Day 13 (Friday)

Emergency workers did not need to be called this morning when a young lad found himself wedged (as opposed to wedgie-ed) in the playground equipment under the big yellow Runes. Not sure how long he was stuck but you could tell from his tears that he was happy to be out of there.

Australian politics still resembles a playground - perhaps even a school yard. Not willing to lose the still-obvious drawing power of K Rudd, some Labor folk have asked him to help with campaigning in other parts of Queensland. He has said he will need to think about it - and has been doing so for some little while now. Chances are that he won't be pondering it in hospital this weekend, where he is after severe abdominal pains yesterday led to a diagnosis of "gallbladder attack" today. Now, what would Louise Hay make of that? (Hope he has a working phone nearby if he is the one who had been leaking Cabinet Room secrets.)

"The Girl Who Played With Fire" continues to intrigue, bewilder, confuse and captivate. To my own amazement I cannot reconcile the author's introduction of the "twins" (thanks Yuan) at the start of the book. They seem to serve no real purpose, and, if they do turn out to play a sizeable part in character development or, please no, plot development, I may never read the next, third and final book (thankfully all the same in this instance) in the series.

What is that big yellow thing in the sky? It's not one of the balloons that often floats over in its small pack of 2 to 4; no, this one is very warm (oops better turn off the demister, or at least turn it to cool rather than hot) ... and I can feel it doing me good already ... it's the sun deciding to come back in time for the weekend. The moon was pretty spectacular last night as well, but maybe our fascination was because we haven't seen it for a while. It really has been quite wet here ... and you know what that means for the local waste water situation. (Decision still a month away apparently.)

Skype is a wonderful thing isn't it? Following our conversation (it was great to catch up!!), S was stoked - so much so that I have finally followed through and set her up with her own account. Just have to find the headset for her iPod Touch which will allow her to make and receive calls on that unit. I have already sent a contact request to her most important folk to let them know she will soon be on-line.

"Where's your new iPhone?" they asked at the office today. I was not even tempted to think about getting one. Well, obviously that's a lie but now that I don't have S to take over that decision for me, as she did so nicely with the iPad ... I just love Padtheway ... I have to be strong and remember all the reasons I don't want one - until at least one other person I know has it ... no point having a face-to-face video-call capacity if you've got no-one to chat with! Oh early adopters, where art thou?

And where are all the people who say they are going to vote Labor. Polls are now showing that Tony Abbott would be preferred leader if the election was held now. Is it time to think about this strategically and start encouraging everyone we speak to vote Green and put the balance of power in their hands in the Senate? T and T are looking to have a Greens billboard in their front yard (not their first time).

This is definitely something to Sing about. The Gold Coast Eisteddfod starts next week. (OMG, and it's J's birthday too - how did that come around so quickly?) It sounds great but I'm going to have to wait until I'm on a "real" computer to access the site. Drat! That means I won't know about the 60,000 contestants, the Paul Sharratt award (now, there's a name I haven't heard in a while), the Gold Coast Arts Centre venue or ticketing details.

How many people have a travel Go-Card in their wallet? There's some concern that police are using them (or details from them) in investigations which civil libertarians are seeing as an invasion of privacy. A review is underway.

But the really big news is that plans are afoot to add another "world" to the Coast's theme park corridor. Jurassic World would contain life-sized replicas of 17 different species of dinosaur and could be a reality within 12 months if the entrepreneur who's been nurturing this dream for a decade can get financial and council support. The dinosaurs are engineered to move, roar and blink their eyes designed to give visitors the ultimate dinosaur experience - although, and I know that this was historically impossible, running for their lives and not getting eaten could provide a more extreme experience. Hmmm, wonder if someone should write and suggest that. Safety protocols would definitely be needed.

And just who are Scott, Anna, Andrew, Ken and Jeremy? And can you tell which one is more Wright than the other. Yes, the local candidates have been announced. No doubt we'll start hearing from them all soon.

Maybe tomorrow?

Day 12 (Thursday)

Some days wear you out more than others. Today was one of those wear-out kind of days.

We got to meet Fiona the vet. S rang around noon to say she was worried about Em who seemed to have had a mild seizure and was unable to walk. Even taking her to her favourite place - the shower - produced no result. She was also lethargic. Or was until S made an appointment with the vet and as she hung up (although it may not have been as dramatic as this) Em bounded out of bed and started vacuuming up cookies. By the time I arrived home she was pretty much back to normal although she seemed to be slightly "off" - she'd go to do something and the message didn't quite seem to be getting through. Much worry, a vet visit and blood tests later, we're fairly sure it was a hypoglycemic event caused by low blood sugar. So before we inject her now, she will have her sugar levels checked. There was "no glucose" in her system yesterday, amazing given she was a little stressed for the blood test, which in itself is enough to elevate glucose levels. Poor Em - but as Sooz said, as soon as she gave her a drink of sugar water - as recommended by young Fiona - she was back to her normal self. Who knew? I still don't understand what could have changed so dramatically to cause the hypo - but we are going to look at her cookie combination and be even more vigilant about Pearl who is able to eat cookies noiselessly - it is only her drinking that betrays her presence says S.

