MONDAY 14th FEBRUARY
I treated myself to an hour long bath having a really good soak and reading my Elvis book. The day started overcast but warm but got cooler in the afternoon and was down to about 20 degrees by late pm. I took Reilly out for a walk after my bath, and then got onto Interflora to order flowers for the funeral tomorrow. I then completed checking and correcting the captions sent to me by Deborah from Frontline Books, and worked on the computer for the rest of the day checking and answering my e-mails. I spoke to Alan on Skype, he had been to a committee meeting on Sunday at Amersham.
Word came through that Nick had gone down with some sort of virus and was in bed with a temperature. Jane asked if I could look after him tomorrow during the funeral if he was still sick, naturally I agreed. As it will be an early start tomorrow I laid the bones to rest at a reasonable hour.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Sunday, 13 February 2011
OH REILLY
SUNDAY 13th FEBRUARY
I got reasonably early and took Reilly out for a walk, as due to the weather he had missed out yesterday. It was cloudy with a few patches of blue sky and definitely warmer than yesterday. I took him for a longer walk than normal to compensate and he had a good old bark at all his mates and set off the whole neighbourhood a barking! He ran ahead of me and as I came round the drive I noticed he was rolling about in the grass verge. As I got nearer I realised he was rolling around in something fairly revolting and had got it all over his fur. I banished him to the garden and told Robert he needed a wash. Without seeing him, Robert dismissed the idea, so I carried on checking out the photos and captions Deborah had sent me from Frontline Books, and duly sent off the corrections.
I am now able to connect to the wi-fi in the house, and downloaded a few more albums from a couple of blogsites that have re-appeared - I thought they were gone for good, but fortunately this is not the case. Robert eventually got to see Reilly who looked a disgusting sight, and apparently smelt similarly! Washing suddenly became the order of the day, but Reilly realising that something unpleasant was going to happen to him went and hid in the bushes. Robert managed to extricate him and then with my help we managed to drag him to the place of (I was going to say "execution" but more correctly "operation"). I kept dousing him with buckets of water whilst Robert applied the shampoo and scrubbed. Eventually we got him to a state of relative cleanliness, and of course as soon as I let him go he shook himself furiously, drenching me in the process! We dried him as best we could with a towel, and he then sat on it beside me feeling very sorry for himself, whilst I carried on working on the computer.
Reilly was kind of dry, (and smelling beautiful) by early evening so I took him for another walk, and boy did he race around! I'm glad to say we got back home without any mishaps. I spent the bulk of the evening working, and as it is now 12.30am, I think it is time to adjourn.
I got reasonably early and took Reilly out for a walk, as due to the weather he had missed out yesterday. It was cloudy with a few patches of blue sky and definitely warmer than yesterday. I took him for a longer walk than normal to compensate and he had a good old bark at all his mates and set off the whole neighbourhood a barking! He ran ahead of me and as I came round the drive I noticed he was rolling about in the grass verge. As I got nearer I realised he was rolling around in something fairly revolting and had got it all over his fur. I banished him to the garden and told Robert he needed a wash. Without seeing him, Robert dismissed the idea, so I carried on checking out the photos and captions Deborah had sent me from Frontline Books, and duly sent off the corrections.
I am now able to connect to the wi-fi in the house, and downloaded a few more albums from a couple of blogsites that have re-appeared - I thought they were gone for good, but fortunately this is not the case. Robert eventually got to see Reilly who looked a disgusting sight, and apparently smelt similarly! Washing suddenly became the order of the day, but Reilly realising that something unpleasant was going to happen to him went and hid in the bushes. Robert managed to extricate him and then with my help we managed to drag him to the place of (I was going to say "execution" but more correctly "operation"). I kept dousing him with buckets of water whilst Robert applied the shampoo and scrubbed. Eventually we got him to a state of relative cleanliness, and of course as soon as I let him go he shook himself furiously, drenching me in the process! We dried him as best we could with a towel, and he then sat on it beside me feeling very sorry for himself, whilst I carried on working on the computer.
