Race day and beyond: 6th to 11th

Mon 6th is Darwin Cup day and a public holiday and it's off to the racetrack for us! It's my first experience of races anywhere and it's a fantastic atmosphere- everyone scrubbed up and at leisure and the thrill and power of the horses. Suz and I realise we have no idea of how the odds work in Australia and have to find someone to explain. Then we try our luck with a few small bets using different methods of selection including which jockey is the smallest and which horse is the prettiest! I lose 5 x $5 but it makes it more exciting having someone to cheer. Susie wins $170 partly by accidentally betting twice as much as intended and the champagne is on her! It's a great day out, hot, sunny, with a young and friendly crowd.

More work follows and I meet a few more representatives of Australian wildlife including the Tawny frogmouth and Possums. I treat a lot of ear infections- common in the heat and humidity- and more dogs who have fallen out of the Ute (pick up).

On the Thursday we decide to get our fortunes told at the market. Tarot cards and palms- we both sound to have long and promising futures- luckily! I'm due to dabble in politics at some point, Susie is going to write a book. More study for both of us but good health and financial security!