PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND PERTH No 5

ARALUEN BOTANIC PARK

Araluen Botanical Park is located in a sheltered valley in the Darling Ranges approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) south-east of Perth, Western Australia, in the suburb or Roleystone.  The Botanical Park covers an area of about 59 hectares (150 acres).  There is a small entry fee to the park, and it is open every day of the year.  There is a mixture of exotic plant varieties; however the park also contains many remnants of native bush.

History................Jack Simons bought the property in 1929 on behalf of the Young Australia League to use as a holiday camp.  The YAL put the Araluen Botanic Gardens up for sale in 1985 (but retained Camp Simons).  A private investor was going to redevelop the land, however the local communities rallied the State Government to purchase the Park.  Encouraged by strong community support, the State Government purchased the Park in 1990.  The Araluen Botanic Park Foundation (Inc.) became incorporated in July, 1990 with the aim of working with the WA Planning Commission to restore the Park.  Since 1995, the Foundation has managed the Park under lease from the Commission.

Facilities.............include a gift shop, cafe with tearooms and function centre, parking, toilets, a miniature train and walkways.  The old swimming pool is now a lake and the diving board has been removed.

Events............Araluen hosts annual events, including the Tulip Festival ion Spring and the Fremantle Chilli Festival in Summer at Fremantle Esplanade and the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.  From 1997 till 2007 an annual Folk Music Festival was also held each Spring in Araluen.  Children's activity Days are held during school holidays.  Araluen recntly sponsored the ANZMAC mid-year Doctoral Colloquium Event.

I first remember visiting Araluen in about 1947 when I was 15.  Mum and dad decided to go for a Sunday drive and I went with them.  Araluen was quite different in those days but still very beautiful.

When I was working at the Forests Department they held their Christmas party at Araluen and Phil and I had a most enjoyable evening with my workmates.  Afterwards we drove down to a couple's home in Forrestfield with several others.  It was one of those very late nights and fortunately we didn't have to get up early the next morning.

About 12 years ago Phil and I met friends at Araluen for a picnic lunch and as it was Tulip Festival time we walked around and admired the beds of beautiful tulips in every colour you could imagine (except blue of course).

Another of my 'to do' list but it is a very hilly place so not much hope of me doing much walking.  Lots often depends on the parking in this type of place.  Can one drive close to amenities or not?

FINGERS CROSSED!!

Well, if I could cross my fingers, they would be crossed but I am crossing them figuratively, if not literally.

Friday morning at 11.30 a.m. I had an appointment with Dr Ken.   I asked him if he would give me a cortisone jab in my bad shoulder to which he agreed.   Mainly people say these injections are painful but Dr Ken is so skilled that there is very little discomfort, except just as the fluid goes into the joint.

No, this is not me, I remained fully dressed.  (*:*)

He injected this same shoulder with cortisone about 8-10 years ago when it was completely frozen and it worked like magic.   Can I hope for the same outcome again I wonder?

I asked him were there any rules and regulations about looking after the shoulder and he said just not to overdo it for a couple of days (as if I do anyway?) and after the injection the local anaesthetic should be easing the pain and tomorrow (today) the cortisone should be starting to work.

If last time the shoulder was completely frozen and this time it's only half frozen should that mean the injection will work twice as well?  One can only hope.

The shoulder still gave me trouble during the night and it is now just gone 9.30 a.m. and the magic has not yet kicked in as I had hoped but they say patience is a virtue.  I think I can feel some improvement so as I said above....fingers crossed!!

P.S.  I have just been reading up about frozen shoulders and apparently diabetics are 40% more likely to suffer the condition than 10% of the 'normal' population.  Just another good reason to try an avoid *diabetes like the plague.

They seem to think it is something to do with a type of collagen that possibly interacts with blood glucose causing the shoulder to 'tighten up'.  It seems me having the cortisone injection was a step in the right direction but so far (12 noon) not a lot of relief.

I think now it is back to Jenny (physiotherapist) (have an appt on Tuesday) for more massage and continue using the arm/shoulder as much as possible even if some pain as a result of doing so.

*Diabetes is one of those insidious diseased that causes problems to the body without one realising it so good blood sugar levels are imperative in an endeavour to keep those problems at bay for as long as possible.  Next year it will be 20 years since both Phil and I were diagnosed as Type 2 diabetics and now, of course, are both on insulin.  Obviously during those years some damage will have occurred but so far nothing too serious that we are very aware of.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND PERTH No 4

KINGS PARK

Kings Park is a 4.06 square kilometre (1,003 acres) park located on the western edge of the central business district (CBD) in Perth, Western Australia.  The park is a mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens and natural bushland on Mount Eliza with two thirds of the grounds conserved as native bushland.  With panoramic views of the Swan River and Darling Range, it is home to over 324 native plant varieties, 215 known indigenous fungi species and 80 bird species.  It overlooks the city as well as Perth Water and Melville Water on the Swan River.  (Picture taken from Mt Eliza):

 It is the largest inner city park in the world and the most popular visitor destination in Western Australia, being visited by over five million people each year.  The park is larger than New York's Central Park which is 3.41 square kilometres   (I have only shown a few of the scenes in and around the park and several of the memorials.  To show them all would mean I'd have to split this post into at least three and I doubt you would want to see all of it.  There are statues of famous people, guns to commemorate different wars, beautiful walks and various recreation areas.  It is wonderful that this park was set aside for the people of Perth and visitors to enjoy).

Besides tourist facilities King's park contains the State War Memorial, the Royal Kings Park Tennis club and a reservoir.  The roads are tree lined with individual plagues dedicated by family members to Western Australian service men and women who died in World War 1 and World War 11.  

During September each year Kings Park hosts Australia's largest wildflower show and exhibition - the Kings Park Festival.

History
Prior to European settlement and exploration Mount Eliza was known as Mooro Katta and Kaarta Gar-up, the Aboriginal names given by the Nyoongar inhabitants.  The area has been an important ceremonial and cultural place for the Whadjuk tribe who had campsites and hunting grounds in the area.

At the base of the southern face is a freshwater spring, known as Kennedy Spring (Goonininup) which provided year-round water for the native inhabitants.  The spring was noted by the first European visitors to the area, Willem de Vlamingh's party, on 11 January 1697.  The Lieutenant Governor of the Swan River Colony, James Stirling, chose the townsite of Perth for this reason - the only local spring. He named the area Mount Eliza for Mrs Ralph Darling.

