (ha ha hee hee)  

They had a speaker too. Priscilla is an expert in Silk and she has travelled The Silk Road several times.   Today she spoke about her recent six weeks from Shanghai to Samarkand -  not only was her lecture interesting but her textile art and clothing were amazing.   Just look at this.   She made that quilt and her own jacket -  all out of silk.   I was speechless when she told us she had torn up ten and a half yards of handpainted silk into strips about quarter of an inch wide.   She then knitted all those strips into a cardigan.   For goodness sake, I thought to myself.   Hasn't the lady ever seen a yarn store?   But I loved the sweater and tried to persuade my hostess to buy it for me.   My hostess snorted!   She really did.   And after the snort she told me she didn't have that much money in her bank and if I wanted to buy it then I could pay for it.  
Anyway my hostess made good progress on her "project to carry to guild meetings" -  the first alphabet is finished.  She told me to tell you the details, so here we go -   Pochette ABCD'air; one strand of DMC 115 over one thread of Antique White 28 count Cashel Linen and the chart is from here.   (Hope I got that right)
My hostess sat next to her friend Beth today and Beth kindly took this photograph of me.  

And just so you don't worry, my hostess put the last cross in Z just as the lady in charge said "thank you all for coming.  Please take care as you drive home."    We did take care and we are home safely now.
I need to talk to you all tomorrow about my travel plans but meanwhile I'm off for some beauty sleep.   Goodnight all.

A visit to the Exhibition

Good afternoon to you all,
My Hostess belongs to the Auckland Embroiderers Guild and their annual exhibition finished today.   Just before closing we managed to find time to visit.   The cute little old building is called Bishop Selwyns Residence but it's only his ghost that lives there now.  

We had a good look around all the beautiful pieces -  somebody called Stella had stitched that famous piece called Beatrix Potter Companion Quaker.   I liked that one but my hostess and her HDHBEM were really attracted to all the artistic pieces.   The HDHBEM liked a thread picture of the New Zealand bush -  she told me it was in Silk Shading and my hostess said she hates doing that so I don't hold out any hope of a souvenir in that style.
In school holidays the Guild run a class for children called Little Sew and Sews and they had a colourful table of all their work.   Really interesting.   Those children are clever - see that big piece just behind HDHBEM in this picture.   Those children stitched that for a national exhibition and they won a prize.   I almost took my hat off to them - but I thought it might mess up my hair!

I wasn't allowed to take many photos of the pieces but the kind ladies Con and Rebecca said they would smile for me. 

They have to sit by the door and make sure people sign the visitors book and buy raffle tickets for those baskets.   The HDHBEM and my hostess both bought tickets -  I hope they win something as those baskets were filled with all sorts of luxuries.
On the way home my hostess drove us past the house where the New Zealand Prime Minister lives -  even though she said "my friend John" I think she must have been joking as we didn't call in for a cup of tea.

Then she took me to see her "favourite building in Auckland" -  this huge building is on top of a hill and looks out over the city.   It is the Auckland War Memorial Museum and my hostess really loves it.  She told me all about it but I've forgotten a lot -  the names of the battles where New Zealand soldiers fought in World War One are engraved all around the building above those windows.   At least I think that's what she said.  I said I thought that on a fine day, the building would look even more stupendous  - she had to agree with that!   Today is once again, wet and gloomy.

Just down the hill from her favourite building is the Winter Garden.   Strange name for it really, as inside it was full of colour - Spring flowers and so so fragrant.   I loved it there.   So did the HDHBEM.  
We all loved these spiky orange tulips and the dark, almost black ones,

Across the courtyard was another building that my hostess said was the tropical house.   But she was concerned the heat and humidity might make her my hair frizzy so we just admired from a distance and then came home.

So endeth another day.   Despite the grey wet conditions of this weekend I think my hostess has done me proud.   I'm enjoying seeing all her favourite places and I love the way that the HDHBEM absolutely insists on having her share of the photographs.  
My hostess has a busy week at work this week so I will be home keeping HDHBEM company and possibly helping her concentrate on the knitting pattern which seems to be causing some frustration!
Bye for now.

A visit to Devonport

Kia Ora
Today is cold and grey but my hostess kept her promise and took me in on the bus so we could catch the ferry to Devonport.

This is the ferry - well not the one we travelled on of course but her sister!   The Hilton Hotel behind was built over the water to look like a cruise ship.   My hostess told me she had stayed in the Bow Suite.   I'm quite sure I smiled politely but she must have thought I didn't believe her and she found a photo to prove it.

Looking back from the ferry I got a lovely view of Auckland City.   That large whiteroof in the centre front is called The Wave by the architects and Party Central by everyone else.   The left hand white roof is the BIG screen where the Rugby World Cup games are shown.  Tonight is England versus Scotland and there were ever so many lovely Scotsmen in their kilts walking around the city.   When the wind got up it was really exciting!   I blushed a deep deep red and worried that my hostess might be embarrassed.

