Thursday

They say there's nothing as friendly as a wet dog but a wet cat who's looking for cookies can be just as friendly! The rain continues but the cats are still trekking outside - and we are grateful for that because the more they’re outside, the less litter tray action there is in here! Although given how wet it's been, we wouldn't mind if they did choose to go inside - that way they wouldn't need to be to welled down when they get back inside!

My Ikea Family card arrived - and it is cool - if see-through and orange is (are?) cool. And that's just as well because you always have to carry it with you because there's no way it's easy to memorize the card number - it has 19 digits! We can't wait to try it out - when you swipe you go in draws, get discounts, and free hot drinks! Come to think about it, it's a little bit like The Big House's Absolute Rewards card! I was just thinking that they must be missing us - but we were only there last week! It does seem like longer ago though.

It's almost time for Pearl to have another play date with Socks - and hopefully it will be fine enough on the weekend so we can do that. We could drop her at Nana's for the day on Saturday while we go to Dinosaur Island. Mmmm ... dinosaurs. And it's time we saw the Polar Bears and the Sharks again! And squeezed in one last visit on our Passes before we have to buy new ones! (Sounds better all the time doesn't it?)

I was a bit disappointed yesterday when I looked out over the lawn and saw that there were tyre marks on it - obviously D's trailer was very loaded up when he took it out the other evening - and the damp grass couldn't cope with it. Hopefully it will look less damaged after a good mow - but we have to wait for the rain to stop to make that happen. We'll just have to try to not look at it until then.

I'm not sure where the bird life is hiding during the downpours, but it certainly isn't as evident as it was last week. Even the ducks have taken themselves off somewhere dry. The only ones braving the weather are the crows ... and they'll have to watch themselves now because it appears that someone on the Coast is out to get them; and the law enforcement folk think that it may be the same person who had the vendetta against magpies last year. Of course, they're worried lest a child pick up and eat one of the laced baits.

It's funny to see the clothes change as it gets colder and wetter. Boots are definitely the go now ... two out of three females in Zarraffas this morning had them on. I'm still in runners although as I stood trying not to make waves in the puddle where I got out of the car this morning, I wished I wasn't.

That puddle, though, had nothing on the one which has formed at the Gilston Road roundabout. (Quick, Tink, get out of the car!!) The roads have coped as well with the wet as they usually do, especially the roads where there is roadwork in progress. Driving through this morning, I realised that more than half the road at the roundabout was under water, and given the pock-marked bitumen on approach, I was sure that if I drove through the puddle, it would prove to be at least 2 metres deep and Lars would very neatly sink to the bottom of it. Some days I would take the chance, but not today!

It was an elimination tonight on MasterChef (and according to the ads three will be eliminated next week!) and everyone gathered to watch - in real time! The elimination was over three rounds. A big factor in the challenge was the restriction on ingredients. You had to use all the ingredients. You could only take the prescribed number of ingredients. There was only one serve of each ingredient. First round - 8 people, 8 ingredients, 30 minutes - best 3 dishes are safe. Second round - 5 people, 5 ingredients, 30 minutes - best 2 dishes are safe. Last round 3 people, 3 ingredients, 30 minutes - goodbye Treagan. And, no surprises here, the MasterChef car turned into a taxi ... again!

Wednesday

Tink was funny this morning - quickly running past me whenever I strayed too close or when she noticed that she happened to be near me. I think she may have forgotten I'd already given her her shot - possibly because she wasn't properly awake at the time ... which is probably why I had snuck up on her! Mind you, she's not too bad most of the time ... just every so often she decides that she doesn't want to and then she'll do things like putting herself under the table, or behind the lounge, or the television. If this happens, I leave her be, and then, nonchalantly go to open the door (needle at the ready) so when she comes over to escape, we can do the doings. It can't be easy for her being a diabetic, but I think she's doing very well ... and now that we've got her on "4 and a smidge" that will hopefully do the trick so we don't have to bundle her off to the vets for checking either weekly or fortnightly. I'm still a little embarrassed that she came with her own roll cage the other day ... but that's a whole 'nother story.

A steady rain continued to fall over Latimers today - and is supposed to be with us until Saturday at least. Hopefully the ground will dry very quickly after that so I can do take ROM out again. It would also be good if it was fine (together with cool and slightly overcast) because I want to drag S off to the new attraction at one of the Worlds (SeaWorld?) ... Dinosaur Island! I don't think they are real dinosaurs but I don't think they are statues either ... I'm hoping there are some animatronics at play ... and that they follow the first rule of Robotics ... do not eat people! I wonder if there's anywhere we can find a small child to take with us ... just in case.

D was around again this afternoon. He had backed a trailer up to the stables and was loading some more of his things into it. He must have been working to a deadline (or had nothing else to do) but it seemed odd that he would be doing it in the rain. I asked S if he and Y had a place and were moving out of the caravan, and she told me that they did - but they had it a while ago. But it was good that S saw D last week when he was here, picking up the first of his stuff, so she could tell him about the horses in the bottom paddock - and the need to keep the gates closed. I did have a look down there the other day and while I know B said they would do a good job of keeping the grass down, they haven't made much of a dent on it yet! But I suppose it hasn't even been a fortnight yet - and it is a pretty big paddock.

Ebony really does need a road rules refresher. I'm not sure if it's because it has been raining for a couple of days and she hasn't been able to run around much, but this afternoon as I was driving in she ran up to the car, beside it for a while, down the lane a bit - and then back on to the road straight in front of Lars. It was a bit concerning but luckily she was the only one of their four out today ... but it is a worry. She and Pearl are still not used to each other and it really does ruin the calm nature of the valley to have us calling Pearl back and L's lot, depending on who is around at the time, trying to get Ebony back.

Pearl is gearing up for an Academy Award! In the evening, she now goes outside, does what dogs do and then comes back in and asks for her supper cookie. That's well and good - except she does it again later in the evening - hoping that we will have forgotten that we've already done this. Of course, we don't blame her for trying ... but what I worry about is that I'm sure that the second one (and/or the first - it changes) is just a pretend one. I really have to keep hanging on to S's "We're smarter than they are."

S had a visitor yesterday. Sy was in Southport for the day so she dropped in to Latimers. She is well, given what she's been through lately with her mother's illness and passing, and that there continues to be a bit happening in her life. It's not helped, of course, by her having a challenging work colleague. But she is being nice to herself and looking at what's on her plate - so she and An have decided to pass on the Kokoda Challenge this time round. Sometimes you just have to.

 

Tuesday

Word is that S had a toasty breakfast in bed this morning - with Pearl on one side of her and Maggie on the other. It was certainly the right weather for it. S was right; it did rain today, and it's supposed to continue until later this week. Add a little chill factor to that ... and it's perfect bed-tea weather! Although we did want to, it didn't seem the right night to be trekking up the M1 to Ormeau to meet J's new beau, but that's what we did. As we drove out of Latimers (12 hours - almost to the minute - since I had driven out on the way to work), it was raining and chilly and while it would have been nice to think that meant fewer cars would be on the road - not so. It seemed that quite a few of those extra 50,000 cars the Census reported have found their way onto Gold Coast roads over the last 5 years (a 50% increase) were wanting to use that stretch of the Motorway tonight. Luckily, they were going the other way.

Will the Gilston Roundabout never be finished? They've made the actual works area larger over the last couple of days and each time I go through it I am tempted to complain bitterly - which I did this evening since there was someone to listen, although I'm fairly sure I do it even where there isn't. S's reply was fairly restrained, something like "Lucky you're not in the car Tinker".

K (J's new man) seems nice enough. He's older than she is (a year older than S) but it seems to be a good match. Even though they have known each other for a while (he's a friend of a friend), they didn't click until earlier this year - while spectating at the Sand Sculpture Championships at Surfers. We had a good chat with him over dinner at the local (Stapylton?) hotel, where they have some decent specials on a Tuesday night. K had PAWNS ... they had just re-done the board to get it "right" so one can only guess what they had there before ... and S had the fish of the day - which we had to take back because they had battered it rather than grilling it. The rest of us, J, R and I had the $10 steak special. Very yummy ... and we're not just saying that.

We finally got away just on 9 so we were home in time to watch the recording of tonight's immunity challenge on MasterChef. Everyone took up their positions - except Maggie who was meowing - and when I went to investigate, I found her outside our bedroom door, (not so) patiently waiting to be let in. At this rate, we'll have all of them in with us by the time M returns from faraway places. But back to MasterChef - and it was no surprise that they had run over again and just as they were about to announce the third dish (best two out of three - both teams with one each so far) that the recording ended. But S had it covered ... she had set the next program to tape even though it was Being Lara Bingle - the one where she finds out that old boyfriend Michael Clarke has just married a woman riding a horse. Great work S!

