Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 26th June 2022

 
Another vintage Peanuts cartoon - love it!

We started our week quietly with a lovely frosty walk on Sunday, followed by a trip to the Sunday Market, where Ken had sliced a pear and made a face of the slices with shredded cabbage for hair! Morse gobbled the pear taking no notice of the artwork I'm afraid. Our friend, Robyn, came over to say hello, and he greeted her warmly, which was wonderful - no barking or growling or shivering to be seen. We then drove to Leitches Creek to pump my favourite mineral water and let him be with us. He could hear & smell all sorts of animals, but didn't react badly to any of them. 

On Monday, we had a rare disaster with School. I had found a recent American interview on YouTube with Peter Robinson, author of the DCI Banks books. (Stephen Tomkinson played the title role in the BBC series). We sat down to watch it & discovered there was no video, just audio & after 5 minutes of ads, we turned it off. The next one we found was another American interview, with vision, but with an overwhelming interviewer with a bad cold. We finally watched about 20 minutes of an excruciating English interview, where the male interviewer had not learnt the art of asking questions - to elicit answers other than Yes or No, you have to ask questions starting with How, When, Why, Where or What? 

Finally, we watched a very short video, where Peter talked about DCI Banks, the character. Unlike both Donna Leon, who takes inspiration from people, places & events; and Ann Cleeves, who lets her vast knowledge & incredible empathy guide her, Peter Robinson relies on his imagination. Like the other two authors, he doesn't always know what is going to happen & the plot isn't fully formed when he starts writing his books. Peter is a dour Yorkshire man, who has spent most of his life in Canada & is very comfortable with Zoom. He returns to England most years to check that his facts about the area remain correct. 

On Tuesday I had three Zooms in the morning, starting with Jeff (my aunt in Lincolnshire); followed by Leanne (my sister in Strathmore, Vic) and finishing with Jan (Daylesford friend now living in Maleny, Qld). Zoom is such a brilliant way of staying in touch & the participants can tell how the others are just by looking at them. These three were in good spirits and both Leanne & Jan enjoyed seeing Morse asleep in his bed, covered by his yellow blankie. 

When I arrived home from shopping on Monday, I presented Wes with a brace of freshly caught whole rainbow trout from the Goulbourn River, which I couldn't resist buying. He promptly rearranged his plans for the night & cooked them perfectly with a gentle topping of vegetables. Very yum indeed! He followed that up the next night with a Sri Lanka tuna steak curry, which was perfect. Two items we have collected from Coles when we had the FlyBuys points to qualify for them have proved invaluable - a 3l cast iron casserole & a small chopper/blender make many meals easier - curries, soups & stewed fruit so far.

On Wednesday, the community group, Hepburn Matters, (previously Rethink the Rex,) held a free evening at the Daylesford Town Hall, where a local drama group, Lab Kelpie, put on a one man play, A Prudent Man, before an appreciative audience of 120+. Wes spoke at the conclusion & invited everyone to stay around for scones, jam & cream & hot drinks. Anyone interested in getting involved in the group and/or wanting to donate funds was able to do so. Only two of our local Councillors attended, which is a shame, as this community group is very keen to overturn Council's decision to wipe its hands of the Rex Theatre's makeover into at least a community theatre, library & public toilet space. 

Inside our beautiful Town Hall before the doors opened

I'm continuing my twice weekly exercise classes (SIS) run by Springs Medical Centre & have brought home a ribbon to use with the exercise cards. My big problem here is finding a door handle suitable for slinging the ribbon - we have so many sliding doors & handles that open downwards, I may have to resort to the legs of our old kitchen table, which I sit at to use my desktop & our printer.

This weekend Rob & Dene moved out - removalists took almost everything on Friday to go into storage. Yesterday was spent cleaning up, and they will be back today to collect the last items that didn't fit in their cars. We invited them & our other neighbour, Glen, in for morning tea, which was wonderful - we all enjoyed each other's company, especially Morse who was made a fuss of by everyone. We can only hope they find what they are looking for & that it is within visiting distance! 

I was about to take this latest knitting to the Community Op Shop, but Glen let me know it was closed yesterday due to staff sickness - I'll take them & Di's jumpers & matinee jackets on Wednesday

Wes caught the train to the footy yesterday after our morning tea. He was looking forward to catching up with Ben, Jack & Olivia Lazzaro & Ben's best friend, Alex Henderson. He wasn't confident about Carlton's chances against Fremantle with all their injuries. However, after a slow start, the Blues were far too good for the Dockers & he arrived home very happy after a lovely day spent with very good company. 

