A walk around our parks...

It was quite hazy with smoke this morning, I gather that is still coming from the Kangaroo Island fires...I'll take you along for a walk...

I start my walk near the old tennis courts which have now been transformed into a practice netball and basketball courts.  It is still a work in progress...

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Further along is a park area, just grass.  This was quite rough land a while back but the council have transformed it into a lawned area.

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Now this next construction is the new Millicent Nature Playspace.  A giant monolith for climbing, exploring and water play.  The have great plans for a creek with plants that can be ground up in pottery bowls, for 'potion' making and imaginative play.  The schools, kindergartens and child care centre have all had input into the planning...

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This is our playground in the 'Domain'.  People come from all around for their children to play here...

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Next to the playground there is a skate park which has been recently painted by an artist.  Other works of art are painted on fixed easels...

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Onwards towards our main roundabout and entry into the main street precinct...

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...past the council chambers...

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Past the Millicent drain and onto the central parklands.  Because of the hot weather, things have browned off but it is usually very green...

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The town has great footpaths for easy walking...

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A view towards the Rotunda...

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The entrance to George Street.  The old building on the left is having a facelift and I believe a large mural will be painted on the side of the building.

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Our Cross of Sacrifice...

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Another pic of the rotunda and rose garden...

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Jubilee Park...

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Barbecue area and public amenities...

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Over the road, our old Masonic Hall which was privately purchased and has been turned into a B&B...

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Our pristine Bowling Club with waterfilled greens....

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The Bowls Club garden...

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The little Croquet Club next door - can you spot a little rabbit in mid bound right in the middle?   I startled him!

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This area is still under development.  It is where the netball and tennis courts were located until the local clubs ceased playing.  The clubrooms remain but the area is now just under grass...

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Looking towards the drain and back to where my car is parked...

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The drain is dry at the moment but flows well during the winter months...

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A new re-vegetation project which is a couple of months along, to beautify the drain bank...

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Only 16C when I walked this morning.  It would all look so much prettier if the sky was blue...

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Now back near the tennis courts where we started but I have a bit further to walk yet...

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Now I am at the back of the Nature Playspace...

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All constructed by local council members, I believe...

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Looking towards the main street again...

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Back along Ridge Terrace where we started...

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The Domain playground has a barbecue area and toilets...

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Bet there's some kids that just can't wait to have a go on this structure!  Apparently, it will be floodlit and will have camera surveillance for security.  It will be an amazing space when it is all landscaped.

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You can sort of see where I called in to each spot to take pictures ...Another 2.6 kms today but a lot slower than usual...

I hope you liked this little tour of our parks in the main area of town...

Cheers - Joolz xx

Easing into healthy eating...

I'm into the second week of my Weight Watchers "lifestyle" and I am really enjoying it.  I love this type of salad plate and it came in at 5 points (only because I added 25gms tasty cheese for 4 points).  Otherwise it would have been 1 point for the little tin of tuna in springwater.  I love cheese but I counted it in and its still a good low point meal.

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Dinner last night was a tasty Chicken and chickpea tagine and a one pot wonder in my new casserole. I sauteed off an onion (and I added celery for taste) then added 1 1/2 tbspn Moroccan spice, 2 teaspoons of fresh ginger and garlic then nestled the skinless chicken legs in.  In went 400gms sweet potato, 2 parsnips and I also added a carrot (I like to bulk up the veggies where I can), 1 1/2 cups chicken stock and a can of drained chickpeas.  I then popped it in the oven for 2 hours at about 170C, turning the legs a few times.  Just before serving, I threw in a huge handful of baby spinach and nestled that in to wilt.

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I served it with plain cous cous and steamed broccolini.  The best part is that I have a nice meal for tonight's dinner as I will be dining solo - no cooking! Yum!

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Another 2.5 km walk this morning.  It was quite cool at 6.20am and hazy clouds hiding the sun...

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The local council are developing this parkland area and it is really lovely.  It has good walking tracks and they've planted a heap of native plants along the drain bank.  It is a great place to brings dogs for walks and of course we have our Domain mega playground and a new Nature space playground in the works.  I'll try and take pics tomorrow.  Kids are going to nuts about that!  They have also re-developed the old tennis courts, re-fencing the area and putting up basketball nets.  Its great to see initiatives to get kids away from their screens and having a run around instead.

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Breakfast this morning - 25gms quick oats, 1/3 cup Pura Tone skim milk, 2 tspn maple syrup, 15 gms muesli....6 points.

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Have a great day!

Cheers - Joolz xx

A beautiful wedding...

Way back in February 2019, our eldest daughter got married.  It was the most beautiful day, full of love and happiness, family, friends, good food and wine...

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 She carried her late grand mother's wedding ring as her 'something old', tied to her bouquet of beautiful white blooms ... she also wore a blue garter but wouldn't let anyone take a photo.

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We stayed at the Coachman's Cottage at Mount Lofty House where the photos were taken in the morning...

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Our beautiful daughters.  Kirby only wanted Brianna as her maid of honour...

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Proud father...

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Proud mother!

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The stunning bride...

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The rings...

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The wedding took place at Howard Vineyard, Nairne - in the Adelaide Hills...

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 The bride arrives...

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That kiss...

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It was a warm summers day...perfect!

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 Brianna crocheted the little bride and groom for Kirby & Nate...

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Photos in the vineyard...

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 The beautiful cake was a vanilla sponge with lemon curd and butter cream.  The 'copper' base was a salute to Nate's mining career...

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The venue was stunning.  Kirby had dreamed of having hanging balls of greenery and white flowers and the florist delivered.  A rigging company had to come it to put them in place.

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 As we were all staying at Mt Lofty House, a private car took us all back there after the reception had finished.  Kirby hopped in the car and just exclaimed

"That was awesome!"

That pretty much sums it up...

Joolz xx