Little pools

Just before you enter the township of Lorne there is a great stretch of coast that is the home of lots and lots of rock pools when the tide goes out. We thought it would be fun for S and her friends to enjoy discovering the little underwater ecosystems.

Turns out the adults had just as much fun too...

As much as we love them...

We have lovely neighbours. They are everything you could ask for - friendly, easy going, happy to babysit, have a finger on the pulse of all that goes on in our court, like to catch up for Friday night drinks in the backyard during summer, she likes to go for walks at night with me to keep fit. See? Lovely.

And yet as lovely as they are...I like my privacy. We have a large back deck that looks onto their veggie patch and cubby house. It's not the prettiest view. Plus they can see me in my pj's and no bra when I'm out on the deck entertaining a toddler at 8am on a Sunday morning. It's not pretty. They've seen it.

Once Big Fella and I were discussing where our new pavers could go (in the privacy of our back yard) we heard a "good morning neighbour!" We turned to see 4 happy smiling neighbours popping their head over the fence because they'd heard us. They were surprised to see me in my nightie and slippers. Again not pretty. Again a Sunday morning.

So in an effort to save us all the unpleasantness, we have invested in some privacy. Pretty privacy on our deck. It's working. I love it.

The art of knitting

The last time I knitted would have been in high school where I learned to knit a scarf. I think it was about as attractive and useful as the windcheater I also made that year. Complete with cuffs 10cm long and a neckline that accidently turned into a skivvy. Nice.

So when I recently holidayed in Anglesea, I was drawn to all the knits on display in the shop windows and enquired as to the nearest wool store. "Oh you should visit Pear Tree Yarn in Torquay. They'll have anything you need". She wasn't wrong.

The owner of this store is kind, welcoming, child friendly, and a wealth of information. She also creates and dyes the yarn herself. I walked out of there with three skeins of 4 ply wool and size 3.5 bamboo needles. After a quick verbal tutorial on how to make "stripes" using 3 different colours, I was on my way.

It's slow going. I'm still learning my technique. Accomplished knitters find it painful to watch me concentrate and have the persistence and patience to knit such fine wool...so slowly. But I'm getting there. I'm getting better and I'm learning. Mission accomplished.

And my little girl will have a winter scarf to keep her kissable neck warm. See? Everyone wins!

End of summer

Summer has officially ended and yet the heat remains. I'm sure that the worst of it has passed. So until I can feel the cool nights of autumn, I'll enjoy the last of the summer bliss...like watching your daughter play naked in a bucket of water.