Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 28th June 2026

 
Poor Snoopy - doesn't like change

Last Sunday was a very quiet day for all of us. I was tired from my trip to the footy and back, and after doing the washing, found myself in bed. Wes had been busy doing all the things we both do, so he had a quiet afternoon as well, reading & watching footy. 

Gerard Lazzaro's wonderful mother, Carmel, has died, and her funeral is next Wednesday. We were due to go to Chadstone Shopping Centre with Kathy & Ged the next day to see Rone's latest exhibition Home, and decided none of us would be up to that, so we have deferred it until 9th July. This took some doing, and cancelling our earlier tickets wasn't easy, but it all eventually fell into place. 

On Monday, after shopping at Coles, and a trip to the pharmacy, I headed next door to give James another lesson in Mah Jong. We started by playing a couple of hands that we had practised the previous Monday, then added 3 more, which gives him a repertoire of 7. He's not available for the next couple of weeks, so his next lesson will be on 8th July at Muffins & More, playing with me & Judi. 

Meanwhile, Wes vacuumed and washed our car, Snoopy, and then filled two green bins with rose clippings. Morse slept through all of this activity, but woke with a vengeance when Paul, Glen's mowing man, started up his mower. Paul loves labs, but likes to tease Morse by moving rapidly from one part of the garden to another, and Morse races up and down the fence trying to keep up with him. Eventually I bring Morse inside and keep him there so the mowing gets done!

We lost another Daylesford friend last week. We were very sorry to read that Vera Killingback had died in Geelong. She and George were two of our earliest Daylesford friends, and she taught me (& others) how to use an abacus - I had owned one for years, but didn't know how to use it, and was very grateful. 

My favourite photo of George & Vera - a marriage made in heaven!

During the week I Zoomed with Leanne, and caught up with Old Friends, as well as having a cuppa with our neighbour, Glen. Wes also had a quiet time with chats with Barbara; with his cousin, Amanda; our friend, Helen, and with the Jackson Group. 

Before playing Mah Jong with Judi, I had a haircut at Hair & Beauty Salon in The Rex, which was marred by an asthmatic reaction to the essential oil blend that was wafting through the room. I have trouble with a lot of perfumes these days, especially those with artificial scent. Judi & I had a good morning, although Muffins & More was quite noisy with lots of locals. We both tried new games and were thrilled to go Mah Jong or get close. 

Three Great Scholars - a lovely hand I haven't achieved before

It was warm enough on Wednesday to join the boys on their early cemetery walk, and we all enjoyed being together again albeit in the dark. I suffered no ill effects, so continued to join them - it's an excellent chance for Wes & I to share stories or news and starts the day off just right.

On Friday, I had a lovely breakfast catch up with Fiona Groundwater at The Convent. Fiona's parents, David & Annie, were our best friends in Daylesford in the early days, and we were delighted when Fiona & her husband, Les, decided to make their home here in 2022. 

Annie, Fiona & Karen at the Mollongghip Open Gardens 2019

Yesterday we read that Craig Ritchie, partner of artist, Perry Snodgrass, had died. They used to live here and we own one of Perry's distinctive paintings. Craig was a big help to me in the early days of Hepburn Shire U3A, when I was looking for computer programmes suitable for membership details. I particularly remember one visit he paid me when we were living across the road at #77 and his battery went flat. He asked me to start him with our jump leads and I opened the bonnet of my little black Mazda MX5 only to discover there was no battery. We eventually found it in the boot!

Collingwood played Richmond in the late afternoon, so Wes & Morse took me to Ballan Station to catch the train to Melbourne. I arrived in plenty of time, checked into The Windsor, donned my warm gear & walked over to the MCG. For once, the weather in Melbourne was colder than Daylesford by a couple of degrees. The Pies had a win against a very gallant Tigers team, which is still decimated by injuries. Earlier the Blues recorded their sixth win in a row, easily beating the West Coast Eagles. 

When I arrived back at The Windsor, it was dinner time, so I ordered prawn cutlets with salad and a glass of Riesling, while I watched the start of the 60th Showdown at the Adelaide Oval, where Port proved too good for Adelaide in a sold-out and skilful match.