Our Great Southern Land

Art Of Elegance Fair February 12, 2012

2012-01-21T11:29:00.000+11:00

Get thee along to the Dunolly Town Hall for a spot of High Tea and to cast your baby blues across the miles of divine vintage wares on offer.
For further details on the lovely stall holders- and their gorgeous goods - click HERE.

Be careful where your brain takes you on dark nights.....

2012-01-16T23:07:00.000+11:00

I've had a bodgy back of late so I blame the happy trippy pain meds for what I'm about to share with you.
I figure that if I have to have the images carved onto my brain then it's the least you can do to share the horror with me.

Picture this....

*wavy dream-like special effect to show this is a dream. This did not really occur although there's every possibility it very well could*

Apparently our neighbours invited us to accompany them on a tour around Europe.
With 2 days notice.
According to my dream Dad shouted us the whole trip.
My dreaming self woke up to find that we were in a dark wooden panelled room with lots of carving, a la Black Forest cuckoo clocks galore and bearskin rugs on the freaking freezing floorboards.
Yes, I had dream-worthy hyperthermia.

Anyway, as I barely recalled the flight or the packing or the whole applying for a passport thing, hubby tells me he managed to get things sorted.
Except for the Nat Geo mags, Readers Digests and no clothes which I insisted on packing in my stupor brought on by mixing cheap red wine with travel sickness meds and anxiety.
Do you think my subconscious is telling me something there...?

So, we go for a wander in this Germanic-type country and find ourselves in, guess what...?
A religious retreat.
With it's own attached museum.
And shop.
Please remember the shop.

Next, I'm on my knees amidst the old carved pews...no, not praying but unpacking that useless reading material I packed (cos a tour of Europe isn't complete unless you lug unneccessary kilos of toilet-paper-substitute around the continent) and donating them to the religious retreat.
For those who didn't really want to retreat from the "Laughter is the best medicine" or "Test your word power" or those who claim to read the Nat Geo letters to the editor but really look at the photos of topless native gals.

And then it happened.
Sorry, that should read...And then (drum roll) IT happened!!!!!111!!!
I look up and in waltzes hubby waving his hands about to show me the religious icons he'd bought at the shop and was donating them back to the museum (although I tried to point out they were actually reproductions but, being male, he didn't listen).
And I was kinda distracted.
By what he was wearing.
Cos he hadn't just bought cheap knock-off icons in the shop.
Oh, no, my subconscious played merry hell with me and frocked him out in a floor length terry towelling pastal pink surplice (with gold embroidery on the bib) that tied at the middle leaving the sides open.
Remember...the sides were open.
He was only wearing a pair of red Rio jocks underneath.

And he thought this was perfectly acceptable??!!!!
Der!
Everyone knows pastal pink souvenir surplices clash with red jocks.
I woke up, promptly dragged all the blankies off him and smacked his bum for halting my dream before I got to explore more of Europe.
I may need to invest in some cheap red wine....

Henry Jerrold - poet, performer, party boy and permanently pickled but a kind soul nonetheless

2012-01-13T21:56:00.000+11:00

It seems the old habit of sending the black sheep of families out to 'the colonies' was alive and well in 1852 when the (some articles say older, others say younger) brother of famed author/playwrite Douglas Jerrold washed up in Sydney onboard the ship 'William' on May 13.

It appears their mother, acclaimed actress Mary Jerrold nee Reid, had passed away on the final day of 1851 which may have precipitated her son Henry to travel to the other side of the globe.
To try his luck in new climes or to give vent to his wanderlust, one cannot tell.
But he was already in the grip of the grappa.

I have been unable to track down many mentions of this chap, Henry Jerrold, prior to his unannounced arrival, which gave no indication of the future infamy he would soon acquire around this over-grown island of ours; in and out of the pubs, police courts, printers, prisons and the odd benevolent asylum.
Henry was very much over-shadowed by his celebrated brother and (I assume) his own activities in England may not have bourne much scrutiny or rated more than a brief mention of inebriated behaviour akin to his newspaper infamy in Australia as I have found mention of his propensity for agitating newspaper offices for hand outs from 1838 until 1852.

Henry Jerrold was a clever, cheerful soul who was heavily chained to the bottle but who could recite Shakespeare and various poetic quotes in any situation, as well as pen his own original compositions, probably due to his sometime performing profession.
He and his famous sibling Douglas were both put to the printing trade by their actor father, Samuel Jerrold, who had also started off his working life as a printer.
And he did attempt to gain employment on these shores as a printer as proved by this tale from the Kiwi newspaper Star in 1882.

I first found mention of this poet in my trawlings of newspaper archive Trove; an article from the Dunolly Express had been picked up by a number of other publications stating how, during his stay at the Dunolly Hospital in 1867, Henry Jerrold had penned several sacred poems for the Church of England Bazzaar.
Whether he was there to dry out, have a broken limb attended or just pinch the nurses' bottoms, this act struck me as being from a generous, talented soul.
Pity I cannot find any hint to what these poems may have been; he was forever referred to as "brother of the famed editor of Punch/writer/author, etc" and, quite possibly, while his original compositions may have been pleasing, they may not have had any great value attached to them at the time of creation.

I have been able to locate two of his original poems, the first dedicated to the poet Thomas Moore on his death , written only a few months after Henry Jerrold's arrival in Australia, while the second was composed ( or at least published) 16 years after he landed in Sydney being his thoughts on Australia in 1868.

In 1862 the Talbot Times reported how this poor 'Tramp' was "half-witted and evidently unable to take care of himself" as Henry was, yet again, before a police court on, yet again, another charge of drunkenness.
Given the heart-felt plea by the journalist who wrote about how this gentleman deserved to be cared for by the government in Yarra Bend (asylum) it is telling that the same 'half-witted' person was able to pen poems of note in the following years of 1867 and 1868.

Yet, this description is of one so hopelessly addicted to drink in 1852 as to leave one to wonder at how his wit and intellect survived to engage listeners let alone to keep body and soul together sufficiently to roam the distances he did across the country.

There are a multitude of entries of his appearances in the many police courts up and down the country - from QLD to NSW, South Oz and Victoria, each and every place it was the same tale : drunk and disorderly.
Although there were a few instances where he was able to convince the magistrate he had not been under the influence I wondered if Henry had knocked off enough grey cells by that stage as to seem 'punch drunk' to the passing policemen.

Henry was reported as having been lost in the Queensland bush when he missed a track, existing on water, grass and leaves for almost a month before he was found and taken in to be nursed back to health in 1865.
Possibly the best way to go cold turkey and give his liver a rest but it didn't last long.

He claimed Charles Dickens as a friend, he was not above breaking into pubs he was barred from (and being "soundly thrashed" for his troubles), and he was once discharged from the Warrnambool Gaol on the condition he left town immediately, with talk he would 'tramp it' to Melbourne in December 1868, age 60.

The final mention I was able to find of Henry was in 1869 when he was once more charged with being drunk and disorderly, this time in Prahran, but as it was only the 8th day of the new year his celebrations had obviously continued for some time past the fireworks stage.

I assume that, given his age and long years of alcohol abuse, Henry may not have survived that Summer in Melbourne; the long trek from Warrnambool, the heat, the continued drinking and the lack of any further mention in the press lets me think he found whatever rest he'd been searching for.

Almost organic free fruit foraging

2012-01-09T22:21:00.000+11:00

I've turned into a forager (she says in a bad imitation of a colonial British colonel through a walrus-like moustache).
I've found blackberries!
FREE Blackberries!!
Woot!
Yes, this may involve a rampant blackberry bush that isn't so secret but the exact location will not be pried from my lips.
Oh, alright, you twisted my arm.
Huntingdale station.
Noticed big, juicy orbs hanging from the bush as we swept past on our way to Clayton via the treadly bikes, no signs of it being sprayed, no signs that it's been hampered in any way.

So, we wended our way back to the bush with snap lock bags, which we filled with as many as we could reach.
Unfortunately there was a shedload of the big, juicy orbs hanging just out of reach on the other side of the fence.
Yes, the obligatory fence blackberries seem to find themselves leaning on.
We walked and looked and found a way over this fence...in fact we walked right over the fence - no, we didn't perform the second coming, the fence was fallen down and we could literally walk right up and over, give or take a wiggle or 10 over the barbed wire.
*ouch*

Anyhoo....we worked our way through enough of the deadly blackberry bush to come to the conclusion the thorns are everywhere, they snap off in clothing to give double the bang for their buck and the bastard scratches sting like molten candle wax when the hubby accidentally sprays mozzie spray onto the gazillion tiny cuts.

But we managed to snaffle about 4 kilos which are now freezing in the freezer for future jams and desserts.
Sometimes....this kind of delectable goodie is worth the pricks.

Cycling adventures in urban forests sans hair

2012-01-07T18:02:00.000+11:00

Good grief, haven't I been slack!
Nevermind, think of it as a holiday from the internal blatherings and bleatings of my brain.
We've been cycling almost every day - except when the temp gets to eleventy hundred degrees and then we hide in the cave.
The other day we dragged the poor Feral Aspie teen to Ashburton via part of the old Outer Circle Railway trail aka the Anniversary Trail - which is a lovely ride, must take camera next time.

Very happy to find that the new Solway Bridge over Gardiners Creek is finally open and able to be used, after taking torturous detours (well, torture to my unused cycling muscles).
We returned in a slightly different manner, taking him through the small patches of urban forest created from some of the sections of the old railway line, lovely tracts where you'd think you were in native bush far from the maddening traffic.
Well, we were s-l-o-w-l-y puttering through one such section (I told you, my non-cycling muscles) when something grey fluttered gracefully up from the forest floor at one point.
Beady eyed Feral Aspie teen followed it up to the low hanging tree branch with his eyes and identified it instantly as a Tawny Frogmouth.
Lovely thing, it sat there patiently while 3 stupid pink monkeys stared at it and it's partner in rapture, wondering if this showed the urban forest to be a healthy little pocket of bushland in amidst high-priced suburbia.
Well done to those friends of the Urban Forest on a great job.

And as we get quite hot in our helmets while cycling, we all clippered our hair to a # 3 cut.
Just to put you off your tea...

Those painting pics at long last.

2011-12-31T14:45:00.000+11:00

Click on pics for larger image.
Please excuse the mess, I was still painting when I took the pics and I'd well and truly used up my spoons before the end of the week.
Hubby loved the surprise...thank goodness, it took almost 10 days to rest up from the 'holiday'!

Before....

After...

Before....

After...

Window removed and will be framed up to be a serving hatch while the wall of the caravan will be clad in plasterboard.
Cupboard just inside caravan door, the upper door missing in this pic is now blackboard-painted for shopping lists.

Before...

After...

Looking at annexe from front door...

Looking up other end of annexe

Ignore the mess...those are 2 seater couches, to give you an idea of width.

Before...

After...

Decking completely replaced.
By hubby, not me.

Flying Spag Bol for Windsmoke in 2011

2011-12-31T12:59:00.000+11:00

On the last day of 2011 there are gazillions of "this year in review" articles and blog posts so I shant add to them.
Instead, I'll just point you in the direction of an article which sums up a general review of the Aussie 2011 HERE.

Windsmoke asked about The Flying Spaghetti Monster deity...a Wikipedia description of just what this soaring pasta god is all about is HERE.
Please note we do not worship this one except once per week smothered in bolognese sauce.
And parmesen cheese.

Hope you're sitting down for the next bit...I've uploaded the pics and am currently transferring them to Photobucket to share the brush strokes with you.
So, we may have a wait on our hands - cos I had to take a bajillion shots for the insurance policy - but, fingers crossed, there'll be another post with pics to dazzle you before the bell tolls midnight.
*Edit - I've procrastinated and blathered about the house for so long the pics are uploaded and they shall be posted shortly.
My pressie to you...you don't have to thank me (tongue in cheek).

My brain soup shared with y'all

2011-12-30T13:37:00.000+11:00

Dear Diary....
Today, on the penultimate day of 2011, I had THE most exciting time scrubbing the shower tiles prior to my ablutions.
In the midst of my fevered happiness with the scouring brush on the grout an itty bitty Daddy Not-So-Long-Legs needed rescuing from the Dreaded Drain of Doom and, although it did its best to evade capture by this silly pink monkey, I managed to snaffle it and pop it up on the hand basin.
Where it promptly vanished.
If it went down the Dreaded Handbasin Drain of Doom I refuse to be held accountable by Buddah, Mohammad, God, any Goddess in the alphabet or the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

I also learnt that Shaggy (from Scooby Doo) was originally christened Neville Rogers.
I feel like part of my childhood is now coloured somewhat....beige.

And.....who knew Velma had a clown allergy...??!

A new library will be thrown together at Lake Bolac - yippie!

I may or may not manage to upload and empty the camera of 2011 photos before the calendar ticks over to The Year of The Apocolypse.
Aka 2012.
If we're all gonna go in solar flares, is there any point to making toast now....?

And now I'm concerned that Shaggy's friend got his ball caught in the volcano and lost the triple bogey....

Tetchy Thursday off the agenda

2011-12-29T09:11:00.000+11:00

And after my sooky la la rant last night today is another glorious day!

Still haven't uploaded the before and after pics of the caravan - cos I'm slack, it's Chrissy hols, the Lizard Rock chardy has been particularly nice and cos I'm slack.
Still haven't got all of Feral Aspie's school books for next year - cos I'm slack, it's Chrissy hols, see above point for further excuses.
Apart from the fact his books will cost enough to run the economy of a small country.
Or fix the economy of one of those that are currently being bailed out by Germany and France.

Got nothing planned for New Years Eve except to gaze into the eyes of my beloved furbaby as we hold deep and meaningful conversations to solve the world problems while I try to ignore the chainsaw snoring of the beloved spouse.
And now the weather people say we are to have a 4 day heatwave over the New Year which could mean dabbling my toes in the blow up baby pool in the loungeroom again.

Screw it all.

2011-12-28T22:46:00.000+11:00

Blerah.
I am so over people forwarding me some pathetic meme/email/letter/poem about a kid with a learning issue.
AND I am so frigging over hearing about somebody or other who thinks they speak for everyman-woman-and-dog when they crack the sads about receiving the same email forwarded to them.

Some emails aren't half bad.
Others aren't worth using as bum fodder.
But the whole point is....it's up to me, as a parent, who deems whether I use it or kick it to the compost heap.
Not some parent who Crowns themselves as the Queen or King who decides what is acceptable or not.
And who then declares to all and sundry that THEY deem the email in poor taste/most excellent and to delete it immediately or pass it on to every living , breathing human on this planet.

I have explored this road of the Autistic Spectrum for a fair few years now with my Feral Aspie Beastie and I don't think I need someone to tell me how to suck eggs to get along and survive it.

Merry something 2011

2011-12-23T18:03:00.000+11:00

I have been here...just very busy and befuddled.
I hope I managed to get Chrissy cards to you all - I sent some before I left for, and then some after I returned from, Dunolly so am not sure who got what.
Apologies if I missed you.

I loves ya all.

There was painting and paint brushes involved for over a week at Dunolly....I think the fumes riddled my brain into cheese cloth.
There may be photos of before and after.
If I'm able to sort them out.
Otherwise.....have yourself a Merry Christmas.
And a cheery 2012.

