Friday, 26 December 2008
Christmas day the crazy way
It all started as a joke, John and I thought we would go out for Christmas lunch but we left the organising far too late and by the time I went around trying to find a restaurant they were all booked. As a joke I said to John “it looks like it will be a picnic in the snow for us”. So thus the crazy day began. The previous five days were glorious, Christmas day very cold and windy. “ OH no the picnic will have to be cancelled” I announced to John with glee seeing the nasty weather on Christmas morn. “Why I am really looking forward to this” replied the crazy man of the household. So not being so enthusiastic about the day I came up with this clever idea of letting John do the packing and organising. I figured it was already close to lunch time and by the time he got things organised it would be too late to go. The plan backfired we were driving up to the mountains by two thirty much too late by my standards but not Johns. The temperature outside was minus three, it was Christmas day for heavens sake what two idiots would do such a crazy thing on a wickedly cold day. We went to the place we walked before not a car in the car park (all sensible people were indoors) we did not walk that far, I think that was due to my constant whining, my fingers and toes were in pain and I was hungry, well past my lunch hour. So here we stood under the shelter of a huge pine tree. My thought was we would now hurriedly eat and trek back to the warm car and head home, WRONG. I am bobbing around keeping myself warm when John starts stripping off his coat and trousers, WHAT THE HELL!.............. Under his ski jacket he had a T shirt and he had shorts under his ski pants, he produces a can of beer and starts drinking, watching him makes me feel even colder, “ put some clothes on” I bellow out. A deal was struck he would dress after I took a few photos and then we would eat.
So the sooner I did this the sooner we would go…….. who is this crazy man I married? The cold invigorates John, but poor Janette’s in pain with her fingers and toes not to mention her constantly running nose. I filled my hanky it was so cold the wetness froze, try using a cardboard hanky, thank god John had a spare.
The photos taken we ate, it was now late in the afternoon and we returned to the car, this was the high light of the day the car was not even running but it felt instantly warm out of the wind, as we wound our way home it just got better I WAS IN HEAVEN…….
So the sooner I did this the sooner we would go…….. who is this crazy man I married? The cold invigorates John, but poor Janette’s in pain with her fingers and toes not to mention her constantly running nose. I filled my hanky it was so cold the wetness froze, try using a cardboard hanky, thank god John had a spare.
The photos taken we ate, it was now late in the afternoon and we returned to the car, this was the high light of the day the car was not even running but it felt instantly warm out of the wind, as we wound our way home it just got better I WAS IN HEAVEN…….
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Walks in the snow
Having been back in Switzerland for weeks now, I have recovered from jet lag. It was lovely to see most of my friends in Australia but I missed a few on my list, however the trip was to help my mum organise home help for dad. So here I am back in Morges having left the heat of Mudgee behind, It took over a week for the stone in the base of my tummy to disappear, I felt rather sad. John was very supportive though.
When I left for Australia all the trees were just in the process of loosing their golden leaves. On my return the trees are bare(with the exception of fir trees) and a light covering snow covers the fields and houses, a complete change of scenery.
John and I tried snow shoeing last weekend, we loaded up with gloves, special cap, hot mulled wine, light lunch, walking sticks and snow shoes. We drove to a relatively quiet walking area, not too steep. Time to try out the new snow shoes, they look like squash racquets attached to our feet.
We walked for an hour my nose was freezing and so were my fingers, John says I complain too much but when I felt his fingers they were warm as toast his circulation is better than mine. The other unpleasant thing that happens when I get cold is my nose drips and my eyes stream……… how awful is that. So here I was trudging along trying to get used to the racquets attached to my already heavy boots, walking sticks in both hands and having to attend to the constant running nose and watering eyes, an awkward task. Although the scenery was spectacular I had my eyes focused on where I was going to plant my next step, avoiding holes from previous walkers as they made my ankles roll causing pain.
