mulch time

this week we've been trying to clean up the garden and mulch the plants to help them survive the lack of water. got a huge mound of 'forest litter, fine' delivered and attacked the ivy, honeysuckle, cotoneaster and bamboo in the front garden. it's a surprisingly large area of land once you get rid of the overgrown weeds.


the new wheelbarrow and garden tools have had a good workout and the mulch is spread - we just need some rain to give it all a long soak.



only one problem - all the creche facilities are deserted. rory, where are you???






the fish miss you and so do we.


had visits from friends bearing gifts last weekend - tomatoes from victor, plums from adele, dahlias from clare.......
and the baklava from maria was scoffed too fast to photograph.

australia day

a beautiful morning here in canberra - just right for a walk with the medcalf family. met near the gates to government house and strolled towards the lake.



nigella stopped for a dip along the way



and tried to strike up a conversation with a passing swan but her friendly overtures weren't reciprocated.



further on we spotted two white cockatoos on the ground and one in the tree above



we stopped at the yarralumla nursery cafe for coffee and milkshakes which edgar enjoyed immensely and then the conversation turned to the methods of holding babies.



i prefer the head-in-the-crook-of-left-arm approach, with doting smile



while adrian swears by the right arm casual hold, with occasional shoulder action.









then eva explained that two hands are best........



and demonstrated this rather unorthodox finnish technique.



fortunately edgar accepted it with admirable stoicism, i suppose he's used to it after nearly seven weeks,




and even agreed to join in a family photo shoot.




nigella, though, had far better things to do.



thanks medcalfs for a fun start to australia day!

back again

Well, it's now three weeks since I added anything and it's australia day today and woodsy's birthday tomorrow, so a good time to put on some new pix.
The last few days of vwr's visit flew by with swings.....



bedtime stories



breakfast in the garden



and a dash of equestrianism.



then it was time to go.
we called in to introduce rory to doreen on the way to sydney



and then had a lot of fun at cindy and james' place with alex and matt.



alex explained keyboard techniques to rory and babar



and then they sang a rousing duet before tucking in to a delicious lunch. thanks j&c, we had a great time and hope you'll come and visit us in canberra soon.



family farewells.....



and into the luggage trolley.



bye vwr! we loved your visit. xxxxxxxx
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WOODSY!!!

what else?

ol and ray called in and took us all for a thrill ride on their harley






diddi taught rory how to swing with wild abandon




and his parents guided him on his first slippery dip


we had a scrumptious brunch with ross and clare


and daisy

this holiday just gets better and better!

so what's been happening lately?

well, first rory and vw arrived and then the fun began
diddi introduced rory to the delights of the garden




mumma showed him how to hang around


grandma and grandpete drove a long way to come and play


and so did uncle andy


aunty carmel and cousin jack


max and chloe from brisbane were here too