Sunlight Flooded the Clearings

....There's a track winding back to the old familiar shack.....

I once asked on the forum whether your city is interested in saving power and joining Earth Hour by switching off for an hour tonight. Will it start to fire the collective conscience?

In Wraptured!

How would this chance installation stand up against the greats?
Environmental installation art is created by Christo and Jeanne-Claude. (Wikipedia) Wonderfully they have wrapped up many famous buildings, the Rockies - no less, and, more recently, The Gates Project, Central Park, NY, to name a few.
In Australia even, in 1969, the coast of Little Bay in Sydney was put in wrap. Would someone please ask them to return here? Once upon a time we must have enjoyed the surprise factor.

Hinton Pub. Corners Genre 1...... & Bridge Genre

Hinton Pub has some claim to fame, maybe it's the oldest licenced one in the country. Long Seat: Large timber support replaced in the nearby bridge.(We hope.)
Del was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road. She asked the woman if she would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car. Del tried in vain to make small talk. The old woman just sat silently looking around until she saw a brown bag on the seat next to Del.
"Whats in the bag?" "It's a bottle of wine, I got it for my husband." The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. The speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said:
"Good trade.....!" ...................(Sorry fellas)

The Mellow Brick Road

Eric has posted the hand prints made by famous Parisian thespians.
This one is an interesting project in which pavers are decorated. Interested people can participate and create, ad lib, enough little masterpieces so as to pave a whole venue. It will take some time to complete.

Humpty Dumpties Sat On A Wall

Like Andy Warhol's replications, had K Mart gone all arty with this display? Up until I altered it.
I ask you, who better than an anthropomorphized egg for the message: new life and new hope?

Easter Bilby

Bilby or Easter Bunny? Is there a place in the Aussie psyche for the Easter Bilby? In white or dark chocolate? They were on sale right here at the PO/Sweet shop.
This relatively defenceless, rabbit sized, grey-blue, appealing, endangered marsupial needs all the help it can get and is highlighted for those reasons. Or is just an image even better than the real thing?
Remember, Biodiversity may be a key to our very survival.

Obedient Hound

Now that the owner of this affectionate dog is living in a nursing home, the dog often visits and loves to run and greet everyone and then take up duty in the courtyard.
She is a Kelpie, bred as a sheep dog and so turns her talents to 'rounding up' the gold fish while obediently keeping her distance.

The ATO Has A Heart.

How many public servants does it take to change a light bulb? Lunch in the park and fun and games as part of a charity fund raiser by the staff of the Tax Office, today, in Civic Park.
Prizes for the craziest hat, a tug of war, egg and spoon etc had the corporate team spirits aglow. This enables them to donate money to hospitals and charities. Government departments are second to none.

Surfing For Dummies.

Here, at Nobbys Beach, this afternoon, an Irish traveller from Dublin, waxin the boards. Two fellas are travelling, new boards, new campervan, heading north for an endless summer. He was making some progress with surfboarding, he said. Surfing For Dummies is a recent book title, I heard. Is it possible to learn how before taking to the water?

Chez Felipe

This abode has always given a measure of surprise for some time now as to appearance and as to purpose. Is it really a cafe? In Hannell Street, Wickham. A surfboard has been well chosen for the sign.

Ships-Waiting-For-Coal today: 67

One and All

...but that was yesterday.....On Election day the Polling Booth at the state school hall was busy. Voting is compulsory and a 'please explain' or a fine may arrive if you miss out. The Aboriginal Australian Flag has a place there.

My Franchise

State elections today. Can the papers get much larger than this? Voting remains 'homely' and reassuringly low-tech at this time.

That Visit To The Dentist

The time had come. Everything was ready. Photo taking was a diversion but "no worries". The extraction was painless really. The care was wonderful. NIB Dental Care is a very good service.

Capricornia. Maccas IV

Edging closer to the tropic of Capricorn, here's the Golden Arches at the Caboolture interchange. Unknown territory yet we make a familiar sighting. Anyone for trans fats?

Beachside Vendor

Tropical sno. Was it flown in? From a high mountain near the equator?

Tea Towel Projection

Everything is relative.
Here's a new take on accepted wisdom. Look who's 'down under' now.

Subtle Bloomer

Taking A Break

Politics is demanding. The idealism of youth is great as seen at a political rally against participation in the war in Iraq and 'Free David Hicks' (from Gulag Guantanamo Bay) The Greenies, Church reps, Marxists - all sides were involved. Mrs Habib and fiesty Mr Mamdouh Habib, from Sydney, spoke, he was a former Guantanamo Bay detainee and is now an election candidate.

The Coathanger. Bridge Genre

Sydney city draws in visitors like me. Here's QE II with something large looming in the background. Cunard stunts were wowing the crowds several weeks ago. The bridge is celebrating 75 years. Climbers had a terrific view from the top - see tiny dots. (A whole lot of British know-how and the Tee side were initially involved, back in the thirties, they say)
The bridge walk for Aboriginal Reconcilation remains my peak memory from several years ago .

Hinoki-ya The Traveling Band.

Hinoki-ya The Traveling Band from.......Japan from the sister city for Lake Macquarie. Guitar, Accordian, Drums, Woodwind and assorted instruments.
Today, delightful novel entertainment, with percussion in all shapes and sizes, the rhythm was the tricky part, was unlike traditional taiko. The band travels widely.

