Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Kirsten canon
Sorry everyone I hope this works now.. It is working on my end
I thought I would try and enclose an audio clip of Kirsten playing lead in her school band. If it works I hope you enjoy. Just click on the title to listen. When her and her friends get together for a practice session I dont get the heavy rock or thumping music I get the loud boom of Beethoven some Mozart and occasionally a song I recognise like Angels or My heart will go on and for fun they play Livin La Vida Loca or American Pie. It does save arguments with neighbours but just once I would like to hear them belt out a little Black Sabbath or maybe some ACDC.
The History Of English
The English language was first introduced to the Americas by British colonization, beginning in the early 17th century. Similarly, the language spread to numerous other parts of the world as a result of British trade and colonization elsewhere and the spread of the former British Empire, which, by 1921, held sway over a population of about 470–570 million people: approximately a quarter of the world's population at that time.
Over the past 400 years, the form of the language used in the Americas—especially in the United States—and that used in the United Kingdom and the British Islands have diverged in many ways, leading to the dialects now commonly referred to as American English and British English. Differences between the two include pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary (lexis), spelling, punctuation, idioms, formatting of dates and numbers, and so on, although the differences in written and most spoken grammar structure tend to be much more minor than those of other aspects of the language in terms of mutual intelligibility. A small number of words have completely different meanings between the two dialects or are even unknown or not used in one of the dialects. One particular contribution towards formalizing these differences came from Noah Webster, who wrote the first American dictionary (published 1828) with the intention of showing that people in the United States spoke a different dialect from Britain.
This divergence between American English and British English once caused George Bernard Shaw to say that the United States and United Kingdom are "two countries divided by a common language"; a similar comment is ascribed to Winston Churchill. Likewise, Oscar Wilde wrote, "We have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, the language." (The Canterville Ghost, 1888) Henry Sweet predicted in 1877 that within a century, American English, Australian English and British English would be mutually unintelligible. It may be the case that increased worldwide communication through radio, television, the Internet, and globalization has reduced the tendency to regional variation. This can result either in some variations becoming extinct (for instance, the wireless, superseded by the radio) or in the acceptance of wide variations as "perfectly good English" everywhere. Often at the core of the dialect though, the idiosyncrasies remain.
Nevertheless, it remains the case that although spoken American and British English are generally mutually intelligible, there are enough differences to cause occasional misunderstandings or at times embarrassment – for example, some words that are quite innocent in one dialect may be considered vulgar in the other.
Over the past 400 years, the form of the language used in the Americas—especially in the United States—and that used in the United Kingdom and the British Islands have diverged in many ways, leading to the dialects now commonly referred to as American English and British English. Differences between the two include pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary (lexis), spelling, punctuation, idioms, formatting of dates and numbers, and so on, although the differences in written and most spoken grammar structure tend to be much more minor than those of other aspects of the language in terms of mutual intelligibility. A small number of words have completely different meanings between the two dialects or are even unknown or not used in one of the dialects. One particular contribution towards formalizing these differences came from Noah Webster, who wrote the first American dictionary (published 1828) with the intention of showing that people in the United States spoke a different dialect from Britain.
This divergence between American English and British English once caused George Bernard Shaw to say that the United States and United Kingdom are "two countries divided by a common language"; a similar comment is ascribed to Winston Churchill. Likewise, Oscar Wilde wrote, "We have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, the language." (The Canterville Ghost, 1888) Henry Sweet predicted in 1877 that within a century, American English, Australian English and British English would be mutually unintelligible. It may be the case that increased worldwide communication through radio, television, the Internet, and globalization has reduced the tendency to regional variation. This can result either in some variations becoming extinct (for instance, the wireless, superseded by the radio) or in the acceptance of wide variations as "perfectly good English" everywhere. Often at the core of the dialect though, the idiosyncrasies remain.
Nevertheless, it remains the case that although spoken American and British English are generally mutually intelligible, there are enough differences to cause occasional misunderstandings or at times embarrassment – for example, some words that are quite innocent in one dialect may be considered vulgar in the other.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
A Mothers Pride !
Kirsten my youngest daughter has always amazed me.
At the age of two she would sit at the table with Cassie and Geoff while they did their homework and copy them. She could write her own name and numbers to 10 before she was 3, She could also recite the alphabet count to 100, she knew her full name mine as well as her fathers address and phone number. She knew songs and could read several words. To me this was normal, she just picked it up from her brother and sister doing their homework and I didnt see it as anything special.
I put her into kindergarten when she turned 3 to socialise with children her own age as she had not had any interaction with her age group and I wanted her socially ready for school.
This did not work lol..She spent the time at the fence during lunch breaks talking to the older children in the "big school" and ignored her own age group entirely. When I asked her she told me they were just baby's. However I persisted and she stayed there until she turned 5 and was old enough for "big school".
As all the children in her group went up to "big School" with her she had by now made friends and was socialising with a little, a whole 2 friends, but I felt it better than none.
I struck gold with the teacher Kirsten got in her first year of school. She is the same age as me and she believed in the old fashioned way of teaching.Leran to sound out words none of the flash card learning, learning to spell the words correctly and basic number work, addition and times tables.
Quite a few of the parents complained as she also set homework for them. The parents felt this was way too hard for the first year of school and wanted her to conform with the other teachers, no homework and spend the day doing artwork etc but she was persistant and refused to conform.
Kirstens first day of school bought her trotting home with her first lot of homework, she proudly sat at the table with her brother and sister and completed it. I guess she finally felt like a big girl and a part of it all.
Now getting the older 2 to do their homework was like trying to get blood from a stone and I assumed Kirsten would get bored with it as quickly as they did and it would be a nightly struggle.
This didnt happen, every night she trotted in , climbed onto her chair and completed her homework.
So I decided to reward her and bought her her own desk for her bedroom so she could do her work in peace.
Her brother and sister sat at the dining table under my watchful eyes and Kirsten would trot into her room and a short while lately proudly walk out with her homework completed in hand and ready for me to sign.
End of year and the students were given their classes for the following year, Kirsten luckily had the same teacher. By the end of her second year at "big School" She could reacite her times tables 1 through to 12, she could add and subtract and was reading fourth grade readers.
I never had a problem with her getting up and going to school, in fact when she was sick it was a fight to keep her home.
She decided that she wanted an after school activity, so she started ballet lessons.
Within a year I was paying for costumes and heavily involved in the ballet with her. Many recitals and sleepless nights later she decided she had enough and wanted to take on a musical instrument.
By the time she decided to take on a musical instrument Kirsten was in grade 3 and as our schools have 4 terms she was bringing home 4 report cards a year. Each one I have framed in the hallway. She never bought home a report card that didn't have straight A's.
I have Cassie and Geoffs report cards framed as well, they dont all have straight A's but they all are within a normal range.
The school ran a music group so I went over with her to see what would be best suited to her to learn to play. Expecting maybe piano or possibly guitar. I didnt know that at this stage Kirsten had herself sat with the music teacher and told her what she wanted to learn and had been assessed for it. This was my first experience with how independant a young girl she was and is.
As a mother this is hard to handle an 8 year old organising her onw study and paths.
She didnt just choose piano or guitar she chose an instrument I absolutely hated the sound of "the violin" but Kirsten loved it so I agreed even though I was cursing under my breath.
I spoke to her now music teacher who assured me that she felt Kirsten would do extremly well and the screaching cat sound wouldn't bother me. Not convinced but I paid the fees for the year anyway and hired the violin and left Kirsten there happily taking her first music lesson.
That evening she excitedly came home, did her homework and set about her music homework.
Watching her set up I was preparing for the worst.
She pulled the violin out and began to play Mary Had A Little Lamb. It wasnt perfect, it screached occasionally but it was bearable and I was surprised.
Over the next few weeks the screach stopped completely and a phone call from her music teacher requesting I visit the school.
So off I trott again wondering what was wrong. When I arrived Kirsten was waiting excited and out of breath, led me to the music teacher where I was told they had a music assessor coming in to listen to Kirsten play. She had advanced so quickly they wanted to see the best way to go about teaching her.
Two weeks later, the asessment complete Kirsten was put up a grade in her music. She now practices for 3 hours every night without fail. He music teacher asked her to take 2 days a week and not play but Kirsten couldn't do that. It was like she was born with the violin attached. So the following school holidays I bought her her own full size violin.
Kirsten practiced, played solo for all the school functions and just kept getting better and better.
In between this she worked with her horses every morning and night. Getting up at 4am some mornings to ride them on the beach as well as watching Greg and I go through a divorce and struggle our way back to a friendship again.
Then came time to pick a High School for her. whenI sat her down to discuss what subjects she would like to do and which high would she prefer to attend she informed me that she had already decided and applied for anaaudition to be accepted into a music programme..Little Miss independant struck again.
I often tell her she has from the time she was born cheated me out of the right to argue with her over whats best.
Anyway she auditioned and passed with flying colours. 1st year of high school was pretty rough on her. She had 9 normal subjects to attend and 10 extra music lessons plus band practice, choir practice and she was still working with her horses before and after school.
By the time she got to year 9 she had worked out a routine for herself and was working well in school again and managed juggling everything about.
A letter from the high school arrived and I opened it wondering what had gone wrong. I always be expected a bubble burst with her.
It was an invitation for Kirsten to attend a gifted and talented childrens camp. The school was given 8 places and had to select the 8 children from years 8 through to 12 who would be gifted enough to attend. So off she went for a week with university lecturers. Now this camp was spent mostly attending lectures as if they were in university. Something that as a teenager I would have found completely boring.
Kirsten loved it. She made new friends and said she would love to attend again if selected. She was and has been each years since. There are 900 students in her school and each year they take in about 150 new students into first year as well as any children who have immigrated to Australia for the english classes so for her to consistantly maintain a level that keeps her above them academically each year is quite an acheivement.
Kirstens year 9 also made me realise just how different she is to her fellow students as well as to most teenage girls when the School Principle asked her and one of her friends to be the Models for the school uniform. As Kirsten is a stickler for wearing her uniform exactly as the school requires it to be worn. skirt 1 inch below the knee etc ( I used to walk out the house when I was in school, sit at the nearest bus stop and use safety pins to hem my skirt up for the day, IF I bothered to wear the uniform). So as you enter the foyer of the Schools office your confronted by a poster of Kirsten and a male student proudly modelling the School uniform. Adam Ants song Goody Two Shoes comes to mind about now.
Kirsten is heading into year 12 next year which should be her final year of high. However she come home from school and informed me that she deliberately failed one subject, Maths so she can do year 13. When I asked why this is what she told me.
Mum I have been asked to audition for the Melbourne Symphony Youth Orchestra, I have the horses to with riding lessons each day and I have been asked by my Karate instructor to take on extra lessons so they can train me up to instructor level and I am taking classes at T.A.F.E (Technical and further Education) for horse dentistry I need the extra year to get my certificates.
So off she went to audition for the Orchestra. Her music teacher was the one who nominated her for the audition. At the time of his nomination they had already had a round of auditions go through and it had been taken down to 200 eager young violinist's, she got into the next round and did her second audition. I was expecting her to be dissapointed coming in late and missing the first audition disadvantaged her, but she seemed happy with her performance. Then we just waited for the letter.
It arrived the day she was having her braces put on. She refused to come home and open it insisting onme reading the letter then calling her to tell her yes or no. So she went to her grandparents and waited. I was nervous and truly expected to have to give her bad news. But I opened the letter and in bold print it just simply said congratulations and welcome you have passed your auditions your first rehearsel is in January.
So now my daughter haspaved her way to a musical career with several other avenues she can take if it doesnt all work out the way she hopes, all without my help just an ear and a shoulder every now and then to lean on. From the time she started school she made her own choices, researched her options and bought the final idea to me for approval, she even completed all the paperwork so all I had to do was read and sign, none of her choices that she made gave were unacceptable in anyway and she has paved her own way to becomming a very dependant young adult. I sometimes feel all I have done for her is give birth. She has basically bought herself up.
But I am so incredibly proud of her, of her acheivements and her goals in life and the acheivements I know she is going to make.
To have your child accepted into an orchestra that travels the world, plays in the Orchesta for people like Elton John and whoever else might be touring Australia that uses our orchestra's would make any mother smile from ear to ear with pride.
Now I sit back and wait for the next choice she wants to make and hope she stays making the right ones.
At the age of two she would sit at the table with Cassie and Geoff while they did their homework and copy them. She could write her own name and numbers to 10 before she was 3, She could also recite the alphabet count to 100, she knew her full name mine as well as her fathers address and phone number. She knew songs and could read several words. To me this was normal, she just picked it up from her brother and sister doing their homework and I didnt see it as anything special.
I put her into kindergarten when she turned 3 to socialise with children her own age as she had not had any interaction with her age group and I wanted her socially ready for school.
This did not work lol..She spent the time at the fence during lunch breaks talking to the older children in the "big school" and ignored her own age group entirely. When I asked her she told me they were just baby's. However I persisted and she stayed there until she turned 5 and was old enough for "big school".