The Colony's first Surveyor General, John Septimus Roe, recognised the equalities of the area and tried to protect it, by identifying the land to be set aside for public purposes.  By 1835 Roe's protection was overturned and the first shipment of five tonnes of jarrah was cut on Mt Eliza, becoming the colony's first export.  Logging in the area continued until 1871 when Roe's successor, Malcolm Fraser, persuaded the then Governor Weld to set aside 1.75 square km as public reserve.  In 1890  this was enlarged to its current size by Sir John Forrest, the first president of the Board appointed under the Parks and Reserves Act 1895.  Forrest planted the first tree, a Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophlla), and other trees were introduced to the site, Eucalyptus ficifolia and exotic species of Pinus; few of these were successful due to lack of irrigation.

Officially opened on 10 August, 1895, the park was original called Perth Park and was renamed King's Park in 1901 - the apostrophe was later dropped  This was to mark the ascension to the British throne of Kind Edward VII and the visit to Perth of George, the Duke of Cornwall and Princess May.  One of the major roads through the park,  May Drive is named in the Princess's honour.  (This is May Drive):

The Mount Eliza reservoir provided water to the local area, and still remains, but by arrangement of the lease was partly diverted for us in the park itself.  This was largely allocated, after 1919, to the memorial oaks and planes lining May Drive.  Their eventual failure led to their substitution with Eucalyptus bortyoides and Eucalyptus calophylla var. rosea.

Kings Park was featured in 2006 on the American reality show The Amazing Race, where teams collected a clue from in front of the War Memorial.


In early 2009, the south-western area of the park was severely damaged by fire, which was suspected to have been deliberately lit. (We unfortunately do appear to have a number of firebugs in and around Perth).

War Memorial
The State War Memorial is located on Mount Eliza overlooking Perth Water.  It comprises the Ceneotaph, Court of Contemplation, Flame of Remembrance and Pool of Reflection.  The Anzac Day dawn service is held at 5.30 a.m. on 25th April each year and is attended by more than 40000 people.  There is also an official service held at 11 a.m on 11th November each year for Remembrance Day.

 Honour Avenues
The road verges through Kings Park have been planted with eucalyptus trees, and in front of each tree is a plaque honouring those service men who died during action or as a result of wounds received there are over 1100 of these plaques.  Originally proposed by Mr Arthur Lovekin, owner of the *Daily News, the idea was based on the Avenue of Honour in Ballarat, Victoria.  Originally families were required to pay 10 shillings to cover the cost of the plantings; ex-servicemem provided the necessary labour to plant the trees.  In 1920 Lovekin and board member Sir William Loton each donated 500 pounds to clear and plant Forrest Avenue with sugar gums.  After Lovekin died the Kings Park board renamed Forrest Avenue to Lovekin Drive.  (*The Daily News was an afternoon newspaper published in Perth which went out of circulation a number of years ago.  It was very popular for a daily column written by Kirwan Ward and cartoons by Paul Rigby.  It contained local news as well as general news).
(Lovekin Drive showing the trees with the plaques in front):

Fraser Avenue
Originally planted with red-flowering gums in 1898 to celebrate Queen Victoria's Jubilee and added to in 1929 to celebrate the State Centenary - the gums were affected by patch canker disease in the 1930.  It was in 1938 that the lemon-scented gum trees Corymbia citriodora) now lining the avenue were planted to honour the dignitaries of the Western Australia Centenary, organising committee.

  
Pioneer Women's Memorial
A beautiful memorial to the pioneer women of Western Australia with the statue of a woman carrying a small child in the middle of the lake and a beautiful fountain.  (I am proud to say that my mum's name is included in this memorial).

Bali Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to the 16 Western Australian victims, the injured and those who helped the survivors of the terrorist bombings on 12 October, 2002 in the resort town of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali, were 202 people were killed and 209 injured.  The majority of the victims were foreign tourists, including 88 Australians.  This memorial was officially dedicated on 12 October, 2003 and honours the courage and support provided by many individual volunteers and organisations following the incident.

DNA Tower
Built on the highest point of the park in 1966, the DNA Tower is a white 15m high double  helix staircase that has 101 steps and was inspired by the double staircase in the Chateau de Blois in France.   Its design resembles the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecule.  The paving below the DNA Tower is made with stones sent from 11 towns and 80 shires in Western Australia.  (Not long after the tower was built Phil and Steven climbed it one day while Karen and I waited near the car).

I may return to Kings Park at a later date just to show more of the different attractions there.  You certainly need to spend more than a day there if you want to see everything.

MY LITTLE COMPANION

No, it's not Candy but this little chap that has sat on my desks for a number of years.  First on a small desk and now on my computer desk just in front of my computer.  His name of course is Gizmo.

He is only 5cms (2 inches) tall but we've been friends for years and we often have a little chat.  I, of course, am always careful not to get him wet or feed him after midnight!!

Where did he come from?  Our eldest granddaughter stayed with us for a few days way back when she was about 14 and the "Gremlins" movie was showing in Perth so she decided she'd like to go and see it.  They were selling souvenir bags so she bought herself one and this little fellow was amongst the goodies and she gave him to me as a keepsake.

I wonder does she remember going to see that movie as that is well over 25 years ago or even more.

I must apologise for neglecting everyone's blogs over the past few days.  Had to cover the computer because of dust while the windows were being done and I also had medical things to do.  I will try and catch up over the next few days.  I've not forgotten any of you.

Our polite young workman arrived a little later this morning (traffic problems as it's a long way from Bassendean to our place and he had to stop for petrol as well).  Anyway he got here OK and my workroom is now the proud owner of a beautiful new window.  Unfortunately I couldn't get back far enough to take a good pic but you must admit in the before and after shots I sure looks good.

Before    

and after    

It was certainly worth it and now there is so much to do to make the rest of this neglected area look good too.  You can see the awning over the window and beyond that a giant "miniature" umbrella tree.  You grow them as a potplant and then when they get too big for indoors you pop them in the garden and they become enormous and this one does a great job shading this room from the afternoon sun in summer.

I asked the young man about his job and he said it is a family business first begun by the grandfather and is now run by his son and grandsons.  He is very happy working there and said they are very good to the staff and generous as well with good wages etc.  I found it so pleasing to hear of a family business still going well in this day and age and would recommend them to anyone as their work is first class.  I think I am happier with these windows than I've been with any work I've had done over the years.  Nice to feel satisfied for once.

