Well Tracey and Iain have been and gone. They left on the 23rd to spend a few days in Singapore then home. It was a wonderful three weeks. Far too short of course and passed all too quickly, but we made the most of the time.

We spent a weekend away at Carrickalinga, however, most of the time was spent around the house and Adelaide. They spent time with Scott and he was here a lot also. There was of course the obligatory BBQ, well two of them. Time was spent mainly with family. It was emotional for all of us. As I said last month this is the first time Tracey has been home since her mum died.

Scott and I took Iain to the “footy” on a couple of occasions. He saw the Crows, unfortunately they were well beaten by Geelong, No disgrace, as Geelong are far and away the best team in the league. He was impressed by AAMI Stadium (Crow’s home ground) and the 40,000 + crowd! We also went to see Centrals in the local league. He enjoyed that as well. A feature of the local competition is the ability of fans to go onto the oval at quarter and threequarter time and listen to the coaches address the players. Iain was impressed with that. Can’t quite see it at Easter Road or Tynecastle tho’. On football, the Crows have won three and lost two of their first five games as have the Power. We play each other in the ‘showdown” this Saturday!

Politics as usual have given us pause and food for thought. In March, there was a reshuffle of the State Government ministers’. A new Transport Minister was sworn in. He is a powerful figure in Labour party factions here and had been slated for office for some time. At last and deserved was the general opinion of most. He is in his mid 30’s, so “young blood” as well as talent. Here in Southern Australia as in most States there is a consistant recognition of the need for road safety. There was a particularly horrid car smash on a wide main road early one morning. Two cars dragging each other at high speed. One was torn to pieces when the driver lost control and hit a light pole. He lost his life. The other driver lost a leg. Both drivers were in their 20’s. The new Minister (among others) came out strongly. Talking of Idiots and stupid drivers and the need to rid our roads of them and all like minded speedsters, quite right you say and so did we. Unfortunately, for the Minister a few days later his driving record was in the press. Over 50 offences, more than 35 of which were for speeding the others for parking offences! Some, he said, were committed by members of his family, whom he declined to name. He has had his license suspended and he still had unpaid fines from over a year ago!!!! Initially, he said he had reformed and could go on. However, of course, he has lost all credibility! We now have another new Transport Minister!!! Yes Minister indeed!!!

On the National front of politics we have heard from Kevin 07 about people smugglers! He describes them as the “scum of the earth who should rot in Hell”. He doesn’t describe the Taliban or Al Quaeda in such terms! There is concern in Australia that many of the boat people (if not all) are economic refugees rather than the persecuted. Queue jumpers in fact. The most recent arrivals boat blew up as the Navy was nearby. Most think deliberately, five died. The navy had inspected the boat a short time earlier and found it basicall safe. Until now no one is saying exactly what happened. Sub judice until the investigation is complete.

Lauren-Jane had a lovely time having her sister here but a little upset at the stables. Her friend Millie, whose leg was broken is progressing quite well. The reason for the upset is that Lauren-Jane's favourite horse, Buster, was sold. He is highly strung and more suited to one on one relationship rather than a stable and he went to a good owner. Neverthe less she was heart broken. Floods of tears and the comment “I’ve nothing to go on for if he goes”! ah to be 13 and emotional! She has coped well since. Buster’s picture now adorns our fridge door.

Weather wise the last few days have been really good for our water needs. Adelaide has had 62 mls this week and the State has generally done as well as if not better. The last five days have been the wettest for three and a half years. However, a years supply just ran into the sea. We are still about 15mls below the average to this time of year, at least five years of average to above average rainfall is needed to restore the Murray to normal. A long way to go yet. Lake Eyre continues to fill making a wildlife paradise inland. That of course is fed by the rains in Queensland not South Australia.

Easter, of course, was this month and that here means the “Great Easter Steeple” the biggest picnic race meet in the world. Over 100,000 attended over the weekend. Many of whom camp out at the course and have been doing so for 20 to 30 years. It was another success despite the economic gloom.

On the economy we have just received $900 (both Kim and I) from Kevin07 as part of the Government stimulus package. We aren’t special, approximately 805 of employed Australians got it. The unemployed also received similar amounts. Pensioners didn’t fare so well. Never mind what is happening to their Superannuation. I feel that that amount of money ($42 billion+) would have better been spent on infrastructure rather than given to us. It would build a lot of highways etc. and create employment. But then what do I know ?

Til next time

Eric (article by Eric Ford, Adelaide, Australia)