# 103 NEAR SOUTHERN CROSS STATION

Banjo went to Wodonga today to visit with her mother. I dropped her off at Southern Cross Station and took this shot before coming home. It's the first time I've been home alone at night in seven months and it feels a little weird.

# 102 The Animal Odd Couple

This is really cool.

# 101 NORTHCOTE POTTERY

I guess they are ultimately going to build housing on this site which is a bit of a shame.

# 100 AFTER THE FIRES

These photos were taken a few days after the bushfires that were behind my parent's house last week.

# 99 DOODLING

I sketched this branch and leaves this afternoon in ink, then filled in the colour with watercolours. I really enjoyed the process and am mostly happy with the result.

# 98 A LITTLE FRANTIC

It's been a little busy around here lately. Here's a summary:

1. Henry finally had a haircut which was long overdue. He was getting pretty shaggy and a little on the nose.
2. I've been to the dentist twice and have another appointment this coming Wednesday.
3. At the last minute I heard about a course in Photography I really want to do next year and had 24 hours to prepare a folio for interview. The interview went well but I haven't heard back yet.
4. Banjo was overcome with a sudden illness which required the attendance of Paramedics. It was a bit frightening at the time but she's recovered now and will be OK.
5. Almost two years ago on Australia Day, Banjo was a witness to a fatal accident between a car and a cyclist. The Committal Hearing was in the Magistrate's Court last Monday and she was called as a witness. I went along for moral support.
6. I went to see 'Quantum of Solace' at the movies and was disappointed.
7. The Neighbours From Hell are up to their old tricks and the Housing Department doesn't give a rats arse. Not only that, they are rude and unhelpful. We are seeking alternative actions.
8. I've started physio for my knee. It won't help with the pain but may stabilise the joint a little which can only be good.
9. Christmas is upon us and I'm already sick of hearing Christmas Carols in shopping centres.
10. I've learned that when you live with someone they sometimes assume you know what they need, want or mean when you don't, and that these things are subject to change without notice.

# 97 IN WHICH HENRY DISCOVERS THE OCEAN

Inspired by the hot weather, Banjo and I decided to take Henry to Ocean Grove to see the beach for the first time. The drive was long and uneventful and we were all restless in the car. The highway was packed with overloaded trucks and insane people doing ridiculously stupid things with their weapons on wheels.

When we arrived, Henry and I went barrelling down the stairs towards the ocean. He was excited. There were lots of other dogs around but he stayed focused on me and as we ran towards the shore line things seemed to be going well. That was when he saw it. The waves had crashed and were running up to stroke the shore. Henry, having never seen anything like it before, jumped backwards and tried to take off back the way we'd come, except that he was attached to a lead which was attached to the end of my arm. Banjo and I burst out laughing.

With a little coaxing and much trepidation on his part I managed to get him to go into the water up to the top of his legs. Every wave that crashed had him running for the sand dunes again. Eventually he got the hang of it, and once he'd been in deep enough to swim he couldn't get enough. With all his fur sopping wet he looked all scrawny and bedraggled and reminded me of 'What A Mess'. After I towelled him off he looked like just about the happiest dog I've ever seen.

Something tells me there will be many more trips to the beach for this dog.