As all the children in her group went up to "big School" with her she had by now made friends and was socialising with a little, a whole 2 friends, but I felt it better than none.
I struck gold with the teacher Kirsten got in her first year of school. She is the same age as me and she believed in the old fashioned way of teaching.Leran to sound out words none of the flash card learning, learning to spell the words correctly and basic number work, addition and times tables.
Quite a few of the parents complained as she also set homework for them. The parents felt this was way too hard for the first year of school and wanted her to conform with the other teachers, no homework and spend the day doing artwork etc but she was persistant and refused to conform.
Kirstens first day of school bought her trotting home with her first lot of homework, she proudly sat at the table with her brother and sister and completed it. I guess she finally felt like a big girl and a part of it all.
Now getting the older 2 to do their homework was like trying to get blood from a stone and I assumed Kirsten would get bored with it as quickly as they did and it would be a nightly struggle.
This didnt happen, every night she trotted in , climbed onto her chair and completed her homework.
So I decided to reward her and bought her her own desk for her bedroom so she could do her work in peace.
Her brother and sister sat at the dining table under my watchful eyes and Kirsten would trot into her room and a short while lately proudly walk out with her homework completed in hand and ready for me to sign.
End of year and the students were given their classes for the following year, Kirsten luckily had the same teacher. By the end of her second year at "big School" She could reacite her times tables 1 through to 12, she could add and subtract and was reading fourth grade readers.
I never had a problem with her getting up and going to school, in fact when she was sick it was a fight to keep her home.
She decided that she wanted an after school activity, so she started ballet lessons.
Within a year I was paying for costumes and heavily involved in the ballet with her. Many recitals and sleepless nights later she decided she had enough and wanted to take on a musical instrument.
By the time she decided to take on a musical instrument Kirsten was in grade 3 and as our schools have 4 terms she was bringing home 4 report cards a year. Each one I have framed in the hallway. She never bought home a report card that didn't have straight A's.
I have Cassie and Geoffs report cards framed as well, they dont all have straight A's but they all are within a normal range.
The school ran a music group so I went over with her to see what would be best suited to her to learn to play. Expecting maybe piano or possibly guitar. I didnt know that at this stage Kirsten had herself sat with the music teacher and told her what she wanted to learn and had been assessed for it. This was my first experience with how independant a young girl she was and is.
As a mother this is hard to handle an 8 year old organising her onw study and paths.
She didnt just choose piano or guitar she chose an instrument I absolutely hated the sound of "the violin" but Kirsten loved it so I agreed even though I was cursing under my breath.
I spoke to her now music teacher who assured me that she felt Kirsten would do extremly well and the screaching cat sound wouldn't bother me. Not convinced but I paid the fees for the year anyway and hired the violin and left Kirsten there happily taking her first music lesson.
That evening she excitedly came home, did her homework and set about her music homework.
Watching her set up I was preparing for the worst.
She pulled the violin out and began to play Mary Had A Little Lamb. It wasnt perfect, it screached occasionally but it was bearable and I was surprised.
Over the next few weeks the screach stopped completely and a phone call from her music teacher requesting I visit the school.
So off I trott again wondering what was wrong. When I arrived Kirsten was waiting excited and out of breath, led me to the music teacher where I was told they had a music assessor coming in to listen to Kirsten play. She had advanced so quickly they wanted to see the best way to go about teaching her.
Two weeks later, the asessment complete Kirsten was put up a grade in her music. She now practices for 3 hours every night without fail. He music teacher asked her to take 2 days a week and not play but Kirsten couldn't do that. It was like she was born with the violin attached. So the following school holidays I bought her her own full size violin.
Kirsten practiced, played solo for all the school functions and just kept getting better and better.
In between this she worked with her horses every morning and night. Getting up at 4am some mornings to ride them on the beach as well as watching Greg and I go through a divorce and struggle our way back to a friendship again.
Then came time to pick a High School for her. whenI sat her down to discuss what subjects she would like to do and which high would she prefer to attend she informed me that she had already decided and applied for anaaudition to be accepted into a music programme..Little Miss independant struck again.
I often tell her she has from the time she was born cheated me out of the right to argue with her over whats best.
Anyway she auditioned and passed with flying colours. 1st year of high school was pretty rough on her. She had 9 normal subjects to attend and 10 extra music lessons plus band practice, choir practice and she was still working with her horses before and after school.
By the time she got to year 9 she had worked out a routine for herself and was working well in school again and managed juggling everything about.
A letter from the high school arrived and I opened it wondering what had gone wrong. I always be expected a bubble burst with her.
It was an invitation for Kirsten to attend a gifted and talented childrens camp. The school was given 8 places and had to select the 8 children from years 8 through to 12 who would be gifted enough to attend. So off she went for a week with university lecturers. Now this camp was spent mostly attending lectures as if they were in university. Something that as a teenager I would have found completely boring.
Kirsten loved it. She made new friends and said she would love to attend again if selected. She was and has been each years since. There are 900 students in her school and each year they take in about 150 new students into first year as well as any children who have immigrated to Australia for the english classes so for her to consistantly maintain a level that keeps her above them academically each year is quite an acheivement.
Kirstens year 9 also made me realise just how different she is to her fellow students as well as to most teenage girls when the School Principle asked her and one of her friends to be the Models for the school uniform. As Kirsten is a stickler for wearing her uniform exactly as the school requires it to be worn. skirt 1 inch below the knee etc ( I used to walk out the house when I was in school, sit at the nearest bus stop and use safety pins to hem my skirt up for the day, IF I bothered to wear the uniform). So as you enter the foyer of the Schools office your confronted by a poster of Kirsten and a male student proudly modelling the School uniform. Adam Ants song Goody Two Shoes comes to mind about now.
Kirsten is heading into year 12 next year which should be her final year of high. However she come home from school and informed me that she deliberately failed one subject, Maths so she can do year 13. When I asked why this is what she told me.
Mum I have been asked to audition for the Melbourne Symphony Youth Orchestra, I have the horses to with riding lessons each day and I have been asked by my Karate instructor to take on extra lessons so they can train me up to instructor level and I am taking classes at T.A.F.E (Technical and further Education) for horse dentistry I need the extra year to get my certificates.
So off she went to audition for the Orchestra. Her music teacher was the one who nominated her for the audition. At the time of his nomination they had already had a round of auditions go through and it had been taken down to 200 eager young violinist's, she got into the next round and did her second audition. I was expecting her to be dissapointed coming in late and missing the first audition disadvantaged her, but she seemed happy with her performance. Then we just waited for the letter.
It arrived the day she was having her braces put on. She refused to come home and open it insisting onme reading the letter then calling her to tell her yes or no. So she went to her grandparents and waited. I was nervous and truly expected to have to give her bad news. But I opened the letter and in bold print it just simply said congratulations and welcome you have passed your auditions your first rehearsel is in January.
So now my daughter haspaved her way to a musical career with several other avenues she can take if it doesnt all work out the way she hopes, all without my help just an ear and a shoulder every now and then to lean on. From the time she started school she made her own choices, researched her options and bought the final idea to me for approval, she even completed all the paperwork so all I had to do was read and sign, none of her choices that she made gave were unacceptable in anyway and she has paved her own way to becomming a very dependant young adult. I sometimes feel all I have done for her is give birth. She has basically bought herself up.
But I am so incredibly proud of her, of her acheivements and her goals in life and the acheivements I know she is going to make.
To have your child accepted into an orchestra that travels the world, plays in the Orchesta for people like Elton John and whoever else might be touring Australia that uses our orchestra's would make any mother smile from ear to ear with pride.
Now I sit back and wait for the next choice she wants to make and hope she stays making the right ones.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Day in Aus / Christmas Card
MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone and I hope you ALL have the most wonderful New Year.
Christmas in Aus was cancelled today, Well for our house anyway. We had the gift giving and we had a small luncheon but it was sadly missing my youngest daughter Kirsten.
Every year for the past 4 years she has had to spend Xmas eve awake walking her horses because of colic. Sadly the horse went down again last night and she spent the better part of the night walking him and all day today. The good news is we found out why the horses have been coming down on xmas. A mother and her children had decided to make it a tradition on Xmas to walk past the stables and feed the horses. Why she felt the horses needed feeding is beyond us, Kirsten has them just above their required weight. If you could feel a bone on one of them it would be a miracle they are so well fed. She has been getting her children to drop the food on the ground for the horses to eat as they cannot get into the stables fully to put the food in the food bins so the horses have been eating loads of sand. An act of love you could say for the past 4 years has created sleepless nights for my daughter and my father. Xmas eve's spent walking horses around and around the stables not to add the Christmas day call outs of a vet $400 just for disruping his Christmas polus the medication and hourly rates. A simple visit to the stable has cost around $700 each year $2800 in total. Kirsten is a very quiet peaceful girl who tends to keep her mouth shut most of the time to avoid confrontation regardless of what annoys her. I have always wondered how she will go out on her own.
I saw another side to her today that showed me she will be fine. I am glad I was not the woman allowing her children to feed the horses. My father quickly to hold of the situation and has offered the children a ride once a month if they promise not to feed the horses again and the mother has been given the account for the Vet's visit.
So tomorrow is going to be our Christmas day which I look forward to greatly.
It doesn't matter the day it matters the love.
Christmas in Aus was cancelled today, Well for our house anyway. We had the gift giving and we had a small luncheon but it was sadly missing my youngest daughter Kirsten.
Every year for the past 4 years she has had to spend Xmas eve awake walking her horses because of colic. Sadly the horse went down again last night and she spent the better part of the night walking him and all day today. The good news is we found out why the horses have been coming down on xmas. A mother and her children had decided to make it a tradition on Xmas to walk past the stables and feed the horses. Why she felt the horses needed feeding is beyond us, Kirsten has them just above their required weight. If you could feel a bone on one of them it would be a miracle they are so well fed. She has been getting her children to drop the food on the ground for the horses to eat as they cannot get into the stables fully to put the food in the food bins so the horses have been eating loads of sand. An act of love you could say for the past 4 years has created sleepless nights for my daughter and my father. Xmas eve's spent walking horses around and around the stables not to add the Christmas day call outs of a vet $400 just for disruping his Christmas polus the medication and hourly rates. A simple visit to the stable has cost around $700 each year $2800 in total. Kirsten is a very quiet peaceful girl who tends to keep her mouth shut most of the time to avoid confrontation regardless of what annoys her. I have always wondered how she will go out on her own.
I saw another side to her today that showed me she will be fine. I am glad I was not the woman allowing her children to feed the horses. My father quickly to hold of the situation and has offered the children a ride once a month if they promise not to feed the horses again and the mother has been given the account for the Vet's visit.
So tomorrow is going to be our Christmas day which I look forward to greatly.
It doesn't matter the day it matters the love.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
xmas gifts and such
Well Christmas is as Esch tells me two sleeps away. I am wishing it was 200 sleeps away. A bit of a bah humbug this year.
I sat down and tallied up how much I spent on xmas gifts etc excluding the granddaughters gifts and then called Cassie in asking her approximately what she spent excluding Esch's. Had we skipped the gift giving this year we could have ALL gone on a nice 1 week holiday somewhere in Aus. Oh well maybe one year.
As most of you know I dont follow a christian faith so I dont exactly celebrate Christmas however I go through the motions for the kids / grandkids. We all have to choose our own path of belief. I do love giving gifts but I find it quite tacky the way the emphasis is on the buy and give and not the whole meaning of why Christmas is celebrated. Each year everything seems to be getting smaller in size but doubling in price.
We have had a lot pass on this year so we will be taking time to remember the ones that are no longer with us and cherishing the day with the ones we know will sadly not be here next year.
I sat down and tallied up how much I spent on xmas gifts etc excluding the granddaughters gifts and then called Cassie in asking her approximately what she spent excluding Esch's. Had we skipped the gift giving this year we could have ALL gone on a nice 1 week holiday somewhere in Aus. Oh well maybe one year.
As most of you know I dont follow a christian faith so I dont exactly celebrate Christmas however I go through the motions for the kids / grandkids. We all have to choose our own path of belief. I do love giving gifts but I find it quite tacky the way the emphasis is on the buy and give and not the whole meaning of why Christmas is celebrated. Each year everything seems to be getting smaller in size but doubling in price.
We have had a lot pass on this year so we will be taking time to remember the ones that are no longer with us and cherishing the day with the ones we know will sadly not be here next year.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Happy Birthday
Today marks a special mans birthday. Sadly he isnt here to share it with everyone but if I know Jo he is watching and singing along from where ever his travels are taking him.
Happy Brthday Jopete you are missed and remembered with great fondness. Everytime I think of you I smile.
Happy Brthday Jopete you are missed and remembered with great fondness. Everytime I think of you I smile.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Mousey2, Sydney.
Well Esch's mouse Mousey2 passed on yesterday.. We arent sure what happened but he had the funeral into the special big bin (garbage bin) and is off in two days inthe special dead mouse (rubbish) truck. She has another mouse that Cassie went and got her today.. She named it yucky mouse. I guess she isnt that keen on the new one but it is quite friendly.
