While we work in the olive grove there is always a family of kangaroos watching us from a peaceful spot by the dam, or under the big box tree that dominates the groves. There are different groups, and near the house we nearly always find Ma Roo and Joey grazing together. They are sometimes joined by Bib and Tucker – Bib, the mother has a very white belly, and I noticed recently that there was a new set of feet sticking out of her pouch as they stood stock still and watched me walk by. They share this space very happily with Vidal the most beautiful hare, and his wife Conchita. Vidal is often given stern warnings by Simon for allegedly nipping the tops off the little elms and oaks around the olive grove. He does not appear to be cowed at this stage!

In Summer The Old Man, who is always alone, and has a lame back leg comes over the garden fence, which he has squashed almost flat to make life easier, and lies in the thick shade of the claret ashes near the rose garden. One enchanted evening he was lying there, and George, the wallaby, was ‘hiding’ in the next tree. As I hung the washing out I was telling him I could see him, but he was not convinced and didn’t move!

Up in the olives we have Bigiboy and his girls, and another family including two young kangaroos called Panic Jack and Tizzy Lil. They become so hysterical when the family is on the move because we have arrived in the grove that one feels they would do better to just hop in tight circles and leave it at that! Then there is Mrs Eoin and Jim. Heard that ad about the 34 year old who is expecting to be carried in from the car? Well our Jim is far too large to be in the pouch, and his mother labours mightily when they are on the hop!

Every now and again they trip over the irrigation lines, but so far they have done no damage to the grove at all. They lie in the sun scratching and dozing, grazing on the grass between the olives and watching us with not a great deal of interest. We, on the other hand, get a huge kick out of watching them, recognising and enjoying the different characters in the various mobs.