RIDGY-DIDGE LIFE:-

Eagles, Cotton and Sorghum

2011-04-02T17:20:00.000-07:00

Driving to Millmerran last week, which is about 50 kms from here, I drove between paddocks of cotton and sorghum. Still not used to that sort of thing growing near me. The farmers are lucky this year with the cotton crop as it uses masses of water. In fact during the drought times it was becoming quite a debate issue. The first time I visited Australia, which is 8 years ago now; John took me up gliding. It was a wonderful experience. He hopes to be able to fly again once his back has really settled after the operation. When I was up flying, I looked down on all the fields of gingery coloured crops (it was April) and was told that it was sorghum and hadn't a clue what it was. Only clever people like ,my brother know it is!
We had a pair of wedge-tail eagles flying very low over the house recently. They make a magnificent sight.

Wellies and Road Repairs.

2011-03-13T21:26:00.000-07:00

We are recovering from all the rain except there is still a great deal of road damage about the area. We drove to Brisbane and back about 2 weeks ago. It was a dreadful journey as there were so many road repairs being done and it took much longer than usual. It was only 2 weeks after John's operation, and I think it was too exhausting for him as 5 days later he had pneumonia and was in the ICU after an ambulance ride into hospital. Thankfully he is home again and brighter every day, also hugely benefiting from the back fusion op. which he had in early February.Reading this through I see I last wrote the day after we had been to Brisbane - so this is what happened when we were tired.

I have just finished reading 'The Children's Book'by A.S.Byatt. I thought it so fascinating - set in the Arts and Craft era at the end of the 1800s,and about the Fabians and free thinkers. Underneath the fairy tale world lurks a menacing darkness. As an outward sign this is the World War1, but everyone has something that lurks in their lives. A good read!

The picture shows me wearing the wellies I recently purchased. I ordered them during the floods (never needed them before then!) they didn't come in time to christen them then, but we had some more heavy rain, so they had a good spalsh in the puddle on the corner.

Up and Down to Brisbane.

2011-02-23T19:26:00.000-08:00

We've been back and forth to Brisbane a couple,of times since I last wrote a post. John has had a "Back Fusion" operation which gifted him 34 staples in is back - these have now been removed, but he has the delight of now owning 4 screws in his spine. So this should hold him together for a few years I hope! He is already feeling less of the old lain, and hopes to never experience it again. Yesterday we had a return trip to the specialist who then sent him on for a physio. appointment. It was an exhausting day with about 5 hours driving in all. So we both feel pretty drained today.Good thing we have no commitments and can relax.
Our garden is full of butterflies again. I love it when they appear and dance over and around the shrubs and flowers. I call it a 'confetti of butterflies!'I wish the photos where better as it doesn't show them very clearly, but have a look - or come and visit! It's a year since we had overseas family come - so about time we saw some of you this side of the world. It's not all dome and gloom, though the elements are certainly showing that they rule the world. Poor Christchurch with it's earthquakes, only 6 months since the last, and this causing so much damage and human pain.

Wind and Rain

2011-02-05T20:16:00.000-08:00

It is amazing that the cyclone and the fall out has missed us completely. Until I saw a weather map I couldn't understand why Victoria was having massive rainstorms because of the Yasi cyclone but not us! In Alice Springs they are being effected too. It covered a great area, but fanned out after passing north of us. The stupid thing is that we could do with some rain now. The temps. have been over 30 degrees and it's a bit too hot for me to easily bear. I am glad we don't live near Sydney. They had it hitting 45C yesterday. Phew!
Some of our plants and shrubs have died from flooded roots, which is a pity.

I was thinking today how things have changed with going to live in another country. One hundred years ago you would expect to not see your family again unless you were very lucky, once you moved abroad. Even 40 years ago the cost of flying was way out of ordinary people's pockets; and to speak on the phone you had to book a time way ahead. Now we have Blogs, emails, Facebook, Skype and other ways to make contact at any time and place. I wonder if they will ever invent a way of "Beam Yourself Up Now" to travel in person an back; and would one risk it??

Peace!

2011-01-23T20:39:00.002-08:00

There is a kind of peace around the place now. No rain or thunder for a while and the temperature climbing nearer to 30C: cool for the Aussie summertime. One of the sad things regarding the floods is that many bees have been lost which will of course effect veggie and flower growing.
I am delighted to announce the arrival of the first rose on a rose bush I was given almost 2 years ago! I moved it 6 months ago as it wasn't doing anything where it was. It's a Mr Lincoln rose and has a wonderful flower on it.Also the little frangipani tree I bought for $5 in a Charity shop is showing buds. I love it when these trees flower and it will be really exciting if this one survives in our garden.

One Week Later.

