Linus is very young to have learnt this lesson
Last Sunday was wet, and I squibbed going to the Daylesford Market when Wes & Morse set off early at 7.15am, which turned out to be the perfect time - no other dogs, and Yvonne was ready with all the food she sets aside for Morse. I ended up spending the day in bed, as I had no energy, and felt much better for doing that. Both our AFLW teams won in the afternoon - the Blues easily beat GWS & we played a great last quarter to get in front of Gold Coast. Both games had to stop for lightning, even though they were played in two different states. Then we found a You Tube video showing Alana King's 7/18 against South Africa - a World Cup record and a wonderful display of spin bowling.
On Monday, after shopping, Wes & I watched another Steve Dotto video, this one on Zoom bombing, and how to protect your privacy. We already did most of what he suggested, but it was a timely reminder to check our settings, which we each did.
It was a gorgeous day on Tuesday, and while I had a Zoom chat with Leanne, Wes got into the garden - weeding, edging & mowing. We're still waiting for the first rose to open, but another couple of days like this one should do the trick. I chimed in with some weeding after I'd gone into Vincent Street for a few chores.
Our beautiful Japanese maple is doing its Spring thing again
Judi & I were able to play Mah Jong on Wednesday, after Wes & I had been to Daylesford Hair & Beauty - me for a fringe trim & him for a haircut. We really like the salon, especially because Elise is very community minded and she & her staff get involved in everything going on in Daylesford.
We both had Zooms on Thursday morning - Wes enjoyed the Jackson Group, which had an open discussion, ranging over many topics of interest, particularly AI. Meanwhile I caught up with Kathy, Joyce & Karen S, and we were a little more lowbrow, although literature did enter towards the end!
We had decided to go to Bad Habits café, at The Convent, after our Zooms finished, and enjoyed a beautiful breakfast in the stunning surroundings. The Convent gardens are exquisite in any season, and a joy to walk through on your way in & out. We were able to say hello to Tina, the owner; Marija, who is her right-hand; Tenielle the barista, and Steven on the desk. As well, old friends, Bill & Steve, were there & we had a quick catch up before a friend joined them for morning tea.
Our banksia rose arbour is looking splendid at present
We arrived back here in time for the 11am Zoom, where Kathy & I had a good chat, waiting to Lib to join us. That didn't happen, so we realise it is probably in the too hard basket. We'll hope to get in touch with her another way, and have asked her daughter, Becky, for her advice, and she has offered to facilitate a Zoom when she is visiting Lib, which is great.
On Friday, I had another good Zoom with Leanne, before visiting Springs Medical Centre to see my podiatrist. He was heading home to New Zealand yesterday with his partner & baby son, to do some serious showing-off I imagine. While I was away, Wes got busy preparing pots for sowing the Spring vegetables. I planted basil, baby carrots, zucchini & dwarf beans, and we look forward to a good crop of everything - fingers crossed.
Our very first sweet peas ever are starting to bloom & I can see them from our bedroom - bonus!
Yesterday was a beautiful day - I had an early appointment with Dr Ellie at Springs Medical, which is now a fully bulk-billing practice, which is wonderful news for all the locals who aren't babies or pensioners (we were already being bulk-billed by most doctors). We had a good chat - booked me in for a full examination by a nurse in January; discovered that I should have been taking two asthma medications instead of one, etc etc, plus I got a chance to commiserate with her as a Geelong supporter after their unexpectedly poor showing in the AFL Grand Final.
Talking of footy, the North Melbourne AFLW team has broken a long-standing record held by Geelong since 1952/53, when they won 23 games straight. North beat Hawthorn on Friday night with an easy victory to record their 24th win in a row. They have not been beaten since losing the 2023 Grand Final. What a team!
In the circle singing the song after the win When I arrived back home from my appointment I joined Wes in the garden, and did some more planting. We had bought a couple of miniature carnations, as well as a lovely white ground cover. The carnations are in pots near the back door, and the ground cover in a wheelbarrow not too far away. All three plants have beautiful perfumes, which we will enjoy for some time to come.
It was the most perfect weather for Derby Day, and over 86,000 people went to Flemington to enjoy the races, enter the fashion competitions, and spend time with family and friends amid the famous roses. We were lucky enough to score a couple of quinellas and can't wait for Cup Day on Tuesday, although the weather might not be quite as good.
