A productive day

Today the agi pipe went in. Himself was up at sparrow's fart and headed up to the block. 

Unloading the heavy equipment.

Some serious trench digging going on.

I went up later to observe the results. The pipe sticking out of the ground will have a cap put on it so we can flush it through if needs be.

Yesterday Himself cleared the old fencing. These three show the back of our property from right to left. He did a bloody good job.

He had to take stuff to the tip. The tip gate keeper is one of our new neighbours. He lives across from where we are building. Lovely chap. And gave us a really good price for dropping off our green waste. Not even the cost of a beer!

When we came home I was taken with these clouds. Not sure if I have really captured them but you can biggerise the picture.

Pizza for dinner.

We're a bit over salads!

Sad

I really don't care where you came from. I don't care what your religion is. I don't care about the colour of your skin. I don't care if you want to wear a crucifix, a hijab, a star of David or any other symbol of your religion. 

Just don't, DO NOT, bring your prejudices and religious fanatacism here. The joy shown by certain members of the community over the tragedy in Israel/Gaza is appalling. If you want to fight your "good" fight then stay there and do it. I don't care who is at fault today because I can guarantee someone else will be celebrating tomorrow when retaliation happens.

Oh, and if you do want to play who can piss the furthest? Leave the innocents out of it.

Right. Got that out of my system. 

Today I had my biennial mammogram. It was quick, painless and FREE. Earlier this year I did my biennial bowel cancer screening test. It was quick, painless and FREE.

And if, god forbid, any of these tests show something sinister I will be treated quickly, not so painlessly but FREE.

We really do live in an amazing country but we need to stand up to those who want to drag us into the battles they bring with them from wherever they come from.

I wish we could make Australia a religion free state - cos religion really is the root of so much evil.

If you are reading this in Australia, please make sure you get those tests done. Prostate checks and skin checks still incur a fee but they are subsidised by medicare. Regardless, they could save your life. Go on ... do it!

And remember ... if you want to comment have the guts to put a name (or a pseudonym if you are a regular).

Sunday snaps

Majestic swans ...

Water loving dogs ...

Who's got a ball?

Do you have a ball?

Talkin' to me ...

...are you? ...

HELLO!!

 

In no particular order ...

Himself has settled in to watch today's session of Bathurst.

I, on the other hand, chose to sit outside in the late afternoon sunshine with a glass of wine and a good book. I can't remember who recommended "The Latecomer" but it is a bloody good read so whoever did, I thank you. I did get bogged down for a bit because it's not a pick up put down sort of novel. But perfect for a mid spring sunny saturday afternoon.

I had company. Even the evil Max who, for some reason, hates me and will bite if I dare to pick him up. Has he not been told about the hand that feeds and all that?

Last night the other side of the family went out for Sally's birthday to, her choice, a "fancy restaurant" (ie the pub but let's not disillusion her just yet). Three sent me this photo of Alice enjoying her meal.

I think the night might have been a bit much for her, though. He sent me this today!

And speaking of Alice, this is what she woke up with the other morning! At some point in the night she had a blood nose and the bedding looked like a massacre had occured. Blood noses run in the family but I hope this was a once off.

I was making lunch today with one of these wraps. The blurb on the back states "only the best will do".

I was instantly reminded of these ads ...

I was slightly surprised they would use such a phrase with the ciggy connection but I guess I am now officially old!!

Mussels anyone?

I have no idea what has happened here. Did the post upend itself or did someone upend it for a feed?

This was yesterday. I doesn't look much but these were some waves compared to how flat it usually is.

We had the people through today. They were cruising past yesterday afternoon (as you do) and Himself stopped and had a lovely chat with them. They arrived as we were leaving today so I had a chat, too! They are coming back on Monday and it is between this house and one other but I think this one is the better choice. Silly, it's not my house but I would love them to buy it!

The saga of the water on the block continues. I am leaving that entirely up to someone who needs to fill his time.

While the people were looking at the house I went to the post office to arrange a redirection of our mail. Himself took the dogsfor a walk. The heavens opened and Murphy proceeded to have a spectacular poo (I don't believe the two events were related) so Himself called it a day and picked me up outside the post office (we had planned a coffee) so he could take Murph home for a clean up. Oh my lordy lordy the car was rank. The downside of a long haired shepherd is that "stuff" sticks.

Today our Sally turns 7. Where have the years gone? I miss not being able to see her for her birthday but hopefully we will get to facetime them later. Her present was sent home with dad and was received with great glee (something to do with Nintendo - I was guided by those who know these things).

I can hear Himself yelling at the dogs and they are trying to hide under my legs. I think they have been having a wee dig out the back.

Better go!

 

From one extreme to another.

There is a poem that was written over a century ago that is dear to many Australians' hearts. It is My Country by Dorothea Mackellar and while it is not one of my favourites (a bit flowery for me) it does describe this amazing country rather well.

Particularly what we have experienced over the past couple of days.

On Tuesday we had townships being evacuated and residents being told to seek shelter from the fires if they had left it too late. Today we are getting emergency broadcasts telling residents of towns to evacuate or seek higher ground because of the flooding. We had a massive amount of rain dumped which has led to dams having water released which has added to the flood problems.

Yesterday was a stay at home day but I did head out for coffee and had a wonderful few hours with some great women.

We walked the hoonds this morning but it was so windy nobody enjoyed it so we cut it short.

Tomorrow we have someone coming to look at the house as a prospective buyer so I will tidy it up and clean the floors. At least it is at midday so I don't have to get up really early.

