A placid dog. 

Never forget the dreaded 'blind spot'.  This is the result.  Another car pulled away from the curb as red car was blithely driving past. And the other car's right corner looks worse.

Good on ya Aussies.  Go for gold!
Good on ya Boris!

 Foggy morning.

More trains more dust No 4th coal terminal proclaim the posters all over town.  (Electric light poles come in handy for protestors).

People are asking that coal be covered during its transportation all around the 'valley'.  The AMA is focused on the harmful effects of pollution including coal dust.

Local researchers have dared to announce findings around higher incidence of cancer in workers on Kooragang with its coal loading facilities and other industries.  (Announcements to this effect were made and are the extent of my knowledge)     

Mr Abbott: Denounced ambassador. Re-education is called for. Jeopardizing our trade?  Surrender leadership now. 

Raj's Fashion.  Raj curry house extended next door and then next door again for groceries and fashion. Indian food never fails to appeal, the saltiness less so.

We all love our favourite foods and this is demonstrated by the items in the alternative shops for those of other heritages.  We use many of the items in common with them and which are found in our supertmarts.  But for that special familiar flavour almost identical foods are imported. The same with highly preserved, salted, canned and pickled foods that are imported and marketed. It seems buyers are not tempted by the adundant fresh produce or probably combine both forms.
One small difference is that corn flour is correctly made from corn while, strangely, we mainly use corn flour made from wheat but am not entirely sure what its made from. I doubt we were into corn in a big way and doubt the British were into corn crops and that must have been an influence.  Who knows?

This book shop has customers so it seems we still read books (print copies).

I feel like a stranger in my own land when flag waving swaggering folk are on the scene. Same with uniformed bikies and the Shooter's Party. Gee, thanks a lot for permitting hunting with guns in National Parks. What are they thinking?  Why ever would anyone want to emulate gun toteing folk who take themselves very earnestly.

Reports are of bikies who are into drugs and gun fights. Reports of shootings in Sydney have increased lately even one victim in the backwaters of the....Wine Country currently with police protection at The John (hospital).  'Real' men and their games. 'Tough' guys. 

Other than that, why are small children or babies taken to a midnight movie show to an unsuitable movie at that?  

Snow Bound in Syria WW2.  In the Lebanese mountains, troops became snow-bound for days at a time during their one severe winter there.  The scene is at Aley, within sight of the Mediterranean, where the clearing of the road to Damascas was directed by Australian engineers.
Our land is very very ancient and has dreaming stories as an oral account.  Syria. Just imagine recorded annals from the eighth centruy BC when it seems the prophet Isaiah was having a rant to impress the people of Judah and was calling them to conversion...again. The threat was not from over the border. Conversion is ongoing...trying again. His drastic description is new to me as is the context.

The Lord said, 'Damascus will not be a city any longer; it will be only a pile of ruins. The cities of Syria will be deserted forever.  They will be a pasture for sheep and cattle, and no one will drive them away.  Israel will be defenseless, and Damascus will lose its independence. Those Syrians who survive will be in disgrace like the people of Israel.' 
Isiah 17, 1-3 Good News Bible. Good news? And Australian War Memorial publishing, 1942.

 

Last night, Le Tour de France was seen speeding into Chartres. (SBS)

Heritage. Some areas favour timber carving -  surely the best medium and the carvings at Cathedrale de Chartres are lovely examples of seemingly medieval art and a long series enclose the choir area. This contrasts with the awesome (filled with awe) stained glass.
Early centre of pilgrimage and UNESCO World Heritage site.

The entrance to the Bogie Hole is unsafe and is fenced off and curious markings have appeared nearby.  But that was during stormy weather last month.  Are there plans for car access again and extension of the loop that Sunday drivers love.  The road was closed not long after the time of the convicts and the governor who swam. 

Mr Abbott, leader of the Opposition, don't return, stay on in Wall Street.
Even at that distance, we can't get away from him on the news.  

Caught by a Viking these Scottish Kippers are very very tasty after a long absence from the diet for no good reason - well, they are high in salt. 
Foreign companies have taken over our food processing and most things.  Dick Smith, in a small way, takes a stand against the tide.
Will the food companies have to contend with the cost of carbon?  Food prices have upped considerably these last few years as it is.

