Letter 19 / 2 / 84
Sunday afternoon on wet, windy Mer. It started raining on Tuesday, and didn't even pause for breath until Thursday afternoon. Then this NW wind came in. At night there is a full moon, so the extra high tides combined with this wind are chaotic.
Suddenly we are relieved to be on the side of the road away from the beach. Everyone on the beach front builds bamboo fences and buries all their rubbish behind them to protect against these tides - but it didn't do any good yesterday.
We decided to spend part of our 'day off' shell collecting ... until we found the water was right up in some peoples' shade houses and there was no beach to walk on. The ocean is pounding and roaring - its usually so quiet!
We are missing the fish in our diet too - its not exactly good fishing weather.
Our Ali
Alison has found her feet - but she still needs a little more confidence. She charges around with James' trolley. Sometimes when she thinks no one is looking she'll quietly walk half a dozen steps ... but as soon as we look she sits down.
She is so "talkative", we'll be wanting to put a cork in it when she learns the words.
And climb! She almost climbed out of her cot this morning, her foot was right up on the edge.
Our James
As for our little James ... Peter constantly checks his language, tries to make him speak English at home. He has so many quaint little sayings.
He's constantly asking when "our plane" is coming and when he'll see all his cousins - but he especially wants to see Uncle Mark. He's really taken a shine to Mark, just from photos. (I think its mostly the one of him holding a fish.)
Exocet chickens
I got tired of chasing our chickens with James' grasshopper net every time they flew away.
They love to fly about head height, straight at me like a missile, and then I would reach out with the net and phht!
So Peter clipped their wings, and we put them in with the ducks.
At first the ducks hissed at them, but in no time the chickens had taken over, running between the legs and under the bills of the ducks and stealing their food.
When things had settled down a bit, we opened the gate once more, and in no time the chickens were pecking around outside with the ducks following. (The ducks wouldn't even come out before.)
At night the chicks pop into their flour drum inside the duck hut, and the ducks huddle in their favourite corner.
Its all very pleasing ... except for the present lack of eggs.
Baby news
The doctor didn't come for his monthly visit this week due to the inclement weather.
Our baby is moving about already, and that along with size would indicate I'm about 18 weeks, but I think I'm about 15 weeks. It would be nice if I'm wrong about the date, but its probably just another jumbo, or two.
Anyway, I feel really well, sickness cleared up a couple of weeks ago. James commented this morning, "Big tummy, Mummy", so I guess he could start asking about it soon when it occurs to him.
No fish
No fish for tea tonight. Peter and Peter S braved the wind for a quick outing yesterday, but although they claimed a number of "good bites", they all got away.
Friends on TI sent us a packet of dried prawns, I guess I'll try and create some sort of a meal with those.
Never on Sunday
A plane came in a few minutes ago loaded with all kinds of fresh fruit - pity it's Sunday and they won't open the store!
I hope the rats will leave some for us to buy tomorrow.