Moves are again afoot to bring Schapelle Corby home to Australia. As her Uncle is quoted as saying: "It's not about whether she is innocent or guilty now. It's beyond that - it's about saving her life." Reports suggest she is in a bad way - delusional, uncomprehending and no longer able to write her own name. PM JG has expressed concern: "I support, the Australian Government supports, her plea for clemency." Also rating a mention: "convicted Bali Nine drug mule Renee Lawrence was in charge of administering her (Corby's) drugs" was a rumor denied by a Malaysian prisoner who has taken over her medical care.

Sad news today for A-M and all the other Aldi lovers. Theo Albrecht, one if the two reclusive brothers who founded the chain, has died at the age of 88. He is survived by his brother Karl, 90, who is ranked as the 10th richest person in the world in 2010. Not bad considering they grew the business from a single store handed down by their mother. But what does the word "Aldi" mean? And who was it that attacked a police car parked at PacFair tonight, smashing the windows with what a witness described as "something red"?

These were not questions asked and/or answered at Trivia Night which was on at the Local. What is the name of the actor who used to be married to Julia Roberts ... and, no, "all of them" is not the answer. We didn't stay for the 2nd round but, as always, can recommend the steak dinner (not to be confused with a steak dinner you can get at a chippie in Scotland - deep fried Spam),

The iPhone 4 will launch tonight. Just as well I don't have my heart set on being an early adopter as I would have been at the store 24 hours too early. 11.59pm Thursday = almost Friday morning. Time slips away yet again.

Who are Sophie Lowe and Sarah Snook? Australian actors who are now on the Lisbeth Salander (not so) short list. Rooney Mara and Lea Seydoux are also there - not sure who they are either. And is it true that "... played With Fire" has already been made into a movie in Europe?

Junior MasterChef is still months away so it will be some time before we know if the rumours that Callum will be involved in that program are true. But we do know that it's going to be pretty tough to do Friday night dinners in September with F and M if M is off traveling. We don't yet have all the details but know she has been in contact to discuss. Dinner this Friday is off - we're doing a day trip to K to see S's family Saturday so will have an early night and this suited them. Markets Sunday though.

J came today and was "very chatty" but also very kind. She offered S that if ever she needed a lift somewhere or just wanted to get out, to give her a call. But at least we now know that I can do a trip home at lunchtime and fit in a vet visit and a side trip to the chemist - as long as it's a 3-hour lunch! But I was still back in time for an excellent meet with the Auditors.

Wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Day 11 (Wednesday)

Who is that man and what's he doing with all those animals - taking them into that big wooden thing?

It continues to rain here - fairly solidly most of the time. There is nothing more heartening than when S insists on opening the gate in bucketing rain ... wearing my flannelette PJs, blue crocs and an umbrella. I couldn't get the camera out in time to immortalise the moment.

The river is up to a healthy level but not yet raging under the bridge. It's kind of nice, knowing that the tank is quietly filling and that it's supposed to clear for the weekend. There is a generous mist most of the time in the valley. Absolutely perfect weather for "Celtic Women" which I've been listening to as I ready myself for the arrival of the auditors tomorrow afternoon. It helps me remember that there are much more important things in life ... but it does raise the question of why they call it a work/life balance rather than a life/work balance.

The Labor Party leaks continue. How slowly can time go until the election actually takes place? National Seniors Australia want to make sure they make use of every minute - reminding those who would govern that 45% of the voting population are seniors: "We're hearing a lot about boats and schools but where's dental health and aged care? They have launched a campaign targeting 12 marginal seats and emphasized that seniors vote depending on the policies put out by the parties. The reports don't mention how younger people vote - and being one, I'm somewhat intrigued now.

However, it has to be noted that I was wrong ... we are Wright. Change of address papers arrived yesterday (making an 11-day turnaround) and where I had thought our electorate was Moncrieff, or perhaps Fadden, it is in fact Wright. S hopes that it has been named after Judith Wright who lived for a time on Mt Tambourine. It would be nice to live in an electorate named after a writer; although it would have been pretty cool to live in one named after a singer too! (Wikipedia: Under the 2009 redistribution of Queensland, a new seat in southeast Queensland has been created and named in Wright's honour, and will come into effect at the 2010 election.)

Meanwhile, back at Tambourine Mountain, it seems that about 10 per cent of the town is on the market ... and sales are slow. Real estate agents are hoping for an upturn come Spring - and that potential vendors realize that the prices that reigned there even two years ago won't be repeated.

As further evidence of the countrification of the Gold Coast, farmers visiting from Inverell for medical appointments here welcomed two lambs into the world - in the Ashmore City shopping centre car park. They were traveling with their prize ewe who was due to give birth "at any time" - and give birth she did ... to two little lambs.

We see more of the kids in the wet. All of them have taken to coming in early except for Tink who has taken to Beasley's "man chair" out the back. S usually carries her in (with nary a protest) when it's time to close up for the evening. Maggie is staying closer to home and has even been accepting pats. I feel a bit sorry for her though because she is usually last in line - with a hand that has already patted S, Emma, Pearl, Tink and Beasley. I'm trying to vary the order.

Pearl has been having part of the morning in with S and Em as they share vegemite toast and tea for breakfast. (Notice how skillfully that sentence was constructed so it is unclear who is actually sharing what.) The acclimatization is working though - Em came out tonight and sat on the couch with S before the other cats took up their positions. And there's no need to worry about whether T is sitting in my chair ... S has taken over that position.

Unwilling to miss the lunch van yet again, I decided to ring Shazza's to check if the run times had changed. There was a recorded message on the number to the effect that it was no longer connected. That explains much.

