I love a sunburnt country...not!

We had a wonderful BBQ for Australia Day. We were a trifle concerned that beginning the evening so late, around Bethany's bedtime, would be a recipe for disaster but it wasn't so. We arrived at 7pm and it was still hot but very pleasant under the grape vine. The garden is an oasis surrounded by the countryside above.... a sunburnt country. I'd tell you about the boot throwing and watermelon seed spitting competitions but I was sensibly sitting at the table eating dip and bikkies so I missed it all.


We found this frill-necked lizard behind the door but he obviously wasn't in the patriotic mood as he wouldn't show us his frill despite repeated provocation.


We had lamb, sausages, damper and salads followed by pavlova (both chocolate with strawberries and regular with passionfruit) and lamingtons. The children did very well, staying up way past their bedtimes but we knew it was time to go when the disappointment of not being allowed more dessert proved too much for Bethany and Toby. I don't cope well with disappointment when I'm tired either.

Thanks to the public holiday my working week is reduced to two days - a fitting end to my time as Local Studies Librarian. On Monday I commence work as Readers' Services Librarian and work every day but Thursday. We'll have to wait and see how we cope with this extra day, a cleaning lady may be required!

After such a late night on Monday we tried to get the kids into bed a bit earlier so they'd be ready to start school this morning. I snuck into their rooms to take these photos as the sight of Jossie and Toby engrossed in Harry Potter made me very happy.



The first day back at school was a big success. Jossie was so excited this morning she couldn't wipe the grin from her face. They love their new classes and could only complain about the heat which is unbearable. 42 degrees today (hang on, I'll just convert that... almost 108F) and up to 43 tomorrow. On Facebook I asked why the English came to this hot place and was reminded that it was to dump prisoners! It makes a fitting prison at this time of year, imagine having no air-conditioning of any sort!

Talk of the convicts reminds me of a story I was told last year while visiting the Mitchell Library in Sydney. A well-to-do woman came in to the library, very proud of having discovered that one of her ancestors was a convict who came out on the First Fleet. She came in to see his record, assuming that he stole a loaf of bread to feed his family or some other type of noble crime. Sadly, he was sent to Australia for five counts of sheep buggery!