Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Monday, 23rd October 2017

 

It’s been a very busy & emotional week for us both & just when we thought life would get back to normal, my computer died. Apparently, it is a Windows 10 compatibility issue & could take some days. Hence this late Dispatch. I have set up the laptop on the dining room table, plugged in my back-up USB & am back on line this morning.

The best news of our week was our visit to our niece, Jessie, on a very wet Thursday morning. We left Daylesford at 7.45am armed with flowers & gifts from ourselves & Leanne & arrived at Narre Warren a couple of hours later. Our first surprise was to be greeted by Jessie’s mother, Mary, who had swapped shifts with Michelle to be there; our next surprise & thrill was to see Jessie, not just up & dressed, but having put a slow cooking meal on for dinner, and our final surprise was a very unexpected visit from my brother, Terry (Jessie’s father). We spent 90 minutes there & Jessie talked most of the time. We were delighted to be able to enjoy such a long visit, to give Jessie plenty of hugs & kisses & to catch up on her progress.

Terry, Jessie, Karen & Mary – all of us thrilled to be together at Jessie & Anthony’s home.

On Saturday, Jessie & Anthony held a ‘Bugger Off Cancer’ party, which also celebrated their 42^nd birthdays, which are a week apart. They had 80 guests & Jessie didn’t seem at all fazed that she would have to cope with all these people.

After our visit, we drove back home via Beacon Cove, where we delivered Lovely & Malcolm’s painting & saw them both briefly, & then via Northcote, where we delivered Danny’s painting & had a quick chat with him & his friend, Kim, who is living at Danny’s house until he finds one of his own. We were also able to congratulate them all on becoming grand-parents again, as Patrick Millman & his wife, Kate Adams, welcomed Clara Joan into the world last week.

The next afternoon, along with most of Daylesford, we headed to the Convent Gallery for a Memorial Service for Al Ebenreuter, who had died a fortnight previously & been buried privately. It was a very bittersweet affair – Al would have loved it, especially as friends came from near & far. Our friend, Caroline Storm, aged 86, came from Clifton Hill, & enjoyed seeing us, as well as old friends like Ginger, Peter & Cathy, Ann & Kevin, as well as giving her condolences to Kathy Hancock.

Our favourite photo of Al, taken at a Daylesford picnic

We are still in shock over the news that our friend, Trish Nield, died last week, after falling while walking her dog. She never regained consciousness & will be very sadly missed by her family & friends. We first met her when she joined Rotary about 10 years ago & enjoyed spending time together.

Lovely recent photo of Trish with her great grandson, Jax

On Saturday, Judi & I travelled by train to Melbourne to see the ‘Wallace & Gromit’ Exhibition at ACMI, Federation Square. We were blown away by the size & scope of it. It was due to finish this week, but has been extended to the end of January, so if you love Wallace, Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, the Pirates, the Were-Rabbit, or any other characters, don’t miss it. We paid $20 each & spent 90 minutes there, which is fabulous value.

Afterwards we walked to the Kino to see ‘Final Portrait’ with Geoffrey Rush as the painter, Alberto Giacometti. He does a wonderful job with his role, but it is a very slow, monochrome film & we were delighted when it speeded up towards the end!

Yesterday, we had a fun breakfast – Margot & Janine are heading to China for 10 days & very excited about the trip. Barbara had been unwell again during the week, but recovered sufficiently to join us. Judi regaled everyone with our visit to ‘Wallace & Gromit’, which made Barbara, Janine & Margot decide to go & see it before it finishes.

Wes showed the documentary ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ yesterday afternoon to a very appreciative audience, on the last day of films at the old Daylesford Cinema, which has closed now while the new one is being built. We’re going to miss the luxury of being able to see films without going to Ballarat or Melbourne. 

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 15th October 2017

What a busy Sunday we had last week. Bilbo & I had a fun time at the market & collected Wes for breakfast, where we were joined by David & Bam Bam, after a few weeks’ absence. Barbara was well enough to attend, but didn’t get too close to anyone in case she was still infectious.

