Survived

I managed to survive yesterday's attempt to set up the new laptop. It was 4 hours at the Senior Citizens Club, just watching the upload go slowly through its instructions, and then the firmware to upload as well. The person helping me let me go home for awhile while he sat and kept an eye on things. Once I got home with it at about 2.00pm,I got connectivity to our modem done, then the virus protection installed, and finished the firmware upload. Then I switched it off. I haven't got back to it. I've given myself a firm talking to - to not switch it on and have a play, until everything else for the day is done. 

So, I'm sat here at the old laptop, writing this post, and finishing off the roster template for church helpers.  Maybe do a purchase, and then I'll have a look at what's what with the new laptop...

Layering On and Off, my Goodness

What a time we've had of it the last few days, as the weather has come in warm, after coldness. Winter polo shirt to summer polo shirt and back again... Long pants to shorts to long pants as the days and hours progressed.. Socks off, socks on, socks off... 

Last night in the cool of a sunny evening we repotted these two Bambolina Olive trees. They aren't destined for the yard, and we're not interested in olives, but hopefully they'll survive quite well here on the deck.... They're at the end of a long line of trial plants for the deck; I think if these go downhill, I'll just give up trying to grow anything else here. 

This afternoon has been spent at the laptop working on church templates and forms. I've had 3 or 4 different tubs of church stuff on the go, and as we're getting closer to the end of the year, and people have become available to do stuff, I can finally finish off some things. 

I'm spending Tuesday morning with a helper at the Senior Citizen's club getting my new laptop set up; I'm feeling daunted just thinking about it. I've plugged it in to charge it up, answered a couple of the first questions , and then couldn't go any further as it wouldn't connect to the WiFi. Brian can look after all that. Phew! 

 

Buoyant 

We attended the travel agent this afternoon, and all the major items for our upcoming trip to Europe in 2026 are set in place. I've just paid the travel insurance, so if the Russians invade Poland or Finland, and the trip gets cancelled we should be okay! But that is not going to happen. All shall be well. 

 

The Day 

The day has got away from me, somewhat, in a good way. Church duties for both of us this morning - Jim was communion assistant; I was greeting and counting, then getting the sanctuary ready for All Saints next Sunday. White flowers instead of the red (Reformation Sunday) we had today. A spot fire from one parishioner, but I hope I've sorted it out. 

This afternoon we were off to Bunnings for large pots and potting mix, and then a Sunday Drive to the Hopkins River Falls. We decided to call in on friends on the way home - had a good chat about getting old, getting services, and arranging finances for the long haul...

Then it was home for a cold drink and to give the car a dust and vac, and have a quick nana nap.  Hopefully, I'll get a walk in after tea.

So, I 've just tried uploading a couple of photos from icloud but this laptop is almost frozen it's so slow. Setting up a new laptop with windows eleven in a couple weeks can't come soon enough. 

Atrocious

We've had atrocious winds blustering and swirling around for the last 18 hours, with bits of stinging rain coming through horizontally. Just catching up with the Adelaide crew who would have endured the winds 12 hours before us...  So, I only ventured out for school crossing duty; made do with a walking workout inside at home.

  

A Mixed up Kind of Day

Yes, mixed up with the tasks done, and the weather, of course.

Church was short, as the Pastor wasn't leading; followed by scones, jam and cream, and friendly discussion. Still, we were home in good time to get the regular morning house jobs done.  It was quite warm but not sunny, so I pulled out the furniture, carpet and stuff from under the laserlite, and got the window and decking washed.  

In between times I had church computer forms to fill in, scan and send off to head office.  Also, parish minutes to review and an order at Koorong online to make. It took forever; their online ordering is nowhere near as good as it should be. By now, we'd had lunch and the decking was dry, so dragged everything back in under cover, as it was threatening rain, and then it did rain... 

My other ordered items all turned up during the week. The first item - a bag- has already gone to the op shop, as not fit for purpose - was just a cheap buy. Another item was a DVD set of British murder mysteries I'd heard about.  The episodes are only available on one of the streaming platforms, and I refuse to subscribe to any of them.  It's been a while since I've used the DVD player operation - hopefully it'll work - the set is a christmas present for myself, so a few more weeks yet before I can watch. The other item was a set of two books in a series by a SA author, the first published in 2024, and the second a week or so ago. They'll be given to my Kris Kringle giftee, so absolutely no hints or pictures. I've just started reading last year's book again, then the second book to follow. Jim plans to read both, too, before they get wrapped up in christmas paper. 

Sunshine

Yes, we're having some proper sunshine now, for a couple of days. I washed some deck windows today - across the front of the house where the lounge and dining area are - no furniture to move.  Tomorrow, all being well, I'll get the window section by the front door done - move the furniture items out of the way; the decking should dry off with the hot sunshine. Hopefully, I'll get the last section in front of the bedroom done on the weekend - lots of furniture and carpet to move around there. 

