I just voted

No, not in THAT election but in the New Zealand parliamentary elections. Polling day is this Saturday, 8 November and, although I haven’t lived in New Zealand for nearly 20 years and the political landscape has changed drastically in that time, I am exercising my right and civic responsibility by casting an absentee vote.

Currently 94.5% percent of the eligible voting population of New Zealand are enrolled to vote. If you haven’t enrolled yet, it’s not too late. The last day to enrol to vote is Friday 7 November. People cannot enrol on Election Day.

I’ll be monitoring the New Zealand election results on the official site of the New Zealand Electoral Office. If there is an election in your part of the world this week, I hope you cast your vote.

Il Pleut [It's Raining]

See that stuff splashing down the window? It’s called rain and the Laundry King doesn’t like it. Fortunately the heavy stuff didn’t start coming down until after we returned from our excursion (by public transport again) to the market in Vence.

I would have liked to have visited the Rosaire Chapel designed by Matisse (especially the stained glass windows) but, you’ve guessed it, it is closed on Fridays. However, we did go into the cathedral where we admired the bapistry mosaic by Marc Chagall - Moses saved from the Nile.

Nice Market

French Blue

Some more things “bleu” for Erica…

Les Fleurs des Courgettes

Market Day

Wednesday is market day in Tourettes sur Loup. Armed with our shopping bag, we made a leisurely circuit of the stands in the village square. People watching is just as interesting as inspecting produce and wares especially with the extravagant gestures and utterances of some of the vendors - “thirty euros Madame - half the price you will find in St Paul de Vence!”. After buying some cheese and some vegetables, we explored the cobbled laneways of the medieval village. Although tourists are clearly vital to the local economy, it is refreshing to walk around a place where ordinary people also live; to admire their courtyards and to practice my French by eavesdropping upon their everyday conversations.
 

A Day of Rest

Bread, cheese, wine, a good book, blue sky, a warm breeze, a pool to dangle your legs in or even swim in.

A very lazy kind of Sunday in France.

Sublime.

Be Prepared

I’m plodding my way through my endless “to do” list before we head overseas. Packing was temporarily delayed as I allocated myself a few minutes sulking time after I discovered that my favourite, versatile fine black merino jumper (or jersey in kiwi parlance) has been munched by some moths. Argh…Going through every cupboard and drawer in the house taking photographs for insurance records took up another chunk of time as did preparing back-up pdf files for the multiple tickets and journeys that our trip seems to entail. None of which is especially blog-worthy.

Instead, I leave you with these items:

• all of the artist statement details for the thirty New Zealand quilts in the MY PLACE exhibition are now available online and give valuable insights to these wonderful works;
• earlier in the week, Erica and I enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon viewing the Papunya Painting exhibition of western desert aboriginal art at the Australian Museum in Sydney and then the Out of the Blue exhibition by members of the Australian Textile Art and Surface Design Association. Neither venue allowed photography but you can see some images of the ATASDA charm challenge on Gramarye’s blog and I encourage all readers in the Sydney area to see the wonderful Payunya paintings before the exhibition closes at the beginning of November; and
• if I wasn’t planning to attend a church dedication for my yet-to-born niece or nephew the same weekend, I would be sending off my registration for the Ozquilt Network annual conference on 30 November. They have an interesting program lined up and all textile artists are welcome. Bookings close on 15 October.

Quilt Fabric Shopping

When I moved to Casa da Praia fulltime in 2004, there were more than four dedicated patchwork stores in the area along with a warehouse for a thread mail order business and the usual larger chain stores. In that time, commensurate with my “retirement” income, I have reined in my fabric buying habit so I haven’t been the greatest customer. Obviously I am not alone as, one by one, those shops have closed.

Today I found out that another store, further afield, is closing down and there are great bargains to be grabbed. Did I jump into my car and make the hour or so drive to check it out? Well no, partly with the price of petrol, I did not. However, I have placed a fabric order online with Hancocks of Paducah. Not only is the exchange rate most favourable at present, but Hancocks is offering free shipping on all orders (International over $80.00 Domestic U.S. over $50.00) until August 1. Just enter code JULY08 in the Catalog Source Code field on the billing page.

A Shining Light

Today I honour the memory of Mom H (June Hughes) who was born on this date in 1926 and passed away on 15 July 2008. June was my first host mother when I was an exchange student and, along with Dad H, offered a home of faith, love, laughter and music. In the subsequent 25 years, Mom was a faithful correspondent keeping me up to date with all the latest happenings and always interested in hearing my news. She loved the outdoors and I always think of her when I see wildflowers. That will not change.