I hope that my posting will not seem intrusive but after reading this entire thread,
I just had to say hello.
It took me a VERY long time to read this thread, but I am very happy that I did!
I laffed, I cried, I loved it!

All that reading and this is the post I quote


I LOVE tomato sauce on my roast, sad thing is that I am also the cook

Hi ~fishie~

Why be sad, you must know how good it cough tastes than. A person after my own

I have managed to survive this long on it, it can't be all that bad. Can it? (I don't want to know)

Bye the way, what brings you over to this neck of the woods...

Dorky

Welcome Fishie

Nice to see you here.....what a massive effort to read this entire thread.....you must feel like you know us all really well after that marathon effort.

I started to re-read it once, didn't get far though....

I admit, it is almost like family


Well, my roast is good Dorky...
sometimes I even bake it with the tomato sauce already on it

Really

That comments sounds a bit 'fishie' to me.

Dorky

@fishie... isn't this thread indeed a really comfortable place to visit!!!

The aussies are so nice and easy going people. I really love them.
Maybe it's their inheritage, I guess they have been boiled in all kinds
of soups a couple of times so they don't stress up with things like the rest of us.

I only miss Pete and Cheryl charing their childhood memories and all other
tales they used to tell here. They were great entertainment and would like
to hear more of such.

As to drought in Australia, dry is it here, too, but maybe in a different way.
Last night the temperature sank as low as -36 degrees Celcius !!! Yes, it's
freezing!!! The air is so dry and thin that you can hardly breath it - and it's not even
healthy for your lungs. And what's worst, this is predicted to last at least
through this week and maybe next, too!!

My goodness Raija, I can't even imagine what that temperature must feel like. Much, much colder than I've ever known, -2 and I'm complaining.

Hope you have good heating

We have a heating system where the hot water comes from a distant heating plant and luckily they have been operating well, also our house is well isolated. And we are not solely dependant on their capasity because we have a big fireplace which I haven't even bothered to use yet because it's a bit messy with the wood and all

@ Fishie, you are almost an Aussie already, try cooking your roast in tomato sauce and beer, very yummy.

@ Raija, I really cannot imagine ever being that cold, to me anything below 20C daytime temp is cold, we do get down to about 6C during the winter overnight, but this is rare, and Winter seldom lasts for more than 5-6 weeks.

Pete

I guess this is why I have this strange inner longing for Australia!

Congrats to fishie for reading through the whole thread, I'll need to do that again one day.

As an outsider, you only need to show your passport the first time you read the thread - after that there's no problem.

I never imagined drinking tomato ketchup. I do like tomato sauce, and about a week ago I was having tomato juice at breakfast time - with black pepper and Worcester sauce to make it deliciously spicy.

I wonder if you could mix tomato ketchup with Worcester sauce and then drink it - that could be an interesting experiment.

So Finland is getting a winter after all, Nenumphar. Minus 36 is definitely cold. We are having a cold snap just now but it's hovering just above zero. I was out watching a football (soccer) game yesterday afternoon on an all-weather pitch and it was the first time I have put my scarf and gloves on all winter. The grass pitches are too hard to play on just now. Some areas of the UK should be getting snow soon but I don't know if we'll get any. It's too nice and sunny at the moment.

Thank you so much for the "warm" welcome it is much needed here......
Ahhh Yes, the joys of winter.
I awoke this morning to a very cool -22F/-30C and that was without the wind.
All I can say is BRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ~ I know what you mean Nenumphar.

It has been incredibly dry here as well, but nothing like what you all are going through.
Yesterday we finally got a bit of the snow that I have been pining for since November.
A whole pile of it!
So, despite the cold, WE are happy today!!

Thinking of making a roast today in order to help heat my
kitchen a bit, maybe I will try Pete's beer

Ah, but Raija, everything comes with a price, warm winters, mean blistering summers.

Give me a place with eternal Spring.

Pete

I've heard old Indian Gurus say it's in the Astral World. There where we park between
our myriads of lives on this planet of counterpoints.

Well I have some good news on the German Shepherd that kept'd on turing up at our place
and wouldn't go home. She sat outside our gate for a couple of days, so we let her in, gave her
water and food. Anyway we decided to ring the council to see if anyone had reported her missing
and no one had. The lady at the council ask me some information on her, and I gave it to her with
our phone number, but I told her I would never hand the dog into them for fearing of them putting
her down, and seeing that she (the dog) had gotten this far in life she deserves not to have that
done to her.

