Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 30th August 2026

Poor Peppermint Patty - the world's against her

We enjoyed a very lazy Sunday - after the Market, Wes & I went to breakfast at Larder to celebrate both our teams being in the Wildcard round and living to fight another day. While there, we made plans for the AFL Gather Round, held in South Australia, which is on 8-11th April 2027. We're booked into Athelney Cottage in Hackney from 7th-13th April, and will make our way home via Portland, collecting Morse from Eureka Kennels on 15th April. Wes has booked him into a suite, and paid extra for daily walks. He found lovely accommodation in Portland for us and we look forward to enjoying water views. 

The rest of the day was taken up with watching the second Test against Bangladesh, which was played in Mackay. The previous day, the visitors had tumbled to be all out for 64. In reply we made 210 on the back of excellent innings by Cam Green & Nathan Lyon. Bangladesh struggled to make enough runs to force us to bat again and were all out for 95, with Mitch Starc taking 10 wickets for the match.

Morse enjoying the cricket!

Of course, there was footy as well - local footy plus AFLM & AFLW games with mixed results. I had been hoping that Essendon would have another win playing against Port Adelaide - they came close but couldn't quite finish it. Nearly 30,000 fans turned up to the dead rubber, which was wonderful support. Daylesford Seniors were beaten in their first Qualifying final, so play again this afternoon against Buninyong - fingers crossed. 

Stunning sunset photo taken by our neighbour, Glen

On Monday, I joined Wes & Morse for a delightfully dry walk around Daylesford Cemetery. I spotted a bunny as we walked in, but it soon disappeared and Morse had to go home without a good chase under his belt. I did the supermarket shopping and brought home feta & spinach Danish for breakfast, before heading back out to do a few local chores. Meanwhile, Wes gardened out the front before washing & vacuuming Snoopy.

The next morning we left early in pouring rain for my lung function test in Ballarat. The young woman testing me was very clear in her instructions and it was a much better experience than some years ago at the Ballarat Base Hospital. Wes was able to accompany me and was helpful with information that was needed. I did well in the test and the results are being forwarded to my GP, Dr James Smith, and we'll see what happens next, if anything!

Beautiful hellebores

After the appointment we went to the Ballarat shopping hub, where Wes bought up big on flake, Atlantic salmon, prawn & ginger dumplings & King prawns. The freezer is groaning with all this produce, which should keep us going until Christmas! Then we walked across the road to our favourite café, Wen & Ware, and enjoyed our usual hot drinks with cheese & tomato toasties. 

There was no Mah Jong this week as Judi was unavailable, but we were able to walk on Wednesday morning before I had a fringe cut at Daylesford Hair & Beauty with Kirsty. She is a lovely person and an excellent hairdresser and I feel very lucky to have found her. Wes did the vacuuming & washing of floors, so we were confined to the downstairs study for most of the morning while everywhere else dried. 

First daffodils

After the walk on Thursday, I had two chats - the first with Terry Borg, and her daughter, Laura, where we chatted about Laura's recent purchase of a unit for her & her two daughters. Then with Joyce, who was looking very well, and had plenty of news. 

We had booked lunch at the Pig & Whistle in Trentham East, where we were meeting Kathy & Gerard Lazzaro, who had stayed the night at Holgate Brewery in Woodend before moving to Daylesford for two nights. We enjoyed a lovely long lunch - good food & conversation, and excellent wines. 

Kathy, Ged & Wes enjoying the chat

We left Kathy & Ged alone on Friday and invited them for fish & chips and the footy - the first Wildcard match ever in the AFL. It was a beautiful day, and we both spent some time in the garden - Wes weeding & trimming, and me weeding & picking daphne, daffodils and hellebores.

That afternoon, we had an unexpected visit from the electrician, Colin Johns, who came to install our new oven. He comes from a long line of Johns, and had lots of wonderful stories to tell, while he removed our old oven, and did a few things to make sure the new one fitted and was working properly. We asked him to check our laundry ceiling fan which had stopped working. It had died, so he hopped into his van and re-appeared with a new one within minutes. Then we asked him to check a decking light, which turned out to have been disconnected by a possum. He reconnected it easily and finally, I showed him a small screw that had suddenly appeared on the sink that morning. He worked out where it had come from in the mixer tap and fixed that as well. What a star. He didn't want or need tea, coffee or water, and was very happy to pat Morse as often as he could. What a find!

