Hands

It has been a delightful weekend with gorgeous weather, beautiful countryside and a celebration - our 29th wedding anniversary. We have been so blessed sharing all these wonderful years together.

As the end of November approaches, our surroundings seem to have come to life. This time of year is one of restlessness and anticipation for me as I look forward to Christmas and the long summer holidays but as I grow older I am more aware of the energy of spring and the excitement of nature. Each spring we have birds nesting and above is this year's nest at the back of our house behind the trellis of the grape vine (this is for Maryjaneyviolet - the motherbird wasn't present when I took the photo, but she has returned watched me carefully as I just hung the clothes on the line). I think the most imaginative nest was in my bicycle basket up in the rafters but we've also had one in the camelia outside the loungeroom window where we could easily view the progress of the little family. Another spring the Charming One was kept awake with the constant chirping from the nest in the branches shading his bungalow. The garden now looks fresh and green after recent rains and the paddocks around our cottage have been recently mown giving the countryside a patchwork appearance. All is inviting.


I have been very busy with two hands lately as I am due to have surgery this afternoon and my left hand will stitched and pinned for a number of weeks. The Christmas cakes are baked, the puddings done, the advent calendars at the ready - including a new one for Belle's first Christmas. I have made a little Christmas dress for her as well and have happily sat in the sunshine working on a (long overdue) cross-stich.

So now I am enjoying the morning, quietly collecting all that is necessary for my hospital stay and pondering a quieter, slower approach to Christmas this year. I am truly thankful that even though I will be 'one handed', I am surrounded by loving and willing hands, ever ready to help.

Water (or lack of it)

The welcome break turned into a time of sickness and ill health for my darling. He, who rarely is unwell, suffered greatly and although initially I wasn't as sympathetic as I might have been, I soon realized he truly was enduring great pain and distress. All is well now and he even rode his bike to work today for the first time since being confined to the sick bed.

Our cottage is in the catchment area of a dam that is ear-marked to supply water to Melbourne in the future and with the dry seasons we have been experiencing, the city is under pressure. Even though many individuals are doing what they can, stronger measures need to be taken and recently we were informed that regulations are now in place to limit/reduce human habitation in the catchment. Consequently no more building is to take place, including extensions to existing dwellings and as there are only about 18 houses as well as local farms in the area I'm not really sure of the impact. Personally any plans we had for the cottage will no longer occur - it will stay as a 1920's cubby house - but does it mean our whole little hamlet will become a time capsule of the 20th century? Locals have differing opinions and I guess we'll just have to wait and see.


As you can see, the beauty bush (top) has been in flower, the blossoms are brief but stunning. The male and female kiwi fruit plants which were unhappily beside it, have now got much fruit forming after being transplanted in amongst the old boots and bottles. The cherry and pear also are laden, so hopefully we'll be enjoying much fruit this season. The area remains beautifully green and our tanks are full but high temperatures (38 degrees) are forecast for next week so it looks like a hot summer ahead.

A welcome break

It’s the Victorian version of the half-term holiday and it has started off wonderfully well. It’s actually a long weekend for the running of a horse race – The Melbourne Cup.

This morning Little Belle and I had our first shopping expedition together and she loved it (as did I) and was so good. It was a very ordinary shopping list but we arrived early and had a leisurely stroll collecting the bits and pieces. She charmed all and sundry, had a 40 minute snooze and then “ate” her stewed fruit while I enjoyed an organic hot chocolate.

The plan for the afternoon was to visit an art exhibition in the city. I hadn’t been to this particular gallery before but found it easily, passed through the brightly lit front room and then through dark curtains into a dim inner space. I think I was a little disoriented but discovered the works displayed in a corner and found the experience quite moving. The dark room, the images - framed in old windows with the glass dull and sometimes cracked - were like glimpses of memories. It was like peering into some half-forgotten childhood dream and all the while beautiful music, which the artists had composed, played its haunting tune. I spent some time contemplating and absorbing the atmosphere before making my way to a small office to discover more.

I found the artists have published a book. The display copy was absolutely beautiful and I have loved any self published books I have bought previously, but as it turned out the last copies at the gallery had just been bought by two lovely ladies. (I am hopeful of purchasing my own through other avenues). For a treat, have a peep here for a little insight into the artists’ inspiring creativity.

Tomorrow we’re off to the cottage …