Heavenly Beverley : A Most Agreeable, If Slightly Damp, Father's Day

Another Sunday afternoon in the East End Gallery. I'm highly doubtful that we will have any more guests visit in the next two hours. Hence, I'm already thinking about preparing dinner, which will include buddies and Beverley artists Jan and Greg this evening. Vanessa, our aspiring professor, had just finished a long weekend with us and Jan had very kindly offered her a ride to the Big Smoke.

Despite a touch of ill health, Vanessa managed to treat Michael to a birthday lunch last Thursday, present him with a JB Hi-Fi voucher, give him a manicure, fall in love with Stella, attack my endless volcano of dirty washing and created a delicious tuna casserole.

Callum and Alex both rang and wished Michael a happy fathers' day. My boys have always been very fond and appreciative of Michael. I remember Callum introducing Michael as "my Mum's partner" when we hadn't actually been together that long. When I thanked Cal for his words, he responded, "Well what else was I going to say? Some random bloke you picked up off the street?"Cal has always had a decidedly quirky sense of humour.

Michael patiently instructed Alex in manly skills such as placing clip-lock flooring in Shop 2, installing underfloor insulation at the House that Rocks, putting Alex in charge of the barbies at our wedding and sharing some of the finer points of home maintenance in his various abodes. As Alex has spent less time with us over the last few years, Support Worker to the Stars Pasquale has taken over some of the reins of guiding Alex. And although Pasquale has well and truly climbed higher up the employment ladder, he still sees Alex every Thursday.

The boys have also had a momentous few weeks. Cal has finally received some much-needed support for the class he teaches in a northern suburbs school, as well as securing his study leave so he can complete his science graduate course. He and Bron are having an Almost father's day, with our grandbaby due in just over three months. Bron's contact teaching time has been reduced, which has made her rather horrible pregnancy a tad easier. Ragnar our grandcat continues to rule the roost and I hope doesn't smother his tiny human rival when she arrives...

Alex, finally, has a job as a kitchen hand. I'm pretty sure that Pasquale, his superb advocate had been actively promoting Alex to potential workplaces and Alinea (formerly the Spine and Limb Foundation) has decided to give him a go. Alex has made the decision to begin at eight hours a week and slowly add to his workload.

To say we are thrilled is the understatement of the century! Go, Alex! And everlasting thanks to Pasquale for his efforts. Less thrilling is Alex's approaching transfer to the NDIS (oh goody).

The rain is scuttling across the sky in short sharp bursts. The day has turned most un-spring-like. Cold and grey. However, all our spirits are high. We've had another sale in the Gallery - Barry Mackie's "Wheatbelt Echo" is now proudly owned by Beverley semi-resident Gem de Wind. Michael has decided to display some of the bottles we've collected in the Gallery. And now we need another storage display unit...

Pip and Stella, our Comedy Duo have alternated between snugly snoozing inside Station House and participating in some noisy and energetic play. Every now and then, Stella also attempts to placate Ruby the cat into liking her. Her Feline Majesty usually returns the friendship invitation with an exceedingly sour expression and a swipe if the pesky puppy comes within paw reach.

Vincent Street is empty. There is a break in the showers. I'm packing up and pushing off.

Until next time...