We went to the monthly Bridge Mall Farmers' Market on Saturday morning. It was cool and grey and drizzly - which made it almost compulsory to treat ourselves to hot sausage sandwiches for lunch. We came back with lots of tasty thing for the fridge and the freezer.

We thought about going to Castlemaine on Sunday to see if their alleged monthly Farmers' Market was really on but decided that we couldn't be bothered trekking all the way out there just on the off chance.  We'll go on another First Sunday of the month.

Our clocks went back to Eastern Standard time early on Sunday morning.  This has hugely confused Sam the Dog who can't understand why we are being so slack with his mealtimes, and particularly with his breakfast. It doesn't help that he is wanting his breakfast very early, even if we were still on Summer Time.

It has been apparent for some time that there has been at least one mouse in the pantry. We could smell mouse.  Jim has seen mouse. There were mouse droppings. We have also seen dead or dying mice in the kitchen and in the car park. Lindsey and Ian have been away, in Far North Queensland dodging cyclones and in Japan hunting for cherry blossom and Lego. I decided to take advantage of my four day weekend to clear out the pantry. It was a bigger job than I had anticipated but it is now done.  I have put loose food into  containers and am awaiting a supply of labels. There are definitely no mice in there now!

In other news, we have FINALLY had word from our removalists that our possessions are FINALLY on their way. At the moment they are sailing through the Mediterranean towards the Suez Canal.  Lucky them!  There hasn't been very much movement on the sale of the house.  I understand that the buyer is having the local searches done.  I can't think what can be left to do before she coughs up the dosh and takes possession of the keys - but I'm sure she'll think of something. She's taking a very long time over this sale.

Autumn evening in Mount Helen