It's raining again this morning, too wet for me to walk, but Wes has taken Morse for a lap of Lake Daylesford. We'll visit the Sunday Market, but then spent the rest of the day here, possibly in front of an open fire, watching Collingwood play GWS & hoping for a win for the Pies. Our most famous recent recruit, Mason Cox, from Texas, became an Australian citizen this week. The ceremony was conducted at the MCG & Mason's parents were out from Texas to witness it. As well as an amazing recruit to Aussie Rules, Mason is a very classy, intelligent & interesting person, who will be a wonderful resident of Melbourne.

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 19th June 2022

 

Another of my favourite Snoopy cartoons - I'm sure Morse would be in total agreement & his coat would stay dry!

We had a wonderful Anniversary celebration last Sunday. When we arrived home from the Market, Glen had left a card, a small bouquet from her garden & a bottle of Peter Rumball Sparkling Shiraz, which we will share with her one day soon. Wes put a post up on Facebook, which attracted over 100 comments from friends & family. Thank you all for those & the e-cards we received. Your thoughts are much appreciated. 

When we reached The Convent for our High Tea at Bad Habits Café, Tina, the owner, was there to greet us with a card from all the staff & a box of Turkish delights. The High Tea was sumptuous & we had to take a doggy bag home as we couldn't eat all the wondrous little cakes & macaroons after consuming hot & cold savoury treats, followed by scones, jam & cream.

Tina Banitska with us & our wonderful High Tea

We lit the fire when we arrived home & spent the rest of the morning & afternoon listening to the ABC Classic 100 Countdown of Music for the Screen. Wes was delighted to find all 10 of his choices in there, but I only had 7 of mine - the other three were in the range 101-150. We were both disappointed that Star Wars won - neither of us has seen any of that series of films & would have preferred either Lord of the Rings or our first choice, Chariots of Fire to have finished top. 

After missing School last week while I had my doctor's appointment, we were pleased to chat about our Calendars & look at planning future trips. So far, we have only pencilled in the Second Test against the West Indies in Adelaide from 8-12th December. We have decided to put Morse in kennels for a trial run & see how he survives later in the year, but before we go to Adelaide. 

The footy was amazing in the afternoon, after the wonderful Fight MND Slide 8 at the MCG. I hadn't expected the Pies to win & after a lacklustre half wasn't prepared for an amazing comeback & a good win at the end in front of another big crowd of 76,000+. Thanks for everyone who sent congratulatory & supportive texts & emails - once again - much appreciated. 

The siren has just blown!

On Tuesday we had a busy day - after shopping, I had a Zoom with Leanne & had planned another with Terry Borg, but builders arrived at her place, so we had to forgo that pleasure. We had invited Nick Massaro for morning tea & he came wearing suitable clothes & with treats for Morse, who was thrilled to see him again after a couple of years. After Nick's visit, I had exercise class & was very pleased to spend a quiet afternoon watching the replay of the footy. 

Lovely photo of my parents - Perc & Viva - with his wonderful tomato plants - taken 5 years before he died on 14th June 1982

Wes had a big day on Wednesday with a St Bernard's Old Boys' lunch in Carlton. He visited Leanne on his way bearing more latex pillows from Rob & Dene, then checked out our parents' graves at Fawkner Cemetery. Meanwhile I had a haircut, followed by a facial & am feeling so much better for both of these treatments!

I suspect someone buried a bone while we were both out!

On Thursday, Wes had 3 Zooms. He started with Paul Jackson at 7.15am, followed by an old school friend at lunchtime & another mid-afternoon. I had just the one - a most enjoyable chat with Kathy, Karen & Lib, where the time flew by. 

Finally, Cam the plumber from Castlemaine, was able to visit & fix our heating. He said it was in good nick, but that we should have it serviced every two years. The thermostat problem is a programming issue, which we have almost solved, and we have to get a new filter for the upstairs screen. Morse behaved well with only one bark at Cam before retiring to his downstairs bed.

That night, Richmond were too good for Carlton, which was disappointing, as the tables had been turned in the earlier match this year. I lasted until half-time, but Wes watched it all. 

On Friday I decided it would be best to have a day in bed, doing nothing, as I was totally out of energy. Wes was very kind & let me do just that - even ordered fish & chips for dinner, which is always a treat. I read, did crosswords & logic problems & played online Scrabble with Judi & Lyndall & felt much better when I woke yesterday morning. 

