Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 28th September 2025

Poor Sally!

We had a very quiet Sunday after the Preliminary Final - Wes & Morse went early to the Daylesford Market, where there were no other dogs, so Morse felt very safe & happy to wander down to Jeff for eggs & Wombat Hill bakery for croissants. I spent the day in bed, recovering from my trip to the MCG, and we decided after a long discussion that I would cancel my plans to go to Melbourne for yesterday's Grand Final. I love going, but my health is such that it seemed sensible to continue getting better and look forward to the Boxing Day Ashes Test instead.

On Monday, I was able to do the supermarket shopping, visit Tonna's & the pharmacy, and my reward was a remedial massage with Sarah Hunt, which is always beneficial. Wes had planned time in the garden, but the weather had other ideas, and we had a day of short, sharp bursts of rain. That night, we had our fingers crossed for Nick Daicos to win the Brownlow Medal, but for the second year in a row he was the runner-up, this time to the very exciting Gold Coast Suns player, Matt Rowell, who is a very worthy winner. 

Karen Maloney + Ian Robinson at the 1996 Brownlow Medal - so lucky to have been invited by Robbo to join him that night!

The next morning, I Zoomed with Leanne, who was in good spirits and had a busy week ahead of her, before being unable to chat with Jan Pengilley in Maleny, as there was static on her line, which disrupted any chance of a conversation. We were both most disappointed and hope we can reschedule soon. After that I headed to Springs Medical for a couple of biopsies on my face. I thought it was going to be one, but Dr James didn't like the look of another spot, so he took a scraping of it as well. I find out the results next Tuesday, when Wes & I have our 6-monthly COVID boosters.

On Wednesday, Judi & I played Mah Jong in a very noisy Muffins & More café, understandable as it is School Holidays. We both tried some different games & enjoyed doing them. Meanwhile, Wes did his usual excellent vacuum & washing of the floors. It is always lovely to come home to a house briefly devoid of Labrador hair!

More hellebores loving where they have been planted

On Thursday, we had planned a trip to Ballarat after I chatted with Terry Borg, and then Old Friends via Zoom. However, I woke with no voice, had to cancel everything & spent the day in bed, resting. Wes & Morse drove to Ballarat, where they stocked up on Hendrik's gin, Atlantic salmon, prawns, flake, smoked salmon pieces, and collected my bracelet which Judi had dropped in for me for repair at Gems & Jewels. As an afternoon tea treat, Wes also brought home vanilla slices, which were a very welcome surprise. 

I woke with some voice on Friday, and was able to have a short Zoom with Leanne, who was trying to get someone to come & fix her ducted heating, which wasn't working. Naturally these things happen on a Public Holiday (a Victorian celebration of AFL Grand Final Eve). Wes got busy in the back garden, whipper-snipping & mowing, while I finally picked some camellias to float and enjoy in the lounge.

Wes served a beautiful meal of King prawns with steamed asparagus, crustacean spicy sauce & cucumber sandwiches, accompanied by French champagne - the perfect Grand Final Eve dinner.

It felt very strange not being in Melbourne yesterday for the Grand Final, but I was able to watch the North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast, which I haven't seen in years, and enjoy the build up with all the chat & memories of past games. Once again, Wes excelled himself with a beautiful baked trout for lunch, accompanied by broccolini, sweet potato, leek, lemons and oranges.

The Grand Final entertainment by Snoop Dogg left us underwhelmed, but the first half of the game was a real arm wrestle with scores tied at the main break. Then the Lions broke it open and scored 13 goals to 6 to win easily in an unexpected win for them against the more fancied Cats. Congratulations to Brisbane and all their fans.

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 21st September 2025

 
It's a tough life!

We've had a quiet week here in Daylesford. My bronchial asthma took hold and I spent most of the week in bed, resting, taking medications & trying to get better. Many friends are in the same boat with Winter ills that are just refusing to go away. 

Wes & Morse did the Daylesford Market shopping and commiserated with the Daylesford Football Club members there, who were recovering from their disappointment of the day before. However, the netballers had won for the second year in a row, which was a source of celebration. 

I cancelled or postponed most activities early in the week, and managed to have a haircut on Wednesday morning & a manicure on Friday morning, both times offering to wear a mask, and avoiding chatting where possible. I was lucky enough to snaffle a reserved seat for yesterday's twilight game between Collingwood & Brisbane - there were 16,700+ ahead of me in the queue when I joined it, which was hard to believe, and I felt fortunate to get almost the last available seat in the 50-year member bay.

More beautiful Oriental lilies from Wes

Wes had a busy week - shopping, making dinner, walking Morse, mowing, clipping, weeding and keeping in touch with friends & family via Zoom & phone calls. He chatted with Barbara in NZ, his sister, Denise, here in Daylesford, and hosted the Jackson Group Zoom on the topic Is Art an Essential Central Pillar of our Societies? I was able to host the Old Friends Zoom & had a chat with Leanne, but that was it. 

