Daylesford Summer Dispatch - Sunday, 26th January 2020

Breakfast at the Food Gallery last Sunday was a very small affair with us, Barbara & Judi. We ended up chatting with the older couple at the next table (60 & 70) with a 2-year old boy. They have formally adopted him, as their nephew is a drug addict & can’t look after any of his 4 children. It was a timely reminder that everyone is suffering in some way or other & it is best to be kind if you can & not assume anything. We had thought they were grand-parents, never dreaming they had taken on parenthood again at this age & as part of a second marriage.

We had been invited to celebrate Mick Leahy’s birthday at the Essendon Social Club, and had both been looking forward to catching up with him, his wife, Sue, and lots of former Brunswick Rotarians, which is how we met Mick. I was extremely asthmatic and decided I should stay at home, as talking with little or no breath is no fun for anyone. I was particularly disappointed to miss out on catching up with dear friends, Marilyn & Robert Preston – Bobby & Mick went to school together & Bobby gave the keynote speech at the gathering. Wes tells me he spoke excellently, as usual, as did Mick.

 

Sue, Wes & Mick at Boathouse Daylesford 2016

That night, which was a very hot, uncomfortable one, Wes discovered when he went to check on the boys at midnight, that they had taken pillows & a bed out through the dog door onto the decking, where it was cooler! God knows how they performed this feat.

Lewis & Morse catching up on sleep after their disturbed night

We were all up extra early on Monday morning for our walk around Lake Daylesford, where we met up with Robert, back walking again after hurting his leg, and Tracye & Leo, who were delighted when Lewis & Morse settled down after they had been given their treats.

Wes washed them afterwards and settled down to computer work, including the invitation to schoolmates to celebrate 55 years since they left St Bernard’s College, Essendon. Meanwhile I had a lovely chat with dear friend, Sherryn Danaher, who I see so rarely now that we live in Daylesford. We were both short of breath, so had to curtail our talking after 30 minutes. I hung up to discover messages telling me that Bob Kuzmanovic, brother of my sister-in-law, Anka, had died suddenly & unexpectedly this morning. Peter & Anka were on their way to Sydney, where he lived.

Tuesday was a perfect day, although some rain would have been good. We woke to find that Ash Barty had won her 1^st round in the Australian Open. She is doing so well to progress through to the 4^th round, but it will be very difficult for her to win with all the pressure & expectation on her. As for Nick Kyrgios, his turnaround has been amazing – long may it last.

I’ve been to gym twice this week, caught up with friends in person or over the phone, updated the computer, done lots of walking & relaxed by watching more old episodes of Lewis for the umpteenth time.

Wes has visited Barbara daily to see if she needs any help while she continues with bed rest to facilitate the recovery of her burnt foot. He also went to Ballarat to pick up spirits & address labels – at different places of course. He spent ages washing down all our decking after everywhere turned brown in the latest rain. We had a dust storm followed by 30mls rain & much of our home changed colour overnight! We weren’t on our own & those with cars out in the open were moaning loudest.

As well, we were shocked to discover that the young man killed in a car accident at Coomoora (5 minutes outside Daylesford) was Nathan aka Nash Cummings. I first met Nathan when he was 10 and he asked if he could play with Bilbo & Frodo, who were in the gutter outside Sweet Decadence Café, where Nathan’s mother worked. He played with them for a while then charged off to the $2 shop & came back with combs & toys for them. Over the years we met often – mostly at Daylesford Footy Club and I would let Nathan walk the dogs around the oval at half-time during the footy. They invited him to our place to play & I gave him some Collingwood stuff as he was a big fan. As an adult, Nathan still had that generosity of spirit that he showed as a child, and he will be much missed by many of us here.

Nathan & his partner Lana

On Friday afternoon, our neighbours, Rob & Dene, came over with a bottle of sparkling shiraz, we provided some biscuits & cheese & the second bottle, and a very happy time was had by all on the decking. Even Lewis & Morse were so thrilled with Rob & Dene being here, that they let their dinner time go by without a murmur. I did eventually feed them about 45 minutes late.