"We're smarter than they are" S assured me, and I certainly hope she's right. It came about because Pearl had brought a bone in. I'm not sure if she is forgetting her manners, or the rules, because I can't remember her ever bringing in a bone with M here. But at least this one wasn't all covered in dirt so it wasn't freshly dug up ... so S's fears that there was now a big excavation pit in the middle of her garden were unfounded. But, I'm getting ahead of the story. So, there's a bone inside which Pearl sets upon and is steadily gnawing away at; Tink, Maggie and Beazley are in - when we came in Tink followed us so we closed the doors - so we are in lockdown. The question ... how to get Pearl's bone outside and then get me back inside without opening the doors and risking Tink or the others escaping? "We're smarter than they are." I'd like to say I decided to go out through our room straight away ... but of course I didn't ... but the important thing here is that I eventually did!

Monday

Well what do you know? Tink can be trusted ... although that may need some qualification! I was up early this morning - around 4 - too early for the cats to have their shots so when Tink wanted to go out, I told her she could just as long as she came back. I considered giving her a talk about honour and giving your word but (even without S's knowing look) I suspected that might be another of those "blah blah blah" conversations. Of course, she wasn't the only one who wanted to go out. One out all out! But I knew Beazley would come back because he would want some cookies, and Maggie would because she didn't need to, but Tink? Who knew? Which is why it was such a nice surprise when she did. The question is if I would be game to try it if I was up against time constraints rather than with a lazy two hours stretching before me?

Trivia was challenging this evening - starting with getting there! We were early (as usual) and drove down in to the car park ... and there was not one free! We even went down to the lower level - still nothing. Lars took us up the street, around the block, here and there, until finally we parked up the road from Southport RSL in a makeshift parking lot (I think it's used by the local theatre). Others weren't as adventurous - or had arrived too late to realise that the parking lot was full - and access had not been restricted - so the queue was out to the road. We phoned F to let him know, in case he wanted one of the boys to drop him off (Mi was not due back from work for a while, especially as she was picking up E from the airport!) and we could give him a lift home. But he needed the van to pick something up, so he said he'd be fine. We determined then that we would give him until just before 7 and if he wasn't there by then, we would pick the bonus rounds ourselves! Not that it would have done much good if we had chosen different ones - we were just a little below par tonight - and we think we have worked out why. It's N and S! They're not back from their sojourn in France yet and while N may think they do not contribute much, they would have put us well and truly over the line this evening. The bulk of which country's energy needs are produced by nuclear power? What do you call the end of a fishing rod handle? Who is the MotoCross champion retiring at the end of this season?* I'm not going to go on ... well, except to say that they would have done Asian Elephant and Bilby in the animal picture round. We came in fifth, with several other teams, but only 4 points off the place-getters ... and given some of those answers were double points (but not: What is the Governor General's residence in Sydney called?) ... with N and S we would have been contenders!

But at least our walk down to B's with Pearl was good. As we were leaving the yard - with Pearl on the lead since Ebony has been encroaching on her territory and they've been a bit snarly towards each other - S pointed me to the garden to have a look ... and the mound of dirt under which, she assured me, was one of Pearl's bones!

We did find out why people were congregating at the RSL. It was a (logistics?) meeting for folk and support teams taking part in this year's Kokoda Challenge. Now that I think about it, I know two people who are doing it this year - one from work, and a friend of Sy's. Sy probably would have there had she not been travelling back from Melbourne - we had a text from her on the way in to say that her Mum's funeral "went very well" and that her Dad had reconnected with some old friends who will "get him out of the house".

Maggie slept in with us last night - for most of the night anyway. It was odd having a cat on the bed again especially one who hasn't yet decided where it is she wants to settle. We wonder if this will become a regular occurrence - that and her sitting on my lap as we watch television ... which, of course, has solved the problem about where we were going to get a spare seat so all the furries could have their own spots while they're watching MasterChef ... even though they know that if it does run over in real time (which it did) then there is every chance we won't know who is eliminated when we watch it back because the recording will end just as they are about to announce it (which it did). I had woken up ... Maggie really does put you to sleep! ... just long enough during the program to look it up on FaceBook so I could tell them and S that it was Sam ... thereby putting them all out of their misery!

* France; butt end; Casey Stoner; Admiralty House.

Sunday

Skype was behaving itself this morning - which is a welcome change when it comes to the weekly call with Tr because usually there are (lots of) technical glitches. But today it was trouble-free, no interruptions, no need to call back, no pixellation. The Skype folk must be getting closer to implementing their in-call advertising and, presumably, the ability to opt-out of the advertising with a low-cost subscription. Time will tell.

The Markets were good again today - although a reduced crew again with M and Mouse and N still away. V came by herself yesterday (N was at a soccer match) bearing Pide - very nice - which was an excellent first course, followed with A's yummy-as-always banana cake. It is time to kick the murse again next week because we have almost reached the end of the available funds - and, yes, I really do think we are drinking more coffee these Market days! Mi is still having her massages, the boys are still down their end of the table, and really, nothing much else has changed although it is getting harder and harder to get a table that is out of the breeze - and that breeze is fairly cold - but not yet cold enough to have M change out of his tee-shirt and shorts.

E and B came to the Markets today as well and B is looking well but you can tell he hasn't been because he doesn't have the strident forthright attitude which we know him for. E can't be missing Bingo too much because there was no suggestion (that I heard anyway - I was up the boy-end today) that perhaps she and S could go for a game this Wednesday. But Trivia is definitely still on for tomorrow night! There was fire in both S and F's eyes as they talked about it so I guess we'd better pull out all stops! Hopefully one of the questions will be about pigs knuckles because we know the answer to that one!

We called in at the service station on the way home to get some petrol for ROM, before moving on to the supermarket to stock-up on some staples. S was kind enough to do that in Coles while I went and had a poke around in Aldi. Alas, there wasn't that much I was interested in there except a couple of 8GB flash drives and another spindle of blank DVDs (because you can never have too many)! While we were in the shopping centre, I also managed to post Mouse's puzzle entries. I am still in awe at how she does them all - there are some of them that I would rather not have to do (read: perservere with) but it would be just our luck for one of those to be the answer they were looking for when they pulled Mouse's entry out of the barrel. It would be interesting to know how/if they actually do check answers. You would think they would want that part of their business to be as efficient as possible. I'm still not liking those number puzzles very much. Give me the other Numbers anyday!

S's garden was still intact by the time we arrived home so Pearl hasn't been burying any more bones in there. I did remember to offer her back the bone I confiscated last night, but for some reason she didn't want it back, so I had no option but to bin it - and wonder where the others are if they're not in the garden. I'll have to go for a walk to look for them before I jump onto ROM.

S had a nap this afternoon while I did some downloading - and luckily that had finished by the time M Skyped otherwise that may have compromised the bandwidth available for the call. They are doing well in Turkey, and had (and we knew this from our Market spies before S spoke with her) been on a shopping expedition to Greece which is, from where they were, only a stone's throw away (if you have a good, strong arm).

The good news is that no-one was left out in the seating arrangements in the living room tonight - especially since Maggie was having a kip in our room at the time, leaving spaces on the couches next to both S and I for the feline furries until, that is, Pearl wanted to be up on a couch as well!

Tonight's MasterChef was all about soup and Dude Food ... that you have the munchies for at 2am in the morning ... you know, mused Gary, like when you wake up in the middle of the night with a kebab on your chest ... and apparently Emina did!). I cannot wait to see the parody of the episode in tomorrow's Sydney Morning Herald!

Saturday

Do pigs have knees? S and I could not remember even though we were trying very hard - even trying to remember if pigs walk with stiff legs. I had a feeling that maybe they did on the back legs but they might be backwards. How do they get up and get down off the ground we kept asking each other but after several minutes of to-ing and fro-ing we were no closer to an answer - and we weren't sure that the internet would work on the Gatton Bypass so unless we saw one on the road, we were going to have to wait until we arrived at Mum's before we had a definitive answer. So, how did we come to be asking? S had seen a cooking show where they were preparing good German fare including big juicy knuckles. So what part of the pig is the knuckle? We thought we knew the hock and the trotter but besides that we were coming up blank. (During this conversation, we decided we would need to track down the German Club here on the Coast and try some sauerkraut!) So that took care of part of the drive to Toowoomba - and the sun was well up by then. I think it was a bit of a change for S to drive out of Latimers while it was still dark and I was glad we did because I had a chance to show her the planets I have been watching all week, where the missing Moon should have been, and the cars parked outside the hall where there was some kind of secret morning business underway.

