Quiet day plus noisy flute

Today I've spent mostly on the (tedious) task of composing a timeline from a huge pile of old diaries to make them more useful and accessible, but it's a big job, helped by having a fairly comprehensive file of local and overseas trips as well. We had tomato soup for lunch. After a nap, we toddled off to the Salon at the Recital Centre for Tokyo Meets Paris, a piano (David Selig) and flute (Masahide Kurita) do pieces by Schubert, Faure, Debussy, Muramatsu and Poulenc. To a near capacity crowd, they played brilliantly. We came home for leek and potato soup and baby cheeses and a very ordinary night on the teev.

Pills

I did some admin. things this morning (started my tax return, continued my war with the Council about a parking fine) then went to the Health Centre for medicaments. We had soup for lunch while P. began the massive task of making vera bolognese for dinner which turned out to be delicious with the addition of mushrooms (Mr Donini, eat your heart out). Teev tonight is very lacklustre (Am I autistic? Not sure). However, the Benjamin Law program with his mother finding their Chinese roots in Australia and China was stunning.

This and that

I did some tidying up while P. went off to do Noel's banking. We had leek and potato soup for dinner then normal Monday night teev including Fran's debut trial on Q&A. She did a good job and seemed much less obtrusive than Tony Jones.

Concert and crossword

We stayed up late last night to see the decider in the Tour de France. Bernal becomes the first Colombian to win, which will happen late tonight when we are snuggled up in bed. The Sunday crossword was finished early so I snuck in a nap before a soup lunch. We then went in early because of possible transport disruptions (fun runs etc.) to the Recital Centre for an excellent Melbourne Chamber Orchestra concert of mainly Schubert (a mass and a symphony) plus a very familiar Bach violin concerto. Home again for the highlights of last night's Tour (which we've already seen), leftover fritatta and Sunday night soporific teev, including ZZZ Midsomer Murders (we'll catch up on our missed sleep from last night).

Cold Saturday

The avalance of Saturday papers arrived, then I puzzled over a translation of a scientific paper while P. went to the Convent market for various things, mainly olive oil from Mt Zero and pork pies for lunch. I then made chicken stock for soup. I haven't made the soup yet but P. made leftover pork spare ribs for dinner then we had baby cheeses. We faced an interminable wait for the Tour de France to start following yesterday's foreshortening and today's as well, because of 'weather' events. Nothing to do with global warming, which wasn't mentioned at all.

Normal shopping, more or less

Today we picked up Barnaby the Yaris at the Health Centre as Franz is off the road, I suspect being repaired after a bingle by someone else. We did a very speedy shop at Victoria Gardens, then delivered Noel's goodies to him. After unloading the shopping, we returned Barnaby. The Yaris is a bit clunkier than the Corolla but at least it doesn't have the pesky baby seat. We had salmon patties for lunch (from the Gardens fish shop) then salmon for dinner (fish day). Two serves of Tour de France, yesterday's thrilling replay and today, followed leavened with some Gardening Australia.

Computer crash

Om Wednesday morning I accessed the computer and got emails etc., then when I came back after breakfast it was in a loop which I couldn't get out of: repairing via restarting then not retstarting. Eventually I gave up and phoned computer whiz Shane who said he could come on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, I occupied my time with the dreaded filing. P. made pork spare ribs for dinner with stir-fried vegies and we watched normal Wednesday teev and Tour de France which is really hotting up. Shane arrived on time and after a couple of hours had this horror up and running. Thanks for his help and kindness. Of course, because he reinstalled Windows there was a bit of tidying to do afterwards. We had leftover chicken mornay (with brocolli) for lunch and I still had time for a short nap after some computer repair. We then joined Frank at Yoyogi for a good quickie, then went to the Fairfax Studio where Bell Shakespeare made quite a good fist of Much Ado About Nothing. Everything now back to (almost) normal, we finished the night with more Tour de France.

New story

This morning, I started on a new story translation which needs a bit of tidying up. I also arranged a trip bush in early September to Blackwood and the Wombat Forest (soon to be a NP). We finished off the French onion soup for lunch; now for a nap. I made onion and rosemary fritatta for dinner then baby cheeses. Fairly normal Tuesday night teev then back to the Tour de France, gearing up to the finish next Sunday.

Tidying and cleaning day

We're gradually working in the new stove. I used the gorilla (electric, as it turns out) to make the cheesies for the French onion soup last night and successfully cleaned the gorilla this morning. P. evacuated to go shopping as the cleaners arrived and whizzed through the house, lickety-split. Meanwhile, I wrestled with our internet provider to join up with the NBN which happens in September. We'll see what chaos ensues when the time comes. At least I get a good seniors discount. P. is using the leftover chicken to make broccoli and chicken mornay while we watch the Tour de France replay, then normal Monday night teev as it's a rest day in France.

