Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 16th July 2017

This week has been all about our dear niece, Jessie. My brother, Terry, and his wife, Mary, as well as their daughter, Michelle, and Jessie’s husband, Anthony, have been spending all their time at the hospital & each night Terry has been sending us an email update.

As you can imagine, we are like everyone else in Jessie’s family – numb with shock & riding the roller-coaster that tumours bring. It was very hard to concentrate on anything much & we certainly didn’t want to make any long or short-term plans. Fingers crossed the worst is over & Jessie can start her long, slow recovery back to health. She will need chemo as soon as she is strong enough in case there are any odd cells that the surgeon missed.

On Friday, Jessie was moved from intensive care to high dependency & has had a visit from her children, Chiara & Dante. She should be well enough to start rehab in a week or so.

I found this lovely photo from 1989 at the MCG – Michelle, Jessie, Danny Millman & his oldest daughter, Lauren

I keep forgetting to talk about the books I am reading & have been enjoying lately, in case you might have some suggestions or are looking for something new. Michael Ivanchenko set me on the path of Rennie Airth, an 82-year old South African novelist, who lives in Italy and writes about a retired Detective Inspector, John Madden. This was originally to be a trilogy, but there are 5 stories in total & we have all read the first two. The third has just arrived in our PO Box & I am getting into it. The stories are set post World War I & into World War II. Wes is also loving this writing & most impressed by Rennie’s grasp of characters & plot.

Michael also loaned me ‘The Dry’ a debut crime novel by Jane Harper, who was born in Manchester, moved to Boronia when she was 8, went back to Hampshire as a teenager, & finally came back here 9 years ago. I loved her book (set in country Victoria) – the language is very Australian & her plot is excellent & believable. At the same time, I have been reading Samuel Butler’s semi-autobiographical brilliant classic ‘The Way of All Flesh’, which I somehow missed out on reading at school or uni.  And to round my eclectic selection off, I have been greatly touched by Elizabeth Jolley’s book, ‘Lovesong’, which deals with one man’s memories, relationships & yearnings.

Last Sunday, we were joined at breakfast by Gail White, who regaled us with tales from her & Terry’s 7 weeks in America – a lot of it driving, which she would never do again. They had some unforgettable experiences & met up with friends they had made some 40 years previously. David Castles was also there, but Bam Bam opted for the warmth of the ute, which suited Bilbo just fine as he didn’t have to share any breakfast ‘leftovers’.

Setting the table upstairs at the Food Gallery with Bilbo just visible through the fog behind me!

We kept our open fire going that day & settled down to watch the footy in the afternoon. All three games were excellent, & Carlton very nearly was able to upset Melbourne – being restricted to 20 men by half-time probably made the difference, as the players fatigued noticeably in the last quarter. I had made minestrone soup, which is the perfect meal on your lap in front of the fire.

We were both able to get back to routine the next day with me going to gym, followed by a massage & then car washing. Meanwhile Wes got into the garden & enjoyed himself very much, although he found the more he did, the more there was to do!

We had lunch at ‘Muffins & More’ on Wednesday after Mah Jong to farewell Dot & John Smith, who are off in their caravan, today or tomorrow for 8 weeks holiday. They plan to get to Darwin to visit their grandson & two great-grand-daughters.

On Thursday, I drove to Melbourne to spend time with Leanne. This went well as we had received better news about Jessie. Meanwhile, Wes had a lovely long catch-up lunch at ‘Boathouse Daylesford’ with Jeff Bain. The restaurant was full, mostly with visitors enjoying the great location & beautiful food & wine.

Friday was wet & foggy, so we cancelled the early morning walk & Bilbo had a bath instead. Wes & Brian headed to Smeaton & Glendonald, where the weather was drier & warmer.

Yesterday Collingwood finally posted a win in the wet on the Gold Coast & it is Carlton’s turn this afternoon to see if they can beat the Bulldogs.

This morning when we walked it was -1˚ and we had to be careful of frost on the bridges. There was a stunning pink sunrise and we hope it brings a beautiful sunny day. Bilbo & I are about to head off to the Sunday Market, where all the stall-holders will be stamping their feet & blowing on their hands while they wait for customers & the warmth of being busy.