Reilly was kind of dry, (and smelling beautiful) by early evening so I took him for another walk, and boy did he race around! I'm glad to say we got back home without any mishaps. I spent the bulk of the evening working, and as it is now 12.30am, I think it is time to adjourn.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
PUT PUT GOLF
SATURDAY 12th FEBRUARY
Robert was due to go to a cereal sampling session this morning, but got a call around 9.00am to say he had been double booked and was given a new date. I returned to bed and had a lie in until about 10.30am. (We had consumed quite a sizeable amount of Heineken last night!). The day was completely overcast without a trace of blue in the sky and the temperature had fallen about 15 degrees from yesterday's 35. I then went with the lad to Epping round to Doug's house where Nick was playing basketball with Narni (a German friend of the family) in the back garden, and Jane was watching Jingles roaming the fenced in porch area. Nick's first basketball game that morning for the school had been cancelled when they arrived at the ground at 8.00am, but he was still clad in his basket ball gear, giving it his all against his much taller opponent!
I had purchased a card for Doug and the Blanchard family and signed it "From Adam & Bridie and the Komorowski Family", but had picked up an envelope with it that was fractionally smaller than the card. I didn't discover this until after I had addressed the envelope. I explained all this when I gave the envelope and card to Doug after expressing my condolences. Doug said he understood that Bridie might be coming and I told him that this was the case although I was still awaiting final confirmation. He asked me about my trip and recalled that I had told him of my plans a couple of years ago and asked where else I was planning to go. I told him of my itinery and he asked me if my friend was on the trip with me. I told him I was still waiting to hear from Jim on that score, upon which he asked if that was the same Jim that had come to Robert's wedding. I told him it was, but I was still waiting to see how things panned out on that score.
Uncle Al showed up asking "Douglas" how he was keeping and having been assured that he was doing alright, proceeded to talk with Nick, Jane, Rob and myself exuding bonhomie all round. He expressed his admiration for the fight Robin had put up for four years in fighting her cancer, and then having ascertained how many copies of a photo Doug wanted for the funeral, left to go to see a mate who was to print them up.
We had planned to take Nick to the beach today, but the weather dictated otherwise. Nick said he would like to go to Put Put Golf, so that is what we did.
It wasn't cheap, setting me back £42 for the three of us to play two 18 hole courses. Robert came second and last as did Nick, which I'm glad to say left Grand-Ad as the victor in both rounds! Afterwards Nick celebrated with a hot dog and a packet of crisps.
One of the attendants kindly offered to take a picture of all three of us together.
About this time it started raining, and it progressively got heavier until it was belting down by the time we left Epping for Oakhurst. Reilly was fairly soaked but delighted to see me and at first tried to jump all over me, but somehow I managed to exert my authority over him, however briefly, and got him to lie down. As I type this with dusk falling, it is still raing.
Robert was due to go to a cereal sampling session this morning, but got a call around 9.00am to say he had been double booked and was given a new date. I returned to bed and had a lie in until about 10.30am. (We had consumed quite a sizeable amount of Heineken last night!). The day was completely overcast without a trace of blue in the sky and the temperature had fallen about 15 degrees from yesterday's 35. I then went with the lad to Epping round to Doug's house where Nick was playing basketball with Narni (a German friend of the family) in the back garden, and Jane was watching Jingles roaming the fenced in porch area. Nick's first basketball game that morning for the school had been cancelled when they arrived at the ground at 8.00am, but he was still clad in his basket ball gear, giving it his all against his much taller opponent!
I had purchased a card for Doug and the Blanchard family and signed it "From Adam & Bridie and the Komorowski Family", but had picked up an envelope with it that was fractionally smaller than the card. I didn't discover this until after I had addressed the envelope. I explained all this when I gave the envelope and card to Doug after expressing my condolences. Doug said he understood that Bridie might be coming and I told him that this was the case although I was still awaiting final confirmation. He asked me about my trip and recalled that I had told him of my plans a couple of years ago and asked where else I was planning to go. I told him of my itinery and he asked me if my friend was on the trip with me. I told him I was still waiting to hear from Jim on that score, upon which he asked if that was the same Jim that had come to Robert's wedding. I told him it was, but I was still waiting to see how things panned out on that score.
