What great little troupers.

G'day. My new friends, Ratty, Toad and Mole have been such great little guys over the last week or so. They have had to entertain themselves most days as I have had so much extra work at my place of employment, that I have just not been able to be here to keep them occupied. They have been very interested in the story of Hoppy the Kangaroo and the travels that he got up to. Even though it is in book form, it gave them the opportunity to see what some of our native animals look like.

Of course, it would have been great to have shown them the real animals, but sadly time and distance to the nearest zoo makes this a bit hard. Ratty was a bit worried about the spikes on the back of Eric the Echidna, but Mole was impressed that Eric eats ants and finds them very tasty.Gloria the Galah is resting by a Billabong and I explained that a Billabong is a  watering hole and that Galah's make quite a screeching sound when they want to.But nonetheless, they are a lovely colourful bird.Ratty asked could he meet one. Well maybe, said I, as they fly over here all the time.

As I turned the page, all three little fellows fell back with a gasp of alarm, for there looking at them was Charlie the Crocodile with his fearsome teeth. Charlie wanted Hoppy to have some tea with him, but Hoppy knew better and quickly hurried away. Ratty, Toad and Mole said that they would get away as quickly as possible also.Hoppy didn't have to travel much further before he met up with Ernie the Emu, who he was more than happy to share a cup of tea with. Toad said he would like to meet Ernie, as he looked like a friendly bird. I told Toad that Emu's are nice birds, but sometimes it doesn't pay to get to close to them as the have very long and sharp claws on their toes. I told them a story about how many, many years ago when I was much younger and I was at an animal sanctuary and there was a Emu there that took a liking to me and followed me around, only trouble was the jolly huge bird was trying to peck at me. I have always been very wary of them ever since.

All of this excitement tired the three friends out and they decided that they were in need of some sleep, but they did ask if I could show them more of the book another time. Take care. Hooroo from Ratty, Toad, Mole and Liz...