Anyway we drove to town, registered her with the RSPCA as being found, and also no one had rang
them to see if she had been handed in. We told the lady at the RSPCA that we would continue to
try and find her owners and if not we would eventually find her a new home, as we certainly
couldn't keep her as we are moving to England later in the year. The lady at the RSPCA suggested
that we go to the local radio station as they run a lost and found every day and it was a free service.

We drove to the station and spoke to a very nice person named Kerrie, Kerrie took all of the details
about the dog and while she was doing that she asked us if we had a cat to give away. Well you
could have knocked me down, as I had been trying to find my cat Misty a home for nearly 9 months,
as John my hubby suggested that I didn't leave it until the last minute, and he was right, people
are more likely to take a dog than a cat. I had only ever had 2 people ask about her, 1 person was
at a garage sale that we had last year, and sorry I talked them out of it, as for some reason I didn't
trust them to look after her properly, as they could hardly look after themselves without adding a
cat to the list, and my baby at that. Another person rang, but it was too far for them to come
40 odd kms to where we lived, so I decided that was a good reason that I wasn't going to give Misty
to them either. But this lovely person Kerrie, I just knew she was the right person to have Misty.

We dropped Misty off to Kerrie late yesterday afternoon when Kerrie got home from work. So
in some ways I am not a happy camper, as I miss Misty so much, its quite heart breaking to give
my babies away, but we couldn't take to her England with us. One of my doctors suggested that
for my health I should have given Misty away a long time ago, as he believed that she was one
of the reasons for my bad skin infections all of the time, but sorry that was not a good enough reason
for me to give away some thing that I loved. But I am more than comfortable that Kerrie has Misty,
as I believe Kerrie will make a good parent for Misty.

Sorry back to the German Shepherd, her name is Gypsy, and what a good name as it certainly suits her. Her owner rang John while I was out yesterday, buying Gypsy some more dog food and another flea treatment, and her owner came over and took her home. The guy said that Gypsy didn't take to people
very much and John told him that she took to me just fine. Apparently he had had her for about 3 years
as he got her off an older person that couldn't keep her any longer. He thought she was about 7 years
old, but John said he believed that she was a lot older, due to the grey wiskers around her mouth, and the
totally worn down front teeth, as we had had german sherpherds years ago and knew what the status of
their teeth were for their age.

Anyway she is back home safe and sound and it makes me very happy that she is happily at home.

Sorry guys I have waffled on again.

Hope you all have a nice day out there.

Jane

awww Jane..what a heart warming story! I am so glad that I came to this thread and read it! So few people would have taken the care and concern that you took, I am touched. God bless you for it!

I know it's not Aussie news..and I haven't come close to drinking my bottle of Heinz..but it's about race week in Daytona. I had to drive there to visit my Father in law today and it's only going to get worse there! Then, that will no sooner end and it will be bike week, then Spring break..I think I'll stay home! (or someone can send for me to come to Oz)

Thanks for that Linda7, I would like to think that all people would do the same thing.

Even though I am about 5th generation Aussie, I really can't handle the old tomato sauce
too much, rarely use it on anything except the old frankfurts, a bottle at our place could
last a few years, it usually goes off before we ever get to the end of it. We don't have kids
and I know that kids go thru it very quickly, my neighbour used to buy it in 2 litre bottles and
would go thru it in just over a fortnight with her two kids. YUK.

I would hate to be any where around for the Daytona, us here in oz have seen news articles
on Daytona in the past and the traffic and parking would be a nightmare NO Thank You.

I do like it quiet and peaceful, well where I live it certainly is especially on our 4 acres. I don't
know how I am going to be when we move to England, well during the non holiday summer
season the place we will be living in swells quite a bit with the influx of holiday makers.
Hopefully it will be good for business as John my hubby wants a fish and chip shop, me I would
like a small little cafe/coffee shop where I can also sell my hand made jewellery and glass
stuff etc.

Its been another very warm day today, with no rain in sight once again. I just had 10 rectangle bales of
sugar cane mulch delivered, we used to go and pick it up when we had a trailer, but the guys deliver
it for $3 a bale. I know that if you live in town to pick up a bale it costs you roughly $6 each bale, so
$3 for the bale and including delivery is a bargain. I know my mum who lives on the south coast of NSW
pays a lot more for sugar cane mulch. But we are not far from cane fields and growers, so it costs us
really very little, but anything to help some of my plants survive, some of them are looking a little sick and
very dry. I will have to wait for the cooler evening when its down to about 28 degrees to go put some on
the garden.

