tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52538809148144550572024-02-20T02:24:10.420-08:00Bob and Brenda Down UnderBrenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-39752404921422890872010-04-19T21:37:00.001-07:002010-05-27T13:38:35.393-07:00Hawaii HappeningsHere I sit in Hawaii missing Telstra. Sarah, I hope you are reading this to know that we think Telstra rocks. You won't hear any grumbling from us.<br /><br />I haven't found a cafe here where I can use my own netbook - of course, I haven't exactly looked - so I am on an ordinary computer and, hence, I can't post photos. That could be a run-on sentence. Once upon a time, I was an English teacher and I would put red corrections on such a sentence.<br /><br />Anyhoo ... (and, yes, in a past life, I would correct that slangy expression.) ... anyhoo ...<br /><br />We aren't exactly having downtime in Hawaii. Since we arrived on Saturday, I have been to the beach three times. Bob and I went to a 700-vendor flea market at Aloha Stadium. Unfortunately 650 of the booths were the same stuff you can buy at the International Market and the other 50 were packing up to go home. I preferred the market in Australia. We went to a luau last night and it was great fun.<br /><br />Today we went on an 11.5 hour tour of the island which included Pearl Harbor. The tour was a terrific way to see a lot in one day. I took so many photos of the ocean that my "ocean photo collection" now rivals my "Sydney Opera House photo collection."<br /><br />We leave here tomorrow evening and I am sure we will pack a lot into our last day. We have resisted shopping here since we have a whole suitcase of shopping (including the suitcase) from Australia. Our only purchase so far is macadamia nuts.<br /><br />I meant to make a few observations about our last days in Australia whilst we were still there, but time got away from me. Let me tell you them now:<br /><br />(1) There is only one grumpy person in all of Australia. He told me in the harshest terms to "get to the left" when I was walking on the right side of the sidewalk. Everyone else was kind, friendly, and personable.<br /><br />(2) We were in the CBD of Sydney the last few days and I observed that Sydneysiders love pantyhose, leggings, and boots way more than cold Canadians do. What's that about?<br /><br />(3) All of Australia is immaculately clean. It's a country full of non-litterers and we appreciated that.<br /><br />(4) On the other hand, graffiti "artists" seem to be rampant. I'm surprised they haven't used Uluru as a canvas yet; they seem to have used all other areas of the country. Most disappointing too is that a lot of the beautiful trees in their parks are covered in carved names. Yuck!<br /><br />(5) Oh, and all food in Australia is excellent except for in one dinky stall at one mall.<br /><br />Aloha, BrendaBrenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-46413666701438927002010-04-17T00:18:00.000-07:002010-04-17T00:25:30.416-07:00At the Airport<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQve4jlQZbk7123UthnuoOcmnIQqzWnTfSFHjWtLYkdh4ycCsgJVEK3bbRvM8vbXY5BaD0dWtU8rb3L7EqJFMNr92XseofpTDHzkTT31VKtPzwb13DfUgE_oQwIafF1yYSxbqvDYfUUc/s1600/airport+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461003322490561522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQve4jlQZbk7123UthnuoOcmnIQqzWnTfSFHjWtLYkdh4ycCsgJVEK3bbRvM8vbXY5BaD0dWtU8rb3L7EqJFMNr92XseofpTDHzkTT31VKtPzwb13DfUgE_oQwIafF1yYSxbqvDYfUUc/s320/airport+002.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Our flight for Hawaii leaves in about 45 minutes. If memories had to be taken home in luggage, then Bob and I would be paying for overweight baggage! We can't pick a favorite time as there have been so many.</div><div> </div><div>This morning we went to the Paddington Market and Chinatown and then we walked for quite awhile along George Street. We figured we will be sitting enough on the plane.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZhefJ5i1iYhp2fXFWBGLezp-s65qXhMnbqbiHSI47E0fYPW2kWEXT3VuoDioAvB5hrK_Jr3q-RhsTPzPfmyDz3yM3bHKBGFenZj0BxF_npS4ETpC2f5_wGTCimKEZRQ3hNsJcmhRCko/s1600/lastdayinoz+015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461003024049360098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZhefJ5i1iYhp2fXFWBGLezp-s65qXhMnbqbiHSI47E0fYPW2kWEXT3VuoDioAvB5hrK_Jr3q-RhsTPzPfmyDz3yM3bHKBGFenZj0BxF_npS4ETpC2f5_wGTCimKEZRQ3hNsJcmhRCko/s320/lastdayinoz+015.JPG" /></a> This last photo is of Bob in Scruffy Murphy's Pub last night before "Wicked." The pub meals are still some of the cheapest around.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzACB5Xq7G5TQ0zN1tcSJftBEFID5U2vn9-h6tRB1g72HzX9QEzLDYzZe_uErlC9KXJ0NIzoMKClybD3fh1ul98pLfgcUN1-8Um0p_5t7i8ovdbpiHzWkOCX8Lp4kqJtDmBCZIAgiqTQw/s1600/lastdayinoz+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461002822975588898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzACB5Xq7G5TQ0zN1tcSJftBEFID5U2vn9-h6tRB1g72HzX9QEzLDYzZe_uErlC9KXJ0NIzoMKClybD3fh1ul98pLfgcUN1-8Um0p_5t7i8ovdbpiHzWkOCX8Lp4kqJtDmBCZIAgiqTQw/s320/lastdayinoz+006.JPG" /></a><br />We'll see our Canadian friends soon and, as for our Australian friends, thanks for making our trip perfect.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-21217782532903313102010-04-15T22:50:00.000-07:002010-05-27T13:42:04.681-07:00Strange Happening in Sydney .... Clouds!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN__iblG8nN1grA-Lx_sXbWp4AxfjbC_9L30q4QPdN7-7qiIC0mbrWBH_YhA1dWPwefKIIgwy6kUn8JB-G42CKy5B3LKl_SQBsU3SIlVXROG137-e-nszooHpFd44WoeGk13orYZ-z5s/s1600/wicked+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460611901423318610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN__iblG8nN1grA-Lx_sXbWp4AxfjbC_9L30q4QPdN7-7qiIC0mbrWBH_YhA1dWPwefKIIgwy6kUn8JB-G42CKy5B3LKl_SQBsU3SIlVXROG137-e-nszooHpFd44WoeGk13orYZ-z5s/s320/wicked+001.JPG" /></a> Today is the first time we have had a cloudy day and it`s also our last full day in Australia. If you want to hear someone complain about the weather, look elsewhere, as we have had the most amazing run of sunshine.<br /><br />"Wicked" is playing in a theater very near our hotel so Bob went over and picked up tickets. As we see the performance, I will be thinking of how Sela used to sing "Popular" when she was little.<br /><br />This morning we walked down to Circular Quay ("Key", right, Elizabeth?) to catch the ferry to Manly. Gray skies kept me from getting really good photos. We got to see from the water where we went with the Booths on land.<br /><br />When we got back from Manly, we split up. I went on the hop-on, hop-off bus while Bob went walking. Eventually I ended up in the Rocks and shopped there; there was a market going on but it was really just foods for lunch. From the Rocks I walked back to our hotel mainly along George Street so that I could do any last shopping.<br /><br />Below you can see a photo of the Anzac War Memorial and the pig in front of the hospital. It has a shiny nose because people rub it for luck. No one can ever see too many photos of the bridge and Opera House so I've put more here. The last is of the market at the Rocks.<br /><br />For those of you who have left comments on the blog, I am not ignoring you. I still haven't figured out how to respond to comments. You would think if my dog can figure out how to comment, then I could too!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5tTbKCbbDDZgykPpRM8x27TA5es9r8tfiQ6ivCEDgtWsLDiTVyJH7ckcZdtSnTkS1Y-Yl2Sq23vV0tUudRphQ-dSkgU4vcq1dhv-uS8e23gT7-sJrlpprA8XzxLKar_ew2pWGmCSk4E/s1600/hoponhopoff+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460611589707635826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5tTbKCbbDDZgykPpRM8x27TA5es9r8tfiQ6ivCEDgtWsLDiTVyJH7ckcZdtSnTkS1Y-Yl2Sq23vV0tUudRphQ-dSkgU4vcq1dhv-uS8e23gT7-sJrlpprA8XzxLKar_ew2pWGmCSk4E/s320/hoponhopoff+002.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee5dRUEJN5jan-kkAgu4xtTg31ER5wKGzFCNCK-RjNepAhBXfqVOwd28WR2Ihqm-O9zEXvECetKm51oUZBmQDGC5ALRshk0SuFj-1606StPb0-T5cigS6H1Yk1t5rhlDlmzwvwFhROks/s1600/hoponhopoff+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460611427535162786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiee5dRUEJN5jan-kkAgu4xtTg31ER5wKGzFCNCK-RjNepAhBXfqVOwd28WR2Ihqm-O9zEXvECetKm51oUZBmQDGC5ALRshk0SuFj-1606StPb0-T5cigS6H1Yk1t5rhlDlmzwvwFhROks/s320/hoponhopoff+007.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz922FE_wQo1F8_A9OCoFYuhIyw3hbBbFtQ-3tKIdKFha8MJahE_M8GZm55Qyb0jkFELL2bumZq7OY71yoJpHoN8Ol59KQUiUfbP0HlPPYDGHNJ61U7_FkSkg_-6pbedAHhOmP_QiIGs/s1600/hoponhopoff+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460611230921016674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz922FE_wQo1F8_A9OCoFYuhIyw3hbBbFtQ-3tKIdKFha8MJahE_M8GZm55Qyb0jkFELL2bumZq7OY71yoJpHoN8Ol59KQUiUfbP0HlPPYDGHNJ61U7_FkSkg_-6pbedAHhOmP_QiIGs/s320/hoponhopoff+014.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUXrHmaDCVJ1uiQ4_8wD9dyXd7tN8H7eR1PrvShaMQzneG5p7QtwQV7BlITvvA4-K8juxl3G7r6ZzNnzRjTa-hKjZrYGqAKUZpSNs30xI-XLxIXK3g9zBKeytNu2c18_KXsSgpjwiobo/s1600/hoponhopoff+027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460611059971973762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUXrHmaDCVJ1uiQ4_8wD9dyXd7tN8H7eR1PrvShaMQzneG5p7QtwQV7BlITvvA4-K8juxl3G7r6ZzNnzRjTa-hKjZrYGqAKUZpSNs30xI-XLxIXK3g9zBKeytNu2c18_KXsSgpjwiobo/s320/hoponhopoff+027.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweNsKMrzLjY-bCULLbadTYGYL4l0Ocn6fnKXd_G-524VSvcxIgvhT90n7Fuok3dRteArLMXouBMi2f-oVKBw8dEtJ7X3vNecEsHrSSXMG0RGjpx1gT4tIZlsyOVlSp4Ykf_0XOsxXZ9w/s1600/hoponhopoff+025.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460610843958186786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhweNsKMrzLjY-bCULLbadTYGYL4l0Ocn6fnKXd_G-524VSvcxIgvhT90n7Fuok3dRteArLMXouBMi2f-oVKBw8dEtJ7X3vNecEsHrSSXMG0RGjpx1gT4tIZlsyOVlSp4Ykf_0XOsxXZ9w/s320/hoponhopoff+025.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TQYA8zH5Vvu23zCY156Txq0Ype9LC2-IuQSPFRt6VtYxft_rRFYEBktzLLjSlaTirZC5yH_tymSjBkvoZX4ur2Pk-sxyH2lNvALczjg9oz7Jd9jlyRhB-6odBz8iC1bjbyKRxqzveu0/s1600/hoponhopoff+052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460610564779382402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TQYA8zH5Vvu23zCY156Txq0Ype9LC2-IuQSPFRt6VtYxft_rRFYEBktzLLjSlaTirZC5yH_tymSjBkvoZX4ur2Pk-sxyH2lNvALczjg9oz7Jd9jlyRhB-6odBz8iC1bjbyKRxqzveu0/s320/hoponhopoff+052.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w6WRvT5SHaU4MQfCdRG0nys4OSxVuW1V3w4iLo12HRsEbbq_D_udyYUaD6hYzkJ_SgdquIyKQm38aZt-n9aodQZwS2SZlwsX54ZhKQCf10ymOGZtr0gNpEKLBc5Br4JCQyYYn9nGPr0/s1600/hoponhopoff+078.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460610328120524370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w6WRvT5SHaU4MQfCdRG0nys4OSxVuW1V3w4iLo12HRsEbbq_D_udyYUaD6hYzkJ_SgdquIyKQm38aZt-n9aodQZwS2SZlwsX54ZhKQCf10ymOGZtr0gNpEKLBc5Br4JCQyYYn9nGPr0/s320/hoponhopoff+078.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LbokmfpQw59N9YqOmLUCCI1mgRk250DnvoKjzwDYcS2mxdPzi9D5jJ5ILpWVGBnpdWwDPxkIK89591YRTb04aAtqTb3jFjfSP485NX8xoFtOvtd7yVeDlbN3uPckzJc-busWMxx1k14/s1600/hoponhopoff+081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460610083760347282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LbokmfpQw59N9YqOmLUCCI1mgRk250DnvoKjzwDYcS2mxdPzi9D5jJ5ILpWVGBnpdWwDPxkIK89591YRTb04aAtqTb3jFjfSP485NX8xoFtOvtd7yVeDlbN3uPckzJc-busWMxx1k14/s320/hoponhopoff+081.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-46443967151095366452010-04-15T03:28:00.000-07:002010-04-15T04:19:58.674-07:00In Sydney's CBD (Central Business District)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl_CiEKvZ2p3ZxXLzHfU5GekoikExDXytUqpAxbe3DB2vRA4F62wQ1K6vKIZGD2z0vTrUD3uPKm0s16COMK18ryYtxqCUOZUlUz8MQSM1Rxq1f_jZN-cpC92_9WrdeG2xNQf6NqQ0dH0/s1600/sydney%231+109.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460314321016272482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl_CiEKvZ2p3ZxXLzHfU5GekoikExDXytUqpAxbe3DB2vRA4F62wQ1K6vKIZGD2z0vTrUD3uPKm0s16COMK18ryYtxqCUOZUlUz8MQSM1Rxq1f_jZN-cpC92_9WrdeG2xNQf6NqQ0dH0/s320/sydney%231+109.JPG" /></a> I'm going to do the blog a little differently tonight by commenting on the first two photos and then filling you in on our whole day before showing you lots and lots of photos of what we did today. If you are tired of my ramblings, you'll be able to skip that part. If you are tired of my photos, you can skip them. And if you are tired of both, you can leave this blog and web surf!<br /><br />The first photo here is to show Rob and Elizabeth "mission accomplished." The Coca-Cola yoyos are in the same photo to show a couple of freebies that Bob got at Luna Park.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGTe2Zgj24QtcWynd74YjNIwdWaXDr37FuUSp8_jEU6UQQ5zh-ie9u_Usp1dirhdU2SJa-gOffmg1bqiqUqGRQ4wVzI3L-ieOg9__4SS0_7e4aQbrtxcPXH6w7U_k96yqDPUcKokE20g/s1600/sydney%231+079.