Blog for Monday 12th October 2026

Yahee! Another new day bringing another new birthday! Today, is Christina’s (Ethan’s girlfriend’s) special day. I sent happy wishes to her and am hoping that when we return from our cruise that Ethan and Christina will be able to pay us a visit.

This morning at just after eight o’clock Troy, the plumber, arrived to deal with the water leak problem. Ken went out to see what and how he was going to tackle the problem and he, that is Ken, was really impressed at Troy’s ability and how he solved the leak.

Ken (with his back to the camera) and Troy in the hole cut into the concrete driveway sort the leak out.

It took Troy about two hours to have everything sorted out and now Robert will have to close the hole up again and put in reinforcing rods and throw another slab of concrete over to seal the driveway.

When Troy left, Ken drove us to the large Bunnings in West Gosford, and we toddled around in there looking for a bird bath for my birthday gift. I also bought a bird feeder and a little Maidenhair fern for Mich’ – as she so admires mine one.

Later in the day Ken glued and sealed the bird bath for me, but I have yet to see any little birds splashing in it.

I just hooked the bird feeder up on our washing line and not long after I did that, two little lorikeets arrived and had a good feed! I was sitting outside and just watched my new little feathered friends so enjoying themselves. 

I love the little feeder and am hoping that it will attract many little birds. I want to move it to under the bottle brush tree as I think it will afford more protection for the birds and they will not be so hesitant to come.

The bird feeder and the visiting lorikeets testing the seed and finding it suitable!

I sat outside in the shade as it was a really hot day and I began to read one of the two books I had bought at the Salvos when I dropped off some clothes there. It was so nice out there and I was so chuffed when the lorikeets decided to stay and have a meal.

Ken had an afternoon snooze while I was reading my book before sortin gout the bird bath, but we need to prop it up somehow as it is very crooked – check the water level!

My birthday gift – the bird bath!

When we get back from our cruise I will get plants – like a palm, and a few potted plants to surround this bird bath – so that it feels ‘safer’ for the birds. At the moment it is a little too exposed. I put it on the grid thinking it looked level, but … oops! No such luck dearie!

For our supper we had pulled pork, bacon with macaroni, and a large tossed salad and it was really lovely.

I watched another episode of “The Block” and then both Ken and I headed for bed.

Oh yes! I also contacted the Celebrity Cruise people today as I wanted to upgrade one of the packages I had purchased earlier, but I had to do that online and I managed to do that, so I was happy to have got that done before boarding.

I am getting madly excited as the count down to our cruise has begun in all seriousness! Mich’ will probably be the one to drive us there and she has already sorted out how to do that. I am so grateful to her for offering to deliver us basically to the ship as I think Ken and I would land up in Whoop-Whoop if left to our devices  - on trains and ubers!

What lesson did I learn today? Patience!

What am I grateful for today? Another truly beautiful day.

My saying for today is …