iPad adventure

Note to self - next time remind me that I don't like shopping!

Today I took my iPad to the mall to see about a new cover.   Four years ago I bought the iPad so was not expecting this conversation
Me:   Do you have covers for iPads?
He:   What sort of iPad is it?
Me:   I brought it with me
He:   It's an OLD one  - they don't make covers for them any more!

No bonus points for him - terrible sales manner.

Off I go to another store where conversation went like this
Me:   Do you have covers for iPads?
He:   What sort of iPad is it?
Me:   I brought it with me
He:   It's an OLD one  - they don't make covers for them any more!

What is it with these sales people?   My iPad is NOT old!   I bought it in July 2013!   It is still in good working condition; it serves me very well and all I want is a cover.

Moral of the story - make your own cover and don't expect a male less than half your age to understand even a minute fraction of "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without"
Does anyone have any suggestions for a "make it yourself" iPad cover?

Return from Rotorua and the new toy...

The HD3QBEM and I have been to Rotorua for a couple of nights stay.   Described as a thermal wonderland, the whole city bubbles and steams and smells of sulphur!   But the hot pools are bliss.
Just outside our hotel room was the aptly named Sulphur Point.   It was a pretty sight to see the steam rising all along the far lake edge.

 How do the seagulls survive on the border between thermal bubbles and cold lake?  At the lakes edge the bubbles rose constantly emitting their foul smell but providing photo opportunities for the many Asian tourists who were hopefully better at recording the "blop blop blop" of the bubbles on their cameras!

 This Tudor Style building is named the Government Bathhouse and was built in 1908 when the Government wanted to create a South Seas Spa!   Noble ambition that may have been but it was singularly unsuccessful and the building is now a Museum and Art Gallery -  and a photo spot for most visiting tourists.   Here's a front and side view. 

I took no stitching with me as I accurately predicted the lighting in the hotel room would be insufficient.    However I had a long soak in the hot pools, read some books, did some exploring and generally had a relaxing time.
And I promised you a photo of my new toy.  My one and only brother-in-law (God Bless him) is coming at the end of the month to install a  wireless router and to give me tuition in this....

My first project with the new toy is to stitch this -  well not stitch it with the new toy but to bring the coloured pictures and instructions to my stitching seat and so to stitch another M!   I fell in love with this Alphabet but as I have no Italian I will have to follow the pictures and an iPad will make that so much easier.  
The one and only brother-in-law is full of ideas and apps that he is convinced I need and will benefit from.   Much as it pains me to admit it, he is probably correct so we will negotiate all that when he comes to stay.  
Now I am off to do some grocery shopping and then I need to pick up a needle before withdrawal symptoms set in.   Enjoy the rest of your weekend.