No more processed foods in this household - that is ninty percent of supermarket items, and a difficult strategy to adopt.  Some say Aldi sells a lot of Australian foods but so do the other stores. We will try and do more shopping at Aldi for a change although I am not mad about their stores. At least the company is not into poker machines.  Do they rip off the farmers?

Hopes are held for a terrific harvest of wheat and other grains to add to reserves and make up for the crop failures because of drought in the northern climes of the world. 

New playground at Blackbutt.  The focus was on fun and games. We are so fortunate by and large.  Not many troublespots on our front.  So much to share.
And what about adult equipment to get more of us active? 

Tweaking the traffic cameras near Tudor and Beaumont Hamilton.  Is the current state one of reduction or of proliferation of red light cameras?  Difficult to keep up with.  Without speed.
How much data is reaped from our smart phones, not counting gps?  Facebook, e-readers and all the rest are on task for personal data collection.

@please speed up change to a new leader of the Opposition.  We all know more than we need about some politicians.

Furniture of the Colonial days strongly typified by a red cedar table and balloon backed chairs.
Well, that's my description, rightly or wrongly. Maybe the upholstery is not exactly kosher.

Bring on a Rum Rebellion and oust the leader of the opposition, now!

Silverware.
Institutions of learning have been making the headlines but it's not all bad.  Newcastle choirs were right up there in the silver medal count at the World choir games in Ohio.  Cool.  And a gold medal went to a local choir Hunter Singers, outside of academia.

Reported on the choir blog was this little insight (prior to Ohio) : ...When we eventually performed, we were delighted to be met with all sorts of approval at even the strangness of our songs.  It was nice to have an audience that didn't seem confused and bewildered by the shouts and harmonics, but which took them all in their stride and were delighted...
Whan else can you expect of us ingrates?
With the time difference, it seemed the results were published on the internet before the choirs performed! So to speak.

Institutions are full of power and tendency to become a law unto themselves.  Parliament, for instance.  Mr Abbott please step down, we need a new leader now.

Near Katoomba, Blue mountains area.  These are 'mountains' of a different type, not a matter of high alpine country with majestic peaks but a nature area with gorges and rock formations that also offers a minor change of climate, nothing extreme in the land of the 'dumb drunk and racists'.

Dear Liberal party: You don't have my support but we can't escape your leader.  Please replace Mr Abbott.  A Boris Johnson clone is welcome.

A printed cotton dilly bag from another more indulgent age before the business model took over. The University Union ran a long list of activities on campus before times changed.  We always need to lift our game but is there any need to mirror the industriousness of certain overseas countries.

A path to a profession is made a university degree program so as to reap certain benefits and is then pressured and fast tracked to reach graduation as fast as possible. Certain  insights, aspirations about quality, development of a creative approach and ideas to improve a profession become less likely in a pragmatic atmosphere that fails to promote any depth or to sell the benefits of all that to the students.  Education was a time for gratuitous debate and development.

 Undergraduates adopt old ways by taking up part time work in the profession to either support themselves while on the small student allowance or to give themselves a foot in the door (that might be seen as obligatory) with the result that they are less likely to improve standards and are short of time to capitalise on a university education and defeat a lot of its purpose. They may not yet know how a broad education might better equip them to achieve long term job satisfaction along with good work conditions.
So what, professionals can be recuited from overseas.
Thanks John Howard back when.

Wanted: Alive: A new leader of the opposition. Abbott clones need not apply  

The Royal Oak Hotel Cessnock.  Large old hotels are found dominating corners around Kurri Kurri and Cessnock .  Built around 1900 to 1920. Could they become more fully utilized and integrated into the vinyard or  'wine country' scene?
If the hotels were given the right image and doings then possibilities would be created for day trippers and other tourists. Would the reality be too much for those hooked on theme parks?
Asian tourists are the future 'they' say.  Hotels like these don't exisit in China and contrast with their super cities which won't be found around here. But what's the use of travel to see more of the same?
Ni Hoa!  Try learning Mandarin, it's great. My one or two words and characters even help.
WANTED: New leader of the opposition.  Abbott clones need not apply.

Simple pleasures.  Nature's theme park. Blackbutt reserve Newcastle.
Following Le Tour de France, which is hardly a simple event, near the French Suisse border Sunday, (SBSTV), out of town roads pass through open country and fields of wheat as well as sophisticated parts and clusters of villagers. Urban freeways are another story and not part of the cycle race.
Seems a good idea to constrain urban development within city limits, go high rise and prevent covering wide country areas with endless housing estates. Dense housing kept contained within a new centre is desirable to set up and replicate with swathes of the great out doors never too far away.  Go Cadel! 

