The Old

 The other day (as I was coming out of the loo, actually), I noticed how good this little alcove looked

and this set me noticing other stuff,

like this very colonial glimpse of Triabunna that I pass at least twice a week on my way to Mrs O'Henry's place for tai chi.

Opening the gate at Mrs O's, I realised the much maligned shed next door is actually rather beautiful and much in keeping with Edna Walling's observation of climbing roses:

'In the country they will cover an old shed and make a picture of it with their foliage and flowers.'

In my garden

the Gold Bunny shines

and the Angel Face brings the same joy as did the full moon of a cuppla nights ago.

On the deck a cuppla old blokes reflect on family history in the kitchen window

while I steadily work through my library books.  Only got the Annie Proulx to go.  I thought I'd read The Shipping News yonks ago but I have no memory of it.  I think it's been overshadowed by Rocky's housekeeper's obsession with the shipping forecasts in As Time Goes By.  The Baldacci is a good go by a male at writing a feminist thriller.  At times it took me back to the sadly missed Alphabet Murders series by Sue Grafton.  Thursday Murder Club is good fun and, I suspect, deliberately satisfying for the older reader...  The Angry Women's Choir is so much more thought provoking and complex than Meg Bignell's The Sparkle Pages.  And Simon Winchester.  Well I love Simon Winchester books, and I am currently deeply embedded in China in the 1940s.  This is the biography of Joseph Needham, a scientist entranced with the loooooong culture of China, and its many scientific and engineering firsts.  If it wasn't NYE I'd be reading it now.

Now a flashback to Christmas.  I forgot to post this close-up of the beautiful Christmas Eve trout.

And another old photo:

My friend Bruce sent me this a few days ago.  He is one of the Maria Voices and this photo is taken from the choir looking to the audience.  It features so many of my favourite people.  I am in deep conversation with Hannah, berating her because she'll be leaving Triabunna soon.  Beast.

A little bit of new.  I looked out the kitchen window first thing yesterday and was greeted by a triangular flash of knickers, smalls and sundry others.

Cheeky blighters used their initiative and our carport post.

No-one has ever done this before.  I have to say that these campers looked very Chinese, and demonstrated the amazing problem solving skills that have dazzled me in China and Viet Nam.

So, goodnight until next year.

🎆🎆HAPPY 🎆🎆🎆NEW🎆🎆🎆 YEAR🎆🎆!!!!