Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 17th November 2024

 

We started our week with our usual visit to the Daylesford Market, where Morse was given pears by Yvonne & Ken, and a treat from Jeff. There were no other dogs in sight, and everyone he met wanted to pat him, absolutely the perfect morning. It was another beautiful day, which gave Wes a chance to spend more time in the front garden, and I achieved a few things inside. 

On Monday, Wes took me shopping at Coles, and we also visited Tonna's & the pharmacy. While I recovered from that exertion, he got cracking in the back garden, where the roses are finally fully in bloom, and everywhere we look is a blaze of colour. Not quite as good as the 16,500 rose bushes at Flemington Racecourse, but probably the best our 125 bushes have ever looked. 

Ashram in its full glory

We are still both recovering from the shock of Donald Trump's easy election win, and worried about the effect it will have on Australia. Because we have compulsory voting, and are grateful to be able to have a say in the running of our country, we find it hard to understand that only 57% of the population voted. If ever there was a time to choose a female President, this was it, so it may be quite a few years before another female is brave enough, and has enough support, to stand. 

Our water seepage problem continues even after all that has been done. Wes let the insurance company know and eventually they came to the party and agreed to send the Water Leak Detector, Paul, out again in case there are leaks elsewhere, apart from the two he found, which Gary the plumber repaired promptly. Wes also advised Central Highlands Water in case the leak is not on our property.

On Tuesday morning, I was pleased to be able to Zoom with Jeff in Lincolnshire and later, Leanne in Strathmore, an improvement on the previous cataract operation, when I wasn't able to make these calls. It was lovely to catch up with them, and I was pleased to see them both looking well. That afternoon an insurance assessor arrived and agreed that we probably have a leak under the concrete driveway. 

We finally got some rain on Wednesday, but not before Wes & Morse had a good early morning walk. Wes very kindly drove me to a fringe trim appointment, then to the PO and Tonna's before we all came back here and Morse & I got out of his way while he vacuumed and washed the floors. In the afternoon we drove to Ballarat for my check-up appointment with the eye specialist. Dr David was thrilled with how both eyes were going, and I don't need to see him again, just go back to Sarah, my optician, and get new reading glasses when we return from Adelaide.

On Thursday morning, Wes had a very lengthy Zoom with the Jackson Group, discussing the result of the US Election. This was led by the Americans in the group, each giving their thoughts on what it means for America and the rest of the world. Meanwhile, I was in the Guest Room, chatting with Kathy, Karen S & Joyce, and we enjoyed some fun & laughter, as well as admiring Joyce's latest cross-stitch project. 

We had a lunch date with Bob White on Friday at the Pig & Whistle Hotel in East Trentham, so picked him up from Trentham on our way there. I hadn't been there for many years and was keen to visit after Wes waxed lyrical after his most recent lunch there. We three all enjoyed our meals, the Barossa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and the friendly greetings from the staff. There were plenty of people eating outside, others in the bistro, and some, like us, in the bar, where there was a fire going for anyone feeling cold. Thanks Bob for a lovely time together - we've been friends for over 40 years, and have shared much over that time.

About to tuck into our meals - me with barbecued calamari on a bed of rocket; Bob chose Sri Lankan chicken curry, and Wes had sticky ribs with onion rings & mash

Yesterday was hot, so we got going early. Wes & Morse went to the Daylesford Cemetery, where a record 9 bunnies were waiting on the outskirts to play chasey with Morse. Then they drove to Ballan to give Rob & Dene's place a good watering, before coming home via Daylesford Hardware. Meanwhile, I made the Christmas Pudding, as I had a completely free day to hang around watching it simmer gently for 6 hours! 

We managed to stay cool in spite of 33℃ and finished the day with fish & chips, much to Morse's delight. Wes always buys too many chips, so Morse gets a handful with his next few meals. We watched Australia win the second T20 game against Pakistan, as well as the AFLW semis, where Adelaide easily beat Fremantle, and Port came from behind in the last quarter to pip Hawthorn by a point. The Preliminary Finals will be exciting next weekend - Adelaide face Brisbane, and Port will try to beat North Melbourne. 