Crossword despatched

We despatched the Sunday crossword fairly quickly this morning, then had a rest before going out to lunch with my sister, Julie, and her husband, Ian, at the Elephant & Wheelbarrow in Bourke Street. As usual, it was a very pleasant lunch with good gossip. They are about to go off on holidays in the NT and northern WA so we won't see them for a while. Home again for a quick nap, then I made French onion soup for dinner followed by Tour de France, though not the full bit this time. We'll catch up with the summary tomorrow. As it turned out, Simon Yates won the stage, followed by Thibaut Pinot, and the yellow is still with Alaphilippe.

Shopping plus not much else except the Pyrenees

Off we went with Franz the Corolla but not Frank the person to Victoria Gardens. We got our shopping and Noel's lickety-split, delivered Noel's to Hawthorn then home again for salmon patties for lunch. After a nap, I made salmon steaks for dinner after oysters, (it's a fish day). Then we waited, and waited, for the Tour de France to start in the Pyrenees as the commentators filled up empty space. P. went to bed relatively early but I stayed for the end at the top of the Tourmalet. One of my picks, Thibaut Pinot, took the stage and the other, Rigoburto Uran didn't do badly, but Julian Alaphilippe is still in yellow.

Sassy dames

Today, P. and I toddled off to the library for our monthly U3A film series 'Sassy Dames'. This month was My Man Godfrey with Carole Lombard, who was sassy indeed, as well as a bit soppy towards William Powell. Ably presented by Teresa P., this month had a huge roll-up on a sunny day. Our reconnoitre to find a new eatery for lunch was unsuccessful, but the Red Duck has reopened with two nice young men who I hope are more successful than the last two proprietors. We had a very chatty lunch, then home for a nap. P. gave the new oven a first real try-out with roast chook tonight, a bit more fine tuning required on how it works really, then more Tour de France, but boring time trial so early to bed.

A few days on the road

We're home again after doing our (almost normal) circuit via Dunkeld, the Grampians and Stawell. This time we added in the Blue House at Warrak on the last night. We started by having a coffee with Carmel B. in Ballarat on the way through, then drove on, lunching at Lake Bolac (a very humble toastie) thence to Dunkeld, where we had the Parker Street Project package which is their second-tier eatery with a seven-course delightful 'feed-me' meal followed by a night in one of their luxurious mountain-view rooms with views of birds and wildlife (or at least a few wallabies). Next day, it was off during drizzle to Budja Budja (Hall's Gap). On the way we viewed some delightful but sodden campgrounds with sodden campers. We went to the lookout at Budja Budja and had a decent meal at the Kookaburra Hotel, then stayed at the usual comfy Pinnacle. Next morning, we breakfasted at the nearby coffee shop then headed for Stawell where we dropped in on Bron and Mollie (lively as usual, both). Then on to Warrak which has the old Blue House (the ex-post office) on a winery. It is unusual as it is off the social media grid with no TV either, so it was a very peaceful night, and warm with three sources of heat for protection from the icy paddocks. Next morning, we came via Ballarat where we had a coffee with Pollie Pollock, then came back to town. After a nap, we had the leftover quiche from the night before then went off to Homo Hall for the MSO Stravinsky concert: a Melbourne premiere for Persephone with a huge chorus including a boys and girls choir, then the Rite of Spring in an energetic performance. After hearing nothing but frogs the previous night, it was very noisy. Home again for more Tour de France.

Horror then pleasure

In spite of repeated phone calls, no Sunday Age appeared so we are reduced to doing Saturday's crossword. Finally, the Age arrived at nearly 10am. Now both crosswords are done in time for soup for lunch. After a nap, we met up with Frank at Homo Hall for the Victorian Opera doing a program of excerpts from Italian operas by Donizetti, Rossini and Bellini, beautifully performed and played. Home again for Harrow (yawn!) then Tour de France.

Saturday papers plus

No major changes in the Tour de France last night and lots of Saturday papers to absorb this morning. Soup for lunch then a nap. We joined Frank to go to Noel's for a delicious dinner then home for more Tour de France.

Friday shopping

Off with Franz but not Frank (who is doing medical things) to Victoria Gardens where we did a very efficient shop for us and Noel, then delivered Noel's with despatch. Home again for salmon patties for lunch then a nap. How routine can you get? After our nap, we had oysters for entree then leftover moussaka, followed by baby cheeses, then more Tour de France.

Story off

I finished off the story this morning and sent it off to the translator while P. went up to Readings to get another American Lit. book for U3A. Barry D. rang about progress on his book which is going well. P. brought back Parisienne Pate quiches and eclairs for lunch. Now for a nap. In the evening, P. and I went to Barre for a good meal then to the Fairfax Studio for Four Maoris: two worlds, an all-singing tribute to Maori culture since world war II. Very moving and triumphant. Home again for more Tour de France.

New story

This morning, I started work on a new story, while P. went off to a U3A committee meeting. An after-lunch nap followed. It is very quiet but windy down here in Yalla Bir-ang (Abbotsford). I'm making anchovy pasta for dinner to go with Wednesday night teev and the Tour de France which is hotting up.

