Eyeliner and a new toy for Bill

Beautiful Golden Wings and hollyhock loveliness.

.......and little boy loveliness.

At last.....

These exquisite flowers are blooming.
 I adore them.
 This one is called Lillium Eyeliner. When you look closely there is a fine maroon edging around each petal.  I planted three of them in 2012. I had hoped they would have increased in number by now. 
 But alas, still only three.

Bill has a new toy.
He wanted something that could reach the high dead branches so that he didn't need to climb a ladder.
On windy days, the branches snap off and drop which is fine, but not if you're under them.

Knew I should have been out there supervising!
What have you done.....?????

There are some ugly looking trees out there at the moment let me tell you! ( I can see a branch that's not even dead!!)


Bill went to get petrol yesterday.
Several hours later I noticed this.....

Poor thing obviously has way too much on his mind!

We have noticed more and more stumps returning to life. These all seem to be the same variety...wattles I think. Even Bill's hacking at them with the chain saw hasn't deterred them.

This little climber Mandevilla laxa has popped up out of nowhere.

I had planted it there in June originally but it had been knocked over and snapped off and I had given it up for dead.
 When the Wedding Day rose needed to be relocated, we decided to plant it there. Then just like that, the Mandevilla came back to life and is going crazy just behind Wedding Day. It is supposed to reach 3m by 3m.!! There will be some competition to see which plant takes over, or may be they will live in harmony. To be honest, I think the rose has offered it some much needed protection from the elements.
 It's description says that Each Summer and Autumn it has a succession of giant jasmine like flowers with a delicious fragrance. It might be expecting a bit much for that to happen this year I think. I will look forward to that though.

Our painter worked here on Thursday and Friday. He has just started to paint the fascia and weatherboards. He worked yesterday( Saturday) as well.

The concreters will be here tomorrow morning. The electricians were here on Friday putting up the lights in the sheds. 

The floorboard finisher dropped off some samples for us to ponder. One with a water based finish and the other with a semi gloss.
We are going with the semi gloss or satin finish....the one on the left.

The tragic death of Australian cricketer  Phillip Hughes has galvanised the entire cricket world.  
Sam and Amy both loved the game and were devastated to hear of his death.
The #put out your bat campaign was embraced by thousands to show their respect for such a lovely young man.

Mum has been in hospital in Horsham recovering from pneumonia. Amy has been up to see her this weekend. 
Thinking of you too, Aunty Bev.

Work continues tomorrow. 
Mmm....December!
The workers will be hanging up their stockings at our place the way things are going!