Taking a break

I am stepping away from the internet for a few days.

I won't be blogging or reading them but I still loves ya.

I'll be back after my few days in Melbourne. 

Quiet

It has been a quiet few days and I am not complaining.

I had my hair cut with a new stylist on Friday. I am happy with what she did so we will see how things go.

The roof tin has been delivered and that should go up tomorrow all things going well. There is a slight issue with the scaffolding which could delay it from an OH&S perspective. There was a time when you only needed scaffolding for two storeys or higher but now all roofs must be scaffolded before installation. 

MW is still sitting outside her house and taking photos of Himself when he walks the dogs. Not my business. As long as she keeps her aggressive mouth shut I will leave her alone.

We have had lovely late summer weather. Clear and sunny with gentle breezes. Even when we have the inevitable hot days I can be comforted knowing the autumn is not far away.

I suggested a drive this afternoon so we drove to Bruthen and then took a back route home along dirt roads through beautiful farmland. We are so lucky to live here.

On Wednesday I am heading up to Melbourne. The Mermaid is excited to have me visit so I will head off earlier than I initially planned. I will pick some prawns up on the way (assuming the fish shop has them) and spend a day and a half with her. Then Fave sis in law on Friday and the night with One and has lot. Should be a nice break.

My right hip is giving me grief. I could barely walk after driving to Traralgon on Thursday and it hasn't really improved. I don't know what sort of pain one feels when one requires a hip replacement but this is not the same as the bursitis pain I had last year. I'll make an appointment with the doctor and get some xrays done.

Well, that was unexpected

I mentioned in my previous post (the day before yesterday) that there was a cool change imminent.

The storm was the strongest I have seen in many a long year. We lost power at around 7pm and it finally came back on this afternoon around 2.30. Most of Lakes seemed to be back on line yesterday evening but our pocket took longer. Some people in Victoria are still without power. Phone reception was also affected as was internet so for most of yesterday we were completely cut off.

It was interesting but I wouldn't want to experience anything like it again for quite sometime. Lessons learned ... know where the candles are and always have a stock of batteries! 

We managed to charge our phones and my kindle from the car so I could read at least once it got dark. During the day I could knit and do my puzzles. Himself was at a loose end as he is very dependent on his computer and phone.

Our house was unscathed. The fencing fell down which was to be expected but everything else stayed put. I am glad they hadn't started to install the roof - those metal sheets could have been interesting.

A neighbour's house was less fortunate! Their builders portaloo blew over and their waffle pods blew all over the estate. I feel for the builder as they will have to get a whole new lot delivered and dispose of the damaged ones.

Today I had to drive to Traralgon for a plasma donation. It was fortuitous as we received an email last evening (when the internet restored itself at 8pm - the email had been sent at 4pm) saying that the bricks we chose were unavailable at the moment. Seeing as I was already in Traralgon (a 2 hours drive away) I was able to pop into Metricon's offices and choose a new style which is actually a better brick and I like the colour. It is very similar to the one we chose initially so everything else will still tie in.

It was so lovely to be out in the country again. I needed to get away from this house and away from Lakes just for a few hours to clear my head. I have decided that MW is not worth the time of day. "What someone else thinks of you is none of your business". A wise saying.

Speaking of MW, her antics were the talk of the Metricon office! People are amazed at her stupidity and craziness.

Yesterday morning I was meant to catch up with someone who is a friend of Andrew and his partner. I wasn't able to contact her until late in the day but hopefully we can still meet in a couple of weeks when I am back from a quick trip to Melbourne next week. 

Tomorrow I am going to the hairdresser. My previous one is on maternity leave so I will see what Jade is like. Hopefully she can do something with the mop on top of my head. Himself likes it long and I don't. I know it's my hair but I did wear it cropped short (ie shaved) during covid. There is enough length in it to play with, now.

On the way home I was listening to spotify and singing at the top of my voice as is my wont. This song came on and the words struck a chord for several reasons, I think.

I give you the late, great Joe Cocker.

Hot

The last two days have been extremely hot. Like well over 30*C hot. I have gone out when I had to (U3A) but otherwise I have stayed home and we even put the air conditioning on and I had a nap on both afternoons which is most unlike me. As I write there is a cool change with storms heading our way which will be a huge relief.