And who wants to be at "The Melbourne Cup on steroids"? This is how Katie Page (other half of Gerry Harvey) describes what she'll deliver now she taken over organization for next year's Magic Millions' mammoth marquee. She has already started work on the guest list and attractions - so she is obviously determined to "pony up".

Hermes is good - but in varying stages of heartbreak depending on Holly's whereabouts. Isn't love grand?

Day 10 (Tuesday)

They lied - or at the very least, were in error. The sky outside is overcast but it is not rsining ... although some people's arthritis does continue to give them a bit of gyp so it may well be the sky that lies.

Retirees on the Gold Coast have been hard-hit by the GFC (is that still on here - by some reports we're over it) as evidenced in the downturn in eyes down .... yes, bingo is not as popular and/or folk are spending less. This appears to be a wider trend than just three folk missing from Broadbeach over the last couple of weeks. Not news people want to hear any more than Kylie Minogue wants to hear that she is "still No. 2" having failed to budge Eminem off the top of the Australian album charts. Not even a week of TV appearances here has helped album sales enough to give her the coveted No. 1 position - although it has given her occasion to tell the story of her first visit to Danni and the new baby - and being embarrassed at Ethan's bathtime to realise that it was she who was to hand the little one to brother-in-law Chris in the tub - and this only dawning as she realised Chris was standing there in a towel and his birthday suit waiting for her to be ready.

Optus has emailed to advise they will have the new iPhone 4 at 11.59pm this Thursday 29 July. Wonder if S was thinking there would be an iPhone for her that quickly? (Just kiddng - really!) They make no mention of the availability of an 8GB 3GS iPhone - which was launched at the same time as the iPhone 4 in the US.

S was cooking dinner when I arrived home but she did take time out to change out of her MWC. They have had a fair amount of wear in the last week and a half so it's good that she has another chance to "dress up".

It turns out that everone was right about the weather - it was fine but it did also pour down when Joan, from work, and I headed to Mermaid Waters to pick up the work car which has been de-dinged. Our trek took us past The Big House and it was noted that there is not yet a large billboard out the front with images of missing patrons and the plea "Have you seen this person?" I was tempted to visit on your behalf and may another day when I have more time and S is with me. Today I was content to go back to work and the timesheets.

The personal attacks on our would-be Prime Minister Elect continue. It will be good when one or both parties, and The Greens as well, start trotting out some policies for people to think about -
infinitely more interesting that the size of someone's nose! And K Rudd assures us that it is not he who is leaking information to the press about JG's personal policy preferences.

I do not know how Pearl manages to play fetch in the gathering gloom after I get home - especially if I have called into Aldi on the way as I did tonight. I throw the ball and she races
off after it but I cannot see her once she gets up near the shed - but come back with the ball she does. I can only imagine what kind of hunter she would be if she wasn't so fond of avocadoes - if she could get some. Mind you the lot of them seemed to be champing at the bit the other night when it was raining to go in search of ... frogs! Makes a change from the garage mouse (who has not recently been sighted).

Did you know that the GC is bidding for a Games. Someone mentioned it in passing the other day and I thought they were joking until I saw it in The Bully today. Wouldn't that be exciting - and a fillip for local employment. Who knew that there was such a differential - supposedly 10% on the northern end of the Coast, 5% elsewhere. Or that Redcliffe is being fast-tracked for a rail line in the election promises. This was one of the promises made by Miss JG when she visited the Gold Coast today. The visit itself seems to have taken people by surprise but surely someone must have known she was coming.

C+ isn't the kind of mark I'm used to but that was what Rachel received for her "area" homework. She didn't have any feedback besides that - which was a shame, especially as there was science homework this evening. What happened to the population over the course of the two years? Population? Biotic? Abiotic? D+?

James Bond (Daniel Craig) as Mikael Blomkvist. Can't see it myself but that's who slated to play the part in the US production of Dragon Tattoo Girl. Lisbeth deliberations continue with three women I've never heard of rumoured to be on the short list. Back with the book: the halfway point has been reached. T has informed me that there is a forensic error coming up - which is kind of her, given I had only asked her to tell me about impending sightings of two new characters in the book.

Canungra is about to get its first supermarket - an IGA which beat out both Coles and Woolworths for the gig. The new development, recently okayed by the Scenic Rim Council, will be built behind the Last Outpost Cafe. Just won't be the same. But there may be a bit of a wait - a condition of the permit is there have to be 1800 occupied dwellings in the "catchment area" before construction may start - which could be as far away as 2019.

And lastly, they talk about things being bigger than Ben Hur - and that's what they saying about "Ben Hur" a lavish two-performance production with a cast of 700 and narrated by Russell Crowe planned for Sydney in October At this point it's unknown whether the newly signed-up RC will do it live, pre-record it, or phone it in.

Day Nine (Monday)

"I'm getting you one - I don't know what you're going to do with 'that'"- said Joan, pointing markedly at the cup of tea I had just made myself which, even I have to admit, was not up to my usual standard. Secretly (not even) I was glad of the offer of coffee from the GJs cart. But if it had been August, and there was a child in tow, it would have been hard to decide between there and the Clove.

