Possum Problem

Sunday 29 September
Marion came over to get her fringe trimmed and we presume she also bought a stowaway in the shape of a brush-tailed possum.

Why do we think that, well she parked in our driveway and Janet who was out front watering her garden, saw this bushy tail poke out from the corner of the brick wall. Thinking it was a cat from the neighbourhood she tried to shoo it, but it didn't go, so she went closer to have a look and got the shock of her life when she saw it was a possum. 

I was in the kitchen, preparing lunch when I heard her shouting and running down the driveway, "there's a possum running down the driveway". I looked out the window and saw this pretty big possum with it's bushy tail and a huge bloody patch along it's back come running past, it saw Lily and Marion on the grass so it didn't run down the back, it ran straight past them heading for the side fence, tried to climb it but couldn't get a grip and landed in the birds nest fern.  Because that corner is full of plants and the fern provided a hiding place, it stayed there for most of the afternoon. 

I rang the people at WIRES and it took some time before they answered.  When they did, they said they'd try and send someone around. They also asked if it was contained, I replied that we couldn't catch it and that it was resting in the fern.  She said if we put out some apples, it might come out and we could then trap it in a big box.  Marion also thought it could come out for apples. Dubious, but we cut up an old apple and placed a trail to a cardboard box. 

Didn't think the possum was going to come out, but also didn't want it to go running over the fence to terrorise the neighbourhood or come back at another time, so we cleared the area of most of the plants we could and then put a huge net, which Janet had, over the fern, and surrounding plants. Marion left shortly after, I guess feeling a bit guilty, as we'd said she's driven it over from her place.  She had a possum problem and this was her way of getting rid of it.

It wasn't until around 5pm that I got a call from a lady who lives in Croydon asking whether the possum was still ok.  Told her that it was still in the fern and that it was injured, so after the looked up directions and I told her how to get to our place, we waited for her to arrive.  In the middle of making dinner she arrives.  Thank goodness it was before the sun went down otherwise it would have been too dark to see. 

She arrived with 2 cages, some towels and a pillowcase. When she saw the possum and where it was, she said we did the right thing.  So with the netting still over the area, she, tried to get the possum, using the towel to cover it and put it in the pillowcase, but it's not as easy as it seems and the possum got out of the fern and climbed the nectarine tree.  Lily and I tried to help, but didn't want to get too close it case it scratched or bit us.  Managed to chase it back into the fern and she tried again, this time instead of going up, it tried climbing down out of the fern, so Lily got the pillowcase and the lady positioned the possum so that it's head was in the pillowcase and then somehow maneuvered it into the pillowcase. It was a pretty strong possum.

She called the vet straight away to see whether she could bring it in to be seen, the first vet wasn't open, but the second one she tried was, so she said she would take it to be seen to. If they could save it they would, but otherwise, if not, they would put it down. 

We were just glad it was caught and being taken away.  Janet was not looking forward to having a possum living in her garden.

Then the following day, whilst walking home, I see a dead possum on the side of the footpath, spooky.

Floriade 2013

Floriade is in its 26th year, and this year, Janet and I, joined Marion and her relatives, (Uncle Stephen and Auntie Anne Ho, Auntie Julie Kwan, Cousin Linda Tsang). We offered the use of the Tarago and I drove us all there on Wednesday 25 September. I took a flex day. We left Strathfield at 8.30am and got to Canberra at 11.30am, no stops. Marion and the others paid for my lunch, dinner as well as petrol which was a bonus (lunch $9.50, petrol $135.00)

Admired the flowers, took lots of photos, had lunch consisting of fish and chips, explored the village shops, stopped for afternoon coffee (I had water, they had tea or coffee), Janet bought a churros to share, more flowers and photos before it was time to head back to Sydney.  We left Canberra around 4.30pm after filling up and drove straight back to Burwood, for dinner at Canton Noodle House (set for 6 people at $89.90 plus steamed barramundi $10). Then back to Marions for a cup of tea and gossip, before heading home.

In tribute to Canberra's centenary, this year the garden beds have been inspired by the passion and creativity behind some of the capital's greatest national achievments, which are celebrated at our world-class national attractions.

Canberra Plan
This bed represents Walkter Burley Griffin's competition winning design for Canberra, with Capital Hill at the centre and bold, geometric shapes emerging from surrounding hills that were used to inform the main axis.

 
CSIRO
Technologies for fast wireless networks, which we know as Wi-Fi were invented at CSIRO. The iconic symbol for wireless is depicted in this floral display.

Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport produces some of the country’s finest athletes, symbolised in this bed by the hexagonal shape found in the internationally-renowned soccer ball.

