Penelope Lawrence is free to enjoy a broad range of interests and activities, from attending a weekly subject discussion at the School of Philosophy at Victoria University club, to growing orchids, while living at Enliven’s Huntleigh Home.
“I can grow cymbidium orchids in my room here and I’m lucky enough to hitch a ride to Wellington Orchid Society meetings in Lower Hutt on a regular basis,” says Penelope.
The Hutt Valley is familiar territory for Penelope. Her career in cartography for Lands & Survey not only involved mapping Lower Hutt’s volcanic terrain for the New Zealand Soil Bureau it took her out to sea to chart the ocean floor, sailing out from Seaview to Cape Palliser and Kaikoura.
“I remember recording the measurements via an echo sounder. I had to chart the depth every five minutes in order to create the maps used by the navy.”
These days Penelope enjoys getting out into the sheltered, sunny courtyard at Huntleigh Home where she tends to the raised gardens by planting, weeding and watering.
“I discover plants that people have just popped in which can be a surprise,” she says.
Penelope is also responsible for the lovely flower arrangements at Huntleigh Home. Resourceful when gathering flowers and foliage from the home gardens she also is provided with a weekly allowance to spend on cut flowers, which she buys from the nearby Karori Village.
With her busy life, taking time out to meditate is important to Penelope. She says meditation keeps her calm and gives her a spiritual connection – she can always tell when she hasn’t been keeping up with her practice.
Life is busy for Penelope at Huntleigh Home
