Monday 8th August 1811

Dear Diary,
I am gratefully returned to Sydney with the Drakesbottoms and Willow.
We have been two days and nights in the wilderness of the Southern Highlands under canvas in the name of adventure. 
Our days were spent walking the escarpments and gullies of this region and I have to say that most of the outcrops here put my Knob to shame with their size.
Many of the vistas we viewed were quite breathtaking and I was often left standing, clinging to a gum tree gasping for air. Whilst we found the days sunny and pleasantly warm, we were left in no doubt that it is still winter here by the chill of the night. I would have attended you, dear dairy, with only a candle for light within my canvas haven but I fear my hands were too cold to hold my quill and the strange and mysterious noises of the night set my nerves on edge and made my fingers tremble so.
As we lay close together for warmth Willow told me of the 'wombat' and the 'dingo' that haunts these parts and his tales did little to quell my trembling.
On one of our forest perambulations to the 'Fairy Bower' he pointed out a large termite mound that was twice his own height and at its base a cavernous hole had been scoured...by 'the wombat', he informed me. How terrible a beast it must be and how large in size, I can scarcely comprehend how it ever manages to fly.
Not only were the nights bitter but they were also lingering. The sun sets at five thirty in the evening and rises once more some thirteen hours later. When light finally returns the dawn chorus begins and such a cacophony you cannot imagine, especially for one such as I who is accustomed to the timid 'tsk, tsk' of a couple of tits and the odd eager cock. 
I cannot tell you how happy I was, after the interminably long and frigid nights, to get a hot sausage inside me to start the day in a proper and pleasing fashion.
Little Pansy and her mother seemed most comfortable in these primitive surroundings and I too saw a different side to Willow. He is very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna here which Pansy and I were keen to hear about and learn but after the events of our last night I shall be forever grateful to him;
The darkness had descended upon our final eve and we were readying ourselves for retirement. I wandered from our camp and sought the seclusion of a grassy tussock behind which to change into my nightshirt. Once ready for bed I set about returning to our camp when I found my way barred by a large, brown dog. It made no sound but stared at me intently. I was not unduly concerned at first as I am quite used to my Father's Todger leaping up at me. 
"Shoo!" I said, but the beast did not move.
I repeated again, "Shoo!" Yet this time the beast bared its teeth and boldly took a step forward.
Taken by surprise and shocked by its sudden menacing appearance I dropped my clothing upon the ground and retreated a few steps.
The dog trotted forwards and snapped up my undergarments and began to toss them hither and thither about its head before disappearing into the thicket.
"Willow!" I wailed and he was there in an instant. " A dog has taken my underwear, the ones I acquired from 'Sparks and Menser'!" I pointed in the direction it had gone.
Willow bounded after in chase and soon after there came a thrashing sound and some commotion, then  Willow cried out before suddenly all fell silent.
I heard my heart pounding in my chest and then Willow was standing before me with my 'Sparks and Menser' undergarment in his outstretched hand.
My hero smiled; 
"A dingo stole your underpants. Now there's a tale!"