Saturday 3rd September 1811

Dear Diary,
I was awakened by the sound of someone tapping upon wood.
It was Ned working away on his erection beneath the chestnut tree. I ventured outside to see him and startled him as I approached him from behind.
"I thought you were a woodpecker," I said.
"I thought you were 'incontinent'," he said. 
I gleaned his meaning.
"I am returned from Queensland these past two days but you were most probably too busy tending your bullocks to notice."
It began to rain heavily.
"Leave that and go home," I urged him as I hastily returned indoors.
The rain fell constantly for the rest of the day.
How I missed the sunny days of Queensland.

Friday 2nd September 1811

Dear Diary,
My happy return has been somewhat overshadowed by the unexpected appearance of my brother Cain Austen.
By all accounts it would appear that his arrival was not that unexpected and indeed my family knew of his intentions even before I left for Queensland but declined, nay, decided against informing me. As I recall Mother did mention receiving an epistle shortly before my departure but Father quietened her. I do not blame him for surely it would have ruined my sojourn away.
He is returned from India after quelling some rebellion there. How lucky are those Indians to be free of him at last!
It is no secret that my brother and I are somewhat estranged and I confess the ill feelings I have toward him are grounded in his poor and spiteful treatment of me in our youth. 
I am ill at ease with his return.
Consequently I have avoided visiting the Grange today and thus my parents and Fanny were bound to call upon me at Knob End. 
We are invited to lunch after Chapel on Sunday. I dread it.
I mounted Python and rode upon the Knob until the threat of perspiration forced me to dismount and take in the view.
"Magnificent, isn't it?" It was the last voice I wanted to intrude upon my solitude.
I turned to face him.
"Wayne," he continued, "I sincerely desire and hope that we can start anew and you can find it in your good and decent heart to forgive the folly of my youth."
He took a step closer and began to idly toss and catch the dark rock he was holding in his hand.
"It is time to repair our fraternal relationship, don't you think?" He pocketed the rock and held out his hand.
It was dirty.
"You know I am right on this matter, come brother, shake upon it."
He saw me looking at his outstretched hand. He glanced at it himself and withdrew it, wiping it upon his breeches before offering it once more.
After a further moment of hesitation I took it. 
His grip was firm and I squeezed back as hard as I could.
There is nothing worse than a feeble handshake and in this instance I was determined not to be found guilty of such a transgression.
He smiled with satisfaction and moving to my side we both turned to the view once again.
"So...," he began, "...this is where Cousin Evelyn died?"

Thursday 1st September 1811

Dear Diary,
One cannot deny the excitement I felt as we approached the Nethers.
How green everything was although sadly the sun was obscured by a blanket of sombre cloud and did not show its face in friendly greeting. I strained from the window for a glimpse of my Knob and saw it standing proud above the weald.
I waved the driver on past Thrushcross Grange eager to see Knob End. There will be time later to regale my family with tales of my adventures.
The house looked much as I had left it and I left Willow struggling with his unwieldy instrument to rush indoors.
I confess since observing the ravages at Frogknot of the rodent infestation there that I had feared for my drapery and soft furnishings but I was pleasantly surprised to find all was well and indeed there appeared to be no evidence of the cunning beast that I had suspected was gnawing upon my knick-knacks. 
I suspected the hand of Mrs Crutchlow in the obvious neatness about the place and smiled at familiarity and comfort of my own surroundings once more.
I moved to the parlour window and looked out upon the garden. I could see that Harden Thicke had been very industrious in my absence. A wide area had been weeded and raked and looked ready to be sown with seed for the lawn and over to the right there was a goodly sized area turned over and neatly bordered with stones that was to be our vegetable garden. I clasped my hands in joy at the sight and then I saw it, there beneath the branches of the Chestnut tree, semi erect, Ned's erection. Though not yet finished I gasped at its magnificence and hurried out to try examine it more closely. I pushed past Willow struggling in through the door with our luggage and out into the garden.
As I approached across the partly laid pathway I was suddenly halted in my steps by the sight of someone already seated upon 'my' erection. It was not anyone I recognised certainly and I moved on at apace and cleared my throat;
"Ahem! Excuse me, I think you will find that this is private property and you, sir, are trespassing upon it! I urge you quickly to retreat or I shall have need to call upon my my hefty man servant to remove you forthwith!"
The fellow did not move as I came up behind him. I waited for some response and when it came I was dumbstruck!
"Oh surely there is no call for that," said a voice I recognised, " after all, I am family."
He stood and turned round and there was that familiar sneering smile and those duplicitous eyes.
"Come brother, embrace me," he said as he held out his arms.
I was utterly stunned and stood my ground. I felt myself trembling like a rabbit cornered by a fox.
"Hello, Cain," I managed to find my voice.
"What a pleasant surprise." 
I lied.

Wednesday 31st August 1811

Dear Diary,
Happily we are fortunate enough to be travelling home in a better class than whence we came.
How I love to see the World go by and what a wide and varied World it is. 
I have even managed to get some rest, something that I never usually accomplish whilst getting tossed and jerked. 
As the distance between us shortens I can scarcely wait to be acquainted once more with my Knob End!

Tuesday 30th August 1811

Dear Diary,
Such a thunder storm to see us off!
I swear the Heavens are crying and roaring in sorrow at our departure!
We spent much of the morning wrestling with Willow's huge instrument, trying to contain it safely so that it comes to no harm during our peregrination.
When the time came to bid farewell to Old Ma Woofter I was quite emotional. 
I have very much enjoyed my time in Queensland. As we drew away from the Acacia Ridge homestead in Quinella Crane's conveyance, silent tears slid down my cheeks as Willow placed a comforting hand upon my shoulder.

Monday 29th August 1811

Dear Diary,

Today is our last full day in Queensland!
How quick the time has flown. We took a little time to ourselves after all the social intercourse and gossip with Willow's friends and family and wandered the beaches about Burleigh Head and climbed the headland itself to enjoy the air and the view. In just a few days I will be able to mount The Knob and enjoy its delights once more, stroke my Python and hopefully clap eyes upon Ned's erection at Knob End!
Whilst in my whimsy upon that headland there was a sudden screeching sound and we were set upon by a mob of lorikeets that flew down from the trees about us, alighting upon our shoulders and arms and, yay, even upon out heads as they twittered and carried on!
Willow appeared to be amused at my consternation but his smile was wiped away when one of the colourful birds evacuated its tiny avian bowels down the side of his face.
It was my turn to be amused at 'his' consternation!

Sunday 28th August 1811

Dear Diary,
Today is the three year anniversary of my meeting Willow.
How could one celebrate such a wondrous and life changing event?
Unfortunately not in the way we had hoped for Willow's Kith and Kin had arranged a family feast in honour of our impending departure.
"Do you like little baby Jesus?" asked Kith, or was it Kin?
"I do try to attend chapel as often as I may," I replied, " though I must confess it is probably more due to the desire of getting my fingers upon the Parson's organ rather than religious fervour."
Kin, or was it Kith, looked upon me with some discombobulation as they produced a plate piled high with little baby cheeses! 
I resisted the urge to partake but enjoyed the apple cake dessert. 
I must urge Mrs Crutchlow to make one.
In the evening Willow introduced me to the Kransky Sisters from Esk. I found the spinsters quite dour and plain but enjoyed their company very much and marvelled at the way Sister Dawn blew a horn.