So how do large businesses decide to put their customer relations in the hands of automated telephone systems? I received a call on my work extension yesterday and as I answered it with a cheery "Good Morning" the computer voice at the other end talked over the top of me (I know, should be used to that!) and asked for the person who sat in this chair previously, saying it was Westpac calling with important customer information. I really did try to play the game - waiting for the option which allowed me to tell them that person was no longer with the company. (Reminds me, I must change my details with my bank - what if they're doing the same thing with an old contact for me?) In the end, after my "hello hello" routine (familiar to the others from when my phone was on mute) and "person person" failed, I hung up ... defeated - although not as badly as the time the telemarketer hung up on me.

The election campaign is getting personal. Tony has pulled out the big guns ... he's married and he and his wife know what it's like to raise a family in Australia. Poor Julia - single, not-yet-a-mother, surely can't hope to compete especially now that Tony's wife has joined him on the campaign trail as he promises child maintenance payments will be indexed should his Government be elected.

Even though MasterChef has ended, it continues to make the news. 5.7 million Australians - which we are assured is 1 in 4 of the population - tuned in to watch the final. Now how on earth do they know that? It's not as though they have a ratings box attached to every set - and if our sets are somehow collecting information about our viewing patters and habits (ahem, lifestyle), surely it's an invasion of privacy not to let us know.

Perhaps even more popular than MasterChef itself are the live blogs as the program was broadcast. Reading them is a bit similar to watching with S (hang on ... are they tapping into Latimers and taking the words out of her mouth and claiming them as their own?) ... especially with comments like, as Adam was opening the pressure cooker ... had the dish blown up ... well, actually it had burst into flames ... as the lifting of the lid revealed the huge flaming conflagration of the MasterChef logo as they went to yet another commercial.

We miss MC (and MM - which goes without saying) and had much discussion about what would replace it ... what could successfully fill the void? For a very worried moment I thought it might be lifestyle programs but S has agreed to a daily dose of Frasier - and luckily I have 5 seasons worth on DVD that should keep us going for a while or at least until Junior MasterChef starts.

So what have the kids been up to? Em is definitely getting bolder and streaked out of the bedroom this morning - straight to the laundry. She didn't even spare a sideward glance for P who was guarding our bedroom door - from or against what we don't know ... or perhaps it was to make sure I didn't leave without giving her those breakfast cookies. She (P) has been a bit low key lately - which I think is because she realizes you aren't just away for the weekend on one of those cheap fares. We are making sure to give her lots of love and affection, ball throwing (but not too much ... although I did get the ball as far as the shed yesterday) and checking her to make sure she isn't carrying any nasties.

Which is more than you can say for the car yard sales manager who took a man for a test drive earlier today. After the man pulled a gun on him, near the Turf Club, he willingly got out of the vehicle and watched as the man drove off in the $47,000 late model Commodore. The car has now been recovered and police are interviewing two men over the episode.

Elsewhere, actually near Cape Tribulation, the $3 million man has been found. He had attempted to disguise his appearance - it would be interesting to know how - but other campers recognized him and called police. (Why is it that in most reports they say "alerted" police?)

The Ferris Wheel is up at the Ekka - but don't think I'll be mentioning that to R when they come over for dinner tomorrow. S is making her lemon chicken, with poultry procured from the purveyor (aka butcher) in front of the cinemas. (Not sure why we are doing dinner rather than dinner and the movies - but fear that might have been me - based on J's availability.)

In honor of MasterChef -and also because S was not feeling 100%, I cooked dinner tonight - if you call toasting bread "cooking" and toast and vegemite "dinner".

Otherwise all is well at Latimers. The cats are all in their usual possies, and P is at S's feet, although in a minute, when we're all ready for bed, I'll take her up to her bed and settle her for the night. Oh ... and did I mention - life is especially good now that the mail has made its way home and is sitting on the kitchen table waiting for S's undivided attention on the morrow.

Day Eight (Sunday)

"This is the mother of all invention tests – and there's 15 minutes to go." But we all know MasterChef and how they can make 15 minutes seem like a dozen lifetimes – and they did! This is the final of MasterChef and Adam and Callum are fighting it out for the title – and there is pressure ... but would there have been as much if Adam had not chosen to use a pressure cooker in this invention test where the competitors will be judged on the 3 Ts : technique, taste and something else which we can't remember what it is?
Chances are there was not this much interest in the Great Debate. It was on the TV at Latimers but one of us was playing with Sammy (about time too!) and another was preparing dinner. The most avid viewers alas are not voters – unless there's something we don't know about our four-legged co-inhabitants. They are growing impatient with election advertising which has now started in earnest (and here as well).
Now that it's dark, M, the escape artist, is under close watch (or is that house arrest?), and we know where she is because she is complaining loudly about not being let out. She is seeking solace with P who is listening intently and scanning the perimeter for avenues for escape – and we are questioning if P really needs to go outside, as she's now claiming, or is merely seeking to provide a diversion. Or perhaps M will want to stay now that she knows the final challenge on MasterChef 2010 will be guava and custard apple snow egg. "Delicious doesn't even come close to doing that dish justice." Nobody says anything about "too many flavors" which they could as there are loads in this layered treat - not to be confused with parfait. (Parfait, did someone say parfait?)
Let's move Australia forward ... thus spake JG - notable but perhaps not for the reasons some would wish - as folk were commenting at the big yellow runes this morning: she can't even say "Australia". Elections have been won and lost on less. (Young N had her own debate of sorts on FB after commenting that her 10-year-old nephew could smash Tony in a debate. It seemed to contain much more passion than the official one - but was slightly disparaging to local residents and their political acumen. Would have pulled her up on it but felt that could have had an air of "protest-th too much" about it which, unfortunately, would have supported her argument.)
Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest - and it was in part. Marketed with F and M - and met their Francophile friend and teacher of the boys. Alas, had to postpone the lawnmowing as it was raining - and is set to for the coming week But the laundry will go ahead tomorrow with undercover hanging space brought into use. S had an afternoon nap - I relished the opportunity to catch up with a video (since I could get to the TV) and was pleasantly surprised to find a deep-speaking Whoopi Goldberg in "Life on Mars". Hopefully she has recovered from her sedative-fueled appearance on The View last week - who would ever have suspected that she was a nervous flyer - hmmmm ... is this the only thing we have in common?
Oh ... and Adam won.

