Arrived around 11am on Friday morning (had thought I might come on Thursday night, but by the time I'd had dinner etc, it was a bit late, and I didn't feel like it anymore)
Saw Kim, Murray, and Colleen briefly at the Town Hall having a photo opp ( had spoken to them on Thursday night, via skype, more about that at a later date)
So, said hello to the Op Shop ladies, and went to see Denise to try and entice her away for a coffee like we used to do at Enzo's. But she wasn't there, neither was Steve; Geoff the soap man was there manning the fort. He's selling some of his soaps and incense etc there, and will mind the shop on weekends for them for a bit of shop real estate - seems a good deal both ways.
Well, I went onto to have a coffee anyway, which Julie made for me. She introduced me to Steve the new Empire owner, and we had a bit of a chat. Had been a road worker before, no experience in pubs, but wants to make a go of it. Good on him!
Bumped into Jamie (except if was actually Luke) on the way back. The real Jamie arrived for a chat also, and invited me around for a pizza dinner - lovely!
Then back to the house, and called up Maile to ask for directions to her place, as the route via Kingower is still blocked with the washed out road.
She told me to turn left after the silo on the Calder.....and to then turn left again when I got to the end (a t intersection)
Well, that's exactly what I did, however I ended up in Kingower - after first noticing some unfamiliar landmarks ie a small vineyard, a tumbledown shed, a few houses.
By this stage it was around 1pm, which is when I was due, so I wasn't happy. Dropped in on Terry to see if he was there, and if I could use his landline for further instructions. Mobile phones don't work in Kingower!
Yes he was home, and yes I called Maile and was told to take the 2nd on the left after the silo....
Did that and arrived to a gaggle of old gals enjoying themselves with prosecco and cheeses, fruit etc. I joined in enthusiastically. I'd met one of them before - Nicole who sometimes sells herbs in front of the Inglewood Emporium. There were 2 x Annes (one of them had bought the Old Passing Clouds), a Jan and a Carol (and maybe one more)
Decided on an art house Viggo Mortenson movie - Far from Men - set in Algeria 1954. Not really enough narrative for me. Some of the others liked it though
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| internet photo |
Had to excuse myself around 4,30, as I'd invited Terry, Arlene and David for drinks on the veranda from 5pm onwards. Luckily Terry had said he wouldn't get there til after 5.30
Quick pit stop at the IGA to pick up some Gin, Tonic water, and snacks, as I wasn't sure of the supplies back home.
Picked more bindy eyes while I waited for Terry.
Terry arrived around 5.30 and passed on David and Arlene's apologies, and had also brought a bottle of fancy 4 Pillars Boutique Gin so that we could have a taste test
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| internet photo |
His one was more aromatic than mine
After the taste test made up the G&Ts and took them up to the veranda. Nice and sunny, but not hot. June dropped in also. I'd told Terry how pleasant it was sitting up there with a Gin & Tonic so had wanted to invite him for a while - but had to wait until it wasn't too hot. Also had to apologise and say that it was only drinks - as I'd been invited for dinner elsewhere.
Finished up around 6.45, as I had to get to Jamie's - so we all left.
Walked up to Jamie's and sat outside with him, Michelle and their kids. Very pleasant. Pizzas, wine and then a few chocolates. Admired their very lush green grass, especially compared to our bindy eyed dust bowl.
Left around 9.30 - and didn't get lost on the walk back. Yes, this time I knew to walk straight from their driveway until I reached the road, not turn right beforehand and walk parallel to the road through paddocks, but be unable to reach the road because of barbed wire fences. But anyway, couldn't have done that this time,as a couple of new houses had been built since then.
Back home, and watched another episode of Monarch of the Glen - lovely.
Saturday morning, and watered the garden, found a LOT more bindy eyes. Unfortunately discovered a new ground zero under the bunya bunya - with lots of mature bindies. Stopped counting after 100
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| Large Bindy eyes |
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| spicy plum sauce |
Walked down the road also to buy some eggs from David and bumped into Jan from yesterday at the movie. Had a chat and then some of her friends walked by - Neil and his wife - another Jan (lots of Jans (at least 3), Davids (at least 2) Anns (at least 3) in this area)
We all had a coffee together at GGs and Neil told me how he's taken on one of Becky's rescue horses.
As they were interested in the house, I showed them around afterwards. Neil had said we (Justin & I) were known as the "brave people" - for taking on this house. I wonder if they really meant "mad"
After this I tidied up a bit, and then bacvk to Melbourne for Symphony Under the Stars - lovely! So a very social weekend - which suited me just fine!
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