Kate from Sydney

Kate, that was too bad about the zoo keeper at the Taronga Zoo. Any word on how she's doing? I tried searching, but couldn't find any updates.

Hi Kate,
We could write a book on cats! About 3 years ago some new people moved in across the road and brought 3 cats with them, then someone gave them 2 more. The masked lapwings, (we call them plovers) disappeared rapidly. We have a couple of pairs with young at the moment, but as well as the domestics over the road, we have ferals. Ground nesting birds are at a distinct disadvantage. Until this year, in Tasmania it was illegal to shoot cats on your property.. Its now allowed in rural areas only. Its no wonder the feral population is so large.

Thanks for letting me know the latest news on the zookeeper. Hope she pulls through.

Hi Kate,
Got your note on my page about your sucess with cuttings of camellias. I have had a little success with them too, but find that azalea cuttings are very much easier to grow. I hate having to throw away anything that looks like it may grow; and when pruning I can't resist taking a few to strike; they don't all 'come good', mainly because I neglect to follow through on the attention.

Hi Kate,
Thanks for the info on Dryandras. You're so knowledgeable about plants and flowers. Also thanks for getting me to the second page....finally.

Hi Kate. I saw linked to the echidna puggle story another news article that said the injured Taronga zookeeper was released from the hospital & is doing well. Good news.

Thanks for that link on the shelducks, Kate. I'll have to read up to see how old they live for and any other facts. We've always had a pair each year here and I wonder if they could be the same ones.

Them thar ducklings were running away from me. Usually when I go near them when they are in the paddock they go straight to water. Yesterday they headed away from it. I don't know if that indicates a new stage of growing up. I will have another look today to see if they came back to water.

Grey fantail: A little bit bigger than a wren, Kate, but not by much. I think they are Australia wide, but the Tasmanian ones are darker than the others.

Thanks for your visit to my page Kate and the enquiry re my Implant. Yes, I think there is some improvement in my hearing. It has only been 3 months since 'switch on'; and I believe that it takes about 6 to be fully effective. People have commented that they don't have to speak QUITE so loudly to me to be heard.
Congratulations, by the way, on your very successful day at tennis recently. Was it a comp day or social? It must have been very satisfying .
My more recent sporting activity has been confined to horse riding, and even that has now been reduced to spectator, as my horse at 32 (his birthday is on Thursday) is now retired.
We have Dressage competition days here about every two months, and I have many friends who ride and compete and I love to go to watch and support them.

Good morning, Kate dear.
You are right, when you come on, I should be snuggling with my pillows. There was a time, I was not a sleeper, and I was able to chat with everyone. Of course, that was before children.

House selling is just taking too long for me, we have only been on the market for 5 or 6 months, which I am told, for rural areas, it can take up to 2 years to sell. The last people, who looked at the house, got their loan, now, they are saying we are over priced, and I believe he is going to make an offer, and we will have to counter offer.
As for us, we do not plan on getting a loan, we are planning to use the money from the sale of the land and if we have to supplement that, with our personal money, for the house we find. We had 5 houses picked out, 4 of those sold, I am not excited about the 5th, so we have started the house hunt over again. Which, I think we have found two more, in an area, I like. I think Mike likes the area too, since he keeps going back over there and looking.
The downside, is having to go in hunt for our winter stuff, it is now getting cold enough for heavier clothes and jackets, and jeans, which are were the first items packed, so the first items in storage, which are all at the back and on the bottom, of a garage, that is packed full of our stuff.
Hope all is well in your world.

Hi Kate. Thanks for your concern. Our damage was minimal. We were without electricity for 6 days and since our stove is electric, I ended up doing some cooking on the BBQ grill which is natural gas fired. I had to make a poor-man's fix on the exhaust stack of our gas furnace using cotter pins!

Hi Kate, I'm really pleased with today's photos, you know that feeling when it's just what you wanted to capture.
Hubby and I are just off for a couple of days down th East Coast. Thanks for your good wishes.
I hope things go well at your SIL's funeral. Safe travelling.
Cheers, Sacky

Hi Kate, we used to have lots of Welcome Swallows hanging around our previous house. They nested under the house and flew around the garden like larrikins on motorbikes. I developed quite a fondness for the little critters.

Hi Kate,
Thanks for confirming my guess that it was a swallow. They must be all over the world, because we have them here, as well. Great little flyers.I love watching them dive and swoop, when catching insects.I understood that it was probably a slip of the finger that put the flower in the picture. Don't be sorry, it was funny and anything that makes us laugh these days is very welcome.

thank you for the web for Irish names. my son and partner, decided on Samiyah Lee, certainly not Irish but I surpose it is their baby and it is a pretty name. the name Samiyah is pronounced Sam-mee-yah.

Hi Kate. Was glad to read that Ralph is doing better & is back home with you. I know that was a big worry for you. It's just as bad when our 4-legged children are sick as when our 2-legged ones are. Please give him a get well hug from me.

Thank you Kate, for the birthday wishes, made me feel special.

Kate ,the potbelly you mentioned on my page, yes it is good to keep warm especailly when we have BBQ

Merry Christmas, Kate, to you and yours.I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy every moment.

Wishing you and yours a great Festive Season. May 2013 be fabulous year!

Happy New Year to you and yours, Kate. Here's to another year with your great photographs!

And a to you and yours Kate

, may 2013 prove to be a wonderful year for you and your family with love , happy surprises and high flying adventures

Thanks Kate. I do hope that you and your family have a bright and healthy 2013.

Hi Kate,
Thanks for your New Year Wishes.
May I add mine to all those already received.
I'm afraid I don't have the skills required to send all those fascinating little pictures, but my wishes are just as sincere.
May 2013 be a great year for you and all your family

Kate, hope the new year brings you health and happiness.

to you too!

Wishing you the best in 2013, dear Kate!

Happy New Year to you , Kate and many more to come. It's been fun communicating with you this year and I enjoy your knowledge on flowers and plants, and oh yes your photos too.

to you also.
Wishing you a 2013 filled with many of life's joys and good health.

Hello Kate and thanks for the HNY!! Hope it is a great one for you too!! Looking forward to many more of your pics!!

Kate, wishing you and yours the best in the New Year.

Kate! Did you see the fireworks?
Always love your photos!

A to you and your family, Kate.

Hi Kate.
Thank you for the New Year wishes.
The first day of the new year today and we spent it at our favourite beach here, Flynn's Beach.
It is just as well we go from about 10am till 3ish as I cart so much stuff with me lol
Like my new purple chair and cushion to match.
Have a great 2013.

to you and yours.

a couple of days late for you, but right on time for me.

Thanks for informing me about the Agave photos on your page. I finally had time to look at all of them. This is one interesting plant, that comes in many forms.We don't have any here so it's nice to get to know about them.

Hi Kate! So nice to hear from you and I wish you and those you love a very Happy New Year! The locket my mother is wearing shows an image of the Virgin Mary ... on the reverse is a portion of the Hail Mary prayer in Hungarian. I have the locket now and think of mom every time I see it. She was a neat lady and I miss her a lot, especially during the holidays. Drop by to visit anytime, and have a joyous 2013!