My father was the most racially prejudiced person I have ever known.
When I was a teenager, (about 16 yrs of age) his boss visited our house with a young man who was a native of Papua New Guinea. He was a very handsome young man with a beautiful smile (I was reminded of him years later when I saw Ernie Dingo in one of the Crocodile Dundee movies).
After they left, I commented to my parents on how good looking he was.
My father became very angry, stood over me and said "Don't you ever bring a 'coon' home to this house!" and proceeded to threaten me with words like 'disown' and 'banish' and used other nasty language that I won't repeat here.
He worked in outback Australia and Papua New Guinea and he told many derogatory stories during my childhood and youth about Indigenous Australians and Papua New Guineans. Stories that would be repeated to many different people in different social situations.
I remember always feeling uncomfortable when he told these stories, but never felt empowered enough to voice my opinion.
We 'Gen YG' (how I will refer to my siblings and myself as a group) children were, with hindsight, not allowed to voice an opinion that was different to our parents' opinions. Speaking for myself, I was belittled if I ever shared an opposing opinion, so I learned to refrain.
However, I digress ...
Being so young when I had my own children, I didn't have many strong ideas about how I would raise them, but I didn't want them to be influenced by my father's racism or any of the negative traits that he displayed so blatantly eg chauvinism, sexism, bigotry, arrogance etc.
We lived 2000 kms away from my parents, so time spent with them was rare and brief and therefore their influence was miniscule.
I was almost brain washed by this negative attitude and it was quite difficult for me to completely change my own thinking and behaviour, even though I opposed his ways, but something happened with Vegan Chickie when she was about 11 or 12 yrs of age, that made me believe that I'd had some success.
She and a couple of her friends were being bullied at, before and after school. It became quite a serious problem and the girls were very upset by it and afraid to walk in certain areas at certain times - the usual problems associated with bullying.
When I asked her to describe the girls and explain what was happening, she told me about a group of girls who were mean and acted tough and who scared them. I think she may have been hit by one of them as well (I hope my memory serves me correctly).
Eventually, the school Principal was brought into the situation and the bullying girls were disciplined. I was at the school one day and Vegan Chickie pointed the girls out to me. I was surprised to see that they were a group of indigenous girls.
The fact that it never occurred to Vegan Chickie that being indigenous was something that could be specified in a description of the girls, gave me a deep feeling of satisfaction. Perhaps I could take some credit for protecting my family from my father's strong racial opinions?
Vegan Chickie is BIG on 'acceptance', 'tolerance' and 'empathy' (although she is not very tolerant of the older generation and their 'lack' of all those qualities!) and often picks me up for being judgemental.
My mother was the most judgemental person I've ever known, (which was learned behaviour from her own mother), and since she played the role of 'mother' and 'father' for much of our lives, this is a trait that unfortunately, rubbed off on my sister and I.
I don't recall my brother ever being judgemental ... although we had little to do with each other after I left home at the age of 17, so I have few memories of him as a man and the strongest ones are of him being a gentle and loving soul with momentary glimpses of my father's anger issues.
So, I find that I often pull myself up before making judgements, and I regularly hear Vegan Chickie's voice in my conscience reminding me, but I also find it difficult to erase this characteristic completely from my personality.
I do find, that while working hard at trying to remove it, I very much notice it in others and am constantly shocked at how judgemental most people are!
I also believe that the more unhappy you are with your own self or 'lot' in life, the more judgemental you are of others. But that is just my honest opinion.
So the reason I write all of this, is because I read something on facebook today that I wanted to share and which makes a lot of sense to me.
“When a child hears a parent comment in disgust, “Will you look at her hair!” not only is judgment being modeled, but so is intolerance. When the environments inhabited by children promote a culture of acceptance, so children will learn that difference is just a part of normal.”—Betsy Brown Braun
http://www.positivelypositive.com/2012/03/05/difference/
I want to say 'thank you' to Vegan Chickie for being such a good role model for me and for her daughter and I hope she knows that I may seem like a lost cause, but I really do try! Sometimes I might require a gentle reminder.
Nite all.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
A Brief Summary of the Day
Played golf with Woman of Many Talents and we were happy with our efforts.
Arrived home in time to bid farewell to Adoring Husband for the week.
