Hopefully, the worst has passed for SA and Vic. Here in Sydney, it began to blow really early this morning. Lifted the roof of one of the chook pens half off and somehow managed to dislodge the gate with just enough room "for us all to tally ho into the backyard!!" Looks like a barnyard convention out there with all their little cliques with one in particular throwing her weight around and bossing anyone who looks sideways at her. I'll leave them out for the day - takes too much energy to round them up to where you'd like them to be - and when they put themselves to bed later this afternoon I'll make sure everything is more secure!! I'd say winter has arrived . . but at least now the daylight hours are on their way to getting a little longer! Chookie - hope it all settles down for you to enjoy the last leg of your holiday - it sounds as if you've had a whale of a time so far!