Got to go.

See ya

Jane

Jane, man you love to type.
lol

You noticed too.

Don't mind us Jane, we are both deep sufferers of writers cramp.



Pete

Yeah Pete, try to get rid of that writers cramp. I've been missing your storytelling.

I'm glad Jane has covered you meanwhile and I've enjoyed reading her writings.
Truly a heartwarming story of that German!

And Jane, don't mind boys teasing you, just write as much you like... I like to read them.

Me too.

I enjoyed the stories thoroughly, the best thing I've read tonight.

Cake

Hate to bore you with nothing new and no long ramblings.

Had a quick downpour or shower as we would call it this morning.

Have a nice day everyone.

R A M B L I N G R A M B L I N G O F N O T H I N G

Jane

Well, it's official.....I have enrolled, signed the papers etc, so 26th Feb I start my Accounting degree

This is exciting stuff for me, I have wanted to go to Uni for many many years......lol, but my time has come..I can't wait to start

Glad everything worked out with the German Shepherd Jane

I didn't know you were heading that way. I believe it is a tough course... Are you doing it full time or part time or at home? Sorry for all the questions.

What about the caravan park job? Didn't that work out, have you heard?

Gee I am at it again... how are you going to cope with your family?

Don't get me wrong I think that is great to be able to do these things, but remember, take the time to smell the roses.. We always get caught up in the bigger scheme of things, and forget the basics, family, friends, and enjoying life.

I wish you all the best in you chosen vocation... LOL Maybe Pete might need your services down the track!!

Dorky

Wow Dorky................okay,

Yes I believe it is a very tough course, but when I left secondary school my teachers said I could have gone on to do law or medicine, so hopefully, I will manage this. If I do find the going too tough, I will reassess it, but I must admit to rarely doubting myself (sounds egotistical, I'm not really like that ).

Haven't heard about the Caravan Park job, so looks like we didn't get an interview, but even if we did get on, I would be able to continue with the course, albeit more slowly.

My family?....well, with the exception of the past 2 years, I have always worked, and I am very adept, like most Mum's, at multi tasking, and getting things done. I am one of these people, who, the more I have to do, the more organized I am. Having said that, I do have a lot of time these days, as both of my smaller children are at school, that gives me 6 1/2 hours mon - fri, and they are in bed at 7.30, so there I have another potential 3 or 4 hours study.

The family will notice very little difference, other than i will be much more content And finally,
I am doing it online, SA University. If I find online difficult I will transfer my course to the local Uni, but I am sure I will be fine.

By the time I have finished this degree, the littlies will be 10 and 11, and my plan is to be able to set up a home office, and work for myself.
So, there you have it... , and thank you so much for the Congratulations, I do appreciate it.

aussiefox, it is good when a life long plan comes together.

You sound like an achiever, and that is something that I envy in people. These days you can really make opportunities happen. Then again, probably in my day I could have too. But I lacked the driving force that you seem to have. I understand your circumstances of why you couldn't achieve this when you were out of school. I take my hat off to you, as you given deep thought to the needs and wants of the ones that need you.

Working from home is the ultimate work experience I would imagine. In this day and age it is so achievable.

By the way, we got some rain last night about and inch and a half. LOL (I can't work out how to type that) More storms brewing as I type. Hail warning on the radio as well.

I hope everyone gets some rain, but would be a huge effort to rain on all of Aussie.

Dorky

I'm glad you at least got some rain Dorky, hopefully you get a lot more.

We are in for a hot week, 28 today, and everyday hotter from now, until we hit around 38 for both Sat and Sunday. I'm not looking forward to it, quite frankly, i'm sick of the heat.

Thank you for your kind words Dorky.

Time to pick up my daughter from dancing, then get tea.

Cheryl

Hey Cheryl, Congrats!

From memory, did you say you were a Virgo?

If so, you were born to be an Accountant! Virgos can be excellent with details, finances etc. (generally lol)
Best wishes....I know you'll do well.

What a good memory you have Justin....yes, I am a Virgo

Thanks for the good wishes, I want to do well SO much....

