Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 29th October 2023

 
We're sure this is what Morse does 🤣

We had a wonderful week planned and had to cancel almost all of it, because neither of us was well enough to do much more than sit/lie around reading and sleeping. Thanks to everyone who coped with cancelled & postponed Zooms, and a special thanks to our neighbour, Glen, who offered daily to do anything she could to help us.

We realised last Monday that we were in no state to attend the ALP Life Members' function at State Parliament, nor the MCC 50-year Member lunch for members & guests, that we had accepted. Even if these events had been just around the corner, instead of 90 minutes travel away, we were both coughing too much to be welcome in polite society.

This stunning maple never disappoints in Spring

On Thursday morning we both woke up without razor blades in our throats and were very grateful for that small mercy, as it seemed to herald the good news that we had turned the corner. Wes got into the garden for a while and I stayed up & dressed beyond lunchtime.

Les came on Friday morning to finish off his work with us by painting all the areas he had been replastering etc. He also fixed a cupboard door handle and a small issue with the dishwasher. Wes discovered that he was in the market for a lawnmower, so gave him our spare one, which thrilled Les to bits. He has only a small amount of lawn to mow, so this second-hand one will be perfect.

Our first little vase of roses 

Yesterday we spent watching the races from Moonee Valley as it was Cox Plate and what an exciting and wonderful race that was. We had a few each way bets, which added to the interest and didn't deplete our TAB account. We also caught up on AFLW games, and later on the ICC One Day World Cup match between Australia & New Zealand at the picturesque Dharamsala stadium, which Australia won by 5 runs in a nail-biting finish.

Morse caught up in Cox Plate excitement!

Today we are off to visit Leanne on our regular three-weekly visit. Wes has some planting to do in the garden bed he prepared last time, and I will be inside helping Leanne reorganise her pantry. We are both feeling well enough to do this, and especially because we know we can have a quiet afternoon on our return. home. 

Our pond in the front garden with reflections of gum trees

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 22nd October 2023

 
Don't joke about food with Snoopy, Charlie Brown

Once again, I have had to cancel things this week, in the hope I would be well enough for this busy and exciting few days coming up. Everyone was very understanding when I couldn't Zoom, especially as I was still coughing, and I took another cycle of prednisolone to see if that would help, which it did for a while.

Wes & Morse enjoyed doing the Daylesford Market last Sunday - Yvonne loves it when Wes does the shopping as he is much more adventurous than me, and spends more money at her stall. He asked Ken to hold Morse while he shopped, and they both had fun with that. 

We were nervous about deliveries of our daily Age newspaper this week, as Steve has finally retired. In all our life in Daylesford, either Ken or Steve has delivered the newspapers, usually around 5.15am and usually as close as possible to the house. We have been very spoiled and when last Monday's paper didn't arrive until 10.30am, we were feeling very sad. However, there was an excuse of a car that broke down, and Tuesday's paper was there by 7am. The rest of the week has varied between 7.30 & 8.30am.

Wes presented me with the Maloney Cup after the Collingwood AFLW were too good for Carlton in our traditional clash

This beautiful wheelbarrow just keeps on producing colour

Finally, after 5 years, our wisteria - Double Japanese aka Black Dragon is blooming

The weather has been lovely this week, which has meant Wes has spent ages in the garden - weeding, trimming, mowing, staking, and finding new treasures each day. We are about to get some irises, the clematis has a new lease of life, all the rose bushes have buds, and the banksia rose & jasmine are happily covering the arches over the steps in the back garden. Our first rose has bloomed - the very beautiful Sir Donald Bradman, which is a very deep red hybrid tea rose with a stunning perfume. 

Yesterday, we were both unwell, did RATs, which were negative, and had a very quiet day. I managed to pick a few winners on Caulfield Cup day, but took them in quinellas & trifectas, and didn't show a profit after an exciting day's racing. This morning, Wes is well enough to go to the Daylesford Market, but I'm going back to bed as I can't stop coughing, which is a real nuisance, especially after a fortnight. It's raining lightly, which is another reason to stay inside. 

