First day!

Dear Gran, here is our monkey, all grown up! It is her first day of preschool today. She is very excited. I love the way that some things are the same as when I was at kinder--- the kids all take a piece of fruit to cut up and share for playlunch. Ruth took a plum from our trees.

Above you can see the green grass from the recent rain. (The guinea pigs are cowering out of sight, as usual).

Much love,

Julie.

Trams, whales, pink lakes and salt

Dear Great Gran,
we have just returned from our holiday in South Australia - here's Ruthie and Julie on the Granite Island bridge at Victor Harbour with a horse drawn tram coming towards them.
And here's a self-propelled tram using the same tracks:

We saw fairy penguins on Granite Island and southern right whales with calves lazing just offshore on nearby beaches. On the way back, we camped by Pink Lakes in Murray Sunset National Park and took this photo of Pink Lake at Sunset in the National Park.
Ruth found licking the salt on the salt pan irresistible. The strong wind dropped at sunset - and we saw a wierd phenomenon where the crystal clear water of the lake moved back over the salt pan like an incoming tide.

And finally here we are on an old salt stockpile - rock hard now - from when salt was mined from pink lake.
much love
Brendan

Dear Gran,

We really had a lovely time with you in Melbourne the other week. Thanks so much for having us!

Since we got back, we have made some additions to our family:
Nugget (above) and Queenie (below).

They live in a hutch out the back, although since it is still so cold we put them in a box in the laundry overnight.

On your recommendation I have been reading the Alexander McCall Smith Scotland Street novels. Why are they enjoyable rather than boring? It is very pleasant to sit on the couch reading them with a little guinea pig on your lap. (Don't tell Ruth that we let the piggies inside the house at night.)

Some people say that it is the first day of spring tomorrow. These silvereyes in the backyard seem to think so.


Much love,

Julie.