Joans jottings

What an amazing privilege to be able to create your own garden. I have spent weeks planning and buying plants, seeds and bulbs just for this purpose. I’m thankful that I have 3 Bunnings stores in the area so I can and  do the rounds of them all. I take advantage of the plants that need TLC. In doing so l have effectively cut the cost of many purchases.

All planted up September/October.

Each day brings new surprises and joy. I’m enjoying watching the garden taking shape. The birds are frequent visitors including one especially curious cockatoo.

A local company, Coastal Landscaping and Earthmoving Company undertook the work to address the drainage issues as well as concreting down the side of the house.

The work commenced in July and took four weeks to complete. The weather was mostly fine but heavy rain delayed the end of the job making the backyard a boggy quagmire. I wasn’t able to do much planting out before my planned holiday. So that was delayed for almost a month which as it turned out allowed the backyard to dry out. Being heavy clay soil and having lost much of the precious topsoil a lot of soil restoration needed to be done.

A big thank you to Rob and his team for their professional and considerate approach to this challenging job. I learnt a lot. Also, I enjoyed watching them work as a team and the progress each day.

This years Steven West knitting challenge occurs in October every year.

Sadly we had to put Van down yesterday. She was a big part of our lives for 11 years.

We were a good pair in the end. Me with my #ankle and Van with her sudden loss of mobility to the point of not being able to use her back legs. Robyn had her hands full with both of us! Her home visit was very timely.

Never too old to attend your 1st Rock Concert. Thanks to Paul we all enjoyed the Red Hot Summer event at the Berry Showground 2 weekends ago.

I asked Tamika if she would be interested in taking a camera to take photos and videos of the concert. As I thought, she was more than keen. So I dusted off my Nikon camera, and oldie but a goodie. Recharged the battery and did the same to a more recent Pentax camera. Interestingly on checking the SD cards I found some old pics and videos of Jai as a baby (15 yrs ago) Chris featured in them as well. There  were even older pictures mum had taken on a trip she had taken ? 20 yrs ago.  Quite nostalgic for me. If I hadn’t got the cameras out those memories would have remained unseen.

It’s been a quiet start to 2025. Can’t complain when you see what’s happening in the world these days.

Robyn has gone back to work. She drove this time. She caught up with the Adelaide Maher’s. Picket, her canine friend was pleased to see her.

Paul’s birthday is coming up soon and I have been busy creating the annual Family Photos photo book.

Lynda and Ethel called in last Monday on their way to the Abbey at Jamberoo for a 5 day retreat.

Autumn has had a wet start. The garden is growing at a rapid rate. It will be interesting to see any early autumn changes in the Highlands next week. Fran and I are having a catch up.

The last couple of months have gone quickly. I’ve settled back after my SA holiday and fully recovered from my sprained ankle.

Family activities are now my focus and the end the year is upon us.

Christmas this year was a quiet family affair. The weather was kind and everyone enjoyed opening presents and sharing Christmas dinner together. We are aware and mindful of how fortunate/ blessed we are.

Robyn and Sharon had a quick visit to see Lynda and Ethel in Old Bar before New Year Celebrations.

Meanwhile back home we celebrated Ian’s 48th birthday.

I’m traveling back alone so I can travel at my own pace. I decided to come back the same/similar way. It will be much quicker and include Bendigo and Wangaratta.

I had intended to stay in Bendigo but on checking the shop hours at Wangaratta Woolen mill they were only open on Monday and Friday. So I left very early from Bordertown and did manage to visit both places. That night I stayed in a CP in Wodonga.

Another beautiful sunny day. I decided to break the trip home and spend the night in Yass. I have enjoyed visiting places along the Hume Highway (M1). First stop was the bakery in Holbrook to get morning tea. Then drove to the park where the famous submarine features. Back on the road again, next stop Tarcutta. Tarcutta is the middle point distance wise between Sydney and Melbourne. Often used as a truckers changeover point. The area itself is rural. I found an amazing craft shop in the main street.

