The Clancy Plate

 Sounds like a horse race but it is a silver plate and was more the tarnish plate when we got it out of the box.  I uncovered an inscription which says 1978 so I would say it has not had a polish for 55 yar.  I think it could have another round of silvo as there are still marks there.  I paused that job to go across to the beach as the Sun had appeared.  When I got there it started to rain.  Such contrariness. I did the rubbish run instead of the swim and picked up the usual small items. There were a husband and wife team of metal detectorists and they only had metal rubbish to show for their time.  She says she prefers the gold fields but likes to find accessories like buckles, badges and buttons.  I bet the gold does not get left behind. 

I can't help comparing yesterday's funeral with two week's back. The big difference is that the great grandies are just starting out with the Carney's totaling one compared to eighteen (soon to be twenty) running around from the Clancy line.  I can remember visiting Catherine and Roger at the farm where Laura and Clare were  sitting in some long grass and just laughing their heads off.

Before

After

Ballerina on a bicycle

 We bought some barbecue supplies and went over to Asher's house for a bit of a play session.  Estelle was already there and they were right into balloons this time, which kept them going all afternoon.  The cubby house is a good one for Estelle as she likes to get in there and rattle those pots and pans. Conversations with four year olds take odd turns.  We were talking ballet and then five minutes later Asher has the new tutu on.  

barefoot ballet

Estelle makes a sandwich

Sparky's conundrum

 We got back from the gathering to find no hot water at our hacienda.  Talking to the neighbours it is not a new problem.  We are the 20th unit where the circuit to the hot water unit just stops working.  The Gemena people have no explanation. One by one the hot water is failing to heat in this village. Their solution is to replace the whole fuse box with a new one.  As a temporary fix you can switch another breaker from night to day and the water will start to heat.  Go figure.  We got on the newly refurbished bikes this morning and road to Laverton Creek and back a distance of 19km.  The track was very busy. At least 50 riders and a 100 walkers. I drew some maps of the creek back in the day.

Laverton Creek

Not so Sunny

Gathering

These gatherings are not as frequent as they once were but Bill and Bronwyn were keen to host an afternoon tea in their continously renovated house.  Bill is going to need more projects if he is in full retirement.  Many topics were raised and the world's problems solved at the same time as eating cake. The vanilla slices from around the corner are a winner and I can remember riding from Essendon via Station St to get to the Yarra trail and we stopped off for those snot blocks way back then.

Packages

A number of packages were prepared today containing various mementos and all were dispatched at the Post Office. While that was going on I got another scan session finished. I plucked a few older shots from one envelope but then weighed in on two large folders from the New Zealand honeymoon trip circa 1997.  The negatives were still there but I scanned the positives which is quicker.  This was 1997 and more time seemed to be spent in the South Island than the North. There were captions written on the back of most so they have been typed into the comments field of each photo.

The very bottom of the South Island at The Bluff.

Is that dress made out of  curtains? I am thinking 1988 for this picture.

What Not

 Is it just me or is much colder today. My feet were starting to get that Winter feeling so I put on socks then I went for a slow jog mainly to warm them up. I only went for 13 minutes but I have had warm feet since then.  We are still sorting thru bits and pieces here and odds and ends of negatives are turning up. Like you open a sheaf of papers and out falls some negatives.  I scanned them immediately and I believe I have seen most of them before.  The garage is now clear at least. The last thing was the 'What Not' thingamy that originally came from Tony.  It has found its way to the sidewalk and who knows where after that.

Ready for a new home

Happy campers. Most likely Portarlington  from a neg found wedged in the writing desk.

Avalon

Funerals and weddings seem to be grouped together of late. We have another funeral on Monday and a wedding in Sydney in early March. I have been wrestling with the Jetstar web page today, trying to get two separate bookings to line up in the same row of seats, part of which is one way and the rest return. Simples!  We have used Avalon before but not this close to the AirShow which is the weekend before we go.  I have been there during the Show and that place is turned upside down during show time.  I went for a short ride to the chemist to get my pesky pills refilled and I can report that the street outside the new library is completely dug up and closed off and as well, our the local milk bar is sold and under renovation for a new owner. They better be installing a coffee machine.

Good high tide for the swim but did not like the rain

Dirt Street Drysdale