Nights out

Two years, five months and 11 days after arriving here, I have finally joined the local library! It's amazing though that even with the obvious delay, once I had made up my mind to join (yesterday) it only took one day to actually get there. And Chris, my assistant in signing up, showed me how to reserve a book (Jincy Willett's The Writers' Club) from another branch and have it delivered to the local. They will SMS me when it arrives - probably within the next 48 hours. I was pleasantly surprised to see that as well as books they have a large selection of CDS and DVDs and Chris was even saying that ebooks are available online! Libraries have come a long way! l'd say "swings and roundabouts" but some people might say that was making horse racing too attractive to youngsters (I realise I'm noting that because both of the folk who "liked" my status/photo on Facebook are teenagers - one only just!!!)

Closer to home, there has been some gardening - with M putting soil and mulch around the citrus trees ... and some citrus food as well. I was able to help by pushing the barrow for a couple of the loads - and Pearl helped too! That happened on Monday afternoon and M had wanted to do it then because it looked as though there was going to be rain ... which would have been great for the garden. That didn't eventuate then but I did notice there was some moisture around this morning so it looks as though it rained overnight. I haven't been back in the garden since but I think M has done a little out there, including watering S's plants to make sure they survive her absence.

On the way back from Spiderman 3D at The Big House on Monday night (the gardening reward?) M had slowed down in time to not hit the possum which was ambling across the bridge over the creek. It did look a bit like Bill - the fluffy toy possum belonging to one of the engineers at work who we've been taking turns to take out - the possum, not the engineer.

M and I had dinner with Sy last night. She's staying down in Southport at the moment, and commuting up to Brisbane each day. She has both dogs and both cats with her - because none of them are allowed in the Brisbane house - which is currently on the market and very open for inspection! They have had some interest but not the right offer yet. We ate at Saffron, an Indian restaurant at Broadbeach (M's procured takeaway from there before) and while it was good, it would have been better if the waiter had understood that yes we did want a doggie bag. If we'd got it, Sy and I would have been able to arm wrestle to see who would get what!

Trying to walk Pearl has been a little problematic. Ebony is no longer behind that little electric fence and will come running out to "play" with Pearl - and I'm sure it is "play" even though she rushes out with her teeth bared! Spot joined in yesterday and because M had Pearl on the lead, both the other dogs were nipping at her. I haven't wanted to take her because I don't have enough authority over Pearl to be able to get her to come away but I am thinking that I could just drive her up the lane a bit - away from the others - and walk her from there. People laugh when I tell them that but I still think it's worth a go - especially if it means I get to walk Pearl. And it worked fairly well on the way out ... not a peep from Ebony or Spot ... but it wasn't so good on the way back - Ebony came all the way out of the yard up past where the car was! I managed to keep Pearl on the lead and they didn't connect but no amount of telling Ebony to go home worked; finally someone from L's place called her in - and she did go, but not until they had called a good few times. How far up the lane am I going to have to park to make it work? Or was this the first and last time? I wondered about getting a squirter bottle to use on her - so I could hit Ebony with a jet of water when she came out. Might work. Where's Dr Harry (the vet) when you need him?

Sunday ... and Swell

It was Swell. And actually, that's just what it was. The annual Sculpture festival is on at Currumbin again and Mouse, S, M and I went down to see it on Thursday afternoon. It was as wonderful as ever; this is our third time there even though it has been running a good while longer than that. Mouse and M's friend Judy's daughter Natasha organises it and it's a bit of a buzz to see her photograph in the paper each year as Swell gears up. There were over fifty pieces in this year's show - some big, some small, some very small! But most at least a little thought-provoking. It was great that M read out the description from the program as we walked up and down the front looking (and me taking photographs) at the various works.

I went back again yesterday, after I dropped S off at the airport (she's off to Sydney for a week). There were heaps of people there and not a park to be found, so I ended up going back around to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and paying to park there ... and I'm glad I did because if I hadn't, I don't think I would have been aware of the whales that were swimming past. You know how you notice when people all seem to be looking at something? Well, that was folk near Elephant Rock yesterday morning and when you followed their gaze about 200 metres off shore, there was a pod of at least six whales! It was absolutely magic and it wasn't as though they were just passing through - they were stopping to play - with their fins up in the air (very much like "The Last Wave", one of the Swell pieces). There were a whole lot of board riders out there with them and I can't imagine what a buzz it must have been for them to be so close to them!

Then, it was off to the Markets - where I only just made it before the coffee people closed their stall. We were a reduced crowd today - although it was bigger when N, C and M were there ... they had gone by the time I arrived.

It really is starting to feel more like Spring, perhaps even Summer. That's strange to credit this morning as a fog has settled over the Gold Coast ... although, surprisingly, not over Latimers where the sun was shining brightly as a balloon bobbled off in the distance.

