It Has Been a Long Time

By Val
@valmnz (17099)
New Zealand
November 16, 2018 11:55pm CST
Hullo to all of you whom I used to interact with regularly. I'm sorry, it has been a long time. My last post was 4 June I believe. How time flies when you're having fun! The months may have rolled on by but I haven't forgotten any of you at all. I simply fill my days with far too many things. So much has happened since I dropped by. I made an unexpected week long visit to Australia's Gold Coast - Southport in fact, and swam in the Commonwealth Games pool while there - amongst other things. I've published my third book 'Postcards of Palmerston North' and sales are going exceptionally well. I've started another book based on my May Ghan rail trip from the top to bottom of Australia. Writing has become an addiction. Charlie, our new family member is now a year old and making the transition from naughty kitty to adorable cat. I've been swimming regularly and competed in New Zealand's North Island Masters Championshps, coming second overall in my age group. The garden is looking unexpectedly good! And summer has arrived early in New Zealand. Hopefully I'll be able to spend more time here over the next few months. But for now it's time to try and catch up with what many of you have been up to in the last five months! I'm now looking forward to reconnecting with you all.
24 people like this
27 responses
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
17 Nov 18
Welcome back and congratulations for winning second place in swimming, Ms. Val! So too for your third book and excited to know you're on your fourth.
4 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
I've decided I must be crazy ha ha
3 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
17 Nov 18
2 people like this
@hillhjill (23664)
• United States
17 Nov 18
Welcome back, I'm glad that you found your passion for writing and is doing good from it.
3 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Thank you Hillary, I've been a late starter when it comes to writing!
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
17 Nov 18
Well hello there Val. A lot has certainly been happening in your world. I bet you had a great time on the Ghan
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Hi Gary, the Gram was amazing, I guess I should write some stories here about it. I'm now considering an Uluru /Ayers Rock sunrise sunset trip.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
18 Nov 18
@valmnz Now that is a once in a life time experience. I hope you manage to do it
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
17 Nov 18
Hello! Yes its been a long time.
3 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Hi there, nice to see you. Thanks for dropping by. I hope I can stick around for a while.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
17 Nov 18
Looks like your photo is inverted Ms. Val?
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Whoops, I'll try and do something about that, or change photos!
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
@sunrisefan lol, no I didn't check! I have had several attempts to reduce the size, think I have it right now. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
17 Nov 18
@valmnz You did not notice it? hehehe!
1 person likes this
@leny34 (8506)
• Sidoarjo, Indonesia
17 Nov 18
Congratulations on coming back here, I'm glad you are here again ... I hope you will be able to interact a lot again here,   and greetings from my new users here
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Part of my problem here is the time for interacting. But I'll try while I can.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
18 Nov 18
1 person likes this
@leny34 (8506)
• Sidoarjo, Indonesia
18 Nov 18
@valmnz I hope you will have a lot of time
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
18 Nov 18
Hope writing is contagious as I so want to write but have never got into doing it.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
18 Nov 18
@valmnz I have a blog but badly written (lol)
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
18 Nov 18
@allknowing are you regular with your blog? Mine have been abandoned. This serves as my blog
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
18 Nov 18
It's never too late. It's certainly addictive once you start. You could write a wonderful book about the plants in your garden and use your own photos
1 person likes this
• China
17 Nov 18
Nice to see you back ! Congratulate you on having had your third book under your belt !
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Thanks. It seems I can't stop writing.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (134456)
• Roseburg, Oregon
17 Nov 18
You have been really busy. I hope you are back on here for awhile again.
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Thanks Judy, I do hope to stick around a while
@xFiacre (12595)
• Ireland
17 Nov 18
@valmnz Life sounds just great - what’s your secret?
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Hi Fiacre, I think I've become hyperactive as the years go by! My motto is I'd rather wear out ghan rust out.
1 person likes this
@sol_cee (38223)
• Philippines
17 Nov 18
Welcome back, Val!~
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
18 Nov 18
Thank you
@DianneN (246781)
• United States
20 Nov 18
It's wonderful to see you again! I'm very impressed with how busy and accomplished you've been in your absence. I can't believe Charlie is 1 year old already. We've have lots of bad things happen, and lost our little sweet Kuma, the kitty, to cancer last month.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
20 Nov 18
So sorry to hear about Kuma. Yes, life has been busy. No time to get bored
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246781)
• United States
22 Nov 18
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Nov 18
Wow, you have been one busy lady. Glad the book sales are going well and congratulations on your swimming prowess. It will be a bonus if you're able to come here occasionally.
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Good to see you Judy. I have often thought of everyone here, but time juggling is quite an art.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (76476)
• Germany
17 Nov 18
Welcome back Val. It is nice to hear from you again. Enjoy your summer there.
2 people like this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Thanks Thelma. I think summer is going to be hot.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
18 Nov 18
It sounds like a wonderful time all the way around.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
18 Nov 18
Thanks Heather, I've been enjoying being busy
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
17 Nov 18
Welcome back! I`m not so sure you`ll remember me You`ve been very busy there and I`m sure mylotters will understand that.
1 person likes this
• Germany
17 Nov 18
@valmnz Hello
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Hello it is nice to be back.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
17 Nov 18
Hello from a country where winter is approaching to your summer climate! As you are the only member from NZ as far as I know, it is your moral duty to keep writing here. :-) Otherwise we won't know anything about your country.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Well, that's one way of putting it I love being here, but seem to be one of those crazy people who fills every one of life's spare moments.
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
17 Nov 18
@valmnz There is nothing crazy about this if it suits you.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35684)
• Canada
17 Nov 18
So nice to hear fr you. You sound like you are having a great time!
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
I admit life is good at the moment. I like being busy.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
17 Nov 18
It's wonderful to see you back Val. I wondered what had happened and hoped you were okay. Sounds like you've been having a wonderful time. It's good to see you are in such fine feddle.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
17 Nov 18
Thanks Ruby, I've been very busy, but with things I love doing.
@theend (2778)
• Gifu, Japan
18 Nov 18
welcome back.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
18 Nov 18
Thank you