Since it was only a day trip, we left Pearl in charge at Latimers ... and with a bone so she was happily licking it (we think, it was hard to,see for sure once the headlights were off her) as we left.

The trip to Toowoomba to see the new great-nephew was fantastic. He is a cutie ... and absolutely photogenic. T has recovered from the birth and seems to have taken on the responsibility of being a mother of two as easily as she did being a mother of one. She and D are wonderful parents - and M, now an older sister at 2, is very protective of K-P - and wanted to get in on the action of photographing him as well.

T and D have a great sense of humor as well - as S was nursing K-P she looked at the two of them and said “thanks for the surrogacy” - and they got it straight away and burst out laughing.

We made it away from Toowoomba by 3 and arrived back at Latimers just before dark and in good time to give the furries their dinners - and insulin shots for those that needed them. Then it was time for our dinner - but not with MasterChef as it's Saturday.

Pearl brought her bone in. We're not sure if it was the one S found yesterday in her phase-planting garden but it was covered in dirt so it must have been buried somewhere. But it does solve a mystery from earlier in the week. We noticed one evening that Pearl's bed was filthy in one corner and we were worried that one of the animals had been sick there - there were little bits of something in it (S investigated more than I did) ... but since they all seemed fine and there was no further occurrence, S washed the bed covers and we didn't give it another thought until Pearl plopped her bone in the same place on her bed this evening, sat down and proceeded to start settling in for the evening. Alas, for Pearl, this was not to be and we told her so - or I did and as I was telling her to pick up her bone and bring it outside ... now ... I glanced across at S and saw what I thought was the same thought I had just had flit across her face ... and that was - it didn't matter what I said all Pearl was hearing was “blah blah blah Pearl blah blah blah”. So I confiscated the bone, promising to give it back tomorrow - if she still wants it!

Friday

I managed to get out and about at lunchtime today - which means I made it to Zarraffas at Crestwood for a cup of coffee. It was a welcome breath of fresh air at the end (well almost) of a busy work week! There was still more to do when I arrived back, but I still managed to be out of there by my normal finishing time. Roll on the weekend.

S went out to check on her phase planting today and was a bit surprised to find her baby spinach plants had been uprooted! Hmmm ... when she was telling me about it, I imagined it was one of the cats - since they're not using the litter trays inside very much, it stood to reason that they would like to dig in freshly turned soil. But S, with the evidence right in front of her, decided that a slightly larger animal was the culprit - given there was a very large pile of dirt in the middle of the felled spinach plants. And, in that mound, she found ... wait for it ... one of Pearl's bones!!! So someone did appreciate the freshly-dug soil.

We all went for a walk down to B's shed this afternoon and on the way S asks "Who loves me?" - and while I had an answer (me) this was not the answer she was after ... the answer she was actually after was ... Dolly! She seemed a little disappointed, too, that Holly and Dolly were in the middle of their dinner as we walked past their paddock because, even though Holly looked over in our (her) direction, she did not came racing over to the fence as she usually does now when S and Pearl pass.

Well, it has been a game of musical seats in the living room. Maggie is sitting in Beazley's seat, so we decided to let Beazley sit with me on the other couch - the one where Tink has been sitting. We thought it would be okay because Tink was outside ... but it didn't take long for her to come in and ask what was going on - she didn't wait for an answer ... once she saw someone black and furry was in her seat, she marched straight past and through to the kitchen. I had hoped she would jump on to the recliner - but she has other ideas ... so it looks like we'll have to try another configuration and see if that is any more successful for fitting everyone in.

At least I was glad I had my position on the big couch, with Beazley, who did a very good job of sending me to sleep before I even had a chance to do anything with my dinner dish and while MasterChef was still on. I'm not sure what prompted the comment but S told me - I don't think you should go on MasterChef. It wasn't something I'd even thought about doing but I asked why? I don't think you’d do very well she said, quite matter-of-factly, and I found that I couldn't argue with that. As we all know that while I might have been able to identify a few of the cakes in this week's elimination challenge, I would never be able to cook one!

And then it was bed time since we have an early start in the morning - we're off to Toowoomba to meet K-P, the new baby.

Thursday

S’s new plants survived the night and after only one night in the soil, they appear to be thriving. Maybe there is something to be said for this Phase Planting! She was out there this morning checking on them and a gust of wind hit the tree sending down a shower of small leaves ... yay ... green snow! It was cold enough for it.

Not surprisingly, it is too cold first thing in the mornings for Pearl's walk and she and S and now doing it before they have their lunch ... actually, before S has her lunch and before Pearl finishes off her breakfast cookies (for lunch). There's no way Pearl is eating three meals a day - otherwise how would she be able to maintain her svelte figure - and return a weight of 26.0 kg on the scales this afternoon!

Yes, Pearl was at the vets for her vaccination and a check-up. M would have been very proud of her - she was so well-behaved, sitting when she was told, dropping when she was told, not biting the vet when she was told (not to) when said vet was doing invasive things like taking Pearl's temperature (with the new softer flexible tip) and manipulating her hind legs to check for arthritis. And except for the arthritis - in both legs (worse on the left) and in a little in her hips, for a nine-year-old she is in great shape. Her teeth are excellent - and the vet could see no sign of gum problems - which she had checked for but checked again when I mentioned the times Pearl has chewed the ball and there's been blood on it. No, she assured me, there was no reason for that except perhaps Pearl's enthusiasm for chewing. She was pleased to see Pearl wearing a tick collar as the tick season has moved ... to now ... and she also mentioned a new all-in-one (excluding tape worm) treatment which has Comfortis as the anti-flea component. Pearl did her shaking hands trick with the vet when she gave her a treat at the end of the consult for being such a good patient!

Tink also came to the vet. S managed to corral her in the house just after 3 so she was asleep on the couch and very easy to scoop up and into her cage when the time came. She is fine - her BGL was 9.1, weight 5.7kg and she's due back in a fortnight now. Seemingly taking no notice of my saying how difficult it was to give Tink 4.5 cc of insulin with a great degree of accuracy, it now seems her perfect dose is 4.25 cc - which I said I was more than happy to do if she could devise an effective measuring device which would work before my eyes were truly awake in the morning. We settled on four and a smidge - and another visit in a fortnight!

I think I have worked out why Tink doesn't like going to the vet with me (besides the blood test) ... it's because she has to hear my commentary about the Gilston Road roundabout which is still as much of a &^%$* mess - and if that wasn't enough, they continue to change the configuration so that you almost have to do a sharp left-hand turn to go back down Alexander Drive. Grrrrr ... which is a nice change from the morning brrrrrr I suppose.

While the animals were at the vet, S was at the podiatrist (has Australia's Cheapest Chemist always been next door) - who was running so late that I had time to go home and drop off Pearl and Tink before coming back in to collect S. This was good ... because finally the moon has been sighted - as I drove back in. And there was no doubting that it was the shortest day - it was dark when I left home his morning at 5:45 and again this evening when I drive out at ... 5:45!

It was another elimination night on MasterChef ... and it was no piece of cake, although, actually, it was. The team who lost the Hindu Wedding challenge last night first had to identify "what cake is that" and then the two who couldn't had to do bake-off with a layer cake. It looked as though Ben would fall on his spatula rather than cook against his friend Emma but the judges pointed out, nicely, that even if he did go home (in a self-elimination) rather than cook, Emma would still need to cook off against someone. In the end, it was just easier to whisk away - which they did and Emma, who wants to open a dessert bar one day, lost by a whisker (unlike the hair that was in Alice's dish last week) and walked out of the MasterChef house to the car which was waiting to drive her away from all things MasterChef which it did and then magically turned into a taxi by the time it delivered her home. It does that a lot - and, if that wasn't enough, it seems to be a different one each time.

One of the folk at work called out over the top of the workstation divider this afternoon to pass on some intel. We have previously talked about Francophiles and she has now found The Gold Coast French Speakers Group. I'm passing the details on to S (and can't help wondering how S and N are enjoying there time in France).

* Who knew some character strings are ruder than others?

Wednesday

Earthquake hits Victoria! It was 5.3 magnitude and even though it's the biggest there in 106 years, no loss of life or major damage has been reported. It was, in fact, cause for great mirth on The Project but they did finally point out that had it been one point stronger, it would have matched the Christchurch earthquake.

