Blog for Thursday 10th September 2026

“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate."                                                                                                                  – Linda Grayson

I shot out of bed at just before four o/clock this morning – wide eyed but not quite bushy tailed yet!

At the end of our bed slept Pumpkin, obviously to make sure she got her food as soon as I moved a muscle in the direction of getting up! And IN our bed slept Raafie so we were well snuggled by pets!

I had my Quiet Time, uploaded my blog and went through my emails before showering and getting ready to go across later to our friends – Sandra and Noel - who live in Ellenborough. They had asked us across for morning tea, followed by lunch, so we will have time to chat and catch up with all their news. I am looking forward to that.

This morning I lit the fire as I got up and even Pumpkin appreciated that. She gave me a terrible fright, because when I slipped outside to fetch more wood, leaving the sliding door open so I could get back inside carrying an armful of wood, I did not see her sneak out then. A little later, there was this terrible bang on the security door, so I got up to check what on earth had created that noise and there she was, looking rather peeved that I had shut the door after her walk-about! Cheeky feline!

I was so happy that she had not been devoured by the other three cattle dogs while she was tripping the light fantastic outside that I even forgot to scold her – not that Pumpkin or in fact any feline would have paid the slightest attention to that!

Ken and I eventually left the farm at about half past ten this morning and headed off to Noel and Sandra’s.

WHAT a lovely day we spent with them – the four of us yakking our heads off, laughing and catching up on our news. It was so nice.

Sandra, the forever-good-cook, had baked us a huge batch of fresh scones – still warm from the oven, and served them with whipped cream and three different jams for teatime. Mmmmm, absolutely delicious!

Then for lunch Noel barbecued some split chicken breasts, and Sandra had made a beautifaul large salad to go with it. Everything was perfect and the four of us managed to still carry on talking as we munched with intention!  

At about half past three we left them with hugs and more hugs and with “Hope to see you on Sunday” wishes thrown up in the air as we drove away.

I drove us to the Long Flat Shop as I needed to get some more cat food – Pumpkin is eating like there is no tomorrow, and I was nervous that she may run out of food and I was sure I could be her first meal after that!

I was not sure that the little shop there in Long Flat would be carrying any cat food, but bless them, they had some. But … it was NOT the right one! I was worried that Pumpkin may turn her nose up at it and I would have to drive through to Wauchope to get more cat food. Some cats can be awfully pernickety when it comes to food.

While I was pottering around in the little shop hunting for cat food in a desperate kind of way, Sandra phoned to say for us please to come back as she had a plant - or rather, a slip of one for me and some fresh farm eggs (from Keith and Julie.)

So, we headed back to Noel and Sandra’s to pick up said leaf and the eggs and again more hugs and “See ya’s!” were exchanged!

As soon as we got back home to the farm, I dished out some of the “new” cat food and Pumpkin, without any hesitation whatsoever climbed in and wolfed the lot! So, no problem! She was happy and I was happy too.

By the time we got back to the farm there was a chilly wind blowing so I lit the fire again. Shame, we have gone through almost all the firewood that Paddy had set aside for us to use. When we arrived – in the heat – I did not think that we would need any firewood, but I was so grateful for it when it turned cold.

AS both Ken and I were still waddle-full of food, we did not have any supper but went to bed nice and early instead.

Apparently, Paddy chatted to Ken tonight, and he mentioned that Tamryn and Matt’ should be up on the farm tomorrow as Tamryn wants to work on her container home again. Something she has not been able to do for a while for several reasons. So that will be nice.

I am off in the morning to visit my friend Karen Haskew who also lives in Ellenborough – just for a quick catch up and then best I leg it back to the farm to get things organized for when Matt’ and Tamryn arrive.

What lesson did I learn today? Good friends are so part of the fabric of my life.

What am I grateful for today? A lovely day spent with good friends.

My saying for today is …