Joanne, the Travelling Sylvanian 2018

Greeting from Slydale Hollow,
I know it has been quite some time since anyone has heard from me, but now I  write with great news! Joanne the travelling Sylvanian is here for a couple of weeks.


Joanne was met by her cousin Wirra Kaurna (pronounced Gana), who took her to meet The Billabong family, Wirra's adopted parents & where Joanne would be living during her stay in Slydale Hollow. The Billabong's live in a communal tree dwelling with the Outback koala family & the Totto monkey family.

 Wirra also introduced Joanne to her sister Mathilda Billabong, who is about the same age as Joanne & Wirra.

 

 while settling in Joanne met some of the other residents.

"Joanne, you can set up your SWAG here" said Wirra.
"What is a SWAG?" asked Joanne
"That's what we call a camping bed roll here." replied Mathilda

When set up was done the girls wanted to take Joanne to explore more of Slydale Hollow, so they went to their mum to ask if they could.
"Of course you can go & show Joanne around! Why don't you start with the Slydale's caravan?" Mrs.Billabong said
"YAY" shouted the girls & off they went.

 When they arrived at the Slydale's caravan they found Breezy Babblebrook there too

 Wirra introduced Joanne to everyone. Joanne, was pleased to meet them all, including Bramble the pony who pulls the caravan.

 Little Skitter was so excited he tried to jump into Joanne's arms!

And not wanting to be left out,  strawberry the foal pushed in for a pat!

Everyone was having a great time! But then Mrs.Babblebrook showed up to bring Breezy home. Went she saw Joanne, she immediately invite the girls to all come over for a little while & play.

At the Babblebrooks house Breezy's siblings were all having playdates with friends. Mrs.Babblebrook laughed & said "The more, the merrier I say!"

Breezy, Scarlette, Mathilda, Wirra & Joanne all went upstairs to play in Breezy's room. Soon it was time for the girls to head to their homes.

After a long day of meeting new people & exploring Joanne bounced into her bellroll/SWAG excited for the coming days, but also a little homesick. thinking thoughts like "my family would have loved it here."' & "I do miss my family a bit"


Mrs.Billabong came to tuck the girls in & kiss them goodnight.
"Joanne, I don't know how much you know about native Australian culture, but here at bedtime it's customary for the grownups to tell the children stories of the Dreamtime, stories that our ancestors told their children. So now I'm going to tell you some..."
That night Joanne fell asleep to stories about koalas, rainbow serpents, giant frogs & other Australian creatures...



(I have not put any actual DREAMTIME stories here out of respect to the Native tribes of this land where I live. If you want to know some of the stories there are many to be found on the internet)