Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 27th July 2025

It's sometimes like that at night here when Morse gets a bee in his bonnet🤣🤣

As part of my getting better quickly routine, I spent all Sunday in bed, which helped with doing things this week. Wes & Morse went to the Daylesford Market & brought home some Baker's Delight goodies as well - sourdough fruit loaf & berry custard tarts, both very yummy & extremely filling! That afternoon, Collingwood hosted Fremantle at the MCG in front of 62,000+, the biggest crowd Freo has ever played in front of in a home & away game. It was tight, close & exciting and the Dockers deserved their 1 point win, which brought them into the top 8. The Pies now hold first spot by a mere 2 points, so we have to win every game from now on, starting with Richmond this afternoon. I have returned my reserved seat for the game as I don't have the energy to get there & back.

On Monday I was able to do the supermarket shopping and stayed up until lunch-time, when I retreated to bed and rested. Meanwhile, Wes gave Morse a big early walk, and then emptied two of our five compost bins, which was a great start in the garden. Oliver the magpie and his mates, began eyeballing me at 10am, which was a trifle early to be hungry after tucking in since 7am!

Morse with yet another sleeping pose

The rest of the week has followed a similar pattern for me, and I've mostly had to cancel or postpone activities, apart from Zooming with Leanne & hosting the Old Friends Zoom. I'm watching the Downton Abbey episodes for the umpteenth time, and also enjoying Patience, an English crime series, set in York, but filmed mostly in Belgium, that Wes found, which stars an autistic police archivist, showcasing her different approach to solving crime. 

We've had so much rain, except for Wednesday & Thursday, when it was very minor, and all the lakes, dams & water tanks are looking a lot better than they were. As the ice melted on the garden on Thursday, Wes emptied another the remaining 3 compost bins, adding valuable mulch to the garden bed that hosts our beautiful Japanese double wisteria. 

On Thursday night, Carlton & Hawthorn played at the MCG in front of 51,000+. The Blues were outgunned in the first quarter and played catch up footy for the rest of the night. This was the final game for one of my favourite players, Sam Docherty, who has overcome cancer twice & serious injuries, to play his 185th match. He is one of the most popular players across all the teams, and is on the Board of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, where his experience of testicular cancer makes him a valuable contributor. 

Sam with his wife, Nat, and children - Myles & Ruby, announcing his retirement at Carlton

Yesterday, Wes visited his sister, Denise, in pouring rain, to bring her flowers & wish her a Happy Birthday. It didn't stop raining all day, and we had at least 50mls in 24 hours. Later in the afternoon, Leon & Shaun Anderson, two of Denise's sons, dropped in with a large piece of her birthday cake, before returning to Melbourne. Wes & Morse enjoyed their visit very much. 

We've woken to no rain this morning, so Morse is getting a lovely long walk before going to the Daylesford Market. I had hoped to get there, but can't shake a headache, dizziness & exhaustion, so I'm back to bed. I've had a pretty good run lately, and can't complain, especially as it is perfect weather for staying indoors!

We can only hope the driver & passengers were all OK - this happened by the side of the road between Daylesford & Hepburn

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 20th July 2025

                        Another brilliant Snoopy cartoon

After our early walk & visit to the Daylesford Market, we decided to have a quiet day. Wes was feeling chilly and went to bed to get warm & hopefully improve after a sleep. Morse & I sat in the lounge, and would have been reading the Sunday Age, but it didn't arrive, so I had to resort to saved cryptic crosswords & logic problems for my daily brain teasers. We were very sorry to read of the death of a lovely Daylesford friend, who had been in Trentham Day-care recently. Jean was a great friend of Dot & John Smith, and a member of the U3A Hepburn Shire, and it was always a pleasure to spend time with her. She was 96 years young.

On Monday, it was raining when Morse & I got up, so he had an early breakfast & Wes stayed in bed until I went supermarket shopping. We were able to have School, which was a discussion of bucket list items we might be able to achieve in Australia. We ended up with a few and need to do some more research.

