buildinggracelands: 19th March

Home again in Newie, after two weeks wheeling around Victoria. I feel as though I have done enough driving to last me for another year, or even a lifetime, however, Lester, the Passat King, could have kept on pumping that pedal all the way on to Cairns. We have crammed so much into such a short time. We caught up with the family: Jan, Joy and Harold, Ian and Bev. We heard some fantastic music; Columbian, Irish, American, Canadian and Australian. We sa on our "folkie chairs" in gigantic tents with hundreds of others on their "folkie chairs". We ate at some glorious places; Lake House, Portofino and Time & Tide. We discovered a world of tokay and durif in Rutherglen. I had a wonderful relaxation massage and facial and Lester endured a remedial massage. (He is over knotted muscles and has demanded a "relief massage" with a masseuse next time.) We managed to purchase five new books, twelve new cd's and I even managed to find some boots and a few fashion items to bring back. There is one huge advantage of travelling by Passat station wagon; plenty of room to transport purchases acquired en route.

And we had two freaky random meetings. We were ambling down the main street of Daylesford when we heard a sharp "Oi!" Anne and David, our Newie friends from thirty years ago, who now live in the building three doors up from the Hunter St place, were visiting their old friends in Daylesford for the weekend. We have been looking forward to seeing more of them now we will be neighbours, but it was just hilarious seeing them down there.

The second random meeting was even funnier. We were eating at a restaurant for the third night and we felt each night that the tables were very close together and we could overhear conversations near us and were even forcibly engaged in group conversations, which on the first two nights was a bit trying. However, on the third night, the couple next to us was engaging in a positive way. It became apparent that we had common and recent dining and holidaying experiences. It transpired, after a couple of hours, that the fellow, John, was in Lester's year through uni. (Melbourne University 1972). Needless to say, they did not recognise each other, both now being more hairless and more rotund, but once names were exchanged, things became clearer. They know about fifty people in common but Lester, being in NSW for so long, has lost touch with them. So it became a bit of a reunion. It was one of those "how freaky was that!" occasions.

Had a few phone conversations with Greg about the building, mostly minor questions - only one drama. Greg had been down in the surgery and managed to lock all the keys inside, including the only one to the surgery! Rose is in Vietnam but luckily Carol was at home and she and Jasmine drove in and saved the day.

We called in on the way and loved the progress which has occured. Very happy with the painting, the versi-pavers, the floor boards, the new joinery, the lighting. There is one "mistake" though - which is my fault. The hand basin in the downstairs toilet sits out from the wall, rather stupidly. I thought, when I saw it, that it would run the other way and be narrow against the wall. I guess that happens when amateurs buy stuff! I think I will have to replace it. I took a few quick photos today but there will be more later.