Another lap completed.

Hi All

Here’s a little summary of what’s been happening since we last spoke…electric fence, death, birth, plane trip, city catch-up, photos, Covid, birthday, car saga…and there’s probably more.

Anyway, let’s see if I can enlighten you a bit.

This little guy (and a few of his mates) have been laying waste to our garden (despite our best efforts to protect our plants).(Pic of wallaby) So we bit the bullet…I purchased and installed an electric fence…and at this point it looks to be working. I don’t want to jinx myself, but there have been no signs of incursion for well over a week. Fingers crossed, we have had a win.

Thankfully I think we may have banished this guy and his mates.

A very good friend of mine lost her mother suddenly. The world will be a lesser place as a beautiful soul has left us. Vale Marianne.

Happy news is always best, and it doesn’t get much happier than the safe arrival of a new baby. My new grandson Angus Sage, arrived safely on October 25. He certainly gave his mum a workout, but both are at home doing extremely well.

A very quick visit (and a couple of pics) upon Angus’ arrival.

As part of the celebrations marking the successful completion of my 60th lap around the sun, I flew to Melbourne to catch up with two very good mates, photographer compatriots, Ben and Mark. We shared an apartment right in the heart of the CBD. Apart from a dinner booking for Saturday night, nothing was planned. The weekend was always going to involve photography, beer, rum and lots of laughter…not necessarily in that order…and it didn’t disappoint.

Mark created gift bags for each of us.

In the lift after a successful search for a replacement shirt.

Three Amigos? Jesser decided we all needed matching shirts :)

Sunday breakfast.

Benno slotted into the Fitzroy grove.

Jesser contemplates photography competitions over dinner.

We absolutely crammed ourselves into the last operational black and white photobooth in the Southern hemisphere (near Flinders St Station) to get these.

One thing that was a little surprising was just how difficult it was to find a camera store that sold 120 roll film. My idea was to stock up while I was away…at one stage it looked like I might be lucky to come home with 3 rolls of B&W…however, a trip on the tram to Walken’s House of Film in Fitzroy was a winner. I’m now much poorer, but fully stocked. The Bronica travelled with me and a few shots will be revealed in a subsequent blog.

Satisfied after stocking up with film. Pic: Mark Jesser.

My flight home wasn’t until Monday afternoon (the lads returned to their respective homes on Sunday) so I spent most of the day just wandering the streets. I was feeling a bit under the weather, but soldiered on as there wasn’t really any other option.

While I was away, Michelle had been spending lots of time with her new grandson and daughter helping them get established and the plan was that she would stay with them for a couple of nights once they came home from hospital. A couple of nights blew out somewhat when I tested positive to Covid as soon as I arrived home. I quarantined myself immediately. Michelle has basically lived with her daughter until just a couple of days ago when I lost my ‘leper’ status.

So my 60th birthday was spent with Bob the budgie and the two cats…woo hoo! 

With my exile over, I finally got to meet Angus properly a couple of days ago (I had a quick visit for a couple of pics when he was first born). What a gorgeous little fella.

I have my wife back home, but not my car. The saga continues. Since I bought it, I reckon it has spent more time in the dealer’s yard than in mine. The problem is nothing major, just a malfunctioning reversing camera. But it is f%&^ing annoying! They just can’t seem to fix it…they replace the camera, I get it back and it fails again the same day. They come and pick it up (the dealership is in Launceston) to try again. I expect it to be gone a couple of days…a couple of weeks later I get it back (not fixed) as I needed the van’s capabilities (the small car they loaned me just didn’t cut the mustard). So now, they decide that the entire head unit needs replacing and they arrange to come and get it (this time I insist on at least a wagon so I can fit most of my gear). It took considerable time to source a new head unit. They fitted it and the problem remained. They ‘borrowed’ a head unit from another vehicle…and guess what? Same old, same old. So, the theory now is that the camera they replaced the faulty camera with….was also faulty! A new camera is being sourced from God knows where, and I’m yet to be updated. I am not holding my breath!

All of this is small stuff. Don’t sweat over the small stuff. There is a shit ton of stuff happening to people that is actually serious.

I send my love to all those doing it tough.

Be nice to each other.

Talk soon.