Up and Down to Brisbane.

We've been back and forth to Brisbane a couple,of times since I last wrote a post. John has had a "Back Fusion" operation which gifted him 34 staples in is back - these have now been removed, but he has the delight of now owning 4 screws in his spine. So this should hold him together for a few years I hope! He is already feeling less of the old lain, and hopes to never experience it again. Yesterday we had a return trip to the specialist who then sent him on for a physio. appointment. It was an exhausting day with about 5 hours driving in all. So we both feel pretty drained today.Good thing we have no commitments and can relax.
Our garden is full of butterflies again. I love it when they appear and dance over and around the shrubs and flowers. I call it a 'confetti of butterflies!'I wish the photos where better as it doesn't show them very clearly, but have a look - or come and visit! It's a year since we had overseas family come - so about time we saw some of you this side of the world. It's not all dome and gloom, though the elements are certainly showing that they rule the world. Poor Christchurch with it's earthquakes, only 6 months since the last, and this causing so much damage and human pain.

Wind and Rain

It is amazing that the cyclone and the fall out has missed us completely. Until I saw a weather map I couldn't understand why Victoria was having massive rainstorms because of the Yasi cyclone but not us! In Alice Springs they are being effected too. It covered a great area, but fanned out after passing north of us. The stupid thing is that we could do with some rain now. The temps. have been over 30 degrees and it's a bit too hot for me to easily bear. I am glad we don't live near Sydney. They had it hitting 45C yesterday. Phew!
Some of our plants and shrubs have died from flooded roots, which is a pity.

I was thinking today how things have changed with going to live in another country. One hundred years ago you would expect to not see your family again unless you were very lucky, once you moved abroad. Even 40 years ago the cost of flying was way out of ordinary people's pockets; and to speak on the phone you had to book a time way ahead. Now we have Blogs, emails, Facebook, Skype and other ways to make contact at any time and place. I wonder if they will ever invent a way of "Beam Yourself Up Now" to travel in person an back; and would one risk it??