I managed to get around to ROM yesterday afternoon - and it was good to see the lawn starting to look "tamed" again. It doesn't take long to get the scruffy look - especially when it's brownish but thanks to that little bit of rain last week, it is starting to revive a bit. Going great guns though is (are?) the gardens. There is more rain forecast for this week so that will help even more . And S will be pleased to know that, as part of dinner last night, we had produce from her garden - leafy greens and a tomato! Yummmm! We had worked up a bit of an appetite too - M decided it was time to prune the grapefruit tree and as she pruned, I started cutting up the branches and binning them. Shouldn't be long now until those new garden beds get in!

Some time in the garden

There's nothing like a little gardening! It always seems like a lot ... no, just kidding! There's something about being out in the sun with soil and sweat and knowing that there are a couple of plants out there that will ultimately thank you - kind of almost making up for the grass we mow so we can see the backyard and if there are any snakes making their way across it - although, hopefully, it is still too early for snake season.

Pearl just missed out on an opportunity for water play when I washed out the wheelbarrow but now that they have come to fill up Hermes' water, she has another chance and she is taking full advantage of it. I suspect she will come up the back soon, near the piles of compost and dirt where I am sitting enjoying the mid-afternoon sun to add credence to that saying that there is nothing quite as friendly as a wet dog ... gotta love her! Of course, she could go the other way and position herself out the back, roughly half-way between here and where S is having a nap. It was a late night last night when we went up to Brisbane for the Festival of Brisbane Lanterns, Circa's S and the Festival's Laser Light Show. All absolutely amazing and wonderful and we are still reeling with how incredible were the feats of flexibility and core strength, timing and trust carried out by the Circa troupe. It was good that there were kids in the audience as well although it would have been nice had there been at least one warning that folk shouldn't try this at home!

We were at the Markets this morning - a little late but in good time before the Markets closed (we have to be there to close the Markets of course - that's like a job for us now!). Mi is back from overseas but now F has gone; he left yesterday for the Middle East and before he went M took special care to warn him to be safe given all the troubles they are having over that way these days. He's not going to any trouble spots per se but these things do have a way of flaring up in different areas without much warning. It seems that people will use any perceived slight as provocation to further their own beliefs and it seems they don't care who gets hurt in the process. But he's only gone for two weeks so that shouldn't be too long for him to stay out of trouble.

We are going to miss him at Trivia though - especially given our showing at Trivia the other night at the Golf Club where we were the defending champions and the best we could manage was second last! And that was with both C and M there! It does not bode well for the RSL on Monday ... ah well, we just have to hold on to the thought that's it not all about winning - although that said we're not going to lie - as F says we don't go there to come second - and certainly not second-last!

We didn't get to the Multicultural Festival at Evandale Parklands today - we meant to but it just didn't eventuate. Maybe next year. We also didn't get to see N today - there was some talk she might come to the Markets and then to lunch, but she ended up having other plans ... which turned out to be gardening! A good day!

Wednesday

The weather remains fine here which means we've still had no rain - and it's high time that we did. The grass is so brown, not helped at all by the frosts that we've had.

M was up early this morning as she was due at F's before six so they could drive up to Brisbane Airport to pick up Mi who returned today from her 8 weeks away. She has been missed by us all but especially by F and the boys. It's funny though because there will be another trip to the Airport on Saturday because F will be off this time! He's off to Jordan for a bit; meaning we will all have a chance to miss him for a change - and I don't know about the others but we will definitely miss him for Monday night Trivia. But before Monday we have another Trivia challenge - a rematch at the Golf Club on Friday night.

It was Bingo today and S was saying there were lots of folk there - so many that the pays for single lines and full houses were increased. Alas, none of the winnings made their way to M and S and Mouse's table so no Winners Are Grinners today but there's always next week!

I managed to get Mouse's puzzles away on time this week (which is not to suggest that we don't every week) although it was a bit of a rush to get some of them done. I don't know how I managed to do all of them while Mouse was away - it's hard enough just getting the ones she leaves for me done!

Sunday

It's another glorious day at Latimers - much too nice to be inside so that's why I'm sitting outside, sipping a piping hot coffee and enjoying the sunshine. I've already been for a walk up to the road, and down to B's shed, taking some photographs along the way. I didn't have Pearl with me though - she was still asleep, so she missed out.

Dolly came over to the gate for a pat as I walked past her enclosure. Neither she nor Sweetie (in the paddock next door) seemed at all concerned about the balloon over near the trees which looked as though it was going to land before it went much further. It did manage to gain altitude though and as I wandered up to the road, I watched it make its way over the sleeping valley in gentle pursuit of another balloon making its way through the sky some way ahead.

