Post 141 Repairs

I thought I should look in on the Western balcony spider. The old web in the pot plant has deteriorated. It seems the spider has moved on to the balcony rail. Perhaps she likes the view over the square.

Meanwhile, on the Eastern balcony Turtle made himself at home with the seed. He was jointed by Myrtle for a few minutes, until they both took flight. Myrtle was back a couple of times- and both times chased away by the Noisy Miner. I, however, asserted my domination of the territory by hanging out the washing. The Noisy Miner had to concede the territory to me.

Eventually, I plucked up courage to ring the crash repairer whose name was given to me yesterday at CMI Toyota. I was pleasantly surprised by the open and friendly response, so drove there straight away. The managed took many photos and insisted that, even 5 months after the accident, and not having reported it to the police at the time, I should contact the insurance company. He is convinced they will accept a claim - and this is why I pay insurance. The bill is likely to be around $3000, although the quote is not completed, and they will need the car for at least 5 days. I am nervous of contacting my insurer, but have worked out the dates and tomorrow will take the plunge and ring.

From the crash repairer I dropped some wool off at my daughter's place and called at Officeworks to buy another box of face masks. I haven't used any of the box I bought a week or so ago, but it has occurred to me that it would be useful to have a box in the car, in case South Australia has a further outbreak and I find myself in situations where distancing is difficult.

I managed to read about half of the Agatha Christie book that arrived yesterday. I'm enjoying it, especially with the introduction by the 80 year-old  illustrator, Tom Adams, who illustrated the covers of her paperbacks from the 1950s onwards.  I mostly read, from preferenee, on a Kindle or Kobo, but this slim volume is really lovely to hold and the cover is beautiful.


I spoke to Jennifer late this afternoon. She is still in the RAH and will return home tomorrow morning for what the doctor describes as  'home hospital'. She still has fluid on her lungs, but it is reducing. It seems all her doctors are agreed her heart is not ready for an operation and she has an appointment to see the  physician and surgeon at Calvary next week. She was in good spirits and happy with the position reached by her medical team. She is on a mission to see better press coverage of the ongoing impact of the virus on those who have had it. I have a couple of stories from friends of doctors assuring non-Covid patients this is 'just a flu' - inexcusable ignorance.

I made soup today, from chicken bones, vegetables and barley.  It made a good dinner tonight.

I've made some progress on the shawl, finishing the next band of  the main colour.  From this point on the balance shifts to the dark colour and lace bands. I have completed just under two thirds of the rows - but of course, the rows are getting longer, so I am probably more like half way through. It is, however, taking shape.

Post 121: Pilates and Sit'nStitch.

I was able to predict that the Noisy Miner was around this morning by the stance of the doves. I was watching them both eating seeds on the balcony this morning when they both paused and played statues. They kept the position long enough for me to take a photo. About a minute after, the Miner swooped towards the balcony rail and the doves took off, underneath the Miner and away.

They were back in about 20 minutes to finish the food, but most of the time one of them was keeping watch across the trees.

I couldn't watch forever, so left for Pilates.

My Pilates Studio has done everything possible to manage Corona Virus well. There is less equipment on the floor and it is well-spaced. It is also frequently disinfected. Equipment classes have only 3 -4 students and only one class is there at a time.

I am slowly regaining ground lost by my three month absence. There are three in my class and Martine is a really good instructor. She is very specific about the point of each exercise for each individual.






The Studio also has a very lovely and productive garden. It's looking great at the moment - but then, it usually does.


















From Pilates I went on to a friend's place to resume out Sit'n Stitch sessions. It is just Jennifer, Susan (whose place it is) and I. This time we had a lot to catch up on, and to celebrate Jennifer's return to Sit'n Stitch, Susan prepared a delicious minestrone-type soup, bread, cheeses and baked a fruit cake which she iced. We didn't get a huge amount of stitching done - there was too much to talk about.