Lovely photo of Danny Millman catching up with Andrew Mengyel during the week

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 15th October 2023

 

Snoopy is a natural leader!

We had a great visit with Leanne alst Sundayand achieved heaps. She really enjoys sitting at the dining room table and chatting over coffee & apple scrolls, before Wes heads outside to dig, water & feed her garden. This time, he prepared a new bed, which faces the lounge window, and he hopes to plant more seaside daisies on our next visit. Leanne and I solved some computer issues, and started to tackle the garage, which needs tidying up again.

On Monday, after I had finished supermarket shopping, we three hopped into Sammy, and headed for Ballarat. We needed cash, grog, exercise bands, runners and to collect the laminated Grand Final posters. There is now one on our bedroom window, and the other I posted to Leanne. 

And that was the end of the week for me. I started feeling unwell that afternoon, went to bed and have been there ever since with a decent dose of bronchial asthma. I did a RAT just in case on Tuesday morning, but was clear, which was a relief as I wouldn't want to have infected Wes or Leanne!

Wes has been wonderful, as usual, cooking, cleaning, looking after Morse, mowing, weeding, answering the phone, and making sure I was well fed and watered. I took a course of prednisolone, which finished yesterday, and I am hopeful that I will be back to normal very soon. Thanks to everyone who coped with cancelled Zooms, postponed catch ups and a general lack of communication by me this week.

Morse keeping the armchair warm for Wes

We were very disappointed with the result of The Voice referendum, with only the ACT returning a majority YES vote. Wes did the first shift at Glenlyon Hall yesterday, where most of the voters were in favour of the proposition. He caught up with some old friends, met some characters and provided assistance where it was required.

Wes dressed for the early cold shift at Glenlyon

In the afternoon, while I watched the Caulfield races and AFLW footy matches, Wes discovered that through my paternal grandmother, Sarah Jane Kelly, my family is related to the Burmans, parents of one of the Three Lost Children, a famous Daylesford story. 

(Three children, William Graham (6 years 6 months) Thomas Graham (4 years) and Alfred Burman (5 years) wandered away on 30 June 1867 and were not found until 14 September 1867 at Musk Creek in the Wombat Forest. Three days after the disappearance at a public meeting over 100 horseman and approximately 600 pedestrians commenced an organised search.

Aboriginal trackers and dogs were used but previous searches had destroyed any traces. Shops were closed for 7 days and large numbers of people searched before they were called off. A dog of a local resident found a boot with a child`s foot in it, and it appeared that the children had sheltered near a large tree and had died of exposure and lack of nourishment. Over 1,000 people attended the funeral.)

Left, the Cairn put up by the Daylesford Historical Society, and right, the Gravesite in Daylesford Cemetery

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 8th October 2023

 
This is Morse!

Well, I left you last Sunday morning as I was heading back to The Hotel Windsor for another beautiful breakfast. There were lots of excited Collingwood supporters there busy debriefing on the Grand Final, which, if the press can be believed, is the best this century. We were all wishing that Daylight Saving hadn't started today of all days!

My current favourite Hotel Windsor breakfast - granola with poached fruit & coconut yoghurt

Wes and Morse picked me up at 10.15am and we were back in Daylesford 90 minutes later. The trip went quickly as we chatted about the footy almost non-stop. Morse was thrilled to see me, and had been looking around the house for me while I was in Melbourne. I unpacked, did a huge load of washing, and settled down for the replay, which Wes had recorded in its entirety. Then I read the weekend papers, and it was time for Champagne and dinner!

On Monday, after supermarket shopping, we had School, where we did our postal votes for the referendum; accepted invitations to attend an ALP Life Members' function at Parliament House, and sorted out logistics of the next couple of weeks. I took my GF posters to the local newsagency to have them laminated, but their machine was too small! The rest of my day was spent catching up on congratulatory messages and ironing, and just a little bit more replay.

Early Grand Final morning in the Fitzroy Gardens as I walked to join the queue for a seat

That night Wes cooked a whole rainbow trout perfectly and served it with Dutch Cream potatoes and broccolini. We demolished a bottle of Champagne and were very glad it was wet on Tuesday morning, as Morse was the only family member interested in a walk at 5.20am!