Kathy & Ged arrived at 6pm bearing a beautiful sparkling red, chocolates for afters and three bags of wool for me. We enjoyed a good chat before Wes & Morse went to get the fish & chips. After dinner I went to bed, and Kathy joined me in the bedroom, sitting in the comfortable chair and watching the footy. 

It wasn't a particularly skilful game, but very close and exciting and decided by a kick after the siren, when Tim Membrey kicked a point instead of a goal and the Doggies won by 3 points in front of over 80,000. They had been the better team during the night and deserved to progress to an Elimination Final, while we looked spent and wouldn't have gone any further.

The Ecstasy & Agony at the end

We had a very quiet day yesterday after our busy couple of days socialising. We worked out how to use our new oven, and Wes successfully heated a pie & pastie for us for dinner before the footy started. Carlton were slow to hit their straps, but outscored the Demons by 9 goals to 3 after quarter time, and won by 19 points in front of nearly 92,000 at the MCG. What an amazing turn around this season for the Blues, who now face Geelong on Friday in an Elimination Final.

 

The Blues prevail over a disappointed Melbourne side

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 23rd August 2026

Not an auspicious start!

I spent last Sunday glued to the cricket - catching up on footy games & minis during the breaks. Cameron Green scored a gritty 104 to help Australia to a 56 run lead, which the Bangladeshis reached with the loss of 1 wicket. Such a stunning coup for that team. 

In the afternoon, Carlton & the Western Bulldogs played a nerve-wracking draw, which was a win/win, as both teams have now qualified for the Wildcard round being played between 7th & 10th on the ladder.

It was a lovely dry morning on Monday, so I joined the boys for the walk around Daylesford Cemetery before doing the weekly supermarket shop and bringing home Feta & Spinach Danish for breakfast. Then back into Vincent Street for the pharmacy and various other chores. Wes spent the time in the back garden, trimming & weeding. Everywhere is looking very colourful with camellias about to flower & daffodils opening their happy faces.

We celebrated 28 years since we bought Holly Cottage in Daylesford - a purchase that changed our lives as you know. We are so pleased it did - we've met so many interesting friends to add to the wonderful groups we had in Melbourne. And our quality of life has been excellent with cleaner air and excellent medical care. 

Beautiful sunrise over Lake Daylesford

Tuesday was dry, so after the walk, I Zoomed with my sister, Leanne, who was in good spirits, before driving to Hepburn for a manicure with our friend, Juls. When I came home, Wes had cleaned the main decking, including the windows, which was a big job. The sun was shining & everywhere dried nicely. 

Of course the rain came down in buckets on Wednesday. Judi drove through it from Ballarat to play Mah Jong, and there were very few of us in Muffins & More because of the weather. Wes vacuumed the floors, before going to Springs Medical for a follow up heart test - can't believe it is 12 months since his last one. Later he chatted with his sister, Denise, catching up on her news.

On Thursday it was still too wet underfoot to walk, but Morse was happy with his early breakfast, before Wes participated in a serious Jackson Group discussion of Iran & Ukraine. I caught up with Old Friends - Kathy & Karen - Joyce was helping her daughter, Jessica, take her 6 year old twins to see the school they will be attending next year. 

We are all shocked with the revelations that five Sydney Swans players had been out drinking until 2am after playing Essendon on Sunday night. The sexual assault complaint from one of the women they were with in one of their hotel rooms is very serious, as is the presence of cocaine. Sydney has reacted promptly in banning them for the rest of the season.

Wes & Morse braved the light rain on Friday morning and were rewarded with the sight of a bunny! Meanwhile I did a few chores and prepared for my next trip to Melbourne to see Collingwood play Brisbane at the MCG. I caught the Bendigo train at Woodend, and checked into The Windsor for a couple of hours rest before walking to the MCG. David Lazzaro & I met up for a lovely long chat in The Stumps Tavern before the game. This turned out to be the highlight of the night as the Lions were far too good for the Pies and won easily.

Colourful garden bed in the Fitzroy Gardens

Yesterday, Wes picked me up at Strathmore Station and we had a good visit with Leanne. She needed help with a few things, but we also shared news and amusing Morse stories, which is the way to her heart. We arrived back home in time to see Carlton have an unexpected huge win over ladder leaders, Freo, at the Docklands. This morning we discovered that the results of the night games mean Carlton will play Melbourne at the MCG, and Collingwood will play the Western Bulldogs, also at the MCG next weekend.

