A Whiff of Whimsy

 I may have solved the problem of having difficulties with altering this post so we have set up an alternative by producing a new Google Account and starting afresh with a new BLOG.

You can follow our current and future adventures on whiffofwhimsy.blogspot.com

https://whiffofwhimsy.blogspot.com  hope this works for you.

A Round Tuit

Its an Australian expression - not sure if its used internationally. Its a bit of STRINE or more correctly Australian.

A ROUND TUIT translates to eventually I'll get, "Around To It".

Its a bit like this Blog problem I have in changing the site to suit our current lifestyle here in Ballarat, but for the current time, I'll just persevere with the Blog as it is until I find the solution. Besides, I should imagine that because its been dormant for so long, I've most probably lost our followers.

For those that might remain, the news is that we will return to France one last time in October this year. Long haul flights are now a bit of a struggle these days as we age. We have now both entered our early 70s. Sue celebrates her 73rd year May 5 and I clicked over my 74th early April.

Sue is quite excited in our return to France. She's been reading three novels based on the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine and so we will most probably follow some of the areas noted in the novels - Poitiers will be one and naturally we will revisit Chinon.

I can almost walk the streets of Chinon in my sleep, knowing it so well along with Montrichard and Saint Aignan in the Loire.

A little Renault parked outside a Chinon wine store.

Below: Street scenes of Saint Aignan

TERRIBLY CONFUSED with BLOGGER

 I seems that since coming back to Blogger after some years, I have lost my knowledge of how it works or Blogger has made changes that I was unaware of.

I try to make my current page "Trentham Tales" more relevant to our current lifestyle. The changes required are;

1. Change the title

1. 

   
   
   
   
2. Change the title photo

Firstly I go to the Blogger icon LH side of the page.

Attached is a screen shot.

This is what I get, first photo - where are the other icons?

Below is a screenshot taken from U-Tube showing the missing icons.

Should I find a solution or create a new identity and start from scratch?

WHAT's IN YOUR BOOKSHELF

Thinking and planning our October trip to France, it’s intriguing to contemplate our own familiar surroundings. This is a corner of our sitting room where we spend most of our evening time. We’ve been here 3.5 years and so you take your surroundings for granted. Taking a photo makes it special.

On the third shelf to the far right is a trumpet with the record cover of the Miles Davis album, Round Midnight.

There’s a B&W photograph of the horse race in the Siena square. A great memory of being there.

The bookshelf holds books, mainly my political books of past prime ministers. There also our travel books and a couple by song writer Paul Kelly. Shakespeare and Michael J Fox share another shelf with Bill Bryson and Jon Faine, not to forget Billy Connelly and my favourite eclectic cartoonist, Leunig.

Sue’s mother’s Royal dalton dinner set sits both on a shelf and stored behind the doors in safety.

When visiting someone for the first time, I’m drawn magnetically to their book shelf.

What about you, what does your book shelf say about you?

Ballarat has been our home since September 2020

From the quiet rural life of Trentham, we moved to Ballarat about 70 kms away. Ballarat is now the 2nd largest regional city to Geelong in Victoria. It has the most up to date medical facilities, hence the reason for the change in lifestyle.

After Sue having some health issues and the long wait for ambulance response, the decision was made during the early stages of Victoria's Covid lockdown. It was a good time in real estate with people from Melbourne looking forward to a more relaxed lifestyle.

We must admit that we enjoy our life in Ballarat and after a little more than three years, we have a lovely social group of like minded friends. The catalyst for establishing a social network was that Sue and I formed a regional division of the MG Car Club of Victoria here in Ballarat.

Such a group never existed in the past and Ballarat MG owners were just waiting for such a group. starting with 20 on the mailing list, we now are close to 100. I liken it to the Kevin Kostner baseball movie phrase, "Build it and they will come."

Any way, they are all very enthusiastic and are forming friendship groups within the network. Many like us are refugees from Melbourne and even interstate to make a life here in Ballarat.

Most would know that I've been a cyclist for many years however, my competitive days are now over, I enjoy cycling with a local group that I met on arrive in Ballarat.

I shall endeavour to post at least once per week - hopefully some of you will return as readers.

PS: How do I change the heading and photo on my Blog - I've totally forgotten.

Below photos: two of our toys.

MIGHT BE TIME TO MAKE A COMEBACK

So much has happened since our last post on this BLOG site. Not that I can tell you all in one post but maybe just step by step since we left Trentham for Ballarat.

Health reasons brought us to Victoria's second biggest regional city. Ballarat was built on gold mining in the 1850s and has an amazing architectural history with a most glamorous main street, amazing botanical gardens and a large lake where there is a huge population of water birds.

