Still Waters

May 9, 2026May 10, 2026

Just down the road….

It’s been a quiet, rather wet and chilly autumnal week
Where not much has happened apart from a much needed hair cut, the yearly audiology appointment (no change there) plus a fun morning at my casual ‘tell us about what you’ve read’ book club
However there was one day that reminded us that winter isn’t far away

Definitely ‘stay at home’ weather and look for something to amuse yourself. And just look at this beauty I found.
A fabulous programme highlighting many of the parrots that live here in Australia. I just sat and marvelled at them all – from the huge Palm Cockatoo down to our native Budgerigar
(the same as the little ones we keep as pets in our houses).

Well worth putting the kettle on and settling down to watch with a cuppa and whatever else you fancy

However if you’d rather not watch on the tube try this version HERE
(Which is actually a sharper/clearer version)
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The week culminated in a short journey down to the specialist’s rooms in Wantirna for my post op appointment. Familiar roads but heavy with morning traffic….really pleased I don’t have to drive that early on a regular basis.

Where we discussed the few little niggles that are still hanging around. They should all disappear with time…..I left feeling much much better than I did the last time (pre op) three months ago……hoping he’s right with that prediction Pool work, core and glute strengthening exercises can now happen in earnest

May 5, 2026May 4, 2026

A nothing post really…

This is just one of those silly posts that get written when your mind can’t think of anything sensible to say.
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Seemingly – if what you read is correct – when Queen Camilla saw the way the Oval Office had been decorated she muttered -WOW. And many Brits are smiling inwardly knowing that’s not what she really meant at all

Same as if a Brit says Fantastic or That’s lovely – it’s usually not what they had in mind

What others can you come up with?

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026

Tinged with joy and sadness….

I’d describe this last month a little that way.

There was the joy and pleasure of having something new to read
I still think having a book in my hand is much more pleasing than reading online

On this particular day a pile of books courtesy of my casual book group.
Authors old and new – Australian Irish & British

The Cane – Maryrose Cuskelly 2022
The Whisperer’s War – Jackie French 2025
Spirits of the Ghan – Judy Nunn 2015
The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris – Evie Woods
Originally published in 2014 under the author’s real name Evie Gaughan
The Mill on the Shore – Ann Cleeves 1994
George and Molly Palmer-Jones #7
Republished 2024

There was a quick trip out through the Valley to Healesville for lunch

Where the vines are beginning to get the message……

But the glorious weather we’ve had recently may have sent the wrong message to some trees who seem to be in two minds about the whole thing……yet those on the roadside coming out of Healesville have decided it’s definitely their turn to shine – putting on a fabulous show in the afternoon sunshine. (Those cloudy skies didn’t come to anything, we’ve had no ‘proper’ rain all month)

Lunch was at the RSL – where their meals might be cheap but are definitely not nasty – and where if you’re a local or don’t mind driving home in the dark you can enjoy their weekday night specials. It’s difficult attracting midweek custom on cold winter evenings so this is one way to tempt them.

And if there are lady drinkers amongst them there’s a range of weird and wonderful ( my description) cocktails for them to enjoy. I wonder if Midori was on special at the bottle shop…..and what the difference is between a M Illusion and M Splice apart from $1 in price.

There was the recent joy of welcoming a new life into the family
Another gt grandchild for us, a baby girl – starting her life with the very different name of Scottie Grace. Parent’s choice obviously but sometimes I wonder……

Then we were told, (unlike with her cousin Mia) with Scottie it was to be…..No Vax No Visit…..
The Golfer and I have not had a recent whooping cough vaccination, seemingly (according to some) no matter who you mingle with it is a must for visiting newborns. It would cost us over $100 (grandparents don’t qualify for a free one) and would need to be administered 2 weeks before visiting. A few ruffled feathers when I said that’s fine, we’ll wait until baby has her first one in a few weeks time but if her Mum had been vaccinated during the pregnancy (as Mia’s was) the baby would have some protection already.

Even more recently,unbelievable sadness arrived, coming from an event that has been very hard to get my head around (hence no blogging) – the sudden unforeseen death of a grandchild. A young mother of three boys who decided that life was all too much.
So many questions- none of which will ever be answered.

