Amazing Australian Adventures

Weird Stuff #8 - Beachside Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:09:00 +0000

On the Beach, Sultana Point, South Australia

It's not exactly a surprise to find a random sand castle or sand sculpture while wandering along the beach. Although they're not generally as elaborate as this one!
Whipping out my surgically attached camera for a photo was the work of a moment. Tragically, getting the photo online took many WAAAAY longer than a moment as it was one of the last photos taken on my old FILM camera before it was honourably retired from active service ...

But how did the final product get so blue?

The golden early evening light had no hint of blue. And the slight chill in the air wasn't enough to turn anything blue either!! But it'd be difficult to describe the lengthening shadows in the next photo on the film as anything BUT blue!!

Sultana Point, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

In a rare whimsical moment, I wonder if it's a weird confluence of unearthly forces. If the memaid mourns for the loss of her freedom, and the camera mourns because its time has come, maybe the combined intensity of their sorrows could turn the pictures blue?

Or maybe not.

For more blues - whimsical or otherwise - why not join me in visiting Smiling Sally for Blue Monday selections from round the world?!

RED Alert #4 - Adventure Before Dementia goes WEST!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:33:00 +0000

WARNING: My RED Alert #4 guest has photos that'll make you turn GREEN! Don't believe me? Well … read on and see if I'm right!!

Diane's wonderful 'Adventure Before Dementia' blog has MANY great shots – but I was particularly interested in her RED photos from places in Western Australia (WA) and South Australia (SA) I've yet to see!

Pindan Country, Gantheaume Point, Kimberleys, Western Australia

RED: Diane, welcome and thank you for being my 4^th RED Alert ~~victim~~ visitor! I'm SO jealous of these magnificent shots – are the rocks really that red?

Diane's mates at Gantheaume Point, Kimberleys, Western Australia

Diane: The rocks and earth in this area are extremely red! It is called Pindan Country, from the local language. The red is accentuated against the pearlescent aquamarine water, but I must confess I did hit the ‘enhance’ button on my iphoto program!

RED: Haha, I know I could do with a bit of enhancement! Does ALL the west coast look this good?

Diane: Pindan Country is restricted to the south west of the Kimberly Coast. However, all the beaches that I saw near Fremantle and south to the southern tip of WA all have this beautiful coloured water.

RED: It looks amazing. Were you on a tour?

Diane: We were on a 4WD bus tour from Broome to Darwin. There were 8 of us friends from Brisbane on board with another 16 poor souls who had to put up with us senior larrikins.

RED: Haha! I'm sure they appreciated the entertainment!! Is this area as remote as it looks?

RED Rocks at Gantheaume Point, Kimberleys, Western Australia

Diane: This part of the Kimberley Coast – Gantheaume Point – sticks out into the Indian Ocean only 6 km south of Broome.

RED: HHHMMMmmm... I could be there by tomorrow afternoon … Sorry, just fantasizing!! I know the Kimberley region (northwest WA) is HUGE, but what's your best Kimberley memory?

Diane: Too hard, too hard. It took us 15 days to travel across the Kimberley only stopping one or two nights in each exciting place. It is like nothing else in Australia.

RED: So everyone keeps telling me!

Diane: Sometimes you even think you could be on another planet the rock formations are so different, especially in the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park). We flew over the Bungle Bungle Range in a helicopter and that was one of the best memories, but I also walked into them and that was like being in a magical world.

Super Pit, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

RED: I look forward to seeing it for myself! This hole in the ground looks massive – AND RED! Where is it?

Diane: The 'Super Pit' is in the town of Kalgoorlie in the middle of the desert in the middle of WA a LONG way south of the Kimberley.

RED: The distances are SO great in WA, aren't they? How big is the pit?

Diane: 3.6km (2.2m) long, 1.6km (1m) wide and 512m (1,680 ft) deep. Can you see the little trucks in the bottom of the pit?

RED: Yes, they look like insects!

Diane: They are actually huge mining trucks. It takes them 45 minutes to drive the round trip from the top to the bottom.

RED: Not a bad day at the office, huh?! What's the pit for?

Diane: Since the 1893 gold rush, gold and nickel have been mined here. The concentrated area of gold mines is known as the 'Golden Mile' – the richest square mile of earth on the planet!

RED: If only some of that would rub off …

Diane: Recently a number of the underground mines were bought and the Super Pit made.

Lookout, Coolgardie, Western Australia

RED: Another item for my 'must see' list! The view from this lookout is quite different to the Super Pit. What's at Coolgardie?

Diane: It was a gold mining town from 1892 to 1963, now it is a historical tourist town. The buildings are beautifully preserved and the museum is a must. This town reeks of gold mining history and opens ones eyes into the harsh life they lived in those days. They also make a super sandwich at the Gold Rush Motel!

RED: So, no bakery then? Only kidding! Is it as remote as it appears in your photo?

Diane: It's a few hundred km from Kalgoorlie but both sit on the edge of the Nullarbor Plain, a huge expanse of desert stretching across the southern interior of Oz. It sure is remote.

RED: Is Coolgardie the home of the Coolgardie safe?

Diane: Yes! One challenge for prospectors was how to extend the life of their perishables. So the low-tech refrigerator was invented by A.P. McCormick in the 1890’s. He used the same principle as canvas water bags, which were adapted from the way aborigines carried water in skins.

Salt Pan with water at Lake LeFroy, Western Australia

RED: Aussie ingenuity strikes again! But here you've got RED AND White! We know the white can't be snow – so what is it?

Diane: Salt! Lake Lefroy is a salt pan so we were lucky to see it with water. It is 510 m² and used by land sailors from all over the world.

RED: That'd be cool to watch! What made you choose to visit Lake Lefroy?

Diane: That’s easy, I didn’t, the company organising the 'Western Wildflower Wonderland Tour' did! That is one advantage of a tour company – they know the good places and you don’t have to do the research.

RED Road, Western Australia

RED: Do you ever get tired of seeing the endless WA REDS?

Diane: I was astounded at how much RED is in WA. The soil, rocks roads and just everywhere. It is beautiful but I wouldn’t like to clean it out of my house everyday.

RED: I SO get that – cleaning house isn't one of my strengths either!! As a contrast, let's slip into South Australia for a moment – how is SA's Lake Eyre different to WA's Lake Lefroy?

Diane: They are both salt lakes but Lake Eyre is much bigger. Its water has RED patches caused by a bacteria. It was amazing to see.

Lake Eyre from the Air! South Australia

RED: I LOVE that photo!! Are you a 'nervous flier' like me?

Diane: I used to be nervous but not as I’ve got older. Experiences I’ve had and seen from small planes over the mountains in Papua New Guinea, over the Swiss Alps and Alaskan glaciers; and in a helicopter into the Grand Canyon make me forget any fear and I just soak up the beauty of the world.

RED: Is it hard to get good aerial shots?

Lake Eyre surrounding countryside, South Australia

Diane: Extremely difficult! First you have to dive for a window seat not obstructed by the wing. Then you have to deal with reflections on the glass, which isn’t really glass and causes a discolouration. Besides all that you have the vibration shaking the camera and when you use a telephoto lens every little vibration causes blur. Bla bla bla – kick me off my soap box. All in all if you get one good shot you are lucky!

RED: Well, you did it with these great shots of Lake Eyre and the surrounding countryside! Especially in a plane like the one below – my worst nightmare!! Where did it take you?

Diane: The Lake Eyre tour included a flight over the lake then we flew north to Cowarie Station, one of Australia's biggest cattle stations – as big as a small country. It's in central Oz where 3 deserts – Simpson, Tirari and Sturt – meet.

Cowarie Station, South Australia

RED: Could you live in a place like this?

Diane: NO! NO! NO! I would not like to live there, but I sure do admire those who do; like the station owner and the ranger, both women.

RED: They must think us 'fair weather' tourists are such big girls! This sky is magnificent. Is it a sunset or sunrise?

Diane: This sunset was taken from my neighbour’s deck in Daisy Hill, Logan City, QLD. We get these skies mainly in September/Spring.

Brisbane Sunset

RED: So you made it safely back home then! You’ve travelled extensively in Australia and overseas. What’s the best thing about travel in Australia?

Diane: I know the language and money! But most of all the countryside is so unique.

RED: Do you have a favourite destination?

Diane: The Kimberley!

RED: What's good about travel overseas?

Diane: Experiencing different cultures and landscapes and the ancient history of other countries compared to our young country.

RED: And a favourite overseas destination?

Diane: The River cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest.

RED: Do other countries you’ve visited have as much RED as Australia?

Diane: I have never seen RED anywhere like in Australia ... but I haven’t travelled in Africa yet.

RED: Looks like there's plenty there if RED Alert #1 is anything to go by!! Is blogging a big part of your life?

Diane: I have been blogging for several years. I like reading travel blogs, photoblogs and humorous blogs. I also like Journal type blogs and life stories and I sometimes get travel ideas from other blogs.

RED: What's your biggest blogging turnoff?

Diane: I’m not very interested in Political or religious blogs or blogs with loads and loads of writing and no photos.

RED: Note to self – cut down on the writing and hope Diane hasn't noticed … Do you have any final RED words of wisdom for my readers?

Diane: Thank you so much for having me as a guest on RED Alert and, by the way we have two RED cars!

Thank you Diane!

So was I right? Are you GREEN?? Don't forget to go visit Diane over at Adventure Before Dementia to see where else she's been! AND ... watch out for the FAAAABULOUS Scenic Public Toilet pic Diane sent me - SO great, it deserves its own post!

Got some RED pictures from your corner of the world? Then YOU could be my next RED Alert guest! Email me through my profile and we'll talk! It's painless – just ask my RED Alert guests:

Finished this post and wanting MORE RED? Well ... just head on over to Ruby Tuesday 2 and get your fill ...

Only in OZ #20 - Steel Wings, Jerilderie, New South Wales

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:04:00 +0000

Steel Wings, Jerilderie, New South Wales

After the thrill of finding a bread tin tribute to Aussie bushranger Ned Kelly at the bakery, downtown Jerilderie could hold nothing further for Aussie explorers like us. Could it?

Unique to Australia, and largest known working model!

But according to the Jerilderie official visitor's guide, as well as the Ned Kelly connection, this small New South Wales Southern Riverina town is also on Billabong Creek – longest in Australia** – and its Riverina plains are recognised as the best merino country in the world. World first 'Lone Pine' Poll Shorthorn stud originated in the area – also a significant Australian agricultural region.

But walking through Luke Park on the banks of Billabong Creek, I looked up through the flashing silver blades of the giant 'Steel Wings' as they smoothly clacked through the blue sky above – and was immediately in windmill heaven!

HHHMMMmmm... is there a word for 'windmill fetishist'?

Originally built in the early 1900's for nearby Goolgumbula station, this monster windmill – 17 metres (56 ft) high with a fan 9 metres (30ft) in diameter – was one of only six produced by the Steel Wings company in Sydney. Now the larger of the only two* known working models in the world, they're unique because, according to Wikipedia, 'the fan is contained and spins within a fully pivoting frame'. So now you know ...

Steel Wings in Luke Park with Jerilderie lake and Billabong Creek in the background

Relocated to Luke Park in 1979 and restored to working condition 10 years later, Steel Wings is tethered to prevent damage, and pumps 9 litres (2.4 gallons) per revolution. Its distinctive shape and size gives visitors another reason to stop in Jerilderie. Other than Bread tin Ned, and other Kelly gang memorabilia that is!

Skywatch at Jerilderie! The SKY and Steel Wings - a winning combination!

Regular readers will already be aware of my penchant for the ubiquitous windmill – but especially with the waters of Australia's longest creek in the background, this one is the best yet!

Don't you agree??!!

Want more information?

Watching the sky through Steel Wings giant blades is a fantasy come true – for me, at least! YOUR Skywatch fantasy may come true by visiting other participants in this week's Skywatch!!

Go on! Give it a go - click HERE!!

*the other is in Taroom, Queensland

** Edit 25/02/12 A number of comments question my statement that Jerilderie's Billabong Creek is longest in Australia. As stated above, the information in the paragraph comes fromthe 'Official Visitors' Guide Jerilderie' pamphlet produced by the Jerilderie Shire Council. They couldn't possibly be wrong, could they?? Now, after some internet research, I'm not sure! Here's what I found - make up your own mind!