While Wes visited Leanne in Strathmore on Saturday to help with a few things, Rob, arrived back here with his wonderful extendable window washer & we tackled our exterior windows, which haven’t been cleaned for some years. George Weiss had been doing them, but no longer has a partner helping him & ours are too many & too high for someone working solo. Rob had warned me that I would get wet & I did – had to start again after we finished with a fresh shower & clean, dry clothes. It took about 2 hours with Rob helping me for the first hour and me managing the rest. I can’t believe how good the view is, and I am slowly taking down the flywire screens & cleaning them as well.

You might remember that I had asked Tassal in Tassie about their cooking salmon which had disappeared from our local shops. I finally received a reply telling me that selected Coles supermarkets now had the salmon, so Wes dropped into the store in Bacchus Marsh on his way to see his cousin, Glenn Testro, and snaffled 7 packets. We are so relieved.

Lewis & Morse eating cabbage at the Sunday Market last week – they are champing at the bit to do it again this morning!

Today is Australia Day, aka Invasion Day – it’s a perfect morning here & the walk around the Lake was extra special with a luminous pink sky as dawn broke.

We are busy getting ready to go to the Market, but it is never quickly enough for the boys, who are running around the house in excitement – Sunday is their favourite day of the week. After breakfast we are hoping to drive to Lexton, one of many small towns affected by bushfires, and spend some time there. All these towns are crying out for visitors and today seems a perfect chance to visit.

Daylesford Summer Dispatch - Sunday, 19th January 2020

We had a most enjoyable breakfast again last Sunday – it is a fun way to start the week. The Food Gallery wasn’t as busy as usual, so we were able to sit around chatting for a while after our meals, without feeling guilty that we were overstaying our time at our table. Wes headed out into the back garden when we arrived back home & had enthusiastic assistance from Lewis & Morse.  

On Monday, we walked around Jubilee Lake for a change. Morse was fascinated & couldn’t concentrate for looking around him at all the differences. Lewis just took the lead as usual & wasn’t fussed. So long as we are there, he is happy.

On the lovely old railway bridge

After feeding the boys & having a quick shower, I rang Jeff & Leigh again on Skype to see how their week had gone. They were thrilled to have the call, as we were to talk with them. Simon had just cooked them an excellent meal & he was sitting in the background, while Jeff let us know that Kev may not be able to be cremated until early February. We felt very sorry for them having to wait that long before getting some sense of closure. Fortunately things changed during the week & Kev’s funeral service is tomorrow morning UK time and we have a link to watch it.

I then walked Annie & Maisie around Lake Daylesford, where we met plenty of friends with or without dogs. Most wanted to stop & chat, which was good, although Maisie prefers to be the one who makes the stops. We had a cuppa at the new café, Splinters, on the site of the old Book Barn, and Maisie was very happy to sit outside on the veranda under our feet.

My next appointment was a long overdue catch up with Gillie Gough and we met at Cliffy’s, where she was keen to hear about my family members & share her stories from the last couple of months. While I was socialising, Wes weeded & cleaned up in the front garden, before giving everything a good soaking in preparation for the hotter weather.

Amazingly resilient roses this year – peace, angel face, big red & an unknown pink one

Gym started back this week, but only on Tuesdays & Thursdays, so I duly showed up on Tuesday around 7.50am. There were 14 of us altogether & we were all moaning & groaning by the time we finished.

Afterwards, Wes drove me to Ballarat, in spite of the smoke haze, as the towel situation was getting desperate. Sheridan had nothing that appealed, so I went across the road to Myer and was able to get very pretty lilac towels that really complement the purple of the upstairs bathroom. Two bath sheets, one bathmat, two hand-towels & two washers set us back $112, which was a bargain. We then went in search of cooking salmon, which has disappeared from Coles & now appears to have vanished from Woolworths. It may never have been in IGA & certainly isn’t now. I sent off an enquiry to Tassal’s on our return home.

