Daylesford Autumn Dispatch - Sunday, 27th April 2025

 

No-one told Snoopy to read the fine print!

We started our week with me doing the Market shopping, where everyone was very sorry to hear about Wes and his fall. Morse needed lots of treats & bones and Jeff, the dog treat man, was very generous, throwing in all sort of extra things once he heard what had happened. Not sure that Morse has forgiven me yet for going without him, but I couldn't hold on to him and do the shopping successfully!

On Monday morning, I drove us to the Emergency department of St John of God Hospital in Ballarat, where we were second in the queue and looked after promptly. Dr Anthony was hopeful that there were no breaks, and x-rays proved him right. We spent 2.5 hours there & everyone was helpful and considerate, with all of them agreeing that ladders are forbidden from now on. 

We celebrated with tea & Hot Cross buns on our return home, where Morse was very relieved to see us. Wes has been inundated with wonderful messages of love & support, for which we are both very grateful. The outcome is so much better than it might have been.

A cheerful corner of marigolds in the back garden

After walking Morse in the cemetery early on Tuesday, I did the supermarket shopping; had a Zoom with Leanne; kept an appointment with my doctor, Ellie, who was sorry to hear about Wes, and gave me some good advice. Then I popped in next door to see Glen, who was having a few days away, to find out what I could do in the way of watering and looking after things. 

We have arranged automatic Federal Election postal voting, and our envelopes were in our PO Box when I checked. We quickly filled them in and posted them the same day.

That afternoon, we drove back to Springs Medical for our flu injections. We walked in & were seen immediately, didn't even have time to sit down. Neither of us had any adverse reaction to the shots & are pleased to have had them in the hope we don't get this rotten flu. We caught up with Nick & Robyn Massaro, as well as Max Primmer while we were there, and Nick rang later to see if he could help in a practical way, which was lovely.

Our Weeping Japanese maple in the front garden turning colour

On Wednesday, Wes & I both had hair appointments at Daylesford Hair & Beauty and I dropped him back home before playing Mah Jong with Judi for a couple of hours. We shared the wins and tried a few more hands, which is always satisfying. At lunchtime I received an email from the Australian Electoral Commission confirming they had received our votes - amazing!

The bunnies are back at Daylesford Cemetery, so our early morning walks are full of joy as Morse spots & then chases a bunny until it disappears in one of many hidey-holes. On Thursday, after a good walk, I had an excellent Zoom with Old Friends - Kathy, Joyce, Lib & Karen S, where we all shared our Easter stories.

We were expecting lots of rain on ANZAC Day, but it was dry when Morse & I walked early, and there were plenty of people at the Dawn Service, which I couldn't attend as Morse would get too agitated. I had hoped to go to the 9am Eganstown Ceremony that we love, but was Zooming with Leanne, and realised she needed me more. Her support worker is on holidays, as is her exercise physio, so her only visitor at present is Jimmy, who cleans every Wednesday. 

Petunias looking very pretty in the wheelbarrow

Wes & Morse drove me to Ballan Station at midday, and I caught a very pleasant train to Southern Cross and then an extremely packed train to Jolimont Station and the MCG. I was fortunate enough to have bought a reserved seat under cover in the 50 year Member bay, where I enjoyed a good view of the ANZAC ceremonies and then the football. Considering the weather, it rained all afternoon, the crowd of 92,044 was astounding and it made for a wonderful atmosphere. Honours were even in the first half, but the Pies were able to get ahead halfway through the 3rd quarter and weren't headed after that. 

I left at 6pm when the Final Siren blew and made my way back to Southern Cross in time for the 6.35pm Ararat train, which stopped at Ballan, where Wes & Morse were waiting for me. Thanks to everyone for your messages, before, during & after the game - all were much appreciated.

Yesterday, we had breakfast in Gordon, a little country town, about 10 minutes out of Ballan, with Rob & Dene. Everyone in Gordon who wasn't at Gordon's Café or the Farmers' Market across the road, was at the Gordon Football Ground watching underage footy & netball competitions before the main games at 2.30pm. 

Above Dene & Rob, below Wes & his crutches - we had this quirky little room all to ourselves for 90 minutes, which was perfect for catching up

Like much of the world, we were very sorry that Pope Francis has died. He was a force for good; humble; internationally visible and concerned for peace and the poor. Let's hope the new Pope is similarly inclined.