One of the things I've enjoyed in the last week has been noticing some of the different (and some reassuringly familiar) flora and fauna. I've seen chipmunks (much smaller than I thought and cute), baby deer crossing the road (think Bambi and you won't be far off), Canada geese with their babies blocking the street and a whole host of birds I don't recognise. There is a constant background noise from the insects - crickets and beetles and I don't know what else, particularly noticeable in the early evening. Out in the back garden is a beautiful tree with bright pink blossom called a crepe myrtle because its blossom looks like crepe fabric.

Today I walked to the seminary for the first time. I didn't go the take-your-life-in-your-hands route without pavements and I took a detour to go via the bank so it did end up being quite a long walk but not unpleasant. I'd forgotten one of the things I noticed last week which is that road signs are always put up in the direction of the road they're labelling. So a sign straight in front of you labels the street that you're crossing, not the street you're on. Confused? I was. I took several wrong turns, even when I thought I knew the way, because the sign seemed to be indicating the other direction. Oh well.

The other thing I found out was that even where there are pedestrian crossings with lights, it's not always safe to walk. The general rule is that cars can turn right even at a red light if the road's clear. So as a pedestrian you still have to check that there is nothing coming even when the light's green to go. I'm finding crossing the road a little frightening. I know which way the traffic's coming but it's still not instinctive when I'm turning to check. Anyway I made it safely and not too damply.

It's been raining on and off for a few days now. Yesterday there was a serious downpour and today's been drizzling all day. Apparently the norm for this time of year is hot and sunny. I'm feeling quite at home in the grey drizzle.