It seems such a long time since Bali. The tan has faded, the insurance company has covered the cost of Lauren's left behind phone and we've survived the shock to the bank balance. It's back to normal and the memories!!!

You may well notice that weather is a preoccupation with us Australians especially rain or the lack thereto! July has been an interesting month for rain and other weather also. It has been, the wettest July for 13 years, the wettest month for 4 years and the warmest July for 24 years. Not sure how we could have all that rain in the middle of winter and still be warm. But there you are. By the end of the month we had just barely reached a lttle over the average rainfall for the time of the year. Our reservoirs are at 70% capacity compared with 51% at the same time last year. That of course is very good. Has the drought broken? Who knows? Time will tell. The lower lakes are still in deep trouble, unfortunately not with water though. The States are still at loggerheads over who owns what and who should give up what to whom! The Politicians are I'm afraid somewhat, in most peoples opinion, somewhat Neroish. Only it ain't fiddles and fires its drought and dying river systems.

Law and order has been a major player here in South Oz the last few weeks. The Government priding itself on being tough on law breakers. This month saw the introduction of laws, not yet passed to crush the cars of hoon drivers! Not sure what our Ex Minister of roads etc thought of that one. That of course, could give rise to interesting scenarios. Can you imagine? "Can I borrrow the car Dad?". Followed by "Oop's Dad the police have taken the car to crush because I was doing 140 in the main street"!! Explain something like that to the finance company!!! The law will get through in some form I'm sure. A 30 odd year old habitual criminal and addict on parole was involved in the stabbing of a police officer, the assault of a man and the home invasion and sexual assault of an elderly lady. This in the country. The government immediately went into attack mode against the Parole Board especially its Chairperson who it must be said is an occassional thorn in their side. "How could you let this man out?" "Have you no sense" "What's the good of you if you let these people out on the streets?" The Attorney General was the most vociferous in his condemnation of both the Board and the AA Chair. Trouble was the Chairperson was overseas when the parole application was considered and to add insult the acting Chair was an appointee and a person who'd worked for the Attorney General! Egg on chin anyone?

It was also shown that the Chairperson had had the police notified well prior to the offences that the Parole had been revoked. No fault of the police but the offender had not yet been picked up. Lastly, on State Politics the Opposition have a new leader. After the debacle of the E-mails it was always going to happen. We now have a female Leader. A first for the State. Settling in well and not to be put down by the Government. I will keep you informed of her progress.

July was a great month for sport. The Rugby League State of Origin series finished 2-1 in Queenslands' favour. their 4th series win in succession and the first time that's been done. The Crows went on their winning ways. Winning. in all 7 straight games, not all in July of course. They are reasonably comfortable in the top 8 with qualification for the Finals looking secure. The 'Power' fell in a bit of a hole with some good wins but other very poor performances. Their Finals chances looking slim. The 'Crows' comprehensively thumped them by 70 points in the latest showdown. We won't mention Test cricket although there is still hope!

On a sad note Ted Kenna, Australia's last surviving World War 2 Victoria Cross winner died at the age of 95. It's said that his shirt and shorts were full of bullet holes during the action that won him the medal but he was unharmed. He was later wounded and evacuated to hospital where he met the nurse who became his wife, a quiet unassuming man. He received a State Funeral in Melbourne.

Our Kevin 07 has been in the news again. Well he always is isn't he? He was in Queensland and met, at her insistance, the mother of an Australian journalist who has been held buy Terrorists for many months. After the meeting when talking to the press he could only say "That person like any other Australian will have all the help the government can give." Don't know if he forgot his name or no one told him what it was!! Whilst on Queensland. An ex Minister was jailed for corruption in July. While in office he had received over $360,000 from two major businessmen just because, he said he asked, and they were friends!!! He has got about 7 years to think about it.

Our social life has been relatively qiuiet this month. The highlight was a Birthday in July for Kim's sister Nic. Her Birthday is actually December 30. A couple of other interesting events around that time, not to mention her sons' birthdays both fall in early January. Her Birthday never seems to get the attention she deserves. Well on the 25th she did. The best part was that we totally surprised her, she had a wonderful night and so did we. She is quite special as a sister in law.

On that until next time. Take care

Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Adelaide, Australia)