Daylesford Summer Dispatch - 2nd February 2025

 
Love it!

After the Daylesford Market last Sunday, we drove to Ballarat and joined a queue to buy tickets for early films at the cinema. There were only 5 of us watching Conclave, but we were in a large, uncomfortable theatre that is probably next in line to be refreshed! After watching interminable ads & improbable shorts, we were finally rewarded with the film we had come to see. It started very well, and I thought I was going to enjoy it, but it stretched the imagination too far and the ending was implausible. Wes & I wondered how many Catholics had been consulted for the script, and suspected not too many as some scenarios were quite unbelievable. Even Ralph Fiennes in his role as Dean was unable to make the film work.

On Monday, after I did the shopping at a very quiet Coles store, we went to Cliffy's Emporium for breakfast. We haven't been there for a while, and really enjoyed being back. Wes tackled the chilli eggs and I got stuck into the Turkish eggs. Both dishes were sublime. The menu is small, but everything is done well. We were greeted and farewelled by name, which really does make you feel like coming back!

That afternoon, Wes planted our two new hydrangeas, and moved two of our roses out of pots and into the garden. He did some pruning & tidying until it got too hot to be outside. We were very pleased to wake to a much cooler day on Tuesday. While I did chores, Wes went back to watering and it looks as though all the transplants have gone well. 

On Wednesday, we drove to The Windsor, via Jimmy Watson's, where we caught up with friends, Joan & Rod McDonald, who we met via Paul & Pauline Jackson back in 2010, when they all came to Daylesford. So many friends have had to be patient with us, as I wasn't well enough to honour some of the meetings we had arranged last year. We were greeted very warmly by Nigel Watson, who remembered us both and looked after the four of us very well. Alan Watson even came over to say hello. I think he and Wes really enjoyed their relationship when we insured their business all those years ago. 

Karen, Rod, Joan & Wes 

Wes dropped me off at The Windsor, where I found myself in a modern room, with a view of Spring Street, and confusing light switches! It is very comfortable and I have particularly enjoyed the stand-alone shower, instead of over the bath. 

Bed, bath & vanity - all very modern indeed!

Kathy Lazzaro joined me for breakfast the next morning and we had a lovely catch up sitting in "the naughty corner" as our maître d' called it. Afterwards, Kathy went off shopping and I walked to the Kino, where I saw the delightful film Paddington in Peru which stars a host of wonderful English actors. Then it was time to walk to the MCG for the historic first Pink Ball Test ever at the ground, featuring Australia & England women playing an Ashes Test, the first in over 75 years here. 

I had a great seat in the back row of the 50-year Members Bay on Level 2. During the match I caught up with my friend, Brendan, and met his wife, Margaret, for the first time. I also spotted Liz Davey, best friend of Terry Borg, and introduced her to Brendan, as she is a fully-fledged guide, while he is waiting to be asked to run a tour on his own. It was quite emotional being at the ground for this wonderful Test and many of the members sitting around me felt the same way. Australia was on top and bowled the Poms out for 170, before we were 1/56 at stumps. I watched the last session back here at The Windsor, as I suddenly ran out of puff just before the Dinner Break at 7pm.

A cool corner in the Fitzroy Gardens on the way to or from the MCG

The next morning, after breakfast, I headed to David Jones Department store, where I was fortunate enough to find Marie, in Sportscraft, who was on my wavelength and found me two pairs of comfortable lightweight pants & a jacket. After that happy experience I went to JB Hi-Fi, where a helpful young man sold me a pocket-size trannie to replace the Sony Walkman which is wearing out. Flushed with success, I came back to my room to rest and read The Age before heading out to the G for Day 2. 

Brendan, Margaret & I sat together in the back row of our favourite bay with the best view down the pitch. It was wonderful to see Annabel Sutherland make the first Test century by a female on the MCG, while the Poms couldn't get us all out. Once again I left early and watched the last session on TV. 

Splashes of red salvia in the Fitzroy Gardens

Yesterday, after breakfast, I went for a stroll again and bought a lightweight cricket cap from Paddy Palin. I spent the rest of the morning resting in preparation for Day 3 and the probability that the game would finish last night, which it did. After catching up with Gayle Gibson in the Long Room, I sat with Brendan & Margaret again as we watched Beth Mooney make a century, and then Alana King take 5 wickets - both women are now on the dressing room honour boards as well. 

At the same time as we were watching Australian women win by an innings & 122 runs, over in Galle in Sri Lanka, Australian men beat Sri Lanka by an innings & 242 runs. Both results were amazing & unexpectedly good, especially the women who won every match in their first ever Ashes clean sweep.