I am off to Sydney on Friday to spend a week with my sis before xmas. SO I wont be around until around the 18th. then it will be all activitys for xmas I guess.
If I dont get to see you all before xmas have a wonderful day everyone.
I am off to Sydney on Friday to spend a week with my sis before xmas. SO I wont be around until around the 18th. then it will be all activitys for xmas I guess.
If I dont get to see you all before xmas have a wonderful day everyone.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Kris
Ok below is a copy of my friend Kris doing his elvis tribute at Kryall Castle.
It is a long clip but I think worth it.
It is a long clip but I think worth it.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Christmas day today
Cassie sat up till late last night wrapping santa presents for Esch.
She then carefully hid them in Kirsten's bedroom and various places around the house so Esch couldnt find them.
I was sound asleep in bed this morning when I was woken by a little girl jumping into bed and bouncing up and down on me yelling "Merry Christmas Grandma"
I sleepily said it isnt christmas yet Esch go back to sleep when I got jumped on and told "wake up"
Dragging myself up into a sitting position getting ready to explain that today is NOT Christmas day I saw them.
Boxes on top of boxes all neatly wrapped with Special little Pre Printed tags saying "To Escher love Santa" (Cassie paid to have them printed because Esch now recognises hand writing) all packed onto the end of me bed waiting to be opened.
Deciding that I have done enough fast talking over Christmas and santa, Easter and the Easter Bunny I woke Cassie to dealwith the situation LMAO.
It turns out Esch heard the next door neighbours testing their Santa and Slegh decoration after setting it up in the front yard.. The bells jingle and Santa yells out "Ho Ho Ho Merry CHristmas" woke up and went on a treasure hunt to find her Santa presents.
WOW did she hit the Jackpot.
Cassie seemed to do well with the fast talking telling Esch because Santa and the elves are so busy this time of year he asked Great Nanna (Who is a close friend of Santa's) to tell Cassie to wrap the presents and post them to him. They are now safely packed into the boot of my car ready to go to Great Nanna's house who then has the extra special job of posting them all the way to the South Pole to Santa. ie: into her back shed.
She then carefully hid them in Kirsten's bedroom and various places around the house so Esch couldnt find them.
I was sound asleep in bed this morning when I was woken by a little girl jumping into bed and bouncing up and down on me yelling "Merry Christmas Grandma"
I sleepily said it isnt christmas yet Esch go back to sleep when I got jumped on and told "wake up"
Dragging myself up into a sitting position getting ready to explain that today is NOT Christmas day I saw them.
Boxes on top of boxes all neatly wrapped with Special little Pre Printed tags saying "To Escher love Santa" (Cassie paid to have them printed because Esch now recognises hand writing) all packed onto the end of me bed waiting to be opened.
Deciding that I have done enough fast talking over Christmas and santa, Easter and the Easter Bunny I woke Cassie to dealwith the situation LMAO.
It turns out Esch heard the next door neighbours testing their Santa and Slegh decoration after setting it up in the front yard.. The bells jingle and Santa yells out "Ho Ho Ho Merry CHristmas" woke up and went on a treasure hunt to find her Santa presents.
WOW did she hit the Jackpot.
Cassie seemed to do well with the fast talking telling Esch because Santa and the elves are so busy this time of year he asked Great Nanna (Who is a close friend of Santa's) to tell Cassie to wrap the presents and post them to him. They are now safely packed into the boot of my car ready to go to Great Nanna's house who then has the extra special job of posting them all the way to the South Pole to Santa. ie: into her back shed.
Mice, feet and other things.
Well it has been a busy week. So much has happened yet it seems so little now I am writing about it.
I had some good news from my blood tests, the 3rd test in a row shows my sugar levels have reduced and stayed at a normal level. Not sure why as I didnt change my diet but wont complain.
My surgery spot on the bottom of my leg still hasn't healed and is now being cleaned daily twice a day because of infection :-(.
But the highlight or low spot of the week is the mice. I should never let Cassie go shopping alone she walked in with a loud bang, all excited and yelling "Guess what I got". Then she flopped down on a chair beside me and placed a box with holes poked through it in front of me. I heard a scampering and she said MICE Mum. I got them for Esch.
Cassie set up the super duper space station mouse house with special wheels, slides and loops of all kinds. Put the mice in and we went and got Esch from pre school.
She walked in seen the mouse house and got all excited.
Esch spent time with the mice, I spent time telling her they get out they meet my mouse traps.
When she went to bed and all was quiet the Mice decided it was noise time as all nocturnals do. The squeeking got worse over the next half hour and I told Cassie stop them or they get poison in their food.
You have probably gathered I dont like mice lol
Escher Named them Mouse1 and Mouse2
Anyway Cassie watched to see why they were gettng so noisy.
It turned out that Cassie thinking ahead bought two males. She forgot to think about the fight for dominance. It turns out mouse1 a lot older and stronger than mouse2 was trying to kill mouse2.
Mouse1 as soon as he thought he was alone would get mouse2 down and was gnawing at his throat, hence the squeeking and lots of it.
I felt sorry for mouse2 and agreed to let it sleep in my bedroom for the night on the condition mouse1 was gone from the house the next day. So we have mouse2 with a huge cage and happy as can be.
So now we have 1 dog named Max, 1 budgie named Birdy-yumyum, 1 male rabbit named Snowball, 4 remaining goldfish all named fishy, One mouse named Mouse2 and on order 2 Guinea Pigs for Christmas. Plus the 30 or so pond fish that are swimming in my pond out the back and a couple of frogs that live in the bird bath out front.
I had some good news from my blood tests, the 3rd test in a row shows my sugar levels have reduced and stayed at a normal level. Not sure why as I didnt change my diet but wont complain.
My surgery spot on the bottom of my leg still hasn't healed and is now being cleaned daily twice a day because of infection :-(.
But the highlight or low spot of the week is the mice. I should never let Cassie go shopping alone she walked in with a loud bang, all excited and yelling "Guess what I got". Then she flopped down on a chair beside me and placed a box with holes poked through it in front of me. I heard a scampering and she said MICE Mum. I got them for Esch.
Cassie set up the super duper space station mouse house with special wheels, slides and loops of all kinds. Put the mice in and we went and got Esch from pre school.
She walked in seen the mouse house and got all excited.
Esch spent time with the mice, I spent time telling her they get out they meet my mouse traps.
When she went to bed and all was quiet the Mice decided it was noise time as all nocturnals do. The squeeking got worse over the next half hour and I told Cassie stop them or they get poison in their food.
You have probably gathered I dont like mice lol
Escher Named them Mouse1 and Mouse2
Anyway Cassie watched to see why they were gettng so noisy.
It turned out that Cassie thinking ahead bought two males. She forgot to think about the fight for dominance. It turns out mouse1 a lot older and stronger than mouse2 was trying to kill mouse2.
Mouse1 as soon as he thought he was alone would get mouse2 down and was gnawing at his throat, hence the squeeking and lots of it.
I felt sorry for mouse2 and agreed to let it sleep in my bedroom for the night on the condition mouse1 was gone from the house the next day. So we have mouse2 with a huge cage and happy as can be.
So now we have 1 dog named Max, 1 budgie named Birdy-yumyum, 1 male rabbit named Snowball, 4 remaining goldfish all named fishy, One mouse named Mouse2 and on order 2 Guinea Pigs for Christmas. Plus the 30 or so pond fish that are swimming in my pond out the back and a couple of frogs that live in the bird bath out front.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Phone found
Well I finally got a phone. The only way I could get the same as mine was buy a second hand or pre loved as some call it.
I was lucky to come across a second hand one in my travels.
Shopping only for a phone I came home with a new tablecloth, material, some odds and ends for sewing and a trolley full of groceries I didnt plan on getting or need but they were handing out sample tastings of new products everywhere so someeone just had to buy a few of them.
The temperature has dropped a lot and it is quite cool outside to a point of shivering 68f at the moment.
I was lucky to come across a second hand one in my travels.
Shopping only for a phone I came home with a new tablecloth, material, some odds and ends for sewing and a trolley full of groceries I didnt plan on getting or need but they were handing out sample tastings of new products everywhere so someeone just had to buy a few of them.
The temperature has dropped a lot and it is quite cool outside to a point of shivering 68f at the moment.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Arrrggghh Shopping.
Geesh anyone would think christmas is close with all those insane people at the shops in this heat.
I have decided to do my shopping today in waves.. I have just finished one shopping centre, so many RUDE people out there and they are all over 60.
I have had the back of my leg run into so many times I have lost count. I am sure the bruises will give me an indication later today.
Standing in line waiting to be served and an elderly not so much of a gentlman walked in front of me pushing me out of the way and demanded to be served. He didn't count on what was about to happen though.
Fiorst of all I said very loudly and politely
"excuse me sir"
Man - What?
Me- Are you in the habit of pushing woman about?
Man - What are you talking about?
Me - showing him my leg with bandages and stating I was in front of you along with all these other people behind me. You almost made me lose balance and fall over.
Man - Humphhhh
Me - If I could balance on my left leg I would kick you with my right.
Man - Do you always treat the elderly this way?
Me - Only rude pricks like you.
Man - Walked away mumbling something under his breath about rude young uns having no respect.
Me I got applauded by the people behind me who were held up with my attack on him and served. As I was leaving the store the Man and his daughter walked in.
As she approached I knew what was about to happen and so did the security LOL
To cut a long story short we were both asked to leave the store. So here I sit no phone yet but feeling quite happy LOL.
I need to add that I dont normally talk to elderly this way. This one just was extremly rude , stood right on my foot and as he did so scraped his foot over my stitches so the pain was great and the mouth just started.
I have decided to do my shopping today in waves.. I have just finished one shopping centre, so many RUDE people out there and they are all over 60.
I have had the back of my leg run into so many times I have lost count. I am sure the bruises will give me an indication later today.
Standing in line waiting to be served and an elderly not so much of a gentlman walked in front of me pushing me out of the way and demanded to be served. He didn't count on what was about to happen though.
Fiorst of all I said very loudly and politely
"excuse me sir"
Man - What?
Me- Are you in the habit of pushing woman about?
Man - What are you talking about?
Me - showing him my leg with bandages and stating I was in front of you along with all these other people behind me. You almost made me lose balance and fall over.
Man - Humphhhh
Me - If I could balance on my left leg I would kick you with my right.
Man - Do you always treat the elderly this way?
Me - Only rude pricks like you.
Man - Walked away mumbling something under his breath about rude young uns having no respect.
Me I got applauded by the people behind me who were held up with my attack on him and served. As I was leaving the store the Man and his daughter walked in.
As she approached I knew what was about to happen and so did the security LOL
To cut a long story short we were both asked to leave the store. So here I sit no phone yet but feeling quite happy LOL.
I need to add that I dont normally talk to elderly this way. This one just was extremly rude , stood right on my foot and as he did so scraped his foot over my stitches so the pain was great and the mouth just started.
Temp update
Punkn.. Yes I have been to the simpson Desert and it is very beautiful even though it is so hot your clothes stick to you.
The changing colours of the sand during the day is amazing.
I am sitting here and is almost 10am wondering if I should climb into the oven to cool down. It is 102.2 F out already and rising.
I am trying to work out the easiest way to do my shopping today and stay cool. I have the most air conditioned shops on my list as last to go to so that I can sit down and have a drink while I decide which mobile or as you call them cell phone to buy.
Esch spilled a glass of coke over mine it worked for 2 days then just stopped. The problem is they dont make that phone anymore so I am going ot have to try and find one with the same features. The bonus is all the christmas sales have come out so I am hoping for a decent deal.
Speaking of christmas it is only 42 sleeps until Ho ho ho as Esch keeps telling me(something her mother taught her when she couldnt say christmas, doesnt go well when you have a lot of females walking past and Esch yells out look grandma Ho ho ho).
As Christmas tends to bring so much extra rubbish to the house we decided this year to have a huge cleanout beforehand so that we would have a clean slate christmas morning. We forgot to take into consideration how hot it gets around here now and the back yard is like a furnace to work in but we will get it done between many breaks in the pool LOL..
Last night when the sun set I decided to pull out all my pool rubbish and found a floating drink stand that I bought last year during the sales and promptly forgot about.
Fill the base with ice, slip it into the pool, climb on the sun lounge and just soak.
I think I paid around $40 for it. Anyway with excitement I showed it to Cassie, that was my downfall lol.
She asked me how I was going to keep it upright while I climbed into the pool and onto my floating sun lounge? I decided to prove to her that the drink stand would have been designed to stay upright. So we filled it with ice, I poured a glass of wine, placed it into the slot on the stand, slipped my dress off and slipped into the pool. The stand stayed afloat of course the movement made my lounge float to the other side so I waded over and grabbed it then back to my stand..I slipped onto the lounge and got myself steady to Cassie's roar of laughter ( I thought she was laughing at my elegant way of getting on the sun lounge) reached for the drink stand and missed. When I looked, there was my drink glass and drink stand sitting on the BOTTOM of the pool, so much for the word FLOATING on the box. Several words escaped my mouth and the drink stand is now sitting on top of the shed roof (where it got thrown in anger). We noticed this morning that a few birds have taken a liking to it so I guess I will add some water for them to have a drink or splash around in during summer.