I did take a photo of Jennifer and Susan examining the amazing and huge blanket that Susan had knitted. but it was vetoed by the two stars, who didn't like the way they looked.

Jennifer is doing well - still gets very tired and has lost much of the muscle gain she made after her two knee operations last year. She has a physio program which she's sticking to. There is much of her time in ICU which she can't remember

I got home not long before sunset. It was pretty grey but got interesting just as the sun went down.














I love the way the clouds seem to open up a little at sunset.











Tonight I started the reverse Muncaster Orange. This is going to be a great joy to stitch- and a lot of fun.

It has been quite a busy week, with something on every day - all within my little bubble. It will be good to maintain this for several months. I think it is now 30 days that South Australia has been Covid-free, but tomorrow there are two planes arriving with locals returning from other countries. They will go into 14 day quarantine but it is expected that a number will test positive for Covid19.

The current word from a couple of the responsible Ministers is that we will not resume overseas travel until there is vaccine for Covid 19. If pushed for a timeline, the officials indicate overseas travel is at least 12 months away for us. At the moment that's fine by me - but it isn't for the 6000 employees that Qantas is about to make redundant. That's in addition to those who are stood down, with no idea when they will resume work.

As a country we are weathering this quite well - but the cost to many, many individuals is enormous. 

Post 76: Hair - Dawning of the Age of....

The day dawned beautifully - pink and grey, rather than red, so no warnings for shepherds.

I managed to read some more of Martha Grimes' The Dirty Duck which I am really enjoying, before I had to head off to the hair dresser.

The trees in the city are really turning now and dropping leaves. I hadn't noticed the little grove next to the Catholic Cathedral before.










It was great to see my hairdresser, and to have my haircut. Salons are now permitted to make longer appointments, so we made an appointment in 8 weeks time for a perm.  I'm relieved.

I deposited my soft plastic recycling in Coles and did a little bit of shopping - more grapes, carpet cleaner, chocolate biscuits - and some proper scones.

Back at home, I got stuck into my sample bag again, finishing the eyelets for the drawstring using Punto Gigliuccio - called Pea Stitch in English. Carmina used this stitch a lot, and I can see why. 

It's shaping up nicely, even if crumpled.

I made two twisted cords and two tassels, ready to insert.

In the meantime, I'm joining the two sides together with ladder stitch. Tomorrow I should be able to press the bag, insert the cord and attach the tassels. I think it will look quite good. It doesn't live up to Carmina's best work, but it is a kind of cover version - a tribute that  demonstrates her designs.

Susan rang me this afternoon. She is back in her apartment, speaking to Jennifer a couple of times a day and getting her head around being in self-isolation in her home. It's been a bit of a journey.  She's unpacking her bags, but also the experience.  Jennifer has that challenge as well.

I have nothing like their challenge or their journey. I am glad, however, that a few friends asked me to keep this blog going when I got home to self-isolation. I had no idea it would still be going 77 days after I set out for England and that the journey would morph into something quite different.

Post 51: Still on dove and parrots

Well, it looks as if the seeds are the secret to the dove's return. I sprinkled a few seeds on the balcony floor this morning and very soon the dove turned up. She pecked around, eating maybe a third of the seat, then took off again from the  rail.

She came back twice during the day. to finish off the seeds and drink some water.


In my first online grocery order there was no pasta. I bought this package of 'Fettuccine' without knowing what it was.  Last night I used its contents with a Bolognaise sauce I had made. It turns out they are Konjac noodles - made from the root of the Japanese Konjac root. They are translucent and are said to have no taste. There are warnings that they can cause stomach pain, bloating and diarrhoea. The active ingredient in pure form is banned in Australia.




Covered in Bolognaise sauce they were pleasant to eat, and I suffered no ill effects. It won't however, become one of my staples. The current crisis leads us to try and learn about new things. In future, it might be better to investigate before I buy but I was in a hurry and in self-isolation when I ordered.  Je ne regrette rien.

