Wednesday, December 9, 2009

....discovering Alexander


Do I look like this man? According to my daughters certain features of his face are similar to mine. I think there is something about the features that are close. The forehead, even though mostly covered is a close match, and perhaps the mouth and chin. The first photo of this person, who is called Alexander, that I saw was a much older man, probably in his late 50's, around the same age as I am now. This is all I knew about my bilogical father, his name, that he was a musician, and that he had 4 children. I knew the names of the 4 children and it was from this information that I managed to trace the family, my half relatives of Alexander.

About 12 months ago I did a search on White Pages for one of the 4 children, his name was Don, who as it turned out, my half brother. I did make the phone call recently and unfortunately Don had since passed away, but one of his sons, Tony, answered the telphone.......amazing. Talking to the Tony on the phone, my half nephew, he went on to tell me that he had heard about me, but no one in the family knew what had happend to me, all those years ago.

Tony told me to ring his sister Sue as she had more information, turns out that they thought I was living in Mount Gambier, and of a different name.

As it turns out there are 9 children in the family, all children of the half brother Don.

A few more phone calls and searches on Face Book allowed me to connect with several of the siblings of Don and his wife Moreen.

It has been a wonderful discovery, every now and then a new relative will connect via Face Book, even down to the next generation.

I have yet to meet some of my new family, but already I feel very welcome into the new extended family. Hopefully in the next couple of months I will get to meet some of the new relatives.......exciting times ahead.

Don't let anyone tell you that Face Book is a trivial social experiment, to me it has been a terrific tool of discovery.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

......the dream becomes reality.







Well the big day arrived, it was a day of coincidences. The scooter was ready for delivery on Michelle's birthday. It was also the same day I was booked in for a bike service. So it was a busy day at the bike shop. I recall the excitement I felt on getting my first bike many years ago. Fortunately for me it was an unexpected event whereas Michelle had to try and sleep the night before the delivery. Not to mention my sleepless night wondering how the day would turn out. Well it could not have been better, the scooter was already to ride away, just the paperwork and money transactions to complete. Here is some photo's of the first spin on the Piaggio Zip scooter, she looks like the little machine was made for her. As a parent who witnessed the above dream, I have been in two minds about this move. Do you as a protective parent try and talk your daughter out of buying a scooter, because of all your fears and worries about the move away from 4 wheels. Or do you accept their decision and go with the flow, passing on encouragement and knowledge to get them started.. ..........You accept their decision as not only are they adults but you remember your same dream. I think Michelle was like me when I wanted to get on two wheels. I had visualised the experience so many times over in my mind that, when I finally hopped on the dream machine it all came natural very quickly. Ride safe Skooter Girl.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Quick spin down the coast.....







The nice white 97 Heritage Springer belongs to a friend
called Ray. Ray has just returned to bike riding after
quite a few years without a bike. The interesting angle of
this story, is that he has recently bought this bike back
from an old friend. He sold it to him a few years back with
the proviso that he has the first option on buying it back
if he wants to sell it again. Amazingly this bike has only done
10,000km and is in very good condition. Today we decided
to go for a quick trip down to Port Broughton for a coffee
before the heat of the day arrived. It was great to
connect with a new found friend who has decided that
he would like to join us for a ride. I think Ray will be a
friend for life.



Friday, October 30, 2009

images in black





Images found on the net through a random generator.
No idea who is the owner.
Thanks to the anonymous donor of these
interesting images.

lost dreams.........

On many of our travels we have found
scenes like this.
This one taken in central Australia
on the way to the Birdsville races.
Walking around the ruins your mind
tries to fill in the lost story.
What happened to the families that
lived here?
What were their dreams?
Why did it all go wrong?
Was it the drought?
Was it the isolation?
Ghosts of the past watch
as you try and piece the mystery
together.



DISTORTED IMAGE


THE squashed swan

....deserted beach......









Black Betty took us to a new destination,
Port Hughes.
Pristine untouched coastline.
No tourists
No locals
No dogs
or cats
just one plastic bag
and a dead jelly fish.


Friday, October 16, 2009

I met George at Telowie Gorge....








Recently we went for a hike up through Telowie Gorge,
located in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.
It's funny how the beautiful spots are so close to home.
Untouched bushland that has remained a secret.
Lovingly tended by a bunch of locals, it's a pleasant walk
and has a peaceful sereneness about it.
The craggy rocks up high contrast with the brilliant blue sky.
Evidence of fires of recent years.
I found beauty both ancient and new.


what dreams are made off.....