I decided to continue on for a little bit longer and see if I could get accommodation in Yass. That makes a shorter trip home tomorrow.

Not far from home now.

Let the fun begin.

I left home at 9:00 according to plan, heading to Jugiong on an overcast morning to meet the other members of Noreen’s tagalong group. The initial 20 limit has blown out to 27 with the additional Rollers joining in along the way. My first stop was Goulburn as is my habit going down the Hume Highway (M1) and Belmore Park didn’t disappoint, the gardens looked a picture.

I reached Jugiong about 14:00 and found our designated spot along the Murrimbidgee River. Several of the group had arrived and it was good to catch up with familiar faces and meet the new members.

Junee

Then on to Narrandera for overnight stop at the Brewery Reserve.

Next day we set out for Echuca where we had a 2 night stay in a Big 4 CP. Tuesday was Melbourne Cup so a public holiday here in Victoria. The CP as you could imagine was full. We had an enjoyable pub lunch at the nearby Shamrock Hotel and stayed to watch the race on their large screen TV. Great atmosphere although no big winners amongst us. Noreen’s sister was a part owner in number 7, Just Fine. Great excitement when it led at the beginning of the race.

We walked back along the Murray River past where the paddle steamers leave. Then as I walked I didn’t realize that I was on the edge of a shallow gutter and unfortunately turned my ankle, fell over and had to be helped up. Fortunately one of the ladies organized a ride back to the CP for me because I wasn’t able to walk that far.

This is how I spent the next day. I bought a bag of ice from the CP office.

With a rest day yesterday I was now able to hobble around and drive my automatic van( thank God).

The next couple of days we travel through the Mallee farm region of Western Victoria. The countryside comprises of vast  acres of grain, barley, wheat and canola. Teams of harvesters, equipment and trucks are industriously bringing in the harvest. Each little country town has silos, collection points and loading facilities to transport the grain by rail or road.

With great excitement we arrived at our destination. The checking in process was in full swing.

About 100 Rollers went on the Kangaroo Island tour. Early start 7:30 to board the coach for the trip to the ferry. We had 2 coaches for drop off and pick up on both sides. The drivers enjoyed sharing their knowledge and answering our questions. On the island one coach went one direction and the other in the opposite way. Only 2  places could cater for our numbers, I went to Emu Ridge, they are a family business founded in 1991 and one of only eucalyptus farmers producing chemical free, natural and sustainable products. We had a video about their business, and information on the products they sell. I purchased some hopefully magic Emu oil which is good for many things including sprains. They also take  in injured animals and care for them. There were three Joey’s on the day.

I had a rest day the next day as line dancing is not possible and chair yoga may have been possible but I opted out.

But no rest for me as Noreen spied me and roped me into  prepping spuds. They had to be peeled and cooked till soft enough for the group to use for the nochi making session ( local Italian restaurant chief ). All with the additional element of difficulty of doing this in the camp kitchen.

The next day we had a cruise of the Coorong and out to the mouth of the Murray River.

Murder mystery night. Rollers love any excuse to dress up. We had caterers in to provide our evening meal.

Saturday morning and time for checkout and goodbyes. Plans in the making for the next STUCK to be held in Mission Beach  QLD.

I left Port Elliott about 9:00 and headed for Adelaide.It was an hour drive through hilly farming areas and vineyards. Fran and Catherine had arrived yesterday and I was joining them at the Stamford Grand at Glenelg right on the beach. Fran particularly likes staying there (I now see why) but first time for Catherine and I. Only a short visit as they were flying back late Sunday afternoon.

After I did all the checking in process and put Flo in a 24hr parking area we had time for coffee and pastry from a nearby bakery. Jim had booked into the Ottoman Restaurant not far from where we were staying, for lunch. When we met up we were happy to see Kyam with Jim. They had both been busy on a poling booth that morning for a local by-election. He couldn’t stay long but it was good see him.

We met downstairs for breakfast and had some time together before check out. A much cooler day today. The beach was wild.

And so began our journeys home.