Where have you been?

This little critter has been gracing our deck for over 20 years. We put him in the basement during the winter to protect him from the inclement weather. But last summer when we went to fetch him he was nowhere to be found. We hunted everywhere!

Fast forward 18 months. When I pulled into the driveway yesterday there he was at his post on the deck. He gave me some cockamamie story about a trip to Australia. Apparently he headed South last winter to enjoy the warmer climate and stayed for awhile exploring the outback. But he decided to return since they're moving into fall. Really?