Laptops at Tallarook

This simple project has been popular in past years. It seems that kids really like playing with "screens", even pretend ones. The day was interrupted by a rain storm but not before most of the kids had made one to their satisfaction.

Bunnings Trucks at Whittlesea

As a thank you gesture to Bunnings Hardware company for their annual donations of materials and glue, Peter prepared "Bunnings truck" kits for the kids to make. There were at least 16 kits on the day and they were snapped up in the first five minutes. Each truck looked a little different to the next as is the way of creative tendency of kids when they make things with wood and glue.

Minecraft Kits at Whittlesea

At least 17 kids got a Minecraft figure to make. After that it was freebuild for the other half there with what was available in the trays. There never seems to be enough to go around and Peter has had to keep it all in perspective. They are a good bunch of kids all working well together, with older students being willing to help younger ones. It is winter in this part of the world and as a result the coolest headgear was worn by one child, making it look like the school has a resident panda.

Whittlesea Freebuild

There have been times lately when Peter could only manage to provide a whole load of off-cuts for the kids. With these they can glue together anything they find, hence 'freebuild' from what is available. Provided there is a reasonably strong flat board to build on they don't really mind. To find out that there is a 'kit' to assemble is a bonus for them. The woodcraft club continues to attract large numbers each week.

Wattle Bird

We have a few flowering gums and these attract Wattle Birds into our yard. Peter got as close as he could without frightening one Wattle Bird away while it fed. The Winter afternoon light helped make clear sharp snaps.

Internet picture confirming

Green Parrots

Where we usually go for a cuppa and a chat at Uni-Hill, Bundoora, we were treated to some close up bird spotting. After a sweep through Australian birds on the internet, Peter was able to identify this pair as Green Parrots. That was a learning achievement.

The internet picture that confirmed it

Winter Garden

We were able to tidy up our back yard. Last season pumpkin patch was no more. For something to do we planted seedlings and seeds as well. The pictures are more for our record before the explosion of growth in a few months time when the sun rises higher in the sky. If all goes well we'll get blueberries, snow-peas, sweet-peas, celery, kale, pak choi, spinach, salad beet, silver beet, Vietnamese mint, sorrel and various breeds of lettuce.

what we found after properly turning over the soil

silver beet

last pear tree leaf

wild lettuce around the hose