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.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Thirty Three Years Today
I'm not feeling sad about it, but today, it has been 33 years since Jamie died.
Today has been a good day and I have not been melancholy or dwelling on the significance of this date, but I just wanted to acknowledge it here today.
I had a very early start to my day, as Adoring Husband and I drove into The Bay and took Vegan Chickie, The Bare-chested Chef and Chicklet to the airport for their trip to Melbourne.
It was nice to spend a little time with them before they left, since I won't have my usual Saturday morning with them while they are away.
From the airport, Adoring Husband dropped me off at the Eagles Nest Golf Course where I met up with Woman of Many Talents and we played nine holes of golf.
I have been playing golf for two years (I actually missed playing for all of the 2nd year) but today, believe it or not, I parred my very first hole! I expected it to be a momentous occasion, but it came and went without fanfare :(
Now that I've done it, I reckon my game will improve no end!
Because we started playing an hour later than usual, it was very hot when we finished and we were happy to climb into the air conditioned car to come home. This meant, of course, that it was also too hot to go riding when I arrived home, so I had to compromise and take photos inside instead!
Starting with March Photo a Day challenge ...
and then two shots for the 104 challenge...
We had big plans to go to the Bowls Club tonight.
As it got closer to the time when we should have been getting ready, Adoring Husband had just sat down after spending a few hours in the garden and I had just finished posting my final photos onto flickr. We looked at each other searching for a spark of motivation, but just couldn't find any!
Instead, we stayed at home, prepared a quick seafood salad and watched the Brisbane Broncos defeat Parramatta Eels in the second match of the season. Broncos are my team, so I'm pretty happy about that!!
Let's finish with a smile ...
Nite all.
Today has been a good day and I have not been melancholy or dwelling on the significance of this date, but I just wanted to acknowledge it here today.
I had a very early start to my day, as Adoring Husband and I drove into The Bay and took Vegan Chickie, The Bare-chested Chef and Chicklet to the airport for their trip to Melbourne.
It was nice to spend a little time with them before they left, since I won't have my usual Saturday morning with them while they are away.
From the airport, Adoring Husband dropped me off at the Eagles Nest Golf Course where I met up with Woman of Many Talents and we played nine holes of golf.
I have been playing golf for two years (I actually missed playing for all of the 2nd year) but today, believe it or not, I parred my very first hole! I expected it to be a momentous occasion, but it came and went without fanfare :(
Now that I've done it, I reckon my game will improve no end!
Because we started playing an hour later than usual, it was very hot when we finished and we were happy to climb into the air conditioned car to come home. This meant, of course, that it was also too hot to go riding when I arrived home, so I had to compromise and take photos inside instead!
Starting with March Photo a Day challenge ...
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| 2. Fruit |
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| A Heart - Photo 60 of 104 |
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| Art Deco - Photo 61 of 104 |
As it got closer to the time when we should have been getting ready, Adoring Husband had just sat down after spending a few hours in the garden and I had just finished posting my final photos onto flickr. We looked at each other searching for a spark of motivation, but just couldn't find any!
Instead, we stayed at home, prepared a quick seafood salad and watched the Brisbane Broncos defeat Parramatta Eels in the second match of the season. Broncos are my team, so I'm pretty happy about that!!
Let's finish with a smile ...
Nite all.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Footy Season Begins!
Thank goodness! The footy is back! Dragons V Knights tonight is the Season Opener and we are currently watching the game as I speak. It's half time and Dragons are leading 8 - 6.
My start to the day was most enjoyable today.
I forgot my purse, but luckily, being a regular customer meant that the Bakery gave me my morning coffee on credit!
I had an hour with my boys at the Seat of Knowledge and we were entertained by hundreds of mullet jumping out of the river.
It looked like they were being chased by a big fish - it was suggested perhaps a shark - because suddenly out of nowhere, a huge school of them would all splash out of the water and race a couple of metres and then disappear again.
There were men in boats coming from all directions with their cast nets trying to catch the mullet and about a dozen men lined the banks of the river casting their nets as well.