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460314146042362594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGTe2Zgj24QtcWynd74YjNIwdWaXDr37FuUSp8_jEU6UQQ5zh-ie9u_Usp1dirhdU2SJa-gOffmg1bqiqUqGRQ4wVzI3L-ieOg9__4SS0_7e4aQbrtxcPXH6w7U_k96yqDPUcKokE20g/s320/sydney%231+079.JPG" /></a><br />Bob saw this fellow at Luna Park and thought it was Colin. I, tragically, had to break it to him that it was just a Colin-look-alike.<br /><br />We had such a wonderful time with the Booths and we can never adequately thank them for their hospitality. We saw so much extra because of their careful planning and it made our trip so memorable. However, today it was time to say goodbye. Before we left them though, they took us over to their daughter and her husband's home. He makes the most amazing puppets and I had lots of questions about the process. <br /><br />They had three didgeridoos and a combo was quickly formed. It's not every morning that you are serenaded by such sweet music.<br /><br />Colin drove us to our hotel in the city. Those of you familiar with the city will be able to figure out how far we walked today. Those of you who aren't familiar with the city will have to believe me when I tell you that we walked miles.<br /><br />Our hotel is south of Hyde Park. We walked over to the Queen Victoria Building which has great architectural details and some very upscale shops. I have included a photo of some of the interior as well as one of the stained glass windows. I like that photo because it shows not only the window, but people walking by outside the building.<br /><br />We continued our walk and came to Wynyard Station. It made me realize that Aussies must be more respectful of Mr. Wynyard (whoever the heck he is!) because they have named two places after him while Canada has named only one place after him.<br /><br />We kept walking (I just know I will be using those three words often in the posting) and got to where we could walk onto the Harbour Bridge and we walked until we got to the pylon where we could climb stairs to the top for the view. It was well worth the climb as we had good views of the Opera House, the harbour, and the bridge itself. Elizabeth will spot bridge walkers and be envious that she isn't one of them.<br /><br />We walked across the bridge with me stopping numerous times to take photos. I believe I took over fifty photos of the Opera House today from various points. I tried to do a few arty ones from around Luna Park.<br /><br />We got off the bridge and walked to Luna Park. We were impressed with this little park and took time to ride the ferris wheel. We were asked if we would share our car on the ferris wheel with two little boys, probably about six years old. We said that would be fine, but weren't too sure after one of them got scared. We kept him talking though and, pretty soon, he was braver.<br /><br />We left Luna Park and took a break from walking by catching a ferry to Darling Harbour. We went to the Sydney Aquarium and enjoyed it very much. My favorite was the coral reef area, but I also enjoyed getting this photo of part of the crocodile. He looked asleep but his eyes were open.<br /><br />I was thinking we would find some convenient transportation when we left the aquarium, but Bob pointed out that there was no reason we couldn't walk back to the hotel. I wouldn't have agreed but by this time I was ready for supper and hoped to find an interesting place to eat somewhere along the route. We did find a good place to eat and the meal gave me just enough energy (barely!) to get back to the hotel.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQk8K5I1VY0vkcR7Te_ftkuGZwFOO97n3mlprcAzbMCyIiI5Q5vcCSwbUgc5KLhebQ41Q4BnIK8ysz99v6GKolKbeOQcvdaRnQBTy2y4fq9-Y6zMuZv_KrLS8Aa4_BYzrI7t5Lgg5DPA/s1600/sydney%231+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460313915072598754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQk8K5I1VY0vkcR7Te_ftkuGZwFOO97n3mlprcAzbMCyIiI5Q5vcCSwbUgc5KLhebQ41Q4BnIK8ysz99v6GKolKbeOQcvdaRnQBTy2y4fq9-Y6zMuZv_KrLS8Aa4_BYzrI7t5Lgg5DPA/s320/sydney%231+004.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkSgR7cb6QVWmTnGiO9ilHUEpn2UtzY0qIW8ijGtpx-dOTbLJOA5VgxsuJwOMWorsfTKLK8yac4xl5xHDJPlGgUmOGGBFGnfN4UMMnpGg9106oB2GV8lKt2JMUea-HLwzruz2efH_JaI/s1600/sydney%231+013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460310194466649682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKl7O0V6s1rCwazhWuE6TS135RjivQYCTdYS1M_sLpWzIRLuI9Oa3vP_7BiXjyaGVmOOxDAHT8dziRYcnZHhw4mD5nVW5iwT4nbltUuljMjhwnbaV-MQSJHfggTccwBeqTierBn4AM8M/s320/sydney%231+098.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhnn3E3X8P3-ZjWiBRrRey7gVHdJkXn_9piv1cjCNj_yXXXcH6EwEaPefpZa7Wme7LfGDd0DjVSOYe3TkWITLN6lUA-A0CSXrMDNqmqEN-NelF868PfUwtPqntagTSBZRWpAboE2w9Sc/s1600/sydney%231+108.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460309734845390050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhnn3E3X8P3-ZjWiBRrRey7gVHdJkXn_9piv1cjCNj_yXXXcH6EwEaPefpZa7Wme7LfGDd0DjVSOYe3TkWITLN6lUA-A0CSXrMDNqmqEN-NelF868PfUwtPqntagTSBZRWpAboE2w9Sc/s320/sydney%231+108.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-6723870901015199532010-04-14T06:10:00.001-07:002010-05-27T13:46:12.408-07:00Please Don't Make Me Leave This Country<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxq5tzvPs1Cva7dSEI8D_rBWL_Ft-HyhjzLlhGf_ltLwbk6EsncqEIJic4bQXWlTz3hLgccnxN3jfdJ2Ug4-k54ueYCgsZtR6JkCjTpQKlKBHf55sQr1z0i0G0vlgte6uQrhtdDgu03U/s1600/wedapr14+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459982448846224946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxq5tzvPs1Cva7dSEI8D_rBWL_Ft-HyhjzLlhGf_ltLwbk6EsncqEIJic4bQXWlTz3hLgccnxN3jfdJ2Ug4-k54ueYCgsZtR6JkCjTpQKlKBHf55sQr1z0i0G0vlgte6uQrhtdDgu03U/s320/wedapr14+024.JPG" /></a> Even chores here are great fun! I have wanted a clothesline for 22 years. Finally a brainwave: if Bob doesn't give me one for Mothers' Day, I will give him one for Fathers' Day. I was very careful to hang our underwear (sub-garments, Rob) out of sight in this photo.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil1kF5Gg_urBoQEs-SkoUksu5wOijRYj6tYgINgcsFWKa0zFFl1WWlvVHxzWWa9HFiNbRsg3KPbLMg6dKDb9jbqmId8A8wcnHiE3TdUdhzWorMSgMgvveGY46bEGMziOooIHDSERh8hM/s1600/wedapr14+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459982204777141794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhil1kF5Gg_urBoQEs-SkoUksu5wOijRYj6tYgINgcsFWKa0zFFl1WWlvVHxzWWa9HFiNbRsg3KPbLMg6dKDb9jbqmId8A8wcnHiE3TdUdhzWorMSgMgvveGY46bEGMziOooIHDSERh8hM/s320/wedapr14+001.JPG" /></a> And I got to scoop up a few fall leaves today. How great is it to scoop fall leaves this week and then get ready for spring planting next week.</div><div></div><div>We visited Colin's school yesterday. It is a K to 6 school with 750 children. I hope the W.C.S. staff isn't envious of these photos especially the last two of the staff room. Katie, the school is just constructing a new library. You would want it! Their assembly hall has big garage doors at one end which can be opened to extend the area into an open-air area which is roofed.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOBOiHzBEJ_LAeCvCJeXj_imchZh3k3i8zGPrGEXfqoJOYYe9oKQHjAuzkT3zp6GAblN61qzqMn5170AKAxogJHgx-H1cYSk0AiNTubpuKctfrxTx-OAyNqS4jfDxH-mYBnTPbys2KRo/s1600/rotary+night+017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459981783749714994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOBOiHzBEJ_LAeCvCJeXj_imchZh3k3i8zGPrGEXfqoJOYYe9oKQHjAuzkT3zp6GAblN61qzqMn5170AKAxogJHgx-H1cYSk0AiNTubpuKctfrxTx-OAyNqS4jfDxH-mYBnTPbys2KRo/s320/rotary+night+017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCt4FFDI4sX1z-w_EhvQP4TaKWfxTafHbsrGzySF067JZf-NHs_M6Gips-4msoSyLBjsC71saySbv714_D70O7L3SfnPiqoUcqfYH_IPSx9CANtwTflJoeH9pUF8Ei2TUtj2TA5_QKrKw/s1600/rotary+night+010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459981585742941394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCt4FFDI4sX1z-w_EhvQP4TaKWfxTafHbsrGzySF067JZf-NHs_M6Gips-4msoSyLBjsC71saySbv714_D70O7L3SfnPiqoUcqfYH_IPSx9CANtwTflJoeH9pUF8Ei2TUtj2TA5_QKrKw/s320/rotary+night+010.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_3_8AIGV-ep1rRP4P2KBkI-lLU-27c5dFFCy2v1X3eoo_8VG2FgHMbJpc5Bz9ZETijlUKV89tthsIoyJWt-8Awht3WhGP0fBvGR3op50oyue9fF4oGhytoOHoerWSdu4iZxRpc0TPlM/s1600/rotary+night+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459981390639291938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_3_8AIGV-ep1rRP4P2KBkI-lLU-27c5dFFCy2v1X3eoo_8VG2FgHMbJpc5Bz9ZETijlUKV89tthsIoyJWt-8Awht3WhGP0fBvGR3op50oyue9fF4oGhytoOHoerWSdu4iZxRpc0TPlM/s320/rotary+night+011.JPG" /></a><br />Today Bob and I visited Judy (Edwards) Fitzmaurice who was Weyburn Rotary's first exchange student in 1976. At one point in Elizabeth's stay here she lived only a couple of kilometers away from Judy, although they were never in touch. Judy had her two Weyburn yearbooks out so that she and Bob could reminisce.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMox3cQZGPyTAmQ_lxIJZYfHgjwCFRyqHNAR0gISrI3x4wpHVhOQcUfylS0xoJK3oeHJMkP3kgkvlB3d9_pw5xdM-7dYndBfNSfalTEJqr-5mjwEcvt_EkjYbH4NSHfYqrt2VQsWpZRlk/s1600/wedapr14+023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459980780538649778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMox3cQZGPyTAmQ_lxIJZYfHgjwCFRyqHNAR0gISrI3x4wpHVhOQcUfylS0xoJK3oeHJMkP3kgkvlB3d9_pw5xdM-7dYndBfNSfalTEJqr-5mjwEcvt_EkjYbH4NSHfYqrt2VQsWpZRlk/s320/wedapr14+023.JPG" /></a> The wonderful Booths got me to another quilt store, this time to one where there was no cat and no smoking proprietor. I admired a quilt and asked about the pattern. It isn't available yet, but the creator of it was in the back conducting a class. How lucky was that!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y1G3o_kL6dHn1M0xoDFntdZtRcCf7XB0l8BguW5tOf-Lcl5q97lXDhZaqYgCeHEstO6CbigM4l_GWsc6Q3JsYYO0RZ7MQfm5u1GU0k3OAO6AntOLMDejTByViQovMNV7AeCqzGrG64E/s1600/wedapr14+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459980467595713602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y1G3o_kL6dHn1M0xoDFntdZtRcCf7XB0l8BguW5tOf-Lcl5q97lXDhZaqYgCeHEstO6CbigM4l_GWsc6Q3JsYYO0RZ7MQfm5u1GU0k3OAO6AntOLMDejTByViQovMNV7AeCqzGrG64E/s320/wedapr14+002.JPG" /></a><br />We were at a beautiful greenhouse and gardens today. The greenhouse specializes in roses and had beautiful rose gardens. Oops, I had the picture here but it just disappeared into cyberspace. James, HELP!</div><div></div><div>Tomorrow we head to the Central Business District of Sydney for our last days before we head to Hawaii on Saturday. I don't care how great Hawaii will be, it won't be as great as this wonderful land filled with friendly people.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-80409739526353605972010-04-13T04:37:00.000-07:002010-04-13T05:10:31.477-07:00Oz Corrupts Bob!!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKveiuIixPQVic9TpBDfC8l49G-h3bedqVE6c7FaOgPWkNAkTGwm2serdbhfmzaejNhIFfh4hU4GIilT4D14xXKCugzmPB3QcCj0VJEV-UqVetzBm_BB3rhvXiJZ5LRYer-R-fQeTVlI/s1600/rotary+night+050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459588442063062786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKveiuIixPQVic9TpBDfC8l49G-h3bedqVE6c7FaOgPWkNAkTGwm2serdbhfmzaejNhIFfh4hU4GIilT4D14xXKCugzmPB3QcCj0VJEV-UqVetzBm_BB3rhvXiJZ5LRYer-R-fQeTVlI/s320/rotary+night+050.JPG" /></a> The title needed that many exclamation points even though good students of English know that you use only one end mark. When something so earth-shattering - those same students know to avoid cliches, but I digress -so earth-shattering as Bob being corrupted in not one but TWO ways! Mr. Colin Booth shown above is obviously a bad influence as you can see him blatantly defying the sign.<br /><br />So first of all, Bob has taken to gambling to get Aussie wine. Elizabeth, think "Two Up."<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXibY5HYNLV8Et3TQpGyG12XVfpjR3unchHMdtDuNsXofEbnIvQIndo2JmTGTnWbgMw7lE0DwuTsqkE-BJRzAtv0J4pvP3ktb7c0kX2VdRDAVhTmW4cn1lKO0bbejKjM4MprE_fOJ4XrY/s1600/rotary+night+080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459588220799170018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXibY5HYNLV8Et3TQpGyG12XVfpjR3unchHMdtDuNsXofEbnIvQIndo2JmTGTnWbgMw7lE0DwuTsqkE-BJRzAtv0J4pvP3ktb7c0kX2VdRDAVhTmW4cn1lKO0bbejKjM4MprE_fOJ4XrY/s320/rotary+night+080.JPG" /></a> Then, worse yet, he stripped naked - maybe not totally naked. He left his hat on! Weyburnites, do not expect the same Bob King back as the one that left.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhONtFA63No4J_w-0vA7UY0aL0xbacsNvjUFQ-EPTW-V0xPmiVBuwN3Ht2mD88F8y5rNtMzPfTKZgP5Ijg-ganMs1C1Zw1fExNQlv4raVCFlOGiC_DtnAn6yE_klQ53JYkA6LNL9qmy-o/s1600/rotary+night+052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459587984268223842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhONtFA63No4J_w-0vA7UY0aL0xbacsNvjUFQ-EPTW-V0xPmiVBuwN3Ht2mD88F8y5rNtMzPfTKZgP5Ijg-ganMs1C1Zw1fExNQlv4raVCFlOGiC_DtnAn6yE_klQ53JYkA6LNL9qmy-o/s320/rotary+night+052.JPG" /></a><br />Bob did put his clothes back on long enough to be photographed at a lighthouse at Watson Bay.