Our neighbours, Rob & Dene, had suggested we say goodbye to each other with lunch at Blackwood Ridge Garden Room Restaurant & they very kindly offered to drive us there as well. We four enjoyed a beautiful meal accompanied by a Tasmanian Sparkling Rosé & a Heathcote Syrah. Their nursery is closed at present for Winter, but the property was open as part of the Open Gardens Scheme, and it remains a beautiful setting for a daytime meal. 

Wes, Rob, Dene & Karen with our sweets

We arrived home to find Morse had been sleeping after demolishing a large dried bone. He didn't seem at all distressed & Glen next door reported no noise from our place while we were away. Needless to say, we spent the rest of the day & evening quietly, watching footy & thinking about the wonderful meal & good conversations we had shared.

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 12th June 2022

 
It's been that sort of weather so far this month!

We braved the local Market in spite of the rain last Sunday & were so pleased we did, as Yvonne was doing it tough, trying to keep everything, including her customers, dry. We bought up big & Morse had two encounters with dogs without getting distressed, which was wonderful. I cancelled plans to travel to the MCG for the footy, opting to watch it in the warmth of home instead. 

It was a weekend of upsets, including Sydney beating Melbourne, Freo overcoming Brisbane, and Collingwood hanging on to beat Hawthorn by 4 points in a thriller. Thanks to everyone who sent me messages & shared in the excitement.

On Monday, it was pouring rain, so Wes walked Morse on his own and they both came home looking like drowned rats, but pleased to have had the exercise. After shopping at Coles, I had an appointment with Dr Ellie, who told me that my lung function test showed no abnormalities. This means that we continue with the asthma regime we've been following - Seretide morning & night & Ventolin when needed, with Prednisolone (a corticosteroid) as a booster when it gets bad. Wonderful news indeed!

Later that morning, I was due for a massage with Sarah Hunt, who is looking after me very well. Even though I have issues occasionally, they are much less painful than in the past - even my neck is behaving better. Sarah is a lovely, empathetic therapist and I am thrilled to have her in my life. 

On Tuesday, we were all up early - Wes & Morse walked in the mist, while I chatted to Jeff in Lincolnshire & admired her red, white & blue patriotic fingernails. She had enjoyed a lovely visit from her daughter, Leigh, and son-in-law, Simon, since we last spoke & she had lots to tell me. We both agreed that seeing the Queen sitting at her table with Paddington Bear was one of the highlights of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

My next chat was with Leanne, who was still on a high after Collingwood's win. She chatted with Morse, who came over to sit on my lap twice while we were Zooming. 

Later that morning, our much-loved & missed cleaner, Sandra Frost, came for a visit to see the three of us. Since Sandra sliced off the top of her little finger using a wood-splitter earlier this year, she has been unable to work and confirmed with us that she needs a change of occupation. We are sorry to lose her, but appreciate her need for a new direction. Morse was delighted to see her, even more so when he received a red apple, and then was allowed to sit on the couch with Sandra.

On Wednesday, Sam Matheson & his father, Glenn, arrived early to cut back Rob & Dene's 2 big oak trees, which had branches that were too close to our home. They were very well organised & performed a difficult job safely. We now have much more light, which is a boon in Winter. It was my job to keep Morse out of their way - we headed off as soon as they arrived & delivered jars & Epicures to Nick & Robyn in Porcupine Ridge, by which time it was raining, so we came back home. Once the rain eased, we set off again for the Daylesford Cemetery & walked up & down most of the rows until our feet were wet through. Morse was so tired after this walk, he was happy to sleep, while Wes helped Glenn stack the wood. 

From the top - before the work started, lopping branches & the finished trees

Wes spent Thursday morning doing Irish Gardening - while misty rain fell, he did a huge amount of tidying up in the backyard. There is still heaps to be done as we seem to have tree branches everywhere we look, but he feels it is manageable & a good project. Meanwhile I chatted with Kathy & Karen before heading off to my exercise class. 

We expected the plumber to arrive on Friday to repair our ducted heating, but the one coming to Daylesford had sick kids & had to stay home, so we headed to Regent Cinemas, Ballarat, in pouring rain to see a film each. I spent a joyful, entertaining couple of hours immersed in the Downton Abbey film, while Wes watched Benediction, about the life of the poet, Siegfried Sassoon, which was brilliantly produced & acted, but wasn't a cheery subject matter! However, the footy that night was, when Carlton beat Essendon at the MCG on the night that the Bombers celebrated their 150th Anniversary.