In the afternoon, Nick Massaro came to give me my first massage for 2020. Lewis & Morse were delighted to see him, especially as he always remembers to bring a treat for them. I was thrilled to hear from him that the $6,000+ raised at Cliffy’s on Christmas morning is being shared around the various CFAs (Country Fire Authority) and Porcupine Ridge is going to spend their money on a new extra strong hose nozzle that will reach the top of tall trees. Nick was so impressed that he has organised his next Woolnough’s Road group breakfast at Cliffy’s to say thank you.

After gym on Thursday, we drove to Ballarat again, this time to the Regent Cinemas, for Wes to see 1917 and me to watch Little Women. I had no sooner sat down than Annie Smith & her daughter, Fiona, arrived. We watched the film together & I may have enjoyed it more than them. I loved it, apart from the casting of the parents, which I wasn’t sure worked. It was well-acted & directed & I would love to see it again.

Beth, Jo, Meg & Amy as played by Eliza Scanlen (Aussie), Saoirse Ronan (Irish), Emma Watson (UK) & Florence Pugh (UK)

  

It was too cold on Friday morning for anyone to join us outside The Food Gallery at 9am with Lewis & Morse, although Annie & Fiona dropped by on their way to a coffee inside at Larder.

Yesterday I visited Leanne (instead of Thursday) as January gym is on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and I prefer to arrive early in Strathmore while I still have energy to do whatever Leanne needs my assistance for. I arrived back here in the afternoon & settled down to listen to ABC Classic & read Saturday’s Age, which is always full of crosswords, interesting articles, book reviews, news analysis & sport.

Wes spent time in the garden watering & filling in the large crater that the boys had amused themselves by digging overnight. He then cooked us a yuumy stir fry using up all our vegetables in time for us to buy new stuff this morning.

Daylesford Summer Dispatch - Sunday, 12th January 2020

We had a most enjoyable breakfast last Sunday – Peta Hawker joined us for the first time, David & Sandy were busy being locals, and Judi celebrated the New Year with her favourite breakfast – Canadian. We were all thrilled with the rain & by the next morning, we had 10mls in the gauge.

Barbara Simpson & David Castles & Judi’s Canadian breakfast.

After breakfast, I visited Dot & John Smith to give them a beautifully wrapped rose, Forget Me Not, courtesy of Ken Rae from Spring Park Nursery. Wes & I hoped it would be a lovely reminder of Annette in their new garden bed. Meanwhile Wes headed off to Cricket Willow in Shepherd’s Flat for the annual Run for the Willow. He met up with Daylesford Rotarians, as well as Adrian Tinetti, who had the idea of offering a day of foot races for all ages back in 2005

Danny Moynihan & Glenda Rozen, two of the hardest working volunteers in Daylesford

The boys and I were happy to stay warm & dry inside watching Day 3 of the cricket. This is Jane McGrath Day, when the SCG turns pink and so much money is raised for breast care nurses. If the foundation realises its aims this year, they will have the whole of Australia covered with nurses, which would be an astonishing feat.

On Monday, we were the only ones walking around the Lake early until we rounded a corner & there were Tracye & Leo, the boys’ favourite walkers. That day, 6^th January marked a year since we rescued them from their unhappy existence in Nathalia & brought them home & into our lives. It was also the 6^th Anniversary of Viva’s death – haven’t those years flown by? I can’t be sad – she had a wonderful life (except for losing Perc too soon) and died peacefully when she was ready to do so.

Viva & Perc newly married 17/3/49

I had arranged to have a Skype call with my aunt, Jeff, (Viva’s only sibling) & her daughter, Leigh, as we had not spoken to each other since Kev died on 27^th December. We had an excellent call, Jeff was able to tell me everything that had happened & I could see how relieved she was that Kev was finally out of pain. I was even able to introduce them to Lewis & Morse, who obliging woke up to be on camera. Our chat was curtailed after 30 minutes when the internet connection dropped out. Meanwhile, Wes, who had planned to be part of this chat, heard from Barbara that no carer had turned up that morning, so he raced across the road & did her care instead.

