sydney oct 10

That bird again!

Be Quiet won't you!! How dare you point that thing at me!

Would you believe the birds are at it again!

Our Thrushy friend here (and we think maybe the blackbird out front) has returned to the same nest under the eaves for a second go! I didn't know they did that. I'd been telling Penny that they build a new nest every year so that parasites and things are not passed on. I assume then that seeing that it's the same year it doesn't count. It's a bit of a blow to say the least to feel that we have to creep around our own patio to avoid disturbing the bird! I can't believe we're doing this, it must be the age thing when the family has left and we start to anthropomorphise creatures. Fortunately, as time passes, it seems more unlikely that the fledglings will take off while I'm away in Sydney as there doesn't seem to be any signs of chicks yet. So Earl and I aren't looking forward to the kitty litter and the supervised walks in the garden at the critical time. At least the young ones have disappeared into the world and are not still flying around the garden like low flying heavily laden cargo planes with no one at the controls.

Speaking of kitty litter reminds me that now Earl has it in mind that the new raised garden is open for use as a new loo for him. I know he's very neat at this but nevertheless I now have to put netting over it, hopefully we won't see a progressive digging up of the lettuces like what happened with the strawberry plants last year which might have been blamed on the blackbirds who can really move dirt while they find their favourite food bugs. everything seems to be growing like mad at the moment.

As things turned out we were able to have our first barbecue of the year without having to tiptoe around out there. David and Linda stayed overnight before flying out to Malaysia for a holiday and here we are getting it to go! A great evening was had by all. No wind (well not much) for a change although not really sitting about outside weather.

and look who turned up at the end to see if there was anything left! Noisy Earl!

Now D and L have wended their way back to New Plymouth and we are left with the next wave of Asian home-stays, we have one Chinese and I guess a Korean will arrive shortly. But more of that later.