Back to OZ, REALITY and our gentle King Parrots

Last Monday we left Auckland early on Air NZ - excellent flight again - reached Sydney to discover that the Qantas ground staff had held a stop work meeting, which led to an "on the spot strike". This meant that we passengers, the crew and staff of many airlines (who contract to Qantas to do their ground work,) were all left high and dry. Something to note - Air Singapore flights were not affected as from what we heard, they have their own ground staff at Sydney. My bag arrived yesterday morning (Thursday) and Frank's tonight, his had travelled via Melbourne to Moruya airport, just south of us. REX airline staff very aimiably delivered our bags to us on both occasions and told us that this 4 hour strike caper had cost Qantas over 3 million buckies to date, but that will go up once Qantas receive the bills from all those who took part in the delivery process, and of course the claims from passengers. Not sure what this strike gained in such a "job crucial" market, certainly no sympathy from the travelling public. As always it was nice to get home - well it is our home for the next 6 weeks!!! This Wednesday - April Fools day - the contracts were exchanged on our house, and our completion date is scheduled for May 13. We are now over the shock of being homeless soon, and the painful dealings with our Real Estate agent, and are now very excited about where we might end up!!!. Things are back on track, with a new adventure to look forward to!. We have started sorting out things in the house, I just need to keep the Brig in his territory and out of mine and we will survive this exercise!!!

When we move, we will miss the birdlife who visit, 'specially the gentle King Parrots. Have decided to leave some information for the new owner along with - some feed, our bird feeders and bird baths. The native trees that surround our place (which we constantly complain about - due to their leaf and bark shedding) are the main reason they visit as they provide food and plenty of cover , assisted by a little bribery in the form of "seed" from Frank every morning. He is quite passionate about them. (This photo was taken this evening outside our dining room - left is the male king parrot, and right the female king parrot).