Spot the trout!

We both have had busy Zoom weeks - Wes spoke to Barbara in NZ twice, as well as his Overseas Friends, and a Family Tree Maker get-together. I chatted with Leanne on both Tuesday and Friday; had a lovely catch up with Jan in Maleny on Tuesday, and a footy-flavoured chat with Old Friends on Thursday after Wes finished his Overseas Zoom. 

As well, Judi & I played Mah Jong on Wednesday, and will be very sorry to say goodbye to Kelly when she leaves Muffins & More in a couple of weeks. Wes washed the floors that morning, and while they were drying, he and Morse drove to Ballarat to stock up on whisky, gin, tuna and Atlantic salmon. He took my Grand Final posters to be laminated, but the queue is so long they won't be ready until tomorrow. He also hoped to get a haircut, as the Daylesford barber has retired, and no-one took on the challenge. Sadly, the new owners of his preferred salon have increased the price, and he gave it a miss. 

On Thursday I visited Dr James Smith, who I am seeing while my usual GP, Ellie, has her second baby. I had been told about a medication, Ubinquinol, that was supposed to be helpful for energy levels, but James advised that there is no clinical evidence to support that. We decided not to even try it in case I had a similar experience to when I was on Naltrexone. He prescribed some anti-inflammatories for a strained ligament in my right foot, which was sustained on Preliminary Final day - still don't know how!

Wes's pride and joy in the front garden - two special azaleas

Our neighbour, Glen, had a very happy review with her surgeon, and she is now allowed to ditch her walker, wear the moon boot outside only, and start to think about driving again. She is so thrilled with this news, as are her family and friends, as she has been housebound more or less since mid-January. Wes has parked her car back outside her front gate, so she can sit in it and familiarise herself with it again. 

Yesterday was spent quietly in preparation for today's visit to my sister, Leanne, in Strathmore. Wes is planning to work on a further garden bed, and Leanne and I have a project or two to undertake. The Spring Racing Carnival started in earnest, so we watched a few races to see how some of the fancied horses will go over the next few weeks. (How good was last year's Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip!). As well, the AFLW is still on, and the One-Day International World Cricket Cup has started so there is plenty to occupy us, even though the AFLM has finished.

A corner of the backyard is looking wonderful with jasmine creeper covering an old gum trunk

Daylesford Grand Final Dispatch - Sunday, 1st October 2023

 
Well done, Woodstock!

This has been a wonderful week, and I found it hard to concentrate on everyday chores with the Grand Final looming. We were both sorry that footy had prevented us from attending Genevieve Spiteri's 18th birthday celebration, but her father, Matt, sent us a good selection of photos.

Proud parents - Sara Lacey & Matthew Spiteri with their daughters, Ava & Genna

Wes had a busy Sunday after the disappointment of the previous night - he finished writing a short story on one of his relatives, and, after cooking us a yummy smoked salmon spaghetti meal, hosted a Zoom on Planning in the Hepburn Shire. I was asleep by the time he came to bed, and discovered the next morning that he was pleased to have been involved.

We decided to do cleaning for School, as I was too excited to learn anything new, and the guest room and library are looking much better for a Spring clean - with windows & floors washed, and surfaces dusted and polished. While I had a much-needed remedial massage with Sarah Hunt, Wes went to Mitre 10 to order all the paints we need for the patching that Les is going to do to complete his work at our place. 

That night was the AFL Brownlow Medal Presentation for the Fairest & Best Player of 2023. Collingwood's Nick Daicos (3rd) had been the front-runner until he was injured and missed the last few games, which opened the door for Lachie Neale of Brisbane to win his second Brownlow. Many of us had hoped that Marcus Bontempelli (2nd) from the Western Bulldogs, or Christian Petracca (5th) from Melbourne would win, but it wasn't to be. 