Food, wine and nightlife are still under discovery by Sue and I but we are getting there. Since arriving in 2020, we established friendship groups that make us feel comfortable enough to make it our last home.

A New Classic MG joins the Garage

Classic cars have been part of our life since Sue and I first married and for me, from the time I had my licence. Citroens have come and gone. Alfa Romeos were a favourite, Triumphs and Minis sometimes filled the garage.

MGs have always been consistent over the last 40 years. Only recently we sold our 2003 MGTF to be replaced with our 1980 MGBGT.

Having been an MG Car Club members since 1984, we've had as many as seven MGS of varying models however I think this one may be staying for some time.

The 2003 MGTF

Autumn Mushrooms and Toadstools

As autumn descends on Trentham and the Victorian Highlands, between rain and sunshine, colours are changing and the fungi are sprouting from the fields.

You may notice how a Kangaroo decided to leave a deposit neatly between these two fungi.

Although I enjoy fungi, there's no way I would consider eating them unless from a commercial producer.

Although they do look very attractive - don't they. Maybe homes to the fairy that inhabit our field.

TUSC - Tuesday Urban Sketch Club

Its been as previous mentioned that I was invited a little over 12 months ago the take up the pencil and start sketching by one of our local artists. Peter John Young is slightly eccentric with a kind and outgoing personality also inclined to be a little verbose with an eclectic humour which I enjoy.

A fellow local artist, John Bryant who past away last year started the sketch club however although I knew David, I never sketched with him.

This Tuesday we sketched from our own homes via the App Zoom, an interface program that allows all sketchers to socialise while working on their sketch.
This is of course a necessary alternative due to the Corona Virus restrictions, even here in Trentham.

Peter assigned us a project this Tuesday that could be anything from our pantry. I decided on a sectional view of our pantry which is a butler's pantry style where we store goods, wash up (it has two sinks) and make our tea and coffee. The arrangement allows Sue to cook in the kitchen and me (the Butler) to transport her meet to the pantry to clean up!!!!!!!! Gee, she's a great cook but really messy!

So back to the subject in hand.
My sketch or sketches as I did two, were of a section of the pantry and then our Nespresso machine with a cup and saucer used for our espresso coffee.

I've added a photo of the scene I sketched. I fine the photo helps to reference detail when required.

So there you go - My Tuesday Urban Sketch Club in Trentham report until next Tuesday.

We have a regular Tuesday sketch club here in Trentham which I joined approximately 12 months ago. From a group of 4 to 6, we seemed to outgrow our welcome at the local cafes where we would sit, sketch and drink coffee.

With COVID-19 most of our sketching is done in the confines of our own homes currently but we do interact via the App Zoom. I quite enjoy the pencil and sometimes add a bit of colour with Derwent colours but the whole brush thing is yet to be mastered.

This Tuesday the task is to draw a pantry scene - that should prove challenging when your Foodie wife has all sorts of kitchen gadgets in the pantry. I should explain a little further. It is actually a Butler's Pantry where after dinner, I get sent to clean up the residue of the splendid meal she may have conjured up from the many ingredients amongst the shelves.

I shall post my masterpiece tomorrow - watch this space.

Where have you been Leon Sims?

Yes, true - it has been some time since we last posted on our BLOG.
A lot has happened with settling in our new home, even settling in to our new town. I must say both have been without a hitch. The community is welcoming and Sue and I find ourselves involved in much of the local activities and organisations.

It only seems like yesterday that Sue had an unfortunate accident on our last few days in France 2017 when she fractured two vertebrae and my father passes away while we were there. 12 months ago we lost our almost 21 year old cat Gem - she had a very good and long life as did my father (96).

That's all now past us and I feel the urge to show you more of our life in the small rural village of Trentham, Victoria.

I note that our last post was March 2018 - I have been slack. Let's get this Blog rolling once again.

That's if there is any interest out there.

The FODEN Steam Engine

When gold ran out in Trentham, the locals turned to logging. The Wombat forest during European settlement was logged out although now it has regenerated. Tramways were built to bring the fallen trees from the forest sawmills then directly to the Trentham station to be transported to Melbourne. 

Not that long ago I posted the black and white photo below. It shows a steam engine transporting the wood to the station. After last weekend, it now has much more significance to me. We went to Bullarto, only about 10 kms from Trentham where they had their annual Tractor-Pull, Wood-Chop and car show.

There in all its glory was a beautifully restored Foden steam traction engine. 

It was quite an amazing vehicle of several tons in weight and sounded glorious when in motion.

I'll post some photos of the Tractor Pull competition in a few days.

