Back on deck, and in the process of remodelling the webpages and blog. So it's definitely "Under Construction" at the moment, a bit like half the roads in Adelaide.
So I'm in the second half of a two-week "break" at the moment and I'd have to say relieved that school term is over. It's been really tough. The good news: I've managed to get several writing pieces away for competitions (that's the fun part), and a couple of "non-fiction" articles away to meet other deadlines (fun, but with a serious edge) - wish me luck on those.
Apart from that, I've been helping out the local Trees for Towns group at Nairne. We've planted several sites - nearing the 500 seedling mark now! The cold wet weather meant the postponing of our Bush Action Team weeding session at Mt Barker summit; I've been out there anyway and grubbed out some clumps of that most obnoxious of all weeds: "bridal creeper." And walking, of course. Just harder to negotiate the track with a bloody great mattock on my shoulder (preparing for "The Hobbit" maybe?)
Did I mention it's been cold? Several mornings at or just below zero, and it is hard with no heating. I rug up like the Inuit people! The bird-baths froze solid, but the fog's been fantastic (I love it)!
No trip away this break, catching up with friends (thank you)!
The birds: Quite a few returning to the summit/Mt Barker/Nairne area, even though it's mid-winter. The pardelotes are cheeping this week; the thornbills are travelling in flocks of about 20 (brown, little, yellow-rumped, weebills) and tend to mingle quite happily with grey fantails, RBFs and blue wrens. I actually SAW a yellow-faced honeyeater perch on a fence (they're normally never still) and look for...nesting material (maybe?). The babblers are chuckling away like they do, currawongs were carrolling, and the Fire Track kookaburras apparently thought I was hilarious this morning (they were dry, I was wet, yeah that is funny).
And thanks to Lisa Picciau (from Lisa Picciau Photographic Productions) and Lauren Hagger from Make-up by Lauren (mum of little Mia, born June 2012) for the photos and the excellent makeup - so patient both of you! The heavens opened just as we arrived at the Botanic Gardens in Adelaide. We dodged showers, drank coffee, visited a photo gallery, partly froze and somehow managed to get some half-decent photos - even thought I'm in them! Check out Lisa's webpage - it's cool!
I'll sort my web page ideas with Weebly (the host site) and get these pages done!
Happy writing
Bo
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