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVigFU-eTti-l9cNSgUstos4CC60K0utEaKkdwdbNqP9ac-vfsNv9UYmK5Y-JlBZ46hmWuhRZuecic1sAz7IBToyQm7GHzQVUzEq9cpW6Va_0H8Kw-ABtu0ikxynwzPV3sOo2ilep_Hlw/s1600/rotary+night+062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459587746544296130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVigFU-eTti-l9cNSgUstos4CC60K0utEaKkdwdbNqP9ac-vfsNv9UYmK5Y-JlBZ46hmWuhRZuecic1sAz7IBToyQm7GHzQVUzEq9cpW6Va_0H8Kw-ABtu0ikxynwzPV3sOo2ilep_Hlw/s320/rotary+night+062.JPG" /></a><br />Earlier in the day we went to a quilt shop that was behind a house. This cute sign at the front of the yard makes it look appealing. Why wouldn't we continue in?<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGywwMI7OacXsoZZBJ-CnNxZfD7lPbUL3SbY8rD7zo7sifKZW6ox8aAdHsgu0EpHDD4EYPt-bSIVxOXqHHlcbxOsrjphGaghhKzfLV27qxewN72EPxAEFXSgkxkd237VosAyW6R7Csf9E/s1600/rotary+night+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459587489698614354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGywwMI7OacXsoZZBJ-CnNxZfD7lPbUL3SbY8rD7zo7sifKZW6ox8aAdHsgu0EpHDD4EYPt-bSIVxOXqHHlcbxOsrjphGaghhKzfLV27qxewN72EPxAEFXSgkxkd237VosAyW6R7Csf9E/s320/rotary+night+005.JPG" /></a><br />The back yard was a little scarier.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglM7CNXt8TnCXoEHv0LAaQwS0hKmULJUaSDD1KmIugL77X6Hl21og8n52rkpjUdM9rw5rnQkyITlV0e8zuRIYwB3qE9ZL3ffxhPl4rkBHSUr6pPkxOAFFx5_eCdLe4ZJkMXV4z3EY6-Q/s1600/rotary+night+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459587297689722098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglM7CNXt8TnCXoEHv0LAaQwS0hKmULJUaSDD1KmIugL77X6Hl21og8n52rkpjUdM9rw5rnQkyITlV0e8zuRIYwB3qE9ZL3ffxhPl4rkBHSUr6pPkxOAFFx5_eCdLe4ZJkMXV4z3EY6-Q/s320/rotary+night+003.JPG" /></a><br />... and then I took this photo inside the shop after kindly asking the proprietor if I could. Notice the cat. When I asked the woman, she said I could but then moved so she wouldn't be in the way. That was a shame as I wanted her in the picture so you could see the cigarette in her mouth and the ashtray in front of her.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgF_L-cZi_tUdMA-oW1IyNA9gS_CQBZp22QDe4Falr4acRkU5qg7K41RwTBa5qGjV23FkvaWR1-DTliC48ZOelMeYSF8m3sZdZ9sBILXAyhN5xTjZSsg-JD9YaOi8oS-FAzsPWbaEcIE/s1600/rotary+night+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459587115276484898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgF_L-cZi_tUdMA-oW1IyNA9gS_CQBZp22QDe4Falr4acRkU5qg7K41RwTBa5qGjV23FkvaWR1-DTliC48ZOelMeYSF8m3sZdZ9sBILXAyhN5xTjZSsg-JD9YaOi8oS-FAzsPWbaEcIE/s320/rotary+night+002.JPG" /></a><br />Nonetheless her shop was filled with a lot of bolts and I found some great fat quarters.</div><div> </div><div>I took about 50 photos of water and beach today as we were at Bondi and Watson's Bay. Each scene was better than the previous. We remember having to step over people on our last visit to Bondi because it was so crowded. This time of year it isn't.</div><div> </div><div>We went to the Carlingford Rotary Club meeting tonight. Elizabeth will be happy that we took many photos of all her Rotary friends. They all send kind regards and I can tell her more when I see her. They told us that at her very first meeting with them, the microphone failed but she told them that they needn't worry as she could project!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-14935257596835249582010-04-12T05:51:00.000-07:002010-05-27T13:45:01.737-07:00Umina, Avoca, and Quilts (Okay, Royal Fair too)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R-SgTvVCyNcMs3Rl8qsLS2DIhqPJvF7IwNraC1bM1gjNwKAQfAA9iq5lrLyvDWXf4nE8kuiwzBCdPOKfWOdOVH-x902vd-zFwEciGF5A_Syd8w8f10Ze6zD09jRJx7WwJQpYI3ro0Ek/s1600/monapr12+010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459239002366853010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R-SgTvVCyNcMs3Rl8qsLS2DIhqPJvF7IwNraC1bM1gjNwKAQfAA9iq5lrLyvDWXf4nE8kuiwzBCdPOKfWOdOVH-x902vd-zFwEciGF5A_Syd8w8f10Ze6zD09jRJx7WwJQpYI3ro0Ek/s320/monapr12+010.JPG" /></a> First of all, I want you to believe that the above photo is of Bob and Colin. You can decide which is Bob and which is Colin. This is at Umina and the weather was beautiful there this morning as we walked along the beach. There weren't many people in the water, but there were a few surfers. Apparently some people didn't feel that it was as warm as all that for the woman below had to have her fur-hooded vest. She looked ridiculous.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IxlasMERT-Crn_qQl-MOBWkjaAFdEhSVnkodJ3BYmIKlz8A0tmbezQ8Ks14LJNTAqg1u1aEPiBwVmk-oBFLNSzgc_Eag636mlZpn43k0hM25OTHc_wWNDxpbakzHCfveunkpy6b3xWY/s1600/monapr12+019.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459237602122312226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IxlasMERT-Crn_qQl-MOBWkjaAFdEhSVnkodJ3BYmIKlz8A0tmbezQ8Ks14LJNTAqg1u1aEPiBwVmk-oBFLNSzgc_Eag636mlZpn43k0hM25OTHc_wWNDxpbakzHCfveunkpy6b3xWY/s320/monapr12+019.JPG" /></a> The lifeguards were just getting ready to start their day so they chatted with this old lifeguard circa 1959. This was at Umina too.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39U9_g-u2nVAmAJgvyoNwo7oU2DVgGp6weHdfKJGayPIRRaEeWQbW6myHvHcp92O5PzTtvdRO3bBLncdvBzHlkZlXl5xxq0O0dR-kb_kTQElARBS2n3hwy9MB-BbZz41NOSz30Pxa5dk/s1600/monapr12+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459237170305698978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39U9_g-u2nVAmAJgvyoNwo7oU2DVgGp6weHdfKJGayPIRRaEeWQbW6myHvHcp92O5PzTtvdRO3bBLncdvBzHlkZlXl5xxq0O0dR-kb_kTQElARBS2n3hwy9MB-BbZz41NOSz30Pxa5dk/s320/monapr12+022.JPG" /></a> Then Lyn and Colin took us over to Lyn's sister's at McMaster's Beach for a coffee break. Simon, I hope you are reading this so that you know we had a lamington there. Another Australian dream fulfilled! From there we went to Avoca Beach and enjoyed sun and surf. I truly don't like getting near the edge of anything so here I am fearing that I may go over the side.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaEltZOuSp8SaTwhL-dtbjlIxrQCrNpEusiqOMxSM73qO5GvHwNQjlMH8BQ8tc15JpZZ1M18F7w9zWtok2PFXHNQBCAk69oCr28kFq0njqqpLaV4chQlNKn9rb2fX4Lmml-WknDbFf-A/s1600/monapr12+042.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459236674369819522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaEltZOuSp8SaTwhL-dtbjlIxrQCrNpEusiqOMxSM73qO5GvHwNQjlMH8BQ8tc15JpZZ1M18F7w9zWtok2PFXHNQBCAk69oCr28kFq0njqqpLaV4chQlNKn9rb2fX4Lmml-WknDbFf-A/s320/monapr12+042.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9K5W154WdfsDyhfAePg1K2uRcHIVnNQRu0mlummSxS3GHL7km-eYmsbJe0EJsdaEGb20goJhbpo3aP1ktGTK2b0ERsXbqOEuQkJ-BMgspSdAqOhtirvcTHJ4WJKerx40Q6rEl5kA1Zg/s1600/monapr12+041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459236349792692674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9K5W154WdfsDyhfAePg1K2uRcHIVnNQRu0mlummSxS3GHL7km-eYmsbJe0EJsdaEGb20goJhbpo3aP1ktGTK2b0ERsXbqOEuQkJ-BMgspSdAqOhtirvcTHJ4WJKerx40Q6rEl5kA1Zg/s320/monapr12+041.JPG" /></a> And in this picture you can see that Bob mercilessly chucked me over the side.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT5mjs-vcRnPCRArk2AwkAtgVvARTqhxZJPJV7z4BmEdlZokCJDuETC66W0EURj4Fk7Ld2jv4rcxkyXpJLXkSTRKAjBaqRFt3d80uuVLJbXz1_-wUqSCooevohr7AnvBOpYlOxt42CWM/s1600/monapr12+056.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459236071708321122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjT5mjs-vcRnPCRArk2AwkAtgVvARTqhxZJPJV7z4BmEdlZokCJDuETC66W0EURj4Fk7Ld2jv4rcxkyXpJLXkSTRKAjBaqRFt3d80uuVLJbXz1_-wUqSCooevohr7AnvBOpYlOxt42CWM/s320/monapr12+056.JPG" /></a> In this picture Lyn and I are with Bill made from found objects. I love his legs.</div><div></div><div>When we got back to Baulkham Hills, Lyn and I headed off to her quilt group while Bob and Colin headed off to the Royal Agricultural Show. Lyn's group made some blocks for the Weyburn Guild's ugly block challenge. What a fun group of women they are and they were welcoming and warm and they had fantastic show and tell.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCXY_DhocsDi1TefxW5Dv8kTssyqAeD6jE3PXFF6ppxuWvNrVZgDnz-pFnxlWADZSQpVCf1vFfjVgzmJumfOtERBlafRYWLK27gIADIzZxAzwObNhZrfcvMEEV1cb8KIU7qS_8o0Q5-w/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459235660734476386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCXY_DhocsDi1TefxW5Dv8kTssyqAeD6jE3PXFF6ppxuWvNrVZgDnz-pFnxlWADZSQpVCf1vFfjVgzmJumfOtERBlafRYWLK27gIADIzZxAzwObNhZrfcvMEEV1cb8KIU7qS_8o0Q5-w/s320/002.JPG" /></a><br />They each brought some Australian goodies for lunch including a delicious pavlova. I found out you can buy the pavlova at the grocery store and then add your toppings. This one has kiwi, strawberry and passionfruit. If you have followed this entry closely, you will have figured out that I had both a lamington and pavlova today. Lyn and I chatted about what would be Canadian desserts. Any ideas?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSAykY1hhyphenhyphenAJuvMsseUHx078ytKug6Y5fXtAuiKroUkdqj78S4sUwDgSMG_8Jgv829ibmy5uPCchMEqVNRguLo5JBGh_QfdVHXWjbeaCTwyHtUYTBqDnDG3-1uw7yOtN8oW8FtU0DJik/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459235415269341202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSAykY1hhyphenhyphenAJuvMsseUHx078ytKug6Y5fXtAuiKroUkdqj78S4sUwDgSMG_8Jgv829ibmy5uPCchMEqVNRguLo5JBGh_QfdVHXWjbeaCTwyHtUYTBqDnDG3-1uw7yOtN8oW8FtU0DJik/s320/031.JPG" /></a> Do any of you know if Canada has an invention like the one pictured below? It has instant, boiling water in it so you don't have to boil a kettle.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJs5pgdIR4aqQMTVeQlLwIg2gpa4K2BckKCRPF2Sq92DE8ArzQP09dbpx3aMDzA4jbFCDkcDmcmJlo48ibwVSwS30VbxrZlh6qjScSwJa6Ze6tqAQD9lKhN_JQkbuOfb504MEiGlFf2g/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459235120816699682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJs5pgdIR4aqQMTVeQlLwIg2gpa4K2BckKCRPF2Sq92DE8ArzQP09dbpx3aMDzA4jbFCDkcDmcmJlo48ibwVSwS30VbxrZlh6qjScSwJa6Ze6tqAQD9lKhN_JQkbuOfb504MEiGlFf2g/s320/032.JPG" /></a><br />While we were having fun there, Bob and Colin were having lots of fun at the fair if we can judge by how hyper they were when they returned. Bob swears they need to go back for another evening. Since the fair is at Homebush, Bob had to go and rub Colin's pole! Because Colin was a volunteer at the Sydney Olympics, his name is immortalized. I pointed out that Robert King is a fairly common name, so maybe he could have rubbed his own pole.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2iuBTtq4JOOzaiaPUWTzCD04GdxHoJNPfgBa-vjO0U-37TSLEvSemHW8TEzh4yjjOBs167vW7OMYVROwIShI3HWXvoUSFTj0xKE6-D9wjqPiYV_IJ83RBa2omTtbCT-JrW7zKnjx-ZM/s1600/fair+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459234733161064978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2iuBTtq4JOOzaiaPUWTzCD04GdxHoJNPfgBa-vjO0U-37TSLEvSemHW8TEzh4yjjOBs167vW7OMYVROwIShI3HWXvoUSFTj0xKE6-D9wjqPiYV_IJ83RBa2omTtbCT-JrW7zKnjx-ZM/s320/fair+001.JPG" /></a><br />The men were most impressed with a produce display competition where the scenes were created by produce. I like the comment above this scene.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHdVBuh5IQW7cu7xdWmZIEmdVo0aT7jGhFUdkud5butEV1-oenXYMSXHZCf5_kpIP-2vwk74IApDGpmPLV6KBdMr-eG0HuhHE4EeJec3nZCLogGLDqRQ1TNZ9uic_vrEDsZ8lB2Wdeto/s1600/fair+007.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459234577985848594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHdVBuh5IQW7cu7xdWmZIEmdVo0aT7jGhFUdkud5butEV1-oenXYMSXHZCf5_kpIP-2vwk74IApDGpmPLV6KBdMr-eG0HuhHE4EeJec3nZCLogGLDqRQ1TNZ9uic_vrEDsZ8lB2Wdeto/s320/fair+007.JPG" /></a><br />Bob says the fair rides were huge.<br />Good night, all. More adventures await us tomorrow.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6jyJSs3N_hLsFdDrspJmfUIOvxyqVv9QHsBjmTcSgNhkjZp5XtFkuSUaDCfQU3iZ3p-zKibSqXyxvpYSUreZflEQs7mEuL8xWgmdMzDqV-r0wahyphenhyphen_0MhofPWyxY7SSmLXegLzWDMg9Q/s1600/fair+021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459234374804978274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6jyJSs3N_hLsFdDrspJmfUIOvxyqVv9QHsBjmTcSgNhkjZp5XtFkuSUaDCfQU3iZ3p-zKibSqXyxvpYSUreZflEQs7mEuL8xWgmdMzDqV-r0wahyphenhyphen_0MhofPWyxY7SSmLXegLzWDMg9Q/s320/fair+021.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-14765517863309837612010-04-11T01:40:00.001-07:002010-04-11T01:59:44.748-07:00In Umina<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXdavSM3urKX5G0W8kHj7zJJNT9z5-M4U8Hvjwze8H8ogpyA3rgODdrc1ucFBo0vl5GPq2aRKFAkl9I7L5fGZYa482NHd5QjD6pjdoJ2_mPjtFmL_YMzKC32KPPcjSzCofBukSgumDIk/s1600/sunapr11+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458798223106220466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXdavSM3urKX5G0W8kHj7zJJNT9z5-M4U8Hvjwze8H8ogpyA3rgODdrc1ucFBo0vl5GPq2aRKFAkl9I7L5fGZYa482NHd5QjD6pjdoJ2_mPjtFmL_YMzKC32KPPcjSzCofBukSgumDIk/s320/sunapr11+014.JPG" /></a> This afternoon we came up to the Central Coast with the Booths and we are staying in their daughter's condo. Umina is beautiful as you can see from the photo above. We walked the beach stopping to see a fisherman's catch (snapper and flounder). On the way back we walked up by the houses and condos so we could decide which one we want to move into. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2nkc_SJ_UKTEe1FP7MixbEi-HkwNqifbUYipX2v7mP9PSZ1EdprpmhItUc9U_SlPHinQbtiRdJT8dA1CAkY5BOHu9CoAAtoguRPnMOkTBSXj3a072M_KDc967auhd2_Pws3LFrILknA/s1600/sunapr11+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458797965493358146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2nkc_SJ_UKTEe1FP7MixbEi-HkwNqifbUYipX2v7mP9PSZ1EdprpmhItUc9U_SlPHinQbtiRdJT8dA1CAkY5BOHu9CoAAtoguRPnMOkTBSXj3a072M_KDc967auhd2_Pws3LFrILknA/s320/sunapr11+005.JPG" /></a> This morning Lyn went to church and she hopefully prayed for Colin, Bob, and me as we went to the Rotary Flea Market instead. It was a beautiful morning to wander among the booths. Some had fall bedding plants (pansies, succulents, etc.) and I had to remind myself that I couldn't take any home for my yard. Bob and Colin were the big shoppers while I combatted the urge to buy.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzkvuhBmA3oXR_hGj_orTuzNCNS2i9lL3Fp3_-zn_18gtPFuVZ_4_YY_cuiMfn3nhgEmSEO9-QF5YPKYRqlUULsuv06GpPLg-3cdeohzk6rqbjIxpEnlpzMOr4FRnTd2OjKcVaj65bjk/s1600/sunapr11+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458797766233628146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzkvuhBmA3oXR_hGj_orTuzNCNS2i9lL3Fp3_-zn_18gtPFuVZ_4_YY_cuiMfn3nhgEmSEO9-QF5YPKYRqlUULsuv06GpPLg-3cdeohzk6rqbjIxpEnlpzMOr4FRnTd2OjKcVaj65bjk/s320/sunapr11+006.JPG" /></a> Rob, you can see from the above photo that Dad and I found pop cheaper than what you paid at Wagga Wagga. It is the best deal we found by about $1.50. Leah F., I could have added to your Nabob-Red Rose jar collection by buying a Bushells (tea) jar. Wait, my luggage is already full so I had to leave it behind and it even had the original lid.</div><div> </div><div>Changing the subject slightly, I didn't know if I should write Bushells or Bushell's or Bushells'. I always told students that if someone made me King of English my first decree would be to eliminate apostrophes as so few people use them correctly. The Australians seem a step ahead of me. We were at Wilsons Promontory (no apostrophe) last week. We read department of highway signs that said "Dont Pass." May Australia lead the English world in the abolishment of apostrophes! (Some of you may also want them to outlaw exclamation points and brackets as I tend to use them excessively.) (!!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9DSsqtfven_A4l5P6GKt38IBFwvaJvUO-XcNzHsSYRjIyaShGeqIJmsHSK25SNYl1806J0EpDEywN2zqVvgIY42FV1t6Lx3cBuwCztkxejI8QDr0RxMhC60PXNuCCvUoIe59XM2TvIM/s1600/sunapr11+011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458797528674642738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9DSsqtfven_A4l5P6GKt38IBFwvaJvUO-XcNzHsSYRjIyaShGeqIJmsHSK25SNYl1806J0EpDEywN2zqVvgIY42FV1t6Lx3cBuwCztkxejI8QDr0RxMhC60PXNuCCvUoIe59XM2TvIM/s320/sunapr11+011.JPG" /></a><br />Lyn and I did not resist the temptation of a fabric store and even Bob and Colin browsed. Bob was a great huntsman and quickly found me the section with Australian prints and Colin zoomed in on the kangaroo buttons. Why don't these two men come with me to all fabric shops?</div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sfLDhsgJXPkoJqIAbO1rWQt0rwFoNpV0W6nsWxx0rO8x5aaHvDwhWJJKQsn8my1Prnxw4irjNIEZLtW6IMOANdJisimYOl59_FgNiEm7wdHs_7h-lJeXgdi-1Px6zypRx-lL06RTxo0/s1600/sunapr11+010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458797308097865746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sfLDhsgJXPkoJqIAbO1rWQt0rwFoNpV0W6nsWxx0rO8x5aaHvDwhWJJKQsn8my1Prnxw4irjNIEZLtW6IMOANdJisimYOl59_FgNiEm7wdHs_7h-lJeXgdi-1Px6zypRx-lL06RTxo0/s320/sunapr11+010.JPG" /></a> Here is Bob doing some serious browsing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-676946214602801222010-04-10T06:29:00.000-07:002010-05-27T13:46:50.846-07:00My Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleeETYpm_LohQOXRD_ybd7_IO8-4YR9MnuqwsHM9i4JhUYLV5G7xDoWQf-YLQb9LK7OnUrfhfPDxMEhHlku27MitogwnjKFS7gpV-3ysjpevOql9V4IiwFcvDpeu7ZHuU07q1mS2Gsas/s1600/satapr10+048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458501966240933762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleeETYpm_LohQOXRD_ybd7_IO8-4YR9MnuqwsHM9i4JhUYLV5G7xDoWQf-YLQb9LK7OnUrfhfPDxMEhHlku27MitogwnjKFS7gpV-3ysjpevOql9V4IiwFcvDpeu7ZHuU07q1mS2Gsas/s320/satapr10+048.JPG" /></a> How cool is this photo! The Mama had her joey in her pouch and truly the joey looked like a lazy teenager who should leave the pouch. He was stuffed in there tight. You can't see it in this photo but not only was his head sticking out but one of his long legs was too.<br /><br />Now this blog entry is a little different in that the next paragraph is for Elizabeth and then she should quit reading. The rest of you can start reading after that paragraph.<br /><br />Elizabeth, our day with Simon was a terrible, no-good, horrible day. I don't know why he thought we would want a tour of Sydney's sewers. It was dank and dark. Then he wanted to treat us to lunch and we thought he was taking us to Oporto. Instead to pulled lunch out of his backpack for us. It was overcooked kangaroo with vegemite spread over it. So, indeed, we did not enjoy our day with Simon. Now that you know that, you an go back to making lasagna or whatever because the rest of this blog entry won't be interesting to you.<br /><br />And now to the rest of you: today was FANTASTIC. Bob and I spent it with Elizabeth's friend Simon and he had a wonderful time organized for us. He took us to a farmers' market where we met his parents and had a quick visit. Many of the vendors had small samples of their goodies so I tried rabbit and other tidbits.<br /><br />Then we went over to a Koala Park where there were Australian animals and birds. That's where we saw the kangaroo shown above. There were also koalas (obviously, by the name of the park!)<br />They are in the background of this picture of Bob and me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs4aWUDM9uC-FQ22eQklJVEno3BcdOkIsPKArW5LPJoB18gHSEWh0Vw0ToTK-Dk3pBNlQ-G_mOoVPqvr5XhdnorzipDEizJ2dUdHIeyhaTejwWqypxcMvOvuWuMsRFzFYyjhDFBNFeiI/s1600/satapr10+069.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458501710492578914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxs4aWUDM9uC-FQ22eQklJVEno3BcdOkIsPKArW5LPJoB18gHSEWh0Vw0ToTK-Dk3pBNlQ-G_mOoVPqvr5XhdnorzipDEizJ2dUdHIeyhaTejwWqypxcMvOvuWuMsRFzFYyjhDFBNFeiI/s320/satapr10+069.JPG" /></a> I took lots of photos of chickens that were roaming free at the park. That's so Leah F. and I can strengthen our argument to Dave to allow backyard chickens. In the following photo you can see Bob and Simon enjoying time together. This was taken in the picnic area of Carlingford School.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EChKSXUcT10SImj6M5PIRHXcYI-n7-EJTfZv-WQrd2NbMyzaN2U0UhA-T4jsxSlUrhhKHjV_4W0MJx24oJYh-_DFJ-GlMKOPck07ZJkYJF91vaSLIJkdyUrar_qdOh_VzWWgY8lfmDQ/s1600/satapr10+071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458501442355760530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3EChKSXUcT10SImj6M5PIRHXcYI-n7-EJTfZv-WQrd2NbMyzaN2U0UhA-T4jsxSlUrhhKHjV_4W0MJx24oJYh-_DFJ-GlMKOPck07ZJkYJF91vaSLIJkdyUrar_qdOh_VzWWgY8lfmDQ/s320/satapr10+071.JPG" /></a><br />Simon did take us to Carlingford School and for some reason the gates were unlocked even though it is school holidays so we were able to wander around the grounds. Finally we picked up food at a deli and had a picnic at Clark's Point. There you could see the Harbour Bridge and the skyline of Sydney. There were ferries and sailboats on the water and fishermen and artists on the shore. I forgot to download of photo of the scene here but I can do that tomorrow.</div><div></div><div>After Simon dropped us off, Bob and Colin went to a Swans' School Induction Program where they heard interesting info and got goody bags. Rob, I think you will want to requisition the items: a Swans' scarf, Swans' towel, a football, a picnic bag (maybe for beer), a photo of the team, and a water bottle.</div><div></div><div>Then Colin, Lyn, Bob and I went to the Swans versus Melbourne Magpies game. The Swans won by a lot and the young man beside me talked not only footie to me but also Canadian medicare system, travel, and much more. After the game fans could go onto the field and they certainly did! Look below:<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOktroUClWXLEFvXRdC438jMPNyKbR29XgV9_xGMpskqChGrcj-JjHOkJYbVV124upgtrBNC8izZa7z3yBa9XHU5lrvsl1V-eYOEuu3z4vLM0N7DIJH2UbmjUYsyP8NMp3jqvvzJf4SE/s1600/satapr10+098.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458500932960643410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOktroUClWXLEFvXRdC438jMPNyKbR29XgV9_xGMpskqChGrcj-JjHOkJYbVV124upgtrBNC8izZa7z3yBa9XHU5lrvsl1V-eYOEuu3z4vLM0N7DIJH2UbmjUYsyP8NMp3jqvvzJf4SE/s320/satapr10+098.JPG" /></a> Well, we had to join that celebration, didn't we, so here we are below. I must contact the Roughriders to ask why they don't let us do the same. After all, 28,000 fans were at this game and any of them could go on the field. What it really did was keep some people there while others drove away so that you weren't held up in a traffic jam in the parking lot.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55jYw-x68iTfZ3IZcwdj0uuVkvU3wso6LqV-7NHZHbZJmQUWVhdL58loz_Buvn3stThTtgK6wYMVMTXsLDCzrPRwrj5-FHdPbrs5Ec2BMUN-FlZGENk7GSrHmrlbV9yt2UQwIxskxMsg/s1600/satapr10+093.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458500658904382706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55jYw-x68iTfZ3IZcwdj0uuVkvU3wso6LqV-7NHZHbZJmQUWVhdL58loz_Buvn3stThTtgK6wYMVMTXsLDCzrPRwrj5-FHdPbrs5Ec2BMUN-FlZGENk7GSrHmrlbV9yt2UQwIxskxMsg/s320/satapr10+093.JPG" /></a><br />What a wonderful day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-1529711849698441892010-04-09T02:24:00.000-07:002010-04-09T02:37:13.237-07:00Looking Forward to Tomorrow<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmHwU-RQzHbSdFc7e0mWUb3ZAlOcNT79nKyt_GBiOi73jjiN3LuZpFpODRAnGX27jmxiV3OHzBx1b9UvlVXqj8rSZfST5U8jQdan5RHuXZWZhxt0FOaXOhBxQZOCMvuvf7XHPSGE5FS4/s1600/thursapr8+033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458067318749099922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmHwU-RQzHbSdFc7e0mWUb3ZAlOcNT79nKyt_GBiOi73jjiN3LuZpFpODRAnGX27jmxiV3OHzBx1b9UvlVXqj8rSZfST5U8jQdan5RHuXZWZhxt0FOaXOhBxQZOCMvuvf7XHPSGE5FS4/s320/thursapr8+033.JPG" /></a> Yesterday I didn't post the photo I meant to of mountain bikers getting their bikes up the mountain. Isn't this cool?<br /><br />Today we left Canberra and had a beautiful, sunny drive to Sydney. Our intention was to get over to the ocean and spend the afternoon and night there. Traffic was heavy though and it was taking us ages to get over, so we turned around and found a hotel room near where we have to drop off the rental car tomorrow. Tonight we hoped to get in touch with the first Rotary Exchange Student the Weyburn Club ever had. I thought I had her phone number, but it ended up being her office number. She and her husband are both doctors so we are thinking their home phone number is unlisted. We will have to try track her down during office hours on Monday.<br /><br />Bob and I went for a walk tonight and learned why so many of the suburbs end in the word "Hills." We are in Castle Hill and it certainly has more than one hill!<br /><br />Tomorrow should be great as Elizabeth's friend Simon has the day planned for us. Simon, if you are reading this, know that whatever you tell Bob and me to do, WE WILL DO! I hope you aren't going to turn us into a 2010 version of the Ned Kelly gang.<br /><br />The photo below will make Elizabeth so envious. The truth is, we haven't been in Carlingford yet, we just drove down the street that had the sign. But trust us, Elizabeth, in the next few days, we will be there!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwzT1EXNw8L_uEi2CfcUIRakvxRLHmSUEHLk-rlQXpUQMOaj1SSpg_rc7L570ZV9OxiTeNPWmx8eTARid9VNnaf2bC1iW5wIRP4kVC3PqhLrCYxJ_1cTHYj0AIFDZVydxBYvHG7bg0M8/s1600/friapr9+004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458067071501603378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwzT1EXNw8L_uEi2CfcUIRakvxRLHmSUEHLk-rlQXpUQMOaj1SSpg_rc7L570ZV9OxiTeNPWmx8eTARid9VNnaf2bC1iW5wIRP4kVC3PqhLrCYxJ_1cTHYj0AIFDZVydxBYvHG7bg0M8/s320/friapr9+004.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-45664176601736733932010-04-08T04:31:00.000-07:002010-07-05T12:46:08.130-07:00Who Can Pronounce "Kosciuszko"?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP3TVvGYpiDBbRf5wpllpST8v4bGuPXOyzequU3MvuooTWkfRqVLJt3kbJ3BE8xmGpoiaFNvM6GGxsQ7g2r4jcjKHhqgTS61gL1IeHZ72AzITTSstapUG9T0YEboPQp0bgPXRq3CFobs/s1600/thursapr8+037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457729529703927666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFP3TVvGYpiDBbRf5wpllpST8v4bGuPXOyzequU3MvuooTWkfRqVLJt3kbJ3BE8xmGpoiaFNvM6GGxsQ7g2r4jcjKHhqgTS61gL1IeHZ72AzITTSstapUG9T0YEboPQp0bgPXRq3CFobs/s320/thursapr8+037.