Thinking of releasing a new Xmas CD...

2011-12-06T13:38:00.000+11:00

...dedicated to a certain pollie.
About certain state infrastructure...

Sing along if you get the urge.
Or see a doctor about that particular issue...

♫ I'm dreaming of a state-owned railway,
    Just like the one we used to own,
    Where the staff are merry and bright,
And the trains could ruuuun all night.♫

♫ Away in State Parl'ment,
   No dosh for the trains,
   Little Lord Baillieu
   Tightens the reins.
   Be near us, Lord Baillieu,
   I ask thee to stay,
Close by us forever
As we commute every day.♫

♫ God rest ye merry, gentlemen
   Let nothing you dismay,
   Remember, ticket pri-i-ices
Will go up New Years Day.
To make all us pleb-i-ans
Keep the network afloat,
With many a penny and groat,
Penny and groat,
With many a penny and groat.♫

♫ Good King Baillieu looked out
   On the empty coffers,
   Where the crumbs lay round about
   The palty tender offers
   Brightly shone the bulb that lit
   Upon a plan so cruel
   To make the tickets cost so much
   And treat us all like a fooo-oool. ♫

A bit busy

2011-12-04T12:18:00.000+11:00

Off playing nurse on 24 hour call to elderly 19 year old puppy.
She's not a well girl; chest infection, high temps, cardiac congestion.
Still hasn't woken up (now 12.20pm) since wandering about the house at 3am.
No heroics, just lots of love and care for the old girl.

Stuffs

2011-12-02T15:32:00.000+11:00

Over at Timespanner my friend Lisa has been tempting us with fabulous Kiwi art work on the most mundane things like traffic signal boxes...while ours get covered in meaningless tagging graffiti.
But Ballarat seems to have seen the light!
It's investing a small fortune in developing some proper art on signal boxes to cut down on the ugly graffiti.
Woohooo!
And the Eureka Flag has been fiddled with and restored, back on display in time for the 157th anniversary tomorrow of the Eureka Rebellion.
Speaking of anniversaries, this day 100 years ago saw Mawson and his lads set off on their Antarctic adventures.
Including my favourite well-born Aussie cross-dressing spy, Herbert Dyce Murphy.
The Wimmera and Grampians are trialling a free battery recycling collection, which is no bad thing seeing as 8,000 tonnes end up in landfill each year.

I've managed to track down a pair of trousers and a shirt to wear in the choir for Carols on Broadway, now I just need someone to swipe Dame Joan Sutherland's pipes for me...!

No bullocks for furbabies on the first day of Summer.

2011-12-01T14:55:00.000+11:00

Today has been a good day thus far.
We cycled to Cheltenham , a whole 10 kms, my in my hi-vis orange vest with 'Vision Impaired Rider" across the back, battling the loud farty noises the trucks make, the screaming loons (in the cars), hubby even raced a Noisy Myna Bird, briefly, along the fenceline of the golf club.
And then we finally got to Supply Warehouse, did our shopping and headed back the way we'd come.

Another 10 kms...past the Golden Arches, past the hamburger joints, chicken joints, cold pies and hot drink joints, back home to find our furbaby leaping about with "You're home! You're home! You didn't get abducted by aliens and leave me here to face the zombie apocolypse alone!" excitement which quickly turned into a sulking session when she realised we hadn't brought her home a dead bullock to gnaw on.

Warnings on big grassfire season in Central Victoria.

Old Head of The Lake boat donated to its former school after being found in a 2nd hand shop.
Now, that's a real gem of a find!

Seems Abbott and Pyne got their budgie smugglers in a twist and made claims that weren't quite true.
Imagine that, politicians saying something that wasn't correct.
Ummm, ahhhh....

Tougher water restrictions for those in country Victoria...yet in Melbourne it's permissible to once again waster water on lawns....
The lunatics are running the asylum.

Today is World AIDS Day....article on How activism changed the face of this illness.

Enlightening article on cutting welfare payments in Indigenous communities.

Huge canola seed spill at Dunolly was confirmed to NOT be GM canola, big relief as it's already germinating.

Bladdy blah blah, rah rah rah pass the tomato sauce...

2011-11-30T15:38:00.000+11:00

Not only do I have a heat rash on my chesticles but now it seems I'm hunting for funky pirate patches.
Cos, y'know, the whole body-falling-apart thing.

Got the old lugholes prodded yesterday while today it was my baby blues' turn to be poked by medical equipment.
Same old, same old - the bad eye is getting badder, it's turned into a mofo - while the 'good' eye is sort of behaving, not getting worse, just trundling along and doing its job.
Except when the bad mofo does its double vision trick and I'm left squinting and closing the eyelid just to see one of everything.

The double vision thing is normal, as common as muck and nothing to be done about it.
Except if I invest in funky pirate patches to stop the mofo interferring with what vision I have left.
The peripheral vision hasn't shrunk any further since my last pokage - yippie - and there's no need for new specs just yet - double yippie.

As for the heat rash cleavage - yucky hot day yesterday and I turned into a bloated blimp ready to be popped with a pin.

Now, consider how many lashes you'd get for farting in Wollongong!

Great tour on the hidden laneways of Melbourne.

More on Castlemaine's Growing Abundance project on sourcing locally grown produce.

Ever considered that you need a working bee to turn your backyard into the vegie patch of your dreams?
Look into Permablitz, this one is in Melbourne but there are many groups around Oz and the world.

Now, I'm off to rub my chesticles with some cream.....

There was much pokage and fiddling on my agenda

2011-11-29T21:30:00.000+11:00

Sorry, poppets, I've been in and out and up and down like a mad washerwoman.
Or something.
Been meaning to read your blogs but got sidetracked...

Had (one of) my annual poking session at the Eye and Ear Hospital today, same old, same old, except there's a new system and we outpatients were whipped along at a much faster rate.
Sensational staff working there, big pat on the back to them all.
Seems I'm off to see a neurologist who has a thing for Menieres, will have a visit to the vestibular clinic sometime in 2012.
Possibly something to do with my decreasing hearing - alright, let's be positive about this, see the glass as half full not half empty - my INcreasing deafness.
See, viewing the whole thing in a better light makes soooo much difference.
I was blessed with my mum's dodgy eyesight and my dad's dreadful hearing.
Continue taking the meds and have a happy Christmas.
Eh?

Anywho, psuedo-Christmas pressies for you.
I've been fiddling in Photobucket and whipping up original Chrissy pics centred around Dunolly.
It keeps me out of mischief and off the streets.
They've been posted on the Dunolly blog, right click on the pic for "View Image" to enlargen it, then right click and hit "Save image as" to save a copy to your hard drive if they tickle your fancy.
If they don't, then run! Flee to the hills!

Want a giggle?
Was riding the Feral Beastie's BMX yesterday (I've found it ok if I s-l-o-w-l-y follow hubby on the footpath while he calls out directions..and let's not hear comments about BMX Bandits) when I felt the seat was tipping slowly but inexorably backwards.
Kept stopping and pushing the seat forward again but even I eventually noticed that it wasn't the seat but rather the post on which the seat is mounted that was bending.
Yes, it did finally bend right back on itself....with moi's derriere parked firmly atop it.
Was a cheap thrill for about 2.3 seconds til I realised The Spouse and I had to walk the bikes all the way home.

I was going to regale you with the tempting and toothsome strassburg and kabana, not to mention the flavoured snags, from the Dunolly butcher but after all the above waffle that will wait til tomorrow.

Seems burst water mains are a blessing in disguise when they unearth hidden historical and archaeological treasures right under the noses of the Queensland Historical Society.

The Forbes Shire Council is on the hunt for Ben Hall.

Claims that Aboriginal Elders have been blocked from eyeballing threatened sacred sites by Fortescue Metals.

Historic Victoria Park in Abbotsford will be reopened after extensive renos and repairs.

Show them you can be your own man again...in the words of Tim Freedman

2011-11-28T15:00:00.000+11:00

Over the weekend I was introduced to a nice chappie named Doug.
From Dunolly.
Who sells his home-grown vegies from his house in Broadway.
Straight from the garden home-grown vegies.
For a pittance.
And, my word, They.Are.BURSTING with flavour.
The purple garlic, in particular, is so strong and fresh and nom-worthy it would easily knock off Angel, Dracula, Edward, Spike and other Vamps.
Minced a clove in my usual chilli vegie soup for lunch today and it was scrummy.
The parsnips smell delish - can you honestly pick up a parsnip in the supermarket and smell it?
There is no smell, cold store kills the natural flavour and smell.
The next Saturday you're meandering down Broadway, stroll along to Doug's house - you can't miss it, nice green place (on the right as you head towards Bealiba but before the Broadway railway crossing) with a table laden with produce and an honesty box on the nature strip - and grab yourself some quality vegies.
------------------------------

Lovely article and audio tour HERE of the delightfully pink granite lighthouse on Gabo (pronounced gay-bo) Island which will be turning a gracious 150 years old in 2012.

Ford have opened only the 4th historic archive in the world at Campbellfield, titled Ford Australia Archives.
All down to the slavish devotion some people have for keeping documents and photos that go on to become vital in the collection of historic documentation (see, I told you it's not rubbish littering my desk!)...

And for those of you who are more devoted to Holdens, here's a link to the National Holden Motor Museum.

Good to see there's movement for the rebuilding of the Bridgewater Caravan Park which was destroyed in the January floods.
With several well-used and loved caravan parks along the coastline falling to the developers this is an accomodation area that is often over-looked and under-appreciated by many and we can't afford to lose any more!

And, here's the answer to why we can't find 100% Aussie grown, owned and produced fruit juice on the shelves.
5 cents per kilo?
Five CENTS per KILOGRAM???
Can we shut this open door policy on imports, already?!

More on gambling and it's good to read that the rain didn't keep the anti-pokie protesters away on Saturday at Castlemaine.
I salute you all with The Whitlams Blow Up The Pokies.

Food review and round up of the inbox stuffs

2011-11-22T15:33:00.000+11:00

Hell-oooooooooo!
Had one of THE most delicious fush 'n' chup teas last night from an almost newbie shop in Oakleigh.
Not exactly newbie, they ran it as one of the gazillion coffee shops that litter Oakleigh (if Aussies are the coffee snobs of the world then Oakleigh-ites are the uber-caffeine-obsessed snobs of the 'burbs).
Then they changed over to a fush 'n' chups shop called Reef, on the corner of Eaton Street Mall and Chester Street.
*Fan-bloody-tastic food!
They offer home made dim sims that rival the infamous Sth Melbourne Market dimmies, home made potato cakes, fish in a delicate batter, calamari rings that melt in the mouth plus the options of fresh salads and steamed brown rice in place of the usual chips.
It doesn't hurt that they grew up with their parents running the well-regarded Blue Sea Fish and Chip shop in Castlemaine for decades!
So, if you're in the area go snaffle some decent grub from Reef.
*This, of course, is still bettered by Dodsons Fish and Chip shop in Dunolly.
I was not paid for this review.
-----------------------------
Onto the bits from my inbox....

I like the idea of a home-grown winery being housed in a former wool-shed!

130 years ago this month a minor uprising took place - that of the Indigenous inhabitants at Coranderrk, demanding self-determination in a time that it was unheard of.
Coranderrk: We Will Show The Country is a play that brings all of the historical event to the fore for current-day theatre goers.

Seems popular life-style meds are nudging out their more important cousins, the antibiotics, from the development line.

Looks like the historic Mt Buffalo Chalet is back in limbo with the most recent rescue plan being rejected.

Slap me silly and paint my arse purple, Ted announced some movement at the station, of the railway type, that may possibly involve electrification and increased services.
Some time in the future.

A decent article HERE on our historic houses, how we support their preservation and their future.

A good read HERE explains how the over-worked and aged sewerage systems pops a pipe or 3 resulting in raw S-bend products then wending their way through the local waterways, affecting fish stocks and the rest of the environment.

Check out Mount Alexander Shire's Low Food Miles project, where stacks of fresh, organic and locally-produced goodies will be stocked by select food stores, following the UK model where locally-produced foods are sourced from the nearby areas instead of relying on those with high mileage from far flung climes.
More info HERE.

Last byt not least is the fab interview with Tony Robinson from last night's edition of Lateline.

Vegies and the idiot box, a natural partnership

2011-11-20T17:07:00.000+11:00

I've been off blanching mega tonnes of vegies to freeze, seeing as our labelling laws aren't quite as clear about country of origin as we would like.
I bought a lot of the usual suspects that are in season and going cheap, blanched them, mixed them together and parcelled them into the freezer - worked out cheaper than the store bought frozen stuff but at least I know where these were grown!
So, if you're ever running short of the odd frozen bean, carrot, capsicum or floret of broccoli/cauliflower, pop over with a cup and I'll see what I can chisel out of the chilly bin for your tucker.

Two new telly shows starting shortly have got me marking my diary;
The first is Who's Been Sleeping in My House? starting tomorrow night on ABC1, investigating what history everyday Aussie houses might have hidden away.
The other is Lost and Found: Australia's Hidden Treasures, a 1 hour doco on the History Channel on November 30.
Hopefully the last one will be shown on ABC at some time.

Word on the grapevine is that the Doctor Who Xmas special will be shown here on Boxing Day '
while ABC2 will start airing (don't know when) the Doctor Who series from the 'new' beginning when yummy Christopher Eccelston waved the Sonic Screwdriver about with merry abandon , woop, woop.
I shall be feet up on Dec 26th toasting the idiot box!

Paint me insane and Speak Out

2011-11-18T16:23:00.002+11:00

Domestic violence.
It has NO place in our lives.
No excuse covers that crap.
No victim is the cause of their own pain.
No one 'makes' someone hurt another person.
Do not buy the lies and bullshit excuses that bullies use to validate and justify their behaviour and actions upon their victims.

I've been there and done that, got the t-shirt to prove it, blah blah blah.
I don't talk about it much cos I had so many people telling me it was my own fault, in-laws telling me I was the problem, that I was the cause of the domestic violence I copped.
And, yeah, I still feel guilty that I didn't take control earlier, that I let someone tell me I deserved to be punched.
See, when your bully isolates you and doesn't let you have much contact with other people or friends you start to listen and believe what you do hear, which was both his insistant voice and his hands.
But, after a break where I was away for work for a short time, the screaming obvious crashed home to me.
So, in the end I walked, I left my marriage and had umpteen in-laws telling me and everyone that I was insane, crazy, etc.

Because only the insane and crazy don't like getting beaten by fists or words, apparently.
Speak Out!
Don't let those mongrels control the silence in which they thrive.

Dunolly Bakery...at Dunolly.

2011-11-16T18:33:00.000+11:00

I've posted these pics before but here's another waltz along the taste buds from the Dunolly Bakery.

Everything at the Dunolly Bakery is top quality, fresh, delicious and well worth the trip up the Calder Highway.

A closer look

Dad up at Dunolly last August, he enjoyed Everything from the Dunolly Bakery.
Couldn't get many meals into him but the Dunolly Bakery pies, pasties, Vanilla Slices, Bee Stings, Custard Tarts, etc, didn't even touch the sides.