Freedom Of Expression

Subversion under the Clock Tower. Political meeting, fiesty speeches and street march yesterday. Simultaneously Celtic celebrations on the other corner.

River Crossing Without A Bridge

Sunday driving with a voyage thrown in? Wisemans Ferry, crossing the upper Hawkesbury River, on a back road (between Newcastle and Sydney) The barge pulls itself across on wire cables and carries a number of vehicles.

Secular Society!

The Summer Palace. Bridge V.

Bridge genre. No, its not in Newcastle, another time another place, at least, I took the photo.

Fairytale Garden with Rustic Bridge IV

A fairy godmother, with helpers, has wrought wonders and has transformed a courtyard in John Hunter Hospital into a fairytale garden, next to the children's ward. It will be therapeutic for all.
There is no doubt, well-being extends to the mind and the spirit.
She has been instrumental in establishing a similar garden in several other hospitals.

Surfing Newcastle Beach.

The sun and surf were stunning yesterday. The boardriders had it all to themselves and one can be seen on this wave. Is the other studying the sets and biding his time? A 'dangerous' surf, no swimmers took to the water, or, if they did were warned off by the lifeguard.

Bridges III. Gresford.

The bridge genre. The Ides Of March. A certain bridge is heading for a big event this weekend which you will very likely hear about.
However, this small suspension bridge is privately used to reach several homes and is in the township of East Gresford - an hour or two NW.
The photo is stark. Why didn't I capture the blossoming tree, the quiet river and the traditional church set in a peaceful garden nearby?

Swimming Pool Merewether.

Swimming. I could swim a lap, at a time, here, till a few years ago. It gets rough in a southerly breeze although in the hot weather we all hope for a cool southerly buster to arrive , it makes all the difference.
Now, a marquee has been set up in the small pool itself for Surfest goings on. This must be very nice in the evenings.
Ships can be seen anchored on the horizon.

Bridges II. Raymond Terrace Bridge

Ashore again, boating and wakeboarding, sking and fishing are popular on the Williams River close to where it joins the Hunter River, at Raymond Terrace, thirty minutes from Newcastle.
The bridge will take you to Brandy Hill or Seaham and other townships.

Life's A Beach

In the distance is Bar Beach, with waves of sorts and delightful rock pools, in the centre is Dixon Park and closer is Merewether Beach for better surfing conditions and finally the ocean baths are below this point. Surfest is full on.

Morpeth Bridge.

Now, we don't have the Golden Gate nor the Pont Neuf, I must work with what we've got and this bridge is part of our history, on a quiet stretch of the Hunter River at the village of Morpeth.
It rattles, afterall, was constructed in timber in 1898 to replace a barge or ferry crossing and is the oldest remaining example of an overhead braced Allan truss road bridge in service and has had a big repair job by the Roads and Traffic Authority

It can be fun to relax in Morpeth with sun, food and wine (and occasional jazz festival) and gaze out to the verdant fields and crops beyond the river and there are always the usual tourist boutiques to take in.

Five Star In Fortynine Stars

Yet another appeal for funds? Perhaps this one is a little special. An invitation to sing at Carnegie Hall. Yes, the Waratah Girls Choir is heading off to the Big Apple. It's a long way and costs money. They have already visited several countries and have had success in the Llangollen Eisteddford. A tribute to their special director for her professionalism and old style combination of song and friendship.
There was nostalgia as well, for sale among the book bargins, was my five-star favourite from way back - The Green Grass Of Wyoming by Mary O'Hara

Ya' Hoon (Lout)

Burn-Outs. Hooning around and loutish behaviour.
The State election is held soon, with promises for more roads, a crack down on hoons, new roads, more police and better roads. Is that it? Is that as good as it gets?
I'd spend more on entertainment and the arts. Boost our struggling artists. Example: The Waratah Girls Choir could do with support.

Local Colour

Grevillea is golden and showey after the rain. Velvety frangipannies are having their last fling. Their heavy perfume lingers on. Grevillea have an interesting range of colours, shapes and sizes and attract birdlife to the garden

Surfest

Tempt Fate

Waiting for the doors to open, for HOY, at Panthers Club, Newcastle, and hoping for a winning streak, these elderly gamers enjoy meeting up again each Thursday.
The Club was rebuilt following the earthquake in 1989 when nine people lost their lives there. A women in the queue explained how a change in rountine meant she had avoided being at the club on that day in 1989.
This week, earthquake and air disaster have taken their toll in Indonesia, our northern neighbour.

Queens Wharf

I found a computer that works and am republishing. Queen's Wharf, early and deserted.
The tower doesn't usually lean
The other side of the harbour likes the views on this side, so much so that, under the cover of darkness, several ten year old trees were attacked and cut down writes The Herald. The trees were part of the landscaping. The City Council is onto it. 2.17pm AES Daylight saving time

Unable to activate blogger at present

What's For Lunch, please?

While out of town, this cute little one came to the door of the caravan and could be either a wallaby or small kangaroo (not a rugby player!)

Men At Work revisited.

This Dad was there belles and all, end of school concert. Another Men At Work in Waratah post Feb 1.

the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance
pablo casals