We started last week with a lovely visit to the Sunday Market, where I was thrilled to see that not everyone has abandoned wearing masks, even though it is now not compulsory in most situations in Victoria. It was another beautiful Autumnal day & we made sure we shopped early before all the visitors arrived. We had been told the day before that the Adelaide AFL footballers had stayed in Daylesford, before going to Ballarat to play their game. They spent two nights here at Bellinzona, in Hepburn Springs & were amazed by the beauty of the place. The colours of the trees are at their finest at present, especially around the Hepburn Bathhouse.
Wes made prawn congee for breakfast, which was a wonderful treat & he promises to do it again. As we ate, we received a lovely photo of my younger sister, Paun, & her husband, Brian, who stayed at Quest in Moonee Ponds for three nights over the long weekend. We had hoped to see them, but it was too hard to arrange & we were thrilled that they had time to visit Leanne, as well as see Brian's mum, Una, in Wangaratta, attend the ANZAC Eve footy between Melbourne & Richmond at the MCG & walk around Moonee Ponds where there are so many childhood memories for Paun. She & Brian were married at St Monica's church in 1982 & had their reception in Queen's Park, which is within walking distance of where they are staying.
Prawn congee
Paun & Brian
I was overwhelmed when our friend & neighbour, Glen Tandberg, gave me the latest Donna Leon book - Give Unto Others. This was the book Donna had spoken about at length in her interview that we had watched the previous week. Glen had been in Queenscliff having a holiday with her family & when she bought all her grandkids a book, I scored one as well.
On Monday we decided not to attend any of the local ANZAC Day ceremonies so that I wouldn't get too tired and could go to the MCG for the big game between Essendon & Collingwood. Wes drove me to Ballan station & I was lucky enough to score a seat in the Quiet carriage, which meant a peaceful trip into Southern Cross station. Along the way we stopped at Cobblebank, a station I had never heard of or seen until then. Amazing what pops up when you avoid catching the train for a couple of years!
David Lazzaro texted me to say he was at the ground & would meet me outside the MCC entrance. It was lovely to see him & share some news of his family. As I was quite early. it was easy to get into the ground & I popped into the Long Room to say hello to Gayle Gibson, who was busy drinking bubbles with friends. I kept my mask on the whole day & felt much safer for doing that. Only a handful of others were so inclined, and I assume they also have immunity issues.
It was a wonderful afternoon - moving ceremony beforehand after a cavalcade of past & present servicemen & women. Then the game, which had everything, including frequent lead changes, high marks, stunning goals and great team and individual efforts.
My favourite moment - the shared banner for the teams to run through. It wasn't always like this, but one year Collingwood & Essendon agreed to share a banner & it has become a very meaningful tradition
When I went shopping early on Tuesday morning at Coles, I noticed the seafood area had a small quantity of West Australian rock lobsters for $22 each. I promptly bought two & they made a very indulgent dinner that night. They were already cooked & only needed thawing, fresh bread & lemon juice to be perfect!
I had postponed my Zoom chats except for Leanne that day, as I thought I would be tired from the travelling & excitement of the footy, which I was. Leanne was delighted to chat about the ANZAC Day match & her visit from Paun & Brian, as well as seeing Lewis & Morse when they took it in turns to sit on my lap & "chat" with her.
On Wednesday I did my usual fortnightly deliveries before meeting up with Dot & Judi for a few games of Mah Jong. We each won at least one game, which was very pleasing. Afterwards I had a facial at EKO, and after all that socialising I was tired & had a very early night.
Wes enjoyed an excellent Zoom session with his Overseas Mates on Thursday, while I chatted with Kathy, Karen & Lib, and the time just flew by as we covered a wide range of topics. Wes & I then went to Bad Habits Café, for brunch & a catch up. We were thrilled to see old friends, Bill & Steve there, and our breakfasts grew cool as we caught up on their news. The staff were lovely as always & we decided we should do this more often as the view is stunning, the food yummy, & the service as friendly as you could wish.
Great photo of our neighbour, Rob, who has been on holidays in Thailand & Singapore with his partner, Dene
Another good photo - this time Karen at Bad Habits with Autumn leaves through the windows
This was our table decoration at Bad Habits
By Friday it was time to catch up on postponed Zooms, starting with Jeff Hoolihan in Lincolnshire, where we chatted about the visit from her son, Mike, his wife, Kelly, and their kids - Archie & Amelia. The highlight was High Tea at Doddington Hall, not too far from Torksey Lock, where Jeff lives. We'll have to go there next time we come to visit as it looks rather wonderful. We covered quite a wide range of topics before it was time to stop & let her go to bed!
Later I caught up with Leanne, who is looking forward to my visit tomorrow - it's been a while since I've been up to the drive, but I'm staying over at Danny's place after the footy today & going to see Leanne on my way home. Finally, a wonderful, funny Zoom time with Jan Pengilley in Maleny, where it has been raining non-stop again and the temperatures have dropped to the 20s, causing locals to light their fires!
Yesterday we had invited Rob & Dene in for morning tea, which they provided, to catch up on their holiday news. We had a lovely chat for about 90 minutes, the first 10 of which were taken up by Lewis & Morse being extra excited to see them both. As far as footy goes - in the afternoon, Daylesford won against Clunes & last night Carlton had another good win, much to Wes's delight. We were both disappointed that the Saints lost by a point, but their kicking was atrocious & they wasted chances to win.
Morse & Lewis exhausted from greeting Rob & Dene!
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