I have done fairly well keeping MW out of my head (Mad Woman as suggested by Andrew - Nutty Neighbour made her sound somewhat cute and that she ain't). That's not to say that we haven't see her car - if she sees us driving on to the estate she will do a Uturn and follow us - but I keep telling myself that we have done nothing wrong and anything she does to us I can report (ie take out an inteverntion order).

This might sound silly but I have always had a strong sense of doing the right thing and if I feel I might have done something wrong or illegal I get incredibly stressed and anxious. I won't even stop in a no standing zone for a second. It's not a fear of being caught but just doing the wrong thing. Not breaking the law - just the wrong thing. The only thing I knowingly do is speed a bit and even then I am terrified of getting caught. This is partly why MW has got into my head so much. It isn't just the stalking bit but the feeling that she feels we have done something wrong and therefore maybe we have (I know we haven't but if someone thinks I have I go over and over in my head making sure).

At no point did I say I was sane and logical!

Weekend

Isn't it strange how even when one is retired the weekend is still a thing?

Yesterday the excavator man was up doing his thing which was tidying up the block after the slab etc so the bricks can be delivered and installed. He, and the chippies on Friday, have the place looking fantastic. I wonder if Himself's constant supply of cold drinks made a difference.

Apparently the antics of NN are spreading amongst the trades with some amusement. Recently during a downpour our concrete lads sheltered in her garage and copped a torrent of abuse from her until she realised they had also laid her slab and then she was all sweetness and light! They are actually allowed on her build as they have been inducted and carry the correct cards - she is not.

We took the dogs for a walk down the path that leads from our place. I am pacing myself and using this as a guage as to my ability to walk a bit further each time. The back and hip are still sore but I am able to push that little bit more each walk. 

Today we went into Bairnsdale so Himself could get an SD card for the camera he bought for his car (from Aldi, no less). We then went to Coles to get things we can't get here - like Harissa paste!

I am struggling with the whole NN thing. She is stuck in my head and I really need to get her out. 

I have a busy week so maybe that will help.

Apologies

The comment spam gremlin has struck again. I found 7 comments in my spam folder. I am sorry. I usually check every day but when I don't this happens!

Anyway. Yesterday we took a drive into Bairnsdale to suss out the court building. It is a pretty old building and there was a very helpful security gentleman who, after ascertaining I really was going to be there for a legit reason, gave me some tips on what to bring and not to bring and where to park. A trip to a couple of shops to look at security cameras as Himself is considering putting one up somewhere to see if NN goes onto the property. 

A quiet day today. We were going to have a look through the house this afternoon but the chippies are still working so we should be able to have a walk through on Monday morning. 

It wasn't a wasted trip as we got to meet and chat with several neighbours. The general consensus is that it is a quiet street and everyone keeps to themselves. Suits us.

Today I had my favourite dark roasted crunchy peanut butter on toast and for some reason had a craving for strawberries so I added slices on top of the peanut butter and I was in heaven.

As a kid peanut butter and vegemite was a favourite sandwich filling or toast topping. 

My mother used to hate preparing food and that included school lunches so she was always looking for something different - more for her than us, I feel. As a result we had some interesting sandwich fillings :

• cheese and walnuts
• celery and sultanas
• caviar (for the last day of school and a bottle of babycham when we got home cos she didn't think the school would be impressed if she packed it in our lunch boxes)
• dates and walnuts
• peanut butter and sultanas
• peanut butter and celery
• chicken and bacon (oh yum)

I guess the combination of salty or savoury and sweet is not unusual these day but remember this was the '60s and early '70s, the latter being in Australia where anything out of the ordinary was considered strange (to be polite). 

What taste combinations do you enjoy that others might find odd? I know different countries have different favourites.

NN strikes again.

I have been summonsed for jury duty. This is the third time in my life and the first time I will attend. The previous two times I had an exemption due to babies and then study. It will be an interesting experience even if I don't get selected.

Coffee group this afternoon was lovely as always. It was especially lovely today as I was feeling very fragile after learning that NN has been walking around the perimeter fence and taking photos of our house. Nothing alarming but she and her mother were observed (by the neighbours from yesterday who live across the road) walking around, talking, pointing and taking photos. All the things she has accused us of doing (except - at this stage - we assume she hasn't actually entered the property). The coffee women, bless them, offered to take her on for me. Seeing as we are all on the wrong side of 60, 70 and 80 it was a very kind gesture. The very prim and ladylike B offered to moon her for me. At least I laughed.

It is good to know that people know our side of the story and all think she is barking mad but it doesn't stop the angst and the feeling that we are being stalked. 