The changing colours of the sand during the day is amazing.
I am sitting here and is almost 10am wondering if I should climb into the oven to cool down. It is 102.2 F out already and rising.
I am trying to work out the easiest way to do my shopping today and stay cool. I have the most air conditioned shops on my list as last to go to so that I can sit down and have a drink while I decide which mobile or as you call them cell phone to buy.
Esch spilled a glass of coke over mine it worked for 2 days then just stopped. The problem is they dont make that phone anymore so I am going ot have to try and find one with the same features. The bonus is all the christmas sales have come out so I am hoping for a decent deal.
Speaking of christmas it is only 42 sleeps until Ho ho ho as Esch keeps telling me(something her mother taught her when she couldnt say christmas, doesnt go well when you have a lot of females walking past and Esch yells out look grandma Ho ho ho).
As Christmas tends to bring so much extra rubbish to the house we decided this year to have a huge cleanout beforehand so that we would have a clean slate christmas morning. We forgot to take into consideration how hot it gets around here now and the back yard is like a furnace to work in but we will get it done between many breaks in the pool LOL..
Last night when the sun set I decided to pull out all my pool rubbish and found a floating drink stand that I bought last year during the sales and promptly forgot about.
Fill the base with ice, slip it into the pool, climb on the sun lounge and just soak.
I think I paid around $40 for it. Anyway with excitement I showed it to Cassie, that was my downfall lol.
She asked me how I was going to keep it upright while I climbed into the pool and onto my floating sun lounge? I decided to prove to her that the drink stand would have been designed to stay upright. So we filled it with ice, I poured a glass of wine, placed it into the slot on the stand, slipped my dress off and slipped into the pool. The stand stayed afloat of course the movement made my lounge float to the other side so I waded over and grabbed it then back to my stand..I slipped onto the lounge and got myself steady to Cassie's roar of laughter ( I thought she was laughing at my elegant way of getting on the sun lounge) reached for the drink stand and missed. When I looked, there was my drink glass and drink stand sitting on the BOTTOM of the pool, so much for the word FLOATING on the box. Several words escaped my mouth and the drink stand is now sitting on top of the shed roof (where it got thrown in anger). We noticed this morning that a few birds have taken a liking to it so I guess I will add some water for them to have a drink or splash around in during summer.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Simpson Desert Closed
Desert sands turn a firey red as the sun sets in the Simpson Desert.
Australia's harsh Simpson Desert conservation park will be closed during the southern hemisphere summer to prevent tourists dying in the outback, authorities said on Tuesday.
Temperatures in the Simpson Desert are forecast to reach 40 to 50 degrees Celsius (104-122 Fahrenheit) and authorities said it would be too dangerous for people to try and cross the desert.
The Simpson Desert Conservation Park and Regional Reserve, covering more than 3.6 million hectares (8.9 million acres) in the middle of Australia, will be closed from December 1 to March 15, said the South Australia state department for environment.
"During this period, dunes are soft and constantly changing shape, increasing the chance of vehicles becoming bogged and people becoming stranded. High temperatures also lead to an increased chance of vehicle failure," said Trevor Naismith.
The Simpson Desert has no official roads, just tracks which criss-cross some of the world's longest sand dunes.
Friday, November 7, 2008
feet
Hi so much is happening around here I guess christmas is looming.
Congratulations America on your new president now we need a new Prime Minister (preferably a female) and things will be good.
I have just had several small wwhat I thought was warts removed from the bottom of my legs at the ank;e. As i watched the Dr cutting them off one by one I was amazed at the depth they had grown and at one in particular when that had been really irritating me.
It had itched so much that I had scratched it hard and made it bleed. When my Dr removed it it looked the same underneath as it did on top except it had long tentacles like bits coming from it. The others were soft and roundish underneath.
As all dr's do he made the oh ah sounds and I said ok whats wrong and was told nothing look away please Amanda.
He was assisted by my regular blood sucker and she has seen me through some very bad attempts at obtaining blood over the past 5 years or so. ( I have vomited on her, feinted on her you name it I have done it to the poor woman) She spent the most part of the procedure trying to distract me and cover up what he was doing for fear I would pass out on her and fall off the table.
Anyway the end result is it looks like they are not warts but small melanoma's. Especially the large itchy one that was removed.
I had never considered that the sun would cause damage to the feet. So be careful of any spots or changes there. At the moment the ankle area of my leg looks like a patchwork quilt with stitches here there and everywhere and is quite tender. It didnt help that I had it resting on a chair as Cassie was putting the groceries away and she dropped 3 bags which fell one after the other on my foot followed by a 2 litre bottle of coke. I ended up in tears she ended up in tears.
I have a few more assignments to go and I will be finished my celebrant course. I will be glad when it is finished however I am enjoying the online study.
I do miss everyone inchat though.
Congratulations America on your new president now we need a new Prime Minister (preferably a female) and things will be good.
I have just had several small wwhat I thought was warts removed from the bottom of my legs at the ank;e. As i watched the Dr cutting them off one by one I was amazed at the depth they had grown and at one in particular when that had been really irritating me.
It had itched so much that I had scratched it hard and made it bleed. When my Dr removed it it looked the same underneath as it did on top except it had long tentacles like bits coming from it. The others were soft and roundish underneath.
As all dr's do he made the oh ah sounds and I said ok whats wrong and was told nothing look away please Amanda.
He was assisted by my regular blood sucker and she has seen me through some very bad attempts at obtaining blood over the past 5 years or so. ( I have vomited on her, feinted on her you name it I have done it to the poor woman) She spent the most part of the procedure trying to distract me and cover up what he was doing for fear I would pass out on her and fall off the table.
Anyway the end result is it looks like they are not warts but small melanoma's. Especially the large itchy one that was removed.
I had never considered that the sun would cause damage to the feet. So be careful of any spots or changes there. At the moment the ankle area of my leg looks like a patchwork quilt with stitches here there and everywhere and is quite tender. It didnt help that I had it resting on a chair as Cassie was putting the groceries away and she dropped 3 bags which fell one after the other on my foot followed by a 2 litre bottle of coke. I ended up in tears she ended up in tears.
I have a few more assignments to go and I will be finished my celebrant course. I will be glad when it is finished however I am enjoying the online study.
I do miss everyone inchat though.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
48 Sleeps till Christmas!!!
Yer true blue aussie barbie
The salad's made, the sun is hot
The aussie shielas know what's what
They're sippin sherry, gettin tight
Witnesses to an ancient rite
Like gum trees full of bright rosellas
They mag - while round the barbie fellas
Poke at the steak, pretend to work
The gals laugh at this boyish lurk
This blokes' excuse to have a beer
And bond, share dinkum aussie cheer
For at the end the gals all know
Who really runs this little show
The salad's made, the sun is hot
The aussie shielas know what's what
They're sippin sherry, gettin tight
Witnesses to an ancient rite
Like gum trees full of bright rosellas
They mag - while round the barbie fellas
Poke at the steak, pretend to work
The gals laugh at this boyish lurk
This blokes' excuse to have a beer
And bond, share dinkum aussie cheer
For at the end the gals all know
Who really runs this little show
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Christmas is comming soooo fast!!!
Christmas countdown has started and as Esch tells me it is only 50 sleeps until Santa has been and can I get the decorations out please Grandma. Well still too early for decorations I have only just gotten through Samhain (halloween). We had a great night except for the party next door which was fuelled with a lot of booze and they ended up fighting at the front of the house which woke Esch up and made for a sleepless night all round. The young couple still havent shown their face to me when I have been outside. Anyway I am diverting here back to Christmas.
I am proud ot say all of my Christmas shopping for the kids was done a few months ago and I only have one gift left to buy for my father, who knows what that will be I cant decide and a gift voucher is looking good.
Cassie and I have been trying to decide what to do for Christmas day this year. We arent going to any friends places and we dont have any coming here. Mum and Dad are spending it travelling and Greg and Geoff wont be about so it wil ljust be Cassie, Kirsten Escher and myself.
We cant decide if we will stay home, go to the beach or just head out bush and spend it in a nice shady spot beside whats left of the River.
I found the poem below and it just describes an Aussie Chrissie perfectly.
Fair dinkum sport, I kid ya not
Chrissie in Oz is bloody hot
Stone each and every squawking crow
This time of year we got no snow
Beach umbrellas and suntan lotion
Every bloke'n his dog in the Pacific Ocean
Big bronzed lifeguards - the birds all rave
And sunburnt Santa ridin the wave
It's gardenia time - and carols in the park
"Don't go out too far kids, yer'll be took by a shark"
Bush cicadas make a deafening racket
And every tranny's blarin cricket
Chrissie dinner's a picnic on the beach
Where the pav tastes of sand as well as of peach
Or a barbie where blowies add to yer fun
And some clueless loser's left the beer in the sun
And after the food and the heat and the booze
There's nothing to beat an afternoon snooze
And ya dream of a kid born out there back of Bourke
And put in a feed-box, drovers goin beserk
And the pub's got no beer and the angel, true blue,
Is playin Noel on a didgeridoo
And ya wake and pause fer a moment in wonder!
Happy Christmas, Folks! - from the Land Down Under.
© Pam Blower, 2000
I am proud ot say all of my Christmas shopping for the kids was done a few months ago and I only have one gift left to buy for my father, who knows what that will be I cant decide and a gift voucher is looking good.
Cassie and I have been trying to decide what to do for Christmas day this year. We arent going to any friends places and we dont have any coming here. Mum and Dad are spending it travelling and Greg and Geoff wont be about so it wil ljust be Cassie, Kirsten Escher and myself.
We cant decide if we will stay home, go to the beach or just head out bush and spend it in a nice shady spot beside whats left of the River.
I found the poem below and it just describes an Aussie Chrissie perfectly.
Fair dinkum sport, I kid ya not
Chrissie in Oz is bloody hot
Stone each and every squawking crow
This time of year we got no snow
Beach umbrellas and suntan lotion
Every bloke'n his dog in the Pacific Ocean
Big bronzed lifeguards - the birds all rave
And sunburnt Santa ridin the wave
It's gardenia time - and carols in the park
"Don't go out too far kids, yer'll be took by a shark"
Bush cicadas make a deafening racket
And every tranny's blarin cricket
Chrissie dinner's a picnic on the beach
Where the pav tastes of sand as well as of peach
Or a barbie where blowies add to yer fun
And some clueless loser's left the beer in the sun
And after the food and the heat and the booze
There's nothing to beat an afternoon snooze
And ya dream of a kid born out there back of Bourke
And put in a feed-box, drovers goin beserk
And the pub's got no beer and the angel, true blue,
Is playin Noel on a didgeridoo
And ya wake and pause fer a moment in wonder!
Happy Christmas, Folks! - from the Land Down Under.
© Pam Blower, 2000
Vegemite
When life's a royal pain in the ass
And innards seethe with nasty gas
Kiss it better, make it right
Smear yer toast with vegemite
When folk around give you the shits
And work is really mega pits
Bite the bullet, see the light
Hang in there with vegemite
This black brew puts hair on yer pex
And guarantees exotic sex
It makes ya smile, it cures the blues
Goes really great with aussie booze
And if the world goes down the toilet
You'll still be smiling - no grot will spoilet
You know that in the darkest night
There's always pots of vegemite
Add it to your life - and bliss
Will come with every salty kiss
© Pam Blower, 2000
Monday, November 3, 2008
Aussie Poem
The sun was hot already - it was only 8 o'clock
The cocky took off in his Ute, to go and check his stock.
He drove around the paddocks checking wethers, ewes and lambs,
The float valves in the water troughs, the windmills on the dams.
He stopped and turned a windmill on to fill a water tank
And saw a ewe down in the dam, a few yards from the bank.
'Typical bloody sheep,' he thought, 'they've got no common sense,
'They won't go through a gateway but they'll jump a bloody fence.'
The ewe was stuck down in the mud, he knew without a doubt
She'd stay there 'til she carked it if he didn't get her out.
But when he reached the water's edge, the startled ewe broke free
And in her haste to get away, began a swimming spree.
He reckoned once her fleece was wet, the weight would drag her down
If he didn't rescue her, the stupid sod would drown.
Her style was unimpressive, her survival chances slim
He saw no other option, he would have to take a swim.
He peeled his shirt and singlet off, his trousers, boots and socks
And as he couldn't stand wet clothes, he also shed his jocks.
He jumped into the water and away that cocky swam
He caught up with her, somewhere near the middle of the dam
The ewe was quite evasive, she kept giving him the slip
He tried to grab her sodden fleece but couldn't get a grip.
At last he got her to the bank and stopped to catch his breath
She showed him little gratitude for saving her from death.
She took off like a Bondi tram around the other side
He swore next time he caught that ewe he'd hang her bloody hide.
