During the dry summer months last year, Sylvie installed a round metal tin on the edge of a wall on our outside terrace. She knew the birds would appreciate some fresh water.

Last week, as we carried boxes of our belonging down the stairs we often found the magpie drinking from the bowl. He sang and drank. He reminded us constantly of the quiet of the park next to our house in st kilda and represented what we were leaving.

We have now reduced our belongings to 5 bags and have embarked on our three months of travel in south America. We arrived in Santiago yesterday night have been awake since 330 am and will post again once we have found breakfast!