Beralapatch

R.I.P Joseph Merlino

2012-03-19T17:33:00.002+11:00

Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T08:36:00.003+11:00

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year

The Gardener

A Clean Bird

2011-11-24T11:04:00.004+11:00

A bird enjoying a refreshing bath, in the BeralaPatch garden

Berala Shopping Centre

2011-11-09T21:28:00.008+11:00

Berala Shops

The old "swimming pool" is now starting to look like a " Shopping Center" being built.

Looks like the entry ramp to the parking levels

Ramp down to the bottom parking level

Looks like the second parking level, is ready, and the floor of the actual shops, is being laid.

After a long wait, looks like that Berala will at last get a Shopping Centre.

The Gardener

Chester Hill RSL Fishing Club

2011-11-07T21:22:00.006+11:00

Sunday Fishing with the RSL

On Sunday, I went fishing with the Chester Hill RSL Fishing Club. We fished off Wollongong, in very calm seas and a nice warm day, and we also caught some fish, I caught 5 Flathead, 1 Rock cod, plus a few other fish, and we sighted two lots of whales also, so it was a very pleasant day out, on the way sack, we had some delay get out of Wollongong, due to the large number of bike riders in the streets, after they completed a ride all the way from Sydney. (They must be all very fit)
I have included a few photos of my catch.

Close up of the Flathead

The same of the rock cod

The Gardener

Cannoli Siciliani in Australia

2011-10-03T21:50:00.003+11:00

Cannoli Siciliani made by the Gardener
for BeralaPatch
With Fresh Ricotta

With Chocolate and Vanilla cream

Something to do in between jobs
in the Garden

The Gardener

BeralaPatch Flowers

2011-09-28T17:53:00.000+10:00

BeralaPatch Flowers

Pacific Sun Cruise- July 2011

2011-08-24T21:19:00.007+10:00

Pacific Sun Cruise

After a long and enjoyable cruise aboard the Pacific Sun (and calm seas all the way) we returned home on the 17th. of August, crossing Australia from West to East, on the Indian-Pacific train.

It took 3 days to travel from Perth to Sydney, it probably is one of the longest train trips available anywhere in the world, I had always wanted to take a long train trip, and now I am satisfied, that I have now done it, it was somewhat better than I had expected it to be, good food and good company, and very relaxing, the few time that I woke up during the night, was when the train stopped, to drop off some supplies/mail, at some rail sidings, and at one place, to pick up a passenger.

The cruise lasted 17 days, then we stopped over in Perth for 3 days, so that we could join the Indian-Pacific train for our return trip, boarded the ship in Sydney, traveling North, stopping in Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth and then Fremantle, the sunrise in the King Frederick Sound, was one of the highlights. We really enjoyed the Kimberley coastline. It was a nice cruise all round!

Storm approaching as we were leaving Sydney

Anzac Bridge

Overlooking Darling Harbour

Harbour Control Tower

The Gardener back in BeralaPatch

BeralPatch goes cruising

2011-07-24T20:49:00.001+10:00

Tomorrow 25th. July, start of Pacific Sun Cruise

After all the rainy weather, Berala Patch garden needs a break, so we're of to Fremantle, on the Pacific Sun, and looking forward to a smooth and uneventful voyage, and some warmer temperatures around the North Australian coastline.

Any " cheap" pearls around Broome? My wife Eileen would like to know.

GOLDEN JUBILEE

2011-07-18T21:38:00.004+10:00

FATHER GRAHAM KINGS
PARISH PRIEST
ST PETER CHANEL
BERALA

GOLDEN JUBILEE
CELEBRATION

A Very Happy Day for Father Graham and the Berala parishioners

BERALAPATCH
GARDENER

Berala Shops-Update

2011-07-10T17:44:00.005+10:00

Work has recommenced

Last week, work was recommenced, in the long awaited for Berala Shopping Centre. After many years of false starts, work has restarted on the Berala Shops, and this time we all hope that it will lead to completion!

All the water has been drained from the old "Hole in the ground", the old foundations have been cleared, and the workmen sheds have re-appeared, this time in the old car park, and some clearing work commenced, not much change to see yet,but ....its coming. We hope so.

The old car park

The old "hole in the ground" now drained

With some luck, we should see some progress in the near future! I for one hope so!