Our roof frame is up and the front facade will go up in the next day or so. The windows will go in as well.

This is what our front facade will look like (the colours are different from memory but the structure is the same) and it is the timber bit at the front they are erecting. The scaffolding went up this afternoon. Very exciting.

Up with the sparrows (actually kookaburras)

I was up early this morning, had my cuppa and headed off to Qi-gong at U3A. OK, for some of you 7am isn't early but for me it is the middle of the bloody night!

It is a group of 10 women and as we started I remembered I had done this before! It was during Covid and the class was suspended because of lock downs and then cancelled because the teacher wouldn't get vaccinated. Half an hour of gentle stretching and breathing gets the heart going, that's for sure.

Criminology was fascinating. The facilitator has a long professional history in the area and really knows her stuff. We will be in for some interesting topics over the year. No wonder this is a class that fills up quickly.

After that came the craft group and the ladies were lovely. Friendly and welcoming but obviously have history. There was a another newbie today and we sat together. 

A trip up to the block at a most fortuitous time as the windows were being delivered. All the way from Geelong (which is about 400km away). We have a lot of windows. One of the delivery guys seemed surprised it will just be the two of us in such a large house but we explained how living in Lakes means visitors and we do have family and friends!

While we were there the chap across the road came home.  I went over to say hello as I haven't seen him for a while. After some polite chit chat he asked Himself "What is the story with that fucking dipshit over there?" He was asking about NN, of course. Apparently he saw and heard her screaming abuse at Himself one day. He and his wife watched with interest from behind their tinted windows so NN would have had no idea she had an audience! He said she spends hours just sitting outside her house and other blocks of land/houses. 

This afternoon I had a lovely long chat with Fave Sis in Law and will go up to Melbourne in a couple of weeks to see her. 

Sunshine, blue ocean and a gentle breeze. 

Lakes Entrance. Bloody Magic.

History

I had a shocking night's sleep with the heat, humidity and knowing I had to be up at a certain time. I had just fallen asleep when the dogs decided they needed to go out. Himself normally attends to them but he slept through the three anxious barks so I got up. As I was waiting for them to do their business the bloody cat snuck out. Ever tried to find and catch a black and white cat in the middle of the night in the dark among outdoor furniture? He might have squeaked when I caught him.

I got up and off to the U3A rooms and was greeted with such friendly people. As I was driving down my anxiety was through the roof and I was almost tempted to turn around. I am so glad I didn't. 

We had a lovely chat about this and that. The other new member has two aboriginal grandchildren and it was interesting to hear her take on some of the stuff in the media at the moment. Not everyone agrees with the vocal minorities but there is still a lot of hurt. I can see some more fascinating conversations throughout the year.

We watched a video on the Potato Famine in Ireland in the 1850s and the fall out. It was also presented from a colonial perspective (the English were not very helpful). We finish watching next week and I am sure there will be lively discussion.

We have our roof trusses going up. The place is looking like a house!! NN drove past a couple of times and yelled something at Himself through her car window. His hearing isn't the best and he didn't hear exactly what she said and just carried on what he was doing. We are quietly telling our neighbours about her behaviour. Silly bitch. I feel that the roof may trigger her again as the roof line (what I think she meant when talking about the pitch) could be construed as similar. When the whole thing is finished it will be chalk and cheese to her place but it doesn't seem to take much to tip her over the edge.

A whole morning at U3A tomorrow and one of the ladies from history will be at criminology. I hope tomorrow is as lovely as today.

Hot

It was hot today so I stayed inside and did bugger all.

Himself checked our fences on the build site - they aren't the sturdiest and can blow over in the wind. He can also see if someone has opened them and not closed them properly. NN is still keeping her head down. He then took the dogs for a swim.

Steve recently mentioned "American Nightmare". It is described as a three part series but only takes a couple of hours to watch. It was fascinating but so disturbing. I won't go into details because it is well worth watching. Not gory or scary or anything like that. The fact that it is a true event is - well - disturbing.

Tomorrow I have my first U3A session. History. Not sure what it will be like. There are only 7 enrolled out of a possible 19 but it will be a way to meet people.

Tuesday is the big U3A day with three courses necessitating an 8.30 start which will be a challenge! I am not good at getting up in the morning but I think a lot of that is because I have no reason to.

It is still very warm outside (9.30pm) and is getting muggy.

Hopefully we will get a cool change soon.