We had our light lunch and mulled wine sitting on some cut pine logs, my bottom got cold and then the urge to go to the ladies overcame me. Yes this was the moment I was dreading, and I wished I was a man. Near by was a clump of pine trees, so carefully picking my spot and with much awkwardness I did what needed to be done. A couple walking their dog was coming up to where I was, I believe I got away with it……..well I hope so. The walk back was much easier I had adjusted to the apparel on my feet, and I was warmed up by the wine. Maybe it would be safe to say I was enjoying myself and started to appreciate my beautiful surroundings, even John’s behind looked good. A woman on a dog sleigh with two eager dogs pulling her, over took us. What a great way to travel, it certainly would save my legs and keep the dogs fit, may have to get some dogs! So many people take their dogs for walks in the snow and the dogs seem to really enjoy it. We got to the car at five in the evening it was already getting dark. Driving back to Morges through the small villages was so pretty, many of the homes had Christmas lights twinkling and it looked like a fairy land against the white snow.
The streets of Morges all have been simply decorated each shop front has a red mat and a Christmas tree with red bows, they certainly have the Christmas spirit. Little shop stalls on the weekends fill the closed street. Locals selling their wares hot crepes, warm wine, roasted nuts, orange juice, hand crafted jewellery, sausages, cheeses, olives, blown glass, clothing, woodwork so much to make a shopaholics heart sing with pure joy. Now I have you all jealous I am leaving until the next blog...........
When I left for Australia all the trees were just in the process of loosing their golden leaves. On my return the trees are bare(with the exception of fir trees) and a light covering snow covers the fields and houses, a complete change of scenery.
John and I tried snow shoeing last weekend, we loaded up with gloves, special cap, hot mulled wine, light lunch, walking sticks and snow shoes. We drove to a relatively quiet walking area, not too steep. Time to try out the new snow shoes, they look like squash racquets attached to our feet.
We walked for an hour my nose was freezing and so were my fingers, John says I complain too much but when I felt his fingers they were warm as toast his circulation is better than mine. The other unpleasant thing that happens when I get cold is my nose drips and my eyes stream……… how awful is that. So here I was trudging along trying to get used to the racquets attached to my already heavy boots, walking sticks in both hands and having to attend to the constant running nose and watering eyes, an awkward task. Although the scenery was spectacular I had my eyes focused on where I was going to plant my next step, avoiding holes from previous walkers as they made my ankles roll causing pain.
We had our light lunch and mulled wine sitting on some cut pine logs, my bottom got cold and then the urge to go to the ladies overcame me. Yes this was the moment I was dreading, and I wished I was a man. Near by was a clump of pine trees, so carefully picking my spot and with much awkwardness I did what needed to be done. A couple walking their dog was coming up to where I was, I believe I got away with it……..well I hope so. The walk back was much easier I had adjusted to the apparel on my feet, and I was warmed up by the wine. Maybe it would be safe to say I was enjoying myself and started to appreciate my beautiful surroundings, even John’s behind looked good. A woman on a dog sleigh with two eager dogs pulling her, over took us. What a great way to travel, it certainly would save my legs and keep the dogs fit, may have to get some dogs! So many people take their dogs for walks in the snow and the dogs seem to really enjoy it. We got to the car at five in the evening it was already getting dark. Driving back to Morges through the small villages was so pretty, many of the homes had Christmas lights twinkling and it looked like a fairy land against the white snow.
The streets of Morges all have been simply decorated each shop front has a red mat and a Christmas tree with red bows, they certainly have the Christmas spirit. Little shop stalls on the weekends fill the closed street. Locals selling their wares hot crepes, warm wine, roasted nuts, orange juice, hand crafted jewellery, sausages, cheeses, olives, blown glass, clothing, woodwork so much to make a shopaholics heart sing with pure joy. Now I have you all jealous I am leaving until the next blog...........
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Mudgee
Visiting mum and dad has been an eye opener. I have learned a lot about my mum her patience and endurance amazes me. Now I can’t go into the challenges and failures of a 92 year old frail body that dad has without him loosing his dignity. What I can say is mum just stoically gets on with it, challenge after challenge.
I also can relate some funny stories
We did have a couple of funny moments that I am sure I can share.
The only thing that dad seems to be able to enjoy is a drive, so mum and I tried every day to take him out, on more than one occasion I gave up trying to get him to the car but mum kept persevering. On every second or third day I would be chauffeuring them around the country, dad in front and mum in the rear seat. On one such occasion we decided to take a drive to Rylstone, where we could stop for a coffee if dad was up to getting out of the car.
