{"id":1692,"date":"2022-01-09T00:35:40","date_gmt":"2022-01-09T00:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/frtonynoble.org\/?p=1692"},"modified":"2022-01-09T00:45:15","modified_gmt":"2022-01-09T00:45:15","slug":"blog-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/frtonynoble.org\/?p=1692","title":{"rendered":"Blog – 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tues Jan 5 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Christmas was nice. Midnight Mass at St James & Mass of the Day at All Saints, followed by a great lunch with a diverse group of 6. The following Monday I had my new neighbour, Justine, here with Beata (my favourite neighbour) for lunch. On the Wednesday I flew to Adelaide, mainly to avoid being in St K on NYE. I was not surprised when the noisy, badly behaving crowd in St K that night made the national news next day! In Adel I enjoyed drinks on NYE with old friends & then caught up with other friends each day before flying back home yesterday. So now we are in 2021……what will it be like, I wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mon 25<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I watched the Jan 6 attack on the US capital with dismay – but not with surprise. It was the logical end to Trump’s reign. We shall see what the fall-out will be. By contrast, I watched the inauguration of President Biden with hope. I thought it was a wonderful occasion, especially the poet, Amanda Gorman, & Lady Gaga singing the Star Spangled Banner. Biden has a great task ahead – not least the Covid pandemic. We can only hope that he is successful & that Trump is consigned to the rubbish bin of history. How nice that the US now has a President who goes to Mass on Sunday, instead of worshipping the golf course!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow I catch the train\/bus to Kaniva to stay for 3 nights with my friend, Julie, who runs the puppet shop. I think it is very appropriate that I should spend Australia Day in a small country town where the biggest excitement is a puppet shop \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Kaniva<\/div>\n
\"Kaniva<\/div>\n
\"Kaniva<\/div>\n
\"Kaniva<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On Friday I catch the Overland train from Nhill to Adelaide, where I will spend 4 nights. On Sunday I attend Mass at St Paul’s, Port Adelaide. Afterwards I will celebrate the anniversary of my ordination by enjoying lunch with friends – & remembering my wonderful 40th in Walsingham 12 months before. When I return to Melbourne I will only be there 5 nights, as on Sunday Feb 7 I fly to Brisbane for 2 nights & then to Alice Springs. After 2 nights there I will catch the Ghan train to Adelaide. I have caught it before from Alice Springs to Darwin. It will be nice to now complete the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tues Feb 16<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My planned trip was changed by a new Covid outbreak in Melb & interstate border closures. I subsequently cancelled my flight to Brisbane on Sunday & then to Alice Springs, booking a direct flight to Alice Springs on the Tues. I had an interesting 2 days in Alice, discovering their cultural precinct with its 2 museums & the Albert Namatjira gallery. Adjacent to the precinct was the town cemetery. I wondered around & was thrilled to find Albert Namatjira’s grave, complete with a replica of one has famous paintings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Thursday I caught the Ghan to Adelaide, which was a marvellous trip. On arrival in Adelaide those who had been in Victoria the previous week were interviewed & kept isolated. I had planned to spend the weekend in Adelaide, but offered to fly back to Melbourne that night. The alternative was a 14 day quarantine in Adelaide at my expense! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was able to reschedule my flight back to Melbourne & cancel the hotel without penalty. 5 of us were then taken to the airport in a mini-van with a police escort & kept in a quarantine area until we boarded our flight. Everyone was nice to us & in the end I was glad to get back to Melbourne. The whole point of the trip was to go on The Ghan & it was worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Alice<\/div>\n
\"Alice<\/div>\n
\"Alice<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Alice<\/div>\n
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\"Alice<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Sat 27<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have just had another trip to the country. I caught the train to Echuca, on the River Murray, which I had not visited before. I stayed in the old 19th cent post office, which has been transformed into a delightful boutique hotel. It was very nice, with personal service from Naomi, the daughter of the couple who bought it 20 years ago & restored it. Naomi provided a fantastic breakfast. Echuca is a delightful historical town, with the old port restored. On Thursday I went on a paddle-steamer cruise up the river, which included lunch at a winery. It was a wonderful 3 day break.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Echuca<\/div>\n
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\"Echuca<\/div>\n
