tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32081499965625920432024-03-13T22:33:51.029-07:00Australia DiaryBev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-20925652484363740202003-10-18T23:57:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:58:19.686-08:00Hello from Singapore<p align="left"> Well, I still have time to kill in Singapore. I arrived, shopped, ate, checked e-mail, shopped some more, ate some more, and there is still over an hour left to kill (more like 2, actually), so why not write a journal entry? </p><p> Oh what a hard morning. Peggy and I were up until after midnight, frantically burning CDs (all the photos we've taken over the past six weeks--I think they fill five CDs. We are <i>very</i> prolific). </p><p> We were getting up at 4 a.m., so it didn't leave long to sleep. Chippa, settled comfortably on the couch for the night, checked on both of us during the night. She knew something was up. </p><p> It was a weepy awakening, shower, coffee, more tears. Chippa kept pawing me as if to say "don't go." </p><p> But it was time to go. As I struggled with my bags, to remove them from the guest room, Chippa showed up with a new stuffed roo in her mouth--I've named it "Chipparoo" and it is the perfect souvenir. Peggy bought it at Caversham Park while I was browsing the gift shop. Kangaroos have played such a bit part in my time in Australia, that having "Chipparoo" to bring home is perfect. She kept her head poking out of my backpack, like a joey in a mother's pouch, while I checked in. </p><p> Difficult drive to the airport. Peggy asked if I wanted her to help me with my bags (since they are so big and so bulky), but neither of us wanted to prolong the goodbyes--we are both so terrible at them--so it was a quick hug at curbside and I managed to get to the Qantas counter by myself. </p><p> Did some shopping and eating and more shopping at the airport, and then boarded the plane. Unfortunately, there was a mother with two children, one of them a daughter who looked to be about a year old, sitting two rows in front of me. Part of me felt sympathy for her because I know what it's like to travel with a difficult child. Part of me was ready to fight for infantacide by the time we landed in Singapore. The little girl either screamed or shrieked (depending on whether she was happy or unhappy) the entire 5 hour flight. </p><p> I managed to get an hour of sleep, but not more than that. </p><p> Qantas service cannot be faulted. Their food was very good, their attention was very good, their attention to passenger needs was very good. It was the first time, however, that I realized that a digital camera was considered an electronic device (don't know why I didn't realize that). I was going to take pictures coming into Singapore, but was told I had to turn the camera off. So I have pictures--spectacular pictures--flying over Perth when we left, but nothing coming into Singapore. </p><p> We flew out quite a ways from the coast going up Western Australia, which is too bad, because I hoped to try to pick out Monkey Mia, but it was too far away. However, the map on the monitor did show me when we were over Geralton. I have lovely memories of our time(s) in Geralton, so I smiled as I recalled them...thinking of the assault on the Rivers shoe store, the time at the war memorial (with the woman who tried to peek up the skirt of the statue there), our stormy trip out to get take-away chicken, getting lost in town (little did we know how prophetic that would be--it was our first day on our first trip!), and so many other lovely memories of Geralton. </p><p> But Geralton passed, and then Monkey Mia, somewhere out there in the clouds, passed, and then Australia passed and it was on the Indonesia and ultimately Singapore. </p><p> The aiport is quite a bit busier than when I was here six weeks ago. All the shops are open (bad thing for me), but I actually haven't bought anything much. Junky stuff. </p><p> I've checked e-mail while here and already had word from Peggy that Chippa misses me and keeps checking to see where I've gone. I really came to love that dog. Keno, too, but Chippa was special. </p><p> And now time to do one more turn of the shops to see if there is anything left in Singapore that I absolutely can't live without (and am willing to carry) and then to park myself at gate F-52 to wait until time to board the plane. I have a brand new Kay Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell) book that I'm reading and that, plus my choice of in-flight movies, should help me sleep and pass the 18 hours or so before we finally land in SF. </p><p> This time tomorrow I'll be back in Davis and Australia will seem very far away. It <i>is</i> very far away. But keeping my eyes on 2005 when Thelma and Louise will hit the Nullabor. Hang on, Thelma--I will be back... </p><p> -Louise </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-41665311105475749512003-10-17T23:57:00.000-07:002014-04-13T16:53:22.960-07:00Tick, Tick, Tick<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tick...tick...tick... The clock is ticking much too fast and it is too short a time before I'll be headed to the airport. There will probably be a day's gap in entries, I suspect. Not that it will really bother anybody.</div>
We got an early start this morning and were at the park before 6 a.m., in time to watch the sunrise. <br />
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The day brought my time in Australia full circle, like the whole six weeks was enclosed in one gigantic parenthesis. The first day I was here, we went to the park and saw roos running up into the hills, and it rained. We haven't seen roos in the bush since, but today there were 3 running up into the hills...and it rained. It was kind of like a signal--OK: you've seen it all now, time to go. <br />
<img align="right" alt="Peggy Morrison" src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/poobags.jpg" hspace="10" title="Peggy Morrison" vspace="10" />Because it rained today, it gives me the chance to use this photo from the other day, when we got busy doing other things and the morning's walk took a back seat in the journal entry. We had gone to the park with Janne and with Anne and it started to rain. We all took cover under a tree until the storm passed, but Peggy tore open one of the plastic dog poo bags everyone uses here (a clean one) and put it over her head to protect her from the rain (I, of course, stepped out into the downpour to get a photo). She looked like a little Dutch girl with a turned up little hat. <br />
But no poo bags on the head today. The rain didn't last, and we made it back to the car. I turned and took one last look at the park which has been one of the real joys of starting each morning. Chippa raced toward the car, Keno plodded along behind on her big, flat feet, and my days of running the dogs came to an end. <br />
The end of the walk added one new adventure to my time in Australia: I came home and went to get in the shower, noticed something strange below my knee, checked with Peggy and yes, all the chasing of the roos through the more bushy area of the bush had picked me up a tick. Peggy, an old hand with ticks, smoked the thing out with a cigarette and managed to get it removed with tweezers and a needle. Surprisingly, it didn't really hurt. <br />
Then there was a load of wash to do. Got all my clothes in the washer and hung up on the line and about an hour before they were dry enough to consider bringing in, it started to pour, and we had to finish drying them inside before I could finish packing. However, Peggy did finally record that I have actually hung cothes on a line while here (several times, in fact). <br />
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The day itself was spent alternately watching the Red Sox lose their chance to get in the World Series, finishing up projects we've been 'going to do' for weeks now and never started, and getting all of my stuff into suitcases. <br />
Packing was a daunting task. I had no idea I'd bought so much stuff. Even with the vacuum sealed bags that I'd purchased before leaving home, there was still so much--and so many oddly shaped pieces. I hardly knew where to start, and so I kept doing bits and pieces of it, but not making much headway, which was driving Peggy nuts (I think she was afraid I'd actually have to <i>stay</i> longer!). <br />
It was the damn shoes. So many shoes! How did <i>I</i> acquire so many shoes? I finally decided there was no way I was going to be able to pack them all, so put together a box to mail home, hoping I could get away with just one box. <br />
Peggy finally decided I was never going to finish packing and she became a whirling dervish. In a short time she had given me a bigger suitcase, unpacked everything I'd done, repacked it all (including what I'd packed in the box), and I now have the world's heaviest suitcase(s) and will undoubtedly be paying a fine for heavy luggage--but I don't have to pay postage to send any of it home...and it's done. Well, except for last minute clothes, which I will stick in in the morning. <br />
The mail brought a going-away gift from Claire and Penny, who sent me a book about the attractions of the SouthWest, so I could have a memory of what we've seen and see the things that we missed. It was very sweet of them to think of me. (Two days ago, I received a going away postcard and bookmark from Sue and Irene, in Melbourne, whom I've never met, but who have been following our exploits via this journal.) <br />
Tonight we had a riotious farewell dinner with Janne, Chris, Anne and Julie. It was absolutely the perfect way to bring this trip to an end. The high (or low) point was a riotious discussion about grammar school reading primers. In the States we had Dick and Jane (and Puff and Spot). Here they had either Dick and Dora or John and Betty and there was much discussion over the pets' names, with Chris finally getting up to go to the next table to take a poll. The waitress also weighed in on the subject. <br />
When it was over, and I'd had my tearful farewell with Anne and Julie, the rest of us got into Peggy's car and these six old ladies went drag racing like old farts (not exceeding the speed limit) down the highway to home. We almost hoped we'd get pulled over by the cops just to see the look on their faces when they looked into the car.<br />
But no. We made it back to Janne & Chris's without incident. They gave me a lovely book about Australia and we had a very heartfelt and tearful farewell. Peggy and I are spending the rest of the evening burning the final CDs and hoping they fit in the suitcase.<br />
Then there is nothing else to do but get on the plane and head back over the rainbow and see what's lurking in my own front yard. It's been...amazing. I go home with a heavy, but a very full heart, a whole new circle of friends, wonderful memories and about a bazillion digital photos to (some day) get into slide shows. <br />
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Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-37617658700550627952003-10-16T23:56:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:57:10.657-08:00Swan Lake<p align="left">We tentatively planned to go to Rottnest Island today. It was the only tentatively thing planned on this trip that we hadn't gotten to yet. But...somehow...it's all winding down, we're both "traveled out" and Rottnest just didn't seem that important. I plan to return, if not next year, then the year after, and we can leave Rottnest for that time. </p><p> We had a good run at the park this morning. It was a bit of everything--as if the park was starting to say goodbye. We got there to morning mist through the trees, the dogs had a great run, there were spiderwebs, frost on the leaves, and lots of birds in the "bird tree." What's more we had our cameras with us, and Peggy even managed to take a bunch of short movies which she strung together into an almost 10 minute movie of the dogs on their morning walk. It's a perfect memento. </p><p> One of the things I will miss most here is the sight of Chippa racing through the bush, jumping over shrubbery, tongue hanging out, ears flapping in the breeze. I've come to really love that dog. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/runningchippa.jpg" /></center><p> We still have a lot of piddly details to do--computer stuff, and (for me) packing. As I told someone, I have the horrible feeling that putting all this stuff in my suitcase (and the second one I bought) is going to be very similar to stuffing a dozen clowns in a little tiny circus car. I may have to send stuff back. </p><p> So, faced with a mountain to pack into a molehill, I did the only logical thing: I went out and bought more stuff. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/belltower.JPG" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />Despite the fact that I've been here so long, I haven't <i>really</i> been in Perth proper. I've skirted the edges, I've been to the zoo, I've been to the mall, but really hadn't seen <i>Perth</i>. I also thought I might like to go back to the mall and get a few last minute things. </p><p> We started at the famous (new) bell tower, which books will tell you is Perth's premiere attraction (though there may be some disagreement among disgruntled citizens, who feel it was a waste of money). The Swan Bells include the twelve bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields which are recorded as being in existence from before the 14th century and recast in the 16th century by Queen Elizabeth I. The bells were again recast between 1725 and 1770 by three generations of the Rudhall family of bell founders from Gloucester in England, under the order of the Prince of Wales who was later crowned as King George II. They are one of the few sets of royal bells and are the only ones known to have left England. From one of London's most famous churches, in Trafalgar Square, the St Martin-in-the-Fields bells have rung out to celebrate many historic events.</p><p> England's victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588, the homecoming of Captain James Cook after his voyage of discovery in 1771 and the World War II victory at El Alamein in 1942 are just a few of the momentous occasions marked by the bells. The bells have also rung in the New Year at Trafalgar Square for more than 275 years, and have celebrated the coronation of every British monarch since King George II in 1727. </p><p> Commemorating Australia's bicentenary in 1988, the twelve bells of St Martin-in-the-Fields as well as five specially cast bells were presented to the University of Western Australia, the City of Perth and to the people of Western Australia.</p><p> The London diocese of the Church of England and the parish of St Martin-in-the-Fields gave authority for the project to proceed. The additional bells cast in 1988 include two from the cities of London and Westminster, who each gifted one bell to the project, and a total of three bells bestowed by a consortium of British and Australian mining companies. Completing the ring of eighteen bells, a sixth new bell was commissioned by the Western Australian Government to mark the second millennium.</p><p> The above bit of background came from the bells' <a href="http://www.swanbells.com.au/entry_details.html">home page</a>, which I didn't read until after we returned home, so I didn't know all of that. What I knew was that the bell tower was situated smack dab in the middle of Tourist Central, and we headed for the shops (since the parking ticket machine didn't work and we only had an hour). Instead of paying $6 to enter the bell tower and climb the 6 flights of steps as far up as you can go, we spent most of our time in the shops buying the aforementioned last minute things, and stopping at a take-away to get sandwiches for lunch. </p><p> But we did hear the bells ringing, and sat on a bench in front of them, eating our sandwiches and fending off obstreperous seagulls, all of whom were, again, skreeching "Mine! Mine! Mine!" </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/perthbench.JPG" /></center><p> The time on the parking ticket up (no meters here; you buy a ticket and leave it on your dashboard, even on the city streets), we drove some more, and Peggy took me to the grounds of the hospital where she works. I was very glad to see it because it's much larger than I imagined and it's nice to have things all in perspective (I now also know where Monty works and where Janne works.)</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/charlie.jpg" /></center><p> </p><center>There is a lake in front of the main hospital building.</center><p> I realized I was leaving this city whose symbol is a black swan, without ever seeing one here. So we stopped by a park which was filled with black swans, ducks, signets, and other birds. The one thing I just love about this place is that it seems there is a park every couple of blocks, all spacious with rolling green hills, beautiful trees, very few people, and lots of wildlife. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/blackswan.jpg" /></center><p> In the evening we went round to Monty and Carolynn's for tea. Carolynn had spent 2 hrs preparing a special seafood pie, with muffins for dessert. I had heard so much about these two before I came here and I've been delighted to have the opportunity to meet them and to spend time getting to know them. Our bike ride yesterday will stand out as one of the memorable moments of the trip. It was difficult to say goodbye, but I'm sure I'll see them again. </p><p> So having spent a "Swan Lake" sort of day, tomorrow is my swansong day. I've been fighting the weepies for a few days now. But it has been an amazing walkabout and it's time to go home. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-9514691017514145302003-10-15T23:55:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:56:33.548-08:00I Don't Know Why I Swallowed a Fly<p align="left"> As the song goes, "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly...perhaps she'll die. </p><p> Australian flies are particularly irritating buggers. They are small, don't buzz loudly, but are always <i>there</i> and you can't get rid of them. Peggy tells me that I've perfected the "Aussie salute," which is accomplished with a wave of the hand across your face to brush away whichever fly has chosen you as his special person for the moment. Brush, then brush again, then brush again. The fly never takes the hint (I know people like that...). On our time going north, whenever we got out to photograph wildflowers, I began to understand all those natives in Third World countries who stand for National Geographic cameras, flies stuck to them everywhere. After awhile it becomes "why bother?" It's an exercise in futility.