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday 16th August 2026

 
Great intro!

Last Sunday stayed wet & foggy - we visited the Daylesford Market in pouring rain and spent up big with Yvonne & then with Jeff, the dog treat man - much to their delight, as it wasn't the sort of weather to attract visitors to our lovely Sunday market. 

We watched the footy - firstly the Gold Coast Suns had an unexpected 2 point win over Greater Western Sydney at Manuka Oval in Canberra, where the rain was falling too. Then Collingwood played West Coast over in Perth in perfect conditions, and were lucky to run out 19 point winners. Finally Carlton played St Kilda - it was a double header with the AFLW leading off, and the Blues were too good winning by 26 points. Then, after a moving tribute to Danny Frawley, and a plea to check on everyone's mental healthy, the Blues were able to record an easy win over a depleted St Kilda side to the tune of 44 points. 

The view from our lounge all day - wet & grey

We woke to more rain on Monday and the ground was very slushy and slippery with lots of puddles on the roads as well. Visibility was slightly better than the day before, but not ideal. I did my usual shopping chores before spending time with Wes discussing our replacement oven, which he ordered from the very helpful Paris at Daylesford Bi-Rite. 

Last week, while Wes was delving into Ancestry.com, he discovered that I have a forebear who was a famed Archbishop of Salisbury (Nicholas Longespee (1227-1297) . His mother, Ela of Salisbury (1187-1261) was Countess of Salisbury III in her own right and married William Longespee, the illegitimate but recognised son of Henry II. 

We didn't know about this heritage back in 1976 when we travelled around England in a Volkswagen with dear friend, Squiz Murray - here we are outside Salisbury Cathedral, rugged up as it is January & freezing

Salisbury Cathedral on a beautiful day

We've enjoyed another busy week of catching up with family & friends. Wes had chats with Barbara Simpson in New Zealand; old schoolfriend, Gerard Weston; our long-time friend, Helen Hanrahan; Shaun Standfield in Sydney, who we met many years ago when we were insurance brokers and have kept in touch; another schoolmate, Dave Carey; and finally, exchanged messages with another long-time friend, Wendy Owen, whose husband, Roberto, is very unwell.

Lovely photo of Shaun Standfield with Wes in 1996

Meanwhile, I caught up with my sister, Leanne; with my aunt, Jeff, in dry, parched Lincolnshire, and with Old Friends including Libby Edgoose & her daughter, Becky Turner. We hadn't chatted with Lib & Becky for some months and it was so good to see them again. They were both in good form and we enjoyed sharing stories. As well, Terry Borg & I updated each other on 4 weeks' activity as we had missed our usual fortnightly chat at the end of July.

I was finally contacted by Manse Medical, Ballarat, where I was referred to a respiratory specialist, and have an appointment on 25th August for a lung function test. I'll then need a spirometry test and finally hope to see the specialist to find out what can be done to manage the cavities in my lungs which are busily collecting germs and causing me to cough more than usual. 

Judi was unavailable for Mah Jong this week, so I had an appointment for a facial with Emma Ford instead. It was months since I'd been able to do this, because of the coughing, and I was overdue for TLC with her. As usual, we had so much to talk about that the hour flew by. My skin is very grateful for the care and we both enjoyed the catch up.

Lovely photo of Emma in her glad rags

We had planned a quiet day on Thursday, which was a wet, grey day - perfect to watch Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin, where it was warm enough for the summer game to be played in August. The Aussies have had a rude shock with the much improved Bangladesh Test Team, now coached by Phil Simmons of Trinidad. We were bowled out for 198, and by Friday night, we still hadn't taken all their wickets and they were looking good at 6/351. 

Our first daffodils - we also have a couple of tête-à-têtes

Yesterday was dry, and I  was finally able to join Wes & Morse for a walk around Daylesford Cemetery. No bunnies, but it was so good to be up & out early with no need for the phone torch. We spent the morning watching the cricket and the afternoon switching channels between cricket & footy. Australia was 4/161 at stumps, still trailing by 67 runs. Meanwhile the Collingwood AFLW team played their first match against Richmond, and with 10 changes to the team, not surprisingly fell short against a more accomplished side.

That night Collingwood & Hawthorn played their second draw for the year in a thrilling game in front of over 76,000 fans. It's the first time ever that two teams have played a draw twice in the same season, but it felt like a win to me, as I really thought our side wasn't experienced enough to withstand the Hawks onslaught. 

