The noisy morning chatter

Sitting here having breakfast on the deck, and listening to the noisy chatter of parakeets, kookaburras, galahs, Australian magpies and many others. Sadly I am not a good enough photographer to have been able to capture pictures of the early morning flyover that happens every minute or so as groups of noisy local residents head off to where they need to be. But as the sun rises, and everyone gets about their business, the diversity, liveliness and volubility of local bird chat is a wonderful thing.

Exploring the rock pools on Fairhaven beach on Saturday morning

Look who ate my muesli this morning..

A female Australian King-Parrot decided that my breakfast looked better than the fruits of her tree foraging.

Gymnastics by the Southern Ocean

Down to Fairhaven beach again, for our brief afternoon interlude between mock Maths GCSE papers..

Three surfers on Fairhaven beach

In Melbourne's botanic gardens

Saturday morning in Melbourne's beautiful botanic gardens. Lakes, herb gardens, majestic oaks and gum trees, riotous colour from banks of flowering shrubs.

By the sea

Last night we left Melbourne and drove down the great ocean road. We are now holed in a lovely little cottage a few mins walk from Fairhaven beach, which is simply stunning. Fine sand, miles long, crashing waves, nobody around. Chilly water but warm weather (it'll be 26C today and 30C tomorrow). The only man-made noise comes from an occasional helicopter overhead, tracking the great white sharks which patrol the beach..