Day Seven (Saturday)

A busy day was had by all. We couldn't help but feel for the international travellers and the eight-hour journey by car to the familial meeting place. Our travels took us a little closer to home - but took almost as long - such are the complexities and thorough nature of eye examinations these days. Tip for new players: if they want to take photographs of your optic nerve, make sure you have remembered your sunnies - because even on an overcast day, it is bright out there in the open with dilated pupils.

There is still debate about whether there were three or four kangaroos (beautiful specimens they were too) in the paddock we passed on the way home after doing the grocery shop in the neighbouring hamlet of M - because, once again, I failed to locate W'gary ... we know it's around here somewhere but this is the second time I haven't been able to find it.

Research suggests Americans spend 55 minutes a day looking for things they know they own but cannot find. The Latimers average is much better than that! Except when it comes to the letterbox key. May need to learn to disregard what other people say and follow my instincts - or at least look more thoroughly!

"I like doing it at home because you get to air dry on the trampoline rather than watching television at the hotel." So said nine-year-old McKenzie or was it Alice as she talked about being spray-on-tanned at home rather than at the competition venue. This is the same young thing who had been fitted with "flippers" - adult-sized teeth that covered her "baby" teeth - all the better to flash smiles at the judges of the children's beauty pageants in which she was competing. Then there was the four-year-old with atrocious manners who could "turn it on" as soon as she walked on stage, complete with forefingers tweaked on cheeks to emphasise her cuteness (which is exactly why I do it). I always thought you "spat" the dummy when you were having a tantrum, but this young one just asks for it - well, actually, "demands it" would be a more apt description. Makes one wonder what kind of future these girls have in store.

Addiction is probably too strong a word to use for the relationship S is developing with reality television such as the beauty pageant program. Location Location is one thing, but you know that just leads in to American Wife Swap and Celebrity Wife Swap and who knows what else - although if one was not too fearful to check the guide, we could all know what was in store in the coming hours, days and (please no) weeks.

There is nothing as heartwarming as a reunion - and it was like that when Maggie scratched at the screen door late this evening after being on the lam for a day. S let her in and watched as she ran straight to her food - not even waiting to be lifted up to the bowl. She wasn't saying where she had been but she seemed to be in good health, and in good spirits, if a little on the famished side. She (Maggie) happily took up her position on her chair after dinner and settled in for the evening.

Electioneering continues. Enough said. Although we are all waiting for the Debate tomorrow evening - the only one the heads of the major parties are having - to see how the worm turns ... one of the commercial channels is using "the worm" - real time audience polling - to see what the reactions are of men vs women to the Debate. Chances are they will not be debating immigration issues as both parties are ... and it is really difficult to find tolerant measured words to their policies because neither of them is ... so perhaps it is better to say nothing about that or that the Government has put a stay on the processing of Afghani asylum applications until October. Perhaps they would also like to pull Australian troops out of Afghanistan if nobody in power here perceives there is a problem in that country. (What is it they say about not talking about religion and/or politics - although, in this instance, they are probably one and the same.)

And lastly, spare a thought for Austrian pensioner Ursula Corel who was caught trying to buy a Louis Vuitton bag in Jesolo (near Venice). The bag was a fake - which she probably knew because she was trying to buy it for 7 Euro - but that's no reason for local authorities keen to crack down on the counterfeit trade slapping a fine of 1000 Euro ($1450) on her. Moral of the story: if you see someone with high-powered binoculars watching you from a high vantage point if you're traveling through Europe, chances are they're not tourists!

Day Six (Friday)

Parfait? Did someone say "Parfait"? Was that the word?

The day dawned bright and sunny, if a little chilly, and I was very pleased of the Latimer's glorious hot water system as I readied myself for departure. I have taken to leaving a note, written on a whiteboard, to update S on the kids' status - who has been fed, whether Pearl still has cookies to have, who's been out - that sort of thing. The thing that I couldn't know about - and couldn't therefore note - was that the power would be out when S got up. It's not until you are without power that you realize how much it is used for - pumping water, heating water, boiling the kettle for that first cuppa of the morning ... powering the landline phone to ring the neighbors to ask if they are also without power (they were), and the vacuum cleaner because J is coming today. Can't imagine what it's like to live in a country where this is "situation normal". The power came back on just after 11 (3 hours later). There was rejoicing.

The iPad has continued to make and/or be in and/or make the news. Part of it in relation to that new news service: ABC News 24 was finely coiffed - sleek sans serif graphics, clean, easy-to-read captions (though, perhaps, not enough of them) and a white and blue colour scheme that was vaguely reminiscent of a giant iPad.