</p><p> I do, however, draw the line at actually <i>injesting</i> flies. The very idea recalls Marty Feldman as Igor in "Young Frankenstein." </p><p> Today was a red letter day. Until the fly episode, I was going to thrill <a href="http://footnotes.htm/">SecraTerri</a> and entitle this entry "Shimano components" because I remember when Terri raved about getting Shimano components for her bike. After nearly 6 weeks here, in this land whose bike paths put Davis, "the city of bikes," to shame, I was finally going to <b>ride a bike.</b> </p><p> Peggy dusted off her bike (unused since her own fall on her first ride, 2 years ago) and brought it out into the patio area for me. I looked at it and my heart leaped up. The bloody thing had Shimano components coming out the yin yang. Now, I honestly don't know what Shimano components are, or why they make Terri excited, but I gather that the Shimano company makes really good stuff and this baby was loaded with all sorts of doo dads which all had "Shimano" stamped on them. Hot damn. I was <i>ready</i>. </p><p> We decided I should at least take it out for a test run. It had, after all, been four months since I'd been on a bike. </p><p> I decided to pedal around the block. To get here to Peggy's house, you have to come up an incline, similar to the formerly horrible overpass I finally conquered in Davis, and with no exercise whatsoever under my belt for four months, I didn't think I was ready to try going up this hill (and how embarrassing to <i>walk</i> the bike up the hill!). But to go round a couple of blocks was all flat, so I put on Peggy's much too small biking helmet, tried to remember how to actually get <i>on</i> a bike, and set off. </p><p> I had gone the equivalent of two blocks when I encountered a car coming straight for me. that's when I remembered I was in a country that thinks one should drive on the <i>left</i> hand side of the road, so I moved over. (Peggy says "Now do you see why I wouldn't let you behind the wheel of my car?") </p><p> I safely maneuvered the equivalent of about 4 blocks and made it home unscathed. I was ready for Monty and Carolynn, who had invited me to come biking along the coast bike path today. You can bike the whole length, from Perth to Fremantle, but Monty had kindly chosen a relatively flat (in most spots) stretch of about 5-6 miles for us to ride, after which we would meet Peggy for lunch. </p><p> We followed Monty and Carolynn to Mullaloo Beach, unloaded the cars, got our water bottles, straddled the bikes, and we were ready to leave. Peggy, chuckling at the whole idea, took our photo, got in the car with her new book, and drove off to Hillary's Marina to meet us when we'd completed the ride. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/bikegroup.jpg" /></center><p> As we continued down the path, I discovered that it really <i>is</i> "like riding a bicycle" and that it all comes back to you. Though I expected my legs to turn to jelly and my breath to come in heavy pants, the more we rode, the better I felt. I was using higher gears and my legs were responding, as if awakened from a long sleep. Let it not be said that I am any sort of expert biker, but I hadn't turned completely to mush during my four month hiatus. </p><p> The path is beautiful. Smooth, mostly flat, and it goes right along the edge of the beach. Sometime the view of the water is obscured briefly by a sand dune, but mostly the whole time you are in view of that beautiful blue water, and getting the benefit of the sea breeze. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/bikebeach.jpg" /></center><p> After we had gone probably a mile and a half or two miles, we stopped at a beach to take a break, and to walk along the water's edge. This panorama shot isn't terrific, but gives you an idea of the vastness...and the lack of people. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/beachpanorama.jpg" /></center><p> It was after our stop at the beach that I had my fly encounter. I'd been performing the Aussie salute for some time and made the mistake of taking a big breath at an inopportune moment and felt the fly fly right into my mouth and stick at the back of my throat. Yuck. (I thought about the time Judy Garland said she was singing "Over the Rainbow" at the Hollywood Bowl and had a moth fly into her mouth.) </p><p> I was surprisingly not totally grossed out by the experience, though I <i>did</i> stop to take a swig of water to wash the damn thing down. Well, at least I've ridded Western Australia of one nasty bugger, and so far my system seems none the worse for wear. </p><p> We watched a military plane pass low over the ocean and drop a life raft (a training maneuver, Monty told me), and we passed by a lovely little lagoon, with a nice bridge over a duck pond where people had thrown crumpets that looked like mushrooms. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/lake.jpg" /></center><p> We also saw some kids taking a kayaking class at Hillary's Marina. Now <i>that's</i> an interesting gym class! </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/kayak.jpg" /></center><p> We were meeting Peggy at 12:30 and got to Hillary's sooner than expected, so we biked another mile or so and I made it up a "hill" (well, not really a "hill" but an incline). We did hit a patch of sand at one point, however. Peggy's bike is a mountain bike, so should work all right on uneven and weird surfaces, but it ended up being a kind of strain on my shoulder (which had been letting me know that it had been a long time since it had to grip handlebars). It didn't exactly injure the shoulder, but I wanted to be cautious, so decided not to do the return trip with Monty and Carolynn after we all had lunch at Spinnakers restaurant on the marina.</p><p> It felt <i>so</i> good to be out on a bike again. I can feel that I'm not exactly back 100%, but I'm back enough to do short rides again, and if you are going to do a short bike ride, my god, you couldn't ask for a more gorgeous one. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-7146693512682214752003-10-14T23:55:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:55:56.400-08:00I Apologize<p align="left">I need to apologize to the country of Australia. </p><p> A week or so ago, I wrote <a href="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/1007.htm">an entry</a> about differences I observe here from what I'm accustomed to at home. Peggy's local supermarket, Dewson's, was prominently featured and I contrasted the one here with the one in Margaret River and the one in Mt. Barker. I talked about the lack of "vastness," the fact that you bag your own groceries, etc., etc., etc. </p><p> Concerned messages came in from Australian readers (most of whom know Peggy), telling me that this country does, indeed, have super stores where supplies are plentiful and where clerks will cheerfully bag your groceries for you. </p><p> Today, Peggy was shamed into taking me to one. </p><p> So I am here to publicly apologize to the country of Australia (or perhaps just the state of Western Australia) for so vastly underrating its position in modern society. </p><p> We went to "Action," a huge supermarket. The bread section alone is mind-boggling. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/bread.jpg" hspace="10" /><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/bread2.jpg" /></center><p> As is the produce section. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/produce.jpg" /></center><p> And yes, there are wide aisles, lots of checkers, and they bag your groceries for you. Silly me. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/checkout.jpg" /></center><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/jellybelly.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" />I spent a lot of time looking at prices of things. most things were on a par with US prices (especially if you take into account the exchange rate), but I was definitely appalled to find the prices of jellybellies. (Yes, that says $39.99!) Heck, if I'd known <i>this</i> I could have been rich here! (Assuming I could find someone silly enough to buy jelly bellies from me!) I brought over enough jelly bellies to pay for my trip, at these prices! </p><p> Naturally, as with any huge supermarket, there are bargains to be had. Peggy spied a display of knives as we came in the door. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/knives.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />It was 41 pieces, including measuring cups, hanging rack, at least 6 steak knives and a block to hold them. Now, Peggy does not cook (it's not that she <i>can't</i>...she's quite a good cook when she wants to be--it's just that it's not a priority for her). She does not entertain. She's managed wonderfully having me here and I haven't had to eat dog soup <i>too</i> many nights. But I don't see her throwing any grand parties after I leave (other than to celebrate getting her house back to herself, that is...but that will probably be a party for one human and two dogs). So buying a 41 piece knife set seems rather silly. But--it was a <i>bargain</i> at only $8.95 and her eyes lit up as she grabbed it. "I can't pass <i>this</i> up," she said. </p><p> Now we've unpacked (and washed) all the knives and I suppose they will be a lovely thing to dust in the coming weeks. </p><p> This morning I had another new experience. Knowing that I arrive home on the 18th and that we leave for Santa Barbara on the 22nd for Tom's wedding, and knowing that my hair is <i>way</i> too long, I wrote to Shelly in Davis and asked her to make a hair appointment with Robbie for me. However, Robbie won't be working until the 22nd, so that lets that idea out. So I decided to go for the full Australian experience. </p><p> Peggy made an appointment for me at her hair dresser's, and I walked down to get my hair cut. </p><p> Super Cuts, this is <i>not</i>. </p><p> First of all, I was the only customer. I had Rachel (the woman who cut my hair) and Scott (who washed it) all to myself. Scott greeted me with a menu of complimentary drinks and when I asked for coffee, he asked if "percolated was OK." Hey...OK for me!</p><p> Then Scott washed my hair, a long, luxurious wash, with scalp massage included that was worth the price of the treatment itself. </p><p> Next Rachel took over and took a lot of time examining, talking, cutting, shaping, tapering, and blow drying. When it was over, I looked a lot better, felt a lot lighter, and wonder if I can keep this looking at least somewhat decent until time to pose for wedding photos. (And it didn't even cost a fortune either.)</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/haircut1.jpg" /></center> <p> It's been a rather mundane day, but we got a lot accomplished, and I finally know that Australia is <i>not</i> behind the rest of the world in modern supermarkets. I am officially impressed. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-22710162570084700702003-10-13T23:54:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:55:17.215-08:00Well, There Ya Go<p align="left">Caversham Park may well be my favorite place in the Perth area. </p><p> Today the school kids are back in school, the weather report predicted showers, "clearing" by mid-morning, and warm temps. We figured it would be the perfect day to return to Caversham and complete our tour of the park. </p><p> It's not a large park, but we ran out of batteries for the cameras the last time we were there and rather than go on with no cameras, we had enjoyed our time with the birds and the kangaroos that we decided it warranted a second trip. Time is growing short, and we weren't sure if we would have time to fit it in, but today seemed perfect. </p><p> You may recall that we got to Caversham because we went looking for camels to ride. We never found the camels, but we found this marvelous wonderland of animals to admire, photograph, and pet. </p><p> My one fear was that the day wouldn't go well. Someone told me once that there is a Chinese proverb which says that you can't put your toe in the same place in the river twice. If we returned to Caversham, would it hold the same magic? I hated to think of going back to that already special place and coming home sorry that we had gone. </p><p> But we went anyway. The skies weren't looking like they would clear any time soon, but we figured that it would probably keep away mothers with small children and that we'd have a chance to have the park to ourselves again. </p><p> This time I'd brought the better camera. Last time, expecting to be sitting on a camel, I left the Olympus at home and just brought the Casio, which fits in my pocket. The Casio, while a good snapshot camera, had been a bit of a disappointment last time and I was hoping for better results with the Olympus. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/redwing.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />We started off, again, at the bird enclosure and when we got home and I looked at the photos, I was thrilled. The results were significantly better than with my other camera, and exceeded what I thought I was getting. </p><p> From the birds, we passed a koala enclosure. Several animals were there, but only one was awake, but she had a teeny baby hiding behind her who finally, after we'd waited a long time, came round to her pouch and began to nurse, so we could get some photos. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/firstkoala.jpg" /></center><p> While we waited for the koala, a couple of groups of people passed by. I kind of felt sorry for them that they were doing the park so rapidly. The real magic of this place is taking your time, doing it slowly, going at the animals' pace and just watching to see what they do. You can easily see Caversham, which is a relatively small place, in an hour, if you just rush from enclosure to encosure. We were there 3-1/2 hrs and I would like to go back again. Maybe on another trip. </p><p> After the koalas, it was the roos again. The roos had occupied us for fully an hour last time; would we find the same fun again? There had been rain off and on throughout the morning and so all the moms were gathered together in the back, many of them lying down. We picked up pocketsful of roo food on our way back there and were immediately greeted by <i>lots</i> of eager kangaroos, all waiting for a snack. Though they were very gentle, they were as insistent as goats in a petting zoo. Fun, though, to have a kangaroo almost nose to nose with you as it begs for food! </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/Pevfeedroos.jpg" /></center> <p> We spent a long time there taking pictures and movies. Peggy's commentary usually includes several uses of the expression "there ya go...," hence the titleof this entry. At one point I glanced off to the back of the pen and saw a sign on the next enclosure down: "Camel Rides." We finaly found our camels. We had gone looking for camels a few weeks ago and instead found Caversham. Today we went to Caversham and found camels. Naturally we had to go see about a ride. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/mountcamel.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />The camel rides are designed for little kids, so what were these two old broads doing on a camel ride. My camera was getting in the way of trying to figure out how to mount the damn thing, so I never did get any pictures, but Peggy kept hers and managed to suitably embarrass me, not only with still photos, but with movies of my attempts to get on the animal and stay on as it lurched to its feet. </p><p> I was upset that I had no camera when Peggy got on, but we started out, feeling rather foolish, this guy walking ahead of us, holding one camel lead in each hand...like he were leading a couple of 5 year olds on this walk. It began to rain a bit and he asked us if we wanted to go back, but brave, hardy souls that we are, we said no, we'd continue on. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/buckets.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" />Then the skies opened up and it rained buckets. We were, unfortunately, at about the halfway point, so there was no way to cut the ride short. We were absolutely drenched, the camels were unhappy (I had visions of winding up upside down under the beast, as the saddle slipped off--what a great shot that would have made for Peggy!). The poor guy leading them was one soggy wet, unhappy bloke. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/wetbloke.jpg" /></center><p> When we got off, all three of us (and the two camels) were dripping wet, and the children waiting in line for their turn were suitably entertained...also, the rain stopped and the sky turned blue about that time. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/drownedrats.jpg" /></center><p> After we had dried out and stopped laughing, we continued on. It was getting late and we were hungry and the cafe was off in the distance. </p><p> "We don't need to go down that way," Peggy said, but I had spied a sign that said "koalas," so I said that I thought we would get to go in a koala enclosure. "Nope," she said, but I continued walking.</p><p> We came across a guy putting eucalyptus leaves in a locked enclosure with a few koalas in it and started to take pictures. "If you go down to that end enclosure," he said, "you can go in and pet a koala." Hooray--just what I hoped!</p><p> We went into the enclosure and there were 9 koalas, most of whom were doing what koalas do best: sleep. But we were able to stay as long as we liked, take lots and lots of photos, and yes, even pet a koala. Must be time to leave: I've now done it <i>all</i> in Australia, save for learning how to blow a didgeridoo, which I doubt I even want to try. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/bevkoala.jpg" /></center>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-7959385531927681862003-10-12T23:54:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:54:40.140-08:00Fore!