Uncle Al showed up asking "Douglas" how he was keeping and having been assured that he was doing alright, proceeded to talk with Nick, Jane, Rob and myself exuding bonhomie all round. He expressed his admiration for the fight Robin had put up for four years in fighting her cancer, and then having ascertained how many copies of a photo Doug wanted for the funeral, left to go to see a mate who was to print them up.
We had planned to take Nick to the beach today, but the weather dictated otherwise. Nick said he would like to go to Put Put Golf, so that is what we did.
Friday, 11 February 2011
UP THE PARRAMATTA RIVER
FRIDAY 11th FEBRUARY
I got up reasonably early after Robert left for work, checked the e-mails, posted the blog and performed all the ablutions before walking down to Eastwood station, where I caught an express train down to Central. It was pretty packed and I had to stand all the way. Some blonde Aussie bird chatted on the phone behind me effin' and blindin' like a true Sheila all the way into Strathfield. I was releived to get off at Central and this time headed the right way into Pitt Street.
I soon came across Lawson's Record Centre and after a thorough search I found CD's by Astrid Gilberto, a double Ella Fitzgerald, a Best of Henry Mancini and a Jimmy Preston all for the princely sum of $25.00. I then switched to George Street where I found a delicious fruit of the forest ice-cream.
I walked on to Town Hall where I caught a train to Circular Quays. There I investigated the ferries. In essence I discovered that I had just missed the ferry to Parramatta and the next one was at 2.30pm. I found a cafe and had a toasted ham and cheese croissant and a cup of coffee and read my Elvis book until it was almost time to board the ferry. I had a quick look around Circular Quay and spotted an ethnic musician at work and dropped some change in his basket.
The ferry pulled out promptly at 2.30 passing the Opera House on our left with the Sydney Harbour Bridge on our left.
We powered through under the bridge and soon left it in our wake, fairly whizzing up the river.
We were fairly steaming along when there was a fairly strange sound from the engine which effectively cut out. As far as I could make out we had lost one of our propellors, if I interpreded the skipper's announcement correctly. At any rate we limped into Cokatoo Island where we were told a replacement boat would pick us up and continue the journey to Parramatta.
And indeed after about a quarter of an hour a replacement boat, the Dawn Fraser pulled up alongside us and we all transferred boats. I had a fairly rotund young lady squat down beside me who seemed intent on photographing every object in sight, even to the extent of extending her arms six inches in front of my face with the camera in her hand right in front of my nose snapping something off the side of the boat. If it had
not been for the fact that she had a lean and fit 6' odd guy with her, I might have repremanded her! Anyway when she got up to take another picture from a new vantage point, an old boy quickly slipped into her seat thereby ridding me of her annoying presence!
We continued up the river all the way to Parramatta where the boat terminated. On Charles Street there was a loop bus going to the station. I had heard the old boy sitting next to me talking about it, so when I got off the boat I simply followed him. At the station I had about 25 minutes to while away until my train and I wandered around the underground part of the shopping precenct until it was time to go. The barriers refused to accept my Senior All Day Concession ticket, and when I queried this with an attendant, he carefully examined it and then asked me if I had my pensioner's card. I replied that I had forgotten it. After some deliberation he let me through, reminding me in future not to forget it!
Robert picked me up at Mount Druitt and we went to the Rooty Hill RSA for a couple of drinks. Back home Reilly gave me a right royal welcome and I took him for a walk. Jeannette cooked yet another tasty dinner and after that we made contact with Alan on Skype. This was followed by several Heinekens before finally adjourning for the night.
I got up reasonably early after Robert left for work, checked the e-mails, posted the blog and performed all the ablutions before walking down to Eastwood station, where I caught an express train down to Central. It was pretty packed and I had to stand all the way. Some blonde Aussie bird chatted on the phone behind me effin' and blindin' like a true Sheila all the way into Strathfield. I was releived to get off at Central and this time headed the right way into Pitt Street.
not been for the fact that she had a lean and fit 6' odd guy with her, I might have repremanded her! Anyway when she got up to take another picture from a new vantage point, an old boy quickly slipped into her seat thereby ridding me of her annoying presence!
