When we were at Tony and Liz’s, Lou had received a call from Daniel (Margaret’s son). Daniel was looking after Lou’s birds and Banjo while we were gone. Apparently, a huge storm with high winds blew through the Rylstone area. Daniel reported that the outside aviary had been damaged and there was a section that was open. Of course, that spells disaster because the birds could fly out and away. There are about 25 birds in that aviary and it would be horrible to lose any. Daniel did a bit of a repair to block the biggest hole. We were all worried that some of the birds might have already escaped. Lou wouldn’t know until we got home on Monday. A friend of Lou’s, Angela (the sacristan) sent him a couple of photos, which kind of made us all worry more.
Fortunately, we don’t think Lou lost any birds. The open area was at the bottom of the aviary and the birds don’t generally go to the bottom of the cage. Lou was able to fix most of the damage. The yard clothes line need pushing around, but we got it so that it can be used.
On Tuesday, Lou and Margaret had physiotherapy appointments in Lithgow. We decided to stay home. There was one problem, though. The electric company notified everyone on Lou’s street that the power would be off from 8:00am to 5:00pm while they installed a new transformer down the road. Margaret didn’t get that message, so Lou asked her if we could hang out at her place while they went to Lithgow. We packed up our computers and other devices and Lou drove us over to Margaret’s.
It’s fun being at Margaret’s because there are a lot of goats there. Five years ago when we visited, a goat had twins during our stay and Clare named them Christine and Linda. They are now great grandmothers themselves and have birthed many kids. I thought I recognized them out in the paddock.
I asked Clare later if the above were Christine and Linda. Clare names all her goats and knows each one very well. She said Christine was in the rear. The one in the center is Neo. She was just a kid when we were here in 2020 and Neo ran around with Clare just like a little puppy dog. I’m going to try and get a photo of Christine and Linda while we’re here, which I’ll post along with a photo of them as newborns.
In the last week, 2 goats have given birth, one having triplets. They grow so quickly and within a couple of days they are bouncing all over the place. They are so adorable.
Much of the mid-day we watched tennis. Christine won’t be happy to have this photo posted, but I couldn’t resist showing how she relaxes.
And by now, you know what we do on Wednesday. Lou and I went to Mudgee with Margaret and her rider, Regina. Everyone saves up all their errands from the week to do in Mudgee. We sort of scatter and meet back up at the allotted pick up time. Lou and I sat at an outdoor cafe having a cappuccino watching everyone go by for a while. I love the main streets with second floor verandas covering the sidewalk so you can stay out of the hot sun.
One of the things I love to see is the wonderful wrought iron railings and adornments on the houses. It’s really beautiful with ornate scroll work, patterns and designs. It’s everywhere, especially on the heritage buildings around town.
Here’s the Mudgee clock tower and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
With our shopping done, we headed home. Tonight was my night to cook dinner and so I made what I call Asian pork and beans. It’s pork tenderloin cut into strips, green beans, and a sauce made of apricot jam, tamari and sesame oil served over rice. I think Lou liked it because he had a second helping.
Naturally, we ended the day watching the night matches at the Australian Open.
I leave you with one photo of the countryside, which I just adore seeing. It is so beautiful with the craggy sandstone cliffs, the rolling hills, and the pasture land. The sky is wonderful in this shot.
