Our neighbour wanted to replace the old timber fence so now we have a grey metal fence which meets the old timber fence of our other adjoining back neighbour. I’m not a fan of the impersonal metal fence but it does make a good backdrop for photography.

Last year the Indigofera that I planted was killed off in the frost, but it shot again from the base. This year winter was much milder so it did well and is now flowering beautifully. It looks stunning against the grey, even if I do say so myself.

When I went to the Threatened Species Awareness talk last week, I learnt that the endangered Keys Match Stick grasshopper only moves between 200 and 300 metres in its lifetime, so its habitat can be easily fragmented by urban development and metal fences which are obstacles to its movement. At least the other half of my back fence is timber. I have seen a little grasshopper that looks similar at my local park less than 200 metres away. So I hope.

My backyard is looking very sparse and hot without the critically endangered Tumut grevillea that succumbed this year. It only grows in a small area of southeastern Australia but can be bought from native nurseries for home gardens. I have two baby Tumut grevilleas which are its progeny. Only one leaf each. So tiny and an exceedingly hot summer ahead. Still, I can hope.

Life is busy. The dogs are still alive. So is my True Love. Ditto my children who are no longer children. I count myself lucky.

If you are in Canberra this Sunday, the 27th, and wondering what you can do on this cold and blustery day (a change of weather is predicted), why not join the Conservation Council walk to showcase Canberra’s western edge? Canberra’s undeveloped western edge is the next frontier for urban development. The Western Edge is iconic landscape and home to many threatened species. Someone said to me that developing it would be like putting houses all over the undeveloped areas of the Lakes District. Dumb. Anyway, I happen to know that there are vacancies available for the walk. Yep, I’m leading it with a little help from my friends. How the heck did that happen? We don’t have a defibrillator so if I keel over, at least I will die happy.

Take care, everyone. Have hope.

Kind Regards.

Tracy.