Penniedarling: February 2017

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Shocked! I am so so so shocked...

I am absolutely stunned and shocked... for 47 years I have believed something my Great Aunt Carol told me and just now I've discovered she lied! Wow! this woman who died aged 101 in the same room she was born in... Lied to me!!!

1971 David and I were expecting our first child and Carol took me aside one day and advised me to be very careful with the initials of our children because in St Matthews Cemetery in Windsor there is a gravestone for a man called Samuel Henry Issac Thomas.

I have told this story many times and even spent some time long ago looking for his grave with no success.

I have just been looking at Cemeteries online and can't find one single Samuel Henry Issac Thomas.

Oh deary me... I'm shattered... I'm still shaking my head.

Caroline Alice Jasper Cobcroft... You Rascal!

Labels: Cobcroft Family

# posted by Pennie @ February 28, 2017 0 comments

Photo a Day Challenge - 28.2.2017 - Evening Sky.

Last nights sky looking over towards Wahroonga.

Labels: 2/17, Turramurra

# posted by Pennie @ February 28, 2017 0 comments

Monday, February 27, 2017

What a lovely couple of days!

Sunday and you may have seen us just hanging out on the roof top of the InterContinental Double Bay, or there again you may have seen us nearby enjoying a wonderful meal at 'Pink Salt'.

We were celebrating Briony's big Zero birthday at last. This Zero happened last September but because of a few hiccups here and there we couldn't celebrate till yesterday.

Even this weekend was threatened because Briony and Kate booked into the InterContinental in Sydney but had to move to Double Bay because security was a tad tight with Benjamin Netanyahu sleeping over... even so there was a lot of security at Double Bay because of some high profile fundraiser.

David and I popped back to Double Bay today and enjoyed some lovely quiet time with our Canberra Family including a Sushi Lunch in Steyne Park,

And... Guess what I found... On the ANZAC Memorial at Steyne Park.

David's two Great Uncles who fought in WW1 are remembered here!

Edward James and Robert Wright Griffiths.

Had to have a smile at the Official Dog Walkers, three of them there was with maybe 3 or 4 dogs each!

Labels: Griffiths Family, Sydney

# posted by Pennie @ February 27, 2017 0 comments

Photo a Day Challenge - 27.2.2017 - New.

This veranda on the Wollogorang Homestead is new, put on by the current owners in recent years.

This is how I remember Wollogorang in my youth, no Veranda, but I always knew there was one when the homestead was first built, and below is an old photo of it with the Chisholm Family.

Labels: 2/17, Wollogorang

# posted by Pennie @ February 27, 2017 0 comments

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 26.2.2017 - Artsy.

Rosie, my mum used to draw the covers for the Wollogorang, News and Views magazine each month. This is the front door of the Homestead, 8th Feb 1960.

Labels: 2/17, Wollogorang

# posted by Pennie @ February 26, 2017 0 comments

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 25.2.2017 - Grass.

Sheep grazing on grass at Wollogorang.

Labels: 2/17, Wollogorang

# posted by Pennie @ February 25, 2017 0 comments

Friday, February 24, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 24.2.2017 - Treasure.

These two photos are pure Treasure right now, when I go and visit my cousin Sue at the Dementia Ward up the road and show her these old photos... she knows what she's looking at immediately... 'Muscles' she says with a big smile, 'He was the best horse' and she sees me on Muscles, aged about 3 years... and says... Ahhh Penelope Jane!
How lovely is this, when she doesn't remember much else of her life anymore.

Sue on Muscles and below me on Muscles.

Labels: 2/17, Wollogorang

# posted by Pennie @ February 24, 2017 1 comments

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 23.2.2017 - Drip.

Lots and lots of drips here!

Labels: 2/17, Home

# posted by Pennie @ February 23, 2017 0 comments

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 23.2.2017 - On the Shelf.

That's a young Uncle John Watson, in middle of photo, leaning on a Bar somewhere in Sydney... Check out all those bottles on the Shelf.

Labels: 2/17, Wollogorang

# posted by Pennie @ February 22, 2017 0 comments

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Things people do on Facebook! which I do love BTW! But don't like sharing... on FB.

There's these little games someone will share, which I never do, to tell us how they went on this general knowledge test or below...

Where I will find true love!! Well David has been there a couple of times but that's not exactly where I found him :-)

Doh! This was a no brainer.... LOL!

Why I did this one below I do not know... but hey I think I will be my Grandchildren's best friend if it comes true!!!

Then there are these... which I will happily do for a bit of fun but never want to share... I will share here with you though.

