Last month it was the Federal Budget. Early this month we had the State Budget. Lucky Australia, two Budgets every year!! Is lucky the word tough? South Australia's Treasurer in his seventh budget did us no favours. Electricity up 4.1%, gas 6.2%, water 12.7% p1us a raft of other "Fees" not taxes, you understand, up also. Millions to be spent on Health, a new hospital only the government seems to want. Extensions to the new tram network and public transport. Again only the government seems to want it quite the way they plan to implement the extensions. Lots of areas miss out. It should be said that our public transport network is hardly a network anyone from the UK would laugh at our system. The price of petrol (a western world issue) should mean making a more efficient, user friendly system. Unfortunately this has not happened. Still we manage in our cars. More carbon emmissions, more costs for our already struggling "working families"!

Kevin08 (Prime Minister of Australia) is struggling now also. It seems that there is a certain symmetry in the world of politics. Both Gordon Brown and Kevin came to power with great approval both personally and for their parties. In mid 2008 they are both struggling and in similar fashion. Both have recently had shocking by-election results. In Kevin's case a 6.5% swing against, in a Federal seat, and an even bigger swing in a Victorian seat. Petrol and household costs both costing him dearly. Although, as previously mentioned, Kevin never said he would control prices etc every inference and nuance said so. Now he is reduced to saying "we must listen to the "people', Sound familiar to you in the UK?. It would appear that not even the tax cuts that we start to benefit from now will help Kevin all that much. July is in Australia the start of the new financial year when such "niceties' commence. The pundits who recently were talking of a Kevin "Dynasty" are now hinting (strongly at that) of a one term government. I shall just say "Don't blame me I didn't vote for them!!" It will be interesting to see how events chage and improve, if in fact they do. The Prime Minister has been advocating policies to improve Asian relationships, giving advice to Asian Governments. Striding the world stage. He should remember that to paraphrase "Charity begins at home"!!! Many more issues face the "Lucky Country" and he was elected to manage Australia not Asia or the world.

We had a visit from one of my nieces who has just arrived for a working holiday (isn't that an oxymoron?) Only spent a few days with us but she will be back. She is in OZ for at least a year, will mostly be on the East Coast but will get back to us. It must be said that during her time with us a reasonable quantity of amber fluid and Sparkling was consumed!!! She is now in Brisbane managing a stable of polo ponies!

The previous weekend we attended the wedding of our long time child minder, Eloise. Lauren Jane was an usher which she enjoyed. It was a very nice day. Kim and I spent 4 to 5 hours one Sunday afternoon cooking and selling what we call a sausage sizzle. It was at a large hardware store and was a fundraiser for Luaren Jane's school choir trip to New Zealand in October. It was quite a profitable event. To explain, we cook sausage and onions and put these on a slice of bread with sauce. It is a very popular thing at shoppnig centres etc on a Saturday and if open a Sunday. Kim and I took some time to remove the 'aroma", haven't eaten a sausage since though!! I think that we are rostered again next month. Ah well it is a good cause!.

Lauren Jane continues to spend as much time as she can at the stable. There is a sad side to it at the moment, the stable owner was thrown off their horse about 4 weeks ago. It is still not clear as to whether she will walk again. Not sure when we will know.

Kim saw Michael Buble in concert here during the month. There were stories that his Sydney event was affected by the consumption of vodka, but he gave a tremendous show here in Adelaide, in fact two shows. Kim also saw "Tango Fires" a marvellous 30's style dance troupe. We both had our Birthdays this month, they are only 3 days apart. Unfortunately Kim chose to spend hers in Sydney. No, seriously, she was in Sydney but at a conference and did get back that evening! I chose (to get even?) got to Ballarat on the eve of mine. Battlefield Band were appearing there and were not coming to Adelaide this tour (they were here about a year ago) so that was my opportunity to catch up with them. We have friends in Ararat (who I worked with in the Royal Edinburgh before migrating) and I stayed with them overnight. It was a great concert and well worth the 1200k+ round trip. Then home to open my pressies. In fact I got home and two hours later Kim was off to see "Tango Fire"! We did celebrate our Birthdays together on the Friday night, out to dinner at one of our favourite restuarants. It was a lovely weekend for both of us. Kim got nice presents too. Our present to each other was a garden mulcher! Kim said that she knew it was what I wanted!!!!

On a much sadder note I attended the funeral of the partner of one of my workmates. Michelle was only 37 years of age and succumbed after a very brave year long fight against cancer. It was a difficult day for all.

Sporting wise Australia has qualified for the next stage of the Asian World Cup group and their prospects look good (hopefully, not famous last words!) In rugby, we have beaten France and Ireland, and Scotland won in Argentina for the first time! We continue to do well in the West Indies at cricket. Our two Football teams (Port and the Crows) sadly have both faltered this month, although the Crows are still in the finals hunt.

We have had about a third of our average rainfall for the month. That was enough to give us a wee bit of flooding through the roof. Oops a salutary reminder of the need to keep the gutters cleared! The insurance company have been very nice!

On that until next time

Eric (article by Eric Ford, Australia)