We are in Australia

Australia at last!

Our last few weeks in New Mexico were full of good friends, family and warm weather. We appreciate it all so much. 

Aaron's platypus pinata. The May-Gutierrez family and the Bixby-Zeek family hosted a marvelous farewell party (and a little bit of a birthday party). Thank you! We also had a massive party with all the fish folks, but were too busy to take any photos - if you have good photos, please share them with us!

A walk in sunny Taos. We spent the last week soaking up the sun, enjoying some family time and recovering from the previous hectic weeks.

...And then we flew off to Australia! The flight went really well: the girls are amazing travelers and adventurers.

After arrival in Australia, we threw the luggage in the car (including these two suitcases on the backseat).

It has taken us a while to adjust to the cool weather. Paloma found the best place to warm up was directly in front of the wood fire. This is our main source of heat for the house.

Imogen is getting to know The Boyz in the neighbourhood. We have four rams (who receive a special breakfast every morning).

The Girlz also get a special breakfast every morning (all 400 of them + lambs).

We went to Melbourne to buy a new car. The bow might indicate that it was a gift, but - sadly - it was not.

Every morning, we walk down to the ol' mailbox to catch the bus to school. We are now fortunate to be able to pick them up from the bus straight after school - we head home for some hot chocolate and shenanigans before dinner.

We have been scoping out long-term monitoring sites. This is a potential candidate, just upstream from the bridge.

Imogen discovered a scooter in The Annex (more details soon!). She's been scooting around and around and around in the garage because that's the only paved space for a couple of miles. 

Morning time is beautiful, if you're able to get up early enough and bear the cold on a frosty morning like this.

We adopted a lamb. Her name is Lucky Lammikins because she's luckier than her twin and her mama. Enough said.

Howard got to re-live a little of his youth by setting fire to things. Enough said.

This is looking up into the arms of an old River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). The roots have created a similar labyrinth on the river bank below. Great habitat for water rats!

The carcass of a River Red Gum in the Hopkins River. They are mighty big trees!

Freedom! Juke, Ayesha, Imogen and Paloma catch some wind beneath their wings.

The canola is blooming and the countryside is bright yellow!

Imogen.

Paloma.

Thanks for listening; stay tuned for more!