Will the new ship Clive Palmer is planning to float be a bigger disaster? Or, more to the point, is the world ready for the Titanic II? Word is that it will be built to higher safety standards (thank goodness) but to the same basic design as the original.

Tink Experiment Day 2 ... deferred. Tink stayed in bed again this morning so she had her shot there - and she was still there when I set out for work. But then everyone usually is - even though S And Pearl were up at 4 doing a toilet run - in the freezing cold - and leaving a note (that was nice) for when I finally dragged myself out of bed an hour later.

And S needed her rest because she spent a lot of time in the garden today doing her phase planting. She was a bit sore this afternoon since she went at it with her usual gusto and was trying to find some relief with the magic Flexall which she says she applied quite liberally ... I think she used the word "slathered". But the garden looks great and she is determined to give it more attention! She's even planted some Marigolds as companion plants - I think she said that they'll help keep pests away ... and there was even some talk about putting some beer out for the snails. Mmmm ... inebriated escargot!

Given how S had seized up rather convincingly by the time I arrived home, she left me to take Pearl for her walk and that was good. There was still no sign of those other Plovers but the crows and the wagtails were out in force this afternoon ... and the ducks of course. I'm not sure if it's geese that are leaving droppings the size of Nerf bullets but you certainly have to watch out for where you put your feet at the moment - but, thankfully, their flight path seems to be confined to a 50 metre section. (Too much information?)

Sweetie has changed paddocks - she's been moved out of the one near the house and is now in the last one on the left before B's. She really is starting to look like a big girl now although I do worry that she's not going to have shelter on these cold mornings (and they are!) where she is now. It can't be long before we have our first frost!

There was a treat for Pearl when we arrived home. I had called in to the butchers near the Post Office on the way back to Latimers and picked up some meat for us ... and a bone for Pearl. It was massive - and much better value that the last one which came from Coles. It was $2 and the butcher cut it into pieces - which he obviously does based on the size of the dog. Now, that's service!

It's funny to think that it's almost the shortest day of the year (tomorrow) and as it turns out I was actually getting ready for it by going to bed incredibly early - even for me (Mouse's puzzles must be wearing me out)! S and the furries were all watching Offspring - although Beazley was a little out of sorts because now that Maggie is joining us in the evenings, she is sitting in "his spot" and even though he could curl up on the other Pearl bed, he really wants to be with S. Before that, though, Pearl was up to something. She'd slipped outside because when the four dogs at L's started barking, I looked for her to make sure she was settled. Not there. I went out the front to call her ... nothing. I called again and finally she came skulking around from the back. I must check to see if the avocados are proving a temptation to her again, although I thought they had finished for the year, or maybe she's switched to lemons! But she is looking good at the moment and it will be interesting to see how her weight's going - they're sure to weigh her at the vet when we take her for her vaccination tomorrow. It'll be nice for her to have an outing which is further than the front gate to drop off the rubbish.

Tuesday

I cannot believe it is Hump Day tomorrow. It feels as though it should be at least Thursday! And how long until the next holiday weekend? The good news is that we're planning to see the new baby on the weekend - he's very cute (according to the reports) and all the family, including first-born M, are doing well. Mum offered to keep the baby when they visited her the other day, and M gave a resounding "no"! It can't be easy to have a new baby in the family when you're only two. But at least the new one won't be wanting to share her toys for a while.

It was freezing when I drove out of Latimers this morning although, oddly, Lars' thermometer suggested it was the same as when we drove home last night. Not possible. Unless it had frozen in place!

The moon continues to confound me. Yesterday as I drove out, it was hanging large in the sky to the East, fairly bright even though it was just the crescent of the nearly New Moon. To its right was a bright planet, and above and slightly to the left, another one, in exactly the right intensity configuration in the dawn sky to make me want to pull over to the side of the road and marvel at it and the glory of nature. This morning ... the Moon was nowhere to be seen!

Tink, obviously knowing my plan to let her out this morning under her own recognizance to see if she would come back in in a timely fashion, didn't want to go out at all! She waited in bed (on the couch) for me to come to her, do the shot, and then she "assumed the position" and went back to sleep. We'll try again tomorrow.

Also on the cat front, Maggie visited S in the room this morning. She (Maggie) seems to be seeking proximity at the moment which is good because we worry that she's a bit of a loner and may be missing M more than the others.

The four dogs, J, one of the little ones and S were all on the lane when I drove down this afternoon. They were talking to L who was in feeding Holly and Dolly. Those dogs, while a little more road-aware, do worry me in case one of them forgets and strays back into the road as we're passing. Not taking any chances, J scooped up and held the little one as I went past.

Those Plovers seemed to have decided that the Holly and Dolly paddock wasn't their best choice because there was no sign of them today. It is amazing though how much bird life is around Latimers at the moment - lots of ducks, and geese too (based on the leavings along the lane), the usual ibis (what is the plural of ibis?) and then some more, and some large-ibis-like-in-size birds but with black wings! Pearl does encourage them out of Hermes paddock when reminded but otherwise she’s very happy to let them be.

We took a trip into the Big House this evening to run another errand for M and while we were there we had dinner - which was going to be at Spinners but the line was too long and we didn't have our Black Card friend with us to help us jump into the other queue - and we didn't want to risk getting caught using "the Card" and having it confiscated - especially since we still have another run to do with it. So we ate at Bite and that was okay but next time we might go somewhere where the salad hasn't been in the fridge too long.

Pearl was sitting in the driveway waiting for us when we arrived home. She and Maggie were the only ones still outside - hopefully they were admiring the stars because they are magnificent this evening. The others were inside in their usual positions, waiting for the television to be turned on and to cuddle up to S. It didn't take long for Pearl and Maggie to take up their positions as well and even though it was only 7:30, we went straight into lockdown. Tink did a couple of laps of the establishment later in the evening but seemed content to be inside ... even though naughty Austar didn't quite catch the ending of the Masterchef episode S had set to record and we were all left wondering how the latest immunity challenge resolved.

Monday

Is Tink to be trusted? She wanted to go out before her shot again this morning and she is getting more elusive/evasive. But she knows she can't go out until she's had it - and finally she came to me as if to say “okay, get it over and done with so I can get out of here”. If I knew she would come straight back in there wouldn't be a problem, I would gladly let her go and we'd do the needle when she came back in. I might try that tomorrow! I think it's too distressing (for both of us) this way.

Monday means Rubbish and Recycling Day (well, this Monday does) or it would if there were enough recycling to warrant taking it up ... and since there wasn't Pearl could only come for one ride in The Beast! She liked it though - except for when we stopped to talk to L on the way back down the lane and Ebony and Spot started barking at her. I had considered this possibility and had the window on the non-L side of the car down for her so it wasn't as fraught as it could have been. L was asking if there was any room in our bin (we're only three-quarters full) as they had not put theirs out last week and they might be needing extra room! They’ll make use of that if they have to. It's nice being neighbourly.

More Plovers have moved in to the valley - into Holly and Dolly’s paddock - quite close to the fence - which means when Pearl and I walked down that way this afternoon, they were agitated and kept swooping at Pearl - not really coming close to her - and not anywhere near me. I have warned S so she can be on the lookout for them tomorrow when she takes Pearl down.

I was surprised to find the gates leading to the back paddock closed this afternoon when I arrived home. How was B going to burn down the back in his ute if he has to stop to open and close two gates on the way? But there was a reason - he has finally put the horses (three gorgeous foals) in there - “and you’ll be surprised at how well they'll keep the grass down”. He added that in Spring, he would mow it - with his mower, not the slasher, because he doesn't think the slasher leaves it looking nice enough. So - horses in the paddock with the pump ... this could be interesting!

Trivia was disappointing. After our performance in the first three rounds we (I?) was sure we were going to be trounced - but in the end we were only one point off third - and three off first, so we redeemed ourselves (in our own eyes at least). F did take them to task though (thankfully after it had ended) about the question: in which country is the tallest building in the world. They had accepted Dubai as the answer which, argued F, is like saying that the Sydney Opera House is in Sydney (instead of Australia). We had had UAE ... and we were also the only ones to have correctly answered the question - in which religion do followers pay a purifying tax?

News today is that the road at Advancetown is scheduled for a $11.2M upgrade next year. It's a pity that there was another death there on the weekend - in the same spot as two people died two months ago.