There was much jocularity had on the weekend.

2011-11-14T14:56:00.000+11:00

Hey, honey, I'm hooooome!
Yes, back from gallivanting all over Dunolly and enjoying the top quality goodies at the Dunolly Bakery, I haz stuffs to share with you.
No, they are not communicable diseases nor do you need to declare them to customs (or get an over-the-counter cream for them).
I don't have pics of the caravan and annexe as yet, I'm hoping to do a before and after post as I have Plans!
Which involves Sandpaper! and Paint! and A Shedload of Elbow Grease!
You know, the usual suspects that keep me out of mischief.

Visited the Uniting Church Op Shop, got me some great Tupperware containers, home-made Spicy Mustard Pickles, Sweet and Sour Lemon Pickles, wool, crochet hook and a kind smile from the gal behind the counter.
The Sunday Market was in full swing with stalls marching around the corner into Bull Street.
Got the pipes blasting for the choir, practising for Carols On Broadway (no, the population did not run from my singing) and church on Sunday was a cheerful tuneful affair.

From the inbox....

Auckland's Jolly Red Bloke has rocked up to his usual possie, inspiring the hope in all children that some stranger who likes dressing up in costume will illegally enter their house, via the chimney and guzzle whatever alcoholic beverage their parents leave out nd just maybe he'll be pickled enough to leave a decent pressie...

Claims are flying throughout the Crow-eaters press that their historic State Courts are the worst in the whole Isle of Oz as an injured judge is unable to access his chambers due to the heritage buildings not having been upgraded for disabled access, amongst many other issues.

Still in South Oz it seems SA Water is paying BIIIG bikkies to many employees...while Joe Blow on the street struggles to pay for the H2o in his tap...

Traditional Aboriginal canoe building, using the traditional tools and technique,s are being taught along with other skills in the Wodonga area by Aboriginal Elders to ensure the old ways are not lost.

Historic Como House may be getting a make-over.

Were you at the Bendigo Swap Meet on the weekend?
If you've never been, go at least once in you lifetime and enjoy the squillions of car parts that will seep into your psyche, oozing their refined oily selves into your joints until you suddenly recall that great old car you first owned and how the leather smelt after being in the hot sun, the crack in the dashboard you always wanted to repair, the gear stick that fitted your hand just so...

Cootamundra's Aboriginal Girls' Home is about to turn 100 with former residents, girls who were removed from their families, invited to attend to hopefully help towards some healing.

A great new venture has begun in Ballarat with young people being taught to recondition second-hand bicycles which will be on-sold through the Bargain Browser shops or donated to local families.

Pop along to Fanny's Flat in Talbot to see what the playful ghost may be polishing this week in the vintage boutique.
For further info on Fanny the ghost herself, click HERE.

Bucketloads to read..and Remember.

2011-11-11T15:06:00.001+11:00

I have bucketloads of inboxed links to share with you today!
And bucketloads of cleaning things to take to Dunolly this weekend for the big Mummy Clean of the caravan and annexe.
But I shant be all work and no play as the Uniting Church Op Shop is open tomorrow along with the monthly Car Boot Sale out the front (and the usual baked goodies for sale nom nom nom).
Then, on the Sunday is the Main Street Traders Market where one can go nuts with one's pocket money and buy gazillions of Chrissy presents, goodies for the home and the usual White Elephant brica-brac that can be re-gifted to Great-Aunt Gertrude on her 97th birthday.
Or not, cos some of those goodies are collectables worth keeping!
We shall, of course, keep up our strength by partaking of the delicious wares at the Dunolly Bakery.

First of all an article on the meaning of today as it is Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, the day the guns on the Western Front fell silent with the signing of the armistice between Germany and the Allied countries in a railway carriage in France.
It's ironic that it is now known as Remembrance Day as we remember those who never returned but forget to stop going to war in the first place.

A lost Norman town near Kilkenny is being rediscovered through archaeology which you can read about HERE.

A great article on the Carlton United Brewery Clydesdale horses and their historical significance, is HERE.
With gorgeous horses.

A new book, Great Battles in Australian History, was launched earlier this month; the author interviewed the last veterans from the Western Front, Gallipoli and many other battles and has included battles other than wars such as the Eureka Stockade which would make it an invaluable resource when studying Australian history.

Today also marks the 100th birthday of the Commonwealth Bank with a great article, written by a lecturer in Economics, on its development and history.

Andrew Chapman snapped his first woolshed in 1976 and since then he has catalogued as many as possible; those grey weathered wooden buildings scattered across the Australian landscape, resulting in a book which captures the history of these buildings titled Woolsheds.

The new Narbethong Community Hall, to replace the original that was burnt to the ground in the Black Saturday bushfires, is being officially opened on Saturday November 26th by the Governor of Victoria.
To have a look at the new hall's design click HERE.

The wandering path project at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital has given an old wishing well, made of convict-made bricks, a new home along with some fabulous photos for dementia patients to enjoy.

VCAT approved the 10 storey development for the historic Dimmey's Building.
*sigh*

A fantastic new invention which won the James Dyson Award was not only designed by an Aussie, Edward Linnacre, but it harvests moisture from the air into storage tanks for farmers.

A short tale of the Light Horse and of one lovely grey Arab mare.

From today until midnight on 13th November Kiwis can research Ancestry.com.au military links for free to see if they are descended from the Mystery Soldier.

And, finally, the gorgeous Mudgee Post Office has been added to the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Which means you can't buy it for me now.

Go check your back shed. No, seriously, behind the redbacks and huntsmans..

2011-11-10T12:32:00.000+11:00

Well, after all the hoo-ha about the coming storm we got a bit of rain, a bit of wind, and...some people ended up a ~~little soaked~~ completely drenched (not looking at any hubby and son in particular who insisted 'there's no storm coming, we'll go for a swim cos it's so hot' *ahem*).
So much so that new school shoes are now on the must-have-immediately list.
Size 14 school shoes.
Yeah, cos they grow on trees.
Everywhere.

So, on to what tidbits dropped in my inbox...

A chappie and his brother used to play with this gadget they found in the farm shed until they realised it was a 14th century time piece.

Likewise, a slice of Aussie literary history was discovered in a back shed; the memoirs of one who rubbed shoulders with Henry Lawson, Mary Gilmore, et el.

Westralia's Young Historian was named, as were the many other fabulous sandgroper history students throughout the state, proving history still has a place and remains relevant in today's educational system.
Pity she has to meet Peter Garrett but I'm sure the rest of Canberra will be exciting!

Casey Council is looking into the disappearance of a historical door, which grew legs and walked (apparently) a few years ago.
Because everybody lusts after a metal door filled with cement that was made in 1875.
For their front door.
Of course.
Or that could be just me.

Get a gander at the ripper restored vintage car that is encouraging Aussie rural blokes to get educated enough about prostate cancer to 'give it the finger'.

Bendigo Council has been a generous little cupcake and handed out a great deal of moolah to numerous community groups in the way of grants, including several historical groups one of which is Bendigo Rail - A History Project.

Victor Harbor played host to a rally of hundreds who turned out to voice their anger at the lack of rights for the average farmer with issues under threat like water metres on dams (!!!), ploughing rights, creeks and rivers being fenced off, etc.

And, HERE is a great interview in Melbourne (yesterday) with Time Team's host Tony Robinson who is out here to not only promote his recent Aussie history book but is filming walks around the capital cities.

'Ave a drop o' water

2011-11-09T11:39:00.000+11:00

Crikey, jingo, I hope you've all packed your Wellies, raincoat, swimsuits and floaties for your trek to work today.
And, don't forget to flag down that animal-laden ship as it swans past you in the rapids of main street.
Yes, flash-flooding warnings are out for the usual suspect areas in Melbourne - and someone will always try to drive their car through that extra large-ish puddle in South Melbourne.
Usually a tiny 4 cylinder shopping cart on wheels that has a hissy at the first downpour...but that driver will definitely give it a good go to get to the other side of the inland ocean that appears under the bridge in Sth Melb (locals will all know the one I mean...the one that always features on the evening news showing the SES fishing some hopeless driver out of the sodden vehicle in the bucketing rain).

But the Bendigo region has been given flood warnings too, as have many areas in the North-East of the state with a predicted 100ml of cloud juice expected to dump its load.
So, when that water craft swishes up behind you and some bloke offers you a lift with a hairy-armpitted giraffe....

For those who like their animals a wee bit older...and a wee bit deader, Simon Ho asks Did climate cause the extinction of Ice Age Megafauna?

Two fabulously hard-working gals of the Bendigo Cemetery Trust Heritage Group have put in the hard slog of researching the tales behind the lads and lasses who Did More Than Their Bit during wartime and have put together a virtual tour of war graves from the 4 Bendigo cemeteries for this weekend.
Lest We Forget.

ChristChurch Cathedral was officially deconsecrated this morning.

And, so I leave you with enough reading fodder to keep you out of the deep end of the diving pool at least until an hour after you've eaten.

Hot Testes, Linen Teas, High Teas and Thunderstorm Asthma

2011-11-08T11:25:00.001+11:00

Well, the day is cracking on and here I still sit upon my date!
I must away shortly to the Other Second Home I lust after - Bunnings.
For itty-bitty door knobs for the 'renovation' of the caravan and annex.
The Other Second Home I lust after is Spotlight.
Give me these two buildings side by side and I'll happily wander between them for the rest of my life...if they were placed in Dunolly, of course! *snort*

Annnnd into my inbox I delved this morning to find....
All my male readers - and possibly female readers, too, - will be delighted to learn that the heating of the testes (and thereby creating possible infertility) is not proven to be caused by blokes wearing tight jocks.
So, lash out and get him those Borat Man-kini thong things, girls...

Back in 1921 those Bright Young Things were being awfully daring and gay in their behaviour when they hosted a linen tea for the bridegroom instead of the bride!!!
Gosh, what would they do next...allow men to stay home to become house hubbies or such...?

Mark your dance cards, boys and girls, for Dunolly will be the place of the Art of Elegance Fair on February 12, 2012.
There will be plenty to see and do - book for the scrumptious High Tea, vintage clothing, collectables, sewing, habadashery, accessories, and much, much more!

With the bumper crops in the paddocks this Spring has been a doozy for hay fever sufferers and now the thunderstorm season is upon us creating Thunderstorm Asthma.
Click HERE to read the explaination of this occurance and learn if you need to keep a preventative inhaler handy.

In South Oregon, USA, there is a new website that was launched by the local historical society to learn about (and possibly solve) local historical mysteries that people have wondered about.
Click HERE to read the article (link in the article to the actual website) and while you're at it chuck a few of your own local historical mysteries at your local historical society...to see if they're awake.

Australia's first community-owned wind farm was officially opened on the weekend near Hepburn.

A must-read ; NT Aboriginal Elders released a statement calling for an end to the intervention in the Northern Territory.

Stuff that canters through my brain while cooking....

2011-11-07T15:23:00.000+11:00

Sorry, I will get around to reading all your blogs, I promise!
But as I was making/experimenting with making flat bread in the pan for salad pizzas (for tea tonight, salad from the garden, no pesticides but possibly a few pests...think of it as added fibre) I noticed something catching the light...

...So I wandered over to have a look and it was a ginormous Daddy Long Legs climbing back up his thread of web from the drapes.
What happened...?
"Abort, abort, great clumsy hoomans lumbering about!!!"
"Nil food sources until they pass out for the evening..."
"Damn! They've vacuumed again! Just for once can't they leave the dead flies where they fall...?"
"Crap....the female hooman clashes with my shoes..."

G'day Monday

2011-11-07T14:39:00.000+11:00

I iz still here, just been throwing myself into scaring the backyard into shape after months of neglect.
And falling over the rampant ginger lillies....several times lol.
Feral Aspie got the antibiotics with a 'maybe' on the nail ripping treatment to follow.
Guess who gets to take him to the GP when that happens?
Yep, the spouse *snort*

Go have a gander and listen to the 150 year celebrations of the Cape Wickham Lighthouse which the G-G Quentin Bryce officially opened on the weekend (as it was never officially opened back in the day....you don't want to rush these things...).

Some I know will be excited to hear repair work started on the Bridgewater-Maldon Road which came a gutser in the January floods.
Again, you don't want to rush these things....*rolls eyes*

The stunning Arch of Victory in Ballarat was officially reopened by our G-G Quentin Bryce (she gets around!) with the ribbon cut with the same scissors Prince Edward used in 1920.
Cos we're too stingy to buy her a new pair.
Don't forget to drop a few bob into the kitty for the Creswick RSL Light Horse Troupe.

Damn shame I missed it but an historic Diesel Electric Rail Motor was puttering up the line from So Cross Station through Bendigo and onward to Swan Hill last Saturday - the first on the track since 1999.

Now, I must go forth and speak sweet nothings into the ears of the self-seeded tomatoes which look nice and sturdy and are already teasing me with flowers....

Here's your hat, what's your hurry...?

2011-11-04T10:50:00.000+11:00

I'm slipping this in super-dooper fast as the Feral Aspie beastie is off at the Gp where he may or may not have his ingrown toenail ~~ripped out~~ removed, depending on how infected it is and whether or not the GP wants him to do a course of antibiotics first.
I may be taking a holiday at the last minute, who wants to hide me under their beds...?

Have a gander at the North Wharf building planned for Docklands, which includes restoring the orgininal historic Seafarers Mission, HERE.

You may not enjoy cricket as much as certain Pakistan cricketers but you can appreciate the heritage of the Adelaide Oval's scoreboard as it ticks over to 100 years.

A cleaner who got a little too enthused with her work amidst the Domestos fumes scrubbed away at an art piece until she'd removed a nasty stain.
That was actually part of the sculpture.
Oops.

And a little tale of a naughty wabbit tormenting a poor farmer....

Possum Mafia does it again

2011-11-02T11:34:00.001+11:00

Morning you delightful little possums!
Actually, with the words I've been using towards the local Possum Mafia I shouldn't compare you to those little furry gangsters.

With the return of the odd placement of slug guts on the back step they've out-done themselves in protesting at us keeping them awake with the TV - by chewing through the Foxtel cable.
The technicians said this area is notorious for possums gnawing through the cable - one said he thinks it's the frequency that irritates their ears or something and they attack the source of it.

So, while we had no TV from Thursday til Sunday then we had no Free-to-Air channels from Sunday til today.
Seems we were lucky to get anything at all as the chewability of the cable had the Possum Mafia almost the whole way through.

And yesterday I had a birfday.
I turned a gazillion years old and am beyond carbon dating.

So, I've decided you can all chip in and buy me THIS HOUSE, the Hexagonal House, that I've fallen in love with.
No?
Oh, alright, a simple worshipping at my feet will suffice*

The First World War may be almost 100 years gone but the battlefields of it are still throwing up clues, tales and items that fill in the faces of those who sacrificed themselves for the pride of old men bickering over the size of their egos.
Not to forget the remains of these poor German boys recently found in a caved in trench in France.

And here is a great interview/discussion with author of "Bushrangers - Australia's Greatest Self Made Heroes" Evan McHugh about Bushrangers.
Turn your speakers UP!

