Sunday 2 February

There was no call with Tr this morning but we were up early (but not as early as Mum and Wa) ... and ready to take ourselves off to the South Toowoomba Bowls Club for their buffet breakfast. It was good, too, with folk out in the kitchen slaving over hotplates to keep pace with the crowd ferrying out eggs, bacon, lambs fry (it's been a while ... and it will be a while longer), sausages ... the list goes on.

Brekkie at the Bowlo!

Then, we were off to Ju's where Ra was using a ride-on mower to do the lawn - or was until there was a problem with the steering. He fixed it but the next time around the yard, it happened again. Wa went over to have a look with him and determined he needed a new "whatsit" which Ra went in search of, but since it was Sunday late morning, the chances of finding it then were remote. Ra ended up finishing the yard with the push petrol-powered mower.

Talk turned to wildlife at one stage - something that Ju's dog Wozza is no longer well enough to chase. He is still with us, although he did have a turn a couple of weeks ago but recovered. His back legs are badly affected though so we made sure we said a good goodbye to him before we left in case he's not there the next time we visit. (We are very lucky to know some very nice dogs and Wozza is definitely one of them!)

Ju said she thought it would be cute to have a bandicoot - but now she does, she's changed her mind. None of the neighbours like them either but at least they're leaving them alone to get on with it.

We called in on Jo on the way back to the Coast ... all is not well there but she is coping and we will just have to wait and see what the coming chapters hold for her and Ke.

Having tested my gag reflex yesterday, I was given the opportunity to test my other reflexes on the way into the valley tonight. A fox streaked out of the underbrush at the side of the road, and straight in front of us. Had it been going any slower, and us any faster, I fear it would not have lived to see another day ... but luckily I smashed on the brakes and slowed in time to watch it run off. I'm always on the look-out for kangaroos in the road, and now I'll add foxes to the list.

Down at Palmers though, they were having wildlife encounters of another kind - involving not one, not two, but three red bellied black snakes Syl and An found under a piece of corrugated iron during their great cleanings up. There was good interest in their property at the Open House though ... and hopefully that will translate to a good dollar value for the sale!

And, when we arrived home at Latimers, we realised Ra hadn't been the only one mowing over the weekend ... M had been at it as well ... and she's done a great job!