South Gippy 2

A zoom in on the Inverloch sandbar. It looks so temporary, but I expect it is centuries old. 

From the Environmental Centre we drove on to Flat Rocks, an area where many dinosaur fossils have been found. While I was once quite familiar with South Gippsland, neither I nor my brother can remember visiting Flat Rocks. I don't think I need to explain the name. There were steps down to the beach, more than a few, so I stayed up top. A P&K photo. I could see the people on the rocks from above.

This photo is and odd one out, taken by P&K. I think they went out for a walk the first night.

We then drove on to Eagles Nest. I saw the nest from a distance while in the car, but again steps down to the beach. I walked half way down, but stopped and left the lads to continue and I climbed the steps back up to the carpark. This is an impressive headland, looking to the east.

And I think this is what is known at Eagles Nest.

I am not sure where these P&K photos were taken. 

We were back for cheese and nibbles with family by 3pm. That night we all dined at the Inlet Hotel where P&K and myself bought the meat platter, which had far too much meat for a platter, and so was served on a cake stand, well similar.

P&K had been to the games room the night before and had some tokens to use. They took some of the greats to the play room, probably paid for more tokens, and some kiddies won and picked up stuffed toys. 

Next morning at 8.00 an armada of greats appeared at our cabin to see P&K. They were still asleep. Come back later guys. Oldest great nephew, 5?, returned on his bicycle and he and Kosov had good fun together by racing against each other and generally having fun. All the greats love Phyllis and Kosov, as they are fun and energetic, unlike me.

I had coffee with Hippie Niece, her partner and their four combined children, and they were away. 

At the suggestion of Bone Doctor, my sister's wife, we journeyed home via a steep hilly and twisting road to Korumburra and then the South Gippsland Highway. Gippsland's rolling hills were just beautiful. 

To South Gippy

Gippy being Gippsland, the south eastern area of my state, Victoria. Gippsland covers a huge area, say from 60/35 south east of Melbourne to the southernmost east coast, to its far eastern point, into the Great Dividing Range to the north. 

To celebrate Ex Sis in Law's birthday and Mother's Day, family all stayed for two nights in Inverloch, occupying  six cabins. It was a wonderful time away...mostly.

With Phyllis at the wheel, we drove via Pakenham to pick up ABI Brother, then stopped off at Grantville for food and coffee. Phyllis had failed to fill the car with petrol, so there was another stop for fuel, whereby he paid a higher price than he would have in Melbourne. I wanted to stop off at Kilcunda to see the disused railway timber trestle bridge, but I was ill prepared and it flashed past. No matter, I said. We can see it on the way home. That wasn't to be.

I had taken a three bedroom cabin, with a room for myself, another for ABI Brother and one for Phyllis and Kosov.

The cabin was well equipped and super clean. This is looking towards Phyllis' and Kesav's bedroom, with the bathroom and toilet on the left and my and brother's bedrooms to the right. I had a king sized bed, tv and fan, while they had bunk beds.  

My only complaint was the shower over the bath, awkward to get into and the bath very slippery. There wasn't any kind of bathmat, and it is too late to go to the office once you are under the shower to ask for a bathmat. For my second shower, I was just super careful after my first shower experience. This will be noted at Trip Advisor when I write my review. 

Aside from the minor complaint, it is a terrific holiday park, with an indoor heated pool, an area of water features to surprise and soak children, the barbeque and kitchen with a large air conditioned public eating area. A mini golf area, and a games room. Security is very strong. I believe the park was full for the nights we stayed there. While the weather was cool, it was generally dry and aside from it being Mother's Day on the Sunday, there wasn't any other reason for the park being full than it is very popular.                                             

In the distance you can see the sand bar that protects the Inverloch beach from heavy seas. 

But erosion is a huge problem. The surf life saving building collapsed and was rebuilt higher up the beach, and now it under threat again, as is the beach side road. 

 

We visited the local shops after checking into our digs, then the nearby beach. That evening a family barbeque was held in the communal park kitchen and barbeque area. There were twelve children under twelve and about the same number of adults.

