These four birds look like plovers. Here they were at the beach but they are often found on the ground alone in the very middle of a green sports field or stomping around a busy car park or close to the side of a busy city road. Like living in a war zone.

 

Happy Chinese New year. Some planners must be expecting similar crowds here if this taxi sorting area is anything to go by and, gosh,  it puts us right up there on the world stage.

Recently I grabbed some canned fruit at Aldis and it is not my favourite food and later I noticed how pale were the chopped scraps of fruit containing 40% fruit juice and was made in China and the brand name was Sweet Valley (sic).  Remember our Goulbourn Valley brand?
   Australian fruit and processes are much more preferable than imports.  The food miles from Chine are absurd and unsustainable.  I won't buy such as that till forced.
  All the same, the space for real food, such as canned fruit, has shrunk on the shelves.  Dinky little tubs of fruit are the go.
  All wise,  all modern woman at the supermart happened to be praising the said tubs of fruit as the best thing since sliced bread for her children.  Better choice than some the processed fruit contains sugar in the sweetend fruit, is 40% juice and has packaging and shipping.
  We don't want to lose the ability to eat a piece of fresh fruit which is a more complex food and is a healthy choice. We can't become too helpless and lacking fibre to manage a piece of fruit!  The experts promote fruit and vegies for health - it is so easy.  Nevertheless, there are those who manage without eating fruit and vegies.  They must be the exception. 
 
Australian fruit industry needs support now.

Rediculous photo.  Several months ago bush fire swept through and took out a service station on southern edge of the district while the 'big' prawn is all that remains intact
Rafa was one of the big ones in combat in the Australian Open but his fortunes changes the next day.  Mens and womens finals were unlkely matches this time.

On the beachfront at Port are found very lovely tributes, graffti and memorials.  Words about unforgettable holidays, many year after year, caravaning and camping and annual reunions.   That's Port Macquarie. Will the beachside caravan parks be retained in perpetuity? Let's hope so!

For Australia DAY 2014 and the birthplace of European settlement: Botany Bay.  Two runways of Sydney Airport extend into the bay and a succession of early flights touch down after the longest of hauls. 'Straya Day

Arrivals.  The indicator keeps repeating 'flight delayed'.  No, it won't be the travellers emerging in winter clothes and coats nor the warm designer outdoor gear. Activity stops. Next a crowd from an Asian country and cabin crew women extremely slender and in delightful long outfits.     What's next?. A crowd totting trailer sized snow boards.  Then some with Muslim scarfs

Welcome to Straya.

- now that's getting closer. Yes, several people in crumpled summer gear with vast luggage and Straya lookalikes - its hopeful. Then no one emerges. Next, a few sturdy Anglo cabin crew possibly Jetstar or Qantas related - good sign. Even a few of post-Bali appearance emerge. It can't take much longer.  A newborn with very long black hair and from Jakarta is greeted by the relatives beside me. Next, I believe is a large group of Vietnamese, many with cartons of cargo piled high. No, a return to lots of rugged up travellers, and an Ashkenazian look a like and an overthetop fun pretend celeb.   Another gap.  What's the delay? Is there a drug bust inside? Wait, a pilot and side kick in SHORT sleeve shirts - is that a give-away?  Followed by a long gap. Some stragglers then the object of our long wait roll into view.  Relief and joy. 

Things to do on an extremely hot extremely humid late afternoon. Two surf boats race to the shore at Crescent'. Surf was 'up' yesterday.

High wide and green rows of trees are found all around the Southern highlands.  They don't lend themselves to the climate of the Newcastle district.

 At the institution, vintage pine trees grew in the garden.

The facade. More like I'd imagine from the likes of southern Europe.

Closer to the old institution

At the same institution
Who was spied in a brief appearance, faltering, short beard, pink tie - Jay Carney. Good grief! 

A large institution

Enjoy nature. This is the district where the film Babe was made.
Nature and a polar vortex brings life threatening cold to some and at the same time life threatening heat wave to our western state. Enjoy nature while you can. Abbott government is most interested in big business and letting them off the hook as regards carbon pollution. So called progress at the expense of global survival.

at dawn

sunrise

Bong Bong race track is a long standin name and is nothin to do with recreational drugs as far as I know. This ain't Colarado 'yr know.

late sunrise
Horse show events include jumps and a charge up over the hill

Historical village becomes tea rooms.

In Bong Bong Picnic Race Track late afternoon.

Ambush