2011-01-18T02:30:00.000-08:00

On Saturday morning I went into Toowoomba and was surprised to see how cleaned up and sorted it seemed on the surface. There were only a couple of traffic delays due to bollards in the roads where road surfaces were damaged and a great deal of gingery colour around the curbs and lamp-posts left from the flood residue. It was good to see how quickly the place was trying to get back to normal. Though I saw a number of collapsed walls and flattened grass banks.
A Quaker Friend of ours is a counsellor and today she was with a others who were supporting the people of the little town of Grantham which has had some great tragedies occur. They were letting the people return to see their homes and the damage at first hand; hoping to keep the media at bay! Personally I can't see how they could return to live there with out the haunting of what has happened and also I feel they would be always looking across the fields in fear every time there is a heavy downpour.
There is now a great searching to find any problems which helped to worsen these affects. It seems that the original water-ways in Toowoomba (in Aboriginal language Toowoomba meant 'the marshland')have been partially cemented over into paths and road ways, bottle-necking from run-off creeks into concrete pipes. These of course where much too small to take the amount of rainfall which came down a week last Monday. Modern town planning is now being accused of wanting to create industry and housing without looking at historical events.
I think this is happening all over the world as mining, farming, buildings and cities fill in the spaces. Commerce and globalisation.

Re-turning to a More Normal Existence.

2011-01-14T00:49:00.000-08:00

Well it has certainly been a week of strange happenings and some very tragic. Thankfully, other than being cut off on the roads and a very marshy garden, we have not been personally affected. On Monday a friend and I were to have gone into Toowoomba. I am very glad we didn't' as they had the dreadful tidal wave wash through the main streets and cause tragedy and destruction. It was truly amazing to see all the videos people had made of places that we knew and frequented. A number of T.V. channels had 24 hour coverage of the events. Thankfully some places had warning, as in Brisbane, so it helped to a certain extent.
The main problem is, that we have had so much rain in the last few months that the ground couldn't absorb any more and the dams, meant to hold the water, were full to capacity. But what can one do when there has been 10 years of drought, with dams almost empty and people in the towns on water restrictions, then, sudden out of the blue (or grey) the rain hammers down? You can't really have loads of empty dams waiting for the once in a decade flood. Or may be you can. That is up to the politicians
The road to our house is broken up and the tarmac washed away in ,any places leaving the bedrock. We couldn't get out for a few days and I had to change my work shifts.
Yesterday, going into a supermarket, I found no milk, no bread or potatoes, very little toilet paper, fruit and flour. This is partly due to the transport system being help up in places where the main roads have been damaged and bridges down. Also the Lockyer Valley, which is along the road to Toowoomba from Brisbane, the Warrego Highway, is one of Australia's fruit and veggie markets, and it has been flooded - so no harvesting. Terrible for the farmers. The Australians are from a hardy stock of survivors, so they will survive and the will power and caring that is coming through is amazing to see and read about.

Later on Tuesday.

2011-01-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

It's raining again!
Here is a view from the veranda which shows our bubbling stream and in the near distance a bit of flooding on the Darling Downs.Also some to the extreme right. Nothing as bad as in some areas thankfully.
Also if you enlarge the photo of the little oak tree in our garden, there are 4 cute little Barred Finches sitting 'flounced-up' and nestling together on the left hand branch. No doubt discussing the weather!

Flooding.

2011-01-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

We had 2 inches of rain again yesterday. We are safe, but can't get in to town. Thankfully my friend and I cancelled our trip to Toowoomba yesterday. The most horrifying flash flooding occurred there yesterday and dreadful mesh and even some people missing. I couldn't sleep as the rain fell all night and thunder growling around, or rather slamming about. I feel quite concerned and worried about it all. Thankfully as I say we are ok.

Yet MORE Rain!

2011-01-07T02:13:00.000-08:00

And so it goes on. We are fortunate not to be on low ground. As there is so much low farm land around here, it is flooded. We can see a couple of areas north of us on the flats. We have been cut off three times now from the town. I have decided to carry a toothbrush and change of clothes when I go out from now on! I left the library early today as it was pouring down.
I know the photo looks like a pretty stream, but we don't DO pretty streams in this part of Queensland and at the moment it's more like Exmoor! Streams, bubbling brooks and water meadows - very pretty -BUT!
Yesterday I set off to meet a friend in Toowoomba only to find that the usual route I take was cut off and the road closed. The water had washed the road away and it was a mess. I decided to go another way, but met a river churning down the hillside and slicing across the road - and a sign saying "Road Hazard Ahead".... so I didn't go that way! In the end I went into Pittsworth crossing 2 fords, then realised the sky was navy blue, and I wasn't going to risk anymore stocked up with food and came home.
Something I saw yesterday which I have never seen before was 2 kangaroos by the road. One an adult and the other mush smaller. They were very close so stopped to watch them leap off, but first the little one scrambled into the mother's pouch, head first then pulling it's feet in. It was amazing how much there was of it disappearing inside! Though I have heard about this, and seen many roos and wallabies, I have never actually seen this happening. It was delightful.

Happy New Year

2011-01-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

Well,here we go into 2011 and all ready we are awash again. Yesterday we had 60 ml of rain in less than an hour. This time it was laced with hail and a good dose of thunder and lightning! Thankfully the electricity didn't go off. 25 ml equals 1 inch, so you can see that was well over 2 inches. We had 2 rivers across the garden this time too. The usual by the fence across from the veranda, now one from the entrance gate, across the grass and on down through the rocks. In the valley, about 250 yards away is a stream which roars along after the rains. We could hear it in the evening. Last week we went down to see the area after the storms and it had been flattened by the rush of water.

A Very Soggy Christmas.

2010-12-26T17:10:00.000-08:00

I have changed the background of this Blog to bring some colour into our lives!

