It's hot. Hot and dry. Yes, I know this is the tropics and we're six days into summer, but it's not usually this hot — or dry — in our part of the world. Oh, it did rain the other day, heavily enough to remind me that not all the gutters are protected by leaf guards. But apart from that brief downpour, it's been dry. And hot.
A bulldog cross wandered into my garden on Tuesday. Nice animal, well looked after, friendly. I called the number on its collar but got no answer, so I asked Council to send around the Animal Control Officer. While I was waiting, the dog stretched out on the patio and took a nap. Then I noticed a young pademelon wandering closer to check out what was happening. This had the potential to end very unhappily.
I slipped my hand under the pooch's collar and made shooing gestures at the pademelon. That just encouraged it. The more I flapped my hand at the paddie, the closer it came. When it reached the edge of the patio, I had to drag the dog into the house and close the door. There it stayed, lying on the cool tiles until the Council ute arrived. The pooch seemed overjoyed to see it. I'm not sure whether the dog mistook it for the family car or just loves going to the pound. (Or, possibly, doesn't like my place.) Anyway, it is now back with its owners and the wildlife remains unsavaged.
On Thursday, a journalist from the Cairns Post came up to talk to a group of residents about a housing subdivision proposed for a rural block close by. The development — of approximately 170 new lots on what is currently zoned rural use only — is likely to have a significant impact on wildlife in the adjacent rainforest, as well as having a substantial effect on the Johnstone River, from which water will be harvested to supply the new residents. Because of this, the proposed subdivision is considered a controlled action under the Commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act. The Feds have asked for more information from the developer before making a decision. We're keeping an eye out for new … er … developments.
And we had a party last night.