*Worshipping will begin at midnight and will continue until Elvis turns up with Marilyn and JFK.

Who wants Kakapo vomit with their Melbourne Cup salad and pav...?

2011-10-31T15:10:00.000+11:00

Today there's another collection of tales and epics which have dropped into my inbox through the morning.
As I've rehashed and prattled about the Melbourne Cup and its history plenty of times in the past, let's move along and discuss other things.
Like who's running the SP book, who's holding the BBQ and which do we bring...salads or desserts?

Same goes for Halloween - celebrate it, don't celebrate it, it's a personal choice and up to each individual - but I've posted about that, too, plenty of times in the past, so we're moving on.

In amongst all the not-so-flying Kangaroo nonsense, rural doctors were left stranded.

Great article HERE about how book illustrators are turning back to traditional methods to plot out the pictures in a story away from computer software.

Have a look at this sumptuously gorgeous silk crazy quilt, which was created between 1890 and 1896 in Wangaratta, which will hopefully be listed for heritage status.

The Combined Gaelic Clans of Australiasia chieftan states why we should embrace the Gaelic culture and not let it die.

With the horrendous earthquake in Lyttelton in February the little-known WW2 tunnels were unearthed; here is a well detailed article explaining their origin and state.

Did I tell you about the auction to raise funds for the Kakapo?

They were auctioning off regurgitated Kakapo food...and not just any Kakapo vomit but that of the infamous Sirocco.

They managed to raise $400.00.
Woohoo!

Isn't it nice to hear of pats on the back to recognise the extra effort someone has gone to?
Well, a registrar doctor in Charlton - who'd been flooded out twice herself - has been patted on the back in the form of the Rural Registrar of the Year award for the hard work she did for those in the Charlton community during the floods this year.

And probably not the boiler Andrew was expecting but this story HERE explains the Wreck of '73.
That would be the train wreck.
Of 1873.
At Geelong.
When someone overdid the puffer valve on the boiler.

And the last word goes to good old Clint Eastwood.

I need your dongle advice....

2011-10-30T22:54:00.000+11:00

We are planning a week away with the Feral Teen near Christmas and, obviously, I can't check ~~the gossip~~ my emails or blog on my pre-paid itsybitsy teeny tiny phone.
So.
I will have to drag the laptop along with us.
And I shall need to purchase myself a pre-paid dongle thingie whatsit.

What is the best one to get?
Remember, we'll be in the wilds of Central Victoria, in Dunolly.
So, I expect we'll need a super-dooper nuclear-powered dongle thingie whatsit.

Over to you, dear reader, what in your opinion is the best value for money?

Hysterical Historical round up of stuffs

2011-10-29T14:59:00.000+11:00

I'm not a huge one for watching sports stuff but this article plopped into my inbox - I had seen the previous news coverage of these lads on NITV with Deeks - and the review sounds like it's a good 'un to watch.
It'll be on mainstream TV (well, ABC is mainstream, isn't it?) on December 1, so mark your diaries.

So sad to read HERE of the controlled partial demolition of the Christ Church Cathedral - as a result of that dreadful earthquake - but they gotta do what they gotta do and have few options by the sound of things.

Debby was asking what the Murtoa Stick Shed was - here's another link HERE to showcase the magnificent old gal.

A demolished power station was honoured with being named as a national heritage landmark.
Go figure.
I'd rather they recognise the architect of the long-gone Yallourn Township and recreate his style.
Yeah, yeah, whistling in the wind...

The famous Rum Hospital - better known these days by the more PC title of Sydney Hospital - celebrates it's 200th birthday.
There will be an exhibition, a $1,000 nursing grant has been announced, history tours will be conducted and possibly someone may sneak some rum into the punch bowl...

There will be ructions, I tells ya, ructions galore!

2011-10-27T12:22:00.000+11:00

Well, I was going to be all deep and meaningful with the HUGE list of interesting (or boring as bat shyte, depending on what float your boat) links to stories that landed in my inbox.
I have such a busy little inbox.
*ahem*
Sluice and boilers, Andrew, sluice and boilers.

But the Foxtel unit has crapped itself and the earliest a techie can get here is Sunday.
Try explaining that to the Feral Teen who is addicted to Nat Geo, Discovery Science, History, Sci Fi, BBC Knowledge, etc.
I shall be hiding out under the bed til the techie gets here.

For those suffering hay fever this Spring - and it's been a bumper season for it - have a gander at the little morsels causing all your discomfort that have been eyeballed by a microscope named Anthony.
Anthony's big brothers are scattered about the globe, christened Gary, Bob, Greig, Ken and Colin.
*snort*

Jamieson, a lovely town in the high country of Victoria, is turning 150 years old and it's pulling out all the stops to have a proper knees up celebration.
Or you can pop over here to see the fabulous slideshow of old photos and read about what events are scheduled to tickle everyone's fancy.
Have your speakers turned on to sing along!

The Murtoa Stick Shed has proved to be such a popular tourist attraction - while it's not officially a tourist attraction - that they've had to turn people away!

The famed, beautiful timepiece linked to the Loch Ard maritime tragedy was successfully bought at Sothbeby's auction by the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.

If you're in Maitland or within a cooee of the town, beware!
There's going to be squillions of historians out and about as the town is hosting the Royal Australian Historical Conference this weekend.

Randwick will soon say goodbye to some of it's more attractive historical buildings, notably the Tea House, as bulldozers do away with Australia's oldest racecourse's building history.
*sigh*
More gone to become just memories.

Interesting article on why Australia just doesn't compare with Europe when it comes to tourist destinations -a variety of reasons given with history and museums two of the foremost amongst them.

And for your good behaviour in class today...
a random shot of a grave at the old Dunolly Historical Cemetery

Sunday saunter along the Hard Hills Track...and back again

2011-10-26T15:53:00.001+11:00

Right, now....where was I ...?
Oh, some piccys from the walk from Dunolly to Goldsborough and back, 14 kms round trip on a pleasant Sunday through some great bushland along the Hard Hills Track.
Sans Joe Blakes.
Thank Gawd!

Click on the pics for larger images.

Well signposted...

With plenty to see...

Meandering path leading the curious ever onward...

...through verdant grasslands...

...creaking trees...

...across a creek bed that was flooding the town only 6 months back...

...past a house I had previously photographed from a distance...

The Baillieus are not receiving guests today...

...and dams mirroring the beautiful surrounds...

... the Dunolly Historic Cemetery where the gates are just for show...

...where holes and mullock heaps were many in number...

...where the controlled burn offs had happened...

...where some areas are so luna-scaped from mining barely anything grows...

...also found a squillion Bull ants nests...if you ever have need to stake someone out on one at sunset...*ahem*..

Is this your bumper...?

It's bucolic, just enjoy it, damnit.

Have yet to eyeball Mataranka...

...but there's plenty of signs pointing to it!

You must take notice of the signs!

It's a tree.

And anotheree.

Follow the signs and not your nose.

Cross the tracks with care!

Yay, we got there!

Yes, that really is the Goldsborough Railway Station.

A wider shot...

Click on HERE, scroll down and read about the disappearence of the railway station due to gold.

Throughout the whole walk we were treated to delightful birdsong form many different feathered critters while Feral teen spied his first Echidna in the wild (it's not the Echidna love-train season, so he didn't get to play David Attenborough In the Wild *snort*)

Last few bits and bobs of Tarnagulla History Walk

2011-10-25T15:00:00.000+11:00

Click on the pics for larger images.

This is the poppet head for the Great Western Mine which was worked from 1938-1942 but without huge riches being found.
The poppet head wheels were installed in 1941 then removed as the Govt wouldn't support a non-essential industry during wartime and these barely-used wheels (only driven to church on a Sunday) are now in the Dunolly Museum.
It was worked again in the 1990s, again with little success.

The Tarnagualla War Memorial, located in the park in the main street.

The remains of the original garden at the Grey House.

This is, or was, the Ebenezer Chapel, Baptist Church built in 1864.

The peaceful setting of the one holer.

This is the remains of one of the dams which held water for the Tarnagulla Gold Estates dredge in the early 1900s (was more of a sluice).

Remains of the boilers used in the sluice.

More industrial remnants.

The Court House built in 1863.

The original police lockup (behind the old police station and residence) which was built in 1869 for a mere £345.

Bubbles appearing from the bed of the Tarnagulla Reservoir.
Yabbies, maybe...?

The Victoria Theatre (built in 1862), in the main street of Tarnagulla, as seen from the Poverty Reef Monument.
Lola Montez performed her infamous Spider Dance here in 1871.

Another of those gorgeous gate posts.

Get along to have a fun time!

Tomorrow I'll pop in some shots of our 14km trek along the Hard Hills Track.

Tarnagulla History Walk part 2

2011-10-24T11:09:00.001+11:00

Remember - click on the pics for larger images.

So, we'll start off with Bell's Cottage, the wee stone cottage WW1 veteran Herbert Bell built during the Great Depression before going off to serve in WW2.
A chap who liked a bit of hard work!

Again, he collected these stones while cycling through the bush looking for/doing work and slowly built this cottage over several years.

Close up of the stone work along the back, some minor mortar repairs having been done recently.

The verandah...

...and the date of completion inscribed in the cement, 1937.

This is the entire width of the kitchen.

The kitchen itself - I could touch the bench under the window (which is to the right of the front door) and the opposite wall without stretching my arms, and I was standing just inside the doorway which shows how tiny it was (the lounge/bedroom was equally as tiny).

A one holer was favoured.

The former Tarnagulla Post Office from 1859-1886 (which was originally intended as the Tarnagulla Gold Office but Those In Power changed their minds).

As it is today - note they have increased the height of the chimneys at some stage, perhaps they didn't draw properly...?

Another shot of the century-old St Francis' Church (in 1911 this replaced the wooden church built there in 1865).

Proper solid door handles and lock.

Some chaps on their knees in front of the church... not praying but checking the bedrock and soil for gold-bearing qualities.

St Saviour's Church of England, a mere stone's throw up the street.

And look at those delightful gate posts (cast brass work!).

Remains of Weslyn Church, built in 1865 burnt approx. 17 yrs ago.

Pavillion at the Historic Recreation Reserve, built in 1884 it is the oldest remaining wooden grandstand in Victoria.

Tarnagulla Reservoir, built in the 1860s, has not been this full in 15 years.

Bits and bobs at the reserve.

This canon was given to the town of Tarnagulla from the ship HMVS Nelson

It was only fired a few times after it arrived in Tarnagulla but one occasion it wasn't fixed firmly enough and backfired, causing a bushfire.

And we'll leave it there for tomorrow.

The Tarnagulla History Walk part 1

2011-10-23T12:15:00.000+11:00

Click on images for BIGGER pics.
Ok, so we're starting off with the most important bits....

Now, this is the memorial of the Poverty Reef mind ( a misnomer if ever there was one as it was one of the richest little holes in the ground and the photos explain the name).

This is the old managers 'house' for the slaughteryard that was just outside of Tarnagulla

The salubrious kitchen with additional accoutrements

A close up of the mudbrick

Side shot of chimney

St Francis' Roman Catholic Church that just turned 100 last month

The Grey House - oldest part of the house is the centre bit from 1860 (where the restorers found original wattle and daub in the walls), then came the back part, then the wooden front part was constructed at the turn of the century.

Old dairy out the backdoor of the Grey House

Bakers oven reconstructed in repaired chimney just outside backdoor

Restored open fireplace in kitchen which shares the chimney with the bakers oven

Front of the house

Original chair

New lining boards on ceiling, which will be whitewashed

Moreton Bay Fig tree, probably planted by original builders

Hand made culvert which allowed the family to cross the creek to the road

May leave it there for today otherwise the photo-heavy post will kill some 'puters.

I iz still 'ere

2011-10-21T15:29:00.000+11:00

Yes, sad to report that rumours of my sacrifical demise on a mountain top somewhere in Upper ComeBuckta West were quite false.
I was only visiting ComeBuckta West, not its snooty near neighbour.

Actually I was running amok in Dunolly, as usual, with the Feral child and having a ball.
Had a tour of the Grey House, at Ironbark Gully near Tarnagulla (stone throwing distance from Dunolly and Murderers Hill) and a thorough tour in and around Tarnagulla (formerly Sandy Creek) including the original sluice/dredge and goldfields, where Edward, John and Elizabeth Bright discovered a handy nugget or 3 (Edward was later immortalised in Adam Lindsay Gordon's poem as Ned in The Sick Stockrider, when Lindsay Gordon worked for them while they lived in Sth Oz).

The Grey House is still being restored but the Ironbark Gully Heritage Association Inc have done a lot of hard work and lovingly repaired an old girl back to her original beauty, even to the minute details of lining boards on the ceilings, newspaper and hessain on the walls as a base for vintage wallpaper, and a restored bakers oven.
I'll post some pics up shortly, I'm being a lazy sod today.

Got taught how to read the landscape to see if gold is likely - Ironbark trees mean the bedrock is close to the surface and there's sweet FA gold.
But when Ironbarks mix with Grey Box and Yellow Gums then it's paydirt so start digging.

Had a peek through a quaint little stone cottage that was built by one chap who, during the Great Depression, would cycle through the bush getting work here and there and collected suitable stones to build his house.
It's known as Bell's Cottage, the full tale of Herbert Bell is HERE.
Again, pics to follow.

And it appears there's a bloke determined to see the return of the trams in Bendigo - good on ya!

Trip trap, trip trap over the troll's wooden bridge...

2011-10-14T12:58:00.000+11:00

Nope, I have no idea what the link between the title and this post is, blame it on the scatterbrained day caused by the laptop switching itself off a dozen times (due to someone yanking the cord out in a meltdown and moi not checking that it was still plugged into the wall properly).
So.
Weird title.
Annnnnd here we have another eclectic mix of things that dropped into my inbox (ooh, err, that sounds ruuude).

Scarecrows have done a bunk or been thieved or...something up north in Banana Bender Country where the yearly event of scarecrows is attracting skullduggery and mischief.
Or something.

The Eden Whale Festival is on again this month with a laser light show included...and hopefully some whales.
To learn more about Old Tom and how the Killer Whales of Eden trained the hoomans to work with them for more than a century, click HERE.

Rare paintings have been uncovered in the cupboard of a chap in Canada.
Paintings from early colonial days in Oz, the Macquarie era with The State Library of NSW is hoping to successfully bid on them at auction.
Bet they were one of those Chrissy presents he didn't want and was waiting for a good time to re-gift them...

Russian scientists claim they've managed to snaffle a single hair of the Yeti (which is almost as good as hair of the dog) and a footprint.
Silly really, when all they have to do is pour some cement and wait....Every.Single dog, cat, child under 3 and Yetis for a gazillion miles will appear to tip toe through it or to scrawl their name in it.
Problem solved.

A chap was walking down the street when he spied a display in a bookstore...
No, not the beginning of a lame joke but the tale of how a Malvern bloke found his grandmother's tightrope walking history in a newly published book titled "Circus; the Australian Story".
Which sounds like a good 'un I need to add to my collection...