The Gardener

Sydney on a sunny winters day

2011-06-24T21:01:00.009+10:00

Sydney on a sunny winters day

Harbour Bridge from a ferry

City Skyline
Opera House

Fort Denison

Sydney Harbour looks great even in Winter

The Gardener on Sydney Harbour

Berala Shopping Centre

2011-06-07T12:29:00.003+10:00

Looks like miracles do happen.

The new sign on the site of the new Berala Shopping Centre

We are not sure WHEN, but at least we now have something to look forward to.

Thank you Woolies

The Gardener

SOLAR REBATE REMAINS @ .60 CENTS

2011-06-07T12:18:00.002+10:00

Good news for the thousands of households that have installed solar panels on their roofs, this morning, the premier on NSW announced that the " feed in tariff" rebate would remain at 60 cents per Kilowatt, for existing installations.

Politicians at least, listen to the public
SOMETIMES

Thank you Mr. Premier

The Gardener

Solar Panels and the Politicians

2011-06-01T17:11:00.003+10:00

Solar Panels and Politicians

At election time!

The politicians at election time, will say and do almost anything for the chance to serve the people. But after they are elected, they are prone to forget the promises they made, and change the law, to serve their purpose, the latest case, in NSW, less than 2 months after being elected, the new Premier announced that a new law would be put to Parliament, that would cut the solar rebate to 40 cents per KW. and it would be.

Retrospective.

Such a proposal was not ever mentioned pre-election

I hope that there are enough Members in Parliament, that will oppose ANY retrospective law.

Solar panels on our house

Honor the contract that we signed up for

The Gardener

Back Fishing after Easter

2011-05-22T20:19:00.005+10:00

Fishing is Back

After a long break, today I was able to go on the monthly fishing trip with the Dooleys Club, to Woolongong, it was a great day to be out in the open sea.
We had a sunny day, with very little wind, and only about 1/2 to 1 meter swell, and some nice fish

agreed to be caught ! I got 5, including a good size Flathead, a Morwong ( 1.4 Kg ), a snapper and a good size Mackerell, just about everyone on the boat took home some fish.

This is the Morwong, after it was cleaned.

Not too many but still rewarding

Hope that i can go on a couple more trips, before my wife and I board the Pacific Sun at the end of July, for an Around Australia Cruise, and returning home on the Indian Pacific from Perth.

I'm looking forward to the Train trip especially.

Hoping to be back on the Blog again soon

The Gardener

Mother's Day Greetings from Sydney

2011-05-07T21:55:00.003+10:00

Happy Mother's Day

2011

I wish every Mother a very HAPPY day

The Gardener

EASTER GREETINGS

2011-04-23T21:41:00.003+10:00

HAPPY EASTER

Wishing everyone a Very Happy and Holy Easter 2011

The Gardener

Fishing Club Members

2011-03-20T20:29:00.000+11:00

Fishing Club Members at the Sporting Clubs Presentation Night at Dooleys February 19th. 2011

Free Fishing TRIP

2011-03-11T20:46:00.002+11:00

Last Sunday, March 27, I went out fishing with the Chester Hill RSL Fishing Club, and we all had some success, with a variety of fish caught, I caught 25 fish, and the heavist fish, a 1.2 kg Morwong, not a large fish, but it was the heaviest one, and that gave me the next TRIP free, I'll probably use it in June, as next month, my wife and I are going on a day trip to the Mountains, with the "Bowling Club", and the first Sunday in May, will be "Mothers Day".....not a day to go FISHING !

With the State Elections coming up soon, I thought that our local Member, could have pulled some "strings" and maybe, we could have an announcement, as the starting date, for our MUCH delayed, and needed BERALA Supermarket, as it must be about four years, since the old shops were pulled down ! All we have at the moment, is a large "Hole in the ground" that fills up after heavy rain, but so far no NEWS, I believe in miracles, so I hope that one is forthcoming.

Meanwhile, lets enjoy the nice Autumn weather !

The Gardener

BeralaPatch is Back

2011-02-25T20:35:00.004+11:00

BeralaPatch is back, after a long time, without winning anything at the raffle, and not catching many fish, and not much activity on the garden side, I can say, that my wife and I have just returned from a short cruise,visiting some South Pacific Islands, including The Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Walla Island, Tonna Island and Port Vila, Mystery Island for the first time, as on previous occasions, the seas have been too rough, to go ashore, but this time we had nice weather, so the Island now is no longer a mystery, the local people were very friendly, and eager to sell some of their goods, that my wife could not go past some of the stalls, without helping the local economy!