Dylan Moore being comforted by Billy Frampton after his kick failed to score and win the game

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 9th August 2026

 
Love it!

We had a wonderful Sunday - after the boys walked, we went to the Daylesford Market, where Yvonne & Ken were ready for us & keen to talk. I stole some of Sue Longley's lemons on the way (with her permission of course) and we pumped water at Leitches Creek on the way back. I shared the lemons with neighbour, Glen, who was very happy to have booty delivered to her door. 

Then off to local café, Larder, for chilli scrambled eggs & hot drinks to celebrate Carlton's amazing win of the night before. As we left, a chap wearing a Geelong beanie stopped us to congratulate Wes on Carlton's performance, which was really astonishing - it's a while since they kicked 24 goals, let alone beat Brisbane that easily. 

Very happy Blue Boy

When we arrived home, there were magpies & currawongs waiting for me on the dog decking. One even flew up to the small window in the north wall of our lounge & eyeballed me until I went out with cashews for them all! It's lovely to be so popular.

Wes & Morse walked on Monday - it was dry, but very foggy, which didn't lift until mid-morning. I had a busy time - filled the car with petrol; did the Coles'  supermarket shopping & Baker's Delight. Came home to unpack & demolish our spinach & feta Danish, before heading back into town. First stop was Springs Medical to see if Peter the podiatrist had remembered to leave my new orthotics for me (no, he hadn't); then to the optician to make my annual check-up appointment; to Tonna's for Dutch Cream potatoes, tomatoes on the vine & parsley, and finally to That Bargain Shop to check if the litre glass bottles I had ordered had arrived (another no).

10 years ago this weekend - Leigh Murrin visiting Leanne Saundry

As soon as I came home, Wes went out to wash Snoopy, which was desperately in need of TLC after all the rain we'd had. Magpies were gathered on both deckings, protesting that they hadn't been fed, so I sorted them out, and then sat down with a pot of tea to catch up on The Age. 

No walk again on Tuesday with persistent rain - we both had chores - I wanted to complete the 2026 Census online, and Wes wanted to clean our oven. We did both these things before suddenly the glass door shattered. There are 4 panes of glass, which was quite a lot to clean up. Fortunately no-one was hurt, just shocked. I guess after 22 years, the oven was entitled to feel it had done its duty, but we weren't expecting it to need replacement ever!

Another wet morning on Wednesday turned into a sunny day. While Judi & I played Mah Jong, sharing the wins - Wes did the floors & no doubt found a few more slivers of glass that escaped the first vacuum in the kitchen. 

The next day was dry - at last - and my boys enjoyed a frosty stroll around Daylesford Cemetery. Pete the podiatrist sent me a message to say he had my refurbished orthotics at Springs Medical, so I drove there, had a catch up with Tania Bull, a passionate Collingwood supporter, and receptionist, before Peter was free to fit the new orthotics and take the other old pair away for refurbishment. I can really notice the difference and am walking much more comfortably. 

Beautiful daphne at the front door

Another dry morning on Friday and more sunshine, which we all appreciated. After the early walk, Wes donned his wellies and tackled the pond, which needed cleaning. The frogs don't seem to object - they go very quiet, but the croaking starts up again the minute he finishes the job. 

We've both been busy with catching up with various members of our family and friends - especially Wes. He spoke with Barbara in NZ twice; with Danny in Brisbane; with Denise here in Daylesford; unexpectedly with old school mate, Geoff Underwood in Port Douglas; with Paul Jackson in the UK, and Rod McDonald in Melbourne; with Maureen Dean in Hepburn Springs, and with the Jackson Group world-wide discussing terrorism issues and the concept of happiness. Meanwhile I chatted with my sister, Leanne, in Strathmore, Old Friends in Melbourne, and Jan Pengilley in Maleny. I also keep in touch with lots of other friends during the footy season, when we wish each other well for upcoming matches via WhatsApp or SMS.

Another memory from 2016 - Snoopy, Woodstock & Potter the Panda went to live with Greta & Harry

Yesterday was a red-letter day - Morse spotted his first bunny in weeks, and came home exhausted from the game of chasey. He needed a bath after all that excitement and spent the morning hogging the downstairs heater until he dried off. In the afternoon, Wes & I went to Victoria Park to barrack for the Daylesford Doggies against the Buninyong Bombers. We saw the last quarter of the Under 18s and all of the Reserves match, before squibbing it when the rain started and coming home. We're so pleased we did, as we caught the second half of a stunning match between Melbourne & Freo at the MCG, which saw the Dees pull off an upset win by 4 points. 

