And thank God he is - keeping us entertained for another year
Thank you to everyone who touched base with us this Christmas - we received lots of lovely cards, emails, ecards, messages & phone calls - all of which we appreciated. This was a great Christmas Day for us both - we got to speak with family & friends, attended Liam Thorneycrofts' CFA fund-raiser at Cliffy's, spent a happy lunch time with Leanne in Strathmore & Karen was able to be a spectator at yet another memorable MCG test. In terms of atmosphere it is up there with each day of the 1977 Centenary Test & Day 2 of the 2013 Trent Bridge Ashes Test where a very young Ashton Agar, in his debut, batting at #11 made 98 (even the English commentators wanted him to get a century - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5420hqLyqw).
Wes, Karen & Leanne enjoying bon bons, poppers, whistles, King Island crays & prawns & Christmas pudding with brandy butter
Lewis & Morse hearing my voice on the phone & later with Yvonne at Wheatsheaf getting cuddles, when Wes collected our usual order from her
Staying at The Hotel Windsor, 10 minutes walk from the MCG, was a special treat, and I might have to make it my official home away from home. Each day I left the hotel early, turned left & walked to the World Heritage listed Carlton Gardens, which house our beautiful 1880 Exhibition Buildings & our modern 2000 Museum. The gardens are bounded by Rathdowne, Carlton, Nicholson Streets & Victoria Parade & have jacarandas, shady tree-lined avenues, a majestic fountain, man-made lakes & formal flower beds. It was a delight to spent time there as it is with our others - Fitzroy, Flagstaff & Botanic Gardens.
The cricket was wonderful entertaining & the atmosphere remarkable during all sessions - we were on top, then the Poms bowled magnificently, and then we were seriously on top & Scott Boland took 6/7, which even in his wildest dreams, was never something he considered. We have been to Harrow (in Victoria) & visited the museum there which is dedicated to the Aboriginal Team that was the first to tour England back in 1868. Scott was awarded the Johnny Mullagh medal as the best player of the Boxing Day Test, and, with his aboriginal background, was doubly honoured.
The Australian Squad celebrating with a victory lap of the G
On top of all this, I enjoyed catching up with friends - both Gayle Gibson & Laurie Wordsworth in the MCC; Kathy & Gerard Lazzaro plus Karen & Malcolm Stevenson joined me for breakfast at the Windsor on Day 3 (a tradition of some years' standing & Ged goes to the match as well), and breakfast with my mate, Danny Millman, also a tradition, and also at the Windsor.
Meanwhile Wes walked the boys here each morning, fed them their meals, looked after our garden, watered Rob & Dene's pots, watched the cricket when he could, and stayed in touch with me & others. I came home to a clean house & only had to do my washing to get back in the swing of things.
On Thursday, Wes had an ultrasound at the Daylesford Hospital, on the advice of our now retired doctor, Greg Stewart, who thought it would be a good thing to do. We were both much relieved when it showed no abnormalities and he feels better about his appointment with a cardiologist in a fortnight. Meanwhile, our dear Daylesford friend, Dot Smith, has had open heart surgery in Melbourne Private hospital just before Christmas & is recuperating slowly but surely.
Lovely recent photo of Dot showing off at Mah Jong with two bouquets of Flowers & Seasons
Last night we enjoyed more King Island crays & prawns with fresh bread & broccolini, followed by Christmas pudding & brandy butter. It was a lovely meal for a very hot night & we think it could easily become a tradition. We are very lucky to have a local fish shop that sources wonderful seafood, as well as offering great fish & chips.
We've just returned from our walk around Lake Daylesford, which we usually approach with some trepidation. I have filled two small bags with rubbish yesterday in the hope that would encourage visitors & locals to leave the area as clean as they found it. It wasn't too bad this morning - only two big bags, filled mostly with drink bottles, masks, strawberry containers & wipes.
what a wonderful week you had. Happy New Year to you all.I had my booster prior to Christmas as I was nervous about going to the "G". Didn,t have as good seats as you but enjoyed Boxing Day with Bren. and 2 grandsons.Hope to catch up soon. Love to all of you. Bob.
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