Drove up on Thursday afternoon, as Justin was going to work from home (Inglewood) on Friday
Was the first time we had seen what Shane and his crew had done with the paths etc - as it had been half finished for ages
We were rather pleased
The plants have grown so much - and there were so many flowers - all the watering systems are in too
And there are 2 new beds near the back door for herbs, and to break up the expanse of crushed rock
Bought a roast chicken for dinner at the IGA and had it with some salad
Friday, and Justin worked, and I pottered in the garden til about 12, pulled out some more weeds, cut back the orange trumpet flower which was out of control over the front gate. Once again I was very wary of the bees - didn't want to get stung
The rest of the grass area was quite bald - ie lots of dirt on top - will need to re-grass
Gordon dropped in around 5pm or so, and had a Christmas drink with us in the dining room
Went up to the Village Green in Kingower just before 7pm for the party. I made the watermelon and whipped fetta canapes - they went down a treat.
Was very windy once we got to Kingower - bad bush fire weather, could see smoke from the Grampians in the sunset colours
Once again a very pleasant night
Saturday, and we slept in, breakfast in bed etc
Then off to Bunnings in East Bendigo for supplies. Wanted shelving for the garage, a couple of saw horses and also a hoist for the canoe
Dropped in at Bridgewater on the way back - to go to the Nursery, for herbs etc. Got some strawberries, chives, sage, oregano, chillis, for the new back beds and also some flowers - mixed salvia marigolds, and cosmos
Had a sandwich for lunch, and Alex & Jane arrived around 2.30pm
Showed them around the garden etc
Got the canoe back from Steve and put it in the garage
Late afternoon had drinks and some dips and chips in the rotunda
And then Shane the gardener and his daughter dropped in to explain the gardening system etc
Went inside and had a simple dinner after this - ie left over roast chicken, ham, vine tomatoes, dips, salad etc - very pleasant
While we were eating Maile came to the back door and said that Enzo's party had started (It was after 7.30pm). We finished up, got showered and changed and wandered across
There were a lot of people milling around on the grass outside
And a pumping band inside
Had a great time and stayed til 1am - the others left earlier
Sunday, and a staggered start - unfortunately despite the late night I still woke up very early - around 5.30am - and couldn't really get back to sleep - so felt tired all day
Once everyone was up had a leisurely breakfast - just toast and coffee
Jane left mid morning, and I planted the herbs/flowers that I had bought yesterday (was cooler today)
Alex helped me move the garden furniture back into position - which pleased me no end
Justin was cleaning the now garage fridge, setting up the shelving and the canoe hoist
Turns out the pulleys that we bought from Bunnings were too small/canoe too heavy for them, so we'll have to buy some different/more pulleys
And then we had some lunch in the rotunda with Terry - bought a few more supplies ie pate, cherries etc. All very pleasant
Tidied up and left around 3pm, and dropped in on Carolyn on the way home - I had wanted Justin to see her place outside Castlemaine. Had a sparkling rose and some home made dips with her - and then onto home - where Fraser & Rileigh had a delicious pasta bake waiting for us for dinner