On Friday, I started to feel better, and grilled butterfish & chips for dinner that night with a Cofield Sparkling shiraz was a wonderful pick up as well. Wes offered to pick me up after the game and I accepted his kind offer, as it took all the worry out of catching trains back home. 

Yesterday Wes drove me to Ballan Station & I caught a lovely quiet train to Southern Cross Station. We had a hiccup just before arriving as a trespasser had strewn debris over the tracks, and no trains could enter until the mess had been cleared, the trespasser arrested, and the safety ticked off. So I was 45 minutes later getting to the MCG than I had expected.

This was my excellent view of the game

Brisbane were too good for Collingwood and we bowed out in front of a crowd of 96,000+, not quite as many as the 99,000+ who had watched Geelong defeat Hawthorn the night before. Wes picked me up after the match and we drove home safely and were in bed by 10pm. 

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 14th September 2025

Last Sunday was Fathers' Day in Australia - not sure about the rest of the country, but it bucketed down rain in our little bit of Paradise and we three were quite happy to do nothing much, although Morse took some time to forgive Wes for going to the Daylesford Market without him, especially as Morse had given him a bottle of his favourite whisky, Edradour, which comes from a tiny distillery outside of Pitlochry. I spent the day in bed recovering from our visit to Leanne, but there was plenty to read, puzzles to do & footy on TV to watch. 

I woke on Monday feeling much better for the rest, did the supermarket shopping & some chores, and finally settled down with Wes for School, to plan our trip to Adelaide for the 2026 AFL Gather Round. We've booked Athelney Cottage again with Rosie, as she promised us first refusal - we love the location, and the comfort of her property, and have decided to stop at The Cumberland in Lorne for a beach holiday on the way home. Morse is booked into Eureka Kennels in Ballarat, and we're excited to have this break together coming up just after Easter next year.

Here are some photos from the St Bernard's Old Boys reunion at the Royal Hotel in Essendon on 5th September

On Tuesday morning, I had an early chat with my aunt, Jeff, in Lincolnshire, before Zooming with Leanne. In between, we were visited by 3 beautiful King Parrots, including one who seemed very tame & was happy to be fed by me. I suspect Ollie the magpie was quite jealous, as he had been first on the scene when I produced breakfast for the 50 or so birds who regularly arrive in our backyard from 6am onwards.

I was pleased to see my GP, Dr Ellie later that morning. She has put me on a stronger asthma preventative puffer that requires a degree to put together; upped my Restavit dosage, & agreed to look at a second opinion in November if these moves haven't done the trick. 

Karen feeding the King Parrot

I did pay for my betrayal - Ollie was waiting for me at 6.20am on Wednesday morning, and later when I was eating breakfast, he appeared on the decking asking for more. I duly obliged and am now back in the good books 🤣. Judi & I played Mah Jong, while Wes vacuumed & washed the floors and we enjoyed a good morning, playing some different hands with honours even.

On Thursday morning it was too wet to walk, but I had two delightful Zooms - the first with Terry Borg, where we enjoyed some laughs; and the second with Kathy & Joyce, where we reminisced as it was 53 years to the day since Kathy & I met, and a little less than that since Joyce & I first encountered each other at the Department of Labour in the Gas & Fuel buildings in Flinders Street. We were sorry not to have Lib or Karen S join us - the latter had forgotten and was very disappointed when I texted to see if she was OK.

By Friday morning, I was showing signs of another bout of bronchial asthma & I've been in bed ever since, with little or no voice, hoping that rest and medications will do the trick. Once again there has been plenty of footy to watch - both our AFLW teams had good wins - in fact the Pies beat the previously unbeaten Swans in what is probably the best game we have played in years, if not ever! 

In the men's footy, Hawthorn were too good for Adelaide in their semi-final over there, and Brisbane put paid to the Gold Coast's ambitions last night up at the Gabba. Meanwhile, Daylesford played Skipton in their second consecutive Grand Final, but were unable to beat the team that had finished top of the ladder, however the Daylesford netballers won their second consecutive Premiership, much to everyone's delight. 

Finally, I keep forgetting to mention how thrilled we all are that Trentham, 20 minutes away, has been crowned Australia's Best Tiny Town. This is testament to all the wonderful people who have moved there & made it a welcoming & interesting destination. Our friend, Bob White, and his late partner, Kirk played no small part in the rejuvenation, and chef, Annie Smithers, can take credit for moving there & helping put Trentham on the map. 

Our friendly large kangaroo enjoying the bounty in the backyard of the house in front of us - he pops up most afternoons

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 7th September 2025

 

Lucky Snoopy!

