On Lake Macquarie, yes, the yachties were 'dragging the chain'.  Sunday was breeze less and cloudless.

Winter approaches and the sun's rays get lower and lower on the horizon at Croudace Bay and all over.
House design is best that makes good use of where the sun reaches over the seasons so as to save energy and decrease the carbon footprint and save money over heating and cooling.  Insulation and water tank requirements are in place. Maybe more is leglislated. But that's just the start.
For instance, in this climate, it is madness to build a home with next to no eves to provide shade while designs that use passive solar heating and passive cooling and lessen dependence on air-con are quite possible and responsible as earthlings if we could break away from suburban conformity.

Tree house.

Lately our sunny days have been very very calm.  For a month now, while in several locations, windy days have been few and far between. It's the merry month of May.  Your cap does not get blown away as is usual on the coast.  On Sunday, the sailors on Lake Macquarie could have been disappointed while the picnic goers were very happy to find that their Mother's day lunch didn't need anchoring to the tables.

Prison chapel with the strangest ever fit-out.  Each person stood in their own tall compartment, a tall narrow door swung and divided them apart and one side of the room was divided from the other side. An old style choir and a preacher played over and over for us tourists.
Assylm. I doubt that women prisoners were held in Port Arthur. But has the system progressed?  Women are badly forsaken while in health 'care' according to the latest reports from Victoria. Is the report a game changer?  We must lift our game. 

Exercise yards in the 'boot camp' that was.

Words.  Game changer.  What a thing to say in connection with the extreme humanitarian disaster in Syria or about other serious problems.

Carefree tourists take a boat to places close by such as the Isle of the Dead and get a different shot of Port Arthur Prison. Quite a fun day. Port Arthur is a world heritage site 'rescued' after a lot of neglect and patches of demolition and change.

Words.  Seen recently: ozymandian grandeur. I'd never noticed that description before. Then in the more joyous incident some activity was described as outlandish which was nice to hear again for a change.
Read about ozymandian grandeur or not in Peter Hessler's Country Driving three journeys across a changing China. HarperCollins or The Text Publishing 2010.

Down the street past the little post office and school and whatever is another spire in the colonial 'village' of Port Arthur, Tasmania.  This virtual building would be the subject of many photos.
It can be a venue for a wedding. Some choice associated as it is with convicts and tragedy. On the other hand the outdoor areas are pleasantly innocent.

A spire!  A lot of dead wood makes up this tall structure.

An official top level court enquiry into paedophilia and the church begins in Newcastle today. And whether the police force took sides.
I suspect misplaced loyalty and an attitude of denial and worse can be found among some in the church today. Other loyalty would make sure that criminal activity is outed and nothing less.

Mirambeena, the ferry to Bruny Island.
Recently, the crossing was the butt of a joke on Q & A.

Recently, I have done the impossible and published retrospectively so to speak. A bit of redundancy is built into blogspot.

Recovery from bushfires in SE Tasmania is a prolonged process.  Many homes were ruined and acres burnt out.

 

Beyond Pirate Bay to the south eastern tip of Tasmania on a warm sensational cloudless calm balmy day. Now, some days later, cool autumn days have arrived instead - according to the forcasters.
To the south is a vast distance to Antarctica and it was ironic that the coast was clear and no wild southern seas were evident that day and features such as the Devils Kitchen, no less, were devoid of any wild displays apart from rumblings.
Others may take a fast speed boat on an xtreme and deafening ride around the bays and cliffs.

It is proposed that global warming has resulted in warm sea currents flowing further south than is usual to this coastline and raising the water temperature bringing fish species usually seen in northern waters and decreasing the growth of special amazing underwater 'forests' of tall sea grasses.

Subantarctic Plant House (Botanical).  Ready for the chilly roaring forties?  Simple uneventful visit to subantarctic Macquarie Island  and the cry of marine life on the edge of the wild southern ocean - without leaving the botanical gardens, Hobart on the isle of Tasmania.

Beyond Pirate Bay Tasmania the coast line can be explored.

