Photo above is the nursing home at the hospital
A 90 year old man was rescued alive from the rubble 3 days after the earthquake struck.
1931 was during the great depression in New Zealand
256 deaths from Napier and Hastings combined.
land lifted 2.7 metres at Ahuriri Lagoon, airport now located on that land
Government loan of 10,000 pounds and built 32 temporary business and 22 professional offices
two years later Napier rebuilt in part to continue business
buildings had to have overhanging veranda's to protect from falling obstructions
Napier rebuilt in the art deco architectural design and is recognised worldwide as an art deco city.
My mother was at school when the earthquake struck, and as all school children in New Zealand are taught you get under your desk or in a doorway when an earthquake strikes, she got under the desk. This was in Gisborne further up the eastcoast and where I grew up.
I can only say that if I was in Christchurch, I would move out as I find earthquakes absolutely terrifying.
Although Koala bears are not native to Western Australia, there is a enclosure here, we spotted quite a few asleep up in the trees as we walked along the boardwalk in their enclosure.
This little guy got hungry and we stood watched and took photo's of his progress down the tree.
The particular eucalyptus leaves that they eat do not grow here so are flown in each day to feed them, you can see the downward facing leaves that he is eating.
He decided that he preferred this bunch of leaves and scampered across the branch to feed on them, they do look so cuddly.
I do not know the botanical name of these trees but they are commonly called blackboys, they are very slow growing but do look lovely with their grass skirts.
This lovely amphitheatre is nestled in the bush, don't think that it is aboriginal though.
Lovely earthy colours of bark and stone.
A touch of verdigris on the tap shows how well it blends with the natural bush colours.
lovely bronze new growth on a native protea
these beautiful gold tipped pink blooms are such a contrast against the white/grey leaves, the flowers are almost the size of a teacup.
and these amazing wood cups after the blooms have finished
This rather large beautiful grey kangaroo was about 2 meters away from the path that we where on, she has nestled into the shrub for shade, can you see her little joey between her front feet.
lovely old gnarled tree smoothed from wind and rain, and probably bushfire at some time
a mushroom growing into the trunk of this old tree
waterfowl looking for dropped picnic snacks
to make up for the dry browns of the bush the bird life is so vibrant, but they lack the lovely musical birdsong you get from the plainer birds. I think this was a mother and child bird 
jetties for canoe's but the water is so low that it is impossible to tie them up here, grand daughters at far end. It was a lovely day spent with lovely family members, I hope you have enjoyed the beauty of the Australia through my camera lens. Jacky
The photo's above are from the latest issue and in English language. I am looking for those who would like to commit to putting in an order, the minimum I can get is 10 but I would like to get 20. I have 6 interested women from my classes and family and would love to share with others that would love to get such an inspiring magazine in beautiful soft colours, vintage style, a little bit on gardens, a little bit or cooking. If you love Norwegian decorating style this will impress. A gorgeous timeless magazine to keep on your table. If you are interested send me an email and let me know what area you are from, if you are out of Australia I could get you a postage cost as well.
I have all these gold, bronze and richer colour decorations that I usually put on the hall stand but this year decided to go with glass and pearl baubles, and put the golds on the Christmas tree and added some mauve and burgundy Victorian glass balls, don't show up very well in this photo, but they do look quite nice.
The cut glass tree I bought on sale (as I do most of my decorations) a few years ago on the hall stand. I did buy these two white feather peacocks, marked down to 50% off, this was before Christmas, the shops are not doing well this year, they are feeling the after affects of the financial crisis last year, we are losing some of our more beautiful shops, the cheap and tackie always seem to survive.
A trio of angels in the bedroom.
I have added lots of chandelier crystals and old rosaries onto this candle chandelier, the light shines through these as well.
At the bottom of the mantle piece is an embroidered santa I made, oh it must be about 8 years ago, where did all those years go, my sister Phil and I made santa faces out of polymer clay then dressed them all up, each year I made one with the coat heavily embroidered each year, then we exhibited at the Australian Craft Show held at Fox Studios in Sydney. We couldn't sell them in Perth but Sydney people obviously liked them and didn't mind paying the price as we did well over there and had a lot of fun, we did them for about 5 years.
A few of the girls exchanging Christmas gifts last Wednesday, mostly we make gifts to exchange which is really lovely. I did mean to put white candles in the jars on the table but didn't get around to getting them so put some lovely red eucalyptus flowers in, the colour stood out well.
