Daylesford Winter Dispatch - Sunday, 23rd August 2026

Not an auspicious start!

I spent last Sunday glued to the cricket - catching up on footy games & minis during the breaks. Cameron Green scored a gritty 104 to help Australia to a 56 run lead, which the Bangladeshis reached with the loss of 1 wicket. Such a stunning coup for that team. 

In the afternoon, Carlton & the Western Bulldogs played a nerve-wracking draw, which was a win/win, as both teams have now qualified for the Wildcard round being played between 7th & 10th on the ladder.

It was a lovely dry morning on Monday, so I joined the boys for the walk around Daylesford Cemetery before doing the weekly supermarket shop and bringing home Feta & Spinach Danish for breakfast. Then back into Vincent Street for the pharmacy and various other chores. Wes spent the time in the back garden, trimming & weeding. Everywhere is looking very colourful with camellias about to flower & daffodils opening their happy faces.

We celebrated 28 years since we bought Holly Cottage in Daylesford - a purchase that changed our lives as you know. We are so pleased it did - we've met so many interesting friends to add to the wonderful groups we had in Melbourne. And our quality of life has been excellent with cleaner air and excellent medical care. 

Beautiful sunrise over Lake Daylesford

Tuesday was dry, so after the walk, I Zoomed with my sister, Leanne, who was in good spirits, before driving to Hepburn for a manicure with our friend, Juls. When I came home, Wes had cleaned the main decking, including the windows, which was a big job. The sun was shining & everywhere dried nicely. 

Of course the rain came down in buckets on Wednesday. Judi drove through it from Ballarat to play Mah Jong, and there were very few of us in Muffins & More because of the weather. Wes vacuumed the floors, before going to Springs Medical for a follow up heart test - can't believe it is 12 months since his last one. Later he chatted with his sister, Denise, catching up on her news.

On Thursday it was still too wet underfoot to walk, but Morse was happy with his early breakfast, before Wes participated in a serious Jackson Group discussion of Iran & Ukraine. I caught up with Old Friends - Kathy & Karen - Joyce was helping her daughter, Jessica, take her 6 year old twins to see the school they will be attending next year. 

We are all shocked with the revelations that five Sydney Swans players had been out drinking until 2am after playing Essendon on Sunday night. The sexual assault complaint from one of the women they were with in one of their hotel rooms is very serious, as is the presence of cocaine. Sydney has reacted promptly in banning them for the rest of the season.

Wes & Morse braved the light rain on Friday morning and were rewarded with the sight of a bunny! Meanwhile I did a few chores and prepared for my next trip to Melbourne to see Collingwood play Brisbane at the MCG. I caught the Bendigo train at Woodend, and checked into The Windsor for a couple of hours rest before walking to the MCG. David Lazzaro & I met up for a lovely long chat in The Stumps Tavern before the game. This turned out to be the highlight of the night as the Lions were far too good for the Pies and won easily.

Colourful garden bed in the Fitzroy Gardens

Yesterday, Wes picked me up at Strathmore Station and we had a good visit with Leanne. She needed help with a few things, but we also shared news and amusing Morse stories, which is the way to her heart. We arrived back home in time to see Carlton have an unexpected huge win over ladder leaders, Freo, at the Docklands. This morning we discovered that the results of the night games mean Carlton will play Melbourne at the MCG, and Collingwood will play the Western Bulldogs, also at the MCG next weekend.