Here is our neighbour laying fake grass outside his house. It's like the AstroTurf Dad and Gary may play football on at home. With the lack of rain the real grass dries and shrivels up, leaving just brown dust.

It was due to get to a sweltering 42 degrees here today. But I don't think we did. Maybe mid 30's, I think.

I fly to Cairns tomorrow morning. I will be taking my laptop so will be able to Skype on Christmas Day.

My pronunciation of Cairns has caused much hilarity in the office. It's not KAY-URNS they say, it's CAN-ZZZ!