April is all but over…..
I’ve decided I’m going into May with this thought in mind

Wish me luck

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April 13, 2026April 15, 2026

And one’s on the way…..

Our days are definitely changing, dry and sunny, wet and misty, some trees are starting to colour up, some are dropping a leaf here and there. My roses seem to be confused though…….some are producing new flowers while others have given up and are now at the ‘hip’ stage. Won’t be long until they are all needing a haircut (chop chop it’ll grow again in Spring 😊)
Now around the house most of the year I’m a bare foot person (you should see the look of horror on my podiatrist’s face when she has to remove the hard skin from the soles of my feet) so this seasonal change in temperature (crikey it was down to 4c/39f at 5am Saturday morning) means my feet get cold. Which means it’s time for new slippers, not solid shop bought ones but these little knitted ones – ones I’ve been making for many years. No matter the design I tend to stumble in bought ones whereas I’m firmly grounded ‘ in control’ with these on my feet. Hard floors means they tend to get holey, they then get darned,……the ones I’m using now have more darned sole than original so new ones it is!

Two large balls of brown 8ply destined for boy’s jumpers were seconded to do the job…..with enough available to make at least 2 pairs!

About the post title …..
The words just popped into my head when I saw the photo above

https://genius.com/Loretta-lynn-ones-on-the-way-lyrics

Judy Nunn is a ‘not read before’ Australian author. A while ago I gained a pile of books and this was amongst them.
Spririts of the Ghan…..
The Ghan is a train that runs through central Australia between Adelaide and Darwin…..supposedly named in honour of the Afghan cameleers who ran supply routes in the outback using camels better suited to the conditions than horses or bullocks
…….so with some more cool days coming up I think I’ll be taking a literary trip along the train tracks to the warm Top End

1992 – our trip that year began by taking The Ghan from Adelaide to Alice Springs – which is as far as it went in those days

Sharing with ‘Unraveled Wednesday ‘ pop over and see who else is sharing their reading and making
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April 10, 2026April 17, 2026

📘 A mix of this and that….

Looking at the covers of the books below you might begin to wonder why I read such a mix of genres recently. To be honest I don’t know why. With everything going on during March it’s a wonder I was able to concentrate on anything but having a book in my hands or onscreen seemed to take my mind off other things

After a long time waiting one came to the top of the reservation list, one ‘came my way’ and others I went looking for because I needed them 🙂

One about early colonial Australia which was written quite a while ago by an Irish Australian author marked my personal contribution to Reading Ireland month, a couple of additions to my ‘series’ list featured a local rural ‘copper’ and spies . Of course I had to add one with the season’s name – and because surnames were needed to fit my A-Z challenge I sourced a fun online version of a ‘new to me’ Regency Romance series along with (courtesy of a book hoarding friend) a very old copy of a post war adventure thriller (That’s Q and I sorted 😊)
And there right at the end ….……is the latest read from my ‘proper’ book club

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What was read…..

Sara Dane – Catherine Gaskin 1954
* Sara ( not your normal run of the mill convict) given the chance of employment by a free settler then goes on to win her freedom after marrying a ships officer turned landowner. Clever and adept at running her husband’s shipping company plus other businesses but despite these strengths finds she still needs relationships with a person of good standing to be accepted into early colonial society
(Loosely based on the life of Mary Reibey)

Mischance Creek – Garry Disher 2025
Hirsch #5
* So much going on in this new episode in the rural policeman’s life…….lots of miscellaneous things like a dog running loose on the road, a farmer having to cull his sheep due to the ongoing drought, needing to rescue a visitor who turns out to be investigating her parents death/disappearance several years ago, other investigations into illegal dumping. Those and others are all tied in with each other, ending with charges made and mysteries solved.
The ending, where as well being transferred to another station Hirsch is promoted makes me think there might be a change of direction when the next book is written

The Duke and I – Julia Quinn 2000
Bridgerton #1
* This turned out to be as light a read as I thought it might be…….well apart from one rather eyebrow raising chapter. The incident may have been included for shock value, could have been confronting for some readers. Don’t think I’ll bother with the rest of the series