Wes & I got into the garden – he needed to finish Barbara’s lawns & had bought some seedlings which were anxious to be planted. I put the tomatoes into separate pots in the greenhouse & transferred the coriander & baby spinach into the boxes on the decking. I also planted Italian parsley straight into one of the boxes & put up plenty of shiny stuff to deter the birds from investigating.

Wes asked for a yellow plant from the Sunday Market, but there were no complaints when I brought home a small pot of Lavender Sensation White!

In the early afternoon, Wes went with Barbara to put Bobby into the cattery as Barbara was having new double-glazed windows installed this week & didn’t need to be worrying about an escaping cat.

On Monday, after gym, Wes & I met for breakfast at Larder to celebrate the anniversaries of our retirements – me on 2^nd October 2000 & him on 11 October 2002. Those work days seem far behind us now. We enjoyed  delicious meals before heading home – Wes to work in the front garden & me to do some computer work. I went for a walk up to the Post Office afterwards with some mail & was delighted as I passed the Daylesford Primary School to see the children marching back into class after playtime, to the strains of We’re from Tigerland. Today was the first day of school since the Grand Final & it was a lovely gesture by the Principal to celebrate Richmond’s historic win. In fact, the tune played so often I wondered if he was a Tiger supporter himself!

Happy photo of rellos – Leigh, Kev, Anka, Jeff & Peter at Lincolnshire last week.

Wes was due to show the film Victoria & Abdul on Tuesday morning, but the cinema wasn’t allowed to screen it until Friday, plus work started on the Rex Arcade, so Tuesday films are now finished until the new cinema opens in some weeks’ time. It was a perfect day in Victoria, so we took advantage of the morning off – I went for a long walk into & around town, while Wes did wonderful lots of weeding in the garden. I felt guilty on my return & did a bit as well.

Judi had given me a beautiful jigsaw called Tea Time featuring a small girl giving her teddies a tea party, while the Labrador is snaffling the cakes when her back is turned. I have been dying to do it & decided after my latest batch of beanies, that I had earned a break & could spend some of my relaxing time on the jigsaw.

Dot wasn’t well enough for Mah Jong, so I came home after a muffin at the café. Wes had taken the Mazda 6 to Ballarat to have the passenger air-bag replaced & when he arrived back, he visited Barbara to see how she was going. He had collected her cat, Bobby, for her the day before.

We decided to go to the Regent Cinemas in Ballarat on Thursday morning to see Victoria & Abdul & loved the film. Judi Dench is at her finest & most memorable yet again in a beautiful portrayal of Queen Victoria in a little-known true story of her friendship with an Indian, who was chosen to present her with a gift.

We had lunch at Boathouse Daylesford on our return & enjoyed a glass of merlot with our perfectly cooked calamari. Wes had read on Facebook that Joe Rozen was in Daylesford Hospital, so visited him there after a 2pm appointment at the Men’s Shed. Joe has reacted to medication, so he will be in hospital for a few days while the doctors get him back to normal. I had been told that another friend, Trish, was also in hospital in intensive care in Melbourne, after falling while walking her dog.

Good news with a very happy Andrew Kierce & his fiancée, Kate, & their daughter, Lily Rose, born on 9^th October.

Yesterday, we were delighted to have been invited to share in the wedding of Jessica Lazzaro to Eri Carbajal-Ruiz at St Andrew’s Conservatory at the Pumphouse Hotel in Fitzroy. Wes had his new pink shirt from Hong Kong to wear, but I discovered the top I was going to wear no longer sat nicely, so did a panic buy at Creswick Woollen Mills shop in Daylesford on Friday morning, which turned out to be a much better alternative after all. It was a beautiful day here & even better in Melbourne where the weather was slightly warmer.

