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.

Water fountain

Paris for President

Get your cute little butt up there and vote!!



It makes perfect sense to me

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

Now that takes skill !!!

Good morning and smile

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".

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

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."

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.

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

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.

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. :-)

Thank God I'm A Country Boy

Michael Jackson the Walrus

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