LETS SEE HOW MUCH PEOPLE'S LIVES HAVE CHANGED

I was given 1966 by Helen Riordan Evans

Car - None, no Drivers Licence... I had plenty of Chauffer's though and there were buses and trains!
    Now - Silver baby Pug. (Peugeot)

Job - Upstairs Maid in the mornings and Jillaroo in the afternoons - then Nurse.
    Now - Quilter, writer and Historian for family plus Cook for family favourites such as... Great Aunt Carol's Fudge, Gene Bevens Grandmothers Peanut Butter Cookies and Pennie's Anzac Biscuits.

Age - 21
    Now - 71 1/2

Living - Newport, NSW, Wollogorang, Bredalbane. NSW - then Perth, WA.
    Now - North Turramurra, NSW.

Pets - Mum and Dad had a dog called Angel and at Wollogorang we had two baby Kangaroo's whose mothers had died, the first one found was called Pete, the second one was called Repete!
Now - Water Dragon called Milly who lives somewhere in the wood pile near the pool and a Kookaburra called Mandy who lives where ever she fancies but calls in to say hello ever now and then.

Was I happy - Yes very very happy.
    Now - Yes even happier!

Marital Status - Single and Fancy Free.
    Now - Married to David for almost 49 years in England but not Married here in Australia, didn't know we had to register... will get married next year!

Kids - No... I was one myself.
Now - 4 children, 4 partners and 8 Grandchildren.

Labels: Facebook

# posted by Pennie @ February 21, 2017 0 comments

Photo a Day Challenge - 21.2.2017 - Lines.

There are still many many of these Vistors Books still at Wollogorang, the current owners have looked after them... can you see my signature?? :-)

Labels: 2/17, Wollogorang

# posted by Pennie @ February 21, 2017 0 comments

Monday, February 20, 2017

Been busy around here, some visitors, lots of hours of no electricty and dentist!

Mandy came for a visit last week, so delightful she is. I was backing my car out early one morning when I spotted her... just sitting on the fence watching my every move. I grabbed my phone to take these photos which isn't a good camera ... but here she is!

She was still there as I drove away.

Milly is getting very cunning, I sit on the other side of this window while eating my breakfast... so to get my attention and hopefully get a couple of Blueberries she climbed up to the top of this old Tram seat to look at me eye to eye... how could I resist eh!

Very happy she was with her blueberries, isn't she beautiful!

Remy came to stay for a couple of days and we got out the Lego! Boy do we have a lot of Lego!! Great to put these flat pieces out on the kitchen bench instead of on the floor... and doesn't he just love it.

Wednesday we had no power for 7 hours while a delightful electrician changed our asbestos meter board for a clean one in readiness for a new Solar meter. Jack, real name Hui, was very patient answering Remy's questions :-)

Thursday I had a long Dentist appointment... :-( and David took Remy for a lovely long walk.

Remy loves to borrow my Babushka Back Pack :-)

Snack time for two Bush Walkers.

Then on Friday we lost power for 4 or 5 hours because of a lightening strike that blew up our Modem!

Saturday I spent most of the day at the Pub with my Quilting friends while David was at the Bus Museum... then on Saturday afternoon we had hail, great big enormous hail! No damage though thankfully.

T'was a lovely busy week.

Labels: Home, Mandy, Milly, Remy

# posted by Pennie @ February 20, 2017 0 comments

Photo a Day Challenge - 20.2.2017 - Books.

Such a very familiar sight for me, Great Uncle John checking the fire in the Morning Room at 'Wollogorang'. This fire would be lit on most days of the year, I remember it was the Downstairs Maid's job to clean it out each morning and set it ready for John when he came downstairs.

That's John's desk behind him and lots of his books... another very familiar sight was of John sitting at his desk with his feet up on it.

On the right hand side of this room was a long glass bookcase full of many many books, never thought to take a photo in my youth. Lucky I have this one of John which was given to me by my cousin!

Labels: 2/17, Wollogorang

# posted by Pennie @ February 20, 2017 0 comments

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 19.2.2017 - Best Invention.

One of the best inventions has to be the Lawn Mower ☺

This is a photo taken in Leyland, Lancashire it's a Leyland Steam Mower, and it's in The British Commercial Vehicle Museum, the first motorized mower in the world built at the end of the 19th Century.

Labels: 2/17, Lawn Mower, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 19, 2017 0 comments

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 18.2.2017 - A Habit.

My habit of sewing thousands and thousands of Hexagons when we are away is much admired by our beautiful Abigail Rose... back in 2005!

Labels: 2/17, Abigail, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 18, 2017 0 comments

Friday, February 17, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 17.2.2017 - Sport.

At the Albert Hall back in 2005, watching Ilie Nastase, now ages 70 and Peter McNamara now aged 61. It was a really fun few hours of tennis.

Labels: 2/17, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 17, 2017 0 comments

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 16.2.2017 - From where I stand.

I stand just where my Ancestor Hugh de Rodd may have stood when he joined William the Conquer at the Battle of Hastings in 1066!

Labels: 2/17, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 16, 2017 0 comments

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 15.2.2017 - Bright.