Only one man caught a couple of mullet and the rest, from what I witnessed, failed miserably. They had plenty of enthusiasm!
I also failed miserably, trying to capture a shot to document the phenomenon!
I did witness something quite strange with the birds. A beautiful Eagle had caught a fish (I did NOT witness this event) and was flying towards a tree with it firmly clasped in it's talons, when it was suddenly attacked by three seagulls!
It was afraid of the gulls and even though he tried to outrun (or outfly) them, they eventually forced him to drop the fish into the river.
He flew off and they enjoyed the spoils!
After I left the Seat of Knowledge, I pedalled home to get my purse and then returned to the bakery to pay for my coffee.
I decided to head down to the Lions Park and sit in the shade by the water to just soak in the day and enjoy the serenity. It was a beautiful sunshiny day with a light breeze and some scattered cloud to keep the temperature down a little.
While I was sitting there watching the mullet dancing out of the water, I heard the familiar call of the Whistling Kite and as I looked to my left, I noticed two of them fly along the tree line and land in a tree.
I watched and listened for a while and one of them flew off. As I looked through my viewfinder, it flew back to the tree with a big bunch of twigs in it's talons!
I deduced that it may have been building a nest, so I grabbed my camera gear and headed down the bank, across the beach and down to the edge of the inlet. As I got closer, the bigger bird flew off, but the smaller one waited until I aimed the camera ...
I was over the moon with this shot. I think this is the juvenile.
I haven't any more contributions to my 104 challenge yet, but the March Photo a Day Challenge started today and the first brief was 'UP'.
This is looking up from under the canopy of the beautiful fig tree that shelters the Seat of Knowledge.
On the way home, I stopped at the Post Office to check our mail, and to my delight, a parcel arrived for me!
On Monday I ordered a fashion camera bag and it arrived today!
I packed my camera with a lens attached, two extra lenses AND my laptop into the bag comfortably. It has a detachable long satchel strap, as well as a short strap if preferred and there is a zipped flap on one side of the bag that holds everything that would normally be kept in my purse eg credit cards and money.
Plenty of room for my glasses case, my fan, phone, notebook & pens, lipstick etc etc. I love it!!
I would like to finish with a quote that I truly believe.
"Everlasting friends go for long periods of time without speaking, and never question the friendship. These friends pick up phones like they just spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it has been or how close or far away they live, and they don't hold grudges. They understand that life is busy and that you will ALWAYS love them."
I have friends like this - you know who you are. I love you.
Nite all.
My start to the day was most enjoyable today.
I forgot my purse, but luckily, being a regular customer meant that the Bakery gave me my morning coffee on credit!
I had an hour with my boys at the Seat of Knowledge and we were entertained by hundreds of mullet jumping out of the river.
It looked like they were being chased by a big fish - it was suggested perhaps a shark - because suddenly out of nowhere, a huge school of them would all splash out of the water and race a couple of metres and then disappear again.
There were men in boats coming from all directions with their cast nets trying to catch the mullet and about a dozen men lined the banks of the river casting their nets as well.
Only one man caught a couple of mullet and the rest, from what I witnessed, failed miserably. They had plenty of enthusiasm!
I also failed miserably, trying to capture a shot to document the phenomenon!
I did witness something quite strange with the birds. A beautiful Eagle had caught a fish (I did NOT witness this event) and was flying towards a tree with it firmly clasped in it's talons, when it was suddenly attacked by three seagulls!
 |
| Scared Eagle - not a great shot - tightly cropped, so much detail is lost, but gives you an idea of the action. |
He flew off and they enjoyed the spoils!
After I left the Seat of Knowledge, I pedalled home to get my purse and then returned to the bakery to pay for my coffee.
I decided to head down to the Lions Park and sit in the shade by the water to just soak in the day and enjoy the serenity. It was a beautiful sunshiny day with a light breeze and some scattered cloud to keep the temperature down a little.
While I was sitting there watching the mullet dancing out of the water, I heard the familiar call of the Whistling Kite and as I looked to my left, I noticed two of them fly along the tree line and land in a tree.
