Post Card Archive

 We have been driven indoors today with rain although I can see some blue sky just now.  I have dipped into my letter box again eg archive of letters and plucked out three from 1984 or thereabouts. Readers of this blog maybe able to fill in the dates.  One is dated 1984, another references James in brackets so he might have been a recent addition.  One was sent from Ocean Grove to Essendon.  In 1984 that was a long way away so we just had to get an update. There were complaints about not enough Sunshine. Another comes from Perth where bikes were hired and ridden for the first time in 30 yar. The last is from Great Keppel where good food and beach running were the go.

Stamp says 1985

No stamp on this one

Wet

 The rain has been steady all day so more time for online activity. The card school has been growing and it may be possible to get two games going at some stage. The players are now spread across Victoria, NSW and Queensland. At least it is the same time zone for now. We usually have a Grand Final gathering here but that wont be happening this time. There is debate about Geelong wanting to play the Grand Final. Weird if the game were to be played here but no one could make it to our house. Who knows what type of restrictions will be on for October 24.

Not a very good hand

 

WebCams

We have another round of remote card playing tonight and I have spent some hours getting the video to work. On the last three card sessions something has not worked each time. The tablet style devices seem to be a good option but I cannot get those to work even though Safari is meant to be OK on the Ipad but it wont work for me.  Last week I switched to an older laptop and got video but no audio. I then went to my lightweight machine that I have taken on many trips.  I got this to work but the camera is facing outwards not toward me and I cannot workout how to switch them. Lastly I am now on my everyday machine however this is bound to a docking station which I can't easily move but with some twisting it does show a side profile. I have tested that the microphone is working. This time all is ready.

Cezanne

World Wide Webs

Dark SunSet

Tricky Trickster played a Trick

We had another go at remote card playing last night and progress is being made as I found that the trickster people have written their game reinstating the video in a Chrome specific version.  That said we had no audio anywhere which is more our own issue as three out of four players had the video link.  In the end we played games in chat mode.  Taking a closer look, my audio was routed to the TV via the laptop docking station. Complications, and I swear at one stage my phone took over the audio from the laptop as I could hear my sound tests through the phone.  I haven't given up on this yet.

Tricky Tricksters

We had our session of remote 500 last night and completed 6 games or so in that time. Three of us had the required gear to get started in a game.  Apple Ipads work well and if using a laptop, it needs to be Windows 10 to install the Trickster App.  Two days ago the video component was working as tested, however I received a rude message about how they had to take it away now because their service provider increased charges.  This changed the whole experience as we were reduced to the chat button and were typing comments between hands.  It was a worthwhile experiment. I will monitor the video situation before we try it again.  We can try a Zoom meeting in the background which adds another layer of complexity and we would need more equipment than the batcave.

Taking Tricks

The card school is back is session at least for tonight.  It has been a less regular occurrence of late maybe partly due to the spread of retirement residences from country Ballarat thru the Bellarine Peninsula and if we stretch it via Storky then even as far as Bowral NSW.  The next trick is getting there, as the car has been used for grand daughter sitting.  Easy, just ride to Port Arlington from 2:30pm catch the ferry at 3:45pm. Start the ride again from Docklands at 5:00pm get to Tullamarine by 6:00pm, get cleaned up, find some food, drive to Xsanguinator by 8:00pm.   No Problemo.

What a Joker!

Clifton Springs Cards

You know you have settled in when some of the traditions are in evidence like a card night.  In a new venue as well, although at this time of year we were travelling to Collendina anyway, as it's just a step to the left for Clifton Springs. Throw in a billiard table and we are back to the days when the home made table was available. (May it rest in pieces).  Munster's early 6:00 am egress was uncalled for but when you gotta go you gotta go. He is off to Sorrento.  Via the ferry no doubt,,,, wrong! It's a 200km drive all the way around picking up family along the way. Hostyle was a no show due to the Winter lurgi but should be back for next time.