Took photos in the garden instead of doing the housework. Mixed feelings. Happy with the photos. Disappointed with my lack of effort in the 'housework' department.
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| Especially for my arachnophobic Adoring Husband (sorry darling) |
Made the effort to go out tonight - first time in a long time. Had a good time with the girls.
Had a slapdash cold chicken and wombok salad for dinner and then watched the football. Disappointing results - none from two so far!
Going to bed early so that I can rise early for Adoring Husband's work tomorrow, which I agreed to do while he's away.
... and that, my friends, is a brief summary of my day. :D
Nite all.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Dinner Interrupted
Not much going on today really.
No eagles. No pelicans. No fish.
I noticed, while at the Seat of Knowledge, that sting rays were jumping out of the water. I watched the river and four times I saw a sting ray jump. So I rode down to the bench seat at the park overlooking the water and I held the camera high, looking through the view finder, panning back and forth across the water, in the hope of catching a ray jumping.
Talk about wishful thinking!!
It would take incredible luck to capture that with my camera!!
So all I got this morning, before I had to come home to prepare for my hairdresser appointment was a sad little shag gulping down his breakfast.
I was tempted to go bird watching after that, but I knew I had an appointment at 11am so instead, I rode home at 10am to make sure that I would be fresh for my appointment and not be all hot and sweaty from riding around in the sun.
I plonked myself on the couch (gee that's unusual!) and opened my laptop to catch up on my friends' news from the flood zone.
Seventy minutes later, the phone rang. I immediately knew that it was the hairdresser!! This is the third time that I've not turned up for an appointment and they've had to phone to remind me!!
I can't believe that it happened! I came home early, especially to be ready for the appointment, and then completely forgot about it! Ugh!
So Adoring Husband rushed me up there (it's only a 2 minute drive away) and luckily it wasn't a busy day in the salon, so it wasn't a problem that I was late. Whew!
A quiet afternoon followed and I cooked dinner while Adoring Husband was at work.
We were eating dinner and I looked out the window and noticed the sky was changing colour. Adoring Husband opened the front door and the sky was turning red before our eyes.
So with a mouth full of food and dinner not quite finished, I grabbed the camera and ran bare foot across the road toward the lagoon to try and grab a quick shot before the colour disappeared.
It really was quite spectacular and if I had been prepared, a shot over the lagoon would have been rather breathtaking, but it was another of those shots that slipped through my fingers.
As I turned in disappointment, I looked over our rooftop and there in the middle of the sky was the full moon. I had planned on being at the river to watch it rise out of the ocean, but the clouds stopped me from going.
Last month, the hazy cloud on the horizon spoiled the moon rise and we couldn't even see it until it was a long way above the water line, so that's why I was hesitant to possibly waste my time this evening.
That's life!
So dinner was interrupted by a wonderful red sunset and then a hazy, but quite beautiful full moon. I can't help thinking ... if I was in the right spot at the right time ... who knows.
Nite all
No eagles. No pelicans. No fish.
I noticed, while at the Seat of Knowledge, that sting rays were jumping out of the water. I watched the river and four times I saw a sting ray jump. So I rode down to the bench seat at the park overlooking the water and I held the camera high, looking through the view finder, panning back and forth across the water, in the hope of catching a ray jumping.
Talk about wishful thinking!!
It would take incredible luck to capture that with my camera!!
So all I got this morning, before I had to come home to prepare for my hairdresser appointment was a sad little shag gulping down his breakfast.
I was tempted to go bird watching after that, but I knew I had an appointment at 11am so instead, I rode home at 10am to make sure that I would be fresh for my appointment and not be all hot and sweaty from riding around in the sun.
I plonked myself on the couch (gee that's unusual!) and opened my laptop to catch up on my friends' news from the flood zone.
Seventy minutes later, the phone rang. I immediately knew that it was the hairdresser!! This is the third time that I've not turned up for an appointment and they've had to phone to remind me!!
I can't believe that it happened! I came home early, especially to be ready for the appointment, and then completely forgot about it! Ugh!
So Adoring Husband rushed me up there (it's only a 2 minute drive away) and luckily it wasn't a busy day in the salon, so it wasn't a problem that I was late. Whew!
A quiet afternoon followed and I cooked dinner while Adoring Husband was at work.
We were eating dinner and I looked out the window and noticed the sky was changing colour. Adoring Husband opened the front door and the sky was turning red before our eyes.
