Filling in Time...

In spite of the rain, we are still managing to find plenty to do.

With the wet weather we've made use of the camp kitchen as a play area.  The other day we got out some paints and were joined by some other children for an art session. The school holidays have begun in Queensland and for most private schools in New South Wales, so we have had an influx of neighbours with children. Last week three young girls were camping across the road with their families. Our current neighbours are another two families who are camping together. They have four young children between them, including a girl of Esther's age and two boys of a little younger than Arthur. The parents are all teachers at a Lutheran college, and it is really nice to see how they interact with the children. Fortunately the other parents don't mind having our children around. They are so outgoing and make friends witn everyone, but we're having to teach them to respect other people's personal space... at least till after breakfast.

"Mount Warning" seemed to be the theme of the day... I can't think why!

I've actually managed to do a few paintings over the last few days, too! 

 There is all sorts of wildlife to be seen here- from the many birds, including the kookaburras who come for their daily feed to pythons, lizards, spiders and various bugs.  At night there are glow worms just behind the caravan.  The other day a walalby ventured out of the forest, but it was hard to stop the children trying to get too close and he didn't stay for long! 

gecko

An adult glow worm fly.  The fly only lives for one or two days and doesn't need to eat.  It lives just long enough to lay its eggs in th little hollows of the creek walls.

The glow worms are the larval stage of this creature. They spin curtains of silk which are covered in sticky droplets, used to catch the little bugs which are attracted to its glow.

As for Philip and me... we're ready to go home.  Yesterday I woke up feeling as a child does on its birthday, knowing something good is going to happen- and remembered it was the day we were going to pick up our car from the mechanic!  When we got to Murwillumbah, however, the mechanic told us there was yet another problem- this time with the airflow meter- which was causing the car to lose power.  He had ordered the part, but it meant another day's delay- and yet more money- before the car would be ready for us.  The insurance only covered the cost of the hire car until yesterday, so we had to return it and borrow an old ute from the wreckers for the day. (Fortunately there was no charge for the ute as the wrecker owed the mechanic a favour!)

We've been in one place for almost six weeks and packing everything up is going to be a big job.  I'd like to start clearing some of the clutter in the annexe, but as much of it needs to be packed in the back of the car we can't really start till we have it back.  I did manage to get the fridge defrosted yesterday!