mom in oz...more marsh walks, visits to work...

after our time cramming in derby sights...i had to go to work for a few days.  how inconvenient.  on the wednesday, mom joined me for the morning to see what i do all day.  she got to see the derby hospital and my office and tx room. she met all my co-workers and experienced our weekly morning tea!  at lunch several of us went out to a new cafe in town and had a great time chatting and soaking up the ambiance.  mom walked home from there and i continued working. later that evening we went walking with lisa, hannah and lisa's two dogs on the marsh by the cemetery. we had an amazing sunset care of a bush fire. looking forward to my four day weekend with mom!

camp breakfast

next morning we woke up when we felt like it and it was drizzling ever so slightly. miski was still sleeping soundly which was unusual. enjoyed the cool morning breeze and lounged around a bit. eventually we got up and took puppy for a stroll and broke down the tent. then we made traditional australian breakfast: jaffles!  they are amazing! i had baked beans, egg and tomato. jose had salami, cheese and beans and tomatoes. yum.  the boys also had some cherrabun to top it all off. we had tea and chatted and watched the dogs run around and play.  we eventually cleaned up and went to the stream again to wander in the water. headed out early to get home for nanna naps and laundry. it was so great to finally get to go camping again after all this time!  jose and i had such a good time. can't wait for the next outback camping.  more photos here

Camballin camping

went on a short camping trip this weekend with our friends sam and ayesha! poor miski got car sick on the way... we went out to a spot near Looma community and Liveringa station. couldn't cross the "stream" because it was far too squishy to get to the other side. it was a beautiful, breezy, cloudy day so we set up shop for a bit in the afternoon and tried to get some cherrabun (prawn like critters) without success. jose fished a bit and miski and cora bonded by the cars.  after a while we drove around looking for an alternative place to camp. found a good spot by the side of a small hill and set up our tents and gear.  miski LOVES camping!  she drove poor cora to distraction and wreaked havoc for a while but it got her wiggles out. she even learned to swim with cora in a nearby watering hole.  the boys went off to catch our dinner and ayesha and i stayed back to chat and have tea and watch the fort.  they came back with the biggest creatures i've ever seen!  we had cherrabun, steak, and stir-fried noodles/veggies for dinner. yum! add a bit of red wine and some good tunes and we had a lovely, relaxing, beautiful evening out bush.  went to bed and miski slept all night at the foot of my mattress. so cute.  see more photos in the camballin camping trip album

marsh walk with the dogs

went for a walk on the marsh with friends and their dogs.  it was a muddy, soggy mess out there and a blast! miski kept pulling my arm out of the socket which is annoying the crap out of me but i have no idea how to fix it. anyway turns out instead of an amazing sunset we got treated to a cloud show the likes of which i've never seen before. shadows were being cast all over. i have no idea how it made the patterns it did but it was unbelievable. we then were treated to an amazing dinner at our friends place!  check out more photos here Derby 2011

communing with animals

how i missed this! my neighbor (who makes the amazing meals and brought me freshly made cookies this afternoon - i am so spoiled) took me out to meet her RFDS nurse friend and her family. they own a 5 acre plot just outside derby town and have all manner of animals; cats, dogs, cows, chickens, geese, baby birds, frogs in the toilet, etc.  they even let the massive spiders live on the porch.  the neighbor next door has three gorgeous and well cared for horses. all of her animals are rescues and i had the most amazing time! we played with all of the animals, chased the calf, kissed the horses, cuddled the kitties, and then had cake, tarts and cookie dough with tea! yes yes it was a perfect afternoon. it started to pour while we were having tea and gathering our freshly lain eggs to take home. my idea of a perfect sunday.  miski would have been in hog heaven :)  a few more photos here Derby Farm Visit