While we didn't make it to the Rodeo Championships on the weekend, Mayor-elect Tom Tate did and he was on the radio this morning to discuss a comment he made while being interviewed there. To wit he was asked what his next career move would be and he said he was going home to Ruth his wife. Alas, that is nor what people heard and after a moment's pause, gasps of disbelief apparently rippled through the assembled throng. As he explained to Richard, Brige and Spyda on 92.5 Gold FM, “people forget that English is not my first language” ... which could explain why his wife's name came out sounding like “root”. Most unfortunate.

Sunday

Skype was unreliable yesterday with the call to M in Turkey and it was unreliable again this morning with the call to Tr in Sydney. They'll want to lift their game before they start having advertising come up during calls - their plan for the future according to some reports last week! It may be time to think about using FaceTime or Viber!

Before the Markets this morning (and because she wasn't coming out with us today), I took Pearl for a walk down to B's. Dolly trotted along with us and once or twice Pearl went to get into the yard with her, but I called her back each time. Holly was watching from a distance but not from too far away and I didn't want Pearl to do anything to upset either of them.

We took the BMW into the Markets again today for its weekly run and it seemed to enjoy it very much, especially knowing it was doing a good deed with a load of lemons on board. We were a smaller group again, Mi and F, M and A, S and I, and E (B did not come out). It was spirited conversation though, including F telling us about the shop his parents used to run - six months of the year - and how he and his brother and sister used to work in it - he from the time he was seven or so. He also told of his mother and father making them help around the house - doing the dishes, setting and de-setting the table, from the time they were able to reach the sink - standing on boxes so they could. They mother believed in the division of labour - it was fair, and everyone did everything. The boys were not relegated to outside tasks as they are in some families.

We were, again, the ones to close the Markets and they were packing up around us as we carried/wheeled our fresh fruit and vegetables out to the BMW - so the lemons (aplenty) could be distributed. Luckily everyone took a bagful (we had remembered to take recycled shopping bags with us to make it easier) and after everyone had all they wanted (including Mi who had already bought some lemons - we didn't get to her in time to let her know - and she, perhaps a little unkindly, had presumed we would not be bringing in Latimers produce) we only had a few left and these are destined for work colleagues on the morrow.

Since it was a beautiful warm, sunny, Autumn day, S and I had decided to do lunch at Peters Fish Markets. Our only regret was that we didn't have Pearl with us because it would have been nice to give her an outing at the Spit - but we will get around to that. S has suggested we might do a BBQ soon, and we know Pearl would like that very much (unlike her first BBQ at Hinze Dam where she had to stay in the car because the Ranger was about).

On the way to Peters, we called in to the Harvey Norman sale - and were lucky enough (thank you BMW) to get a space right in front, and in the shade - which suited S fine since she had not planned to come in.

The amazing parking spaces continued - when we reached Peters the place was (as we had predicted - it didn't take much) absolutely packed. We drove in, and then drove out, went up and down the road, and then decided to try our luck again - no harm trying - and by that time we had seen the sign to the parking lot out the back of Peters. But we didn't need it because one had opened up just near the tables ... we pulled right in!

There was one more stop on the way home - Bunnings - so S could get some plants for her phase planting ... the new moon is on Wednesday and they'll have a couple of days to settle in to Latimers before they go in the soil. That's if they don't freeze first! We are in for a cold night tonight! It's supposed to get down to 7. I wonder how uncomfortable it is to wear Ugg boots to bed - it will save me looking around for them during the night - and first thing in the morning. Pearl is definitely wearing her nighty tonight!

And ... finally ... the puzzles are done in Mouse's magazines. It's certainly much easier when Mouse does the majority of them. I don't like the one (Take 5) that has a few number puzzles in - I wouldn't mind if they were Sudokus but they're not! It's too hard when you have to think about it too much - and numbers are quite different from letters. Ah well, we'll get them in the post tomorrow - and get the next lot to work on!

Saturday

It's lovely to be home at Latimers when the sun rises and to see the mist hanging over the Valley.

Don't know what got into (or after) Tink this morning but after she'd had her shot and gone out, ten minutes or so later she came tearing across the yard at full speed and it was all I could do to get the door open in time for her to run in and go down into the living room. She recovered fairly well though, making her way soon after down to "special cookie" land where she wanted some, and then some more, and then another lot.

Pearl was hard to rouse this morning and only opened one eye when I was up to do the cats - and didn't even try to come out to help Beazley with his cookies. S was finally able to rouse her when she got up - and then I made Pearl come out to help feed Hermes some carrot (yum!!! - Hermes enjoyed it, and Pearl quickly gobbled up a little piece that had fallen on to the ground). Then Pearl and I trekked to the bottom paddock to have a look at the stump ... that is no longer. There is a huge clearing where the tree used to be - a perfect spot for future B fires - before the horses go in there. By the time Pearl and I returned to the house, I was saturated up to my knees and needed to change my shoes, socks and jeans - and Pearl needed a good dry down. Yep, there was a heavy dew again this morning.

Then we (the humans and the dog) bundled into the car, and went to breakfast at Sisters leaving the cats in charge, except for Maggie who we left in M's room. (We did remember to let her out when we arrived home.) Pearl was so excited when we arrived at the cafe, I think because she was thinking she would see M or Mouse there. She was disappointed at that, and tried to eat a small dog, but we managed to pull her back before any damage was done - and apologized to the owners - as if we had no idea that Pearl didn't like small dogs!

Next stop was Nana's (and, we fear, more disappointment for Pearl because Nana wasn't there) but we left her so she could have a play date with Socks. We were a bit concerned at first because when we arrived there were two strange men in the yard - so I went in and asked if Olga was home. The older man told me she was in Russia - and at that point, I realised they did know her and weren't just using the sound of lawnmowers to cover any nefarious activities there were up to. We chatted for 15 minutes or so (D told me his life story) before I was able to extract myself so I could let S (still waiting in the car with Pearl) know that all was well.

Pacific Fair wasn't that crowded today (has the Global Financial Crisis started to affect the Gold Coast or was it just a slow retail day?) and we were able to do everything we needed within a couple of hours and made our way back to Mouse's to pick up Pearl - past the Gold Coast Convention Centre where the Rodeo was in full swing. I have decided I do want to go to a rodeo - but one that's held outside in the sunshine - not inside.

Back at Latimers, S was out reading the Sydney Morning Herald and having an apple slice when K stopped by on his way up from down the back. They had a great chat as I hid inside and powered through the Stephen King book I have been trying to finish for some time.

I am so proud of S the way she has been taking Pearl for walks down to B's shed - and absolutely delighted when they came back from their walk this afternoon and she told me she had seen the Plovers. We went out and sure enough there was a parent Plover and THREE Plover chicks. The big bird was busy moving them from Hermes paddock to a paddock two removed, closer to B's, hopefully taking them out of the fox's territory. Nature does find a way.

We're in for another cool evening ... not as cold as it will be next week according to the weather forecasts but cold enough! Beazley and Maggie haven't come in yet but hopefully they will soon so we can close the doors! Good night Latimers!

Friday

There's nothing like starting the day by hopping into the shower, turning it on and being hit by a blast of cold water because you've forgotten to check that the water is set to come from the rose rather than the hand-held - which is why I am grateful that something reminded me to check before I turned the water on! Usually I do it as soon as I get home on cleaning day but because K came yesterday (Thursday this week), I was out of routine and forgot. S had a lovely visit with her and together they did some lemon harvesting (the tree was getting a bit stressed) - and K took some with her, and we'll take most of the others to the markets, and I have interested some folk at work in taking them ("just one - for my fish and chips" became "four - one for the fish and chips and three for a lemon tart"). Ja at work "loves lemons" and will take as many as we can spare! (When life gives you melons ... you may have dyslexia!)

I had suggested that if S wanted to go out on a day when K is here, she might give her a lift into town and I could pick her after work, and K is more than happy to take S wherever she wants to go. It's nice, too, that K likes coming here as much as we like having her.

Maggie spent the night in M's room and despite my best entreaties, she was not coming out this morning. S finally managed to entice (read: carry) her out later in the morning, but it wasn't easy. Maggie seems to be more of a recluse than the others - or perhaps she has a whole secret life - but even in the evenings when the rest of us are gathered around the television (for warmth - although a heater might be better ... no, no, put those uggies and a jumper on) Maggie is the only one that's missing. She does come in later though, but only at lockdown when we call her - but we're not complaining because she does come in (and sometimes she's already in ... in her towel cupboard).

