In early September, 18 years ago, dear wife and I had just plonked down a deposit on our exciting new home amongst the gum trees.
A week later planes flew into buildings in New York and we thought, well, if civilisation is doomed, we have at least secured our bush escape.
But life goes on, and with another year almost done and dusted it is timely to ponder on a few of the quirks of 2019. Some may have escaped your attention.
January was quiet, but in that month, after years of debate, an agreement was reached that the Republic of Macedonia will now be called the Republic of North Macedonia.
Yes, it had taken years of debate.
Then there was Brexit.
In March, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said that that monster could still happen with a 'good deal' for her country. Still waiting, Theresa, still waiting, Boris.
In April, a comedian who played a politician on a television show won the Ukrainian election.
In unrelated events, the following month Australia had an election and Denver decriminalized magic mushrooms.
In June, Ash Barty became the new women's tennis No 1, seemingly without needing to abuse linesmen and ballboys/girls or throw chairs.
Now if Australia still awarded knighthoods and damehoods...
In July, 35cm of rain - over one foot in the old money - fell in just one day on Kyushu Island, and a million residents had to be evacuated.
Earlier in the year, a similar number of fish had no escape from Menindee Lakes.
In September, a 315-billion tonne iceberg, the biggest in 50 years, broke off the Amery Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
Could it somehow be cut up and dragged to the upper reaches of the Murray-Darling?
In November, in almost every state, the countryside was on fire.
December? May it rain.
Only a few weeks to go and we can finally get stuck into the new year.
Around here, we are opting for optimism, as exemplified by a new arrival in the household.
People do go on about new puppies, so we won't here, except to say anyone feeling a bit down or pessimistic about the world, needs to spend time with one.
Our new 11-week-old, Freddy, came from a property between Bathurst and Sofala, where his kelpie/border collie cross mum works sheep and with whom his Labrador dad was apparently visiting one day.
Freddy is officially our Face of 2020. Monty Python-style, we'll be looking on the bright side of life, and he's just the young fella to make sure we do.
Merry Christmas.