NEW WINDOWS

Right on the dot of 8.30pm yesterday a polite young man rang our front doorbell.  He was here to install new windows at the back of the house.   Since we moved in here in May, 1974 I've been wanting to have louvres in two areas removed and replaced by sliding windows.  It's one of those jobs that hasn't really needed doing as one set is in the enclosed back verandah and the other in my workroom/storeroom.

A couple of months back I decided to get quotes to have the job done, thought about it for a while, decided it was perhaps more than I wanted to pay (you have to watch your pennies on an age pension) but when the firm said I could pay it off over 4 months I decided to go ahead.  I so glad I made that decision.

This is the two sets of louvres in my workroom.  Now I can see why they need replacing!!  Grotty.

There were four sets of louvres in the back verandah and these are the new windows that replaced them, complete with lockable security screens.

Now you are wondering why I haven't shown the new windows in my workroom.  Reason is the louvres are still in place there.   Although this room was the easier of the two to measure it was here there was a 100mm mistake made so back to the drawing board or, at least the workshops.  That is why you can see the ladder outside.  It's ours but it was easier for the young man to use it than bring his around from the front of the house.  Time and motion there you see.  Good thinking.

Phone call this afternoon to tell me that the nice young man will be back tomorrow morning at 8.30 to install the new windows in here for me.  Another morning we will have to be up early.

I took the pic of the new windows through our bathroom window to fit them in and I notice there is a reflection from the wall of opposite of the fire extinquisher which we've had for years (a gift when we had our security system installed) and I wonder if it would still work if needed.  I really must read the instructions about it!!!

Some nice light curtains should finish the job, perhaps net as don't want to stop the light too much.  I have curtains that I made for my workroom (used to be Steve's bedroom) back in 1974.  They were fully lined but when I washed them yesterday one of the linings became shredded.  Not sure why as the other two were as good as ever.  The lining were unbleached calico so strong enough.  Anyway as no-one sleeps here now I may cut the lining off all three and just have the curtains which are on curtain rings so can be pulled back when required.

Now Phil has some small painting jobs to do just to make it all look neat and tidy.  For larger painting jobs these days we need a painter as ladders are out as far as Phil is concerned.   There is some painting needs doing so maybe that is next on my 'to do' list.  Old homes do need maintenance from time to time but we like it here so here it is we are staying for as long as we can.

There are so many other jobs around the house that need doing to make it really nice but I guess I'll have to wait a while before considering them.   This job cost me $2,720 which, these days, I thought quite reasonable and they have done a splendid job of fitting them into quite awkward spaces, well an almost splendid job except for that 100mm error.   I would certainly recommend this firm to others.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND PERTH No 3

I hope you enjoyed a tour around Queen's Gardens and now we take a look at the WACA.

WACA GROUND

The WACA Ground is a sports stadium in Perth.  The name derives from the initials of its owners and operators, the West Australian Cricket Association.

The WACA has been Western Australia's "home of cricket" since the early 1890s, with Test Cricket played at the ground since the 1970-71 season,  The ground is the home venue of Western Australia's first-class cricket team, the Western Warriors, and a Women's National Cricket League side, the Western Fury.  The Perth Scorchers, a Big Bash League franchise, also plays at the ground, which is branded #The Furnace for those matches.

The pitch at the WACA is regarded as one of the quickest and bounciest in the world.  These characteristics, in combination with the afternoon sea-breezes which regularly blows across the ground (the Fremantle Doctor), have historically made the ground an attractive place for pace and swing bowlers.  The outfield is particularly fast, contributing to the ground seeing some very fast scoring - as of December, 2014, four of the eight fastest Test centuries have been scored at the WACA.

Throughout its history, the ground has also been used for a range of other sport including athletics carnivals, Australian Rules football, baseball, soccer, rugby league, rugby union, and International Rules football.  However, recent years have seen most of these activities relocated to other venues.  It has also been used for major rock concerts.

Early History
William Henry Wise, a gardener who came to WA from England in 1880, laid the first turf wicket at the WACA.  Wise was personal gardener to Sir George Shenton, of Crawley.  In addition to his work at the WACA Ground, Wise laid the first tennis court on the Perth Esplanade.

The Western Australian Cricket Association was officially established on 25 November, 1885, under the presidency of J.C.H. James.  In 1893, the WACA ground was officially opened, occupying a site of old swamp land to the east of the city.  The Association has a 999-year lease over the land (which expires in 2888).  The long term of the lease means that, effectively, the Association has freehold title (save that it cannot divest itself of any part of the land without the State Government's consent).  Originally, the title covered 28 acres (117,000 sq. metres), and took in what is now Gloucester Park.  However, the latter part of the land was divested to the Trotting Association in the early 1920s.  In a curious twist, between 1977 and 1979) the then-rebel World Series Cricket matches were played at Gloucester Park because the Kerry Packer-led organisation was not granted access to the WACA.

The first match played on the turf wickets gook place in February, 1894.  However difficulties encountered in transporting teams to Western Australia meant that the ground was not part of Australia's main cricket community for many years.  Even with the building of the transcontinental railway, the trip from the eastern states still took several days.  It took the introduction of scheduled flights to Western Australia to make the WACA readily accessible to interstate or overseas teams.

James Gardiner, President of the WACA for the three terms between 1897 and 1924, proposed the adoption of 'electorate' cricket (as it was first known) whereby teams were established on a district basis for competition.  He also inaugurated Country Week cricket, during which country teams compete against each other  In 1907, the WACA ground was under threat of being controlled by the Perth City Council to recover debts  Gardiner led the bid to save the ground and secured a government loan.  Further financial difficulties led Gardiner to again raise funds and donations with a cricket match by the Australian XI team in 1912.

The WACA scoreboard in 2015:

From 1984 to 1988 the WACA underwent major renovations, including a realignment and a complete resurfacing of the ground and the constructions of new terracing and seating in the outer.  Also built were the three tiered Prindiville grandstand and two tiered Lillee-Marsh grandstand, which increased the ground's seating capacity.  Six large light towers were also installed in 1988 at a cost of $4.2 million, allowing for night time sports such as day-night cricket matches to be played at the ground.  a icon of the WACA, the floodlights are 70 metres high and cost $600 per hour to run.  In 2013, a new video screen was installed near the old scoreboard, replacing one of the old temporary screens.

The WACA museum (located on-site) features exhibits about Western Australian cricket.

Once again, my thanks to Wikipedia for the above information, some photos plus a few freebies.

THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS

I think most of you know I don't get out and about very much so not an exciting life to talk about but I thought why not a weekly diary just to prove to myself I am still alive and do get something done occasionally.  So news from my Mac:

Monday 19th May....Today would have been my sister-in-law Jean's 98th birthday.  She passed away on 30th May, 2004 when she was 87.  On her birthday I always send a short email to her two daughters saying I am thinking of them on this day.  They seem to be happy to know I still remember their mum.

I also played some Scrabble (through Facebook on my computer) and checked and answered emails.

Visited my physiotherapist Jenny and talked about my bad knee which Dr Ken said really needs replacing but at 83 I feel I am a little old to go through that.  Jenny agreed.  She strapped the knee and also worked for 20 minutes on a shoulder that has decided to partly freeze.  It's all rather painful but the end result if well worth it.  Tonight watched "A Touch of Frost".

Tuesday 20th May...Today would have been the birthday of a lovely penpal from New Zealand with whom I corresponded for many years.  We used to have real 'conversations' in our letters talking world affairs etc.  She passed away five years ago and I do so miss Heather's wonderful letters.

More computer.....more scrabble.

Phil tried out a new recipe and it's yummy and enough left for tomorrow as well which saves work.  It was a type of stir fry.  He takes longer than I do to cook things but he enjoys doing it so I let him and it saves me standing at the stove for too long.  He is also better at cleaning up as he goes for which I am very grateful.

Candy used her indoor tray today which surprised us.   She asks to go out in the morning after 7am and although she is shut in after 6pm there seems no urgency for her to to out at all.    She'd not used her tray for weeks but we were glad to know she will use it should she need to. She pops in and out all day and never seems to be very far away from the house.  No more problems with other cats of late so perhaps she learned her lesson when she was injured a while back.

Tonight we watched "Endeavour" which is of course about the young Inspector Morse and a programme we both really enjoy.

Wednesday 21st May....Visit to Dr Ken for my vitamins B12 shot (I have 3 on three consecutive months and then 3 months break).  We talked about a test I had that showed I seem to have too many white blood cells so more tests (urinary tract ultrasound....oooh, all that water I'll have to drink!!).

Dr Ken also told me about an injection one can have for really bad knees.  It costs just over $400 and supposedly helps a lot and lasts for up to 6 months.  I asked him if it was worth it and he said there have been some very good results. You order the 'stuff' and it is sent to your doctor and he then removes any fluid in the knee and injects this new fluid.  Am thinking seriously about having it done.
Unfortunately I don't think it is covered by Medicare or our private health insurance but will check on it to make sure but don't hold out much hope.

Yes....more computer....and more Scrabble.  Watched "Inspector Morse" on TV.

Thursday 22nd May....Today our cleaning lass (also a Jenny) come for an hour and what she does in that hour amazes me.  She is a lovely English lass and when there is time she will often stop for a cuppa.  Today she didn't stop as the lady before kept her over her allotted time.  These people that come from Cockburn Care really are special.

Did I ever tell you that Jenny (the cleaning lady) has a phobia about cats and even gentle Candy frightens her if she gets too close to Jenny.  It's not something I can understand but then many people think I'm strange being terrified of thunderstorms.  I still think they are more dangerous than domestic cats but I guess it take everyone phobias affect everyone differently.

Remember to put in our AFL (Aussie Rulles) footy tips in for the weekend games.

I made a new dish tonight...a chicken stir fry you would call it.  I was very good and chopped and mixed everything before I began to cook so it all fell into place easily and it tasted pretty special too.  Got full marks from Phil who has his own opinion about what is good food so seems I did the right thing.  We decided that both the new dishes will be repeats in the near future.

Tonight we watched "Lewis" which of course was a follow on from "Inspector Morse".  Phil and I are not very keen on many of the programmes shown these days so tend to enjoy watching these re-runs on the digital channels (as long as they have captions for the hard of hearing!!).

Friday 23rd May....A quiet day today until the pest control man arrived.  Had to move the TV so he could get down under the flooring to check for termites and then on his ladder to check the roof space as well.  They are supposed to check all timbers in and around the house but I've never seen them do everything.  It is now costing nearly $200/year but is worth it as we know we are termite free and should we ever need to sell the house we can show the yearly inspection and treatment has been done.  Seems all is well and when he sprayed for spiders I asked him to pay special attention to one that lives on our front verandah.  I am constantly trying to get rid of that one with the broom and am hoping this time it will be gone.  Makes an awful mess and its web is enmeshed in the security screen so difficult to get to.

Today Phil used the slow cooker to make another recipe I found.  It is a beef and barley soup which has turned out more like a stew than a soup so with some buttered toast it made an excellent tea for us, followed my apple pie and icecream.

Nothing worth watching on TV tonight so out with the DVDs and watched an episode of "Inspector George Gently".   Another of our favourites.

Saturday 24th May.....I remembered my late friend Judy today as it is her #2 sons's birthday and he is the same age as my son.   Judy was a bit of a nut really but I do miss her as we had so many great laughs together and there's not enough laughter about these days.

I have never had a Saturday appointment before but it was the only time I could get to see physio Jenny for a second visit this week so at 11am I had more treatment on my shoulder and neck.  I had such a bad ache at the back of my shoulder on Thursday night it kept me awake.   Those needles she pops in my neck muscles really do help as they did today and my shoulder is somewhat easier but Jenny says I should definitely have Dr Ken do a cortisone injection or it won't get any better.

I asked Phil to make sure my walker was in the car before we left so I could go to Big W and replenish my supply of yarn.  I have 12 rugs ready to take to Vinny's (St Vincent de Paul) with another 3 nearly finished, and I had only one ball of yarn left.  I have slowed down somewhat as my hands do rather hurt at times but I am sure if I keep using them it is better than not using them at all so I persevere....that is when Candy doesn't decide she wants to sit on my lap which doesn't go with crocheting as she wants to play with the yarn.

Tonight the football ran on well into the evening and our Fremantle team once did exceptionally well and they are still on top of the ladder with 8 games won out of 8.  The other Western Australian team, West Coast Eagles, are also doing well and are in second place with 6 out of 8 wins.

Sunday 25th May....Gee, only 7 months till Christmas!!  That time will simply fly and then we'll be thinking New Year.  No, not really, but it does seem as we age the time seems to whiz past faster than ever.  I remember brother Len saying after he retired that he often wondered how he found the time to go to work five days a week?