Wes was able to walk Morse early on Tuesday in the mist, while I chatted with my aunt, Jeff, in Lincolnshire, where she was hot & I was kitted out in a beanie & scarf while I waited for the heater to kick in. We enjoyed our chat & the time flew by too quickly. Then I caught up with my sister, Leanne, on Zoom, and we discussed our exercise regimes and her plans for the week.

                                Spot Morse if you can!

After lunch I had an appointment with my doctor, Ellie O'Connor, and we decided to change from Melatonin to Restavit to see if that helped with sleeping. I was starting to feel like I was getting a head cold, so after I came back home from seeing Ellie, I went to bed, which was the best thing. I tested the next morning for COVID, but it wasn't that, so we agreed a day in bed wouldn't hurt, and it didn't. That night I had the best sleep in ages, so fingers crossed this will continue to work.

On Thursday morning I was able to Zoom with Terry Borg early, and we discussed medical centres and the way they are run these days, often being a one-stop shop, which is so convenient. We are blessed here in Daylesford to have so many medical & allied health professionals under one roof, with the hospital across the road. Then it was time to catch up with Old Friends - Kathy, Joyce & Karen S - Lib rang to apologise as she had a busy day & couldn't join us. I wanted to let Joyce know what a great visit we had enjoyed with her son, Matt, and family the previous week, and everyone else had liked seeing the photos. 

I went back to bed after these Zooms as my cold was developing and it seemed the best place to be. Our friend, Les Groundwater, came & took our fire-screen away to weld a gumleaf back on it, and returned it an hour later. He is such a kind person that when he had the use of a welder he remembered about our screen & fixed it! 

Friday morning followed the same pattern - up to chat with Leanne on Zoom before she had a blood test, and then a rest while Wes went off for a haircut. I was lucky enough to be in our bedroom when this huge kangaroo arrived at the top of the drive, hopped through our circular driveway and stopped at the end of the street before deciding to hop down the embankment & out of our lives!

While I've been taking it easy and trying to get recover from this cold before it turns into bronchial asthma, Wes has been wonderful - gardening, cooking, walking Morse, staying in touch with friends & family, and keeping me fed & watered. I am very grateful, although I wish I didn't need all the care and could just bounce back the way he does.

Yesterday I decided to return my reserved seat at the Collingwood vs Freo game at the MCG this arvo as I don't have the energy to catch the train there & back, let alone cope with night air. I'll be able to watch it on TV of course, but nothing is as good as being at the game.

Last night Carlton survived a spirited fightback from Melbourne at the MCG to record a win by 8 points in front of nearly 41,000 people. I had gone to sleep at half-time, but woke 5 minutes before the end and joined Wes in the lounge to watch the Blues steady after the Demons got within 2 points. 

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 13th July 2025

There is nothing new under the sun!

We had another good early visit to the Daylesford Market last Sunday. Morse demolished his pear with gusto and happily trotted along to visit Jeff, the dog treat man, for a dozen eggs. After I had put everything away, Morse & I drove to Ballan, to visit Rob & Dene, who had offered us a bag of oranges & a jar of marmalade in return for lemons & jars. It was a quick, but enjoyable visit - Morse checked out every inch of their garden & I was shown all the work achieved by the previous Sunday's working bee. 

The next morning we woke to the news that our old Daylesford friend, Glenn Mack, had died peacefully the previous day. We hadn't seen him for some years since he moved to Cavendish, then Ballarat & finally, Trentham. We spent many happy hours with him over the years and are pleased to have those memories of a very talented & fun person.

After an early walk with Morse and the weekly supermarket shop, I sat down with Wes to go through our Executor Dossier and make sure everything was up to date before we sent it on to Adrian Tinetti, our solicitor & executor. There were a couple of corrections to be done, and some password updating, so I was able to pop into Vincent Street for my remaining chores, and Wes spent time in the garden, filling up our green bin, which hasn't been put out for emptying for quite some weeks.

We had booked a short stay in Melbourne during August to attend the Annual MCC Bradman lunch, and I was due to book tickets with our friends, Brendan & Margaret Wilkinson, when I discovered the MCC had changed the date of the lunch & we were unable to go. We cancelled our stay at The Windsor, and Morse's trip to Eureka Kennels and decided we would have to find another special event to attend in its place. 

