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.