<p align="left"> You see them everywhere, especially around Davis. All those miniature golf places. There is Scandia which is south of us--big sleeping beauty type castle, all sorts of strange creatures to hit a ball into or around. There is another one near where Ned works, which is dominated by a huge windmill. At Lake Tahoe there is a dinosaur world, where you hit balls into prehistoric beings. I don't even want to think about the variations in So. California.</p><p> Miniature golf is not my sport. </p><p> Well, <i>sport</i> is not my sport. I have never been coordinated enough to play any organized sport. Other than biking, I've never even been <i>passable</i> at anything, but get me on a miniature golf course and you have good fodder for a good slapstick comedy. </p><p> I can remember taking the kids...and later, foreign students...miniature golfing. Everyone had a great time, except me. They were all laughing at how totally uncoordinated I was, how I exceeded the maximum for every hole, and I was playing along, feeling like I wanted to crawl into one of the holes myself. </p><p> So I have been less than chomping at the bit ever since Janne and Chris suggested that we go out some moring, have a nice breakfast and then do "putt-putt golf." But this is a trip about not saying "no" (not even to the sardine, olive and ricotta sandwich this afternoon), and so I said that yes, I would <i>love</i> to go miniature golfing. </p><p> If nothing else, I figured it would give the girls a laugh and make great fodder for a journal entry. </p><p> We went to Botanic Golf Gardens, which is a far cry from the plastic-and-fantasy miniature golf places that I'm accustomed to. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/brunch.jpg" /></center><p> The setting is lovely, full of beautiful flowers, birds, ponds, waterfalls, and putting greens. Before we went out to play, we had a lovely brunch on the terrace (just before a party of 50 arrived for a combination breakfast/christening).</p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/pkcputt.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />Instead of garish plastic obstacles, each of the holes here is set off by brick or rock, with obstacles being strategically placed bars or tunnels, but always with the green setting and flowers everywhere. </p><p> We paid our fees, got our clubs and proceeded to the first tee. Mercifully, we were the second group to go round, and we pretty much had each tee to ourselves, without feeling other players were breathing down our necks. </p><p> They told me to go first, and I took a deep breath and put my ball down. This was probably going to be very embarrassing, but I was going to have fun. I was sure all these women were much more coordinated than I. But Peggy has been making fun of me for five weeks, so why deny her the chance today? </p><p> I took my stance and hit the ball--looking ahead, like golfers do, knowing full well that I didn't have a clue what the hell I was doing and couldn't aim to save my soul. Well, the first ball I hit didn't go flying out of the green, so it wasn't <i>that</i> bad. It was a par 2 hole and it took me 4 hits to get it in the hole. Coulda been worse. Chris followed me and took 3 shots. Janne followed her and took three shots. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Peggy stepped up. OK...I was in for it now. But no, it took her 4 shots as well. I was very encouraged. (She must have made quite a sight too; even the kookaburra laughed!)</p><p> Janne went first on the second hole and did the par 2 in 2 shots. Chris followed and took 4 shots. Hmmm...maybe they weren't better than me after all. I went next. THREE! I had beaten Chris. Then Peggy took her turn. First she had to clean off the green because, neatik that she is, it bothered her to be putting on a messy green. She also felt that cleaning debris off the green would improve her game. <i>Five</i> It took her five tries to sink the ball. </p><p> I was <i>not</i> very sympathetic. In fact, one may say that I gloated a bit. </p><p> By now I was feeling more confident that I wouldn't totally embarrass myself. On the third hole, Janne took 3 shots for the par 2. Chris made par. Peggy and I each took 3. </p><p> Then came the fourth hole. Another par 2. The scores? 2 for Janne, 2 for Chris. 3 for Peggy and....a <i>hole in one</i> for me!!! </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/underpar.jpg" /></center><p> I was now downright cocky. I held my own throughout the game. On the 6th hole, a par 3, Janne hit par, and Chris took 4, Peggy hit 5 and I did it in 2, one under par. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/Holeinone.jpg" /></center><p> We had a wonderful time completing the 18 holes, and we laughed a lot. It was good that none of us took it seriously.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/chrisputt.jpg" /></center><p> Peggy continued to clean the greens each time but somehow it didn't seem to help her game anyway. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/cleangreen.jpg" /></center><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/janneholeinone.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />On the 16th hole, Janne got her own hole in one. (Peggy took 7 hits on that hole, as did Chris; I got it in 4).</p><p> By the time we got to the last two holes, we were in plain sight of the people eating at the cafe, who enjoyed our antics. Peggy got out her Panasonic camera to take movies of all four of us hitting on the last hole (7 for Janne, 5 for Peggy, 4 for Chris and me on this par 2 hole!). </p><p> When it was over, Janne, as the big winner, got to buy us all coffee and muffins as we sat on the terrace looking at our movies and adding up the scores. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/score.jpg" /></center><p> On the whole I didn't do too damn bad and I had an absolute ball. Terrific way to spend the morning. And what's even better, Peggy got all the greens clean and neat for the players to follow.</p><p> The afternoon was spent quietly, napping, eating, washing, and going over photos on the computer. We realize that the time is growing short, that we have a buttload of photos that have to be consolidated so I can take my own copies home so I can make slide shows ('cause we know it will be a cold day in hell before Peggy gets around to making any!). </p><p> Really a very nice day. Better than I might have expected, given that I had virtually no sleep at all last night, due first to the next door neighbors having a very loud gathering, and then just to general insomnia that had me up chatting with Steve on Instant Messaging at 2 a.m., and reading at 3 a.m. Peggy had a hard time sleeping too and we got the dogs out for a walk before 6 a.m. this morning. </p><p> <b>ADDENDUM:</b> As I was posting this, Chris and Janne came round to let us know that Chris had just won a $4,000 diamond on a radio contest. She was beaming--she's been entering contests forever and it finally paid off. We're going out for a "last supper" on Friday, before I leave, to celebrate. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-59747686975949576422003-10-11T23:53:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:54:05.769-08:00I've Been to Bindoon<p align="left">Today's destination probably doesn't appear on any of the tourist guides to Western Australia, except perhaps as a roadside rest on the way to someplace else (like New Norcia or someplace like that). But it was another one of those really special days on this walkabout of mine. </p><p> We went to Bindoon today to visit Julanka, "the place of the trees," 5 acres of land which belong to friends of Peggy's. We had brought along a "chook" (chicken) to share for lunch.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/julanka.jpg" /></center><p> I had been to Bindoon a few weeks back, when we went to the monastery at New Norcia with Monty and Carolynn. On our way home, we stopped at a cafe in Bindoon for coffee and scones. But now we were spending the day there. </p><p> The original idea had been to bring the dogs with us. Chippa and Khasi (Ann & Julie's dog) are best friends and it would be fun for the three of them to romp together. But Ann called in the morning to say Julie had killed a snake that morning. Summer is rapidly approaching and the snakes will be starting to come out. As this area has some of the most poisonous snakes in the world, the thought of sending the dogs romping through the bush was not a good one, so Chippa and Keno stayed home. </p><p> Khasi was so funny when we arrived. She immediately hopped in the car and was very disappointed to find only 2-legged creatures in it. After we had settled ourselves on the porch, overlooking the kangaroo paw plants and the bush beyond them, Khasi went back out to the car, and circled it several times, seeming certain that if she just looked in the right spot, Chippa would surely be there. Eventually, she joined us on the porch and with a heavy sigh settled herself into her chair. No playmates today. </p><p> We were offered a tour of the place and readily accepted. The tour was amazing. I mentioned once before that springtime in this part of Australia is really incredible. We have seen fields carpeted in purple or yellow or blue or a combination. It's enough to make you gasp. But what is even more amazing is that if you stop the car and get out in the woods, you realize that the blaze of color is only half the story. As we walked through the bush we were surrounded by dozens of tiny orchids and other plants. The sort of thing you can't possibly see from the road, because they are too small and too close to the ground.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/flower1.jpg" hspace="10" /><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/orchidbindoon.jpg" /></center><p> Julie knew the names of each plant, showed me how you could identify an orchid so incredibly small you can barely see it, and where special plants were located. Peggy got out her close up lens and got several "photos of the day." </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/thistle.jpg" hspace="10" /><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/peggythistle.jpg" /></center><p> While we were walking, Khasi was racing around the bush and under a "black boy" (or "grass tree") she unearthed a bob-tail lizard and had a wonderful time barking at it. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/Lizard.jpg" /></center><p> On the way back to the house, we passed a field of electric blue flowers. I did take a photo, but it doesn't nearly do it justice.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/flowersbindoon.jpg" /></center><p> We had a lovely lunch--the chook we'd brought, with fresh-from-the-bakery bread, a huge salad and drinks. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/chocolate.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />When we'd finished, Julie brought out a "chocolate slice" which Ann had made for dessert. We were told this was only the second time in 8 years that she had made this, so I felt honored indeed. </p><p> The afternoon was spent discussing cameras and comparing digital photos, and looking at the photos of the renovations that had been done on the house. The time passed quickly and too soon it was time to leave. </p><p> On our trip back, we took a scenic route through beautiful countryside (again...does the beautiful countryside ever end in this country?). Julie had given us very explicit hand-written verbal directions and a very clear map with the route traced in irridescent pen on it. How we ended up taking a wrong turn halfway to the Great Northern Highway is beyond us, but we found ourselves heading back to Bindoon and after 20 km had to turn around and retrace our steps. But then...would it be one of "our" trips if we hadn't gotten lost? </p><p> It's hard to imagine that in just a short time all this lush green, flower-covered land will be dry and brown and there will be a shortage of water. I am so lucky to have come at this time of year. </p><p> We were home in time for tea, but neither of us was hungry, so after giving dog soup to the dogs, we retired to our computers to check over our photos for the day. As usual, Peggy had the best shots. I'm getting used to that (but don't tell her I admitted it, OK?) </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-20897726431445818342003-10-10T23:52:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:53:30.468-08:00Thar She Blows<p align="left">All my life I've wanted to see a humpback whale "up close and personal." </p><p> I've always wanted to go whale watching and had only been once, a disasterous afternoon spent with Diane in Puget Sound watching the backs of killer whales bob up and down. It was decidedly anti-climactic, and Diane has never let me forget it (nor have I been able to forget the horrible boat ride, where I thought we were going to drown, and where I left my brunch behind for the whales. </p><p> I have purchased whale calendars, devour whale specials on TV, and never thought I'd get the chance to really see the big guys. </p><p> Today we were finally going to go whale watching. </p><p> We had been told in Albany that this has been a bad year for whales--very few have been showing up. When you purchase your ticket on the whale watching boat, it says plainly that they can't guarantee you'll see anything, and if you don't see any whales, your next ticket is half price (fat lot of good that would do me!) </p><p> Still I was hopeful. It was a glorious day. The waters were calm, the breeze was just perfect, and there weren't too many kids on the boat. As we left the harbor and headed in the direction of Rottnest Island, Peggy was glowing. "I don't care if we don't even see whales," she said. "I'm just loving being on the boat." </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/mewhaleboat.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" />I was too, but I was really hoping to finally have that whale experience. </p><p> My hopes were fading after an hour of our two hour cruise when the captain announced that they'd been searching for whales for the past 30 minutes and for everyone to keep their eyes open for signs of activity. </p><p> We were on the starboard side of the boat, on the open sea side. Rottnest was on the port side. Suddenly there was a gasp from the other side of the boat and excited questions..."Did you <i>see</i> them?" </p><p> We were going to see whales after all. </p><p> Of course, having had the perfect viewing spot for an hour, we were now about 3 back from the crowd that had rushed the rail to see the whales. I was standing on tip-toe looking over the head of a group of Japanese tourists and not able to see a thing. This was starting to be very disappointing. </p><p> Then a spot opened up right at the back, where I could hang over the side of the boat and aim my camera, hoping for <i>something</i>. </p><p> I managed to take a photo or two, but I could tell my photos were crap. Peggy was standing next to me, trying to fit her camera over the heads of the tourists, so I decided to give her my spot, knowing she had the better camera, and I contented myself with sitting by a window to look. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/whales.jpg" /></center><p> "They are all at the front of the boat," a crew member told us, and there was a rush to the top deck. </p><p> Miraculously, I found myself standing by the rail, trying to look over the head of some retired women who was standing on the railing, totally blocking my view. It was very frustrating. But suddenly everything cleared, the woman stepped down, and there they were: a pod of 3 whales. I took a few pictures. They weren't very active, but I was getting <i>something</i>. </p><p> Then I remembered something important. When Jeri was in the first grade, she started ballet lessons. At the end of the school year, they had teir first ballet recital and we all went to it. I, naturally, had my camera at the ready. I was so intent on capturing her first recital on film (and did in so-so photos) that when it was over, I realized I'd missed the entire thing. </p><p> How many things in my life I have experienced through the lens of the camera rather than as a participant in what was going on? </p><p> Here I was having the experience I'd dreamed of all my life and I decided to put the camera away and just <i>experience</i> it. (In truth, I knew Peggy was clicking away anyway and would have better photos than I could get, so I knew I wouldn't be missing anything!)</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/whaledive.jpg" /></center><p> Once I took time out to just <i>watch,</i> it was glorious. To be close enough to hear them blow air out of the blow hole, to hear the sound of them diving, to watch the fluke as it slowly slid under the water. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/fluke.jpg" /></center><p> All too soon, the captain was saying we would have to turn around and go back to shore. We watched the pod surface and dive one more time, and then we were headed back. </p><p> It was Peggy who spied the young whale cavorting off starboard as we sped back past Rottnest. I don't know how many other people saw him. It was almost like he was our own private whale. She got the photo of the day of this young whale who seemed to be having....a whale of a time...diving over and over again. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/indywhale.jpg" /></center><p> I named him "Indy," because s/he reminded me of the fun that the puppy Indy had when we were on the farm. </p><p> All too soon, the experience was over, but it was just glorious. We stopped back at Hillary's Marina to get a drink and a muffin, and then came home. As we pulled into the driveway, Chippa was there to greet us. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/Chippagate.jpg" /></center><p> Peggy settled in to watch cricket while I started "tea." This is a sports night, so I was in charge of food. I finally cooked the cute little roast that we bought the other day and we've just finished eating it while watching the opening ceremonies of the World Rugby Championships (which may just rival the opening ceremonies for the Olympics, in fact!).</p><p> It's not often that you live to be 60 years old and finally get the chance to experience something you've dreamed about all your life, but today I did it. It was a red letter day. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-10116957815950899762003-10-09T23:52:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:52:41.683-08:00If the Shoe Fits, Buy It<p align="left">Three years ago, in October 2000, Peggy was in the States and we spent a lot of time shopping. Specifically shoe shopping. I gave her a hard time, then, for all the time she spent trying on shoes and all the money she spent on shoes. </p><p> It is with some chagrin that I admit that while in Australia I have purchased four pairs of shoes and a pair of slippers. That's more than I <i>owned</i> when she was in the States. </p><p> Today we returned to Freo (Fremantle). On our first trip, our goal had been the maritime museum and I learned a lot about Australia II, which took the Americas cup from the US. But I learned nothing about the ship Batavia, about which I'd prepared by reading on the Internet. So this trip to Freo was to serve two purposes: We would walk the shops (it's a great shopping town), and we would visit the Batavia. </p><p> Fremantle is a modern town with an old feel. Many of the historic buildings underwent rennovation in the 1980s, under the direction of Alan Bond and his promotion for the Americas Cup. The old town hall, prison, and hotels are now museums, cafes, and tacky souvenir shops. It's an interesting blend of old and new and I was glad to have the chance to get back--and to finally see The Batavia. </p><p> On the way we visited all the op shops (second hand stores) and shoe shops. </p><p> At the op shop, we found cheap stuffed toys and Peggy picked up a handful for Chippa. I took a picture of her grinning like a happy grandmother with all these toys for "her girl" but she broke my camera and the photo didn't come out. Trust me. It was truly the "photo of the day" and you missed it. Peggy was also looking for sandals and we went in several stores, unsuccessfully. We did hit pay dirt at a "wide sizes" store, where she didn't find anything she liked, but I found some very comfortable walking shoes (so difficult for me with my wide foot and foot problems) and despite the prices, I decided to buy them. </p><p> Finally, we ran out of shops and it was time for the museum.</p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/shipwreck.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />After seeing so much of Australia's rocky coast and its extensive reef, it's amazing to me that the country ever got settled by anybody who wasn't indiginous to the region. So many shipwrecks have occurred off the shore of Australia that an entire museum is devoted to shipwrecks. The sign on this building (formerly a prison) reads "Maritime Museum Shipwreck Galleries." </p><p> Here is a piece of the Batavia, recovered between 1972 and 1979. A piece of the hull of the boat is erected and I was amazed at how huge it was...and even more amazed when I discovered that this huge piece, significantly taller than my head and requiring a second story balcony to see the top, represented only one teeny corner of the bottom of the hull of the huge ship. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/legend.jpg" /></center><p> Peggy insists that I include information about the skeleton which is on display here. I argued that I didn't want to use it, but again, I'm an ever gracious guest and will do anything to keep my hostess happy, so here are her photos: </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/history.JPG" hspace="10" /><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/skeleton.jpg" /></center><p> When I had thoroughly examined the Batavia and some of the contents rescued, we went into the other galleries and I began to get a feeling for how difficult it was to <i>get</i> to this land, let alone survive the rigors of life on the often unforgiving continent.</p><p> I chuckled to read about the "Success," which ran aground at Carnac Island...and its successor, also named "Success" which ran aground 20 years later. Perhaps someone should have re-thought that name!</p><p> Eventually, we'd run out of shipwrecks and decided that our time in Freo was about over. We took the scenic route home, via....another shoe shop, where Peggy hit pay dirt and not only found <i>two</i> pairs of sandals she liked, but was able to get her current sandals (purchased 3 yrs ago in the US) sent in for repair. An all around very positive stop. </p><p> The plan had been to come home and cook that cute little roast lamb for dinner, but instead we went down to Hillary's Marina again, booked a whale watching tour for tomorrow, and had a chicken salad while we sat and watched families cavort in the water off the bay. It truly is Paradise here. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/beach2.jpg" /></center><p> While I was eating, we were visited by a very persistent seagull. I took his photo and while I was taking it, he snatched a piece of chicken off my plate as Peggy shooed him away. The photo I took was great, but the camera screwed up. Peggy tried using some sort of repair program to retrieve the photo, but we were only able to get half of it. We tried fixing it with Photo Shop, but could not come up with anything which really did the trick, so I've put in what we <i>did</i> come up with just because I love the look on the bird. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/thiefgull.jpg" /></center><p> After dinner we had a terribly wicked ice cream cone (I had boysenberry and cheesecake ice cream mixed with raspberries and a TimTam; Peggy had chocolate and Nutella ice cream, with a spoon full of Nutella and a Tim Tam...both were then piled high in a waffle cone). We came home "stuffed" by all definitions of the word (Australian "stuffed" is exhausted; we were also "stuffed" with food). </p><p> There was a full moon rising when we left Hillary's and tomorrow we will be back again to catch the ferry and hopefully see a whale or two. </p><p> My time here is growing short. It will be difficult to leave. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-50916156234868728312003-10-08T23:51:00.000-07:002014-04-13T16:49:59.959-07:00"I wonder what the inner brotherhood recommends for cramp"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="left">
<i>(It's a quote from Gilbert & Sullivan)</i> </div>
The cramp hit sudden and hard and I couldn't get past it. We were standing by the water's edge at Trigg Beach, having walked down from the parking lot, when suddenly I got this horrendous Charleyhorse--not in my calf, where I'm used to having them, but in the back of my thigh. No matter what I did I couldn't reduce it and everyone had to stand there while I bent over trying to move the leg into some sort of comfortable position. <br />
We had come to the Trigg Beach Cafe with Monty and Carolynn for lunch. I'm not sure what I was expecting...something similar to where we stopped for coffee a couple of weeks ago, I guess. I was not prepared for the absolutely gorgeous setting of this beachside cafe. <br />
<center>
<img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/triggcafe.jpg" /></center>
Earlier in the morning, the glass man finally came and fixed the shower door. While he was working, I was outside digging weeds out of the front lawn. By the time the glass man left, I had put in my weed digging stint. It seems to have been good exercise for my arm, as by the time I'd finished, I was feeling a <i>little</i> more strength in the muscle, though it still hurts like hell to use much pressure on that arm. <br />
It's also difficult to weed when you can't kneel and have difficulty getting up and down. Gawd, it's hell to get old!! <br />
Earlier in the day, I had finally managed to upload the <a href="http://settlersrunfarmstay.com.au/">web page for Settler's Run</a> which I'd finished designing the previous day. (I was waiting for some additional information from the server so I could FTP it to the web). I'm pleased with how it came out and I hope everyone checks it out so you can see where we spent last week. <br />
But Monty and Carolynn came around. Monty was going to install a new CD burner in Peggy's computer, but first we were going to lunch. My god, what a meal. Carolynn and I had Thai prawns while Peggy and Monty had a surf 'n' turf platter of ribs and calamari. Portions were huge and all was delicious. I tasted a bit of the wine Monty ordered, just to say I'd had a bit of Australian wine in Australia, but mostly I stuck with my newly discovered drink: lemon lime with bitters. We splurged on dessert, an enormous meringue with ice cream, whipped cream and strawberries. (I offered to split one with Peggy, but she insisted on her own, so, gracious guest that I am, I agreed to have a whole one myself--the sacrifices one makes to keep your hostess happy. But I suffer in silence.)<br />
Then it was time to walk off at least one or two of the calories. <br />
We were going to walk down the path near the beach, but Monty felt I needed to be able to say I actually walked <i>on</i> a beach in Australia, so we headed down to the sand. That's when the cramp struck. Fortunately, Monty is a paramedic, so I figured if I needed medical attention, I was in good hands, but the cramp eventually worked itself out without my having to dive into the ocean to get cold water on the muscle. <br />
We all took photos of each other to prove I was actually there. <br />
<center>
<img alt="Peggy Morrison" src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/triggbeach.jpg" title="Peggy Morrison" /></center>
Trigg Beach is a popular surfing beach and we watched a lot of guys riding the waves. I had earlier marveled at how these guys hop on their bikes, still dressed in wet suits, bare footed, with surfboards attached to the back of the bikes, and pedal on home. <br />
<center>
<img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/triggbike.jpg" /></center>
After walking on the beach for awhile, we moved back up to the path, which doubles as a walking/jogging path and bike path <i>(<a href="http://marn.diaryland.com/">Marn,</a> please take note)</i>. Monty and Carolynn have bikes and made a passing suggestion that we go for a ride together, since Peggy has a bike she hasn't used in a very long time. So I may actually get out on a bike next week. Peggy has offered to drive me to a starting point and pick me up at an ending point. I suspect my arm (and knee) are recovered enough that I can actually ride again, but I'm going to ride around the block here first just to get the lay of the land and see how really rusty I am after not riding since June. <br />
Back to the house, eventually, and Monty put in the new drive. Chris stopped by and she and I sat outside chatting while all the computer work was going on inside. Finally all the visitors left, and the little girl from next door stopped by. She had caught me earlier in the day and I thought Peggy had caught on--the new camera she "won" at the Perth Show is a water camera and she got me good when she asked if she could take my picture. I never mentioned that to Peggy, figuring she'd actually <i>looked</i> at the camera, but she ended up getting splashed too, so we made a child's day very happy today (even if the two of us got wet doing it). <br />
We are both too full from our huge lunch to even think of eating again, so the evening will probably be spent with Peggy trying to explain the rules of cricket to me, or as much as she can explain before she falls asleep. I figure that should take about 3 minutes, the way her eyes are already drooping. As for me, I expect to be awake all night, thinking about returning home to Governor Schwarzenegger. The very idea is enough to give one nightmares. </div>
Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-47934064651628513782003-10-07T23:50:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:51:05.848-08:00The Glass Man Commeth<p align="left">I had never seen one quite like this before. It's a mini (micro, really) rolled boneless leg of lamb. Cute, I thought. Peggy wasn't sure it would feed two of us, once it cooked down, but I convinced her to buy it anyway. </p><p> The Big Deal of the day was picking up food at the local grocery store. (Such an exciting life I am living!) Actually, we expected the glass man to come to replace the glass door on the shower, which broke the week before we left for our trip up north. They first scheduled to be here the day of the football championships, and never showed up. Then they rescheduled for today at 8:30. </p><p> Peggy woke me up by yelling "Are you <i>awake</i> yet?" I had a bad night and was awake from 1:30 until after 4:30, so I hadn't had much sleep. But within minutes--less than 5, I'm sure--I was in the car getting the dogs out for their morning walk. We had to be back in time to meet the glass man.</p><p> It was just the four of us this morning--Peggy, me and the two dogs. Janne is on early shift, so didn't meet us. We got them run in record time and were home in plenty of time to put out the first load of wash on the line, get some breakfast, and be ready for the glass man.</p><p> Who, of course, never showed up. </p><p> After an hour, Peggy called her insurance company and got permission to take care of it herself, find her own glass company and bill the insurance. The new place was very accommodating, were not surprised at the unprofessional behavior of the first place, and promised to have someone out here by 3:30. As it was now getting late in the day, that narrowed our options. Besides, we still had washing and ironing to do (yes, I ironed...stop chortling. You know who you are.)</p><p> By about 2, Peggy suggested we take a quick run to the shop and pick up bread and something for tea, to add to the leftover take-away Chinese dinner we had from last night. </p><p> Peggy shops in a little strip mall at a place called Dewson's. I thought Dewson's was a tiny little local mom and pop store. From the look of it--the tiny size, the cramped aisles, the foods crammed into every nook and cranny--you'd think this is the case.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/dewsons.jpg" /></center><p> But we seem to be running into a Dewson's nearly everywhere we go. Peggy says she thinks they may have been taken over by some larger corporation because she sees them popping up more and more. </p><p> Each location has its own unique feel. The Dewson's in Mount Barker, where we shopped with Claire and Penny, was huge--easily as large as a small supermarket in the States. But it was cavernous and half of it almost echoed with space that might have been used better for food displays (though in a town that is 3 blocks long at best, why??) A piece of the cavernous half was filled with a display of toys and holiday items (Christmas--<i>already</i>?), but it had more the feel of a garage sale, rather than the flashy displays one might expect. </p><p> In contrast, the Dewson's in Margaret River was a neat and tidy little boutique of a supermarket, with freshly made locally produced delicacies (like the package of beef satay we bought for our tea the first night), great looking produce, and a wonderful deli counter. </p><p> I love looking through markets of any sort in another country. You always find such interesting things. Like kangaroo bones. And the aforementioned boutique lamb roast. We were standing at the deli counter today and I saw something labeled "pumpkin pie." I pointed to it and said "I'll bet that's not a sweet." And no, it's a "savory," the vegetable use of pumpkin rather than the dessert use of the plant. </p><p> I've been surprised to discover that Weight Watchers Australia has a whole line of products that I have never seen in the States. Boxes of cereal, for example, with some unidentifiable bits in it, but which is 97% fat free and loaded with fiber. There are great Weight Watcher cookies and pudding mixes and other things. I don't know if there are Weight Watchers frozen meals--haven't seen those, so perhaps in this country the "make it yourself" option wins out over the "thaw-it-yourself" option! </p><p> Peggy also buys soft light butter, which may exist in the States, but which I haven't seen. It looks like, spreads like, and tastes like real butter, but with only 50% the fat. (I'm starting to sound like a commercial.) </p><p> We returned from Dewson's in plenty of time to meet the new glass man at 3:30 and I was getting concerned when it was approaching 4:30 and he still hadn't arrived. But he did eventually show up, measured the door, went back to the shop to see if they had glass to fit it, they did, and he is now scheduled to come and fix it at 9 tomorrow. Let's hope. </p><p> In the meantime, I hear that tomorrow is the day we discover whether California has "total recall" or not. I groan when I think of returning home to a state governed by The Terminator. That may give me nightmares to keep me awake <i>tonight</i> as well.