Today is Wes's birthday. He had hoped we could see a film at Ballarat, but nothing appeals this morning. He & Morse are off at the cemetery hoping for lots of bunnies again, before we head to the Daylesford Market. 

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 10th November 2024

 
Fancy asking Snoopy to mind biscuits!

We started this week very quietly with a quick visit to the Daylesford Market, and then very little else as we were both tired after our busy week. Morse gets very down once we come back from the Market, as all the excitement is over for another week. 

On Monday, after shopping, we were due for a cleaning frenzy, and it was the turn of the laundry/dog room & hallways. Wes climbed the ladder to get to the top of the laundry appliances & cupboards, while I scoured doors and skirting boards. When we were finished he washed those floors and we were very proud of our efforts. 

Later that morning, we enjoyed a Zoom catch up with Mike & Linda Kirby on the Gold Coast and talked seriously about the changes to all our lives, before finishing on a fun note with Melbourne Cup chatter. In the afternoon, Australia hosted Pakistan in the 1st One Day International at the MCG. Both sides showed some moments of brilliance, but the Aussies prevailed thanks to a sensible innings from Pat Cummins, when our middle order was floundering. 

Beautiful Ashram in bloom

It was a perfect day for the Melbourne Cup - warm, cloudless and windless and a bumper crowd turned up. We always get nostalgic for those many Cup Carnivals we attended over many years, usually with good friends, and usually great fun. Although we didn't have a single collect, we enjoyed watching the races and were especially thrilled when Robbie Nolan piloted Knight's Choice (which paid $63.50 for the win) to the front in a stunning display of riding. Morse turned 6 and we celebrated by singing Happy Birthday & giving him biscuits with Vegemite, which he loves. 

On Wednesday I was booked for my second cataract operation, and I was less uptight than the first as I knew what to expect. We arrived at 9.15am & I was seen half an hour later, which was better than the first operation, where I waited 75 minutes to be called. Everything went smoothly and we were back home by midday. I went straight to bed as I was quite wobbly. There's something about wearing a concave rigid plastic eye cover, which has been plastered onto your face, which make you just a little uncertain of your balance. In fact, I poured my first cup of tea onto the tray, missing the cup completely! 

Peace rose enjoying the sunshine in the front garden

As anyone who has been through this knows, trying to sleep with this eye protector is almost impossible, and it is a great relief to remove it the next morning & get started on the eye drops - one drop 4 times a day for the next 4 weeks. As you are required to lie quietly for 5 minutes each time, that means 9 hours & 20 minutes out of the month, but it is worth it in the end to have better sight - distance in my case. I will still need reading glasses, but can't get them for six weeks, after we return from Adelaide.

This lilac rhododendron is the only one we have and it is always late flowering, but worth the wait. 

Thank God for Oaks Day and a wonderful distraction. We ended up even with our betting, and enjoyed watching the beautiful horses, roses and the fashions, which were much dressier and less gimmicky than in previous years. I spent Friday in bed, after doing too much the day before. It was cold & wet in the morning, so that was the best place to be, and I could watch the Pakistan team play brilliantly to beat us in the second One-Day International at Adelaide Oval. Today's third & deciding game will be very interesting as half our team will be missing as they prepare for the Test series against India. 

Yesterday I spent the morning up, picked some roses, stewed pears & rhubarb, and did a load of washing, before retreating to bed and the final day of the Cup Carnival - Champions Stakes Day. Wes worked hard in the front garden, trimming, weeding, watering etc, before joining me to watch the main races. What a delight to see Via Sistina salute easily again, as well as Sunshine in Paris & Mr Brightside score stirring wins. I think this has been the best Cup Carnival in years, with such wonderful horses providing great racing. 

