Birthday Celebrations at Eastern Beach - Geelong

Happy Birthday to my sister Glenda.   This weekend's visit coincided with her 58th, read FIFTY-EIGHTH birthday.  So i got to spoil her a little and embarrass her lots, which is always so much fun!

Country bumpkin that she is, there is still a bit of adventure to be had on public transport so by the time i got home from work on Friday she was sitting at my table.  Her journey from Eastern Melbourne across to the West includes two buses and two trains.  She does of course have a perfectly functional Ford Territory but with Friday traffic, fuel and tolls it works out much cheaper and a lot more interesting to come by train.  Our usual Friday nights together include a catch-up of Foxtel programs she has missed.   We both love Village Vets filmed in country Victoria and River Cottage Australia when its on.

On Saturday, her actual birthday, Kerrie and I took her to Eastern Beach in Geelong for coffee and cake by the water.  Its always so lovely there in springtime.  Not too hot and with the first warm weekend in the early 20's F there were plenty people walking dogs, children playing along the edge of the water, families picnicking and of course, the latte crowd i was happy to join.

Its a popular place and parking is really the only concern.   We did strike it lucky and got one right near where we were headed near the yacht club.

Honest, the cake wasn't really this big, its the camera angle but it was a large slice of Hummingbird Cake.  I had a word with the waiter on the sly and he presented the cake at the table with a burning candle and then sung Happy Birthday to her.  She was very embarrassed but very pleased by the attentions of such a gorgeous young man.  (I wasn't looking, honest).

We waddled out to stroll along the pier with everyone else.  As always i look for opportunities to enhance our visit and had Kerrie and Glenda doing lots of embarrassing things while i took photos.  I have readers i have to amuse.

There are 103 bollards decorated by Melbourne artist Jan Mitchell along the waterfront and it would be a 2 hour walk to complete the trail. All of them represent some historical feature of Geelong's past. You can see more detail about them here .

 
The ocean pool boardwalk was a lovely walk and believe it or not there were people swimming.  There were also children playing in the water park but its way to cool for that.

After such a feast we postponed a planned roast lamb dinner until mid afternoon Sunday.  Yummy as usual and followed by a Nanna nap, that truly only one of us is qualified to take.  Glenda's grandchildren are Maison and Chelsea (here in Melbourne) and she has three more in NSW.

Chelsea has lost 3 front teeth recently and we are all amused by her speech and slightly wonky smile.

There, now I've embarrassed everyone for my own amusement and yours.  I hope you appreciate my efforts.

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A Post Full of Self Pity

I'm not a negative person.  I don't get down in the dumps very often and i make it my mission to make as many people smile as possible each day.  Truly, how many times have you laughed at my stupidity, my naivety, or my quirky observations of life.  There is always method in my madness. So permit me to indulge in a little self pity because I've just had the worst holiday ever.  Don't take offence Glenda (sister), you kept me safe, fed, medicated and rested when what i wanted to do was jump up and down and say ...

I waited all year for the opportunity to take leave and go somewhere.  It was planned that last week our family would spend 4 nights in a luxury 5 star resort in Torquay on the coast.  Hubby started a new job the week before (unplanned but very happy event) so he couldn't go (Strike 1).  Tom wanted to stay home and look after Tilly and Dad (he did a good job) and so i changed plans and invited my sister Glenda.  Much excitement ensued including a few new items of clothing, new underwear (truly i needed them) and packing of yummy girl munchies (read chocolate), games, books and DVD's (Vikings).  My girlfriend, Kerrie, even dropped around a personalised care package with all the things i consider yummy.   I had printed maps of the waterfalls we would visit in the Otway National Park with the expectation that I'd really clock up some steps on my fitbit and my friends would gasp in wonder.

Well things didn't go according to plan.  I got sick with a bad dose of the flu and on arrival Sunday afternoon i was packed straight into bed (Strike 2).  A very nice bed it was but it was not what i had in mind.

