However, my timing was less than impeccable, David R's brother Alvin had succumbed to cancer, and had died a few days earlier. Arleen and Chrissie were therefore not able to come, although said they might drop in. And Anne A was in Melbourne.
That said, I got to Inglewood quite late - around 4pm, and quickly made up the (hot) artichoke dip, and red dip (although we didn't end up eating either)
Ann L, Maile and Carol arrived first - bringing drinks and platters of nibbles with them too - so
I didn't really need mine, brought out one of my pates though, and some smoked mussels
Sat up on the veranda and had a fab time. And it wasn't as cold as how Maile looks
Jan arrived next, and then Nicole, and once it was dark, and it did in fact start getting colder we moved inside
So, as they say, a good time was had by all, and finished up around midnight
Had my inspection of the garden in the morning after having read The Age on line in bed for a while, (didn't really have time for it yesterday, as I was rushing to prepare for the gals)
The almonds are just beautiful
And I planted all of those excess to needs plants that I brought from Melbourne ie lilies, a loquat tree, succulents, violets and other no name plants - or at least, I don't know their names. It's still rather damp here, so hopefully they'll survive.
I also set up dinner - ie slow cooked lamb, mashed potatoes and salad, no dessert.
Justin arrived with Susan and Mark around 4.30pm. By this stage I was up on the veranda taking in some warmish sunlight, and reading the virtual newspaper again
Settled them, and then had some nibbles - inside as it was getting cold. I made a fire again, although this time not as successful as last night's. Had to nurture it a bit.
Had dinner upstairs around 7, and then settled in by the fire.
Susan nabbed a prime spot in the bean bag by the fire
And Mark and Justin entertained us musically
Slow start on Sunday morning,as it was cold. Had a modest breakfast, and then drove to Charlton for lunch. The cafe that I had been to some years ago with Mum and Helen had closed, so we ended up at the Cricket Club Hotel. Food was pretty good
Had a quick wander around near the river
And then back in the car, and down the Calder to Inglewood. On the way there we had noticed some yellow round things in the paddocks - size of a tennis ball or slightly larger.
We (or I) were rather curious at to what they were. Mushrooms? Rocks?
So on the way back Justin stopped, and we investigated. On closer inspection they looked like small melons or gourds. But I'd left my mobile in the car, so didn't get a close up photo of them
Took a photo of the paddock from the car. If you squint you can see tiny round objects beyond the fence
Anyway, we returned to Inglewood, and Mark and Susan left. Originally Justin was going to go back with them also, as I was going to stay til Tuesday, and go to Alvin's funeral. However, overnight I had 1/2 lost my voice, and had a nasty cold coming on. The prospect of staying in the cold house did not appeal, so Justin and I drove back to Melbourne together, and I pretty much spent the next 2 days in my nice warm bed, alternating between sleeping, binge watching tv shows (the Son, and Next of Kin on SBS) and reading.
Oh, and I should note that Gordon dropped in as we were packing up, and I asked him if he might know what those gourds/melons were.
And yes, he did, he solved the mystery for us. he thought they were paddy melons, which are a weed - which would explain why we pretty much saw just the melons, but no attached plant. We figured the farmer must have poisoned the plants
Below is a photo that I found on the internet. Obviously it was much greener where were were (for once), but the melons and dead plants look the same
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