Day 158 & 159: Surgeryland recovery: Lizzie's silver bangle + charm braclet

It was a relaxed weekend at our house.

On Saturday after a nice lie in, we all headed out for a walk in the warm sunshine up to the Carriageworks markets. I haven't walked that far in weeks, and managed it much better than I thought I would. I also haven't been to the markets in ages and enjoyed seeking out some great fresh produce, bread and flowers. The most enjoyable thing, now I'm off chemo, when I wasn't able to eat any soft cheeses, was selecting a delicious blue cheese, which I ate with the fresh bread when we got home - it was ambrosian!

Friday was dearest Lizzie's birthday, and last night we had dinner at the apartment of other lovely friends Kate and Betty to mark the occasion. Aside from family events, I think this is my first proper outing since February and I enjoyed it immensely. Betty cooked us a delicious feast and it was so great to be able to celebrate with Lizzie, and to catch up with Kate and Betty, MaryAnn, John, Trevor and Lye after many months. As someone pointed out over dinner, of the nine of us there only three have not had one form of cancer or other. It's a testament to modern medicine that we're all here - and as MaryAnn said, and I wholeheartedly agree, were on a tipping point with cancer treatment. I'm very confident my boys will look back and say to me with disbelief - 'remember you had to have chemo which wiped not only the bad but also the good cells in your body'!

I love the conversations with these people - ranging from cancer treatment and the Australian health system, Gonski 2.0, Pell's guilt or innocence, the UK elections, Abbott's and Rhiannon's sabotage of their own parties, and most troubling, Kate's report back on the appalling and systemic child protection issues in the NT, after her experience working as part of the Royal Commission into Juvenile Detention. It's a post-colonial tragedy at every level.

Four wise women: Kate, Lizzie, MaryAnn and Betty in action mode

Last night I was wearing this wonderful silver bangle Lizzie gave me as a birthday gift many years ago, alongside some of my other silver bangles. It's another that's travelled with me over the years and I still love wearing it, and do so often.

Today, has been equally as relaxing with another sleep in for me (but not for poor Robbie who was on swimming duty with the boys early this morning), a quick visit to the local shops, and a lovely visit for afternoon tea from dear friends Vicky and David.



Thoughtful as ever, they arrived with some pretty pink roses and a selection of 'neenish' tarts knowing that they are a favourite from my childhood. As I once told V&D, these tarts were important element of a life lesson about sharing. When I was four, Mum asked me what I wanted to take as my contribution to the pre-school Christmas concert supper.  I'd told her without hesitation: neenish tarts. So rather than baking some of her usual treats -Mum took me to the local cake shop a bought a tray of them, these tarts not being part of her usual repertoire. Under the illusion that they were all for me, I entered the concert hall and gleefully left them on the table in the expectation that they'd all be waiting for me when we finished. When I got back to the table to find all the tarts gone - clearly they were everyone's favourite treat - I was devastated to the point where my teacher had to call Mum to come and collect me. After much maternal soothing, I gradually came to understand the concept of sharing my favourite things, including food! But I still covet a freshly baked neenish tart when I see one.

Interestingly, last year Radio National did a great program on the neenish tart - which turns out to be an Australian culinary invention. As Annabel Crabb explained so well: "Once you've had a neenish tart they're tricky to forget,' she says. 'It's got that reckless combination of slightly too much everything.'There's sweet pastry or cake, then there's the mock cream, then there's the jam, and as if you really needed it, icing of a sweetness that actually makes your teeth rattle in your skull.'

A dispute ensues about whether they should have white/chocolate or pink/chocolate icing. For us in Armidale, the latter combination was the only one in town.  Today we got to compare the two, with the verdict of the best tasting combination split between down the middle at 50/50. 

Last night I received from Trevor and Lye another throw back to my childhood - a boiled fruit cake, just the way Mum made it. It was such a thoughtful gesture of theirs, knowing we have a lot of visitors...including them soon I hope, though I am certain none of the delicious cake will be left!

Today I'm wearing my charm bracelet, bought for me for my 40th birthday and added to over the years by Rob and the Boys at almost every birthday and mother's day. They've chosen so many pretty beads and charms to signify our life, themselves, my career, and my favourite colours. It's very precious.

Nat in action

July is a big month for birthdays, starting today with the wonderful Nat, who has been a constant support to me over the last few months. I can't wait to see Nat fly once she's unshackled from the chains of her PhD, which will be loosened very soon.

Finny and me, Potts Point 2001

Sharing a birthday with Nat is my lovely nephew Finely, the fourth child of Ree and Col. Fin has always been a sweet boy, and it's been so exciting to see him flourish in recent months in his horticulture apprenticeship. Happy Birthday to you two special people!