judyandthetravellinggnomewinkle

  1/12/24 It is a warm day for the humans, who are keen on the fresh air and shade. They even had lunch outside. I decided to join the Mistress as she worked on her computer. She is usually quite busy with that thing, and like me, when the computer does its own thing, she is far from amused. She even mutters away, saying all kinds of things, but being a Mistress, she refrains from using those nasty words.  Yesterday, the humans went out, and we got busy with this roll of Christmas paper.  It was a riotous time, bonking on my mates' heads and conversing in Gnome language through each end of the Christmas paper roll. The little chaps at the top were in stitches and fled the scene. I'll bide my time until they're engrossed in something else.  Watching these two cooks can be fun. She gets him to stir the pan while she is making a salad. It is pretty comical at times, especially when he pinches her bum. I always need to be quicker to get the camera. But from my persp...

29/11/24 These humans are often out, giving us a golden opportunity to have fun. The Mistress's birthday, a special occasion for us Gnomes, also gave us some pleasure . The candles on her cake were left on the bench, and so were the matches. They had plenty of wicks left, so we gave it a go to light them . How on earth do they do this? We could not figure this out at all. It is a mystery  for us, Gnomes. We will have to watch the humans and see how to accomplish this. This computer drives me bonkers, and it is having another terrible day. I'm all fingers and toes and can't work this today. They say it is black Friday. What does this mean to a mere Gnome? We were frustrated with these matches and gave them up. We spotted some ribbons the Mistress had on her flowers, got too, and decorated ourselves. Oh, now this was really fun.  It was just as well that the humans were out for a while, as this was so much fun. We hadn't laughed so much for a long time, and when they came...

  27/11/24 The Mistress has much on her mind these days, and the humans talk a lot about their debacle with this caravan issue. She appears to be constantly concerned about this humongous issue. It sounds like the person who sold it to them could be in trouble with the authorities, as they are now phoning her, making her a happy lady today.  So, I just keep out of the road and not ask questions. Usually, a Gnome just keeps very quiet on these delicate issues. Like the humans, we all just want this sorted and to get on with life. Yesterday was a huge birthday for this mistress of mine. At least this brought some smiles to her face. Her darling bought a massive bunch of flowers for her. Oh no, she had only a tiny vase and borrowed one from his very special family.  The birthday cake from the family lunch  on Sunday The flowers dwarf me Look at the glass jug. I didn't say how old she was From her darling She received many calls, texts, and visitors to help celebrat...

25/11/24 Something is going on around here. These humans were out of here before they were awake today. I reckon they slept in because they downed their breakfast and were gone so fast that I could not keep up, and as to why and where is a mystery. Of course, there was no discussion as to when they would return. This means limited time for a Gnome to do his business.  When the coast was clear, we all took off for the vegetable garden area. It is a major expedition for our little legs. Vegetable Garden  Behind the flower garden is a glasshouse. Jeepers, it sure gets hot in there. We didn't stay too long because we could have gotten baked. Not suitable for a Gnome. You can see from this photo that it is a long way from our caravan. We are always quite exhausted on our return and require some R&R. Grr, this computer has a mind of its own. We saw that someone had been scratching around in the dirt. It wasn't us, is all I can say or admit. Playing hide-and-seek u...

  22/11/24 Sometimes, His Lordship cooks the meat on the BBQ at our place while The Mistress cooks up a storm inside or makes a salad. He chose a cold day to cook outside when it was suggested they cook the lamb chops inside in the warm caravan. Please note her glass of bubbles on the bench while he warms up the beer in his hand. These two love birds enjoy a drink, and sometimes a regular occurrence while cooking.   r I spend a lot of time at the window now because I like to see who is coming and going and when my humans return. I must also let these other inside chaps know and quickly get into their positions. They are here.  Poor Trixie struggles to climb to her position. Some of them have to help her then get to their places before the door is unlocked. Nobody would ever know what they had been up to.  Last night, we went under the Caravan to check it out. We had a lot of fun, too. There was some loose dirt to play with and throw all around. Th...

  20/11/24 It's golf day, and the Mistress gets some peace and quiet. She arrived home telling me she stopped at the local garden center for a cupper and a look around. She said they had Gnomes for sale and arrived home empty-handed. I asked because I would like to have more mates around here. She blurted out, "Oh, so expensive. $110 for a gnome not much bigger than me, so she left him there and another at a much higher price." She enjoyed her cup of tea, 2 small warm scones, raspberry jam, and real cream. She announces that it has been a very long time since she devoured such a treat. Her previous tasting was at least a couple of years ago, and cream from a can. Not to her liking at all. Coming from a farm in her childhood, she was brought up with the real stuff straight from the cow.  I wasn't around in those days for some reason, and I have yet to find out why. I shall ponder this for a while before I ask her.  This scone business has meant she came home and got i...

18/11/24 Humans are puzzled by this caravan's traveling issues. It sounds like they are seeking legal advice. It's about time, I say!  They went looking at other caravans this morning and liked what they saw. Surely, they will hear the outcome first from the legal beagles. It takes so much time, but the Mistress says we must take our time with these things and think them through first.  How long does it take to do this? A Gnome would just sort it there and then. The human brain must be asleep, surely. We are informed that there are rules and regulations in this human world. Please tell me why humans make life so difficult.  The dirt down the way has been leveled out, and grass was sown. We discussed whether we should walk across it, but some clown in the human race would automatically figure this out, point their finger, and probably use some not-so-nice words to tell us off. Oh, it is a tough life being a mere Gnome. Further down is another smaller pile of...