On Tuesday, we battled a very strong wind all day, so decided to spend the day inside, apart from Morse & I travelling to my favourite mineral water spring, Leitches Creek, to pump water. The Hepburn Council had changed our bin collection and for once, all three bins were emptied on a Tuesday morning, which really suited all those who can't remember which two are due in any one week! 

Wes has been busy with Zooms & chats this week - Barbara in NZ twice, Danny in Brisbane, Helen in Melbourne & Paul in Oxfordshire, as well as the Jackson Group, and two lunches. 

We woke to Brigadoon on Wednesday morning, but it was dry in Duke Street, so we drove to Daylesford Cemetery (5 minutes away) and were greeted by rain when we got out of the car. We abandoned our walk and came back home, where it was still dry! Judi & I had cancelled Mah Jong, but the weather in Ballarat was better than here, so Wes & I made a quick trip to pick up smoked salmon pieces, a big bottle of Hendricks gin, (no whisky as Rob & Dene had given him two very special bottles of Johnny Walker) & a pair of warm Kathmandu pants for me. 

We each had Zoom chats on Thursday - Wes chatted with the Jackson Group, where the topic was DOGE, Trump's Department of Government Efficiency & its implications. Meanwhile I enjoyed catching up with Kathy, Lib, Karen S & Joyce, where the main conversation centred on the loss of banks & ATMs in Melbourne. We are very fortunate here in Daylesford as we still have two banks and at least 4 ATMs. 

Lunch in the Mother Superior's Parlour at The Convent 
L-R - Ava, Sara, Wes, Gen, Matt & Karen 

We were thrilled to be having lunch with our Godson, Matthew Spiteri & his family, at the start of their 4-day, 3-night visit to Daylesford. Matt had let us know in plenty of time, so I booked a table at The Convent and Marija put us in the Mother Superior's Parlour, which is always a special pleasure. Our meals were delightful and somehow we all found room for scones & cakes afterwards.

Once again, Fiona had visited to clean for two hours, and she enlisted the help of her husband, Les, to reach the really high cobwebs. Before he left, Les went downstairs to spend time with Wes & Morse, which was wonderful, as we have missed this couple in our lives over the past few months. Fiona did wonders in our bedroom & bathroom - she is cleaning skirting boards and ceiling fans, doors & walls & really making a difference.

That night Carlton played the reigning Premiers, Brisbane, at the Docklands Stadium, and sadly, continued to look inept when it mattered most that their play was fast and skilful. I gave up at half-time and I think Wes came to bed during the 3rd quarter as it wasn't getting any better.

Morse wondering when the footy will stop!

Friday marked 57 years since we committed to each other at Melbourne Uni - a day we remember very well. Wes posted this photo on Facebook, which produced quite a few comments & smiles. While I stayed here and recovered from our busy Thursday, he drove to Seddon to have lunch with two of his cousins - Amanda Testro & Gary Testro. He arrived back home at 5pm after a slow, wet Friday afternoon drive, but was delighted with the reunion and all the memories the three of them shared.

Us at Melbourne University Folk Club 1968

Wes, Gary & Amanda

That night Collingwood played the Gold Coast Suns up there, and I was worried as I thought they could easily beat us. When it took the Pies until the middle of the 3rd quarter to kick their first goal, I suspected I was right. We did rally, but the Suns kicked the last two goals & deserved their win. Fingers crossed they will play Finals this year for the first time. 

Yesterday morning, Wes had offered to take Matt, Sara, Genevieve & Ava for a tour of Daylesford and surrounds, taking in their special interests and finishing with a visit to the Chocolate Mill. Sara opted for a long walk on her own, but the others were up for the challenge! Meanwhile, I made a big batch of vegetarian minestrone soup, which was just what Wes needed when he arrived home. We were lucky with the weather - although it was cold, the sun was shining and Daylesford was sparkling. 

