Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 30th July 2023

Charlie Brown finds Sally hard to help!

We started our Sunday with a fun visit to the Daylesford Market and came home laden with fruit, vegetables and eggs. Afterwards I visited Glen with produce for her and we had a good chat, in which the footy & cricket featured heavily.  

School on Monday involved rewriting our Wills, which we had hoped to leave until January, but changing solicitors meant we really should update immediately, and we were able to simplify our Wills, as we have a list of our Artworks & other valuable items, with suggested beneficiaries, which can be attached to our Wills. We hope this removes the need for us to make small alterations. We now have copies of everything in our safe & on our computers, and can forget about all this stuff for another twelve months or so.

On Tuesday morning, Les Groundwater came to look at the list of jobs we had for a handyperson, and declared he could do all of them, much to our delight. Morse was thrilled to see him again, and got in the way as Wes took Les around our house. I am particularly pleased that he can replace a skylight that fell in the upstairs bathroom some years ago - we have had no idea how to fix it and he is going to replace the covers on both skylights. He is also going to do some serious repairs to the downstairs bathroom, as well as patch & paint walls, replace tap washers and repair possum damage on our bedroom ceiling. Yippee!

Morse recovering downstairs with his squeaky unicorn & stripey bone toys

I spent time with Glen during the morning as she has had a setback in her recovery and isn't as mobile as she would like. I was able to get her a new tag for one of her dogs, and some yummy gluten-free biscuits to cheer her up. She asked for photos of our hellebores and I took some of the plants at Lewis's grave.

While Judi & I played Mah Jong on Wednesday morning, Wes vacuumed & washed all the floors, which dried quickly because of the unexpected sunshine we have had through much of the early part of this week. In the afternoon he visited his sister, Denise, with afternoon tea, to celebrate her birthday, and returned with six beautiful camellias that Denise had propagated, which we will plant in Leanne's garden. 

On Thursday morning I had my regular weekly Zoom with Old Friends - Lib, Karen & Joyce. They appreciated my story of donating my latest beanies to the Salvo's Red Shield Shop & being thanked profusely for a change. It certainly has inspired me to knit more for them.

Some of my latest beanies, most using 4ply alpaca knitted double

Since Tuesday, Les has visited us every day and slowly but surely things are getting fixed. He's a problem solver and loves the challenge of working out how to fix our issues so they stay fixed. He started by re-attaching the Collingwood Flag to the flagpole, and has moved through the house doing the small jobs and working up to the bigger ones. We are very comfortable with him here, especially as Morse is so relaxed around him too.

On Friday night, Carlton beat Collingwood comprehensively much to the delight of all those Carlton supporters who have suffered over the past few years. Wes was thrilled to bits, and we watched the last few minutes together once the result was a foregone conclusion. I thought the Pies looked tired and that may have contributed to their lacklustre game, but there is no excuse for poor kicking in front of goal and we did that far too often. 

The Maloney Cup with Carlton in the ascendancy for a change

Charlie Curnow, who kicked 6 goals & Captain Patrick Cripps very happy with the result

Yesterday was a quiet one after the very late night watching the footy and then some cricket, where Australia ended up with a slender lead on the 1st Innings. Wes took Morse for a walk before the mist came down and blanketed the sky for some hours. Amazingly I had enough energy to make a batch of vegetarian minestrone soup, which Wes declared was my best ever. We enjoyed it while watching footy & cricket. The footy had quite a few upsets where more fancied teams were beaten by sides lower on the ladder, which means the final eight is far from clear.

We woke to discover the Poms were 9/389, which is a formidable total for Australia to chase. It will be interesting to see if we can get the last wicket quickly and then either attack the total or play safely for two days. 

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 23rd July 2023

I don't think Morse would even accept a middleman - he refuses to retrieve anything!

We started our week with a very successful visit to Leanne - lots of serious chatting, as well as some practical help, and we shared croissants for brunch for a very welcome change. I think we all agreed we would do that again. 