I watched and listened for a while and one of them flew off. As I looked through my viewfinder, it flew back to the tree with a big bunch of twigs in it's talons!
I deduced that it may have been building a nest, so I grabbed my camera gear and headed down the bank, across the beach and down to the edge of the inlet. As I got closer, the bigger bird flew off, but the smaller one waited until I aimed the camera ...
 |
| Juvenile Whistling Kite |
I haven't any more contributions to my 104 challenge yet, but the March Photo a Day Challenge started today and the first brief was 'UP'.
 |
| 1. UP |
On the way home, I stopped at the Post Office to check our mail, and to my delight, a parcel arrived for me!
On Monday I ordered a fashion camera bag and it arrived today!
I packed my camera with a lens attached, two extra lenses AND my laptop into the bag comfortably. It has a detachable long satchel strap, as well as a short strap if preferred and there is a zipped flap on one side of the bag that holds everything that would normally be kept in my purse eg credit cards and money.
Plenty of room for my glasses case, my fan, phone, notebook & pens, lipstick etc etc. I love it!!
I would like to finish with a quote that I truly believe.
"Everlasting friends go for long periods of time without speaking, and never question the friendship. These friends pick up phones like they just spoke yesterday, regardless of how long it has been or how close or far away they live, and they don't hold grudges. They understand that life is busy and that you will ALWAYS love them."
I have friends like this - you know who you are. I love you.
Nite all.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Movies Lunch Chicklet WWF
I've just spent three hours playing 'Words with Friends (WWF)' online with my sister and the tips of my fingers are almost numb!
For those of you who don't know, WWF is an online game very similar to Scrabble. I love it! I am a big Scrabble fan, so this game also has a high appeal for me.
So now I am again, brain dead, and am struggling to find words for my blog post tonight.
I think I will either have to update my blog earlier, or put a time limit on WWF. I need to finish early enough for my brain to still be functioning to do this.
Anyway! Adoring Husband and I went to the movies today and used the last of our movie passes to see the latest Katherine Heigl movie "One for the Money".
I think I have a bit of a girl crush on Katherine Heigl. In my opinion she is stunningly beautiful and her movies are light and funny 'no brainers'. Just easy to watch, 'feel good' movies.
After the movie, we drove to The Bayswater restaurant for lunch and were met afterwards by Vegan Chickie, the Bare-chested Chef and Chicklet for coffee.
Chicklet was a happy little vegemite and played on my lap for quite a while, chatting away and doing lots of cute stuff and making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
This is the view we had for lunch...
and this is the lovely little Stormbird having breakfast in the tree near the Seat of Knowledge this morning.
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It's been a really pleasant day. Nothing extraodinary, just nice.
Oh and the last photo for the February Photo a Day challenge.
There is a March Photo a Day challenge too!
Nite all.
For those of you who don't know, WWF is an online game very similar to Scrabble. I love it! I am a big Scrabble fan, so this game also has a high appeal for me.
So now I am again, brain dead, and am struggling to find words for my blog post tonight.
I think I will either have to update my blog earlier, or put a time limit on WWF. I need to finish early enough for my brain to still be functioning to do this.
Anyway! Adoring Husband and I went to the movies today and used the last of our movie passes to see the latest Katherine Heigl movie "One for the Money".
I think I have a bit of a girl crush on Katherine Heigl. In my opinion she is stunningly beautiful and her movies are light and funny 'no brainers'. Just easy to watch, 'feel good' movies.
After the movie, we drove to The Bayswater restaurant for lunch and were met afterwards by Vegan Chickie, the Bare-chested Chef and Chicklet for coffee.
Chicklet was a happy little vegemite and played on my lap for quite a while, chatting away and doing lots of cute stuff and making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
This is the view we had for lunch...
and this is the lovely little Stormbird having breakfast in the tree near the Seat of Knowledge this morning.
.jpg)
It's been a really pleasant day. Nothing extraodinary, just nice.
Oh and the last photo for the February Photo a Day challenge.
