Well if anyone had told me a month ago that I’d be hitting day 9 of being ‘home alone’ on the property I wouldn’t have believed them. However here I am with more rain over the weekend and yet another run down the Whalan Creek the lead of which should reach us tomorrow. David of course is still ‘stuck’ at our place on the other side of the river while I’ve been minding the fort – literally, I’ve got the moat! while my parents have been in Sydney. Now I’ve the interesting prospect of trying to get them home. They’ve already delayed their flight due to road closures however they will be arriving in Moree on monday night. As of friday the Boomi road to Moree is closed with a hefty 1.4 metres of water expected to hit one of the causeways. The alternative route is via Goondiwindi a nice round trip of about 460km. That road could also be cut for a couple of days so they may well yet have to spent a couple of days in a motel. Knowing my father however, impatience will get the better of him and he’ll hire a light plane which can land at the strip at Boomi. In the meantime I’ve been trogging around in my gum boots admiring some of the plants in the garden which are really enjoying the rain.

This ornamental kumquat tree has fruit resembling miniature oranges and is related to the bush kumquat’s which use to grow wild in this area. They’re pretty hard to find these days however you can still make jam from the ornamental variety although they’re best cooked with oranges and a generous helping of sugar for the fruit can be a little tart. This tree is currently a particularly favourite spot for a pair of foxes who have taken up residence at the rear of the garden. At the opposite end we have a feral cat who this morning gathered her brood of kittens for a fleeting introduction at the back door. Mid way between both is a wallaby who appears to be able to take fences at a single bound. My menagerie includes the kangaroos outside the back gate who have now grown in number to about forty. Just as well we all get on…