\"Echuca<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Sun Mar 7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 years ago I celebrated my last Mass as Rector of All Saints. I had a wonderful 8 years in San Diego & give thanks to God for that & the people of the parish. It was an exciting & fulfilling time. This means I have now been retired 10 years…….where have the years gone!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wed 31<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The football season has started! The 1st round saw Port Adelaide playing North Melb here in Melbourne on Sunday 21st. Capacity of stadiums is 50%, with members of the home club getting 1st choice. So to guarantee that I got a seat, I booked lunch in the AFL members dining room. This was very nice & great to see Port win 1st up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last weekend Port played their 1st home game. To support the club financially (after last year’s Covid affects) I had upgraded my membership to a package that gives me 6 invites to the Chairman’s pre-game function as well as 2 good seats in the Western Stand. It was a great way to watch the footy & I met several people who knew me. Port were wonderful in the 1st 1\/4ter & won well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was good to be back into the routine of going to Adelaide for home games & having a weekend there. I also plan to go to other interstate games – but am always aware that Covid could change my plans. This will be the 1st year that I have seen Port play a whole season since I left Adelaide in 1985. Tomorrow I fly to Perth for our game there on Saty. The Easter Triduum won’t be the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wed April 7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had a lovely weekend in Perth……apart from the footy. Port Adel were between very badly! Before the game I attended the Port supporters pre-game function at a local pub. The chairman, David Koch, was speaking about Port supporters coming to the game from all over the country. He then referred to the 2004 Grand Final, when he & his father sat with an Anglican priest who had come all the way from San Diego. I immediately pushed through the crowd & said, “I am here”!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weather was warm all w\/e & I was able to attend all the liturgies at St Mary’s cathedral. Good music, good preaching & good crowds, with standing room only on Good Friday & the Easter Day Solemn Mass. The hotel I stayed in was only 4 months old & very nice. It is right on the Swan river & I was given a room facing the water, with wonderful views from dawn to dusk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow I fly to Adelaide for Port”s big Fri night game against last year’s premiers, Richmond.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Perth<\/div>\n
\"Perth<\/div>\n
\"Perth<\/div>\n
\"Perth<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Wed May 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have not added to my Blog for a month because each week is much the same. On Fridays I fly to Adelaide (or another interstate city) to see Port Adelaide play. In Adelaide I catch up with family\/friends & have enjoyed going to Sunday Mass at St Paul’s, Port Adelaide, my home parish. I return to St K on Mondays. This only gives me 3 days in Melbourne, so I am quite busy. Apart from practical things & medical appointments, I have had meals with friends & 2 weeks ago attended the premiere of the movie, 6 Minutes to Midnight, which I enjoyed. In 2 weeks time I will have a 5 day stay in Adelaide to celebrate my birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thurs May 20<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had a wonderful time in Adelaide celebrating my b\/day. This was the 1st time I have celebrated my b\/day in my home town since I moved to Melbourne in 1985. I flew over on Fri 14. The Hilton knew it was my b\/day & upgraded me to a suite, complete with a bottle of wine. On Saty I went to the footy, treating myself to a corporate suite with 80 others. At my table was a woman who worked in Shanghai for 2 years, 2 beautiful young women from Cornwall & an Irishman – not bad for a working class club from the Port! Before the game I was invited to go onto the oval whilst the players warmed up & then see them run out thru the banner. Unfortunately we lost!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday I went to Mass at St Paul’s, Port Adelaide for the 180th anniversary of the 1st church. After Mass I had lunch with 2 friends from when I started the PAFC Cheer Squad in 1965. Trevor was singer in a rock band which played at our discos & Phil was one of the original Cheer Squad girls. Later I was Trevor’s sponsor for baptism. They live on the sea-front & celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year. Monday I had lunch with 4 friends from St Martin’s, Campbelltown, my 2nd parish. We were going to eat at a restaurant, but I invited them to have room service in my suite, for which the hotel manager gave me a bottle of champagne! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday was my birthday. At breakfast I was presented with an extravagant chocolate plate, complete with lighted candle. It was very rich & I did without my usual bacon & eggs. In the afternoon I attended a special High Tea for a small group who support the PAFC. As the clubrooms are having a major renovation, it was held at a hotel overlooking the water at Westlakes. It was very nice & a wonderful way to celebrate my b\/day in Adelaide. I flew back to Melbourne on Wednesday. Port are playing at the MCG this Sunday & I shall conclude my b\/day celebrations by having lunch in the AFL Members dining room \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n\n\n