Tomorrow the men arrive to replace the old louvres in my work room and the backroom with proper windows.   Have been wanting to have that done since we moved in in 1974 so last month I bit the bullet and rang for a quote.  It will cost me over $2,000 but it really needs to be done and they will allow me pay it off over 4 months which I thought quite fair and which I can manage OK.  We took the curtains down and they are on the line after being washed.   I made them and put them up in May, 1974 so the are very old but of strong fabric so will pop them back again as nobody comes in here very often and at least they will be clean.  This was once son Steven's bedroom.

Didn't do too well in the footy tipping as there were a couple of upsets but then that's normal in AFL  It never fails to amaze me how some people manage to pick the winners of all 9 games but I put it down to sheer luck in most cases, rather than knowledge and good judgement.

Tonight we watched "Poldark" which I am sure is a remake of a series of the same name some years back.   We are enjoying the series and it is very well done giving one the feeling of being there way back then.  Gee, they were bad times for the 'little' people lorded over by the rich.

As you can see we do very little that is exciting and our taste in TV programmes is rather boring.  I guess after you've been around as long as we have you are content with a rather drab existence and don't go looking for much in the way of excitement.  I doubt I will continue on with this idea as it would be terribly repetitive week after week.  I am sure you agree.

A VERY SERIOUS 'LETTER TO THE EDITOR'

This letter to the editor appeared in The West Australian on Tuesday, 7th October, 1952.

To The Editor.

Sir, - At the recent annual State conference of the Women's Service Guilds, the following motion was carried:-

That we urge the Commonwealth Government to review the civilian widow's pension. especially were there are children, as the present pension of £3/12/6 covering any number of children is entirely inadequate.  We also urge that the amount the civilian widow is allowed to earn (30/- a week) be raised, including the pension, to that of the female basic wage.

In Canberra, a few days ago the plight of war widows was seized upon "as the main theme of debate by speakers on both sides of the Chamber," and Mr Haylen feelingly referred "to the terrific blow to the family by the loss of the breadwinner" and the paltry pensions paid to war widows which forced them into a poor group, not within comparable distance of the basic wage.

We do not seek, in any way, to detract from the needs of the war widow, but consider that the loss of the breadwinner is also a disastrous and terrific blow to the civilian widow, particularly the civilian widow with children.

The civilian widow with three children receives a pension of £3/12/6, endowmenr for the first child 5/- and for the other two £1, making £4/17/6 in all, and her weekly earnings must not exceed £1/10/-.  To obtain this full pension her property must not exceed £109.

On the other hand the war widow with three children under 16 receives a pension of £10/17/- weekly (according to the Minister for the Army, Mr Francis), to which would be added child endowment 25/- making a total of £12/3/-.  The war widow is permitted to earn any amount, there is no means test, and school books, medical expenses and hospitalisation are free for the whole family.

In view of the fact that the female basic wage for the metropolitan area is now £7/11/-, we feel that the civilian widow should now be permitted to earn the sum of £3/18/6 which, with the pension of £/12/6 would bring her income up to the basic wage.

This request we consider most modest, and the least the Government should do to alleviate the desperate position of the civilian widow.

Yours etc.,
WINIFRED KASTNER
State President
GERTRUDE W. RUSTON
State Secretary
Womens's Service Guilds of W.A.

For those born in more recent years the Australian pound was equivalent to two dollars in Australian currency and therefore £12/3/- would be the equivalent of $24.30.   Hope that helps.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND PERTH No 2.

BOLD PARK

BOLD PARK is a 437-hectare (1,080 acre) urban bushland area in the suburb of City Beach, in Perth, Western Australia.  It is located 8km directly west of the central business district, its western border less than one kilometre from the Indian Ocean.  To the east, Perry Lakes reserve is directly adjacent to the park.  The hilly topography allows view of both the city and ocean.  (1. Perth viewed from Reabold Hill in Bold Park; 2) Indian Ocean from Bold Hill):

The Perth City Council established Bold Park in 1936.  It was named after Wiliam E. Bold, who served as town clerk from 1900 to 1944 (the longest serving town clerk in the council's history).

Bold Park is located on a calcareous coastal plan.  Limestone formations in the park were quarried to provide stone for the growing population of Perth (used mainly for limestone foundations of houses).  The 640-person-capacity Quarry Amphitheatre utilises quarry walls for acoustics and shelter. (Pictures of: 1) The old quarry, 2) the Amphitheatre):

Bold Park was recognised as an A-Class reserve on 10 August, 1998.  Since 2000, the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) has managed Bold Park (along with the 406-hectarw Kings Park.  Frequent fires, recreational activities and weed invasion have plagued Perth's urban bushland areas.  The bold Park Evironmental Management Plan (2000-2005) committed the BGPA to restoring the park.

The Western Australian Ecology Centre is located in Bold Park.  It was officially opened in August, 2004 and initiated as a key strategy in the inaugural Bold Park Environmental Plan to provide a venue to assist community groups, environmental practitioners and educationalists to undertake their activities, and to provide the office space for staff involved in Bold Park's ongoing management.

The Centre aims to promote awareness and appreciation of biodiversity conservation in Bold Park and throughout Western Australia.  The Tamala Room, within the Centre, provides a venue for community group activities such as meetings and workshops.  (This is the Ecology Centre):

The Bold Park Aquatic Centre closed on 7 September, 2014 for redevelopment.  It is expected to re-open in October, 2015.

Bold Park Reservoir is situated on the western edge of the park, off Kalinda Drive.

ANOTHER REALLY INTERESTING "LETTER TO OUR EDITOR"

Going back to 1950 I found this letter about an entirely different, and most controversial, subject.  It was published in The West Australian on Saturday, 11 November, 1950 (65 years ago).

"PROHIBITION POLL

Sir - At an emergency meeting of our organisation which was held to consider the forthcoming Prohibition Poll which has been thrust upon the community, much concern was expressed at the waste of time and money involved in holding a poll which is not wanted by the majority of the people, and which will not indicate in any way, the desire for the long overdue revision of the Licensing Act.

This organisation views with alarm the ever-growing use of alcohol by our young people, the numerous cases of drunken driving, and the insidious threat to our national welfare caused by the increasing part played by alcohol in all walks of life.  The majority opinion of our members is that the answer to this menace is not prohibition, but education coupled with a comprehensive review of the Licensing Act, with a view to incorporating much needed requirements.