At some point Phyllis had made up a pot of some kind of curry, and he and Kosov ate some late that night, perhaps not being terribly satisfied by the Aussie style barbeque. True, the barbeque was quite basic.

The next morning we were all up early enough, and  accidently met up at a nearby cafe for coffee and a bite to eat with some family members. ABI brother had gone for a walk, later working out he had walked to the shops to put on his horse racing bets. We spotted him from the cafe as he walked back and asked if he would like to join us to see some sights, and he agreed. 

The first stop was Bunurong Environment Centre, which had a few things to see, but then wow, for a gold coin donation, there was the shell display, thousands of shells. It was amazing.

This shell castle is over 100 years old.

A bench had shells you could pick up and handle. I put one likely looking shell to my ear and I couldn't hear the sea, but I could hear the wind at the sea. 

We went on to a few more places, details in the next post. 

Bits

I visited the car repair shop today. Photos were taken and I will be called with a quote for repair. The business was personally recommended to me by two different people. Because I live in the inner city, I know the price will be higher than if I was in outer suburb. 

An electric notice went up in the lift, wishing all a Happy Labor Day, or is Labour Day? I didn't see how the lift lighting killed the photo, but I can assure you, the top says Labor and the bottom says Labour. Australia has a bob each way with this. Our Labor Party represents the labour movement, for workers rights and care for the less fortunate in society. Most good public policies such as our public health system, decent conditions for workers and social security has come from the Labor Party.

Our misnamed Liberal Party is socially very conservative, anti worker, anti union, anti gay, anti trans pro big business profits and eff the less the fortunate in society. Historically it is pro immigration of labourers to work for peanuts and break down Australian workers' rights. 

Ah well, off on a tangent I went. The Labor Party  has used the spelling since the early 20th century, in a time when both spellings were acceptable. There was some influence from American unions at the time, but I put the alternative spelling down to be wanting to seem progressive with the new world of the Americas, rather than old Mother Britain.

I've just checked and the public holiday is spelt Labour Day. 

Bone Doctor, sister's wife, will arrive here at 11.30 tonight from Queensland where she attended the funeral of her 101 year old grandmother. I will be asleep and I meant to leave a dram of scotch in the bottle to help her sleep after such a big day. Alas, I finished the bottle. There's some port on the drinks trolley, and one medium strength beer in the fridge. We'll probably have breakfast out in the morning. 

Phyllis is working a cleaning job. The job is not bad, but a long way away and the dust is affecting him. He is wearing a mask now. Today the first job was to clean a massive modern two storey house in the outer northern suburbs and the team called the boss. It was in such a disgusting and cluttered state, they could not do the job, and it wasn't.

Sunday was lovely, with a birthday party for Oldest Great Niece who has turned twelve. So Fun60, your granddaughter must be 12 too. Or do I have the terribly wrong. 

Much sympathy to River whose cat Lola has died.

A snip of an exchange between me and neighbour HH.

Hi H. Is it just me? Two consecutive weeks of aggressive looking white football players in the lift display, and this week a very aggressive photo display of Jimmy Barnes who is performing in Melbourne. Do residents want to see photos of aggressive looking men in the lift? Maybe it is just me.

She replied and had not really noticed what I observed, but she understood my point. I remember this from the time many years ago.

Your thoughts remind me of some years ago when I had to make an official complaint about men travelling in the lift from the pool without tops on, I didn’t want to see that either.

I replied, 

I appreciate your point about topless men in the lift, but I rather liked seeing them 😛

She replied with hands over eyes emoji. 

It's raining, a nice soft steady rain, not like the floods in northern Australia. As we southern Australians always say, 'we need the rain'.        

On my own

I expect no sympathy from people who have lived on their own for a long time. But, you know, it is a bit hard when you've been with someone for forty five years and suddenly they have gone. 

There are the very practical things, like feeding yourself, cleaning your home on your own, shopping on your own, and spoilt as I was, having your ironing done for you. Lunching on your own is different. It all takes so much time and visiting places you used to visit together can make you feel very alone. 

I know many of you will at some point lose your beloved life partner. You don't know when. It could be instantaneously, as it was for me, or it could be long and lingering. 