On Tuesday I had my fortnightly early chat with my aunt, Jeff Hoolihan, in Torksey Lock, and we covered a wide range of topics including the footy. Jeff was born in Queensland and didn't grow up with Aussie Rules, but her married life in both WA & Victoria prepared her for the obsession most of us have for the game. Afterwards, I had a great catch up with my sister, Leanne, who was also wildly excited about the Pies playing in the GF.

We were amazed to read that Dan Andrews, Premier of Victoria, had announced his retirement that day, effective immediately. When he explained he was exhausted and had achieved as much as he could, we understood his reasoning. We will always be grateful to him for looking after us as best he could during COVID, for removing level-crossings all over the State, and for being a wonderful Minister for Health. 

That afternoon, we had our 6th COVID jab - it is so easy these days - we can still remember the incredible security around the first couple of jabs - this time we weren't even told which vaccine we were receiving! Neither of us had a reaction, and we both feel much better for being freshly inoculated.

Judi & I played Mah Jong on Wednesday, and heard from Kelly that she had finally sold Muffins & More and would be staying on for a fortnight to help the new owners. The staff are also remaining, so it should be as welcoming as always, although we will have to check if the new owner is OK about Mah Jong being played in her café.

Our new HP laptop arrived safely and Wes spent some hours getting it going for us both. Much of this Dispatch has been written on it, and we are both delighted. It is very clear, easy to manage, and quick to respond. 

On Friday, Wes and Morse drove me to Citadines on Bourke, an apartment hotel I had not used before. As I was early, I asked if I could store my suitcase until 2pm check-in, and when I returned the receptionist called me Karen, which was most impressive. I am thrilled with my mini-apartment - kitchenette, lovely shower, plenty of storage and a comfortable lounge and bed. I met Danny Millman & his friend, Kim, at Westlake, for a yum cha lunch and it was wonderful. It definitely helped that Kim spoke Cantonese, and we were well looked after. Melbourne was full of supporters of both teams who had been to the Grand Final Parade in the morning. 

My Collingwood pillow & scarves served as decoration!

Yesterday was unforgettable - I started early queuing in the 50-year Members line and was successful in getting a great seat on Level 2. On my way back to my hotel, I stopped at Hotel Windsor for breakfast, which was being served in the ballroom. I had a rest at my hotel, before going back to the MCG, and then onto Punt Road where the Collingwood AFLW team were playing Essendon. I lasted until half-time, and was very proud of the girls who coped better with the swirly windy conditions and eventually won.

Hotel Windsor Ballroom 

While I was waiting for the Grand Final entertainment to begin, I caught up with Gayle Gibson, who was happily ensconced in the Long Room, with Peter Mitchell, who was on Level 3 catching up with friends, and with Lyndell Jenkin, long-time Daylesford friend, who was here supporting her partner, A J, who is a Collingwood fan.

The Kiss Show was quite spectacular, and they had educated themselves about Australian Rules, which was good. They were a little after my time, so I didn't appreciate their music, but plenty around me did. 

The Kiss Extravaganza

The Grand Final itself was a stunning match - there were highlights galore, the lead changed frequently, and Collingwood won by 4 points. I am looking forward to seeing the replay and soaking up the atmosphere once again. Thanks to everyone who sent messages - I was overwhelmed and very grateful for them all. Afterwards I caught up with David & Dan Lazzaro, and David's friend, Matt, where we debriefed, before they went off to have a drink, and I walked back to my hotel for a low-key dinner of a sandwich & a glass of bubbles. There is a bottle of Vintage Veuve in the fridge for a more serious celebration this week. Thanks Gayle!

2023 Premiers!

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 24th September 2023

What a week! It started with a great trip to Strathmore to see Leanne, who was thrilled that we were there, as I had missed the last two scheduled visits. We chatted about lots of things, Wes watered the garden, and I checked the computer was up-to-date. We went home with a new friend for Morse, as well as homemade biscuits.

Morse with his new friend

On Monday morning I successfully obtained a reserved seat in the 50-year member bay at the MCG for Friday night's game against GWS. Once that was done, we drove to Officeworks in Ballarat to return the Lenova laptop and choose a new one. Of course, the one we preferred wasn't in stock, so we were given a refund. While we were at the desk, being well looked after, dear friend, Kim Lyden, was at the next counter and we made arrangements to meet for hot drinks at Café Lekker, a short distance away. It was delightful to spend an hour or so catching up on each other's news.