Then round and round the dam they ran, although he felt quite puffed
He still thought he could run her down, she must be nearly stuffed.
The local stock rep came along, to pay a call that day.
He knew this bloke was on his own, his wife had gone away
He didn't really think he'd get fresh scones for morning tea
But nor was he prepared for what he was about to see.
He rubbed his eyes in disbelief at what came into view
For running down the catchment came this frantic-looking ewe.
And on her heels in hot pursuit and wearing not a stitch
The farmer yelling wildly 'Come back here, you lousy bitch!'
The stock rep didn't hang around, he took off in his car
The cocky's reputation has been damaged near and far
So bear in mind the Work Safe rule when next you check your flocks
Spot the hazard, assess the risk, and always wear your jocks!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Catching Up with the Jones's !!!
Well I have been so busy with this course I am doing and everything else I havent had time to write much.
Lets see I went to a small town called Hopetoun a week ago and spent some time with my cousin. I had a wonderful time and even though my cousin got a little over protective I enjoyed his fussing and company.
I got back and was so tiredI couldnt be bothered working so took the week off. The luck of being a casual you can do that without losing your job.
I have booked my way to Sydeny in December and leave on the 12th but will be back for xmas. I am not sure how long I will be staying asI am headed back there in February for the birth of my first Great Nephew. I cant wait to get a hold of him and have a bog smooch. My Nephew mentioned that I wont be too interested in him anymore now the little one is almost here but he will still get his bag of treats from me which usually includes a pile of lollies for him. He has a real sweet tooth that kid or I should say man now lol.
Please take a look at my last entry was sent to me by my Brother in law and I found it amazing.
Well everyone kept telling me to get with the times and get rid of my old Video Camera and me being one who doesnt like getting rid of things have refused for years.
I pulled it out to record Esch playing about and it got sick, very untimely. Annoyed with this I placed it in it's original box and carried it gently to my car where I placed it on the floor in the front and proceeded to the camera sales/repair shop. Walking in carefully with my prized camera which I might add I paid quite a lot for back in 1987 or 88 I cant quite remember when. I stood waiting while a young woman with a small child looked over some of the new cameras they had there and marvelled at the size of them, so small and compact I thought to myself as I looked at my poor sick larger camera in its box. When they serviceman finished his sale of a very expensive camera to the young woman he walked over and offered me some help. I explained what I was doing and the noise my camera made before it stopped working. He looked puzzled and said he hadn't heard of a camera making a tape crunching noise before, I should add he was about 25 years old. Anyway when I took my prized and well loved camera out of it's box he looked amazed and asked how old the thing was. The thing?? THis was my prized camera it had spent hours recording my children and grandchildren for me. I have a very detailed library of Family Video's all thanks to my camera. Unable to help me he went and got the store owner who knew exactly what I was holding and what the noise was. Sadly even though my camera still looked reasonably new parts are hard to get for it and it needed a few new ones. I asked him how long it would take to order them in and he stated IF and only IF he could get them maybe a week or two. The cost he had no idea on because he hadn't had to order any for so long. but that combined with his time etc we were looking at around $400 maybe more. I looked at my camera laying in his hands, it's little lens cap covering it's lens and wondered if I should leave it to rest. I took it and gently placed it in it's box and closed the lid. But my problem wasn't solved, How could I capture all those things a grandma loves to capture?
Ok your going to laugh but because I never considered or wanted a new camera and only partly listened when my friends would tell me to upgrade I had no idea how far advanced they were. OMG they run on hard drives!!! First of all he asked me what I used it for and as soon as I told him he had several out of the display case for me to view. I looked them over one at a time, picked them up to as he suggested get a feel for the weight and almost dropped it expecting it to be a little weighty. That concerned me they didn't feel solid and sturdy like mine did. Anyway to cut a long story short I took a liking to a nice cherry red camera with a 30gb hard drive. The price was amazingly good as well, only $600 ( I paid over $1000 for the old one) and it came with a spare battery, camera case, stand and a remote control so I can operate it from a distance although I am not sure why I would want to, all the computer cables and a cd for the computer.
I liked this and decided to purchase it. He offered me $150 for my old camera which now sits proudly on top of it's box in a display case of antique camera's. Cassie suggested I should have held on to it as it is an antique.
So now I sit here with a JVC Everio 30gb movie camera. As the battery wasnt charged I had to leave it on all night before I could operate it.
So now I have a new camera and absolutely no idea yet how to use it. I will get there though and am looking forward to watching my first lots of DVD's.
Lets see I went to a small town called Hopetoun a week ago and spent some time with my cousin. I had a wonderful time and even though my cousin got a little over protective I enjoyed his fussing and company.
I got back and was so tiredI couldnt be bothered working so took the week off. The luck of being a casual you can do that without losing your job.
I have booked my way to Sydeny in December and leave on the 12th but will be back for xmas. I am not sure how long I will be staying asI am headed back there in February for the birth of my first Great Nephew. I cant wait to get a hold of him and have a bog smooch. My Nephew mentioned that I wont be too interested in him anymore now the little one is almost here but he will still get his bag of treats from me which usually includes a pile of lollies for him. He has a real sweet tooth that kid or I should say man now lol.
Please take a look at my last entry was sent to me by my Brother in law and I found it amazing.
Well everyone kept telling me to get with the times and get rid of my old Video Camera and me being one who doesnt like getting rid of things have refused for years.
I pulled it out to record Esch playing about and it got sick, very untimely. Annoyed with this I placed it in it's original box and carried it gently to my car where I placed it on the floor in the front and proceeded to the camera sales/repair shop. Walking in carefully with my prized camera which I might add I paid quite a lot for back in 1987 or 88 I cant quite remember when. I stood waiting while a young woman with a small child looked over some of the new cameras they had there and marvelled at the size of them, so small and compact I thought to myself as I looked at my poor sick larger camera in its box. When they serviceman finished his sale of a very expensive camera to the young woman he walked over and offered me some help. I explained what I was doing and the noise my camera made before it stopped working. He looked puzzled and said he hadn't heard of a camera making a tape crunching noise before, I should add he was about 25 years old. Anyway when I took my prized and well loved camera out of it's box he looked amazed and asked how old the thing was. The thing?? THis was my prized camera it had spent hours recording my children and grandchildren for me. I have a very detailed library of Family Video's all thanks to my camera. Unable to help me he went and got the store owner who knew exactly what I was holding and what the noise was. Sadly even though my camera still looked reasonably new parts are hard to get for it and it needed a few new ones. I asked him how long it would take to order them in and he stated IF and only IF he could get them maybe a week or two. The cost he had no idea on because he hadn't had to order any for so long. but that combined with his time etc we were looking at around $400 maybe more. I looked at my camera laying in his hands, it's little lens cap covering it's lens and wondered if I should leave it to rest. I took it and gently placed it in it's box and closed the lid. But my problem wasn't solved, How could I capture all those things a grandma loves to capture?
Ok your going to laugh but because I never considered or wanted a new camera and only partly listened when my friends would tell me to upgrade I had no idea how far advanced they were. OMG they run on hard drives!!! First of all he asked me what I used it for and as soon as I told him he had several out of the display case for me to view. I looked them over one at a time, picked them up to as he suggested get a feel for the weight and almost dropped it expecting it to be a little weighty. That concerned me they didn't feel solid and sturdy like mine did. Anyway to cut a long story short I took a liking to a nice cherry red camera with a 30gb hard drive. The price was amazingly good as well, only $600 ( I paid over $1000 for the old one) and it came with a spare battery, camera case, stand and a remote control so I can operate it from a distance although I am not sure why I would want to, all the computer cables and a cd for the computer.
I liked this and decided to purchase it. He offered me $150 for my old camera which now sits proudly on top of it's box in a display case of antique camera's. Cassie suggested I should have held on to it as it is an antique.
So now I sit here with a JVC Everio 30gb movie camera. As the battery wasnt charged I had to leave it on all night before I could operate it.
So now I have a new camera and absolutely no idea yet how to use it. I will get there though and am looking forward to watching my first lots of DVD's.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
What does this Picture say to you????
The story behind the house is that the elderly couple who owned it passed on and it has remained untouched and empty ever since. Probably 20 years. It is in the main street of town ( a very small country town) about 2 houses away from the first shop.
It is now the property of the government and has been since the couple passed away so it sits untouched.
I didnt know the history when I first saw it and took this picture.
I was talking to my cousin about a house I saw in town and he asked to see the picture. When I showed him he told me to stay away from it. You know thats like waving a red flag at a bull. I asked why he just told me it's history and that it has stood empty for so long now no one will touch it. It seems to have picked up a reputation in the town.
At the moment the whole town is in a bad way below is a picture of the towns water supply. Click on it to read the signage.
The towns water supply dried up a couple of years ago and if they dont get good rains this coming winter there wont be a town. My cousin is on his last year as a farmer if the rains dont come he doesn't know what he is going to do for work but he will lose his farm.
If the rains come the town will survive another year or so and I will look into buying that cute spooky little house above.
I would like to turn it into a holiday home. A coat of white paint, a few boards replaced and a good clean up and nice garden will have it looking pretty nifty.
I hope it is as spooky as it looks and the feel it gives out at the moment is spooky.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tagged
A wonderful lady has decided to tag me.. Thankyou punkn :-) here goes.
Top four wishes.
Health, Happiness and love always for my grandchildren.
If you have health, happiness and love everything else you desire will follow.
An end to hunger and homelessness.
To end violence, no more wars, no more domestic violence, no more rape, no more abortion, no more murders.
For everyone to realise that regardless of colour, race or religion we are all the same inside. We all feel love and pain.
Four places I want to travel.
Back in time to give my babies one more hug.
A trip to the future to see if my children / grandchildren are happy and cared for when I am gone.
To an island filled with friends and family.
To a world that is my top four wishes.
Four Careers I want to try.
I found this one very hard to decide on and have to agree with Punkn
To be a stay at home Mum. As wonderful as my kids are I feel that children should have their mother with them to share in their world of learning.
Charity worker. I would love to be able to help people improve their lives.
Computer Tech, just so I can understand all of the jargon lol.
Four things I want to say to god at the gates of heaven. Well I have had to change this to Four things I want to do whilst in Summerland
Meet with the souls of those who have gone before me
Greet the souls of those who follow me
Observe souls enter into their rebirth
Allow my soul to rest fully before taking on new form.
I tag Tori_z, Alicekaye and Marmitetoasty
Top four wishes.
Health, Happiness and love always for my grandchildren.
If you have health, happiness and love everything else you desire will follow.
An end to hunger and homelessness.
To end violence, no more wars, no more domestic violence, no more rape, no more abortion, no more murders.
For everyone to realise that regardless of colour, race or religion we are all the same inside. We all feel love and pain.
Four places I want to travel.
Back in time to give my babies one more hug.
A trip to the future to see if my children / grandchildren are happy and cared for when I am gone.
To an island filled with friends and family.
To a world that is my top four wishes.
Four Careers I want to try.
I found this one very hard to decide on and have to agree with Punkn
To be a stay at home Mum. As wonderful as my kids are I feel that children should have their mother with them to share in their world of learning.
Charity worker. I would love to be able to help people improve their lives.
Computer Tech, just so I can understand all of the jargon lol.
Four things I want to say to god at the gates of heaven. Well I have had to change this to Four things I want to do whilst in Summerland
Meet with the souls of those who have gone before me
Greet the souls of those who follow me
Observe souls enter into their rebirth
Allow my soul to rest fully before taking on new form.
I tag Tori_z, Alicekaye and Marmitetoasty
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
celebrations
We are busy here preparing for Samhain or Halloween as most will call it.
My house is now covered in black, gold and orange. It has been quite a few years since I have had the urge or the need to concentrate on Samhain but this year has left me with many vacancies in my life. A lot of people I know have passed on in fact 22 all together, the veil between worlds on samhain is thinnest so this is when we communicate with those that have left us for a better place.
I spent most of this afternoon dusting off the candles and touching up the paint work on my odds and ends. I even had a look at my altar which I admit I havent been to since my accident and it was covered in dust.
Cassie, Esch and I had a wonderful time going through every thing salting and removing the dust but leaving a few decorative cobwebs about. Cant have samhain without a few cobwebs lol.
Esch felt particularly special being allowed to finally touch some of grandma's special pieces. I watched, with a smile on my face, as she carefully picked them up and placed them in the salting pot for me to cleanse.
But what made me feel proud was when Cassie asked me to teach Esch what I was taught many years ago. This was quite a special request as Cassie hasnt learnt from me as I always have let my childen choose their own path, given them access to beliefs of all kinds and letting them choose what path they themselves want to take. I was sad to decline but I feel Cassie needs to give Esch the same opportunity. My ways are not just beliefs they are a lifestyle and to live a set lifestyle takes a lot of dedication, I think a 4 year olds dedication needs to be in the dolls she plays with and the fantasy of childhood. However that said I see so much of me in Esch that I know one day when she asks me, I will teach her what I was taught.