There is so much rain, even wetter than 10 days ago.
In the last 24 hours we have had 5 inches of rain and it is still pouring down. So far this month we have had 13 inches.

The lane next to us is a deep ford and now flowing down the slope under our trees. There is a leak dripping into our sitting room too, so far only a gentle one. John reckons it's due to the wind blowing the rain under the roof. Looking at the weather chart it should slacken off this evening. It is a good thing we don't have to go anywhere, as I am sure we couldn't get far along the road. Also we have plenty of food due to having just celebrated Christmas. So - no worries- hopefully!

We did have a very gently Christmas, just the 2 of us. Had a small branch as a tree, which, thanks to the cool weather hasn't dropped any needles. We are leaving turkey dinner until New Year's Eve to share with some friends. That is IF they can get here. They may need an ark.
Happy New Year to you all, may you be safe, healthy and happy.

P.S. Who dares to watch the Ashes?

A Day of Storms.

2010-12-16T03:06:00.000-08:00

So far we have not had floods where we live. After to day I wonder if they could be imminent!The grass is ankle deep with water and there is a pretty little stream running, rather quickly - along the edge of out garden. This morning I drove into Toowoomba and back with the roof down on our Eos. I was back for barely 5 minutes when the first storm started. Thunder and lightning came too along with a navy blue sky.In the afternoon we had a repeat performance but with louder thunder and the gutters where overflowing. Then this evening looking out we saw hailstones across the grass and the rain was so heavy it was as though we were sitting under a waterfall. Looking out from the veranda I noticed the water pouring from the junction in the lane, down through our garden at a very brisk speed. We had this 7 years ago I remember, though the thunder and storms are part of the Queensland summer. Most of the rivers are flooding on the eastern side of Australia. Unfortunately the huge expected harvest has been washed away, so though the drought is over it brings other problems instead.

Getting Hotter!

2010-12-11T21:52:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I haven't written up for so long. It has been a busy few weeks too. To day it's very tropical and the cicadas have been chirping since early morning. I think we are in for another storm. It's 25 degrees which is becoming more like an Aussie summer temperature.
We had an un-necessary trip to Brisbane last week. Well, not really but poor J went through an op just to be told the next morning that they hadn't completed it as it was too dangerous. There was an artery too near his spine. So he may go back early next year to have it done another way.
I did see a fantastic Christmas Tree in St George's Square in Brisbane. It was solar powered and when I first went past it was quite interesting, but when I came back after dark it was fantastic. All alight in shining colours.

Books and Blossoms.

2010-11-21T23:36:00.000-08:00

I am just reading "Eat, Pray and Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. A few weeks ago I went with a friend to see the film and enjoyed it very much. It was fun, happy and delightful to watch. Now she has lent me the book and it is SO much better than the film. More depth and and so many quotable phrases. I love the way she sees Loneliness and Depression as 2 characters who are following her; also it makes me wonder if everyone should have 4 months in Italy to taste the food! What and experience.

There have been 4 shrubs in the garden , the same sort, which have never flowered before. They are from the bottle brush family, but I don't know the name. The blossom has been outstandingly superb. It is snow white, and the spiky flowers are almost like snow crystals. Now the flowers are over and it looks brown and sad. Pity.

Diesel and Petrol

2010-11-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

Oh Dear- I did a stupid thing on Sunday. We were early going to the Quaker Meeting for Worship in Toowoomba so decided to put some fuel in our diesel car. The nozzle on the pump wouldn't work even though I fiddled with it. So I put it down and talked to the people at the next pump. Picked up the nozzle and it worked- hurray! After starting to fill the car I found glanced at the dial and thought the price was very cheap!! Then I realised it was Unleaded petrol! I had picked up the wrong pump nozzle!! Panic-panic. I have filled a whole tank in a diesel car with petrol in the past, so I knew what I had done.
As it was a Sunday the RACQ couldn't take the car straight to the garage, so it had to be towed to a 'holding'. John was given a taxi to collect a hire car (thankfully we have Ultra so could have this assistance.)
Monday morning the car was towed to the garage where the engine was flushed through, fuel filter changed and the correct fuel put in. Quite an expensive weekend. We could have had a few days away for that cost. At least it wasn't a crash and accident.
All well now except for a slightly out of balance bank account!

Reading and Relaxing.

2010-11-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

We had some friends visit us yesterday in the evening for a meal and after sauntering around the garden we had a delightful time sitting on the veranda and drinking Aussie wine. Though there were clouds around we were warm enough and could see the Bunya Mountains in the distance. Often when we are forecast rain we don't get it but can see the heavy clouds in the north. John says it's a great place for gliding as the thermals develop over the mountains.
It is cool today but the farmers who are harvesting the winter crops will be pleased that there is no rain. A great deal of local crops have been spoiled by wind and rain. There will be plenty of mulching bales around!

I have finished reading Barbara Erskine's supernatural novel set around Glastonbury, Somerset: 'Time's Destiny.' I didn't think it was as good as some of her previous novels, the haunting was not as 'spooky', but maybe that's a good thing. With the first book of hers which I read many years ago,I couldn't sleep until I had finished it

My reading is rather harrowing, as it is a biography of Joice Nankivell Loch. An Australian woman, who, with her husband Sydney, a Scot, where writers. They spent their lives helping the traumatized people of Poland in the 1920s and then in Greece. They also helped many women and children to escape from the Nazis. I had not realised in what desperate circumstances these people had lived. This couple worked with the Quakers' Mission in these countries as often the Quakers where the only people who were allowed to give aid there. The Lochs had huge respect for the Quakers and their work, but where not Friends themselves. They were an amazing couple

Scents, perfumes and fragrances in our garden.