We really enjoyed the wedding, which had a decidedly Mexican flavour, in honour of the groom. After a simple ceremony, we spent time in the bar with the other guests, while Jess & Eri had their photos taken. We were seated at a table with Jess’s brothers, David & Ben, & their lovely families. It was wonderful to catch up with their wives, Helen & Leanne, as well as their offspring – Jessica, Maya & Daniel; & Jack & Olivia, who were page boy & girl. I hope to have photos next week.

We arrived back here just after midnight, so it’s going to be a very quiet day for Bilbo & I. We’ve been to the Sunday Market, shared breakfast at The Food Gallery with friends & now it’s time to rest. Wes is screening Victoria & Abdul this afternoon & we’ll all be in bed early tonight!

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 8th October 2017

We’ve had a lovely week – starting with cold mornings that usher in beautiful Spring days – the temperature has reached as high as 20˚, much to the delight of everyone who is sick of the cold, rainy weather.

I am looking out into the garden where the camellias are in full bloom, the roses are leafy & budding, the rosemary & lavender are in flower, and the seaside daisies are about to explode into a profusion of blooms.

Our grandest pink camellia courtesy of Marjorie Atkinson many years ago

In the greenhouse, the coriander is flourishing, the perennial rocket has come back to life & baby spinach is in abundance. On the verandas, the new dwarf lemon tree is budding, the snow peas are ready to harvest & the chives are green & almost ready to be cut.

Our lovely next-door neighbours, Rob & Dene, are in Japan at present, so we have been feeding their worm farm, watering their plants, collecting their mail & local papers & looking after their sour dough culture (which is a first for me).

Here is Dene enjoying a drink in an amazing Shinjuku Robot Restaurant in Sapporo

On Tuesday I set off to see the film Gifted at Daylesford Cinema, but the children’s film, Captain Underpants, had also been advertised at 10am & there was a crowd of children & parents waiting to see it. As I had already bought a ticket to Gifted, I was asked what I wanted to do & of course, I relinquished my ticket & agreed to the children’s film being shown. It would have been very cruel to have disappointed them all.

It was a beautiful morning, so I walked around town & took the long way back home, where I settled down to read The Age with a pot of jasmine tea. There is still plenty to read about Richmond’s Grand Final win, as well as Melbourne Storm’s triumph in the NRL (a game that fails to engage me in any way).

Bilbo Baggins enjoying the sun & my company (I think)

Judi & I caught up for a cuppa after gym on Wednesday – there was no Mah Jong as Dot & John were away helping one of their grand-daughters. The new owners of Muffins & More have the same attitude to their customers as Ann-Maree & Heather did & always greet me & their other patrons with a smile. Business seems to be brisk & lots of locals are continuing to turn up to this popular & inexpensive meeting place.

Wes mowed lawns on Thursday & Friday mornings – ours & no 80’s first, followed by Barbara’s. Her gardener has lots of weeding to do, so Wes thought he would help out by mowing. Meanwhile I drove to Ballarat to find some sheets to go with a beautiful quilt cover that Leanne gave Wes & I as a thank you gift. We were keen to get a bright colour, like yellow or red, but they are not being made this season, so I bought black instead. We are very thrilled with the result & are enjoying the new look & feel of a brand-new bedlinen.

In the afternoon we were shocked to read in an email that our friend, Al Ebenreuter, had died very suddenly when warming up for a gym session that morning. He had recently celebrated his 80^th birthday & was in good form. We had seen him at the Exhibition Opening on 28^th September, never dreaming that would be the last time we spoke with him. I first met Al & Kathy in 2000, when I started volunteering at the Info Centre on Monday mornings & they did the afternoon shift.

Wes visited Kathy to see what practical help he could offer & she was most appreciative. She was receiving gifts of food & flowers & offers of help from all their local friends.

P.S. Yesterday I delivered 9 beanies to Jodie in Wheat Sheaf & was asked to keep knitting as everyone loves them, which is very satisfying indeed. 