So with a mouth full of food and dinner not quite finished, I grabbed the camera and ran bare foot across the road toward the lagoon to try and grab a quick shot before the colour disappeared.
It really was quite spectacular and if I had been prepared, a shot over the lagoon would have been rather breathtaking, but it was another of those shots that slipped through my fingers.
As I turned in disappointment, I looked over our rooftop and there in the middle of the sky was the full moon. I had planned on being at the river to watch it rise out of the ocean, but the clouds stopped me from going.
Last month, the hazy cloud on the horizon spoiled the moon rise and we couldn't even see it until it was a long way above the water line, so that's why I was hesitant to possibly waste my time this evening.
That's life!
So dinner was interrupted by a wonderful red sunset and then a hazy, but quite beautiful full moon. I can't help thinking ... if I was in the right spot at the right time ... who knows.
Nite all
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Up Before the Sun!
I set my alarm for 5am in the hopes of catching a magnificent sunrise and also spotting the magnificent White Breasted Sea Eagle out at Serenia Beach.
It was difficult, but I dragged myself out of bed, threw some clothes on, collected my camera gear and climbed into the car with Adoring Husband.
We drove up the street and around the corner, when I remembered the fish (a token gift for the eagle) was still in the fridge in the garage. So Adoring Husband did a quick U-turn and we returned to collect the fish.
Adoring Husband then dropped me off at Serenia Beach and drove to work.
Unfortunately, some dark cloud scuttled across the sky to spoil what could have been close to a magnificent sunrise. Through tiny little gaps in the cloud there was evidence of a bright pink and orange morning sky behind the dark cloud, but never enough to capture in a photograph.
I took a couple of shots, but there was nothing to brag about it.
I also wandered up and down the beach looking for the eagle. Every time I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye, I would excitedly scan the sky, only to find that it was an ibis, a seagull, a tern or a heron - all of which I already have numerous photos.
So after almost an hour, I climbed back into the car with Adoring Husband and headed home.
He told me that the eagle had flown low beside the car near the Bowls Club when he was on his way to pick me up **rolls eyes**. Why doesn't that surprise me?
We did a quick detour through the new estate and I spotted a lone kangaroo, so I got Adoring Husband to stop the car and I climbed out to try for a shot.
The kangaroo took one look at me and began bounding straight towards me! So I lifted the camera and pressed my finger to the shutter button taking about a dozen quick shots.
The kangaroo stopped about half way and looked at me again, then continued to hop towards me! I thought he was coming to attack me, but then at the last minute he did an 'exit, stage right' and disappeared.
I've never seen a kangaroo do that before!
When we arrived home, I had a quick shower, changed my clothes and jumped on my trike to follow my usual morning ritual.
Later, when I was thinking of returning home, I looked up and saw six pelicans flying high in the sky.
I knew that the tide was high and that they would be struggling to find any clear beach to land on, so I turned my trike around and began to follow them.
They were heading toward the Lions Park, but soon, as I pedalled along the path, the trees blocked my view of them, so I couldn't tell if they were still flying in the same direction.
I got to the end of the park, where the beach joins it and I could not see hide nor hair of the pelicans!
I sat on a bench seat with camera in hand and waited, searching and scanning the sky, waiting for them to reappear.
No such luck.
No birds.
I have to say that it is quite difficult to be focussed on photography at the moment.
Down South, the town where I lived before moving to Sydney to be with Adoring Husband, is going through some terrible unprecedented floods and have been suffering for four days thus far.
Friends have been evacuated from their homes and flood waters are still rising and moving unpredictably.
Today, another 600 people were evacuated. It's a waiting game for them and they don't know how much damage is waiting for them when they finally get to return home.
Some had been out and when they tried to return home, were refused entry into the town. They had to leave pets behind, were unable to move valuables to higher ground and were unable to rescue important documents.
Some have been evacuated a second time from the house that they sought refuge!
The town's people have come together as a community and filled sand bags, building walls to protect each other's properties, offered beds, rooms and accommodation to the evacuees, fed and clothed strangers and really formed bonds with each other through this disaster.
Disasters seem to bring out the best in most people.
However, the point is that I am surprised by how much I am worrying about it.
Nobody, me especially, ever believed that the town could flood, and this has been caused by a collapse of infrastructure 100 kms away!
