Sunday 31st July 1811

Dear Diary,
Yesterday began  very early with a trip to the local market. Such a vast array of fruits and vegetables and a great many that I have never set eyes upon before. We met the delightful Quinella Crane, a good friend of Willow's and meandered in her company. Feeling somewhat peckish we enjoyed a number of sausages of varying thickness and length. A pleasing and welcome breakfast. 
We returned later to Acacia Ridge and once again spent an afternoon playing canasta. I cannot say how it happened for it most certainly was not skill, but, happily I gained the upper hand to win the day.
The theme for today has been gardening, gastronomy and gambling. Willow's Kith and Kin arrived to tend to much needed tasks about the family homestead and I even set my hand to weeding. I enjoyed much more success than my recent attempts at Knob End as I donned a pair of gloves. 
There may have been thorns but I did not feel a prick.
For lunch we had 'Fried Chook'. It was quite delicious. I know not what 'chook' is and was too polite to ask but it does taste very much like chicken.
After lunch Willow's Kith and Kin admired the gift we had brought for his mother, a book of portraits of us both in various poses about The Nethers. They found it to be " noice, defferunt, unyousual."
Later in the day I was introduced to the intricacies of poker. Willow said a 'straight' was more preferable to a pair of Queens! I found it extremely difficult to comprehend and it all ended with a Royal Flush.