Real Tigers – Mick Herron 2016
Slough House #3
* Another instalment in the lives of the demoted agents/spies who ‘work’ under Jackson Lamb’s guidance at Slough House. Someone is kidnapped…….click on the book title to find out what’s going on.
A good easy read. Lots of wheeling and dealing by many on opposite sides. Looking forward to the next one

Autumn – Muriel Hine 1917
* A very old publication found on The Internet Archive, set late Summer/early Autumn telling the story of (middle class) Deidre, living in a ‘loveless marriage’ in London, whose life is changed when a relative gifts her a house in the country. She left leaving no forwarding address, settles in unknown to anyone in the village, meets the local well travelled bohemian like squire who is attracted to her…..a romantic platonic friendship begins- it’s how she deals with this and the thoughts voiced by friends, family, village gossips plus an irate husband who still thinks he can do no wrong and all he has to do is redecorate the house then she’ll see the error of her ways and come home that made this novel so interesting
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What is still being read….

Campbells Kingdom – Hammond Innes 1952
* What seems like a straightforward adventure story is so full of twists and turns you never know what’s going to happen as each page is turned. Yes, the writing could be termed ‘dated’ – but there’s nothing dated about descriptions like this. I’m enjoying every minute it’s in my hands

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Sharing with WOYBS in 2026

April 8, 2026April 26, 2026

This is my once a year day……

When a handsome young airman…..

Spotted a pretty young girl…….

And asked her out…..

This then happened…..

Then lots of little ones arrived…..

Who grew up……

Then one by one flew away……

Leaving the young ones to grow old together

April 6, 2026April 4, 2026

Fancy a ride?…….

‘I’ll drive’ he said

‘Oh yes please’ she said

So this is where he took her

Up the windy road lined with tall tree ferns and much taller gums
To enjoy a simple lunch at Olinda – at a special place in the hills
So thrilled to be out and about this is the only photo taken on the drive

Plated this way it looks quite basic
Yet when put together it took quite a while to devour a small spinach quiche, salad and the inevitable small basket of hot chips. I enjoyed every mouthful…..and of course the company on the other side of the table😊

We hadn’t been up there since December and the little cafe had changed hands since then so we were eager to see if any alterations had been made- to the building…..and the menu.

The menu hadn’t changed much which was good but ‘would as we become more established’ – which is also good as new owners like to put their individual stamp on their business.
I kept saying to The Golfer something looked/felt different but couldn’t put my finger on it….until I got home and looked at some photos I’d quickly snapped

The internal doors and window frames had been painted white.
You can see in this collage of a couple of photos taken in December that they previously had been brown.

Listening to the owner talking about transitioning the cafe to his……
’Vision of something very special with positive high energy where everyone can relax and enjoy the experience whilst being immersed in the beautiful energy of the Hills that we all call home’
….I somehow think the atmosphere will change from ‘warm and cosy’ come in – sit by the open fire – enjoy a bowl of homemade soup on a cold day (which they have plenty of up there) to something entirely different.
Only time will tell plus what they have on the menu.
Looks like lunch in a few weeks time will be needed to find out!
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April 3, 2026April 1, 2026

I’m not to blame either

I think this story has made its way into every news broadcast round the world

https://www.today.com/food/news/kit-kat-bars-stolen-heist-nestle-rcna265865

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/30/europe/kitkat-bars-stolen-europe-intl-scli

After this ‘message’ was posted on Twitter many other brands came up with fun tweets/memes absolving themselves
(search kitkat on other SM sites as well)

Just a couple

And just by coincidence look at what we are enjoying this week 🤭

Fun Friday – the day to leave all the worries of the week behind you

April 1, 2026March 31, 2026

🧶 Tidying up loose ends

Believe it or not it’s been a few weeks since I’ve picked up a knitting needle. I know a lot went on this past month but that is very unusual. I was in the middle of making those fingerless gloves/wrist warmers and lost interest – gathered everything up and put it away……The Golfer even remarked about how tidy my corner of the room was but it just seemed like too much effort to carry on…….until we had those cold wet days last week.