It's shocking and heart breaking.
Thankfully, up to this point, there have been no fatalities or injuries. There were warnings and emergency services were able to evacuate with time to spare.
It is still a horrible experience and a trauma from which the people will have to recover.
It makes me feel sick and I can't stop thinking about it. I know it's just 'stuff' but I feel like this is my family and it hurts me that they are hurting.
I hope that it will all be over soon and the people can return to their homes, start the clean up and get back to normal.
Adoring Husband and I are so lucky to have each other and the lives that we share in the place that we live. I try not to take it for granted and I feel like the luckiest person alive!
One more thing ... and I've waited to mention it til I knew that all was good ... but my ex-father-in-law has been ill, and was hospitalised, but has now returned home and is doing well.
So, to The Rev, welcome home and continue to regain your health and strength. You are loved my many - friends AND family and we are all relieved that you are on the mend :o)
... and Grannymus YOU take care of YOU too!
Nite all.
It was difficult, but I dragged myself out of bed, threw some clothes on, collected my camera gear and climbed into the car with Adoring Husband.
We drove up the street and around the corner, when I remembered the fish (a token gift for the eagle) was still in the fridge in the garage. So Adoring Husband did a quick U-turn and we returned to collect the fish.
Adoring Husband then dropped me off at Serenia Beach and drove to work.
Unfortunately, some dark cloud scuttled across the sky to spoil what could have been close to a magnificent sunrise. Through tiny little gaps in the cloud there was evidence of a bright pink and orange morning sky behind the dark cloud, but never enough to capture in a photograph.
 |
| A touch over-exposed where the sun was rising, but I like the birds and the sun's reflection on the wet sand. |
I also wandered up and down the beach looking for the eagle. Every time I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye, I would excitedly scan the sky, only to find that it was an ibis, a seagull, a tern or a heron - all of which I already have numerous photos.
So after almost an hour, I climbed back into the car with Adoring Husband and headed home.
He told me that the eagle had flown low beside the car near the Bowls Club when he was on his way to pick me up **rolls eyes**. Why doesn't that surprise me?
We did a quick detour through the new estate and I spotted a lone kangaroo, so I got Adoring Husband to stop the car and I climbed out to try for a shot.
The kangaroo took one look at me and began bounding straight towards me! So I lifted the camera and pressed my finger to the shutter button taking about a dozen quick shots.
The kangaroo stopped about half way and looked at me again, then continued to hop towards me! I thought he was coming to attack me, but then at the last minute he did an 'exit, stage right' and disappeared.
I've never seen a kangaroo do that before!
When we arrived home, I had a quick shower, changed my clothes and jumped on my trike to follow my usual morning ritual.
Later, when I was thinking of returning home, I looked up and saw six pelicans flying high in the sky.
I knew that the tide was high and that they would be struggling to find any clear beach to land on, so I turned my trike around and began to follow them.
They were heading toward the Lions Park, but soon, as I pedalled along the path, the trees blocked my view of them, so I couldn't tell if they were still flying in the same direction.
I got to the end of the park, where the beach joins it and I could not see hide nor hair of the pelicans!
I sat on a bench seat with camera in hand and waited, searching and scanning the sky, waiting for them to reappear.
No such luck.
No birds.
I have to say that it is quite difficult to be focussed on photography at the moment.
Down South, the town where I lived before moving to Sydney to be with Adoring Husband, is going through some terrible unprecedented floods and have been suffering for four days thus far.
Friends have been evacuated from their homes and flood waters are still rising and moving unpredictably.
Today, another 600 people were evacuated. It's a waiting game for them and they don't know how much damage is waiting for them when they finally get to return home.
Some had been out and when they tried to return home, were refused entry into the town. They had to leave pets behind, were unable to move valuables to higher ground and were unable to rescue important documents.
Some have been evacuated a second time from the house that they sought refuge!
The town's people have come together as a community and filled sand bags, building walls to protect each other's properties, offered beds, rooms and accommodation to the evacuees, fed and clothed strangers and really formed bonds with each other through this disaster.
Disasters seem to bring out the best in most people.
However, the point is that I am surprised by how much I am worrying about it.
Nobody, me especially, ever believed that the town could flood, and this has been caused by a collapse of infrastructure 100 kms away!