We're still watching MasterChef (Master Class tonight) even though we almost watched Touch ... but the big MasterChef news is that they're opening a restaurant and bar in Sydney. It will be open from July 3 to 22 and be situated on the forecourt of St Mary's Cathedral - with funds raised going to OzHarvest (a charity already supported by the show). It will be open to the public (although the article I read didn't give a number for bookings) but the clientele won't be on camera - there won't be any cameras recording the action in the kitchen or the dining room. Chefs taking part in the venture include Julie Goodwin and Marion Grasby as well as Justin North and Kylie Kwong.

While we're excited by that, people here on the Coast are not as excited at the prospect of the first Hooters in Australia outside of New South Wales opening in Surfers Paradise. While they will probably trade under a different name, it's unsure whether they'll emulate the style of other eateries in the chain including the Hooters Girls.

Better news on the eateries front is that there are moves afoot to allow more dog-friendly cafes/restaurants. The Gold Coast City Council - with no jurisdiction in this State Government matter - have made a recommendation to the Food Standards folk that eatery owners should be able to decide for themselves whether dogs would be welcomed or not. Tom Tate has been busy since he took up the Mayoral position!

The planets must have been in alignment today because I finally managed to take ROM out for a tour of the yard. It was an amazingly heavy dew this morning because the grass was still damp in places (but passed the no moisture on the top of the shoe test) so I zipped around on a 4 to at least give us a chance of seeing any snakes that might wander past - although it would be much easier if they did just wear flags on their tails!! I didn't think there would be any Colorbond moments after this particular effort ... but I was wrong. I had forgotten how much I love mowing! The pile of yard and garden detritus is still there, and the banana tree is flourishing in it (as, hopefully, are the rats).

There is definitely no sign of the Plovers in Hermes yard. I was about to go in and have a look ... but remembered in time that the horses hadn't been put to bed yet. Tomorrow - and I'll go down and see what B and the blokes have done with the bobcat down there as well.

Thursday

If I didn't know better, I'd say that the Earth has shifted on its axis sometime over the last week. The Moon and the Sun seem to be in vastly different positions for only a week having passed - and a shift in the Earth's position relative to them would explain that. It could also explain why it's getter colder. Or it could just be what happens in Winter! But that's not nearly as thought-provoking ... and since author Ray Bradbury died last week (aged 91) we have to make our own fun now!

The good news is that since the Sun and the Moon are visible ... it’s not raining ... yet, although there is more inclement weather predicted for the coming days.

It was raining in the days leading up to the Second State of Origin match in Sydney yesterday which should have given Queensland the advantage (given last year’s Queensland weather) - but not to be. New South Wales aka the Blues romped in with 16 to Queensland's 12, making them the winners and pushing the teams to a decider which will be played early next month.

In all probability, but depending on the skill of his legal team, Allison-Baden-Clay's husband Gerard may not be out of prison to see it after last night, two months after he reported her missing, being charged with causing the death of his wife. There were a lot of people who weren't surprised by this turn of events, except perhaps that it had taken so long for him to be taken into custody. (Although, after the Chamberlain decision yesterday, I suppose it's dangerous to pass judgment without having the full details/evidence properly assessed and critically examined.)

Meanwhile, there were troubles closer to home ... specifically with the Plovers from Hermes' paddock. We were watching television last night when we realized they were very agitated and I went out to have a look. It took me ages of scanning the paddock with the torch, but finally I could see what the one Plover I could see was concerned about ... a fox. It was bitter-sweet - wonderful to see the fox, but not enjoying that part of nature which makes tiny just-hatched Plover chicks dinner for them. Both S and I looked for signs of them this morning and this afternoon, but the Plovers are gone. All we can hope is that they somehow managed to get away.

Which is what the Pimpama woman who was stuck in the AquaLoop at Wet’N’Wild did manage but not without damaging herself physically and being scared witless because she was worried others would come barreling through the “ride” and run into her. She’s suing for $400,000 on the basis that the amusement park did not give enough information about what to do/would happen if someone did get stuck - mind you, she was not stuck like Homer Simpson at the water park - wedged tight in the pipe - she was stranded in the ride because she had not picked up enough momentum at the entry point to complete the loop and shoot out the other side.

For a treat for Pearl today, I picked up some marrow bone - making sure it had been cut into pieces so she could get to the marrow (unlike last time when I bought a whole bone - not knowing any better - and it was a bit of a disaster). She had a great time gnawing on it and we were a bit surprised when she left it and came in for dinner ... and even more surprised when later in the evening she went out and brought the bone in and started gnawing on it in the living room. Hmmmm ... we didn't think that was quite the look we were after, and, in the end she did see it our way - but she was more than a little concerned when the bone disappeared (double-bagged in the fridge from where it will be rescued tomorrow) and took a while to settle.

B stopped for a very quick chat when we passed in the lane while I was walking Pearl this afternoon. He was asking after M and when she'd be back - and mentioned that by the time she does return, there will be horses grazing in the back paddock (as long as D remembers to keep the gates shut) and keeping the grass down; B and K have already fixed the fences and are in the process of getting rid of the stump and they'll have a bobcat down there tomorrow to finish the job. We really are going to have to go down there and have a look - if we can get through the jungle of the back yard (just joking - it's only up to our ankles, and perhaps shins in one or two spots). Definitely mowing tomorrow or we're going to have to machete our way to the stables!

Wednesday

Wednesday has come around quickly this week - so much so that I forgot to do the usual Hump Day drawing on the morning message pad. It could have been because I was wrangling the furries in and out of the door, to and away from the cookies, and making sure the right ones received the right shots. (It's easier with glasses on.) They've all been quite good and I'm especially impressed with Pearl who is now halted on her approach to Beazley's cookie bowl with a firm, forceful but fair "no"! It's not foolproof but we're working on it! She even did "shake hands" last night when I asked her ... and, yes, there was a supper cookie involved!

The world's slowest window washer was at Zarraffas this morning - which unfortunately coincided with them having a store that was full to bursting and it was cold outside so no-one was volunteering to wait for their drinks out there! The washer had pushed tables away from the windows so even if there was a spot free you couldn't get to it through the logjam of tables and chair. He started at 6 (I heard him tell someone) and he hadn't finished by the time I left at 7 - and yes he was doing inside and out, but he was only up to the second panel of 7 when I left. At that rate, he wasn't going to finish until nearly 8 - and I was worried for him because I couldn't see how it could be profitable.

The big news story of the moment is that Lindy Chamberlain has been exonerated - and the legal fraternity now agree with her original claims that her baby was taken by a dingo. Wendy Harmer, journalist and media personality, has publicly apologized for doubting her and spreading less than favourable reports. Lindy has accepted the apology with exceptional good grace. Until we met Billi - a dingo-cross - we had no idea what they were capable of but having seen Billi unwrap a Christmas present by slitting the sticky tape and leaving the paper totally intact and undamaged, we do not doubt that a dingo could take a matinee jacket off a baby!

It started raining twenty minutes before I arrived home today ... and to think I was this close to jumping on ROM ... d'oh. But then, I thought, it was probably for the best as I'd developed a bit of a headache during the day and bumping around on the ride-on may not have been the best thing for it ... but given the way the weather has been, I definitely would have done it if it had stayed dry enough. Maybe tomorrow ...

It was like Central station this afternoon with B and his bloke zipping down the back to see what they were going to do with the stump (must go down and see if that's all that's left after the last fire down there).

The horses were all lined up at their fences this afternoon, chatting and waiting for their dinners. It's nice to see them out and about because they're mostly still asleep when I leave in the mornings now - either that or I can't see them in the dark.

S is coping well with the lack of outings in the day with M away - she is falling into the rhythm of Latimers and quite enjoying it especially with her routines throughout the day and her friends on Radio National.

The rain has stopped and I went out before to have a look at the sky and I don't know why but it always looks much clearer and closer after rain. You could almost reach out and touch the Southern Cross as it hovers just overhead this evening.

The cats and Pearl are all in this evening, watching Offspring with S. They have to think it's an enormous improvement over Being Lara Bingle! And weren't they all impressed with our steak dinner tonight - we saved some for Pearl and then saved some from Pearl to share with the felines. They loved it and we had to keep telling all of them to be gentle otherwise there was a good chance we were going to end up without fingers before the end of the exercise!