We continued up the river all the way to Parramatta where the boat terminated. On Charles Street there was a loop bus going to the station. I had heard the old boy sitting next to me talking about it, so when I got off the boat I simply followed him. At the station I had about 25 minutes to while away until my train and I wandered around the underground part of the shopping precenct until it was time to go. The barriers refused to accept my Senior All Day Concession ticket, and when I queried this with an attendant, he carefully examined it and then asked me if I had my pensioner's card. I replied that I had forgotten it. After some deliberation he let me through, reminding me in future not to forget it!
Thursday, 10 February 2011
DOWN THE POST OFFICE POST OFFICE
THURSDAY 10th FEBRUARY
I had further queries from the publishers regarding photo captions, the correct title for the President of Poland - I suggested either "Bronislaw Komorowski President of Poland" or "Bronislaw Komorowski President of the Third Republic of Poland". I was also asked for a 50 word biog of self, a task that I found quite tricky. I was also asked if I wanted my name on the book's sleeve, which I emphatically negated, but did suggest that Professor Norman Davis' name should appear there as in "Foreword by". All of this took up a large part of the morning, and when I was finished I set off for Eastwood. I decided to post all the DVD's I have watched home (3 series of Spooks) and a number of CD's excluding the cases. I took all of these with me as well as a pen and money. I duly found an appropriate box at the post office, packed the discs, addressed the box to self in Wembley and went to the counter. I was given a custom's form, purchased the stamps and was then asked for I.D.! I explained I didn't have any with me. The chappie behind the counter explained that since 9/11 the Australian government had passed legislation requiring I.D. to be produced when posting packages. (I'm not sure if that also applies to internally posted packets or only those posted abroad but whichever I couldn't post my package without I.D.!).
I walked over to Provence Cafe which I have been meaning to try for some time. It has a very pleasant ambience and I got a table at the back looking out towards the street. I ordered Earl Grey tea and a mushroom omlette with salad and chips. I read my Elvis book and sipped my tea until the meal arrived. An old Aussie block sat at the adjoining table, and with a very loud at thick Aussie accent ordered a coke in a glass but without a straw. This completely confused the young Korean waitress. He repeated his requested about three times, speaking louder and more slowly with each repeat. The waitress eventually got what was required repeated it several times to make sure she had got it right and went off. My man then got a paper and consumed his drink and caught up on the news. Meantime my very tasty omelette had arrived and I slowly worked my way through the meal. The Aussie went off towards the counter - I assumed to get another paper. Just before I finished I suddenly noticed that a similar omelette had arrived at the Aussie's table. He had obviously been taken with what he had seen me consume.
I now faced a wall back to the gaff, where I collected my driving license and walked back into town and the Post Office. Ironically I got the same counter clerk who had served me previously (a white middle aged fellow) who recalled me from my earlier visit. I produced the license and he looked at it and asked if it was a U.K. driving license. I confirmed that it was and was just waiting to be told that it was no good as I.D., but amazingly it did the trick. How having my U.K. driving license number would help the Australian authorities deal with any potential threat my package would pose, eludes me. However so do many other things about the world we live in.
A further walk back up hill to the gaff, and I did a bit more work on 1961 UK Hits, and then Robert arrived. After giving the place a bit of a hoovering, and having a bite to eat, Robert packed me into the car and drove over to Carlingford. Nick had a couple of his friends over and seemed well recovered from yesterday's trauma. He is still thinking about whether he will go to the funeral next Tuesday (Jane has left it to him to decide and he isn't certain at the moment). He has said that he will write a letter to "Grammy" and Robert has told him that if he decides not to come to the cremation he will read the letter out for him. Nick is going back to school tomorrow.
Robert's football match was a late kick-off at 7.10pm, and Nick took his "Razor" with him and whizzed round the perimeter of the park for a while picking up a little Asian girl on a scooter as a racing companion.