A little box organ is being auctioned in New Zealand on Sunday and that wee bundle of wood and music holds a great deal of history, covering Scotland and both sides of the ditch where the original owner had many adventures before he landed in NZ.

It seems poetry is alive and well in Oz, and Indigenous poets are well represented.
Except for some collections that seem to have a colour blindness.
Good to see they're keeping some Aussie traditions alive in 2011 (/sarcasm).

A round up of odds and sods

2011-10-12T15:22:00.003+11:00

Well, crikey Moses, Mother of God and Joseph the carpenter, it seems the Kat in the Hat, aka Bob Katter (or the Mad Katter as others dub him) is about to spawn a history book.
Forgive my cynicism if I guffaw wildly and don't look for any included anecdotes about the LGBT history of Oz.

Garn, it's The Australian Year of the Farmer...or THE Farmer, as it should be properly known.
Think about it next time you milk the fridge for your breakfest liquid, or dig up the fresh spuds from the bottom of the spud bin in the pantry, or brush the earth-natural plastic from the fruit and vegies....
*ahem*

Some mongrel has made off with goods that were collected to raise funds for flood damaged Bridgwater Bowling Club.
Hope the fleas of a thousand camels infest your jocks, ya lousy b@stard, and all your chooks turn into emus and kick the common decency back into you.

Teddies are invading the Loddon Mallee.
This is a good invasion; God Bless the CFA and the chickybabes of the CWA.

Pack the car and get along to the 98th Lake Goldsmith Steam Rally on October 29.
Cos the restored cottage is just the ticket to remind you not to complain about the repair bill of the broken washing machine or as you unpack the dishwasher or next time you have to crutch the sheep in the back paddock....

How about getting Back to Emu on Novermber 6th?
Go along and enjoy the whole day in the 90th celebration of the Emu Memorial Hall.

Christmas shopping opportunities are better and better now that V/Line is putting on special trains for Melbournians to shop til you drop in Bendigo, Kyneton and Castlemaine.
Get outta town and go explore the fabulous retail goodies on offer (that aren't restricted to the usual chain stores) and experience some good shopping fun.

Great article HERE about how a historian is researching the Bendigo chaps who served in the Maori Wars - those would be the ones in NZ, pre-Oz-Federation that we weren't taught about in school as it isn't linked to the Great Gallipoli Legend.
It's about time those boys were recognised for the battles they fought in rather than be swept under the guts and glory carpet *ahem*.

It's not often we can celebrate anything's 150th birthday but you can help raise a glass to the Carngham Uniting Church on 27th Novermber as it ages nicely into 150 years - the original 1893 organ will be played while the Skipton Street Choir accompanies it during the jocularities.

Beaufort's Got Talent!!!
No, really, it has!
And you could put your own talent on display (and possibly win some dosh) if you shake a leg and get along to the evening to raise funds for flood recovery on 29th October at the Beaufort Guide and Scout Hall.
Chooka Parker will be in attendance!

Australia contributed to Bengal Famine

2011-10-11T11:31:00.000+11:00

An ....'interesting'... article plopped into my inbox the other week and I've been um-ing and ah-ing over it.
It does contain many facts and many easily found references.

However.
You knew there was a 'however' hovering, didn't you?

While it is a well-written and well-researched article, it does not make for pleasant reading.

It states that Australia was partly responsible for the Bengal Famine in WW2 that saw the death - by starvation, not war - of between 6 -7 million Indians.
And, yes, Australia had such a glut of wheat from bumper harvests during WW2 that the 'temporary' stick sheds were hurriedly contstructed to store it all (Murtoa stick shed, that I posted about last month, is the last remaining one).

Interestingly, this piece was not picked up in Australian media (strange that) and it also states that the Bengal Famine is not taught in Australian schools nor that of Australia's role in it.

The link is HERE.

A mixed grill with a side serve of salad, chips and steamed veg

2011-10-10T16:01:00.000+11:00

So, I've been busy!
Welll, no, not really.
More parked on the 3 axe-handle-wide arse crocheting like a possessed she-devil (which some of you would say that I actually am *snort*) and reading my inbox bits.

The bits were quite interesting today!
Not the boring-as-bat-shyte-or-watching-paint-dry rubbish.

This Conversation with former PM Malcolm Fraser is an eye opener and amazing; explains why he cancelled his membership of the not-so-liberal Liberal Party.
I love his comment,

"If there were six Mandelas around today, a couple in Europe, one in America and in a couple of other places, there wouldn’t be any wars."

Hear, Hear!

Abbeyfield are looking to fundraise to build a community/group home for up to 12 aged residents in Castlemaine with proceeds from several open gardens this year going towards this project.
For more detailed info on these spectacular gardens, including Cole's Cottage which is built on the land E J Cole (of Coles Book Arcade fame) once owned and other stunning historic homes, read HERE.

Have a gander at this gorgeous former post office, now a B&B, in St Arnaud!
Isn't it splendid?!

Remember those floods that swept through country Victoria, roughly at the same time as the whole state of Queensland was under water?
Well, flood damage recovery continues, as it no doubt does up north, with the Newbridge Footy club finally able to demolish the debris.
Big deal, you might say, but a footy club is often the heart of a small community and may sometimes be the only social outlet for most blokes, so it is a big deal.
Onya Newbridge!

Great looking new historical book review landed in my inbox, based on the science of weather and how it dictated the settlement of South Australia, titled Weather and the Science of Settlement.
I'd love to see this research spread out over the rest of this nation to show how the differing weather patterns controlled how us silly pink monkeys tried to tame the land...or not.
Even the BoM have a review up!

Castlemaine's Theatre Royal has an upcoming Continental Film Festival, if you're interested.
Plus, this blog has some amazing photos of in and around Castlemaine from this weekend (that bumper canola crop is the reason for your hayfever, by the way...pack tissues).

Great article here about Aboriginal stone arrangements that are linked to astronomical placements of the stars.
John Tully has written a book on the Mindye Stone Arrangement and has an extensive knowledge of the local Aboriginals of the Dunolly area.

And, this write up about a one-man play about the Bodgy Creek Football Club has me intrigued to wanting to see it :)

Hello, hello, who's your lady friend, who's the little girlie by your side...

2011-10-08T13:51:00.000+11:00

Hello!
I've been a little under the weather - understatement with hot flushes, dizziness and nausea running faster than a Bondi tram and more reliable than the Metro timetable - but, to quote Marika "I no com-plain".
Plus I'm creating a sensory blanket for a friend's young son and the Elderly Feline has been supervising, choosing the colours, the yarn, nagging me ever onward.

So, here we are, let's chat, shall we?
Have you heard of Bob the Railway Dog?
I hadn't until this article popped into my inbox; fab bit of history which will appeal to all.

The fox bounty is BACK!
About bloody time.
With an increased bounty for wild dogs.
Again, about bloody time.

If you gave the Royal Melbourne Show a miss - owing to cost, crowds, commercialism, etc (or the simple fact they wouldn't let you wear your spangled leotard and highwire outfit out in public) have a read about the Bendigo Show shortly to be on or go check out the regional (and a few in Melbourne suburbs) agricultural shows coming up in the calendar HERE.
Can't guarantee they'll let you out dressed like that in public, either, cos you'd scare small children and old cat ladies but the crowds are smaller while the real grass roots of pastural and agricultural societies are still on show.
Think local CWA cakes hmmmmm, CWA scones hmmmmmm, hot cups of tea hmmmmm, embroidery to give your left arm for *drool*, knitting that would earn you a Masters Doctorate at Uni, crochet so fine you'd think elves and pixies wove it from spiderwebs in the Dawn's light....
Go, already!

Tra-la-la boom-de-day,
I fed the chooks today,
Listened to the neighbour bray,
Should've hitched her to the dray,
Then let her wildly stray,
And wave as she ran away....

Free speech isn't free if it costs someone something

2011-10-02T23:58:00.001+11:00

In amongst my tears, crochet and feline companions I've been mulling over the fall-out of a certain court case involving a journalist and comments about certain Aboriginal people.
And the cry of outrage from some sections of the public, media and anyone living in a mushroom box that "free speech is under threat".

Bollocks.

Let's take the same comments, inferences and implied facts and apply them to....
Catholic priests or nuns.
Can you imagine the hue and cry if someone dared suggest that as a person wasn't a practicing Catholic from birth that they didn't really subscibe to the belief system AND they only went into the role due to the funding from the state/govt/corporations/Rome, fundraising from the community, secure employment, a guaranteed roof over their head....
We'd be deafened!

How about we apply the same reasoning to, oh, say someone of Irish or Scottish descent?
That they shouldn't take pride in their heritage and culture?
They shouldn't join a highland pipe band/society as they weren't really of 100% Celtic/Gaelic born-origin and, therefore, they shouldn't expect to take positions/join in pipebands/societies which involve competition prizes and/or cultural grants as they might be depriving people of Scots/Irish birth of those same positions...?

Now apply it to someone marrying into, and converting to, the Jewish/Islamic religions.
Should they be barred from publically celebrating the history and observing cultural religious days in case they profit by gaining gifts or community/familial assistance as they weren't Jewish/Muslim by birth?
Should one half of their children be banned from taking pride in their family heritage as they're 'not full Jewish/Muslim' ?

Hey, what happens if someone gets a traineeship in a Greek/Turkish cafe.
But, horror of horrors, they're not actually Greek or Turkish!!!!
Or they were 3rd generation born Aussies of Greek/Turkish descent?
Should they be sacked immedately for fear that they join in cafe celebrations of that heritage to which they weren't born as they're "only a quarter or eighth Greek/Turkish"?
And also*gasp* they might profit from tips?!

Or what about making wild statements that people were claiming to be LGBT when they really weren't just to profit from training/paid employment/grants in the LGBT community?
Because, as the inference goes with 'fair-skinned Aboriginals', no one would claim to be such if they didn't have to... unless there was something in it for them.

Do any of these revolting scenarios stick in your throat?
Then you know how the nine claimants felt.

Edit -
For overseas readers the full story is HERE and HERE.

Sad

2011-10-02T15:14:00.000+11:00

Having a sad day.
It's daylight savings and I can hear, on repeat, Dad's voice in my head asking me to change his watch to the correct time.
I went and found his watch, wound it up and set it to the right time.
But I am still sad.

And, oddly enough, I'm suddenly missing my Mum like crazy, too, even though she's been gone 13 years.
I think, because Mum died so suddenly - 2 months from diagnosis to death - and I had to focus on being the strong one for Dad and the kids, that I haven't properly mourned my Mum.
Dad was dropping his bundle and hell-bent on joining her for awhile there and I had to play parent to my remaining parent until he got his head straight.
Which took a long time.

So, I'm missing the oldies and having a very teary day.

Can I tempt you with a little alter whine...?

2011-09-30T11:08:00.001+10:00

As I couldn't tempt you to sweep yourselves into a real life Monopoly game by buying up some Ballarat hotels how about buying up some Bendigo churches?

This little missive wended its way into my inbox a few weeks back and it came to mind as the auction is to be held tomorrow at St Andrews Uniting Church in Bendigo (St Andrews is just playing host for the auction, it isn't actually on the menu) so I thought I'd see if any of you could be tempted to the other side of the coin of the pubs.

To begin with we have this little aluminium clad weatherboard number at Korong Vale..... followed by this delightful brick outfit to be found in Raywood.....along with this fabulous pre-WW1 slice of history in Carisbrook.... rounded out with this gorgeous turn-of-the-century collectable at Barnadown.

Those umpteen gazillion renovation shows I seem addicted to have shown a few church conversions in the UK that have worked well as family homes -albeit some with their own dead bodies in the attached churchyard but that's just an added extra UK kids get to play with as few churches in Oz have dead 'uns so you don't have to fret about maintaining the moss and lichen on the headstones.

Think of the history, the sad farewells, the joyous celebrations, the gatherings and community the walls of those churches have witnessed!
Throw a mezzanine floor through one end for loft bedrooms (those are HIGH ceilings!), possibly install an outdoor architecturally-sympathetic wrought-iron balcony around the upper windows (wrought iron won't block natural light), get permission to install SUBTLE skylights to increase light into upper floor - family home, art gallery, offices, dance studio, bookstore....the sky's the limit to reusing such well-built, historic buildings!

Just a few quickies...

2011-09-28T15:09:00.000+10:00

Have a gander at the gorgeous building about to go the way of the Dodo.
Follow the photo link HERE.

Now, when you've finished drooling over the stunningly lovely yet neglected building that is Halcyon Hall, have a read of its history HERE.

Closer to home the reconstruction of the Toorourrong Reservoir (try saying that twenty times with your teeth out) continues with the heritage-listed stones being replaced after the repairs were carried out.

Demolition of historic stables - OOPS!

Gold bars, they are a'pourin' 'em in Castlemaine.

Yes, the increased numbers of bums on seats and strap-hangers proves rail travel is the way to go for country Victoria.
So.
Increase the infrastucture already.

Am currently reading an op shop find (for a whole bank-breaking $1) The Illustrated Book of Infamous Australian Crimes and was interested in The Mad Dentist of Wynyard Square.
Lisa at Timespanner pointed out a post she had written about the Kinder House with references to a biography written about Maria Ellen Kinder, the femme fatale whose lover murdered her husband.

Am working my way through the murders and infamous killers so...I'll get back to you....

So, I cobbled together this potpourri of stuffs for you....

2011-09-27T11:29:00.000+10:00

Goodness, where do I start today?!
There's a shedload of news to share with you - stuffs that land in my inbox or tap me on the shoulder in the interwebs as I trot merrily about it - from Oz and Overseas!

First up, the very sad news Aussie Sci-fi and Fantasy author Sara Douglass has passed away after her battle with cancer.

There have been protests at the new proposed height restrictions on Christchurch buildings, while others have protested at the manner in which Trinity Church was demolished without salvaging any heritage materials.
Right or wrong, whichever side you agree with, I think safety was the main concern in each instance after such loss and devastation.

Interesting to see that Cockatoo Kinder's heritage 'significance' was diminished by the destruction of outer and inner walls ...I say interesting as I've read of a few unapproved demolitions of heritage listed buildings where the buildings were reconstructed in the same facade/manner to replace what was removed.
Can this not be applied for this building, too...?
This building was used by 300 as a refuge during the horrific Ash Wednesday bush fires.
Hopefully Cardinia Council will follow recommendations from Heritage Victoria to include the building in council heritage overlays.
There is a Facebook support group to help preserve this building.

Read what oodles of goodies in silver were found in a Brit shipwreck in the Atlantic!
Ooooo, noice!
With 20% going to the British Govt that should help the coffers...a bit.

Parks Victoria has a Master Plan!
*insert sinister music*
Just kidding!
Or am I...? *snort*
While I can understand the banning of dogs and fishing in a conservation area how much damage does cycling do, seriously?
If they're worried about those dreaded grey cyclists in form-hugging lycra changing inner tubes in the midst of virgin bushland scaring native fauna, what about those rabid ramblers rattling about the undergrowth or the titillated twitchers trailling birdies...?
It's the lycra they're opposed to, isn't it?

Seems there's gold in them thar Western Victorian hills, dales, planes, pot holes, trees and all over the shop.
Maybe.