Information about the Billabong Creek Salt Inception Scheme on the NSW Department of Primary Industries website claims it to be the longest creek in the WORLD!! It then reports the creek to be ~320 km long
Wikipedia's Billabong Creek entry doesn't give its length, but cites the above article to support its claim as the longest creek in New South Wales!
A map of the creek can be found HERE - although the length is not mentioned, the scale is consistent with the above claim (the dark section on the map shows only the mapped part of the creek). But are there any creeks longer than Billabong, yet shorter than Coopers? My search didn't go that far ...
Wikipedia's Cooper Creek entry gives its length as 1300 km, significantly longer than Billabong Creek! But is Cooper's Creek really a creek? In name, the only place in the world where two rivers merge to form a creek, the entry indicates that the creek is sometimes known as the Barcoo River and is part of that river system.
Cooper's Creek is found in a list of Australian rivers. But then, so is Billabong Creek ... the definitions of 'creek' are many and varied (see HERE for a general google search) - so provide limited clarity, although there are some that arguably place Cooper's Creek into the 'river' category.

SO ... I'll leave you to make up your own mind! I'm happy to accept that Cooper's Creek is the longest in Australia and that Billabong Creek is likely the longest in NSW - but I won't be betting on that anytime soon!!!

Australia's Scenic Public Toilets #22 – Perry Sandhills, Wentworth, New South Wales

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:47:00 +0000

Amenities Block, Perry Sandhills, Wentworth New South Wales

If time travel and/or tele-transportation leave you stranded at the Perry Sandhills amenities block, you'd use your deductive powers to interpret the clues around you. Blue sky, tall sand hills and arid-land vegetation - that'd be the desert, right? RIGHT?? Or somewhere in the Outback at the very least!

Sandhills, Perry Sandhills via Wentworth, New South Wales

After all, dunes don't normally feature in an area where, say, a confluence of two rivers forming a massive river system is found, do they? DO THEY??

Actually yes. Just out of Wentworth, where the Murray and Darling rivers merge, the Perry Sandhills are a geographic anomaly. Thought to have developed by wind erosion in the wake of the last Ice Age, they're a geological and historical (but happily not literal) mine field!

We're not in the desert, are we? Perry Sandhills, Wentworth, New South Wales

Take that teletransportation back to the distant past and roam amongst (or maybe run from!) the now extinct megafauna – kangaroos, lions, emus, wombats and goannas – that once wandered the dunes. Time travel device not working? No problem!! Head for the Wentworth Pioneer Museum instead to see replicas based on the skeletons found in the sandhills.

Head towards the present from the megafauna era and you'll find Aboriginal tribes camping and hunting in the area. Wind and shifting sands are still uncovering evidence of their presence in the sandhills – who knows what a present day visitor may discover after a storm?

Still life with Pilchard (1990's), Perry Sandhills via Wentworth, New South Wales

Fast forward to World War II and DUCK! The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) used Perry Sandhills for target practice – so the 400 acres covered by the dunes was off limits to civilians for good reason.

In the more recent past – about 18 years ago – you might have been lucky enough to spot the rare Pilchard amongst the dunes as I did ...

But move to the present, and the Pilchard has made another appearance! You'll also find the Perry Sandhills far more sedate than their turbulent past would suggest.

According to the Wentworth Heritage Drive trail notes, they're used as a site for film and TV productions and local drama and music presentations as well as family outings – with abandoned 'sleds' made of cardboard and sheets of iron at the foot of the dunes a dead give-away to another popular recreation pursuit!

Back at the Perry Sandhills conveniences the ground water indicates that we're not really in desert country. Who says dunes are just for deserts anyway?

Water at the amenities block, Perry Sandhills

Want more information?

Only in OZ #19 - Moon Rock-Throwing World Championships, Richmond, Queensland

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:28:00 +0000

Moon Rocks in Main Street, Richmond, Queensland

I've yet to meet a Calcareous Concretion I didn't like.

Although there's some confusion about exactly where that magical Moon Rock meeting is likely to be. My first sighting in Outback Queensland's Richmond was supposed to be 'unique to the Richmond Shire' according to the town guide.

BUT … I'd clocked up several hundred Moon Rock sightings before heading a few hundred kilometres south-west, where a data sheet from Boulia's Stone House Museum outlines the geological forces that formed – yes, you guessed it – the BOULIA Calcareous Concretions!

Moon Rock detail

Richmond's dubious claims of Moon Rock uniqueness are weakened further by calcareous concretion presence in the Gogo formation of the Kimberley, Western Australia. Happily, my razor-sharp mind immediately resolved this discrepancy!

Calcareous Concretions are a feature of the Toolebuc formation, left when Australia's vast inland sea dried up after covering much of what is now Outback Queensland – including both Richmond and Boulia!! QED ...

Fred Tritton Lake, Richmond, Queensland

Of course the most common form of calcareous concretion is the pearl – I therefore stand by my opening sentence – but other than formation method, the pearl and the Moon Rock are completely dissimilar ...

However, although Moon Rocks can be seen in Boulia and the Kimberley, the fossil fossicking grounds of the Richmond shire, where FOSSILHUNTER once roamed (and shall roam again!), is their heartland.

Ranging in size from tiny to immoveable, you can't throw a fossil-bearing rock without hitting some evidence of Richmond's widespread exploitation of the Moon Rock's decorative qualities.

Commemorative Cairn Plaque

The commemorative cairn, a grim or happy reminder (depending on your politics and point of view) of ex-Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen who opened the Flinders Highway that bisects the town, is made of various smaller sized Moon Rocks.

But there's no evidence that they in any way resemble the pumpkin scones made famous by Sir Joh's wife, Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen ...*

A scattering of larger Moon Rocks lurk in the gardens below the Lakeview Caravan Park around the wonderful Fred Tritton Lake (above), a feature of Richmond's ingenuity and an understandably popular local gathering spot.

Moon Rocks Cambridge Crossing, Stawell River via Richmond, Queensland

But if you want to see Moon Rocks in their natural habitat, drive out to Cambridge Crossing on the Stawell River, 40 km from Richmond.

The riverbed, mostly dry on our June, 2011 visit gave no clue to the forces that pushed these Moon Rocks up against the crossing bed when the river flowed.

Inside a Moon Rock ...

Luckily, the temptation to crack open a Moon Rock's hard casing and cut through the limestone layer to discover the fossil or crytal that formed its nuclei was thwarted by the absence of a rock pick. Well, actually a jackhammer …

So here's one someone prepared earlier!

A pile of Moon Rocks cleared from the riverbed and crossing didn't look THAT big – until I stood next to them!

And remember I'm not a small person … although I'm still wondering how Pilchard's photo of me and the Moon Rocks (below) was mysteriously photo-shopped to make me look fat ...

While I salivate at the memory of top notch Bakery goods from the mysteriously named Moon Rock café at world class dinosaur fossil museum Kronosaurus Korner … they've really got nothing to do with the rest of this post Just put it down to Moon Rocks in my head ...

Red ROCKS Moon Rocks ...

Richmond residents clearly come by THEIR Moon-Rocks-on-the-brain obsession honestly because it's here, during the biennial Richmond Fossil Festival that the World Champion Moon Rock-throwing competition is held!

SO … if you've got the $AUD5.00 entry fee, and can throw a 23 kg (50 lb) Moon Rock more than 5.04 metres, you just MIGHT topple reigning World Champ David Ievers in May 2012 and grab yourself a world championship title!!

Me, I think I'll take my chances with the pearls ...

Want more information?

* Forgive me the indulgence of this gratuitous history lesson - Although Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen and his wife, Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen were Queensland's first couple 1968-87, these controversial and colourful figures were well known throughout Australia. He for his policies that allowed controversial development unsullied by such considerations as standard approval processes, and allegations of corruption; she for the fabulous pumpkin scones for which she will always be remembered despite later becoming a senator in her own right.

For an utterly serene start to your weekend, Saturday Sareeenity's fabulous collection of shots from around the world is just the thing!! Click HERE to go there ...

Weird Stuff #7 - Three Aussie Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:55:00 +0000

Under the green pole ... Uralla, New England, NSW

It's ironic that my desire for the fickle trappings of Valentine's Day stopped when my personal life stabilised after the serial connections of my youth.

Scheduled romance on a day with no personal significance to us just wasn't necessary when we already had random surprise gifts, regular mini-breaks and enough disposable income for dining out.

BUT … I'd still get pitying looks upon replying 'nothing' to the usual office what-did-you-get-for-Valentine's-Day post-VD competition. No one got that I really WASN'T secretly peeved at 'missing out' on heart shaped helium balloons, stuffed toys inviting me to be their Valentine or red satin underwear.

Or that what I already had was so valuable I'd gladly forgo a vomit-inducing card unaccountably depicting two teddy bears in the final throes of consumption or a pair of fluffy handcuffs and a tube of chocolate body paint.

Nearly 21 years later, I still don't need a Valentine's Day present. Not when we can find romance like this on the open road!

Old Stone Retaining Wall, Uralla, New England

The significance of the heart placed by an unknown stonemason, creator of this retaining wall outside an old cottage in Uralla, is unknown. But it's easy to miss and with no identifying markings he (or less likely, she) clearly wasn't looking for recognition.

I'd rather speculate than find a perfectly ordinary explanation!

Puddle, Lake Pamamaroo, Menindee Lakes

Pilchard first spotted this oddly shaped puddle, a leftover from the summer floods of 2011 at Lake Pamamaroo, part of the Menindee Lakes system Surrounded by a sea of dried and cracking mud, it's perhaps significant that despite its muddy water, the puddle reflects the surrounding landscape. Or perhaps not.

Valentine's Day Leaf

Then yesterday morning – perhaps no coincidence it was February 14^th – a gust of wind shook a random array of dead or dying leaves from the nearby gum trees and swirled them onto the front porch where we were having breakfast. This one landed at my feet.

Leaf shown actual size

Maybe there's something in this Valentine's Day business after all!!

Want more information?

Uralla, New England, New South Wales
Lake Pamamaroo, Menindee Lakes
Other Weird Stuff

7 ½ Minutes in Paradise – White Cliffs, New South Wales

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:09:00 +0000

White Cliffs Waterhole, Outback New South Wales

Think of 'Australia' and 'Paradise' in the same sentence and I'll bet you're thinking tropical. White sandy beaches, palms and and clear blue sea. Colourful fish, corals and lush rainforest. Balmy, moonlit nights and cocktails under the stars.

Welcome to White Cliffs + Kestrel!

But that splendid vision – while undeniably fabulous – is only one of many versions of utopia in this country of diverse delights. We never know where we'll find it next – so we keep our minds AND eyes wide open!!

Even so, to discover the ultimate paradise in remote Outback opal mining town White Cliffs was a surprise, even by our standards.

But to find it lasted for exactly 7 ½ minutes was completely unexpected!

In the depths of the remote New South Wales Outback, White Cliffs isn't the sort of place you stumble across by accident, unless you're lost or maybe on the run. But whoever you are, and however you arrive, there's a paradise for everyone in this small (~200 population) community's many attractions.

For a start there's the scenery. The endless blue skies over the vast moonscape of the opal mines, pocked with slag heaps and scattered with genuine Aussie dunnies. The colours and light unique to this archetypal outback landscape have inspired more than one artist and photographer! But this lasts WAAAAAAY more than 7 ½ minutes!

Fossicking Fields, White Cliffs, Outback New South Wales

50,000 'Stubbies' and counting ...

Then there's the opal. The first commercial opal field in Australia, and the only place in the world where 'White Cliffs Pineapple' opal is found, the unbelievable landscape left by thousands of abandoned mines still attracts opal hunters.

But we didn't even have to leave the excellent Opal Pioneer Caravan Park to find it – a few questions about the town's attractions and the manager was pressing bits of opal into my open and willing hands! Even our amateurish fossicking field foray was 'successful' – even though the few bits of 'colour' we found didn't amount to a hill of beans in the REAL world of opal trading!! Paradise could be a chunk of high quality black opal – but I'd want a bit more than 7 ½ minutes worth for the kind of money I'd need to get me one!

50c for an above-ground mine tour - Bargain!

But it's almost worth NOT finding your own opal when the local dealers offer world class experiences. The 50,000 stubbies* from which Joe's Opal Showroom is made house fabulous opal jewellery, gifts and artwork, for example. And (arguably) the cheapest above ground opal mine tour in the world is on offer at the Red Earth Opal Showroom and Cafe!

