Ready, Willing and Abel Tasman

Once there was a giant super-trawler that had taken all the fish from the sea where it lived, so it sailed away to Southern Climes and prepared to fish the hell out of their waters as well. The Governments buried their heads in the sand, but the fisher people and those fond of marine environments started to ask whether this was really a good idea. The FV Magiris changed its name to Abel Tasman, which was the name the island's own ferry and a bit of a kick in the face for Tasmanians (Abel Tasman being the explorer heir island is named after) The Ombudsman said she found that the catch quota was decided while one of the FV Magiris people was at the special Fish Quota committee meeting. Finally the politicians decided there should be better investigations and so at last Parliament passed a law to stop the trawler hoovering up fish and by-product: our own sea-lions, seals and dolphins as well as many other fish.

I think it has been very poorly handled. Did they not think at all that people might be a bit worried about a giant super-trawler? If it is so excellent at managing fisheries, why can't it just stay where it was fishing originally?? Promised jobs have not materialised either.

In less exciting news, there may have been a slight falling over whilst walking The Labradors on Saturday. No Labradors were involved, it was just very wet grass and moss and a thump into the ground. I really do not know how people in a fracas or footballers can recover from a biff or a collision. I had to sit down and be pale and feel slightly sick for five minutes before I was OK to drive home. Peri and Gilly had a most interesting breakfast consisting of three whole carrots, a wodge of cooked rice and a splodge of kangaroo mince each. It was a kind of Bento box breakfast. I spent the day in bed, but apart from some bruises and the constant aroma of chilli/capsicum from the muscle rub, I am just a bit sore all over.

I was well enough to go to MrsDrWho's house and we sewed our thirteenth Craftsy Block of the Month quilt block. Just seven to go now.

I finished the Iron Man Mitts, using this pattern as my inspiration. I sent a message to AstridtheCrafty who wrote the pattern and she said it would be fine if I wrote up my pattern for other people to use. I think I will try to make a PDF. I am not sure how......

Thank you for modelling so well MrsDrWho.

Peri and Gilly both ran under the wire fence and into the wild bush at the dam. They eventually came back for a biscuit!!

Miss Lorelai Gilmore would not come when it was time to hop in the car. She was eating something smelly, so Peri and I pottered off around the little circular road leading back to where we started, and there in the distance we could see her between the big pine tree and the BBQ shelter, looking all sad and worried.

When I called out to her she ran like the wind to be reunited. Here they are in the car at the supermarket, very happy and waiting for their special kangaroo treat.

Baking trays and tins were on super special and so I have two new tray style tins, a little loaf tin and a nice high round tin with a removable base. I bought my mum the fancy tin for her Mahjong afternoon tea cakes.

My little garden is still growing and since I couldn't find any Basil, some zucchini seedlings have volunteered to try to survive. If they do thrive I will let them be planted in the real earth.

Yesterday I decided I needed to sew my second jelly roll quilt. You can see the first one, and how I made it, here. I have had the fabric for ages, but I wanted to make it larger, so I bought 50cm of three plain fabrics and made 38 2.5 x 22 inch strips. I then sewed the 38 long and short strips together. I think I made a strip about 65-70 metres long. Sorry for crossing the measurement streams.

98 minutes of sewing this morning I had this!!!!

It covers the top of our queen size bed and has already been tested out by Labradors and Cats at MrsDrWho's house when I took it to show her!!!! There are a thousand bits and ends to trim and then I shall sandwich the wadding between the top and a bottom and bind it ASAP. A very satisfactory day. I also found my lost sunglasses, I left them at MrsDrWho's house when I went for Quilt sewing at the weekend. She found them when I plaintively emailed her and searched the house and the path and the car about twenty times.

And now I am tired, I have put some drops in my itchy eyes and I think a nice cup of tea is just what I need.

Comments

[Jan]

Oooh Cindy, be careful please. Falls are very unsettling things and shake they body up all over.Rest up well but also keep moving a bit so joints don't seize up.

[deb]

do hope those bruises and bumps feel better soon, it sure is a very shaky experience having a fall when we're older ! such happy 'girls' running for a biscuit - such simple pleasures :) the quilt is very pretty - love the peacock blue colours...your garden looks very healthy - you'll soon be able to snip off some bits for the kitchen :)

[Kristen]

It is mind-boggling how short-sighted the trawler proponents are in their greed.
So sorry about your fall, and glad nothing was broken!
I'm not sure who Iron Man is, but I'm guessing those mitts give superpowers...
The green quilt is amazing!

[Pixie]

I do hope you are ok after a fall. They do heinous things to my body too so tke it easy.

Gentle hugs

[sue]

I dont think I have ever had a fall where I have been able to pick myself up and just walk off. The last one I had involved falling on the concrete and skinning my knee. I have walked into potholes in the grass too and bruised the bone in my foot making it difficult to walk for long periods of time for about 3 mths whilst it healed. Yes do be careful and I could just imagine how shaky and sick you would have felt. Your jelly roll quilt looks amazing. I have 2 rolls that I need to sew into quilts and some little lap quilts for my nephews to use when they are reading or playing. I havent even cut the fabric out yet as I have been feeling very tired lately. It must be all the different weather we have been having lately.

[RoseRed]

Your quilt top looks great! So clever and easy at the same time!

I always wonder that about sportspeople who take a tumble and get back up again (Tour de France especially!). I wonder if the high levels of fitness help? (or lack of brain cells!? Did I say that out loud? Whoops!). Hope you aren't feeling to sore afterwards.

Love the Iron Man mitts! Very clever!

[mrspao]

I hope you are all recovered from your fall. Quite often my friend's guide dog used to knock me over (for fun) and it did hurt.

I love your quilt and quilt blocks - they look fab.

[bells]

that quilt top is fabulous. I haven't used a jelly roll yet but I think I must!

The trawler stuff just blew me away. Truly.

[Leonie]

Loving the quilt like everyone else is :-)
Did you work out how to make a pdf? MS Word can do it in the Save As.. section if you have a recent version.

[Jennifer Rose]

:( hope you are not too bruised :(

really like the black and white sqaure :)

very nice fancy bundt cake tin :D

98 mins of sewing!?! that would take me months lol

[Ann]

Hope you have recovered from the fall. The quilt looks great, I love it but it looks like there was a lot of sewing. Walk carefully.

[Megan]

I always wonder the same thing watching sport. How come it doesn't hurt them? I am glad your fall wasn't any worse and that you are recovering from it. Your veggie garden boxes are looking great! I hope they keep thriving.