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4X0EVGL5oXXZAk7v1NuEpyaaxjwK4-j1MajWk1df2tTzQO6IHQ-HeS2OcV2P-FtC2k-W9kASaG4BdvLiQ8E_49efLeq0WnxM50zTU_dZTNU22m-yiPCTBNf8R_SEV4LY1d7NOKSKalo/s1600/thursapr8+009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457729221118198578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4X0EVGL5oXXZAk7v1NuEpyaaxjwK4-j1MajWk1df2tTzQO6IHQ-HeS2OcV2P-FtC2k-W9kASaG4BdvLiQ8E_49efLeq0WnxM50zTU_dZTNU22m-yiPCTBNf8R_SEV4LY1d7NOKSKalo/s320/thursapr8+009.JPG" /></a> Today I had to start with my two favorite signs. We did see a couple of roadkill wombats, but we didn't see any live ones.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeTNCSpXiMF-T_Yzhc6cwnHX2ZMQSmrAW2Zb7N9ESzxkrpLJjngqEyEa9bNgWrIr_xFtgTyK_2ezcx7OymPm6kWUGr8JODD_keKOaAv10w6kur907tSuNtsO48OQlBm6hj8Dkpf_zQX8/s1600/thursapr8+035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457728993040324706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeTNCSpXiMF-T_Yzhc6cwnHX2ZMQSmrAW2Zb7N9ESzxkrpLJjngqEyEa9bNgWrIr_xFtgTyK_2ezcx7OymPm6kWUGr8JODD_keKOaAv10w6kur907tSuNtsO48OQlBm6hj8Dkpf_zQX8/s320/thursapr8+035.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div>There are some really beautiful trees in the Snowy Mountains. I am going to have to find an Australian botanist to identify all the plants I have been taking photos of. Most trees here aren't deciduous, but those that are, are changing color now since it is autumn. I learned today that Australians never call autumn "fall." Maybe it's because not that many leaves fall here in the fall. In any case, we spotted poplars and oak trees with leaves changing color.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eFQ1lJ5nmaDwyp3sTiLNPW491v34eFqAQpYjU0X1euXPI9O7MKLo2HoP4G6VatDs0vEU7MXcMsm4tXQPiOGZlr3C3DG8PYZDtgTdOmxEEZoLbDA4NFeAbuAjAzXNMI6ePq0SGE96JZ4/s1600/thursapr8+017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457728703233283154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eFQ1lJ5nmaDwyp3sTiLNPW491v34eFqAQpYjU0X1euXPI9O7MKLo2HoP4G6VatDs0vEU7MXcMsm4tXQPiOGZlr3C3DG8PYZDtgTdOmxEEZoLbDA4NFeAbuAjAzXNMI6ePq0SGE96JZ4/s320/thursapr8+017.JPG" /></a><br />Glenda will know that I have wanted to go to Kosciuszko ever since she and I started reading Mount Everest books. Mount Kosciuszko is the highest peak in Australia. Bob and I took the chair lift at Thredbo which leads to the walk up to the summit (a 13 km. walk). The next picture shows who else was using the chair lift. There were many mounatin bikers taking up their bikes and riding down. Bob talked to one who had made 7 trips up and down by noon today.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtvAlEazEtl9Yhg_1DfCOuLAzGvUw5c1Tx-3iD-tlLJC1fkKRkigxDtQNizK3MdwFb_uBUbRSnS8eMY3GCnkXYgjpDj7rLMsiMfwIXxXsn13MiM4mzx_PzBISzUBfNBtXLXPDhHO63zw/s1600/thursapr8+031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457728441873762114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtvAlEazEtl9Yhg_1DfCOuLAzGvUw5c1Tx-3iD-tlLJC1fkKRkigxDtQNizK3MdwFb_uBUbRSnS8eMY3GCnkXYgjpDj7rLMsiMfwIXxXsn13MiM4mzx_PzBISzUBfNBtXLXPDhHO63zw/s320/thursapr8+031.JPG" /></a> Bob and I certainly didn't walk to the summit as the temperature including wind chill at the top of the chair lift was -1C. Everyone else was busy buying toques in the gift shop, but Bob and I figured our ears had experienced -1 before and could stand it again. We could see our breath though and we had fun trying to take photos of each other that would show our breath. None of our photos were good enough to post here.</div><div></div><div>The next photo almost shows Kosciuszko. It's under the cloud cover and to the right in this photo! There's nothing much we tourists can do to change the weather.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-Sp1kqbl53htOzer9fKCo2xaUXQ8dCagxvxPDlwUF54JQWMNaDwsiOaVhDgXEJdEfDiR6N71t1T29XNgMUNIlcu_IqUDmLSwAzomLNbL1tOfc8luW1eEdd-kmTAV7uqmm0zSRLX4AUU/s1600/thursapr8+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457728241306371842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-Sp1kqbl53htOzer9fKCo2xaUXQ8dCagxvxPDlwUF54JQWMNaDwsiOaVhDgXEJdEfDiR6N71t1T29XNgMUNIlcu_IqUDmLSwAzomLNbL1tOfc8luW1eEdd-kmTAV7uqmm0zSRLX4AUU/s320/thursapr8+024.JPG" /></a> </div><div>And now for a few personal messages:</div><div></div><div>Rob and Elizabeth, neither of you have commented or Emailed or FBed for a few days. It's your filial duty to keep in touch with your parents! Oh, and, Elizabeth, have you heard the crazy news about stupid changes to Scrabble?</div><div></div><div>Elizabeth, we were in Jindabyne and I tried to find a postcard of it to send you. No stores seemed to have one. I took photos though.</div><div></div><div>Janelle, I wish you could have been with us tonight. We attended a Rotary meeting in North Canberra and the guest speaker was a forensic expert who had worked on some very famous cases in Australia. You can google "Peter Falconio" to read about one of the cases where this woman did all the DNA work. Her speech was totally fascinating and would have meant even more to you than it did to us.</div><div></div><div>Cam and Myrna, the two gentlemen that Bob and I sat between at the Rotary meeting had both been district governors. Their club of 24 has had four district governors through the years. I tried Emailing Cuddles last night (since I found out she is such a good correspondent herself!) but for some reason it wouldn't send. I'll try again tomorrow. Cuddles had sure kept it a secret that she is a very articulate, grammatically-correct writer.</div><div></div><div>Michele, you have to join Facebook as Christa has set up a Crocus Quilters' group. She had photos from the last meeting so I felt like I had been there.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-14913562193181841332010-04-07T03:02:00.001-07:002010-04-07T03:28:29.565-07:00A Little Rain Will Fall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOre6zR9VHZYf9p83BaWnNzy5JpsHtSwO3Pb-l68VbKCImSd4f5Up9mZtBf6sxXreJaf9_drbKg1gKmF_mOpaGfdyO3mKcUw3jQgIS8ZEPVObLqQBCXzN_IKdyFnVjkepIo0QUdFtbzuw/s1600/apr6%232+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457336211898939074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOre6zR9VHZYf9p83BaWnNzy5JpsHtSwO3Pb-l68VbKCImSd4f5Up9mZtBf6sxXreJaf9_drbKg1gKmF_mOpaGfdyO3mKcUw3jQgIS8ZEPVObLqQBCXzN_IKdyFnVjkepIo0QUdFtbzuw/s320/apr6%232+002.JPG" /></a><br />Last night, after some confusions, we finally got to hang out with Holly who lived with us when she was a Rotary Exchange Student. She's a wonderful, young woman and we not only reminisced, we also caught up with her life.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTTCUynzy1mCWO05ActhyphenhyphenPJ5Gnm_L4msK9UKY52e-IHTGEdlN9yv4MVlnRKR9wWEf1vnfEFyc_Cg8vsz1LxggWDCyJZ1HeTKk7dOHJrmx2biI0zqCAzTetX1CG-j5FRWvgKf4DhBcq68/s1600/wedapr7+027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457335819519212642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTTCUynzy1mCWO05ActhyphenhyphenPJ5Gnm_L4msK9UKY52e-IHTGEdlN9yv4MVlnRKR9wWEf1vnfEFyc_Cg8vsz1LxggWDCyJZ1HeTKk7dOHJrmx2biI0zqCAzTetX1CG-j5FRWvgKf4DhBcq68/s320/wedapr7+027.JPG" /></a> This morning there was a market in Mornington, the town we stayed in last night. The booths were set up for blocks and blocks on each side of the main street, in front of the businesses. There was everything from vegetables and flowers to these button bouquets. This lady, a teacher, makes button bouquets and does photography in her spare time and then sells the items at the market.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshZcslzFYcOu1UUDcr9bBQ83NF3cKUg5fu6iePDO3nlh9CHv1kP0ASWCMjxBQ7TyZOY61lHmFCSb7PZMfB__8QX1EAkcnZg3eYWo1h76eaWU8l80UVJFpcfCopMvjoaxFYhy5DvC_iw8/s1600/wedapr7+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457335367408163474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshZcslzFYcOu1UUDcr9bBQ83NF3cKUg5fu6iePDO3nlh9CHv1kP0ASWCMjxBQ7TyZOY61lHmFCSb7PZMfB__8QX1EAkcnZg3eYWo1h76eaWU8l80UVJFpcfCopMvjoaxFYhy5DvC_iw8/s320/wedapr7+018.JPG" /></a> Vanessa and I have been questioning real estate prices in Weyburn lately. Well, would any of you pay $90,000 to $300,000 to not own, but lease, one of these huts on the beach? They are large enough to fit a table and chairs, but you cannot have a bed (if it would fit) and you cannot stay overnight in them. They are on the Mornington Peninsula. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RHU-QtV9NXbpaaB8tjL3rhoGTpm0MmK7WfdCEWj5KRlYToicpz1g_I0NQ5Mx0tZFtn78qCIeX1ufW8yKaJpJCWXwfivkj4tIXE7OQ19gx003Lt9uQxVKhoz4OYDIeVxnsKKXB12hIi8/s1600/wedapr7+013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457334982388050850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RHU-QtV9NXbpaaB8tjL3rhoGTpm0MmK7WfdCEWj5KRlYToicpz1g_I0NQ5Mx0tZFtn78qCIeX1ufW8yKaJpJCWXwfivkj4tIXE7OQ19gx003Lt9uQxVKhoz4OYDIeVxnsKKXB12hIi8/s320/wedapr7+013.JPG" /></a><br />Did you look at this photo and say "big deal - a sandy beach"? The reason I included this is that it is actually the water at Mornington. It is so clear that you can't even tell there is water in the photo. All the beaches we have been on have been immaculately clean. Good on you, Aussies; some of us other countries should be following your example.</div><div> </div><div>We did have one of the first disappointments of our trip today. We went to Warragul where Elle, another Rotary Exchange Student, manages a grocery store called Aldi. Unfortunately she was in meetings all day so we didn't get together. </div><div> </div><div>One of her employees recommended a restaurant nearby for lunch. I had a smoked salmon and avocado sandwich, but Bob felt he had to have the burger "with the lot." Don't think "hamburger deluxe," think "THE LOT." The hamburger had the beef plus fried egg, onion, bacon, cheese, pineapple, beetroot, lettuce and tomato. Bob made a valiant effort, but he couldn't finish it. <br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX045KVbrzfb1-uuqSwFkxMY4y-wvMoHuzvwfs5UGaet9_hLOqn6Vzc5QBwjgI2PcZKlNXQrPbQPR_MmLm9fpL8AU2s6-5eyZKd7i4nZP1798DnJJ7uTdN9FH6sQg-7f-ibzlXAnt9Atg/s1600/wedapr7+028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457334623162799842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX045KVbrzfb1-uuqSwFkxMY4y-wvMoHuzvwfs5UGaet9_hLOqn6Vzc5QBwjgI2PcZKlNXQrPbQPR_MmLm9fpL8AU2s6-5eyZKd7i4nZP1798DnJJ7uTdN9FH6sQg-7f-ibzlXAnt9Atg/s320/wedapr7+028.JPG" /></a><br />We did have rain today, but as we were mainly driving, it didn't spoil our fun.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-47270231912197432672010-04-06T02:44:00.000-07:002010-05-27T13:47:48.961-07:00I Ate PassionFruit from the Garden Today. Did you?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpixDCLpMySiPOVq9ki9HhzDCNcUJ3c3W7yDiMyOZakzAhCJ5RvHxuD5wuyqjpwU8xwFdTKfLZwATkukvB-dVR_mtE6RghHRUSylxHez365PCqWZu78AjB3vzoJ1TOqvpM1YXCnZHu9U/s1600/tuesapr6+017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456959912572380498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpixDCLpMySiPOVq9ki9HhzDCNcUJ3c3W7yDiMyOZakzAhCJ5RvHxuD5wuyqjpwU8xwFdTKfLZwATkukvB-dVR_mtE6RghHRUSylxHez365PCqWZu78AjB3vzoJ1TOqvpM1YXCnZHu9U/s320/tuesapr6+017.JPG" /></a> The Lawrys took us our to Wilson's Promontory today. They hoped to show us kangaroos, emus, and wombats in the wild. This national park encompasses something like 50,000 hectares so we couldn't expect to see them all. We were lucky to see these two. I took about ten photos, each one one step closer as I figured they would spring away at any moment. This is the closest one.<br /><br />We also saw rainbow lorikeets. And Bob has to confess that Australia has one less rosella. He isn't saying if he hit it with the car or it ran into the car, but, either way, it is nothing but a carcass at the side of the road.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Hda1muCgYLm8su4XMIKUAMOZPiBwfWriICYGdOWHc2bVo_asofwSvVpbL0vnEz595CpiIYg0hu3OOiIA_k7Dlfwu-J7GA4_X05ZX8QewYYCke5-d4gXtEciTkWuu-K_BOEiC0VjNNQ0/s1600/tuesapr6+010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456959709064301218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Hda1muCgYLm8su4XMIKUAMOZPiBwfWriICYGdOWHc2bVo_asofwSvVpbL0vnEz595CpiIYg0hu3OOiIA_k7Dlfwu-J7GA4_X05ZX8QewYYCke5-d4gXtEciTkWuu-K_BOEiC0VjNNQ0/s320/tuesapr6+010.JPG" /></a><br />It was wonderful to visit and visit and visit with Sarah and to meet her parents. I know why Rob and Elizabeth had such a good time with them that one Christmas. They are avid hikers and those many preliminary walks in Weyburn only partially prepared me for the hikes ... up and down and up and down and up again.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbjE4a63Lq9azKDdLtiklcKdRBe7yrqQQZSGBtiM-mpbLpJGIjzCv-smw-U6NFHAu1-2UbgHNUX24dD6wH5_aaedmLYSvcHTb1wfDnTfvbGOu0Ook4GeWFM1_tQyvyqmP-zlcBQoLfw0/s1600/tuesapr6+035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456959363063525698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbjE4a63Lq9azKDdLtiklcKdRBe7yrqQQZSGBtiM-mpbLpJGIjzCv-smw-U6NFHAu1-2UbgHNUX24dD6wH5_aaedmLYSvcHTb1wfDnTfvbGOu0Ook4GeWFM1_tQyvyqmP-zlcBQoLfw0/s320/tuesapr6+035.JPG" /></a><br />Here are a couple of the marvelous views.