Smoke haze settled over Daylesford for the rest of the day, so I went outside as little as possible, as it was quite difficult to breathe. It must be so dreadful for everyone in the fire zones & places like Canberra that have been suffering from the haze for weeks now. By the end of the day I was fighting off a head cold & retired to bed. Wes looked after me with red wine & smoked salmon spaghetti & I had the best sleep in days.

When we rose on Tuesday, much of the haze had gone, although the smell of smoke remained. I opted for a quiet day while he got stuck into the front garden & declared war on the weeds, which had benefited from the 10mls of rain.

After walking Maisie for Annie Smith on Wednesday, Wes drove to Strathmore to spend time with Leanne. He had a most successful visit & was able to sort out a few issues for her as well as do some work in the garden. I spent the morning being pampered by Alanna at Spa+Beauty in Hepburn Springs, before looking after the boys who were anxious to know where their Daddy had gone. Sandra came to clean for the first time since before Christmas & everywhere is looking squeaky clean & shining.

The next morning Wes suggested breakfast at Chaplin’s in Trentham, so we duly drove there after the early morning walk. It was lovely & peaceful & we sat on the verandah with Lewis & Morse. Yummy breakfasts as usual & great service by Mel, the owner.

As we drove back home, we could see & smell the smoke in the air, so I promised to stay inside for the rest of the day, while Wes drove Barbara to the Austin Hospital in Melbourne for a specialist’s appointment in the burns unit. They were both most impressed with the care they received and were delighted that one of the nurses was Daylesford born & bred.

On Friday we did our usual socialising of Lewis & Morse outside the Food Gallery, where we were joined by Annie & Maisie & our mutual friend, Hugh. The boys are now very comfortable spending time with Maisie and sat happily while we talked. The rain came in the afternoon & was most welcome – our gauge showed 18mls, which was just what everywhere needed.

Yesterday morning, it was my turn to walk with Annie & Maisie. We did the smaller area of Lake Daylesford and had a cuppa at Cliffy’s afterwards. Annie’s daughter, Fiona, is arriving from Fremantle tomorrow & her best friend, Louise, has been staying with Annie for a few days.

 A selection of long-stemmed roses – freesia, hot cocoa & angel face

We’re looking forward to breakfast this morning after the Sunday Market. Daylesford is still busy, but not as much as it has been & apart from the occasional car towing a caravan that still finds its way up our dead end street, there hasn’t been too much traffic – certainly not in the numbers around Christmas & New Year.

We’re trying to get to Ballarat to buy me some new towels. Wes discovered that the ones I was using were in worse condition than the ones he was drying Lewis & Morse with, so new towels are my Christmas present. We’ll eventually get there, when the weather is better, hopefully while Sheridan is still having a wonderful sale.

Daylesford Summer Dispatch - Sunday, 5th January 2020

We had our usual fairly quiet New Year’s Eve – had hoped to go to the Annual Parade along Vincent Street, but were feeling rather flat & decided to stay at home instead. We went to bed early, but got up just before midnight to sit on the laundry floor with Lewis & Morse to make sure they weren’t too distressed by the fireworks, from the Lake House, which went for 10 minutes.  Morse was very pleased to have our company – he is quite timid & this was a new noise for him to cope with.

We were the only ones walking early the next morning. Sadly the walk was ruined by the amount of rubbish left by thoughtless revellers. I had forgotten to bring a large bag, so we gathered as many cans, bottles & food packaging as we could & hoped the next round of walkers would be able to do some more cleaning up. Judi tells me that she & Robyn Lawrence cleaned as much as they could, and we read on FB that Denise & Rodney Robinson removed the rest.