2010-11-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

It is almost overwhelming, the vivid colours and perfumes in our garden at the moment. Almost every angle is a photo shot! The China Star jasmine is in full flower and the perfume just hits you as you go round the corner of the house or go out on the the veranda. The bottle brush flowers hang like lanterns and are full of bees, insects and birds all clamouring for a share of the flowers' booty.

Also the evenings are lengthening and it is so pleasant to sit out side and enjoy the peaceful, fragrant atmosphere.

Still Counting!

2010-10-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, I seem to have been picking fruit for ages! At last I have made some jam which has set, so that's just the beginning! Though there are the Fruit Birds in the mulberry tree all the time, the tree is still bursting with fruit. I have just picked another bowl full.
I have just begun reading Ken Follett's new history tome "Fall Of Giants." It begins in 1911 and follows a Welsh family and a Russian, American and English one,through the great changes of the next 10 years. Threading and weaving it's way with the families as the great changes at that time unfold. It's the first of 3, but I think it'll be a year before the next one is published.

Orchid Tree in Full Bloom

2010-10-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

This tree was dieing 2 years ago. We tried watering it for 24 hours (having saved a White Cedar that way) then cut out the dead branches and just hoped it would revive. It was a touch and go hope. Thanks to the significant rain we have had so far this season, it has been a real "Phoenix' and come into magnificent bloom and the scent is fantastic too!
Bauhinia Variegata is it's name, but commonly called the Purple Orchid Tree due to the flowers which of course look like orchids.Brisbane is full of them at the moment and there are also white Orchid Trees. Another tree coming in bloom is the splendid Jacaranda which I will show photos of soon.

A Busy Monday

2010-10-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Started the day with The Book Club which began a year ago. We were discussing "The Consolations of Philosophy" by Alain de Botton. This led to talking about philosophy,art,life and much more. It was a very interesting and lively group. In the afternoon John's daughter Sam came with the children to pick mulberries. AS we have had 2 beautiful days of sunny weather the fruit has ripened well. We picked 2 buckets full and there is plenty more to come. The dogs, Rannoch and Jasper joined in the fun.
After they had gone we collapsed on the veranda with a glass of wine and cup of coffee to enjoy the wonderful clear evening sky.
There must be something stinging around as I have some nasty bites on my neck.
Earlier I had made a lemon sponge cake and scattered mulberries in the mixture before baking it - yum!
I have put in some veggie seeds too, so they will soon catch up with the beetroot and courgette plants already growing. I must go to water them.

Wet and Muddy Spring.

2010-10-14T23:40:00.001-07:00

Well it still rains and the wind blows. Not very "'Stralian" I must say. So even though it's 19 degrees it's most unpleasant. The Wivenhoe Dam, which was almost dry 3 years ago, is over flowing and I think we'll have mouldy feet before long!

The mulberries need some sunshine to sweeten them. There have been enough to pick for a couple of deserts though.

I have just finished reading "The Red Queen" by Phillipa Gregory. It connects with her last book, "The White Queen" so continuing the story behind the Wars of the Roses. What a dreadful woman! One review suggests that she was the 'Mother-in-La law from Hell!! " I quite agree. It is written in the first person and she is the most jealous and manipulative woman possible. It's a good read and helps to put the murder of the 2 princes in the Tower of London into historical perspective.

Brisbane in the Wet!

2010-10-11T16:17:00.001-07:00

It's official: yesterday was the wettest day EVER in Brisbane - and we were there! I expected to see an ark being constructed in the river!
The rain just came down for the 48 hours we were in the city and the highway drive was dreadful. Thankfully we saw no accidents, but the roads were awash and we saw destroyed crops, flooded fields and roaring streams by the road side. Also at one point we noticed a dam that the water had breached and cut through to flood across the paddocks.
It was still raining when we reached Toowoomba, but once we were over the range, the road was dry and at home there was only one mm of rain in our rain gauge!
All the flowers and blossoms are fantastic though and buds on plants that haven't bloomed for years. It makes it a very colourful and attractive world.

Springing Spring

2010-10-06T04:51:00.000-07:00

I wish you could smell this picture. The Star Jasmine on the veranda is about to burst with flowers. It will be heavy with perfume. Also there is a great deal of blossom on our citrus trees. We have 5 in pots as our soil isn't really the right type. As you come on to the veranda the scent almost knocks you over. The bottle brush shrubs are laden with flowers too and the birds are chasing in and out of them doing what ever birds do in the spring - tra la!! We filled the little bird bath that hangs in the tree, and watched as the Fairy Wrens hopped and splashed in the water having a wonderfully refreshing time. The weather is just right (for me) at the moment. Its about 23 degrees C and not too hot and not too cold. So if you are thinking of coming to Australia, I think that October is the time to come. See you soon! (Though not all at once.)