Yes, the location was lovely.  No, i hadn't won Tatts, my friend's brother is a member of the time-share resort chain and when they have vacancies in the off-season they offer them for huge discounts to members and their guests.  I only paid $40 per night for a huge two bedroom apartment.  In reception i heard someone making a public booking for a one bedroom apartment at $395 a night.  Really!!!  Truly!!   Gulp!   So if there is any consolation it was that i hadn't paid a fortune.  Still...

Of course there was a tennis court, a day spa, indoor pool (given that its winter and bitterly cold), bistro for evening meals, buffet breakfast and a beautiful beach across the road for all to enjoy, EXCEPT ME!  See, I'm sulking!.  I made my way through flu tabs and tissues for several days until on Wednesday, fever running hot, we came home early but that is not where my disappointment ends.  I left my Fitbit on the sink in the bathroom and magically it cannot be found (Strike 3).  Since i cant see myself funding a replacement then i guess i am out of the club.

You would think that 3 strikes and I'd be out, wouldn't you.  Well no, the umpire decided to give me another shot and we had planned a trip home last weekend to gather with the family and move Mum and her belongings from her sold house in Leeton to newly purchased one in Narrandera.   This was a much anticipated and planned event and everyone was joining in, as only families can and despite it being hard work the opportunity to be together (and to meet my niece's new baby) was very much looked forward too.
So, as you would guess, i was too sick to go and Glenda went without me.

OK, i get the picture, I'M OUT!!!!

Of course, at work it's all a bit of a laugh.  Something always goes wrong when i have a holiday.  So, its been decided that i'm much better off staying at work.  Better luck next time.

Oh, for those who actually care, i went back to work Tuesday and i am feeling much better, thank you!  I might even consider a Flu Shot next year.

Thanks for Living In The Land of Oz

Lion Ribbon Graffiti in Melbourne

Has anyone else noticed all the lion's heads done in pink fluro ribbon around Melbourne.  There are several near my work in West Footscray and i consider them works of art rather than graffiti. Its takes some skill to do this in a public place, usually on a fence, with time constraints and under the cloak of darkness. Considering its a very cold winter this year, it also takes serious dedication to ones art.  I was sure it had some meaning as a logo for some political statement but when when i tried to Google it, all i come up with is Lion Ribbon which is a brand of haberdashery. Further investigation was needed.  This link from a radio stations has some more examples around town.

Triple M Melbourne - Lion's Heads

I continued on until i found some forums and the general chatter tells me that it appears to be the work of a Melbourne artist known as Sunfigo and its obviously been happening for quite a while.  There are numerous sightings of the ribbon work all over Inner and East Melbourne.  Its also possible that there are now copy-cat artists around.

Upon further investigations, there have been sightings in Melbourne of other animals.

http://pinsta.me/secretshq

http://pinsta.me/lu7070

Graffiti art is not new to Melbourne.  Its everywhere in all its various forms from the most amazing murals in the lane-ways of Melbourne and sides of buildings to the disgusting illegal tags that cover everything including trains, buses and twice now, our front fence.   So i guess, as with all things, there is good and bad graffiti.

With the old adage of "cant beat them, join them" Melbourne City Council now has approved locations that it promotes on its website and you can now do lane-way tours.   See link here for Melbourne's Public Art. These locations are not just public thoroughfares but also locations used for fashion shoots, movies and even trendy pop-up restaurants.

The good thing about all this "public art" is that it has now opened up the lane ways and darker area's of the city and brought foot traffic making it safer.  In the past these alley ways were dangerous places to be, even during the day. Now, many are lit and under camera surveillance.  There is a code among graffiti artists of not destroying the work of others.  A sign of respect i guess.

What do you think?  I like the ribbon art.  Its temporary and doesn't damage property.