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| 29. Something I am listening to (Our dog Jack being cranky and growling) |
Nite all.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Words Escape Me
I can't find anything to say tonight.
I'm ok.
My brain just isn't feeling imaginative nor does it feel like describing my day. It's feeling very lazy. Ok 'I' am feeling very lazy.
February photo a day challenge photo...
I got a few shots this morning ...
This dog was having such a wonderful time in the water, running in and out, jumping about, creating his own splashes and not wanting to get out. So I decided, for the purposes of my challenge, that the river was his playground.
My final word for today is ...
That is all.
Nite all.
I'm ok.
My brain just isn't feeling imaginative nor does it feel like describing my day. It's feeling very lazy. Ok 'I' am feeling very lazy.
February photo a day challenge photo...
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| 28. Money |
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| A Playground - Photo 58 of 104 |
My final word for today is ...
That is all.
Nite all.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Something Different
I can't believe it! I actually got out of bed at 5am and Adoring Husband drove me to the beach to catch the sunrise.
It was spectacular but oh so very brief!
When he came back from work half an hour later, he helped me take my challenge shot for our flickr group.
The brief is titled 'Where's Wally' but it's, basically, where you set up your camera to take a photo of a scene with yourself in it, and then get somebody else to press the button, after you've put yourself in the scene.
I think Adoring Husband has a very good chance of winning this month, but here is my submission...
I tried another shot of myself standing in the middle of some tall trees, but I'm so glad I didn't submit that one, because after I posted my photo, I looked at the other entries and somebody had submitted a shot almost identical to it!
Adoring Husband then suggested that we drive to Maryborough and have a couple of games of 10 Pin Bowls.
I thought this was a good idea because I needed to go to the Maryborough Cemetery for two reasons.
The first was to find some Art Deco style headstones and the second was to find the headstone of a recently discovered ancestor of mine.
We stopped at the cemetery first and traipsed around there for about half an hour, but the recent heavy rains had caused some localised flooding and the rest of the ground was very soggy and muddy, so we decided to abandon that idea and wait for dryer weather.
At least the traipsing through mud and water dirtied my feet up enough to fulfil my 'Dirty Feet' brief in the 104 challenge!
From there, we went bowling. We played 3 games and Adoring Husband beat me in the second two games. The owner/manager cleaned our bowling balls for us because we've had them sitting in their bags in the shed for three years!
It was fun but our age is telling now. Our lower backs are quite sore from using muscles that we haven't used for some time. Ugh.
We stopped at the Howard Butchery on the way home and Adoring Husband bought some chicken breasts, which he marinated, and cooked for dinner, served with a delicious fresh garden salad.
I managed to struggle through about an hour of housework when we got home and then plonked myself in my favourite position on the couch with my laptop and camera.
Now it's time to rest my weary bones. It's been a long day.
Nite all.
 |
| Sunrise - Photo 56 of 104 |
When he came back from work half an hour later, he helped me take my challenge shot for our flickr group.
The brief is titled 'Where's Wally' but it's, basically, where you set up your camera to take a photo of a scene with yourself in it, and then get somebody else to press the button, after you've put yourself in the scene.
I think Adoring Husband has a very good chance of winning this month, but here is my submission...
I tried another shot of myself standing in the middle of some tall trees, but I'm so glad I didn't submit that one, because after I posted my photo, I looked at the other entries and somebody had submitted a shot almost identical to it!
Adoring Husband then suggested that we drive to Maryborough and have a couple of games of 10 Pin Bowls.
I thought this was a good idea because I needed to go to the Maryborough Cemetery for two reasons.
The first was to find some Art Deco style headstones and the second was to find the headstone of a recently discovered ancestor of mine.
We stopped at the cemetery first and traipsed around there for about half an hour, but the recent heavy rains had caused some localised flooding and the rest of the ground was very soggy and muddy, so we decided to abandon that idea and wait for dryer weather.
 |
| Cemetery or Gravestone - Photo 57 of 104 |
 |
| Dirty Feet - Photo 58 of 104 |
It was fun but our age is telling now. Our lower backs are quite sore from using muscles that we haven't used for some time. Ugh.
