I have just been in Bill’s garden, talking to the menfolk (Bill’s good friends whom I have got to know over the years). It felt a bit odd being the only woman in the company of four men but it was quite pleasant. They all refrained from using any coarse language in my presence – it’s nice to observe that Australian men are still old-fashioned and courteous – and we enjoyed a bit of friendly banter.

I noticed that three of the men were smoking whilst Sam was not.

“You don’t smoke any more then, Sam?” I asked.

Sam smiled and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket.

“I don’t smoke any more… and I don’t smoke any less,” he answered.

I thanked Sam for the material for my blog today. Now I must be off – I have a party to attend and I’m not coming back till tomorrow. I wonder if there will be anything interesting to report? Have a good weekend!