Joans jottings

With great excitement we arrived at our destination. The checking in process was in full swing.

About 100 Rollers went on the Kangaroo Island tour. Early start 7:30 to board the coach for the trip to the ferry. We had 2 coaches for drop off and pick up on both sides. The drivers enjoyed sharing their knowledge and answering our questions. On the island one coach went one direction and the other in the opposite way. Only 2  places could cater for our numbers, I went to Emu Ridge, they are a family business founded in 1991 and one of only eucalyptus farmers producing chemical free, natural and sustainable products. We had a video about their business, and information on the products they sell. I purchased some hopefully magic Emu oil which is good for many things including sprains. They also take  in injured animals and care for them. There were three Joey’s on the day.

I had a rest day the next day as line dancing is not possible and chair yoga may have been possible but I opted out.

But no rest for me as Noreen spied me and roped me into  prepping spuds. They had to be peeled and cooked till soft enough for the group to use for the nochi making session ( local Italian restaurant chief ). All with the additional element of difficulty of doing this in the camp kitchen.

The next day we had a cruise of the Coorong and out to the mouth of the Murray River.

Murder mystery night. Rollers love any excuse to dress up. We had caterers in to provide our evening meal.

Saturday morning and time for checkout and goodbyes. Plans in the making for the next STUCK to be held in Mission Beach  QLD.

I left Port Elliott about 9:00 and headed for Adelaide.It was an hour drive through hilly farming areas and vineyards. Fran and Catherine had arrived yesterday and I was joining them at the Stamford Grand at Glenelg right on the beach. Fran particularly likes staying there (I now see why) but first time for Catherine and I. Only a short visit as they were flying back late Sunday afternoon.

After I did all the checking in process and put Flo in a 24hr parking area we had time for coffee and pastry from a nearby bakery. Jim had booked into the Ottoman Restaurant not far from where we were staying, for lunch. When we met up we were happy to see Kyam with Jim. They had both been busy on a poling booth that morning for a local by-election. He couldn’t stay long but it was good see him.

We met downstairs for breakfast and had some time together before check out. A much cooler day today. The beach was wild.

And so began our journeys home.

I’ve just returned from a great weekend gathering of 20 fellow Rollers. We had lots of catching up to do and stories to tell. Several of us had been here before as it was the meeting point for our/my first tagalong group/adventure to Exmouth WA in 2019.

A big thanks to Noreen, our tagalong leader for providing and transporting 2 trailer loads of aged, seasoned hardwood logs. She is the master fire maker and never fails to create the best fires.

The family recently gathered to farewell Lyn. She would have been pleased with her farewell and the fact that many of the family came together to honour her and pay our respects. It is always good to catch up with the extended family and some had traveled large distances to attend. Sean was visiting from America, it was good to see him again.

Our thoughts are with Lyn’s family at this time.

She was Chris’s older sister. I like to think that they are reunited again.

What’s an emotional support chicken? Let me explain. A number of the knitting podcasters I follow had been taken by the concept and had made then shown off their emotional support chickens. It’s a fun project to make and seems to bring infectious joy to the makers as well as recipients. It’s a good way to use up any scraps of wool making each chicken unique in its own right. I have used most of my scrapy leftover wool stash to make some interesting combinations.

I have gifted several ESC,s and they have gone to Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle,  Armidale and Sydney. Sue let her daughter borrow hers and it was featured at a wellness event in Sydney.

Ian was taken by them as well and chose his favorite.

Gradually they will all go but I’m enjoying seeing them about my house. They make me smile each time I see them.

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Update to the ESC gallery.

Quiet New Years Eve for me. Van not happy with the noisey local fireworks. I watched the concert/ fireworks on the ABC to welcome in 2024.

It was good to catch up with Gib, Xiang Maverick and Felix ( Adelaide Mahers) who were holidaying at Merry Beach. Paul drove down with 3 of the kids. I drove “Flo” with Robyn and Tamika on board. We had lunch in Ulladulla and then on to Merry Beach. It was good to see the kids enjoying time with their cousins. They had fun playing soccer amidst the presence of several very friendly kangaroos. Some had Joey’s in their pouches.