Cheryl

My very best wishes to you Cheryl, I won't wish you luck, because I know you won't need that.

Learning can be a lot of fun, and I hope you see it that way, even when there is a trifle of tedium.

Always remember you are the mistress of your own destiny, take it with both hands, and hang on to the dream.

Now that was a 3 cliche sentence, I've outdone myself.

Pete

oh Cheryl! I am so excited for you!
To be able to do something that you have longed for...wow.
Congratulations!

I just know that you will do well. It is such a blessing these days, as Dorky mentioned, to be able to
accomplish your dreams while remaining AT HOME! It is so wonderful to hear this good news.
I am sure your family will enjoy having you home with them as well.



Happy to hear of your German Shephard also Jane..you must have a heart of Gold!
Congrats on finding a loving home for kitty, too. It is not an easy task, I am sure.

DORKY got RAIN!

I love reading all this good news

It hammered down here in Brisbane at 3:30am to 4:30am this morning....I woke up feeling all crazy and excited.
Weather forecasts predict more showers for the week, I'm hoping it'll be true.

Only going to get up to 28/29 degrees all week.....BEAUTIFUL!

Thanks for that fishie

I would hope that all us humans could act the same way, but unfortunately not everyone does.
But I look on that as their bad luck and I believe in karma, what goes around comes around,
wether it be good or bad, and no I never expect or want some thing nice for what I might
do, helping is a reward in its self.

I am also glad that you are doing something what you have dreamed of doing Cheryl. My sister
did accountancy at uni part time over a number of years and passed all of her exams, some
with honors and high distinctions (sorry for my spelling) and has been concentrating on
getting her CPA and has only one exam to go, as she thinks thankgoodness. As she has worked
all of her life, and will continue to work where she is now for quite a while to come, but I think
she feels she has finally finished her goal that she would have liked to achieve back in
her younger years, but was too busy travelling the world and having a lot of fun. She is also
like me, not able to have children, but her time is so divided in what she has to do in life, with
her normal job, life on a farm with her hubby and so many other things she is getting her
goal at 54, so no one can never say they can't, while we are on this earth, there is always
time to achieve what they want. My mum is 75 this year and still attends TAFE and learning
computers for the last 4 years, so it really does go to show you are never too old.

So I only wish you Cheryl the very best.

Well we had some rain again early this morning, what a beautiful noise on a tin roof, my
poor grass and plants are loving it, I haven't been and checked our tanks, I know that they
are not full, but anything is better than nothing, its like looking at a glass and saying is
it half full or half empty, I say hall full.

I hope all of you have a lovely and safe and wet day.

Jane

Congrats on your course, Cheryl, I hope you really enjoy it.

Great to see all the other good news about rain and dogs.

I've got a warm glow from reading through the last page...and I haven't touched a drop yet.

Cheers everybody

Cake

Thanks again everyone for your encouragement.....I know what you mean by that warm glow Cake , the people who frequent this thread really are the best

A little story maybe someone can help me with........

About 12 months ago, when we were living 30km's from where we are now, my family and I were very puzzled with something happening in our backyard.

For about 4 weeks, our backyard was inundated with bees. But they weren't flying around, doing what bees do, they were crawling all over the ground, unable to fly, and just crawled and crawled around in circles until they dropped dead. And I'm not talking about a few bees here, there were so many we couldn't go into the yard without shoes for fear of being stung. It really was strange, you could just stand at the back door and watch these thousands of bees going round, and round, and round......they just seemed so disorientated or confused.

Anyway, now it is happening again here, which obviously means it is happening in a widespread area.

So, anyone got any idea's what is wrong with the bees?

I wondered if it is something to do with the drought......anyway, I would love to know why they are doing this, so if anyone can help I would love to know.

Cheryl,
I'm shocked that it's happening in our country as well!

Read this new article:

"Millions of honeybees are dying from a mysterious ailment across the United States

A mysterious ailment has resulted in the deaths of millions of honeybees in the United States. Researchers are currently trying to figure out the cause of the ailment, one that has left millions of honeybees dead, threatening the livelyhood of beekeepers, and threatening US honey production.

So far more than 20 states have reported unusual honeybee colony deaths, with some beekeepers reporting losing more than 50% of their bee collection.