Tuesday

There was a giant flaming ball in the sky this morning and while that may have been cause for alarm, it was actually good to see the Sun again. Not that it brought a lot of warmth with it - it was a four-layer day until mid-afternoon. But it did dry things out a bit - so much so that L was able to get some mowing in this afternoon. I admit to being a bit envious when I drove down the lane and it had been mowed on either side. Alas, there would be no mowing in this part of Latimers this afternoon - after doing a little bit of shopping and checking the mail, I was headed straight inside for a rest after a day that seemed longer than it actually was. Not that a lot happened, of course, just that I was still feeling a little below par - but also a little better. I think tomorrow, if it is still fine, ROM will get to go out.

Both S and I took Pearl for a walk this afternoon and she seemed to enjoy that very much. We did see a rainbow as we walked along, and Pearl did roll in something she found on the road (but thankfully it wasn't that huge mound of manure in the paddock). We had another look to see if we could see the Plover chick but even though we could work out where we thought the nest was, we couldn't see the chick. And, apparently, the parents aren't as territorial now that the chick has hatched - although they are still very much on the protective side.

Robina Town Centre has been in the news again - this time for a stabbing. Two teenage girls there last Thursday evening started fighting, and one pulled out a knife, and both of them received stabbing injuries. It had originally been suggested that the fight was over a pair of shoes (you have them, no you have them) but then it was suggested it was over a boy (you have him, no you have him). Both were taken to hospital to have their wounds treated; and both have now been charged with various offences and will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act. Knifings, shootings ... what will happen at Robina Town Centre next?

Anyone who wants a pup should put their hand up now because my sister's dog has just had nine pups. I'm not sure what they're planning to do with them but they looked fairly cute in the photo I saw. Also born today was my great-nephew (to my sister's daughter). They don't have a name for him yet - but he's 8lb, 21" long and has a head of jet black hair. Mum and baby are doing fine - although they were a bit concerned when T's blood pressure dropped during the birth. That's the amazing thing - Caesarian births have become so common place that people forget they are major surgery. Hmmm ... I had asked them to let me name the baby but they declined (and given some of my suggestions, I can't say that I blame them!).

Maggie slipped into our bedroom while S was out of it this morning, and seemed very comfortably ensconced there by the time S returned - and S was happy to leave her there - she said (as M does) that Maggie is really good at putting her to sleep - and it now seems - really good at waking people up with the coughing sounds that usually comes before they're just a little sick. She was okay but it seems to have changed S's mind - she's now not that keen now on having Maggie on the bed!

We let the furries who wanted to watch MasterChef with us this evening. It was an immunity challenge with three vying for pins in an antipasto platter cook-off against Jamie Oliver. Good fun and good viewing - and, even though none of the three beat Jamie, I think they were all just absolutely excited to have met him, and cooked with and against him.

I'm afraid we may have skewed the ratings though because we didn't change channels/turn off the television/avert our eyes (fast enough) before the next program started - TEN's new reality program, Being Lara Bingle. And who knew it was so hard to turn off the television when you’re running screaming from the room!? Seriously though, we watched the first minute or so, and that was enough ... as I told S, I swear I could feel brain cells leaching away (and I don't have that many to spare)!

Sunday

The precipitation continues - which, of course, is just another way of saying that it's still raining!

Unfortunately S's chicken soup and the overnight cold and flu tablets did not work as well as hoped, and I finally dragged myself out of bed at 9 this morning (not counting 6am when I was up doing the cat insulin shots and opening doors to let them out and in - and taking off Pearl's nightie - it was cold again last night) because we were going in to Ferry Road for breakfast.

We weren't the only ones with that idea - what else you do on a cold, wet and rainy morning but go out? We were a bit stunned to find a parking spot right at the door of the Markets - which was good because my umbrella was still at Latimers, out the back in the office area, where it has been for a while. Also still at home, as we found out when we were getting out of the car - S's bag - very unlike her but not a problem since I had money for bakery items and coffee! It was a bit like S and M's usual Wednesday morning except there would be no Bingo afterwards - although, as I suggested to S, it was a fair bet that even though it was a public holiday, we could probably still go to the Southport RSL and find a game in progress. But there would be no games for us today - not even Trivia. We made the call then that it would be better if I just spent the day laying low and, even though we both wanted to do Trivia, not doing it because that would mean not going out in the cold night air. I could also just go home and relax. So we put the call into F to let him know - and sent an email to the other team members - to wish them Bon Voyage (they hadn't planned to Trivia tonight as they are flying out in the morning).

We were home by lunchtime and lucky enough to be standing near the kitchen sink when the Plover parent had the chick out of the nest. It is so tiny - a miniature version of the big bird! We could only see the one though. Do Plovers become more or less territorial after the egg has hatched? We'll find out on the next Pearl walk! I can't imagine how difficult it is for them out there in the rain and how they manage to keep the egg warm enough to hatch since their nest is on the ground. Nature does find a way though - because there is at least one chick.

Julia Gillard is on Q&A this evening but by that stage I hope to be well and truly bundled up in bed. Oops too late - here she is now - and she's the only one with Tony Jones on the panel this evening. It will be interesting to see if she does give Answers to the Questions asked, or whether she will do “Think on your Feet” techniques where she appears to be answering the question but isn't actually. Tink seems to be enjoying it - at least she's awake now and no longer snoring. Beazley and Maggie - who you think would be interested in politics given their namesakes - have gone out again - although they have both promised to come back in when S calls lockdown a bit later. Hopefully there are trustworthy.

MasterChef continues and we have been reading very funny and sometimes incredibly insightful recaps of the Sunday night action in The Sydney Morning Herald on a Monday. Unfortunately Justice was not preserved tonight and one of the better cooks was eliminated in favour of "Andrew" (not sure why he's called “Andrew” - maybe that's not his real name, just what they’re calling him on the show and in the SMH recaps). We hate it when that happens!

I think Pearl is missing M a lot - especially when we arrived home yesterday in the BMW after the Markets. She raced over to the car all excited and then did a doubletake when I hopped out the driver's side (yes, that's me Pearl, chopped liver!) and she pushed past me to get to M who wasn't there. No doubt it’s very confusing for her. She is still sleeping in our room; Maggie is still sleeping in the towel cupboard; Beazley on Pearl's other bed, and Tink takes up various positions - either on the back of the recliner or on the couch where S isn't as she seems to have grown tired of the bed down the back.

Sunday

It's still raining! Who would believe it? And it's a bit on the cool side as well - I think it’s supposed to get to 17 today. But it was definitely flannellette and ugg boot weather overnight. It was still a bit chill when I did the insulin shots and cookies at 6am - and I would have gone back to bed but after yesterday morning - when I did and had a huge nightmare just before I woke up (and I know this because the alarm went off just after I had consumed the rotten raw eggs rather than just before), I decided not to chance it.

We took the BMW out for a run today - to the Markets. It's sometimes subtle (like not having problems merging when changing lanes) but other drivers behave differently to a Beamer driver - although it may not be fair to compare given our usual car is a Volvo - and we know that some people would love to get all Volvos off the roads - especially those that are driven by people wearing hats - which we never do - in the rain.

Because it was raining today, everyone that had ventured out (and there were not a lot of them) to the Markets were undercover. When we arrived - and we were the first of our (depleted) group, there was only one table free - right at the start of the undercover section - and there was a nice fresh breeze blowing through there. By the time the others arrived, some tables had opened up, and we were able to move up to our usual section into relative warmth - but not enough and Mi was kind enough to loan me her wrap - on the proviso that I gave it back to her when she had her massage.

Even the entertainment was undercover with us - a man and his didgeridoos, harmonica, drums and guitars. I should have thought to ask if he did requests - because it would have been nice for him to have burst into a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday" when A and Mi brought out the birthday cake for S. A had made it, and Mi had remembered the candles ... and there was a choice - 6 candles or just two - one with a big “6” the other with a big “0”. In the end we decided just the two would do! It was a wonderful cake - and most of us had a second coffee each (not shared) to mark the occasion!

The big news of the day is that the Big Pineapple has re-opened. The didgeridoo guy told us - and he knew because he played a gig there yesterday.

And we found out that Sporties is having a sale from M - who had been there and bought his body weight in shoes. A had a photo of M's shoes on her phone - showing the ten pairs he had machine-washed yesterday. Impressive. As was the sale with up to 70% off Merrells and other well-known (and comfortable) shoe brands.

Back at Latimers, The Plovers (sounds like a name for neighbours and I suppose they are) are still nesting in Hermes' paddock and are now very protective of their territory. The last couple of days when Pearl and I walked past on the way to B's, they have been strafing Pearl - although, obviously without the gunfire - would "dive-bombing" have been a better expression? I'm not sure why they haven't swooped me, but there's still time!