Week-End

2010-10-03T19:30:00.001-07:00

We had a very good weekend as the local cafe, "Chatters" had another evening of music and food on Friday. There weren't so many musicians as last time but the atmosphere was good and there where 3 couples in our party which was fun.
On Sunday as it was fine we went to the local town (well,40 kms away)to the 'Camp Oven and Country Festival.' There was plenty of country music and whip cracking, old vehicles, blacksmiths, and bric-a-brac stalls as well as craft and food. The trouble was I forgot to take my camera and not having a modern mobile phone I couldn't take any pictures. Pity about that.
Today I have bought some new compost to fill the tubs with the citrus trees in. we had 16 mandarins on that tree and quite a few lemons too. There are still about 6 grapefruits ripening. But the poor mulberry tree is like a weeping mulberry as it is so full of fruit. Now it is warmer they should soon ripen so I think I will have a fruit picking party. I hope it all happens soon before the branches break.

On the BOOK FRONT I am reading "The Consolations of Philosophy" by Alain De Botton, and "Black Mamba Boy" by Nadifa Mohamed.

Awaking the Dinosaur.

2010-09-29T18:45:00.001-07:00

I feel it is about time I started to Blog again. I can't believe it is so long since I put anything here. Life runs a race I think.
It Has been a very chilly winter through which I have been fighting chest infections and coughs. Now it is warmer, and wetter, I am feeling much improved.
Each week I am working for 11 hours at the local library which is great. I even had to take the story and craft time a few weeks ago, which went pretty well. Since we moved to the bigger (and better) library the readership numbers have zoomed as have the numbers of books in the library. So it's pretty busy. Since the assistant left in July it has been really hectic as she hasn't been replaced with regular help and some days you are not sure if you are coming or going.
I had a trip to the UK from mid June until mid July.Unfortunately John didn't come with me. Visiting Matthew and Ania in Exeter, Chris in London, Martin and Cathy in Bedford, friends near Abergavenny, and Judy and James (sister-in-law) near St Davids was really good. And of course I had a wonderful time "Grannying" with Nicholas and Bethany. Ben and Louisa even had a night away which was a privilege to help with, as Grandma and I minded the children.
Now Spring is springing in rapidly here and I will put up some photos. We have a magnificent mulberry tree which is so full of fruit it is bent right over. Soon the Fruit Birds will come and feast on the ripe mulberries. By the look of it there will be plenty to go round
Labels: garden, Spring

Frosty Mornings.

2009-07-08T23:56:00.000-07:00

It has been bitterly cold in the recent weeks. Especially when it is windy as today. Though there are often early frosts in a Queensland winter, this year some have still been about at 7.30 a.m. Thankfully with the new wood burner stove John put in, the house remains fairly warm and it's great to 'rug-up' by the fire in the evenings.

Everyone is goign about in scarves, boots and hats. I never imagined using flannelette sheets in Australia!

I hurt my leg whilst walking the dogs a few weeks ago and had to have 12 stitches. These have now been taken out now, but it still aches a bit and is much too sore to kneel on. Another reason to put my feet up by the fire.

Back from the U.K.

2009-06-19T16:09:00.000-07:00

It's an age since I wrote anything here.
I have been to the UK and back, seen all my lovely family and lots of great friends.
Thank you all for your hospitality and kindness. It was so good to catch up with everyone.
From wet Wales with a damp walk up to White's Castle, down to sunny walks by the river and canal in Exeter, it was all wonderful.(Photo is of river in Exeter.) Another uplifting walk was by the blossom wreathed Priory Marina in Bedford. As it was early May the birds were "singin' their 'eads orf!!" Also masses of spring flowers were out along by the paths and in the meadows. I was delighted as I know the names of these flowers; dandelion, bluebell, campion, stitchwort and more!!

Tree Canopy

2009-03-25T22:53:00.001-07:00

A wonderful visit to the Bunya Mountains gave a cool contrast to Lightning Ridge. There were wallabies and Rosella parrots to see in the big grassy arena in the centre of the forest. But the cool walk beneath the trees was lovely with the fern trees, growing in the damp areas giving a wonderful contrast to the deep green foliage of the ancient Bunya Pines. The Bunya cones from the pine tree are about 18 inches long and each 'seed' or nut about the size of an adults thumb. The Aboriginal people collected then and they made good'tucker'. Some of the trees have Aboriginal cuttings on the bark as old identity marks. It's now a National Park area with amazing flora and fauna living in it.

On the way we had stopped at one of the local wineries and enjoyed samples of their fragrant tipples and lunched on their own goat pies! Very tasty, a good way to have a day out!

Little Splash at Lightning Ridge

2009-03-25T22:13:00.000-07:00

We have been to visit Lightning Ridge in N.S.W. It was 600 Ks and we went down in 1 day and came back in 2. the roads are long, straight and monotonous. Unfortunately a kamikasi roo leaped out and slightly damaged the wing of our car. The roo was more than slightly damaged. Lightning Ridge is an opal mining town and has been for over 100 years. As it is so dry it has a quirky atmosphere as so many old vehicles and bits of machinery are lying around. Also remains of really old cottages that the miners lived in. It is a most unusual place and very hot and dry. One can see emus running across the land by the road side with their big floppy feather coats and long legs. There is a walk-in mine to visit, opals shops to gaze in, art galleries plus a few touristy things to see. The opals are superb and the colours that flicker through some make them dazzling jewels. I was lucky to have an early birthday present!!

