Mum & I, March 16-18 2012

It was a "dark and stormy" night as the saying goes

I picked Mum up at our place and we drove to Inglewood straight after work. 

Traffic was initally quite good for a Friday night, until the Burnley exit, and then it slowed down dramatically.  The skies also opened and it started to rain, and then pour. 

However, the weather changed quite dramatically during the drive, views of Mt Macdeon with a thin line of light above it, and ominous clouds on top of this.  Driving into the bright setting sun, and then back to gloom . Sunglasses on, wipers off, sunglasses off, wipers on!

Arrived at Inglewood just after 8pm - luckliy only saw the kangaroos in the distance, not at close range smashed on the windshield.  I must admit, that's what I'm nervous about - running into wild life at twilight.  Touch wood, that the worst thing I've hit is just the stupid galah, which took out my car grill some months ago.

Anyway, arrived and had some dinner which Mum had brought up - Yummy schnitzels, potato salad, and coleslaw.   Very nice to have dinner supplied.

After dinner I showed Mum how to make bread - told her how hard it was, and she looked on bemused as I just poured ingredients into the bread maker with reckless inexactitude - despite the instructions bossing that one should be very precise.... Worked well last time with my cavilier approach, and had fingers crossed again for this time.

Then a game of scrabble with Mum (she loves it) and then bed as we were quite tired

Awoke to the heady aroma of freshly baked bread.  Yes, I had learned my lesson last time, and had put the timer on for the break to be ready at 7am.  So had a wonderful crusty loaf - maybe a little on the sweet side - probably too much sugar.  But that won't happen again - Mum bought me some measuring cups and spoons.  what a good mother!

Morning sun shining on my freshly baked bread

Obviously had fresh bread for breakfast, a pot of tea, and read the paper.  Very relaxing.

I had also noticed that the plant sale at the IGA had actually been increased to 40% off - so was keen to go back and buy more plants.  Dragged Mum along to have a look with me.  Bought trolley loads (well one trolley load) Felt like Jackie Llewlyn Bowen spending hundreds of quid on plants for her new garden.  I just spent $88 - oh and what a well spent $88 it was.  As I am keen on an "orangerie" bought some more citrus - this time a cumquat and a grapefruit.  Also bought a couple of blueberry bushes, a raspberry cane, an artichoke and various flowers....Was very happy with my purchases.

some of my purchases lined up ready to plant

I had told Mum that she should just take it easy this weekend, she didn't have to do any work, she could sit on the veranda, go for little walks etc.  Although she agreed at the time, her actions were contrary.  Note, coming to the IGA didn't count as work, that was "fun" for her


So, of course, yes, she put on a spare pair of overalls and got down and dirty with me in the garden - weeding the beds outside the front fence - which had been pristine at Christmas, but now almost 3 months later had grass and weeds wanting to take over again.

Actually, weeding out the front is surprisingly social.  Lots of people stop to chat

We had one guy stop and ask if he could take some photos/video for a regional expo to be held in Melbourne in a few weeks time.  He was touring around the Loddon and wanted interesting shots. I of course asked him if I could take a photo of him taking photos.  He was fine with this

getting that good shot

Yes, he is in there, looking toward the town hall

I also asked him if he would send me the photos when he's done.  They will mainly be close ups of the iron work etc, as opposed to the whole house.  I'm looking forward to seeing them.

Had some fresh bread sandwiches for lunch, and Mum went for a wander in town.  I kept on weeding, but then also stopped, not to smell the roses (there aren't any in flower - and besides I haven't put in my rose garden yet), but to read the paper.  Very self indulgent!

Also walked up to the takeaway to try and contact Greg's brother (the builder/carpenter) to see if he can give us a quote to fix up the back veranda.  Walked up in my overalls and old hat, and some city slickers took me for a local (as you would)  - asking where the real estate agent might be if he wasn't at his office, asking about the local amenities etc. I surprised them by whipping out my mobile phone and giving them Jamie's number - and then I also pulled out a pen so they could write it down.  Unfortunately they weren't that keen to come and help me with the weeding, maybe next time.  Greg gave me Peter's number - and I was back to my weeds.

Jamie drove past not long afterwards and stopped to have a chat.  Told him about Ian's church of treasures last week, and he told me about the footy club having an auction of stuff tomorrow morning.  And that I could go and have a look on the oval now.  I also told him that some people were looking for him, and that I'd given them his number.  Of course he was on his way to see them then.

Mum and I drove down to the oval and had a look see.  Lots of stuff in rows  ie old cabinets,  bric a brac, furniture, iron work etc .  I was 1/2 interested in an old safe, some bikes and some fishing rods  etc.  But didn't "love" any of them.

some of the iron work for sale - unfortunately not like ours

  

Back home, and showered, and called up for a few more quotes for the back veranda.  By this stage it was  late afternoon Mum and I sat on the veranda and I inducted her into the joys of gin and tonic.  She'd never had one before and very much enjoyed it.  In fact, she wanted to check her liquor cabinet at home to see if there was any gin lurking in the back.  I explained that I thought it was a very good summer /warm weather drink.  And obviously good against malarial mosquitoes.  Not that we have any of these around here (I hope)

Given the glorious weather, and the fact that we'd had a late lunch, we stayed on the veranda until after 7.30, and then wandered across to the pub for dinner.  Was served remarkably quickly, and Mum loved the pumpkin side dish.  In fact when I volunteered to go and ask the kitchen how they had made it - she quickly agreed that I should do so. My thoughts were that there was a lot of butter in it.  Well, not quite. it was cream.  The pumpkin is baked  and then cream and packet French onion soup added. Very tasty.

On returning home another game of scrabble.  We won one each now.  And then bed, although I read for a while.


Was a bit surprised when I came across a dead baby snake on the road on the way  to the IGA to buy the paper in the morning.  Didn't have my phone with me then, but went back and took a photo later in the day.

I made us both a nice egg in the basket and another pot of tea for breakfast. Mum was most appreciative


Before getting into the garden I thought I'd go and have a look at the auction.. Got there around 9.40 - heaps of people there.  Had a chat with Gordon, and also said hello to Don.  In the end I didn't stick around to buy anything as I got a call from one of the builders - so I went back home to meet up with him.

It was Franki - and he should give me a quote in a couple of days.  I also got a call from someone else and he'll go around later in the week.  And Peter also dropped in and had a look - and so should have 3 quotes


More weeding, and planted  out the new purchases.

Mum enjoyed chatting with some ladies who came over to have a look at the house.  They were part of a larger group on a bus tour around Australia.

Mum also put some more vegie seeds into the vegie boxes at the back.  And I harvested about 20 tomatoes - very pleasing!

I forgot to mention that Bay Building had been back - after I'd spoken to Darren during the week and asked him to get rid of the rubbish ie fallen down old laundry. So there was a skip there

And this is what the new laundry currently looks like - no chimney or brick floor yet.

Schnitzel sandwiches for lunch with a beer on the veranda - it was still quite warm and sunny. More work in the garden, another shower to wash the grime off, and back home again around 4pm.  Justin & Fraser had  a lovely roast dinner waiting for us.  All in all a very pleasant weekend with my Mum