We have been graced by the presence of our friends recently, who made an amazing journey to come and see us and to whom we are especially thankful - we know it was a major - THANK YOU!
Firstly, we had the little girl convalescing from a protracted illness - whom we thought had just come right - who hadn't quite. Then, her Mum who'd also managed to catch the last bug Miss Lulu had passed on - the day before leaving.
As well, there was Jenny, who was 6 and 1/2 months pregnant! And, lastly, but not least of all...Lucas, who really wasn't keen on leaving the Rock to sit in a car for HOURS and HOURS simply to see his friend Phoebe who now lives in the WOP-WOPS!
As you can see from the pics, a wonderful time was had by all - very merry and even fancy dress and running races.
We felt privileged to host Lulu's 5th Birthday and it was special to make her the sponge cake she really wanted to celebrate her birthday with. As you see, I even squeezed in a little bit of pink gingham, for the occasion - I felt rather pleased about that!
Jenny thought it a great idea to give the kids very loud whistles - they fully experienced these new toys everywhere they could - jungly gyms included - they became OUTSIDE toys immediately.
Both Phoebe and her best friend Lulu had a lovely time delighting in butterflies that arrived silently...and rested unobserved mostly... in a special humidity and temperature-controlled 'Butterfly House' where special plants are grown for all aspects of the butterfly life cycle - it was so warm!
...cuddling the very relaxed and fluffy bunnies and not so fluffy guinea pigs (make that wirey!)...
.... spying the prehistoric-looking crocs lurking in their pools, their only perceptible movements, nostrils flaring (this pic is for YOU, Jesh!)...but I'd have to say that the event that got their attention the most was... 
...the beautiful white Saanen goat clattering up onto a bench to be milked in front of us all, then nuzzling into 'Michael', her "milkman" to say thank you afterwards...aaaah!