WANTED: New leader of the opposition.  Abbott clones need not apply.   

At the park  we were warned 'beware of swans protecting their territory'.  One swan left the water and threatened us with ruffled feathers, red beak and long neck to the fore.
I stood my ground and dominated the encounter with strong utterances. Trust?  Were those feathers wonderfully soft to the touch?
The feathers on baby swans change through shades of grey before turning black.  Adults swans pair for life.
Spinning nearby was pole dancing and an abstract bird. Vertigo is the downside or is it tied to an experience. 

*Mr Abbott, leader of the Opposition, please step down, submit, vamoose.

A few 'outsiders' are having their day at Wimbledon. Well done.
A tall old beacon is in the centre of the photo of Tyrrell Street.  The brick wall on the left surrounds longstanding infrastructure above Newcastle (or is it The Hill).  The wall was a place to practice tennis shots when I once lived in the vicinity.

PLEASE GIVE US A NEW LEADER OF THE LIBS.  WOULD EVEN GO SO FAR AS TO CONSIDER CLIVE PALMER OR  JUST ANYONE.   

Our sixty cent stamp (on the left).  The antipodeans are restless! 'We're on a roll.'  Black Caviar's win was a good omen.

Politicks:  PLEASE GIVE US A NEW LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.  NOW.

Mucking around in boats on the Hunter River, Raymond Terrace.  A training exercise and State Emergency Service. An ever so chilly breeze was blowing over the river.
When did we get independence from England?  At Federation in 1900-1?  Can't say where we stand. I'd just as soon be a republic. With a leader that is appointed not elected.  This does not mean that the Queen is not appreciated or highly regarded but that we have moved on as a nation. Viva the republick.

Single origin coffee from Sumatra made a very smooth offering at Lotus.  Another time, a run-of-the-mill drink of coffee in Sumatra was served in a glass with the coffee grains in the hot water and a lot of sweetened condensed milk added at additional cost. Brewed coffee of good flavour was served at 'progressive' places on that island - the largest island.
Will the price of coffee go up is what we are expected to ask.  Eureka! Today, carbon pricing began and the federal government has introduced assistance for some people to offset any flow on effects but cost is what it takes to control carbon emissions. Cut back on the Lattes!
May all your days be well air conditioned!

New regulated retail tariffs for electricity are increased. PowerSmart Home with EnergyAustralia have these rates from today 1 July 2012.
Peak 2pm - 8pm on working days including GST 52.547 cents/kWh.
Shoulder 7am - 2pm & 8pm -10pm working weekdays and  7am - 10pm weekends and public holidays. 21.340 cents/kWh.
Off Peak all other times 13.090 cents/kWh.  

Domestic rates for those without a PowerSmart meter also available. All the rates are in The Herald, Saturday.

After doing the laundry, we folded the sheets together, my mother holding two corners and myself on the other two.  This has hardly ever happen again since I left home. The sheets do get washed but I fold them single handed.  Involves exercise of the arms, no 'tuck shop arms' around here!  Fitted sheets end up the way they do.

Our viewing has been revisiting Woody Allen (ABCTV2) with Annie Hall and Manhattan and a doco. Why was nostalgia so much to the fore? Lovely ideas and background shots of an era and music so right in Manhattan in black and white. The cad.

For King and Country.  A war memorial seen from indoors.

Top: Sunderland (aircraft)  and Lancaster (bomber) squadrons and Australian air crew in the UK in WW2.  The Sunderlands kept the sea-lanes clear.

There is no point in gloryifying war but honour is given to the airmen of WW2  with a new memorial in London's Green Park.  Very elderly Australian vets have joined the British, Canadian and New Zealand Bomber Command for the dedication by the Queen this week.  (No doubt other nationals are involved as well).

 Thousands of Australians are among the 55 000 air crew who lost their terrible dice with death. I presume these figures refer to the European front.

War time publications feature the RAAF in the Middle East and S W Pacific with Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands and S E Asia, example Burma, resources were very stretched yet others went to the UK.   Airmen for the 'Empire' trained in Canada.

RAAF Log etc published by Australian War Memorial, Canberra 1943

Middle East.

