Daylesford Autumn Dispatch - Sunday, 11th April 2021

 

Dear Friends, we had a wonderful Easter Sunday & hope you did too. It was the most perfect day here in Daylesford & the Sunday Market was buzzing early. We got our fruit & vegetables from Yvonne, then took the boys home & drove back to the Woodshed Café for breakfast with Judi, Rhonda & Glenda. We were all thrilled to see Glenda & spent lots of time sharing memories of her husband, Joe, who recently died. 

Afterwards, Wes & I drove to Castlemaine to the monthly Farmers' Market there, but came home empty-handed. We were hoping to find some spelt bread for our neighbour, Glen, but were out of luck. Quite a few of the stall-holders were known to us & some had been at Woodend the day before. It's a hard job - you grow or create all week & spend the weekend selling it or trying to!

After watching Carlton have an unexpectedly good win over Freo, we had fish & chips with Peter Rumball sparkling red that night for dinner - perfect end to a lovely Easter Sunday. 

Chilli prawns with Lake House garlic aioli on our decking

We continued our Easter theme of something special every day & on Monday afternoon at half-time in the footy, we took the boys to the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens for a walk around, hoping most of the visitors would be gone, and they were. Wes baked a whole trout & served it with Dutch Cream potatoes (what else?) before we attacked our Easter chocolates - thanks to Judi & Rhonda. 

On Tuesday, after I had a lovely Zoom chat with Leanne, followed by another good catch-up with Terry Borg, we took the boys with us to Ballarat as Wes had been given a Gift Voucher that was supposed to work at Bunnings and didn't - however it was recognised by Dan Murphy's so we stocked up on spirits. 

Wes has continued his painting & has now finished the downstairs doors & windows on the two sides of our home that abound in them. We can't believe what a difference the coats of paint have made. I think that happens when you move into a new home (as we did, after previously living in pre-loved ones) - you expect everything to stay new-looking forever & it doesn't. Quite a few of his clothes are now definitely "painting gear", so he might need to brighten up his wardrobe sometime soon as well. 

At Mah Jong, we had fun, but not many games were won - we all seemed to be going for the same tiles & so we had to play a few Goulashes, where you can include blanks. Judi is starting to wipe the floor with Dot & I and any minute now will find herself not allowed to play the easy hands any more.

On Friday afternoon, Rob & Dene came in for a drink & nibbles & catch up, mostly so we could hear about their very recent trip to Tasmania, which they enjoyed. We had been to most of the places they visited & could picture where they had been with ease. In no time at all, a bottle of champagne & another of sparkling shiraz were demolished & it was time for dinner. 

Rob & Dene at Wineglass Bay

Yesterday afternoon was the celebration of Joe Rozen's life. Wes had been invited to speak & was one of ten, after Glenda & Joe's two sons had spoken. His topic was our time with Joe at the Information Centre (Joe & I worked together there on Monday mornings for over 10 years & Wes joined us for 7 of those years). Wes also reminded us of Joe's ability to sell raffle tickets to anyone & everyone & his wonderful way of making people feel special when he could find something in common with them (e.g. where they lived, what they did, where they came from). He finished his short speech with a rousing rendition of Carlton's theme song, We Are the Navy Blues, which was sung with great gusto by most of the guests. 

This photo was taken on our decking back in November 2010 when Paul & Pauline Jackson visited Daylesford

L-R Anna Szwed, Joe Rozen, Warren & Karen, Paul & Pauline

It was my first experience of a large group since COVID hit and I was comfortable while we were all sitting, but not keen to be mingling afterwards, so we left as soon as everyone got up. Joe's wife, Glenda, and his family, must have been delighted with the strong attendance & wonderful words spoken about an unforgettable character. I know we feel very privileged to have known him & to have been invited to his wake. 

We arrived home to find sticky buns waiting at our front door - a gift of Rob & Dene - and promptly demolished them with cups of tea, while we watched the Collingwood AFLW lose their Preliminary Final to Brisbane in a nail-biter at the Gabba. Next match was St Kilda, who after an indifferent start, overcame the West Coast Eagles and then I went off to bed to watch Collingwood be very lacklustre against GWS & lose by 5 goals. Meanwhile, Wes & the boys got Carlton over the line against a depleted, but spirited Gold Coast Suns.