</p><p> (My time here must be growing short--it's the first time I've thought seriously about any political issue since I left.) </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-26567410594907757432003-10-06T23:49:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:50:24.947-08:00The New Navigator<p align="left">It was a new record. We got lost going out of the driveway today. </p> For a change, it was <i>not</i> the navigator's fault. The driver, having given up on her navigator, took matters into her own hands. "Turn right at the end of the driveway," Penny said, giving the driver a shortcut from <a href="http://settlersrunfarmstay.com.au/">Settler's Run</a> to catch the Albany highway. The driver took a left turn at the end of the driveway, interpreting the term "driveway" to mean the end of the road which connects with the driveway. The driver had gone about 10 km when she began to get angry with this huge 4 wheel drive riding her tail, with high beams glaring in her eyes. Then the 4WD cut the beams, and then flashed them. "That's Penny," the driver said, and pulled over. Penny had been chasing us at significantly over the speed limit to let the driver know she was already lost. The driver asked if she could just keep going in the direction we were headed, but Penny said it would be quicker to turn round and head back to the house again (if we had kept going, I swear we would have ended up on that damn Margaret River-Busselton highway again!) Once we were pointed in the right direction, it was pretty impossible for either the driver or the former navigator to get lost, since it was a straight shot from the road to Perth. We did stop in Kojonup for lunch. The sign "coffee shop" seemed promising, but it was anything but. It looked like a nice efficient place, but the people running it appeared to be on loan from the local old folks' home and there was much confusion about orders, and it took forever to slap some chicken salad onto a piece of toasted bread (which was only toasted on one side). While we were waiting for our food, I bought a CD. It was 5 songs recorded by a local group of 3 kids, aged 14, 15 and 17, who have been singing together for 3 yrs and who had obviously put out this home-grown CD on which they thank their parents for all the miles they have driven them to gigs. How could I not buy it? (We played it in the car and it probably won't get played again, but I feel good for having contributed.) We took our sandwiches and went off looking for someplace to eat them. We were right near the cemetery (which is across the street from the hospital, an arrangement that would make <i>me</i> uncomfortable on hospital admission!), so we parked under a tree overlooking the graves and ate lunch. Peggy pointed out that we seem to be visiting all the local cemeteries--I think this is the third one we've been to. We did not, however, get out of the car, owing to the fact that we appeared to have parked near the home of some of the largest ants I'd ever seen and I was afraid they'd bite my ankles if I tried to step on the ground. After lunch, it was just get on the road, follow countless huge trucks over hills on the 2-lane highway, and eventually spy Perth in the distance, hitting it just about the time rush hour traffic was starting. We pulled into the driveway at about 4:10, 10 minutes later than Peggy predicted when we left the farm (coincidentally about the length of time we drove down the wrong road...<i>ahem</i>) and the dogs seemed happy to have "Mum" home again. I suggested we have Chinese take-away for tea tonight, so I walked down to the shopping center and picked it up. As I walked back, I realized that except for pictures of the lambs this morning before we left the farm, I hadn't taken a single photo all day. Fortunately at about that time, I spied a 28 and a pink and gray walking together in front of the veterinary office and I took a picture of them, so that's all you get for photos of the day. <center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/28pink.jpg" /></center> It's good to be home, but it sure was a wonderful week. Tomorrow we have washing and re-settling and organizing of photos to do and I suspect won't be leaving the house much. I have to admit that as we get back into the routine here, I'm already missing our little farmstay cottage...Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-12951245645001267272003-10-05T23:49:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:49:51.455-08:00The Ashes Are Blowing in the Wind<p align="left">It was sunset. The water was calm and the boat barely rocked. Celine was singing in the background. Penny stepped to the side of the boat, opened the box, and sent their friend Hillary to her final resting place. The other passengers on the boat tossed flower petals. The ashes rested for a moment on top of the water, and then sank into the bay. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/hillary.jpg" /></center><p> It was the end of our day. We had come to Albany to join Penny, Claire and their friends in the scattering of the ashes of their friend Hillary, who had died one year previous. They had rented Albany's premiere whale watching boat and figured that it might be a good way for us to see some whales as well (though this has been a very bad year for whale watching, and no, we didn't see any). </p><p> But the tribute to Hillary was very nice. The weather had been fairly good, a bit nippy, but not unbearable. Peggy and I spent most of our time on the top deck of the boat, since we didn't really know anybody who was there to honor Hillary anyway. </p><p> The day started with a misty morning sunrise that allowed me to get some lovely photos of the horses in the field.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/mistyhorses.jpg" /></center><p> We futzed around the farm for the morning. I worked on the web page. We did the usual stuff. At noon, we left to drive to Albany (the "al" is pronounced as in "Albert"), where we spent a couple of hours at the whale watching center.</p><p> Most of what we did at the center was sit by a gorgeous picture window and eat lunch. Then I did made some more contributions to Australia's economy (no wonder the Australian dollar is getting stronger), and then we started through the museum.</p><p> The museum covers many buildings in what was once a whale processing facility, and there are signs everywhere warning that this is NOT necessarily 100% safe for tourists, since it was designed for production, so if you hurt yourself, don't sue us. (I can just see something like that going over in the states!)</p><p> I didn't get to see a lot here because we got split up, and since we were on a tight timetable, it seemed that most of my time was spent in trying to find the others. But I did see the platform where they stripped the blubber off the whale, and the huge saw which they used to cut up the jaw, which is too tough to be cut by human hand alone. Then I spent the last 20 minutes trying to hook up with Peggy, Claire and Penny. Missed the whale carcases, and especially the preserved whale penis. I guess I will have to live the rest of my life without seeing that.</p><p> On our way to the boat, we had to pass by Dog Rock, which Char had told me before I left home that I <i>had</i> to see. I have now seen it:</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/dogrock.jpg" /></center><p> And then onto the boat for Hillary's last trip. </p><p> It was late when we returned to shore and had an hour's drive back to the farm. We stopped in to Penny's for coffee, but as her cold had left her with virtually no voice whatsoever, we decided it was best to call it a somewhat early night.</p><p> We leave in the morning to return to Perth. Peggy asked me last night what had been my favorite part of my trip thus far (with only 2 weeks go go). I thought about it for a bit and decided that these few days here at <a href="http://settlersrunfarmstay.com.au/">Settler's Run</a> has been the highlight. I don't know what there has been about it, but the time to relax, to get to know Penny and Claire, to get away from <i>everything</i> has just been lovely. Perth isn't exactly hustle and bustle, compared to the life I lead in the states, but it's going to seem a lot more hectic compared to the few days we've just been through.</p><p> Thanks for a wonderful vacation, Penny and Claire! </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-24765650380679986722003-10-04T23:48:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:49:16.752-08:00Who Needs TV?<p align="left">The Lady Laura was not happy. </p><p> They had come for her regular pedicure and she wanted none of it. Each time someone took hold of her foot, she yanked it away and stamped it impatiently. She was <i>not</i> in a mood for all this foolishness.</p><p> Laura is a Clydesdale and Shane, the farrier was here at the farm today to clean and trim the horses' hooves. He had already done three of the miniature horses. Now it was Laura's turn and she was definitely not willing to cooperate.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/farrier.jpg" /></center><p> It was "farm day." We didn't do much but hang around the place and it was an absolutely wonderful day. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/bottles.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />I was up at 5, watching the mist slowly evaporate as the morning sun rose over the hilltops. Then I helped Claire feed the sheep again. I love that they put the milk in beer bottles.</p><p> We had our respective jobs to do. I settled in at the computer to start working on the <a href="http://settlersrunfarmstay.com.au/">web page for Settlers Run</a>, the others went off to do...whatever they were going to do. </p><p> In time, Claire returned, looking for Peggy's camera. She explained that the farrier was having problems with Laura and Peggy wanted the camera. I gave her Peggy's camera, grabbed my own, and the two of us headed off across the daisy-covered field, the three lambs following along behind us like puppy dogs.</p><p> It was quite impressive watching Shane work, maneuvering that huge horse around to get all of her feet cleaned and trimmed. By comparison, when it came time for Silver (a retired racehorse) to have <i>his</i> feet trimmed, he was quite docile, lifted his feet obediently and actually seemed to doze off while Shane worked. (We had visions of Laura snorting back in the stall..."Wimp!" we're sure she was muttering.)</p><p> Eventually I decided I needed to return to the web page, so left the others in the field. Shane finished his work and Peggy went off to chop wood for an hour. ("I'm in my element here, you know," she glowed, when I found her, axe in hand, later.) Then we all sat down for lunch (soup guaranteed to help you fart, we were promised. Just what none of us needed!)</p><p> In the afternoon, we took the dogs down by the river. But this was no mere stroll down a country path to the water. First there was a sheep herding lesson. Zack, the old dog, has taken Indy, the baby, under her wing and it was amazing watching her actually teach Indy how to herd sheep. Following Penny's shouted commands, Zack got the sheep to race this way and that way, or just around in circles, while Indy joined in, sometimes tripping over her own feet, sometimes making mistakes, but when a few sheep cut out from the herd, little Indy ran after them and brought them back. It was a beautiful demonstration. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/herdsheep.jpg" /></center><p> The river--the same one that had flooded the road we drove down yesterday--had washed lots of debris over a bridge, and was still quite high. Zack jumped in, chasing sticks (sometimes watching branches floating downstream--the doggie version of "Pooh sticks"). Indy, who has not yet perfected swimming, wore herself out, trying to jump in, falling in, dog-paddling, coming out again, and chasing Zack. It kept us amused for a very long time. The puppy was one exhausted dog by the time we got home, having leaped over tall grass, flowers, in and out of water, and chased both Zack and the sheep for over an hour.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/riverpic.jpg" /></center><p> Penny and Claire both took turns using Peggy's camera and got some wonderful photos. Penny's were particularly brilliant and I told her that some of her "artsy fartsy" photos reminded me of a Monet painting. She was quite taken with herself, and rightfully so.</p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/mehorse.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />On the way home, we stopped to speak with the horses, and Penny, the horse, blew in my ear.</p><p> We ended our afternoon romp in our cottage, where Peggy served chocolates from the Margaret River Chocolate factory, along with cups of coffee, and then we all changed for our big night on the town.</p><p> We went into Mount Barker to the "bottom pub," (as opposed to the "top pub"--there is no "middle pub" because the town isn't big enough) where we had t-bone steaks with chips and salad. There's something about sitting in a pub at 8 p.m. at night watching first Stuart Little, and then Winnie the Pooh on the big screen. Our big night of partying. I think there were all of six other people in the place, two of whom were under the age of 5, little girls who sat there clutching their blankies and holding hands, mesmirized by the movies.</p><p> It was a little before 9 when we finally left the pub and headed for home, our big night on the town finally over. I simply had to take a photo of "downtown Mount Barker on a busy Saturday night."</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/mtbarkernight.jpg" /></center>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-87372834562666163192003-10-03T23:47:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:48:28.452-08:00Always Chasing Rainbows<p align="left">The title doesn't really have much to do with today's report, except that it rained off and on and we kept finding these wonderful rainbows...and I couldn't pass up the chance to use the title. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/pottygold.jpg" /></center><br /><center>potty of gold at the end of the rainbow!</center><p> What a wonderful place this is!!! We are at <a href="http://settlersrunfarmstay.com.au/">Settlers Run</a> farmstay cottage. Of course, we are here because we are visiting, but Penny and Claire have given us the use of the cottage that would normally be rented out.</p><p> It's a beautiful place. I awoke this morning to the sound of a kookaburra sitting on a post outside the back porch, laughing. His mate sat on a telephone pole nearby. Never did get a good photo, but it was a good omen.</p><p> We wandered around the grounds here. They own 100 acres and have lots of livestock. We enjoyed watching the sheep (and bottle feeding 3 of the nearly-grown lambs). </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/feedsheep.jpg" /></center><p> We followed Penny around as she let the horses out and gave us a tour of all the outbuildings on the place. The puppy, Indy (named because she was born on the 4th of July), had a great time keeping up with us, romping through the fields of daisies, and herding the lambs (she's a border collie, so sheepherding is in her blood).</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/indyguard.jpg" /></center><p> We did our turns at the computers. I got a couple of Funny the World entries uploaded and registered a domaine name for Settler's Run, Peggy worked on some graphics and we found an interesting way to solve a technological problem---</p><p> Peggy had taken pictures of the cottage for me to use in the web page I'm designing for Settler's Run. The picture was nearly perfect, except she thought it would look better with a more interesting sky and more clouds...and Penny was unhappy that there was a wattle tree in the foreground, which she doesn't like and means to cut down.</p><p> Peggy spent some time trying to get the sky right, to get blue behind the leaves of the wattle tree, and to make the picture look just perfect.</p><p> As she worked, she looked out the window and saw that the sun had come out, the clouds were beautiful and...what was she doing trying to craft the perfect photo in PhotoShop when she could just walk outside and take it again! Not only that, but Penny picked up an axe and hacked away at the wattle tree and in a matter of seconds, Peggy had the perfect picture--lovely clouds and no offensive tree-- without so much as manipulating a single pixel.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/settlersrun.jpg" /></center><p> I had a bit of a moral twinge in the mid afternoon. We had just come from the raptor center in Margaret River where we had learned about the value of hawks, and the injustice of the laws which allow the killing of hawks in Western Australia, and the raptor center's attempts to get that law repealed. Here, they have a cage of small birds and a hawk has been making raids and has killed several of them. The hawk was back yesterday. Penny grabbed her gun and with one shot, put a bullet right through his head. I wondered what the guy at the raptor center would have done in a similar situation.</p><p> After lunch, we drove in to Mount Barker, did some shopping, and got the grand tour. While it doesn't take long to see greater downtown Mount Barker (which is about 3 blocks long), Penny whipped her 4-wheel drive around some "road closed" signs and through some beautiful scenery, until she came to a spot where the river was overflowing a bridge and decided that maybe it was better to turn around and go back from whence we came.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/flood.jpg" /></center><p> The skies opened up as we got home and we've had a nice bit of rain. But as I type this, Penny and Claire are out on the patio putting a barbie together for us, and Peggy is dozing off in the lounge. The dogs are asleep under my feet. </p><p> This was a day to relax, and just what the doctor ordered. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-61658522835494302252003-10-02T23:47:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:47:54.816-08:00Reeaalllly Big Trees<p align="left"> We were only 10 km out of Margaret River and already we were lost. Peggy has given up on her navigator as totally useless. The Navigator feels that occasionally she gets it right, but the issue will remain forever in discussion. Best not to dwell on it.</p><p> However, every time we got lost (let me count the times....), we ended up having an unexpected adventure, so the navigator feels that these little side trips have actually been a lovely part of the holiday experience. </p><p> For example, if we hadn't gotten lost 10 km out of Margaret River, we never would have seen the guy taking his cows across the road. So there. ></p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/cowcrossing.jpg" /></center><p> <i>Anyway</i>, instead of going to Mt. Barker via Nannup, we took the roundabout way and ended up (at least this part was by design) in Augusta, which is the southwestern most city in Australia. We stood at the Leeuwen Lighthouse with the Southern Ocean on our left and the Indian Ocean on our right and froze our buns off. I have mentioned several times that the Indian Ocean is a different color--and you can really see it at this point (though it does not show in photos). The Southern Ocean looks dark and cold, while the Indian still maintains the bright azure blue when they meet at this point. (I decided against putting my feet in the Southern Ocean.) </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/lighthouse.jpg" /></center><p> After we left Augusta, we were headed for Pemberton and the Karri trees. Karri trees are the tallest trees in Australia and the third tallest trees in the world (second to the California redwoods and some ash tree). The oldest are estimated to be older than 400 years (making them younger than California redwoods as well). But they are uniquely shaped and impressive to walk under. When you see a forest of them on a hillside, it appears that the tallest of them are reaching out sharp branches to grasp at the air in the sky above. </p><p> <img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/cemetery.