Another good place to see there is the pool where the hot artesian waters come up. It is free and open 24 hours for the pubic to go in. The temperature of the water is around 45degrees so you can imagine how you feel as thought you are gently cooking! The waters are therapeutic which John found very relaxing for his back, especially after the long drive there. The second time we went for a swim was after dark, so you could see the brilliant stars sparking overhead. It was quite an experience.

The Midnight Hour!

2009-03-11T17:38:00.000-07:00

There was an 'almost full' moon the night before last and our 2 dogs where barking to go out.
I then realised there was more than just the barking noise! Not too far away I could hear the howling of dingos. No wonder Jasper and Rannoch where desperate to get out. Maybe to join the pack. It is certainly an eerie sound to hear the singing of the dingos on a moonlit night.

At 5.3oa.m. I was up to go to the bathroom and noticed the 'Moon Set' through the window. It looked so beautiful through the branches of the beautiful white gum tree.
My picture doesn't give full credit I am afraid.

Sunshine electricity!

2009-02-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

As you can see, the panels are on the roof and the system ticking away. We have had hours of sunshine over the last 2 months so are certainly getting good results from the new system.
The media reckons that having 'green credentials' doesn't really help the country's carbon credits, but we feel it makes our footsteps more 'gentle' on the earth. Also it helps to offset our trips to family overseas.

January Sky.

2009-01-18T23:39:00.001-08:00

Recently we have had some magnificent sunsets.
Here are some pictures taken one evening.

There aren't many trees close to us so we see so much sky! To the north we see 50 miles or do to the Bunyas which is due north. So because we have lots of sunshine from that direction (being the the southern hemisphere!) we are having solar power installed and it will be done next week. I feel really excited about it as it has been a dream of mine for years. With having our own water from the mill and rain tanks and now the solar powered electricity, I feel we are making fewer demands of the works resources - well some of them anyway.

Happy New Year; 2009

2009-01-03T18:06:00.001-08:00

It only seems a minute since everyone was welcoming in 2000. Millennium celebrations and a ring of beacon fires around the world. Here I am in a hot and humid Australia, wouldn't have believed it 9 years ago. Our new year gets under way well before those in Europe.

It is hot and humid and the air is full of the noisy cicadas which rise and fall as an endless chorus all day and well into the evening. After a while you don't notice them until, suddenly you may realise that there is an endless silence and they have all stopped!
There has been lots of rain in this area, a wonderful relief from the 5 years of drought. The land is verdant and green, the trees growing higher and higher and the shrubs in our garden (mostly bottlebrush, callistamin types) are endlessly flowering. The trouble is that you can almost see the grass growing and it could do with cutting everyother day. The weeds are knee high to an elephant too, and there is one called "Cobbler's Pegs." The leaves are similar to a smooth stinging nettle, the flowers tiny yellow ones. These each mature into a head of small needles, each about 1/2 inch long and they stick into EVERYTHING! Socks, trousers, dogs, etc and spread everywhere. With the rain, they seem to be growing thicker and higher than ever. I wish someone could discover a use for them and we could harvest it generously. They can't even be put in the compost if they are seeding. Horrid stuff.
Any way - a VERY happy, healthy and fulfilling 2009 to all reading this.

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-22T00:15:00.002-08:00

I grew a Christmas Tree - yes, one of those magical crystal ones.
Very scientific, it grew in half a day as the humidity was high. It's the nearest to a Norwegian Pine we'll get around here.
I also made a Christmas cake, threw in extra spices as it was Christmas time, then realised one was ground cumin and not cinnamon - whoops. So added even more of mixed spice to drown the flavour. Guess it will taste really good.
Hope you all have a magical Christmas and the the Spirit of Light and Hope will be with you through out the next year.

The New Library, Pittsworth.

2008-12-08T16:55:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to add these photos for a while now.

The library moved to its new abode over 2 months ago and had it's "Grand Opening" at the beginning of November. The Toowoomba District Mayor came and library 'Big-Wigs' from around Queensland gathered to reveal the engraved plaque. All good things were said and lots of new books were made available and mountains of delicious food lunch put on. Quite a DO!!

There is masses of space and display areas and since opening many new readers have joined. It is a pleasure to work in.

One of the best books I have read recently and enjoyed immensely, is the newest by Kate Morton - "The Forgotten Garden." It is like a hall of mirrors, a fairy story, in a fairy story which is reflected in another. Ranging from Brisbane to a Cornish port and back; stretching through three generations; it follows the story of little "princesses' who loose something that is precious to themselves. Seeking unconsciously and consciously to resolve their life's dilemmas.

Koala Sighting!

2008-11-20T15:40:00.000-08:00

Driving into town yesterday I noticed an animal crossing the road in front of me, slowed down to see and was delighted to find that it was a koala! He stopped in the grass and viewed me with unblinking, black beady eyes, I said 'Hello' and wished that I had me camera with me. He them scrambled up the tree, not climbing it 1,2,3,4, but pulling himself with front paws then back legs, stopped again and stared once more as I gently pulled way to continue my journey. Between us, John and I have had about 4 sitings of koalas along our road in the last 5 years, but not for the last 2, so it was a treat to see one again.

Blooming blooms everywhere!