  16/11/24 The humans here were up and off yesterday morning; again, there was no indication of when they would return home. She gets pretty stroppy if I broach the subject, as she usually says, "Since when does she have to be answerable to us?" The fact that this is our home, too, doesn't appear to matter. I find it so hard to understand the human race. We Gnomes usually go with the flow; however, we do enjoy doing our Gnome stuff, too, and require time to be back in our places so we do not get caught.  On their arrival home, we find they went to Geraldine as there was a rather large market where they closed the street. The Mistress loves markets. She opened a couple of bags and out popped 4 Gnomes.  Wow, what a surprise for us to meet these new fellows. Handsome dudes, too.  Mr Bee Skinny legs Gerald Arh, my head is spinning, meeting these dudes. They are a hard-case bunch, and our adventures will not be discussed here. It's gnome business, you ...

12/11/24 Our peace was disturbed again today   when His Lordship strutted out here. Doesn't he know that this is Gnome time, and we do not get disturbed. They say there are two choices around here. Like it or lump it. Oh, it is a tough life being a mere Gnome. Today, they took off very early, and of course, we were kept from being told the expected time of arrival home. We did hear a discussion that they would get fish and chips for dinner, as the Mistress knew she would be tired. We took this to mean home late afternoon. So, we headed out of here when the coast was clear of humans to inspect where some chaps were playing with their diggers and wheelbarrows spreading trailer loads of dirt.  Look at all that dirt. We noted it was rubbish-free, which pleased us to no end. However, we have yet to determine why they put the dirt loads behind a house, and next door a caravan, It could be a garden or turn the rough ground into a lawn. Watch this space, I say. We will go out again to...

  10/11/24 Yesterday His Lordship was up at 4.30am and gave us an awful fright because he got dressed, with no intention of going back to bed. It  was the middle of the night, and it appears he couldn't sleep. So much for our Gnome time. We were having a meeting to decide what we would do in the afternoon. The humans were going out and would not tell us for how long. They had an important mission in Christchurch, with her brother in hospital.  They were away for a very long time, and we thought they forgot about coming home. Anyway, we headed out too for Gnome business. The area here is huge and we got up to all sorts of stuff. Playing hide and seek under neath the vegetables. Crickey, is was so much fun. It is amazing how much fun a Gnome can have and of course most of it is Gnome business only. No human saw us running across the grass as we were on the lookout as to when it was safe to do so.  We do like how the humans look after that garden. They do a compost and ...

8/11/24 Something is brewing here, and I don't like what I hear. These humans are making plans, and I wonder if I like them. Our traveling days might be over before we even get started. We have significant towing issues. This caravan is not designed to take food, clothing, pots, pans, etc. Mr salesman was only interested in a sale, and the paperwork says weight before adding the three solar panels and 12V battery that would completely squash me flat if he dropped it on me.  Now, we all love the caravan and want to live in it and settle after traveling around NZ. However, this is not meant to be. Just think of all the places we won't now see.  The adventures, sightseeing, meeting people, and goodness only knows what else. So, the mood here is somber, but I am so disappointed to miss all the unknown activities we could have done and writing to tell you all what the humans get up to besides the mushy stuff. The Mistress announces it will be five weeks tomorrow since they were mar...

  6/11/24 The humans have played croquet here this week and even remembered to take me—a bonus, I might add. Amazing, really, as I was expecting to be stuck here again. They met some amiable people, too. A hard case bunch, they reckon. The only snag was the twigs and small branches that fell from the trees, and they were all around the place. It is a hassle for these people; some are not young and could topple over before playing. His Lordship assisted them, but the Mistress sat with me and rested her back as it was a morning session.  His Lordship beat The Mistress in a singles game. He has become quite a pro at this game, and the Mistress is annoyed. However, in the second game, they swapped partners, and the poor Mistress lost that one too. I felt sorry for her as she sometimes played some spectacular shots in both games.  There are beautiful gardens here. They are great for a Gnome, and I was chuffed to get amongst the flowers when nobody was looking. I was quick, too...

4/11/24 The mystery of how to solve the towing issues continues. His Lordship scratches his head, and they both discuss the humongous issue.   They go off to talk to people, and the Mistress, in a stroke of comedic genius, suggests posting the issue on Facebook. To their surprise, within half an hour, she has 3 replies. Their resourcefulness is truly impressive.  So, watch this space.  They even found out where the local croquet club was, and a lady was watering the garden and answered their questions. Let's hope they take me this time. There could be trouble if they don't. I need to hatch a plan fast.  I have been petrified for the past two nights. The nights have been filled with thunderous bangs and spine-chilling cracks. It appears it is guy fawks going off, and it goes on and on. The humans worry about the animals and birds and the expense for just a few minutes. Never mind them; it is me and my nervous system I am concerned about. Trixie also hun...

2/11/24   We are finally at our next destination. What a ride down here! These humans were not impressed with this towing business. The back of the car was shallow, and the weight in the front of the caravan put a lot of weight onto the tow bar, and they were unhappy Chappies. We stopped for them to rearrange things with minor improvements.  Trixie and I were placed on three cushions high enough to see through the two humans—a great view, I might add. We saw some silly drivers, too, and His Lordship doesn't have patience with stupid drivers. His darling does her best to calm him down! We parked at a Step Toe and Son place, and the Mistress wasn't too impressed. There was junk everywhere, and it was not nicely set out to her tastes. Eventually, His Lordship had to agree and take us for a ride, as he knows Ashburton well. He knew of another place and met a lovely chap who set up short-term and long-term stayers. Both were highly impressed as they are nea...