The seed was sown many years ago.
That much loved pink bike with bells and whistles.
Is that when the dream was born.
Freedom is yours when you master the bike.

Many years later there was Dad's dream.
The pink bike girl wanted a spin.
The next stage of freedom had progressed.
Now she wants to experience,
the real feel of freedom herself.
As they say:-
Only a Biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window














Saturday, September 26, 2009

The first Magpie chick tries it's wings





For the last few weeks I have been listening to the progress of the new baby magpies. I'm still not sure if there is only one or maybe two. I have noticed the change in the tone of the birds calls. Definately a difference between a newly hatched chick and an almost ready to fly bird. The weather has been terrible from time to time and the nest and occupants have survived the wind rain and cold conditions.


Today when I returned from my walk I heard a bit of activity on the driveway. Lot's of squarking and flying around by the parents. Then I spotted the new bird sitting about 10 metres from the family tree. Suddenly I was warned off by a very angry couple of parents. I kept my distance and went inside to fetch the camera. I was a bit worried that the new bird may have trouble flying, but just after I took the photo, it flew with off with immature wings, flapping madly trying to get some height. I was a bit relieved as I was worried that it would be a target for cats or foxes. I feel anxious about the next few days as I feel this young bird will be at risk. Fingers crossed, I will keep you posted. I wonder if there are any more newbies in the nest?
The top 2 photo's are of a protective parent warning me to keep my distance.






Thursday, September 10, 2009

Operation Magpie

ABC Radio and Uni SA are conducting a magpie survey. I have decided to contribute my experiences with my new family in the garden.
Here is a link to the website if you are interested.

Things that make you say..."what the f..k..."


"let's start a veggie garden she cried........."

Here is the start of the veggie plot, about 2 weeks after planting the seedlings.
Raised bed in the foreground was planted with seedlings.
The 2 beds at the rear are for stages 2 and 3, to be planted with seeds.
The veggies got off to a good start even though the weather was still cold.
The bed is compact, and includes leeks, silver beet, beetroot, spinach, rocket,
spring onions, cauliflowers and tomato's at the back.


Here is a magpie eye view of stage 2, with peas growing well, climbing up the trellis.
Look carefully and you can see a row of carrots, barely an inch high.
Stage 3 has been planted with beans and they are looking fine.
Growing veggies is a satisfying and rewarding task, and is a nice way
to relax after a busy day at work.
Growing up in a market garden family it has all come back to me,
the soil preparation, the planting the care and maintenance.
It's much more relaxing doing this on a small scale.
Already we have reaped the benefits.
The rocket, which grew the quickest is a nice addition to the salads.
Yesterday for lunch I pulled a handfull of spring onions,
washed and trimmed them and ate them in a sandwich.
Pure bliss.
Nothing like picking your own produce fresh from the garden.



Magpie update.....

The red circle marks the spot where the nest is located.
Almost impossible to see standing at the base of the tree.
When the wind blows the tree sways a lot.
I wonder if the babies are scared when it blows.
Yesterday a whirly wind drifted through the trees.
I checked for any casualties at the bottom ..........all clear.
The nest must be strong and anchored well.

me updating my blog....


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Musical interlude.....



I have recently discovered this amazing singer.

Antony and The Johnsons.

Listen.......you will be amazed


web page


Tuesday, September 1, 2009

It's Magpie season again.....

Last week I was sitting out the front of the house having a cuppa with my faithfull cat Rosie. It was right at the end of winter, spring was only a few days away. Out in the front paddock was a pair of Magpies being very agitated about something that I could not see. They were swooping and cursing at something behind the wood heap. I suddenly realised that they must be trying to protect something, and my senses sparked up. In between the squarking by the swooping maggies I could hear a faint sound of new birds in a nest. Near the house is 2 large pine trees and the sound was coming from the very top of one of the huge trees. So yes they were probably the family that the parents were trying to protect. I put my coffee down and walked towards the wood heap, the closer I got the better view of the commotion was to be had. A few metres from the heap, I suddenly spotted a neighbours cat being the recipient of the constant attack. Until I appeared the cat was ignoring the threats from the 2 birds. Just then the cat spotted me, and turned and sprinted off towards the fence. I shouted out some loud shooing sounds to help the cat along. The two Magpies realised that I was helping them and they calmed down and silently thanked me for the intervention. Since then I have listened daily for the screeching young birds in the nest. I have looked at the top of the pine tree with binoculars, only to see the bottom of the sturdy nest wedged in the fork of the tree. I thought I would keep an eye on the family and report on proceedings. Today, about a week later from the cat incident, it's very windy outside and the nest is swaying in the strong breeze. I haven't spotted the parents anywhere close to the tree today. I hope they are okay, and that they haven't decided to abandon the nest. Stay tuned.