On Monday, we continued our work on the attachments to the Executor Dossier, which includes an Inventory of our Artworks and suggested recipients in the event we both die at the same time. We need to update our Wills with our new solicitor's details, and some of our beneficiaries have changed their addresses, and we will update them too. 

After School, I went to Springs Medical to the clinical lab to give blood samples, the final piece of my contribution to the Australian Cancer Council's Breakthrough Study. I have been participating in this for some years, and it involves a questionnaire, samples & blood. I didn't realise four vials would be taken or I would have asked Wes to drive me, as I get light-headed, like many of us, when blood leaves my body! Instead, I sat quietly in the car until I felt able to drive back home and sat here with a pot of tea & The Age for a while to recover. 

It's been another busy week with Zooms - Wes has chatted with Barbara in New Zealand; joined a Family Tree Maker user group; discussed Retirement with the Jackson Group of mostly overseas members, and set up some future Zooms with Old School Friends. I spent time with Jeff in the UK, had a couple of excellent chats with Leanne, and caught up with Old Friends - Karen & Lib.

 

It's been the kind of week where it is best to snuggle up inside with a friend or two 

On Thursday I spent the morning back at Springs Medical, where I had a check-up with Dr Ellie and a follow up with Peter the podiatrist. Both appointments went well, but I needed to make another one, as Ellie suggested I do a skin clinic with Dr James, so I am booked into see him in a fortnight. 

We heard from Kathy Lazzaro that her mother, Iris, had died peacefully this week after suffering a stroke. We have very happy memories of the last time we saw Iris, back in 2017 at her grand-daughter, Jessica's wedding to Eri. Our thoughts are with all her family. 

On Friday morning we went for a family trip to Ballarat - Wes needed whiskey and tuna, and I needed a warm tracksuit, some knitting needles & a pair of warm black pants. He was entirely successful, while I found the tracksuit, but not the pants, and have ended up ordering good knitting needles online, now that my lifetime brand, Aero, has been discontinued!

We arrived home just in time for a delightful and unexpected visit from Fiona & Les Groundwater, who moved here permanently last month from Fremantle. Les hadn't met Morse before, but, like Fiona, he is excellent with dogs, and Morse was in seventh heaven with our visitors. Fiona had brought us lemons from a friend's tree, plus home-made lemon butter, and some dried bay leaves. We have made a date for Les to come and look at all the things that need fixing at our place, as he wants to get work as a handyman and promised us that we would be his first customers.

 

Another handyman is our friend, Rob, seen here helping take down an old pine tree on the Ballan property

Yesterday, both our teams played - Carlton in the afternoon, where they had a comfortable 71-point win against West Coast, with Charlie Curnow kicking 10 goals & all the team contributing. The Collingwood game against Port Adelaide, at the Adelaide Oval, was a different kettle of fish, and we were lucky to escape with a 2-point win after Port led by 17 points at 3/4 time and looked to have our measure. Jamie Elliott was our hero with 3 amazing goals. 

We've slept in this morning after the late night, so Morse is even more keen to get into the car and drive to the Daylesford Market. I suspect it will be a very quiet day for Wes and I after the excitement of yesterday. 

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 16th July 2023

 
Definitely a first world bird problem!

We started our week quietly, after pacifying Morse with an early visit to the Daylesford Sunday Market in the rain. I always feel so sorry for the stallholders on mornings like that, where the wind is whipping up the protective canvas shelters and you can't escape the cold and wet. We spent well at Yvonne's stall and then bought eggs & dog treats from Jeff's stall. 

Later that day, Carlton continued on their winning way, with a demolition of Freo over there, much to Wes's delight. They were slow to start, which was very frustrating, but it must have been much worse to be a Freo supporter watching their team disintegrate. 

