Middle-aged flash packers

The last few days have been spent catching up with the Australian side of the Dowling clan, or the Ozlings as they will now be known.
As well as the humans (Ian, Kylie and Zeke) there also the animal Ozlings who are Poo and Ginger (cats) and Myar.
Myar is biologically a dog but she is convinced she is a human and there is no persuading her otherwise. She doesn’t really bark, she talks. It’s the weirdest thing and takes a bit of getting used to. If she thinks she’s going to the beach, she goes into complete Overdrive and “talks” just like an over-excited child.
If you take her for a walk (actually she takes you for a walk) she completely ignores other dogs. No excited tail wagging for her or even the odd sniff of a bum. No, as far as she’s concerned, their dogs – why on earth would she be interested?
The one dog-like thing she does like are sticks. And the combination of water and sticks – heaven! Chase the stick is a game she never tires of. She’s an old lady now but even panting heavily and having to have a sit down in the water for a rest, it’s up to us to decide when she’s had enough.
When we’re through, she leads us back home. Just as well because I still haven’t got my bearings.
The human Ozlings are just as eccentric in their own ways.
Zeke eats noodles constantly although he is also partial to the odd chocolate hot cross bun. He organises mortal Combat tournaments for us adults. Apart from Kylie, we’re all hopeless, and Zeke kindly allows us to win the odd round then completely annihilates us. He sings, hums and whistles constantly while he’s on the computer.
Ian strums his guitar first thing in the morning, a very gentle and rather nice way to wake up in the morning. He’s always mending someone’s computer which appears to involve collecting it, doing something very technical to it, then leaving it to do stuff on its own, giving him a nice opportunity to get his head down for half an hour or so.
Then there’s Kylie. There is no term for her other than “human Dynamo”. I can’t believe what she can pack into a day. Yesterday for example:
Leaves for work at 5.50am. Gets home 12.30pm. Zooms around, tidying, gathering washing etc. Takes us plus dog to meet her friend and go on an 8 mile walk. Goes shopping on way back. Comes home, finishes packing for Adelaide, puts wash on, puts washing out, cooks the most delicious dinner, tidies up, organises car hire, womad tickets – Honestly the list goes on.
Her cupboards are so organised, I feel completely ashamed of mine and I’m committed to totally reorganising mine when I get home. (Ha!)
So that’s the Ozlings.
Noosa is as beautiful as ever and we’ve enjoyed pottering around, running, exercising and generally enjoying the great Australian outdoors.
Today we fly to Adelaide for a few days where we get to meet Kylie’s side of the family. Can’t wait!