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xhFl_NL6EVILCXNYeG_tL0GGyTwoOirHr8fN0X8YwCkBswT3FgnAnD5WW1s2ajAEc_EQ733u29yaKkuXe9R4hPtj7mwi5PvHFdzj1QEPNrDYmUaacUM1GSnuZUb9GguoaH8XSKimLnQ/s1600/tuesapr6+038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456959014988475794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xhFl_NL6EVILCXNYeG_tL0GGyTwoOirHr8fN0X8YwCkBswT3FgnAnD5WW1s2ajAEc_EQ733u29yaKkuXe9R4hPtj7mwi5PvHFdzj1QEPNrDYmUaacUM1GSnuZUb9GguoaH8XSKimLnQ/s320/tuesapr6+038.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div>The Lawrys' garden is so different than ours: orange trees, a lime tree, lemon tree, grapefruit tree, passion fruit, and kiwi as well as raspberries and strawberries. They have an avocado tree too but it is still too young to produce. There are similarities to my garden though: lavender (only theirs is a hedge!), daisies, dahlia, begonias, veronica, geraniums. </div><div></div><div>From their place we drove to the Mornington pennisula where we hope to get in touch with Holly. We are staying at the wonderful Mornington Motel which is about the same price as a Comfort Inn at home. You can see Bob in the photo below. He's lounging with the 36" flatscreen t.v.<br /><br />The manager of the motel recommended a Thai restaurant down the street as "the best in all Australia." As we walked into the restaurant a delivery guy was leaving. I pictured him delivering a 10% commission to the motel manager. We have no complaints though as the food was good except that the rice had squid in it which was a bit weird for us.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs6J020bid1YI4Rh10TejXYYwqRFZGSibOg1_AnYBQigWLK8u00wPjKYx2QT2FC8lmmtn0iJHImYb9gXOJfah0Z4_GunI67baR8SNXdK9S_of_261miDWloGlJbNJIBfsfWc6coounyQ/s1600/tuesapr6+052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456958637026244258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs6J020bid1YI4Rh10TejXYYwqRFZGSibOg1_AnYBQigWLK8u00wPjKYx2QT2FC8lmmtn0iJHImYb9gXOJfah0Z4_GunI67baR8SNXdK9S_of_261miDWloGlJbNJIBfsfWc6coounyQ/s320/tuesapr6+052.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-68855338527233491942010-04-04T01:15:00.000-07:002010-04-04T01:38:20.465-07:00TimTams and Port Arthur<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QfhMhtDzML2pVvRa2IQ4wNk7JRWTxpxtn8le7YmeoM-jqrTMICbNgTouLYR_QrWqA9wcaBcxXs2oydac3IGMsc2Jp9dVkrb31dZWN26A2vMiqyGnEpRmEXUJnwVfzaA19oZg_EaBybM/s1600/easterday+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456195605663909730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QfhMhtDzML2pVvRa2IQ4wNk7JRWTxpxtn8le7YmeoM-jqrTMICbNgTouLYR_QrWqA9wcaBcxXs2oydac3IGMsc2Jp9dVkrb31dZWN26A2vMiqyGnEpRmEXUJnwVfzaA19oZg_EaBybM/s320/easterday+002.JPG" /></a><br />We had an amazing day. We drove down to Port Arthur and along the way stopped to look at Tasman's Arch, Devil's Kitchen, and some tesselated pavement which all have things to do with the shoreline. I wish I could record the smell here as there was ecalyptus mixed with other vegetation fragrances. Elizabeth, more than once as we drove, we saw black swans on rivers and lakes. Why didn't you ever see any? I also saw two kookaburas in the wild.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1vJ_dIDUkRQLhbq-pGa4marYq6fHSTMY6lw0qj8ELQZgjDAr0D97NtHZ5-A-Z7a868aC_CSLnACoUSK14Fo109DHWPVRvYVe5MN65g3n2Lk9OAYs0leGkOFht9fDNJvxFtrrPjYouKs/s1600/easterday+029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456195324456360946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1vJ_dIDUkRQLhbq-pGa4marYq6fHSTMY6lw0qj8ELQZgjDAr0D97NtHZ5-A-Z7a868aC_CSLnACoUSK14Fo109DHWPVRvYVe5MN65g3n2Lk9OAYs0leGkOFht9fDNJvxFtrrPjYouKs/s320/easterday+029.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Michelle Irwin, thanks so much for recommending Port Arthur. We had a marvelous time there and didn't miss much of what there was to see. We couldn't stay for a ghost tour; that was our only regret. It was Easter Sunday so we were worried that both the roads and Port Arthur would be crazy busy, but they weren't. We even came back through Hobart, just to take a different route back.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41aGsUMpP2vu7olFZKcc03c6zN4s3WYpid0ZFAIMFH1DLm-sM9os7ksCfNUdurxxVdJBsLVdkSsVi9SO19bR9VdYISpwRj0jgJpjHFlJz9Z6gglnbCPvz5Q7txgtQM-9CDWzCqZ6ilu0/s1600/easterday+045.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456194871517882770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41aGsUMpP2vu7olFZKcc03c6zN4s3WYpid0ZFAIMFH1DLm-sM9os7ksCfNUdurxxVdJBsLVdkSsVi9SO19bR9VdYISpwRj0jgJpjHFlJz9Z6gglnbCPvz5Q7txgtQM-9CDWzCqZ6ilu0/s320/easterday+045.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWfA3NApK1vWkzs_qJ3EEYrZwxWUpCMVNsRVW4Ab2Djvs1VjZ2J4VGpqJ7u7sQpFhPhMsjj_ccyj9q8C5nglSk1ibIkeMJb0TUGJ70kTX8r0Ez3Ev2GYqV44_xmRMsZRfMvzr8o2a2B4/s1600/easterday+058.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456194493852638274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWfA3NApK1vWkzs_qJ3EEYrZwxWUpCMVNsRVW4Ab2Djvs1VjZ2J4VGpqJ7u7sQpFhPhMsjj_ccyj9q8C5nglSk1ibIkeMJb0TUGJ70kTX8r0Ez3Ev2GYqV44_xmRMsZRfMvzr8o2a2B4/s320/easterday+058.JPG" /></a> </div><div>I tried to stick my head right up to this hydrengia just to show how big the bloom was; it was way bigger than my head - and I have a big head!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj5lhxgOD38m3ElMMM49pDnPMh4nr08_r01jmZ2V6hxcnjP_DROm-TfBuugL7W6SCVCgRLytK_fhjTCpZrB1dSjWJWHkUT2gp7DwbOMXoHzHZI7Htf9evaNQBV9vd5WIJ9g3kLU4u8QI/s1600/easterday+100.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456193980713827378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj5lhxgOD38m3ElMMM49pDnPMh4nr08_r01jmZ2V6hxcnjP_DROm-TfBuugL7W6SCVCgRLytK_fhjTCpZrB1dSjWJWHkUT2gp7DwbOMXoHzHZI7Htf9evaNQBV9vd5WIJ9g3kLU4u8QI/s320/easterday+100.JPG" /></a><br />We didn't see a tasmanian devil, but we sure did like these evil-looking signs. Would you really want to swerve to avoid a creature that looks like this?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUD2HtpMAdg4WuTk9mWXNnBflOG-ZBxshx_IFhyZMqPe9Szx7a-e_OEin-Fc5s8Hq-TPADL2ehSXWpL5uN28leGZJ7hcAMM-1FpnGr-IhFitrEZNU_jd_x_lRR0cYf1hVxjYyAKQX-ZU/s1600/easterday+117.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456193597736408530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUD2HtpMAdg4WuTk9mWXNnBflOG-ZBxshx_IFhyZMqPe9Szx7a-e_OEin-Fc5s8Hq-TPADL2ehSXWpL5uN28leGZJ7hcAMM-1FpnGr-IhFitrEZNU_jd_x_lRR0cYf1hVxjYyAKQX-ZU/s320/easterday+117.JPG" /></a><br />Those of you back home who are familiar with the regular TimTams, look what we discovered! Need I say "delicious!"</div><div> </div><div>And, also, those of you back home, we are wanting Weyburn news. Email us, Facebook me, or leave comments here. <br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-56592283904085863262010-04-03T00:28:00.000-07:002010-08-22T18:47:43.344-07:00Wynyard , Tasmania and Other Good Stuff<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtmxXfsMM8PYR48NyvEtQh21pg9mwqyF2r6mFh11ZQNtkf5VSb_xdHym24K6Zm_of-Zj4Pp6rwI65yb8ISSeF55TJYiiEnplVcxjbmuRA5bXOQall-TNyEYmnQPyMiF3AgUkQhTXtEUo/s1600/satapr3+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455835118546628514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtmxXfsMM8PYR48NyvEtQh21pg9mwqyF2r6mFh11ZQNtkf5VSb_xdHym24K6Zm_of-Zj4Pp6rwI65yb8ISSeF55TJYiiEnplVcxjbmuRA5bXOQall-TNyEYmnQPyMiF3AgUkQhTXtEUo/s320/satapr3+024.JPG" /></a> ****Edited to add platypus photo ****<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmBBr-qyR6Lx9RlayMlcbIlK6-A3kC1YrJ5v7naZnCyzAVsIOKv930e24OrkklLMSMTbmQaNMx9ieZ8wQ4KxqD2nQF2jk4fa-Zu3gaa_bwhxd6KArH_8SpLwimj-DS4g8GZRBU3T48JA/s1600/satapr3+030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455810949052663666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmBBr-qyR6Lx9RlayMlcbIlK6-A3kC1YrJ5v7naZnCyzAVsIOKv930e24OrkklLMSMTbmQaNMx9ieZ8wQ4KxqD2nQF2jk4fa-Zu3gaa_bwhxd6KArH_8SpLwimj-DS4g8GZRBU3T48JA/s320/satapr3+030.JPG" /></a><br />Elizabeth told us that Tasmania is for old people! If so, we are glad we are old people! It's a beautiful place. Elizabeth, our friends Chris and Gayle in Brisbane want you to know they honeymooned in Tasmania and Ross wants you to know that he and Michael vacationed in Tasmania. None were old at the time; nor, for that matter, are they old now.<br /><br />We drove through sensational scenery to get from Launceston to Wynyard. There are many small farms as agribusiness doesn't seem to have a hold ... lots of sheep, cattle, and horses and many of them in fields divided with hedgerows rather than fences. There are many, many wineries and they look so strange as all the grapes have netting over them. We were told over and over again that it has been a dry year and that the landscape is not as green as it usually is. Some trees were changing color, but we yokels didn't dare ask if that was because it was fall or if that was because it was drier than usual.<br /><br />The land is very hilly; even Launceston is hilly and it was fun driving the streets looking at charming Victorian homes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIgOMRHKQSuU-3kY7NaXLuBcE7ps-sfxHqMdg6IuUgwoSBY9Anwo0IBftiBMYiSB1m13cz3OXLPxfNoMDUia05VxCfHtCR5z5wIn7SJpI4HZa9O2-rKD4XF8ntsPGAvhtP8COPblN0QY/s1600/satapr3+028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455810599619869634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIgOMRHKQSuU-3kY7NaXLuBcE7ps-sfxHqMdg6IuUgwoSBY9Anwo0IBftiBMYiSB1m13cz3OXLPxfNoMDUia05VxCfHtCR5z5wIn7SJpI4HZa9O2-rKD4XF8ntsPGAvhtP8COPblN0QY/s320/satapr3+028.JPG" /></a><br />We visited a couple of tourist sights that were side by side. One was a platypus and echidna information center. I have to double check how clear my photos of the platypus (platypi? platypuses?) are before I post them here, but this is one of an echidna. Platypus are smaller than I imagined and echidna are bigger. The echidna were in a room where they - and we- could roam freely. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The tourist sight next door to it was called "Seahorse World." It was interesting too; it was called "an education and interactive attraction," which it was, but its main purpose seemed to be to raise seahorses to sell to petshops.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjSyW4ZTAi8s9KFD-qUdn1mZbXuqXhIdBVfIvCsppULOY523KDot8bK69qzf2_MjCuqUW8YkxdqAik-_2o6oFOxaCEKkUNxMIC7ptLs8zOx64fH5qHrMNihHBVydfesb9G-fkAzyJW-I/s1600/satapr3+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455810279193911970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjSyW4ZTAi8s9KFD-qUdn1mZbXuqXhIdBVfIvCsppULOY523KDot8bK69qzf2_MjCuqUW8YkxdqAik-_2o6oFOxaCEKkUNxMIC7ptLs8zOx64fH5qHrMNihHBVydfesb9G-fkAzyJW-I/s320/satapr3+003.JPG" /></a> Some of you know that one of my "bucket list" items was to visit Wynyard, Tasmania, the only other Wynyard in the world besides my hometown. I sincerely hope that Miss Ford, my grade one, two, and three teacher, was looking down from heaven to see me achieve this goal. She was the one who taught me that there was only one other Wynyard. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Let me digress from our day for a paragraph: Miss Ford also taught us that there were only two Kandahars in the world ... the one seven miles down the road from our Wynyard and the one in Afghanistan. Our nephew John is presently in Afghanistan and he told us if we wanted to visit his Kandahar, we would have an "explosively good time"!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Back to Wynyard, Tasmania: I am enamored with this town. It's a town of 5000 and its only chain store is a Woolworth's grocery store - or, that is so according to the very friendly owner of the toy store there. We loved walking the main street and seeing all these shops with names we didn't know. I loved the window display of the butcher shop. I took a photo of some of the houses listed in the real estate agent's window. That's so Jocelyn and Marty can consider this Wynyard as a retirement locale. They could afford a house here. The town is on the water, but there isn't beach. The land leading to the water is glacial, sedimentary rock. Nonetheless, the views are breathtaking.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>For those of you who had been wondering if I was going to add to my button collection in Australia, the answer is "yes." I went into a secondhand shop in Wynyard and bought a packet of them.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Saskatchewan people be in for a shock! Bob and I have to change our time back an hour tomorrow for this totally weird thing called daylight savings time! Since it is fall, Tasmania is actually going off daylight savings which they had all summer. For those not from Saskatchewan, I have to tell you that Saskatchewan is one of the places in the world that <strong>refuses</strong> to switch time. Don't ever talk to a Saskatchewanian about this; it's a touchy subject.