It was a lovely day. We drove over the new Nowra bridge for the first time. Home on dusk.

Goodyear tyre people from Port Maquarie answered our questions and gave some information and advice.

I did it. Very proud of myself for taking on and finishing this year’s mystery shawl knit a long. The flamboyant Stephen West from Westknits is the mastermind behind the MKAL and it is in its 13th year.

4 clues are released over 4 weeks with video instructions for each clue. The gradient part was to use the four selected colours from light to dark and repeat throughout. My wool is sock yarn, yes 4ply! I purchased it from Bendigo and Wangaratta woollen mills. They appeared to play nicely together and I’m pleased with the effect. Serendipity….

Clue 1 was something of a challenge. It began by making a circle using magic loop and working out from the centre to make a square. A pattern suggestion was given but its up to you to create your own variation as long as you arrive at the required stitch count on the last row.

Clue 2  was in 2 parts to form a diamond shape around the square central part.

Clue 3 was also in 2 parts forming 2 wing sections on the sides of the project. The shape of the shawl was now becoming apparent.

Clue 4 was a border section under and across the winged sections. It was finished with an I cord bind off. I decided to add a fringe to finish.

Robyn was home for a few weeks, it was good to have her home. We also had Jake 12 yrs and Shakira’s 16yrs birthdays. Where does time go ?

I am packing/preparing for the annual Rollers gathering. This year is closer to home at Port Maquarie. I plan to drive up and stay with Lynda and Ethel on Sunday. Then an hour trip on Monday for 5 days at the NRMA CP in Port Maquarie. We have booked out the whole CP for the event. Looking forward to lots of catch ups and fun times.

It’s true that the best trips are the unplanned ones. Such was my recent visit Dungog.

My sister rang on the Tuesday asking if I would like to attend a workshop on Medicinal Herbs being held in Dungog on the Saturday. Ethel couldn’t go so would I like to go in her place?

I decided to travel on Friday and stay overnight at Clarence Town which ment a 30 minute drive to Dungog the next day.

The CP was a small one on the banks of the William River. A quiet historic town with little evidence today of it’s importance in the late 1800s as a steam ship building and transport hub for timber, predominantly red cedar and supplies from Morpeth.

Saturday, we met in Dungog as arranged.

I could have spent more time looking around this historic town. It exuded the obvious pride the locals have in their town. The cafes were atmospheric with great food and good coffee.

The workshop was full on. Two hour lecture before lunch, then the practical hands on part. There were 9 people in the group and we each chose a recipe to make. Then at the end we all had 9 samples to take home. Challenging but a lot of fun.

Pat gave us some of the Calendula seeds to grow. What she uses is different to the Calendula I’ve grown. So I look forward to planting them.

We finished up about 4pm. I followed Lynda to her new home in Old Bar. They moved last November and this will be my first visit. It was strange following the MUX.

I spent the rest of the weekend with them. So good to catch up, the time went too quickly. I left to come home on the Monday.

Yes it’s that time again. Any excuse to attend an event like this makes me happy.

Up early and on the road for an overnight stop in Shepparton tonight. Cold and frosty in Goulburn then very foggy for the next leg of my journey, which didn’t clear until 11am. I arrived in Wangaratta with the intention of visiting the mill shop but the hours have changed! Now Fridays and Mondays. Knowing this now I will go on Monday on my way home.

Tomorrow will be the start of 3 days at the Bendigo Show ground enjoying all things sheep and wool. Another must/essential is a trip to the Bendigo Woollen Mill and the mill shop.

The mill shop.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Sheep and Wool Show. It is my happy place. I enjoyed the trip although this time there was a lot of fog that didn’t completely lift until late morning. There has been a lot of recent rainfall with high river levels and water in low lying areas. I was pleased to have powered sites where I stayed as it was chilly 2 degree nights.

Good to be home and catch up with family. The dog still remembered me. It didn’t take long for her resume the creature comforts she missed.