A fine substitute for those (all right, ME) too gutless to follow Pilchard's lead down a 45 ft shaft on a shaky iron ladder into the depths of the owner's mine …

Home on the White Cliffs Opal Fields, Outback New South Wales

And there's more unique experiences up for grabs on the self-guided White Cliffs Heritage trail tour. The interpretive signs give fascinating snippets of local history and the tour takes you through all the town's vantage points – and the colourful array of opal field dwellings. Ironically, despite being the first of its kind in Australia (and possibly the world), the innovative White Cliffs Solar Power station is no longer operational, with town power supplied from the grid.

White Cliffs Gold Course

But the golf course IS functional – and provides a unique challenge to those more accustomed to conventional courses. But enticing as these attractions are, do they comprise the ultimate paradise? No way! And even the most experienced golfer needs more than 7 ½ minutes to get round THIS course!!!

We didn't need the helpful ranger at the eco-friendly Paroo-Darling National Park Visitor's Centre to tell us we'd landed in bird watcher's heaven! The Nankeen Kestrel on the 'White Cliffs' sign at the town entrance did that! As did Orange Chat, Stubble Quail and Horsfield's Bushlark feeding in the gutters on the Tibooburra road, and Chestnut-crowned Babbler and ChirrupingWedgebill rampaging in the scrub around the fossicking pits.

Dam near White Cliffs

The early morning splendour of this water-bird filled dam and sightings of dry country nomad White-fronted Honeyeater made up for the tyre-shreddingly rugged road to massive Lake Peery – full on our June 2011 visit.

Meaning we didn't get to see the artesian mound springs on the lake bed that provide a habitat for the rare salt pipe wort (eriocaulon carsonii) when the lake is dry! Paradise, yes. Ultimate? Not quite ...

Lake Peery, Paroo-Darling National Park via White Cliffs, NSW

So what DOES the ultimate 7 ½ minute paradise look like?

Before we got to White Cliffs, the magnificent setting of our campsite at Lake Pamamaroo made up for the nearest loo being ~1 km and the nearest fresh water ~16 km down the road. And after 6 nights of severely curtailed ablutions also due to a) low temperatures; b) the absence of a shower block; and c) minimal gas and water? Well … you figure it out!! The excitement of having possibly the only Milo-swigging, bird watching, pyromaniac, fisherman partner on the continent was starting to wear off ...

Still life at White Cliffs

So as darkness fell on our first night in White Cliffs and the temperature plummeted, Pilchard and I headed for the caravan park amenities. Where for the absolute bargain price of $1, a wondrous heart-stoppingly blissful geyser of HOT water poured through the shower. For exactly 7 ½ minutes!!

That's what I'm talking about! Paradise!!

And not a palm tree in sight!

Want more information?

Where is White Cliffs?
White Cliffs general information
White Cliffs Scenic Public Toilet
White Cliffs 'Pineapple' opal
Paroo-Darling National Park and Lake Peery
White Cliffs Solar Power Station
Lake Pamamaroo, Menindee Lakes

* One stubby = one 375 ml beer bottle

AND ... even though it's cheating 'cos I've got WAAAAAAY more than one photo, I'm linking to 'Saturday Sareenity'! For a relaxed and enjoyable start to your weekend, why not click HERE to see what everyone else has posted this week?!

Signs #19 - Where's the Ocean?

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:51:00 +0000

Eromanga - How far from the sea can you get?

There's only one town in Australia furthest from the sea – in EVERY direction!

Surprisingly, to me at least, it's NOT in Central Australia! Australia's weird continental shape means the geographic centre is relatively close to the Great Australian Bight to the south, and the Gulf of Carpentaria to the north.

No, the title of furthest from the sea currently belongs Eromanga, a small Western Queensland Outback boulder opal mining town. Ironically Eromanga was once the site of a vast inland sea - a feature that's replicated every now and again when the Cooper Basin is in flood ...

But the title isn't all there is to Eromanga!!

Detail of Opal at Miner's Monument, 'Opalopolis Park', Eromanga, Queensland

Outback Fuels, Eromanga

Eromanga is also the site of the largest dinosaur fossil remains yet found in OZ, and produces the most oil of any Australian region. Combine this with 'Opalopolis Park', a beautifully maintained picnic area right next door to the excellent local museum (get the key from the pub down the road!) showing a well produced video highlighting town and regional attractions and history, and you just might be tempted to stop over in the caravan park for the night.

I'm not sure who actually triangulated the map coordinates to bestow this title on Eromanga, but I'm not about to argue. Others have - but so far no alternative site has been identified.

Nor is it likely to be without a lot more work and research. So until the title is bestowed elsewhere, I'm not going to rock the boat.

Not when I get such a thrill out of telling people I've been to Australia's furthest service station from the sea!!

Want more information?

For more weird and wonderful signs from around the world, visit this week's version of Signs, signs! You won't regret it ...

Later edit (21/02/2012)

Here's some additional information and clarification in response to some of the comments below!

1. Julie queried my claim that Eromanga was the largest oil producing region in Australia. Certainly, Barrow Island production appears to be greater, but I was convinced I'd seen a claim for Eromanga, so I returned to my source documents where I found the following:
'Eromanga is the largest oil producing area in mainland Australia ...' (from the 'Quilpie Shire "simply unique" pamphlet available from the Visitor Information Centre).

So Julie - we're kind of both right! But my bad - I left out that vital word 'mainland'!!

2. Grey Roamer gave the generally accepted position for Australia's geographic Centre as Lambert Centre. While this isn't in dispute in this post, the details may be of interest to those who, like me, want to know these things!

The Australian Government Geoscience Australia official website gives a number of interpretations for how to determine the geographic centre. Interestingly, it also gives an interpretation of how to find the furthest point from the coastline ... and it's NOT Eromanga!!! But it's not a definitive science as you'll see from the website ...

Thanx to both for your information, and apologies for any confusion caused by my post!!

All About ME! Oh ... and Giveaway #2!!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:17:00 +0000

When I started blogging nearly two years ago, I never dreamed it would bring me fortune and fame.

Just as well, because it hasn't!

BUT … there have been some unexpected benefits – other than (virtually) meeting many wonderful bloggers and readers, that is.

Several months ago, I got one of those emails. You know the type of thing – 'you've won a prize, all you need to do is join our club …' - the sort of email I'd immediately trash. Usually. But luckily I didn't in this case – because the email from Explore Australia was for real!!

I'd been nominated for their 2011 Road Tripper Hall of Fame competition and there I was on their Facebook Page as Miss May! Nice!!

Of course I never dreamed I'd win.

Just as well, because I didn't!!

BUT … I was a runner-up AND I won this FAAAABULOUS book produced by the Explore Australia people – Great Gourmet Weekends in Australia.

Of course my thoughts were with you – my wonderful readers – so I told Explore Australia I'd be using my prize as a giveaway on my blog. AND … as I'd secretly hoped, they immediately offered to donate an identical book for me to give away so I could keep my prize for myself! Sweet!!

BUT … that's not all! Part #1 of my interview on their wonderful blog appears today!! WOO HOO!!!

Feel free to go and read it now! I'll wait …

… great, you're back!!

Here's all you need to do to win this marvellous giveaway!

Leave a comment below (about anything!) by 12:00 pm, Monday 6^th Feb 2012 (OZ Eastern Daylight Saving Time); AND
Indicate that you're entering the giveaway (open to any commenter with an Australian postal address); AND
Make sure I can contact you by email you if you win! (If I can't find an email address, or I don't receive your Australian postal address within 3 days of contacting you, a new winner will be selected)

PLEASE NOTE: This wonderful giveaway is only available to entrants with an Australian postal address.

But don't let that stop you from visiting the Explore Australia Bookshop – there's a terrific array of books. SO ... even if your entry is unsuccessful, you needn't miss out!!

And don't forget! Part 2 of my interview will be on the Explore Australia Blog tomorrow!!

Good luck!!!

PS For those who aren't able to enter, I leave you with this gratuitous Outback cliché shot of – you guessed it – a windmill! Why? Because it's been ages … Enjoy!!

Visitor Information Centre Windmill, Kaniva, Western Victoria

PPS Now ... how can I nominate myself for the 2012 Road Tripper Hall of Fame competition??!!

Update 08 Feb 2012 - After all sorts of machinations involving lists of all Aussie commenters, spreadsheets, numbers, and the random.org random sequence generator , I'm pleased to announce the winner of the giveaway!!

Congratulations Andrew - hope you enjoy your book!!

Thanks to all commenters - if you missed out this time, you can still be a winner by buying yourself a little consolation prize at the Explore Australia Bookshop !!

AND ... if you missed my interviews on the Explore Australia blog, now's as good a time as any to catch up! Enjoy!!

Explore Australia Interview Part #1
Explore Australia Interview Part #2

My FavouRED OZ Things #3*!!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:31:00 +0000

It's amazing how easy – and fun – it is to compose ~~doggerel~~ a new stanza for my favourite RED Aussie things!

AND what better way to celebrate this fabulous Australia Day with some new RED OZ stuff!!

I'm a loud and proud Aussie – so of course I'm going to show off all the OZ good bits to inspire you to travel downunder to, and/or explore Australia!! My recent post 'H is for Holiday' showcased some amazing Aussie holiday spots Pilchard and I have visited over the last ~21 years. But I'm sure there are amazing spots in YOUR country too. So my REAL message is – don't put off finding the world's wondrous and fantastic places – wherever they are! Get out and explore – then show the rest of the world what you've found! Wherever you are, cheap holidays are within everyone's grasp – work out what you want to do and make it happen!!

But in the meantime, whether you're an armchair traveller, or just looking for some downunder entertainment and escapism, sit back and enjoy the Australia Day edition of My FavouRED OZ Things! For the full as-Red-Nomad-OZ-intended experience, sing the words to the tune of 'My Favourite Things'* I can't guarantee it'll sound better (it doesn't when I sing!!), but YOU'LL feel great! And that's what counts!!

Happy Australia Day!!

Autumn trees, Uralla, New South Wales

RED leaves in Autumn;

Sturts Desert Pea, South Australia

Eucalypt Flowers

RED Aussie wildflowers.

Island Lagoon, South Australian Outback

RED Outback landscapes that go on for hours;

Old Building, Bedourie, Queensland Outback

RED rusting old buildings;

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Holloways Beach, Cairns**

RED-tailed black cockatoo;

Campfire, Swanvale Jump-Up, Outback Queensland**

RED HOT gidgee coals for our camp-oven stew!

Aussie Coat of Arms - Kangaroo ...

... and Emu tracks!!

Footprints in RED sand; and

Red Rocks, Grampians, Victoria

Giant RED rock stacks.

The Plane in the Paddock - Longreach QLD**

RED OZ kangaroos; and

Race Track at 2011 Camel Races, Bedourie, Outback Queensland

Long RED camel race-tracks!

(insert picture of yourself here!)

RED Nomad OZ readers; and

Sunset at Woomera, Outback South Australia**

RED skies at night

These FavouRED OZ Things fill my heart with delight!

When in DANGER;

When the tree stings;

Back Road, Cobar, New South Wales

When the roads are bad …

I'm so lucky to have all my FavouRED OZ Things,

And all those good times I've had!

Want more information?

* Apologies, as always, to Rodgers & Hammerstein for ~~shamelessly exploiting~~ paying homage to their 'My Favourite Things' from 'The Sound of Music'

** Photos by Pilchard

Australia's Scenic Public Toilets #21 - Lake Bellfield, Grampian NP, Victoria

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:48:00 +0000

Lake Bellfield - AND Scenic Public Toilet - from Dam Wall, Grampians, Victoria

At first glance you'd think the only thing lacking in this staggering panorama is a scenic public toilet, right?

Wrong! Look again – they've thought of everything on the shores of Lake Bellfield, deep in the heart of Victoria's Grampians National Park.

Lake Bellfield from the Amenities!

Still can't see it? The red circle in the lower right hand corner highlights this convenient combination of public amenities, information shelter, lookout and picnic area.

Oh – and a car parking area for those who want to work off their lunch (or in our case, the large selection of goodies from the nearby Hall's Gap Bakery) with an interesting ~1km return walk across the dam wall.

