Thursday 3rd April 2025

Thursday 3^rd April

SHE SAID:

I headed south for the Augusta area in hopes the orchids are flowering down there. This time I was in luck. I found Easter Bunnies starting to open up, 1 single Leafless Orchid out & proud, & a fading Slipper with 1 final flower curling up & the rest on the stem already pollinated.

I was well happy finding them!

I even timed finishing up & heading back to Vasse well, as the rain started as I left Augusta. If only I had bothered to remember the flask with the hot water for my tea, it would have been a perfect day!!!

Leafless Orchid - Praecoxanthus aphyllus

Easter Bunnies - Eriochilus dilatatus ssp. magnus (I think)

HE SAID:

After a lazy start to my day I wandered into the kitchen and saw the Thermos on the bench. Varena going tea-less is never a good thing. Oh well, she survived.

I managed a couple of really small jobs around the house, but nothing too exciting as I don’t want to push my luck with my recovery. There was footy in the afternoon, with a dinner of tasty leftovers later. As usual it was very yummy!

Wednesday 2nd April 2025

Wednesday 2^nd April

SHE SAID:

After Geoff’s blood tests I headed out for a couple hours in hopes of finding some signs of orchids activity. I was disappointed! No flowers, buds or even leaves seen. There are reports of sightings around the Southern area & Esperance, obviously not around this area!

I did find a castle though! A complete surprise!

HE SAID:

The pathology place in Vasse doesn’t open until 0830, so I had to wait until afterwards to have breakfast. It then turned out that I needn’t have fasted! Better safe than sorry, though. My day was quite lazy, but hopefully that is a good thing and helping me get back to normal. Lamb chops went down well for dinner.

Tuesday 1st April 2025

Tuesday 1^st April

SHE SAID:

I did some household chores in the morning.

We headed for Vasse soon after 1pm; Geoff has a doctor's appointment, about his ongoing dizziness, Vertigo / Vestibular Migraine or whatever it might be! She didn’t seem to know much, relying on the report that Fiona the physio had written. She wrote out a couple prescriptions for him & said she would do some referrals for more tests.

Geoff does seem a little better, though he still has the wobbles.

In the garden

HE SAID:

Seemingly a little unnecessary, having to go to a GP to get referrals and scripts that the physio had recommended still had to be done. Hopefully there will be some improvements that come out of this.

Monday 31st March 2025

Monday 31^st March

SHE SAID:

With Geoff still not feeling good I headed into town solo. I checked the PO Box & did a small shop at Aldi.

Back at the house Geoff was up but said he was sick again.

I made a couple of fish & prawn pies; one for the freezer the other for the next day or two, depending on Geoff. He has made an appointment for the doctor’s tomorrow. Hopefully he can suss out something to help Geoff with his dizziness, being sick & lack of appetite.

More from the Dunsborough Art by the Sea, from 
early March. Some interesting others odd & quirky

HE SAID:

It was a very quiet day of not much more that watching TV and dozing. If I keep my head still I feel OK, but I have to move it sometimes…

Varena has been very lovely, as usual, and looked after me very well. She is a gem.

Sunday 30th March 2025

Sunday 30^th March

SHE SAID:

Geoff has taken a turn for the worse this weekend; the dizziness & throwing up which usually happens at the beginning of these episodes kicked in yesterday, for some reason, & again today.

He took it very easy, managing a couple of small bowls of homemade chicken soup & crackers.

I Skyped with Mum at 5pm. The clocks changed in the UK, so it is now 1 hour earlier for the next 6 months.

Beasties & flowers seen recently

HE SAID:

This is the worst, and longest, vertigo attack I have had yet. There may have been some minor improvement towards the end of the day, but nothing to tell me I am getting over it. It really is awful. 

Saturday 29th March 2025

Saturday 29^th March

SHE SAID:

A quiet day, with Geoff still feeling dizzy & "off"; he plonked in front of the TV. There was plenty of sport to keep him occupied, & stationary.

I continued on with the orchid file, list & spreadsheet.

