That's funny...

... I don't remember planting tomatoes this year. This one plant popped up again from last year. And while we were away in Perth, our lovely house minder watered them and kept them happy!

Jeff's getting new glasses

What do you think of these ones?

How about now? He looks just like that guy from that movie. No, not that guy. The other one.

An actual use for that fancy duct tape!

Yesterday I was delighted - while shopping for back to school stuff for the kids, I bought some cool patterned duct tape. I never realised I needed that stuff!

But it was already in danger of just hanging around the house - it needed a PURPOSE!

Amazingly, a purpose arose just about immediately.

We have a few iPads in the family - two original ones, now used by the kids, and two new ones, belonging to the grow ups. We grow ups take pride in seeking out the nicest covers for our gadgets. Jeff has a cool Eiffel Tower. Mine was supposed to be bright green, but due to (my) mix up while ordering, it's plain black. Both the older ones are plain black. That means, it can be hard to know whose is whose!

Ta daaaah! This kids' one has penguins on it now. I like the result so much (and of course it can peel right off) that I'm off to do mine now!

Thomas and a tortoise

Thomas' fondness for turtles and tortoises is on record. Here he his enjoying the tortoise statue at Perth Zoo.

Macarons in Perth

It's all class here. More than one vendor selling genuine, excellent macarons. At Jean Pierre Sancho they serve fabulous pastries, and their own macarons. Displayed here. I confess I didn't have one, butIi tried the pain au raisin and the palmier, both really nice. And their bread looks terrific.

And Maison St Honore are making some great macarons. The salted caramel is pretty nice.

How does a Cotton Top Tamarin smell?

With its second nose! Boom boom!

Perth zoo day - oh boy, ghost bats!

It's our last proper day in Perth, and we decided to get the kids to walk around a bit for a change. To the Zoo! Here's a Ghost Bat in their splendid nocturnal house.

New year fireworks at Shelly beach

Very civilised - the council here does fireworks right after sunset on New Year's Day, so people that don't like staying up late can see a great show.

Summer is for frolicking

I caught Jonathan frolicking at Hillary's boat harbour...

And who wouldn't frolic, with a great slide like this in the water?

Happy new year!

Our New Year tradition - sparklers at midnight. Or so. This is Emma, the exchange student staying with Xanthe.