Happy Birthday Maria xoxo

Had another quiet day, though I am writing this a little early as we are going out for dinner at Bribie Island.

Maria was busy this morning sorting out lots of kg of dog meat, so Helen and I went down to the local birdwatching site. Very pretty, surrounded by tall paperbarks. Birds and fish and bugs abounding lol. Helen went off for a walk, but it was quite short as no path around the lake. We sat and watched the birds and insects and large jumping fish!

Then a quick visit to Bunnings for some phone/car essentials.

Home again for a relax and a jigsaw to tackle.

Dinner report tomorrow, but we leaving early heading down to Ligntning Ridge, so the blog may be a bit late!

We had a quiet day today, still feeling a little weary!

Helen and Maria had a walk around Centenary Lakes whilst I sat and watched the geese, ducks, coots, plovers, corellas, etc. all having fun in the park!

After something to eat and a relax we went for a drive. Collected a few munzees along the way and ended up at a lookout. We could just see the Glasshouse Mountains, but it was a little misty. We did find a longan farm, but they were closed, no fruit!

After a bit more relaxing I went out with Maria for a few more munzees and to collect 3 huge boxes of dog food. Helen visited Ron in his shed and found out about the cars he is taking care of.

Maria has an amazing garden, all this moisture seems to mean everything grows. There are lots of interesting garden ornaments to view as well. Here’s a bromeliad and a black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri)

Planning on an early night tonight!

Well, I left home at 8, with help from Helen & Gary. Arrived at the airport at Terminal 4 and then walked up to Terminal 3 as the Qantas site had said it was 3. Found that bag check in was at 4 and the Gate was at 3. So we walked Perth Airport several times lol. The plane was quite small seat & aisle wise, but we did get to Brisbane without too many bumps!
The hire car place was over the road in the carpark, so we had to travel up the travelator and then down the lift, through an alley to get there. They were experiencing computer issues, so everything had to be done by hand. There was a long queue behind us by the time we’d finished. Luckily the car was just outside.
Helen did very well getting out onto the highway and getting us up to Maria’s.

Not many photos taken, but here’s a sunset one!

We had something to eat and lots of talk before heading for shower & bed. I then discovered I couldn’t find my mouthguard even though I had unpacked it. So my delightful sisters helped search and yet we still didn’t find it. Had a restless nights sleep even though it was a really comfy bed!

(Helen found it this morning, in the bag we had preveiously searched a couple of times, Ron said we had a boy look, LOL)

Having an early time of it tonight, it’s way too cold to sit outside, the wind has no warmth at all. Not much blue sky either, lots of cloud cover!

Reading in bed this morning when just before 5 there was a dreadful racket outside. Ravens, galahs and something else all screaming their heads off. Looked out and there was a hawk with a galah in it’s talons and the ravens frantically mobbing it. By the time I got to the door everyone had disappeared leaving the galah fluttering on the lawn. Grabbed an old towel and caught it, only a baby but with a damaged wing. I wrapped it up and put it into a bag as well and then sat outside doing the usual morning ritual. It was a very foggy morning! Told Tess about the galah and she and Sam suggested leaving it in an empty chook cage for a while. Once the morning moved on a little bit, I phoned work’s Jurien office and they said I could take it into the Cervantes office. So did that, leaving baby behind in towel and bag for an assessment.

Had a drive to Thirsty Point and it’s easy to see why this is called the Turquoise Coast, the colour is lovely. Popped into Cervantes Information to ask about the road to Lake Thetis, as it’s being upgraded and had a couple of heavy-duty vehicles working on it. Road is open, just need to drive around the graders, etc. As they are working on the road, the sign to Lake Thetis had disappeared so I ended up at the end of the road at Hansen’s Bay. So came back and found the correct road. Had a short stroll on the boardwalk as didn’t like leaving my car for too long in such an open area with an open window!

Then I noticed a munzee basically in the middle of nowhere, and thought it would be a nice drive. Up Cockleshell Gully Road (unsealed) through Lesueur National Park. Lots of wildflowers showing, capped the munzee then back down the road to the entrance of Lesueur and the 18 km scenic drive. Amazingly it was all sealed, but only a one-way road. So did the loop and then headed back to the Indian Ocean Drive and popped into Jurien and filled up with fuel. It was an old BP garage where they fill it for you! I checked the bowsers as I went past, all unleaded, so asked where the diesel one was. It was right in front of me, behind the huge fuel tanker that was sitting there. The owner was rather astonished when I said ‘No problem’ to his comment that I would have to reverse into place. His comment then was that most people don’t know how to reverse!!