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Monday, 2nd October 2017

Sorry this is a day late, but I was too tired yesterday, when I returned from 48 hours in the big smoke, staying with Danny Millman at Northcote, which enabled me to get to & from the Grand Final with ease. And what a wonderful day it was! Danny & I had breakfast at Square & Compass, which was packed with excited, confident Adelaide supporters, before I walked down to the ground & found my seat.

I spent time with Gayle Gibson before doing my traditional walk around the stadium watching the colourful crowds arrive. Unlike the Adelaide supporters, Richmond fans were nervous & anxious, as well as excited.

The pre-match entertainment was fine; every seat had a seat cushion on it courtesy of a sponsor; the sun was shining; the MCG was full with thousands next door at the Punt Road Oval watching on a big screen as well, and the setting was perfect for a great game. Adelaide started well & I wasn’t the only worried person at quarter-time. However, the Tigers got their game going in the second quarter & kept the Crows goalless, which is no mean feat. The second half belonged to Richmond & they posted an unexpected, but richly deserved win by 48 points (8 goals).

I cried when their coach, Damien Hardwick, gave a modest, but emotional speech, and again, when Tiger hero, Matthew Richardson, presented the Premiership Cup to Damien and captain, Trent Cochin.

What a lovely surprise to find Greta & Penny at Danny’s place when I arrived home after the game!

The past week has been a very busy one, especially for Wes. He spent many hours at the Wood Shed helping Brian Nash display the paintings & words of the Villages of Hepburn Shire. He also spent many more hours at the computer typing up the catalogue, producing the stories to accompany the paintings, and making up all the signage that was needed. It brought back memories of the three Rotary Art Shows we organised – with only one artist, this was certainly less stressful!

There was a good turn up to the Opening on Thursday night – lots of locals, lots of our friends who came to support Wes & quite a few paintings were sold, which thrilled Brian. The Wood Shed is a perfect venue for an art show, with lots of wall space, good lighting & plenty of parking close by. Wes gave a lovely speech, when invited to do so.

On Friday we had breakfast at Boathouse Daylesford with everyone who had travelled here & stayed overnight – Karen & Malcolm, Wendy & Roberto, Warwick & Carol. It was a huge success, considering the three couples didn’t know each other before then. Everyone was most impressed with the venue, the service & their breakfasts.

Warwick, Karen, Wes & Wendy deep in conversation.

My week has also been busy – I went to gym twice & was able to do most of my exercises, although not all. Dot & I played Mah Jong; Wes & I were both able to see the beautiful film, Maudie, at the Daylesford Cinema, and I was able to do a few short walks without getting too tired. Most afternoons were spent reading or knitting beanies, as I really needed to conserve my energy for the weekend.

And I am so pleased I did, as I was quite exhausted by yesterday – it was emotional being involved with the Exhibition, (Brian has sold 10 paintings to date); with catching up with friends, both local & not; with the footy, and with worrying about whether I had to fit in jury duty as well. Fortunately, that was cancelled on Thursday afternoon, as I don’t think I could have coped.

Wes was busy while I was away – Barbara had been unwell at the start of the week, rallied to come to the Exhibition, but then became quite sick the next day & has been in bed recovering ever since. He has been looking after her & making her meals.

Yesterday, after Danny was kind enough to drive me to Spencer Street post breakfast, I caught a blissfully quiet train to Ballan, where Wes & Bilbo greeted me. It is always lovely to be home, although Danny is a very thoughtful host & I did enjoy staying with him & appreciated his generosity.

  

This is our latest very stunning rose, called Fearless – can’t wait for all these new plants to flower!

Enjoy your week & I hope to be back on track next Sunday. 

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 24th September 2017

 

Last Sunday morning Danny Millman sent us a message to say his eldest daughter, Lauren, had given birth to a second daughter, Pippa Veronica, & all was well. He was very touched that her middle name was his mother’s name.

