Little Wandering Wren …. chats!

Here's the Crazy Poodle  with his shaggy winter coat left long to survive an outdoor Aussie winter. It's been chilly this week. I scraped frost off the car windscreen on Wednesday which is virtually unheard of here in Melbourne. Mutt's happy to have been out for a decent walk, after a week where we were all office-bound, and he didn't get the attention he thought he deserved! His elephant friends were found in the grounds  at Merricks General Wine Store on the hinterland of the Mornington Peninsula. Good things come in little packages! We had walked from Red Hill South to Merricks Station Ground  along the disused Rail Trail.  It's a peaceful 6.5 km stroll  past vineyards and pony paddocks  through the pine trees and forests. We love this walk as it offers a different side of the Mornington Peninsula than our usual beach walks.  It was great to arrive at the Merricks General Wine Store in time for a cuppa and cake. They have r...

Following on from yesterday's post I thought we needed some light relief,  a  change of pace, to slow down and admire the simple things in life. So whilst there have been quite a few ' What the ... Duck ' expressions heard here in the  not-so-United Kingdom  at yesterday's Brexit referendum result, I thought I would bring you  the Great British duck (or even an Egyptian Goose - thanks Margaret!) and her ducklings! Is there anything more gorgeous and more Summer than ducks on a duck pond with their babies? I was trying to think what is it about ducks  that we all love? No! Don't you dare think about pancakes and hoisin sauce...  I decided that for me  it is the childhood memories both for me personally, but also with my children feeding the ducks.  That was until we were told how dangerous it is for the poor ducks feeding them bread... Oh gosh, to think we were silently causing a whole generation of ducks problems.....

Scene One:  Daughter Number One leaves the family nest in Myanmar, Asia. Last seen jumping into a taxi in Yangon heading off to her new life in Great Britain. Music:  A strong Da Da, Da Daaaaaa! This could so be the start of a movie... ( It's alright, we knew it was happening, it wasn't in a dramatic 'Right I'm off. See ya! Have a happy life' sort of a departure... but bear with me for the purposes of this post!) Fast forward to another continent... Scene Two: The family home in Melbourne, Australia Music:  Pharrel Williams "Happy*' is playing in the background Her distraught family, sort through her belongings in her bedroom... Daughter Number Two is cheerfully (in a loving sisterly distraught way) moving into Number One's old bedroom. She knows it is bigger, brighter, it has a built-in desk and a walk-in robe, it's generally considered the best of the kids bedrooms. She is sad to lose her sister, but pleased ...

Where are all the animals? I was really surprised on our recent trip to Thailand to find so few animals on the streets of Bangkok. In fact, I was in danger of having nothing better  than a few fish to share with you! Fishtank at Jim Thompson's House, Bangkok On our boat tour we threw bread in the murky river  to find a frenzy of African Cat fish appear from nowhere But that was a bit tacky... Cat fish Bangkok, enhanced by Picmonkey! I went three days with only coming across a large rat, which would have been ok,  but it wasn't running in a particularly straight line... but then neither was I by the end! A lack of critters was a tad disappointing given the  Country's promise of  exotic animals everywhere. The day of the elephant  around town has long gone... But then I came across these cute kittens sunbathing under a motorcycle Perfect! Have a happy weekend where ever you are! Linking with Satu...

'Mum, I bought a dog We sacked the Security Guard and I spent $5 on a puppy He's covered in fleas but he's very cute'... Daughter Number One is in Africa.  She is living with no running water, infrequent electricity, sporadic internet and this mutt. Saturday Critters: New Guard dog! Her e-mail arrives whilst we are in New York on holiday. The next day we find ourselves wandering round the American Museum of National History I am drawn to the African Mammals  and wonder how many of these exotic animals she will get to see during her time in Africa? 'Suppose it could be worse - she could have a pet monkey or pigmy hippo?! Black and White Colobus Monkeys  American Natural History Museum, New York So unable to forget about this poor flea infested dog, I'm in the pet shop a few weeks later... 'I need some worming and flea treatment for a puppy'. 'No worries - How old is the dog?'.... 'Ermm not ...