It’s sorta good to have a break.  The sort of break where there are minimal expectations.  The sort of break where I can do nothing or do heaps.
Even going on holidays is different.  We spent around nine days in southwestern Australia a few months ago.  It was a great time and we saw heaps.  But that was different in that every day something was planned to do (having one day sick in bed did not help, and having someone die on the bus we were on was not an activity we had pencilled in).  Yet for all that being a great time, it was a go go go time.  This time is different.
Right now most of our regular activities are on hold.  They start again in February.  We will gear up before then but right now we are laid back and can concentrate on what we want to do around the place.
There are a couple of things that are very much in our interests to get done.  For example last night we ran out of gas.  It was not very well planned, but so be it.  It did not help we had others staying in our purpose built totally sperate unit.  They were on the same gas supply, so usage was different to what we were used to.
Good thing it is summer.  Isn’t it amazing how these things happen on the weekend.  Often nothing can happen until a working day.  Still an inconvenience but a first world problem I would say.
So is my stamp dilemma.  One of the presents I got was something I wanted to do with stamp collecting.  It is a stand we see advertised for putting jigsaws on and putting away for future use.  I thought a stand like that would be ideal for sorting stamps on.  We got one on Temu, which I imagine was much better value than what is advertised.  It has six draws for holding yet unused pieces.
I chose a country at random and discovered I have stamps for that place in three other places.  Bit of sorting to do.  But I really like that I can learn heaps about a place while sorting and setting up.
That is the sort of thing I have time to do at this time.  At other times I make time.
Anyway I like laid back.  I am that sort of guy most the time anyway but right now I reckon I am closer to comatose. 

Well Christmas day has come and gone.  It is amazing how quickly it all happens when it finally arrives.  Days are spent in preparation.  Getting the place looking ok, doing the cooking, seeing who wants to come along.
Before we know it, it is time for the guests to arrive.  They do so.  Six turn up plus Merril and I.  That’s eight.  We had cooked for 10 with the “just in case” scenario.  One person did turn up after having been invited the day before and calling to ensure it was still on and he was invited.  The answer was yes and it was great to see him.
Soon it was time to serve the food.  Ham, chicken, potato bake, veges.  And lots of lollies beforehand. No one would have ever known it was my first time cutting up a ham unless they looked at it.  Still, it tasted good.  Then dessert was on.  Ice cream, tarts, pudding, custard, vinetto.
Drinks were a constant goer.  I did up the punch (after Merril had shown me what went into it.) Merril was incredibly well organized. I took what was ready to go and made up the punch.  I did take a drink or two as I could not believe how close it had come to overflowing and I just wanted to lower the level of the punch.  That was my excuse anyway as the punch tasted really good.
We had a time of present giving, eating and drinking.  But the time I thought was great was sitting around the table talking.  Everyone who wanted to be involved was and that was everyone.  We ranged far and wide in the conversation but again it was so absorbing it was 2pm before we knew it.
People made their way home.  It seems for most it was to sleep off the good eating.  It was just in time to as a storm rolled in right around leaving time.  Most had gone before the storm arrived, and for the one caught in the rain it only lasted a brief while.
Now it is time to pack up all the stuff again.  We have made a start but determined it will be at a gentle pace.  Much is packed but has not made its way to its home yet.  To us that is another day thing.

Well the animals are watered and fed.
It seems pretty important the fish is watered.  If not, I reckon he would be a great break dancer for about 30 seconds.  As it is, he is content if a little unkco today.
We have a pair of crows we regard as “our crows” but after many years they seem a little hesitant to come here.  Some other crows have attempted to muscle in on their territory.  I have spent a bit of time chasing them away.  But it is sort of hard to distinguish between crows.  One is easy.  We call him “big chest” or “long legs.”  He is so assertive.  His partner we could tell as it had a damaged leg.  But it has gotten better and we need a close long look to tell that one.
I have a running battle with Corella’s.  I deliberately dissuade them as they take over.  If comfortable they move everyone else on and eat everything. 
We tend to encourage the smaller birds like Doves and Pee Wees and Little Watle Birds and Lorakeets and Blue Faced onHHoney Eaters and the like.  I call the Pee Wees the psychopaths of the visitors.  They seem really hard to get close to but maybe it is my imagination -  one does seem friendlier than it did.
As has been shared before our place does seem a fairly safe haven for birds, animals and insects.  We do not keep cats or dogs and limit our spray of poisons to pathways.  Even the unwelcome visit of a cat seems to have stopped.  I am glad animals get the hint.
I love cats and dogs but particularly cats (who are great hunters) decimate native wildlife.
Anyway we get a few welcome visitors.  The birds are fly in, fly out and there is nothing threatening in the yard.  Except me for unwelcome visitors.