More on the Foden here;

"The People are so Friendly"

Last Tuesday the Cool Country Classic Car Club took their cars to our aged care facility for the residents to enjoy our cars as much as we do. Earlier I went for a coffee in town and while Celeste (my demure Citroen) was parked in the street, I was questioned by a couple about her. They are currently visiting with the prospect of buying some land to build in Trentham. Today I met them again (twice actually). 
They have spent the last four days enjoying our town. 
We chatted for awhile and I then asked them the all important question - "What has intrigued you most about Trentham". The answer was as I expected - "The people are so friendly". 
I hope they find what they are looking for.

We have a great car club here in Trentham - the population of the town is about 1400 but our car club has 110 members and we get approx 30 members to our general meetings. We are meeting many like-minded locals through the car, foodie, garden, petanque groups in this intimate village.

So many stories to tell.

Its a warm day, Sue says to me, "Would you like me to shout you a cold beer." "Yes that would be very nice dear, especially in the beer garden of the Royal George", I said.

Well as I said previously that it was a nice warm day and we had been out shopping for such garden stuff as veggie garden soil and horse poo, I thought a beer would go down very well.

So we get to the Pub, in this case the Royal George and we have a short beer tasting when she samples a few before deciding on what suits her palate - me, just give me a bloody beer, I'm parched after that horse poo thing.

So after Sue discovers that her purse is still in the car, I then have to shout the beers. Not only that but I carry them out to the beer garden - not much of a garden but a parched dusty soil area with rotted garden furniture.

BUT, there's this wonderful old timber building with a picket fence in the corner of the beer garden.

If only buildings could talk and tell us their history. Who lived here? For how long?, did children grow up here?

So many stories to tell.

Back roads of East Trentham

Decided to go for a drive in our latest's plaything - an MG 2003 TF. Had the iPhone in the car playing Spotify via bluetooth - Modern cars do have benefits.

The new toy

I discovered a few new roads in Trentham and some interesting architecture. You never get tired of the surroundings in the Central Highlands.

Lisieux until recent times was a B&B but now is a family home. I pass by this property on my morning rides. 1849 dates this property before the gold rush era of Victoria.

Once a church in Fernhill, today it is a private home. Every St Patrick's day there is a march from here to the Pig and Whistle pub just up the road at East Treantham. Naturally its an Irish pub with Guinness on tap.

I have no idea of this corrugated iron house in East Trentham but once I know, I'll let you know.

Again in East Trentham is this small timber hut. I imagine it was one of the many potato grower's huts that seem to expose themselves when you just happen to take notice.

Next Sunday we are off to a classic car show which is our "Pebble Beach". All the state car club will have their cars on display. We'll bring you some of the finest examples next post.

LILY

Over the many years Sue and I've had several pets or more appropriately, additional members of the family. When we first met, Sue had Ella the cat, then came Che the Lab/Shepherd cross.
Another dog arrived in the shape of a beagle. The three, Che, Mac and Ella would lay in front of the fire in winter on their communal rug.

Ella passed away at good age and two cats arrived however one we believe may have been stolen (Burmese) and the other ventured to far from home to the highway - buff said!

Che had a good life but Mac the beagle was lonely and so we eventually decided he needed another friend. Murphy was an Irish Wolfhound and the most delightful and loving big bloke you would ever want to meet. With two dogs in the family, Sue started pining for another cat but it had to be Burmese.

We went to a breeder in Richmond with our son Mitchell. It was a good thing we took Mitch as he actually made the choice or maybe one of the kittens chose him. Our little Burmese was with us almost 21 years. She ruled the two dogs with an iron paw. Gem outlived both Murphy, Mac and another moggy by the name of Rosie. It was only last year Gem passed away and we decided not to replace her now that we live in the country.

Well!!!, that didn't last long as Sue was researching breeders and came across a recommended breeder on the Bellarine Peninsula. We went to visit her and the new litter. The Breeder took us around the garden and we seemed to talk for ages but on reflection, I think we were being considered as worthy "parents". We passed the test.

Sue was concerned how she would pick from the litter and remembering that Gem chose us, I told her it would be the same - the right kitten would choose her. How right was I?
After handling the kittens, one crawled up onto Sue and snuggled into her shoulder with her head under her hair - BINGO.

Her name is Lily - she's still a smuggler and has endeared herself to us as a member of our family.
Until I build and outside cat run, she remains an indoor cat. Living in the country we believe we have a responsibility to maintain her safety and the lives of the native fauna.

A HOUSE that became a HOME.

Last post showed our garden as it is today - it made me follow up on what the property looked like during the build during the winter of 2016. We took the keys 3 days before Christmas so that's 14 months ago. I reckon we haven't done too bad in the scheme of things, particularly since its been mainly our own work except for the major part of bringing in the gravel and soil.

Our next post, we hope to introduce you to the new member of our family - her name is Lily.