Month: December 2018

“Could we start again, please?”

by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs
The moon in the morning

It’s been a kind of hectic time this last few weeks between getting ready for Christmas and organising fundraising events for the RFDS – the last one being on 23rd December. I was not able to help out at the Carols in the Park event because we were holding a Carol Service at the church at the same time.. Nor was I available for the Pageant. Still and all it was still hectic. Annabell was not the best and she was feeling a bit unwell, but she brightened up somewhat over the Christmas days – particularly Christmas Lunch with the family and, of course, the grandson. The boys organised Christmas Lunch this year. I  attended to the Watchnight Service on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day and we were at Andrew’s and as I said, Annabell was not too well, but for all that she had a good time with  her boys. She did well for gifts and we have always made a point of two sets of gifts and two sets on cards. Her birthday is on 24th December so we have always given her one card and one gift for her birthday and a card and gift for Christmas. We have always made certain she has never missed out and that the two things are always kept separate. On the subject of separate, I had a telephone call from a member of the congregation who  has offered to  take over as State Newsletter Correspondent. This is good and one less thing I have to be concerned with.

We were back home by 4:00 and as she was very tired I made her go and lay down for a few hours. I fed the dogs.  I didn’t take the dogs out as I didn’t want to leave her home alone – even for the hour it would take me to walk the dogs.  When she did wake up a few hours later she was feeling a little better, so I made her some tea and a sandwich. She has been a lot better today. Andrew was supposed to be on holiday this week, but he is still on call

Also, during the week I made a trip to Adelaide. There were some things I needed and wanted and could only be bought in Adelaide. I did, however, go through to Victoria Square

Part of Victoria Square

and took a photograph, or two , of part of the square. Victoria Square is quite large so I was only able to photograph a small part of it. The square started a $24 Million upgrade but after half was completed, the Adelaide City Council had funding issues and the rest will have to wait for the moment..

Sam and Ina ( Dougal’s people) are still in Adelaide. Sam,as I mentioned before, was quite ill and is still having a blood loss so it is unlikely we will see them back for a little while yet. Ina did telephone during the week to let us know what is happening. Dougal has now been with us for  five weeks. It doesn’t seem like that  and as things are we will have him for a little while longer. That’s ok – he’s fine – needs a haircut, but otherwise, fine. The weather has been hot to very hot with a fire ban declared throughout the area for the next few days- Tuesday 36c / Wednesday 41c / Thursday (today) 45c / Friday 46c and then down to the mid 30s for next week. Dogs out very early in the morning and late at night – if it’s not too hot during the day and by late I mean after 8pm.  There have been lots of Kangaroos around the place and this morning was no exception – all of them looking for water and food. I have a bucket of water out in the garden and I top it up every few days. I also  make sure the bird

Next stop – Cowell – 96 miles away and nothing in between.

bath also has water in it – although not today – today I was the “plant” that was watered as the fixture of the hose blew apart and I was soaked. Fortunately it was at the end of the walk. For those who have not seen it – this is my “back Yard”. Thousands of square miles of nothingness but wild animals and  saltbush. The photograph is looking West – north of us  are salt lakes and desert. I want to drive up there sometime but at the moment it is waaaay too hot.

One more week and things can start to get back to what passes for normal – a new week – a new year.  So until  I am back on line again, I wish everyone a Happy and Joyful New Year.

Have a great New Year.

 

The Week that was.

by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs

It has been an interesting week: Monday 3rd. State Newsletter arrived. Printed it off then went down to the church to photocopy it for distribution. The photocopier started playing up, somehow the settings changed – fixed that (Shredded paper). Started again – paper jam. Fixed that (shredded paper) Second paper jam – cleared that, shredded paper, closed down and went home. AMP Papers arrived, downloaded them to fill in shortly. Annabell started getting things ready for the church Christmas Lunch found her trifle bowl was missing. Last used at Anniversary Service last week. Back to church – opened up gates again – unlocked kitchen and searched for missing bowl. Not found. Closed up and went home.  RFDS Meeting ended the day.  Temp 28c

Tuesday and we drove all around town looking for a new glass bowl – without success. Made a feeble attempt to clean up the  untidy bomb shelter that is sometimes referred to as my office.  Picked up ladies and took them and Annabell to the coffee

Early morning walk

evening.  Collected and took them back home.  Temp 32c

Wednesday and I sat and made out RFDS Greeting cards to send to people who have been a help to us over the last year.  Had serious brain fade and decided to hand deliver rather than post. Did that.  Wrote a thank you letter to the Woodworkers Association for the two Gavels they made and donated to us – signed, sealed and also hand delivered to the far end of town. Official temp 42.  Temp on the industrial thermometer under the pergola – 46c.