Breakfast was fun – Margot was back complaining of the cold after 6 weeks on the Gold Coast; Gail & Terry joined us for a very rare visit; Janine & I were wearing the same colour possum jumpers (-3˚ when we woke), and we happily covered all sorts of topics. Later that day, Wes discovered he had Pasquale’s keys in his pocket, so we had to go back to the Food Gallery, where they were closing up for the day. Pasquale was very relieved.

Wes had volunteered to show the film, The Time of Their Lives, starring Pauline Collins & Joan Collins at 1.30pm that afternoon. I decided to join him & was very pleased I did. It is a romantic comedy with some serious life lessons along the way. I don’t know much about Joan Collins, but I have loved watching Pauline Collins ever since Shirley Valentine.

Our Mazda 2 was due for its 80,000 service, as well as a new passenger air-bag, so I drove to Ballarat on Tuesday morning to get this done. It was my first big drive in over a month, so I left in plenty of time as I tend to get lost finding Mazda now that it has moved to Wendouree. The car was needed for 6 hours & I managed to fill them in without tiring myself out. I started with breakfast at Café Lekker, a favourite spot; bought some knitting needles as I have worn my 4.00mm sets out; picked up a bottle of Edradour whisky for Wes to say thank you for looking after me, and booked a ticket for the 11.15am session of Hampstead, starring Diane Keaton. I loved the film & was so pleased I had seen it.

Gym has been good – I have been taking it easily with Barry’s guidance, and feel much better for the exercise, as well as some walking. I’ve caught up on all the paperwork & computer stuff that needed doing & am feeling back on top of things at last.

The latest crop of beanies & berets for Keeping Daylesford Warm

Dot & I played Mah Jong again this week, which was most enjoyable. We are so lucky that the new owners of Muffins & More are just as obliging as Ann-Maree & are happy for us to occupy a table for a couple of hours.

On Thursday, I had a very relaxing & enjoyable facial with Emma at EKO, as my skin had suffered through my being sick & inside for a month or so. Afterwards, (the wrong way round), I finally had a fringe trim with Lyndal after 6 weeks. I was definitely looking like Cousin Itt by the time I got to her.

Our niece, Jessie, was allowed to come home from Monash Hospital after 33 radiotherapy sessions & her rehab will be done from home. Jessie & her family have been amazing & everyone is so thrilled for them all. However, our friend, Fraser Gibson, had a fall in his backyard & broke his hip, which has him in Epworth recovering. Also, Malcolm Stevenson’s mother, Maureen, did the same, but at age 96, she was very fortunate that the doctors could operate successfully. Malcolm flew to Caloundra to be with her.

Yesterday we drove to Melbourne, where Wes dropped me off at Leanne’s place as it was 6 weeks since I had visited her. We spent a couple of very happy hours together, before Wes arrived back. He had hoped to see Fraser, but couldn’t. However, they had a good chat on the phone.

The chef about to serve one of his beautiful quiches

Along with most of Victoria, we had our fingers & toes crossed that Richmond would beat Greater Western Sydney & progress to their first Grand Final since 1982. They duly did in fine style in front of 94,000+ at the MCG – approximately 3,000 of those were GWS supporters, so it was a wonderful, if one-sided, atmosphere. We were at the MCG when the Tigers last won a flag in 1980 – they beat Collingwood by the then record margin of 81 points, in a most disappointing game if you were a Magpie supporter. I’ll certainly be barracking for the Tigers next Saturday against the Adelaide Crows, who easily accounted for Geelong on Friday night.

On Friday, Wes helped Brian set up the Wood Shed Gallery for their Villages of Hepburn Shire Exhibition, which opens on Thursday night. We are very excited about it, especially after all the work both of them have done to produce a lasting written & pictorial history of the area.