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Brrr..... Its a Cold but Beautiful Winter's Day

Are you sick of reading how cold it is in Oz yet.   Well let me tell you again, its bloody cold.  (Note to all OS readers, "Bloody" is not swearing in Oz)  What else would you expect people, its the middle of winter!  My friend Jessie in Ballan (40 minutes away) told me it was -6.4C so really, what am i complaining about.  I'm thinking that we will all need to acclimatize to these extreme temps and be more prepared.  I could, for example, actually buy a coat.  Not a ski puffy one that would make someone want to grab me and shove me on a pole outside a tyre place

Jeepers, the resemblance is uncanny!!!   (Gulp)

but a nice woollen one that is stylish and warm.  Problem? I hate shopping!  So i just layer up with whatever i can find on cold days with no regard to style or fashion.  Its not like we have a lot of days like these and well those coats cost a pretty penny.   I leave a warm house, get into a warm car (when its de-iced), enter a warm office and do the same in reverse for 5 out of 7 days so i don't want to spend a fortune on that sometimes only item.

My little seedlings are snug and warm inside the drink bottle homes in the garden.  More importantly they are also safe from opportunistic birds that eat anything green that i plant.  I have noted that nothing has touched the broad bean plants, and i cant say i blame them.  The things i grow for my husband!

So you would think that my sister (sleeping over) and i would stay inside, all snug and warm and watch movies or play Soduko and Solitaire on Sunday.  Well you are wrong.  I grabbed my big sis and we went for a drive, yet again down to the Bellarine Peninsular.  I'd found yet another person who has bypassed this little corner just under Geelong on their way to The Great Ocean Road.  They really need to do some PR work. I seem to be doing it for them.   Since i was only there a few weeks ago you can see a map on my last post here which featured Port Arlington.  Yesterday, after visiting the same bakery for bacon and egg brunch, we went further along the bay to Port Lonsdale.

The pier directly faces The Rip, where the mouth of the bay meets Bass Straight and its great to sit on the bench and watch waves from every direction crashing like a big washing machine.

Though there have been  navigational aids on this spot since 1852, this lighthouse first operated in 1902 and continues to be manned 24 hours a day (one of the last in Australia) even though it was automated in 1999. The Rip is the only entrance to Port Philip Bay and is one of the ten most treacherous navigable passages in the world.

OK, history lesson over.   Isn't it beautiful.  Though it was still chilly, there was a lovely warmth when you stood in the winter sun.  There were people both board surfing and in the distance kite surfing as well as plenty of people fishing.

We dropped off at a Farmers Market on the way home and bought some very cheap Pink Lady apples and then visited my friend Ella in Lara before making our way home.  On Saturday night (i always like to spoil Glenda) i cooked a Roast Lamb meal with lots of baked veggies.  I must say my gravy was just it and a bit. You know how sometimes all the planets align and its just perfect.  Finger and plate lickin good.   So on arriving home Sunday i made lamb fritters with chopped lamb, finely chopped onion, sun dried tomatoes, crumbled feta and herbed batter made with SR Flour.  Yum.  This is dry fried in a non stick pan.

Tonight the left over roasted vegetables turned into a Egg, Bacon and Veggie Pie.  

Line a greased pie dish with puff pastry followed by a layer of bacon, a layer baked potato, carrots, and sweet potato with green beans.  Then crack about 6 eggs on top and let it run between all the veggies.  I break the yolk.  Add another layer of bacon and then using all the scraps from around the edges do something decorative on top.  Bake at 180 for 40 minutes.   Its going to be a yummy lunch tomorrow.   Since i was away, Tom missed out on his weekly sausage rolls so i was booked to make them tonight.

Pinwheel Sausage Rolls - Frozen Sheet of Puff, spread with Beef Sausage Mince, Tomato Paste, Salami, Sprinkle of Cheese.  When slightly defrosted roll up tight and slice.  Bake on oven tray about 20 min. in hot oven.

These are the last of my summer tomatoes that have ripened in the kitchen.  I have lots of little seedlings coming up and i keep telling them, NOT YET!!!