I’ve been lucky with the gravel roads, they’ve been maintained fairly well so quite good drives, even though I stick to 60 km, checking for those kangaroos! Even on the local sealed roads I’ve stuck to 80 km and on the main roads 90 km, no real hurry to get anywhere.

Headed to Cervantes for a very late lunch where I got a call to say they had to euthanise the galah, the wing was too damaged to repair. I also shepherded a western skink out of the eating area back to the outdoors. Yesterday it had been 2 bobtails off roads, LOL.

Back at NS, once again feeding time, but too cold to chat this afternoon. I can hear a pair of kestrels calling outside.

Foggy sunrise Lesueur wildflowers That munzee Thirsty PointLake Thetis

Once again, the morning was very still, so sat outside nice and early, still lots of birds and bugs humming in the trees. A rather thick smoke haze though from the bushfire near Moora. The wind did start up at 6.13 but not as strong as it has been. After breakfast and feeding the animals I went out in the gator with Sam and Tess. The gator is an all-terrain, John Deere, vehicle. It’s nice and low so easy to get into!!! Sort of looks like a bigger version of a golf cart. Anyway, we did a run around the station and checked water troughs and the cows and fences. There is a lot of boundary fence next to Nambung National Park which has to be maintained, but the kangaroos keep making holes under the fence travelling between the station & the park! They don’t go over they go under! I didn’t attempt the Painted Desert walk as it involved a very steep climb in sand!

Once again sat and chatted for a bit and then I headed out for Jurien Bay. Nice enough drive even though still very hazy with smoke. Parked the car at the old jetty site so I could go for a walk and my drivers side window stopped working, stuck open. So googled auto electrician and found Jurien Tyre & Auto. 2 guys spent an hour trying to get it working again, but looks like the motor has gone. All the other windows are fine, just not this one. I usually drive with windows open, but sometimes it is nice to have it half up. Had a very late lunch and then headed back to NS.

After the evening feed (a couple with small children to help) and the girls found a plastic bag big enough to cover the window overnight so nothing can climb in (several pythons around here!)

More chatting then blog time!

I have the 2 baby wagtails on my front doorstep this evening. Sam mowed the lawns today and she said she had a wagtail escort the whole time, catching all the bugs.

 Seagulls at Jurien Cute donkeys Painted Desert Lovely NuytsiaGrasstrees galore

A very still morning, especially considering the very blowy evening. I had a horrible night of not much sleep and tossing and turning. So went outside to the patio around 5.30 and spent an hour out there with the birds and bugs, lol.  The sheep are very noisy in the morning and there were several emus making their thrumming noises as well.

It got too hot too quickly to do the station run so sat and chatted for a while after breakfast. The only other person staying in her motorhome came over for a chat as well. She’s lived in hers for 2.5 years and loves the grey-nomad life.

Accompanied the girls, Sam and Tess, on their feeding run, 2 cows, 3 donkeys, 2 alpacas, 4 lambs (still being bottle fed, though much to big for bottles, but there is still formula left over so instead of tossing it, the lambs may as well have it (I did feed one, lol) 5 rams and a few chooks. Didn’t even see the guinea fowl, they obviously feed themselves.

Oops, the mudlark just paid his visit to the kitchen window, silly beggar! He does it lots apparently.

Anyway, I grabbed the camera and headed out, planning on visiting the stromatolites at Lake Thetis, only to discover the road is being rebuilt with huge graders going up and down it, so headed to the Pinnacles instead. It’s changed quite a lot since we last visited. There’s now a really long road around the area, a great lookout and a discovery centre. Took lots of photos and then headed into Cervantes for lunch at the Lobster Shack. Very big place that caters for lots of international visitors, so it was rather quiet. Had chips, salad and lobster in garlic butter. Very nice indeed. I had a chat with one of the staff as I was leaving as I commented it would be a nightmare when it was very busy. He said their record was 1300 meals in one day!

Headed back to the stationand once again the wind had started blowing. It was so strong that, sitting out on the patio, I could feel the plastic chair under me rocking every so often, so I must have been moving too!!

Once again acompanied Sam and Tess, on the feeding run, but this time last years lambs got some too. What they didn’t eat is now being eaten by an emu.

Supposed to be a lot cooler tomorrow so hopefully the station run will be on if the wind stops.

