Molly meets the local wildlife!

Yesterday I took Molly to the local park and she came face to face with the local wildlife! I was just walking along in the heat (yesterday was a scorcher!) and I could hear Molly ferreting in the long grass near a tree. I thought that she's found a mouse or something (I'm still in Longhorsley walking mode) but went to investigate as she just wouldn't leave it alone. Then I heard some hissing and I got a bit panicky. This is the park where there is bushland and a big sign at the entrance about snakes (see Nige's earlier post). However, Molly had come across her first Bobtail Lizard (or Blue Tongue Lizard as they are commonly called). This lizard is quite big, has a stumpy tail as though someone has chopped it off and when it is confronted by anything, sticks out it's blue tongue to scare them away. It can bite and kills it's food by crushing it. So you can imagine, I didn't want Molly to go putting her nose near it! Of course, Molly didn't know this and wasn't frightened by it (I was!). She kept leaping around trying to play with it. In the end I had to put her lead on and drag her away. The lizard made a quick dash through the fence into the bush.

I know that Adam would have loved it ....

Here's a picture of it and the park where I was walking -

Molly's Home!

Molly is home safe and sound. Now I know that she's only a dog, but we are SO SO glad to get her home from the kennels. She has been home one night and she has already completely changed the dynamics of the house. Anna is playing with her, chasing her around the still empty rooms (when will our container arrive?!) and there's now noise and hustle and bustle!


We took her to the park last night and it was great, getting out the house and talking to other dog owners. Now, if you're a dog owner you'll understand how excited I get about this ... in every park they have free doggy bags and a bin to put the poo in when you have picked it up. Now, these bins are emptied every week! How great is that.

In Bateman, which is a small suburb, we have three parks, all with children's play areas, big fields, BBQ area, seats etc. Two of them have ponds with ducks as well. The big park, Piney Lakes, has an environmental centre, a huge area of bush land, a great kids play area and a huge lake with ducks etc. This is just near us. There are also play areas in nearly every suburb. The Australians really know how to use the outdoor space!

The car has arrived!

We went to pick up the car (dog-mobile) today and it's a big un! Nige was very sensible and let me drive it home (I think he was a little scared of it). It's great! I even managed to park it at the supermarket (our local independent grocer!) and didn't hit anything!

Nige's comment ; Just need to get it kitted out with full off road equipment! Or perhaps dark tints and spinners? (mmm maybe not)

Anna says it's shinier than Grandad Bobs car (won't be for long based on the Underwoods car cleaning record....)

PS Molly is released from solitary confinement tomorrow, yippee! Now we can fill the car with dog hair.

Visit to Noble Falls

This weekend we took a trip into the hills and ended up at a place called Noble Falls. It's a bit of a grand name for a river that has a little white water and a small waterfall. We had a little walk around, play on the playground (everywhere has a playground) and a little paddle. We have vowed to come back with a picnic, Molly and a towel!

Tico (the puppy is getting bigger)

We went to visit the new puppy, that we have named 'Tico' and she is getting bigger. She now has her eyes open and can crawl on her tummy. We must be mad!!