Today I placed another grocery order for delivery next Wednesday. I went with Romeos' again, partly because of the way the manager handled my bungled delivery last Wednesday and partly because they have a good selection of both fresh fruit and vegetable and meat - including ham hocks. A big pot of soup coming up.

I have also managed to get an appointment for a flu vaccination . I had a booster in February before I went to England and my doctor recommends I wait until May to have the new one. I now have an appointment for 1 May.
It was overcast and cooler today - 21C -. There was enough sun for me to spend a couple of hours embroidering on my Western balcony this afternoon.

Once again, the Square is being used by a personal trainer and his student.  They use a range of equipment - as well as the tree and bench.   It's a good use of open space now that gyms are closed.

The spotty fabric in the top right hand corner of the composite photo is part of the bunting I bought before Christmas from The Fabric of Life.




I hung it from my balcony rail and have not yet taken it down. I find it cheerful and a reminder of more stable times.

I have no further news today from my friends in Perth. I figure no news is good news. I will try calling Susan tomorrow.

I made reasonable progress on the parrots before moving inside. I'm really enjoying this stitching.


I had a long conversation with my brother and sister-in-law. Robyn spent the day making more little videos for her young PE class. It's an effort, and I'm sure it will pay off. My brother is still working out the consequences of cancelling his gigs, including the Stone the Crows event that would have just concluded in Wagga Wagga this week.


I've worked steadily on the parrots this evening while watching Gardening Australia and several episodes of Great British Railway Journeys - including the one that visits Dunrobin Castle - evoking memories of the visit we made on the first Crewel Work Scottish Highlands Tour in 2015.

I'm too tired to do more. I'm pretty sure tomorrow will finish what's in my frame and I will be able to roll it on. 

Post 50 :

I did wake just after sunrise this morning, but, after taking the photo, read and dozed until, around 9.15,  I found a message from my son-in-law telling me there was a ‘small delivery’ at my door. It took me a few minutes to work out it was not an addition to my muesli, but some seeds for the visiting dove!

I sprinkled a little on my balcony before doing anything else. 

I don’t share much family information in a blog. I don’t believe I have licence to share much about others’ lives. On the other hand, today I feel the need to acknowledge the life and loss of my Canberra  daughter’s much loved  18 year old cat, Kalia. She was a vital part of their lives. She has been ill in recent weeks and this morning died peacefully at home as her Magpie frenemy appeared and sang her to sleep. I’m grateful for having known Kalia, and for the joy she brought to those she graced with her presence. Her loss will be long felt. 

I sang a quiet lullaby to mark Kalia’s final sleep and within a few minutes my dove appeared, enticed, it seems, by the seed. In between cautiously pecking at the seed, she went back several times to the balcony rail to check out the scene. She also drank from a bowl of stones I keep there.

Not long after, I received unwelcome news. My friend Jennifer in isolation in Perth had tested positive to Covid19 last weekend. Since then, she has been admitted to hospital and is now in an ICU. Her partner has been released from hospital back to the isolation hotel.  It is a serious situation. 

Jennifer is in good hands. Western Australia is currently listed as having 33 Covid19 patients in hospital and 11 of those in ICU. The hospital system is equipped and coping. We wait, hope and pray. 

The news was enough to prompt me to take my Lowery stand out on to the balcony to catch some afternoon sun. The showers forecast are some way off. The spider has added several layers to her web. 















The sun provided great light, which showed up where I had missed a stitch or two, which I can now rectify. My stitches are meditations on healing.

It was a very gentle sunset.

I have continued working on the foliage around the parrots. One or two more long sessions of stitching and I will need to roll the frame on to the bottom half of the linen. It’s been quite a day. 
Our national Covid 19 figures are trending in the right direction, but there is no room for complacency - and the story strikes a sharper note when the statistics take on the face of a friend. Each one is a face, a friend, a relative. 

I stay home and stitch in tribute to life and in hope of health and healing.