We saw their Harbour Bridge.   Apparently there are some rude people who call this 'the coathanger' but I really can't think why.   It had four lanes when they first built it but the silly planners didn't calculate the number of cars correctly and they had to ask a Japanese engineering firm to make some extra car lanes and clip them on the sides.   Now the folks here in Auckland call those 'the Nippon Clip-ons'.  
Devonport is only a five minute ferry ride from Auckland city.  The first thing I saw when we got out of the terminal building was this....

"Do you think I'm going to ride in that", I asked.   But, she said the thought had never crossed her mind and she had no intention of paying $8 to ride in some old fashioned thing like that!   Perhaps I should have asked more politely and she might have said yes!   Opportunity missed.

This place was great.   Can you smell the chocolate?   I had a great time here.  This place makes so many flavours of chocolate -  even a special Hokey Pokey one.   It took three people to explain to me that Hokey Pokey is a butterscotch toffee type sweet that crackles when you eat it.   New Zealanders put it into chocolate and into icecream and they love it.   Not wanting to soil my pristine white apron I was reluctant to try it out so cannot vouch for the accuracy of their descriptions.

We went to the yarn shop and to the quilting shop but alas, my hostess forgot to take a photograph of me there.   When I timidly voiced my disappointment she dismissively said "well you have better where you come from.   I'm trying to give you unique experiences you know".  

Maybe that is why she took me past this place.

I remembered she said that Kiwis cannot fly so wondered aloud why they needed a Flight Centre.   Then, oh dear, she said with tears in her eyes that she thought I might like to consider where I wanted to visit next.
Uh?  Truth to tell I am enjoying myself so much I hadn't thought about that.  Anyway we had a discussion and apparently the itinerary is -
Tomorrow we go to the Auckland Embroiderers Guild Annual Display of Work at Bishop Selwyns Residence.   Doesn't that sound posh.  
Next Saturday we go to a place called Orewa, where all the embroidery ladies from this region get together for a stitch and chat day.
Methinks I might like to visit those but then perhaps I need to think about where to next.   My hostess said she will write about it all on her blog in a week or two but she was rather hoping I could stay until her birthday before I went on with my journey.   Anyway I pleaded with her to put out the word and see if there was anyone else who had a spare bed for me and would show me other interesting places.   Please think about it.
And now I'm really tired so its back to my sleeping pod and bye bye for now.

A visit to the Golden Arches

Hi there everyone.   Today my hostess brushed my dress, made sure I was tidy and told me we were going out.   Now what's a girl to think?   I wondered if I was off to meet the boy friend -  well in a way I was!  Her friend Ronald.

We drove up to those famous Golden Arches and I squealed, "you have those here too".   Stupid really.   We all know they are everywhere.   Turns out her friend Ronald McDonald has lots of his places all round this country.   We went to one at Royal Oak.   No Queen, no King and definitely no Oak!!
On our way into the place she mentioned we were having Kiwi Burger.  Another squeal from me!   "You mean you eat those cute little feathery no-fly birds?"    I consulted Kiwi who was with us.

Again stupid really....turns out that these New Zealanders call anything they make a Kiwi product, hence Kiwi Burger.
Another strange thing ... these Kiwi Burgers aren't available all the time.   I seem to be considered lucky I am visiting while these things are on special promotion!

Now can you see the box says "freshly made just for you" -  she ate the whole lot!   I didn't get to taste one bit.   But she pronounced it OK and then said "I know why I don't eat McDonalds much".   Maybe Ronald McDonald isn't a really close friend?!
Anyway, I asked what made these burgers Kiwi and she told me its because of what's in them -  a beef pattie, an egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, tomato sauce, mustard and beetroot.   I'm totally underwhelmed -  such a fuss over a burger!

 Not wanting to seem impertinent but in order to prepare myself I enquired where we might be going next.  Seems there's a place called Devonport just across the harbour and we will go by ferry boat next Saturday.   I'm looking forward to that so must be off to sort out my nautical outfit to wear.
Tonight the New Zealand Rugby Team - those All Blacks - are playing France at Eden Park just down the road from here.   It will be loud so I have requested ear plugs and plan on having an early night.   A girl needs her beauty sleep you know.
Talk to you all again soon.   Ka Kite Anou

At last - sheep and lambs

Hello again
If you remember she told me that Spring in New Zealand always means daffodils and lambs.  Well it is Spring and on our road trip we saw lots and lots of both.  Its a great colour combination and my artistic eye thought that verdant green, egg yolk yellow and pristine white go well together.   Ha ha ha!
I was really persistent in making sure she took photographs and here's a collage of the cute little fluffy lambs.   Most of the mother sheep had triplets or twins which the HDHBEM tells me makes the farmer man happy.   I felt rather sorry for the mother sheep though - those little lambs are Very Energetic!