Crystal Cloud Graphics
Samhain
Samhain represents the completion of the circle of the seasons and is the last of the three harvest Sabbats. Although the traditions celebrate Samhain on different days, they are the same festival with the same celebration and intent.
It is a festival of thanks and gratitude for the year past. A time to look back at the lessons you learned, the spiritual evolution you traversed and the special unions you made. A time to thank the God/Goddess for the bounty you received and shared.
Represented by black candles to ward off negativity, gold to recognise the Sun God essence and orange to represent the joining of the higher and lower forces within and without.
On the night of Samhain the veil between the spiritual world and the physical world is at it's thinnest. Therefore many will conduct rituals to honour the dead or those they lost during the past year. Many Witches believe this is the best time to communicate with those they lost or wish to converse with on the other side. Divination is especially heightened on this night, but extra caution for positive forces should also be heeded.
Jack-o-lanterns, gourds, cider and other "Halloween"esque items can be used to decorate your home. Along with large golden-yellow mums in and about the house.
It is also a good time to buy a new broom, change the wardrobe, the curtains and colours in your home.
Quarters & Cross Quarters
Each Sabbat is divided into the Quarters and Cross-quarter ceremonies.
Quarter ceremonies, these are also called the Fire Festivals.
Yule
Ostara
Summer Solstice
Mabon
Cross Quarter ceremonies.
Imbolc
Beltaine
Lughnasadh
Samhain
It is important to point out here that the Celts marked their days from sundown to sundown. Meaning when the night fell, it was the beginning of the next day. Folklore states that as the spirits of the Sidhe (pronounced Shee) are released at sundown on Samhain and Beltaine, your house should be cleaned and "everything in it's rightful place", so the spirits won't be able to "trip you up".
It is a festival of thanks and gratitude for the year past. A time to look back at the lessons you learned, the spiritual evolution you traversed and the special unions you made. A time to thank the God/Goddess for the bounty you received and shared.
Represented by black candles to ward off negativity, gold to recognise the Sun God essence and orange to represent the joining of the higher and lower forces within and without.
On the night of Samhain the veil between the spiritual world and the physical world is at it's thinnest. Therefore many will conduct rituals to honour the dead or those they lost during the past year. Many Witches believe this is the best time to communicate with those they lost or wish to converse with on the other side. Divination is especially heightened on this night, but extra caution for positive forces should also be heeded.
Jack-o-lanterns, gourds, cider and other "Halloween"esque items can be used to decorate your home. Along with large golden-yellow mums in and about the house.
It is also a good time to buy a new broom, change the wardrobe, the curtains and colours in your home.
Quarters & Cross Quarters
Each Sabbat is divided into the Quarters and Cross-quarter ceremonies.
Quarter ceremonies, these are also called the Fire Festivals.
Yule
Ostara
Summer Solstice
Mabon
Cross Quarter ceremonies.
Imbolc
Beltaine
Lughnasadh
Samhain
It is important to point out here that the Celts marked their days from sundown to sundown. Meaning when the night fell, it was the beginning of the next day. Folklore states that as the spirits of the Sidhe (pronounced Shee) are released at sundown on Samhain and Beltaine, your house should be cleaned and "everything in it's rightful place", so the spirits won't be able to "trip you up".
Prayer to the Lord and Lady
To my Lord and to my Lady
of the Lunar star above
Send me hope and send me strength
Knowledge and Perfect love
Send me truth and send me peace
And gentle signs from above
That you are listening to my words
To fill my heart with your love
Send me guides to light the way
When I forget who I am,
Send me truth when I am among lies,
And sweet memories when I’m in a jam.
Send to me the sweetest dreams
In the nights that are most bleak
and send to me your words of hope
that strengthen me when I'm weak
Help me see what I'm meant to be
Teach me and guide the way
Show me the path that's rightfully mine
Take my hand and heart each day
I pray to thee and ask of thee
to send me my desires
Connect the circle of Air
to Winds to Earth, Spirit and Fires
Mother Goddess and Horned God
Who watch over me from above
Grant of all to me my wishes
And don't forget the love.
by Lady Adellandra Dratianos
of the Lunar star above
Send me hope and send me strength
Knowledge and Perfect love
Send me truth and send me peace
And gentle signs from above
That you are listening to my words
To fill my heart with your love
Send me guides to light the way
When I forget who I am,
Send me truth when I am among lies,
And sweet memories when I’m in a jam.
Send to me the sweetest dreams
In the nights that are most bleak
and send to me your words of hope
that strengthen me when I'm weak
Help me see what I'm meant to be
Teach me and guide the way
Show me the path that's rightfully mine
Take my hand and heart each day
I pray to thee and ask of thee
to send me my desires
Connect the circle of Air
to Winds to Earth, Spirit and Fires
Mother Goddess and Horned God
Who watch over me from above
Grant of all to me my wishes
And don't forget the love.
by Lady Adellandra Dratianos
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Kings Highway
The King's Highway
author unknown
Once a king had a great highway built for the members of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway the best.
On the day of the contest the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or great food. Some young men came in their track clothes and ran along the highway. People traveled the highway all day, but each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris left on the road at one spot and this got in their way and hindered their travel.
At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line warily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a bag of gold. He explained, "I stopped along the way to clear a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This bag of gold was under it all. I want you to return it to its rightful owner."
The king replied, "You are the rightful owner."
The traveler replied, "Oh no, this is not mine. I've never known such money."
"Oh yes," said the king, "you've earned this gold, for you won my contest. "He who travels the road best is he who makes the road smoother for those who will follow."
author unknown
Once a king had a great highway built for the members of his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many as desired to participate. Their challenge was to see who could travel the highway the best.
On the day of the contest the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine clothing, fine hairdos, or great food. Some young men came in their track clothes and ran along the highway. People traveled the highway all day, but each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king that there was a large pile of rocks and debris left on the road at one spot and this got in their way and hindered their travel.
At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line warily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a bag of gold. He explained, "I stopped along the way to clear a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This bag of gold was under it all. I want you to return it to its rightful owner."
The king replied, "You are the rightful owner."
The traveler replied, "Oh no, this is not mine. I've never known such money."
"Oh yes," said the king, "you've earned this gold, for you won my contest. "He who travels the road best is he who makes the road smoother for those who will follow."
Kangaroo Island
Just some extra pics I wanted to add here.. I took a couple of hundred but feel these are the nicest of the bunch.
Looking across Emu Bay
Emu Bay Point from the end of the jetty
I sat on the steps they use to get on and off their boats on the end of the jetty at Emu Bay just to take in the silence of the area and relax awhile. You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. I was so mesmerised by the water I didnt see the large fish swimming around under me but luckily I just managed to get one with the camera. If you click on the pic I have marked where the fish is. Always when you dont have a line to throw in.
The water so clear you can see the bottom. I couldnt stand in this water was as it was over my head.
The company settling the Island hoped the settlers could feed themselves. So they gave them livestock, sheep and cattle and had them plant orchards. The soil being light black loam was rich of nutrients and very productive. Sadly most of the trees were cut down except this one.
A single Mulberry tree 122 years old.
In 1886 the settlers planted 4 or 5 large almond trees and 2 Mulberry trees. This is all that remains of the trees. It is supported by the old flag pole that you can see in the centre of the tree and the fence surrounding it is electrified. Quite nasty on the knees as you lean against it to take a picture hahaha... They have succesfully been able to grow from the cuttings of this tree about 20 young Mulberry trees. But I couldnt get close enough for a picture.
The grave of the Vicar Willaim Airy from England died July 21st 1891 the son of Vicar William Airy England. William Airy from what I could gather was taken to K.I to keep the settlers faith up. He died there at a young age and was enclosed in his coffin which was then encased in cement and decorated accordingly and placed on the next ship to England where he was greeted by his father and Mother who then had his body placed back on the ship again and returned to K.I to rest in peace amongst the bushland he wrote to them often about constantly expressing his love for. Already fully encased he was just placed in the grounds facing the trees until some local jokers decided that it would be fun to start moving him about to different parts of the cemetary so that he could experience a different view every couple of weeks. This of course created fear in some people and tales of the moving Vicar and of his hauntings on the Island of hauntings. The jokers got over enthusiastic at one point and decided to move the poor Vicar out of the cemetary. This done they decided to buy him so that it made it difficult to move hm about.
The more the Vicar was moved someone decided to partially bury the coffin to avoid it being dragged about and destroyed.
Looking across Emu Bay 
Emu Bay Point from the end of the jetty
I sat on the steps they use to get on and off their boats on the end of the jetty at Emu Bay just to take in the silence of the area and relax awhile. You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. I was so mesmerised by the water I didnt see the large fish swimming around under me but luckily I just managed to get one with the camera. If you click on the pic I have marked where the fish is. Always when you dont have a line to throw in.
The water so clear you can see the bottom. I couldnt stand in this water was as it was over my head.The company settling the Island hoped the settlers could feed themselves. So they gave them livestock, sheep and cattle and had them plant orchards. The soil being light black loam was rich of nutrients and very productive. Sadly most of the trees were cut down except this one.
A single Mulberry tree 122 years old.
In 1886 the settlers planted 4 or 5 large almond trees and 2 Mulberry trees. This is all that remains of the trees. It is supported by the old flag pole that you can see in the centre of the tree and the fence surrounding it is electrified. Quite nasty on the knees as you lean against it to take a picture hahaha... They have succesfully been able to grow from the cuttings of this tree about 20 young Mulberry trees. But I couldnt get close enough for a picture.
The grave of the Vicar Willaim Airy from England died July 21st 1891 the son of Vicar William Airy England. William Airy from what I could gather was taken to K.I to keep the settlers faith up. He died there at a young age and was enclosed in his coffin which was then encased in cement and decorated accordingly and placed on the next ship to England where he was greeted by his father and Mother who then had his body placed back on the ship again and returned to K.I to rest in peace amongst the bushland he wrote to them often about constantly expressing his love for. Already fully encased he was just placed in the grounds facing the trees until some local jokers decided that it would be fun to start moving him about to different parts of the cemetary so that he could experience a different view every couple of weeks. This of course created fear in some people and tales of the moving Vicar and of his hauntings on the Island of hauntings. The jokers got over enthusiastic at one point and decided to move the poor Vicar out of the cemetary. This done they decided to buy him so that it made it difficult to move hm about.
The more the Vicar was moved someone decided to partially bury the coffin to avoid it being dragged about and destroyed.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Kangaroo Island part2 of Day 2 and day 3
Standing looking down the 90metre (295.3 ft) drop on the cliff face I thought about all the people that were hauled up there. What their lives would have been like and how strong they were making a home in such an unforgiving place. Most of the island is cliffs so access would have been difficult. How hard it would have been for the first ones to scramble up the cliffs un assisted.
Anyway back to the last part of day 2 and I still have not seen a single live roo.
I decided to wander off and head back toward Kingscote and the motel hell. Even though I took lunch with me and had plenty to eat with all the walking I was starving. I stopped on the side of the road and took this pic to show the road and what remains after the fires I also needed to try and remove the white sticker from the car window that we had to have there as my rental contract said Nothing to be attached to windows.
I decided that I would have dinner again at the pub. I stopped in a little town called Parndana on the way back for a leg stretch and a drink. Also wanted to see what the town was like as it is where the airport is. As I was sitting enjoying the silence that surrounded me I realised that in all my travels I had not seen a school. Plenty of school bus stops but no school. The little Morris pulled up and my 5 minute rest stop turned into an hour or so. We exchanged email addresses as you do now instead of phone numbers. They were stayingin Penneshaw and I was in Kingscote so we didnt expect to see one another again until we realised we were on the same ferry heading back to the mainland the next day. We agreed to have lunch together on the ferry and I left for my hotel hell. On the way back I saw a few places I wanted to visit and out came my notebook and I noted them down for last minute visits before heading to the ferry the next day.
Dinner was wonderful and as everything closes early I headed back to the motel for some much needed rest and some tv. A long hot shower and a cup of tea I laid on the bed ready to watch a movie. Dont remember anyting else until I woke at 5am again and sat on the balcony watching the sunrise with a steaming hot cup of tea. A shower some breakfast and I was off to the Eucalyptus farm. Still no kangaroo's except dead ones. By this time I was getting quite annoyed that everyone I had spoken to had seen heaps of live roos, tamars and wallaby's and yet I had spotted none.
I arrived at Emu Ridge Distillery and there behind a fence were several wonderful Emu's sitting in the shade. I pondered the Emu's awhile wondering how they fitted into the scheme of things considering they aren't native to the Island. Looking around I marvelled at the silence considering I was standing in front of a distillery. Taking myself inside I was greeted by the owners children a young boy of about 16 and his little sister who was around 12. Beautiful well mannered kids. The boy decided he was going to be my guide and promptly sat me in front of a TV explaining that this was the history of the distillery. I wasn't particularly interested but I sat and watched anyway and ended up fascinated by the process. He then popped in just as the movie finished and offered me the opportunity for a self guided tour at a fee of course. He then explained the Mus were bought in by them as they are pictured on all of their labels. So they are the mascots. I paid the $4 and off I went. Everything is still done the same as it was in the early 1900's with the exception of the us of a chain saw. I did the walk around the DIstillery and returned back to the shop. I decided that still not having seen a kangaroo I would ask the young lad about them. I was told that there were hundreds on the Island and he was surprised I had not seen any. He then said to me shhhhhhhhhh come here for a minute and walked me over to a quiet corner of the store and pointed down to a basket laying on the floor.