This week’s new rose is called Shirley’s Rose

Bilbo & I are about to set out to the Sunday Market to fill up with fruit & vegetables, dog treats, eggs, wool & perhaps another rose. Then we will join the others for breakfast at The Food Gallery, where our friend, Glenn Mack, will be a welcome guest as he is house-sitting in Daylesford this week. 

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 17th September 2017

Last Sunday was most enjoyable with a trip to the Sunday Market, followed by breakfast with friends. When we arrived back home, I made a batch of minestrone & amazingly, by 3pm I was back in bed, exhausted! There was no gym this week, which meant I was able to get back into gear slowly & had a most enjoyable massage with Nick Massaro on Monday morning, after doing a bit of shopping at Tonna’s, our local fruit & vegetables & deli shop, run by the Maltese Tonna family.

Kathy Lazzaro’s friend, Maree, had sent me two more parcels of wool that she obtained from her sister & it has been very welcome indeed, as I am back creating beanies for blokes, both young & old.

I’ve also started rereading my Michael Innes collection of mostly old green Penguins, which sadly are starting to fall apart. He was a most prolific writer & produced 37 John Appleby crime novels over 50 years, as well as 30+ works under his real name, J I M Stewart (Scottish of course). He was a celebrated academic who spent a few years at the University of South Australia in the late 30s.

It was a red-letter day on Wednesday – I played Mah Jong with Dot after a couple of months missed while she was away & I was unwell; Wes took Barbara to hydrotherapy at the Kyneton pool, and Wayne from Barclays finally repaired our dishwasher. A tiny piece of plastic had broken in the door & it took him 40 minutes to replace the piece, which wasn’t in stock & had to be ordered specially! We immediately filled the dishwasher with all the items we had been handwashing over the last month.

Lovely recent photo of Tom Tyrrell & Cheryl Metcalfe – old friends enjoying a rare catch up.

Tuesday’s film was The Big Sick, which is a dreadful title for an uplifting & thoughtful true-life story. Wes was able to watch it & we both enjoyed it very much. It was lovely to see Bronwen Scarffe there & I only wished I could have spent time with her afterwards, but I was desperate to have a coughing fit the minute the film ended!

Brian Nash’s Exhibition of paintings of the Villages of Hepburn Shire, is opening on Thursday, 28^th September. We have been delighted to receive acceptances from friends, Karen & Malcolm Stevenson, who are driving from Beacon Cove; from Wendy Owen & Roberto Antonini, who are coming from Wallington, and numerous locals, who won’t have too far to travel. It is going to be a busy few days, as I am heading to Melbourne sometime the next day in preparation for the AFL Grand Final, where I have a reserved seat, which arrived in Friday’s mail. I will be staying in Northcote with Danny Millman & will be barracking for the Tigers if they win their Preliminary Final & make it.

        

Bilbo sleeping in the sun’s rays during this week – this is for all his admirers to enjoy!

We had lunch on Thursday at Boathouse Daylesford to catch up with our dear friend, Glenn Mack. Glenn had been camping near Mount Franklin & came into Daylesford to see friends. He had dinner the night before with Gillie, Judi & Michael, and we were pleased to be able to give him lunch. Boathouse has introduced mulled wine & a most enjoyable drop it is – perfect for these cold days.

On Friday, I had a manicure & pedicure with Alanna at EKO Skin Care Spa & took this photo of their pretty Spring garden. I have had to postpone so many appointments over the last month & am getting back on top of things gradually. I did suggest to Alanna that if she could give me a fringe trim, it would round off a lovely couple of hours!

We were glued to the TV on Friday night watching Geelong easily account for Sydney in their semi-final. The Swans players looked tired & were no match for Geelong’s ferocity at the ball. Last night we were barracking for West Coast to beat GWS, but they were completely overwhelmed by the Giants, who now face Richmond for a place in the Grand Final.

We’ve woken this morning to -3˚ & a frost, so the early walk was cancelled & everyone had a sleep in until 6.30am. Bilbo is now waiting anxiously at my feet for me to finish typing, put his coat on & take him to the Market.

