Fun in the Sun

This week Whit and I finally explored the playground near us - Skinner's Playground. It is supervised and thus only open for two hours each day. "What kind of playground requires lifeguards?" you ask! The kind with a chicken coop, a pigeon coop, four giant tree houses, two Maersk milvans that have been turned into an activity center, an in-ground trampoline, and a pony that makes special appearances. Whit enjoyed the baby swing, and the chickens enjoyed Whit. Some of them looked like they had lost a cock fight or two, but clucked away happily when we sat down to meet them.

Then this weekend, Whit made his first footprints in the Indian Ocean. Andy and I got a little sun, but Whit was doused in sunscreen, so he is healthy as can be. All that protection, however, led to an adorable little white Whit handprint on Andy's red chest.

Add some roo to your stew.

We feasted upon kangaroo tonight. Whit found it full-bodied with a briny aftertaste, Andy found it succulent with a zesty aroma, and I found it exciting to eat a hopping animal. Does that make me a bad person? Hey, when in Melbourne...

The Six, er, 'Twelve' Apostles

The Twelve Apostles (less the six that have fallen over time) and other towering cliffs along the Great Ocean Road were quite haunting. Here are a few shots from our journey.

Subtlety is not highly regarded in this country. I'm glad they supplied the yellow graphic of the unstable cliff, because I really was not sure what "fall and DIE" meant.

Close Encounters of the Furry Kind

On our way along the Great Ocean Road this weekend, we had our first wildlife encounter. It reminded me of the tourists in Yellowstone who clog the roads to pull over and look at buffalo, and I was ashamed to be among the crowd...until we were literally standing right next to a koala bear. She really wanted to cross the road, and to save her, one of the onlookers picked her up and placed her on the other side of the roadway railing. PICKED HER UP! Insane. Not to be deterred, she crawled under and continued to pursue the gum trees on the other side. So, a crowd of some 15 people walked with her across the street to make sure she was not hit. Super smart, because a headline of "Fifteen dead trying to save a koala bear" is so much more endearing than "Why did the koala cross the road? To die." Good to know that this mentality exists on other continents as well. And to know that Andy and I are just as ridiculous as the masses. But look at that furriness. Let's be honest - it took everything within me to not shove the girl over and grab the bear myself.

Thinking about crossing

Crossing, with company

The friend she left behind on the other side, perfectly content to stay away from company

Good Mornington

This past weekend we went to the Mornington Peninsula, just south of Melbourne. First stop was Ashcombe Gardens, including Australia's oldest hedge maze and 4,000-plant-strong lavender labyrinth. We didn't see any lipstick arrows on the ground, or talking door knockers, but it was magical nonetheless.


There were fairies and gnomes hiding everywhere we went. These were the most special sprites.


Then off to Cape Schanck and its lighthouse perched upon a majestic cliff. We enjoyed a walk on the sandy path along the top of the rolling hills, and then the boys took a break on one of the benches.

I can't help but add this was the second time we were out in our rental car - a flashy red Holden sedan. The first time out I know Andy felt like he was driving Miss Crazy. The opposite side of the road is one thing, but the opposite side of the car is a whole other thing. Add to that the narrow city lanes, the areas where you actually drive ON the tram tracks with no warning, and the random right-hand turn lanes that are in the far left lane, and you have a recipe for intense stress. I think I added about 200 more gray hairs to my wonderful collection. BUT, I am happy to say that the day after this voyage, I took the wheel myself, and felt like I had won the lottery when we got home safely.

I think we're adjusting to Aussie life!

"Just a little trim, please!"

Yes, Whit had his first haircut, and by a true professional - Madame Momma. At times it was like trying to put socks on a rooster, but I did it! Sure my salon was a bedroom floor, and my unwilling assistant was Andy, but I think it turned out quite spectacular. The customer had to be plugged as you can see (we only do that for our most special patrons), and I think the look in his eyes expresses his feeling of defeat - did he think he was like Samson and I was cutting away his strength?

Meet the New Neighbors

We moved into our apartment last week (finally!!!!!!!) and are enjoying getting a little more of a pace back in our lives. Eight nights of sleeping in the same room with a teething one-year-old is enough to drive someone to drinking...and it did.

Today, my little two-and-a-half-foot companion and I took a relaxing swim in the pool at our building. It is small by adult standards, but perfect by toddler standards. I couldn't get a picture of him swimming, seeing as I was the lifeguard on duty and all, but here he is toweling off. Check out that beach bod.


Our apartment has wonderful views - the ocean to the left, the port and mountains straight out, and the city to the right. We had some storms this past week thanks to the cyclones, and this was the beautiful scene that greeted me one morning. It was indeed the calm before the flooding. Our area is fine, but parts of the city were not so fortunate. Andy's building is the second tall black one from the right. Yes, he can see our apartment from his window, so when dinner is ready, I simply hang a red flag from our balcony and he jaunts home.

Yeah, even I can't keep a straight face with that one.