FRIDAY 5 NOVEMBER     DEVONPORT

Today was a grey day, with rain.

We shopped in the morning, getting groceries for a week. In K Mart I bought some new perfume, and three of the type of photo albums I’ve been seeking for a while – archive quality ones. At the book exchange, I traded in several books I’d had for a while, and got four new ones – overall cost was $2.50. We bought up big at the fish supplier – I am always on the lookout for good quality fresh fish.

After an early lunch, we drove to Burnie to visit my father’s sister. Since we last saw her, in early 1993, her husband had died. She is in her 80’s, and has had health issues. She was not as frail and shaky as I’d envisaged, although even thinner than before – stick like. She gets around the house alright. She had obviously cooked afternoon tea for us, dressed up, and looked forward to the visit.

There was much talk of dad, her family and their doings, and her health. She is resisting being relocated to the Sunshine Coast, where her son and his family lives. Says she would hate the summers!

It was after 5pm when we left her, and it was raining steadily, so it was not a particularly pleasant drive back to Devonport.

We bought fish and chips and took them back to the van.

WEDNESDAY 3 NOVEMBER     DEVONPORT

Just pottered around camp in the morning – sewed and read.

After lunch ,went to social bowls at East Devonport. Uncle T was there – he won the day. I lost all three games – couldn’t judge the green and played really poorly. I did not enjoy my afternoon at all. John had an average afternoon.

Tea was the last of the potato soup, reheated chicken rolls, asparagus.

MONDAY 1 NOVEMBER     DEVONPORT

Today was a public holiday in northern Tasmania – Recreation Day – because they do not have a Cup Day holiday.

We had a quiet day. My throat was improving, but I still had blocked ears.

I read, and sewed.

After lunch, because the weather had fined up, somewhat, we went for a bike ride – around the local bike path, to the ferry terminal, around some streets and then along the coast for a way. It was a pleasant 11km ride.

Tea was potato soup, fish parcels with a lime/ginger marinade, and fries. Unfortunately, the trevalla was a bit dry.

SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER     DEVONPORT

Woke up still with the sore throat. My ears feel blocked, too.

We both went to the bowls tournament today, which was mixed pairs at the Devonport Club.

It was very windy, with occasional showers, which made it hard to judge the play. We lost all three games, but had some tough opposition. The pair that just beat us in the last game were the overall winners of the day.

I did not really enjoy the day much – my throat got steadily worse. My ears were blocked.

Tea was soup, cold roast chicken, potato mash.

SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER     DEVONPORT

I woke with a sore throat. This is really annoying, as I have just gotten over the last bug! Or so I thought.

We got the papers, then John went off to bowls.

I read the papers thoroughly, sewed, made soup, cooked roast chicken and vegetables for tea. I enjoyed my day alone and in relative leisure.

John enjoyed his bowls.

It was a wet and windy day and I was surprised that the bowls went on, at all. Maybe they are used to playing through adverse weather, here!

WEDNESDAY 27 OCTOBER     DEVONPORT

There were some rain showers today and it was fairly cool.

After an early lunch, we went to the East Devonport Bowls Club, and played in a social bowls afternoon, with Uncle T. My dad would have been pleased to see this! I did not play at all well and did not enjoy myself much.

John arranged to be in a tournament at the weekend. I’d thought we might move on then – but no.

Tea was mushroom soup, pasta with asparagus and bacon.