It's shocking and heart breaking.
Thankfully, up to this point, there have been no fatalities or injuries. There were warnings and emergency services were able to evacuate with time to spare.
It is still a horrible experience and a trauma from which the people will have to recover.
It makes me feel sick and I can't stop thinking about it. I know it's just 'stuff' but I feel like this is my family and it hurts me that they are hurting.
I hope that it will all be over soon and the people can return to their homes, start the clean up and get back to normal.
Adoring Husband and I are so lucky to have each other and the lives that we share in the place that we live. I try not to take it for granted and I feel like the luckiest person alive!
One more thing ... and I've waited to mention it til I knew that all was good ... but my ex-father-in-law has been ill, and was hospitalised, but has now returned home and is doing well.
So, to The Rev, welcome home and continue to regain your health and strength. You are loved my many - friends AND family and we are all relieved that you are on the mend :o)
... and Grannymus YOU take care of YOU too!
Nite all.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Hindering Tide
I had big-ish plans again today.
A big flock of pelicans was pointed out to me this morning while I was sitting at the Seat of Knowledge. They flew way up river over the moored yachts and landed on a small sand bank that had, until 20 minutes prior to that, been under water.
The tide was on it's way out, and on low tide, that exposed sand bank forms part of the expansive sand flats.
I left the river, planning to get myself some breakfast, and then head back down to walk along the beach, and get as close to the pelicans as I could.
As I rounded the corner towards the bakery, I remembered that I was 20 minutes late for morning tea with 'the girls'! They had decided to miss swimming because of the inclement weather and arranged for us to meet 30 minutes earlier than usual.
I wasn't really dressed for the occasion but I stopped and had grapes and water with them, the grapes being the breakfast to keep my energy up for beach walking!
After a pleasant hour, I got myself a new bottle of insect spray (the sandflies can be a problem some days) and headed back to the beach. I could see the pelicans still on the sandbank, but the tide still hadn't receded enough to get to them.
I couldn't even get close enough to get a decent distant shot, so I planned to go home for a while and pedal back, yet again, a bit later on.
Well, that didn't happen.
I unknowingly ate some food that had wheat in it and spent the entire afternoon in a very unwell state.
My other plan for the afternoon was to go out to Serenia Beach to find that eagle, but now, I hope that tomorrow morning will be a 'goer'.
So my only shot for the day is for the March Photo a Day challenge.
At least the cricket was on today, so that I had some TV entertainment to fill the afternoon!
Enough of this frivolity.
Nite all.
A big flock of pelicans was pointed out to me this morning while I was sitting at the Seat of Knowledge. They flew way up river over the moored yachts and landed on a small sand bank that had, until 20 minutes prior to that, been under water.
The tide was on it's way out, and on low tide, that exposed sand bank forms part of the expansive sand flats.
I left the river, planning to get myself some breakfast, and then head back down to walk along the beach, and get as close to the pelicans as I could.
As I rounded the corner towards the bakery, I remembered that I was 20 minutes late for morning tea with 'the girls'! They had decided to miss swimming because of the inclement weather and arranged for us to meet 30 minutes earlier than usual.
I wasn't really dressed for the occasion but I stopped and had grapes and water with them, the grapes being the breakfast to keep my energy up for beach walking!
After a pleasant hour, I got myself a new bottle of insect spray (the sandflies can be a problem some days) and headed back to the beach. I could see the pelicans still on the sandbank, but the tide still hadn't receded enough to get to them.
I couldn't even get close enough to get a decent distant shot, so I planned to go home for a while and pedal back, yet again, a bit later on.
Well, that didn't happen.
I unknowingly ate some food that had wheat in it and spent the entire afternoon in a very unwell state.
My other plan for the afternoon was to go out to Serenia Beach to find that eagle, but now, I hope that tomorrow morning will be a 'goer'.
So my only shot for the day is for the March Photo a Day challenge.
 |
| 6. 5PM |
Enough of this frivolity.
Nite all.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Wetter than Wet!
It was a very wet trip into The Bay last night!
The plane was more than 30 minutes late due to the weather, but the family arrived safe and sound and we delivered them to their door in the same condition, before heading back home ourselves.
The weather was not nice and it was a 'longer than usual' drive home, but I got to experiment with some night photography on the way and I liked the added effect of the rain with the lights.