Ava & Genevieve indulging at the Chocolate Mill

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 6th July 2025

 

Last Sunday started well with a walk & visit to the Daylesford Market, where Morse was moderately well-behaved, ate his pear & didn't bark at any other dogs. We came home to tea & toast for breakfast. I started to feel very tired, and spent most of the day in bed, which gave me some more energy for the rest of the week. 

I had to cancel my massage with Sarah on Monday, which was a shame, but I didn't have the energy. It was 30th June, end of financial year, so we had back-ups & reports to do. It was a lovely day after a cool morning, with sunshine and not too much wind. Oliver & his mate, the Artful Dodger, came looking for more around 10am, which is a bit early!

Here is Morse catching the afternoon sun

Wes went back to Springs Medical to get the results of his Heart Study. He saw Dr Danielle, not his usual Dr James, and she gave him the good news that he was not a candidate for a heart attack, and that the medications regime he was on was what she would also recommend. He was very relieved and pleased of course, even though it means he has been booted off the Study!

While Wes has been busy doing home & gardening chores, I've been taking things very quietly. I was able to chat with my aunt, Jeff, on Tuesday morning, where the inside temperature was 34℃ at 10pm, while I was rugged up & wearing a beanie as we had woken to -5℃! Then I Zoomed with Leanne, who was looking better & we planned our visit which happened yesterday.

Judi & I once again cancelled Mah Jong - she was feeling much better, but still coughing, and I didn't want to take the risk of catching whatever lurgy she had. Although the temperature was higher on Wednesday, the wind chill factor was extreme and I was pleased to get home after finishing my chores, which included delivering newspapers to Spring Park Nursery, and buying an electric can-opener from Paris at Daylesford Hardware. Wes & I have terrible trouble with can-openers - very few are meant to be ambidextrous and those that are don't really like being used left-handed!

I appreciated the last bunch of Oriental lilies so much, Wes bought me another lot!

We had a busy Thursday morning - Wes walked Morse, who had interrupted all our sleeps to have loud conversations with dogs in the next street, and then spent time clearing drains & tidying up the wisteria in the back yard. I had a lovely Zoom with Terry Borg, who was back from trips to Thailand and Fiji, and looked very well as a result. Then I hosted an Old Friends chat with Lib, Kathy, Karen S & Joyce. We really enjoyed catching up with Lib, who has missed the past few Zooms, and wished her a Happy Birthday for Friday. 

Then our friend, Fiona, came for Day 1 of cleaning. I had prepared a sheet of jobs for her to do in the kitchen/lounge area, and she got through them all. Everywhere looks sparkling and the only cobwebs left were the ones she couldn't reach. She'll be back this Thursday to weave her magic on our upstairs bedroom/dressing/bathroom area. 

Wes produced a very yummy light fish soup that night with a crusty Illawarra sourdough baguette to go with it and little ice-creams afterwards. He was keen to have a go at soups and this was a big success. 

On Friday, I visited Daylesford friend, Sue Longley, and came home with a big bag of her lemons. She has two small trees, but they deliver an abundance of lemons every year. While I was in Vincent Street, I bumped into Lyndal Conroy who used to be my hairdresser, before her daughter, Brynlee arrived, and took up most of her waking hours. I haven't seen Lyndal since she was 8 months pregnant & it was lovely to meet Brynlee, who is now 18 months old and having a magical upbringing surrounded by horses, dogs & now her own pony!

Brynlee Younger with her grand-father, Glenn Conroy at the trots

We had a good visit with Leanne yesterday bringing Bourkie's vanilla slices with us, which went over well. After a good chat & catch up with Leanne's health, Wes & I turned her mattress around for her and remade the bed. Then he solved the issue of a slow desktop, while Leanne & I compared exercise notes and gave each other tips. We were back home around lunchtime and had a quiet afternoon after our busy morning.

Today we three have been for a dark, but not cold, walk around Daylesford Cemetery. Morse has been fed and now he is waiting anxiously for us to remember it is Sunday and we are due to visit the Market. We have assured him we won't forget, but he keeps muttering just in case!!