Another drive

This morning Facebook, the all seeing all knowing deity, suggested I might like a certain page. It was called "The Best Vanilla Slices in Australia".

If you are Australian you will know about vanilla slices. Most love them. Some hate them. They have been given the unfortunate sobriquet "Snot Block". Towns claim to have the best. There are competitions to decide the victor. They are not to be confused with custard slices or custard tarts. They are similar to a mille-feuille but have a different texture - not as cream based.

I am very much in camp "love them".

Having said that, I have had some very ordinary versions and have been very disappointed when driving some distance to sample a claim of being one of the best.

A good vanilla slice should have flaky pastry - but not too flaky that it falls apart. It should have firm - but not TOO firm - vanilla custard and the custard MUST taste of vanilla. It should never, ever, ever have a floury texture. Some insist on plain icing, some insist on passion fruit icing and some will settle for a dusting of icing sugar. I am not concerned as the topping becomes irrelevant if the custard and pastry are perfect or *shudder* tough, floury and tasteless.

Anyway, back to this morning.

This facebook group member raved about a vanilla slice he rated 9.9/10 (the 0.1 was giving him wriggle room in case a better slice loomed in his future). And it was in Orbost. A mere 57 kms from Lakes.

'Twas another glorious day in East Gippsland and Himself was up for the drive.

After he walked the dogs we set off through more of gods own country, desparing and yet marvelling at the signs of the bushfires from late 2019. The way the bush regernerates never ceases to amaze me. Black poles of burnt trees surrounded by fluffy greenery as they keep on keeping on.

We reached Orbost and drove through the main only street looking for this pot of gold. I struggled with internet reception but we finally found a particular spot on the side of the road that would let me connect and I googled Orbost Bakery. I don't know how we missed it.

Sadly, it was closed. I had forgotten that we live in the country.

Never mind. We have an excuse to return during the week and sample their wares as well as look at some other interesting businesses.

We drove to Marlo (I went there with the Mermaid when she was down at New Year) and then came home.

Once home and on my PC with decent internet I realised that there was, in fact, another bakery in Orbost that was open and also is reported to have very good vanilla slices.

Guess we'll have to go back twice.

A drive

We finally did the drive to Bruthen. It was a great day for a drive as it was too windy to really do much else but the sun was out and the sky was blue.

We took the longer way via Nowa Nowa which is another on our list in which to spend some time.

We had a late lunch at a lovely little cafe and then I went and investigated a little local craft shop. She had some very pretty quilting fabric but that is a hobby that is very much on the back burner for now. She did, however, have some absolutely gorgeous hand spun and dyed alpaca, wool and silk yarn skeins. Two jumped up and bit me on the nose so I had to buy them. I have no idea what I will use the for - maybe weaving, maybe knitting - but in the mean time they will have pride of place in my craft room when I finally get it set up.

Instead of retracing our footsteps (tyre tracks) we came home via Swan Reach which is the first township you come to on the road to Bairnsdale from here. The drive was through some beautiful countryside alongside the Tambo River.

We do live in gods own country.

Home via Aldi (need wine) and the block (just to check the fencing etc is still upright with this wind).

I really enjoy going for drives. We tend to talk more.

And with this as a backdrop for the drive what could be more perfect?

Life

 

Another day of not doing anything much. I did have plans but life got in the way. Specifically someone who slept in way beyond his usual get up time (blamed the early start yesterday and the long drive - I blame the 2.00am bedtime pffft). We then had to visit the block, buy kitty litter and tickets in tonight's tattslotto mega draw. It has been jackpotting for weeks now and I think everyone who can buy a ticket has done so! I hope it goes to a battler.

Our site supervisor rang with an update. His communication is just brilliant. I guess a real plus living in a smallish country town is that everyone knows everyone so if you provide poor customer service you will soon be hung out to dry. I have seen cafes change hands for that very reason and can't understand why you would work in the customer service industry if you have no customer service skills! 

NN appears to have pulled her horns in. She is still up on site (as is her right) but seems to have stopped the stalking behaviour and we have had no contact. Himself got a reply to the email he sent to the police officer who took our initial report and she thanked him and said that if we do get further harrassment to call 000. It won't come to that, I am sure. And we don't want it to.

The chubby old lady in my mirror is a bit of a grumpy old lady, too. I need to take her in hand and focus on some serious self care.

Maybe tomorrow.

Or not.

Regardless, life in Lakes is still Bloody Magic.