I don't have advice about how to deal with grief. I am not sure that I have really dealt with it yet.The hardest thing is that everything you do is down to you. You have no one discuss decisions with. It is all totally up to you. The quite wonderful expression in America is 'Shooting the breeze'. Or more crudely 'Shooting the shit'. Yes, family and friends will step up to help, but there is nothing quite like talking about nonsense with your partner, along with the incidentals that happen each day. 'Ah, that shop has closed down.' 'Did you see how old Mrs Kafoops is looking'. No one but your late partner will be interested.    

But what you can do NOW, hopefully long before the event, is ensure you know everything about your joint lives so far as documents go. Titles to property, where are they? Passwords, pins for devices and bank accounts, logins for various sites. There is really nothing quite like having these in printed forms. Whether you are proactive and do so yourself or your partner does it, no matter. 

Harsh reality is around the corner one day. Sort it. 

I'll try to post something more cheerful tomorrow. 

My Christmas alone

Well, abandoned by family, and now a widower and an orphan, how did my Christmas Day go?

Quite well actually. I went through my normal morning routine. Last night I spoke to one of Ray's sisters and tried to call another, but she wasn't answering. Phyllis and Kosov gave me some liqueur filled chocolates last night, with a card. Sweet.

Kosov left for work at about ten, and on the doorstep was a bag with a card and gifts from neighbour HH, an identical box of liqueur filled chocolates, and small packets of chocolates for the lads. How sweet.

I posted something on Bragbook as a Christmas greeting, the same as I posted here. People seemed to like the Paris 'flash mob' clip. 

Sister called, and has arrived in Newcastle after spending a few days in York. They have a comfortable apartment on the edge of city. It was a nice chat. Jo has been accepted in a performing arts course next year in Ballarat. It seems like they will buy a car for her from their neighbours opposite where they live. The car will have to be moved from one side of the street to the other.  

They will celebrate Christmas with Ray's favourite sister and her daughter at England's Sunday roast time, 3pm. Boxing Day they will party with Ray's youngest sister's son and many family members. 

I needed coffee and surely I can get some in the city. Every big place, and many small, are closed on Christmas Day. I caught the Metro train to State Library, and again became confused with the lifts. A station customer service person wished me Merry Christmas, and we had a nice chat. 

Oh dear, I ended up in Hungry Jacks, is it Burger King elsewhere? I ordered on a screen a cheeseburger, onion rings and a strawberry thick shake. The thick shake was nice. I then ordered an espresso from Jack's Cafe, and took it outside where I sat on a bench, and the coffee was actually quite good. 

Once back home, the day drifted past as I did various things. Phyllis was home, and then went off to meet his cousin and the cousin's friend who may offer him a job. He returned home and went out again to meet up with Miss Capital City of Peru. My plans of some home dusting and cleaning went to hell. I spoke to my ABI Brother, briefly as always. He is used to a family gathering on Christmas Day, so I just checked that he was ok, and he was. 

Phyllis cooked meatballs, fried egg and rice for dinner and we sat and ate it together, along with large papadam each.  National Lampoon's Christmas was on tv. It is not as good as I remembered it. 

So, that was my Christmas Day, one essentially without family, but that will be made up tomorrow with aside from Sister and hers, every other family member. 

Our building's foyer decorations. 

Bits

I leave the home for five minutes, and chaos ensues. Well, I was away for a few hours.

With my able assistant Jass, we have been fighting against the Mynah birds nesting on the balcony below. I shoot at them with a great atomiser bottle, and Jass makes her low growl bird noises at them. While they are a terrible bird, attacking other birds twice their size to defend their territories, and while keep their distance from humans, they have no issue at all with attacking Jass with flying near her as if to attack. She crouches down lower. 

Given one bird is now bringing food for the other bird who must be sitting on eggs, I have ceased my failed deterrence. I wrote a note to the apartment dwellers but I sat on it for a couple of days. Then I saw a bagel sitting near their nest, far too big for the birds to bring up, so I guess the birds are welcome to rear their young on their balcony. 

