Urban Myths and Real Houses

 The urban myth of crocodiles in the public lake is true.  Shockingly true and it was a whopper.  We know this as we re enacted the size and our distance to it in the swimming pool.  It was the length of an arms out stretched floating Luke, plus a tail.  Easily over 2m.  The secondary, drying up,  pool with easy fish and frog pickings must be empty now as all the birds were at the bigger pool.  The bigger pool was lower.  Perhaps the crocs are now easily visible because they need to hunt.  Gulp.  No more just opening your mouth and letting the fish swim in.

 About 10m away!

We need to add caution here because by the time we left the park it was between 4 and 5m and had tried to eat us!  Not true but the spreading of the urban myth is that easy.  It was an exhilarating experience and had I been able to run our morning walk, I would've achieved a pb no problem.  I was on high alert and mentally planning shinning up trees.  Can crocodiles climb?  My inner Tarzan cannot remember.

This is not our only close encounter this week.  An escaped bull was running down the street.  I leapt behind a post.  Luke just stood still and for a split second both myself, Luke and some security guards saw the bull think of taking him on.  It decided better and passed us by.  laughter all round but secretly pounding hearts from Luke and I.  Dangerous traffic.  It is not difficult for animals to suddenly take off if you tie them up with a piece of fraying rope...

We went to a real house yesterday.  The transient nature of the International Teaching Community means that we tend to live with identical furniture and few possessions that identify our tastes, loves and dreams.  What a treat to visit a family where life had been planned and settled.  A real house.  Family centred, designed in such a way as to spend as much time together as possible.  Kids bedrooms stuffed full of toys and games.  Ornaments and framed pictures.  Even a gorgeous cat that wanted to be around people and rubbed against our legs as we had pastries, chats and coffee.  Thank you for making life real again! x

I have started to mount the COTA (celebration of the arts)  exhibition.  A bit early in the year, so maybe not as much choice as I would've liked.  It takes ages as I am just so fussy.  No one else will be able to touch it.  It will be joyous and hopefully I will make the students feel proud.  I will post some images when I am done.  Presently it takes up much of my time, dreams and head space!