Daylesford Summer Dispatch - Sunday, 22nd January 2023

So very true!

We started our week with a lovely visit to the Sunday Market, where Yvonne had a sliced pear waiting for Morse, and a cuddle when he was finished eating. Then he & Wes headed off to Jeff, the dog treat man, for some pigs' ear strips and a dozen eggs (I don't know why he sells eggs as well, but he does). It was so good to be cool, but there was a strong wind, so we opted for a quiet day inside, reading, and listening to Greta Bradman's choices of music on ABC Classic radio. 

Glorious vase of pink, peach & yellow fragrant roses

As it is School Holidays, Daylesford is very busy, and most locals get their shopping & other chores done early as it is almost impossible to get a carpark from late morning onwards. We are glad that we are a destination & that so many travellers want to visit here, but it will be good when February arrives, and everything quietens down again. So many people arrive here because it is a popular & well-known place, but they don't always know what is available for them to do and the Information Centre is flat out advising on walks, Markets, shops, cafes, galleries & picnic spots. We are very fortunate to have Botanic Gardens, a weekly Sunday Market, a tourist train, two man-made Lakes and free mineral water pumps.

This week, we varied our early morning walk & visited Jubilee Lake for a change. We were the only walkers and Morse enjoyed all the new smells & sights - fortunately, the peacocks were still sleeping & didn't cause him distress! All other mornings were at Lake Daylesford where Morse spotted black wallabies, ducks, runners, joggers, other walkers & other dogs.

Wes & Morse on the old railway underpass bridge

I've had quite a few appointments, starting with a remedial massage from Sarah, which always leaves me feeling much better & with more movement in my neck & shoulders than before I visited. My fringe needed a trim, as did my nails & now I should be OK for a while as far as repairs & maintenance is concerned.

Our Monday School was choosing which footy games we would each attend & planning a short trip to Canberra in June, which will give Morse another opportunity to mix with dogs at Eureka Kennels. We are planning to drive to the ACT and catch up with my sister, Paun, and her husband, Brian, while we are there. 

We had been wanting to spend time with our dear friend, Gillie, and her sister, Wendy, who has been visiting from South Africa, and finally managed brunch on Wednesday morning at Pancho Café. Everywhere was much cooler after some very welcome rain and we snagged the one outdoor table that was completely covered by umbrellas, where we enjoyed yummy meals, good coffee & excellent conversations. 

We were very shocked when Sarah rang on Thursday evening to let us know that her mother, our neighbour, Glen, had slipped on fine, loose gravel & twisted her leg at Lake Daylesford. Glen is in St John of God hospital in Ballarat & had her big operation on Friday. We are so very sorry for her & what it means for the next few months. Fortunately, her sister, Anne, lives in Trentham, and took the dogs, Nellie & Willow, to live with her. Over the weekend, Glen's younger daughter, Jess, and family drove up from Bentleigh to stay in her cottage, and visit her. We will do whatever we can, which, at present is looking after her mail & watering her garden. 

Lovely rose garden in the middle of our back lawn - Pumpkin Patch at the back & Kindred Spirits in front with various pink & purple petunias & a pink rosemary

Our new neighbours on the other side have been busy, even though they haven't moved in yet - James has been painting, and various workmen have arrived to do different things, all of which cause Morse much anxiety. He barks furiously, but his tail is wagging too. The biggest cement mixer we have ever seen arrived to concrete under the house, so it can become a storage area. It must have been fun reversing that out of our narrow street. 

On Friday, I had planned a trip to Ballarat in the morning, but delayed it as my energy levels were low. Instead, Wes & I rejigged our pots on the main decking & are very pleased with the result. We have purple & blue sage, Winter & Summer savoury, marjoram, parsley, mint, French tarragon, pink thyme, chives and oregano in the orange pots, and cucumber, basil & coriander in the long cream containers. Fingers crossed that everything likes the change of scenery. 

Yesterday we spent in the garden again - Wes gave everywhere a good soaking & we were delighted that all our plants seemed to be happy, especially the transplanted cucumbers, thyme & sage. And if you are wondering why there is no rosemary in pots - we have three kinds in the garden - blue, pink & Gallipoli - some prostrate, some hedging & some companion planted. 

It's another perfect morning here, and we are back from our walk, and getting ready for the Sunday Market. Afterwards, Wes & Morse are planning on going fishing for a couple of hours.

I couldn't resist sharing this wonderful cartoon from Facebook