Wildlife Abounds

At first Richard thought the blue-tongued lizard hiding under

the airconditioner may have been our friend from the letterbox.

Closer inspection revealed that this one has entirely different markings

to the one in the last photo.

Foxes CAN read!

In a recent post I said that if our visiting fox could read my blog, he would get the message that he had worn out his welcome.

Obviously he was getting mixed messages though -

he saw the WELCOME on the mat and assumed it was for him.

Thankfully, he hasn't visited for several days, except for chasing a rabbit across the front lawn, followed by two magpies and Richard.

Where was I with the camera at that moment?

Sitting at the computer, of course.

Photo taken from inside the house.

Hmmmmmmm!

Our foxy visitor was cute on the first visit, mildly interesting on the second, but now he's just a ruddy pest.

He finds the mats outside the doors to the deck good places to sleep. I wouldn't mind so much but I'm sure he has fleas. I doubt that moving the mats will make the slightest difference.

We hunt him away, right out of the yard, but a few hours later he's back.

Maybe he's hiding from the magpies, who gather in numbers and squawk and swoop him when he's out in the yard.

Anyway, we got our photos - so now he's redundant!

Anyone know how to make a small fox feel unwelcome?

Perhaps he should just read this blog!!

Foxy Visitor

Whilst having lunch yesterday, we were visited by this young fox. It came right up on to the deck and began nosing around amongst the pots and boxes of plants. It didn't seem the least bit frightened when we went out to take photos.

It looked a bit lean, but was bright-eyed, so I don't think it was ill at all. The parkland nextdoor was being mowed at the time. Perhaps it has a lair out there and was frightened out of it.

This week in the Garden

Despite the warmer weather, although thankfully not as hot as the southern States, and the continuing dryness, some plants in the garden are providing colour and interest.

David Austin Roses (planted for Zoe's birth)

Centranthus and Geraldton Wax

Iceberg roses

Birthday Treat

I would have quite happily stayed home and bottled more apricots, although goodness knows we are nearly awash with them!


However, Richard would have none of it, saying "Come on, it's your birthday and we're going out," with little idea of what we were actually going to do.


So, into the city we went (such city that Canberra actually has). We wandered the shops, even though I dislike shopping, but I bought a copy of Handel's 'Messiah' (although it lacks a certain tenor, Susan and Kerri...lol), a boxed set of 3 Yvonne Kenny CDs and a new handbag (well, it wouldn't be an old one, would it?).


After lunch we went to the movies. We saw 'The Golden Compass'. Have you ever watched a movie and quite enjoyed it but had no idea what it was about? It didn't help that I slept through the first 20 minutes or so. I enjoyed many of the characters, both animal and human(?), and many of the special effects, but when movies become even slighty supernatural, I'm lost. I've never seen a Harry Potter movie that I understood, even with the added dialogue and instruction provided by my grandchildren.


So, it's been a fun day. Now what will I cook for dinner? Did someone say - apricots???

That was Fun ....

... I hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations were fun, too.

We were blessed with a two-week visit from Tanya from Townsville. I'm sure she enjoyed her stay even though she may have wondered if we lived at the South Pole as the weather was so cool.

However, it was quite a bit warmer by the time Sara arrived back from Belgium on 29/12. In fact, having just come from minus temperatures, she was happy to embrace the sunshine for just a few minutes at a time.

Tanya (and us) with the beautiful patchwork quilt she made us.

Christmas afternoon at ShellyC's.