Thursday decided to make another attempt with the State Newsletter. Clear run. No problems at all. Not having found a new glass bowl by conventional means I suggested we try  Lifeline and see if they had anything suitable. They did and I bought it for her. Filled in AMP Papers and took them to the post office for Registered and Express Delivery. Collected Jacket from dry cleaners. Phone call from Adelaide – Husband very unwell and will be operated on soon. Might be a little bit before they are home again. Assured her Dougal was fine – missing her – but fine. and not to worry too much about him.  Temp. 40c

Friday. Took Annabell shopping. This took up most of the morning and by the afternoon I was here at the desk writing. Phone call from STRATCO to ask me if the RFDS would be able to help them out on Saturday 15th.  Sent email to all members asking for three  volunteers.  That done – contacted STRATCO and told them we would do it. Annabell reminded me that the church kitchen needed milk and could I attend to that.  Supermarket, bought milk, took it to  church.  We decided that we should put the tree up so I got the boxes from the garage only to find that the support legs for the tree were missing. Searched everywhere for them. Decided to get new tree- not a fiber optic tree to be had anywhere. Without the support legs the tree is unstable. I will have a good search and if I cannot find them, I  will drive through to the Port and see what I can find there in the way of a new tree. Temp. 37c

Raining a bit here and my stick now has small flowers.

Saturday and Sunday morning it rained and we were having more concerns about the Christmas Pageant and Market. It did clear and although it remained cool it also remained dry, so the pageant and the market were able to go ahead. I was at home and didn’t attend. And here we are, back to Monday again, cold wet and miserable – so much for the summer weather. The Eastern Seaboard battered by storms and it looks as if  much of December will be cold and wet. Sumer is coming – have no idea when but it is coming. It’s like a hair shampoo advert that was popular here some years ago with the catch phrase “It wont happen overnight, but it will happen”

December – Good Grief!!

by edgar62, posted in House, Garden and Dogs
The RFDS Simulator last time we used it.

I took the dogs out for their walk this morning, I was at home starting to get ready for the three events today.  I would be involved in two of them.   About 7:30, down it came – heavy rain, no wind but heavy, straight down rain. It didn’t  let up  but my fundraising was under cover  ( not the best of cover, but still cover) and we were mostly protected. The other one was not and they bravely  took the rain in their stride. By 11am the thunder started and then some lightening. There was some concern regarding the  Children’s  Christmas Pageant due to start at 5pm today. There was no let-up in the rain and the thunder so it was decided at 3pm to cancel the  Pageant and the After Pageant Fair. It will now take place on the 9th December. Sadly the RFDS Simulator started back to Adelaide and it is unlikely that we will be able to get the simulator back up from Adelaide again. This is a great pity because it’s a great draw-card and it is very popular, giving people`the opportunity to see how the inside of a RFDS aircraft is set up and all the equipment it contains. This also presents problems for the organisers of the After Pageant Fair in that some of the traders who would have been at the Fair will not be able to come back on the 9th December because of other commitments. We will just have to see how things  work out, but the decision not to go ahead with the Pageant was the right decision given the weather at the time. Actually it has been raining again today (Monday) I have to get my terminology right and it’s not the After Pageant Fair anymore – it’s the After Pageant Market

Referring back to the last post, I did resign as Secretary four years ago. The person that took over lasted for less than a year, then left and I was asked to  take it over again until the AGM and new elections. LOL, I’m still here…

Benji and Dougal at the Wetlands

Dougal is still with us and will be here at least until  the weekend, perhaps even beyond that, depending what happens in Adelaide. The were home during the week and I spoke to them and it was my suggestion ( and the right one) that Dougal should just stay here until they  finish all the medical appointments Adelaide and be back home. I thought that was preferable to him

being moved back and forward – Benji and Dougal get on well so it’s not a problem. — Wife phoned and Sam is not too great and still in hospital. Not very sure about when he would be allowed out and home. She was concerned about the imposition on us. I assured her Dougal was fine and I was happy for him to be here. It was not an imposition in any way and we were happy to help — better here than in some Kennels ( however good they might be)

Since I started writing this we have had an RFDS Workshop which was run by Central Operations during which we were told that it would be unlikely that we would get the simulator back but they would see what they could.  Well, they did very well and the Simulator will arrive here on the morning of the 9th and be set up.  The tentative date for the Pageant was Saturday 8th Dec. but it turned out that the Ada Ryan Gardens had been booked out for that day with a big wedding and  that date could not be moved, so it became Sunday  the 9th. I am not sure if I will be able to  assist – actually it is unlikely that I will be able to assist. The same will apply the following week – Carols in the Park –  which clashes with our own Carol Service at church.

Just Because.

During this coming week we are in for a few days of hot weather somewhere between 28c on Tuesday up to 37c on Thursday and a cooler 30c on Friday. I think the weather should be ok for the children’s Pageant and the Market afterwards.  Annabell has not been at her best this last week, so we will have to keep a close eye on her and make sure she does not overdo things. Only two more coffee nights and them they break up until next February.