Nikki the Orphaned roo was 11 months old and had ben hand reared by the young lad after he rescued her from the pouch of her mother who was killed by a truck passing through. She was so comfortable and warm in her little basket but i couldnt resist I had to reach down and give her a pat. With that the young lad picked her up and placed her in my arms. It was obvious she was well used to cuddles as she snuggled in close and quickly went off to sleep. I may not have seen a roo hopping along the side of the road or across the land but I feel I got the best sighting combined with a cuddle. Thanking the lad and buying some of their Eucalyptus oil I was on my way back to the ferry and the airport home. Three days just wasnt long enough. Next year I am going back for a week. Hopefully Nikki will still be with her carer and maybe just maybe I will see some hopping along the road.
Back on the Mainland
Anyway back to the last part of day 2 and I still have not seen a single live roo.
I decided to wander off and head back toward Kingscote and the motel hell. Even though I took lunch with me and had plenty to eat with all the walking I was starving. I stopped on the side of the road and took this pic to show the road and what remains after the fires I also needed to try and remove the white sticker from the car window that we had to have there as my rental contract said Nothing to be attached to windows.
I decided that I would have dinner again at the pub. I stopped in a little town called Parndana on the way back for a leg stretch and a drink. Also wanted to see what the town was like as it is where the airport is. As I was sitting enjoying the silence that surrounded me I realised that in all my travels I had not seen a school. Plenty of school bus stops but no school. The little Morris pulled up and my 5 minute rest stop turned into an hour or so. We exchanged email addresses as you do now instead of phone numbers. They were stayingin Penneshaw and I was in Kingscote so we didnt expect to see one another again until we realised we were on the same ferry heading back to the mainland the next day. We agreed to have lunch together on the ferry and I left for my hotel hell. On the way back I saw a few places I wanted to visit and out came my notebook and I noted them down for last minute visits before heading to the ferry the next day.
Dinner was wonderful and as everything closes early I headed back to the motel for some much needed rest and some tv. A long hot shower and a cup of tea I laid on the bed ready to watch a movie. Dont remember anyting else until I woke at 5am again and sat on the balcony watching the sunrise with a steaming hot cup of tea. A shower some breakfast and I was off to the Eucalyptus farm. Still no kangaroo's except dead ones. By this time I was getting quite annoyed that everyone I had spoken to had seen heaps of live roos, tamars and wallaby's and yet I had spotted none.
I arrived at Emu Ridge Distillery and there behind a fence were several wonderful Emu's sitting in the shade. I pondered the Emu's awhile wondering how they fitted into the scheme of things considering they aren't native to the Island. Looking around I marvelled at the silence considering I was standing in front of a distillery. Taking myself inside I was greeted by the owners children a young boy of about 16 and his little sister who was around 12. Beautiful well mannered kids. The boy decided he was going to be my guide and promptly sat me in front of a TV explaining that this was the history of the distillery. I wasn't particularly interested but I sat and watched anyway and ended up fascinated by the process. He then popped in just as the movie finished and offered me the opportunity for a self guided tour at a fee of course. He then explained the Mus were bought in by them as they are pictured on all of their labels. So they are the mascots. I paid the $4 and off I went. Everything is still done the same as it was in the early 1900's with the exception of the us of a chain saw. I did the walk around the DIstillery and returned back to the shop. I decided that still not having seen a kangaroo I would ask the young lad about them. I was told that there were hundreds on the Island and he was surprised I had not seen any. He then said to me shhhhhhhhhh come here for a minute and walked me over to a quiet corner of the store and pointed down to a basket laying on the floor.
Nikki the Orphaned roo was 11 months old and had ben hand reared by the young lad after he rescued her from the pouch of her mother who was killed by a truck passing through. She was so comfortable and warm in her little basket but i couldnt resist I had to reach down and give her a pat. With that the young lad picked her up and placed her in my arms. It was obvious she was well used to cuddles as she snuggled in close and quickly went off to sleep. I may not have seen a roo hopping along the side of the road or across the land but I feel I got the best sighting combined with a cuddle. Thanking the lad and buying some of their Eucalyptus oil I was on my way back to the ferry and the airport home. Three days just wasnt long enough. Next year I am going back for a week. Hopefully Nikki will still be with her carer and maybe just maybe I will see some hopping along the road.
Back on the Mainland
Kangaroo Island part 1 of Day 2
Well I woke at a sparrows fart 5am. Slipped out onto the balcony and watched the sun try to come out from behind the clouds but it just didnt happen. It was icy cold ( remember next stop from here is the antarctic) and windy. I made myself a hot cup of tea and had a shower. I patiently awaited for the restaurant to open at 7am and then made my way down. I felt starved and was going to get bacon and eggs with mushrrom and fried tomato yummm. I was greeted by the new brekfast cook (it was her first day) she was a lovely old soul and cooked a mean breakfast. It was nice and hot and sooooooo filling. Once that was over I sought our the owner and recovered half of my accomodation costs...I would have moved but there were no vacancies nearby on my ferry over there were a load of german,dutch,spanish and asian tourists, they were fun to chat with and we kept meeting up all over the place.
Anyway all the nasty side of the motel business taken care of I set off for my exploration.
First stop seal bay at Flinders Chase. WOW so many dead roo's along the side of the road.
Arriving at seal bay I had the option of two boardwalks to take, one was guided and oh so steep but it had the bonis of getting up close and personal with the sea lions. I chose the other, I could wander along the boardwalk that had a gentle decline and take my time.
The easy walk that I chose of course.
The Other boardwalk
Having chose the easy way I thought that I may not see any seals but to my surprise I got to see more than the other group even though they were able to get on the actual beach with them.
On the way I found a whale skeleton from a baby male humpback
I hadnt seen any seals at this point until a young boy about 9 pointed out that there was one layuing right near the skeleton. Did I feel old and blind LOL
I stood watching her for a while and then slowly moved on. Once one was spotted the rest became very easy the whole area was dotted with them but the one I loved the most was the seal pup in the next pics.
Just to beautiful for words.
The eyes were amazing and I tried to snap them while open but she was just too tired.
I took so many pics and when I looked I had more seals near me than the other boardwalk so I was happy on my choice of direction.
Sadly time to leave them sleeping and in peace. The tourist bus was just pulling in and I wanted to stay one step ahead of the crowd.
Still no live roo's to be seen. Back into my car and off I went heading for Remarkable Rocks. And they were truly remarkable.. My pictures dont do them justice. each rock is balancing on only two small legs.
Remarkable Rocks are a collection of rocks weathered by the sea which form fantastic and unusual shapes. One being a lions head from the right angle and another an eagles beak.
My favorite is the next pic. the rocks just look so sad.
It was here I met a lovely couple over from a place called Woolongong in New South Wales. They were driving an ivory 1951 Morris Minor with a 30 litre fuel tank so they were on the constant lookout for petrol or gas as some of you call it. We ended up unofficially travelling together and sat a spell at Admirals Arch to just chat about how devastating the 2007 fires on Kangaroo Island were. They lost 95,000 hectares of land in the fires that burned almost a month. 5 small fires started by lightening strikes I believe all met up to become one. Firemen lost lives, the Island lost live stock and plants.
As far as your eyes can see it is burned, with very little new growth and just a bunch of blackened dead trees standing in most areas.
Note the green patch in the middle the fires decided to just burn around and not through. The whole area was burned as far as your eyes could see and further. Both sides of the road.
I suggested this may have been the reason I had not seen any live Roo's but they assured me they had seen plenty. grrr
Anyway Off I went to Admirals Arch, a lot of fur seals here but when I look at my pics you cannot tell which is seal and which is rock. The rain started in heavy here so I skipped the Arch and went up to the light house that was closed to public. But I recalled seeing a storehouse just before so I drove back there and turned onto a dirt road. I was the only person here and everyone was avoiding it because it was a dirt road. This was the storehouse for the lighthouse and other families in the area back in 1907. The steep cliff didnt allow for climbing so the built a fox to drag supplies up from the small wooden jetty that still exists in its original form however unsafe to use. Not that I would want to. Everything was heaved up the 90 metre cliff face even people.
Anyway all the nasty side of the motel business taken care of I set off for my exploration.
First stop seal bay at Flinders Chase. WOW so many dead roo's along the side of the road.
Arriving at seal bay I had the option of two boardwalks to take, one was guided and oh so steep but it had the bonis of getting up close and personal with the sea lions. I chose the other, I could wander along the boardwalk that had a gentle decline and take my time.
The easy walk that I chose of course.
The Other boardwalkHaving chose the easy way I thought that I may not see any seals but to my surprise I got to see more than the other group even though they were able to get on the actual beach with them.
On the way I found a whale skeleton from a baby male humpback
I hadnt seen any seals at this point until a young boy about 9 pointed out that there was one layuing right near the skeleton. Did I feel old and blind LOL
I stood watching her for a while and then slowly moved on. Once one was spotted the rest became very easy the whole area was dotted with them but the one I loved the most was the seal pup in the next pics.
Just to beautiful for words.The eyes were amazing and I tried to snap them while open but she was just too tired.
I took so many pics and when I looked I had more seals near me than the other boardwalk so I was happy on my choice of direction.
Sadly time to leave them sleeping and in peace. The tourist bus was just pulling in and I wanted to stay one step ahead of the crowd.
Still no live roo's to be seen. Back into my car and off I went heading for Remarkable Rocks. And they were truly remarkable.. My pictures dont do them justice. each rock is balancing on only two small legs.
Remarkable Rocks are a collection of rocks weathered by the sea which form fantastic and unusual shapes. One being a lions head from the right angle and another an eagles beak.My favorite is the next pic. the rocks just look so sad.
It was here I met a lovely couple over from a place called Woolongong in New South Wales. They were driving an ivory 1951 Morris Minor with a 30 litre fuel tank so they were on the constant lookout for petrol or gas as some of you call it. We ended up unofficially travelling together and sat a spell at Admirals Arch to just chat about how devastating the 2007 fires on Kangaroo Island were. They lost 95,000 hectares of land in the fires that burned almost a month. 5 small fires started by lightening strikes I believe all met up to become one. Firemen lost lives, the Island lost live stock and plants.
As far as your eyes can see it is burned, with very little new growth and just a bunch of blackened dead trees standing in most areas.
Note the green patch in the middle the fires decided to just burn around and not through. The whole area was burned as far as your eyes could see and further. Both sides of the road. I suggested this may have been the reason I had not seen any live Roo's but they assured me they had seen plenty. grrr
Anyway Off I went to Admirals Arch, a lot of fur seals here but when I look at my pics you cannot tell which is seal and which is rock. The rain started in heavy here so I skipped the Arch and went up to the light house that was closed to public. But I recalled seeing a storehouse just before so I drove back there and turned onto a dirt road. I was the only person here and everyone was avoiding it because it was a dirt road. This was the storehouse for the lighthouse and other families in the area back in 1907. The steep cliff didnt allow for climbing so the built a fox to drag supplies up from the small wooden jetty that still exists in its original form however unsafe to use. Not that I would want to. Everything was heaved up the 90 metre cliff face even people.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Kangaroo Island Trip
On Monday I took off ona trip to Kangaroo Island off of the coast of South Australia. I flew to Adelaide airport and got a bus to the Island ferry where I then felt sea sick for the next 45 minutes until we reached Penneshaw.
Once I arrived I picked up my hire car and set about my adventure and the hope of seeing 1000's of wild Kangaroo's, Wallabys and Tamars. First wild animal I saw was a possum in the middle of the road looking very flat, then the Roo's come thick and fast, every last one of them dead on the side of the road. I thought ok they are really populated here with so many dead and looking at my watch realised it was way too early in the day for them. Heading past a Visitor information centre I decided to swing in and take a look around and maybe pick up a souvineer or two for Esch.
Stretching my legs from my whole 10 minutes in the car I decided to have a quick smoke before going in and set myself down on a low wall. When I turned around and looked there was a large area of tiles all painted by local children. I had left the camera in my car so took my notebook out and made a note to take pics on the way back to the ferry.
In the visitor centre I met an elderly man who was very helpful with the supply of a map and some advice on the best bits of the island to see..I bought a few items for Esch, A Koala head shaped purse, kangaroo and a penguin shaped Island honey biscuit that actually was just a gingerbread.
Back in my car and a check of the time revealed it was only 11am and I had to wait until 2-30 to book into my motel. So off I went deciding to do some sightseeing while I was in the area. This Island is 7 times larger than singapore so I had a lot of ground to cover and felt seeing I was on this side already and had time to spare I would take advantage. It took me a whole 10 minutes to cover the town of Penneshaw and the best views.
