This is not the best lorikeet photo I've taken but the best I managed as several squawked their way through the native frangipani, remaining well hidden in the foliage.
I had waited in for Scott Constructions to come to inspect the damage to my ceiling from the water leak, and prepare a quote. Patrick,who came to Adelaide to visit 20 years ago and stayed, was held up because they found asbestos in the last section of their current demolition job, and the site was quickly shut down. Unsurprisingly he still has an Irish brogue and talks the leg off a chair. He is, however, nothing if not thorough. He says at least 1 sq metre of the ceiling is water damaged and will need replacing, which, in his view, means the whole ceiling will need to be repainted. This seemed a fine idea until today, when it rained heavily - and the drip is back!
The missing book turned up on Thursday morning in 16b. Maureen, our Strata Rep, had canvassed owners. Danielle, who has moved out and has 16b on the market, must have called in to check on her way to work. I got a message at 7.30 am, jumped into some day clothes and retrieved it. Before and after Pilates I read it. It’s an amazing story. WES members will love it. They will have to wait until next September, when the topic appears on our calendar. A brilliant choice by Margaret. The book is (only) available from the Gawthorpe Textile Collection.
I had spent a bit of time investigating printers and trying to answer the questions I asked last week. I had more-or-less settled on a black and white laser printer - one of the 3 recommended by Choice. It was not readily available, but appeared as in stock at the OfficeWorks near my Pilates studio. I therefore ordered some printing - 15 copies of the notes for the January Certificate Workshop- and called in after Pilates to pick it up and have a conversation about printers. Unfortunately their website was inaccurate and they only had a show model. The assistant, however, was really knowledgeable. It did look promising. They accepted the old printer for recycling. On Monday there was only one shop left with stock of the chosen replacement. I drove there and purchased one of their last 2 - discounted by 30%. It's still in the box. Hopefully I'll unpacked it soon.
I had booked Ovenbusters for Friday morning. Braddon, the serviceman, was due around 10.30am, so at 7.30am I parked my car outside the apartment entrance to save him a space. He cleans in the van, so needs it close by, and the van doesn’t fit under our building. I have extension vouchers from the City Council, which means I can park outside for 4 hours. When Braddon arrived he found an easy park one door down, so I moved my car back in. Brandon did a fabulous job on the oven, including between the glass on the door panel. He had useful tips and information - including that contemporary ovens have a life expectancy of not much more than 5-6 years! Adds to my insecurity.
All Adelaide family members were busy on Saturday night, so I got stuck into the Kasia Jacquot linens that arrived on Friday. These items had been bought on sale: one, a panel pack that went into my pile of her panels to be embroidered for bags; the other a panel of small designs for ornaments.
The latter I had bought mainly for the Christmas ornaments the Guild had reqested for the Christmas sale.
Still on Saturday, a group called Acoustic Beats and Brews had set up in the Square for the afternoon and I couldn't block out the persistent underlying thump of the Bass, but it wasn't constant. By the time I went to bed I had completed four items - all I'm planning for now. Details in my embroidery blog. 
I had also been impressed with Kasia Jacquot's embroidered jeans. When Nancy Bird advertised her Sol Pants in cinnamon last week, I succumbed. These too, arrived on Friday. They fit perfectly and I have now copied the pattern on to one leg and started the embroidery. I know, I know. Yes, the knitting is still going, and I have made substantial progress with the Blue Birds tapestry. I'm not multitasking here, just jumping from one to another.
Sunday was BookClub at my place. There were six of us and we had lots to talk about. The 30C heat had not reached its peak so we were comfortable and engaged.
After the girls and I had lemon chicken and a good time on Monday evening, we were back together again this afternoon when Alison paid a flying visit. I hastily gathered a couple of family pies, bacon & potatoes (in a glass dish, rather than a big brown pot), cheese, salami, bread, salad, nuts - whatever was to hand, and laid it all out so people could help themselves and keep talking, which they certainly did. In the end, seven of us sat down and polished of most of the food with very few silences. Around 8pm school night awareness kicked in and the 5 of them fled. The visitor has a busy day ahead. It is so lovely to see her for a few precious hours.
I am late posting this so won't attempt more.
