MacDonald's Patch: January 2019

26 January, 2019

A Trip To Norfolk Island

On the 7th January, Noel and I headed to Norfolk Island.

Lucky me had a window seat and got some lovely photos coming into land.

Warning: lots of photos!

We had both wanted to go there for years. A package deal came up on my

Facebook timeline which sounded great, so we booked. It was fantastic!

I'm a bit late posting this as for some reason blogger didn't want to play nice!

Slaughter Bay looking toward the old goal.

The supply ship, HMS Sirius, was wrecked here near the Kingston Pier

in 1790. It was on the reef

where the waves are crashing to the left of the photo.

Emily Bay with the Salt House ruins.

This is where we snorkelled which was fantastic.

Emily Bay (front) and Slaughter Bay.

St Barnabas Chapel, built in 1882.

St Barnabas Chapel. Rose window designed by William Morris.

Old gaol ruins.

Old gaol entrance.

Looking towards the old gaol from Quality Row.

Hospital.

Houses in Quality Row.

Quality Row from above with the golf course across the road.

Quality Row.

Looking toward Phillip Island at Slaughter Bay near the pier.

I was lucky enough to have a window seat leaving too.

This is Phillip Island, about 6km from Kingston, the old settlement.

From Captain Cook Memorial.

We went to the Island Fish Fry.

We had trumpeter fish. It was so delicious, I had three helpings!

But I didn't have the sweets so that's okay.

At the Fish Fry at sunset. Can you see me (hint - red hair!)?

It was a little cloudy but still beautiful.

We were entertained with a wonderful singer and some dancing girls.

Norfolk Island Cemetery.

It was fascinating reading the head stones.

Sunset on our first night just a couple of hundred metres from where we stayed.

Cows have right of way on Norfolk Island!

If you've got this far, I hope you enjoyed a look at Norfolk Island.

We took so many photos it was hard to keep the number down in my post.

I can highly recommend visiting here and if you're interested,

I can send you the link to the travel agents we went through.

Our package included flights, accommodation, car hire,

Norf'k Laenwij (Norfolk Language) class, welcome dinner and several tours.

I can say we would definitely go back again.

20 January, 2019

First Friday Night Sew-In For 2019

I went through my stash to find fabrics to make another Nativity wall hanging. In 1996/1997 I made about 10 of these hangings. A niece is getting married in May and has asked for one of these as a wedding gift. She said each year when she hangs it up, she will remember that it was from us. Definitely not your normal wedding gift!

Then I picked up my stitchery while watching the Aussie boy,

Alex Di Minaur play Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open.

As you can see, I didn't get very far! The tennis was great to watch.

Thank you to Wendy for once again hosting us at the Friday Night Sew-In.

You can see what everyone got up to here.

05 January, 2019

First Friday Night With Friends For 2019

It's hard to believe we are starting another year of FNWF!

I have finally finished stitching my "Twas The Night Before Christmas"

(would have looked much better if I'd ironed it first!).

I continued stitching today with a lovely group of ladies,

the Chit Chat Crafters. Today we worked on our own projects.

I decided my hexagons had been neglected for long enough.

I stitched together Row 8 and added it to the quilt top.

Thank you to Chez for being our hostess again this year.

You can see what others got up to here.

Well, I'm off to finish packing.

Noel and I are heading to Sydney tomorrow and then flying

to Norfolk Island on Monday. I can't wait as it's been somewhere

I've wanted to visit for a very long time. Of course I've packed

some stitching, mainly for on the plane but I may manage

a little extra done while we are sitting on our verandah watching the view!

01 January, 2019

2018 Review

A look back at my finishes for 2018.

Santa's On His Way Hoop

Darcy's Ahoy There Me Mateys Baby Quilt.

It is with much sadness that I remember this quilt.
Darcy, my great nephew, was born in February and had a heart problem (picked up in the 20 week scan). Darcy underwent four major open heart surgeries and many other procedures. Just when he finally got out of intensive care and it looked like he had turned a corner, Darcy suffered cardiac arrest.