"We have seen a lot of things happen in 40 years, but this is the epitome of it all," Dave Hackenberg, of Lewisburg-based Hackenberg Apiaries, said by phone from Fort Meade, Fla., where he was working with his bees.

"I would characterize it as serious," said Daniel Weaver, president of the American Beekeeping Federation. "Whether it threatens the apiculture industry in the United States or not, that's up in the air."

Researchers have studied the body's of infected bees who have died, resulting in them finding a high amount of foreign fungi, bacteria and other organisms which appear to be responsible for their deaths.

The researchers believe that the use of pesticides, may be playing a contributing role into the reason for them becoming so sick and are looking into that possibility."

This sounds pretty spooky.

Have other people also heard about the mystery bird deaths (not bird flu related they think) where large numbers of birds are dying for no apparent reason in certain areas (Both US and Australia too)?

Here:

"Mystery bird deaths continue in WA

February 8, 2007

More mass bird deaths have been reported in Western Australia but authorities do not believe they are related to the mystery scourge that killed thousands of birds in the state's south.

WA's Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has been unable to determine what killed up to 4,000 nectar-eating birds in and around Esperance between December 7 and January 2.

The birds, mostly yellow-throated miners, wattle birds, new Holland honeyeaters and silvereyes, plus some seagulls and pigeons, were found dead near water sources such as sprinklers and water tanks.

The DEC said bird viruses and bacteriological causes had been ruled out as the cause of death and toxins were still the most likely culprit.

DEC Nature Protection Branch manager Dave Mell said the department had recently received reports of groups of dead birds - up to as many as 200 - at Yealering, Kellerberrin, Cunderdin, Kulin and Kukerin, in the state's wheatbelt.

But Mr Mell said he did not believe the deaths were related to those around Esperance.

"The recent deaths have coincided with high temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius and strong winds, and we believe it's most likely the deaths can be attributed to the extreme weather conditions," Mr Mell said.

He asked people to contact the DEC immediately if they noticed clusters of birds dying.

"Unfortunately, if people don't contact DEC until days following the discoveries, we are unable to collect suitable samples for analysis," he said.

"If you do notice groups of birds dying on your property, contact your nearest DEC office and, where possible, we will arrange to collect samples."

The birds reported were mostly ring-necked parrots with numbers ranging from a few up to 200.

The DEC has also ruled out any connection between the Esperance bird deaths and the death of about 200 treemartins at a house in Narembeen, 240km east of Perth and 380km from Esperance, in early January.

The DEC believes those birds also died because of "extreme weather".

It's terrible what is happening.

I think we've been poisoning and slowly destroying our planet for so long, that the consequences are beginning to take hold to such an effect we are all noticing it.

I definitely agree Cheryl.

Our planet is so much like the human body....only after cumulative damage in unseen ways can an effect from a prior cause start to manifest in an obvious manner, but often in startling ways that are frightening and urgent.
(Like tumours of various sorts etc.)

Yes, we can abuse something for so long without any evident negative effects we think we are safe forever.........but, of course we are not......

Can I be more cheerful here?

We had 110mm of rain overnight, and, it is predicted everyday this week, I was actually cold this afternoon the mercury dropped to 21 C, for the first time in a long time.

Pete

Hi Cheryl,

I was wondering if you live in a rural area, where they may be spraying for pest control on rural
farms, as that was my 1st thought on the problem, especially where bees are always after
the nectar in flowering plants, but its certainly not good given the situation, as it is not only
just honey but the pollination of all living plants that the bees help with as well. As with the birds
that Justin has been talking about that is very scary as well.

Us humans are starting to learn that we cannot continue to destroy our planet, and are doing
something about it, hopefully we are not too late to try and rectify the problems that started
long ago and repair our damage, but I do know that it will never be the same again.

Yes we have had more rain where we live, and our tanks are finally full, John heard running water
and wonder what was up, and no. 1 tank was overflowing, but when he checked no. 2 tank the
level was more than half way down, until he realised that he shut that tank off recently from
no. 1 tank due to fixing our solar hot water system on the roof, he opened it back up, so hopefully
it will be full again.

