--> that's interesting

Okay. Next time I decide that running up in the bush after it's been raining is a good idea and that I should go do it - tell me to think again. Went and ran on the ridge-top this afternoon, just after a giant storm had come and been - made my knee cry for mercy on a long downhill and ended up having to turn back around for home (that, or not run for the next week). So, grouching along the trail at the pace of a disgruntled snail, I walked home, and came across THESE.

...WHAT ARE THEY?!

I nearly stepped on them - that is, if it weren't for their ridiculous size, huge numbers and the fact that they'd adopted something strangely resembling a battle formation ("Flank her, boys!! Drive her into the river!") which managed to get my attention in time. So I whipped out my trusty phone cam and gathered evidence of this strange conglomeration, and quickly headed for home when said conglomeration started wriggling towards me, flailing their little pincer arms in my general direction menacingly.

So what have we learned today, Jac? That going out after rain is a bad idea, unless you like being stalked by battalions of larvae (and in a previous episode, accidentally step on a little crab, then run away from it's vengeful relatives, then proceed to nearly crush a cane toad, and THEN nearly crush a little frog at camp in the dark.).

Fun adventure aside, today was nice. It stormed on and off from noon onward - the ambient rumbling and constant patter of rain on the tin roof next door left me in a happy lull. It hailed later - mum had me sniff the air, to know what hail weather smelt like. Apparently it smells like fresh snowpeas being shelled - which probably doesn't help you much. (didn't help me either.) Just watch out for a sudden drop in the temperature & you'll be right - I did a whole project on hail, but do you think I can remember anything? Hah. :^)



Mmm - took the old Volvo out of the carport before it hailed, so my shiney little car would be safe from any supercooled globs of ice that decided to head our way. Darn that Volvo's tough meat!! The clutch engages an inch from the floor (partially because it's broken at the moment...), and there's no power-steering, and it's all so dingy and cute and old (kinda like a stubborn little grandma). Had oodles of fun parking it (after I finally got it in reverse - turns out you have to lift a very specific part of the gear stick while shifting to 1st position...), but was VERY glad I didn't have to drive anywhere in it. Parking it was enough. Having driven the Swedish Brick, I loved my little green car that much more - it, and all its power-steering glory and charming good looks... :^3

Oh crap. I forgot to phone my friend. Oops. (So sorry! I'll call tomorrow!) D^:

*Jac flails out of the room covered in a hundred flesh eating larvae*