In case you didn't know, I've lost my mind.  Actually make that my head, my hand and my foot.

Slight accident has left me feeling a little disjointed.  Hopefully i can pull myself back together soon.

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Bellarine Peninsular - day trip

Last weekend my BFF and I escaped for a drive around the Bellarine Peninsular,  only a 40 minute drive from home (about 1 1/2 hrs South West from Melbourne).  I have driven past the turnoff to Portarlington many times on my way to Queenscliff and commented that i had never been there.  Sunday was the day we got off the well worn route to our regular lunch spot and went somewhere different.

Don't be afraid of change. 

You may lose something good and find something better.

So for those overseas, this is where we went.

 
The Bellarine Peninsular is surrounded by Port Phillip Bay, Corio Bay and Bass Strait.  It is filled with wineries, historic seaside villages, and foodie destinations.   Extremely popular during the summer season, i find it just as beautiful during the cooler months and certainly much quieter.  It is still possible to take a "Sunday Drive" (read slow drive wandering all over the road, not paying attention to where you are going, looking at houses and talking non-stop).

Our first stop was the boat jetty at Clifton Springs.  Who knew such a lovely spot was at the end of the road.  It appeared to be a mostly residential village of 8,000 dominated by a golf club and new housing estates (they are breeding like a virus).  We hopped out for a short walk along the shore.

I'm trying to be artistic using PicMonkey.  I'm a frustrated photographer with only an Iphone.

My BFF rocking her favourite red scarf that i bought her years ago.  That gull is taking its life into its own wings, sitting on my car.  It was very lucky it didn't leave anything behind.   There is always something amusing to watch at the boat jetty.

Since we didn't know (or care) where we were going and the aim was to follow the shore we moved onto Portarlington.  This small seaside village has many historic buildings dating back to 1850's.  The village centre has still retained its old world charm with a rotunda and the large Grand Hotel dominating. We had lunch at the Portarlington Bakery.  What a charmer with log fire, authentic bread and delicious cakes. We both opted for the All Day Breaky  which at $13 was a bargain.  Warning - they take cash only.

We finally found the esplanade that runs for 10km along the shore line from Portarlington to St Leonards. Half way around i noted that we were not looking at the bay.  Our heads were firmly turned to the left assessing the real estate.  A mix of original beach houses and new glass mansions.  It soon became obvious that we were on opposite sides of the fence. I like old worldy homes and she likes them modern, minimalist with lots of glass.  We then moved on to devising a plan to spend our imaginary millions on first a beach house for our holidays and then onto investment properties. I did a double take and quickly did a U Turn because there it was.  Our future.  The worst house on the best street.  I'm not sure if it is occupied (God i hope not) but i was out there taking my photos anyway.  Take a look at the view!

Gorgeous isn't it (the view not the house).  The block was long and straight.  I'm guessing about 800m2.  We both watch a lot of real estate shows on Foxtel.  Its become an obsession of mine.  I dream floor plans. Guaranteed to go to sleep with a smile on my face.

I've posted the above thinking of a recent post from Gill, That British Woman.  Every week she gives us a selection of her favourite home, cottage or condo from the real estate site Toronto Life. Well last weeks "cottage" costs $12 Million, 8500 square foot on 11 acres of private island.   That is not a cottage!  This is a cottage, or was.

We moved onto our regular haunt in Queenscliff for coffee and found the older gentleman running the little nursery practically giving away Yukkas from his own garden.  At $3 each they were a bargain, so we shared them. On reaching home, i ended up with all 5 of them.

We stretched our day out till late afternoon still not having run out of chat.  I'm looking forward to returning to the area and doing some more exploring.