Luckily for us, the REALLY heavy rain waited until we arrived home before coming down. When we checked the rain gauge this morning, it had 90 ml in it. Others in town had 100 and 120 ml! Maryborough had 200 ml!
There are floods all over NSW and QLD right now. My old stamping ground is suffering badly and people have been evacuated from their homes. They are expecting the worst by 10 o'clock tonight, but then again there is more rain forecast, so the worst could yet come after that.
You are all in my thoughts and I wish there was something more that I could do from this distance. I can't imagine the frustration and despair you must be feeling.
On a happier note, the lovely Win had a birthday today and celebrated her 89th year on this earth.
We had a lovely morning tea with her after she had spent the morning at craft.
She is so beautiful and I love photographing her. I know she hates her photos because she doesn't like her wrinkles, but I think every single one of them is beautiful.
We've saved the candles to use at her 98th birthday :o)
I didn't get out to Serenia Beach as planned this morning because it was too wet, so I don't have a photo of the magnificent white and grey eagle that I'd hoped to share with you today. If the forecast is correct, then I won't have it tomorrow either - fingers crossed the forecast is wrong!
We would like the rain to go away for a while because it's already wetter than wet ... and that's wet enough!
Nite all.
The plane was more than 30 minutes late due to the weather, but the family arrived safe and sound and we delivered them to their door in the same condition, before heading back home ourselves.
The weather was not nice and it was a 'longer than usual' drive home, but I got to experiment with some night photography on the way and I liked the added effect of the rain with the lights.
Luckily for us, the REALLY heavy rain waited until we arrived home before coming down. When we checked the rain gauge this morning, it had 90 ml in it. Others in town had 100 and 120 ml! Maryborough had 200 ml!
There are floods all over NSW and QLD right now. My old stamping ground is suffering badly and people have been evacuated from their homes. They are expecting the worst by 10 o'clock tonight, but then again there is more rain forecast, so the worst could yet come after that.
You are all in my thoughts and I wish there was something more that I could do from this distance. I can't imagine the frustration and despair you must be feeling.
On a happier note, the lovely Win had a birthday today and celebrated her 89th year on this earth.
We had a lovely morning tea with her after she had spent the morning at craft.
 |
| Sorry Win, I've used your photo for one of the March Photo a day challenge shots :) 5. Smile |
 |
| ... and sorry Win, I've used another photo for my 104 challenge. A Person Blowing out Candles - Photo 67 of 104 |
We've saved the candles to use at her 98th birthday :o)
I didn't get out to Serenia Beach as planned this morning because it was too wet, so I don't have a photo of the magnificent white and grey eagle that I'd hoped to share with you today. If the forecast is correct, then I won't have it tomorrow either - fingers crossed the forecast is wrong!
We would like the rain to go away for a while because it's already wetter than wet ... and that's wet enough!
Nite all.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
A Morning of Entertainment
The photos speak for themselves ...
He provided hours of entertainment for us all this morning and then very generously offered us some fish. I accepted three and Adoring Husband and I drove down to the park afterwards, where the fish cleaning table is, and (Vegan Chickie - stop reading this bit) scaled them, Adoring Husband slit the belly and I pulled the guts out (ew).
I'm looking forward to trying mullet for the first time tomorrow for lunch and I'm saving one for the big eagle that I'm hoping to photograph at Serenia Beach tomorrow morning (if the rain stops!).
Thanks Tezza :o)
For lunch today, we drove to Goodies Restaurant at Toogoom and met up with The Speckled Hen and her husband Dirty Old Man where we celebrated her birthday, along with six other friends.
We had a lovely meal and caught up with some friends who have spent the last year travelling around Australia.
We will be leaving shortly to drive into The Bay and pick the family up from the Airport after their weekend away, which by all accounts, has been a veritable obstacle course!
So after a morning of entertainment, an afternoon with friends and an evening to see the family, there will be no time for blogging later.
Nite all.
He provided hours of entertainment for us all this morning and then very generously offered us some fish. I accepted three and Adoring Husband and I drove down to the park afterwards, where the fish cleaning table is, and (Vegan Chickie - stop reading this bit) scaled them, Adoring Husband slit the belly and I pulled the guts out (ew).
I'm looking forward to trying mullet for the first time tomorrow for lunch and I'm saving one for the big eagle that I'm hoping to photograph at Serenia Beach tomorrow morning (if the rain stops!).