 Alpacas Lambs  Pinnacles

 Random moth Outside the Golf Club Great weather vaneView from back door

Well, I was going to leave home at 8, but then it became 9, but I did pull out of the BP with a full tank of diesel at 10! Headed up the freeway and then Wanneroo Rd/Indian Ocean Drive. Took a left into Yanchep National Park and just had a drive through and a couple of munzees, lol.  Also had a little teary session as it was one of the places I took Zack when he was ill and it was also where we had had our honeymoon!  Anyway, headed north again and took the road leading to the Gravity Discovery Centre. There are a couple of special munzees there, but of course, Monday is the only day they are closed!!!

Kept on that road until it got to the Brand Highway. Much quieter road to drive on, only one idiot overtaking on a double white line!! 20 km north of Cataby and the road into the station, 22 km of gravel. However got there a bit early so took the other gravel road up to Cervantes. Had a pie for a late lunch and headed back to the Station arriving just after 3.  Hot drive on the gravel, 38-40 most of the way, but the sea breeze had hit Cervantes and it was only 29 there. By the time I got to the Station the very strong wind was blowing, apparently quite usual. Lots of sand flying in the distance off the little desert around the Pinnacles.

Settled in and chatted with the caretakers, watched the mudlarks feeding their nest of babies up in the eucalypt, sheep grazing, galahs feeding, a visiting emu and the little flock of guinea fowl!  It’s quite dark out now, but looks like they have some fairy lights on the patio outside, I can see them through the back door.

If the wind has stopped in the morning then there’s a station tour they do which includes the pinnacles, but Sam says it’s quite a steep walk, so we will see. May just have to drive the 40 km around to see them on the level, LOL.  I had wanted to see a sunset there, but from the number of kangaroos I saw on the road during a hot day, an evening drive would probably see a lot more.

I’m having issues loading the pictures, will see how tomorrow goes.

Actually saw the sunset last night from my bedroom window! When I woke at 2.30 there was a brilliant full moon shining and stars, No clouds!!

Had on and off rain today, but not enough for Phillip as yet.

After breakfast Cathy and I went to Braintree and Thaxted for a few errands, and then back to the farm for lunch.

We then returned my car to Stansted Airport, after an extremely slow refuelling at the airport BP. We saw a young green woodpecker on our return to the farm.

I spent some time with Jess and Keith and the daily walk with Roxy. This time watched the kestrel fly over, they have babies in the barn. Also a flock of swifts were flying over and around the farm.

Cathy & I, Jess & Keith are heading out tonight to have dinner with Jeremy & Cheryl at an almost local pub. This will be the last blog as I’ll be on the plane this time tomorrow.

 Cathy with her Ffee fur stoleSunset!!!!!

It was raining when I got downstairs this morning, that fine English drizzle type rain. Waited until the traffic would be quieter and headed for Saffron Walden for a few munzees. Drove down the same street 4 times as it has a one-way system. Some amazing old houses there though. From there headed to Thaxted. Sat around for a while and then found a free car-park and left the car there. The rain had stopped so had a nice little walk.

Arrived at Parrishes early and after 3 table changes, I saw Claire at the front door. She said she had a surprise for me, and she sure did. Claire had arranged for her mother, Lynn and her carer to come to lunch as well. We had a lovely lunch and chat, and Claire and I carried on chatting for a couple of hours after Lynn and Karen left.

Back at the farm again in time for the walk with Jess and Roxy, and then drinks and a chat with Cathy and Phillip.

After dinner Philip headed out to start drilling, he is planting mustard as cover for the pheasants, but he’s hoping for more rain.

 Thaxted Thaxted Thaxted Guildhall 1462

Hit the 30 days, will be home again soon!

P.S. to last night, Philip didn’t find any foxes, but it’s rabbits tonight!

After breakfast this morning I headed to Felsted and visited Gerald. He looks good and is happy in his retirement home. From there I headed for Little Leighs and as I was a little early I visited St Johns Church. Lovely lot of hollyhocks growing along the side of it.

Sat up at the memorial garden for a while, had a cry, of course, and then watched a jay foraging around the churchyard, listened to the birds, watched butterflies and damselflies.

From there drove up the road to Ardwyn and had a very nice lunch in the garden with Janice. Sat and chatted and then had a tour of the garden. She is growing red gooseberries (we had a few to eat) and the raspberry bushes have gone mad, they are taking over!!

Back at the farm went for the walk with Jess and Roxy. Jess had been repotting some of her garden!

Cathy & Philip are preparing dinner and I’m blog writing, so catch you later!