However he then came up with the brilliant idea of racing Grand-Ad with the two contestants going around the designated circuit in opposite directions. This must have been my first sustained run I have undertaken in years! I reckon I won but Nick disqualified me on some technicality! He came and claimed the money his father had left with me for refreshments and went off to get a drink and some crisps. Fearing that I might pinch some of his provisions, he went off to an adjoining bench to consume his goodies.
He then came back with the brilliant idea that we should repeat the race. I jogged from the start and as I was coming to the last bend I saw Nick motoring down at speed towards the finishing line - the bench. I put on a sprint - well I speeded up anyway and ran the last 20 metres as fast as I could. Nick realising that I was about to win, dumped his three wheeler and sprinted flat out. It was a dead heat! As he hadn't lost, Nick didn't disqualify me this time! Incidentally Robert's team lost 3-0 to the Christian Boys. Robert played pretty well had one shot saved and set up some chances for his colleagues, showed good control in beating players, but it was one of those nights when they just weren't going to score. It was getting dark by the time we left, and completely so by the time we got back to Carlingford. After calling in at the gaff to change into a long sleeved shirt and long trousers (the temperature had definitely gone down from the 25 degrees during the day), we went for a few revivers at the Eastwood Hotel sitting outside in the beer garden.
I had further queries from the publishers regarding photo captions, the correct title for the President of Poland - I suggested either "Bronislaw Komorowski President of Poland" or "Bronislaw Komorowski President of the Third Republic of Poland". I was also asked for a 50 word biog of self, a task that I found quite tricky. I was also asked if I wanted my name on the book's sleeve, which I emphatically negated, but did suggest that Professor Norman Davis' name should appear there as in "Foreword by". All of this took up a large part of the morning, and when I was finished I set off for Eastwood. I decided to post all the DVD's I have watched home (3 series of Spooks) and a number of CD's excluding the cases. I took all of these with me as well as a pen and money. I duly found an appropriate box at the post office, packed the discs, addressed the box to self in Wembley and went to the counter. I was given a custom's form, purchased the stamps and was then asked for I.D.! I explained I didn't have any with me. The chappie behind the counter explained that since 9/11 the Australian government had passed legislation requiring I.D. to be produced when posting packages. (I'm not sure if that also applies to internally posted packets or only those posted abroad but whichever I couldn't post my package without I.D.!).
I walked over to Provence Cafe which I have been meaning to try for some time. It has a very pleasant ambience and I got a table at the back looking out towards the street. I ordered Earl Grey tea and a mushroom omlette with salad and chips. I read my Elvis book and sipped my tea until the meal arrived. An old Aussie block sat at the adjoining table, and with a very loud at thick Aussie accent ordered a coke in a glass but without a straw. This completely confused the young Korean waitress. He repeated his requested about three times, speaking louder and more slowly with each repeat. The waitress eventually got what was required repeated it several times to make sure she had got it right and went off. My man then got a paper and consumed his drink and caught up on the news. Meantime my very tasty omelette had arrived and I slowly worked my way through the meal. The Aussie went off towards the counter - I assumed to get another paper. Just before I finished I suddenly noticed that a similar omelette had arrived at the Aussie's table. He had obviously been taken with what he had seen me consume.
A further walk back up hill to the gaff, and I did a bit more work on 1961 UK Hits, and then Robert arrived. After giving the place a bit of a hoovering, and having a bite to eat, Robert packed me into the car and drove over to Carlingford. Nick had a couple of his friends over and seemed well recovered from yesterday's trauma. He is still thinking about whether he will go to the funeral next Tuesday (Jane has left it to him to decide and he isn't certain at the moment). He has said that he will write a letter to "Grammy" and Robert has told him that if he decides not to come to the cremation he will read the letter out for him. Nick is going back to school tomorrow.
Robert's football match was a late kick-off at 7.10pm, and Nick took his "Razor" with him and whizzed round the perimeter of the park for a while picking up a little Asian girl on a scooter as a racing companion.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
ROBIN BLANCHARD R.I.P.