Travel up hill and down dale towards Tocal, Hunter Valley.  The countryside is pleasant. See it NOW before the days of urban sprawl. (I recommend inclusion of patches of high density, high rise in the valley)
From these photos you would never know it but this educational institution for agriculture is a splendid cluster of buildings recently recognized for heritage value.
The whole campus was designed and built as one, initially and daringly as a church project, hence the inclusion of a chapel with a tall spire of rather individual syle (largely out of view here). Certain features akin to medieval ramparts are unique that spill out to courtyards and smaller clusters to form inspiring surroundings for aspiring cow herders etc. 

This is a hop plant that won't end up in a pale ale; it is ust being ornamental.
The plants start again each season and grow up tall to the overhead wires.
The latest hop processing plant is conventional and contrasts with the big old weatherboard unique examples.

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Some consulants in philanthropy are visiting and are full of 'goodness'. Do we really need them?  A better way is to first succeed in collecting taxes from the big end of town to add to the public purse for the good of all, after that,  they can dabble with their pet, fullfilling causes and offer benevolence.

Try in vain to collect a just and fair mining tax from the high flyers. No way. Taxes should be the target.

Oast houses where hops were dried before a change was made to a new factory.  A cluster of these timber buildings is in Bushy Park north west of Hobart among the hop fields. The water wheel was used and water is channelled around the farms.
Timber is used extensively in the tall and wide walls and the buildings sit sad and idle.

Terrible news from Boston first thing this morning  Along with similar from the Middle East and Pakistan where they have far greater losses, it's life on the edge from terrorist acts where the communities are awash with weapons.

Harvested the week before, this is where hop plants grew on line in Tasmania. 

Due to our over-use of the internet we are on speed restrictions for a while.  One forgets how it was. 
The slow contrasts with high speed ADSL. Surely a total fibre optic network and the NBN is the way to go.
We don't want the half baked network proposed by the Liberal party.

In Hobart. .............
From Wikipedia:

The icebreaker Astrolabe is a French research vessel. Among its duties are bring personnel and supplies to the Dumont d'Urville research station in Antarctica.^{[4][5][6][7][1] [2]} The vessel has been making regular voyages between Hobart and the Dumont D’Urville research station for fifteen years.
The vessel has also traversed the Northeast passage.^[8] The European Space Agency reports a 1992 traverse "was the first civilian expedition through the NSR since the Russian revolution." Astrolabe was escorted on her transit by Russian icebreakers.
The vessel is frequently serviced in the Tasmanian shipyard Southern Marine Shiplift in Launceston.^[9] The yard's maximum ship displacement is 2150 Tonnes.^[10]
Astrolabe is among the smallest research vessels working in Antarctic waters.


Below:  What's that blocking the street? The shouting and clanging? The REAL National Broadband Network (Labor infrastructure) is underway in Hobart.

A photo will be published again before too long. At present it could have pictured Hobart, TasMANIA. 
Am visiting almost the ends of the earth and its a good place to be. And free of coal dust!

Kangaroos give birth in this position and a very tiny foetus climbs up into the pouch and latches onto a milk teat. It is probably usual for mother to be accompanied by a 'toddler' kangraroo as well who feeds off a second teat which provides a different milk formula at the same time.  Or is she searching for tick bites?
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Once again we are encountering a sociopathic dictator. Gangnam Kim with the hair cut and the so called anti-Christ are sparring around.
How often has the world been held to ransome by a crazy male sociopath?  Who do they think they are?  Boy's own games.  Why can't they be put in their place?

Early morning, heavy dew post humid weather.

Remember the Little Golden Books?  Skippy to the Rescue is among the collection. It seems an early edition and is well illustrated (a change from Disney style) and shows all the cutest vunerable local animals.

The story has a colourful plot...the pink cockatoo screamed that he had seen a man with a gun... The man was waiting until the roos were in a clearing 'so he could fire many shots before they could get to shelter'.
Dramatically, Skippy saved the day by jumping and disarming the man. Then a bush fire got out of control. More danger then rescue.
'The firefighters found the man who had caused all the trouble - and they found the gun.  Guns are not allowed in national parks so the man was really in trouble.' Skippy watched as the man was taken away to the police station.