Take the stroll if you want photos like these!!

On the bottom of Lake Bellfied, mid-2000's

For the even more energetic, arrange a pick up and walk from Halls Gap (only 5 km away), or across the range from Pomonal along the historic Tunnel Track – an amazing engineering feat!

During the recent debilitating 10 year drought, the lake – completed in 1966 by damming Fyans Creek – virtually dried up, as this ~2003/4 photo shows.

Just over a year ago, the drought broke with killer flooding rains and is now nearly at its ~78500 ML capacity. From these photos, it's hard to believe the lake is 36 metres deep!

Below the dam wall, Lake Bellfield, Grampians, Victoria

Reflected in the lake, the rugged and untamed wilderness of the Serra Range is a monument to the effects of many significant weathering events like these over countless past aeons.

And below the dam wall, the lush vegetation stretches along the valley all the way to Halls Gap.

But it's not all about the landscape and scenery here at Lake Bellfield!

Echidna at Lake Bellfield, Grampians, Victoria

You'd be VERY unlucky not to spot a kangaroo in the area, and the echidnas (echidnae??) were out in force during our October 2011 visit – this one right in the car park next to the lake.

OK, I've convinced myself! There's SO much going on here, this Aussie scenic loo is actually a destination in its own right – not just a rest stop!!

Want more information?

Lake Bellfield Amenities Block - AND view!

If 78,500+ Megalitres isn't quite enough water for you, get your fill over at Watery Wednesday!! Enjoy!

Aussie ABC - H is for Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 06:27:00 +0000

Eungella Plateau, looking towards Mackay, Queensland

'Now you've 'done' Australia, are you going overseas?' If Pilchard and I had a dollar for every time we've been asked that question, it'd pay for a round-the-world ticket! BUT … the answer would still be the same …

Uniting Church, Deniliquin, New South Wales

Don't get me wrong. I've got nothing against the concept of 'overseas' – after all, I was born, and have travelled, lived and worked out of Australia.

And we'll travel overseas again too – just as soon as we're done with exploring OZ!!

BUT … that's not about to happen any time soon. In ~21 years, Pilchard and I have seen more of Australia than many fellow Aussies.

And we look forward to many future holidays exploring the bits we HAVEN'T seen yet!!

So here's an all-new photographic retrospective of our first 21 years of Aussie holidays.

Why not sit back, make a cup of tea and drool over our not-yet-seen before – on this blog, anyway – best picks!

WARNING: these pictures of OZ will make you jealous as hell … so find the cheapest flights, then get yourself downunder to see it all first hand!! Who knows? Maybe we'll see you on the road …

Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Golden Guitar, Tamworth NSW

The top photo, taken in 1998, shows the AMAAAAAAZING view to the coast from a hang-gliding platform on the Eungella Plateau, inland from Mackay, Queensland!

The amazing architecture of the country New South Wales church at Deniliquin against the spectacular blue sky in the 2nd photo just begged for a shot! Sadly, we missed the Deniliquin 'Ute Muster' ...

And the Flinders Ranges, always a favourite, put on its best face for us in this mid-90's shot.

Our quest for new 'Big Things' means we get to see a lot of weird stuff! This big Golden Guitar is, of course, in Australia's Country Music capital, Tamworth where a world-reknowned country music festival is held each January.

We haven't seen all the 'Big Things' yet by any means. My mate Sandra has seen WAAAAY more than me - check out her 'Big Things' photo collection on her Google+ site HERE!

Bedourie Township, Outback Queensland

Mt Sonder, via Alice Springs, Central Australia, Northern Territory

Lake Tinaroo, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland

Remote western Queensland outback town, Bedourie had been cut off by floods for some months prior to our visit. Isolated, and one of the few towns we encountered with no mobile phone network coverage, it hosts the Bedourie Camel races - a fascinating experience and well worth the trip. Life in the outback isn't all dust and dehydration - the township is in a beautiful setting!

I didn't include any photos of our visits to Central Australia's more well known attractions - Uluru and Kings Canyon - because all you need to do is google ... Mt Sonder makes one of the Northern Territory's most scenic landscapes in this mid-2000's photo! One day we'll return to climb it!

Lake Tinaroo, on the Atherton Tablelands behind Cairns has been a favourite spot for many years! This view from our campsite in one of the Lake's several campgrounds was taken just before Pilchard caught a massive sleepy cod from the jetty below. He threw it back - after the photographic evidence had been recorded, of course!

Pilchard and I at Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Copperlode Dam, Cairns, Far North Queensland

Amethystine Python, Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland

South Australia's Kangaroo Island is the 3rd largest Island in Australia. Trust me - the Remarkable Rocks really ARE! And the island boasts some of the most beautiful scenery EVER!

Cairns is better known for almost anything other than this magnificent dam high up in the mountains behind. The drive through some of the most beautiful rainforest offers breathtaking views over the city!

Taken from the car window, this python at Lake Eacham had just crossed the road - and luckily, was headed away from us. It's several metres long and while I KNEW it wasn't going to attack, I couldn't suppress a shudder ...

Sunset at the Mindil Beach markets, Darwin, Northern Territory

Siding Springs Observatory, Warrumbungle Mountains, Coonabarabran, New South Wales

Silverton, Outback New South Wales

Our 2008 trip to Darwin was memorable in many ways. The relaxed tropical lifestyle is unparalleled, with almost the entire population gathering to watch the sunset at the famous Mindil Beach markets. Many bring picnic tables & chairs to dine in what must be the best outdoor setting in the land!

Siding Springs Observatory in its magnificently scenic mountain setting looks up onto some of the clearest skies in the world! Our visit to the observatory, many years ago, was followed by a trip to the fine Coonabarabran Bakery!!

Remote Silverton, near the more well known mining town of Outback New South Wales' Broken Hill, is an artists retreat. A visit to the Silverton Hotel is a foray into movie trivia, displaying photographs and memorabilia from the several well known movies shot in and around the area.

The view over the nearby Mundi Mundi Plains is an incredible insight into the Outback's simultaneous desolation and beauty.

Currumbin Creek, Gold Coast, Queensland

Millaa Millaa Falls, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland

Stock Watering point, en route to Lake Peery, via White Cliffs, New South Wales

It's hard to believe that north of beautiful Currumbin Creek (the photo faces south) is the most extensively developed area of Australia - the Gold Coast! As you can see from this early 2000's photo, the Gold Coast isn't all highrises and tourists!

Say 'waterfall' and what do you picture? I bet it's something like Millaa Millaa falls - one of the most scenic waterfalls in Australia. If not the world!!

The outback opal mining town of White Cliffs is full of surprises - including this amazing early morning scene en route to huge inland Lake Peery!

Wildflowers at Mt William, Grampians, Victoria

Lake Wyangan, Griffith, New South Wales

Daydream Island, Whitsundays, Queensland

Of all our holidays in Australia, we've most frequently been to the Grampians, Victoria. A diverse wonderland, this region is WAY too big to capture with just one photo ... so I chose a macro!

Griffith's Lake Wyangan at dusk was a marvellous moment in this hidden gem of a region!

A day trip around Shute Harbour, gateway to the Whitsundays gave us our first boom netting experience.

But when we got to Daydream Island, we could have stayed forever!!

Mt Warning, Northern New South Wales

Pilchard and I on Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

It's hard to believe I've climbed Mt Warning twice when I see it from this angle. But I'm not telling how long ago the last time was ... Mt Warning, while not Australia's easternmost spot, is the first point the sun's rays reach in the morning!

Lord Howe Island is the ultimate holiday destination. Our first aftenoon on the island - and this is where we ended up!!

Below, pyromaniac Pilchard lights up a morning fire at Poddy Creek Free Camp, west of Queensland's Winton. This scenic spot epitomises the beauty of the western Queensland Outback.

Poddy Creek Free camp, Western Queensland Outback

OK, was I right? Are you jealous as hell?? Get onto those cheapest flights right now! You won't regret it ...

For TRIPLE the fun, I've linked this post to:

Check them out for blog posts on these themes from all around the world!! Enjoy!!

RED Alert #3 - Red and REDDER in the Netherlands!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:43:00 +0000

A warm (make that RED HOT!) Aussie summer welcome to my 3^rd RED Alert guest Riet – where I'm guessing it's MUCH colder at her home in the Netherlands!

The first time I visited Riet's photoblog, her words next to a great RED photo immediately got my attention. 'Red and Redder' is also what I called my blog header photo – but Riet's version showed magnificent RED autumn trees. Another post showed fantastic RED sunsets – I just HAD to ask her to be my guest!!

RED: Riet, these trees are so RED! What kind of trees are they?

Riet: Don't know, maybe acer or cornus.

RED: They're so beautiful they don't need a name! Although maybe one of my readers will be able to tell us? I don't DARE guess, after incorrectly identifying RED Alert# 2's tulips as poppies …

RED: Where were the photos taken?

Riet: Near a little park not far from our home!

RED: You're so lucky to be within walking distance of such a beautiful scene! These autumn trees are the first ones I ever saw on your blog. Is there a lot of red in the Netherlands in autumn?

Riet: Yes, lots of red or reddish trees.

RED: How long before the red colour fades?

Riet: A few weeks.

RED: Even that's more than many parts of Australia – our native trees don't change colour in autumn. What are your favourite colours?

Riet: Red and Aqua!

RED: I can see you love colour from the great photos on your blog. How important is photography to you?

Riet: I am still a beginner in photography but I love it.

RED: I'm sure my readers won't think you're a beginner!! How long have you been blogging? Is it important to you??

Riet: I believe four years and I can't imagine going without it.

RED: It's not quite two years for me, but I feel the same! The Netherlands is so far from Australia – AND Botswana, where RED Alert #1 took us – so it seems a glorious RED sunset can be found all over the world! Where were these shots taken?

Riet: From my open windows, we live on the 12th floor so it looks on eye level.

RED: If I had a view like that, I'd sit there all day waiting for it! Do you often get sunsets like these?

Riet: Yes!

RED: Is that an electricity tower?

Riet: No those are cranes. A new old folks home is being built.

RED: Well, I'd die happy with a view like that! When I think of the Netherlands I think of windmills like this one from your blog. Can you tell us one thing that not many people know about your country?

Riet: Maybe that we don't wear wooden shoes?

RED: Really?!

Riet: And we live with 16 million people in a very small country.

RED: It's hard for me to imagine that – but while Australia is a big country, many parts are not able to be lived in. Which countries would you most like to travel to?

Riet: Canada, Norway, Denmark.

RED: Well … I guess Australia is a LOOOOONG way away!! The Netherlands is very flat, like much of Australia. Are you concerned about climate change?

Riet: Sometimes yes.

RED: We're in the middle of RED Hot summer down here, while you've got winter. Do you see anything red during winter after the autumn colours fade?

Riet: Don't think so.

RED: Yes, many photos of the Northern winter look black and white! Do you drink anything red?

Riet: I love red wine.

RED: And there you have something in common with MANY Australians! Do you have a favourite RED thing?

Riet: Yes we have a beautiful red couch

RED: Thank you for being my guest on RED Alert and I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to post your wonderful photos and interview! Do you have any final RED words for my readers?

Riet: I hope you all had a wonderful Christmastime. I love to decorate with red and that makes me happy. I hope it does the same to you.

My next RED Alert guest will take us to parts of Australia even I haven't seen! Stay tuned!!

AND … if you've got some fabulous RED photos for a future RED Alert post, let me know and YOU could be starring in RED Alert!!

Stay cool!! OR ... RED HOT!! This post links to the wonderful world of RED at Ruby Tuesday 2!! Love RED?? Then GO THERE!!!

Walk Nelly Bay to Arcadia! Magnetic Island via Townsville, Queensland

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:26:00 +0000

Horseshoe Bay from the Nelly Bay to Arcadia Track, Magnetic Island, Queensland

'What goes up must come down,' she twanged, immediately identifying a) her astonishing originality and b) her country of origin.

Magnetic Island from the mainland

Suitably dressed for a dusty, rocky climb through clinging vines, a charred mountainside and tropical humidity in a white 'resort' dress and gold sandals, this gem fell from her pinkly glossed lips and dropped like pearls of wisdom before swine. The artfully abstracted way her be-ringed hand floated through the air, its great stone winking and flashing in the hot midday sun, immediately telegraphed a recent wedding.