Most people know about "hat hair" but now that I've seen it, "helmet hair" seems to be so much worse! A motorbike (one of many today) pulled into the car park under the big yellow Runes ... and the grey-ish nomads on it seemed very comfortable - especially as the woman riding pillion was sitting in almost an armchair, flanked, as she was, by metal satchels made of that gridded tool-box material. It looked very comfortable - and it was up for sale - and drawing lots of attention from the other motorbike folk - and only for $14,000. Who's up for trying something new? I would be except giving my hair, I would need to keep the helmet on ALL the time.

Week's end

$175,000 - that's what CSP is currently sitting at - or was when I left The Big House last night. This means that no major prizes have gone off in the last week - which is a shame for all of those who have been playing ... but it does make that pot bigger for the person who does manage the Royal Flush. It's still quite exciting to get most of the cards for a Royal Flush - actually, any kind of flush, in a hand; I can't imagine how you would hold a poker face if you actually managed the big one! I'm not sure practising would help much!

The Big House has a new special at Spinners - Salmon and Prawns - which M had for dinner tonight. She thinks S will enjoy it very much!

The gardening continues at Latimers. M has now planted potatoes in a patch near the front gate and covered it in sugar cane mulch to help them grow. S's parsley is coming along in leaps and bounds and is starting to look very lush - and that it might be time to start harvesting some and giving it away to the markets crowd. There's no way we can use that much - even if we had tabouli every day. S showed me some of the tomatoes she had harvested yesterday too - so they're coming along nicely. This is a bonus given the price of tomatoes at the moment ($11.99 kg in some stores); at this rate, until the crop comes in, my tomato and onion sandwiches might just have to be onion sandwiches.

I don't think those furries are missing Prince; although word is that Mouse is enjoying having him very much. We do miss him, especially when it comes time for "walks". Even though Pearl tries her best, she just isn't all that interested in walking up and down the lane multiple times - once is enough, and you can almost hear her asking why anyone would want to do it more! Of course, Pearl isn't trying to get to 10,000 steps a day so she wouldn't understand that ... although it would be interesting to see how many steps she does do in a day.

We are having gorgeous weather at the moment - although the ground would be ever so grateful if it actually rained for a bit. When I walked up to the road with the bin on Monday afternoon, I could see that even the bitumen has cracked because the earth under it is so dry! Thank goodness M has bore water on the property, otherwise there would be tankers delivering water about now.

Tink is not due to the vet for another week. At the moment she's on 1.5 units morning and night - regardless of how much we tell the vet how difficult it is to accurately give the half shots. She isn't doing too badly but there is still no resolution on an insulin dosage - here the fortnightly and, in some cases, weekly visits to the vet. The biggest mystery about it, though, is why the charge for the blood test varies so much from visit to visit; it would be reasonable to think it was a standard charge, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Beaz is allowed on to the bed in the mornings after I go to work and he seems to like that routine very much. S doesn't seem to mind it either, because Beaz cuddles in to her back and is an effective heater (she seems to be feeling the heat much less that she used to).

Maggie is Maggie and comes and goes much as she pleases - although, that said, she is always the first one lined up to go out in the mornings!

Otherwise, things go on as usual here. It's still good to have Mouse back, and Mi is back next week! And it's the end of the working week ... so that's a bonus!!

Monday ...

It was a great weekend - a long one thanks to a public holiday courtesy of the Gold Coast Show. Despite my best intentions, I didn't manage to get out and about with the cameras, but I did manage to do some shots around Latimers yesterday afternoon. I never cease to be amazed at how photogenic M's furries are: truly fantastic subjects - and incredibly patient with me to boot! And now that the gardens are in, I'm doing some of the plants as well; luckily they are still with us after that very bad frost we had the other morning. It is still quite cool here in the mornings - and some are definitely cooler than others. S was saying just tonight that she thinks this has been a cooler winter than last year. Alas, it appears that the temperature extremes may continue - the long-range weather forecaster I heard the other morning was suggesting temperatures would be 5 degrees higher this Summer. (S - don't listen to that!)

Monday night is Trivia Night and while I would love to say we finished on the podium, we weren't ever close - despite tying for equal first before the break. After we'd placed badly, F did the usual post-mortem and had to admit that even had we chosen different bonus rounds (like Phonetic Alphabet) it still wouldn't have been enough to put us over the line.

S and N are still coming to Trivia with us so that's a bonus. N had business cards there tonight for the holiday villa she owns and rents out in France. We've seen the website she and her sister worked on earlier this year. They have lettings already - folk from Scotland at the moment, then Brisbane folk are due in in a minute and then someone else is lined up. We'll have to keep it in mind should we ever get over that way - in France, near the Swiss Alps and the Black Forest.

It looks as though Prince is off tomorrow to stay with Mouse. I'm sure I'm not going to be the only one to miss this furry little one, taking him for walks down the lane, around the yard, watching him not play with the cats (he's much better than he was when he first arrived though) and wondering about his health and when he will get his Spring shave ... although it may be that M won't miss the very early morning walks down the lane.