The best of times . . .

Busy weekend with the boys and I up and at 'em early on Saturday morning to join in the Valley Heights Rural Fire Service annual doorknock appeal. Round the streets of our area we trudged, knocking on doors asking for donations (sausages and beer money). Because I had my full gear with me I was assigned to the tanker so that if anything happened (and it was a hot, dry day) and we were called out we were ready for action. Jamie and Robbie were teamed up with adult members of the brigade and went with them.
Our first stop was the local retirement village. I caught most of the oldies in their pyjamas, apologising that they weren't ready they'd been away - there had been a DAY trip to Victoria the day before (that's like going to London from Edinburgh for the day!!) Then we hit some of the streets around the station before going back to the station to count up the loot and have some lunch.
One of the houses I went to did not look promising, all overgrown and unkempt looking. I assumed the ihabitant would be a cranky old hermit who hated to be bothered and had "issues with you people" as one man had already told me! How wrong, the lovely lady with the north American accent had me wait while she rootled around for yesterdays clothing, she'd got money out for us specially (there had been a letter drop during the week letting people know the door knock would be on). When she handed me a $50 note I offered her change, not only did she refuse, she gave me a second $50 note. When I stammered my thanks for her generosity, she was astounded that everyone else wasn't as generous and scandalised that $5 was the norm (I didn't tell her about Mr Issues!)
Not only did I collect around $670, I also scored a Bible - the only one in the Brigade to do so.
After lunch we hit the streets again. Not such a good haul this time. In a couple of hours I made $47.70!! There were an awful lot of houses with cars in the driveway, front doors and windows open, but no-one home!! After losing my partner, Nige, and a couple of hours of trudging in rising temperatures I was bored and ready to go home.
We got home about 4:30 and after a shower I was right back out again to have dinner at Jackies. Her boys were camping for the night so she had Gabi and I round for dinner and games.