How much longer they'd be together was less evident. His well worn hiker kit – 'real' hiking boots with thick socks, water backpack, old T-shirt, hat and pink zinc clearly spelled out more than one significant difference between them.

Horseshoe Bay from the 1st Lookout, Magnetic Island

Several thousand kilometres into our 2011 road trip – and bailed up in Townsville with car trouble – we'd escaped to nearby Magnetic Island for a day of tropical R&R. But that's the benefit of an Australian road trip – heading off the tourist trail for new experiences is so often the most rewarding part of the journey! As it proved for us on this fabulously perfect July day – winter, Tropical North Queensland style!!

On the steepest part of the track, Pilchard and I were now feeling the effects of setting out on a 6 km hike without food or water, our towel-laden backpacks weighing us down in the tropical humidity. It was all just a simple misunderstanding! Arriving on Magnetic Island, 8 km and 20 minutes by ferry from Townsville, we planned an action-packed schedule over morning tea at the terrific Nelly Bay bakery. As you do.

Pilchard's fine pic of Fan-tailed Cuckoo

The first leg of the Nelly Bay to Arcadia hike reached a lookout from which great views were promised. A 45 minute return trip, according to the brochure – and we'd see a new (to us) part of the island before returning for lunch then still have ample time for several other Magnetic Island activities before the evening ferry.

BUT … wandering along the road from the bakery to the trail head, then winding up more steeply through the rainforest to the vantage point took longer than anticipated. Every few steps was a new bird, flower or vista to admire and/or photograph. By the time we reached the overgrown lookout, we'd already been going the best part of an hour, so it was a cinch to continue up the track in quest of a better view. We could always turn back, couldn't we??

'Spot' the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo! Magnetic Island, Queensland

Winding ever upwards, the track grade quickly moved from 'easy' to – well, that depends on your point of view! And whether or not you're a masochistic young fit person. Cue the flash of gold sandals as the honeymooners gained on us – nothing for it but to ~~stop and admire the view~~ move over and let them pass. Pausing only to ask how far to the nearest latte the bride trilled her words of 'wisdom' before disappearing behind her hiker husband with a swirl of white skirts.

Well, they WERE 20 years younger than us. At least. Probably.

But the honeymoon couple's passing heralded a wildlife bonanza as a passing flock of Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (above) distracted me from uncharitable thoughts of maintaining white frock cleanliness. And as I neatly captured them as 'black dots' as cleverly shown in this rare 'wildlife action' shot, we reached the point of no return. The food and drink of Arcadia beckoned and we reluctantly abandoned fantasies of lunching at the Nelly Bay bakery.

The Nelly Bay to Arcadia Track, Magnetic Island

A little further and the panorama over Magnetic Island's magnificent Horseshoe Bay (first picture above) stretched out in front of us through the heat haze.

Staggering.

The track headed downhill from here, but several kilometres of walking remained and I started to fantasize about bottles of cold water. Actually, make that flagons. And plunging into the sea to sluice off the dirt and sweat after flinging off my non-white (but still grubby) clothing ...

That's the only explanation I have for missing the droppings on the ground. Because if, like Pilchard, I'd seen them, I would have looked above to identify who or what was responsible. Naturally. BUT happily, wanting to ~~gloat over~~ share his find with me, Pilchard pointed out the culprit.

Bottom view of Koala, Magnetic Island

Much easier to capture that elusive 'wildlife action' shot on this little critter. I take no responsibility for the angle of this photo – take comfort that not many have looked up a wild koala's bum at THIS close range!!

Apart from a further wildlife sighting – this time 'overseas-tourist-hunting-for-the-hiking-track' – the southern descent into the suburbs of Arcadia was uneventful. Except to say if this is suburbia, bring it on!!

Oh! And also the staggering views across the strait to the mainland – and Townsville!

I didn't notice my audience until I'd come up for air – after lining up two drinks and inhaling one of the best fishburgers I've had the pleasure of from Arcadia's Butler's Pantry.

Bush Stone-curlew in natural foraging habitat

Once common as pets, Bush Stone-curlew is better known to Pilchard and I as 'Shrieking (insert expletive here)' for the astonishing cry it lets loose at unexpected moments. Usually in the middle of the night in what has become its 21^st century natural habitat, the caravan park. Right under our bed end. But I digress … this one was just foraging for snacks. Tough luck, matey. Nothing heading your way today!

And that swim was on the cards after all. A bus ride would shortly take us down to Horseshoe Bay – and to one of the most Scenic Public Toilets of our 2011 trip! But that's another story …

The mainland from the Nelly Bay to Arcadia walking trail, Magnetic Island, Queensland

As is our return to Townsville to resume our 2011 Australian road trip! Stay tuned!!

Want more information?

Our World Tuesday is a collection of FAAAAAABULOUS posts from around the world! GO THERE to see them all - but I bet this is the only one with a koala's bum in it ...

Only in OZ #18 - Big Woolbales, Hamilton, Victoria

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:23:00 +0000

The Big Woolbales, Hamilton, Victoria

Although physical evidence sometimes suggests the contrary, not every iconic object in OZ has been turned into a Big Thing!

That's just as well.
What kind of nightmares would a Big Politician evoke? And the disturbing mental image of the Big Potato – well, let's just say that was a narrow escape!!

Although a Big Politician AND a Big Potato together? Now you're talking!! But I digress …
Not every object is improved by extreme enlargement either. Cuddling up to Dadswells Bridge's grotesque Big Koala, for example, isn't quite the same as smooching its cutesy and photogenic real life counterpart.

Big Koala, Dadswells Bridge

And some Big Things are just plain silly! Like Atherton Tableland's Big Peanut – WAAAAAY bigger than a real peanut, but still only a metre or so long! Sadly (!), I have no photo, as we couldn't find it last time we looked ...

But some are just so bizarre, they work! Take Tully's Golden Gumboot, for example – it's even got its own festival now!
And I'll bet I'm not the only one to feel tiny for the first time in my life on Broken Hill's Big ParkBench.

Big Park Bench, Broken Hill

BUT … which category do Hamilton's Big Woolbales fall into??

Designed to commemorate the region's reliance on wool – it's one of the best merino growing districts in the country – the Big Woolbales contain a cafe, Shearing Museum and shearing supplies and clothing.

Golden Gumboot, Tully

Itching to capture my virgin viewing of this Hamilton icon on camera, I asked the service station attendant exactly where they were.
'Down the road and on your right, luv,' she stated, waving a hand in the general direction we were travelling. 'Can't miss 'em, they're HUGE!'

Well, guess what.
Yep – we missed them. Huge for wool-bales, yes! BUT … 5 BIG Woolbales - a similar shape and size to a pueblo-style suburban house - just didn't stand out that much amidst the Redgums that surround them. Strangely, they're not featured on the Australian Big Things website so maybe, just maybe the site compilers couldn't find them either!!

BUT ... at least I've had an experience not shared by many others ...

Past times at the Big Woolbales!

So which category do the Big Wool Bales fall in to?
You tell me!!

Want more information?

OZ Top Spot #12 - Naracoorte Caves National Park, South Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:32:00 +0000

Thylacoleo carnifex, Australia's lion!#

The dim yellow light cast a long dark shadow flickering balefully over the seeping rock as we descended deeper into the gloomy cavern. Treading carefully over the uneven rock floor, we dodged the oozing columns towering high above as we rounded the corner to leave the daylight behind.

Channelling 'Becky' to Pilchard's 'Tom Sawyer' in a weird re-enactment of Mark Twain's classic*, I half expected 'Injun Joe' to materialise from the shadows and scare us witless. But here, the menace was far more sinister ...

Victoria Cave, Naracoorte, South Australia #

Did I mention we were in a cave?

A light flickered to life and I gasped involuntarily as an ominous silhouette emerged from the semidarkness.

Thylacoleo carnifex, Australia's own lion, bizarrely amplified by the shadow of his skeleton, face frozen forever in a snarl of despair. As it would if one's prehistoric life had been cut short by falling through the roof of this subterranean system of limestone caves. At least, that's probably what happened ...

Did I mention we were on a tour??

Stalagmite, Naracoorte Caves, SA

Those who, like me, find the concept of Ice-Age Megafauna both fascinating and terrifying will likely find the Naracoorte Caves National Park – and Australian Fossil Mammal site – an intriguing glimpse into the past. And one not seen by many! Despite its World Heritage Status, this little-known National Park with Australia's most complete fossil record of Pleistocene megafauna tucked away in the wilds of South Australia is unknown to many Australians.

Did I mention that megafauna are now extinct???

But it wasn't megafauna that posed the biggest threat to our equilibrium during our April 2009 visit. Just down the road from the Wonambi Fossil Centre, the well maintained campground has all sorts of native fauna up close – including the voracious and unwelcome mosquitoes!! Plugging the gaps in our camper trailer canvas with tissues kept most of them out in the end – although happily, Pilchard's mosquito magnet qualities kept them from me anyway …

Although the nearby – and aptly named – 'Mosquito Creek' should have provided a clue when we set up camp for a few days!!

Wonambi Fossil Centre Campground, Naracoorte SA

While it's unknown why megafauna no longer roam this corner of the continent, the well preserved skeletons of over 120 vertebrate species found so far in the caves may one day provide a clue. However, while the risk of death by megafauna is now nil, the good old Aussie Wombat – smaller descendant of Diprotodon – provides a more subtle threat to the unwary. While this benign looking marsupial is unlikely to attack**, stepping in its underground burrow may result in a nasty injury!

Reflections in Victoria Fossil Cave, Naracoorte, South Australia

Far better to explore the four main caves and Wonambi Fossil Centre – all within easy walking distance of the campground. The variety of self-guided and guided tours will meet most visitor requirements. With the possible exception of the very claustrophobic …

Back in the Victoria Fossil Cave, we left Thylacoleo behind to admire a mirror-like pool and the magical stalagmite and stalactite formations. The malevolent megafauna menace had passed. Peace reigned.

Until we emerged back into daylight and to a nasty yapping little dog disturbing the peace in the carpark, and we wished that the megafauna would arise once more!

Just for a moment ...

* The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

** Although I'm the only person I know who's been bitten by a wombat!!

# Pix by Pilchard

Want more information?

Like this Shadow Shot?? Celebrate life in the half light with more AND better Shadow Shots HERE at Shadow Shot Sunday #2!!

Random Adventure #6 - Do Bureaucrats Dream of Eccentric Sheep?# Kambah, Australian Capital Territory

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:27:00 +0000

Red and friends at Kambah

Travellers heading downunder don't always consider the Australian Capital Territory's Kambah as an alternative to more well known adventure destinations such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef.

Sure, ~~overpaid bureaucrats~~ government workers and ~~fat cats~~ politicians form a disproportionately high percentage of OZ capital Canberra's ~400,000 population, with ~~champion drinkers~~ students making up much of the balance, but why should this be a barrier to adventure?

But even I didn't anticipate the high tension and thrill of meeting new challenges in what should have been a routine work conference held at the Kambah Club.

Canberra's taxi-cab system, a masterclass in how to incorporate government immigration policy into a high-demand monopoly in a one-employer town meant waiting for a cab took almost as long as the flight. It also meant no one in the cab (3x interstate conference attendees + 1x cab driver) knew how to get to the Kambah Inn. Problem?

Nah!

M finds our accomodation!

Familiarity with the intricacies of mission statements, butchers paper and political double-speak more than adequately equipped us – three monolingual conference veterans armed only with a street directory and destination address – for the challenge of successfully directing our new Australian driver through unfamiliar streets to our destination.

BUT … perhaps the nearby Kambah Inn's significantly lower tariff on the list of nearby accommodation provided to interstate attendees should have been a clue. If it was, we failed to heed it – preferring to trust the organisers rather than do a bit of extra research. But, in our defence, it shouldn't have made the list if it was dodgy. Should it?

Maybe 'accommodation' was a euphemism. Was the darkened building looming out of the carpark at the street address on our conference booking sheet REALLY where we'd booked in? It looked more like the Addams family mansion, or the Frankenstein house than a motel. Or a hotel. Or even an inn – at least not by cutesy standards involving signs preceded by 'Ye Olde …'!

The glorious Kambah Inn!

It was a pub. While a little on the skanky side, it DID offer accommodation – if the minuscule sign above the bottle shop wasn't false advertising. And although surrounded by complete darkness, a light glimmered from within. Within nanoseconds of paying, our cab screamed ecstatically into the night towards its next ~~victim~~ passenger. And we entered the Kambah Inn.

