Concerned about Mum

Mum has been travelling well despite the spread of her cancer to the liver. On the weekend she had a very sore and swollen ankle and I thought it might be a blood clot or burst blood vessel because she couldn't  recall hurting it. I was relieved to have her visit the doctor yesterday and find it was a burst vessel. Her attitude was, her veins are old and weak.  I suppose so but it is concerning. She visits the oncologist today and we will hear more of her progress. The good thing is that she is feeling well anyway. 

I saw the movie " The lady in the van" and found it rather sad, even though it is funny in parts. Alan Bennet who allowed her to stay in his driveway for 15 years, wrote the story and he seemed kind but so passive. The neighbours accepted her presence which I found really quite tolerant. I can imagine that so many other places might have called in the council to have her removed but they let her stay. She was a mysterious woman and it was confronting to see how people can fall so low when mentally unwell. It is confronting when we see any homeless people. I felt rather disturbed after seeing it. 

I have a busy week ahead with lunches, dinners and guests coming to stay. It is a bit overwhelming how busy I seem to have become again.

I finished my street scene watercolour and feel reasonably happy with the result. Always room for improvement of course but I am getting better slowly.

I am still pondering this relationship with the country boy. I like him a lot. I know he finds me attractive and desirable and generally good company, and he is starting to let down his barriers more.  I sometimes want more than I think he is prepared to give emotionally, so I am wondering if I should be patient or look elsewhere. I am such an impatient person in many ways. Just letting it evolve is hard when we are so far apart and only see each other irregularly.  

This uncertainty is such a part of new relationships until you finally make some sort of commitment I suppose.  

Drawing and painting and work.

I finally finished the accreditation material for the Library Panel and look forward to some discussions about it with the others.

I have had a great Sunday at an Art Workshop. It was a life drawing focussed workshop and I felt so excited by the end. I managed a couple of good studies and was so elated. My art Teacher is heading to Beijing for two months then on to Europe so we will miss her. She is so encouraging and wants us to be 'loose' with our drawing. It is so different from my watercolour class though Dorothy wants us to be freeer there too. It is challenging to let loose but the results are pretty good when I do!

I am going to work really hard on this skill so that I become confident and competent!

Rob rang to say he was passing through Melbourne on the way to Adelaide and wanted to catch up. That was a nice interlude. Still not sure where it is heading but liking the journey so far. Damn there is an evacuation call coming through the buildings's PA.  Can't smell smoke but better go. 

Reedy Flat Victoria

I travelled up to Sale and met Rob. I was really pleased with the drive and felt a sense of achievement. I picked up his prints from the framers on the way and still made good time.  We met up at the motel. I was a bit tentative because I thought we might not feel the same after such a gap but I was delighted to find we both felt the same. We went off to the German Expressionist Exhibition opening but we had missed the talk which was disappointing.  I met a few local artists that Rob knew and ended up with having our photo taken next to one of the art works for the local paper. I was surprised at how diverse the art scene is around east Gippsland. We went on to dinner at an Austrian Restaurant where the cook was the owner, an Austrian woman. Rob got her talking and we couldn't t stop her. He has an easy way with people, for someone who doesn't chat much!

Next day we visited a friend of his at Seaspray. I went there once camping with Peter and the kids. It is at the base of the 100 mile beach which is a 100 mile straight stretch of surf and sand. His friend Sue is another accomplished artist and an amazing woman. She has had such a varied life, nurse, dairy farmer, cook, artist. She is afflicted with scleroderma a disease of the connective tissue which has resulted in the loss of her lower legs below the knees and the tips of her fingers. She has only got movement in her first finger and her thumb but she still paints fabulous water colours, and oils. 

I found her a most interesting and inspiring woman and we got on very well.  Rob had taken her dogs for a walk which is what he always does when he visits. He showed her his print that he is intending to enter in a local competition. He obviously values her opinion. 

Next stop was Bairnsdale for some shopping but Rob suggested as we had the two cars I go on ahead to his Mum's place at Ensay near Reedy Flat and we meet up there. His Mum lives in a renovated pub which is now an art gallery for Rob's work. It is a lovely old building and Beth was pleased to show me around both inside and out in the garden. Rob arrived with groceries for his mum after an hour or so and by then Beth and I were quite comfortable with each other. 

There are no shops close by as we are in a very small country village and then Rob took the dogs for a walk( this is his usual routine apparently!)

Finally we went off to his place further into the bush.

A view from the road leading to Rob's place.

He has 200 hectares of bush stretching from a ridge between Mt Possum and Mt Wong. The kangaroos come in both morning and night, the birds are prolific and lizards and bats as well as the odd snake abound.  It is a very peaceful place. His home is very rustic, reminiscent of many homes built during the 1980s in Warrandyte where I used to live. He built it himself with his builder brother-in-law. The windows are all reclaimed lead light.  It is basic but homely and comfortable. I loved it. Wood fired hot water and all. He is off the grid with solar electricity and gas fridge and small gas stove as well.

Although hot down by the coast it was rather cool here and I had to borrow a windcheater because I hadn't packed any warm clothes. We had a long walk to the ridge on the following day and later took some of my chocolate cake to share with his Mum in the afternoon. I loved the slow pace and peace of the bush.  It is so relaxing. The round building is his studio where he paints or makes linocut prints.  His dog Flash was a bit put out that he couldn't sit in the front seat of the car when we went to visit! He accepted me by the Monday when I was leaving!  

It was a sweet weekend and I hope not too long before another.