Wes washed the cars on Tuesday, after we got a chai latte for Glen, who was finally feeling well enough to manage one. I had a good Zoom chat with Leanne, and later delivered batteries, plastic lids, a toothbrush and some bread tags to the recycle area at the Duke Street Council Offices. The blister packs go to the Pharmacy, and corks are collected by the kindergarten - so much better than putting them all in landfill. 

That afternoon, Wes finally found a good deal for a replacement laptop, and we chose a 15" HP with Windows 11, which should arrive this week, in time for me to take it to Melbourne with me when I visit for the Grand Final. Sadly, I missed out again on a reserved seat for the big match, but I am sure it will be much easier queuing at the 50-year member gate. 

On Wednesday, Judi and I played Mah Jong, after a yummy brunch at Muffins & More. Les was in and out most of the week fixing the wet wall in the downstairs bathroom, and has done a wonderful repair job. Wes managed to vacuum and wash floors around Les's visits.

We both had Zooms on Thursday morning - Wes, dressed in navy blue, chatted with his Overseas Friends, and Paul Jackson was joined by his Australian friend, Rod McDonald. Rod, and his wife, Joan, have been on a wonderful European trip, taking in Portugal and France before catching up with the Jacksons in Oxfordshire. Joan took a Richmond scarf to give Paul, and I got stuck into him, as he already had a Collingwood scarf that I gave him back in 2018.

Paul with divided loyalties!

Afterwards, I caught up with Kathy, Karen, Joyce & Lib and wore my Collingwood scarf & cap to give our chat a footy flavour as well. At lunchtime we watched the Cate Blanchett film, Tar, which we had missed at the Cinema. What a wonderful acting performance, and what a terrible person she portrayed. We wonder now if the conductor we saw in Brussels, who was not loved by his orchestra, might have shared similar traits to Lydia Tar.

Last of the daffodils, erlicheer & daphne

On Friday, we left Daylesford at 3pm, and drove to the MCG for me to attend the Preliminary Final. Wes dropped me off at the Pullman Hotel, across the road from the ground, where I spent a very pleasant hour catching up with David, Helen, and Daniel Lazzaro, and David's best mate, Matt, over from Tassie for the game. Once inside the ground, I found Gayle Gibson, and we shared a glass of bubbles and a good chat before I went to my seat and waited for the game to begin. 

What an exciting match it was, with Collingwood winning by a point. I don't think I have ever received as many messages as I did that night - from overseas, interstate and close by - thank you all so much for your wishes & thoughts - much appreciated. Wes had spent some time sitting by the Yarra, where he used to fish with his good friend, Tom Frank, many years ago. He still has all the fishing gear that Tom left him when he died. 

Lovely photo of Tom in 1992

We arrived back home at midnight, and woke up Morse, who had coped very well with our long absence. He was most understanding when we slept through the 5.20am get up time, and was very happy to have breakfast around 7am instead. 

Last quarter action with Pendlebury, Ginnivan & Maynard flying the flag for the Pies

Time to decorate the house - now for the balloons & streamers

Later that morning we made our last trip to Rob & Dene's home in Ballan to leave them some welcome home lilies and water everything that needed it. They should arrive there sometime today after their wonderful six-week trip.

Carlton started their Preliminary Final against Brisbane in fine fashion at the Gabba, with 5 goals in the 1st Quarter, before the Lions got into gear, and kicked the next 9. The Blues rallied in the last quarter, but the Lions were too good and won by 16 points. Wes is disappointed, but very proud of his team for getting this far. 

The result of nervous knitting this past fortnight - beanies & a beret!

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 17th September 2023

 
Don't you just love Lucy!