Joe and Eileen on Mystery Island

I also had a change of luck at Raffle, last night I won a meat tray at the Chester Hill RSL (Fishing Club)get together, and this evening, I also won 2 prizes at the Dooley's Club, one Breakfast tray, and one tray of lamb cutlets, (everybodys favourite)

Last Saturday night, at the 'Dooleys Sports Clubs" presentation, I was surprised, to receive a trophy, for the "R/U for the largest fish caught", I did not even know that I was in the running for it, but it was a very nice surprise ! For the record, it was a Morwong, weighing 2.06 Kg.

I will not go fishing this coming Sunday, as there is a lot to do in the garden, as 4 or 5 days of 40 degrees plus, that we had in the BeralaPatch garden, a lot of the plants, just did not survive, so I'll have to prepare the soil, for something new.

Now that I have returned to the Blog, hope that I can return each week!
Lastly, let our thoughts and prayers be with the people of New Zealand, as they go through one of their darkest moments!

The Gardener

2011 -Dooley's Fishing Club

2011-01-29T20:09:00.004+11:00

First Fishing Trip-2011

Last Sunday, January 23, we went out for the first of the 2011 fishing trips, but as it has become only too regular, the fish were hard to find, not only for our boat, but for most of the other charter

boats also, but having said that, I was lucky enough to catch 2 good size morwong , one weighed 1.35 Kg. the other, was 1.27 Kg., and they were the best catch, so I received the $20 voucher, and another member received the $10 voucher, rather than both prizes going to the same member.
That is me with the catch...after I got home

Our total catch, was 32 fish, for 12 members, I caught 5, so I was somewhat lucky, but if we will have to find another fishing area to go to, as Wollongong has just about been fished out !

The Gardener

As the gardener, I have been busy trying to keep the birds away from the FIGS.

As I usually do,I again this year, covered the tree complitely with a net, and that kept most,if not all birds out.

This year, I also had some green zucchini, and some white zucchini,did quite well with my tomatoes,especially the "ox heart"variety, and the :grape" tomatoes, lots of cucumbers and I also grew some "baby" water melons, they really tasted nice !

The Gardener

Sad Day at BERALAPATCH

2011-01-13T20:35:00.006+11:00

SAD DAY at BERALAPATCH

Today, our much loved SOPHIRA- the Homeless Cat that first arrived at our place, about 4 or 5 years back, today went to the cats Heaven, she had been rather sick for the last week, and was having difficulty in walking, and only having an occasional drink of water, so after speaking with the veterinary doctor, it was decided to have her put down, a very hard and sad decision to make; but

in the end it was the right decision. She is now at rest next to Shana, our German Shepard dog, another of our pets, she also was a stray, and was with us for 10 years.

Watch "Sophira the Homeless Cat" on http://www.youtube.com/beralapatch

Sophira rest in peace

The Gardener

2011 New Beginning

2010-12-31T23:33:00.002+11:00

Welcome 2011

2010 is about to leave us, there is a new beginning with the New Year, 2011.

BERALAPATCH WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL ITS READERS

A HAPPY, HEALTHY, and PROSPEROUS

2011

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R

The Gardener

Eliminating all Flies

2010-11-29T17:05:00.000+11:00

Eliminate all flies in your garden with this fly trap which I purchased from Bunnings Warehouse. I'm sure they will have similar fly catching traps if you don't live in Australia or near a Bunnings warehouse. This is a site where the particular trap can be purchased from. It is an Envirosafe fly trap

Envirosafe Fly Trap

Envirosafe fly trap gets rid of flies without harmful pesticides.

Easy to use

Remove inner label from trap.
Empty contents of bait sachet into the fly trap container.
Add water to fill about one third of the container.
Swirl to mix.
Place in direct sunlight
Lasts for 2 to 3 weeks.
Top up the water regularly as it will reduce due to evaporation.
Keep the water level above the level of dead flies to kill of the maggots.
When the bottle is almost full it should be emptied and new bait solution added.
It's perfectly safe to bury the contents in the garden.

Original fly trap video

Follow up video