Well Carey in Gembrook is now in McCracken.
We are invited in for drinks with our rear neighbour Helen, at 5pm today. We feel we know Helen quite well already as she has visited us twice a day each day since we arrived last Monday. In our state of disarray; with boxes everywhere in various stages of unpacking, trying to hook up stuff like modems, computers, television, learning how modern appliances work, such as induction hotplates with touch controls, ovens conventional and microwave, Helen suddenly appears behind you in what room you might be in and says "hello" in a very quiet voice, after letting herself in.
Helen is a retired academic who taught Psychology at university. She's recently bereaved, her husband died in February. I hesitate to guess age but 70's or plus I'd say. She's obviously a little fragile with her recent loss and we try to be patient and friendly despite our dishevelment. She invited us for a drink the first day we arrived after introducing herself. We declined that day as we were dog tired. We accepted this time to be courteous although we don't feel quite ready for commencement of social interaction with neighbours. We have met another lady, very nice, who walks past with her dog and is quick to inform us of things she doesn't like including things the council should do but don't and the suspect actions of a resident down the road. We have nick named her 'Merle'.
Late on Day 2, Tuesday, Lib said there was no water pressure. We'd used little water as we had no gas in the bottles for the hot water service, but when we turned on the tap there was water sufficient for the kettle or sink to wash but it gradually decreased. I went out to investigate at the meter to find a different valve set up to what I was used to and couldn't tell whether the water supply was off or on, and couldn't move the valve anyway. Next door neighbour at no.14 came home while I was wondering next move and came over to introduce himself. He was most friendly and said we must come in for a drink when we get settled. I asked him if he knew if the water was on off; he didn't and didn't know how to move the valve. He said his brother was a plumber in Adelaide and pulled out his mobile and rang him. While he did this his wife came home from work and came over. She was also so friendly and nice. He's Mark and she Susan. By the time I'd chatted to Susan and she left Mark had solved the valve problem by instruction from his bro. How lucky was that?
I have cleaned out the spouts which were chock full of leaves and made an assessment of the trees. One, a red gum in the gully, a small dry creek bed between us and no. 10, has limbs over our boundary and indeed our house. Assuming it was council land I went to them to ask for work to be done on the tree or permission for me to have it done. No go, not council land, Columbia Land Co. P/L I was told, and I need to write to the Adelaide address council gave me after I filled out a form. I thought that must be the Golf Club that is nearby behind us, so I went up to their palatial country club reception and asked if it was owned by Columbia Land Co. No, I was told. I wrote the letter but before posting it I thought I'd go back to council to confirm the details. Yes the land is owned by Columbia. So before I post the letter and wait for a reply I'm about to go back there and ask for the manager. All I want is permission to have the tree professionally reduced at my cost if necessary to prevent any future damage to my house by falling limbs. A limb has already come down some time ago and sits in the gully.
So I'm off now to visit the country club again. I'm hoping the manager can authorize my permission without lengthy communication hassles. Gord has managed to get Foxtell going so we can watch footy. I spent $440 with a technician trying to get TV channels and apparently we are in a hollow and can't get some channels, either free to air or satelite, without spending more money for new aerial, upwards of $1000. C'est la Vie. I'll do with what we can get which is most.
Much more to write about but will post this update now.
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