A scratch at the door.
The dog knows to come around to the laundry.
Another scratch at the door.
Finally I get up to take a look. It’s the termite inspector.
I know there are many types of termites all around us, just waiting to have a little chew on the timber parts of the house. We have the house inspected regularly, and the annexe had to baits drilled in around the concrete foundation to deter an infestation.
Luckily, we have defenders in the form of echidnas (tachyglossus aculeata) who feed on them (and ants).
I followed as it ambled around the verandah, tried every door, peered over the edge of the stairs, sniffed at the walls and squeezed itself among Craig’s boot collection. I was pleased that it wasn’t interested enough to start clawing at any particular spot. I’ll take that as “no termites”.
On the other hand, it did seem rather small and young, so maybe not the best termite inspection we’ve had.
Eventually it noticed me, and threw itself into a corner, spikes bristling. So I left it to its explorations.
During the first year I was collecting data it rained a lot, the river levels were high and the readings were very clean. Since last year however, the river has been mostly low, and the nitrate levels are generally off the charts high. 
One of the things I love about gardening is the unexpected arrivals. After being away for three weeks we had a predictable explosion of spring weeds –
Of course, that’s not all that easy to do. 
Out on the hills, “what comes” is pretty good right now. 