The hot-ish weather, 33C, is still hanging around. I think a cooler change comes in on Wednesday, so staying inside works for us.

(No current photos ATM, so I'm using some back-up ones from recent adventures).

The ever-photogenic Busselton Jetty

The Capes coastline

HE SAID:

My vertigo came back hard today. Why I am having another round of vertigo is unknown to me. This time it feels different. I usually get a fairly sudden onset, then a day or so of improving. Whether it is BPPV, Vestibular Migraine, Meniere’s, or something else, it is awful and I want a definite diagnosis, and therefore a treatment. Luckily for me there was heaps of sport on TV to keep me entertained while I tried to keep my head still.

Friday 28th March 2025

Friday 28^th March

SHE SAID:

Departure day for Jac & Mick; they are heading to Jacqui's brother’s winery on the Mornington Peninsular in Victoria for her sister-in-law’s 60th birthday celebrations. 

It has been great having them stay, we have been trying to get them here for years!

With them deposited at the airport we went into town for Geoff’s hearing test, to possibly see “what is going on in his head”...LOL!

Back at the house we had a quiet relaxed rest of the day.

A farewell photo for Jac & Mick from Busselton!
(Not rubbing it in that they are leaving this beautiful place!)

HE SAID:

We got Mick and Jac to the airport quite early as they were a bit worried about weight in their bags and whether they'd need to redistribute things. All turned out fine, but I can't imagine waiting around the shed that is Busselton Airport departures would be exciting.

After that it was to the foreshore for some time-filling views, and then on to the audiologist. I felt about 90% OK today so I don't know if I got there in time for it to be considered "Whilst in the midst of a vertigo attack" but it was the soonest appointment we could get. The audiologist seemed to think that my hearing is in the normal range for my age, but that I may have a tiny hole in my eardrum from the ear operation I underwent in Darwin about 2006, which I suspected and had mentioned to her. One of the things to be looked into is whether I am getting vertigo attacks from infections due to this eardrum hole. I am expecting to need to see an Ear, Nose, Throat specialist at some point. It would be great to have a definite answer as to the cause, and hopefully there is a solution!

Thursday 27th March 2025

Thursday 27^th March

SHE SAID:

Geoff woke with a dizzy head; we managed to get a 2.30pm appointment for him at the physio.

Jacqui & I headed the jetty looking for small gifts for them to take back. We also had a look in the old courthouse complex too.

Back at the house it was a quiet rest of the day. Geoff seemed to be on the improve, Jacqui & I had an afternoon swim, then Geoff & Mick decided to put the new awning on the van. It wasn’t too much hassle.

For dinner I had booked Bobchan, Korean BBQ restaurant in Vasse. We all enjoyed the tasty food there.

Caught at last!

Geoff & Mick attaching the new awning to Bertie.
After 14 years the old one had done its dash!

Dinner at Bobcha Korean BBQ Restaurant

HE SAID:

After an extra glass of wine (or two) last night my initial thought was that I felt crap this morning because of that. But after being up for a couple of hours, and getting worse, I went for a lie down, hoping that I don’t have a full-on vertigo attack. After around 2 hours in bed I got up, still dodgy, but able to face the day ahead. I took it very easy, seeing the Vestibular/Vertigo specialist in the afternoon, slowly improving, until I even felt well enough to join the others in going to the local Korean restaurant for dinner. Dinner was new and tasty, and I hope to return there at some stage when I am feeling 100%.

Wednesday 26th March 2025

Wednesday 26^th March

SHE SAID:

With Jac & Mick due back in the early afternoon I got the Ricciarelli Biscuits shaped & cooked off. They turned out tasty, though not quite as good as I remembered them being from the Italian Bakery.

We had finished lunch & were having a cuppa when they appeared in their little hire van. Once they had cleared it of all their stuff, Geoff & Mick took it back to the owners.

Jacqui showed me some of their photos & told me stories of their 9 days adventure around the south of WA. They seemed enjoy themselves.