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />We stopped in Pemberton at the visitor center to get the lay of the land and figure out where we were going to go. Peggy wanted to stop at the cemetery because she had been there before and remembered a grave she had seen of a young man (age 26) whose dog, after the man's death, used to come and sleep on top of the grave. After the dog died, they buried him with his master and added a statue of the dog to the tomb stone.</p><p> I love wandering around old cemeteries. You get such a sense of history of the town. But as I walked around Pemberton's cemetery, I got such an overwhelming sense of pain. Many of the graves were of young men who died accidentally, presumably in logging accidents (since this was a logging town--and still is). There were many babies and small children who died as well. When we came to one grave for a young girl of about 7, I just lost it and found myself unable to stop the tears. I've never quite been affected like that in a cemetery.</p><p> <img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/karri.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" />Next stop was a grove of karri trees. We decided on the Glouster Tree, the tallest in the area, and one which has been spiked so foresters can climb to the lookout house at the top and check for forest fires. It is now a tourist attraction and tourists are invited to climb the 153 spikes in the side of the tree (despite my stunning performance at the caves the day before, I declined the chance to climb several hundred feet into the air onto a small platform which was swaying in the breeze.)</p><p> We did, however, take an 800 meter walk through the grove of trees, which was lovely, as we were the only people on the trail until we got back near the Glouster Tree. We had a little dove-like bird which waddled on down the path ahead of us for quite a way, as if showing us the road, and an electric blue colored little bird which flitted in and out tantelizing us to try and catch him in our photo lenses. But we finally made it back to where we started and realized that it was after 1 p.m. and we hadn't had lunch yet.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/bluebird.jpg" /></center><p> We went to a take-away place and got chicken salad sandwiches (here "chicken salad" is chicken with salad, so it's a roll with sliced chicken, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and who knows what else....quite tasty). Peggy asked the navigator where we should go to eat our sandwiches. The navigator got us lost. Again. </p><p> HOWEVER, it was another mini adventure, as when we stopped to eat our sandwiches and check the maps, suddenly we found ourselves surrounded by six MG's, all of whom were out on their own travels from Perth. I had to take a photo. The car on the left in the photo (there are 3 cars which don't show) is from California. "Someplace that starts with G," the guy told me.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/MGs.jpg" /></center><p> No more things to see, and we had places to go. We had another 100 km or so to drive, and made it almost without stopping, thought we did make one stop along the way to re-energize. When we got out of the car, we realized that the ground was covered with tiny wildflowers of all colours, which are so small that they are not visible from the road, but which are just gorgeous if you take the time out to stop and look around. It made the stop quite special. </p><p> We were headed to the home of friends of Peggy, Claire and Penny, who own three houses on several acres of land. They rent out one of the houses for people who want a "farm stay" in the country, and we are staying in that cottage. It came with freshly baked bread, warm blueberry muffins, a puppy, and a corned beef dinner. Now this is livin'!</p><p> We spent our first hours here investigating the livestock--sheep, miniature horses, big horses, various types of poultry, ducks, cats, and a couple of dogs, including the aforementioned puppy, who had Peggy eating out of her paw in about...oh...10 seconds or so. She took some terrific photos of her. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/indy.jpg" /></center><p> We had a lovely time over dinner, laughing a lot, and then retreated to the computer room where we settled in to get the "fix" we'd been missing for the previous two days. We will be here until Monday and it's a great place to just totally relax and enjoy communing with nature. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-67824626337723258592003-10-01T23:46:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:47:07.269-08:00To Busselton and Back Again<p align="left">For two people on holiday, who are supposed to be having a lovely relaxing time, we have spent the most stressfully deadline-oriented day imaginable. </p><p> We had planned to do two major things, with a couple of others thrown in, as time allowed. We were going to explore one/some of the limestone caves which are all over this region (some 360 of them, it is estimated), and we were going to go to the local raptor center. The raptor center had a "free flight" demonstration (where they talk about the birds and let them fly around the arena) at 11 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. Piece o' cake.</p><p> That was before we realized we had brought the wrong photo card reader and would be unable to download photos to the computer, to free up the cards so we could take more photos. Peggy spent about half an hour trying everything to make the computer recognize the reader we brought, but to no avail. </p><p> Well, we thought, there is an Internet cafe in town; we'd check it out first thing in the morning.</p><p> First thing in the morning (or 9 a.m., which is when everything opens), we went into town. I went to the visitor center to pick up brochures about all the local attractions; Peggy went to the Internet cafe. She found out where we could find the local computer shop (which, coincidentally, happened to be on the road to the raptor center) and we set off to get a new card reader. </p><p> Only they didn't have them, of course. It was a software development shop and though they were lovely and helpful, they couldn't get us what we needed. For that we would have to go to Busselton, the town we didn't stay in the previous night so that we could get an early start at Margaret River.</p><p> Sigh.</p><p> What to do? Well, it was 9:30 and the raptor center didn't open until 10. It was a 35 minute drive into Busselton. The "free flight" demonstration wasn't until 11. We could make it.</p><p> Hot-foot Peggy got behind the wheel and we drove to Busselton (45 km), where we did find one (and only one) reader which would work. We bought it. One other thing we wanted to do, if there was time, was visit the Margaret River Chocolate factory, which was near the unpronounceable Cowaramup, a whistle stop between Margaret River and Busselton. We had passed it on our way into Margaret River, we passed it on our way out of Margaret River. </p><p> There was also a cave at Yallingup, just outside of Busselton. Time for a change of plans. We could explore the cave at Yallingup, stop at the chocolate factory on our way back to Margaret River and get to the raptor center before the 1:30 free fly. Piece o'cake.</p><p> We bought petrol, bananas, and chocolate bars (lunch...well, not the petrol) and drove to Yallingup to the Ngilgi Cave.</p><p> Ngilgi was the first cave to be discovered in this region and, they say, changed tourism in Western Australia. It is an amazing place. You climb down and down and down into another world of stalagmites, stalagtites, and other "ites" I can't remember. It's hot and humid and I was dripping sweat before we started, but we spent 40 minutes checking out the twists and turns in the passages. "Are you going to be all right climbing back out?" Peggy had asked me on our way in. "No problem," I answered. (Fortunately I hadn't said "no sweat," 'cause there was lots of that.) It was definitely worth it and, again, I was struck with how different my life is today than 3 years ago. Lots of flab on these bones, but I'm able to do stuff like this...and see wonders like this.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/caves.jpg" /></center><p> (<i>NOTE: Peggy took almost all the photos on this page...all the <u>good</u> ones, she will tell you. Often.</i> </p><p> Unfortunately, the cave trip took longer than we anticipated and we were in danger of missing free flight at the raptor center ("Eagles Heritage") so it was Hot Foot on the throttle again and we sped down the road once again from Busselton to Margaret River, no time to stop at the chocolate factory.</p><p> Lovely scenery, but no time to stop for photos.</p><p> We got to Eagles Heritage about 15 minutes before the free flight demonstration. Whew.</p><p> This raptor center opened in 1988 to take care of birds of prey that were injured or orphaned. It now boasts the largest collection of raptors in Australia and is run in conjunction with the Society for the Preservation of Raptors, Inc.</p><p> I absolutely loved this place...and even those who hate zoos would, I think approve. The unkempt grounds (raw bush land) are testament to the fact that this is not run for visitors, but for its feathered guests. These are birds who would no longer survive in the wild and they have been given a home at the center. The aviaries are large and covered with nylon netting, which prevents them from further injuring themselves. The aim of the center is education on the value of raptors and, it is hoped, to prevent the killing of these magnificent birds. They also have a breeding program, with young birds released into the wild when they are ready to leave the nest.</p><p> The free flight demonstration was an opportunity to learn about the life and value of (and threats to) raptors and anyone who wants is allowed a moment to hold a raptor on his/her arm so that the folks in the audience get a photo op. Seeing one of these magnificent birds up close, and looking him in the eye is an amazing experience.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/falconer.jpg" /></center><p> All in all, we spent about 2 hours wandering the large park (which is blooming with wildflowers now) and taking lots of photos.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/raptors.jpg" /></center><p> It was 3:30 when we left and the chocolate factory closed at 5, so we decided we'd head there, back toward Busselton again. Only (a) it was farther than I thought, and (b) we started out on the wrong road so we weren't sure where we were going. It was after 4 before we got there, but we were in time to sample chocolate and buy too much of it. We decided to have coffee, at least, but the cafe part had already closed.</p><p> Since it was about 4:30 when we left the building, we decided to see if the cheese factory nearby at Cowaramup was still open. It was. It was 4:45 when we pulled into the cheese factory parking lot, but we were able to sample (and buy) cheese. </p><p> By now we were into the free food samples and we thought that if we could find one more place, maybe we wouldn't need tea. The Candy Cow, another candy tasting place, was nearby so we went there, arriving 3 minutes before closing. Our sample was a sliver of fudge--not enough to fill anything--but we did buy lots more candy there.</p><p> We had by this time decided to splurge and order room service for dinner, but then Peggy realized I hadn't yet seen the ocean at Margaret River, which is purported to be different from other places along the coast, so she suggested we get take-away chicken and go watch the sunset. Only again we were on a tight time schedule because the sun was already setting and we weren't exactly sure where we were going. Back on the road to Busselton, of course, but only briefly and then over to the coast.</p><p> The ocean <i>is</i> different here. One would think, to look at it, that it was the place where two oceans meet, since the waves seem to be coming from two directions and meeting in the middle, creating wonderful waves (making this a great, popular surfing spot). I suspect the phenomenon is due to the shape of the reef, but it certainly was interesting. </p><p> We arrived with plenty of time to spare, and sat watching the waves crash, the surfers surf, the seagulls fly, and the sun sink into the Indian ocean while we munched our chicken and chips, before heading back to the hotel.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/mgtriversunset.jpg" /></center><p> This deluxe room came with a spa and I fully intended to give it a try (I've always thought the jets of water would be good therapy for my shoulder), but by the time we got here, installed the card reader to check our photos, and sat down with a cup of coffee and a sample of our newly-purchased chocolate, both of us dozed off on the couch almost immediately and when I woke up, I was just too zonked to even think of doing anything but getting into bed and going back to sleep.</p><p> There's nothing like a nice relaxing vacation. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-1451179749811411872003-09-30T23:45:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:46:25.225-08:00And a Wonderful Bunbury It Is Too<p align="left"> In "The Importance of Being Earnest," Jack Worthing has created an imaginary friend named Mr. Bunbury. Whenever he wants to get out of town on some holiday, he explains that he has to go and visit his sick friend, Mr. Bunbury. Thus he comes to refer to his fun adventures as "Having a Bunbury." </p><p> Today we started off on our next Bunbury...and our first stop was...the town of Bunbury! </p><p> Bunbury is about two hours south of Perth and I knew before I even got here that I <i>had</i> to visit the town of Bunbury before I left Australia. It is not, of course, like walking back in time to an Oscar Wilde story. Bunbury is the second largest city in Western Australia and is a bustling metropolis. </p><p> I have long bemoaned the "homogenization" of the United States, where you fly into any airport, get whisked to the nearest Holiday Inn, see the same fast food joints, read "USA Today" and leave without ever having experienced any "character" of the town which you've just visited. </p><p> Not only, apparently, has our industry infected the U.S., but other countries as well. Not only do you not know what city you're in, but in some cases, you may not know that <i>country</i> you're in. We turned off the freeway onto the main drag of Bunbury and what did we see: Target, K-Mart, KFC, McDonald's, Burger King, Woolworth's, and H&R Block. So much for local colour! </p><p> We stopped at K-Mart because I brought all warm weather clothes to Australia with me, and it's been a bit more chilly than we anticipated. I managed to find sweat pants and a sweatshirt for $18 total, which, when converted to U.S. currency, was an offer I couldn't refuse--and I'll be more comfortable now! </p><p> We ordered sandwiches from a take-away in the local mall and drove out to a deserted point overlooking the marina and ate, while watching the display of clouds, wind, and rain. Then we drove to the local tourist office, where I could pick up a couple of post cards, and then we checked town itself. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/pelicanhotdog.gif" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />As the rain had stopped and the sun was out, we wandered along the estuary and watched seagulls and one obstinent pelican beg for food from picnickers (how do you discourage a pelican determined to share your hot dog?), but it was kind of cold so we decided to press on. </p><p> We had planned to stay at a nearby town called Busselton, but it was early enough that we decided to drive the 100 km to Margaret River, which was where we planned to begin our adventures the following day. </p><p> Janne and Chris had told me that the road south was quite different from what I'd seen thusfar, and they were right. The road to Margaret River takes you through rolling farmland, tall trees, and fields of calla lillies (I thought of Katharine Hepburn, as all the calla lillies were definitely in bloom...acres of them. Peggy calls them "death lillies."). Ultimately, we began to see vineyards. This is Australia's version of the Napa Valley. It's all wonderfully bucolic.</p><p> I don't know what there is about this place, but I have consistently been struck by how vivid colours are. From the azure of the Indian Ocean to the blue-blue of the sky contrasted with the beautiful cumulus clouds, to the emerald green of the fields and the purple and yellow bushes of wildflowers which lined our path. The place is electric. Perhaps it's the total lack of pollution which allows the true colours to display themselves to their fullest. (Peggy says it's because she finally cleaned my bloody glasses!)</p><p> We had come to Margaret River because our guide book to accommodations showed a myriad of places to stay and as this was mid-week, we figured there would be no problem finding a place. However, this is a popular tourist spot (the main drag boasts several surf shops, for example) and we began to worry when every single hotel/motel/B&B we passed had "no vacancy" signs hanging from it. We drove thru and out of town without seeing a single vacant place. Then we started on the side roads, wondering if we'd have to go back to a previously visited town to find a place to sleep. </p><p> Eventually we passed the Margaret River Resort and did not see a "no vacancy" sign, so I went in to enquire. Yes, they had a vacancy. Yes, it was double what we had paid anywhere north, but it was a special discount rate and it was <i>there</i> so I took it. Up to now we had spent only a fraction of what I had anticipated for accommodations anyway, so why not splurge?</p><p> And splurge we have. We have, again, a two room suite overlooking the forest. It comes with all the amenities and one could not ask for better. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/roomleft.jpg" hspace="10" /><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/roomright.jpg" /></center><p> We settled in and went into town to pick up food to heat up at home. We ended up getting beef satay, potato salad and cole slaw and heated the beef in our microwave, using the bakery bread we bought in Bunbury to sop up the gravy. </p><p> The hotel has provided us with a videotape of things to do in Margaret River (most of which involve wineries, which we probably will not visit, since neither of us drinks--though the chocolate factory is a definite possibility!), but we settled in to watch the 30 minute video, which was more entertaining than one would expect a commercial video to be. We are now armed with information about the local raptor center (expecting wonderful pix of bird of prey) and the local limestone caves to explore and so our day tomorrow is mapped out for us. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-49438401112617449642003-09-29T23:44:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:45:31.362-08:00Why Didn't WE Think of That<p align="left">Australians have a neat thing, for a country that is threatened with drought. They have designed toilets that are significantly more efficient than our water-guzzling monstrosities. </p><p> It took me a couple of days, wondering how you flushed <i>anything</i> with that little amount of water, to figure out that on the tank there are two buttons. Obviously the two buttons are for #1 or for #2. For little middle of the night piddles, button #1 does nicely. A little trickle of water and it's all gone. But for the heavy duty stuff, punch in #2 and away go troubles (and everything else) down the drain. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/loobutton.jpg" /></center><p> Why didn't we think of that? </p><p> While I have not traveled extensively, I have had occasion to visit a few other countries and it's the little differences that I find fascinating. It becomes a "why didn't <i>we</i> think of that" sort of thing. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/plugs.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" /> Every time I go to plug anything in here, for example, I think of trying to vacuum or iron (yes, iron) at home, having to stop every so often to replug the machine into the socket--somehow nothing ever fits snugly and if you are using an appliance which tends to move around as you use it, the chance of the plug falling out of the socket is great. Here, no problem. The added safety feature is that the socket itself can be turned on or off. </p><p> Why didn't we think of that? </p><p> And then there's money. What color is our $1 bill? Green. And the $5? Green. And the $10? Green. And so on. Not so here. The money is all different colors (I didn't have a $10 bill when I took this picture, but it's a bright blue). </p><p> </p><center> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/money.jpg" /></center> <p> Not only is it different colors (making it easier for tourists to figure out what denomination they are handing over to pay for their faux aboriginal art work), but they are different sizes, which must make things easier for blind people to deal with. And the little plastic inserts which are imbedded into the paper portion of the money certainly cuts down on counterfeiting. </p><p> Why didn't we think of that? </p><p> Why am I thinking about cultural differences today? Well, basically this is the reason: </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/pourrain.jpg" /></center><p> I crashed last night and couldn't keep my eyes open by 7:30. "Why don't you go to <i>sleep,"</i> Peggy said, in exasperation after listening to me yawn over and over again. I went into the lounge and sat down to watch "Antiques Roadshow" and never got past the discussion about the value of boxes that used to be used to store tea in the colonies in the 1700s. Next thing I knew, Peggy was there asking if I always slept with my glasses on, and after she took them off of me, I didn't know anything until 1:30 when I woke to piddle (I knew you'd want to know--it was the #1 button) and check e-mail, and then didn't wake again until 6:15--latest I've slept here. </p><p> When I woke up, it was pouring rain. <i>Pouring.</i> The dogs wanted to go for a walk, but there just was no way. We sat here until about 9 until there was a break in the storm and then ran them off to the little park, until Keno pooped out and it started to rain again. </p><p> Since we are leaving tomorrow to head south, it's just as well that the weather is so bad today because it gave Peggy a chance to clean house and get ready. I felt like a real sloth, sitting in the lounge in the recliner, reading my John Grisham novel, but I knew that I would be more of a hinderance than a help to her and just sensed that she'd be more grateful for my sitting in a corner out of the way than actually trying to pitch in and help. ("I definitely don't want you <i>dusting</i>," she said over our plastic cheese-and-ham sandwiches. I shuddered, picturing me, a dustcoth, and her collection of ceramic zebras and other bric-a-brac. Not a good combination. I crept back to the recliner until it was all finished.)</p><p> But all that inactivity made me wonder what I would write about in my journal tonight (especially after Sue called and mentioned how much she enjoys reading it. Oh swell...the pressure to create something from nothing!) </p><p> So I started thinking about the things that I have found which are different here than at home. Like England, there seem to be more postal stations than actual post offices. We used to have postal stations in Davis, where you could buy your stamps or mail your packages at a local small shop, but no more. Now you have to stand in line with 3 dozen other frustrated Davisites. But here you get your stamps at the stationery store, or at the news vendor or other local shops. I really like that. </p><p> Australians also apparently invented the revolving clothesline. Now that might not mean much to Americans who are in love with their dryers, but I have to admit that in the past three weeks I've developed a grudging appreciation of the clothesline. There is something really...nice...about the smell of clothes fresh off the line (and, surprisingly, they seem to dry faster, in the breezes here, than they would in my dryer). The rotating cothesline means that you can stand in one place and hang clothes on all sides of it, rotating the line as you go (I didn't think of this at first and was convinced I would back up and fall off the wall of the level on which Peggy has her clothesline--but I think I've gotten past that). It also is great on a really windy day to sit here and watch the clothes line go spinning around and around. I have visions of it taking off like Mary Poppins some day. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/toys.jpg" /></center> <br /><center>(dog toys hanging out to dry)</center><p> (I may actually give some serious thought into erecting a clothesline when I get home. But then I might also have to learn how to iron....)</p><p> And while there may somewhere be a big supermarket comparable to Safeway or Albertson's, I haven't seen one. Peggy goes to the local shop, which is small, cramped, but seems adequately stocked (even with kangaroo bones, which she bought for the dogs the other day). The difference is that here you bag your own groceries. I remember when we were in Ireland and I went to the store with Nora, who was surprised when I just STOOD there waiting for my groceries to be put into a bag for me. No baggers. No person to take your bags to the car for you. You do it all yourself. </p><p> Well, not <i>all</i> cultual differences are an improvement. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-48158750284811628782003-09-28T23:43:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:44:28.031-08:00Give 'Em the Axe<p align="left">I know about team rivalries. I went to Berkeley, where the Big Game each year pitted Stanford against Cal and tempers flared, pranks were played, gloating was done by the fans of the winning team toward the fans of the losing team. </p><p> This morning, following yesterday's stunning win by Brisbane in the footy finals, Peggy couldn't help herself. She had to gloat over her friend Sue, in Melbourne. Thus we spent the morning crafting a brilliant cartoon which was e-mailed around noon. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/Sue2b.jpg" /></center> <p> </p><center><small>(I know you can't read the words, but<br />it wouldn't mean anything to anybody else anyway.) </small></center><p> It was great for me because Peggy was working in PhotoShop, the gold standard for graphics imaging and I got a good "how to" lesson as she worked on the various components of the cartoon...which ultimately included about 20 different layers that she was manipulating--doesn't look like that, but this little thing took about 4 hours to craft. I was very impressed as I watched it come together. </p><p> With the dig at Sue accomplished, it was time for us to go off and have our own day. </p><p> Two years ago, in the days when Peggy actually <i>did</i> something with the photos she takes and made slide shows, she sent me a show from Lake Joondalup and for two years I've been wanting to go to Lake Joondalup. So, with nice weather here, this seemed the perfect day. </p><p> We had a lunch here, packed up the cameras, got in the car and drove to Lake Joondalup. </p><p> We walked past the picnic area and onto the foot path. Once you get past the sounds of kids playing, you'd be hard pressed to realize that you are just a short distance away from a housing development--and all the city offices as well as Edith Cowan University. It was like being in another world. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/joonpath.jpg" /></center> <p> It's spring, of course, and so wildflowers were everywhere. I loved the airy-ness of it...no masses of color, just very subtle, but everywhere around you were standing ankle deep in color. Well, until we saw the snake slither across the path and someone told us it was "one of the bad ones" and that there were lots of them around. After that we didn't stand ankle deep in anything and kept our feet firmly on the path as we walked. (Australia is home to an incredible number of the most deadly snakes on the planet, you know. Enjoy your walk!)</p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/joonbutterfl.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />With the profusion of wildflowers there was also a profusion of butterflies everywhere we looked. We spent a lot of time trying to get good photos (this was not an "ooohhh...what a great photo!" day, as we sat at our computers at the end of it reviewing the day's efforts!) </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/penisweb.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" />I also spent a lot of time trying to catch those spiders in the center of spider webs. It was the damndest thing--I could see them, I could aim my camera in their direction and as soon as I got the camera aimed, they would disappear. Oh, they'd still be there, but I could not for the life of me find a web in my viewfinder. I snapped lots of pictures, hoping I'd see them on the computer screen, but no dice. <i>This</i> one, however, was a success. </p><p> We stood at the edge of a reflecting pool and watched 28s (parrots) flying about in the trees. I heard my first kookaburra. We also watched a bit of the survival of the fittest. When we walked out to a platform over the lake, we were either watching a duck gang-bang, or a mass execution, as a gang of ducks simply would not leave this one duck alone and kept holding its head under water. I don't know what finally happened, as we left. Guess this was the real Ugly Duckling! (Kind of reminded me of the California recall election!) </p><p> It was, all in all, a lovely afternoon and we both came home sated with fresh air. Peggy got some washing out on the line and I fixed a Chinese dinner (which she enjoyed enough she went back for seconds; I call that high praise). </p><p> Now if I can keep my eyes open long enough, I'll get this posted and I suspect I'm going to be asleep very early tonight. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-5341277804302232952003-09-27T23:43:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:43:53.126-08:00What it Was Was Aussie Rules Football<p align="left">The U.S. has the Super Bowl. Australia has the Australian Football League finals. </p><p> Today was "footy day." </p><p> Nothing really had been planned. Well, nothing complicated. A guy was coming to fix the shower door "sometime before 12 o'clock" and then we would sit and watch the playoffs...and then we would have dinner at Janne and Chris' house.</p><p> Except for dinner, it didn't quite happen that way.</p><p> First of all, Peggy left me home to let the shower repair guy in so she could go grocery shopping. But he didn't come. By 11:45, she was on the phone to discover that the appointment never got on the books and he wasn't coming at all. He is now scheduled to be here Tuesday, which will probably delay our trip down south a bit. </p><p> But that's OK, 'cause it was almost time for footy! Even before I left the States, I had been told that this day was sacrosanct. No matter what we were doing, no matter where we might be, we <i>would</i> be home in time to watch the championship game. We planned our trip up north with that in mind, as well as next week's trip down south. So here we were: footy day. We had our meat pies. I had begun to learn the rules of the game. We were ready to settle in for the afternoon.</p><p> Only the TV decided to go on the fritz. It's been turning itself off after a couple of hours, but this morning it decided to turn itself off every few minutes. Peggy couldn't figure out why. </p><p> She tore out of here to drive to Janne & Chris's house to make arrangements to watch the game there (they were going out). We packed up our meat pies and other stuff and headed over there, where we spent the afternoon watching Brisbane clobber Collingwood (<i>sorry, Sue</i>). Fortunately, we had decided to support Brisbane in their attempt to march into AFL history by becoming the first team to win three championships in a row. The 134-84 win was pretty decisive. (Go, Bears! <i>yeah, I know they're Lions, but I put that in there for Char</i>) </p><p> Australian Rules Football is Australia's game. It was devised by one Tom Wills, his cousin H.C.A. Harrison, W.J. Hammersley and J.B. Thompson in 1858. By 1866, rules had been formalized competition took place and they haven't turned back since. </p><p> To watch it for the first time is to experience total chaos. At times it looks like American football. At times it looks like volleyball. At times it looks like wrestling. At times it looks like soccer. All the time it looks like some guys who are making up the rules as they go along. The pace is fast and furious. There is no protective gear and bodies fly up into the air (and smash down onto the ground) with great regularity. This is no game for sissies.</p><p> I've now seen several games and am getting a teensy inkling of the rules and goals. </p><p> It's played on an oval playing field and there are goal posts similer to football, only there are four of them--two short and two tall (the taller are in the middle). If the ball goes through the tall posts, it's 6 points. If it hits the post or goes between the tall and the short posts, it's 1 point (at least I think that's the basic rule). </p><p> The game starts when the ball--which looks like a flattened football, and which must have the consistency of a greased pig, given how easily it slips out of everyone's hands--is bounced on the ground. Then people start chasing it around--they can kick it, throw it, lob it, hit it. There is very little stopping for time outs. There are 18 men on each team, so 36 on the field at all times, and no offensive and defensive lines. When you begin to see some sort of organization in this chaos, you realize it's quite a fascinating game. </p><p> The finals have some similarity to the Super Bowl, but it lacks the media hype. You don't pay a bazillion dollars for commercials and given the commercials that did air in the brief moments after a goal was made, ain't nobody gonna watch this show for the entertainment value of the commercials. In fact, most of them were not even poor network quality commercials.</p><p> There is a big whoop-dee-doo before the game, which was broadcast, but if there is a fancy schmancy half-time show, it doesn't get broadcast to the television viewing public (that's when we were eating our meat pies anyway). </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/footylunch.gif" /></center><p> Those (especially those in my family) who have watched my disinterest in most things sports for the last many years will probably be surprised to hear how much I enjoyed myself this afternoon. I'm kind of sorry the season is over. (But I'm glad Brisbane won...) </p><p> When the game was over, we considerately cleaned up Janne and Chris's house ('cause they were having company for tea, you know) and came home for a couple of hours until time to go back to Janne and Chris's house as their guests for tea. They had made an authentic Australian roast dinner (leg of lamb with all the trimmings) which was delicious. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://www.funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/roastdinner.gif" /></center><p> It was a fun evening, the tone for which was set when Chris pointed out that she had spilled something on herself and Janne said "Oh, you pulled a 'Bev,' have you?" </p><p> Sigh. Long after I've gone, people in Australia will be talking about anybody who is sloppy or uncoordinated or a little bit odd as a "Bev." </p><p> Well, at least I'll be remembered here. I won't just be some generic "Sheila." </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-62172795062584204192003-09-26T23:42:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:43:12.882-08:00Up Periscope<p align="left"> I was all prepared. I'd done my homework. I'd studied up on the Batavia, which shipwrecked off the coast of Australia in 1629. It was the country's second oldest shipwreck (the first was a ship belonging to The East India Company in 1622.) </p><p> The Batavia is noteworthy because of (a) her history, and (b) the fact that the wreck was discovered within the last 40 years, and so it's a very big deal around here. </p><p> <i>The shipwreck was a prelude to an extraordinary tragedy. Commander Francisco Pelsaert, all the senior officers, some crew and passengers, 48 in all, deserted 268 people, on the wreck and on two waterless islands, whilst they went in search of water. Abandoning the search on the mainland coast, they made their way to Batavia (modern Jakarta), to obtain help; the journey took 33 days. On arrival, the high boatswain was executed, on Pelsaert's indictment, for outrageous behaviour before the loss of the ship. Skipper Adrien Jacobsz was arrested for negligence. The Governor General dispatched Pelsaert in the jacht Sardam to rescue the survivors. With extraordinary bad luck, it took 63 days to find the wreck site, almost double the time it took the party to get to Batavia. At the Abrolhos, Pelsaert discovered that mutiny had taken place. A small group of mutineers had massacred 125 men, women and children. Pelsaert arrested the mutineers and executed some of them.</i> </p><p> <i>When the Sardam finally returned to Batavia, some of the lesser offenders, who had been flogged, keelhauled and dropped from the yard arm as punishment on the voyage, were executed. Out of 316 people aboard the Batavia, only 116 survived. Pelsaert died in the following year. For the VOC it was a political and financial disaster. In the years that followed the events were not forgotten, a book was published entitled Ongeluckige Voyagie van't schip Batavia and it was through this and Pelsaert's Journal that the wreck was finally rediscovered.</i> </p><p> See? I'd done my reading. We were planning to go to the new Maritime Museum in port city of Fremantle and I was eager to see the Batavia and its recovered contents. </p><p> But. Uh. One little problem. Contrary to what we thought, the Batavia is <i>not</i> housed in the new maritime museum at all, but in a nearby museum dedicated to the history of shipwrecks off Australia's treacherous coastline and we never did see her. </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/mmuseum.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />However, despite that, it was a lovely excursion. We were joined today by Janne, who had the day off, and the 3 of us set off around 10:30. Peggy found a <i>great</i> parking space only a mile from the museum (ok--slight exaggeration, but after our forced march across the sands, the shop area, over fences, and thru woods we came to the <i> real</i> parking lot, with spaces just steps from the front door--so I feel justified in giving her a bit of a hard time). </p><p> The museum is modern and slick and well arranged. I learned a bit about the fishing industry in Australia (and also learned that Australia interned Italians during WWII...I know the black history of the US in interning Japanese I guess I never realized that we were not the only country to do such a thing). </p><p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/sanders.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" />There is an impressive display for Jon Sanders and his ship the Parry Endeavour, in which he sailed around the globe 3 times, alone. The ship is tilted at the angle that it was during storms. There is a display of some of the items that he took with him, along with a list, which included something like 50 jars of vegemite...no wonder he travelled alone. </p><p> The premier display piece, however, is the Australia II, in which Australia took the Americas cup from the US in 1983. It's a marvelous display with all of its crew on board, in wax figure form (of course they looked authentic to me, but what do I know?) A <i>huge</i> sailboat. Very impressive. Peggy took a 3-picture series that she stitched togther that may give a teeny hint </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/crewsm.jpg" /></center><p> When we finished with the museum itself, we took a tour of the HMAS Ovens, a submarine launched in December of 1967 and commissioned in April of 1969. It had the capacity to launch up to 9 torpedos and as they are now guided electronically, the guys guiding the torpedos probably got their training with Mario Brothers and advancing levels of computer games. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/ovens.jpg" /></center> <p> Our tour guide...I think his name was Nick...was an old submariner himself and warmed to his tale. We were constantly being prodded ahead by the tour groups coming behind us because Nick had gotten so wrapped up in his stories and descriptions about the ship and about life in a submarine. </p><p> When that tour was over, we had the forced march past the empty museum parking lot, back across the fences and sand dunes and scrub to get to the car before it was ticketed for being parked too long. Then we went off to the market for lunch, wandering around the shops, and eating ice cream while watching the ships pull into the port at Fremantle for loading. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/shipping.jpg" /></center> <p> We drove home along the coast and stopped to watch a bunch of guys parasailing. </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/parasail.jpg" /></center><p> We would have been home in time for tea (dinner) but we were both still full from the late lunch and the ice cream, so we're just relaxing and getting ready for tomorrow's strenuous day, watching the footy playoffs, eating meat pies, and having tea at Janne & Chris's when it's all over. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-58827124393109469582003-09-25T23:41:00.000-07:002014-04-13T16:51:25.211-07:00I'd Walk a Mile for a Camel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="left">
...more like drive about 200 miles and no camels at all. </div>
When you think of Australia, you don't immediately think of camels, but our big plan that was rained out yesterday was to drive up to a place called Clackline, the location of the Blue Gum Camel farm where you can learn to ride a camel under supervision or go on a 5km or 10km trek. Peggy thought it would be something different and something fun. This is a trip about firsts for me, so what the hell. <br />
We set out for Clackline around 10 a.m. and made good time. Along the way we stoped to ooh and aaah over more beautiful wildflowers. <br />
<center>
<img border="2" src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/vista2.jpg" /></center>
The road in spots reminded me of the highway up to Lake Tahoe, only instead of evergreens on the landscape, there were eucalyptus trees, showing black-like tree trunks instead of bushy pine needles. <br />
We made it to Clackline shortly before noon and dutifully turned at the sign pointing to the Blue Gum Camel Farm and then we drove. And drove. And drove. And drove. Not a single hump did we see. <br />
We finally stopped at a tavern and asked a woman where the farm was and she pointed us 15 km back in the direction from whence we'd come, but added that she didn't think there were camels there any more, and that they had all moved to Whiteman Park...back in Perth. <br />
We decided we weren't going to be too disappointed. We had already taken a beautiful ride in the car and now we drove another 10 km or so into the town of Northam, where we picked up sandwiches and coffee at a coffee shop and then out to the Avon (the "a" is as in the word "has," not the word "save") river, where we sat and ate lunch and watched two swans building a nest. <br />
We also stopped back in Clackline at "The Famous Bakers Hill Pie Shop" to pick up meat pies to have during the Footy championship game on Saturday. <br />
Then we drove to Whiteman Park. It was a little confusing getting there at first because the navigator (me) had left all the maps at home, so Peggy was going on memory, but she managed to get there unerringly. There was a sign entering the park, saying that for now, admission was free. Peggy figured that probably meant no real attractions (like camel rides) available (she was right). But the park also contained the <a href="http://www.cavershamwildlife.com.au/">Caversham Wildlife Park</a> and we decided as long as we were there, we might as well go through the park, though the sight of a field of school kids did not bode well for quiet enjoyment of the animals. <br />
Later, I told Peggy that everything happens for a purpose. We had driven about 200 miles out of our way to a place she never ever would have thought about taking me, and we had an absolutely fantastic afternoon. In spite of the fact that, figuring we would be spending time on a camel, I had left my "good" camera at home. In spite of the fact that Peggy ran out of room on HER good camera. In spite of the fact that we only saw about a quarter of the park. It was a <i>great</i> day!<br />
We paid our entry fee and went into the animal part of the park and the first thing we saw were jumping mice, who were sleeping, not jumping. Then we tried to find a skink, but it was hidden. Things were not looking promising. <br />
<img align="left" alt="Peggy Morrison" src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/parkgalah.jpg" hspace="10" title="Peggy Morrison" vspace="10" />Next was a big cage of galahs. Unlike the cage in Kalbarri, this was a large cage and the birds seemed happy and definitely friendly. We spent a long time with these birds, photographing them and scratching their heads, which they seemed to relish.<br />
Next we moved into an open-air cage filled with lorikeets. We had fed lorikeets at the San Diego zoo on Peggy's trip over to the States, and this wasn't quite the same, but still we got up close and personal with several of the colorful birds. And by now the park was getting very quiet, as all the school children seemed to have left.<br />
We moved on to the wallabies, and then the barking owls (they really do sound like barking dogs!) and then the kangaroo enclosure.<br />
The kangaroo enclosure!<br />
I don't know how long we were there--perhaps an hour. We shot dozens of photos and brief digital movies. We outwaited several groups that came and went. We just stayed and stayed and stayed. <br />
This is a place where the roos are tame and have this great huge enclosure and the park provides a big bin full of food that you can scoop up by the handful to feed the animals. Many of the females have joeys in their pouches who peek out at you. It's hard to describe, but it was just....magic. That's the only word I have for it.<br />
Peggy took lots of photos with her better camera, but she seems to have dozed off, so I think this journal is going to be stuck with mine...but mine aren't all that bad either. <br />
<img align="left" src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/joey1.jpg" hspace="10" vspace="10" />It all started with this little guy. Peggy managed to get a digital movie of this baby climbing back in his mom's pouch. I went and got some food and started feeding her and trying to take a photo with the other hand while mom's neck was stretched upwards. The joey's legs hung out of her pouch like this for the longest time. She eventually hopped away from where we were feeding her and we later found her over in what I decided to call "the nursery" section of the park, where there seemed to be a lot of moms with swollen pouches and/or tiny joeys hopping around next to them. This mother was relaxing by the fence, baby's feet still dangling from her pouch. <br />
<center>
<img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/joey2.jpg" /></center>
Once we had discovered this section of the enclosure, we just went crazy, quietly walking around, taking movies and pictures of the moms and babies. <br />
<center>
<img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/joeymom.jpg" /></center>
Eventually, the battery in Peggy's good camera died, the memory stick in her other camera was filling up, and I was nearly out of room in my camera too, so we decided that we would skip the rest of the park and come back another day.<br />
On our way out, I discovered they also had mother/baby koalas and when I checked the website for the park, I see that you can actually hold a koala. <br />
Caversham Park is just 15 minutes from Peggy's house, but this visit would never have happened if we hadn't decided to go for a camel ride this morning. We still want to try to do that (but next time we'll call ahead to check on location and availability first!). But we came home feeling just great because we'd had an unexpected treat and a delightful afternoon.<br />
What's more we were able to heat up meat pies for dinner, so nobody had to cook. </div>
Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3208149996562592043.post-21025571087442876882003-09-24T23:41:00.000-07:002007-11-15T23:41:56.008-08:00Doing My Bit for the Australian Economy<img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/khasi.jpg" align="left" hspace="10" vspace="10" />We had a new wrinkle on our morning walk today. Ann joined us with Khasi, another German Shorthair Pointer, who is Chippa's best friend. Seeing the two of them together is really something and it was fun watching them chase each other all thru the bush while the rest of us walked along chatting. <p> <img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/water.jpg" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" />The dogs like it when Ann comes because she brings a water bottle along so they are able to stop and get a drink when they get thirsty (the photo on the right is is Chippa helping herself). From the way they take to the bottle, it makes you wonder how they've made it all this time without having the chance to take a water break before now! </p><p> At the end of the walk, we tried to get everyone lined up for a photo, which was a near impossibility, but since the <i>dogs</i> are the important ones, I'll forego the photo with everyone's <i>face</i> in it and go for the photo which shows the dogs to best advantage. They are, from left to right: </p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/walkdogs.jpg" /></center><p> </p><center><small><b>Keno, Chippa, Khasi, Connie, and Molly</b></small></center><p> Peggy had checked the radar map on the internet this morning and discovered that there was no rain in sight <i>anywhere</i> so we made big plans for the day. I'd say what they were, but it's such a nice title for an upcoming entry, that I think I'll hold off.</p><p> Suffice it to say that Internet radar predictions are not 100% accurate. </p><p> We were on our way to....<i>there</i> when it kept getting darker and darker and drizzled heavier and heavier. We decided <i>that</i> was probably not a good idea, so Peggy suggested that we go into Perth to shop. </p><p> When she was in the States, the concept of "downtown" was foreign to her. Here, what we would call "downtown" is the actual city of Perth and the outlying areas, which we would consider part of the city, are their own little burgs (suburbs). So, for the yanks, we went downtown. For the Aussies, we went into Perth. </p><p> It was my first real <i>shopping</i> day since I've been here, and I must say that the Australian economy is much the better for it. I have do-dads and gigaws up the ying yang. I've seen every bloody piece of ceramic, cloth, and plastic this country has with "Australia" written across it or koalas stamped on it...and acquired a number of those things for myself. </p><p> We did stop in one store to look at shoes (since we hadn't bought shoes in at least 3 days). I always dread that horrible "shoe buying experience," and knew that I had to get <i>something</i> to wear with my lovely "mother of the groom" outfit that we bought my first day here. Shoes. Yuck. Hate 'em. </p><p> But Peggy, the shoe maven, walked into the store, picked out a pair that she thought would work, the clerk went and got my size (amazing that they carried boats that large), they fit, and within a matter of minutes I had my wedding shoes. </p><p> The only reason the <i>entire</i> transaction took half an hour was that while she was waiting for me to decide about my own shoes, Peggy found shoes that she liked too and apparently the department was storing them in outer Mongolia because it took forever to bring out her size. But they fit, looked great on her, only cost half the amount of her house payment or her next new camera, and she was happy. </p><p> We stopped in the food court for a sandwich, made another tour through the shops, and finally, as we headed back to the car, the sun came out. </p><p> I realized that I hadn't taken a single photo all day long, except for the ones I took at the park this morning. But it was just too crowded and grey and not very photographically interesting (because of the weather and the crowds, and the construction going on in the center of the plaza). I finally took a photo from the top of the car park, just so I could say I was there.</p><p> </p><center><img src="http://funnytheworld.com/2003/Australia/perth.jpg" /></center><p> When we got home, the dogs were at first ecstatic to see us, and then uncharacteristically disappeared. The reason was immediately clear. They had gotten into some stuff that Peggy had stored on top of a dresser in her bedroom and had torn up a book and part of a gift we had purchased for me to take home (sorry, Diane!). We got that all straightened up and then Peggy went outside and discovered my "knickers" (which I'd left drying on a rack in the bathroom) lying on the patio. I <i>may</i> forgive her for telling the little girl next door (who was visiting) that it was such a huge job to transport my "Bombay Bloomers" outside that it must have taken both dogs to handle it. But I haven't decided yet. Keno and Chippa are both female dogs, but they aren't the only two bitches in this house. <i>Harumph.</i> </p><p> The plan had been for me to cook dinner tonight, but we're both full from the late lunch and the fruit smoothie that we got on our way back to the car, so it's leftovers for dinner and perhaps tomorrow the radar will be accurate for a change and I can use that great journal title I came up with this morning. </p>Bev Sykeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.com