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy, happy Easter, everyone!<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-65467023709023852872010-04-01T22:27:00.000-07:002010-04-01T22:30:02.346-07:00For Elizabeth ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWdOi6e5Wlefw3_U3dNOdKZ6FOMAhNqvW8zsKqXBiu1DADC2GMLR6zEs_wJUxcsIf30_zHJOw-q86GUEc0f_Ll2dlMNJtEXIZokYNxwGvv-PGfDJDFa2oWv1XELOuvfu2Q3KSx7OAFtw/s1600/freddo+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455407971492555938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWdOi6e5Wlefw3_U3dNOdKZ6FOMAhNqvW8zsKqXBiu1DADC2GMLR6zEs_wJUxcsIf30_zHJOw-q86GUEc0f_Ll2dlMNJtEXIZokYNxwGvv-PGfDJDFa2oWv1XELOuvfu2Q3KSx7OAFtw/s320/freddo+001.JPG" /></a> There was one Freddo left in Australia and I ate it!<br /><div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-7612086359797863442010-04-01T17:46:00.001-07:002010-04-01T17:59:59.865-07:00Went to School This Morning!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotrv1oeDGcp5OaOQlDBEMdewpVSEWHOgqCRfzmTkErJeDdpFByNBLqEY9M8EaE_SBIHUaFt3RpyjoEAIWCS-q8t4mD554W8-DhFRbX14G9JinP6mPDd_onDZpKyyD_BIVn85eHLdsav4/s1600/goodfri+015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455336223255883634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotrv1oeDGcp5OaOQlDBEMdewpVSEWHOgqCRfzmTkErJeDdpFByNBLqEY9M8EaE_SBIHUaFt3RpyjoEAIWCS-q8t4mD554W8-DhFRbX14G9JinP6mPDd_onDZpKyyD_BIVn85eHLdsav4/s320/goodfri+015.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL9uVm_jX1ndenskXYe-0vYVt7Ha462ACUgBTztCy8s_Sl-Y8qEhK5fsH5k5VCnhh_JvPIvMa9nvHgdcXpP0QpRHipwGmDJ-V9B5a81PNARTbW1D7CytjXofDT8cVuFc51YdpUdXWdDQ/s1600/goodfri+013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455335796941274946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIL9uVm_jX1ndenskXYe-0vYVt7Ha462ACUgBTztCy8s_Sl-Y8qEhK5fsH5k5VCnhh_JvPIvMa9nvHgdcXpP0QpRHipwGmDJ-V9B5a81PNARTbW1D7CytjXofDT8cVuFc51YdpUdXWdDQ/s320/goodfri+013.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIqGjFo14JixINDhnZHBkQASewnn3nj9iCeNH4WHphtVlffh_lAyhTZd8FE_4dmuNk-fBtxlYcGohPbE1DTVmeyrhZVkR4bX5F0NA_MZ20UOTMGtjxjZa0K7CIFfmReaYFPRfZ6mC-Og/s1600/goodfri+017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455335439130148674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIqGjFo14JixINDhnZHBkQASewnn3nj9iCeNH4WHphtVlffh_lAyhTZd8FE_4dmuNk-fBtxlYcGohPbE1DTVmeyrhZVkR4bX5F0NA_MZ20UOTMGtjxjZa0K7CIFfmReaYFPRfZ6mC-Og/s320/goodfri+017.JPG" /></a>All day yesterday as we were driving, I was waiting to see a really long road train. We saw ones with two or three trailers behind but I wasn't satisfied with that. I was giving up hope as we neared Alice Springs and then, all of a sudden, we saw one hauling four trailers. I was sure glad Bob didn't have to try pass it.<br /><br />Today we went up ANZAC Hill which was just behind our motel. There we met a lady who is registrar for a grade 7 - 12 boarding school. We didn't have a lot of time, but she took us over to her school for a quick look. The school has 500 students and is made up of a complex of buildings. The grounds were beautiful because of the recent rains. In fact they had to close school for a day because the creek and river rose and cut them off. It was the first time that had happened in her 20 years at the school ... sort of like our first snow day in January.<br /><br />She gave us a yearbook (Katie, EVERY page is full color!) and another booklet that traces the school's history. When we wake up in the morning, we never know what adventure we will have!Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-82516680689187512902010-04-01T03:27:00.000-07:002010-04-01T03:48:47.552-07:00A Relaxing Drive of 1200 KMSThose of you that know Bob well, know that he can drive forever. That's how we went so far today and got so much done. We went to Uluru (Ayer's Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas). A speed limit of 130 really helped us get there and back quickly. We did both Uluru and Kata Tjuta from the ground first. No matter how many pictures I have seen, they did now prepare me for the sense of awe, the wonder of size when we got up close. I am not sure I know much about the mysticism and spirituality the Aboriginal feel, but it sure filled me with amazement.<br /><br />Oh, and those that climb it must be truly insane. It was open for climbing today but we could not spot anyone on it. All the brochures ask visitors to respect the sacred place by not climbing, but it isn't forbidden yet. I believe it will become unclimbable in 2012.<br /><br />After we had visited by ground, we toured Uluru by helicopter. That was fun! We were privileged to see the ground with way more greens than usual, again because of unusual, heavy rainfalls.<br /><br />We couldn't leave AS too early today and we couldn't get back too late as our Hertz car rental would not include hitting kangaroos in the dark! We never saw one live kangaroo today and only one roadkill one. Our young helicopter pilot told us that he has seen more kangaroos in the suburbs of Melbourne than he has seen around Uluru.<br /><br />I forgot to mention yesterday that two dingoes ran across the highway in front of our vehicle. They were slinky and regal at once. Is that possible?<br /><br />For inquiring Canadian minds, gas was $1.89/liter. We won't need to pay that price again in Australia as Tasmania, Vic, and NSW will be more reasonable.<br /><br />Cuddles' fans will be happy to know that she is very content at her home-away-from home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1ckejb1MinOXJhxIQmXSbcuorBF11a8178h2TVRz8dfQrKtZKGnpaq09ME1jB_DorJ-ANEIfBPCqWUdKg1ULLRLrU0B6vMRMqXyCHW6pMK9oxkCw73veio13i_zSYldCMeoGeRI4jNs/s1600/thursapr1+050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455115092387334482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1ckejb1MinOXJhxIQmXSbcuorBF11a8178h2TVRz8dfQrKtZKGnpaq09ME1jB_DorJ-ANEIfBPCqWUdKg1ULLRLrU0B6vMRMqXyCHW6pMK9oxkCw73veio13i_zSYldCMeoGeRI4jNs/s320/thursapr1+050.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UgdyxUTCxuByKOLOkXaycrJO-x7P0a6QVmu99BAz6U8lAssvzifJyDOPYqVljTKDhna8l_0mOyRg37sMJnNJWIsD9QhMkUoPfWylqyfP9b8wtaAiJfGFsLNXBXRmx2QbZMUO6sGJVKY/s1600/wedmar31+018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455114751160711650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UgdyxUTCxuByKOLOkXaycrJO-x7P0a6QVmu99BAz6U8lAssvzifJyDOPYqVljTKDhna8l_0mOyRg37sMJnNJWIsD9QhMkUoPfWylqyfP9b8wtaAiJfGFsLNXBXRmx2QbZMUO6sGJVKY/s320/wedmar31+018.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-56003103014583206662010-03-31T04:22:00.001-07:002010-03-31T04:34:03.491-07:00Pictures Especially for Michelle Irwin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlCH7R5wMoqdiV0nBmRUPyO-8Ud82tAcjw8coiMpldMmuqE8Iq5ReRznaWoUQ-z3a7bMHkXcxHDcXeC7pRbj1aVKn0qjGB3HLX2Zcvjvi0YG3OKTJgOdtSn0ZDKlJ3MeFqpUMgVKBCYM/s1600/wedmar31+031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454759662384589362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlCH7R5wMoqdiV0nBmRUPyO-8Ud82tAcjw8coiMpldMmuqE8Iq5ReRznaWoUQ-z3a7bMHkXcxHDcXeC7pRbj1aVKn0qjGB3HLX2Zcvjvi0YG3OKTJgOdtSn0ZDKlJ3MeFqpUMgVKBCYM/s320/wedmar31+031.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFNtciA4fDchz0q7wPniKKddV4dffClGbdAitRThZuiK0DL-UCMVQvsPnH-pKrqpqNCD0DJsu7G_Z63IgHnV6cm201fg9hAmMyYKZEMjeA7mERxxVKcalcIYAbqVOo0tHohZTvD1N9KI/s1600/wedmar31+028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454757239644756434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFNtciA4fDchz0q7wPniKKddV4dffClGbdAitRThZuiK0DL-UCMVQvsPnH-pKrqpqNCD0DJsu7G_Z63IgHnV6cm201fg9hAmMyYKZEMjeA7mERxxVKcalcIYAbqVOo0tHohZTvD1N9KI/s320/wedmar31+028.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-41789799042556111482010-03-31T03:50:00.000-07:002010-05-28T12:22:55.986-07:00Bone-tired at 8:30 p.m.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVuojbsPBFH0kgKdxIGBI-26KeozvXYiKiybysez8DNGCrq22C_SxHE8bxXMnNZcvWBDR27br_J2CTdSsPMsD58J-_4adwnQjkzDgoZFXZa91C-EtRL3Mv_6MwoQy0Wo07SYcpxG_QHk/s1600/wedmar31+023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454750835302241778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVuojbsPBFH0kgKdxIGBI-26KeozvXYiKiybysez8DNGCrq22C_SxHE8bxXMnNZcvWBDR27br_J2CTdSsPMsD58J-_4adwnQjkzDgoZFXZa91C-EtRL3Mv_6MwoQy0Wo07SYcpxG_QHk/s320/wedmar31+023.JPG" /></a><br />A lovely creature at Alice Springs' Desert Park.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbRy5u_FDze8EEOMFZ_as7zOq8tq0nWlhLYdoznZOwlfAV3nvrDH-UMnSmpS_4KMYn1xZWwx_JzDBcSoq0MTvxUJH0KKRzrwK4UJsEfjg3UxrM-05nOA4eLkZ4LsvHQlTWoqM7SRIEX0/s1600/tuesmar30%232+002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454749764480213442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbRy5u_FDze8EEOMFZ_as7zOq8tq0nWlhLYdoznZOwlfAV3nvrDH-UMnSmpS_4KMYn1xZWwx_JzDBcSoq0MTvxUJH0KKRzrwK4UJsEfjg3UxrM-05nOA4eLkZ4LsvHQlTWoqM7SRIEX0/s320/tuesmar30%232+002.JPG" /></a> Bob in Brisbane's Botanical Garden.<br /><br />I am so tired this evening that I don't know how coherent I will be. We were up at 4 a.m. to get on a plane to Sydney for a transfer to Alice Springs. Now Bob and I are both adept geographers and we know that wasn't the most direct route. However, we still were in Alice Springs by noon and that gave us time to do a tour of the Desert Park. From there we went to Glen Helen Gorge. Bob's friend Michelle Irwin had worked there at one time. It's very scenic as was the 125 kilometers out there. Supposedly we were driving through desert, but so much rain had fallen that everything was green and there was an abundance of wildflowers. The road had many places marked flood area but only one still had water on the road. The water must gush down the gullies for there were stones left near and on the road from the creeks.<br /><br />I had a first sighting of my favorite bird on earth - the gallah - which made me very happy. I hope to see many more of them before we leave Australia.<br /><br />Another thing that I should mention about today that was fascinating - at least to Bob and me - is that there was no cloud during our flight from Sydney to A.S. so we could look down as much as we wanted at the red center of Australia. It was mesmerizing.<br /><br />Yesterday when Bob and I got back to Brisbane from Byron Bay, we went to the Botanical Garden. We were at a loss about what we were seeing since plants weren't labeled and there were no brochures anywhere about. It was a pretty walk nonetheless. After that we got on one of the river ferries and went to the end of the line and back.<br /><br />Tomorrow we are driving to Uluru (Ayer's Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas).<br /><br />And now I need some help:<br /><br />Does anyone know why I can't get the photos on this blog to insert where I want them. They go to the top of the entry.<br /><br />Who can tell me who got the leads in the WCS musical?<br /><br />What's the next book my book club is reading?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-3796932458947205522010-03-29T21:15:00.000-07:002010-05-29T19:00:52.765-07:00Don't Eat in Australia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmMjzx9qT5z9ngcwmYtFFDddFhPW4w5Kj9U44aK1sO9Gew4GgxHDtUCKw7YsltfpwJjXBXrMiCshzF0tluvoGDm5Gf2UCxwCmmKNBNAQVKSIE7lpe7uXhZ6OOEyQ4MVaxlptCAcMmQ2I/s1600/mon.mar29+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454282647579111202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmMjzx9qT5z9ngcwmYtFFDddFhPW4w5Kj9U44aK1sO9Gew4GgxHDtUCKw7YsltfpwJjXBXrMiCshzF0tluvoGDm5Gf2UCxwCmmKNBNAQVKSIE7lpe7uXhZ6OOEyQ4MVaxlptCAcMmQ2I/s320/mon.mar29+030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Part of the garden<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefoIAy-0xhLuX6HTvWThpO698fGODCOfjctpuJPlJK8tGXCxHYRpUeeuRVQA5l1KA-zWW3jo_VBgEIzQ-8tMA0iiNRacWM4K0xCtrVZvB34t187WeZFrbUtGgmKbyBbBsQ8tIZ46qqRE/s1600/tuesmar30+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454282157564172162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhefoIAy-0xhLuX6HTvWThpO698fGODCOfjctpuJPlJK8tGXCxHYRpUeeuRVQA5l1KA-zWW3jo_VBgEIzQ-8tMA0iiNRacWM4K0xCtrVZvB34t187WeZFrbUtGgmKbyBbBsQ8tIZ46qqRE/s320/tuesmar30+002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ross with Max<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbZbhsVDwqamOqeQIlTjDR6STXyfa6MetmG6leKS9YIZIup-QXkFuk-a1Ay8cWcmy9SAGM7TBq7aDNOX8dMmipWiMA2Y0tGR_kCT3cctu9UT0xsXf_tuniPDrbWvPIMFaspyPdV1GDDA/s1600/tuesmar30+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454280937163442066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbZbhsVDwqamOqeQIlTjDR6STXyfa6MetmG6leKS9YIZIup-QXkFuk-a1Ay8cWcmy9SAGM7TBq7aDNOX8dMmipWiMA2Y0tGR_kCT3cctu9UT0xsXf_tuniPDrbWvPIMFaspyPdV1GDDA/s320/tuesmar30+004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Michael at <em>Dish</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CSOtvzBPbbaxwCSiDZaVymqbRb-ntj0guuI4raH8BPZgiHshMJU4JCQHO4KooGRvc_ASNg9MJeAqq4iLnggEiCs5M32m390Vb6V_XBUv_5EucKBw0jwS3RSy385vkJWKJE2ttZK_QkY/s1600/tuesmar30+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454277482031906498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CSOtvzBPbbaxwCSiDZaVymqbRb-ntj0guuI4raH8BPZgiHshMJU4JCQHO4KooGRvc_ASNg9MJeAqq4iLnggEiCs5M32m390Vb6V_XBUv_5EucKBw0jwS3RSy385vkJWKJE2ttZK_QkY/s320/tuesmar30+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Outside our breakfast cafe</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>Well, really you should eat in Australia because all of the food we have eaten has been wonderful. It's just that the prices have been a shock to our system. The Canadian $ and the Australian $ are at par right now so that we English teachers, who usually let other people do the math, can figure things out. Most of the coffee has been $4/cup with no refills. Today's breakfast in a very ordinary beachside cafe came to $55 for the three of us. The cheapest thing on the menu was a bagel with ricotta cheese for $12. We may have been paying for the view though as it was sensational; and, of course, the salty sea air has medicinal benefits so that may have been factored in. In any case, Bob and I will switch to our own cooking for awhile.