Dear Friends, Wes introduced the topic of gifted children
last Sunday at breakfast once Aileen arrived. It very successfully took her
mind off her worries and engaged us all. This was prompted by the film,
‘Boychoir’ where the young gifted boy was forced to make the most of his
talent. I have always thought we owe it to our children to give them the best
opportunities, but I hadn’t considered whether I would push someone, whom I
thought was talented. However, I suspect I would, and that I might be in the
minority in thinking that would be a good thing.
I missed a most exciting game of football, where Collingwood
came back from 39 points down at half time to win by 17 points in driving rain.
David Lazzaro kept in touch with me and I continued to be pleased that I wasn’t
experiencing the weather or having the difficult drive home, but I would have
enjoyed the game. We sat in front of the fire glued to the TV and I for one
didn’t think it was all over at half time.
On Monday, we both had appointments – mine was with my
podiatrist in Ballarat & Wes went locally to have a sample of one of his
moles sent for biopsy, just to be sure. He washed Bilbo before he went, waiting
patiently until the sun came out, as it was -1° when we first got up and even
still that temperature when I drove to gym, collecting bags of pinecones on the
way. My visit was to collect new orthotics as my right foot was starting to
have a mind of its own and these new ones correct that imbalance nicely. I also
needed to have a very deep corn removed, so arrived back home bandaged and a
little tentative about walking. Wes was similarly impeded, but he wasn’t
allowed to shower until Wednesday, which would have killed me. My dressing
seemed impervious to water thank God.
Two new quilts that
include some of my squares – busy knitting adult beanies at present.
The next morning it was time for Wes to do his usual projectionising at the Daylesford Cinema
and I joined about 6 or 7 others to see the film ‘While We’re Young’, which I
enjoyed very much indeed. The story revolves around a middle forties childless
couple who gravitate towards a young hipster couple as they are finding
themselves both in a rut and unable to empathise with their friends who have
young children. Ben Stiller & Naomi Watts have to act their socks off and
are well cast to carry this off. I found the film thought provoking and
interesting, especially later as the couple start to question the motives of
their new friends.
Afterwards we met Gillie for lunch at ‘The Food Gallery’,
the place where we have breakfast most Sunday mornings, and were spoilt for
choice with three different soups on offer. As always, time spent with Gillie
is stimulating and interesting and we covered quite a range of subjects, except
the film, as neither Wes nor Gillie had seen it.
After gym on Wednesday, I went off to play Mah Jong with Dot
& Valerie at ‘Muffins & More’, which was quiet for a change, probably
because the owner, Anne-Maree, was missing. We all won a game, had our photos
taken by a young Asian chap, who tried to explain to us that we were playing a
Chinese game, which is best played by four! We agree, but Gail, who had joined
us occasionally last year, now works in ‘Brick Lane’ (where she & Terry
have stalls) on Wednesday mornings.
Wes and Bilbo walked early in the cold on Thursday and I
went back to bed with The Age & a pot of tea – very decadent. We spent most
of the morning discussing our Executor’s Dossier so that all our legal
information is up to date and in the hands of our solicitor and executor, Peter
Russo. Afterwards we drove to Trentham to have lunch with Bob White at ‘The
Plough’ hotel.
We enjoyed a lovely couple of hours with Bob and a good meal
to boot! Bob is off overseas later this year and wanted to pick our brains
about places to visit in the UK, which we were happy to do. As we left to drive
back here it was amazingly cold and by the time we passed the Trentham Golf
Club it was snowing. The Club posted this photo on its website and asked its
members why only a few of them had bothered to finish their games! We drove
home through snow for the next 10 minutes, but it didn’t reach Daylesford
sadly, although it was very cold.
The Bushwalkers were doing a muddy slippery walk on Friday,
so Wes, Bilbo and I set off at 9am for the new Trentham walk, which
incorporates the Trentham Racecourse. I had walked it a few weeks ago and was
very keen to share it with Wes. We had a lovely time and it took just under two
hours to complete. We arrived back in the main street, High Street, and found
ourselves at Chaplin’s Café having hot drinks and toasted cheese & tomato
croissants, while Bilbo waited patiently outside eating his apple and
submitting to pats from passers-by. There was no sign of the snow from the day
before.
When we got home, I made some minestrone soup and baked a fruitcake
in preparation for the visit by Pam & Pete Mitchell, who arrived yesterday
in time for lunch. It’s been ages since we had seen each other and we only
really caught up via Facebook. Pam & I have chatted on the phone
occasionally, and it seemed appropriate that they find a spare weekend and stay
with us for a couple of days.
Wes received the very welcome news that the biopsy was
benign, and even though he had been expecting that result, it was still a relief.
He and Bilbo walked early in the fog yesterday morning. It was one of those
Brigadoon mornings where we couldn’t see our back fence let alone Lake
Daylesford. We were sorry to have missed Joan Kirner’s State Funeral, which was
telecast on TV on Friday morning, but we did see the speeches by our good
friends, Jenny Beacham and Candy Broad, both residents here. Jenny had been
keeping us up-to-date with Joan’s health over the last couple of years, as she
& Joan were old friends who had remained in constant contact up until
Joan’s death.
Pam & Pete arrived on time at 1pm for minestrone. I had
visited our Farmers’ Market in the morning as Annie Smithers had a stall and
brought home one of her fresh baguettes, which went very well with the soup. We
chatted, watched the Carlton game, and eventually couldn’t take our eyes off it
as the Blues put in their best performance that I have seen this year. Sadly,
they couldn’t win against Adelaide, but went down fighting & all Carlton
supporters would have been heartened to see them show such endeavour after some
insipid performances.
Wes took Pete out for a short tour of local sights while Pam
& I settled back with cups of tea in front of the fire and did some more
chatting. That night Wes produced his very yummy fish pie as well as peppery chicken
drumsticks, which all disappeared. We managed to fit in Eton mess afterwards
and emptied a couple of bottles of good red wine as well. Unfortunately,
neither Pam’s team, Essendon, nor Pete’s team, the Western Bulldogs, could
triumph against their rivals. In fact, Essendon didn’t score a goal in the
first half, which was very dispiriting.
We’re off to breakfast shortly, followed by a drive around
and back home to the open fire. The boys are playing golf this afternoon if the
weather is kind.
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