Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 25th August, 2013

 

Dear Friends, meeting David Astle last Sunday in the Trentham Institute Hall with Judi and 30 others was quite a treat. He was very personable, just as he was on Letters and Numbers and easily entertained us all with word puzzles and cryptic crossword clues for 90 minutes or so. I was lucky enough to find a tenth country (Sierra Leone) amongst some letters that he thought contained only nine, and scored one of his puzzle books, which I am enjoying immensely. Judi encouraged me to ask him to sign it afterwards, which he did with good grace. We stayed around partaking of the splendid afternoon tea and caught up with Chris Meehan, who went to St Bernard’s with Wes.

Hidden People caves near Bunir, Iceland

Sadly my busy weekend caught up with me on Monday and I was confined to bed most of the day and a good part of Tuesday, which meant that we missed gym, and I had to renege on a date with Judi to see the French film, What’s in a Name, at our local theatre, The Rex. Judi assures me that I missed a very funny and clever film, so I will have to keep an eye out for it at other cinemas.

By Wednesday I was feeling much better and we attended a Rotary Breakfast meeting at Red Star Café. Whoever organised it neglected to tell Ed the owner, and neglected to check that he would be open at 7.30 (which he wasn’t), but 18 of us eventually got inside into the warmth and enjoyed a very social and inexpensive morning. I had cancelled Mah Jong with Valerie that day before because of the weather – we have endured 60 mls this week with sleet and cold winds.

Wes took Barbara back to the Glenlyon General Store for lunch and a chat, while I had a long-overdue pedicure with Michelle. Neither of us was hungry at dinner time, so we had a glass of wine and some fruit cake (a new one had been baked that morning) and we went to bed to watch the cricket. We turned the TV off at 9pm and woke expecting to find Australia all out, so it was a lovely surprise to find Watson had made his highest Test score ever and that we were 4/306 at stumps. Our cousin, Leigh, was there for the triumph, but left after he went out, as it was very hot. The Oval doesn’t seem to offer much shelter, like all English cricket grounds, and if the temperature is in the high 20s and humid, it is just too hot to be in the sun. Sadly this Test will probably fizzle out to a draw with all the rain delays.

Outside the Hilton Park Lane on our last morning in London

We did get to gym on Thursday morning, I had a fringe trim immediately afterwards and I made a yummy lunch that we both really enjoyed – penne with anchovy, pistachio & parmesan pesto, washed down with a glass of Cofield Durif! Wes worked under the house clearing up some boxes, reorganising and making room, while I tackled the upstairs library shelves yet again, making space for Lee Child (fat paperbacks), Dirk Bogarde and Graham Greene (doubled our number of novels of both writers recently).

Friday dawned as another cold, wet and windy day and I was once again, white as a sheet and unable to do much. I had given my tickets to the footy to Mate, and cancelled all other plans. Wes took Barbara to Gracenotes Café that afternoon, where they met up with John, Jan, Judi & Glenn, and wished Jan a belated Happy Birthday. Then he drove to Melbourne to attend a St Bernard’s Old Boys dinner, where he had hoped to have seen Chris Meehan, Laurie Wordsworth and maybe even Tom Tyrrell. Instead he found himself the only representative of his year and sat next to someone younger who said “You must be Wes Maloney, my brother still talks about you….”

 

Bilbo & Frodo watching the footy on Friday night!

Yesterday was the first day without heavy rain – Wes worked hard in the garden and has made a place for us to store wood that will keep it dry (under the boys’ balcony). We collected new Winter coats for Bilbo (red) and Frodo (green), from Jeannie, who runs the Scottish shop at Village on Vincent, and they wore them to breakfast this morning.

In the afternoon we had invited our neighbours, Dene and Robert, for drinks and nibbles and we enjoyed a couple of hours good conversation with them both. They were interested in our holiday, and we in their forthcoming trip to France and Switzerland. While they are away we are charged with making sure their rhubarb doesn’t die!

Today is another fine, but cool day – Wes is busy in the garden, the boys are sleeping after their hectic morning – Sunday Market, followed by breakfast at The Food Gallery (wearing their new coats). Everyone at breakfast was in good spirits and had stories to tell, led by Gail who had us in stitches talking about her ongoing sagas with Centrelink, trying to get a Health Card and pension for her husband, Terry. We are all taking notes for when our time comes….

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 18th August, 2013

 

Dear Friends, we are very disappointed, like most Australians, with the pathetic ending to the 4^th Test – we were in a winning position and threw our wickets away needlessly. Let’s hope that we can salvage something out of this tour and win the last Test!