Pretty Wedding Day rose, which has joined the drift of roses along the side fence

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 10th September 2017

Thank you everyone for your wishes for my improved health – I think they worked as I have certainly been much better this week, although I still had to postpone the week’s activities.

We were thrilled to be snowed on a few times although it is hard to capture it properly on camera. This great photo was in Wheatsheaf, thanks to Jodie Duckworth.

Our daffodils are finally out & giving us joy. I am a traditionalist & much prefer King Alfred & Golden Trumpet to all the more exotic blooms. However, this year, we bought some Camelot bulbs at the Flower Show & they are rather lovely as well.

Gillie arrived on Sunday morning bearing bunches of frilly yellow daffodils & oodles of her lemons, which was perfect timing as we had just finished the ones Judi had given us.

Our pink camellias are just starting to bloom; the tulips aren’t far off, & Wes has been able to mow the lawns in between sleet & snow storms.

This morning’s trip to breakfast is my first outing since 23^rd August & I am quite excited about it. Towards the end of the week I started being able to stay up long enough to feed Bilbo, and he is quite pleased to have some normality back, even though Wes has been keeping him very happy in the food department.

While I sat around knitting squares & watching old episodes of ‘Silent Witness’ & ‘Midsummer Murders’, Wes showed the film ‘Dunkirk’ on Tuesday morning to an appreciative audience, and followed up by volunteering to help out on Friday night by showing ‘Atomic Blonde’ at 8pm. Nobody turned up to see it, as they were all probably glued to the TV watching Richmond win their first final in years against Geelong, in front of 95,000+ at the MCG. Sydney & Adelaide had comprehensive wins & we fell asleep at half-time last night, which meant we missed the exciting win in extra time by West Coast against Port Adelaide. Meanwhile, locally, Hepburn won the Central Highlands Football League Premiership, defeating Beaufort at Ballarat’s Eureka Stadium.

Yesterday morning Wes very kindly delivered my 49 squares to Jodie in Wheatsheaf & she was planning to sew them together while watching the various games of footy on this weekend. He also gave both cars a much-needed serious wash. I baked a fruit cake as his reward – my first serious domestic activity in quite a while!

Our friends, Dot & John, have arrived back from their big caravan trip to Darwin, so Dot & I will be playing Mah Jong on Wednesday, which is the 1^st Anniversary of Valerie Lefel’s death. It doesn’t seem possible that we have been without her for that long & we both miss her very much.

Red Illusion, our latest rose

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 3rd September 2017

Happy Fathers’ Day to all of you celebrating today. Wes & Bilbo have gone off to Sunday breakfast after pumping water at Leitches Creek & buying up on fruit & vegetables at the Sunday Market.

I’ve spent the week in bed trying to shake off this germ, which turned into bronchitis & is proving very obstinate indeed. However, yesterday when I woke, I felt as though I had my brain back again, and that is usually a reliable sign that the worst is over. I’ve managed a few hours up most days & am hoping that continues.

Wes has been wonderful, as usual, and managed to provide interesting & tempting meals, as well as lots of treats. He has had to do the dog-walking, shopping, cooking & cleaning, as well as gardening & keeping in touch with friends & family. Our dishwasher managed to lock itself the other day, and, as it is under warranty, we are waiting for Asco to contact our local Mr Fixit, Kiyo, and authorise him to come out & fix it.

Yesterday I missed out on a special breakfast with Louisa Mitchell & her fiancé, Dean, at Boathouse Daylesford. We have known Louisa since she was quite small & used to come to Blairgowrie on holidays with her parents, Pam & Pete. Wes affectionately named her ‘Pirate’ and we both think of her still as that bold sea adventurer.

In the afternoon, we had been invited to attend a ‘Guide Dog Graduation Ceremony’ at Guide Dogs Victoria & we were both very sorry to have to miss that event. You can never have too many Labradors to love!