A Man & his dog...

...and 6 chickens, plus a goldfish. Thats all thats left in this empty nest.

Thats right, Zoe is also on her way. As I began to write this was sitting in Sydney international airport waiting to be escorted through customs and onto her 10:20 flight. Currently (partway through writing) she is sitting at the departure gate.

Similar to yesterday we had another quiet one - Zoe was already packed and had everything she needed; though that didn't stop us from going over the list a few more times.

We again took Jules for a walk, but this time we remembered to take the camera along. In fact one of Zoe's lovely flower shots can be found on the blog we made for her (about an hour before departure) for her to record her Japan trip - zoenonihontoki.blogspot.com. Jules was her usual rambantious [sp?] self - jumping in and splashing after sticks with even more vigor than she usually displays. Indeed her post-dip shake-offs inevitably wet and dirtied Zoe and I to such an extent that Zoe had to change (from the clothes she was intending to wear for the flight).

On coming home we had a chat to Maria and that led to a snap trip to the mall to grab a couple of packets of snakes (as in the lollies...apparently ideal post-match gifts for prepubescent Japanese boys) and some other simple gifts.

Back home it wasn't long till we had 10-15 minutes before needing ot leave for the airport. So it was outside for a last play and rough-house with Jules on and around the trampoline (see one of the photos).

I've been very impressed and proud of Zoe throughout the last several days, but particularly today. While others such as her Nans and mother showed excessive worry and concern over her unaccompanied trip, Zoe has seemingly experienced more a mixture of excitement and anticipation, tinged with and coloured by some lesser trepidation. She's done better than many adults in the same situation.