Aura Go Go Go

P. and I went to the Recital Centre this morning for Musica Viva Morning Masters, this time with pianist Aura Go who played an exciting program of Bach, Beethoven (Tempest sonata), Melartin (Finnish) and Debussy. Mostly fiendishly difficult, the pieces were performed with eclat. We said hello to Jannie and Sally then had brunch at Trotter's, ever reliable. Now for a nap. In the evening, we had leftover moussaka for dinner followed by some Tour de France.

Cleaning Monday plus Plexus at Calder

Today was a cleaning day, and the cleaning women came and did their normal lickety-split race through the house. I did some routine correspondence, re parking fine and GoGet petrol (two separate issues), then settled back for a rest as I still feel tired, two weeks after getting the flu/cold. We had soup and leftover anchovy pasta for a very substantial lunch, then a nap. Off to the NGV where Plexus were performing some pieces at the Alexander Calder exhibition. Oddly, we had been to a Calder exhibition at the Picasso Museum in Paris a few months ago. They were mainly contemporary pieces (to Calder) by Stravinsky, Shostakovitch, Varese and Milhaud, plus a world premiere of a piece inspired by the exhibition by Melissa Douglas. Eliza Shephard (flute) did a solo of the Varese. The whole concert was a delight with a commentary by curator Miranda Wallace. We had a quick meal at Teatro to follow, then home for a bit of Tour de France.

Snoozy Sunday

After doing the crossword, I spent most of the morning snoozing until Roger and Sally dropped in to say hello. Then soup for lunch and more snoozing. I'm feeling fine just very tired. P. is making winter-warming moussaka for dinner which was delicious. Then Sunday night teev, undistinguished with the start of today's Tour de France.

Shopping, pills

We picked up Franz the Corolla, went to the health centre for pills doled out by the new pharmacist, Natasha. Thence to Victoria Gardens for the usual shop, though Noel didn't need much. We delivered his then came home for salmon patties for lunch. We are obviously not quite over the cold/flu as we were both exhausted after the shopping (but at least we have supplies now) and are still spluttering and coughing a bit, after a fortnight! We went to the Recital Centre in the evening for the Benaud Trio who did Mendelssohn's first piano trio brilliantly, then a piece called Fourteen Little Pictures by Scottish composer James Macmillan. Frank and Marise were there too and Marise kindly gave us a lift home. We then had fish chowder for dinner followed by Tour de France instalment one.

At home

P. went off to U3A American Literature this morning while I tidied up at home. It turned out to be quite sunny but as I was waiting for a delivery I couldn't go out. After lunch, it was nap time, delivery or not. Fortunately, it arrived just as I was settling down for a nap. Thanks. I made bangers and mash for dinner then we settled in for a good spooky music. The ABC earlier offering (High Rise or some such) was truly dismal.

Slept in

I slept in this morning till 9am then went back to bed. I didn't feel up to today's meeting on the non-fiction book so cancelled my part in it. Then back to bed again after a quick lunch. In the early evening, we joined Frank for a lovely dinner at Bistrot d'Orsay. We knew half the dining room because we were all headed upstairs to Athenaeum 2 for Bill Farr's Judy Garland in Melbourne 1964. It starred Liane Keegan in a bravura performance (very different from her avant-garde one with Plexus at the Convent a few weeks ago) with an excellent band telling the sad story of the great Garland's tragic visit to Australian.

Stove happening

I woke early in case Dean the plumber turned up 'first thing' as promised, but he didn't, so after breakfast I went back to bed. He arrived later and went to his rather difficult work. Meanwhile, I did some organising for future events and went off for lunch with Bryony C. and Kerry B. at the Farm Cafe leaving P. to deal with Dean. Having had a good lunch and a mag, I arrived home to find the stove installed. Now for a nap. P. remade the laksa for dinner which was delicious, then we watched Wednesday night teev.

Acounts (yawn) then Summer in Winter

I got up early this am in the vain belief that the stove might arrive early. It didn't, but I got the end-of-month accounts and the quarterly Business Activity Statement done. Now for a quick pre-prandial snooze. Meanwhile the plumber turned up to install the stove, except it wasn't here yet. It still isn't. The deliverers might deliver it this arvo and the plumber will install it tomorrow, if it comes. We had soup for lunch in a kitchen where we now have a hole for a stove. After a nap (for me though not for P.), the stove finally came delivered by striplings who hardly seemed old enough to have a licence to drive. We then headed to join Frank in town for a dinner at Yoyogi, then to the Playhouse for the Vctorian Opera's production of A Little Night Music. It was excellently cast and beautifully done. Thanks. Home to await with luck installation of the stove and cooktop in the morning.

Still abed

Despite good intentions, I stayed long abed, in the warm, not because I felt ill. P. did some organising on the cooktop and stove installation, and, after lunch, I went back to bed without even doing the end-of-month accounts, yet. Up again to start on the accounts. The stove is coming tomorrow and it and the cooktop should be installed in the arvo. P. assembled a very tasty fish laksa for dinner and we watched usual Monday night teev. Q&A included the splendid Clare O'Neil (with jaw) and the Albino Sprog (James Patterson, without).