All major towns in Australia are on or near the coastal edge,as are the population.

The "centre" is a very harsh beautiful place, sparsely populated by farmers and graziers. They operate huge tracts of bush(country) Checking one fence line sometimes can take 2/3 days by four wheel drives. Most stations ( farms ) have their own air strips. In emergencies doctors can fly in (Flying Doctors) and remove injured people by air. Farmers frequently muster cattle with a combination of motor cycles, 4x4's, and helicopters. Cowboys are alive and well in Australia!

Summer temperatures can reach up to 48° to 50°C. Extremely dry and dusty. Owing to droughts some children have not seen, smelt, or felt rain until they are 3,4,5 years old!!!!

I do believe weather is the most discussed subject. "Gee, did you get that rain the other night?" "Yeh only 25 mils though. Be able to have a bath tonight. Make a change from the ol' 3 minute shower!!"

To conserve water is vital. We have dual flush toilet cisterns, valves to direct used water to the garden, taps that turn themselves off after a specified time. Don't leave the tap running whilst brushing your teeth! Only full loads of washing in machines! Wash your car on the lawn!!

On my property I have visiting:
• Rock wallabies,
• Kangaroos,
• Echidnas (like a hedgehog )
• Koala Bears (they sound like bears!)
• Wombats (like a small hairy pig)
• Blue tongued lizards,
• Brown and blacksnakes (that I`ve seen!)
• Sulphur crested cockatoos,
• Pink Galahs (the last two, after eating certain leaves and berries, become rather drunk! Hanging by one foot upside down, and making a hell of a noise.
• Whoopoo Owls (the call they make),
• Barn owls,
• Wedged tailed eagles,
• Falcons,
• Whistling Kites,
• Magpies,
• Bee eaters,
• Flycatchers,
• and gorgeous coloured honey eaters. and
• Laughing Kookaburras (Honest! they really do laugh!!)
• Rabbits by the score(How many is that?)
• Foxes
• Feral cats,
• And finally millions and squillions of tadpoles and frogs (deafening "Knee Deep, Knee Deep!!!)
• Flies! so you reckon you`ve seen flies, eh? Huge ones that are quite frightening, large ones that bite, and the "Bush" fly (that created the Ozzie Salute.) Brushing them out of your eyes and nose with your hand or fingers! NOT many people wear hats with corks floating around them.
• Massive coloured Moths and Butterflies,
• Magnificent metallic multi coloured beatles (Christmas beetles) that look like a ladies brooch.
So what have you got wandering around your property/garden?? We are a little short on flycatchers! But does that not sound magnificent? Ed.