Christmas in July 20 -22 July 2018

Well, this time, we actually did have Christmas in July in July (for the last few years it's been in August)

Caught the 6.30pm train to Bendigo on Friday night, and then the 8.45 coach to Inglewood, got there around 9.30, curled up in bed and watched an episode of Monarch of the Glen

Terry came and picked me up around 8.30 on Saturday morning, as we were going to be cooking for the Christmas in July feast at Arleen's place this time.

Heard a disembodied voice call out to me when I arrived. It was David with his hand stuck outside the window, feeding a baby magpie some raw oats

I went inside, and he offered me the experience also, which I took up  - curious feeling having a bird pecking gently at your palm

Below are some photos of the magpie hoping for a bit more

We were basically on peeling and chopping duty, peeling lots of potatoes, carrots, chopping herbs, garlic etc, and June and Chrissie made mini pizzas

Got the chickens ready by inserting a mixture of butter, garlic, & herbs between the skin and flesh (were spit roast later)

 And the cooked pizzas looked great

It was also lovely and warm in there, with the wood fired stove on, I had been freezing back in our house - although there was a only a light frost in the morning

I guess we finished around 11 or so, and I went back to Terry's and helped him make a Gabriel Gate recipe Christmas pudding, complete with grated apple and carrot

The plan was that Justin would come and pick me up, which he did after 1pm.  Terry then invited us to stay for lunch - which was very nice of him, especially as it was his home made lasagne which is one of my favourites

We would have left around 2 or 3, and went back to the house for a few hours.  I bought some eggs, and saw Steve and Denise, and Steve came around a bit later, dropping off a very nice poster/photo of Major General Tivey (from the 1st World War) who was the son of Joseph Tivey who built our house.  Forgot to take a photo of it, so this is a photo from the web 

Drove up to St Mary's for a 6.30 start

There were 23 of us, not the biggest, nor the smallest that we've had

Some dips, cabana, and herbed cream cheese filled celery  to nibble on - plus Damo and Nicole had made some warming mulled wine to share 

Then a hearty soup

Main course was the chicken, veg, pork etc (forgot to take a photo of this also)

And dessert was of course Terry's plum pudding with white sauce

And of course - Maile and David had made some of their Christmas egg nog

The crowd thinned out towards the end of the night

Justin kindly drove us home - as I had enjoyed the Christmas drinks

Sunday, and a long lie in, as it was warm in bed. Read the paper on the ipads, had breakfast in bed, and eventually got up after 10am - very indulgent

  

The weather was also not conducive to going outside, being grey, and drizzly at times.

It was a surprisingly sunny day in Melbourne, as Madeleine had sent me a photo - normally we have significantly sunnier/bluer days in Inglewood than Melbourne

Despite it being quite cold and a bit wet, I put my overalls on and did a bit of weeding around the veggie patch, transplanted some calendulas etc found some self seeded poppies and also sawed some more wood.

While I was out the front, some people asked if this was my house, and becauue they were so nice, I showed them around 

Opera at Tarnagulla 30 June - 1 July 2018

Drove up by myself on the Friday afternoon, after stopping in on Helen and picking up the wheels to the heater that she'd given us last year.  Joining the Tullamarine from Bell Street is a bit of a hassle, lot of traffic!

Unfortunately, they were the wrong wheels, so we still can't use the heater.... had another look at its booklet, and it actually has sort of sleigh legs

So, got to Inglewood around 4.30 or so.  Had asked Maile and David to drop in for a drink and nibbles, and then to go to one of the pubs for dinner

However it was very cold, and as I was walking back from IGA  saw that the Royal had a sign up advertising happy hour between 5 and 6pm and a warming fire.  I was sold, and so took the shopping home, and went back to thaw out.

Fraser had told me about a man who had told him and his friends that he had been in the tunnel between our place and the Emporium, and that the boys shouldn't go down there - rotting timbers/ too dangerous etc

Anyway this man was there at the bar when I walked in - (Fraser had described him).  I introduced myself, and he advised that it was his mate who had been in the tunnel, not him, and that his mate now lived in Bendigo.  Anyway, as the plot thickens, we've never found anything.

So we had a bit of a chat, and I then went and sat by the fire - with a mini bottle of bubbles.  Also rang Justin to advise him where I was.  He was arriving pretty soon - driving here from Warrnambool.

In fact he didn't take too long - was here by 5.20 or so, so met me at the Royal - where we sat by the fire.  Also chatted with Greg - the artist

Went back to the house around 6pm to wait for Maile and David

They came around 6.30, and although I had suggested a drink and nibbles at our place, it was too cold, so we went back to the Royal for dinner.

Saw Steve and Denise having dinner there too, was pretty good, and then back to our place, and an early night.

Saturday morning, and we dropped by Greg's studio to buy a 2 colour lino cut of our house

 Alex and April came up around lunchtime - and we had a quick and warming lunch of hot pies

And then off to Tarnagulla to see Don Giovanni - which Rachel had organised.

Was full, more than 100 people by my count, and we loved it.  Was in the Victoria Theatre where both Dame Nellie Melba and Lola Montez had performed.

And we could even take a glass of bubbles through to enjoy while we watched - how civilised.  Saw Greg the artist there also.  Unfortunately Maile and David couldn't come, as they had something else on

 
The show was great, and we got back to Inglewood later afternoon - with not too many kangaroos

Had some dips and cheese etc, and then back to the Royal for dinner - saw Jim and Pat there this time

And then back to the house - upstairs and a nice fire, also had Alex's heater on as a further heat supplement.

Read the paper, Justin played his guitar a bit, just relaxed.

Sunday, and a bit of a lie in, but did get up and took some very early morning photos

And then some frost a bit later on

 
But then back to the warmth of bed

Given that we've been going through quite a bit of firewood, I sawed up pieces from the large pile that Ben and co had made and put by the side of the fence - as we need some more kindling.  Did quite a bit, and it was tiring

Also did some weeding

And Alex and Justin converted a storage box into a radio with speakers for Alex to take to work - needed some thing robust for in the warehouse

Justin left for Warrnambool after lunch and sent a couple of very nice sky photos that he took on the way

Alex & April, and I left around 4, and I dropped in on Jill's 80th birthday do at the Auburn Bowls club on the way home.  Only thing was that it had finished.  It had been a sit down lunch at 12, saw her daughter, was introduced to her brother, and a few other late stayers, but I missed her, her daughter had just taken her home.  Anyway, they asked me to stay for a drink, so I did, and then left.  Called her the next day