We stopped at the Howard Butchery on the way home and Adoring Husband bought some chicken breasts, which he marinated, and cooked for dinner, served with a delicious fresh garden salad.
I managed to struggle through about an hour of housework when we got home and then plonked myself in my favourite position on the couch with my laptop and camera.
Now it's time to rest my weary bones. It's been a long day.
Nite all.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
So Much Rain!!
The bottom half of Australia has High Fire Dangers and Complete Fire Bans, while the rest of us are having floods and very heavy rainfall.
One area of the Sunshine Coast received over 100 mls of rain in an hour! 340 mls fell at Cooroy in 24 hours! That is a LOT of rain!
So now Gympie has flooded and is cut in two as all that rainfall swept down the Mary River dividing the town with floodwaters.
We have received an inch of rain today. Not even a glimmer of sunlight for two days now and one road out of town was cut by floodwaters yesterday.
Our town, generally speaking, is never as badly affected by heavy rains or floods as the surrounding areas. We are based at the mouth of a river and we are protected by Fraser Island. Even after heavy soaking rains, it only takes two days of sunshine for the ground to look and feel completely dry again.
I haven't been able to ride my trike today and certainly no photographs have been taken. So I've worked on some old shots and I have a couple of days worth of challenge photos to share.
February Photo a Day Challenge ...
Our group on facebook have posted a total of 333 photos to date.
They were all very busy over the weekend and have been happily sharing their results over the course of the afternoon and evening.
Another shot from yesterday in The Bay ...
I only have one more day left to get my shot for the February flickr monthly challenge which is themed 'Where's Wally' and where we have to set up a shot with ourselves in it and have somebody else press the button (or use a remote shutter button).
I think I will try for a sunrise shot tomorrow of me strolling along the beach. Let's hope the rain stops momentarily so that I can do it ... or then again maybe an umbrella along the beach will add more interest!
That means I need to rise earlier than this morning. I woke at 6am today, but dozed back off to sleep and didn't wake again til 8am! Ah well, it is Sunday. We are allowed to sleep in on Sundays!
So sunrise is at 5.40-ish tomorrow morning and it's also low tide at the same time, so I should have a vast expanse of wet sand to stroll along with my umbrella.
Best get an early night!
Nite all.
One area of the Sunshine Coast received over 100 mls of rain in an hour! 340 mls fell at Cooroy in 24 hours! That is a LOT of rain!
So now Gympie has flooded and is cut in two as all that rainfall swept down the Mary River dividing the town with floodwaters.
We have received an inch of rain today. Not even a glimmer of sunlight for two days now and one road out of town was cut by floodwaters yesterday.
Our town, generally speaking, is never as badly affected by heavy rains or floods as the surrounding areas. We are based at the mouth of a river and we are protected by Fraser Island. Even after heavy soaking rains, it only takes two days of sunshine for the ground to look and feel completely dry again.
I haven't been able to ride my trike today and certainly no photographs have been taken. So I've worked on some old shots and I have a couple of days worth of challenge photos to share.
February Photo a Day Challenge ...
 |
| 25. Green |
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| 26. Night |
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| A Bride - Photo 53 of 104 |
 |
| A Busker - Photo 54 of 104 |
 |
| Anchors Oars & Bollards - Photo 55 of 104 |
Another shot from yesterday in The Bay ...
 |
| A water arch from the Wet Side Water Park. |
I think I will try for a sunrise shot tomorrow of me strolling along the beach. Let's hope the rain stops momentarily so that I can do it ... or then again maybe an umbrella along the beach will add more interest!
That means I need to rise earlier than this morning. I woke at 6am today, but dozed back off to sleep and didn't wake again til 8am! Ah well, it is Sunday. We are allowed to sleep in on Sundays!
So sunrise is at 5.40-ish tomorrow morning and it's also low tide at the same time, so I should have a vast expanse of wet sand to stroll along with my umbrella.
Best get an early night!
Nite all.
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