On the dash in front of dad was a shadow a small round shadow made by a spot on the wind screen. Dad with his failing eyesight was convinced it was a fly, so he slapped it numerous times and he could not understand why it kept moving, he also was confused as to why he could not feel any thing under his hand. Mum and I had to explain repeatedly that it was a shadow, we suggested he placed his hand back on the dash and look at the top of his hand where the shadow now was. Finally after many kilometres he realised it was a shadow and gave up. Within three minutes he started all over again mum and I just burst out laughing, dad wanted to know what we were laughing at, we could not tell him and made some thing up, realising we were not good at fibbing as dad was not convinced.
Mudgee had a new Aldi store open up, lots of hype in the local rag and opening day specials. Dad wanted to go but he can hardly manage five steps let alone walking in a crowded store. I suggested we use the wheel chair that a relative sent up, well that was an insult to him. No amount of cajoling would convince him to get in, so I got in and went for a spin in the front yard acting like a child all to the amusement of neighbouring units. Dad then decided he would get in but he would not be pushed by me. The wheel chair is an old one and heavy so it was not very far when he gave up and let me push him. Pushing a wheelchair is more difficult than you would expect especially when a pair of 92 year old hands, work against you. Mercifully we got to Aldi’s and loaded the chair up with groceries ( no not on dad) dad got to hold some cherries. As we were walking back dad started to eat the cherries and flicked the pips onto parked cars or over fences like a little child, then he decided to share some with me, passing them over his head, but my hands were not free. I attempted to take one but steering with one hand proved a little dangerous and a lot difficult, I almost ran dad off the footpath. All further offers I had to stop. Pushing dad felt like pushing an overgrown mischievous baby. I miss my folks but am very pleased I had the time with them they are so beautiful.
I also can relate some funny stories
We did have a couple of funny moments that I am sure I can share.
The only thing that dad seems to be able to enjoy is a drive, so mum and I tried every day to take him out, on more than one occasion I gave up trying to get him to the car but mum kept persevering. On every second or third day I would be chauffeuring them around the country, dad in front and mum in the rear seat. On one such occasion we decided to take a drive to Rylstone, where we could stop for a coffee if dad was up to getting out of the car.
On the dash in front of dad was a shadow a small round shadow made by a spot on the wind screen. Dad with his failing eyesight was convinced it was a fly, so he slapped it numerous times and he could not understand why it kept moving, he also was confused as to why he could not feel any thing under his hand. Mum and I had to explain repeatedly that it was a shadow, we suggested he placed his hand back on the dash and look at the top of his hand where the shadow now was. Finally after many kilometres he realised it was a shadow and gave up. Within three minutes he started all over again mum and I just burst out laughing, dad wanted to know what we were laughing at, we could not tell him and made some thing up, realising we were not good at fibbing as dad was not convinced.
Mudgee had a new Aldi store open up, lots of hype in the local rag and opening day specials. Dad wanted to go but he can hardly manage five steps let alone walking in a crowded store. I suggested we use the wheel chair that a relative sent up, well that was an insult to him. No amount of cajoling would convince him to get in, so I got in and went for a spin in the front yard acting like a child all to the amusement of neighbouring units. Dad then decided he would get in but he would not be pushed by me. The wheel chair is an old one and heavy so it was not very far when he gave up and let me push him. Pushing a wheelchair is more difficult than you would expect especially when a pair of 92 year old hands, work against you. Mercifully we got to Aldi’s and loaded the chair up with groceries ( no not on dad) dad got to hold some cherries. As we were walking back dad started to eat the cherries and flicked the pips onto parked cars or over fences like a little child, then he decided to share some with me, passing them over his head, but my hands were not free. I attempted to take one but steering with one hand proved a little dangerous and a lot difficult, I almost ran dad off the footpath. All further offers I had to stop. Pushing dad felt like pushing an overgrown mischievous baby. I miss my folks but am very pleased I had the time with them they are so beautiful.
Monday, 15 December 2008
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