And, yes, it's damn well beyond time Australian Aboriginal history was imparted to our youngsters; they are one of (if not the oldest) cultures yet our kids know more about British and American history than that of their own country and can speak any other language other than the local Indigenous languages.
It's 2011 not 1911.

Careful, those lycra bike shorts could put an eye out!

2011-09-26T11:56:00.001+10:00

Well, how was your weekend?
We trundled about on our bikes - the tandem trike and a couple of folding bikes we bought for the boys to wend their way all over Dunolly Cycle Tracks sans Shanks Pony (cos V/Line aren't happy people when a passenger dares to take a bicycle on board their trains and buses unless it' a fold up jobby in a bag *rolls eyes*) and the weather was just gorgeous to boot.
Washing whipped into shape by the wind, the hubby whipped into shape by the minor itsy-bitsy incline *snort* and the Feral teen rediscovered some of his balance on the bike with only a tiny fall.

Here are the long promised photos of the tandem trike...yes, I finally grabbed the camera while we had it out yesterday.

This is Tiger inspecting the air pressure in the tyres.

Or maybe the curious smells of roadkill.

This is another angle of the beast *snort*

Just ignore the rampant weeds in the background, the dreadful woman who lives here hasn't pulled her finger (or weeds) out of late :p

And, as I took pity on you all, there are no shots of any lycra bike shorts.

On yer bike!

2011-09-23T14:07:00.000+10:00

Been out and about, tripping merrily here, there and all over the shop and have collected a few stories to keep you entertained for about 5 minutes.
But for a good giggle I managed to get the hubby on the tandem trike yesterday, ~~am about to launch ourselves on the unsuspecting public again shortly, eek!~~ Went around the block again just now and did a minor hillclimb and am now knackered.
But not quite as knackered as yesterday lol.

Seems the iconic Fletcher Jones gardens are, sadly, a thing of the past while the brand spanking new Warrnambool Hospital looks pretty adventurous and interesting.

Did you know Walter Burley Griffin designed things to destroy things?
No?
Neither did I but the only one in Victoria looks like a good 'un.

More info and details on the proposed interiors for heritage protection (yes, that was me purring you could hear) while over in the MidEast they've tripped over some fabulous new stone structures.

And we are decended from root rats.
Apparently.

Dig up your pennies and sell the hubby's tools...

2011-09-22T13:29:00.000+10:00

Just opposite the Ballarat railway station there is a delightful double storey pub beckoning someone with a paintbrush and a little imagination to make merry with it.
The Provincial Hotel also happens to be on the market.
Anyone wanna buy it for me?
No?

Can I tempt you with any number of 4 other pubs in the Ballarat region currently up for grabs?
The Royal Mail Hotel.

The City Oval Hotel and Lake Inn Motel.

The Meredith Country Hotel.

The Elaine Railway Hotel.

Or could I tempt you with Footer's Mansion in Dunolly?

Maybe the old Telegraph Office in Dunolly?

How about the old Gold Office in Dunolly?

Failing that....what do you say to a cuppa tea...?

Oops, she's on the loose in amongst the pots and pans!

2011-09-21T12:38:00.000+10:00

I've been racketting about in the kitchen the past few weeks.
Danger, Danger, Matt Preston!!

*ahem*
Since the Meniere's diagnosis I've been trying to avoid as much salt as possible...so am now making up my own spice mixes WITHOUT added salt, sugar, caking/coating agents, numbers of additives, colours and preservatives.

Whizzed up some Kaffir lime leaves with dessicated coconut in the blitzer, added some cayenne pepper and voila!
A great sprinkle for marinades and salads.
Whizzed up some dried garlic, peppercorns, sesame and coriander seeds for another cooking mix to throw over baking vegies.
Another couple of pre-filled grinders (almost/completely empty but sitting on the shelf waiting for my attention lol) had the ingredients listed on the side - I refilled with them with the ingredients sans the extra sugars, salts, flavours, and every number from 1 to 1000.

Have started making my own sauce/jellies today (something I've done off and on over the years but now I'm really keen to do it more to avoid the 'bonus' extras) - currently have some mint jelly cooling on the stove and am about to whip up some lime and ginger jelly for sangas, cold meats, or salads.
These homemade sauces/jellies won't last for ever and a day like the store bought stuff but as I'm making them up in small amounts they'll get used quickly without any waste and are easily replaced with a new batch.
And I'll finally get around to making Elizabeth's Red Pepper Jelly at long last!

I'm hoping to make some homemade cordials for Summer as we're getting a glut of limes on the tree, not to mention the glut of beautiful Aussie-grown oranges in the fruit shops; whip it up, mix with water through the Soda Stream and voila!

A recipe of September 20 I slapped together just for you

2011-09-20T12:51:00.000+10:00

Well, after yesterday's early Summery warmth the winds turned wild (wilder then they'd been all day) and whipped up a storm with a sound and light show that went on all night.
My neighbour tells me it went on all night as I was dead to the world and dealt with wild winds of another sort as the furbaby dog merely farted her way through the wee hours under my doona.
Global warming = Dutch ovening from my dog.

Anyway, I digress, as always, have you seen what they want to do to the grand old South Melbourne Town Hall?
Yes, they wish to paint it red.
*shudder*
Why not go the whole hog and try for purple, white and green stripes, then claim it as an historical recognition of the suffragette movement? (/sarcasm).

The fabulous Sister Elizabeth Kenny was pupped on this day in dear old Oz, she of the 'controversial' polio treatment fame which later proved to be spot on.
Typical, like most shelias the men weren't listening to her when they should have been *rolls eyes*
Thought you'd like to read this article on 'our' Sister Kenny, good to see she's still held in regard in USA.

A lengthy but great article on saving Macquarie Island from our history of introduced pests, slaughter, bother and general annoyance HERE.

Oh, oh, oh!
FINALLY historic building interiors are up for heritage protection along with the facades!
Via the City of Melbourne at least.
We can work on the rest of the country bit by bit, like ~~Chinese water torture~~ water dripping on a stone we can wear down futile resistance.

Wasn't sure if you'd care more for the fact that the Australian Flying Corps (forerunner of the RAAF) was slapped together on this day in 1912 or that AC/DC's album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap was released in Oz in 1976...

The Paroo River Wetlands were recognised as a site of significance in 2007....
Not quite how dear old Harry saw it back in 1893 *snort*

The Paroo by Henry Lawson

It was a week from Christmas-time,
As near as I remember,
And half a year since, in the rear,
We'd left the Darling timber.
The track was hot and more than drear;
The day dragged out for ever;
But now we knew that we were near
Our camp - the Paroo River.
With blighted eyes and blistered feet,
With stomachs out of order,
Half-mad with flies and dust and heat
We'd crossed the Queensland border.
I longed to hear a stream go by
And see the circles quiver;
I longed to lay me down and die
That night on Paroo River.

The "nose-bags" heavy on each chest
(God bless one kindly squatter!),
With grateful weight our hearts they pressed -
We only wanted water.
The sun was setting in a spray
Of colour like a liver -
We'd fondly hoped to camp and stay
That night by Paroo River.
A cloud was on my mate's broad brow,
And once I heard him mutter:
'What price the good old Darling now? -
God bless that grand old gutter!"
And then he stopped and slowly said
In tones that made me shiver:
"It cannot well be on ahead -
I think we've crossed the river."
But soon we saw a strip of ground
Beside the track we followed,
No damper than the surface round,
But just a little hollowed.
His brow assumed a thoughtful frown -
This speech did he deliver:
"I wonder if we'd best go down
Or up the blessed river?"

"But where," said I, " 's the blooming stream?'
And he replied, 'we're at it!"
I stood awhile, as in a dream,
"Great Scott!" I cried, "is that it?
Why, that is some old bridle-track!"
He chuckled, "Well, I never!
It's plain you've never been Out Back -
This is the Paroo River!"

A bit of this, a bit of that...and shake your bum (tra la la la)

2011-09-19T14:14:00.000+10:00

Thrilling things, boys and girls, awaiting for you to cast your baby blues over them for an entertaining perusal.
In street speak - enjoy the read!

Kylie Minogue released the album Kylie Minogue on this day in 1994.

Have you heard that Museum Victoria is hoping to refurbish and reopen the viewing platform in the dome of the delicious Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens?
It won't be happening overnight but it'll be a rip-snorter when it's finished!

Today is the 41st birthday of LGBT activism in dear old Oz, with the formation of the organisation CAMP in 1970.

I'd like to pop in a small vent about a few comments in the media I've heard recently stating,
"Gay is a great word in the English language, how dare a minority hijack it for their own use."
No names, no pack drill but I think it's a shame dropkick, oxygen thieves are allowed to hijack my tv viewing time with worthless drivel.

Go check out the article and the video of this fantastic piece of historical vernacular architecture, the Murtoa Stick Shed, which has managed to survive intact.
The light inside this building is lovely!
There was another built at Dunolly but it was demolished in the 1990s (I think from off the top of my head) and the Dunolly Museum has a great set of photos detailing it's size and character before its demise as it was pulled apart.

Just came across this interesting article; no matter which side of the political fence you lean the historical facts speak for themselves.

And, finally, in 1942 we gals were invited to reinvent ourselves as "shock troopers" in "the Austerity Army".
Go on, get thee darning socks.
*ducks and runs away*

While wandering about the wilderness euphemistically called my backyard...

2011-09-18T16:46:00.000+10:00

Well, I was going to post about how the Aussie doctor John Bannister tried to revive the great Jimi Hendrix on this date in 1970, how Nat Geo reported in 2007 that the last speaker of an extinct Aboriginal language was found, that in 2008 hundreds of new ~~divers~~ coral and marine critters were tripped over on the Great Barrier Reef, and even that the great Johnny Famechon became Australian Featherweight Champion in 1964....

Except that the chooks kinda distracted me.
They climbed up into a vegie patch and managed to oh-so-carefully unearth a decent sized spud and then left it sitting smack bang on top of their pile of scratched dirt for me to find.
See? They contribute to the hunting and gathering.
Sort of.

The ravens have been fair rotten buggers this spring; one in particular has been hanging about, waiting for the gerls to lay their bum nuts then they swoop in and make merry with their beaks on the shells before gobbling up the golden yolks.
And shows no consternation at my presence.
In fact it struts smugly about in front of me as if to shrug and smirk at the silly pink money squawking at it.
I obviously don't squawk Raven-ese very well.
While we were at the Dunolly Caravan Park several ravens made off with the newly hatched bubba ducks; mind you it didn't help that the Mamma didn't give a duck, either.

Now I've discovered a self-seeded fruit tree.
At first I thought it had travelled through the usual ring of fire torture that is my chickens innards but as it is a Apricot tree I winced in sympathy at the thought of passing a stone that big without an epidural.

And now I must go rescue a Jedi Knight which is about to be buried, along with Optimus Prime and a stray Dalek, in a dustbowl amidst yellow chook legs....

The Junction Hotel, Rachel's blog and On This Day In Australian History

2011-09-16T13:31:00.000+10:00

The Feral offspring and moi go for a great many walks when up in Dunolly, this last weekend we managed to have a wander and found the old Junction Hotel.
Click on the images for a bigger picture to eyeball.

On the door was a note stating that it was a private home but that the owner hoped to soon reopen this marvellous building for concerts and musical soirees.
In the ballroom.
We was excited!
Well, I was excited, the teen offspring was politely impressed.

So, I tootled about online and found Rachel's blog, written by the great chickybabe who is the new owner - actually, I've never clapped eyes on her but as she's into classical music, Gilbert and Sullivan, heritage buildings and has the gumption to buy a pub after love at first sight, she's my kind of people.
--------------------------

On this day in 2009 The Vancouver Province reported on Clyde the cat who'd gone for a bit of a trek through the outback...for 3 years.
Bet he had a ball with the humungous kitty litter tray out there...

Papua New Guinea realised its independence from The Fair Isle of Oz - with nary a drop of blood dripped - with the lowering of the Aussie flag and the raising of the PNG flag in its place in 1975.

The first girlie to climb Mt Cook, Freda Du Faur, was hatched on this date in 1882.
She dazzled in her sensible shoes, too.

For want of a better title... Ta Dah!

2011-09-15T09:25:00.001+10:00

I've been fiddling with the Dunolly blog last night - cos apparently that's what you do when you get tired of burning your hand/pinkies cooking tea for the starving tribe - go have a look and tell me what you think.

Have you heard that regional town Wedderburn is about to lose its last bank?
In the immortal words of Manuel....Que?!
Strange, last time I checked the calendar it was 2011 yet a bank is willing to throw away customer loyalty, an assured customer base (being the only bank in town it's a given) not to mention the profits they're chucking down the chute.
How bizarre!
Fingers crossed the reliable Bendigo Community Bank gets going in Wedderburn asap!

A couple of up and coming events in the Dunolly and district area to tempt your wanderlust....

Some great activities covering a wide range of interests for all ages.

And a fab weekend of vintage machinery, let your inner engineer run amok!

Yet another post babbling about food.

2011-09-14T13:55:00.000+10:00

I swear there are very few times now that I regret no longer being able to drive but over the weekend, when faced with truck loads of beautifully fresh, ripe and Dunolly-locally grown fruit and vege, that was one of those times.
When we walked past the stalls at the Dunolly Market and the heady perfume of fresh, flavoursome tomatoes wafted about us we almost salivated.
Well, maybe that was only me.
Feral Teen keeps saying how weird I am.
*snort*

Same with the delicious scent of fresh pumpkins, apples, strawberries and the bunches of rhubarb...!
The last was variously priced on different stalls, starting from 50 cents per bunch of ruby red, sweet stalks oozing images of bowls filled with perfectly stewed rhubarb swimming in dollops of whipped cream/scoops of vanilla ice cream, topped with apple crumble.
Hmmmmmmm.

The same goes for the splendid foods from the butcher, Dunolly Quality Meats.
The tuna and salmon patties, lamb cutlets, snags, hamburgers and vegie burgers we've bought then BBQ-ed in Dunolly's Gordon Gardens (on free BBQs, thank you very much) were full of rich, natural flavours.
And at a fraction of the price that is charged in Melbourne.

There is only so much one can stow in the tuckerbag (apologies to the swagman of Waltzing Matilda fame but no way did he fit a jumbuck in there without putting out an eye or his back) so the Spouse is jumping on the train and bus to Dunolly soon to buy up some delicious meat at the Dunolly butchers and, later, he'll be stowing some of that fresh fruit and vege in his own ~~tuckerbag~~ backpack at the next Dunolly Market.

Can you hear how impatient I'm getting to move up to Dunolly?!

How far do you go out of your way for really fresh, flavour-filled food these days?
Or to enjoy a lovely meal?

