A Smell On The Wind – Part 1

Do you ever wonder how you survived your childhood?  This is a question I ask myself frequently.  Sometimes I think we survive in spite of our parents, rather than because of them.  [Note to mum.  Just joking.]  Let me tell you the story about the day my family was nearly eaten by lions. Read more

Jewels For The Making

Have you ever stood in front of a jewelry shop and admired all the beautiful gems on display but not given a second thought to the effort, skill, design and creativity that has gone into making such beautiful pieces?  I know I have. Read more

Bright Star

This post is dedicated to my little dog, Ama, who is not well.  So far we know that she has copper storage disease but not how bad it is or whether we can mitigate it.  I’ve not had much time for blogging lately as we’ve had a lot of medical appointments and I’ve been researching treatments, including low copper diets.  It helps to be informed when talking to veterinary specialists.  It also gives me something to do while I worry. Read more

Fry-day

It is warming up in Australia.  Today we had a big fry up on the outskirts of Canberra.  The Pierces Creek Bushfire is believed to have been started from a burnt-out car.  With temperatures in the mid-30s (celcius) and gale force winds, the fire quickly spread and has now burnt out 147 hectares of bush and farmland.  The fire is not yet under control. Read more

My Lovely Horse

I’ve gone from light programming to the sublimely ridiculous.  As one does.  We’ve got a big race coming up in a couple of weeks in Australia.  It’s the race that stops a nation – the Melbourne Cup.  I’m ambivalent about it.  I thought I would get in early with a canter counter-point. Read more

Mondrian Madness

I’ve been inspecting photos for my forthcoming October Changing Seasons post.  What this has revealed is that October has been busy, busy, busy.  Aggghhh.  No wonder I am exhausted.  So I am giving you an off-the-shelf post today, My Mondrian Madness.  I love the gleam and sparkle of ceramic tiles.  They cannot be beaten for lustre.  Here it is. Read more

Leave It To The Professional

There is one thing certain about Australasian Grebes and that is they are very shy.  Come within 100 metres of them and they quickly dive below the surface of the water or they paddle away at a great pace leaving you in their wake.  Many a time on our holiday, we saw them in the distance and that is where they stayed, so no photographs (not good ones anyway).   It turns out that finding and getting close to these tiny waterbirds is a job for a professional. Read more