Halfway through October - church matters are either moving fast, or dragging along; I'm expecting some christmas bits and pieces to arrive in the mail in the next few days, so a bit of planning is starting to happen in that respect, as well.

 

Given Over

The weather has been atrocious today so I've given the  afternoon over to church computer work. The parish is working on some matters for 2026 so there are emails to write and answer. Then it was on to the agenda for tomorrow's congregation council meeting, and sending that out to council members.  

After that it was creating some new forms for members records, as I didn't think the ones I inherited from the previous office person were fit for purpose, or at least fit for my purpose. We'll see how they go over time. Will probably need some more adjustments, as we enter data - may still not be quite right. 

And so, we're onto a new working week - I hope the weather is better tomorrow at 3.00pm...   

Pressure

It's been a pressurised start to the term. If I'd had any sense I would have deferred a couple of matters until next week. Apart from a tiny hissy fit at an appointment this afternoon, I've got through. 

There was an extremely tense parish council meeting on Monday night, with big changes coming ahead, and we're trying to steer the parish through the changes. 

Yesterday morning I had a first tech support session with an older volunteer at the local senior citizens club. He walked me through some of the processes of files and folders and computer housekeeping which I'd found out I'd been doing incorrectly. He was brilliant - I learnt so much. I've a double session booked in November for him to help set up a new laptop - I'm still using windows 8.1 So, I have all the fun of buying a new one - he's given me all the specs to look out for.

This morning, the city council carried out its annual inspection of the church kitchen. All good there, thank heavens. He did get his torch out and peer into the back of the dry goods pantry, to see if anything was lurking there, out of date. Only a jar of chicken salt, 5 years out of date, so that went straight in the bin. I can't imagine why we even needed a jar of chicken salt, anyway.

I've had a couple of appointments as well, and Jim's brain hasn't been in its best place for a couple of days - I'm putting it down to daylight saving and the parish council meeting.  

Witton Bluff Walk

On Monday we were out with children and family adults for a walk along the Witton Bluff Promenade. We started at Pt Noarlunga, walked to Christies Beach, had lunch and a play on the playground, then walked back and finished up with an icecream. I think we had the best of the days for the week, as a couple of days later I heard on the radio that Toxic Algae Bloom foam was up to the car park at Pt Noarlunga. 

The beach is nice and clean here.  Then it's not!

Now it's back to school crossing for term 4.  The gear is in the car and the alarm is set! Christmas will be here before we know it....

GRIN2B Fundraiser

We were in Adelaide to attend a little GRIN2B fundraiser.  GRIN2B is a genetic disorder that Sadie, our 13 year old granddaughter, was born with. The weather was perfect - cool and mild - and about 30 family and friends turned up to walk the kilometre course.

  

A good time was had by all.  Well done with organising this event, Lauren.

 

Adelaide Story

Our trip to Adelaide all went well. The travelling days were windy, and on the way back it was even more windy, cold, and dismal with misty rain. Stopping for our snacks and lunches at picnic places was uncomfortable and unpleasant - having to rug up with beanies and coats and hold onto paper wrapping etc while trying to eat sandwiches or similar. 

Road and footpath improvements continue at Jetty Road, Glenelg. The Brighton Road entrance has had a fantastic art installation completed. 

 

Roadworks continue apace along the South Road corridor.

These were taken on our way to see Hazel (my mother). We had a nice visit with her; had to visit the closest Officeworks to find a battery for her Alert Pendant. After that we were to visit the Carclew Primitive Methodist Cemetery at Angle Vale, about a 30minute drive north west from Hazel's. So, we carefully followed Siri's instuctions - here, there and roundabout, up and down dale, only to be foiled at the last 100 metres. The local water authority were undertaking sewerage trench works across the front and around the little church and cemetery. We couldn't even walk the last 100 metres into it... A borrowed photo from the internet; I won't be attempting to visit during summer...

We headed the back way to Murray Bridge, Tailem Bend and Keith for the night. We had to shelter on the Tailem Bend train station platform for snack time.

The next morning there was no hurry to leave Keith; I had three shops to visit in a township of 1,400 people. First it was to the butcher for 3 packs of Coorong Mullet and some Bung Fritz.  Three doors up it was to the bakery for buns for morning tea. And then it was round the block to visit "Out and About" clothing to chase up a couple of new polo shirts. 

We had our buns at Padthaway, sheltering, sheltering, across the paddock in a dingy shelter shed!  And then to home. Tomorrow, I'll post about the GRIN2B fundraising, and on Sunday, I'll post about Monday's adventures. 

