I seem to have
started the year with a need to do spring-cleaning – I’m not complaining, it is
good to have the energy and the drawers I have ruthlessly tidied are looking
much better for the shake-up. The Sydney Test was the perfect backdrop to this
as the ABC commentators are always entertaining, especially the new crop of
special comments persons - Chris Rogers, Simon Katich & Dirk Nannes.
During the
afternoon, Wes went to visit his sister, Denise, and they ranged over a number
of topics. He was very relieved to discover that she has a fire plan that
involves Russ & Peppa, who live close by Denise, as fire will remain a real
threat until March here.
We had hoped to
play golf on Monday which was a perfect morning, but both of us had disturbed
sleep and neither felt up to a game. Wes did get up and walk Bilbo, while I
read the Age in bed with a pot of jasmine tea. Later Wes went to Larder to meet
with Pat Harrison to discuss the community radio and agreed to be interviewed
on Tuesday morning re disability issues in the Shire. That afternoon we had
12mls of rain, which was very welcome indeed.
Dawn over Lake Daylesford
We three all got up
early on Tuesday and enjoyed our walk in the dark. After the interview, Wes
went to the Daylesford Cinema to show ‘The Good Dinosaur’, and as Lauren had
already seen it, watched it with Barbara and 19 other attendees.
Meanwhile Judi
& I caught up over a late breakfast at Cliffy’s, a very popular café, which
has recently had a change of ownership & a spring clean itself. The menu
was small but interesting and we both opted for smashed avocado with poached
egg & tarragon mushrooms. We sat inside and when we were leaving discovered
Annie Smith, with her brother, Geoffrey, and dog, Rosie, sitting outside.
On Wednesday, we
drove to Strathmore to visit Leanne and share a meal in memory of Viva, who
died two years ago on that day. We were very pleased we went – Wes spent the
morning in the garden, which needed some help & I had offered to do some
household chores that are easier when done by two. The morning flew by and we
shared a yummy quiche & salad lunch with plum pudding for afters. On our
way home, we delivered Snoopy, Woodstock & Potter to Greta, Harry &
Rosie. These much-loved characters don’t fit in our modern home and have been
languishing under the house, so I was very pleased that Greta wanted to be
their new mother. Potter is at least 30 years old and was a gift from Jane
Danaher – he used to sit at the top of the stairs at 246 Brunswick Road. Snoopy
was found about 12 years ago by Judi & Wes at the Daylesford Sunday Market
and he is inseparable from Woodstock.
On Thursday, I went
shopping at Coles & Tonna’s very early as we were running low on some
essentials. While Wes gardened out the front, I visited EKO for a facial with
Alanna – I usually see Emma, but she has January off to look after her two
young daughters. Alanna did a great job and we enjoyed our time together. That
afternoon we had a second walk, around the Wombat Hills Gardens, where Bilbo
was delighted when we walked through the fernery and he could have a paddle.
Sadly there was
very little cricket to enjoy as background, but I did watch some of the last
day & especially enjoyed the hi-jinks on the radio when Chris Rogers &
Dirk Nannes changed roles with Gerard Whateley & Jim Maxwell. I think all
four gained an appreciation of the skills of the others.
Our early morning
walk on Friday started in darkness, as there is only a sliver of a new moon to
guide us around the Lake before dawn. Wes had promised to spend the morning in
Barbara’s garden, a job he often does on a Wednesday, but couldn’t this week.
Barbara had caught up with her brother, David, & his wife, Lyn, at
Melbourne airport on Thursday. They were on their way home to Perth after a
visit to New Zealand & his sister, Margaret & family. Barbara &
David hadn’t seen each other in 10 years.
Meanwhile I
followed my daily routine of feeding the birds, filling up the fountain which
is much loved by the magpies, watering the plants in the greenhouse and
searching the tomatoes and zucchini for ripening produce, before ringing Leanne
& settling down to get out Friday’s DA cryptic crossword.
Yesterday morning
we enjoyed a sleep in, then I took Bilbo twice around Wombat Hill Gardens,
while Wes washed the front porch, steps & ramp in preparation for me to
paint them charcoal grey like the outdoor setting. I was able to get three
coats onto the porch & steps during a perfect day, which had very little
breeze and wasn’t too hot until the afternoon. We chose Saturday as we thought
it was the day we were least likely to have someone arrive at our front door,
and if they did, the Wet Paint sign was on display.
During the morning,
Wes had a Skype call with a woman called Lee, who is very interested in the
life and death of his great grandfather, Frank Cartwright, and may want to make
a film or documentary about it. Frank was a show-business personality who was
murdered in the 1890s in Melbourne’s Eastern Market.
Greta sent us a
message to say that Snoopy & Potter are very happily ensconced at their
home on two chairs & dwarf Penny completely. As you can see, she doesn’t
seem too worried about that.
This morning we had
another walk in the dark before a beautiful sunrise. There are hot air balloons
floating over the Lake as I write this. Bilbo and I are heading off to pump
water at Leitches Creek before hitting the Sunday Market & then meeting
everyone for breakfast.
This week’s roses – mostly Hot
Cocoa with a Peace rose, some Icebergs & Freesias
Yesterday afternoon
I had a lovely experience – I noticed that Nathan Cummings was on FB, so asked
to be his friend, which he accepted immediately. Nathan (aka Nash) was young
boy when we first met and I have never forgotten the way he sat in the gutter
outside Sweet Decadence waiting for his mother to finish work and playing with
Bilbo & Frodo, who were very young. He raced off to the $2 shop at one
point and came back with two little brushes and proceeded to comb their hair
until they were almost purring with pleasure. We used to catch up at the local
footy and once he visited us for playtime with the boys. Now he is 21, but he
was thrilled to chat with me and suggested we get together over a cuppa soon –
I am sure he hopes I bring Bilbo with me!
Finally, there is
some good news from Lincolnshire where Kev has emailed me to say that Jeff will
finally be coming home today. Although she has been dying to get home, the
extra time in hospital has been good, as her stitches have been taken out and
she is able to walk around a little. Everyone will be very relieved to have her
back home again.
No comments:
Post a Comment