S watched and then recorded the Queen’s Jubilee Concert, broadcast this afternoon. I spent most of the afternoon pottering on the computer - learning a new design program and seeing what it could do. I am very happy with it, and now I just have to find some uses for it.

S made chicken and vegetable soup for dinner. I was looking forward to it - hoping it would have amazing restorative powers - I've had a scratchy throat all day, my tonsils are inflamed, my muscles have started aching, and now I've started sneezing. But I’ll be fine after S's soup! I was deep in something or other (watching television, downloading some files, and generally being involved in "stuff") and when I looked up, S was in the same place she had been at least ten minutes before - staring deep into the soup pot. She was waiting for it to come to the boil so she could then turn it down to a simmer - I couldn't resist it ... I told her I thought the television would be much more interesting to watch - and she said she knew, it was about young nuns, but it was okay because she was recording it.

Just off to call Maggie in out of the rain now so I can crawl into bed! Here Maggie, Maggie, Maggie ...ah, there she is! Lockdown.

Saturday

Whoever predicted rain for the (long) weekend was right on the money. As soon as the first light came over the horizon this morning, the rain started falling - gently at first and then a little more insistently - which means no ROM this morning and possibly for the rest of the day. But not even rain can stop Pearl's walk so we set off for a quick one down to B's shed while S started the Skype call with L and E. we have been trying to institute regular calls with them but seem to keep missing - so we were pleased when they suggested this Saturday morning rather than the usual Monday evening - especially now that Monday nights are reserved for Trivia! The call worked well - everyone was awake, alert and participating - and it was a bit like when we were in Sydney where we would meet the first Saturday of each month for a catch-up over breakfast - except we were doing it electronically.

Thankfully, the walk with Pearl was without event especially since a large pile of manure has materialised in one of the paddocks (and who said I had no sense of smell - but more on that later) and all I could think was that Pearl would definitely want to go and play (read: roll) in it. She didn't - as I kept telling her, if she did we would need to take her somewhere to get her washed and dried, because it was too cold to do it at home.

My sense of smell does appear to be returning (not sure where it's been all this time but it may have something to do with cat allergies) - so I was the one who discovered that Beazley had had an accident in the living room overnight. The rule still applies ("you find it, you own it") so at 5:30 this morning I was cleaning up with paper towels and disinfectant. "Why does it smell like disinfectant out here" asked S when she came through later - and when I told her, she had the same reaction as I had ... why. He's been quite good lately, and this is the first we've had to clean up since M left. Ah well, we will keep an eye on him - and try to avoid garlic - who knows, it might be true: I told S that I thought it was the smell of garlic - because I was certainly carrying that around with me following the snail entree last night.

S humoured me today and came with me to see Ridley Scott's new offering Prometheus at the Nerang cinema. We were just about to buy the tickets when we saw they had an offer - Friend them on Facebook and you could get tickets for $6 (or $7 for 3D movies) so we quickly did that - although it was not as straightforward as it looked and we had to rely on the kindness of a stranger to help us through the last section (finding where they had hidden the promotional barcode on their site). And how thankful were we that we had cheap tickets - because I would have been even more disappointed! That will teach me to read reviews before I go to a movie - because it was all there in David Stratton's review, in black and white, for me to read! Still, S did point out when she read it later that I had made the same points as David - so 2 hours of Prometheus had not dulled my critical skills (although it very well could have).

The sun was setting as we drove home about 5 and we did spare a moment to remember M's comment that it's still light after midnight in Russia. That must make it fairly difficult to get to sleep - I can't believe that a hotel where you have to go downstairs to get hot water would have heavy window coverings to block out the midnight sun!

We settled in for the afternoon and evening - including timing dinner so we could watch New Tricks - and it wasn't until the replacement program started that we realized last week's episode was it for a while. So S took us channel surfing and we finally settled on SBS and the Bollywood Star Search. I'm not sure we'll be watching next week when the 6 "finalists" (chosen tonight) jet off to Mumbai to try to further their dreams in India's film industry.

The furries seemed to like it though - they were all inside and in their respective positions - Pearl on her bed on the living room floor, Beazley up next to S, Tink stretched out on her couch (where M usually sits), and Maggie listening from her daybed in the towel cupboard! We felt a little mean going into early lockdown but since they were all in, and since it is a bit chilly out there this evening, we did it anyway.

We are getting used to the cat litter patrol morning and night for them. We were concerned for a while there though because they didn't seem to be using the tray in the room off the laundry - it's the new litter and I've been wanting to see how well it clumps - which is hard to do if no-one's doing anything in there. But finally someone did use it - rather than going outside - because that's what they've been doing more of (Beazley asks to go out quite a bit now). It does clump substantially better - so much sothat S is talking about doing a deal with N to swap the "old" litter for the "new". But that's enough talking about the litter trays - best go off and do them ...

Friday

Happy Birthday S! It was a bit odd this morning waking up in bed next to S and not feeling like screaming - because she had suggested I would - for no other reason except that she was a year older than she was yesterday. I was (despite what she spent the day telling people - for effect) able to contain myself and, instead, wish her a Happy Birthday - hoping her ears were still young enough to hear what I was saying, or failing that, that her eyes were still young enough to lip read! But I'm being unnecessarily naughty now.

I think S had a good birthday. She had calls and messages from lots of folks and she said it was very nice to be remembered - especially as it was a BIG birthday. (Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for as long as S has been alive. Quite an amazing thought!)

M surprised S when she Skyped for her birthday - and with instructions on how to find her birthday present. S was so stoked, and very touched - I don't know if she'd even considered that M might prepare something in advance especially as she had been so busy in the weeks in the lead-up to their departure to Russia. As they say in that song: That's what friends are for.

Pearl and S went for another walk today. As S said in correspondence, at least one of them is enjoying it. Pearl gets so excited when she knows she is going for a walk - even if it is just up to B's shed. And we get excited too because it's one less piece of dog business we have to attend to in the yard!

Pearl surprised me this afternoon though, because as we were walking back towards Latimers, I could see Ebony was out and I called out to Pearl "here ... here". I'm not sure if she knows/understands that instruction - but she came running back, and took up a position just near my left leg, but slightly behind, walking with me and I couldn't work out why she was doing this exactly - until it twigged that she may have heard "heel ... heel" - and that's what she was doing. Good Pearl.

I have been on the alert of late. I have seen several sticks shaped like snakes over the last couple of days and am concerned that it may be the universe preparing me for a sighting ... because we know from M's close encounter the other week when she was over near the mechanic ... it may be too cold for our reptilian friends, but not all if them have been told that!

L mowed today - I was quite envious and would have bolted out to do our yard except S and I are going out for dinner and I didn't want us to be late!

The venue was a surprise. S was thinking it would be Zen at The Big House since we were going in there to do an errand anyway - well, she was thinking it because that was what I had told her, but it actually wasn't. Then I told her we were going to the new Vietnamese restaurant in Broadbeach (called "That Vietnamese Place") that I had read about in Wednesday's food section in the Gold Coast Bulletin - and she was very excited - even telling Sy about it when she rang to wish S for her birthday! I almost felt guilty then when we walked up to Champagne - a French restaurant she had mentioned some time ago and said "Look here's that French restaurant ... and this is where we're going" (because I made up the whole Vietnamese Restaurant thing). On the drive in from Latimers she had asked me what I felt like eating - what was my favourite Vietnamese food - and I couldn't answer because I was too busy thinking about escargot, herb-encrusted lamb and flambed banana tarte tatin - because I had already looked up the Champagne's menu and decided on my dinner so I could stun her by being able to order within a minute of seeing the menu - rather than my usual having to send the wait staff away several times before I was even half way to being ready for ordering. I'm not sure if she was more stunned by that or that I had decided to have the snails - my very first time. I was resolute in that decision until after we had ordered and the waiter brought out a small fork and spoon for me - and, said S, they'll also bring out another tool a bit like a sewing unpicker so you can prise it out of the shell! What!?! I'm not that good with food where you can see what it was when it was not food yet! But, as it turns out, as we found out from our waiter afterwards, they had discontinued the snails in shells and now did snails sans shells - Australians, it turns out, are not that skilled in snail removal and there used to be snails/shells flying all over the restaurant, and even people who hadn't ordered snails would find them coming to their tables. "Incoming!" was how he put it!

Everything was magnificent - the company, the food, the service, the atmosphere (we could chat quite comfortably and hear each other) - all in all, a wonderful, special evening for S's (marking the day) birthday celebrations. It may be a hard act to follow come the actual celebrations in July!