Brightly lit Organ in Albert Hall, London.

Labels: 2/17, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 15, 2017 0 comments

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 14.2.2017 - Hearts

Yum! Happy Valentines Day, I hope you enjoy my little hearts.

Labels: 2/17, Food

# posted by Pennie @ February 14, 2017 0 comments

Monday, February 13, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 13.2.2017 - Flat Lay.

Getting ready to cook a big batch of my favourite Lamb Shanks! Not today maybe but it won't be long before we fancy a nice warm meal.

Labels: 2/17, Food

# posted by Pennie @ February 13, 2017 0 comments

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 12.2.2017 - Pattern.

So so so lovely to see the actual Jane Austen Quilt in the Austen's old home, so many people I know have made their own 'Jane Austem' quilts.

Jane Austen's House Museum. Chawton, Alton. Hampshire.

Labels: 1/17, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 12, 2017 0 comments

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 11.2.2017 - Words.

These words found on the High Street of Wood Green, North London... ask the question... How many more Crack Houses are there?

Labels: 2/17, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 11, 2017 0 comments

Friday, February 10, 2017

Photo of the Day Challenge - 10.2.2017 - View from Here.

What a beautiful view from Rodd Island towards the Iron Cove Bridge. December 2012

Labels: 2/17, Rodd Island

# posted by Pennie @ February 10, 2017 0 comments

Thursday, February 09, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 9.2.2017 - Treat.

This was a terrific treat, meeting and cuddling our first grand daughter Abigail Rose in London in 2005, such a joy!

Labels: 2/17, Abigail, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 09, 2017 0 comments

Wednesday, February 08, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 8.2.2017 - Faceless Portrait.

What could be more beautiful, little Abigail Rose had very naughty fingers way back in 2005/6, little fiddle fingers they were :-)

Labels: 2/17, Abigail, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 08, 2017 0 comments

Tuesday, February 07, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 7.2.2017 - Fashion.

Three of my little darlings dressed in the Height of Fashion for the Captain's Cocktail Party on board the 'Oriana' and heading home 1979. The Captain is very impressed :-)

Labels: 2/17, Briony, England 1978/79, Nerys, Tomos

# posted by Pennie @ February 07, 2017 0 comments

Monday, February 06, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 6.2.2017 - Corner.

As we wandered around this corner look what we found... Albert Hall.

Labels: 2/17, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 06, 2017 0 comments

Sunday, February 05, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 5.2.2017 - Morning.

1979 - Early morning and Briony packed and ready to move on from our hotel somewhere in France, can't remember where.

Labels: 1979, 2/17, France

# posted by Pennie @ February 05, 2017 0 comments

Saturday, February 04, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 4.2.2017 - Mix.

A mix of Man Hole Covers found in the streets of London during our UK stay 2005/6. I did think I would make a patchwork quilt using these wonderful patterns... don't think that will happen really, although I do love a challenge!!!!!

Labels: 2/17, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 04, 2017 0 comments

Friday, February 03, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 3.2.2017 - Happy.

Look how happy I am to have found the Gatehouse of my Ancestor John Rodd's home in North Hill, Cornwall. His home 'Trebartha' has long been demolished but the Gatehouse is still there. My 4th Great Grandfather arrived in Sydney in 1822.

Labels: 2/17, Rodd Family

# posted by Pennie @ February 03, 2017 0 comments

Thursday, February 02, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 2.2.2017 - Light.

Lights on High Street, Wood Green - 2005/6.

Labels: 2/17, UK- 05.06

# posted by Pennie @ February 02, 2017 0 comments

Wednesday, February 01, 2017

Photo a Day Challenge - 1.2.2017 - A Street.

The one and only street in Pennan, Scotland... the village used in the movie 'Local Hero'. Still my favourite movie. Local Hero Trailer

We visited Pennan back in 2005, I was soooo thrilled to actually be walking on this main street of this amazing village in the far north of Scotland.

Today I had a lot of things on my 'To Do' list, so I started... then I stopped... looked up Pennan on Google Maps and have just spent the last 90 minutes driving down the steep steep hill to the Coast and now Heritage listed, little town of Pennan. Here are 27 photos I've just taken by doing a Grab :-) What fun this was.

Back in 2005 we were staying in Nairn, just north of Inverness... we headed north east on the A96 then the A98 and the A95, it was a 2 hour drive but so so so worth it.

Hurray we've found it.

Past one farm house and we can see the North Sea.

Look out for falling rocks.

Another farmhouse on a very sharp bend.

Aahh... I can see the Harbour.

I remember driving down this road hoping against hope no one wanted to drive up!

Yikes! Almost at the end.

Looking right where my photo above was taken and the Pennan Inn, we had our lunch here of course and chatted to the owners who were Scottish but had just returned from living in Perth, Australia for 20 years.