I still haven’t picked up a knitting needle but have used a sewing one to finish off 3 pairs. At least they’re done and can be put in the charity box along with a couple of 2nd size jackets ‘discovered’ tucked away unfinished. I’d actually forgotten about them which is strange because I know I enjoyed making them

Using another of those little grey Patons booklets popular during the 1960s (this one’s much the worse for wear and has lost its front cover) and 8ply/dk + uk8/4mm (Quickerknit discontinued years ago) they usually turn out about the same size as the original. It’s always struck me as a ‘girly’ design hence the ‘girly’ colours but as I’m not a fan of picot edges I use a plain cast off instead

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Now this might make you laugh……..at the beginning of January- 3 months ago – I had thoughts about making this little dolman jumper……..https://cranethie.com/2026/01/06/new-days-new-ways/……..’found’ tucked away with the jackets…….must but going round the twist because I don’t even remember making it! It’s turned out ok so maybe I’ll make another one….if I remember 😊

Also (still on driving restrictions) I wasn’t able to get to the most recent book club gathering on Friday so by finding the new book online I did someone a favour – saving their fuel by not having to deliver me the book in hand version.
Not sure what’s going on overseas but here the price of ULP has risen to over $2.50 a litre 😳

There should be more dancing – Rosalie Ham 2011

Set in the inner suburbs of Melbourne so familiar language and landmarks. From a couple of chapters in I can tell it’s going to be a ’humorous’ read with underlying tones of anything and everything to do with ageing, families and friends.
Plenty to think about!

It’s Wednesday – the first Wednesday in April
if you’d like to see what others have been making, reading or just talking about pop over to Kat’s……
she hosts ‘Unraveled Wednesday ‘ and would love to see you there
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March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

Brotherly love…..

I wrote a little note to my brother telling him that despite my concerns about having surgery it all went well. As I’d mentioned here I was out of bed the next morning and walking (slowly) unaided with no pain. Home the next day – smiling all the way

Then of course reality set in…..
Things change as healing begins….
I keep likening it to when you get a new hairstyle……
Oh that’s great, looks and feels different, a boost to your morale then later you trying to do things to it and it doesn’t style/dry/curl the same way as before….because it’s not the same as before

After a week my walking was ‘ok’ – not quite as upright as the first couple of days…..with a few ouch’s and grimaces thrown in
The Back felt quite tight and there was an ache around the hip nearest the wound site (two small 1cm incisions) hence the apprehension on walking. Originally it was a pain that ‘moved about’ hip/leg/back but had subsided to a dull ache in the one spot. Seemingly quite common

There are no actual exercises to do (they can come later)…..except at the moment walk each day – suggested time 1hr😦
Oh yeah I said to the physio at the hospital……5 mins here and there, little and often to begin with will do the trick, he said
Oh and don’t forget….no BLT. 😳😳
Bending- Lifting – Twisting!

So after reading all that my brother comes back with –
‘You’ll be right. Rest up then’
Me –
Rest up – haha.
With post op ‘instructions’ saying aim for 1hr walking each day. Seemingly it promotes healing!
He then true to form says –
‘Walk to the pub and back….sorted ,,, follow me for other medical advice!!
Dont you just love little brothers and the way they think😊
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Things are much better now…..much improved over the past week but don’t put my name down for the 100 metres dash yet though. I’m hanging out to get back to the warm water pool to exercise in a different way……..have to wait until the wound site is absolutely healed.
Same with a bath (one of my life’s little pleasures)….I’m missing those calm gentle feelings of relaxing in warm water. Showers just don’t do it for me
And I shouldn’t grumble considering what was done to my spine, things moved aside, bits shaved off bone. Nerves and tissue take time to heal. I definitely wouldn’t return to how I felt prior to surgery!

And would you look at that – it’s Monday- the last Monday in March!
Monday’s the day I often sit here and think about things
I’m nursing a cup of tea and thinking about how cool last week was and how I hope the BOMs forecast for this week stays on track
Probably a last seasonal hurrah of 20s / 70s
The countdown towards winter has begun with the clocks changing on Saturday which among other things means I don’t have to recalculate the time when I’m out
Aka – the clock in the car will show the ‘correct’ time 😁

Is there anything you’re thinking about this Monday?
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Interesting summary on walking after spinal surgery ~ HERE
(I have no connection with this surgeon or his clinic)

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