It was warm enough, almost too warm, to sit outside for dinner, which was Chicken & Thai Noodles Salad, which was a hit. Followed by the final 4 slices of Geoff’s Salted Caramel birthday cake which I had frozen to have with Jacqui & Mick. It was a great evening; Jac & Mick are always excellent company.

From dough to biscuits

Posing at the near to the house
Illyarrie gum tree, covered in flowers & bees
Dinner time!

Jacqui enjoying the pool
The aurora lights up again!

HE SAID:

The house smelt great today while Varena was making the Italian biscuits, then chopping lots of fresh veg for the salad. Mick and Jac made it back after lunch, so after they had unpacked, and given the hire van a once-over, Mick and I headed into Busselton to refuel it and take it back. All was well. After they’d had a bit of a kip it was beer o’clock, followed by a very tasty dinner.

Tuesday 25th March 2025

Tuesday 25^th March

SHE SAID:

House stuff today, & of course more orchid research, planning & sorting the files.

We had a clean through too.

The weather is in “last of summer heatwave mode” for about 4 or 5 days; we are predicted to get to 33C today.

Dusk over the pool in Vasse

HE SAID:

A few small jobs outside and then cleaning the house in anticipation of Mick and Jac’s return tomorrow. Despite some breezy days the grass around the house doesn’t seem to have copped as many leaves and bits of bark from the gum trees as previously. Mind you, the grass is growing rapidly in some areas and looks like it may need another mow next weekend. We’ll see.

Monday 24th March 2025

Monday 24^th March

SHE SAID:

We had a list of things to do in town, nothing exciting, shopping etc. making it back to the house   for a cuppa at 11am.

I re-checked the orchid file, still many mistakes, double ups & numbering errors! It will never end, & that’s only WA!

I got the Ricciarelli dough made for the biscuits. The mixture is quite soft; I’m hoping 2 days in the fridge will help it stiffen up.

Penne Carbonara went down well for dinner.

Blooming garden

HE SAID:

There were several things I wanted to do in town, such as getting mower fuel, lucerne hay for the sheep, and a new capacitor for the pool heater pump, and then we needed to get groceries, too.

I managed to fit the new capacitor in just a few minutes, and the pump started properly as soon as it was switched on. I was happy with that. I’m hoping now that the pool water will warm up enough for us delicate types to have a swim!

Sunday 23rd March 2025

Sunday 23^rd March

SHE SAID:

We headed over to Dorte & Gary’s place to do some hand watering of the plants that the reticulation doesn’t get to. There were more tomatoes ready for picking, plus I got some Coriander too.

Back at the house I did the hand watering here, which takes about an hour.

Otherwise, we didn’t do much. Geoff had the AFL to watch, & as usual I found plenty to occupy myself on the computer!

I Skyped with Mum & she seemed chirpy & OK.

Random recent photos

HE SAID:

After watering the plants at Dorte and Gary’s we had a bit of a look around their block for any signs of orchids, but none were found. The footy managed to be watched when we returned to the house.

Saturday 22nd March 2025

Saturday 22^nd March

SHE SAID:

Geoff was busy mowing in the morning, & I did some paperwork & sorting out.

I made Beef Osso Bucco with polenta & vegetables for dinner. The meat was part of the Zest Farm pack, it was a tasty change.

Pemberton

HE SAID:

Last week’s rain has given the grass a real growth spurt, so I brought the mowing forward by a few days. No big deal. It took a bit longer today, as I mowed some of the non-lawn areas that just needed a bit of a going over. So, luckily I did it when it was cool this morning, after 9am.

There was also footy on (pay) TV that needed to be watched.

Friday 21st March 2025

Friday 21^st March

SHE SAID:

We headed to Bunnings this morning, to collect a hire ute with a carrying frame on it, so we could pick up the awning from the Caravan Doctor. All went off smoothly, & we were back in time for morning tea.

Geoff now has to figure out how to get the old awning off, then the new one attached & dispose of the original one which is torn, de-laminating & 14 years old!