Friday night I went to a pub for dinner with two friends, a couple, another couple of friends who are partners who I haven't seen for a few years, and three people who I didn't know. I suspect one in his fifties had been clued up that I was 'rich' old widower and was quite forcefully and overtly friendly towards me. He was nice enough, but no. I don't want any kind of personal and proper relationship. 

Not long after I devoured my delicious pork chop with vegetables, I felt social overload and made my apologies and left, to tram home. I'd been there for two hours.

"Annedrew," said Phyllis, once I was home, "we had the balcony door open and a Mynah bird came inside to attack Jass". "Jass cowered while we chased the bird around and eventually it flew outside."

JFC, can't I leave home without a disaster happening. Jass has developed post traumatic stress disorder, not eating properly and will have nothing to do with Phyllis and is spending most of her time in the linen press. She'll get over it. I noticed when she transports a toy around, she has her front legs wide apart, space for a kitten dangling from her mouth. She may be desexed, but I am sure her hormones are still partly working. 

I have ten great nieces and nephews and for Christmas I am giving them a miserly $20 each. Ray's ghost was in my ear telling me to not be so mean, but hey, that is $200. When I was but a lad, I would be grateful for a sixpence.

Today I will have lunch with my neighbour HH, except many cafes around here have closed for Christmas. I will be adventurous and suggest Republic Econmica.  We will need to catch a 58 tram to South Yarra Station.

By the time this is published, Sister, Bone Doctor and Jo will be in York, after spending time in Germany and London. They had one day in London where they all felt unwell, but rallied themselves to see Starlight Express. What they have seen in London in a short time amazes me. My sister is a busy go go person. Fom York they will travel to Newcastle to spend Christmas with Ray's family, visit Glasgow and then Edinburgh for Hogmanay, New Year's Eve. At the age of 18, Jo has already seen so much of the world. I was about 25 before I first went overseas, to New Zealand. 

It is hard to believe that in 2023, we were in England, catching up with Fun60 in York, seeing Ray's family and thinking this will a be final overseas journey. But never say no. My mother died later that year, Ray in 2024 and my stepmother in 2025. By age, Step Mother's 97 year old partner will be next, then my surviving uncle, and next will be me. Cheery thoughts. 

But as I recently remarked on a post by Wise Web Woman, which I did partly hear elsewhere, I am a lucky person to be born white in Australia, had a long and loving relationship with Ray, I'm financially secure and live in a great city, I have a great and large family and some really good friends. And I'm now with the company of Phyllis and Kosov. I really am one of the luckiest people in the world, but why don't I feel like that at times?

Stress

This was written a couple of weeks ago. I may as well publish it. Don't feel the need to comment. 

Tuesday I had forgotten Ex Sis in Law was going to park here, catch a tram to St Vincent's for a procedure, and I would have to pick her up after, post anesthetic. There was some car shuffling involved. 

She was due to arrive here after 11, so my plan of a leisurely trip to buy new lounge room chairs was thwarted. I/we decided on what we wanted a week or so ago, so armed with monies, I went early, leaving home at 9.20. I chose the fabric and double checked what I was ordering. It went smoothly but the shock was it won't be delivered until March. I guess it is made to order in China, and then sent on a ship to Australia. 

She set off on a tram, and at a bit after 2.00, I received a call that she would be ready to collect at 3.30. I was only a few minutes late, not bad considering I had to check out the pick up patient parking, of which there was none available and then park in the pay car park. Oh, this is going to cost!

From when I parked until I was back at the car with Ex Sis in Law was about 15 minutes, and I was charged $0.00 for parking. I was impressed.

Once back home and finding stuffs to make her a cup of tea, she felt fine to drive, and off she went. 

Realising you are a dinosaur

With the company of two young men, I am reminded daily that I am a dinosaur. Not intentionally, but it is obvious. I am not so old that I don't enjoy hearing Phyllis sing along in his bathroom to Dupa Lipa's Training Season. Whatever happens in the future, I will always associate the song with Phyllis. 

My step sister, who I chatted to at the funeral yesterday, has brought up her twin granddaughters and at the age of 14, they love playing soccer. 

Step Sister to them: Have you seen the film Bend it like Beckham? 

