We had a great time at
breakfast last Sunday, giving each other gifts for our pets. Judi was thrilled
to have found a new friend for Bilbo & he just loves the pink bunny that
was in his Christmas bag.
Judi, Wes & Barbara surrounded by gifts for our
lucky dogs & cats
Danny Millman sent me
this lovely photo of him & Jon Stevens – they met at a mutual friend’s
drinks party – small world indeed!
Wes and Bilbo had a
good walk around the Lake on Monday and Wes came home inspired by a new vision
for Opera by the Lake, which he proceeded to turn into a submission. Meanwhile
I drove to Ballarat for my annual dental check-up. Christmas week is not the
ideal time to do this, but I was coughing too much to go any sooner.
We were glued to the
TV & radio for the exciting conclusion to the 1st Test – the
Pakistanis really deserved to win & were very unlucky that the last wicket
was an accurate throw from Steve Smith to find the non-striker out of his
crease & his stumps broken. Afterwards I took Bilbo for a walk around the
Botanic Gardens where the local U3A choir was practising in the rotunda. Bilbo
had a dip in the rockpool in the fernery & refused to do another lap after
that!
Beautiful roses from our front garden
We had hoped to walk
together on Tuesday but there was thunder, lightning & rain from 4am
onwards, so the walk was cancelled and we had a sleep in instead.
Wes went off to show
the film, Fantastic Beasts, which I was very keen to see, but I had an
appointment at EKO for a facial & manicure. I had postponed my previous
time as I was too asthmatic, so was very lucky to get a spot in Christmas week
at all.
In the afternoon, I
took Bilbo to the Gardens again & he really enjoyed his dip in the pool.
On Wednesday, we three
got up early for a walk around the Lake & to look at the new suggested site
for Opera by the Lake, which is the old Daylesford Caravan Park off Fulcher
Street. There is a lot of unused land there, with plenty of access & the
possibility of stunning views. It was a perfect morning for a walk & we
were lucky enough to meet only two people during the hour we were out.
Finished boardwalk
replacing the lovely old bridge that was wrecked in the latest storms. Trees
have been taken out and it is a very different vista.
Wes spent the morning
with Barbara, mowing her lawns, tidying up & helping her pack her suitcase
for her Christmas trip to New Zealand. While Sandra was cleaning our home, I
walked Bilbo up to the Post Office to collect mail and then to Muffins &
More for a pot of tea, while I opened our cards & my parcel from
Collingwood. Bilbo had a wonderful time – there were endless small children
wanting to pat him and some adults who didn’t mind having to clamber over him
to get in or out of the Café.
Wes spent the rest of
the day mowing our neighbours’ lawns, while I planted pak choy & cucumber
in our special boxes on the decking.
We were able to walk
again early on Thursday and afterwards Wes & I went to a newish café,
Awkward Jeffrey, for breakfast. They have an interesting and different menu,
offering a range of dishes available from 8am to 4pm daily. Wes enjoyed granola
with poached apple & fresh strawberries, while I tucked into poached egg on
rosti with lettuce, green beans, feta & avocado.
Afterwards, while Wes
worked in the garden I walked Bilbo to the Post Office and then through town.
We met some friendly dogs & people, but he was very ready to come home and
sleep the rest of the day. Our day had started beautifully when I went outside
to pick some roses and discovered a bunch of Christmas lilies courtesy of Glenn
Mack.
Wes was up at 3.30am
on Friday to shower, dress & go across the road to help Barbara get ready
for her trip to New Zealand. They got on the road early and everything went
swimmingly, with Qantas staff very focused and helpful. While Wes was sitting
in PJ O’Brien’s in the airport having a coffee & bite to eat, John Macaulay
popped in to say hello, which was a very lovely surprise. We first met John
over 20 years ago when he was a Brunswick Rotary Exchange student & it has
been wonderful to keep in touch.
Meanwhile Bilbo &
I did the Lake Daylesford walk early and didn’t meet another soul, before
coming home to do shopping at Coles, as well as some chores and then head off
for a shorter walk into town to visit the Post Office & have a pot of
Jasmine tea at The Food Gallery. I was lucky enough to catch up with quite a
few friends as we sat outside – Maureen & Graham, Fran & Barry &
their friend, Mike to name a few.
Wes arrived home in
time for lunch & had a rest before tackling some more gardening.
Yesterday we walked to
Twin Bridges & back early, worked in the garden & house and then
indulged in a lovely late lunch at Boathouse Daylesford, where Susanne &
Claire looked after us very well as usual.
We had Christmas
pudding & brandy butter for sweets back here a couple of hours later &
were in bed & asleep early after our busy day – which was nothing compared
to years of preparing for Christmas Day visitors.
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