Thanks Tezza :o)
For lunch today, we drove to Goodies Restaurant at Toogoom and met up with The Speckled Hen and her husband Dirty Old Man where we celebrated her birthday, along with six other friends.
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| The birthday girl - 63 today! |
We will be leaving shortly to drive into The Bay and pick the family up from the Airport after their weekend away, which by all accounts, has been a veritable obstacle course!
So after a morning of entertainment, an afternoon with friends and an evening to see the family, there will be no time for blogging later.
Nite all.
Birthdays Everywhere!
No Chicklet time today, because she is in Melbourne, so I spent a lot of time at the river this morning.
The mullet were jumping in huge numbers and schools of them were bubbling the water.
A local fisherman, said that something big was in the water chasing them. Something like a Queen fish or a Bull shark.
He said that he had seen many Bull Sharks and that he had seen them as far along the river as Howard! No-one has ever been bitten, eaten or taken by a shark around here, but I'm pretty certain that I am not going to take the risk!
While I was taking these mullet shots, I heard a commotion behind me. A commotion that sounded a lot like those Whistling Kites from yesterday and when I turned to look, there they were fighting with a Brahminy Kite!
Two against one was hardly a fair fight. One mid air collision later and the Brahminy Kite flew off. So that's two days in a row I've seen other birds scare off a Brahminy Kite!
I am surprised by that because I thought they were like Eagles and high in the chain of command in the bird world. Obviously I was very wrong.
Not long after that I was still on the river bank when I noticed a shadow in the water and then two little flippers broke the surface!
He didn't hang around for long.
I decided to ride to the Lions Park and find my shady seat to enjoy the serenity again, but I forgot that it was Saturday and slowly the park and the beach filled with kids and parents and grandparents and pets and it wasn't very serene anymore.
So off I pedalled to get two more shots for my 104 challenge.
I didn't get my shot for the March Photo a Day challenge, so I will have to work doubly hard tomorrow to get two shots!
This evening Adoring Husband and I attended a 70th birthday party at a neighbours house, where we caught up with lots of friends. It was a nice evening and I really enjoyed spending time with some people I haven't seen for a while.
We left after the candles were blown out and came home to watch what was left of the football.
There are a few birthdays this month. A 63rd birthday tomorrow. An 89th on Monday. A 50th next week and a 95th a few days after that. Vegan Chickie and The Rev have a birthday this month too! Birthdays everywhere!
It's now after midnight! How time flies!
Nite all.
The mullet were jumping in huge numbers and schools of them were bubbling the water.
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| Mullet being chased. |
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| A Local Fisherman |
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| Jumping Mullet |
While I was taking these mullet shots, I heard a commotion behind me. A commotion that sounded a lot like those Whistling Kites from yesterday and when I turned to look, there they were fighting with a Brahminy Kite!
Two against one was hardly a fair fight. One mid air collision later and the Brahminy Kite flew off. So that's two days in a row I've seen other birds scare off a Brahminy Kite!
I am surprised by that because I thought they were like Eagles and high in the chain of command in the bird world. Obviously I was very wrong.
Not long after that I was still on the river bank when I noticed a shadow in the water and then two little flippers broke the surface!
He didn't hang around for long.
I decided to ride to the Lions Park and find my shady seat to enjoy the serenity again, but I forgot that it was Saturday and slowly the park and the beach filled with kids and parents and grandparents and pets and it wasn't very serene anymore.
So off I pedalled to get two more shots for my 104 challenge.
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| An Aeroplane - Photo 62 of 104 This guy flew past as I was leaving the Seat of Knowledge this morning. Thought I missed him, but he turned around and flew past again! He's even looking at me! |
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| Crab Pots - Photo 63 of 104 |
This evening Adoring Husband and I attended a 70th birthday party at a neighbours house, where we caught up with lots of friends. It was a nice evening and I really enjoyed spending time with some people I haven't seen for a while.
We left after the candles were blown out and came home to watch what was left of the football.
There are a few birthdays this month. A 63rd birthday tomorrow. An 89th on Monday. A 50th next week and a 95th a few days after that. Vegan Chickie and The Rev have a birthday this month too! Birthdays everywhere!
It's now after midnight! How time flies!
Nite all.
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