I had a chat with Mum late in the afternoon. She had another black-out episode whilst out with Kate yesterday, and I wanted to see how she was doing. She was saying she was fine & that she is off to the doctors with Kate in the afternoon.

Sights in the bush

Beedelup Falls, well, trickle at the moment!

HE SAID:

Despite having to wait around at Bunnings to collect the hire ute, then at the servo to top up the fuel, then again at Bunnings to drop the ute off, I was only away with the ute about 40 minutes. Hopefully I can get Mick to help me install the new awning when they get back on Wednesday.

Varena is naturally very concerned about her Mum. What is happening, what has been done, what needs doing, what we should do, etc are all being discussed, including with Jan, Kate, and Julian. Only time will tell.

Thursday 20th March 2025

Thursday 20^th March

SHE SAID:

We had a trip to the Caravan Doctor in the morning; the new replacement awning for Bertie is in store & ready for collection. Except we couldn’t collect it, as it is 16” long plus packaging, & way too long for our ute!

Geoff has to figure out how we can get it now!

Back at the house & I did the hand watering and then the ironing; more exciting chores!

We Skyped with my brother & his wife in Japan at 7pm. They lead much busier lives than us & always have stories to tell.

 Street Art in Pemberton

HE SAID:

I was looking forward to collecting the awning, but reality bit when I realised it was not practical to transport with our ute. In the end I booked a hire ute from Bunnings for tomorrow morning. It has the capacity for carrying long items, so it should be fine.

Wednesday 19th March 2025

Wednesday 19^th March

SHE SAID:

We went on a “mercy-dash” to Pemberton today to give Jac her spare set of glasses after she lost the other pair on a bush walk yesterday! Pemberton is only 144km from here, so not a big deal for us & we didn’t have any plans, anyhow.

I packed morning tea & we had a couple of orchid stops before meeting at The Crossing Bakery in Pemberton at 1pm. No luck with the orchids, though Geoff did find a couple of Slipper leaves, likely from this current summer, still going.

Jac was so grateful for getting her glasses.

In the early evening, we went into Busselton, to The Shelter Brewery, to meet up with an old college friend of mine from England who is over here on holidays with her husband, & down in Abbey for a couple of nights! I reconnected with Trudi last year when a crowd of us met up in Horsham, & we have already got plans to meet again in Horsham in June when Geoff & I are back there!

It was kind of weird to meet Trudi here in Oz, but cool. Her husband Tim, & their friends Yvonne & Dave, came too; it was a nice easy-going, chatty couple of hours.

HE SAID:

My celebration of finding the first signs of an orchid this season were rather thwarted when Varena said that they are from last season, not this season! I feel robbed!

The drive to Pemberton was drama free, and I had a pie for lunch, so all good.

The evening outing was amusing. I had only met Trudy for a few seconds previously, and she brought her hubby and two friends, so it was all new to me. But we all got along fine and had an amusing, chatty time.

Tuesday 18th March 2025

Tuesday 18^th March

SHE SAID:

It is a quiet day at the house with a pile of washing to get through.

I finished sorting the photos from the last 4 days, & got the Blog done too.

More leftovers for lunch & dinner; easy peasy. 

Random photos from the last few days

HE SAID:

Just a few small jobs today. These were minor, such as updating paperwork, cleaning water bottles, washing clothes. Nothing taxing.

Monday 17th March 2025

Monday 17^th March

SHE SAID:

Jacqui & Mick headed off in their little camper van today for the south coast region, as far as Albany. Before they left I made us all a cooked breakfast to send them on their way.

We zoomed over to Dorte & Gary’s to do some hand watering for them whilst they are away. After getting some shopping (& bumping into Jac & Mick..!) it was a quiet rest of the day at the house.

"Poppy" the camper van

And they are off...almost!

HE SAID:

I took Mick into Busselton to collect the camper van for their South West WA trip. While it is not our cup of tea after having a much bigger caravan, they were both very pleased with the converted Hiace van with the name “Poppy”. They crawled all over it as they packed, remarking how clever some of the storage options were. Hopefully they’ll have a good time.