  

Robert, Marilyn, Maureen, Callum & Heath on Christmas Day

We had a most enjoyable and busy day. Wes mowed his sister, Denise’s, lawn, as we had noticed it was overgrown. His nephew, Leon, arrived to visit while Wes was mowing, and they enjoyed catching up. While Wes was away I was able to speak with most of the members of my family as well as good friend, Marilyn Preston. Judi rang me, which was lovely.

After Wes had finished mowing, & visited Barbara, we went to see Dot & John Smith in Hepburn Springs, to chat over hot drinks about their daughter, Annette’s very recent death. There is so very little you can say to grieving parents, but we shared hugs & told stories & ended our visit with a good laugh, when Dot & John each told their side of a funny story.

Our next visit was a very overdue one to Ian & Robyn Robinson, neither of whom is in very good health at present. Ian went in to have his gall bladder removed in October, (an operation most of his siblings have already had), and is still unwell all these weeks later, as there were complications & infections & the wound is still not healed. Robyn neglected her health in worrying about Ian & is now suffering from cellulitis & vertigo. They have a very restful country home in Chewton, about 40 minutes’ drive from Daylesford (near Castlemaine), which is much easier for us to get to than their Drummond Street, North Carlton home.

Donovan Tandberg Hodge born on New Year’s Day – much to the relief of his grandmother, Glen, our next-door neighbour. He was quite overdue, but looks perfectly cooked!

The next morning we walked around Lake Daylesford equipped with a big bag, which I managed to half-fill with discarded clothing, cans, bottles & Kleenex. After the walk, I set off to visit Leanne in Strathmore, where we had a lovely time, chatting about Christmas Day. I was able to help her with the end of the cleaning up. Like all of us, she is appalled by the dreadful bushfires threatening so many towns & villages all over Australia, but particularly those close to home in Victoria & New South Wales.

Later that day I chatted with our dear friend, Jan Pengilley, who moved to Maleny Qld, just before Christmas. She sounded in good spirits, now that the unpacking is almost complete and sent a couple of photos of her views from her new home, where she is living close to her daughter, Tara, her husband, Diederich, and their son, Renier. Jan can see scrub turkeys, bandicoots, geckos & azure kingfishers from her windows.

On Friday, after the walk (very little rubbish this time – a few cans & Kleenex only), I went shopping at Coles supermarket, before we took the boys for their socialising outside The Food Gallery in Vincent Street. We had invited our friend, Aileen O’Reilly, to join us, and were tickled pink when she arrived. Aileen’s mother, Dorothy, died in December, and Aileen is still getting used to the empty house.

Wes mowed Barbara’s back lawn as there was no-one else available to do it, while I caught up on some phone calls & chores. Kathy Lazzaro rang for a chat, which was great and the rest of the day was spent watching &/or listening to the Sydney Test, where the Kiwis had been forced to make 5 changes due to illness in their side.

Yesterday we rose at 5.30am after a very hot night and were the only people walking around the lake at that hour, although a young couple were fishing with plenty of enthusiasm but not much experience. Once again I filled a small bag with discarded clothes, cans & food containers.

It was the first Saturday of the month, so the Farmers’ Market was in full swing in the playground area of the Daylesford Primary School. I enjoyed visiting, catching up with Daylesford Rotarians & watching the generosity of locals & visitors as Gold Coin donations turned into paper money. The proceeds from the Market were going to the Bushfire Appeal & we are all grateful that we haven’t been impacted here – yet!

 Wes watching the cricket with Lewis (foreground) & Morse

It was another hot day with awful winds, so we spent much of it indoors. I had lots of chores that can be done to the accompaniement of the Test cricket & it was wonderful to see Marnus Labuschagne reach his first double century at the SCG. He is an amazing young talent & a delight to watch.

After a cool, damp walk this morning, we are about to head off to the Sunday Market, followed by breakfast at 9am @ The Food Gallery. Then Wes is going to Cricket Willow in Shepherd’s Flat to help out at their annual day of foot racing – Run for the Willow. The boys and I will watch the cricket on & off and enjoy the last of the holidays before appointments & commitments return to the calendar.