2008-10-13T22:28:00.000-07:00

Well things are really bursting into flower. See the glorious bougainvilleas at our gate. On our veranda the star Jasmin is opening and soon we can breakfast in its fragrance! The pink Peruvian Trumpet Vine is flowering too and so are some other things and I noticed some lilies in bud yesterday. A lot of the new seeds we put in last week are popping through as we have had some rain.

In the last few days we have put in more bougainvilleas, back behind the trees to make a glorious backdrop for next year hopefully. By the mill there is a Silky Oak which is like a golden statue at the moment covered in fantastic flowers and full of happy birds feasting on it.

Well - do YOU know what this is?

2008-09-24T02:47:00.000-07:00

There were about 6 small cream balls lying in the soil. John poked one with the fork, splitting the casing - and the interior expanded into a polyhedron of gooey filaments inside of which was a nasty-smelling brown substance. Yukk!! It was amazing to see, straight out of a Dr Who sub-plot. I was 96% sure it was a rotten golf ball until I saw the tiny fungal roots in the ground. In the library I found a fungi book and inside was this 'THING!' It is "Basiomyceta Gasteroneycetes" or "Ileoictyon gracilis Phallales." Do click on the photo to see it enlarged and so see the "Thing" in all its glory.

Flying.

2008-09-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a wonderful time, flying over our house and land! In 2003 we hired a plane and flew over the house when we were buying it. This time a friend flew down from Rockhampton in his Cessna 182 Turbo RG and on Saturday took us up and away. It was interesting to see how much the trees had grown. You can see our cottage, garage and land just about in the centre of the photo. John flew an aeroplane again for the first time in four years!

The sky was clear and there was little wind so I could take some photos fairly well, though the wing seemed to get in the way at times. I was impressed how attractively laid out the landscape seemed. The farm properties had lovely patterned paddocks from ploughing or cropping on the contour - and with some recent rain it was quite green and gentle.

Almost 5 years! Wow

2008-09-09T02:38:00.000-07:00

Yes, just about 5 years since I came to live over here. Quite an adventure as you can imagine. Life has had it's ups and downs, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I never really had much of a spirit of adventure, I think I was too worried about life to bring it on board. It must have been hiding somewhere! I have crossed the world many times now and once was worried about flying. A nip of confidence goes a long way!

At the beginning of 2002 I was challenged by a quote from Goethe that my mother had stuck on her wall, and carried that with me for that year of change; "What ever you do or dream, you can do it. Begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

Here is a recent photo of myself with John.

Full moon and mushrooms.

2008-07-23T02:40:00.000-07:00

Last week there was a full moon. It rose over the hills in the east and looked so big and serene. It was a lovely evening and the sunset had been very beautiful. As there weren't any clouds in the sky the colours at sunset had been very ethereal; mauve, turquoise, lemon and apricot. All very iridescent and clear.

We see the most lovely sky colours here as there isn't any pollution. Unless there is a storm in the west, then the squall line blows up the dust and we have a very heavy sky, laden with the red dust. I heard on the radio one time that thousands of truck loads of soil are displaced when there is a storm like that out in the desert.
There has been a little rain recently and in the paddock near us where I often walk the dogs, I have found bucket loads of beautiful mushrooms. One can almost see them pushing their little white bald pates up through the soil. They are so fresh and pink underneath!

We have had mushroom soup and mushroom omelettes! Yummy.

Roos, pumpkins and such!!

2008-07-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

It is always amusing to see a number of the largest grey kangaroos bouncing along in a rather regal manner. Their front paws are held in a prayer-like way, their ears high as though they have crowns on their heads and the long tails sweeping behind them like trains. Watching some today whilst walking the dogs, I realised what it is that they remind me of; the three kings as often depicted on Christmas cards! Gently bouncing their way across the desert to Bethlehem.

We had a bumper crop of pumpkins this years -ha-ha, all of 3!!
Last year we didn't have any, the previous 2 years we had 1. May be we have a cornucopia of pumpkins! ( Don't tell Sarah, my niece) she and Adam would certainly beat me in a village veggie show.

June

2008-06-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

Lots seem to have been happening this month. Not all very good, but endings are, so that;s what matters. John has been quite ill, I had to dial for an ambulance early on Sunday; 000 being the emergency number in Australia. It seemed as though he was having a heart attack. Thankfully it wasn't. After checking if it was a gall stone stuck in the bile duct, then liver problems, it was found to be some liver damage due to the combination of his medications. So after he lived through a traumatic 2 days, he is now home , well and pretty cheerful. The hospital doctors have turned his medication around and he seems to be pretty ok.

I have had a number of hours working at the local library. I really enjoy that and there should be quite a few times over the next 3 months.

The blossom is out on the wild peach tree near to our mill. (Yes; we have a windmill!) It is really beautiful against the blue sky.

Winter creeps up!