Gypsy the roaming German Shepherd has paid us an unexpected visit this morning, as I saw
when we were eating breaky this thing kept on flashing pass near the bottom of the steps, so
I got up to have a look and there she was, as she couldn't get up onto the verandah, as we
have a gate on it, opened it and up she came and shared some of our breaky with us. So we
are expecting her dad to turn up sometime to see if she is here, well I hope he does, otherwise
we will have to go for a drive and find him to get him to come and get her. Next time I think
we will have to get a phone number to ring him. I am worried that she has to cross roads to get
here, even though they are never ever busy, maybe a dozen cars a day, but it only takes one
car to knock her down.

Getting back to the bees, we don't have many of the usual bees that you see back in the cities,
we have these very small black bees which are a native bee and they are plentful when the flowers
are in bloom, as I don't use any pesticides or chemical fertilizers at all. A lot of my plants have
to survive how nature intended them to.

Have a nice day all.

Jane

I really like reading your morning posts Jane

Before we moved 6 months ago, yes, we were living in a rural area with lots of farms around.
Now, we are in Ballarat, but on the outskirts of town, there are farms within a few km's of us.

Gypsy seems a very appropriate name for your adopted friend.....

And it is fantastic your tanks are full, must be a load off your mind, for now anyway.

Gypsy's dad George has just been around a few minutes ago to take Gypsy home, he said
that she went missing while he was in town yesterday afternoon, so she may have been here
all night without us knowing. But we had a storm yesterday afternoon, so that may be why
she took off again. George said he doesn't have any fencing, and doesn't understand why
she is coming to us. I have his phone number this time so I can ring him as soon as we know
she is here, I told him to talk to her when he takes her home, to try and understand its not
a good thing to be crossing roads. She was sooooo excited to see him, and then she was
jumping all over John and me.

Jane

Tonight we are surrounded by storms, but they all seem to be going around us, just to the North the sky is almost green, a certain sign of hale, I don't think the Brisbane catchment has received a lot which seems to be just the way it has been going all Summer.

My area on the North Coast, has no water problems at all, as we have a small but exceedingly deep reservoir,
it is a volcanic crater, because of the small surface area, and the protection from the wind (being down in a crater), we seldom have water shortages.

Hope some of our western Queensland mates are getting some of this.

Pete

We got 119mm on the Gold Coast, but the rainwater tank hasn't shown up yet and it probably would have been close to full by now.

WoW, 119mm and here I am, over the moon with 30mm... But it certainly means a lot to me.

I love to have the rain, but I had to spend two half days on the mower. Finally after the first rainfall last week, the grass, or should I say weeds started growing. So I have mowed 'em down. I have not had the mower out for about 5 months.

I think I wore myself out. I keep going to sleep in front of the computer. It is extremely late for me, after midnight, but I did sleep most of the afternoon. LOL. So I am off to bed.

No rain in site tonight... maybe tomorrow night.

Goodnight

Dorky

12:30am, don't you hate when time gets away from you. Yeah that last rain was the most we had in well over a year, maybe as much as two years. Do you live on an acreage? Lucky. *starts singing, "Give me land lots of land..."*

We had extremely loud thunder last night, along with lightening, but no rain

And today is close to 40 degrees.....much too hot for my liking, unless I am by a pool or the beach, which I am not.........

But we are going away for the Labour day weekend, and there is a pool and lake there,....so hopefully it will be hot.

My 7 year old got voted on to the Junior School Council today.....he is very proud of himself, as we are of him, particularly as he is at a new school.

How are you Pete????

I feel like I haven't chatted to you forever!!
The computer is going in to get fixed on Monday, maybe then I will be able to get msn messenger to work.

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl, I have tried to contact you a couple of times, we had a computer death in the family this week too,
Sally's desktop died, and the mother board and ram was totaled, just finished building a new one.

They say these things come in threes, I hope that is nothing more than an old wive's tale.

Black skies here, very humid, but no rain, the sky and the sea are the colour of lead.

Pete

To all Aussies I wish a very wet weekend, well hopefully it will be wet where u all need it.

We have had rain on and off all day today, I only wish it would go where they need it more.

I know what you mean Pete when you say about those clouds, that happens here all the
time with teasing us with the possibility of rain, but it never evenuates until recently, the whole
area up here where we are looks beautiful and green, something we 1st saw here when
we bought our land back in 1997. We have only been up here for just over 4 years now, and
a lot of that time there hasn't been much in the way of rain. Gympie which is south of where
we live is reknown for flooding, but we were there today and the Mary River is still very low,
so unless there is a lot more rain then they will be safe from flooding, for a while yet.

Catch you all later

Jane