Off to the Big Smoke for a few days

Next week we will be leaving our peaceful house on the hill and heading off to the Big Smoke to take care of some business and to catch up with a friend.  It will be nice to visit the city again, but somehow I suspect we will be thankful to leave the traffic and noise behind when we come home.

 Here is a corner of our local botanic garden, with a little waterfall trickling over the garden.

And here is a Hardenbergia (Aussie native plant) growing in the same garden, just in front of the pond.

The flowers match the bruise on one of my toes, done a couple of days ago when I kicked the leg of a small stool while walking barefoot - as we do here most of the time in summer.  The toe is very swollen and sore, which makes wearing anything on that foot difficult.  But never mind, soon it will be all better again and I will be back to jumping out of my skin.  Just as well we won't be going for our long walk on Tuesday, because the new walking shoes might give that poor toe trouble - although they were worn successfully last Tuesday and will be worn again once the swelling and soreness goes down.  We will already be on our way south when the walking group steps out.

Finally the new skirt and top are cut out, and now I can get to work making them.  I made the decision to line the skirt - it's a soft floppy woven polyester fabric, so it will be less clingy with a lining.  The fabric is also slightly see-through with the light behind it, and I am past the age of showing my all to the world.  Our wedding anniversary is later this month and we usually celebrate by going out to dinner, so I will have a new outfit to wear.  The wardrobe has been increased by some new skirts and tops in the fast few months, and they should be photographed so you can see them.  I am quite pleased with them.

Oh dear, a thought has just hit me.....the sore toe is on my sewing machine pedal foot!  Bummer!!

Last year I bought some very gorgeous knitting yarn, a mohair blend in golden autumn tones, and a pattern to make a jacket.  As we are several hours' drive from the Big Smoke and I have no trouble knitting in the car, it just might get cast on tonight.......just think how much could be done by the time we come home again!  The cardigan started last year has been languishing because I am not feeling the love for it.  While I do love the yarn, a gorgeous deep teal with a fleck running through, the pattern isn't exciting me - so it's time to re-think the design, and today while browsing Ravelry a lovely cardigan pattern sprang out and tapped me on the shoulder.  That yarn has already made three false starts, so this had better be the last as it will be needed in winter.

One thing we will be doing while in the city will be visiting the helpful travel agent we have used in the past - because later this year we are off to Canada again!  Yay!  Dates and details to be confirmed, but definitely October - autumn in Canada is so beautiful.  Two autumns in one year, how lucky are we!  Have I ever mentioned that autumn is my very favourite season?

"Carrying packages.
A gentleman will never permit a lady with whom he is walking to carry a package of any kind, but will insist on relieving her of it.  He may even accost a lady when he sees her overburdened and offer his assistance, if their ways lie in the same direction."

Fortunately my husband will carry shopping for me - but unfortunately I cannot say the same for all men.

Enjoy your days!