Lots of sheep means lots of wool and New Zealanders like knitting, almost as much as they like quilting, needlework and rugby!
The HDHBEM knits and knits and knits -  and on our trip she saw this sign.   I thought she was supposed to have poor sight but when I murmured something to that effect, she sternly told me that those letters were bigger than the top line of the Opthalmologists chart and she can read that!

 I also said it looked like another cafe but there was no dissuading the HDHBEM.   Here's a photo of the outside - it does look like a cafe doesn't it?

But inside is a knitters paradise.   The HDHBEM was in knitter heaven and when we came out we had two huge bags of wool.   Increased stash for HDHBEM.   Happy smiles for the shop assistant -  hope she was on commission!!  

Here's a view of some of  the stash.   Apparently my hostess is to help skein these hanks - I'm really thankful my hands are too small as there's a lot of work ahead.

In the good old days when she only knew about big needles, my hostess used to knit too.   One of her friends was rude enough to draw this cartoon of her

and when I laughed too much she set up a photo shoot for me with my friend Mr Merino.   Tee hee!   I am a real New Zealander now!!  Look at me knitting - straight off the sheeps back!

And just to let you know -  this road trip has really tired me out so I am going to settle in my little sleeping pod and rest for a few days.   She said to tell you that there are still some other places she wants to visit and that I am not to book my tickets just yet.   Besides which the accompanying luggage is still not completely sorted out, and my next hostess hasn't been decided so I am happily staying here in New Zealand a little longer.
Anyway Ka Kite Anou to you all.

A Road Trip to visit Little Brother

Gidday Mate!   She and the HDHBEM took me on a road trip to visit the Little Brother on his Mini Farm.   What a trip -  I travelled well in the travel pod that Stewey provided for me and every so often she took me out for a photo opportunity.   Celebrity status I assure you.
Here we are on our way leaving home. 

HDHBEM had to stop at the opthalmologist on the way and there were no photos there, of me anyway.   My hostess looked at the photos of the HDHBEM's eyes and discussed everything with the kind doctor but I didn't understand a word.   All seems to be well though.
A quick stop for petrol and we were away.

This country has lots of green fields and animals but also a giant apple !!

We travelled past these alpacas

Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano in the middle of the North Island and this deer farm was near there.  



Oh dear or dear  she had promised to show me lambs but so far nothing.   My diminutive size meant I couldn't see out the windows too well but I trusted her to fulfill her promise!

Finally we arrived at our first night stay.   A small town called Taihape.  Famous for .... gumboots!   Once a year they have a great Gumboot Throwing Competition -  how strange is that.   Anyway, here we stayed.   Look at my huge bed. 

When I commented on the extreme size and said I felt lost in all this space, she asked me if I'd rather stay here?!?!

The HDHBEM took me and her to Gumboot Manor for dinner.  Cute table number!   Big meal but enjoyed by all.

We went to the LNS, aptly named The Quilted Gumboot.   And....they had quilted gumboots. Look, look, look!

She bought some goodies here for me to take to my next hostess.   It's exciting going shopping with her and I think I have caught a New Zealand Disease -  "spending other peoples money syndrome".   I discussed this with the HDHBEM and she told me there is no known cure for that disease but in some cases it is confused with generosity.   The HDHBEM told me that my previous hostesses had the generosity variant but she wasn't too happy to commit about this one!

Finally we got to Little Brother's mini-farm.   I'm absolutely sure she said Little Brother but I made her take this photograph as it seems I must have misunderstood and she said Little Mother.   Look at the two of them together!!

He was really kind to me and even though he chortled at my many names he held me up for a view over the fields

and took me on a walk to meet his calves.  

Strange though, all of them are boy calves and they aren't so popular with dairy farmers.   They get called Bobby and end up at one year old being meat on a plate.  Little Brother has five Bobbys -  one is for him, one for the neighbour and three are for the works.   I don't know what he means by that - maybe only those three get roast vegetables and mint sauce added?

On the way home we had some beautiful Tip Top icecream -  I looooove New Zealand ice cream.   The HDHBEM has Apricot Ripple and she had Spicy Apple Crumble and I ..... well I just looked on with envy.

The hot chocolates come with extras  -  I tell myself that a lick on the lips is a lifetime on the hips but everytime I yield to temptation.   Those little red balls are called Jaffas -  chocolate on the inside and orange on the outside.
Well I think that has to be all for tonight.   I'm feeling tired and need to regain my strength.   She tells me there is a photo shoot tomorrow and I am required as model.   Whatever can that be?
Anyway, good night to all.