Pool & Card night

Long drive for cards

Once a year we drove to the van for a card night of 500 and then stayed over to return the next day.  Now I have to play reverso.  We left at 4:00pm and drove to Fairfield, found a fish shop for flake then arrived at the Disseledorp's new (old) house,  had cake, played cards, slept on the floor.  Then got an uber to Nana's had breakfast then we drove to Grandma's, had morning tea then drove to  Clifton Springs arriving at 2:00pm. Whew! Don't think I will be doing this too often, maybe once a year.

Trusty sleeping bag but there was a foam mattress.

Baby Doco

I was scanning an album of old photos and found a number of other documents in there as well.  Not sure if I have seen the tag that was attached to my toe before.  I  must have had big toes because the string is more like a piece of rope and there were two of them denoting the birth stats.  There were a few cards as well with three different spellings of my name.  I guess it was all too new back then.  Note how long you were allowed to stay in the hospital back then, nearly two weeks.  These days your lucky if you get two days. 

Neal as well as Neel

Lost 7 ounces

8:05 am just in time for breakfast

Cards and Friday Footy

It has been a few months since the playing of some 500 has occurred but we managed to get through some games last night. There was much half joking stuff about alzheimer's and how we kept forgetting whose turn it was. Paul was back from his Singapore stint so we had a proper quorum of six players.  Bulldogs had an unconvincing win but they will take it.

Return to Sender

I have become custodian of my mother's 60 yar old card collection. I thought I would try a lucky dip and just pluck a loose one out to see what it was. I sent it myself, in 1989, but I only have a vague recollection. James was 5 years old and has written Hello Grandma. Debbie has written the rest for him but I don't remember Storky staying over or Laura getting stitches.  One cent pieces were still in circulation.

Sent from Lorne

Pablo painting at Lorne

Winter cards

The 500 card game may not be as frequent but the mid winter version down at the van is still an annual feature.  Facilities have been upgraded with the use of a toilet etc but who needs one of those really. Unless you are getting a bit older and running two hundred metres because you are busting is not as funny as it used to be.  Attention is also waning when there is a break of an hour or so to watch bushwalking movies from 20 yar ago.

Panoramic Lot's Wife

500 forever

Yes the card school was in session last night.  We  called into the Hunky Dory fish shop near Puckle St. before that. Seems this is a new franchise, more restaurant than chip shop. It was pricey but also tasty. The best calamari I've had for a while as well as the huge scallops. On the card front there seems to be a stir about the King of Hearts having his moustache shuffled off.  There are decks with it on and decks with it off.  So which deck are we meant to be using?

Collendina cards

Yes the annual card school has been held but this time around we have used the Taj of the park, the town hall of downtown Collendina.  We just need to get the electricity to work. Other than that pointing Percy at the Porcelain makes a change from ruminating on the grass.  Nothing like a good ruminate.  The rest of the lads are off to do a trek around O'briens Crossing.

Breakfast of Champions

Shortest day

I think the technical term is Winter Solstice. Not that I should be pining too much for Summer given the bright sunny day that turned out even though it was short.  This is generally observed by naked dancing around Stone Circles in some places around the world. I did see some bare footed joggers on the beach this morning.  The other celebration was the annual card night at the beach which this year's theme seemed to be bacon and lots of it. Yes cards were played and some World Cup action was being displayed but interspersed with more than one bacon cookup.  "Ahh the serenity" was heard as bacon sandwiches were being downed in bliss away from the prying eyes of wives.

Game tradition

Spent the night around at Munster's for the time honoured round of 500.  This would be up there with sittings of the Knights Templar or ceremonies of the Freemasons.  All the trappings are there, black elixir, celebratory hand gestures, disguised names for all involved like Xsanguinator, yes you read correctly the taker of blood. There was also Hostyle, BigBird, Flying Dutchman and Hairy who flew in from Sing Sing.  These gatherings have been going on for a good 20 yar and may well continue for another 20 yar.     
            
                                  Everything goes with Zammie including nothing