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Strolling in Williamstown

Gorgeous, isn't it?  With a view like this, the overcast sky didn't matter at all!  The city you can see in the background is Melbourne and my BFF and i were strolling along the Williamstown foreshore on the other side of the bay Sunday afternoon.  A leisurely walk (or for those in our FitBit group, a fast paced romp clocking up steps) admiring the boats, the gulls, the large cruise ship and some rather expensive real estate. Williamstown was the original sea port of Melbourne in the mid 1800's and after many years of being an industrial wasteland it has evolved into a genteel suburb of a original cottages and terraces, glass fronted mansions, a maritime precinct, public parks with walking and bike paths for all.  Weekends see the main esplanade of restaurants and the foreshore packed with both locals, city dwellers arriving by water taxi  and people like us who visit from the outer burbs.  The cruise ship in the top picture is the Sea Princess on its first stop out of Sydney and bound for Perth via Margaret River.  A leisurely 7 day cruise.

We took our time driving back along the bay through Altona (quick stop for an ice cream) looking at houses, both admiring and critiquing as only those who are addicted to watching  home renovation and real estate programs can do.

Speaking of renovating, the long drawn our Arch of Bob (as it has become known) is nearing the end.  Of course the arch i refer to is the one between Tom's two bedrooms and it seems to have morphed into a long term project rather than a quick weekender.  A coat of paint went on this weekend but not before much sanding of grout and plaster with the ensuing mess transported throughout the house.  Can you guess by who?

I seriously must have the patience of Job.  Even Tilly is in on the act.  I must have washed those floors three times in one day.   Rob was like the Abominable Snowman covered in plaster dust from head to toe.  "Stand Still" for goodness sake!

I seriously had to undertake some therapy so i went out to the garden to fetch a pumpkin.  This is my first crop and i am justifiably proud, so allow me a little showing off, if you please......

The one most in danger of falling off was huge and so i split it with my BFF.  We both made soup last night.  I oven roasted mine with onions and then pureed them with a little (homemade) chicken stock.  Bring it to gentle simmer and add cream (either normal, sour cream or coconut cream), salt & pepper, nutmeg and stir to combine.  Yum Yum Yum.  

Work is still go go go at the moment and so nothing extraordinary has happened.  I would love to do some more workshops but the home projects beckon.  One day, one day........ they will be done but in the mean time we will enjoy the journey and learn some new skills, like plastering!

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Four Day Weekend, Again!

After the Easter four day long weekend i kind of got use to it and booked another one.  Truth is, i had accumulated time in lieu for overtime worked in March and so i thought I'd use the mid month lull to have some time off.  Who am i kidding, what lull?   I ended up working till 10pm Friday to have everything ready for Monday morning and then had to work like a Trojan to catch up when i returned on Wednesday. Was it worth it?  Absolutely.

I already posted about going potty in Tottenham on the Saturday morning so you know i had a new pot and some leftover Clivea to transplant.    

These front garden beds on the blind side of the house (usually this is just a strip but because of an easement we have 2-3mtrs width) were completely filled with clivea gone mad.

It was so beautiful when in flower but it had really overgrown the path and this is our only access to the back yard for a wheel barrow or bins.  I put an ad on Gumtree for free plants and i was inundated with calls. They came, they dug and they left me with a big mess which we forgot about because we couldn't see it - out of sight, out of mind.  Not any more.

I've removed the old fashioned shear curtains on all the windows and so we now have a view.  I  had better make it a good one as it really draws your eye when you walk in the front door.  We will have to sort out a privacy screen from neighbours as well.

My new pot and balls.  The balls add colour and interest and don't need weeding or watering.  There is about 5 clivea plants in the pot, so it wont take long to fill out.  

I'm thinking that the this path needs a good wash down with a pressure washer and then painting.  What colour do you think?   A shade of grey or do i go crazy and make it a shade of red?

Once i had done the bed outside the window i needed to plant out across the path because it was in view from inside as well.