The danger of the forthcoming poll is that a complete rejection of the prohibition issue may be mistaken for a vote of confidence in the liquor position as it stands today.  With this in mind, we are therefore urging our members to vote for prohibition on December 10, as a protest against the inadequacy of this poll.  It is most unlikely, in view of the three-fifth majority required, that prohibition will go through, but the larger the affirmative vote, the stronger the case for reform.  Whatever the outcome we hope that the Government will undertake an immediate investigation and review of our Licensing Act.

Yours etc,
DOROTHEA R. BULFORD (State President)
GERTRUDE W. RUSTON (State Secretary)
Women's Service Guilds of W.A.

I was only 18 at this time and being a non-drinker of alcohol and *too young to vote anyway this passed me by.  Mum may have spoken of it a the time but I have no recollection at all about such a Poll being held in W.A.

*both the drinking and voting age was 21 back in 1950.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN AND AROUND PERTH No 1

Having completed mum's life story I began looking around for inspiration but none came to mind (I truly think this old mind is slowing down a tad) and then our wonderful blogging friend Yamini suggested perhaps I do a series of places in and around Perth.  To me that was a great idea as all I have to do is some research, mainly using Wikipedia (what would we do without it?) so I thought it worth a try.  I may find that I know a lot less about some of these places than I thought I did so am looking forward to learn more about my city while I show you around.

1. QUEEN'S GARDENS
Queen's Gardens, Perth, is a 3.3 hectare park located on a former brickworks and clay pit site in the eastern end of Perth, Western Australia's Central Business District (CBD).  The park is bounded by Hay Street to the south, Plain street to the west. Nelson Crescent to the north and Hale Street to the east.

The site of Queen's Gardens was intitially part of the commonage which was used for recreation purposes including horse racing and later as a clay pit and brickwords.  Bricks were produced from the site between 1860 and 1890, and featured in many of Perth's prominent buildings constructed at that time, including the Town Hall, The Cloisters and The Barracks.  At this time the place was known as the East Perth Clayfields Reserve.  Betweeen 1880 and 1890 there were a number of public protests against the use of the site for clay pits, which resulted in the City of Perth partially filling the clay pits to form ponds and the site being transferred to the City for the purpose of establishing a botanic garden.

 The park was opened to the public on 9 October, 1898, however it was officially opened and formally named the Queen's Gardens by the then Mayor of the City of Perth, Alexander Forrest, MLA, in October 1899.

In the years before the first world war, it was used a garden party location by the Mayor of Perth, more recently it has been popular for open-air weddings and wedding portraiture.

The park was officially transferred to the Perth City Council on 21 January, 1902.  In 1906 the City erected a caretaker's cottage in the north-east corner of the garden.  New entrance gates were erected in 1914 and eight new bridges constructed in place of previous ones.  Following the installation of  electric lighting in 1924, use of the Gardens extended into the evenings.   In 1927 new entrance gates were installed at the corner of Hay and Plain Streets, replacing the original entrance towards the eastern end of Hay Street.

 In June 1929 the Rotary Club of Perth presented the Perth City Council with a replica of the statue of Peter Pan, that is found in Kensington Gardens in London, as a gift to the children of Western Australia to mark the centenary of this State.  The reproduction was produced by the sculptor of the original statue, Sir George Frampton, and autographed by the creator of Peter Pan, Sir J.M  Barrie.  

A little known fact is that the park bench from the 1999 film, Notting Hill, was donated to the City of Perth and is located in the centre of the park.  The bench is inscribed "to June who loved this garden from Joseph who always sat beside her".  The anonymous donor purchased the seat to propose to his girlfriend.  She declined his hand in marriage and he then donated the seat to the City of Perth.  This inscription is carved into the back of the bench. 

For some years Phil was employed by the State Housing Commission (now Homeswest) and at one time worked in their head office at the corner of Hay and Plain Streets.   Queens's Gardens is a very popular place for people to go to eat their lunch and wander around and enjoy the beauty of the place.  Phil frequently did that to escape the office and enjoy a little peace and quiet in the middle of his working day.

It is indeed a very beautiful place and one I've not visited for many years but I live in hope that perhaps I may pay one last visit one day.  Unfortunately it is very busy around there and parking is at a premium day and night.  One thing I have learned today is about that seat. Quite romantic, but sad, being a tale of unrequited love.

I have to say thank you to Wikipedia for all the information and some of the photos; the others I found free when I googled Queen's Gardens and some of them are very lovely.

ANOTHER LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Once again searching through Trove I found this letter that my mother had written with regard to mentally handicapped children.  It was published in The West Australian on Monday 30 June, 1952 (63 years ago).

"AID FOR CHILDREN

Sir - We note with interest that a very necessary survey is to be made of physically handicapped children and we feel that it is very important we should also have a complete record of the mentally handicapped children in the State.  Any information given to the Slow Learning Children's Group would of course be treated as extremely confidential.

To enable plans to be made for the assistance that could be given these children in social adjustment and specialised training to fit them to take their place in sheltered workshops and the community, it is necessary for parents to communicate with us, no matter what degree of retardedness their child may have.  The record sought is for all mentally handicapped children under school age, going to school, and of girls and boys in their teens.  We ask parents and friends to make contact with the Secretary of the Slow Leaning Children's Group, 96 Northwood Street, West Leederville (phone *W38211).

Yours etc.
GERTRUDE W. RUSTON
President"

In her book mum omitted talking about the number of letters she wrote to publications seeking help with the many organisations with which she was involved.

*I was looking at that telephone number and thinking back to how few numbers they contained back in 1952, and that letter prefix too.  Now our landline telephone has NINE numbers and our mobile TEN!!!    Things were so simple back then but these days our memories are really tested having to remember lengthy numbers or do you all have them stored in your iPhone is similar device..

IT'S ME....BACK AGAIN

Hi....now I am writing as myself having for some weeks shown my mother's writing (her book of course).  It's taken me a while to come down from the high I experienced recounting her life and all her exploits but now I have to get my mind back into gear again, if that's possible.

We in Perth are always wanting it to rain, usually from September through to March, as we have very dry summers and we suffer from water restrictions and our gardens suffer badly from lack of sufficient water.

This year we had a few showers in March but nothing to speak of and then it became dry again until this weekend just gone and then it really began to rain with a vengeance and around our way, over a few days, we had 3+ inches (over 80mm).  Wonderful!!

OK, that's all very interesting isn't it?  What?  Not interesting talking about rain?  That shows you don't live in Perth!!!

