Friday 27th September when family and friends said their final farewell to Noel at his funeral. It was a ceremony he would have been proud to attend as a crowd of close to 400 people came together to remember the many contributions he had made to the community through farming, football, cricket, bowls, school and community support and his more recent bus driving. The setting in a huge marquee overlooking the Murray River flood plain and woodland could not have been more appropriate.
We now have Holly's seventeenth birthday photo for entry into "Granny's Gallery".
Adam just about knocked himself out trying to complete the patio for the school holidays. Luckily, Kate found the table they wanted and it was immediately available so it is now in place ready for visitors during the holidays. Patrick is getting first use with his friends. The next stage will be the border planting.
After suffering a major stroke and bleeding on the brain last Tuesday, Noel passed away early this morning (Wednesday). Of course, the family are numb with grief.
We attended the Mullauna Concert last night to watch (and hear) Lachlan perform. It was a good night with a variety of music being presented.
Lisa has now declared the rear of the Lake House to be relatively safe after many metres of rock and aggregate have been put into the deep gap at the rear of the house. This area can now be topped with a slab for a rear patio. Mark intends to pack it down with fine crushed rock this weekend.
Adam and Kate hosted a family dinner for my 79th birthday. It was a wonderful night with all the family, fantastic food and lots of noise and laughter.
Adam had smoked a monster brisket for 24 hours, Kate had produced a number of amazing salads, Sophie had produced a beautiful chocolate mouse cake and with other contributions, no one left hungry. The big central table worked a treat.
For my Birthday, we decided to go to the local Pedler Cafe for breakfast. The place has recently changed hands and the place was jumping. Luckily we had worn our Puffer Jackets as there were no tables inside and only a couple outside. However, it was worth it - the food was fabulous!
The final event to celebrate Brett's birthday was held last night at Mrs Jacksons Restaurant. The opinion of the wait staff was that a two month delay was an unusually extended timeline however it was worth the wait. We went for a whole range of smaller dishes and following the meal we visited Ebony's favourite ice cream shop. The only way the evening could have been improved was if Hawthorn had won their quarter final.
Mark has had a bit of external insurance work recently but there has still been progress on the Lake House
With the improvement in the weather we have started to dress the garden for spring. We have renovated some of the potted plants and planted a few annuals to add a splash on colour.
Wednesday was a difficult day. We were notified that Noel had been working in the garden when he got a severe headache. He went to the Echuca Hospital and was then transferred to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne by Air Ambulance with a suspected stroke and bleeding in the brain. We saw him in the afternoon and he was barely conscious and appears to be paralysed on his left side.
It was Cooper's final game for the current season and the boys made it a good one nearly doubling the score of the opposition. Cooper had a great game with 10 points and spending a lot of time in the air intercepting passes.
The best time being a father is when your children and their families come to visit. So I had a great day today.