As well as being Respect Round, it was Ladies Day at the footy, so we were treated to bubbles and Campari spritz

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 2nd August 2026

 
This looks like a very young Snoopy - the more mature version wouldn't dream of catching bubbles & bringing them back to Rerun!

We had a wet trip to the Market last Sunday, but Yvonne had everything ready for us, and Morse wolfed down his cut up pear pieces. Jeff, the dog treat man, was around, so we got some eggs from him as well. Then back home to put everything away and have a quiet day.

On Monday, Wes & Morse were finally able to have a run around Daylesford Cemetery, much to their excitement. I did the early shopping trip to Coles and later to the pharmacy & PO. It stayed dry enough for Wes to spend a couple of hours in the front garden, filling our green bin with trimmed branches & leaves. In the afternoon he chatted with Barbara in New Zealand, and Helen in Lower Plenty.

Lovely photo of our friends, Pauline & Paul Jackson in Salisbury

It was too wet to walk on Tuesday morning, but I was able to have my fortnightly WhatsApp chat with my aunt, Jeff, in Lincolnshire. She was looking good, but not enjoying the heatwave that is currently causing so much damage in Europe. Then it was time for a Zoom catch up with Leanne, who always enjoys seeing me & Morse. We chatted about her week and my trip to the footy on Thursday.

We turned the alarm off on Wednesday morning & slept in until 7am - luxury! Even Morse stayed in bed as he had been out earlier and realised it was too wet for a walk. It fined up enough for Wes to do the floors, and for me to do a few chores before playing Mah Jong with Judi. I dropped some more beanies & a beret at Vinnies, where the manager was thrilled and thought they would be gone by day's end as it was so cold & windy. I love the term, Opportunity Shop, so much kinder than Charity Shop, and we have four of them here, all with their own niche in the market. 

At Muffins & More, we were approached by a local who is half-Chinese and said his mother wanted to play Mah Jong with her sister. He took a photo of the two books we use, and listened to our advice about buying a set with numbers on it, and getting the Men's Shed to make racks for the tiles. It was by far the most satisfying enquiry we have ever received and I hope he comes back & tells us how his mother & aunt are getting on. 

I headed back to Melbourne on Thursday for the big game - Collingwood vs Geelong. Wes & Morse drove me to Ballan Station, and everything went smoothly, including a the lovely experience of a young man offering to lift my suitcase up for me, and bringing it back down again at Southern Cross Station. I checked into The Hotel Windsor and was given what has become my usual room on the 4th floor. 

When I got to the MCG, Danny was there waiting for me outside the 50-year Member entrance, where there was no queue. We headed straight to the Hugh Trumble café, where we sat next to a couple from Warrnambool, who knew Danny's sister, Pat, who has lived there for many years. 

Danny & I in position before the game

Sadly, the Pies gave the Cats a huge 8-goal start and never really recovered, although we did get within 16 points, before Geelong kicked away and won by 25 points in front of 60,000+.

The next morning I woke when my 6am alarm went off - forgot to silence it before I went to bed, so had packed, breakfasted and checked out quite early. When I got to Southern Cross, I was in time to catch the 9.01 Bendigo train, which is a much prettier route. Wes & Morse were there to greet me at Woodend Station, where the sun was shining brightly for a change.

Yummy & beautiful quinoa porridge at the Windsor

We've been inundated with hungry birds lately - magpies, currawongs, rosellas & numerous pretty little birds. I've finally persuaded a couple of the more persistent magpies to take cashews from my hand, which is wonderful - but they keep coming back for more!

Yesterday we had a quiet day. It was -2℃ early, but Wes & Morse were able to walk, before we all settled down to tea & toast and Saturday's Age newspaper. And an unexpected visitor when I opened the sliding door to the decking! 

The afternoon was filled with footy matches, including the first Australia vs Ireland AFLW game, played at a sold-out North Sydney oval. The Aussies won well, which was appropriate as it is our game, and the game was played in great spirit, with an all female umpiring contingent, and commentary team on Foxtel. 

Last night Carlton staged an incredible win over the reigning Premiers, beating Brisbane by 76 points in a dominant display. They kicked 12 goals to 2 in the second half, including an unlikely goal from their young back pocket player, Harry Dean. Wes is absolutely delighted as you can imagine.