I was so delighted with the rain that I wrote a few words on Facebook talking of my joy at the wet stuff finally arriving and, in doing so, I searched for a picture of rain I could add to my post.  When doing so I also found this one which I thought very profound:

Whether it was intended to be written in the past tense because someone had left I don't know, but the words struck me as being very true.   There are times in our lives when we do cry and it is wonderful to have someone close who will just hold your hand and love you at that time without having to understand why you are crying or blame themselves for it.  I have such a person in Phil and I am ever thankful that he is by my side when I need him.   There are times, because of diabetes and the constant aches and pains, that I give a little whimper as I sit in my armchair and nearly always a hand will reach across to hold mine for a minute or two.   Just a hand...no words....but that is all I need to bring a smile to my face.  How thankful I am for that hand, and that man.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I need to take a bit of break from thinking so seriously after posting all 242 pages of mum's autobiography and then had a bright idea on how to give myself a rest:

I was once again delving through 'TROVE", that wonderful website where so much history is contained in various newspaper archives and looking for news items relating to my mother including various 'letters to the editor'.  I have copied out a few just for the fun of it to show here, and I would be interested to see your reaction to them considering some were written over 50 years ago and times have certainly changed since then.........or have they?

This Letter to the Editor was published in The West Australian on Saturday, 20th September, 1952, and thought the content may be of interest.  It was, of course, written nearly 53 years ago.  I have highlighted certain words where they were organisations with which mum was involved.

"WOMAN ENDORSED

To The Editor

Sir,  At the recent State Executive meeting of the Women's Service Guilds, attention was drawn to the pleasing fact that Mrs Florence Hummerston, J.P., had been endorsed by the *LC.L., as candidate for the North Perth seat at the coming elections.  Mrs Hummerston was at one time President of the Perth Guild.

The Guilds believe that it is essential for more women to enter Parliament and trust that the Labour executive will follow the lead of the L.C.L. and endorse women in the coming elections.  Fifty-two percent of the electors are now women, and it is felt that they should have representation by women in Parliament, on city councils, road boards etc.

Yours etc
WINIFRED KASTNER (State President)
GERTRUDE W. RUSTON (State Secretary)"

* L.C.L. was of course the Liberal and Country League
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Letters to the Editor.....The West Australian, Friday 24th August, 1954. (51 years ago)

JURY SERVICE FOR WOMEN 'CIVIC DUTY'

To the Editor.

Sir, - As an organisation which has fought for many years for equality of status for men and women, which includes jury service for women on the same terms as for men, we are naturally wholeheartedly in support of the present Bill before the Houses of Parliament, and hope, on this occasion, it will become law.

There is no desire for compulsory service for women any more than there is compulsory service for men, as there are clauses which deal with exemptions at the present time.

It is difficult to understand the attitude of some of the people writing to the press on this matter, because surely in this year of grace 1954 we should be an intelligent and enlightened community, and women in all affairs of life have proved that they have a worthwhile contribution to make.

The days when women were looking for protection are long since past - they are now striving for equal responsibility both in the home and out of it.

It could be a comforting experience for some women who found themselves in a court of law to see a number of their sex on a jury.

As far as is known, jury service has never been keenly sought by men - it is a responsibility which most of them accept; and there is no reason to believe that women will be more reluctant to accept this civic duty.

Yours etc.,
WINIFRED KASTNER
State President
GERTRUDE W RUSTON
State Secretary
Women's Service Guilds of W.A.

EULOGY GIVEN BY PROFESSOR ERIC SAINT AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE OF GERTRUDE RUSTON

This, as promised, is the eulogy given by Professor Saint at mum's funeral service held in the crematorium at Karrakatta Cemetery on 10th January, 1985:

"Sunset and Evening Star
And one clear call for me;
Let there be no moaning at the bar
When I put out to sea.

My friends, Gertrude Ruston, M.B.E., J.P., has indeed put out to sea; but if I judge her character correctly I believe that she would not have asked us to moan on this occasion.

Among the countless number of people we meet in the course of our lives there are few - a very few - who make a vivid impression on us by virtue of the palpable nobility of their spirit; they carry with them a halo of goodness, they influence our thinking and inspire us to greater and nobler deeds  Some would say they bear the mark of Grace.  Gertrude Ruston, whose passing we mourn as much with tears of happiness as of sadness, was such a one.

I came to know her thirty years ago, being thrust into the Presidency of W.A.C.O.S.S., following the retirement of H.T. Stitfold.  I met then a lady of singularly handsome appearance, the possessor of a deep and wonderfully rich speaking voice.   She had a razor sharp agile mind, and an unselfconscious charm, which I was soon to find served her well in gaining entry to places and the minds of persons who volunteered assistance in the production of welfare schemes which flowed in abundance from that strongly developed social conscience of hers - a conscience which was the product, I would guess, of her youthful liberal English background and upbringings.  She was in the tradition and mould of William Beveridge.

She had become a dinkum Aussie the very hard way.  In her recently published autobiography (how happy we are that she was able to see it published before her last illness), written in characteristically modest style, we have to read between the lines to understand the pain and hardships endured during her early life in the 1920s on small south-west settlements and again in a later period establishing herself in the metropolis she served so well.

She reached the plenitude of her remarkable administrative and socially creative powers at a time of life when most women would be contemplating retirement from the public forum.  Her achievements in middle and late life were quite extraordinary:

Helping to establish the Soroptomist movement in Perth;

Putting the C.O.S.S. on a firm footing as an influential body identifying welfare needs, catalysing social change;

Establishing the C.A.B.;

Organising facilities for latch key kids;

Establishing the Perth Emergency Housekeeper Service;

Promoting C.H.A.P.S. - holidays for disadvantaged children;

Establishing Beehive Industries

plus a list that half fills a Directory of Social Services.

But behind the baldly stated facts is the emotional involvement that many of us here today enjoyed in our association with her.  We call to mind her infectious energy, the good humour and sense of fun that she conveyed and above all, the sense of purpose and the vitality she brought to life and living.

The 1950s and 1960s was a great period in the social history of this State a time of hope, of expansion, and of the creation of important new institutions.  Historians will doubtless record the notable contributions that Mrs Ruston has made to the welfare of our people.

St Paul exhorted the Romans to identify their individual talents and for the love of Christ, to exploit those recognised talents for the love of mankind.  He would have been proud of his spiritual daughter.  She leaves the community she served a happier place.  In her life she achieved for her sex, in her quiet but dogged way, a dignity where others more strident have perhaps been less successful.

We are sad that she has left us, but we rejoice in the memory of a warm, loving, graceful, charming, creative, vital grand dame.

