Out

I'm still trying to get through the 2009 Man Booker Prize. It's hard going. A bit like I imagine it was being married to King Henry 8th. Hard going.

I'm interested to hear if anyone reads this year's Prize winner.

That kid can't read, so I won't ask her.

And this kid's only interested in Minecraft, so I won't ask him.

And I've been swinging some garden tools about. Boy, it's relaxing. 

And trying to boost the soil conditions around here. The yard is bafflingly filled with rocks and bits of plastic.

Also in love with our sprinkler, and have discovered that, despite the drought, we have no water restrictions. I know I had plans to fill the garden with succulents and architectural plants a la something from South America, but have decided to go almost completely native. Things are going to look fabulous.

We got-in some tree loppers who did a fantastic job getting rid of some palms and wayward small-leafed privets. All three gentlemen were profoundly deaf, which was handy in retrospect, because my kids would have talked-them-stupid if given half-the-chance.

I'm happy to give you their contact details if you're in the market.

We're getting them back as soon as we can.

Old Buildings visited during my continued attempt to convince one of the Solid Gold Dancers to study architecture. Success? I think I'm trying too hard.

I haven't introduced you to our most-recent, and sadly our last au pair. She's funny, reads bedtime stories, has asked us to stop feeding her 'carbs', and has told us she's being stalked by the neighbourhood vampire.

Off to kindy now.