Day out in Brisbane at Lone Pine Sanctuary Park and in 40c heat...Phew

Merry Christmas

Milo

Welcome rains

Bring it on!

Now we have a resident Monitor Lizard of 1.5 meters with a venomous bite just to scare the dog...
Of course Edward is completely fearless and wants to get up close and personal....Oh my poor heart!

It must be the dry weather which has bought in the wildlife in search of food and water....

Thankfully of late though the last few days have delivered heavy rain and already its looking greener. Such a remarkable and hardy landscape...

Our Mate

Meet our friendly Huntsman spider. He may look gruesome and have eight eyes but he is a true friend in that he eats all of the baddie spiders that we have around. If you can cope with the fact that this wonder could cover the palm of your hand and crawl around your home freely, then you should sleep well.....Sweet dreams.

Gold at the end of the rainbow

We have had one of the warmest Novembers on record averaging 36c in the shade, along with hot winds our land looks drought ridden and so far very little rain!

But last night we had a most the beautiful sunset with blue pink skies and a little shower produced this arc of a rainbow. Had to capture this.

All is well with the Maces. Edward has almost come to his end of term and my work stops for the summer holidays. Meanwhile Mum is away in Canberra this week so it's blokes time and all things male. Pirates of the Caribbean and sword fighting Ed?

Australias most deadly

Respect me!

I was casually walking with Milo depositing our vegetable matter for recycling in our composter at the end of our property. As I strolled into the bush, I heard a rustle of dry leaves beside me which I thought was the dog and continued. As I turned around to exit the bush, this sat right in front of me.

"This not the actual image but an older photograph of the same".

I grabbed the dog, sat down as low as possible and waited for the Eastern Brown to move away...
Only it didn't...Holy #$%^ My exit was blocked and I was trapped. Should I throw a stick.....It might then go away....But that might make it angry and conceive me as a threat. You do not want to agitate this little critter.
But it clearly wasn't moving, this despite birds landing above in low branches, noticing the snake and then flying off...
Of course by now my heart was pounding in my chest and my thoughts were just to sit still and wait it out But Edward was in the house all alone and would surely come looking at any moment.... I made the call picked up the dog and walked passed the snake very slowly as I passed by only inches away it flicked out its tongue. I'd been lucky....Time for a stiff drink!!

Midweek break at Coolam

Two weeks off school before term 3 and we headed off for a midweek break in a new holiday home on the Sunshine Coast. A modern home with plenty of open space and complete with our own swimming pool.

With Mt Coolam behind us it was an easy 30 meters stroll to the sea approached by beautiful board walks leading to a dog friendly beach. Holiday breaks like this just don't get any better and you have gotta love the Ozzies for that....

Early morning stroll...

looking more beautiful than ever!

"Baby let me be,

Your lovin teddy bear.

Put a chain around my neck

And lead me anywhere.

Oh let me be....

Your teddy bear."

Logotto Romagnolo

Meet "Milo" our new addition to our family. She is a Logotto Romagnolo or "Italian Truffle dog" of 9.5 weeks. Only in Queensland we might be a little short of truffles without oak trees. But expect to see a lot more of her here...

All grown up

3 weeks off school

3 weeks off school and games are a plenty, including firing bows and arrows, especially while we are not looking. Luckily the tips are of rubber.

Mum R.I.P 1938-2014

Dear Mum,

Mother of 4, Grandmother to 11 and Great Grandmother to 3 and counting.

You provided nurture and love throughout our lives and there will be no day when we will not be thinking of you, reminiscing in all of your glory. We have learned so much and are so very proud of you. You are our Supermum.

We love you dearly..

8th Birthday Celebrations

We celebrated Edwards 8th birthday by going for a weekend break south of Stanthorpe in a cabin retreat with a blazing log fire and a onepot wonder of  beef stew & dumplings...After all this is our winter.
It was fun and something quite new for us to do.













Then off to Girraween National Park for a beautiful walk and picnic....

Sky at night

Picnic at Lake Moogarah

Picnic at Lake Moogarah. A beautiful spot about an hour away and now in our autumn. And we really enjoy this time believing  this to be the most wonderful time of the year. Having fresh days of 21c and and cool nights around 15c..Bliss, but not for long..Winter is near!

Week away on the Sunshine Coast

Beki & Omar joined us on a week away on the the Sunshine Coast before leaving on adventures north.

The weather was fantastic and the sea was unbelievably warm and inviting...This is a beautiful time of year and to be enjoyed....

Welcome Omar & Beki

Omar & Beki arrived last Monday from the UK with minimal jet-lag and now have began making plans for their exciting adventures around OZ. Between us we have organised important details to assist and now a little red corvette, well Corsa to get around in...
Now all we have to do is decide when & where their first steps will take them to...Early plans are Surfers Paradise, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to start with.
Such a lot to see but be reassured, family is always nearby.

Look what Mummy achieved....DAFF Australia Day celebrations 2014...We are so proud..XXX

Emma Mace is a Principal Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor in the QAAFI/UQ partnership for sorghum molecular genetics located at DAFF’s Hermitage Research Facility. Emma’s nomination in the Innovation category is in recognition for her outstanding contributions in crop improvements which provide major benefits to both the grains and intensive livestock industries in Queensland. That Emma achieved two scientific papers in the world’s premier scientific journal Nature Communications, shows that her peers worldwide also consider her work to be outstanding and of considerable significance to this field of research.

Back to school

Edwards year 2 commenced with a celebration of yummy Mummy cakes all in preparation of another big year to come and especially welcome after nine weeks of summer holiday. Happily we report that all went well on the first day..Well done son!!

Keeping cool and looking more so Rowen!