Cambridge-who knew?

On Monday my wing woman and I decided to make a trip to Hamilton to visit an old friend and colleague and then go on with her to Tirau as we decided this might be an interesting Chriatmas shopping expedition. As it happens we didn’t make it that far. We got to Cambridge and thought we would stretch our legs and potter about there for a bit. The “a bit” turned out to be about three hours.

I coveted a Jeff Thompson sculpture in the local gallery but the price tag was a Lotto-win kind of price.

http://www.jeffthomson.co.nz/studio/studio1.php

There were lots of little antique/junk shops and gift shops to faff about in. I was determined not to spend money but that was an epic fail after about the first shop. The wind had got up so I simply had to purchase a scarf to keep me warm. I justify this on the basis of health and well-being.

This was closely followed up by earrings in the same shop… with absolutely no justification.

and I dare not even mention the handbag… however, the next purchase is very easily justified as a friend has just had a little baby boy. How could I not?

I exercised restraint but only just, in the yarn store below.

Earlier in the week though I did give away more clothes to the hospice shop, bought some boys’ toys for Caring For Families and donated some money to several charities. This is because I can whinge all I like about Trump and his ilk but I think I’m better to stop complaining and just try to do something local, pathetically small though it might be.

I finally finished the first Ferrante novel between reading other things and can’t wait to read the rest of the series. They are called the Neapolitan novels and the first one is My Brilliant Friend.

i also read a book that I heard about on Kim Hill called when Breath Becomes Air. It is the cheery but true story of a promising young brain surgeon dying of a brain tumour. Well worth reading but possibly not a beach-side book.

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Equally grim but an absolute must-see is Ken Loach’s latest and possibly last, film, I Daniel Blake. it is harrowing, all-too-believable but ultimately hopeful film about the human spirit in the face of ridiculous bureaucracy. It would be in my top two films of 2016. I started sobbing about ten minutes in.

I am vaguely attempting to get in the Christmas spirit by assembling my fairies in the shape of a Christmas tree (as always, grateful thanks to my wing woman).

Unfortunately I can’t see Sam getting overly excited about them so I hope a few angel fans call in before the 25th.

A few weeks ago I was contemplating the dark grey wall on my deck and started some research. Short of the 7k Jeff Thompson sculpture which would look perfect I have had to look at cheaper options and decided on a living wall. They re made from recycled plastic plastic bottles.

I am enjoying mine and have planted flowers in the top and herbs in the bottom so you can lean back and pick some basil for your salad while you eat.

It also makes for a more interesting view from inside too.

I’m contemplating Christmas dinner but am not coming up with anything exciting as Sam is a vegan. Hard to get inspired about tofu and chickpeas. Maybe I’ll just skip the main and go straight to dessert. What are you having? All ideas welcome. FG

 

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