We're NOT in Kansas anymore

A room with a city view LOL. We made it down south again and it's a very strange feeling being here, it's almost like coming home except we don't have one .

The trip from Gladstone was on a Dash 8 and the security at Gladstone International airport was stifling, well maybe that is an overstatement - there was none. Brisbane on the other hand was over the top as only Brisbane can be. I got the works including the explosive residue tests and was secretly hoping that Walker had touched my bag at some stage just to see what would happen.

Melbourne is sunny and 24 and last night we headed out to have dinner at a Greek restaurant in Lonsdale st, by the time we had finished we were very happy that we had jumpers with us. Today is the start of getting things organised for the move up north.

Hans just saw a cross to Zurich, - GET RID OF THAT WHITE STUFF BEFORE WE GET THERE.

Only a mother could love this one

Our collection of exotic creatures continues to grow daily with new discoveries under every bush LOL. We have just had three days of rain and that has bought a whole new mix of critters around seeking high ground and even though we welcome visitors warmly, there are limits LOL.

We are off to Melbourne on the weekend and it will be great to catch up with everyone for xmas.  Stay tuned for the next trip which kicks off on the 8th with the cruise around the "Land of the long white cloud" so lots of pics and hopefully daily updates again.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA   GET ME OUT OF HERE

A non paying passenger. Luckily Ron was also on board and saved the day by removing the freeloader to the nearby bush. You can see by the pic that he was large, very large. 

Below is  something you don't want to see when you live in the bush. A fire.

Luckily it was a "controlled burn off" and we all have heard the stories of those things going very very wrong. These pics were taken from my bedroom and I spent all last night fire spotting as it kept burning and spotting all night.

What's green and hiding ..................

I guess when you are a wee bit small it comes in very handy to disappear into the local foliage.  When I was out in the garden yesterday I found this little fellow on a Banksia leaf and wondered why prop there ? it seemed a precarious place to nap, but little did I know what was on the prowl.

Godzilla

was out and hungry, so I guess it makes perfect sense to blend in.

It's a family Garden

The last 24 hours has been rain and more and more rain and it is coming in "dump" mode LOL. This morning at breakfast the rain eased off and 3 pretty faced wallabies came into the garden for their breakfast. They stuck around for most of the morning and then another dump occurred and they took off for dryer places.

Just before lunch we were out in the garden and the resident roos dropped in for their lunch nibble and we got our first sight of a new member. We had suspected that the little family group was expanding and today we got the proof. As you can see it was two for lunch.

but eventually the temptation two explore the surrounds won out and out popped joey.

But like any self respecting joey the adventure of romping through wet grass didn't appeal and back into the pouch it went.

There here!!!!!!!

Walking along the beach yesterday and we found these tracks in the sand !!!!!! someone driving a tractor out of the surf? an invasion by the Indonesians ? Boat people ? Lost Kiwi's ? all wrong.

The Turtles are here.

The season has started and so far at least 5 turtles have made it up on China beach to lay their eggs. Apparently it is very early for them and is usually a sign that the wet is going to be long and wild LOL. Gary (neighbour) has suggested that we get involved in the process of keeping track of them and we probably will do it. It means an eco course at Rocky for 5 days and lots of walking along the beach at night but it sounds like a great thing to help out with.

At last it's raining,

After weeks of threats about the weather last night the rain arrived and a welcome sight it was. We have been very busy over the last couple of weeks with visitors dropping in helping us to explore the surrounds and encouraging us to drink too much.

As well as the in-house visitors we have also had the locals at Sunrise over for drinks and meals and of course there was the Melbourne Cup luncheon. The locals are starting to get a bit suspicious because Ron has now won the betting on the Grand Final and the sweep for the Melbourne Cup. I think they are beginning to wonder about the organisation of these events LOL.

Only a couple of weeks before we head off to Melbourne to finally organise the transport of the rest of our gear from Melbourne. We should have everything up here early new year and then will finally feel totally at home.