Away to Adelaide

Tomorrow, the car gets packed once again for a short trip to Adelaide. On Sunday we go to Sadie's little fundraiser for GRIN2B Research. The weather's looking good - not too hot. Hopefully, there'll be opportunities to see the family on other occasions, plus I have a few bits and pieces to do, that only Adelaide can provide. On Wednesday, we plan to visit Hazel, and then Carclew Cemetery, before we drive half way home back through the hills.

I won't be posting here until I return, probably next Friday, all being well.   

 

Back

We're safely back after our short adventure to Melbourne. We made all our public transport connections without any trouble, and found food and drink to partake of. 

We stayed at The Rialto in Collins Street, close to Southern Cross station, a building I've always admired. During the gold rush days back in the 1800's, it was built as a warehouse and business operations for wool.

All the eateries, cafes and restaurants were closed at that end of Collins Street when we had checked in and were looking for the evening meal. So we ate in at the hotel dining room, and our meals were delicious. I had lamb back strap on couscous, and we shared a side of crispy baked kipfler potatoes, which were to die for. The room was quite comfortable, but as with all accommodation, we couldn't get the temperature right to aid good sleeping. 

Tuesday went according to plan with our appointment at Box Hill, and then back to the city. We wandered around for a bit, and then plonked ourselves down at the station to wait for the train departure. 

Today, I pottered around, catching up. Tomorrow, my car goes in for its quarterly detail, and then I start packing for Adelaide. 

24 Hours

Tomorrow we head off to Melbourne for 24 hours - travelling by train there and back again. I've travelled half way round the world 3 times, and now I'm feeling daunted by this little excursion... Having to travel light is also a challenge - as I like to take all my creature comforts with me wherever I go... Hopefully, we'll both be light enough to only need one bag between us...

All is Sweetness and Light

Yes, all is sweetness and light once again, now Jim is back driving. He got a good report from the optometrist on Tuesday, and had some temporary lens' made to fit in his current frames, so he's happily back driving. It had been a fraught couple of days.

The appointments continue - xray at the hospital tomorrow on a tooth that's been giving me trouble, and then the podiatrist in the afternoon. Badly needed, as my right foot has been giving me all sorts of trouble in the last couple of weeks. Can barely walk on it...

Friday is the last day of the school term, so an early finish in the afternoon and then the gear can be washed and put away for a couple of weeks. I have a few jobs lined up, and an outing or two planned so the weeks will go quickly enough. 

Unpleasant

It's been quite unpleasant today, with the warmish temperatures accompanied by high winds. We did get the windows cleaned that were planned for last weekend, so that's been crossed off the September list. 

Jim had a follow up consultation with the eye specialist yesterday after his surgery on Friday, and was told he couldn't drive for several days. So, there's been a mighty rearrange of schedules for myself for the next week as I'll be driving him around between crossing duty times. 

This morning before church, we headed to a local travel expo, seeking inspiration for a possible overseas trip next year. Basically, we're still at the "will we, won't we?" stage!

 

Hearing and Seeing

Yes, I've had appointments yesterday and today to get these essential senses reviewed. Minor changes to both, but otherwise all good. 

Tomorrow, the day is taken up with a coffee date in the morning and a small church meeting in the afternoon. On Friday, Jim has cataract surgery for the second time; and by then we'll be into the end of the week....

  

Changing, Changing

It's been one of those days when plans have kept changing - because of the weather. In theory it was going to be warm enough to wash some windows outside, using step ladder, hose and brooms, but in actuality we've had rain and strong winds, so the ground's wet, and we're likely to get blown off the ladder. 

Instead, we went to Officeworks, made some purchases, and drove out to Allansford and back. I've just managed to give my car a bit of a clean out and vac inside during a brief period of dryness. Tomorrow, it'll have a visit to Mr Magic for a wash. 

The battery was flat last Monday morning - so a panic to transfer the gear to Jim's car, while he organised the RACV to turn up and get my car going. After that, he took it for a drive out into the country for half an hour or so, so it was absolutely filthy when it got back home. Anyway, the some total of all this toing and froing was a new battery installed on Wednesday. 

Surprisingly, I Have News!

I made two purchases this morning on my regular morning circuit round the main street. The first was my annual $2 calendar purchase at a local shop. They'd only come in yesterday, I was the third buyer. I especially like this format, as there are big squares, and more importantly, it fits above my desk, but under the book shelf above the desk. 

Then it was down to Collins Booksellers, where there was a book waiting for me. I'd read a couple of this series from the library, and the covers looked very attractive, so it was time to do some purchasing; read the books in order, and have them looking very nice in my book cupboard. The sixth and final book is still to come. 

All in all a rewarding morning, coming home with some purchases that had nothing to do with pharmacy and food items!

 

Not Much News

I hope all my readers are well. I've been getting a few little bits and pieces done, but not much news.