Summer in Sydney has been one of glorious weather, punctuated by some spectacular thunderstorms. Our pool has been well used, as has the patio and barbecue. It has been fantastic to share time with our girls as they have both been able to visit a few times. And the cats provide many hours of furry fun and enjoyment

A spontaneous few days at the farm outside Braidwood. Did some short walks to the farm's dam, the creek and The Big Hole in Deua National Park, but mainly rested up in preparation for Term 2. 

We spent a few days camping under the stars at Chapman Valley (off the Putty Road), with Roger and Kylie. It was glorious.

In late February, we had a very special visit to Brisbane to see Immi and Tobias in their new place. We also met up with Shane and Clare, travel friends from last year. An additional exciting highlight was seeing turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea at Bargara, near Bundaberg. 

We managed to get away for a week in the middle of January, between student intakes for both Wanda and Alistair. Gloucester Tops was our first destination – beautiful Gondwana remnant forest clinging to the slope of the Barrington Tops mountain range. These forests create their own microclimate – damp, cool air and cloud cover that encourages amazing mosses, epiphytes and fungi to grow under a rainforest-like canopy. We enjoyed walks alongside the young Gloucester River and by Staples Creek, marvelling at a lyrebird’s amazing repertoire of sounds and spectacular feather display. We also saw a number of other beautiful birds at the campground – iridescent blue superb fairywrens, the noisy green catbird and the rare rufous scrubbird, among others.