We started our week last Sunday with a delightful visit to the Daylesford Market, dropping papers & magazines to Judi along the way, and catching up with a few friends while we were there. Morse was in heaven - there were no other dogs, and everyone gave him a pat or made a fuss. Then, while I unpacked our week's fruit & vegetables, he and Wes drove to Ballan to check out Rob & Dene's home, make sure plants were watered and that there was no damage from the storms of the past week. 

I spent the afternoon watching AFLW games and was delighted when Collingwood beat Freo at Victoria Park in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Carlton weren't so lucky, finding scoring very difficult against North Melbourne, who must be early favourites for the flag. Essendon played their first home game at Windy Hill and were well-supported there as they beat the Saints. 

On Monday, it was a beautiful day after a cold start. We had decided to spend School seeing if we could follow the instructions to reset our laptop and we couldn't. Wes emailed them yet again, telling them that we would like them to reset it, or give us a new laptop. I am quite sure we won't be touch Lenova again, as they have been slow to assist and happy to throw it all back on us even though the laptop is faulty and still under warranty. They eventually agreed to refund our money and we hope to return the laptop to Officeworks in Ballarat & chose a new one tomorrow.

Morse & friend catching up on sleep

I started Tuesday with an early chat with my aunt, Jeff, and cousin, Leigh, in Lincolnshire. It was wonderful to see Jeff looking well again, and to catch up with Leigh and hear about the latest holiday she & Simon had. Afterwards I had a good Zoom with Leanne, and we made plans for our visit today. It's been a while since I've been to Strathmore, and it will be good for us to see each other, and for me to help with a few jobs. Meanwhile, Wes went back to Dr James to have his ears syringed clean again, and he is very relieved to be able to hear properly. 

Les came to install our new skylights in the upstairs bathroom & toilet, which involved him wearing an Akubra while he spent ages up on our roof. The original skylights had diffusers, one of which had collapsed and broken, and the other of which was about to do the same. He still has some more work to do in the downstairs bathroom, as well as touch up painting and fixing a reluctant sliding door. 

On Wednesday I took Morse with me when I delivered newspapers to Spring Park Nursery, followed by Epicures & The Local to Nick & Robyn, finishing with pumping mineral water at Leitches Creek. He just loves going in the car, and is very obedient. I arrived home in time to enter the MCC Reserved Seat Grand Final ballot, and was delighted to see that 50-year members have a dedicated section. It has been some years since I fluked a reserved seat & my fingers and toes are crossed, especially if Collingwood are good enough to get there.

 

Fragrant Erlicheer flowering in the back dog graveyard - Casper, Frodo & Bilbo are all buried there, while Lewis is in the front

Wes vacuumed and washed the floors, which dried quickly in the Spring sunshine, before having lunch at the Daylesford Royal Hotel with old friend, Bob White. Judi & I were busy playing Mah Jong or I would have asked to join them both. 

On Thursday I enjoyed a good chat with Kathy, Karen & Lib and we caught up on Lib's news as we hadn't been able to speak with her last week. Meanwhile, Les was busy patching woodwork in the downstairs bathroom, and Wes was out weeding, mowing & tidying the back, which all looks great with plenty of yellow daffs still waving their heads. I bought some punnets of pleasure - dwarf marigolds & chain of pearls lobelia, which I have planted in two of the boxes on the decking. 

Nothing quite matches the beauty of Glen's plum tree next door

We decided to have breakfast at Pancho on Friday morning, in case the footy went badly that night. James, our neighbour, at #80, was here on his own, and was thrilled to be invited to join us. We spent a very happy hour chatting over our yummy meals, and learnt about his far-sighted parents, who left Edinburgh in the early 60s with his older sister & brother, for a better life in Australia. Amazingly, James's father ended up a sub-editor at The Age, at the same time as Glen's husband, Ron, was the main cartoonist, and they would have known each other. 

That night, Carlton played Melbourne in a close, tense game in front of 96,000+ and won it by 2 points with an amazing goal in the last minute. Wes was delighted, as were all his Carlton friends, and many non-Blues fans, as it was such a good win. Carlton were 15th on the ladder at Round 12 this season, and now they play Brisbane in a Preliminary Final next Saturday for a place in the Grand Final. 