UPDATE:- Last night I heard the Mum and Dad Magpies calling, but they normally do this on a full moon night. This morning when I opened the front door, I could hear the baby birds chirping. I have also seen a parent flying away from the nest tree, so all is well so far.

UPDATE:- It's been over a week and the chicks are growing, well at least they sound like they are. They are more vocal and call out much louder. Mum and Dad are very aggressive to any concieved threats. I saw them chase off a hawk that circling around the nest tree. I am looking forward to seeing the young ones out of the nest and sitting on the branches, flexing their wings. Maybe I will be able to get a picture as well.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Another camera lesson....

It was such a nice day today I decided to do a Pasty run to Crystal Brook. If you haven't tried a Crystal Brook Pasty, you are missing out on one of life's delights. After a lunch break in the sun reading the paper, I headed up the highway again to turn off at Weeroona Island. I found this good camera spot half way accross the causeway to the island. No traffic so I was free to set up the bike, walk away and take a few shots. I have been reading about photographing bikes in a magazine just this week and it has helped with my compositions. The day was completed with a nice meal out with Gary and Ali, nice food nice company.......good day all round.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Norton 961 SE Commando First Look...........


Triumph were rebirthed a few years back and they have a great range of bikes.
Now we see that someone has rekindled the Norton bike......I hope it is a success as it looks very slick. Here is a copy of an article written in an online bike magagzine
"It now looks like September could see the first of the new Norton 961 SE Commandos rolling off the production line. Although very similar in appearance to the ‘Kenny Dreer’ machine, it has been totally re-engineered and now boasts fuel injection.The motor remains a pushrod Parallel Twin and is expected to give 80-85 hp in its final form. The frame too remains as per the prototype, BST carbon fiber wheels, Ohlin’s forks and twin rear shocks; along with Brembo brakes also mirror the original. Only 200 of these new machines will be built, all coming with a numbered plaque, costing £15,995. Stuart Garner and his team though are remaining tight lipped about future models, proffering to concentrate on fulfilling the orders for the new SE model and establish confidence that the historic brand is back as modern day manufacturer before promising further models!"

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

lady-bird lady-bird fly away......

Found this bunch of ladybirds at the edge of a reservoir........Questions come to mind, why are they called "ladybirds" when clearly they are not birds. Also not all of them can be ladies, only about 50% of them. Should they be called "peoplebirds"??? Drop of the "birds" as they are clearly not birds, so would that make them "Peopleinsects"?
Then you wonder, what do you call a bunch of "Ladybirds", is it a gang, a clutch, a swarm a herd or a flock? If I was an aphid living near that reservoir I would be very worried, I would be packing my bags and moving to another weed down stream........Maybe it was just a Woodstock for da birds........but then again if they are really a gang, I have been associating with them and could be thrown in the slammer if I do it 5 more times.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Back to the Peterborough MC Museum

















Yesterday we took Tracey and Paul to the Motorcycle Museum on their way back to Bribie Island. I have been there before so only took photo's of the new bike on display. I really admired the workmanship and detail in this old bike which has been restored beautifully. Love the drop down bars and pinstriping paint work. Work of art really........




Sunday, August 9, 2009

missing in action......

In the words of Arnold, "I'll be baack...."

Monday, August 3, 2009

they do not discriminate.........

I was in town yesterday and i saw a man and his dog. No big deal you say, you see that every day. The dog was happy as a lark leading the way, pulling on his lead. Every now and then the dog would look back at the man with love in his eyes. Total devotion, happiness and companionship was shared betwen them. The dog did not seem to notice or care that his master was different. His master was the unkempt batchelor, the lonely guy you see shuffling along in his walking frame heading to to the shops or perhaps back home. The person you would avoid because he was a bit slow and, I'm ashamed to admit this, not the person you would want to be seen with, incase others thought he was your friend.
This is when I noticed my failings and appreciated the dogs doting affection. He did not care, he loved his master, this man who shared his world with him. Dogs are wonderful creatures, much better than us two legged creatures.

Quote of the day.....



Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation.

Henry A Kissinger