You can see all that free mulch (still half the pile left) is coming in handy.   These wall pots were generously gifted from my sister Glenda when she moved house.  I've planted Seaside Daisies, Lobelia and Alyssum so they will fall gracefully and fill the view from inside.   The potted palm just got moved from elsewhere.  Do you play musical pots with your garden?  Doesn't cost a thing except a bad back.

So now both sides of the path are neat and tidy.  Oh dear, now the next section is looking worse for wear. After a few house of hard labour moving plants from here to there and repotting you can see it all coming together.

Oh no, the mould is really evident.  Wish i knew how to chop a triangle out of a photo.  Its looking much worse in the photo.  

As you can see, this garden is in full view of the dining area.  This is where i use to have the bantam chooks running around under the palms.   You can also see two things.  Its gorgeous but its also in need of a pressure wash.  Look at that mould.  This is the North side of the house and so this pergola has a fairly heavy shade cloth in "wheat" to give us protection from the Summer sun.  Its very effective, but as soon as it gets a bit wet, the mould arrives.

My beautiful pot is still waiting for its final resting place.  It could end up a water feature.  Perhaps i do have a pot fetish?

Today i found another bargain to add to this garden.  It was $60 reduced to $20.

The sign said woman praying but Rob thinks its a mother strangling a child.  Huh?    

So enough of gardens.  I did take some time to go for a drive with Tom.  Adding more hours to his 120hr target as a learner driver.  This Tuesday he will start with a professional instructor to finish off.  Its taken ages to find an instructor that will let him use his car.  Its what he feels most comfortable in and he will use it for the test, so he should learn in it.

We started out for Echuca on the border of NSW (big trip for one day) but he felt unwell an hour out so stopped at the closest town, Castlemaine.   Since having Idiopathic Inter-cranial Hypertension when he was about 10 he has suffered from occasional vertigo and feels unwell when going up and down hills and tight turns.  Just getting out of the car and walking around makes him feel better.

Castlemaine is an old gold mining town and you can see that in its time there was significant wealth in this small regional town.  Most of the dates on the buildings are around 1855-1865's.

Castlemaine - Link

You can see in the picture below the gutters are all extremely wide and made of bluestone.  Tom tells me that's because they carried a lot more than storm water in the past.  Ewww!

Sometimes it pays to look up.  What beautiful windows.  I would have loved to look inside.

For all my veggie garden friends, look here.  Its a kerb side veggie plot open to the public.

It would be great if the cities would follow the example of some of our smaller country towns.  It was full of veggies.  

Of course there had to be a lunch break.

The lentil soup was delish and i cant even find words to describe the almond meal and raspberry/cranberry cake. Tom wasn't so impressed with his gourmet meat pie (give him a plain $2 pie from the servo any day) but the custard almond danish revived him.  He felt so good on the way home, he sung me to sleep (ummm am i suppose to be supervising?  He has done 100 hrs)

So why was Tilly looking very guilty spread out on the back of the couch?

Because when i left, the bed was made, neat & tidy.   She's usually jumping up and down and being hysterical when i walk in the door but this is how i found her and my bed.   Hmmmm someone is a naughty girl.

Oh  i forgot to show you my other pot purchases from last weekend.

This white mosaic pot costs $5 and the ball 3 for $15.   The plant is Coleus Henna suitable for shade to semi-shade so I've got in the big pergola.

Those who know me know that i have a coffee addiction and so i couldn't go past this pot.

This oversized cup yet to be filled was $20

I am sure that if this didn't have a hole in the bottom of it, i would have been presented with this full to the brim with coffee for breakfast by either or both of my men as a joke.   Do you remember me saying what great service i received from the owners of the pot place.  I would have grabbed the outside plain one but she said "No, there's a really nice one inside and promptly emptied the shelf of these quite heavy pots to get this one out.  Lovely colouring.

Before you start think I've become Rockafeller, my entire garden makeover including pots, plants and ornamental lady came to $150.  I won $160 last week on Powerball with a ticket paid for from a winning ticket the previous week. Thank you Mr Tattersall.

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