This picture was taken of Mum when she was 80 and attending her granddaughter's wedding on 11th November, 1977.  I truly love this photograph of her.  I think the goodness shines out of her face.

I sincerely hope you have enjoyed mum's story, perhaps it may even be an inspiration to some.  The story has now ended as has that wonderful life but there will be bits and pieces in the coming days continuing on this wonderful story.  Thank you, once again, for taking such an interest in it.

EPILOGUE TO 'THE CLOCK OF TIME'

Having completed mum's life story as told in her book"Clock of Time" I am now endeavouring  to finish her story.

As you know she was born in England, emigrated to Australia with her husband and step-son, and spent 17 years working very hard on farms near Albany.   (Mum and dad in Narrikup).

 Her ill health forced us to move to the city just before I turned 6 and for some years mum and dad went without so much so I could have a good education.  I have always been very grateful to both of them as they were wonderful parents to me.  They loved me and I loved them, it was as simple as that.  No conditions on either side.  (Mum and me in 1939):

We moved several times when renting until mum and dad built their own home in 1952.  Unfortunately they did not spend many years there as mum decided she and dad should separate in 1954 which, even though I was 22, was a big shock to me and meant I didn't see my dad for some years which was quite upsetting.  My two children missed out on knowing a man who was a wonderful grandfather to Len's two girls.  Dad just had that knack of being able to make children laugh.

After their separation mum really got involved in a lot of social welfare work and was Secretary of the Womens Service Guilds for many years working alongside Bessie Rischbieth.  Mum then went on to begin the Citizens Advice Bureau, help establish the Slow Learning Children's Group, begin the Perth Emergency Housekeeping Service and the Children's Holiday Scheme.  There were many other organisations with whom she was also actively involved.  (Standing in for Lady Gairdner at a debutante ball).

In May, 1969, mum was hit by a speeding car when crossing the road to her home and, as a result, she spent 7 months in hospital and more time convalescing.  She was rather disabled afterwards and, when in public, she would use two walking sticks but, in the house, she managed without one.  She had a beautiful recliner chair and one of the organisations made her a stand for it to raise it off the floor which made it easier for her to get up from the chair.  The shattered hip they tried to set three times but there were not sufficient pieces to do so nor could they do a hip replacement and therefore her right leg was about 3 inches shorter than her good leg and she had shoes specially built up so she could at least stand up reasonably straight.

You will recall she once again got into harness and became involved in social welfare work and her final big challenge was travelling to Sydney to gather information about Beehive in that city and then return to Perth and face the challenge of setting up Beehive Industries here.  I am glad to report that Beehive Industries is still thriving and in 1986 Phil and I were delighted to receive this invitation:

To know that mum's hard work had been recognised by the naming of the new headquarters of Beehive Industries after her was quite overwhelming.  We of course were happy to attend and our daughter Karen also attended this opening with us.  It was very well done and afterwards we were taken to look over the activities taking place in the workshop.  This was 15 months after mum's death and we only wished she had survived to know of the honour she had received.  Not everyone has a building named after them.

When mum finally retired she went on a well deserved holiday, a bus tour through central Australia northward to Darwin.  She unfortunately became very ill during that trip ending up having emergency surgery in Darwin Hospital.   We were glad to have her home safely after that ordeal and for the next seven and a half years she kept herself involved with the Soroptimists and other organisations and generally made herself useful as a J.P. and as she said "the local C.A.B at the Joondanna Village where she lived.

We didn't see her as much as we would have liked but she would telephone me very Sunday morning and we would have a long chat (Phil in those days was usually playing golf on Sunday mornings).  I would often 'phone and suggest we pay her a visit but she would say no need to.  I often felt she just wasn't up to sitting up and having visitors, even family members.  It was her choice but we were still very close.  Phil would sometimes pick her up and drive her to our place so she could enjoy time with her growing family, taking her home afterwards. 

I was always glad she had Silver Chain and others to help with her many needs....medical if necessary, cleaning and cooking as well.  She was well cared for and was still able to get around reasonably well but I do know she tired easily and loved nothing better than to sit in her lovely cosy dressing gown in her recliner rocker and read a good book or watch television.

Towards the end of 1984 she became quite ill and I felt her doctor rather let her down.  I am sure that there are times when medical people more or less give up on the over *80's and I felt this was the case with mum's doctor.  She finally ended up in hospital with a bleeding ulcer and had an emergency operation.  One of the nursing staff told mum that she wouldn't be well enough to return to her unit and she would probably have to go into the hospital section of Joondanna Village.  Mum was a very independent person and I am sure (and so is my daughter) that mum decided that was not the future she saw for herself.  The doctor warned me that it would be touch and go after the operation and I am sure mum had made up her mind it was time to call it a day.  I received a 'phone call at work on 7th January, 1985 asking me to come to Royal Perth Hospital as they feared mum would not last the day.  I telephoned Phil and Karen and we all went into see mum who was barely conscious, if at all.  We said our goodbyes and went to wait outside.  A short time after that the doctor came to tell us that mum had passed away.

The day before mum's death Dianne and Steve called in to see her (they had been married the day before) and Dianne gave mum her bride's bouquet and mum fortunately was well enough to enjoy their visit and Diann's thoughtfulness with the flowers.

We arranged a simple funeral as that was mum's choice.  She always said she thought people were taken advantage of when feeling at their lowest after losing a loved one and she was determined that would not happen in her case.  She had told me that on the inside of her wardrobe door were the instructions regarding the funeral directors she wished to have conduct her funeral service.    She had spoken to me about her strong feeling in this regard so I followed her instructions to the letter.   She had chosen a reusable coffin covered with royal blue velvet and a reusable wreath of red roses.  The funeral cars were dark blue (which I felt were much nicer than the black normally used in those days).  In her funeral notice I asked donations be made to a charity of choice rather then sending flowers.  A minister from the Church of Christ lead the service.   I approached her old friend and colleague Professor Eric Saint and asked him if he would read the eulogy and he accepted without hesitation.  I will include that eulogy in my next post as I think it covers mum's life very well.  There is really nothing I can add to the Professor's words.  (This is a photo of mum at a function of some kind.  The gentleman in the centre is Professor Eric Saint).

 *Just to give an idea about doctors and the elderly.  Only today Phil rang his gastroenterologist's rooms to see if he needed further investigations only to be told  "Dr Evans doesn't bother contacting people over 80 now.  If you think you have any problems the best thing is to have a test and then ask your GP to refer you."