A few quiet weeks

have followed as Bill recovered from his unwanted adventure. By now most of you will have been in touch with us and know that the Ash cloud we were worried about last time was in fact a lifesaver. For those that haven't heard Bill's flight was cancelled and instead of flying to SA on the Wednesday morning we took another ride in an ambulance to the Alfred Hospital. It turned out that the discomfort that woke Bill that morning was in fact a heart attack and the following day he had an Angiogram. They found a blocked artery and put a stent in to open it up and he was home by Saturday lunch time. Modern medicine really is a marvel and it it amazing just what they can do these days. He has a few weeks off as he recovers, though to look at him you would not know that anything had ever happened.

The first week home he was unable to drive so has stayed home and taken things easy as instructed by the Dr's. Maree came for dinner on Tuesday night and Bianca joined us on Wednesday. I know, cooking two days in a row is a bit of a record but I managed to knock together two very acceptable & healthy meals. Honey Mustard Chicken and a extra light Baked Ricotta Cheesecake the first night and Salmon the second. Plenty of Cheesecake left so only had to manage one course on Wednesday. And just to prove it wasn't a fluke I have made a big pot of Pumpkin soup for dinner tonight. What am I doing to my reputation?

The following Monday night we braved the chilly evening and walked to the Rising Sun where we had a great steak and a fun night out with Astrid, Hans, Bianca & Lyn who was visiting from Merrimbula. Later that week we met another young friend, Christina, for dinner at the Blue Room in South Melbourne. During the days while I worked Bill entertained himself editing the many pictures he had taken but not got around to sorting out.

The next week saw us heading down to Edithvale in peak hour traffic where we had dinner with Mum, Maree and the boys. It was good practice for when Bill has to join the workers again.
A highlight of Saturday afternoon was the best Hot Chocolate in Melbourne. Chocolait in The Royal Gala Arcade is a real winner though I'm not sure how healthy it is for Bill just now. I guess once in a while won't hurt. Breakfast in St Kilda's Acland St with Bianca on Sunday was our big adventure for the weekend but the cold weather kept us away from the markets and we came straight home to the heater and watched Harry Potter in readiness for the final movie that is now playing at the cinemas. It might make sense when we watch it.

And then it was time for the Dr's visit once more and at last Bill has been given the all clear to return to work on Monday. The first day he is off to Adelaide for a couple of days so life returns to normal very quickly. He is under strict orders (mine) to take it easy and not do too much as he gets back into it.

This weekend we took advantage of a lovely Saturday and headed out to Werribee to see what we could find at the treatment plant. Lots of swans, pelicans and smaller water birds but very few others for Bill to try his new camera on. Still I'm sure the swans will do for now. A walk to the markets and a yummy lunch at Panette'sin South Melbourne took care of Sunday and all too soon the day is done once more. Bill's time of rest & recuperation is over and we both head back to work tomorrow.

Popping into Melbourne Central one afternoon I passed this seat and thought it was the ideal picture to use as we have had to take life easy for the past few weeks. It was created by Bronwyn Snow in 1994 and is a double sided seat made from steel and jarrah. The decorative elements of the seat include two serpents-traditionally a symbol of healing, rebirth and female power-towering sunflowers, which watch over the seated, and ivy. Snow claims of the work that it is 'a stopping point, a resting place for the weary spiritual traveller'. A place to stop and smell the roses so to speak.

until next time........