Food, food, and even more food...with some gratuitous nudity

2011-09-13T09:32:00.000+10:00

So, I'm still breathing (hush you up the back groaning in disappointment) and back after another great weekend up in Dunolly.
The food was delish in all the eateries - The Royal Hotel, The Dunolly Bakery, Dodson's Fish 'n' Chips - and the indomitable Dunolly SES had their regular BBQ going during the Dunolly Sunday Market, serving up scrummy snags, egg and bacon sangas, burgers, etc.
Yes, it's all about mah tummy.
*snort*

Read in the local newspaper, The Welcome Record, about Dunolly-based Unique Mumma's Preserves which had recently won two bronze medals at the 2011 Fine Food Awards and then had the pleasure of meeting one of the hard working gourmet chefs behind the super delectable preserves at the Market.
Free taste samples were on offer and it took less than a teaspoon to convince me to invest in a jar each of the award-winning blueberry and blackberry jams.
Had a jar of their mocha chocolate been available (it's made to order) the Feral Teen would have snaffled it up with his own pocket money.
Go click the link and order some of their fabulous preserves!

Slept funny on my neck on Friday night - you know what I mean, you wake up with a neck feeling like someone inserted an iron rod sideways into it - so I'm having a wickedly wild day of parking la arse and researching more Dunolly history online.
From une couch.
Yes, I'm lapsing into schoolgirl French.
It may be the anti-inflammatories mixing with anti-depressants.
What can I say, I'm happy to be a guinea pig to trial these important ground breaking studies, mais oui.
*snort*

I've loosened the over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder straps so it's not carving rail tracks into my shoulders but, rest assured, although gravity is proving a hard task master I draw the line at going free range.
Unlike the Nude Blacks rugby team.
And we won't discuss the possibilityof going commando.
Even if Kelley has Sans Pants Fridays.

Goin' up the country...

2011-09-09T09:58:00.000+10:00

Years ago....decades (closer to a few million) a good friend of mine was killed on his motorbike and they played his most favourite song at his funeral.
Canned Heat Going Up The Country.
Everytime we group of friends hear it we automatically smile and think of Mark and his mad love for the bush.
So, today I'm borrowing Mark's song for Dunolly.
Cos I'm gunna leave this city and the water mightn't exactly taste like wine but the fresh air is intoxicating and you can stay drunk all the time.

Happy birthday, Dad

2011-09-07T11:01:00.000+10:00

Today is my Dad's 88th birthday.
I'm waving a cheerio to him upstairs as I type this cos I know the cheeky bugger would be his usual cheery self, welcoming all and sundry to any party.
I miss him a lot.
Some days I still catch myself thinking,
"Oh, I should tell Dad....Dad would love to read that...I bet Dad would know...I'll buy that for Dad..."

Years ago Dad used to enjoy a semi-regular Sunday roast at the Royal Hotel at Dunolly; I know he'd love how the new owner, Karen, has brought it back to life and he'd be there for a regular meal every day it is open.

Dad loved Dunolly and would have moved up there in a heartbeat if his health hadn't become so difficult.
So, everytime Feral Teen and I journey up to delightfully, dazzling Dunolly I feel like we're bringing Dad with us, commenting between ourselves on how Dad would like this or that, how he admired this and that, soaking up the very essence that makes the town so wonderful knowing Dad was happy there, too.

Happy birthday, Dad xxxx

Lucky dip bag

2011-09-06T10:21:00.000+10:00

Hello!
Has it been raining in your neck of the woods recently?
Have you seen dire warnings in the media that drought is stalking our land once more?!
Scary crap, this weather nonsense.
Next thing you know some smarty-pants will point out those nasty pollutants spiralling up into the air might change weather patterns or something.
Of course, hard-headed know-it-alls won't listen to that nonsense...*rolls eyes*
*ahem*

Nice to see there's been some practical input and investment into cycle paths being upgraded due to the acknowledgment of the increase in cycle path useage.
Careful there, folks, commonsense is prevailing!
And you know what happens next....
The sky will fall in!!!

And after the sky has fallen in, tap your neighbour/work collegue/friend/cousin/aunt/sister/father/grandmother/whoever on the should and ask,
"R U OK?"
September 15 is R U OK day.
Seriously, it takes less than a second of your time to help someone break through the wall they may feel trapped behind.
One little question may help enormously.

Purrrrfect weather

2011-09-05T13:26:00.000+10:00

Am sitting here with elderly feline sprawled in relative comfort across my lap.
Because, of course, this is what Stupid Pink Monkeys were put on this earth for....to be at the beck and call of the Feline Gods and Goddesses.
The Ancient Egyptians were obviously in their good books as they had it right and the pusskins have been working on getting back to that status ever since.
It may or may not involve world domination as a side bonus.

This elderly kitteh is coming to the end of her life.
She was very attached to my Dad and, after a lifetime of hiding away in his room, she has ventured out to the loungeroom since Dad's death to be with her Stupid Pink Monkeys.
Cos she is lonely.
She has a few infections and renal failure, we're still waiting to hear about the cancer test and she's very clingy.
Cos she knows.

For a feline sworn to loathe dogs she has managed to develop a blindspot just about where her backside snuggles up to the backside of the doggie furbaby when each is curled up on the couch.
They can roll almost on top of each other in their sleep but Goddess forbid they should make eye contact cos that's when the feline has to get all snarly and hissy.
Of course the canine furbaby backs down.
Cos she's a gentle gal and can sense the pusskin isn't a well kitteh.

So, I'm parked on my arse, watching rubbish TV, researching Dunolly history online while the elderly feline sprawls in lap-luxury with in-built heating from her Stupid Pink Monkey, scratches behind the ear with the acceptable level of adoration.
And the odd dried fishie treat.

I may be busy for awhile.. the boss has me flat out like a lizard drinking....meow.

Historical babbling

2011-09-04T00:24:00.000+10:00

So, I trotted over to Chaddy with him Indoors and had a small good time.
Apart from the multitudes of bodies bumping and grinding their way all over the shop.
But they weren't so bad with Him Indoors (built like the brick proverbial) pushing a shopping jeep in front and moi whacking ankles with mah lil white stick.

Amazingly when the shopping jeep was chockers and Him Indoors got a good head of steam up (thanks to moi pushing him along from behind as I held on for him to guide me) the great unwashed scattered even more quickly; I briefly considered that they might actually be able to calculate weight : power ratio but the slack-jaws, glazed eyes disproved there was much brain activity, so I put it down to the sudden urge to eat, pee or procreate.

Who decides when the new seasons fashion hits the shelves?
No, I haven't suddenly become a fashion pony...unless you count thongs.
Thongs = the Aussie footwear, not the butt crack flossing thang.
I could find kids thongs and mens thongs but no chickybabe thongs.
Hello???
It's been warm and sunny for several weeks now, despite the damn calendar stating that we were supposedly in Winter.
Don't they look out the window and see birdies doin' their thing with nests?
The bees bumbling about with their arses all bright yellow in the air?
The stray cat yeowlling on my front porch promising she'll love me good long time for fiddy dolla...?
And the number one sure sign that spring/summer has arrived....
I have my first seasons blisters on the back of my heel.
Hence my sudden interest in fashion trends and footwear.

I have no idea why but Him Indoors is pointing out Billy Mumy on Star Trek ("Danger, Will Robinson! Danger, danger!" in my best robot from Lost In Space impersonation) so I must away and look suitably impressed (or trot off to bed and dream about Q starring in Torchwood).

Viva la Ding Ding!

2011-09-01T15:33:00.000+10:00

Exciting news has landed in my inbox today and I thought I'd share the babble with you.
Cos it keeps me out of mischief.
And keeps you from poking me with a sharp pointy stick.

New retro double decker trams for Hong Kong.
Woot!!!

And Tassie Tigers were framed.
It was really the Norwegian Blue.
Or the One Armed Bandit.

Rather unimpressed that the NYC firemen and police aren't invited to the 10th anniversary on September 11.

And to finish up - Ned Kelly's bones were identified.
But he's still missing his head.

Gnashing of teeth and a great wailing

2011-08-31T12:39:00.000+10:00

Have you seen the news?????

Devastating!

Dunolly was booted out of the footy finals over a technicality.

We shall be crying a river from 5pm onwards.
Or how about....now.

Bridge babble

2011-08-30T20:35:00.000+10:00

Today I'm babbling about bridges.
Yes, bridges.
Or, to be more specific, heritage-listed bridges.
That need/have been saved.
Or not.

There's been some cracking progress made on the restoration of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail although a few of the bridges still need attention.
It's ironic that the most TLC has been lavished on these rail trails by garden variety Jow Blow off the street rather than The Powers Wot Ran The Railways in the first place.
*ahem*

Then there's the report on the bridges with a not-so-rosy outlook.
*sigh*
Things are crook when heritage-listed things are falling to bits.

And then there's the Tuena Bridge which is in dire straits.
Very.Dire.Straits.

On the other hand historic Maldon Railway Station was reopened after being rebuilt following a nasty fire that destroyed most of it a few years back.
Goodness, good news at last!

Annnnnd...there was something else I was going to mention but it's slipped my mind for the moment.
Old Timers...it's not so bad, you meet new people everyday.
*snort*

Toot toot !

2011-08-27T11:25:00.000+10:00

So, have you seen the latest scraps of news about trains and the wild countryside?
No?
Apparently Victoria has caught up with the rest of the world (with nary an earthly bump, brass bands nor a bank of fireworks!) when it's finally been resolved that passengers can actually keep their arses parked onboard the train when carriages are added or subtracted at Ballarat.
Be still my beating heart!

In further exciting news not only can trains get a head of steam up between Ballarat and Maryborough now that crossings have been upgraded but Clunes station is set to reopen in November.
Hooray!!!

And the piece de resistance....
There's going to be a look-see into reopening regional lines and stations out the back of beyond aka where the people actually need rail transport.

There's still no passenger rail to Mildura but, hey, it's only been 18 years and counting since that animal was last sighted...

Can't see the point in wasting $2 million into a feasibility study when the need is obvious and when Minister Mulder already states,
"Victoria's rural population will continue to grow."
Stop faffing about and Just.Do.Something.ALREADY.

Am reading...

2011-08-25T14:51:00.000+10:00

...about a serial murderer in the Blue Mountains in the 1890s.
When do they classify someone as a serial killer... after the 3rd murder?
Anyway, this bloke was a serial id thief/alias assumer who was also in the habit for joining the army/police/ships' crew all over the globe...and then absconding.
Before he took to killing fellow humans to line his pockets.

Just started this intriguing book, trying to get a handle on this bizarre blokes thought process which is a tad difficult as not only did the author have to rely on newspaper reports from the day for research but the fact that the murderer's real identity had been left semi-hidden by the courts leaves a question mark - was he really Richard Ashe?
The book is called Murder in The Blue Mountains ; Being the True Story of Frank Butler by Robert Travers.

Haven't come across anything that endears this creature to the reader; lack of childhood woes and epic struggles in hardship notwithstanding, this bloke was just a plain out and out bastard who ended up exactly where his path of destruction lead - at the end of a rope.
But, onward with the reading!

Pulled mah digit outta my sit-upon and...

2011-08-24T06:34:00.001+10:00

....have a pile of bable to regurgitate into your pretty lil shell-like ears.
Or eyes.
Or whatever.

In 1851 a pair of Aussies got into a pickle in San Francisco...so much of a pickle, in fact, that they got some individual souvenirs; stretched necks.

The Poverty Bay Herald, in 1883, related how the Agricultural Society's exhibition was opened.
And how NSW Parliament would assemble for the dispatch of business.
Before the Grand Parade or after the judging of the piggy-wiggy-woos...?

1942 saw the enlistment in the RAAF of the only Aboriginal fighter pilot, Leonard Waters.

Today is the 75th anniversary of the recognition of the Australian Antarctic Territory which was proclaimed in 1936.

This is possibly what they used.

Or maybe not.

Although I think I can see Mawson's grafitti in the corner....

Posts suspended due to ...Oh, shiny!

2011-08-23T15:38:00.000+10:00

Soz, haz been a busy bee with stuff.
Might try to get a post slapped together for tomorrow but can't promise the wombats won't attack at the stroke of midnight.
Or something.

Twenty Two.

2011-08-22T09:44:00.000+10:00

And here we are back around to Monday again.
Got exciting plans for this week?
How's the knitting club going....?

The first Aussie showing of a projected fill-um took place on this date in 1896 at the Melbourne Opera House.
Yeah, we so did have one.
See HERE?
Ner ner ner ner ner.

The Overland Telegraph was finished and done on this date in 1872.
Which meant that gossip could get about with a greater speed.
Oh, and important stuff could get passed on.
Maybe.

The Otago Daily Times tattled in 1868 that Kiwis were devouring twice as many letters and publications as those wot lived in Victoria.
Crikey, you'd think reading was declared a dangerous occupation....

The Taranaki Herald reported how the Legislative Assembly had passed a motion calling for that darstardly Wesleyan Minister, Rev Edgar, to the bar of the House for stating ~~a truth~~ that certain members of Parliament were a disgrace to the community.
Oh, c'mon, really?
Some partied so hard they make todays clubbers look tame.
I mean....they misplaced the Parliamentary mace in a brothel...

Yeah, no, that's soooo not the right advice to follow when you poison someone.

Just get 'em to dig a deeeeep furrow in the vegie patch before they keel over...

21 today, 21 today!

2011-08-21T10:13:00.000+10:00

Only one more day and I may be back.
Or not.
Depending on how firmly my feet get welded to the Dunolly soil.

One of the more infamous Aussie political cartoons appeared in the Bulletin on this day in 1886.
Titled The Mongolian Octopus, you instantly recognise the reason for its infamy.

Captain Cook was a busy laddie annexing Oz in 1770.
When he could have been better employed darning his hose.

The Timaru Herald commented in 1872 that the future historian would be confused over New Zealand history.
Ummm.......

In 1896 the Taranaki Herald said that, in Adelaide, the Treasurer led his Budget speech with the fact he 'had a pleasant story to tell'.
Awww.
Wait...that's Budgetry speak for "someone's gonna get rolled to make up a tax", innit?

And here's the key to your shackles if you've been good.

20th day of the 8th month of the year 2011

2011-08-21T09:49:00.000+10:00

Are you behaving?
Having fun in a controlled, calm manner that does not involve food fights, water bombs or short-sheeted beds?
No?
Excellent!

The Australian Federal Police, in 2009, began a war crimes investigation into the killings of the Balibo 5.
Who were Aussie newsmen who were killed.
Back in 1975.
Takes awhile to get these things looked into...

Back in 2005 Marilyn Lake wrote about the Howard History of Oz.
Go read it, just to get an idea of how history is not always carved in stone.

In 1995 The Jewish Museum of Australia was officially opened by the then-Gov Gen Bill Hayden.

Australia and Nauru came to the agreement in 1993 that Oz would pay Nauru A$107 million as compensation for the environmental damage caused by mining of phosphate.
Does Mother Nature accept cheques so easily....?

And if you believe that, you'll believe this is actual evidence that fairies live in cherry trees.

August 19 until midnight

2011-08-19T09:58:00.000+10:00

I shall be running away this arvo.
The next few posts will be (hopefully) scheduled to keep you all entertained and out of mischief.
Chatter amongst yourselves and make merry with the absence of supervision.
*snort*

In 2007 an oil tanker spilt in two...or did it?
And an Aussie senator gave an interview to reassure the public....or did he?
Have a read HERE and find out what was really happening on this date...or did it?

Excitement gripped the Depressed (of the economic type, not the chemical imbalance sort) country of Oz when the Main! Arch! of the Sydney! Harbour! Bridge! joined up at long last.