Looking at Penneshaw and the Ferry I arrived on.
Ok another check of the watch and I was off. This time I decided to head to Kingscote and see what I could find on the way of interest. Lots of dead roo's still along the road no live ones yet. Speed limit was 110K so I set the speed alert to 115 and decided to cruise along.
The island is narrow and long there are 3 main roads, the middle one the left and the right one. I was travelling down the middle. The elderly man told me I wouldnt miss a thing if I stuck to the middle. I bet the live roos were on the left or right roads.
I was enjoying the view when I saw a sign that Read American River 2.4Ks this way.. Finding the brake pedal quickly I was able to turn around and take the now left hand turn. Having myself for company I decided talking out loud would stop me from getting too lonely. (I prefer travelling with someone so I can say see that or whats that) I said to myself loudly damn I took a wrong turn to end up in American River.. Was that ferry ride really only 45 minutes? (I also tell bad jokes to myself)
Anyway back on the subject. American River consisted of one shop but what A shop. It is The local Deli (corner store) Booze shop, hardware store, post office, fishing tackle and bank.
I bought a cheese crusted Pastie and a bottle of coke and decided to have lunch looking at American River (Which is just an inlet from the sea)
Looking across the inlet I was bewildered by what I saw and took another look. There on the water were Black swans. I decided to pull out the map and take a closer look. Yep it was definately salt water and there were swans swimming away and eating something from the water. I have never known swans to be on salt water. I need to look this up and research more.
Back in the car fed and refreshed still wondering about the swans I decided to head to the Motel.
It seemed to take forever as I decided to slow down and enjoy the roo's that I was about to see..Each kilometre became more dissapointing than the last revealing more and more dead roos on the side of the road of all sizes.
Anyway I arrived in Kingscote and set about finding Wisteria Lodge (The owner told me it was walking distance from shopping centre.) It took me awhile to find the Shopping centre. Actually I drove past it several times without realising it. Lets see I left American River at around 12-30 for a 30 minute drive to Kingscote which I decided to take slowly to see some Roos. Arrived in Kingscote 45 minutes later at 1-15 still plenty of time to spare before my check in time. I drove around looking for the shopping centre awhile and then finally finding it checked my time 2.30pm. The shopping centre consisted of 1 small street of shops. I was looking for a HUGE centre. LOL Oh well thats ok off to the motel which was a short walk from shopping centre. 5K later I finally found it. (A short walk all uphill glad I drove) I was pleased to see it by this time a toilet was desperately needed and the promise of a luxurious motel room was sounding good. I grabbed my key and off to room 14 I went. Opening the door hmmmmmmmmmmm luxurious huh.. I huge sign on the back of the door apologising for the room being in a state of repair as new owners have just taken ovcer the Motel. No phone, a TV that worked, a clock radio that worked and a worn out old bed with one blanket which was ok because they said they had electric blankets. So I set about finding the control to turn the blanket on. Hmm No control and further investigation revealed no electric blanket. I opened the cupboard and found another blanket. Ok it was for a single bed and mine was a queen size but it was only me there so I didnt have to share. Threw it on the bed and slipped into the shower. Feeling refreshed and dressed in fresh clothing I decided to make use of my balcony that was overlooking the beach. Walking over to the door and reaching out to slide it open I was met with resistance. So there I stood for what felt like an eternity trying to open this damn door until I gave up and trotted down to reception. No phone to call them on. While I was there I told them I would need a table for dinner that night and the receptionist took my booking and told me to wait in the room for the handyman. So back to the room and made myself a cup of tea, turned on the TV and laid on the bed to watch some telly while I waited and waited and waited. 6pm and no handyman and I was getting a little hungry so off to reception only to be met by an apology that she had forgotten to inform him. A few choose words mumbled to her and off to the room I went AFTER I made sure she called him then and there. About 10 minutes later my door was open and I could get access to the balcony. BUT was told dont shut it all the way as I wouldnt get back out..Great security....The view was great however.
Satisfied I could sit on the balcony I went down to the restaurant for dinner. The place was empty and I was quite content with that. Enjoying the thought of dining in peace. Opened the door and walked in to be greeted by a lady ironing the tablecloths. She greeted me with a smile and asked if I was in need of anything in the room. I replied with a hello and said no thanks I booked a table for 1 for dinner. She said didnt anyone tell you? Curious I said tell me what? She then replied with..Our restaurant is NOT open monday nights but there are 2 pubs and a restaurant in town if you are quick you will catch them before they stop serving meals. OMG I was fuming by this stage but also hungry. I stormed out promising to return to the office before returning to my room. I had a lovely dinner a seafood platter at the local pub. Returned to the motel and proceeded to the office and the owner. He wasnt happy to see me and hear my tirade of cursing, and even less happy when I walked away from him promising I would return in the morning to sort the mess out in a civil manner when I had calmed down.
Day 2 tomorrow. :-)
Once I arrived I picked up my hire car and set about my adventure and the hope of seeing 1000's of wild Kangaroo's, Wallabys and Tamars. First wild animal I saw was a possum in the middle of the road looking very flat, then the Roo's come thick and fast, every last one of them dead on the side of the road. I thought ok they are really populated here with so many dead and looking at my watch realised it was way too early in the day for them. Heading past a Visitor information centre I decided to swing in and take a look around and maybe pick up a souvineer or two for Esch.
Stretching my legs from my whole 10 minutes in the car I decided to have a quick smoke before going in and set myself down on a low wall. When I turned around and looked there was a large area of tiles all painted by local children. I had left the camera in my car so took my notebook out and made a note to take pics on the way back to the ferry.
In the visitor centre I met an elderly man who was very helpful with the supply of a map and some advice on the best bits of the island to see..I bought a few items for Esch, A Koala head shaped purse, kangaroo and a penguin shaped Island honey biscuit that actually was just a gingerbread.
Back in my car and a check of the time revealed it was only 11am and I had to wait until 2-30 to book into my motel. So off I went deciding to do some sightseeing while I was in the area. This Island is 7 times larger than singapore so I had a lot of ground to cover and felt seeing I was on this side already and had time to spare I would take advantage. It took me a whole 10 minutes to cover the town of Penneshaw and the best views.
Looking at Penneshaw and the Ferry I arrived on.Ok another check of the watch and I was off. This time I decided to head to Kingscote and see what I could find on the way of interest. Lots of dead roo's still along the road no live ones yet. Speed limit was 110K so I set the speed alert to 115 and decided to cruise along.
The island is narrow and long there are 3 main roads, the middle one the left and the right one. I was travelling down the middle. The elderly man told me I wouldnt miss a thing if I stuck to the middle. I bet the live roos were on the left or right roads.
I was enjoying the view when I saw a sign that Read American River 2.4Ks this way.. Finding the brake pedal quickly I was able to turn around and take the now left hand turn. Having myself for company I decided talking out loud would stop me from getting too lonely. (I prefer travelling with someone so I can say see that or whats that) I said to myself loudly damn I took a wrong turn to end up in American River.. Was that ferry ride really only 45 minutes? (I also tell bad jokes to myself)
Anyway back on the subject. American River consisted of one shop but what A shop. It is The local Deli (corner store) Booze shop, hardware store, post office, fishing tackle and bank.
I bought a cheese crusted Pastie and a bottle of coke and decided to have lunch looking at American River (Which is just an inlet from the sea)
Looking across the inlet I was bewildered by what I saw and took another look. There on the water were Black swans. I decided to pull out the map and take a closer look. Yep it was definately salt water and there were swans swimming away and eating something from the water. I have never known swans to be on salt water. I need to look this up and research more.
Back in the car fed and refreshed still wondering about the swans I decided to head to the Motel.
It seemed to take forever as I decided to slow down and enjoy the roo's that I was about to see..Each kilometre became more dissapointing than the last revealing more and more dead roos on the side of the road of all sizes.
Anyway I arrived in Kingscote and set about finding Wisteria Lodge (The owner told me it was walking distance from shopping centre.) It took me awhile to find the Shopping centre. Actually I drove past it several times without realising it. Lets see I left American River at around 12-30 for a 30 minute drive to Kingscote which I decided to take slowly to see some Roos. Arrived in Kingscote 45 minutes later at 1-15 still plenty of time to spare before my check in time. I drove around looking for the shopping centre awhile and then finally finding it checked my time 2.30pm. The shopping centre consisted of 1 small street of shops. I was looking for a HUGE centre. LOL Oh well thats ok off to the motel which was a short walk from shopping centre. 5K later I finally found it. (A short walk all uphill glad I drove) I was pleased to see it by this time a toilet was desperately needed and the promise of a luxurious motel room was sounding good. I grabbed my key and off to room 14 I went. Opening the door hmmmmmmmmmmm luxurious huh.. I huge sign on the back of the door apologising for the room being in a state of repair as new owners have just taken ovcer the Motel. No phone, a TV that worked, a clock radio that worked and a worn out old bed with one blanket which was ok because they said they had electric blankets. So I set about finding the control to turn the blanket on. Hmm No control and further investigation revealed no electric blanket. I opened the cupboard and found another blanket. Ok it was for a single bed and mine was a queen size but it was only me there so I didnt have to share. Threw it on the bed and slipped into the shower. Feeling refreshed and dressed in fresh clothing I decided to make use of my balcony that was overlooking the beach. Walking over to the door and reaching out to slide it open I was met with resistance. So there I stood for what felt like an eternity trying to open this damn door until I gave up and trotted down to reception. No phone to call them on. While I was there I told them I would need a table for dinner that night and the receptionist took my booking and told me to wait in the room for the handyman. So back to the room and made myself a cup of tea, turned on the TV and laid on the bed to watch some telly while I waited and waited and waited. 6pm and no handyman and I was getting a little hungry so off to reception only to be met by an apology that she had forgotten to inform him. A few choose words mumbled to her and off to the room I went AFTER I made sure she called him then and there. About 10 minutes later my door was open and I could get access to the balcony. BUT was told dont shut it all the way as I wouldnt get back out..Great security....The view was great however.
Satisfied I could sit on the balcony I went down to the restaurant for dinner. The place was empty and I was quite content with that. Enjoying the thought of dining in peace. Opened the door and walked in to be greeted by a lady ironing the tablecloths. She greeted me with a smile and asked if I was in need of anything in the room. I replied with a hello and said no thanks I booked a table for 1 for dinner. She said didnt anyone tell you? Curious I said tell me what? She then replied with..Our restaurant is NOT open monday nights but there are 2 pubs and a restaurant in town if you are quick you will catch them before they stop serving meals. OMG I was fuming by this stage but also hungry. I stormed out promising to return to the office before returning to my room. I had a lovely dinner a seafood platter at the local pub. Returned to the motel and proceeded to the office and the owner. He wasnt happy to see me and hear my tirade of cursing, and even less happy when I walked away from him promising I would return in the morning to sort the mess out in a civil manner when I had calmed down.
Day 2 tomorrow. :-)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Some pics
As you all know or most of you know I started back studying last Monday. This time a marriage / funeral celebrants course. Once finished I will be legally allowed to marry or bury someone.
Anyway the first part of the course is the marriage celebrants course, and the activity I am up to know is ceremony venues. I had to get some pics of public areas that are popular wedding ceremont spots. As usual I got distracted while doing this task and end up making it a day out LOL
Here are some of the pics I was able to snap.
The Amazon Waterlily pond. I loved this as I put my hand in the water and all the fish swarmed it.. They then proceeded to nibble on my fingers which tickled quite a lot. But my hands are now minus dry rough skin.. Going back to lay naked in the pond when no one is looking LOL Oh the lady bending over flashing her butt attempting to pick a flower (Highly Illegal) in the red top is my mother.
You will see Church steeples behind this Banksia flower. The stem for the flower is almost at the same height as the steeples.
Banksia FLower shorter stem
The outdoor Bridal staircase that leads to the mand made waterfall in the next picture
The Man made waterfall.. 12ft high but I feel spoiled by the surrounding fence. Law states it needs to be fenced for safety
Loved this Lion drinking fountain
Just a daisy
Anyway the first part of the course is the marriage celebrants course, and the activity I am up to know is ceremony venues. I had to get some pics of public areas that are popular wedding ceremont spots. As usual I got distracted while doing this task and end up making it a day out LOL
Here are some of the pics I was able to snap.
The Amazon Waterlily pond. I loved this as I put my hand in the water and all the fish swarmed it.. They then proceeded to nibble on my fingers which tickled quite a lot. But my hands are now minus dry rough skin.. Going back to lay naked in the pond when no one is looking LOL Oh the lady bending over flashing her butt attempting to pick a flower (Highly Illegal) in the red top is my mother.
You will see Church steeples behind this Banksia flower. The stem for the flower is almost at the same height as the steeples.
Banksia FLower shorter stem
The outdoor Bridal staircase that leads to the mand made waterfall in the next picture
The Man made waterfall.. 12ft high but I feel spoiled by the surrounding fence. Law states it needs to be fenced for safety
Loved this Lion drinking fountain
Just a daisy
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