Reflections

Kurt Fearnley. OBE - Champion

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:13:00 +0000

I recently had the honour to link up with one of the greatest athletes in the world - Kurt Fearnley. OBE!

Enjoying a coffee with Kurt, in October, just before his trip to New York for the marathon. Unfortunately, Kurt had mechanical problems with his wheelchair. The steering cable broke! He still pushed 23 kms and finished second - with the brakes on!

Wow! What an achievement. What a champion!

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Check my Life Insurance, Please!

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 05:29:00 +0000

I bet there's no Union Representative within 10,000 miles of this job - and certainly, there's no Safety Control Officer, and definitely NO Danger money paid. Perhaps this is a good example of why things cost so little to get done - in China?

Thousands of metres up the vertiginous slopes of Shifou Mountain in Hunan Province, China, a team of workers, operating with hardly any safety measures, are building a footpath.

The workers are building a plank road on the side of the mountain that, once it is finished, will stretch for 3km (9843 ft) and be China's longest sightseeing footpath.

Building a plank road on Shifou Mountain is difficult because the cliff stands vertical at 90 degrees, without any slope, or alcoves.

48-year-old Yu Ji (above) is one of the workers and he has been working on high cliffs building such plank roads for more than 10 years. He comments: "Young people don't want this job, as it requires them to stay deep in the mountains for months, or even years"

Yu Ji takes charge of the most dangerous part of the project - drilling the holes to set up pipes to support the footpath.

I only have one thing to say -

... ARE THEY KIDDING?

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Wonderful Photos - Rapacious Raptor

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 07:50:00 +0000

I've seen a lot of wonderful photos in my time, so far, and I am continually astounded as to the skill of the photographers. One of the best known photographers, Ansel Adams, once said; "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter."

Well, I don't know what he might say, but Axel Hildebrandt certainly has got my attention, and admiration. Have a look at this ... and then, click on the link to Axel's site, to see more.

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What a great name for a shop!

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:33:00 +0000

While out walking in an area of town, unfamiliar to me, I passed this quaint little 'Reclaimed Clothing' shop, and was immediately attracted by the name - which I thought was extremely fitting ... 'Twice Upon A Time'.

Some people are creative.

Beaumont St, Hamilton, NSW, Australia.

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How did 'they' get away with this?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:04:00 +0000

*Note: The sentiments and slogans used in the following copies of 'old-time' advertisements, do NOT reflect the personal views of the owner/writer of this blog!

How did 'they' get away with advertising like this? Thank goodness the 'old-days' are gone!

Incredible!

p.s. Some of the ads may come from this site!

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An Amazing African Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 11:10:00 +0000

My friend, Sphinx, from South Africa, sent me these photos of an African tree. I think it's a baobab tree, but I'm not 100% sure of that. What I am sure is, that it's an absolutely amazing tree!

Can you tell me why it's so amazing? If not, keep scrolling down. Click on the images to enlarge them ...

Who did the carving, or sculpted this amazing artwork, is not known. Nor, is where this tree is located.

Thanks, Sphinx!

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Late for Your Own Funeral? Come Priority Delivery!

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 02:00:00 +0000

I've known Mr Allan Pettigrew, for many years. His was the last business dealing for many people I knew, including my Mum and Dad. However, I wonder if this Priority Delivery was just that, or someone arriving late for his/her own funeral?

Is there a Priority service to heaven? Well, I have always believed so. It's called faith!

It pays to have friends in the 'know'.

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Pharmaceutical Fun?

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 08:27:00 +0000

I distinctly remember hearing my grandmother, who really was a great old girl, had a sense of humour to match her character - and size, often say, when one of we children had troubles of any medical kind. I'm sure this was supposed to replace what we nowadays call a baby-pacifier, or simply, 'dummy'. Oh, how I loved my Gran!

"A little opium under the finger-nail! That'll fix them!"

Here are some old photos. If you remember the products, you are much older than me - or luckier! Ha. Note some of the company names ...

Better than an aspirin - from Bayer -

Wow! This beats Chardonnay - hands down!

I think the hint of Menthol is the big selling point ...

"How can you children have toothaches - every day?"

I lived around 5 miles from this hay shed. As children, we always wondered what they were. Still not sure...

Produced by the Maltine Manufacturing Company of New York, it was suggested that you should take a full glass with or after every meal. Children should only take half a glass. I bet there was a lot of fat kids!

Thank you, your Holiness!

"Will you kids turn that vaporizer off - please?"

Pure Paregoric? Pure heaven - for a five years old kid!

Of course - a company promo give-away ... A paper-weight!

Now, you know what was 'good' about the 'Good Old Days'! I also know now, why there are so many rich, happy Pharmacists! Please pardon my sense of humour (or, attempted humour).

(Copied from Ravings blog).

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The Rewards

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:12:00 +0000

I mentioned in an earlier post, how little has to be done to gain reward, with growing Herbs.

Well, barely three months later, and, after transplanting through necessity, because of sheer size, I am now enjoying those rewards, or soon will be ...

Greek Basil, Rosemary, Continental Parsley, and Garlic Chives.

Coriander.

Chili Plant.

Continental Parsley, Garlic Chives, Broad-leafed Basil and Oregano.

So little effort, and expense is required. Just water, snail bait, a little Seasol, and a pair of scissors!

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My Place in the Winter's Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 11 May 2011 06:06:00 +0000

In the Aussie winter, the sun gets very low in the northern sky, and although its heat is severely diminished, it still has enough to bring us outdoors, seeking it's delights. This is my place in it's morning embrace ...

This is where I enjoy my heart-starting cuppa, and watch the birds in the nearby trees, fighting over the best flowers, chattering away, and sipping their nectar.
All's well in the world!