Overnight, the Poms batted magnificently to beat the Aussies at Headingley, Leeds, winning with over a day to spare, and keeping the quest for the Ashes alive. Mark Wood was a worthy winner of Man of the Match with his 7-wicket haul. Many of us will be delighted to go back to normal sleeping patterns for a while, as the 4th Test, at Old Trafford in Manchester, doesn't start until Wednesday, 19th July. Even Greta Bradman, starting her shift on Sunday morning on ABC Classic radio, suggested that many in her audience would need some gentle waking up music after long nights transfixed by the action over in England. 

Morse relaxing in the Jason recliner in the study

On Monday we settled down for a serious School session, finalising our Executor Dossier, reviewing our wills, scanning everything and sending it all to our local solicitor, Adrian Tinetti. We prepared the dossier as a useful tool should we die together, but also as a help for whoever is left behind, should we die separately. There is so much to do, and it seems a good idea to put it all down in writing, with as much information as possible, to make the work as easy as it can be for whoever has to do it. We have vowed to review our wills & dossier every 12 months to make sure they are up to date.

We haven't been quite as social as last week, but have both enjoyed Zoom contacts. Wes has spoken with Barbara Simpson in New Zealand; Old School Friend, Leo Jeffers, in America; Helen Hanrahan in Melbourne; Bob Mathews in Lockhart, and his Cousins Zoom with Libby in Sweden & Gary in Maribyrnong.  I haven't been quite as prolific - but I did catch up with Leanne in Strathmore, and Old Friends - Kathy, Karen & Joyce, all in Melbourne via Zoom. On Friday we visited Rob & Dene in Ballan for an overdue catch up, which we all enjoyed, especially Morse, who was allowed to sit on the couch next to Rob, while we tucked into home-made biscuits & sausage rolls. 

Yesterday, Wes drove me to Ballan Station to catch the train to the MCG to see Collingwood play Fremantle. The train was packed and I was lucky to get a seat, next to the only other masked person in the carriage. When we arrived at Southern Cross Station, I discovered that there were no trains going to Flinders Street, and I had to catch a Glen Waverley train which took me to Richmond Station and a 15-minute walk to Gate 2. I overheard many tales of woe, as so many others had been inconvenienced by the random closure of stations, including those in Collingwood's heartland. Over 61,000 fans made their way to the MCG somehow to witness an easy win for the Pies after a 10-goal second quarter. 

Most of the fans were eating lunch or sheltering from the cold when the teams came out to warm up

Field Umpire Brett Rosebery celebrated 500 games and was given a Guard of Honour by the players of both teams as he left the ground. What a wonderful achievement - he has umpired in 9 Grand Finals & not surprisingly, is an AFL Life Member. 

I decided to come home early as I wanted to avoid the heavy rain that was predicted and I also wanted to make sure I got to Southern Cross Station in time to catch one of the few trains available to get me back home. Wes very kindly agreed to pick me up at Woodend Station, and when we arrived back here, we settled down to watch the Carlton game on delay. What a triumph for the Blues and their supporters - a 50-point demolition of the second team on the ladder - a side that had won 13 matches in a row.

Umpire Brett Rosebery

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 9th July 2023

Poor Charlie Brown

Wes had a wonderful day last Sunday. After taking Morse & me to the Daylesford Market, he came home, got dressed into his glad rags and drove to Strathmore Station, to catch the train to the MCG. He had been invited by Ben Lazzaro to be his guest in the Radio SEN box for the Hawthorn vs Carlton match. He was delighted to find on arrival that Ben's son, Jack, was also in the box, and spent a very pleasant afternoon watching the Blues demolish the Hawks by 10 goals, which wasn't the result he had expected!

Jack & Ben enjoying the view from the box

On Monday, we cancelled two of the items we had planned for School and did a thorough clean out of electronic gear, gadgets & screens. We were able to dispose of the smaller items at the local Council recycling area, but the rest went to the Transfer Station at the tip. 

