The dog that is trapped in the body of a Rottweiler (she genuinely is a Labrador, for sure) still does not do the duties she's supposed to do (barking, biting, guarding, fighting, defending,...) so like usual I have to help myself.

I organized a 2 kg ship bell and mounted it to the post at the gate. So far so good. But how to train an Australian native to use this bell? To make clear not to come to my house and look through my kitchen window so that I'm scared to death? Those natives (workers, neighbours even deputies of the council) are just entering the property, ignoring the "guard dog" and going to the back of the dwelling. Oh I hate this habit. I know where it comes from: when entering an Australian house you are standing in the living room. Very often there is no corridor or entrance hall and so they go to the back where the tiled laundry is. When I'm lucky they give me a call - like yesterday when the builder of my decking arrived. He knows my mobile number. The guy is standing at the gate, next to the bell, Clare in front of him wagging her tail and he is calling me by phone that he wants to enter.
Now I printed a sign - hopefully they are able to read (the guy from the electricity is announced to come in the next couple of days to do the meter reading - I'm waiting in suspense).

Normally I hang up when getting disturbed by call centers. This time I took up the challenge.

The display of the mobile phone showed a number from Victoria.

Me: "Hello"
CC: "Hi. My name is Mandy from bbbbss."
Me: "Who are you?"
CC: "Mandy from bbbsss."
Me: "Can you repeat. I couldn't get it."
CC: "CAN YOU UNDERSTAND ME"
Me: "Oh yes. But I couldn't get your company."
CC "bbsss. Bank of South Australia."
Me: "Okay. What do you want?"
CC: "The call will be recorded for teaching purposes. Is this okay?" [Call centers always ask this question]
Me: "No."
... silence ...
CC: "You do NOT want the call to be recorded?"
Me: "Yes"
...silence...
CC: "I'm sorry. But then I can't talk to you."
Me: "That's okay. I don't want to talk to you either."

I assume this was an exceptional experience for poor Mandy.

I was not able to attend the auction:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-09/black-caviar-half-brother-yearling-sale/4618712

It is still bone-dry but now the temperatures (around 25*C) enable to start working outside. Another load of pine chips needs to be spread around the plants.
A radical approach to an old fruit tree that never has been pruned before.
Telstra showed mercy and finally backfilled the trench.

The decking around the house takes shape. This includes a ramp for Clare when she gets older and has more problems with her hips.
The native seedlings are also doing their best.
Only the neighbours are unproductive and have nothing better to do than fighting.

Yesterday evening:

http://youtu.be/3EngeQxxq4Y

Something heart-warming for cold nights:



Homepage of 'Brolga': https://www.kangaroosanctuary.com/

Although my personal view is somewhat different. I would place emphasis on preventing the death of the uncounted animals laying on the street. Why not erecting wildlife-proof fences or adding reflectors on the street poles. Or just study to find something to keep the animals away. I know, an unrealistic task but to raise a handful kangaroos on one hand and killing thousands (either traffic or professional shooters!) on the other hand - where is the proportionality?

Wish of an old hen: to be spring chicken again:

Somewhere I read that it is not customary to reward workers on site with extra cash so I haven't done this so far. But when the solar panels were installed on top of the roof it was really hot - 35*C in the shade - so I thought I will give the people some money that they may buy some cold drinks. They looked at me as if I came from Mars. When they left the premises one guy came back and put the money underneath the doormat. An embarrassing situation.

This was the sunset yesterday at 8 p.m. - really impressive.