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The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart - Newcastle, NSW, Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:45:00 +0000

VENITE AD ME OMNES

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Maitland, has it's Cathedral situated in Newcastle, New South Wales. Why? It's an old story, and the Cathedral was not constructed until 1929 - in Newcastle.

Nowadays, the diocese is known as the Maitland-Newcastle diocese, and under the direction of Bishop Malone, and together with the Anglican Bishop, Dr. Farran, are working on the Tri-Diocesan Covenant of working together within the one-faith community. the third diocese is the Roman Catholic diocese of Broken Bay.

The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, better known as the Sacred Heart Cathedral, is situated at the Northern end of Hunter Street, in Newcastle, is quite a grand, if not quite spectacular, building.

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Customs House, Newcastle. NSW. Australia.

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 11:44:00 +0000

Built in 1876, and once the showpiece of the NSW Government's Maritime department, the Customs House was a grand and gracious building, with cedar staircases.

Recently renovated, with a new Welsh slate roof, the old Customs House is now mainly a venue for one of the best restaurants in Newcastle. Situated on the site of the former convict stockade (1823-47), at No.1 Bond St, Newcastle, it abuts the equally historic Paymasters.

In summer, many tourists relax by sitting in the Foreshore park, nearby, as it is only a short walk to the beach, and the views of the harbour, where the Hunter River meets the ocean, are all most enjoyable.

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Pretty Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 05:01:00 +0000

PRETTY BOY

Isn't it amazing, how, whilst walking along the street, something always happens which is worth remembering? Well, today, I was fortunate.

As best as I can tell, this magnificent, though young 4 yrs old male, is an Eclectus Parrot, and he just happened to squawk my attention away from the old lady with an clicky-walking cane, the sound to which I was marching in time. Ironically, I was thinking of Long John Silver, from the movie - click, click, click, as he walked along. Then, as if by magic, this parrot came on the scene! Of course, I had to take photos with my trusty Nokia, and had a cuddle/kiss from him, too. Very affectionate bird.

The bird belonged to a fellow who was most obliging. Thank you.

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The Need for Speed

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:13:00 +0000

THE NEED FOR SPEED

The Ulysses Motorcycle Club are currently having their AGM Event Spotlight in Newcastle, NSW.

I live just near where they displayed some of their 'fancy' motorcycles, today, and took a few snaps!

I wouldn't know a BMW from a BSA Bantam, when it comes to riding bikes, but I love looking at them. I had a Yamaha 125cc Step-through - Limited Edition, when I lived in Thailand, but would have been too embarrassed to ride it, today! My Dad, and Uncle wouldn't though - here's a couple of photos from c.1940's, with them on Uncle Les' Triumph! One of Les on his 'new' Phantom, another of my Grandfather on his "Indian"
and finally, one of me on my 'Yammie'!

If those photos don't whet your need for speed, I don't know what will!

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A Lovely Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 06:24:00 +0000

A LOVELY WEDDING

My niece, and God daughter, Anne, had her wonderful day last week. Her Prince, Garry, is just that. A wonderful young man, and I am sure they will make each other very happy, for the rest of their lives. The wedding was held at a quaint little chapel in the vineyard region of the Hunter Valley, called Pokolbin, and most agreeable time was enjoyed by all.

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Tawny Frogmouth

noreply@blogger.com (Grumpy1) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:01:00 +0000

Last week, I spotted a night visitor. The Tawny Frogmouth, or Mopoke, as we've always referred to it. The Frogmouth is not an owl, but more related to the Nightjar family.

This beauty, was perched on the awning above my door. He allowed me to sneak right up to him, before finally taking flight. Their normal response is to try to make predators, or the curious, think they are part of a tree, by imitating a branch. In the wild, they are well-practiced at this routine.

Hope he/she's a regular at my door!

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It's All in the Clouds

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 09:49:00 +0000

What do you see when looking at the clouds? Many people see various shapes. I know I do. Here's one I see when I look at my desktop, every day ...

I say 'hello' to 'Granny', and get on with blogging. It's nice to see her.

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Four Favourite Flowers

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:19:00 +0000

Who could ever forget the 'heady' fragrance of the magnificent Frangipani blossoms?

The humble Hibiscus is always a favourite

The gorgeous 'Geisha Girl'

... and, why not the 'Wigella'?

These photos are of plants in my sister, Helen's, wonderful garden.

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Summer Showers

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 01:17:00 +0000

Summer showers, and storms, come and go so quickly. These two giant gum trees set a good contrast to the incoming weather.

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Newcastle - a glimpse.

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 02:33:00 +0000

Every time I think of Newcastle, NSW, I think of these scenes. Hope you like them, too.

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Herbs - a little effort for a huge reward.

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 05:24:00 +0000

With a little monetary outlay, a little effort, a little care - each day, the herbs you plant will continue to be a source of delight for you - and a delicious reward.

These are my first plantings at my new home.

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Clivia Lilies

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:45:00 +0000

I've just moved house, and there are lots of these 'clivia', fam. Amaryllis - sometimes called Fire Lilies, growing around the property line.

With many thanks to my beautiful sister, I now know what these wonderful flowers are. You may have seen photos of her wonderful garden, if you read this blog. Her husband has a very green thumb (and arm, too!)

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Peacock Lily

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 01:39:00 +0000

This beautiful lily has started to flower in my back garden. What a nice Chrissy present!

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Irony, in practice.

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:23:00 +0000

These images were recently delivered to my inbox, by a friend with a similar sense of the ironic...

Thanks also to 'Friends of Irony'.

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Lovely Leaves - Unknown Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Bob) — Sat, 29 May 2010 09:59:00 +0000

A lovely tree grows next to the bus stop, near my home. Just recently, I noticed these beautiful red leaves. I don't know the variety of tree.

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