Berowra area, old Pacific Highway once had toll gates somewhere on this spot which has become a rest area and firefighter's base.
A drive to/from Sydney included a toll to use the long new descent to the Hawkesbury River on the beginnings of the M1.
  The old two lanes were a steep climb of horseshoe bends and progress was very slow or in fits and starts but of interest. Engines boiled. 
Relatives have said they packed a thermos and food to have refreshments during a traffic jam, like outside the car - perhaps it was an exaggeration.
The old Pacific highway, is much improved and continues from the above point and motorcyclists seem to like its challenges.    

This route past the beaches is sure to please us. 

 A total turnaround has happened to local media and has been rapid. Newsagents were a sought after thriving business - not any longer, lottery sales seem their mainstay in those that remain in business.
  Just the other day as they say there was a rally in the city to support the local Fairfax newspaper from outsourcing important tasks - now there has been a sell out to Sydney's brash Channel 9 and doubts about the future of a whole network of country newspapers.
  In a relativly short period newspapers have had their day.  A local state of the art printing press of  fairly recent times has ceased printing the local rag and jobs have been lost - didn't management  see the writing on the wall?

King Edward Park catching the late afternoon sun on Sunday and quite a few people were around tho they don't happen to be in the photo.

 Progress with light rail in Hunter Street with this section east of Union Street just before it was opened to traffic two days ago and includes a new road link with Honeysuckle near where the light rail emerges onto Hunter. Then the same section as it was a month ago.

Is it possible the new Hunter Street light rail rolling stock crept here today?  No? As part of a freight train, new carriages and a load of wheels was seen on the move near Tighes Hill, as was a coal train heading back for a load. Coal prices have risen, the bonanza continues and we 'fiddle while Rome burns'. Thinks massive ice burgs on the move and sea levels.
 Trump fiddles while Rome burns.  And what has Putin done?  That US leaders are provoked and react and complain about the actions of their president in response to Putin and would be a 'good' result as far as Putin is concerned he might be pleased he has caused more dissent in America.
Does protest (London) fall on deaf ears?
 We have enough on our own plate. Dictators and authoritarians are lapping at our shores.

Woolworths supermarket has installed those plastic seats made from recycled shopping bags. What's next?
Observations.  The scenic French countryside is followed with the Tour de France on SBS TV.  It is difficult to spot solar panels on any rooves or roofs.  Hope it is the exception.
The national data base of our e-health records is in progress.  Of course it is important and of great use.  I see very little evidence that medical professionals delve into histories or care plans at all, they reinvent the wheel with every incident. 
It is very true that the famous Thai Football team are well behaved demonstrated on camera sitting up in their hospital bed. Current thinking is to be up and about no matter what illness - within reason - not a chair was in sight. Difficult for young active boys. Off camera it would be different.  Then, strangely, the boys had comments recorded without taking their masks off - not even for a minute.  Possibly it was to deter recognition.  As if.
 

Citrus form a bright spot.  Mid winter, sunny days and blue skies with an edge.  Well, that's this week.
An old mandarine tree gives fruit year after year and it attracts possums or some wild life who scoop out the fruit. 

Buddhist centre in Hamilton is open and is seen from the street through the windows.  A life long pursuit. As well, our approach to fellow humans is what its all about.

The slaying of two young lives by their father is an appalling loss.  There is no excuse.
Why are situations maintained at any cost?  Why are court proceedings pursued at any cost? Why prolong a court case with an allegedly risky violent long term unpredictable person? We need to use some wisdom about the reality.  All is not black and white.  But such thinking is unheard of.

The local Woolworths supermart must be going solar.  Praise be!  Talesun brand is on the products.  It is not a first, photovoltaic has taken off and great progress is seen on a global scale.
 Suzhou Talesun Solar Technologies has a web site that depicts grand solar farms in China.  Installations in Europe particularly and Thailand, India and USA are also shown from this Chinese company which has state of the art equipment from Italy and Japan.
 Where is our own manufacture of these products which we were into in the very early stages?  Naturally, we can not compete with the mega economies.  Some politicians are not even supporting solar.
 Is alliance with China such a bad thing?  We find an unfamiliarity with Chinese efforts to be part of our culture, our uncertainties are reasonable. Chinese global reach is notable. Their political scene and human rights agenda are alien.  However, how well do we and our existing allies stack up? How do we rate with the indigenous population? Our unethical tactics with refugees are shameful.   How many people are imprisoned in the USA - vast numbers. US politics and national standing are faltering. So how well does Chinese society rate in the face of our difficulties?  So called National security is another difficulty beyond this little rant.
 Is it possible to sit on the fence and for us to have good allies across the divide of China and USA?  End the either or situation and look towards an interesting future. If the East will have us.