So far so good. They have accepted our bid. From what I understand though, it ain't over 'til it's over and the fat lady sings, you sign the final papers and hand over the fat check. So, we'll see. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Yup. You can get done over by another bidder at any time before signing the contract. Best of luck with it but I can't type with my fingers crossed.

BTW, I would love winters with T-shirts and shorts. That sounds lovely. I'd have to move pretty far south in the states to get that here. I just can't do it. I'm a true Yankee at heart and in the end, a 4 seasons fan. I love snowy winters (the season is just too long) and the trees in the fall here. It can be gorgeous at times.
Well the summers can be a bit much but the rest of the year is great. Even the summers are great most of the time, if you don't mind a bit of heat. Snow looks nice but is too cold, dammit. They should invent warm snow.
Tell me, what kind of wild life do you have in your area where you live in Aussie?
Lots. Parrots are a specialty. Australia is big on parrots. A friend who is originally from Milwaukee says she was blown away by the birds over here. The first time she saw a rosella flying past she thought someone's pet parrot had escaped. The locals were apparently very amused.
Also have wallabies of various types, platypuses, echidnas, wedgetail eagles (
very cool and up to 7 ft wingspan) lotsa other birds (herons, ibis, egrets, pelicans, etc, etc) and various little critters like native frogs (the green and gold ones are really cool).
This is mainly in rural areas and/or national parks of course, although the birds tend to be just about everywhere.