L dropped over yesterday afternoon to ask a technical question about Skype ... which we were unable to answer fully but offered to visit and troubleshoot if required. it seemed to relate to the little orange bouncy ball that appears when someone has been trying to contact you - and it seemed that he wanted to be sure he wouldn't miss a call from Turkey should it come. There has been no mention of UB's next showing but we shall keep you apprised of any news In that quarter should we hear it first.

What we didn't hear first - and are too cheap to pony up the couple of dollars to buy the woman's magazine to find out - is/was "Claire's Secret Wedding Plans". Who knew that she had been hiding an engagement ring in plain sight on her wedding ring finger (lots of "ings" there) during some of that MasterChef taping. The least she could have done was show it to the GG.

MasterChef was not on the menu when we supped on chicken curry with M and F. At about the time we wanted to be feasting on international fare, those with whom we would have spoken were off - probably at the Apple Store waiting for updates to download. But did they mention there has been an update to the iOS (iPhone operating system) - just a minor update mind but still a pretty big download. There was very little talk about Apple products at dinner - which was delicious - especially when followed with freshly cooked choc-chip muffins. So what was talked about - E&M's recent trip to KL, the possibilities that geography may offer, that Sox is alive and well and M is getting to catch up on contacting folk as she waits for S to eat, young N's plans for the future, the telemovie about Hawke, the forthcoming election and, most importantly, how the mighty Prince must be missing Mouse.

The school fête is on Sunday and we are looking forward to that: is the business opportunity with the scarves worth pursuing?

The Garlic Clove may be starting to worry about GJs moving in - as TGC has started advertising their August special - a free coffee when you buy their special muffin, and then as well as getting the 10th coffee free, there's a 50% discount on a cafe meal. And free balloons for the children!

Justin Beiber has scored a guest spot on CSI. It's unclear if both he and his hair's performance will be credited - or if his hair will just be given the flick - or if it had a profile on the Australian dating site RedHotPie which has recently been before the courts because over1,300 of the profiles on the site had been made up and/or maintained by staff.

"My name is Alex and my daughter is a beauty pageant pro." More on that on the morrow.

Day Five (Thursday)

And then there were two. MasterChef contestant Claire has left the kitchen leaving Adam and Callum to cook off in Sunday night's final challenge. There have been few clues as to what that might be - except that there will be three individual tests - and cloches are involved - but it wouldn't be MasterChef if they weren't. Also making an appearance will be this year's eliminated contestants who looked to be packed to the rafters (oh wait, that's another television program). In the little round-up of Claire's time in the MasterChef kitchen - they played the clip of her saying cooking is her "happy place" - which, according to some commentators, seems strange given the amount of crying she has done lately. She will probably not look at lamb (she was responsible for the main - rack of lamb - at the GG dinner) the same way ever again.

No date night tonight as we went out last night and are going out again tomorrow night - and we have to spend some time at home otherwise the kids would be far too lonely. S went into CWA MasterChef mode and prepared a new dish for dinner - curried beef sausages - and they were truly yummy. Somebody will be having leftovers for lunch tomorrow - and is looking forward to it very much.

Good news? The Bureau of Meteorology issued a national forecast for a warm, early spring. no surprises in learning that above-average temperatures are expected in Queensland - centered on Latimers no doubt.

There is still no sign of the north Queensland bank manager who has gone missing ... or the reported $3 million that went with him.

Coles Labrador closed it's doors for a short time today after a woman drove her car into them - she and her car were unharmed but the doors didn't make it.

The Queensland Government will not rush a new payroll system for police, fire and ambulance officers - especially as the one rolled out for nurses is still not operating correctly. Sounds like a job for A if she wants one - but would she want it?

Sunday's Great Debate is struggling to get a live audience. A marketing company is offering folk $50 cash to attend. Callers responding to a Hot Tomato survey overwhelmingly said "no" they wouldn't go for the dough, but one did have a couple of ideas for deciding the election - use Paul the Octopus or have Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott battle it out MasterChef style.

ABC News 24 went live at 7:30pm. The 24-hour service can be accessed via digital television, Austar, abc.net.au/news or - for those lucky enough to have an iPhone - a specially designed application available for download via iTunes. (ABC News - the US one this time - also launched a new app - which looks awesome and hopefully works as well.)

Wordnet - the puzzle/dictionary application has been updated and was correctly able to return a search on heliotrope: A plant that follows the sun with its flowers and leaves and is popularly known as "turnsole." Heliotrope was believed to render its possessor invisible if the body was rubbed all over with the juice of this herb, which was also reputed to stop bleeding and avert danger from poison. This was a little surprising as some of us didn't even know we knew the word!

It was "extreme animals" (none of them Latimers) day today - all of them managing to survive. A wee black cat came to the footpath to cross to the Carrara Steak House - but thankfully looked both ways before stepping onto the road - thereby managing to make it; the other was a mother and father duck (Duckess and Drake?) and their ducklings who were standing (luckily as they blended well with the road until we were almost on top of them) on the other side of the road, at dusk, as Lars rounded the bend near the Hinde turnoff. They seemed unperturbed, feathers unruffled and continued on their way. Then, like some huge reminder of the existence of avian beings in the universe at large, at the end of the Latimers driveway was a massive cloud in the shape of a duck - or a kookaburra by the time the camera was retrieved from the boot to take the shot - which looks like neither of those birds!