Even more exciting was when the Burra Charter was officially adopted on this date in 1979.
Why the excitement, you ask?
Because it gave guidelines on the preservation of cultural and heritage places in the sunbronzed land of Oz.

Fisk was the clever clogs who made the first Aussie radio broadcast in 1919.
With the national anthem.
When he could have easily done a few verses of the classic Aussie rock anthem Khe Sanh instead.

Now, take a guess as to what wager this chap lost...?

18! In August!

2011-08-18T09:35:00.000+10:00

Exciting news in the history field...
Tony Robinson is back filming in Newcastle, NSW.
Some new archaeological finds in Tassie have forced historians to rethink/rewrite history.
A new book has been released with the review HERE.

In 2008 a baby whale snuggled up with a yacht after it misplaced its mummy.
Any wonder why foster care is over worked.

The Sydney Bulletin stated in 1894 that the word "bloody" was "the Australian adjective".
So, how the blody hell are you?

In a fabulously fine moment in Aussie horse racing history the Fine Cotton ring-in took place in 1984.
Gee up.

The Evening Post reported that in 1906 a North Fitzroy publican slipped a mere 400 pounds in cash under his pillow.
And was promptly robbed.
By two ne'er do wells.
Ahuh...the more things change, the more they stay the same.

And here's the stickybeak ne'er do well searching out more moolah.

August 17

2011-08-17T06:43:00.002+10:00

I've been meaning to tell you for yonks about the Horrible Histories tv series on ABC3 (Australia).
It's been on for an age and it's well into the 3rd series (they're going to start filming the 4th series next month) but it's a good giggle.
The series is based on the Horrible Histories books and does expound on the grotty, revolting and horrible facts in history - like using pee to dye hair red, smearing porridge on the neck of someone with a cold, and other delightfully gross customs, rituals, beliefs and concepts.
It's on about 6.20pm - 6.30pm go check it out for a giggle.
And a great sing along!

Some chappie named Embley was published in the Australian Medical Journal in 1912 for his incisive study on Flatulence and Shock.
As his Wii was on the blink.

The Wanganui Herald in 1896 was telling all that NO ONE had studied the natural history of the tick that was in plague proportions in Queensland.
Because everyone was reading about farting and nasty surprises, der.

The Wellington Independent was sharing the tale of an old lag in Parramatta Gaol in 1871 who reckons he tripped over a pile of (missing explorer) Leichardt's papers in Central Oz.
And he'd be only toooooo happy to recover them.
If he was taken to Northern Oz.
If you can see the flaw in this, please send a letter to the Parramatta Gaol laddies forthwith.
Ta.

The Daily Southern Cross was bursting with tid bits of chatter, gossip and news galore in 1867; The "White Rose" cleared customs ( a ship not some upstart pop singer), the NSW Govt had refused to allow South Oz sheep to cross the border and the corn market was dull.
Sorry, correction...the corn market was "very dull"
Illegal sheepies and boring cereal...yep.

And here we'll finish up with photographic evidence of the over-population of nursery rhymes by old women who chose to live in discarded footwear.

Sweet 16, the August flavour

2011-08-16T04:15:00.002+10:00

And here is today's gems from the depths of Oz history....
With a few little colourful rainbows to cheer your day along.

Long serving LGBT community activist Lex Watson made a submission to the NSW Police Dept Inquiry in 1979 where he called for non-discrimination in recruitment to the police force.
And, of course, a better liaison with community groups.

1975 saw the first National Homosexual Conference held in Melbourne over August 16 - 17 with 800 people attending.
It was with the full support of the Australian Union of Students (AUS).

Author Dennis Altman was pupped on this day in 1943 in good old Sydney.

The 20th anniversary of the first National Homosexual Conference, 1995, was held in Melbourne (again) and was marked with the launch of an info kit which highlighted the fabulous milestones of gay and lesbian history in the Fair Isle of Oz.

In 1976 ABBA's famous single Dancing Queen entered the Aussie pop charts where it stayed for 25 weeks.
And it most certainly reached #1.
Of course!

Have a lovely day!

15th of the month of August

2011-08-15T04:25:00.000+10:00

The knee is a little stiff but the bruising is fading and the limp isn't so pronounced.
I may ditch the parrot and eyepatch soon.
Though the wooden leg may stay...it stops the dogs from gnawing on my tootsies.

The popular TV series Offspring was dropped off by the production team stork onto Aussie TV screens in 2010.

Australia's very own saint, St Mary MacKillop, took her religious vows on this day in 1867.

In 1975 PM Gough Whitlam transferred the title of land to the Gurindji following the famous Wave Hill walk off in 1966.

The national coal strike in 1949 was ended when Ben Chiefly used military force to break the strike.

The All Blacks first rugby test against Oz was hosted at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1903.

And now let us gaze at this pretty door and pretend the above drivel was actually entertaining.

Sunday is brought to you by the number 14 and the letters A.u.g.u.s.t.

2011-08-14T05:38:00.000+10:00

Roll up, roll up!
No, nothing to see.
Just thought I'd see who rocked up.

In 1862 the second oldest business in Rockhampton, The Morning Bulletin, got a little hot under the collar when it's original home was burnt down and the presses destroyed.

A year later, in 1863, the first military settler recruiting mission took place in NSW when the New Zealand Government party washed up on the West Island shores.

A few years (plus give or take a century) after that, in 1971, the deadliest tornado to hit Oz killed 3 people in Kin Kin near Noosa, Queensland.

In 1942 Lt General Montgomery visited the Australians at Alamein and requested a Aussie fur slouch hat.
Which he was subsequently given.

Whichever country, there are friendly hands ready.

Oooo, did you see that? We missed August 13 being a Friday by ONE day!!!

2011-08-13T04:01:00.003+10:00

To borrow a phrase from Cazzie....Spooky, Mulder!

In 1906 the Wanganui Herald repeated a distressing,gorey, blood drenched (have you got the warnings yet?) tale of an Afghan chap who did a Lizzie Borden to his missus in Adelaide.
I blame the water in South Oz.

The Western Oz Govt issued a long-overdue apology to former British child migrants, in 1998, who had had to cope with physical,emotional and sexual abuse.
Cos, apparently, while some animals may devour their young, we humans are the only animal who gets a kick from abusing the next generation.

The Wanganui Herald reported, in 1907, that a chappie in Bendigo, who was mildly irked at not having gainful employment, threw a hissy fit and a box of dynamite down a mine shaft.
Yep, that'll really rock a CV.

So, waaaaay back in 2004 (when the 13th did fall on a Friday) the Feds rained on the parade and banned same-sex marriage in Oz.
A year later this date was declared to be a national day of action to protest the pissing contest.
And again 2011 sees the protests continue with rallies, peaceful meetings and illegal weddings.
Everyone loves a wedding; go crash an illegal one this weekend and join in the festivities.
It makes the Feds twitchy.

May all your blooms and bloomers be big, bright and blushing this weekend!

August 12th....pick a year, any year!

2011-08-12T04:44:00.000+10:00

Went A over T the other day and promptly landed squarely on my knee...which is battered, bruised and looking like it was used to bash open a dungeon door.
Only seen more colours on an artists palette.
Or the Sunday morning rainbow chunder.

Miss Alison Ashby passed away.
Never heard of her?
Go have a gander at her beautiful smile on her bio page HERE and you'll see what a gloriously lovely lady she was.
Just like the flowers she painted.

According to a chick named Naomi on Twitter...

"August 12 1829 - Perth Western Australia is founded. Over 180 years of developement later, it's still a hole."

The founding was celebrated by attacking a lovely she-oak tree and chopping the poor bloody thing down.
Bizarre creatures, we humans.

I was going to include the cyanide process of gold extraction from this date in 1908.
Except someone uploaded the damn book upside down.
So, don't bother following the link.
Unless you're a trapeze artiste.
And a contortionist.

The North Otago Times reported an odd story of an Adelaide lass who was chloroformed and abducted onto a boat by her former beau.
She woke up on the beach after falling overboard.
Almost like Pamela Ewing finding Bobby in the shower...like she dreamt the whole thing...

G'Day, kiddies.

Brush yer teeth, make yer bed and worship yer mudder.

Or I'll rip yer bloody arms orf.

11th August this year, next year, last year and forever more on this date

2011-08-11T03:09:00.001+10:00

Yes, yes, more babble and blather from the cave dwelling.
The Feral Teen busted his arm a fortnight ago and had to have surgery yesterday to re-break and re-plaster the fractured wing.
And he's off to school.
So....I'll babble and blather and dribble my drivel as much as I can.
*snort*

And here's the cricket stuff out of the way straight off - Warnie set the record when he took his 600th test wicket in 2005.
Woot.
Can you hear the sarcasm in my typing...?

In 1904 George Witton was quietly released from gaol in the UK and sent home to Oz.
Why was he in gaol and why was he sent home?
1.He was the 3rd person sentenced to death with Breaker Morant and Peter Handcock.
2.To avoid any public scrutiny of Kitchener.

In 1998 the then-PM (Little) Johnny Howard reckoned the NT was well on the way to finally getting a feather in its cap by changing its title from Territory to State.
But, alas....we aren't there yet.
Sooooo glad I didn't hold my breath for that one...!

On this day in 1973 the infamous Al Grasby uttered the word/s some still spit out with vehemence - The Multi-Cultural Society for the Future.
Those words Multi-Cultural Society kicked The White Oz Policy to the kerb.
Amen!

And here's the little bluebird of happiness.

Ready to have a poop on someone's shoulder.

*snort*

August 10 filling in time while I doodle about on this damn census form.

2011-08-10T04:26:00.000+10:00

And here we are, yet again, pottering about in the pages of history, poking fun and having a cheap laugh at those who have gone before.
Or not, if you find my corny jokes infantile and dull.
*crickets chirping*

In 1883 the West Coast Times reported that the owners of The Bulletin were in strife for libelling a journo.
Imagine!
That could never, ever happen in this day.....*snort*

The Wanganui Herald stated in 1885 that there was small pox in Sydney, a cabbies strike in Melbourne and a lost corvette (a ship not the drool-worthy sports car Prince warbled about) somewhere on the high seas.
They were just a bunch of cheerful chappies.

In 1960 Dr Barbara Moore smuggled 2 turtles and 6 lemons - all Aussie born and bred - through customs into USA.
Then she threw Aussie fruit at customs officials.
As you do....

And, finally, the Taranaki Herald announced in 1890 that, having overcome an illness, the organist was able to play ~~with~~ his organ in the Centennial Hall in Sydney.

Yes, cheap laughs, sniggering up my sleeve, snorting in glee, poking fun at historical figures....can you see why I may have earned my school detentions....?

She's still at it on August 9

2011-08-09T03:14:00.002+10:00

'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello, what do we 'ave 'ere?
Apart from the obvious bunch of homeless aitches scattered willy nilly all over the shop.

On this day in 1968 Kidney Health Australia came into being.
Love yer kidneys!

Percy Grainger wed his Nordic Princess Ella Viola Strom after the world premier of Bridal Song To A Nordic Princess, at the Hollywood Bowl in 1928 in front of an impressive guest audience of between 15,000 - 23,000.
Thankfully it was BYO slab of beer and Ladies, A Plate.
Perhaps.

In Queensland Helen Goff was dropped off by the wombat in 1899.
No flipping idea who this gal is?
She's better known as P.L Travers what writ them Mary Poppins tales, who disliked the film treatment of her book as much as Roald Dahl was underwhelmed by his Willy Wonka experince.
On yer brolly, then, for the 2012 Maryborough Mary Poppins Festival!

Terowie in South Oz was originally dubbed Shebbear on this day in 1877 by the then-Acting Governor Sir Samuel Way after a village of the same name in Devonshire, England where his father had founded a college.
Why they couldn't stick with this name I wasn't able to ascertain in the non-existant ad breaks of Midsomer Murders.
Answers in 25 words or less on the back of a stamp self addressed envelope containing a cheque for a bajillion dollars to influence the judge.
*snort*

This is me being happy.

Or just getting a good dose of fleas dressing up a stray mutt.

August 8 ate et and burped

2011-08-08T01:25:00.002+10:00

Look here....
Oh....
Wait, nope I got nothing.
Just the usual.
Possibly might post a recipe shortly.
Just to break the monotony, you know.

In 2007 they were breaking more speed records than waves, and probably going through a fair number of jocks, when a rare albino shark wafted into view.

In 1904 The Colonist mused that "with it's natural riches Australia ought to advance".
*ahem*
Yes....we're still waiting for that to happen ourselves.

The fill-um Picnic At Hanging Rock premiered in South Oz on this day in 1975.
Where you can still hear the faint screech of "Miraaaaaaaaaandaaaaaaaaa!"

The story which may or may not have had any links to the alien abduction of Kelly Cahill on this day in 1993 in Narre Warren, Victoria.
Possibly not.

This is what happens when young girls ignore the warnings of those 'funny' cigarettes...

On this day in history August 7 is looking very...august.

2011-08-07T01:51:00.000+10:00

Pickings were slim for this date.
Unless you wanted to be bored witless with cricket, rugby, football, cricket, cricket and more cricket.
No, I didn't think so.

The Ashburton Guardian was concerned that someone in Aotearoa may have displeased someone in the NSW government.
No need to fret.
We've forgotten all about it.

At 5.20am a Dakota aircraft crashed into Cleveland Bay near Townsville resulting in the deaths of 27 people.
More details HERE.

German naturalist Amalie Dietrich popped over for a tad more than a cup of tea when she rocked up in 1863 to collect birds, beetles, butterflies....and bodies.

In 1884 the Evening Post was discussing the future federation of the West Island aka Oz and asked should New Zealand consider becoming a part of it,too.
Thankfully for the North and South Islands the answer was no.
Cos we're just waiting for them to build the bridge...

"Mother says when I've outgrown chewing my toenails I can lose the birds' nest hair do"

La la la la la August 6 la la la la la laaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

2011-08-06T03:56:00.000+10:00

So, here we are again, dear reader, waffling about in the trough of Oz history.
Pass the pepper, mind the sauce and tuck in.

In 1892 Henry Lawson fired another shot across the bow of The Bulletin Debate with publication of The City Bushman.
All cooked up over a beer with Banjo at a local bar.
Maybe.

The Taranaki Herald reported that while Sydney was bragging about being plague free (yes, I did say plague) in Townsville "a man named Ford has been attacked with plauge (sic)"
Which I assume to be on talking terms with plague.
Or first cousins at the very least.

Somewhere in Elizabeth Street in Melbourne there was a bub pupped on this day in 1855.
(No, I don't know which house, throw a dart and pick one, like the weather forecasters do).
Who went on to become the Governor-General of Oz.
Sir Isaac Isaacs.

The oldest ever bit of underground mutton aka bunny rabbit was caught on this day in Tassie in 1964 (obviously not in a deadly trap) and it lived for a further 18 years and 10.75 months.
Named Flopsy.
Cos it wasn't a Mopsy and Bonds had copyrighted Cottontail.

See?

She's just soooooo impressed with that pile of drivel she's about to pass out.