Reasons to be Cheerful 2016

[Yann]

reading this my wife is now reassured about my case 

[Lesley Cox]

Yesterday I posted (somewhere,) that I hoped my Journal would arrive soon. In fact it was already in the mail box and waiting for me to brave driving rain to collect it.

As always a wonderful issue with fantastic photos (I always love the show reports - all those amazing plants we in the far south may not have but it's great to see them), super articles and wonderful places to visit. Including New Zealand! I really enjoyed Kathryn Brathwaite's account of her time here and I do hope that if she returns some day, she will come further south where we'd love to show her the local alpines and mountains. Otago Alpine Garden Group would make her very welcome.

A tiny correction. Leucogenes grandiceps is the South Island edelweiss and L. leontopodium is from the North Island. They may overlap a little but not in general.

(I find that since my weekend upgrade of this laptop and the free upgrade to windows 10 from W7, none of my formatting tools work. I can't use underline, bold or italics etc and can't use the smilies either. Bother!)

[Gabriela]

Belated congratulations Maggi and Ian! I will be in time for your 50th!
The title of this picture was: sea otters hold hands while they sleep to awaken together
(in case the current leads them away) You managed to hold hands very well

[Lesley Cox]

What a delightful picture of the sea otters, who must be one of nature's most charming creatures. Whatever they do, however they are pictured, they captivate our hearts and imagination. Thanks so much for this photo Gabriela.

[Maggi Young]

We are  great fans of Sea Otters, Gabriela, so your delightful picture is most apt. Ian was lucky enough to see great rafts of around 20 -30 Sea Otters  when he was in Alaska. Plenty pairs as well - he was excited to see them in the wild - I was jealous!

[Palustris]

Just received the fourth one of my books to be published. Proof reading it now.
Still chuffed about it.

[Maggi Young]

Just received the fourth one of my books to be published. Proof reading it now.
Still chuffed about it.

 Quite right too ..... we're agog to learn more .....

[Gabriela]

Yes Lesley, I agree they are most charming and Maggi - sea otters sightseeing without you it's almost unforgivable

[annew]

At last - we have a Doctor in the house! After 10 year's work, my husband Barry has just had his PhD accepted. We're very proud of him. 

[Maggi Young]

At last - we have a Doctor in the house! After 10 year's work, my husband Barry has just had his PhD accepted. We're very proud of him. 

Woohoo!!  Well done Barry!

[Palustris]

This is the book cover.

As you can see, not a Gardening book!
Well done Doctor Barry!

[jomowi]

At last - we have a Doctor in the house! After 10 year's work, my husband Barry has just had his PhD accepted. We're very proud of him. 

Congratulations!  But be aware that PhD stands for Poor, Hungry and Destitute!

[annew]

Yeah - we know!!

[Lesley Cox]

Very well done all the same, Barry and no doubt with much support and encouragement from the Daffy Lady. (My smileys aren't working.)

[Maggi Young]

You may remember this post from earlier in the year.....

Well now,  have I got some really lovely, happy news?!! Yes I do!

Lawrence Peet  - doubtless flushed with his successes  with his  plants this year at the shows has  clearly decided that this is his lucky year - and indeed it is! Lawrence and his adored Helen have become engaged!
 
How nice it is to have good news - I'm sure you'll join me in wishing Helen and Lawrence a long and happy life together.

Today the  even nicer  news - Helen and Lawrence are married ..... and don't they look wonderful?
What a beautiful bride Helen makes - and Lawrence looks pretty good too!



Live long and prosper, Mr and Mrs Peet!