Good news. New bubs are now having a simple test done to screen for heart problems.  Pulse oximetry is quite non invasive and may detect certain, I guess, fairly uncommon but serious problems sooner than before.
Clothing. On baby, a good old Bonds jumpsuit is de rigueur. Did Bonds invent this classic suit in towelling? What about a two piece suit for a six month old baby as in the adult's suit - trousers, coat, shirt and tie in a dark colour?  Surely it would result in a Warwick Davis look (the vertically challenged entertainer). Apart from that, jumpsuits are literally the only babywear found in the shops, admittedly coming in a range of fine styles.

Possibly social media apart, not much conversation is published about gay marriage and the topic of reproduction considering that the family, as an institution, is usually 'put under the microscope'.
Family is an institution that is undergoing change at a rapid rate and in a taken for granted manner while other institutions change at snail's pace or not at all. 

Was I in Station Street or on the waters of the Port of Newcastle.  More councill vans.

   The Junction at sunset and it sets early these days.  

Four and twenty black birds and a reflection at The Junction.

Small fry.  These were

the youngest feet in Newcastle earlier today.

Remember summer?

Some say not to live to the West of your workplace because getting to and from work will be right into the glare of the sun. More difficult to do considering our long eastern coast settlements.
Today's the shortest day, sunny, chilly and breezy. Sunny but everything has tilted away from the sun and the shadows are long and tall trees are likely to cast some shade onto the solar panels.
For old fashioned savings consider your power schedule on Smart meters with the supplier or biller TRUenergy trading as EnergyAustralia.

PEAK rates 2pm - 8pm on working days: 40.26 cents /kWh.
SHOULDER rates morning and evening: 7am - 2pm and 8pm - 10pm on Mon - Fri: 14.96 cents.  Also 7am - 10pm on weekends and public holidays also 14.96 cents.
OFF PEAK rates overnights 10pm - 7am: 8.80 cents.  rates include GSTax

Real men drive vehicles likes these.
All round the valley, the warriors of mining and construction sites are found busy in 4X4s that have identity markings and fly a flag and have giant mud flaps.  A peverse  gimmick is to copy this style onto a regular car or to echo in street art.

Is Gina Rinehart following in Murdock's footsteps and seeking out a media gallaxy? Hand in hand with the Miners' Advocate!

ABC Radio and TV need an increase in staff to take up the slack and produce additional quality content. 

Vintage Cafe.
Remarkable. Prophetic. The Newcastle Herald used to be called .....Newcastle Morning Herald and MINERS' ADVOCATE. The Hunter Valley understands mining and might do a deal with Gina.  Go for broke, what have we got to lose?
Or could a preservation order be applied to a newspaper that dates from the beginnings of a community? In Sydney and/or Newcastle.

What are the chances of keeping enough land free of mineral or gas extraction so as to dedicate it to an array of radio telescopes in Western Australia?  The chances are not good. Perhaps the two will co-exist and fullfill the promise of a role in the biggest radio telescope ever built.
In May it was announced that the telescope will be hosted by South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.  The project will investigate untold mysteries of outer space and will combine the signals received by thousands of small antenna spread over thousnads of kilometres with construction likely to continue till 2025.
Most of the telescopes will be spread over some seven nations in southern Africa.
Land north of Perth WA will also be used but it calls for swift action to grab the land before any miners move in! Then keeping it is another question.

Autumn leaves now but an Inner-city Quickening is in the air.  Vacant properties in Newcastle CBD  have been purchased by Land Com (to do with State Government) for development.  Links with another commercial development are likely. This is welcome news even when it is something like a take over by strangers.

Take over?  Change. The mining baroness millionaire, Gina R, is buying up Fairfax media shares.  It's the end and will test out editorial independence.  Is nothing sacred?  Was it insider trading?  Today Fairfax announces very hugh drastic changes to its operations.

Flock of cockatoos.  Following the crowd.  What do the ground keepers think?

The old radio is always available whilst occupied doing other things.  Without screen or print.  A couple of entertaining visitors were doing the rounds of the media including ABC radio.

The off beat,  Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? is written by Jeanette Winterson who tells a good story showing off a good deal of wisdom.
It is gratifying when certain hunches are validated.
And even more so from a second interesting character, Ethan Watters, journalist, whose writings are mind blowing. Culture continues to fascinate....dominate.
What would old Persig think?
Is it easy to be flippant and use too much a common sense approach to issues?  Very tempting.