Them: No Gran. What is Beckham?

Step Sister: The soccer player. David Beckham, of course.

Them: Never heard of him.

I would guess if further questioned, they would not know who the Spice Girls are either.

I feel sorry for the soccer younguns who never experienced the rise and never fallen Beckham. 

Busy

My step mother was about 87 and her partner 97. They lived in northern Victoria and a couple of weeks ago, he went into a care facility, where he was doing very well and thriving. Step Mother moved to her daughter's in the Latrobe Valley a few days ago.

Yesterday in the very early morning, she had a massive stroke and under the care of ambulance folk, she died. It was a full on day for me as I met up with Ex Sis in Law to see my step mother rather too late. I last saw her two years ago. I lived with her and my father for about five years when I was young. 

Her body was still in the bed until the funeral directors arrived and took her away. Her dog was under her bed and had to be pulled out and taken away as her body was removed. Her dog will fret for a time. 

It was five hours of driving and lots of emotions and memories. I and Ex Sis in Law weren't short of conversation during the long drive, with her at the wheel. 

Step mother suffered domestic violence by her first husband. 

I was on a roll. 

Step sister suffered domestic violence from her first husband. After leaving him, she was 27 and met a 17 year old guy, and they have been happy ever after, in spite of all that has been thrown at them. He is the loveliest of people.

Step mother's sister in law suffered domestic violence by her husband, that being step mother's brother.  He's an arrogant prick and I will try to avoid him at the funeral. 

Rough, and I feel rough. I'll get back to the world of blog soon.  

A visit to 'The 'Rat'.

Well, this is a surprise. I thought Victoria's regional town of Bendigo was larger than Ballarat, but apparently not, and as I read it, not only is it the third largest Victorian city, Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, it is the third largest in Australia, which would now be exactly the same as listed. Correct me if you will, and that is by population. 

So last Saturday in the company of ABI Brother who arrived here by train, we drove to Ballarat to stay a night, the reason being that Ex Sis in Law had been given a voucher for an attraction in Ballarat, so most of the family were there and stayed either one or two nights. 

Saturday was Phyllis' birthday, and he was manic with excitement and loud. I was glad to get away. 

There were roadworks on the way, leading to a 20 minute plus delay and very annoyingly, as we reached the end of the stop start traffic, all lanes of the motorway had just reopened. 

The family were all staying in four different apartments in the same accommodation. I feel I've written this before but I've successfully booked flights, trains, cruises, attractions and accommodation all over the world, yet for some reason I missed being mislead by booking.com and was steered to other accommodation.  weeks later before I realised my mistake and I could have cancelled the booking without cost but I just couldn't be bothered. As it was, it turned out fine. 

It was nice to spend some time with ABI Brother and we had some very relaxed chat. It was like catching up with an old friend. It's not that I don't see him often, it was just on a different level.

This is where we stayed, a large two bedroom apartment occupying the whole top floor, with a bathroom and a modest ensuite to the second bedroom. At the very front of the upper storey was a large triangular spa bath, with my bedroom being behind. Our building has a spa, so it is not a novelty to me, and I didn't take one. 

The metal plate at the front door must tell the stories of thousands of people who have entered the building, once a private home. 

From the street outside, I believe this is the Ballarat Town Hall tower. 

On the Saturday night from the street, the patrons of The North Star Hotel were really enjoying themselves, with the female voices dominating the loud voices from the pub. Our windows were double glazed, so no noise could be heard inside.

This is the mumsy entrance. Floor boards creaked, things fitted where they fitted, or not quite. 

See the beginning of the stairs to get to our apartment? They were steep and the type where you had to place your feet nearly sideways. 

Not quite across the road but nearby are old trains sheds.

And Ballarat train station, with a train about to depart. Across the road from us was a bus storage area along the street, where buses waited to meet trains. 

The private housing next door.

The next house, painted a soft pink with a non working weather vane. 

I believe this is the Ballarat Town Hall.

I believe this is the Ballarat Post Office tower.

Further along the street.

 

Sunday morning the remaining family members brunched at the cafe Drive. It was good. This is Oldest Nieces' phone case. Gummi Bears, as Phyllis informs me. 