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Fri June 18<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a month since my wonderful b\/day celebration. Once again, Melbourne has been in lockdown – our 4th & I am well & truly over it! 4 weeks stuck at home, no church, no footy, no going out, apart from 2 meals with neighbours. I had to cancel 2 trips back to Adelaide & 2 other interstate trips. We are almost back to normal now & am hoping I am allowed to travel to Adelaide next week for the footy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mon July 19<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 4 weeks of lockdown #4 we had 3 weeks back to normal. I went to Adelaide for 2 footy matches & had a weekend here when Port played. Then we went into lockdown #5. Once again no footy, no church & no going out. I have cancelled my planned visit to Adelaide this weekend & we hope this only lasts a week!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tues Sep 28<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has been awhile since I updated my Blog. You guessed it…………no sooner had we come out of lockdown # 5, than Melbourne went into lockdown #6. So no church, no footy, no eating out & no dinner parties! This included several church festivals & Port Adelaide playing in the finals. Unfortunately they fell at the last hurdle, so just as well I couldn’t be there! Now we are waiting for this lockdown to end – it could be another month. But even then we are not sure when interstate travel will be allowed. What a year it is turning out to be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sat Oct 30<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last night Melbourne finally came out of lockdown! We now have the distinction of going from the world’s most liveable city to the world’s most locked-down city – having passed Buenos Aires. Last Sunday I was able to attend Mass for the 1st time since mid-July & today I will go shopping. Earlier this month distance restrictions were extended, so that I was able to go on train trips & explore parks in the suburbs. I have also enjoyed meals with more than 1 person & had my 1st dinner party a week ago. And, of course, I have booked a trip to Adelaide, as well as 3 train trips to the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big thing, tho, is that from November 1st Australians will be allowed to go overseas & return without doing quarantine. So I have planned my 1st overseas trip for 2022. This will be my usual February trip to Walsingham. It will have been 2 long years since I was last there & I am so looking forward to it. I plan to spend February in the UK & then 10 days in Europe. This is using 2 vouchers on the Eurostar train from my cancelled bookings in 2020, which expire December 31st. For the whole trip I will be using points from all my 2020 cancellations because of Covid. But I am not going to book my flights & hotels until January because I am cautious & travel is still dicey. And I am trying not to get too excited \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wed Nov 24<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne has come back to life & St Kilda is humming….life is almost back to normal! It has been a special joy for me to go to Daily Mass again after 4 long months. I have also made 3 country train trips to Geelong, Maryborough & Swan Hill. A highlight was spending a weekend in the new Melbourne Hilton, using vouchers from 2020 cancelled reservations. Next week I go to Adelaide for 7 days. This will be a full week having lunch\/dinner with friends each day & a Port Adelaide FC Christmas lunch which I usually attend. The rules for entering SA are a little complicated, but it will be so good to get on a plane & to stay at the Adelaide Hilton. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Swan Hill Pioneer Village<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sat Dec 18<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had a busy week in Adelaide – it was great to catch up with friends every day. The highlight was being given a tour of the new Port Adelaide Football Club headquarters by the CEO. I have been a member of Port Adelaide since 1964 & it is wonderful to see how it has progressed. Since returning to Melbourne I have been busy catching up with friends for meals. It is the countdown to Christmas! A highlight was going on the Q-Train. This is a restored rail line on Bellarine Peninsula which runs lunch, dinner & Blues nights train trips. I took my friend, Andrea, who had cancer surgery this year. It was a great experience & a fantastic menu. Life in Melbourne seems to be returning to normal, altho there is apprehension about the new Covid strain. St K is certainly busy. This weekend the trains & trams were full & the city busy. My Christmas celebrations will be a repeat of last year. The week after Christmas I will go to Kaniva to visit my friend, Julie, who runs the Puppet Shop, returning home for NYE.<\/p>\n\n\n

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