Yesterday, we drove to Strathmore to spend a lovely morning with Leanne. I wanted to help her with her insurances, plus I had a couple of latex pillows from Rob & Dene, which delighted her, as she can't afford to buy them new herself. Wes helped fill her recycling bin, but most of the time we chatted & caught up on news. 

Today is our 52nd Wedding Anniversary, and we are celebrating with High Tea at The Convent later this morning. We'll take Morse to the Sunday Market, and he will be fine on his own for a couple of hours, after coping well with two mornings on his own, with bones to occupy him, and Rob, Dene & Glen keeping an ear out for him. 

Us - 10 years ago in Tivoli, Italy

Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 5th June 2022

 

We started our week with our usual trip to the Sunday Market and Wes walked Morse through the stalls to Jeff the Dog Treat man, with only one other dog to cope with, which was done successfully & rewarded with a treat. I had been due to go to the MCG for the Collingwood vs Carlton game that afternoon, but I was still feeling tired & not up to the train trips & crowd, so stayed home & made vegetarian minestrone soup for our dinner instead. 

It was a stunningly good game with a great atmosphere (80,000+) & the Pies were very lucky to survive a last-minute assault by the Blues & win by 4 points. Wes & I watched from separate rooms, and when the game was over, he emerged & congratulated me by producing the Maloney Cup. He was delighted with the fightback his team had shown.

Me with Morse & the Maloney Cup

It's been a busy week for all sorts of things:

• Zoom chats - me with Leanne twice, with Terry Borg & with old friends, Kathy, Lib & Karen. Wes spoke with Barbara twice, as well as Jenny Beacham, and persuaded the Rethink the Rex committee to meet by Zoom as it was so very cold. 

• We spent School watching an interview at the Edinburgh Book Festival with the amazing, intelligent & caring author, Ann Cleeves, talking about her newest character, Matthew Venn, and his first book, The Long Call. Here is the link if you are interested:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw3YyuyHIJ0

• We had snow for the first time this year on the last day of Autumn. There wasn't enough to settle on the ground, but the flurries were beautiful & places like Bullarto & Trentham got enough for a carpet. 

• Later that afternoon, our gas ducted heating system stopped working, leaving us freezing. We tried everything we could think of, eventually turned off the system & lit the fire instead. As we were going to bed, Wes turned it on again & it fired up. We have the name of a firm in Castlemaine who can service this system, which we will get done this week. I guess after 18 years, it is entitled to have a hiccup. 

• We had organised to replace the old Mystar box in our lounge with a new free IQ4 box, which Telstra sent quickly, assuring us that we would be able to install it. We managed everything except "free to air channels" as we couldn't connect the aerial. I enlisted the aid of Paris at Daylesford Mitre 10 & she showed me how to do it successfully. We have immediately started watching the Shetland series from the beginning & will move on to Endeavour and Vera and I may catch up on Call the Midwife. As well, we can watch footy replays of any game at any time, which is a huge bonus.

Morse getting very comfy with a friend & a rug

• I had enrolled in an 8-week fitness programme, Spring in your Step, through the Springs Medical Centre & this was the week to start. I went for an assessment on Wednesday & had my first class on Thursday. I have missed Barry's gym, which closed during COVID, as I was used to exercising twice a week, as well as daily dog walks. The idea behind this programme is to get the participants fit & able to manage with exercise regimes that can be done at home. It was good to get back to a structured class & I knew at least one of the other participants, Liz, who used to go to Barry's gym too. 

• Meanwhile, Wes drove to Castlemaine to attend Fay Hungerford's funeral. John & Fay have been long-time friends, and we often chatted with them both at the Food Gallery. They ran Newlyn Antiques, as well as a nursery. Fay had been unwell for some time & died peacefully last month. John promptly caught COVID & the funeral had to be postponed. 

• Yesterday we had an early breakfast at Cliffy's in Brigadoon weather. There was misty rain when we woke, too much to risk walking in, so we gave Morse breakfast instead & a bone when we went out. We haven't been able to find the bone since, so perhaps it has been buried too! Our breakfast was lovely - Laksa eggs for me & porridge for Wes - both looking & tasting wonderful. As we were leaving, the tables were filling up with groups of women having a Girls' Weekend & not too sure that our weather was what they had in mind!

• Rob & Dene came in for a visit, armed with Smackos, which thrilled Morse to bits, as well as the cuddles & pats. They will be putting everything in storage on 24th June, which isn't long - we are going to miss them both and hope that our new neighbours will be even half as good. 

I found this wonderful photo of Perc, my dear father, with our nieces, Jessie & Michelle, taken on Christmas Day 1980 - he just loved being a grandfather