Australian hazards
I’ve spent three wonderful, sun and laughter-filled months in Australia with my daughter, son-in-law and gorgeous granddaughter, two-year-old Indy. Poor old Joe missed out as he needed some medical stuff checked out in the UK. Meanwhile, I’ve enjoyed another summer.
But everything ends, and we’ll both be back in El Hoyo, sitting at our kitchen table at the beginning of March. I wonder what’s been happening in the village while we’ve been away? I’ll let you know!
Being with the family and getting to know little Indy these last months has been amazing. And I’ve had breakfast with wallabies hopping around, and typed to the sound of cockatoos screeching and kookaburras laughing.
But I never forget that Australia has its hazards, either. My daughter’s husband picked up a metre-long pipe, tilted it and a highly venomous red-bellied black snake slid out and landed on his feet.
We went to the beach on my birthday and my daughter was bitten by a spider hiding in the grass. Two fang marks were clearly visible and her leg swelled up. We never saw the attacker.
My daughter works from home, which fits in nicely with looking after Indy. We decided to take Indy and LJ the dog for a walk into the bush the other day.
“I have to make a few important work calls,” Karly said when we returned, and she disappeared into her study.
I was playing with Indy as Karly phoned a new contractor. I could hear her speaking and couldn’t help admiring her pleasant businesslike telephone manner.
“So you’ve been allocated another P5? Wonderful.”
But it didn’t last. Suddenly her voice changed, and she began jumbling her words and speaking so fast I could hardly hear what she said.
“I believe you have ENOUGH GASKETS. Butyoumight, aaaggh need SOME MORE RISERS!” I heard the phone slammed down, then…
“MUM!”
I grabbed Indy and rushed to the kitchen where my daughter was heading at a super-fast hobble.
“Karly? Are you OK? Whatever is the matter?”
“Aaaaaghhh! LOOK!”
I looked to see where Karly was pointing. Two dark-red, shiny, pulsating leeches were attached to the back of her leg, feasting.
“Where’s the salt? Quick! I felt my leg throbbing as I was talking on the phone, so I glanced down and saw them!”
We know that the Australian bush that surrounds the neighbourhood is home to leeches because my son-in-law picked up a beauty when he took the dog for a walk once before. (See picture) When we returned this time, we had checked ourselves over. No leeches. We clearly hadn’t looked properly, and the leeches were small then. Twenty minutes or so later they were well into their blood banquet and had swollen significantly.
She doused the pair of parasites liberally with salt. They shrivelled and fell off.
“Oh,” I said looking at the little shrunken worms on the floor. “I should have taken a photo for my next book while they were still huge and feasting.”
I won’t repeat my daughter’s reply.
Denise Giblett
April 2, 2015 @ 11:01 pm
Looking forward to your next book all about your adventures down under. Welcome home.
Victoria Twead
April 8, 2015 @ 9:07 pm
Thank you, Denise! 🙂
June Collins
April 3, 2015 @ 1:31 am
Hahaha. Are you sure you are not exaggerating, Victoria. Writers are known to do so. As for the Aussie dangers, I have yet to encounter a leech or be bitten by a spider. However, we do see snakes on the property during summer. Fortunately most, but not all, are carpet snakes. Red bellied blacks and browns are very dangerous and I hate them. Lucky your son in law was not bitten. You learn to stay very alert during the hot weather. Sorry we never got to meet but glad you spent that wonderful time with family. Cheers, XX
Victoria Twead
April 8, 2015 @ 9:07 pm
No exaggeration, I promise! I love snakes too, but I keep a respectful distance. 🙂
Susan Jackson
April 8, 2015 @ 6:58 pm
So, are you ready to move!!
Victoria Twead
April 8, 2015 @ 9:06 pm
🙂
Jan Buck
April 29, 2015 @ 8:46 am
My two biggest hates in life are red belly black snakes and leeches. When I was a child, our property had both and my hysterical reaction to them often found adults dashing up to rescue me from a snake, only to find a leech. They did not appreciate the real risk that leeches pose. Nor did I – they were just repulsive scary creatures and I wanted them OFF – NOW!
60 years later nothing much has changed – except I don’t live there any more!
Varun
July 13, 2015 @ 2:28 am
Hi Victoria,
I just started reading your book “Chicken…” and I am loving it so far.
Is there any place available in your website where I can see some more pics of this village (“El Hoyo”).
This will make reading more enjoyable…
Victoria Twead
August 1, 2015 @ 2:10 pm
Hello Varun, I have several Pinterest boards. Just put my name in the search box. 🙂
Joyce Howfield
July 9, 2019 @ 8:11 am
I love your books Victoria, when can we expect Two Old Fools Down Under? I hope life is treating you and Joe well in Oz.
Victoria Twead
July 23, 2019 @ 4:58 pm
Hello Joyce, thank you for asking! “Down Under” is coming along nicely and should hit the shelves in the next few months. 🙂
Robin Miller
August 2, 2019 @ 12:17 am
I love all the old fools books! have read them each dozens of times! Looking forward to your next book!
Robin Miller
Victoria Twead
August 3, 2019 @ 9:32 am
Oooooh! Thank you, Robin, won’t be long now! 🙂 Down Under is almost finished.