Munstead Wood, Beautiful Girl & Guy Savoy

Daylesford Spring Dispatch - Sunday, 3rd November 2024

 
I'm sure Sally is not on her own

We started our week quietly after the early morning Sunday walk & visit to the Market. We were all feeling tired for one reason or another, but perked up when the Collingwood & Carlton AFLW teams played at Victoria Park for the very first time that afternoon. In the previous 8 seasons, we have always played at Carlton's home ground, Princes Park, and I was hopeful that the Pies would play better at Vic Park. They did, but not well enough, so Wes is now the proud possessor of the Maloney Cup.

On Monday, after shopping, putting out bins and eating apple scrolls, we tackled School, which we had dedicated to looking at our Christmas card list, and making sure we had up to date addresses, both actual & email. It's amazing how many changes occur in a year.

Our first little vase of roses - Freesia, Pumpkin Patch, Ashram, Perfumed Pink & Julia's Rose

Wes did some mowing out the front and then watering, as we haven't had rain for some days. While he was near the tap, he noticed another leak, much to our dismay. Gary, the plumber, was horrified and turned up at lunchtime to repair it. No wonder the water was still seeping steadily under the house!

On Tuesday morning, we turned the water off for 30 minutes to check if the water meter had moved, and it hadn't, so hopefully that is the end of the leaks and under the house can start to dry out soon. We both had early Zooms - Wes speaking with Paul & Graham, while I caught up with my aunt, Jeff, as it was a month since we had chatted. We covered a wonderful variety of topics and our time went by too quickly. Then I had my regular weekly Zoom with Leanne, who was in good spirits, looking forward to a visit from her support worker, Bec.

Wes spent the rest of the morning doing wonders in the back garden, which is a Spring delight at present. We can't wait for all the roses to open, but the lavender is in bloom, the seaside daisies are going mad, and there are corners of colour everywhere you look.

Glimpses of yellow roses and daisies down the bottom of the garden

As usual on Wednesdays, while Judi & I played Mah Jong at Muffins & More, Wes vacuumed and washed the floors. It was a beautiful day, so they dried quickly. Our neighbour, Glen, had been away for a few days, so I picked a lovely jug of flowers from her garden to greet her when she arrived home that afternoon.

It was a cooler day on Thursday, but that didn't stop the birds from flocking to our backyard in anticipation of a feed. There are two very brave magpies that come right up to the study door, and one in particular, is almost ready to eat from my hand. I can't wait for that to happen. Terry Borg & I had a lovely Zoom@8am and I caught up on all her news from her trip to Chang Mai to celebrate her daughter, Laura's, 50th birthday, with lots of family & friends.

Golden Beauty coming into bloom

Then it was time to Zoom with Old Friends, two of whom have lost family members in the past week. We were very sad to learn of the deaths from cancer of Ken Lowery, brother of Karen Stevenson, who we have known since he was a teenager; and John Spiteri, brother of Manny. We didn't know John well, but had met him at various family functions over the years. Joyce wasn't able to Zoom, but Karen was keen to catch up with us all, and we (Kathy, Lib & me) wanted to express our sympathy.

Morse had a lovely time chasing bunnies in the Daylesford Cemetery on Friday morning, before being bathed. We gave him a big bone and set off for Ballarat to see the film, Lee, which had received rave reviews. What a stunning film, and great performance by Kate Winslet. We recommend this film very highly - it gives a different view of war from the point of view of the American female photographer, Lee Miller, and uses a very clever artifice to tell her story. 

Yesterday we drove to Strathmore to visit Leanne as it was a month since we had last seen her. Wes spent most of the time in the garden, watering, weeding & fixing up stakes, while Leanne and I tackled some indoor issues. We were tired by the time we arrived back here and spent the rest of the afternoon watching Derby Day races from Flemington, where Jamie Kah rode Goldrush Guru to victory in her first Derby win after suffering a broken nose in the barrier stalls before an earlier race.