Since I last wrote on Sunday, Wes had a successful debate, speaking last, and arrived home very happy, having had a few drinks and caught up with some friends after the debate. I had been sitting by the fire, knitting and watching footy with the boys.

On Monday it was too wet and cold and windy for golf, so I did some early shopping and decided to make minestrone and a boiled fruit cake, thus winning lots of points from Wes, who, as he put on Facebook, had spent some time in the rain putting up the Collingwood flag, which he had managed to hang upside down on his first attempt. The soup went well, but just as I was about to boil up the cake ingredients I discovered I no longer had a suitable cake tin, so we jumped in the car and I bought the only square tin at Magic Pudding. The cake has been declared a success, and it is obvious that anytime I want to cook, it will be welcomed!

Wes enjoying the Old Harbour at Reykjavik

We started Tuesday with a gym session, and it was good to see Ian & Josie & Martin again, and they all enjoyed catching up with Wes.

I keep forgetting to talk about one of the women I read of when we were at St Andrew’s. Her name is Issette Pearson, and she is responsible for turning handicapping from an inexact science into something resembling the golf handicapping system we have today. Under her leadership the Ladies Golf Union established a reliable form of handicapping, something the men’s clubs had been unable to do. She sounds like a rather ferocious autocratic person, but we have her to thank for many things golfing, especially as far as women are concerned.

 

It was cold and wet on Wednesday, but Dot and I turned up for Mah Jong and as there were only two of us, we took the table right underneath the heater at Harvest Café and stayed warm. Carol came in to say hello as we were packing up and it was so good to see her, as it has been ages. Wes went to the doctor with Barbara and then took her to lunch at Glenlyon Food Store, where they were joined by Penny and David Reilly.

Waiting for cabbage leaves at the Sunday Market

The next day we met up with Rhonda at Gracenotes Café, as she was keen to hear about our trip. It is always lovely to spend time with her, and we had the table by the open fire, which is the best seat in the house. That afternoon we had been invited to witness a friend, Sharon Nicholson, become an Australian, at the Daylesford Town Hall. We were very honoured to receive the invitation as we only know Sharon through Rotary, where she is a newish, younger and very active member. There was a good turn up of Rotarians and in all 18 people took citizenship including 2 Mauritians, a Spaniard, a Thai, some Indians, some Poms, a Scot and a Yank. I always get tearful at these ceremonies as I consider it is such an honour that someone bestows on us by becoming an Australian. We did think the ceremony was a little different from the warm, inclusive ones that Wes ran in the Council Chamber when he was Mayor, but everyone seemed thrilled with their certificates and native plants and afternoon tea.

We drove to Melbourne early on Friday where Wes dropped me off to visit Viva and he went to Fawkner Cemetery to check on the graves of Perc, Dot & Ray, as well as Mick Griffiths, his school-friend who died in 1970. I had a good visit with Viva, who was looking very well indeed and pleased to see me after two months. I was able to do a few chores to help Leanne, who went to Queen Vic market, the supermarket and the library while I was there.

 

Budir, Iceland, by the side of a creek formed by melting snow waterfalls

Wes picked me up at lunchtime and we decided to visit The Plough at Myrniong on our way home. We had been there previously for a brilliant lunch with the Gibsons, Robinsons & Stevensons, and we were not disappointed. We had Wagyu beef salad & tempura oysters for starters followed by baked whole snapper with chili. Our waitress recommended an Italian-style King Valley pinot Grigio which beautifully complemented our meals.

We drove home via Blackwood and Trentham, just as the strong winds that lashed Victoria were starting to take effect. Wes dropped me home, and then drove to Ballarat to pick up Barbara’s wheelchair which had been in for repairs. He managed to avoid all the fallen branches and flying roofs in Ballarat and came back home safely.

Yesterday Barbara drove them to the MCG to see Carlton play Richmond. I was pleased she drove as he was exhausted after the day before, and they were both delighted with the unexpected win. They had to travel home in strong winds and driving rain and I was very relieved when Wes finally walked in the door safe and sound.

This morning, after I took the boys to pump water and buy bones, fruit and vegetables at the Sunday Market, we went to breakfast at The Food Gallery, where we were warm and comfortable and had a fun time chatting and swapping stories. Judi and I are going to Trentham early this afternoon to hear David Astle speak as part of Words in Winter…let’s hope it is a warm and cosy venue!