After telling us that we couldn't put the aggi pipe pipe in pre build because it would impact the original soil survey and testing, the builders came back today and said in light of the recent rains and the ongoing drainage issue with the block behind us we CAN have it installed as long as it is done by 16th. I have just spoken to the chap who will do it and, yessss, he can do it next week.

When the Mermaid and I came here in Feb I talked about the signs in our motel room regarding crabs. At coffee yesterday we had a new person who has worked as a cleaner for air b'n'bs and motels in Lakes and the stories she had about crabs! She has found them under beds, in cupboards and drawers, IN THE KETTLE, in the shower... I was gobsmacked. It appears to be crabbing season which explains the influx of a certain type of tourist and their numbers on the local jetties and in the water around them. It also explains some interesting finds washed up when we walk the dogs along the sandy parts of the lake. Crab claws and bits of other creatures used as bait in the nets (not live, I hasten to add). I am learning so much since moving here!

The other day we went to the fish shop on the wharf and bought some Thresher Shark. Another learning experience. It was sweet like a gummy shark but the flesh was more like tuna or swordfish. It was delicious and not expensive so we will be having that again. Not sure when though, as the inclement weather means the trawlers don't go out as often.

Building hiccups notwithstanding, I just LOVE living here. The best move we have ever made.

I have mentioned in the past how much I dislike daylight savings but the one plus is that wine o'clock seems to arrive earlier.

Cheers!

I'm back

Crikey Moses it was a hectic weekend.

I drove up to Melbourne on Thursday. It was a lovely drive and I took a new route to avoid a particularly boring part of the highway. It was so lovely to see One and his lot and spend time with them. We had the opportunity to talk about a lot of things and clear the air and I can't wait to go back and spend time with them all.

He drove me around to show me all the new development in the area (can't believe it's only been 4 months since we left) and we came across this ...

I have no idea what happened. It was a straight stretch of road and good driving conditions. One did comment that if the bloke in white was the driver it might explain things. Yes, I am judging a book by its cover but maybe he was trying to avoid the giraffes and spiders he saw all over the road.

On Friday I went to stay with the Mermaid. We spend a pleasant afternoon sipping prosseco in her garden and making button holes for the fellas in the wedding party. There really wasn't much we could do but my presence kept her calm. 

On Saturday we picked up last minute bits and pieces, loaded up our cars and headed for the hills of the Yarra Valley. We dropped the dress off to the bride along with sandwiches, wine and nibbles to sustain the bridal party through the arduous task of hair and makeup! We then went to our accommodation, changed into our finery and went to set up at the wedding venue.

It was a lovely wedding. So much love and happiness and, of course, many tears were shed. I got to meet the Mermaid's Sydney family and had some really interesting conversations (one of her nephews is quite high up in one of our emergency services and it was fascinating talking to him about fires and the management/prevention thereof). I also got to understand why there is some tension between the Mermaid and her sister. Oh boy, did I get to understand that!!

The food was plentiful and delicious and the wine was flowing. It wasn't a sit down meal but rather lots of platters passed around. I much prefer this way of doing food at a wedding. So much more relaxed. The music was way too loud for me and I spent most of the evening outside looking in which is the best way to enjoy an event, trust me!

This is where the ceremony was held - we decorated the arch thingy (well, her daugher in law took over but we're claiming design rights!)

It is a working vinyard and these are some of the vines just coming into leaf.

The views from my spot outside

It was a full moon

The night wrapped up around 11. There was a bit of a mix up with transport which saw the Mermaid driving members of the grooms family back to their accommodation and her son swapping his taxi for someone else and .... whatever.

We all got to where we had to be and the Mermaid, her son and daughter-in-law and I sat up drinking scotch and talking and laughing until very very late. It was so good to get to know him as an adult and to get to know his wife. We have exchanged phone numbers and we are both on the same page regarding the Mermaid and that makes me happy knowing that he has her best interests at heart. Why wouldn't he? I have always worried he took more after his dad than his mum but that got cleared up in another conversation.

Yes, it was a most productive weekend.

I woke on Sunday morning - the Sunday morning that daylight savings started - with very, very few hours of sleep under my belt (the bed was not comfortable) and losing a precious hour into the mix.

I decided to drive home as much as possible avoiding the freeway. I hate freeway driving but also figured that concentrating would be a good thing.

I picked my route and it was amazing. Through the mountain forests, 

                                            

That opened into amazing views of Gippsland

It was so windy. I was dodging bits of trees that had been blown down and was a tad anxious that one might actually come down on me. I was going to take a slightly longer route through the forest but decided to head to Moe and continue the back way home.

Just as well. 

It turns out that fires were breaking out where I was thinking about going. 

They also started on the route that I took home a couple of hours after I passed through. (not sure if the link will work but Aussies will know what I'm talking about).

The smoke haze when I got home was really bad.

Overnight the wind increased (could it really?, yes) and dispersed the smoke for a while.

It was a quiet day yesterday (Monday) and I felt human after a really good sleep.

We took the dogs to the off lead park for a run 

and other than that I did very little. 

Overnight the fires increased and today we have dealt with a lot of smoke

The red tinge gives an idea but I wish I had smell-o-vision. 

A cool change has come through which is good - rain, but bad - wind change. I think things have settled down but seeing as we have only just started October I think we are in for a very challenging fire season. Our first as rural dwellers. And my parents lost everything in the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983  so I am aware of the dangers despite being a new resident.

I can't give you a post about a wedding without a picture of the happy couple. Her dress was amazing. Just so her. And they were so happy it made my heart sing. And her mother cry.

 

I've missed you and I am glad to be back.