Exciting Times Downunder

We had a phone call with the Thomas's of Menai (our exchange program family) to discuss details of our daughters upcoming adventures. Andrew is quite an interesting guy, and always has some great stories about their activities in Australia. He is an avid Black Marlin fisherman, and the family spends a good deal of time on a friends farm in the outback. The little beauty at the right weighted in at 1200 lb and was 20 feet long. Check out Andrew and this marlin! Watch out Jaimie! I may have to take your spot as this place looks way too fun!

Andrew has been telling us some stories of hunting wild boar in the swamps around the farm and up until now, I assumed they were using firearms to subdue the critters. Turns out it's a little more exciting than that. They actually use dogs to corner the animals, and keep the "bitey end" occupied while they circle around and grab these guys by the hind legs. Last time out they had a bunch of the babies swim out in the water, so they boated over and scooped them up. This one looks cute at this age but, these guys run in pretty big packs and are extremely hard on the agriculture there.

It sounds like Australia has been undergoing a severe drought the last few years. Reservoirs are at 40% capacity, and Menai has water restriction similiar to what we have here in Colorado. Sadly, a recent outbreak of anthrax has killed a large number of sheep in the area, and put their friends farm under quarantine. Hopefully, they will get that under control soon.