Another fine building near where I parked at the cafe.

As I was leaving, I stopped to take a photo of the fire station.

And this monument. 

There was a major Australian Rules Football match being played on the day in Ballarat, and all hotels were booked out for dinner that night. Ex Sis in Law and her tribe of six adults and nine children ate Asian takeaway at their accommodation, while ABI Brother, Sister, Bone Doctor and Jo enjoyed an adequate Indian meal at a nearby restaurant. 

Then it was on to the show at Sovereign Hill, called Aura. 

The show began with us watching a film about how the universe was formed and eventually planet Earth. 3D glasses were involved, and I felt like ducking as meteors and rocks came screaming towards my head. The Big Bang was scary.

We were then bused to the next venue where we the First Nation explanation of how the universe was formed. Interestingly, it was narrated by the late Uncle Jack, a gay First Nation actor, with whom I had a mere acquaintance. 

Bused to the next location, the finale was as it has been for years but very much upgraded, as it tells the history of Ballarat with a strong focus on gold mining that made the city so rich in the 1800s, with a focus on gold miners who arrived from all over the world and their disastrous interaction with the  Colonial Government.

The whole tour lasted 90 minutes, and while children would be impressed by the special effects in the final part, it was more targeted at adults. 

It was back to our apartment for a drink and watch the election results. Next morning we caught up with some of the remaining family members for brunch at Drive, a rather good cafe on the site of an old car petrol service station. 

ABI Brother decided to save money by buying the day before his breakfast to heat up, and as train travel is free for seniors on Sunday, caught the 10.04 train home. I was annoyed. I felt I had responsibility to return him to his home to work on Monday. I had been getting offers from the accommodation to stay another night for half price, and I could have. Ex Sis in Law and her husband were staying that night before going on to northern Victoria. I won't make that mistake again. I must do what I want to and then think about others. 

I am sure this post needs a good edit, but here it is raw. 

A day in Africa

Anzac Day in Australia was the anniversary of Ray's sudden death. What can be a better antidote to a sad day than surrounding yourself with children and at Ex Sis in Law's suggestion, the family got together at Werribee Zoo.

My Arthur Itis mate was not keen on a 10.00am meet, 40 minutes drive away. I suffered, but it was just wonderful to have family around me. Not quite all the family were there, but all the greats were. 

Nephew's three, two being twin boys and one daughter, Oldest Niece's three, and Hippie Niece's twin cafe latte coloured daughters, and their two stepsisters, one who has returned home after some time with her drug user mother. 

The new Elephant Walk recently opened, and it was a long walk in hot sun to visit. I had lost my enthusiasm and I saw an open vehicle to transport people back to the main area approach, so I took a ride back to the zoo entrance. I would have had to walk further to actually see the elephants but I just couldn't do it. 

The sky had clouded over and there was some light rain. We found a shelter area near the hippopotamus enclosure to sit where we all ate our brought from home food; Phyliss having made me a large sandwich with an Indian taste. We bought coffee at the cafe. 

About 2pm, most of us departed. The night before was a melancholic memory evening for me, but the actual day, filled with children, family, and still with some memories of the last time Ray and I visited, was ok. 

There'd be animals, some fierce animals. You can stand on the back of a jeep and see a lioness lounging on the bonnet of a jeep.

I didn't know lions climb trees. Nowhere is safe.

A lonely zebra.

I know I should know what this bird is, but I don't. Pretty, yes? 

A dromedary camel or a humpty dory camel. I can't remember. 

No photo but seeing a gorillas move around was amazing.

I can't remember the name of these deer like critters.

Indian antelope. 

Giraffes, how exciting. 

And zebra.

Giraffe are quite tall, very tall really.

Ostrich. 

One of the animals in this photo is called something like the horseshoe bum deer. 

Some rhino have horns pointing upwards, and some downwards. It depends on their diet preference. 

Sister snapped the hippopotamus out of the water. I did not. 

As I was leaving, I passed by the cheetah enclosure. Wow, it is so pretty. Don't you just want to give it a cuddle. 

I am away again for another family event. Back soon.