National Gallery of Australia
The triangular geometry of the National Gallery of Australia building – reflected in the coffered ceiling grids, the principal floor tiles and echoed throughout the triangular stair towers – is replicated in this garden bed.

Museum of Australian Democracy
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House brings the journey of our country’s democracy to life. Depicted in this bed are the Senate and House of Representatives – chambers where our past, present and possible futures were debated.

Australian War Memorial
Australia’s experience of war and its enduring impact on society are recognised in this display, which is inspired by the Victoria Cross, the nation’s highest military award for valour, and the diverse colours used in campaign medal ribbons.

National Botanic Gardens
The Australian National Botanic Gardens features the world’s most comprehensive display of Australian flora. A significant new feature is the Red Centre Garden, showcasing the unique flora and landscapes of Central Australia. This Floriade display honours the abundance of stunning floral sequences found in botany.

Questacon
Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre uses a hands-on approach to learning. Complex phenomena and theories – including the chain of DNA depicted in this flowerbed – are explored through interactive learning experiences.

National Library of Australia
The library offers unparalled access to material relating to Australia and  the Australian people. This floral display is inspired by architect Walter Bunning’s design for the library building and by stacks of books.

National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia explores Australian history and culture. Indigenous history, landscape, people, and the journeys that connect us with the world, are represented in this garden bed by an interlocking, multi-coloured jigsaw puzzle.

National Portrait Gallery
The hundreds of portraits on display at the National Portrait Gallery – from contemporary digital works to photographs and 19th century paintings – have inspired this interactive display. Cleverly positioned mirrors reflect the flowers, inviting you to create beautiful, flower-framed portraits of your friends and family.

Royal Australian Mint
The Royal Australian Mint’s iconic one dollar and fifty cent coins are depicted among the blooms here with the bounding kangaroo seen on the one dollar coin emerging in a ghost-like image from the bed

Burwood Festival 2013

Sunday 22 September 2013
I checked out the park in the morning around 9.30am, saying hi to Maria and Katrina, who were manning the library bit of the Council stall. Gave them some help to hang some of their library bags.

I ended up taking one as it has 2 free pens as well as a whole lot of information about the library. I also got a free council bag as well as a free Burwood Plaza bag.  Then I went to Chemist Warehouse to buy some bandages for my knee, as well as stock up on drugs (Claratyne and Sambuccol), before buying a sausage and onion roll $3.50 and a sugar cane drink $4.00 to have for breakfast.

There were stage performers, lots of activities for the kids, the classic car show, amusement rides and a whole lot of food stalls and informational stalls. I guess because the park is so big and I don't need to drive there, it doesn't seem as crowded or busy.

Walked home and waited for Evan and A. Cath to come over. In the meantime, Kaylene and Lily went shopping at Strathfield. When the Seeto's finally came over, they decided to go shopping at Costco instead of the fish market. Had to wait for Lily to get back and then they went shopping with Janet and Lily, while Kaylene and I stayed at home prepping ingredients to make summer rolls. Apparently they ordered pizza and the wait took so long, that's what held them up.

By the time we had our late lunch and got ready to head out to the festival, it was around 3pm and Marion was already there and waiting, sms-ing me that OMG, Samantha Jade was on stage. By the time we got there the crowd around the stage area was standing room only and the only way to see the performers was to stand on chairs. Not as fun as last year watching Timomatic, but at least we heard her sing.

Walked around the festival, checked out the food prices, sampled what food there was offered, but didn't buy anything, made a few rounds and then walked home for afternoon tea. The Seeto's didn't stay for dinner, they had to get home, and pack as they were heading out to US the next day.

Cabramatta Moon Festival 2013

Sunday 15 September 2013
We had planned to take Fiona back after lunch, but then we changed the plans and decided to visit Cabramatta Moon Festival, have dinner at the Seetos and then drop Fiona back home.
So it was at 2.30pm that we left home to drive to Cabramatta.  We were lucky to get a parking spot 2 blocks away, but not too far to walk.

So many people, so many Asians, and if there was any give aways, you had to be quick.  Lots of stalls selling asian products.  If we hadn't already eaten before we went, I would surely have bought some food, so cheap there.

Lily and A. Cath bought boxes of noodles. Fiona didn't like the crowds and it took a sugar cane drink to get her moving.

My camera battery died on me just before we got to the Lion dancers, so no photos from me, but I'm posting some that Evan took.

We lined up for popcorn before going home and that took a while, or for a little Holden bag filled with 3 small scoops of popcorn.

Then after Cabramatta, we went over to U.David's for dinner of leftovers which  were turned into summer rolls.