In the meantime, our emails were running hot after the exciting finish to the Second Ashes Test at Lord's. The Poms were very upset by Carey's stumping of Baird, who seemed to wander out of his crease as though he had stopped concentrating. Ben Stokes played a stunning innings of 155, and almost procured a win off his own bat. I thought he should have been awarded Man of the Match instead of Steve Smith. Our respective Prime Ministers have even entered into the discussion, each fiercely defending his own cricket team. 

Morse, oblivious to all the excitement in sport, enjoying the rays of the late afternoon sun

I was able to chat with my aunt, Jeff, in Lincolnshire on Tuesday morning. She has been quite unwell for the past 3 weeks and it was so good to catch up with her again. I also caught up with my sister, Leanne, who is doing well with her various NDIS carers & updated me on the improvements she is making. Wes spent time in the garden before I confessed that I was having trouble with the new laptop and he did his best to fix it, but couldn't, so I emailed the IT department and we waited to hear from them. 

The highlight of the day was an email from the Melbourne Cricket Club inviting me to a lunch to celebrate my inclusion as a 50-year member. I had a choice of two dates & chose Tuesday, 3rd August, as I would have to change fewer activities on that date. As well, it is the date chosen by Gayle Gibson, so we might be able to sit together and enjoy being welcomed and advised of our new privileges. Fingers crossed.

Dot joined Judi and me for Mah Jong on Wednesday morning. We don't know how long it has been since the three of us were together and we all loved sharing news, as well as winning at least one game each. Even though it was School Holidays, Muffins & More café was mostly filled with locals, and there was a very relaxed atmosphere. 

Stunning sunset on Thursday night

We have had a fairly social week for a change - a wonderful brunch with good friends, Di and Jeff, at The Convent on Friday morning, where we were given the lovely round table in the front. We were eventually thrown out after 90 minutes as the table was booked for High Tea. Yesterday morning we had breakfast at Pancho with James and Yoko, our neighbours, and Fiona and Les, who have moved to Daylesford this week, and are living in Annie's Place in the piece of Duke Street at the back of that café. All six of us got along really well and the time just flew by. 

The Third Test at Headingly, Leeds, is proving to be a short & sweet affair, with both sides dismissed for under 300 runs. Mitch Marsh was the hero for Australia in the 1st Innings, and Stokes the stumbling block for us in the English 1st Innings. After the rain on day 3, the game is evenly poised with the Poms needing 224 runs to win with all wickets in hand. 

On Friday night, Collingwood played the Western Bulldogs at their home ground, the Docklands Stadium, where the Doggies nearly beat us at our own game. They won the 1st & 4th quarters, but we kicked 6 goals in the 3rd to give us enough of a buffer to win the game by 2 goals in a very exciting match. During the game, our former Captain, Scott Pendlebury, broke the record for the most disposals ever, overtaking the wonderful St Kilda player, Robert Harvey, who had led for years with 9,656 in total.  

Another crop of beanies - I gave some to the Op Shop, along with Di's jumpers, and offered the rest to the Salvos, who were delighted. 

We have both been busy with Zoom chats again - Wes caught up with his Godson, Danny, in Caboolture; his friend, Barbara, in New Zealand, and the Jackson 9 in the UK, US, India & Australia. I chatted with my aunt, Jeff, in Lincolnshire; my sister, Leanne,  and old friends - Lib, Karen & Joyce.

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 2nd July 2023

 
I love that Charlie Brown is Snoopy's caddy!

Life doesn't always go the way you plan it & last Sunday was the perfect example. Wes & Morse drove me to Ballan Station in time for the 10.38am train to the MCG, but when we arrived, I discovered that the train was only going as far as Sunshine, where passengers would be met by a coach and taken to Flagstaff Station. We quickly decided that wouldn't work, so I got back in the car & we drove to Strathmore, where I caught the next train to Flinders Street. There weren't too many options with so many train lines not operating over the School Holidays. Wes & Morse had planned on dropping in on Rob & Dene in Ballan, and picking up bags of mulch on their way home, neither of which occurred. 