2008-05-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Winter is creeping up. We have lit the fire a few evenings now as there have been some VERY chilly winds roaring about.
Unfortunately these winds dry the ground out even more, and we have had no rain for about 7 weeks in this area. So the last few days we have been watering our new trees and putting a pile of mulch round them to keep them snug around their roots, or even their boots!!
We are considering putting in a new wood burner. The one here is a very ancient, Chinese stove, possibly 80 years old. The doors don't shut properly and the vents don't work either. So the logs quickly burn up and leave a pile of very fine white ash. Even if you stoke it up late at night, it still doesn't last through,, though the warmth is just there. As the house is wooden and not any insulation in the walls or floor, it does get pretty nippy.
I remember when I first came to Australia I was very surprised to see flannelette sheets, warm pyjamas and slippers in the shops. I couldn't imagine it being cold enough to need that sort of thing; but unfortunately it is. The day times can still be warm and sunny with breakfast on the veranda ( a late brekki!), but once the sun goes down, on come the warm clothes and the soup goes on to the stove. I then start to think, ' Oh , it must be Christmas soon.' No chance, there aren't even any more public holidays now until the real Christmas time - just one long slog!
There are plants flowering still, like the bourgainvillia in the picture behind Rannoch and Jasper. Though they look like a 2-headed hound!

Hello, hello! Long time no see!!

2008-05-11T01:27:00.000-07:00

Such a long time since I wrote on this Blog! Sorry to all my loyal fans!!!!!! Anyway I have had an unexpected month in England due to my mother's death. It was a moving experience, as I was mostly staying in her home to sort things. I felt very close to her as I read things from past years she had written and also finding letters which I had written home from my college days in the 60s!
I was a wonderful chance to catch up with the family and especially to see the 2 grandchildren, finding how much they have grown and to renew our friendships.
Now from the slightly chilly days of tentative spring to the same of autumn back at home in Australia. It is very dry, but ideal weather in which to start clearing up the garden. Also to cut the logs for winter fires, we have had 2 already. The skies are very luminous and clear as the evening draws in at about 5.45pm. The roos are about searching for some tucker; stars are beginning to peep out ready for their nightly show, and it can be very still and beautiful.

Easter time.

2008-03-20T16:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to any one reading this over this week end. I still find it difficult with the festivals in different seasons to what I am used to in the U.K. Easter in early autumn doesn't ring of "new life or beginnings" as Springtime offers! But the weather is warm and it's beautifully calm and peaceful today, which is Good Friday; and not hot enough to melt Easter eggs. I am making Hot Cross buns, so there is a delightful cinnamon smell in the air! We will eat them for 'Morning Tea, ' or ' Smoko' as it is called in the country! There are still lots of flowers out, including the plumbago and lots of red gladioli. Also the roses are reviving which is lovelyWe have a delightful tree called a Lilli Pilli. This has pretty fluffy cream flowers (without petals) and then pretty pink-red berries. I will add some pictures

Autumn

2008-03-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

Summer is over as yesterday was the first day of autumn, well, officially. It hasn't been much of a summer by Aussie standards.
Yesterday evening I went with some friends to see ' Romeo and Juliet' acted in Queen's Park, Toowoomba. Every year they have a Shakespeare in the Park. We took our supper and bottles of wine. It was most enjoyable, especially as it was such a beautiful evening. The sky changed from blue to pearly grey as the sun set behind the trees; then to purple as the last birds fly over, Honey eaters, Gullahs and a few budgerigars. And the silhouettes of the magnificently sculptural Camphor Laurels stood out in the spotlights. There didn't seem to be any mossies about either, so it was very good.
This mornign I thought there was a different smell outside of the house. It wasn't unpleasant,butfamiliar and I couldn't place it. Going out-side to look about I realised it was from 2 big wattle trees that were in flower. A mass of pale lemon blossoms frothing over the trees. As they are the same as the mimosa family, you can understand what the distinctive scent was like.

Yet More Sunshine!

2008-02-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

Thankfully it has been a wetter summer than usual. Also, thankfully, we are not in an area that floods as we are on the side of Mount Wyangapini, nowhere near a river. But when it really really rains the waters roar down the hill sides and through the rocky storm tracks in the paddocks. The area around here is very rocky ( hence the name of the next road - Stoneleigh) and there are long stretches which have been cut away by water in the past. Usually the temperature is around 35 degrees at this time of the year, occasionaly up 40+. So that is why I am glad it has been wetter that usual. There have been a number of years of drought, so people are hoping that is over. Needless to say the farmers are never satisfied - it is the never the weather they want at the time they want!

Orchard Butterflies

2008-01-30T01:38:00.000-08:00

The Orchard Butterflies are amazing. They are about 5 inches across and there are masses off them at the moment. They are really beautiful on the bottle brush bushes as they are mostly black and white, the males having a row of orange dots along the bottom of the wings. As they are bigger than the tiny Yellow Rumped Thornbill birds that fly through the garden in teams, it is strange to think that they are butterflies. Another name is the Citrus Butterflies, so I guess that's what their caterpillars eat! And that is why my citrus trees look so nibbled!

2008-01-28T01:39:00.000-08:00

Two Blue Tiger Butterflies on the pink bottlebrush

Butterflies

2008-01-28T01:21:00.000-08:00

A Confetti of Butterflies!

The butterflies are dancing everywhere around the garden. The shrub are festooned with them and they are all colours and sizes. I am trying to learn their names. I know one is a
' Common Crow ' which is sad. I know it's black and white but it's very pretty and about 4 inches across, or maybe more. You can stand by the bushes and hear their wings flittering (if that's not a word it is now!!) I love standing there with them all dancing around me. My favourite is the Blue Tiger. They look like stain glass and some times there seem to be hundreds of them about the garden.