The Carlton scarf and Morse in position for the footy

Yesterday was another lovely day. We allowed ourselves a sleep-in after the late night, and after giving Morse a bath, Wes drove them both to Ballan to check on Rob & Dene's home for the last time this trip, as they arrive back next Sunday after a wonderful holiday. That night we watched Greater Western Sydney beat Port Adelaide by 4 goals at the Adelaide Oval. GWS will now play Collingwood on Friday night for the other place in the Grand Final. 

Finally, we were very sorry to hear of the death of Ron Barassi. He has stood tall in the landscape of Australian Rules football - firstly as a player with Melbourne, then a playing coach for Carlton, a coach at North Melbourne and Melbourne, as well as at Sydney, at a time when all these clubs benefitted from his influence. He is remembered as a huge influence on the game, and one of the most important in the history of the AFL.

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 10th September 2023

I love Linus!

We started last Sunday with a good trip to the Daylesford Market, with lots of laughter and chats with friends. Ken had forgotten to put out Morse's pears, so Wes had to walk Morse around until it was done. Ken was so annoyed with himself, he gave Morse extra, which of course he couldn't finish!

The giant pear apology

We were both tired after our wonderful trip to Blackwood Ridge Garden Restaurant the day before, but Wes & Morse drove to Ballan to check out Rob & Dene's home for them, and I had a lovely visit with Glen, before we took it easy for the rest of the day. I must confess to being delighted to see Chloe Molloy kick the goal that gave the Sydney Swans AFLW side their first win in footy. It was an exciting game with a loud & appreciative crowd at the North Sydney Oval. We miss Chloe at Collingwood, but understand that a 5-year contract with Sydney was too good to pass up.

On Monday, after supermarket shopping and a visit to Glen, I joined Wes for School, which was cleaning our ceiling fans, air-conditioning filter and the outside of doors & the decking. I stayed inside and cleaned the kitchen and the lounge cupboards, and we were both pleased with our efforts. Les arrived later on to work on the downstairs bathroom, much to Morse's delight. 

Looking good in our front yard - it's a shame we live in a dead-end street!

This has been a busy week for Zooms & other catch-up chats - Wes has spoken with Barbara in NZ twice; with his Godson, Danny, in Brisbane; with our long-time friend, Jenny Beacham in Hepburn, and with the Overseas Friends. I've spoken twice with my sister, Leanne, in Strathmore; as well as Old Friends - Kathy, Lovely & Joyce - where we discussed the footy as well as a few other topics.

Wes in footy finals mode

On Thursday morning, we both had appointments with Dr James at Springs Medical. Mine was first, to get my stitches out and discover the results of the biopsy. The news was good on both fronts - no signs of cancer, and the wound was healing well. Wes has had blocked ears for a while and his appointment was to give them a good clean. He has to go back again next week. 

That night the Pies managed to beat the Dees in a nerve-wracking game at the MCG in front of 92,000+. I have never received so many messages of support as I did before the game - so many friends, Doggies, Saints, Cats & Bombers supporters, a North Melbourne fan and even a West Coast Eagles member sent me texts and emails. Thank you all - it made the game all the more exciting to have your encouragement. 

On Friday night, Carlton withstood a late surge from the Sydney Swans to win a thriller at the MCG in front of another 92,000+ crowd. After 10 years of no finals, it is so exciting for Blues fans to be playing a second final, with the big game against Melbourne next weekend. It was another day of wild weather in Victoria, and we were one of many households that lost power. Fortunately, it happened around lunchtime and only lasted an hour.

This week's vase of daffodils & daphne

Yesterday we watched lots more footy - AFLW games were on before the remaining two finals. St Kilda were disappointing in their game against Greater Western Sydney, who seemed much more focussed and played a better brand of footy to run out winners by 24 points. In the evening, Brisbane were far too good for Port Adelaide and won by 48 points. 

Today, we're about to head out to the Daylesford Market, then Wes & Morse will go to Ballan to check out Rob & Dene's place. Both our AFLW teams are playing this afternoon, so we'll have another feast of footy to enjoy.

Beautiful pink & white camellias floating