The manager's displeasure at our late arrival demonstrated a deep-seated misunderstanding of the Canberra cab situation. Or perhaps the Inn's customers usually arrived by alternative methods of transport? Like hearses or Black Marias. He led us past the walk-in freezer (freezer??) into his 'office' to 'check-in'.

M finds fun at Kambah, Australian Capital Territory

Was it an error of judgement to a) enter a darkened pub without witnesses; b) allow ourselves to be lured into its depths; or c) pay with cash?

Nah! But this WAS the kind of experience better shared with others.

SEVERAL others …

Red and Lollipop - the good sheep!!

The twin novelties of sleeping in a room without windows and sharing a bed with my friend and work colleague, M – at her suggestion once the dodgy fold out 'twin share' spare was found wanting – made a salacious little story the next morning for our boss!! AND … I'm not sure what the ~~buff~~ ~~stacked muscular~~ young man, with a towel draping his otherwise naked body was REALLY looking for when he knocked on our door asking for the ironing board – but it almost made up for the lack of windows.

ALMOST.

Later, at the conference, M and I exchanged pleasantries with a couple of local attendees, as you do. It's called networking. Or, in the real world, chatting. Take your pick.

'Where are you staying?' they enquired.

Sheep may safely graze ...

'The Kambah Inn,' we replied, wondering how many others had fallen into the 'cheapest and closest' trap. The Inn's mention seemed to kill the conversation stone dead and silence spread around us.

'Why?' one finally ventured, visibly flinching as she exchanged glances with her colleague. 'Huh,' said the other one. 'Just as well it's not Thursday night.'

'Yeah,' the other one piped up. 'They've got live music that night. It apparently goes quite late.'

Of course their reaction and revelations demanded that we record our Kambah adventure ~~as a warning~~ for posterity. And now, as keeper of the pix M and I took with the disposable camera we bought AND as blogger extraordinaire*, Kambah's place in the Aussie adventure destination** pantheon must surely now be assured.

M finds room at the inn ... where are the windows??!!

And we're still not sure why Kambah is surrounded by fake eccentric sheep – it certainly doesn't need any more surrealism – but they fit right in, don't they?!?!

What better time to recount these recollections than on that traditional day for reminiscence and reflection – New Years Eve! Thank you to all my wonderful readers, commenters, subscribers and drop-ins – it's SO nice to know my words aren't dropping into a black hole …

I'll be visiting you in return starting ASAP now that my unforeseen and unexpected personal issues are out of the way! See you then!!

*By my own definition

** Unless everything's changed in the several years since these events unfolded ...
# Apologies to Philip K. Dick

AND ... not only is it now New Year's Day - it's Scenic Sunday! Happy New Year - and check out other great Scenic Sunday posts from around the world!

Australia's Scenic Public Toilets #20 - The Best Alien Pit-Stop this side of the Galaxy! Wycliffe Well, NT

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 07:52:00 +0000

Wycliffe Well Amenties Block, Northern Territory*

What's a weary Aussie traveller to do after a few hours and a few hundred kilometres on the road? Stagger from the car – reeling from too much sitting and legs crossed since the last few sips of water – and head straight for the loo, of course! Or the nearest tree ... It's an Aussie outback traveller's rite of passage!!

Spot the Alien! Red at Wycliffe Well*

So how desperate would you be if you've just crossed the universe, and you're a gazillion light years from home??

Appropriate facilities – or intelligent life forms – aren't always easy to find in this corner of the universe, so local and intergalactic travellers will be relieved (in more ways than one) to learn that Wycliffe Well, deep in the heart of the Northern Territory, and self-styled UFO capital of OZ doesn't just cater for mere earthlings!

Wycliffe Well Mural

Alien body waste disposal technology is still a new science here on Earth, however Wycliffe Well's ground-breaking inclusive convenience block labelling is sure to minimise offence no matter how far or from where the visitor has travelled! Or to what facilities s/he/it is accustomed ...

While the simple earth technology might not meet home galaxy standards, I would defy ANY traveller to wander amongst the random statues and murals tastefully adorning the grounds and not find something to make one feel at home!

Red, Pilchard and friend ...**

With the possible exception of the Elvis campsite ...

And if that fails, there's always the Galaxy Auditorium and Restaurant …

Sceptics may scoff at tiny Wycliffe Well's high per-capita UFO sighting rate – in 2002 the Sun Herald ranked it 5th in the world for UFO activity - and the uninformed will almost certainly put it down to ~~substance abuse~~ overindulgence; but who's to say this isn't an alien home away from home??

Yes, it's a pig. Why? WHY??!!

After the wonders we experienced on our 2008 visit, I suspect extraterrestrial navigation systems throughout the universe will be busy programming in Wycliffe Well's coordinates!!

AND … maybe one day Wycliffe Well will have the first certified amenities block in OZ to meet intergalactic standards!

I guess I'll just have to hold on 'til then!!

The conveniences and the campground, Wycliffe Well

Want more information?

* Pix by Pilchard
** Pic by a random stranger

I'm Walking on Sunshine ... AND Giveaway Winner!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:11:00 +0000

I'm SOOOOOOOOO lucky!

I've been awarded the Sunshine Blog Award by TMW Hickman over at Not Just Another Mother Blogger – otherwise known as NJAMB! Why? Because – wannabees, take note – we Aussies shorten EVERYTHING!

As for the award - "The Sunshine Blog Award is [apparently] awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blogosphere". And yes, NJAMB actually means me!! In case you were wondering …

To remove all doubt, here's what she wrote!

“... I can't say enough good things about Red. Her travel blog is so full of cheerful imagery and gorgeous pictures. Plus, she is funny. I love her so much that when I am driving around, sometimes I think about stopping to take a picture so I can be like Red.”

Where was she when I needed a résumé?!?!

No matter. She's here now!! Love you too, NJAMB - everyone should have a friend like you!! Despite the clear dearth of responsible adults and suitable role models in your formative years ...

So I guess that means I'm going to accept the award – like THAT was in any doubt! But with great power comes great responsibility (sound familiar? Does 'Spiderman' ring a bell??) - and now it's payback time! Here's what I have to do!

* Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it – CHECK!
* Answer the following [odd mix of] questions below – CHECK!!
* Pass the award to 10 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs and let them know you awarded them – CHECK!!!

Red Dunes

Too easy … although the apparent simplicity of the questions below is deceptive ...

1. Favorite color? Well, duh! RED, of course!! And I've got two blog post series to prove it: My FavouRED OZ things for my RED Aussie stuff – and RED Alert for guest RED photos and interviews (new post coming real soon!)

Red & Pilchard pig out (AGAIN!) at Mungalli

2. Favorite animal? For what? Eating? Playing with?? Photographing??? Having a stuffed toy replica of???? Listening to????? Too hard … although when I really think about it, my favourite would have to be the Pilchard!!

3. Favorite number? 13. No, I'm not superstitious. The number '13' is numerologically significant in my vital statistics, which is lucky for me – even if it isn't for anyone else!
4. Favorite drink? Yes, please!
5. Facebook or Twitter? I remain a Facebook virgin … and my @RedNomadOZ tweets are clearly WAAAAAAY too dull for Lonely Planet to Retweet – hell, why are these my only two options?? I've been told I give good email …

6. Your passion? 'I love a sunburnt country, A land of sweeping plains, Of ragged mountain ranges, Of droughts and flooding rains … An opal hearted country, A wilful, lavish land! All you who have not loved her, You will not understand ...' (click HERE to read the rest of Dorothea MacKellar's classic Aussie poem 'My Country')
7. Giving or getting presents? I'm an each-way-bet kind of girl ...
8. Favorite day? So many to choose from downunder here in OZ! To prove my point, click HERE for a perfect moment; and HERE for a perfect day!! Jealous yet? You should be!

Sturts Desert Pea

9. Favorite flower? Of course it's the RED Sturt's Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa) and floral emblem of South Australia! Thanx, sis for the pic!!
Now for the hard part - choosing ONLY 10 fabulous bloggers who have inspired the blogosphere with their creativity and positivity (if that's really a word). If your blog isn't below, please don't take it personally, or think that I don't appreciate your contribution – this time, I've selected bloggers that I haven't awarded before!
Here they are (in blog name reverse alphabetical order, just in case you're feeling competitive ...).

Awardees – if you wish to do more than bask in the glow of your very own Sunshine award, feel free to pass it on! You certainly don't have to … consider this a small down payment for the priceless enjoyment I've had from you!!

TriGirl at Tri-Ing to be Athletic
A visit to TriGirl's hilarious take on training for triathlons will make those of you who know me wonder what we have in common!! But … while our lives are very different, our sense of humour is the same, which is why I laugh myself silly over her hilarious cartoons!

Dina at That Weird American Who's Obsessed With Australia
Dina's fascinating and incisive take on OZ often gives me pause. Just goes to show that you don't have to live in a country to show its citizens a thing or two …

FruitCake at scuze i
FruitCake's well written and researched opinions on just about anything are required reading – if you care about topical issues and you're not afraid to laugh until you pee!

Saucy Kod at Saucy Kodz Blog
What fun it always is to pay a visit to Saucy Kod and Puppy Jack (PJ)! Seeing Canada – and life – through their eyes makes every virtual trip worthwhile ...

Diane at On the Alberta/Montana Border
Diane is a born raconteur … and if, like me, you sometimes want to lose yourself in another time and place, then pay her a visit!

Jane and Lance Hattatt at HATTATT
It's quite possible that I have nothing in common with this refined couple whose elegant prose describes a way of life so far removed from my own downunder here in OZ! But that's what's so great about the world wide web, right?

Rubye Jack at Blue Skies, Sunny Days
If you're looking for beautifully written fine storytelling, thought Iprovoking posts and a wry sense of humour (and who ISN'T?!?!) then Rubye's is the place to be!

Windsmoke at Bizarre Scribble
Windsmoke's jokes were the initial drawcard. But I keep coming back for the wonderful images in his haiku – and more recently, the hilarious anagrams!!

Alessandra at Alessandra Zecchini
Recipes, photography, travel … it's all happening across the ditch (aka in New Zealand) where this feisty Italian cooks, produces recipe books, tours and makes me salivate on a regular basis!

Sallie at A Full Time Life
A traveller like me, Sallie's stories and photos almost make me want to head to where she's been just to check it out! I'll probably go once I'm done touring OZ!!

Diane at Adventures before Dementia
Diane's already shown me places in OZ I can't wait to see! So of COURSE her blog is required reading! Oh! And she does a fine line in reminiscence as well ...

Enjoy!!

Oh! Nearly forgot!!

Yes, the Journey Jottings Product Pack has been won! My very first giveaway – a FAAAABULOUS Aussie Product Pack donated by Linda of Journey Jottings fame – closed last night (OZ time).

Thank you to all those who entered – I loved your entries so much it was VEEEERRY difficult to pick a winner! If ONLY I'd made it easier for myself by letting random.org do the selections …

BUT … the winning entry not only made me laugh the most, but the entrants are also CLEARLY in need of a map!!

SO ….

The winner is ….

Wait for it …

Yes, this is getting annoying, right?!?!?!

So without further ado …

Jane and Lance Hattatt with 'We know that Australia is DOWN UNDER but where EXACTLY?!!!'
Congratulations Jane and Lance – please email me your postal address so I can send you your prize! Click on the 'email' link in my profile to send me your message!

For those who were unsuccessful (and anyone else who's jealous as hell of this marvellous prize), all is not lost! Why not head back over to Journey Jottings and have another look at Linda's fine products? I'm sure you'll find something you can console yourselves with …

AND ... Linda has a special deal going for the unsuccessful entrants! In her words ...

"As the WINNER has now been announced, I'd like to offer all the runners-up a 2 for 1 consolation deal! Go to our website and purchase any product(s) and we'll send you not one but two of whatever you select :) Add in the notes "CODE RED" so we know to send 2 for 1. If you select a magnet or puzzle postcard and would like 2 different regions, enter the 2nd region in the notes too - Or, to play super safe email us to confirm your 2nd selection - Thanks Red for augmenting and judging your first fun #giveaway! All the best for the festive season :) Linda"

Until next time ... I'll leave you with a flashback to that fabulous 'feel good' classic - 'I'm Walking on Sunshine' by Katrina and the Waves!!

