it's lovely to be home...and a giveaway reminder

Hi everyone. Back safe and sound from my brief stay on Magnetic Island and I am happy to report that the...well...the report that I went there to write is well and truly almost done! I am convinced that it's easier to work in a beautiful location...and this may, or may not have been the view from where we were working. 

At the outdoor table...that's Enzo the deaf and blind beagle...in a beautiful 26 degrees Celsius temperature...

Which was not the temperature when I stepped off the plane in Canberra this morning. No, that was a mere 8 degrees! And yes, I know I will get absolutely no sympathy whatsoever. But despite that, I thought you might like to see a few pics of the island...it is a very lovely place, no doubt about that, and I'm very envious of my colleague and friend David and his lovely wife Kim and their family who are happily living their dream there. Thanks so much for having me!

Some of the wildlife...

...although I think there may be wildlife of a different kind when the backpackers descend en masse!

This was the Friday night RSL markets...a funny little collection of food and craft stalls...

A couple of things made it home with me...a ceramic tag and fridge magnet...I really like the messages on them...

...and now I'm going to delight in the very last rose from my garden that graciously hung on until I got back and make this lovely warming paella...and share it with the MGM with a nice glass or two of red...there are some benefits of not living in the tropics it seems. I think these two may  have been pleased to see me as well, just quietly! 

And tomorrow...a day of catching up with you lot...couldn't think of a better way to spend some time! See...I really was working, and I've missed you :)

If you haven't already, don't forget your chance to "bag" a great leather tote! Very bad pun...sorry...just happy to be home! Even though this was rather nice...