S spent some quality time with Hermes, as she does every day - and noted that he is "looking good". Jacket is off and on at the right times of day - and hay turns up as expected, and water is topped up too!

Life is good at Latimers ... but not so good that someone can stay away longer than planned!

Day Four (Wednesday)

Power tools are this week's special buys at Aldi. And wet weather gear. Really they should be stocking up on cold weather gear instead because it was freezing this morning: -20 at Charlotte's Pass with that icy wind blowing straight into Latimers. The animals were content to stay curled up on beds, couches and chairs while I readied myself for the big workhouse - except for Em who took the opportunity to visit the laundry water dish and to do a couple of laps (literally) of the shower.

It looked warm enough on the Skype for us to wonder if perhaps you might not enjoy the latest gadget to come out of Japan - a watermelon cooler (on wheels) which plugs into a wall outlet or your car lighter socket. Just the thing for picnics or poolside on hot summer days - and it apparently doubles as a rice warmer in the cooler months. Mmmm .... rice.

We did visit with J this evening. She is the same as ever although she has been pulling a couple of extra shifts lately - no doubt to help pay off that monster mobile bill from her own international roaming. She cooked for us - and as we reminisced, this was the first meal J has cooked for me since before Js was born way back in 1989 - coincidentally not long before I went overseas myself. (Seems to be a theme here.) R is waging a campaign to go to the Ekka and I fear I may not have helped the cause any. As S correctly suggests I am going to have to learn to think before I speak when it comes to children/teenagers etc.

J and R both absolutely loved Talking Tom. How could such a simple concept bring so much joy and laughter? Will the paid version of Talking Hippo - complete with props of carrot, balloon, pacifier and butterfly, and baby voice, be better?

And speaking of carrots, there did not appear to be one in sight on Night 3 of the MasterChef finals week. The remaining four had to make their three best "cookbook" dishes and tell the judges, including guest Maggie Beer, their vision for it. (Maggie's - website http://www.maggiebeer.com.au/home/ - seems as warm and welcoming as she is.) The choices and approaches were as diverse as the finalists and each had excellent features in their dishes - and some minor disappointments. But choose the judges must - and this time Jimmy was shown the door - leaving a very relieved Claire, Adam and Callum to wonder what the next challenge will be - but not for long as they were told that they are off to Canberra to cook for Quentin Bryce and her guests at an official function.

Which is not where Mr Rudd will end up If the reports are true and he really is in line for a job as climate adviser with the UN. The UN officially refuses to speculate/comment on announcements until they are made but the UN is apparently keen - knowing that K Rudd will bring a certain political acumen with him to the role - and he did reportedly meet with the UN Secretary General Ban KI-Moon last week. However, he is still hitting the campaign trail in Griffith (12 per cent margin) and Ms Gillard has said she would make him a senior minister if Labor wins - but we'll have to wait until 22 August and find out KR's intentions/ambitions/hopes and dreams first!

Tony Abbott was booed when he appeared on Hey Hey It's Saturday. Ms Gillard refused an invitation to appear. She did however drink coffee in Sydney's Little Italy and as she left to return to her car, had a local shopowner shepherd her in to her Merchant of Venice store, and when she extricated herself from that, but before they could drive off, a retired clergywoman tapped on her window for her to get out and have a chat. This lot was referred to as a "stunt" in The Gold Coast Bulletin - which may be a new, short-form word for "electioneering".

Meanwhile, back at Latimers, everyone spent the night in - sleeping much better no doubt after your call. Even Tinka came indoors without resistance (oh wait, we weren't going to mention that), When I set off this morning, they had been up, eaten, and retired back to various positions throughout the house waiting for S to emerge. As mentioned, she has done up a "pineapple" to track her chores over the coming weeks - and it has a nice place of its own in the Latimer's Folder. She has a new job today - not yet charted - which is seeing if she can find the letterbox key. We know someone said it was with the Honda keys - but my boy-looking and numerous attempts with the keys that were there at the Letterbox proved fruitless. This time I am absolutely sure it was the right letterbox (hard to know where to put the emphasis in that last phrase); hopefully S will have more luck than I. Hmmm ... perhaps it's hiding under the cover for the car.

The other S says hello - spoke with S this morning and said how much dinner was enjoyed - which hopefully will be our experience with curried chicken at M and F's on Friday.

The rest of the local area remains the same - except for the restaurant that burned down in Burleigh (not Barry's we think), the Mayor copping flack because he's taking "too long" recuperating and ... well, there's loads more which will need to wait until another day.

Day Three (Tuesday)

Fog. Did someone say "fog"? It wa glorious this morning as Latimer's had a white-out. Would post a photo but there's actually not that much to see.

Pearl did serious barking at 4am - so I let her out to attend to her business and she then came back in and settled down for the rest of the morning. Maggie, Tinka and Beasley all took the opportunity to mosey outside as well - hopefully easing any possible strain on the litter box.
Coffee at Zarraffa's this morning - had forgotten how good it is. Also forgot that when having a Flat White, a Grande is very very big - but it would have been horrible to let it go to waste. Mmmmm .... raisin toast.

On the political trail, good to his own word, not-Phony Tony wrote a contract of sorts during a radio interview to confirm that WorkChoices (which wasn't ever) was "dead, buried and cremated". Alas, we only have his word for it because his handwriting is pretty much how Pearl's would do be if her tail was dipped in ink and she wrote with it.