Giveaway #1 - Journey Jottings Product Pack!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:07:00 +0000

MY Journey Jottings Australia Map Journal & travel paraphernalia ...

It was love at first sight.

When I first saw the FAAAAAABULOUS Journey Jottings Map Journal in a Visitor Information Centre, I HAD to have one!

Then I found Linda's Journey Jottings blog via Annabel Candy (of Get In the Hot Spot fame) and immediately became a follower! I couldn't believe my luck when Linda commented on my blog (yes, HERE!!!*) so I tweeted her when I saw Map Journals in odd locations on the road.

Instead of dismissing me as a crazed stalker, Linda asked for a guest post. Read where I saw Journey Jottings products in 2011, and where I bought my Map Journal HERE!

So to reward one of my RED-HOT reader/followers, Linda kindly donated a pack of four fantastic Journey Jottings products valued at $AUD 29.90 RRP for me to give away! It includes (click on each item for details):

Australia Map Journal (with bonus map)
Mail-it Map (scroll down to view)
Puzzle Postcard
Map Magnet (Sydney and East Coast)

What YOU could win!

The pack contents are as shown in the photo, but you'll be better off taking the links above, or visiting www.journeyjottings.com to see what they REALLY look like! And if ~~you lose~~ your entry is unsuccessful, you needn't miss out! Just order the products of your choice direct!

I'm SO excited to have this pack of brilliant Aussie-made Journey Jottings products to give away I'm almost tempted to enter the competition myself!

But that would be wrong …

So here's how YOU can get your hands on it:

Follow me if you don't already (via 'Follow' button at top of page; 'Follow' button in right sidebar under 'Red's Readers'; Twitter; email or some other verifiable way)
In 10 words or less, tell me why YOU should win this prize in a comment** on my blog below this post! Go on ... you know you want it ...
Do all this before 9:00 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Saving time, Monday 19^th December, 2011 when the competition closes - yep, that's a week from now!

The comment that makes me laugh the most will win! The winner will be announced on my blog once I've stopped laughing …

While you're thinking about your entry, why not visit Get in The Hot Spot's 25 Australian travel blogs and bloggers to watch in 2012? YES! I'm THERE!!*

Want more information?

* Pardon me while I have a fan-girl moment …

** Anyone can leave a comment - if you haven't got one of the profile options, select 'anonymous' and make sure you leave your name

The 3-Car, 2-Beach, One Fine Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:23:00 +0000

West Cape Lighthouse, Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

Sometimes, not planning turns out best. And sometimes the planets align and fabulous weather, bizarre experiences, brilliant destination and perfect moments all come together on one fine day …

Fine in every sense!

Beach at West Cape

And the sky! The glorious sky!! Yes, Innes National Park at the very southern end of South Australia's York Peninsula was already one of my favourite places.

But, on this fine day in December 2011, the air shimmering with the promise of summer, the breeze cool over the water, crazy patterned cloud painting the sky and new* Scenic Public Toilets on the verge of discovery, I wouldn't have traded places with anyone! For ANYTHING!

Islands in Pondalowie Bay, Innes National Park, South Australia

The young surfies doing god knows what in the shelter shed overlooking Pondalowie made the West Cape Lighthouse circuit track the most attractive option. Whatever they were doing required the doof-doof-doof of music pounding from the open door of their car – parked as close as could be without actually hitting the barrier. Ah, sweet mystery of life …

Captain Kangaroo

But once heading for the lighthouse, the staggering view wiped all thoughts of sand, surf and various other 's' words from our minds. Rock parrots grazed among the low vegetation, but Pilchard's attempt at the perfect photo was thwarted by Captain Kangaroo!

Pondalowie Bay's magnificent islands stretched out in front of us as we rounded the lighthouse and Helipad and the cliffs dropped away to the blue, blue sea meeting the sky in a dark band on the horizon. Who knew whether that meant bad weather coming? And who cared??!!

Down in the bay, the lighthouse we'd just visited was a small and distant speck on the headland. And who'd stay in the uninviting car park, ablaze with heat and bright light reflecting the road's stark white gypsum? Not us … but no one in the car closest to the track – towels over the windows shielding our view from god knows what inside – was admiring the view!

Pilchard, Pondalowie Bay and the West Cape Lighthouse!

Alone at last, we reached the end of the line, and the perfect curve of Brown's Beach far below the car park. A sign warned of the eroded track – another example of South Australia's cunning plan to replace maintenance and repair with warning signs and reduced speed limits …

The road to Pondalowie

A car, unaccountably boxing us in, arrived as we set off down the steep track to the beach. Jesus may well be Lord (according to their windscreen sticker) but he didn't stop them having a good old sticky-beak through the car windows when they thought we were otherwise occupied on the descent!

Browns Beach, Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

However, with all our valuables in my backpack, and our ageing car closing in on 250,000 km, the lord was not providing for his middle-aged believers today!

Pilchard on the rocks ...

But I didn't care! With water so clear I could photograph the starfish and sea urchins through it, the cool sea lapping at my feet, the sand now thankfully too hot for the snakes that'd left their tracks behind and the glorious beach stretching out in front of me, our one fine day drew to a close.

Almost Tropical! But WAAAAAAY too far south ...

A day like this deserves to be recorded. Because who knows when – if – the planets will again align to give us another?

Want more information? Read my previous blog posts!

Skywatch may well give you skies more colourful and exotic from around the world this week, but I still wouldn't trade my one fine day for quids! Why not head over there and check them all out anyway??!!

* Look out for my new Scenic Public Toilet soon!

Aussie ABC - G is for Gorge

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 04:48:00 +0000

Brachina Gorge, Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia*

Gorging yourself silly in OZ doesn't mean what you're probably thinking it means.

Katherine Gorge, Northern Territory

For a start, I'm not even talking about food – although you haven't lived until you've eaten at a fine OZ bakery – but I digress!

No, I'm talking about gorges. OZ is riddled with them. And in some parts, you can't swing a long-tailed goanna without hitting one – to the point where being a tourist is tantamount to being all gorged out ...

Cania Gorge, Queensland

Not that that's a bad thing - there's something about gorges that draws you down the depths in a sometimes taxing reverse-mountain-climb! At the bottom, there's another world that just invites you to rock-hop, swim or canoe along the inevitable river bed, explore the geographic features – rocks, waterfalls, caves – and photograph the rim against the sun. Or is that just me?

It'd be a rare person who's visited all the gorges in OZ – I'm not even close! But I've explored quite a few over the years, so here's a starter menu of 10 random ravines recommended by Red! They're not the only – or necessarily the best – in OZ. But you can't go wrong with these!

Lawn Hill Gorge Rim

1. Lawn Hill Gorge (Boodjamulla NP),Queensland

Hiking the floor of this remote outback gorge isn't an option. But hire a canoe and dodge the freshwater crocodiles and file snakes (I nearly hit one with my paddle) before using the portage to get to the upper gorge! Swim with giant catfish, bathe in the falls or hike to the rim for the reddest rock you'll see almost anywhere!

Canoeing at Lawn Hill Gorge

Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

2. Kings Canyon (Watarrka NP), Northern Territory

This magnificent gorge, often overshadowed by the (relatively) nearby – and better known – Uluru, starred in the OZ modern classic film 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. While Pilchard and I weren't tempted to re-enact the famous 'co*k in a frock on a rock' scene where three drag queens 'do' the gorge, the rigorous circuit track rewards hikers with some of the most magnificent views in OZ!

RED Rock Walls at Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Cave, Cania Gorge

3. Cania Gorge NP, via Monto, Queensland

Cania Gorge Campground

Impressive walks through stunning scenery, Central Queensland's Cania gorge has it all – killer hikes, remnant rainforest, rocky walls, fantastic views, bushranger caves and a mighty dam nearby for fishing. It's been too long since we visited this fabulous spot with kangaroos and potoroos in the campground, and platypus in the creek.

The spine-tinglingly bloodcurdling shriek that rent the night air wasn't a woman being murdered either – that's exactly what Barking Owl sounds like!

Golton Gorge

4. Golton Gorge, Grampians NP, Victoria

With any luck, the heavy rain that ended Victoria's 10 year drought in early 2011 and closed this spectacular gorge hasn't caused permanent damage. A favourite northern Grampians hike, Peregine Falcon's wild, sad call ringing out high above the rugged river bed always gives me goosebumps. In a good way. If I'd known the last time we walked the circuit track might be the last time we EVER walked it, we'd have taken it more slowly – and taken more photos!

Rocks and Red at Golton Gorge, Northern Grampians, Victoria*

Brachina Gorge, Flinders Ranges NP, SA

5. Brachina Gorge, Flinders Ranges NP, South Australia

The granddaddy of them all, a journey through magnificent Brachina Gorge in Outback South Australia is like tripping in a time machine through aeons of geological activity caused by weathering, erosion and time. The awesome scenery is pretty spectacular as well – with an almost unbeatable Scenic Public Toilet!

Trephina Gorge

6. Trephina Gorge, CentralAustralia, Northern Territory

Red hair, white sand, black clothing, blue skies, green foliage, red rock. What's not to love about this photographer's fantasy in the depths of Central Australia? One of several gorges in the region, Trephina Gorge Nature Park epitomises the Outback's harsh, unforgiving landscape while emphasising its rugged, wild beauty.

Red, White, Green, Blue, Black at Trephina Gorge, Central Australia, Northern Territory*

Carnarvon Gorge Lookout, Queensland

7. Carnarvon Gorge, Carnarvon NP, Queensland

One of the better opportunities for that valued rocky-walls-against-blue-sky shot, Carnarvon Gorge's walking trail is reasonably easy going – if you don't count the length ! A ~20 km round trip – if you don't count the detours to chasms, gullies and Indigenous art!! Platypus in the creek and a spectacular setting put this amazing gorge well and truly on the tourist trail.

Carnarvon Gorge Rim, Queensland

8. Standley Chasm (Angkerle), Northern Territory

Except for an hour in the middle of the day, this deep, narrow gorge near Alice Springs in Central Australia is mostly in shadow. But when the sun's directly overhead, the magnificence of the rich red glow on the steep, rocky walls towering high, high above is unparalleled!

Standley Chasm, Central Australia, Northern Territory

Red banks at Redbanks, South Australia

9. Redbanks Conservation Park, Burra, South Australia

The megafauna once roaming this region now sadly long absent, there's no distraction from the magnificent scenery of this spectacular spot. Exploring the ever-eroding red river banks (yes, the name is SO imaginative!), and walking the gorge shows the savage beauty of this untamed, arid landscape. But my favourite bit? When Red-capped Robin comes bob-bob-bobbin along!!

Redbanks, via Burra, South Australia

Katherine Gorge

10. Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk NP),Northern Territory

The achingly beautiful and haunting sound of our Aboriginal guide's didgeridoo echoing through a cave and across the water is a highlight of this guided tour – the only way to see awesome Katherine Gorge, deep in the heart of the Northern Territory. Exploring this ancient and mystic landscape is a privilege not to be missed!

There's that sky shot again! This time at Katherine Gorge, Northern Territory*

And these are just 10 of the gorgeous gorges (c'mon! you KNEW I had to throw that in!) downunder in OZ to which I've been! Imagine what's in store in the parts I haven't visited yet?!?! Don't know about you, but I can't wait!!!

NP = National Park

*Pix by Pilchard

Walk Mount Zero!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:33:00 +0000

Hollow Mountain and Mt Stapylton from the Mt Zero Summit, Northern Grampians, Victoria

Hauling myself up the rocky drop-off towering above my head, I desperately clung to the cold hand rail, slippery with drizzle, hoping like hell my arms wouldn't give way. Vertigo kicked in as I scrabbled for a foothold. Looking neither to the right (dizzying drop off) or the left (dizzying drop off), I focused on wedging the toe of my trusty Aussie T-boot into the cleft in the rock.

Looking down the track

This probably wasn't the best time to test exactly how non-slip my boot soles really were ...

~~Sweating like a pig~~ Glowing gently in the October 2011 Grampians spring day humidity, I thought longingly of the splendid Halls Gap Bakery lunch we'd left in the car, a couple of hundred metres below.

