a different week

A different week last week.  We had Christmas in July.  A friend showed me the flyer and I agreed to attend.  When I made inquiries, I learned that it was invitation only, and aimed at older people living alone and isolated.  I fully accepted that I was not the target audience, but lo and behold (as happens at Christmas) I got a phone call the day before to say that there had been a cancellation and would I like to go?  Of course, whenever in doubt just say yes.  So I did.  It gave me the opportunity to get out my red dress and the rather arresting red earrings FF gave me when last I was in Encounter Bay.

The chairs were all set out in accordance with Covid 19 guidelines, which made them look like 'naughty chairs' set out in the Orford Community Hall.  It was a cute little event with lots of gingerbread and shortbread, so no complaints from me.

Friday was the day of the funeral of my friend's husband.  It was held at the Orford Bowls Club, dear to both of them.  I knew there would me lots attending and wasn't sure of the rules in these 'unprecedented days' so got there a bit late to ensure I could stay outside.  As I drove closer it became apparent that there were hundreds in attendance, so I changed plan and drove to Manning Avenue, from where you can easily reach the cliff tops to gaze out to sea and think.

the ideal view for reflection

the conveniently placed bench

with a dedication which I thought probably expressed my widowed friend's feelings

There were also signs of Spring with native plants in flower.

And then the short stroll back to the road and the car.  The land on both sides of the path is privately owned, and is some of the most beautiful bush I know.  True inspiration for the garden and life.

Reasons to be chi-ful during a pandemic

Tai chi has started up again, temporarily at the golf club because there is more space for our 1.5 distancing.  Jen was very keen to show us something she had learned from facebook earlier in the morning:

how to fold your plastic supermarket bags into little spanokopita-style bundles.  Of course, I had to rush home to give it a go.
Steve, in the meantime, was learning in Dutch how to turn a sock into a face mask:

Quite confronting to come home to.  And definitely mean time.  Steve and I rolled around laughing uncontrollably while Jill PD watched on anxiously.  I fashioned a mask for her from the toe of the sock, but she wasn't keen.  Certainly not keen enough to have a photo taken.  And a handy hint from Steve:  use a clean sock.

Yesterday we had some sunshine so I bought some croissants, squeezed some oranges, made a coffee, and enjoyed my favourite breakfast in my shed.

I didn't get to read as much of my book as I'd intended.  In fact it turned out to be one of the maddest days I've had in Triabunna.  All very pleasant, but I'm trying to think of a way of reporting it without being libelous...

Mid Winter

We're halfway through winter and I think I'm in a semi-hibernation.  I usually spend part of the season in Adelaide, and this winter is starting to feel long.  I'm still doing some gardening most days, mostly pulling up weeds from the lawn.  Mallow plants have gone absolutely crazy with the rain.

Steve has presumably bored of drawing his own hands, and drew mine.

I have been reading.  I didn't want to read this book because it is about a mother and child involved in an accident and I thought it may be maudlin.  Definitely not.  I'm glad Her Majesty commanded me to read it.  It has really helped me come to grips with a rapid and unexpected change of circumstances, even after a really long time-span.  It's a lovely book and I think all Mums will enjoy it.

This is one of the books I bought with my $50 Fullers book token.  I didn't go in to buy this book but it has some inspiring photos, and I've learned a lot from reading it cover to cover.

This is the book I went to Fullers to buy, and I'm so glad I did.  It is a beautiful little book - and I have a penchant for little books - and look at the dust cover.  It is about gardening in the UK so not directly relevant to Australia in terms of indigenous species, but the principles are presumably the same.  It is beautifully, knowledgeably and amusingly written.  I'd love to see a Tasmanian equivalent.

From the sublime to the slightly ridiculous.  This book came from PUBS which is operating again under restricted opening.  Judy, the coordinator, phoned to ask me if I was interested.  She looks out for Arthur Upfields for me (and the Floosie).  It's early Upfield from the 1930s, rife with sexism and racism, and the main character is not particularly likeable though he seems to like himself.  But I enjoyed a bit of a romp through the West Australian outback.  It is not a Boney book but you can see the Boney character beginning to take shape.

I forced myself through this library book, not because it's a bad read but because Ashton and I are on the same wave length, and it seemed redundant.  The chapter on living wills has made me pause for thought.

The Barracks has ordered about 6 quarryfuls of sandstone to put up a front fence.  I shall keep you posted.

I'll let  you know if there's any more excitement!!

Life and death in Triabunna

I wax lyrical about my good life in Triabunna.  I love that we are a fishing town but last weekend a friend's husband died while out in his commercial fishing boat.

Clamped but happy

I've had a lovely day.  No photos.  I had to go into Hobart for BreastScreen, referred to as 'clamping' by Tribesters.  Anyone who's had a mammogram will know why.  The technician referred to the 'clamps' as 'paddles', so perhaps a new terminology is in order.
Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself.  I drove to Rosny Park (aka Eastlands), parked the car and caught the bus into town.  Unbeknownst to me, public transport is currently free.  I appeared particularly hick as I asked the driver how I was to pay.  This was after some smart young thing explained to me that I had to get on the bus via the middle door.  The poor driver was almost cowering as I strolled towards him, passengers watching amused and tittering - perhaps they knew where I was going.  I love the bus ride because I can relax and have a good look around, not something it is wise to do while driving across the Tasman Bridge.
After clamping (fingers crossed for a good result), I walked up Collins Street, exploring a couple of arcades on the way.  Very interesting.  I had no idea they are there. So many little coffee and eating niches.  My destination was Fullers Bookshop.  Heaven.  Particularly because I had a $50 voucher, my reward for participating in an online focus group for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.  There were a lot of book browsing and buying going on.  I had a particular book in mind - The Garden Jungle.  The Fishpond price is cheaper but I would prefer to support a living, breathing bookshop.  So I got my Garden Jungle book plus one about French vegetable gardens.  They came to exactly $50. Of course I was itching to peruse my purchases so I caught the bus back to Rosny Park, made a quick foray into Flight Centre to learn that there are no Hobart - Adelaide direct flights, got the car and drove to Sorell where I ordered miso soup and a bento box and sat down to a leisurely lunch.  Very happy.
All this, and pizza for tea tonight.  I will leave you with some photos taken much earlier this year, just before Covid 19 restrictions: a workshop at Spring Bay Mill for the Pulchella Community Nursery Landcare Group.

 posh heated trays for seed raising

high vis, spaced out learners

interesting landscaping ideas

it really is a privilege to be able to come here

good ideas to steal

I'd rather be glamping...