The curious incident of the dog on the roof

Meet Squish - he's our "pet" possum and frequently sleeps wedged in the rafters out the back. He was slightly put out by all the noise we were making on Saturday morning carrying lengths of wood down to the back yard.  


For my birthday the La-La's bought me a cooking class on "How to cook duck".  I was extraordinarily excited about the class and even more so because Leanne and Angie came with me.  We didn't quite know what to expect but arrived to find a very well kitted out demonstration kitchen, 40 students and a wine-tasting to boot.  We oohed and aahhed over the chopping blocks, serving bowls (amazing organic looking pottery) and cast iron pans, we gobbled down the delicious dishes (duck pancakes, pan fried duck breasts, duck ragu and duck confit with lentils) and we savoured the beautiful wines from a boutique winery in South Australia.  Being a keen student I asked more questions than anyone else and the cook, after explaining how we could thicken the duck ragu with a beurre manie if necessary, got a little impatient when I questioned if he needed to do that with the demonstration ragu - I tried to hold my tongue after that.  


On Friday, as part of my birthday present (my birthday has gone on for ever and ever - it's great!), Lisa booked the two of us into a make-up lesson.  Her lesson was in the morning so Darcy and I played in the park enjoying the sunshine.  In the afternoon it was my turn and whilst I was fairly impressed with the eye make-up I couldn't quite cope with the foundation laid on with a trowel.  Make-up has never been one of my strong points and I suspect it's destined to stay that way.  

Photo courtesy of Ken Reid

Tom was asking me during the week whether seals live in Australia.  I told him that they did and that a couple of years ago we had one at Davis Marina where we keep our boat.  I didn't think anymore of it and then Saturday morning I open the Manly Daily and there's a photo of a huge Australian fur seal who has taken up residence at Davis Marina.  We all went to have a look at him - there was a lady from Orcca preventing people from getting too close but we could still see him very clearly sunning himself on the pontoon.  Sadly I didn't have my camera or phone with me so no photos.  


Tess had the ultimate birthday party on Saturday.  This very clever lady who works in marketing organised a Scavenger Hunt Party in the City for 14 girls.  They were split into 3 teams, each with an adult, and ran around the City carrying out challenges such as reproducing statues out of plasticine and found the answers to clues which they then SMS'd to get the next challenge/set of clues to continue the race.  Tess left home at 11.30 and arrived back at 5.30 completely exhausted!!  We were due at Angie and Liam's so arrived 1.5 hours late.  Tess did well but the wheels fell off at about 8pm and she curled up on the floor of the tv room and lost the will to live went to sleep.  

Tom had a pirate party on Sunday with 24 of his school mates.  He and I arrived to find a whole load of them fighting with their "cutlasses" - Tom gleefully joined in.  The parents looked a little frazzled at pick up time!  


It was Tom's news day on Friday - I'm copying in the email that Jules sent the family on Friday night explaining what happened:


He took "Guiness" his cuddly sheepdog toy to school for his news topic.

During break he was throwing Guiness around with his friends.

Guiness ended up on the classroom roof.

He had to discuss Guiness in conceptual terms to his class mates during his news
slot.

He and I are going to school tomorrow to identify the roof.

I am expected to climb the roof to find Guiness.

I am wondering whether the insurance company will pay up for another cancelled
holiday due to broken arm/leg/neck.

The average age that children move out of their parent's homes in Australia is
26.

That's 19 years 6 months and 13 days.


To continue the story, on Sunday morning, after being pestered all weekend by Tom, we headed up to school to assess the situation.  We found that Guiness was indeed on a very high roof - if you look very carefully you can just see his paws.  

Guiness on top of the higher flat roof

Paws to the right of the drain pipe if you look closely

Tess offered to climb up onto the lower roof but was unable to explain how she'd manage the overhang and what she'd do once she got on top of that roof.  Jules rolled his eyes quite a few times and said "this doesn't look good".  We raced home, picked up the step ladder and extendable tree loppers and headed back to school.  After a few dangerous wobbles on top of the ladder Jules got Guiness down safe and sound - what a hero!  

Jules balanced precariously with the tree loppers