She kept watch as I fetched the torch so we could take a wander up the back and see. I checked first, to make sure I had a phone in my back pocket, and then we made our way up the yard. The light from the torch revealed nothing except for Holly and Hermes standing together just down from the round yard. They didn't appear to be agitated.
At this point we called Pearl, who was sitting, almost disinterestedly, watching from the patio, to come and together she and I checked in and around the stables to make sure all was in order. She was very brave and very obedient ... a credit to all her training. Then not finding anything of concern, we trouped back to the house to settle in for the evening.
I'm not sure what we would have done if any of the animals had been agitated at all - especially since I'd noticed that L and M weren't at home when I drove though this evening - but of course, there's always B - and all of their numbers are programmed into the aforementioned phone.
Mind you, anyone trying to sneak in by foot from the road would have had their work cut out for them. As I came in, the plovers were out with their chicks - who are growing as fast as the grass - and the parents were being ultra-protective, even trying to ward off the car as they tried to shoo the chicks off the road and out of the way.
Did we mention that the rain has stopped - or possibly just relocated, hopefully not following W and K far out to sea. They wouldn't be terribly happy with that.
I don't know what S and the kids were up to today, but all of them are in and tucked up and in bed by 9:30. This is almost unheard of (especially since it's usually me who's the first off). The cats are on their respective chairs - Tink on the recliner, Maggie on the cat tower, and Beaz on the couch. Pearl has been down on her bed, ostensibly keeping me company but actually sleeping.
It may just be a coincidence but we believe we have tracked down the "man flu" vector. An email from L and E confirmed they had enjoyed their visit but that L had been sick since her return with a cold so bad she had been unable to go to work. S and I immediately leapt to the same conclusion: Man Flu! had hitched a ride on the plane from Sydney, attached itself to L, then jumped onto me - from where it's been trying to jump onto S ever since but she valiantly keeps fighting it off. Hopefully it didn't jump onto W and K or anyone at the markets on Sunday - or on the train when I went to Brisbane or ... It makes you realize how much trouble this country is in if we are ever hit by a pandemic! Especially given the number of people who don't follow even the simplest of hygiene habits.
I have heard the phrase that normally sparks fear in my heart - and dread in S's ... Daylight Savings. Thankfully it won't be coming to Latimers but it will be in NSW in a mere 12 days' time. I was stunned - wondering why they were introducing it earlier than they usually do - until I realized that October is only a moment away. Not quite sure where this year has gone!
But it hasn't been frittered away by the theme parks ... both DreamWorld and SeaWorld have introduced some revamped or new attractions. The Tower of Terror has now become even more terrifying as they have re-oriented the carriage so it now faces the ground. You are pulled backwards into the air and then dropped ... with the entire ride taking a matter of seconds - that's what I read anyway and the reporter's comment that it was just the safety harness saving her from plummeting headlong to the ground below was enough for me to decide it was one ride I never want to go on. Over at SeaWorld they have introduced Castaway Bay which seems to also have its extreme elements including Sky Climb - a high ropes obstacle. If you want to keep your feet securely planted on Terra Firma or not far from it, there's always the Battle Boats featuring folk-drenching water cannons or the five-level Sky Fortress which has rope climbs, tunnels and slides as well as some games and puzzles for a bit of mental stimulation.
Not to be left out Jupiters is bringing back Master Illusionist Joe Labero whose new spectacular "Genesis" opens in November. It will run for a strict six-month season - unlike his earlier shows which had extended runs including Illusions which holds the record for the longest-running act there. It could be amazing especially as he promises to "make 13 different people disappear each night and reappear, well most of them". Auditions are about to get underway for the 12 local dancers and a female singer who will also feature in the show.
And word is that Space Shuttle Discovery (getting ready for its final fllight) will be moved to the launchpad at Cape Carnivale (as pronounced by a local newsreader) tomorrow.