This walk was a fairly short – and moderate – one wasn't it? On that, Pilchard and I had agreed. We'd climbed Mt Zero, northernmost peak of Victoria's magnificent Grampians many years before and we both remembered a climb to a fantastic vantage point from which the Dadswells Bridge Big Koala was ALMOST visible!

'Let's knock this one over before lunch,' Pilchard had suggested as we pulled into the car park, ready for some Northern Grampians action. 'It won't take long.' I agreed. How hard could it be?

Yeah right. Who's sorry now, I wondered, toiling up the last pinch before the summit. The track wasn't familiar and I was beginning to doubt that we HAD previously hiked it – until we'd reached the grab rail. THAT I recalled. But why had I thought the hike was easy?

Looking North from Mt Zero summit, Grampians, Victoria

Thankfully a grab rail surrounded the summit – so I could enjoy the staggering 360º view overlooking the plains of Victoria's Wimmera district to the north, and the great bulk of Mt Stapylton and Hollow Mountain to the south. And to think! Down there somewhere, hidden in the undergrowth near the car park was a scenic public toilet just itching to be photographed (see if you can spot it in the top photo!!). But not from here – it wasn't visible from this distance ...

We peered down the sheer cliff dropping away to the plains beneath. Where was the 'other' track of yesteryear? The 'easy' one we both remembered climbing last time??

No wonder it's not visible from the summit!

Nada.

A light drizzle drifted under my visor, its misty drops speckling my glasses. I exhaled. My glasses fogged up and my vision went from 'blurred' to 'non-existent'. How much fun would the descent be if the rain started for real?!?!

Slowly, we picked our way back down over the track's now-wet rocks and slippery clay. A dramatic panorama opened out in front of us – even better on the descent and even more atmospheric in the deepening drizzle. Clear days were REALLY overrated.

Although my shorts MIGHT have survived better if the steep bits of the track I scooted down on my bum had actually been dry ...

Back in the carpark, our bakery lunch quickly becoming a distant memory, I checked the track notes in the Grampians guide. 'A steep climb for the adventurous family …' it began, going on to describe the rail-assisted ascent. No, it wasn't the most difficult walk in the park – but nor was it the most relaxing!

Coming down the mountain - wildflowers on Mt Zero track!

How could we have thought this walk was easy? Were we losing our minds and/or memories?? What possible explanation could there be for our amnesiac poor judgement???

The more we thought about it, the more we were drawn to one inescapable conclusion, the only explanation that made any sense.

Sad ... but true. The last time we'd climbed Mt Zero, we were 20 years younger … so that explains EVERYTHING!!!

Want more information?

One other thing ... are the other bloggers participating in Our World Tuesday younger, fitter and more active than I? Find out by clicking HERE!

Australia's Scenic Public Toilets #19 - The Taxpayers' Reward, Wannon, Victoria

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:56:00 +0000

Deep in Victoria's western district, the Wannon Falls picnic area and campground is an unlikely spot to see the embodiment of Australia's anti-Global-Financial-Crisis-future-proofing initiative.

Wannon Falls, Wannon, Victoria

It's not immediately obvious.

At first glance, the reserve is a fairly standard – albeit picturesque – rest area.

Visitors generally head for the Wannon Falls viewing platform, with a splendid view of the falls and their hollowed-out backdrop.

Unless the visitor is a twitcher*, of course! Easily identified by their neck-breaking backward head tilt, birwatchers gaze upwards, hoping to view elusive Powerful Owl roosting in the tall eucalypts.

After exhausting these attractions, the average visitor will most likely head for the amenities – the last port-of-call before resuming the journey.

However, only the informed traveller will note the small but significant distinction that sets this building aside from most public conveniences around the country.

Because THIS loo provides a rare insight into EXACTLY where Australian tax dollars go!

Along with an extraordinary opportunity for Aussie taxpayers to simultaneously a) get their money's worth AND b) make a statement showing how they feel about it!

Public funds expenditure outcomes like these provide assurance that government fiscal management policies and priorities will continue to represent the needs of Australian taxpayers AND overseas visitors.

Oh yes. AND bloggers who blog about Aussie public toilet oddities … !!!

Want more information?

Red Alert #2 - Get In the Hot Spot sees RED!!

noreply@blogger.com (Red Nomad OZ) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Red Alert #1 guest Jim's fabulous RED Africa shots set the bar so high I wondered if I'd EVER sign up a Red Alert #2 guest. It was a big ask – after all, my guest would need to be a bonzer bloke/sheila*, have been beyond the Black Stump** a few times AND be as game as Ned Kelly***.

Where would I find such a person?

Well … Annabel Candy has slept free in Germany, run out of her room naked after a bad dream in Greece and hitched rides on a fire engine in Turkey, a gravel truck in Zimbabwe and a donkey cart in Tunisia. She's traveled the globe to spot animals in the wild and then ended up sharing her home with scorpions, bats and birds. She lives with her husband and their three children in Queensland, Australia where she runs a web design and copywriting business, walks on the beach daily and dreams of zipping back to Africa for an extended safari. Annabel writes travel stories on her blog Get In the Hot Spot and shares blogging tips at Successful Blogging.

Perfect!

I found Annabel's blog via a funny travel photo she'd submitted to the Travel Tart. I followed her link to find excellent free blogging advice - and great stories - that I've been a follower – and fan – ever since.

Crimson Rosella, Bunya Mountains, Queensland

RED: These impressive credentials make you uniquely qualified for Red Alert #2, Annabel! Thanks for joining me and sharing your RED photos! The magnificent Crimson Rosella is one of my favourite Aussie birds - where was this photo taken?

Annabel: That was taken in the Bunya mountains where gorgeous birds and wallabies abound. The Bunya Mountains are about a five hour drive inland from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland where I live. It's a peaceful place with interesting wildlife and lovely walks. Just my cup of tea and the climate is much cooler than on the coast so me and the Candy family enjoyed getting rugged up and sitting round a real wood fire in the evenings.

RED: I loved the Bunya Mountains so much on my first and only visit – time to schedule another one! The Rosellas look like they're waiting to be fed - unlike the superb King Parrot in your next shot. Was this in the same spot? And is that you feeding it?

King Parrot

Annabel: Yes, they seem to be very tame and quite used to being hand fed. There's only one shop there which sells bird seeds to feed them but then afterwards I noticed signs not to feed the wild animals so I felt bad. My son came home with a tick so I guess that serves us right. But it would be hard to resist feeding those gorgeous birds when they all line up on your deck looking cute. That's my friend feeding the bird. I'm usually chief photographer.

RED: Are you a 'twitcher'? What's the most exotic bird you've seen in Australia?

Annabel: I love birds, probably because I was a member of the Royal Society for the Protection of Bird's young ornithologists club when I was a kid growing up in England. My bird watching efforts are severely hampered by my three noisy children these days although my youngest does point out interesting birds to me so maybe she'll be a twitcher too! These bird pictures are probably the most stunning birds I've seen in Australia but of course I love our iconic kookaburras and kingfishers are special too.

RED: That's killing two birds (oops – I mean figuratively!!) with one stone - the kookaburra is a member of the kingfisher family! How about overseas?

Annabel: We lived in Costa Rica for over a year which is a bird spotter's heaven. We had toucans in the garden and often had to relocate gorgeous hummingbirds or mannikins out of the house and back in the wild. Scarlet Macaws, lineated woodpeckers and violaceaous trojans are all gorgeous. I'd pore over my bird book for hours because some of the bird names are as colorful as the bird themselves.

RED: Wow! They sound impossibly exotic – but then I guess the Aussie birds are also exotic if you've never seen them before. Do you have a favourite?

Annabel: It's so hard for me to choose one favourite bird but if you put a gun to my head I'll choose the kingfisher because I grew up in a watermill and that was the most exotic species I ever spotted as a child.

RED: Haha, no need for a gun! Red food always gets me salivating! What's on the menu here?

Annabel: A delicious berry, granola and yoghurt breakfast with cranberry juice. A winning combination of healthy and delicous.

RED: HHHMMMmmm... unlike MY current RED food favourite – Blood orange gelato!! What's the most delicious or awful red food you've eaten?

Annabel: I may be adventurous in some ways but not with my food so I always politely refuse vile looking and sounding dishes when traveling. The most delicious food ever is fresh strawberries picked and eaten right there in the field!

RED: Pyromaniac Pilchard LOOOOOVES a good campfire - the redder the better! What's the best fire experience you've had??

Annabel: Oooh I can relate to that:) I have accidentally set fire to my house and my car (not recommended and separate incidents) but the best fires I remember are huge bonfires for Guy Fawkes Day in England. They make them a storey high with a guy on top and the blaze is so hot you can't get anywhere close to the fire. Then of course there are fireworks and sparklers with none of the safety regulations we we have now so that was always a fun night.

RED: OK, so you take the Pyromaniac Prize … The night Pilchard set my sister's tablecloth alight with melted wax from birthday candles seems positively tame in comparison!! These look like Flanders Poppies, Annabel. Is that a clue to your background?

Annabel: Now I'm impressed! I can't tell one poppy from another. I'm actually from England so not that far away from Holland.

RED: Actually, I was just guessing! Perhaps one of my readers can identify them? But of all the red flowers in the world, the Flanders Poppy is possibly the most evocative to Commonwealth nations, especially on 11/11. What do they mean to you?

Annabel: What you call Remembrance Day here in Australia we call Poppy Day in England. You could buy a felt poppy to pin on your clothes for a fund raiser and they were quite lovely. Now they're all cheap and plasticky but the sentiment is what counts.

RED: That's a FINE red dress! Does your husband, the Mucho Man like a woman in red?

Annabel: Why thank you! I love red so I'm sure the Mucho Man does too.

RED: What made you settle in Australia?

Annabel: We moved to Australia because we're spoilt and wanted to live in a gorgeous place where we could swim in the sea all year round. Now we do and we count ourselves very lucky. Ever since I left England I've lived in gorgeous places in New Zealand, Laos, Zimbabwe and many other countries and I always appreciate my surroundings.

RED: What's the best thing about living in Australia?

Annabel: The best thing about Australia is the weather but the people and food are pretty good too;)

RED: You got that right!! What types of blogs do you like reading (apart from mine, of course)?

Annabel: I do love reading travel blogs and personal stories. I get inspired by your blog to visit more of Australia as I've only seen a tiny corner of it. I also love reading blogs for writers, for bloggers and anything by anyone who can tell a good story.

RED: Can you recommend any travel bloggers to my readers?

Annabel: These are just a few hot women bloggers who I read regularly: y travel blogger Caz Makepeace, gutsy writer Sonia Marsh, memoir writer Barbara Hammond, stylist Nikki Parkinson, expat Karen Van Der Zee, cartographer Linda Fairbairn, crafty homeschooling mum Se7en, author and hilarious writer Seana Smith, plus a new discovery fearful girl Torre Roche.

RED: I see a couple of my own favourites in that list – and look forward to checking out the others. What's the most common mistake bloggers make??

Annabel: Well I changed blogging platforms and domain name three times each time losing readers and that's quite common. So I'd say choose your blogging platform carefully and, for business blogs invest in your own domain name.

RED: If a blogger could do just one thing to improve her/his blog, what would it be?

Annabel: Phew! That's hard without seeing the blog but I'd say improve your storytelling and make sure it's a very personal. I'm always working on improving those things on my own blog because they both come with practice.

RED: Well, take it from me - and MANY others - it's working!! Any final RED words of wisdom?

Annabel: I chose red for my logo at Get In the Hot Spot because red is the color of passion and excitement. That's how I try to live and write. There's enough grey around so we should all try to be a bit hotter, a little bit more red.

RED: Absolutely! I hope my Red Alert series helps make that happen!! Thank you so much for participating in Red Alert - I'm looking forward to your travel stories on Get in the Hot Spot; and my blog is already so much better than it was thanks to Successful Blogging****!!

Annabel: Ah, that's the best compliment. I've had a lot of benefits and joys from blogging. It's gone from being a silly experiment to a driving passion so I love helping other women, writer and business people improve their blogs too. Keep up the good work. I wish us both many more years of happy travels and blogging!

* A man/woman of excellence, integrity and good looks!

** Beyond the back of beyond

*** Aussie saying meaning 'up for anything'

**** Of course, anything you DON'T like about my blog is due to my inexpertise, NOT Annabel's advice!!

Got some RED shots from your adventures? Share them on Red Alert as my next guest!!