Appolicious named Fruit Ninja HD for the iPad as one of their Apps of the Week. Not having anyone to challenge on the iPad version - and not wanting to get S hooked on it too - the temptation has so far been resisted.

MasterChef's mystery box challenge with ingredients chosen by Jimmy proved to be as challenging as expected. MK phoned mid-program to voice her concerns that his choices had been "mean". We had to agree but wishes don't work in retrospect and Jimmy survived as one of the final four. Courtney did not. The guest judge, Shannon something-or-other, chef and owner of a three-hat establishment in Melbourne, was a real sweetie.

An election debate had been scheduled at the same time as the MasterChef final on Sunday night but that has now been moved to an hour earlier as the powers that be realized, perhaps quite rightly, that there would be no contest. Of course, more concerning is some suggestions in the media - although surely not Educational Radio - that the campaigning might move to a more personal level and people will be forced to endure a pitched battle between the Ranga and the Wingnut. Sigh ... only in Australia.

No movies tonight as we are off to dinner with Jo tomorrow evening. Not sure if S will do bingo but she now has a copy if all relevant bus timetables and knows she can get half-time lifts back and fro to home. She is very much enjoying just being at Latimers ... and as I drive out each morning I can well understand that. Was home in good time to play "moose" with Pearl today ... and hopefully we will find one of her balls soon because moose has the aerodynamic properties of a ... moose.

True to their word, Larry and Doug fixed the hose and also insisted on taking away a little orange wagon load of prunings. Alas, there went the plans to hire a mulcher. It is an intriguing idea and certainly seems more manageable than cutting the greenery into pocket-sized pieces for distributing around neighboring suburbs.

Everyone continues to miss M the traveller but at least they are spending less time hanging around the bedroom door or at the front gate waiting for her to appear. There are lots of pets and hugs, and chucks under the chin, and much telling them we love them - but it's not quite the same. And who would think "feet moving ... feet moving" would become so missable!

Day Two (Monday)

Maggie spent the night outside but raced in when I opened the front door this morning.

Christine Nixon will quit her $345,000 a year job as chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority after criticism of her handling of Black Saturday.

The election campaign reached Day 3 with JG leading by 30% as preferred Prime Minister - but the Labor Party as a whole was not polling as well.

It appears that we are in the electoral seat of Moncrieff - named after Gladys Moncrieff (1892 - 1976), light opera and musical-comedy singer. The seat is currently held by the Liberals, and has been since 1984. The margin at the last election was 14.1 per cent.

For those who enjoyed last night's invention test, Coles is advertising Adam's prawn scotch eggs with coconut and chilli sambal. Hmmm instead of mmmmmm at this point - looks interesting but looked tricky in the preparation and cooking ... not to mention the combination of flavours.

Nelson Mandela celebrated his 92nd birthday at home yesterday with his family in Johannesburg. Around the world, global leaders and ordinary people committed to devoting 67 minutes of their time to community service - to mark the number of years Nelson Mandela spent in politics.

Not surprisingly, a man who stopped traffic in Perth's CBD as he brandished a replica handgun, while naked, on a large billboard, is undergoing a mental health assessment in hospital.

Chris records no conviction but a $300 fine for being found to have been in a stolen car.

Finished Take 5 and That's Life Puzzle entries. Wondered whether there were any 5 cent stamps to go with the 55 cent stamp on one of the envelopes ... or whether to take a chance and send it as it was.

Took the rubbish and recycling up to the road on the back of the Honda - individually. Left work at 5pm to be able to do them both in daylight. Didn't quite make it with both of them but it wasn't quite dark enough to need the torch. (Remembered to untie the to tops of the bins with the saying: unhook, untie, align.

Larry and Doug stopped me as I drove up ... they will come over mid-morning to attend to the hose fitting/s.

A Zumba (spelling?) pastry challenge - the V8 Vanilla cake - which looks like an angel but is really hell with 8 layers - sees Alvin's time in the MasterChef challenge come to an end. What is he going to do now? First thing is to get reunited with his king-size bed - he may even spend several days there. Jimmy's is the best cake of the night and he gets the next "advantage" - picking the contents of the next night's mystery box. Curry anyone?

Today was washing day - three loads - and it stayed dry enough for it to ... dry. It started raining this evening - quite heavily - but it didn't last for long.

Day One (Sunday)

Dropped M at the airport - with some time to spare which was fairly amazing. Should we have dropped her at the train station as she suggested? Nah - like we would (oh wait, we've done it before but that was different!)

Animals waiting at the gate this afternoon for her to come home at the usual time.

Tinka, Beasley and Pearl chasing a mouse in front of the house - probably the one that had started eating the Blood & Bone in the garage.

Candice came and said she wasn't sure what to do as there was no water in Hermes' trough in the top paddock. Bravely took S with me so she could feed Hermes carrot while I filled the water. (Went back to triple-check the house and found that my pedometer had dropped out of my pocket.). Pearl helped with the hose.

Down to Main Beach for a late lunch after the airport - and to watch the water. Had tried to get into Peter's but it was absolutely packed.

Kids on the couches watching television with Suzanne. Even Tinka.

MasterChef - one will be eliminated each night until there are two left. Courtney Jimmy and Alvin won the crustacean invention test and get the advantage in tomorrow's pressure test by having a look and taste of it the night before, together with the recipe to study overnight. The Iron Chef was the guest judge.