 

Modern Marina near the Concert Hall, Reykjavik

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 11th August, 2013

Dear Friends, it is another cold, Wintry morning today and we have just returned from a most enjoyable breakfast with Judi, Gail, Barbara, Aileen, John & Jan back from Cooktown, and a surprise visit from Glenn & Denise. John & Jan both look wonderful after their two months’ away and are already planning to miss Daylesford’s Winter next year.

Wes came with me and the boys to the Sunday Market to buy a rake and fork and plans to spend much of the day in the garden, except for being the third speaker in a debate late this afternoon. After breakfast we visited Jeannie in Village on Vincent, where the boys were fitted for new Winter coats, as they chewed theirs up while they were in Eureka kennels. Annie Smith’s new dog, Rosie, was tied up outside Gracenotes Café, so we were able to introduce the boys to her. She is a Golden Retriever, so they three all think they are related and very excited to see each other.

 

We’ve been getting back into the swing of life here this week. When I left you last Sunday I was heading off to Northcote to go to the footy with Danny. When I arrived, he had invited Greta and Penny for lunch as a surprise, and they were still there waiting to see me. It was lovely to see them both, and then to admire Danny’s beautiful renovations. He has a huge lounge and dining area, a modern kitchen, a second bathroom and impressive wood flooring everywhere except the bedrooms.

We had a lovely night at the footy – the Pies were on song and the Bombers had a forgettable evening, so we were able to enjoy the game without any tension. David Lazzaro sat with us, which was most enjoyable. Afterwards, Danny had booked a table at the Leinster Arms, Collingwood, where we had a table by the fire and enjoyed a good meal and a bottle of Domaine Chandon to celebrate.

 

I left Northcote where the sun was shining & it was 14°, to find once I had passed Gisborne, that it was 6° and foggy for the rest of the journey. Wes had been unable to walk the boys or play golf, and we spent a quiet day indoors.

We have been experimenting with eating our main meal at lunchtime most days and we are both finding we feel much better for it. We sit formally at the table looking out over the Lake, have a glass of wine, enjoy a chat and feel much more energised during the afternoons. At night we are having biscuits and cheese or a light salad or soup if we are hungry.

Wes has joined me at Barry’s gym and he picked a good week to start as the numbers were low at the 8am sessions. We have both been sore afterwards – me because it is two months since I have been there and Wes because he is using different muscles from the ones he uses gardening and walking.

That night at 6pm, I met Judi and her friend, Gladys, at The Rex Theatre, where we saw a film version of the stage play The Audience with Helen Mirren. There were 24 in the theatre to see this marvellous performance and during the interval of the play; we were taken behind the scenes to see the costumes and wigs.

 

Wednesday was a busy day – Wes and Barbara have moved their exercise regime to Wednesday mornings, but Barbara was in need of a big shop, so they did that, took her car for a long drive as she hadn’t driven it while we were away, and then had lunch together at Koukla, which they both enjoyed. I played Mah Jong with Dot and Valerie – well perhaps we talked more than we played, but it was lovely to see them both, and then have lunch with Valerie afterwards.

I had a well-overdue manicure and haircut at Spice that afternoon, then went to John & Jan’s place as I felt sure they would arrive home earlier than they had planned – which they did. I left them some flowers & lemons, made sure the water was running and added to the pile of mail and Advocates Judi had collected with some mail from their PO Box. Sure enough they arrived home that evening. Wes went to Aperitifs at Nick & Lindsay’s place and had a great time – I had hoped to get there, but I was exhausted after all the socialising I had done during the day.

On Thursday after gym, we caught up with Gillie at Gracenotes Café and met Monique, who has taken over mid-week duties from the wonderful Alex. It is always good to spend time with Gillie and we come away stimulated and with a million things to read and see afterwards.

I had put my car in for its 12-month service at Ballarat on Friday, so drove there through heavy rain and strong winds. I had planned to have a good walk, but cancelled that as I couldn’t stop my umbrella from blowing inside-out and it was far too cold and unpleasant to walk. So I went to the Regent Cinemas and saw the only film on at 10am – Beyond Midnight with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. I had not seen the previous two films by Richard Linklater starring these two, but enjoyed this enormously – it is not an action film, but concentrates on the relationships between men & women and explores some fine arguments. It is set in Greece and I recommend it highly for the dialogue and the ending – very un-American.