We started our week with a fun visit to the Daylesford Market just as the rain started again. Wes & Morse had enjoyed a good walk at the Cemetery as there were 3 bunnies waiting for Morse, which meant lots of games of chasey. We then pumped water at Leitches Creek, before coming home to tea & toast. Wes had offered me breakfast out, which would have been lovely, but I was fighting off bronchial asthma, and preferred to stay at home.

Morse finding himself in the armchair & reluctant to leave it!

We had discussed getting Brit Box, because quite a few of the British shows I enjoy on Foxtel are now only available on it. And Sunday was D day - I started with my Wishlist and there are so many wonderful shows on it, that I am right for all those hours I spend in bed. The very first programme I watched was Series 2 of Professor T, which is getting better & better. I suspect my next port of call will be the wonderful Adam Dalgleish series starring Martin Shaw. I think the author, PD James, had died by the time he was cast in the role, but she would have loved him, in the same way Ann Cleeves loves Brenda Blethyn for her portrayal of Vera. 

We had light rain on Monday morning, but Wes & Morse were able to have a good time at Daylesford Cemetery, and I put out all the bins before heading to Coles to do the weekly supermarket shop. Wes had mentioned that he wished we had some fruit cake, so I did my easy boiled recipe, and when he came in from working outside, he was delighted to be greeted by Railway Tea & warm fruit cake. That saw me out for the day, but I was pleased to have achieved that much.

Meanwhile Wes had a busy day of Zooms - he started with his friend, Barbara Simpson, in New Zealand; followed up with his Godson, Danny Wells, in Brisbane, and finished with our UK friend, Paul Jackson, in Oxfordshire. We try very hard not to overlap our chat times, and it only happens once a fortnight, when the Jackson Group & my Old Friends coincide.

Ollie inspecting the food offerings on Monday morning!

Once again on Tuesday, Wes & Morse were able to have a good walk early - can't wait until I am well enough to join them again! Meanwhile, I Zoomed with my sister, Leanne, who was in good spirits, and then our friend, Jan Pengilley, in Maleny, where life is very different. Our Zoom finished when she had to chase a bush turkey away from her chook. Jan was in long sleeves as the temperature was only 14℃, and so was I as the temperature was 3℃ here in Daylesford. 

Wes then drove me to the Post Office to collect a book by one of my favourite authors, Andrea Camilleri, who created the delightful Italian Inspector Montalbano. We dropped into Tonna's on the way back and I picked up some flavoursome vine-ripened tomatoes.

Our English daisies have finally flowered

We were able to do our regular Wednesday activities - me to Muffins & More to play Mah Jong with Judi, and Wes to vacuum & wash the floors, which were sparkling & dry by the time I arrived home. The morning at the café went well - there were lots of locals and a good atmosphere. All the Collingwood supporters were discussing our chances of winning the following night, and an Asian couple came over to chat to Judi & I about our Mah Jong games. They were confused that we still needed books & that there were only 2 of us playing!

That afternoon, while I indulged in Brit Box, Wes continued his incredible Ancestry work before having a Cousins Zoom with 4 others who are all interested in their family history and exploring the links they share. 

The next morning, Wes participated in the Jackson Group Zoom, where a number of topics were raised, and I chatted with Kathy & Joyce in our Old Friends Zoom. We debriefed on the visit to Joyce & Manny's place last Thursday; said goodbye to Kathy & Ged's daughter, Jess, who is off to Mexico with her husband Eri for a long visit, and rejoiced in the news that our friend, Libby Edgoose, has found more suitable accommodation in Gladstone this week. 

This beautiful camellia, a gift from Marjorie Atkinson, keeps on giving every Spring with its abundant blooms

That night, Collingwood played out of their skins to defeat ladder leaders, Adelaide, at the Adelaide Oval, in front of 52,000+. It was a nerve-wracking game to watch and when Danny Millman AKA Mate, suggested it was time for the rosary beads to come out, I was able to oblige. The Crows didn't score after that, and I was grateful for all the phone support I had during the match.

These beads belonged to Wes's uncle, Roy Maloney, and they sit in my bedside table

On Friday, Wes hosted a 50-year St Bernard's Old Boys reunion at the Royal Hotel in Essendon. He had originally planned to go by train and stay over, but didn't want to leave us on our own, and opted to drive and come back home that night. About two dozen turned up & enjoyed catching up with each other. The venue was perfect as it is very accessible, serves Seniors Meals and has enough dining space that a large group can meet without disrupting all the other diners.

Yesterday, Wes drove us back to Melbourne, this time to Strathmore to visit Leanne. We stopped at the local bakery, Gusto, to collect a spinach quiche and some scones. We usually share the quiche with Leanne, and the scones were a first - she had made strawberry jam, which was beautiful and went well with the very fresh, light scones & whipped cream. We all enjoyed the visit, but were pleased to arrive back here again, where we woke Morse up from a heavy sleep.