I received a call from Robert at around 8.00am telling me that Jane's mother Robin had died, and asking me if I could look after Nick. I told him I would be ready in 10 minutes. I was as good as my word, albeit I still had a piece of bread and cheese to consume when Jane arrived. I put the bread and cheese in the fridge and left some unfinished coffee. When we got to Carlingford Nick was exceptionally quiet just lying on the sofa sucking his thumb. I asked him several times if he wanted a drink or something to eat but each time the only reply I received was a shake of the head. The only spoken response I elicited from him was that he was tired. And indeed he spent the bulk of the day on the settee, either dozing or cuddling Jingles.
Jane phoned around midday to say that she had finished at the hospital and asked if Nick would like to go with her to her parents' house, again I got a shake of the head. Nick also refused to talk to Jane on the phone and latter in the day when Robert phoned also declined to speak to him. He also turned down my offer of playing football. Flowers arrived from the school, Jingles was fascinated and got up on his rear legs to sniff the buds. Sarah called round with a bag of goodies including chocolate, fruits, crumpets, cookies, crackers and such to sustain Nick and Jane. Jane eventually returned and Robert came after work. The funeral is set for next Tuesday. Slowly Nick started coming to and tucked into some spaghetti then tac kled the chocolate, and as were leaving was imploring his mother to go outside and play tennis with him!
Robert took me down to the Eastwood where I had a seafood basket with chips along with a beer, and read my latest acquisition from the charity shop in Eastwood, The Boy Who Would Be King. I then walked home. I think I might have an early night tonight.
Jane phoned around midday to say that she had finished at the hospital and asked if Nick would like to go with her to her parents' house, again I got a shake of the head. Nick also refused to talk to Jane on the phone and latter in the day when Robert phoned also declined to speak to him. He also turned down my offer of playing football. Flowers arrived from the school, Jingles was fascinated and got up on his rear legs to sniff the buds. Sarah called round with a bag of goodies including chocolate, fruits, crumpets, cookies, crackers and such to sustain Nick and Jane. Jane eventually returned and Robert came after work. The funeral is set for next Tuesday. Slowly Nick started coming to and tucked into some spaghetti then tac kled the chocolate, and as were leaving was imploring his mother to go outside and play tennis with him!
Robert took me down to the Eastwood where I had a seafood basket with chips along with a beer, and read my latest acquisition from the charity shop in Eastwood, The Boy Who Would Be King. I then walked home. I think I might have an early night tonight.
DVD DAY
TUESDAY 8th FEBRUARY
I watched all the remaining Spooks episodes of series 7 as well as a Brigitte Bardot film. I also answered some queries from the publishers regarding photo captions I had sent. In between I ventured out down to Eastwood where I had a toasted repast at Bo Jo's and bought some provisions in Franklins before walking back. I have found yet another way into town, that I think is the quickest if going to the shopping area. It takes one through a small little park area with a couple of benches that are very pleasant to sit on in the good weather and observe the world passing by.
I spoke to Alan who confirmed he is leaving tomorrow evening and arriving in London on Thursday. This means he should be back in time to join Jim and Ian for a drink on Friday. I received an e-mail from Ian telling me that Jim was coming out for a jar (seemingly the first time for a while), so Alan has timed it well. I also learnt that Pat had been into hospital for an operation on her knee and Ian was currently looking after her. Hope all goes well with knee (and Ian), Pat.
I got carried away with sorting out my photos whilst listening to CD's, so much so that before I realised it, it was 2.00am. One of my latest nights of retirement since arriving in Australia!
I watched all the remaining Spooks episodes of series 7 as well as a Brigitte Bardot film. I also answered some queries from the publishers regarding photo captions I had sent. In between I ventured out down to Eastwood where I had a toasted repast at Bo Jo's and bought some provisions in Franklins before walking back. I have found yet another way into town, that I think is the quickest if going to the shopping area. It takes one through a small little park area with a couple of benches that are very pleasant to sit on in the good weather and observe the world passing by.
I got carried away with sorting out my photos whilst listening to CD's, so much so that before I realised it, it was 2.00am. One of my latest nights of retirement since arriving in Australia!
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