</div><br /><div></div><div>Now last night's meal at Ross and Michael's <em>Dish </em>Restaurant was like nothing we have ever had. It was beyond wonderful not only because of the food and drink but because we got to eat it with Ross. You all know I love Bob, but I love Ross too; we go back a long, long way. You can check out the website for Ross and Michael's restaurant at <a href="http://www.dishbyronbay.com.au/">http://www.dishbyronbay.com.au/</a> When you go to eat there, remember to say, "Brenda recommended this place."</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Rob and Elizabeth, you will not want to read on as there is shocking information contained in the next few paragraphs.</div><br /><div></div><div>First of all, I had a cocktail called a Byron Lush. Ross explained that "lush" means a drunkard, just as it does in Canada. Then Bob and I - I repeat - <strong>Bob </strong>and I - had wine with the meal. Bob was very sophisticated and he did not order milk. Of course, we both lessened our sophistication factor by letting Ross and Michael in on the fact that he does like milk with the meal!</div><br /><div></div><div>Rob and Elizabeth, you don't want to continue reading yet because there is more shocking news to come. Our first entree (which actually means appetizer and not main course here in Australia) was <strong>raw, marinated tuna. Both of us ate it</strong> and it was tasty and beautifully presented.</div><br /><div></div><div>My second appetizer (don't ask why we had two, we don't know; it was Ross's decision) ... was pan-seared scallops with carrot and cardamon puree, baby capers, pickled baby carrots and coriander. Bob's was tortellini of Fontana cheese with mushroom consomme and sour dough crout.</div><br /><div></div><div>My main course was salmon fillet mignon wrapped in pancetta with red wine pearl barley risotta and broad beans. Bob had chargrilled Wagyu strip loin with king brown mushrooms, garlic puree, truffled peas and bordelaise sauce. There was also truffle mash (as in potatoes) as a side for all three meals. I won't detail Ross's meal for you but each of these meals would make you drool.</div><br /><div></div><div>We were much too full for dessert, but I ordered coffee. Surprise! It automatically came with petit fours which were a little bit of figgy pudding (Elizabeth, think ten times better than that at the Scottish pavilion), a little cookie, a meringue, and pistachio biscotti.</div><br /><div></div><div>Now all you Weyburnites, are thinking "just like any dining experience any night in Weyburn!"</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Ross and Michael have a beautiful home with wonderful, jungly garden. Yesterday I happily roamed, taking photos of this lush vegetation we don't have at home. Today Ross mentioned an Australian python and another snake had been spotted in the yard within the last two weeks. Yikes.</div><br /><div></div><div>I would tell you all that a cute kangaroo hopped across the road in front of our car today (which is true), but I will keep that news to put in a postcard to Sela.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We'll be moving on which makes me sad. Ross and I have talked and talked, but there is still so much we could say. I haven't had time to see photos of his home before he landscaped, I haven't had a good look at his 35 years of geneology research ... we have shared topics, opinions, and laughter, but we need more time. The only solution is for him and Michael to come to Weyburn for a few weeks! See you there soon, Ross.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>What's new at home?<br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div></div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-47496049111789344762010-03-29T05:48:00.000-07:002010-05-28T12:29:46.609-07:00Byron Bay<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubxkaITnBs0erh-WmS5Be96dDcoQqKJMv_2X5qtoARX3TL_wluJPiXJ3D8m2NwQYDaxpHsK1bSJzanPY_NQw1g-YdXR1ToXXksftQ9DtaDMFy8tsh22sFcyckfOiMpnND966D39uCQwo/s1600/mon.mar29+008.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454037268732916818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubxkaITnBs0erh-WmS5Be96dDcoQqKJMv_2X5qtoARX3TL_wluJPiXJ3D8m2NwQYDaxpHsK1bSJzanPY_NQw1g-YdXR1ToXXksftQ9DtaDMFy8tsh22sFcyckfOiMpnND966D39uCQwo/s320/mon.mar29+008.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QvlKpBpVwyoFtLD3NopX7icmNaVEadF5Cz5twFPRtvsvUgCbivkWYukZwpN-z5yS5-c4HLc2Vl34-mxCUoRvR5Y5D0zmYWK2mfP79XICknQ68Mohsd9ixHHAIlq22XBzvL4SsgtSAZM/s1600/mon.mar29+034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454037034214586514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QvlKpBpVwyoFtLD3NopX7icmNaVEadF5Cz5twFPRtvsvUgCbivkWYukZwpN-z5yS5-c4HLc2Vl34-mxCUoRvR5Y5D0zmYWK2mfP79XICknQ68Mohsd9ixHHAIlq22XBzvL4SsgtSAZM/s320/mon.mar29+034.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Ross, my penpal of -gasp - 38 years picked us up in Brisbane and drove us down to his home in Byron Bay. What a fantastic tropical yard he has. I'll never be able to label my photos as I don't know the names of any of the vegetation. Certainly none of them were the poplars or Manitoba maples from back home.</div><div></div><div>We went for a long walk on the beach and I could picture where Elizabeth had done her ocean kayaking as there were kayakers out. The beach was very eroded due to the tail end of bad storm up north. </div><div></div><div>We ate at Ross and Michael's restaurant "Dish." You can all google it and be totally envious of the incredible food that Michael and his staff prepared. Yum.</div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-72630708951327307222010-03-28T14:54:00.000-07:002010-05-28T12:34:44.202-07:00Sunburned Face & Wireless Internet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhQEWjA7T-vgyXjdPUn6zaAdPrYC4mLBIXryKuaxu2IAYAWj7f17jhzsAjsxUpLokHiABYC3jOjpqQ_RtYzpcz9jmrnFtkwlAFtBS7wNmWmvriuDLoH-9mJGIpj6i1N3bG-TC8ThcLCw/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453808461503012194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhQEWjA7T-vgyXjdPUn6zaAdPrYC4mLBIXryKuaxu2IAYAWj7f17jhzsAjsxUpLokHiABYC3jOjpqQ_RtYzpcz9jmrnFtkwlAFtBS7wNmWmvriuDLoH-9mJGIpj6i1N3bG-TC8ThcLCw/s320/035.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KCYTb0mpQsVVF4Rix_TZ-QMCyXN5ct3kxijWJ6hCYIlqK7d7XaGGUwBDhohk-SMzYDjswEg1ouymvoi68f6vF7pLB8hnXh7_DKArBTOtXfUgGTaaB2YochyjSAV_VETiXWyMAaat7CE/s1600/sun.mar28+014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453807703331324098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KCYTb0mpQsVVF4Rix_TZ-QMCyXN5ct3kxijWJ6hCYIlqK7d7XaGGUwBDhohk-SMzYDjswEg1ouymvoi68f6vF7pLB8hnXh7_DKArBTOtXfUgGTaaB2YochyjSAV_VETiXWyMAaat7CE/s320/sun.mar28+014.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I put on sunblock yesterday, but it didn't last the hot, humid day so I am red-faced this morning.</div><br /><div></div><div>We figured out our Telstra wireless internet so I have coverage in 98% of Australia, I'm told. Somehow I am sure we won't be in that other 2%.</div></div>Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-47147997355229240152010-03-28T03:46:00.000-07:002010-05-28T12:36:07.308-07:00Pumpkin Pizza and Other ThingsHere are some things I learned today:<br /><br />(1) Rob and Elizabeth are right; Oporto is really good, especially so if you add avocado for $1.<br />(2) Pumpkin pizza sounds weird but tastes tasty. (Good use of English there, Brenda.)<br />(3) Walking regularly in flat Weyburn does not get you ready for walking in Brisbane.<br />(4) $5.90 to travel by river ferry all day long is a really good deal.<br />(5) $4.00 for a small cup (no refills) of plain, black coffee is a really bad deal.<br />(6) Brisbane must have grumpy people, but we have met only the friendly people.<br />(7) Brisbane must have poor, derelict districts, but we have seen only the upscale neighborhoods.<br /><br />Today was a wonderful day in Brisbane. If Rob and Crystal and Elizabeth and James agree to move here, then we are staying. This morning friends picked us up and drove us up to a lookout where we could see for miles and miles. It was also interesting to drive through the neighborhoods as we had been seeing the city from the water. Chris and Gayle also took us through a wonderful garden. Tropical plants that we grow as houseplants are eight feet tall in their natural environment.<br /><br />Gayle remembered seeing that there was a Craft Expo at the Convention Center so they dropped me there while Bob pursued other endeavors. I spent my allotment of quilt money very quickly and came away with some great ideas for next year for the Crocus Quilters.<br /><br />Tomorrow we hope to have Teestra solve our problems with wireless internet so I can post photos. If I can't, I will be a very, very sad camper.Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5253880914814455057.post-46886698740933867172010-03-27T03:52:00.000-07:002010-05-28T12:38:53.143-07:00Lost Luggage and No PhotosYou probably won't want to read this post since it doesn't have any incredibly beautiful photos of this incredibly beautiful country. Maybe tomorrow. I can't get the wireless internet working on my netbook so am typing this at an internet kiosk where my time is running down quickly.<br /><br />We left Winnipeg on the 25th on a flight that had no turbulence (my favorite kind!) However, it was running late so we had only half an hour in Calgary to get our luggage, go through American customs, and get on the plane. It didn't look like it was going to happen until a man came through the line-up of about a hundred people asking if any people were trying to make the flight to L.A. We, the Kings, said yes. Another couple, named the Royals, said yes. So the man rushed the Kings and the Royals through, the plane waited an extra 20 minutes, and we were off on another turbulent-free flight (might I repeat, my favorite kind!) Unfortunately the plane didn't wait for our luggage.<br /><br />We had eight hours to kill in L.A. so we caught a cab over to a mall in the Manhattan Beach area and then walked the three beautiful miles to the ocean. Two walks everyday in Weyburn did not get me in shape for that walk as it was up hill and down hill, up hill and down hill, ad naseum. We ate at a happening restuarant named Momma D's. Check it out when you are down that way.<br /><br />Qantas is my favorite airline and not just because it is a u-less q-word! On the twelve hour (turbulent-free!) flight we were given a midnight supper as well as breakfast. As well, they came around with water six times, offered us an apple snack, gave us a goody bag that contained toothpaste and a toothbrush (they must have known how much garlic Momma D's used). And then about two in the morning they gave us snack bags which contained a water bottle, cookies, M&Ms, a bag of mixed fruit and nuts, and lifesavers. We were pampered.<br /><br />We missed the 26th completely because of the international date line.<br /><br />Today, the 27th, we landed very early, got to our dockside hotel, and headed out in our smelly clothes to do some sight-seeing. We caught a river ferry and were lucky enough to have a young lady and her son sit with us and give us much good advice on what to do and see. She even went two stops past her stop to finish off her advice. The day was perfect with lots more walking up and down hills interspersed with ferry rides. We ran into the Royals who were also wearing smelly clothing as their luggage had taken a circuitous route too. When we got back to our hotel this evening, a man was just delivering out wayward luggage. Tomorrow we can set out clean, deodorized, and sun-blocked for another glorious Oz day. Friends are picking us up at 8:30 and taking us somewhere good - we just don't know where yet.Brenda Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640078275281263867noreply@blogger.com0