A Green Weekend

The weather this last weekend was absolutely glorious. It was warm, but not too hot. The sun shone, but there was occasional cloud cover for shade. There was a pleasant breeze but no really strong winds. It was just lovely.

Our activities were lovely too.  Lindsey and I did our usual Saturday morning activities - Mushroom farm, Elaine Farmgate Shop.  But we also went to the Lakeside Market, which has moved to Zoo Drive, near the lake. Not that there is a zoo. I don't know if there has ever been a zoo. But there is a market twice a month, at least for the time being.

Being so close to Christmas, there were lots of extra stalls and it was a perfect morning for pottering around the market, admiring things, buying things and thoroughly enjoying the green coolth the trees offered. The lake was sparkling, the people were happy; it was a great morning.  I bought lots of seasonal fruit and have had my dehydrator going ever since. Apricots, nectarines and plums from the market plus loads of mangoes that Lindsey had acquired from a charity drive. I also froze some of the mangoes. I am planning to use the dehydrated mangoes (rehydrated) and the frozen ones for the Christmas trifle with, I hope, some fresh raspberries. There is another market before Christmas and I am hoping to get raspberries then. Also, perhaps, some cherries.

Sunday saw Jim and me driving out to Daylesford, where we were meeting at Gillie's house for the resumption of the meetings of the Sunday Lunchers.  We had had one lunch at our place at the beginning of the year, then all subsequent plans had to be abandoned as Viruses, Pandemics, Panics, Lockdowns and Restrictions made their various presences felt in the course of the year. For now, the Virus has been beaten back in Australia and restrictions across the country have been lifted. For now!  But it did mean that We Six and Flora the Dog could meet at Gillie's house for a long overdue catch up and a delicious lunch.  Gillie lives on the other side of Daylesford from Ballarat and has a verdant, productive garden.  We sat outside under the shade of her enormous walnut tree and passed a very pleasant, greenly shaded afternoon. It was positively glorious.

All in all a great weekend, with a great deal of green shade. Central Victoria is a beautiful place. We are lucky to live here.