 

When I arrived home we went out to Mercato for lunch – I had suggested we try Kabuki, which gets rave reviews, and we initially turned up there, but they weren’t open for lunch as they had just returned from holidays themselves. So we made a beeline for our favourite Daylesford restaurant, were welcomed warmly by Maree, and enjoyed a very yummy lunch indeed. I spent the rest of the day sitting in front of the fire reading & doing Logic Puzzles and Crosswords, while Wes attended a meeting with his fellow debaters.

Yesterday the fire was still alight in the morning, so I kept it going even though the day was much better – sunny and not so cold. I went to the $2 shop and bought some wool to knit the boys new jackets (I am desperate to do some knitting and this eases me back into it perfectly) and we spent most of the day reading, listening to the footy and then watching our games. Wes was very disappointed with the Blues, who couldn’t match the Doggies intensity; but I was delighted with the Pies who showed great skill and determination to overcome a more-fancied Swans side at the Olympic Stadium.

I should have been at that match, but it came too close on the heels of our holiday, and I decided my health would be better served by staying put. Jane was disappointed, but at least she was able to make an early get-away from the game once it became obvious that the Pies would win. We tried to watch the cricket, but were too tired and awoke to find the Aussies in a good position at 5/222 after dismissing the Poms for 238.

Dane Swan & Scott Pendlebury - two of our stars

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 4th August 2013

Dear Friends, we are back home in Daylesford and very happy to be here and recovering from our jetlag. Our flights home were all good, including the first leg on a brand-new A380 with completely individual seats and a cocktail bar. We tried very hard to get some sleep on all three legs, but it is always fitful and not particularly refreshing, so arrived back at Melbourne feeling keen to catch up on sleep. We breezed through customs and immigration, waited one minute for Andrew’s Car-parking to pick us up and our car was sitting waiting for us ready to go.

Home of the Hidden People in Bunir, Iceland

Wes drove home and we enjoyed the Australian winter scene. One good thing about being away at this time of year is that the garden is not overgrown and the lawn doesn’t need an immediate mow. We were home by 9.30am, had long hot showers, warmed up the house and started to unpack. Before long the washing was in the machine, cups of tea on the bedside tables, The Age was unwrapped and sleep beckoned.

We have been prisoners of jetlag, but as the cricket is on overnight, and as the Aussies are finally playing better, it has been good to watch them. I wasn’t much chop the first three days and spent them catching up on washing, ironing & paperwork. Wes visited Barbara who had missed his care and companionship while we were away and he caught up on all her news.

Wes collected the boys on Thursday morning after taking his phone back to be mended and after an initial shyness, both Bilbo and Frodo are delighted to be back home and warm and comfortable.

On Friday the rain poured down and Wes dropped me at EKO where I was booked in for an overdue facial etc. It was lovely to see Emma again and good to discover that her business is going so well as she and Ange really deserve to succeed.

Sign in the Museum in Oban, Scotland

Yesterday the fog didn’t lift until 5pm and we barely ventured out of the house. I had hoped to pump water at Leitches Creek, but decided it was too dangerous to drive those few kms, especially as so many cars were driving without headlights or fog-lights. Judi dropped in during the morning to catch up on our stories and to let us give her a bottle of Champagne to thank her for everything she had done while we were away.

Barbara had bought tickets for her and Wes to go to see Carlton last night, but when the weather was so awful I hoped they would cancel. Neither wanted to let the other down, but once Wes woke from his afternoon sleep and saw the heavy rain at the MCG he decided it would be madness to drive in such awful weather, even though their game would be under the roof at Docklands. So he watched the game over at Barbara’s instead.

Meanwhile I was feeling very tired and went to sleep at 6pm. I woke briefly at 8.30pm, told myself to go back to sleep and didn’t wake properly until 5am this morning. I am hopeful that the worst of my jetlag is now over and that the Aussies can win this Test without my seeing their every ball.

Scottish Mist – very similar to Daylesford Fog

We were a small group at breakfast – Judi, Aileen, us and Barbara, but we had some good chats and enjoyed yummy food together. Now I am preparing to drive to Melbourne to go to the Collingwood vs Essendon match at the MCG with Danny. I am staying overnight with him and will get my first look at his wonderful renovations.

We are getting back into the swing of things slowly but surely and hope to catch up with friends over the next few weeks. Wes and I are going to gym this week, playing golf if the weather is kind and hoping to make our first appearance to see a film at The Rex Theatre.

 

Rare photo of our mate, Terry McDonald wearing a jacket and tie, at Lord’s, with Mike Gatting under his wing!