When I got to the MCG, after walking from Flinders Street, I met with David Lazzaro, and we enjoyed a great catch up before we headed into our respective gates. The game against the Crows was a nail-biter - we won the first half, they blitzed us in the third quarter, and we ground out a 2-point win in the end. 

The cheer squads getting ready to hoist their banners & wave flags as the players come out - disregard the empty seats, nearly 66,000 turned up, but many were still finishing their lunch 

I walked back to Flinders Street & caught the train to Strathmore, where Wes & Morse were waiting to collect me. Poor Wes had driven home, had a couple of hours rest, and driven back. We encountered torrential rain for much of the way, and when we were near Tylden, were stopped by police as there was a big accident. We diverted away from it, but eventually got back onto the Tylden-Woodend road and found our way home. Wes definitely earned his big whisky and we cancelled dinner in favour of toasted sandwiches.

A big thank you to all the friends who emailed, texted & messaged after the match - it was lovely to hear from you and to know that you had found the game as exciting & entertaining as I did. 

On Monday, we were both still tired from our big Sunday, and abandoned School in preference to catching up with a couple of episodes of the latest series of Utopia, one of the cleverest Australian TV shows available. I popped in to see Glen, who has been resting her leg after over-doing things, and we were both delighted that it was wet, and we could take it easy. 

With the rain holding off on Tuesday morning, Wes was able to do lots of pruning in the back garden under the main decking & there is so much more light - we can even see our beautiful tree fern again. Meanwhile, I Zoomed with Leanne, and then Terry Borg, before heading into Vincent Street for an eye test. I got a good report, but it took three hours before the drops cleared from my eyes!

Fragrant Oriental lilies from Judi - the perfume is amazing when you walk in the front door

Judi & I played Mah Jong on Wednesday morning, even though it was School Holidays. Perhaps the cold & wet weather has stopped quite a few from visiting, as town just isn't its usual busy self. We had a fun morning, caught up with some local friends, Anne & Sean, and each won at least one game. Meanwhile, Wes vacuumed & washed the floors, and took Morse for a drive while everywhere dried. 

On Thursday, while Wes got back into the garden, I had a lovely Zoom with old friends - Kathy, Karen, Lib & Joyce, where we admired Joyce's beautiful handiwork, shared information about our health & gave each other support. Afterwards I put Morse in the car & took him to Leitches Creek to pump water. When we arrived, we discovered the pump had been removed, and he had no interest in climbing the wet, mossy steps down to the pipe, which was flowing freely. So, I put him back in the car & filled my six bottles there.

Lovely tree fern in our backyard - being exposed to the Winter light

This second Test at Lord's has been entertaining, with the Aussies in control on Day 1, the Poms on Day 2, and us back in the box seat with one day to go & the Poms needing 257 runs to win with 6 wickets in hand. We've enjoyed watching the highlights the next day, as the action starts at 8pm our time, and neither of us can last much beyond the lunch break at 10pm.

Our elderly laptop died while we were in Canberra, so yesterday we went to Officeworks to buy a new one. There were plenty of sales going on & we were keen to get a good HP. However, our very helpful salesperson advised that the HP laptops used a simplified version of Windows 11 and that we might prefer a brand that gave us the full suite of programmes. We took his advice & bought a Lenovo 40cm matt screen with extra memory & grunt. 

In the afternoon, Collingwood had an unexpectedly easy win against the Gold Coast Suns up there, where we won every quarter except the third. The Suns would be very disappointed with their effort as they had been playing so well.

Today, after the Daylesford Market, Wes is off to the MCG as a guest of Ben Lazzaro, to see Carlton play Hawthorn. He is looking forward to spending time with Ben, and if the Blues win, that will be a bonus. 

Great photo of Wes with Ben in 1990