Narrm Oration

Yesterday had an enjoyable coffee with Margaret G. at the Convent, long overdue. Then in the afternoon, went off to the launch of Murrup Barak [the spirit of Barak], the Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development at Melbourne Uni. There was a good blues singer, Liz Cavanagh, in the foyer, though some of the worst biscuits I've ever seen with the tea, coffee and juice. Inside, a Wamba didge player was followed by the Welcome to Country and Maori Karanga, then the oration. There was a full academic procession with the chancellor and vice-chancellor in loads of bling. The oration was sensible but humdrum, rather than inspirational, and I left when the vice-chancellor started talking about 'the Melbourne model'.

Meanwhile, back at the office, I'm powering away on the essays, which are very entertaining, and have read the thriller which is inspiring.

Healesville Hotel

Deep and meaningful conversation over lunch at the Healesville hotel. Pic: Keren L.

Kitchen Garden, Heide in the rain

Pic: Keren L.

Dom Dom Saddle

Pic: Peter

Healesville

The highlight of the visit to Heide on Friday was the Ern Malley exhibition, which showed the large impact of the hoax and the many ways it has been picked up, mainly in art. A big surprise was that there was a copy of the letter from Ethel Malley, Ern's fictitious sister, and she 'comes' from the same street which my daughter Kit lives in now, though not the same address.

On Saturday, we headed via Chateau Yering and Yarra Glen to Tarrawarra Art Museum, with an exhibition of Ben Quilty's work, which was (mostly) very impressive, plus some paintings from the permanent collection. We then went via the Black Spur to Narbethong, where we had a pleasant dinner and night at the Black Spur Inn, once the Narbethong Hotel. Though there were many signs proclaiming a foundation of 1863, not much from that date was in evidence, apart from the squeaky floors. The service and food, though, was a tout confort. Today, after a big breakfast, we went to the Healesville Sanctuary, which always manages to surprise, this time with a splendid frilled dragon, who ran up a tree and performed. We dropped Keren at the airport and headed home.

Visitation

Keren L. has arrived from Sydney via the Daylesford region for a few days. We went out last night with two friends of hers to The Commoner and had a splendid meal, as usual. Today, she is off sightseeing or art viewing in Melbourne, while I complete the history which is just waiting for a couple of queries to be answered by the author, then it is 'finished'.

Tomorrow, we are planning a visit to Heide, then on the weekend, a visit to the Healesville district, and an exploration of the Black Spur Inn (aka the Narbethong Pub). In trying to book a weekend in the area, I was stymied by the number of places set up for 'romantic weekends' and not for three people requiring two bedrooms. Plus some offerings were outrageously expensive, including one venue which was offering to put tea lights in your room after dinner for only $30 extra!

Culture Convent

Pic: Peter

Culture Central

After morning coffee and starting the Sunday crossword, P. and I walked around to the Convent for a Sunday morning performance of Bach's Coffee Cantata, in a very creditable performance by the Melbourne Opera School, with coffee and croissants. We'll miss the rest of the mini opera day, as we're off to Dandenong for lunch chez my sister, but it does feel odd waking and walking to an operatic performance just round the corner.

On the way back, we passed a bowtied, suited gent carrying many litres of milk back to the Convent, presumably part of the proceedings. He looked a bit like a milk-fed Count Dracula.

Then Dad turned up to whisk us away to Dandenong. As usual, Ian, my brother-in-law turned on a feast. There were oysters to start: cooked, plus raw oysters 'Greta Garbo' with salmon and caviar. Several courses followed: fish, lamb, gammon, turkey. The guests proved their green credentials by descending on the food like locusts. It all finished with my sister's immaculate pavlova creations, famous throughout the world (or at least England and Australia). We also saw some of the pictures of their recent holiday at Lady Elliot Island in Queensland. It looked very restful and full of bird and fish life.

Hey ho for spring

Frank's spring garden. Pic: P.

A Moment's Pause

On Friday, I sent the last version of the history of to the author, and await its return with approvals/changes etc. Meanwhile, I have two other manuscripts to read, one of which I've printed out with a view to suggesting a restructure. As well, A. Nauthor has asked me to edit a collection of essays, which will be fun before the thriller turns up at the end of the month.

By way of pause, P. and I did the Convent market this morning, and got lots of goodies, including more licorice icecream, a leg of lamb, some beetroot gnocchi and lots of vegies. We then took Sally's woodbox back to her and had a quiet coffee in her backyard. Then more shopping in the mall.

Playtime

Yesterday, P. had a rostered day off, so we went (long overdue) to 'A Day in Pompeii' at the Melbourne Museum. There were hordes of people there, and we had to wait an hour before being allowed in, so we took in the Koori exhibition, always worthwhile. The Pompeii was very good, though difficult, as it was so crowded, It suffered a bit from a current fad for underlighting, which it seems is not to preserve delicate colours, but to provide 'atmosphere' aided by spooky music. It is difficult to see why things like plaster casts can't be in full light. As there was very little that was original in the exhibition, a bit more lighting wouldn't have hurt.

We then had lunch at Charcoal Lane in Gertrude Street, which was again excellent, and good value on their lunch special ($30 for two courses). We both had oysters with delicious granita, a surprising and very delicious combination, then P. had the duck and I the yam fritters. Then P. went off to Greenaway's Last Supper, and I went home to more history work.