Autumn colours seen on the climb over the Blue Mountains.  Too short of time to stop for a more fitting image. Chilly overcast weather was a welcome change.

 

Darling River at Wilcannia last week. Downstream, the river was a series of ponds.
 Medium sized fish were half submerged while they were 'digging' into the slime gathered where the largest amount of water petered out. Other large fish were nosing around.
Wilcannia, on the Barrier Highway, the path to the west, is north of Menindee by about 100ks. 

Rowing club.
Federal election today. Never before have I been so interested in a federal election.

Typical corner of the east coast

STOP ADANI convoy paused in Sydney on their way to the mine site in north Queensland.  In village-green surroundings, an enthusiastic crowd was retold the case against a new coal mine.

 Easter.  Was it in defiance? A standing room only crowd at the cathedral in Sydney. Who can explain community reaction to recent history? 

 The liturgy was a total knock out. Grandiose and thrilling music. Widor et al thundered out while elegant choristers enriched the proceedings - and how !  Many would find all this alien or worse but liturgy such as this has a long heritage good and bad as it is.

At the same time, acknowledging the human weaknesses, dreadful abuse, the folly, and the extravagantness of the institution. 

Maybe pre-vatican 2 conservatism has no role in the music ministry. Be grateful for small mercies.

Smiths Lake. Not far from here.  The smallish tranquil lake is undeveloped. A natural environment.

Bob Brown, environmental elder, arrives in convoy at Parramatta Park tomorrow Saturday for a short rally, 12md, on the long road to Queensland.  STOP ARDANI Rally - the proposed coal mine.

The next rally is in Coffs' tomorrow and so on details are on line. Donate.

Who will actually draw the line and take a stand, even while it hurts, to stop carbon pollution.  It will cost us but is a priority.  We will learn to afford what really counts. 

The major political parties are unsympathetic on this point.  Labor is not 'sticking its neck out'.  Shame on them. Climate change policy is given no priority in electioneering. Data suggests the electorate seeks policies to address climate change.

Walk or drive to this beach a little off the beaten track. Several days of ultra calm weather was easy to take.

Winx wins her 33rd consecutive race this afternoon with a sell-out crowd and it did not 'go to her head' at all as far as we know how a placid horse like that responds. Her last race they say. She takes it all in her stride!  As for betting, no point, she was an outright favourite.    

 Local event horizon

Education broadens the mind?  One tyme at university I heard a statement that no other celestial bodies were to be found beyond Pluto but I did not take that as a given. Now we find Pluto has a number of moons and other discoveries have been made in our solar system.

Hunter River

 Mayfield is in transition.  Gradual change. Retail stores are closed and empty.   And Woolworth's twin is still on the drawing board - that's good, who knows what another new supermarket will do.
A pharmacy now doubles up as a newsagent amazingly.  Drugs and lotto - what else? 

 

 A cat in a bath - where else?

Can we be reassured there is a majority 'out there' who would never ever vote for the shallow air heads that have come to light engaged in drivel about guns and opting for the confounded gun lobby that is a blight on the stars and stripes.
If only the ardent fans could all see, hear and take note of the words from their so called heroes they would know who are fooling them. Do they really want to pay a parliamentarian to lark around the world with nothing better to concern themselves with than the subject of guns.  Our time and money is wasted on certain elected representative who love promotion of delusional security risks and dangerous solutions. And are known for ignorant prejudice.
When nothing constructive or worthwhile emerges then some are unworthy of support.  No priority given to pressing issues. The Greens cop it. At least they address what matters. Compare that to a focus on a minority and their hang up about guns.
Be careful how you vote!
 
         

STATE ELECTION TODAY

One form is large for the Legislative Council.

The line of voters was long mid afternoon outside the school hall one of many halls proudly built during the GFC as a stimulus. The political origins of the assembly hall come to mind at voting time in the hall.

My area is not a swing seat - far from it.
 

 humble blue Ford Falcon

Certain Fords were cool once, well, they are probably Fords, Mustang alone was half decent looking

 Little red Corvette.  Two classics. The Good Guys in the background. 
  We are unable to stand back and actually see the good guys in federal parliament in a different light. Parliament is a behemoth that busily justifies its existence, costs a fortune and interferes in our life that is bound up with state responsibilities. Health and eduction etc are ridiculously tangled up between state and federal control. We can't see the wood for the trees or would rationalise these methods. Well, that is not true as privatisation is adopted in that light so why not extend that to sort out state and federal responsibilities.
Slim intense committees alone could organise welfare and defence and taxation matters..
The role of a federal minister is so so.  A foreign minister is unceremoniously dropped.  What about the wealth of experience and negotiation matters that are lost? Counts for nothing. Two key defence roles are lost to retirement.  No matter, any fool can fill the shoes as they say. One day a minister for the River Darling the next day it is border security - whatever that is.
Despite an infinite team of advisors, often ignored, the Feds will set up a scheme for somesuch where blind Freddie could see the loopholes and aspects that will be exploited. 
All this is followed with intense focus on the Federal apparatus. So much time is wasted on scrutiny. Who paid for that holiday?  Was it lawful? Who was unreasonably feisty at a senate enquiry? It is unworthy as the bee all and end all.  If Federal parliament did not exist the focus would change to State affairs and the state budget would enjoy the vast savings and perfect their services.