It is reported that some unsavoury incidents in a state park involving shooters is up before the court in rural NSW.
Now the government might say 'look how well we are policeing hunting,  there are no risks and hunting with guns will go ahead'.
We need sufficient staff to manage the parks and safely control ferrel animals without letting loose any cowboy shooters.

STOP REVIVE SURVIVE.  On the Pacific Highway between Port and Kempsey.  Three young travellers called in on the way to Byron and the Blues Fest and then Cairns which is several thousand ks, while they are here for a few weeks from Europe.
 If its the coral reef you want to see, it is closer to the coast at points south of Cairns along with the Whitsundays which are rather appealing and not as far away as Cairns.

Telstra Mobile Broadband is working this time  probably because it is earlier in the day and is a holiday

Sign says bypass now open.  No bottle neck with the one and only Buladelah by pass open for those making the treck north for Easter holidays.

Have often noticed Tom Cat Creek Rest Spot and here it is with picnic tables under the treees.

 The Princeton, in Hamilton, was regarded as a popular venue for weddings parties and anything.  The dance floor is show here.  Things change.  Now the interior is divided up to provide doctors with consulting room and scanning and ultra sounds.
We are so fortunate to have medical services provided for little cost.  That is, if we really need half these procedures!  We have a wonderful health service, by and large.

Early today the beach side was idyllic, the water an inviting temperature.  The temperature, out of the water, has risen to 30 or so as the day wears on and the humidity is high (like February).  Hard to imagine the weather in England this week. Are they dreaming of a 'white Easter'?

The latest Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace ship, is in the Port. The masts leave something to be desired, usefulness must be the criteria.
More importantly, Greenpeace is adding weight to the anti coal terminal campaign.

Parts of the harbour are out of bounds. It was much more casual in the past. This is looking thru the fence of a shipyard which is up for lease which is after years with the same old company. Nearby, a forlorne William 1V is high and dry.

In Bolton Street, to the rear of the unused venerable old post office things are looking up and renovations are under way.  Hope the workers are under control and know what they are doing when it comes to an old building.


Politicians fail to get their message across loud and clear. With more media than ever, they could be more successful that way and overcome certain gaps in the media.
I am unable to analyse what politicans do and say, but often hear them straight from the horses mouth in interview and in parliament.

The public give ten second grabs where they describe various aspects that do not sound anything like the MPs that I have actually seen and heard.  Is it really the same person?
Do people recite what they read in newspapers, particularly the polarised and climate change denying press or is this overestimating its influence?
Democracy is clunky and we are ill informed.  MPs could take up the challenge and sell their policies much more effectively and attempt to explain and justify the complexities.
  

Climate and mystery.  The land of the long white cloud, New Zealand, is made up of a longish, narrowish north and south island. 
The most severe drought in history has overtaken the north along with part of the south and more droughts are predicted.
Normally, NZ exports a whole lot of milk and global milk prices are at a record high.

Secondly, one or two tornardos have occured in NE Victoria, Australia, and created havoc in several towns.  The towns are new to me and include Koonoomoo, Yarrawonga, Mulwala, Barooga, Bundalong and plain old Rutherglen.

On another topic, turning to ancient writings, a well known incident of betrayal is recorded. Simon Peter was by the fire in a courtyard where a maidservant said of him that he was with Jesus the Nazarene, who had been arrested.
Simon Peter denied it before all the company and said that he had no knowledge of him.  Then he went out into the porch and there heard a rooster crow.
A maidservant at the door said to the bystanders that Simon Peter was one of them but this was denied again with an oath that he knew nothing of the man.
After a while, the high priest's servant, a kinsman of the man whose ear Simon Peter had cut off with a sword said that he saw Simon Peter with Jesus in the garden. Others said that he must be one of them because he spoke like a Galilean.
Simon Peter began calling down curses on himself and swearing that he did not understand what they meant and that he did not know the man.
Simon Peter had been told he would make the denials and when he remembered this and again heard a rooster, he went out weeping bitterly.

So Easter Week begins today with the passion narrative.
And shades of this week in parliament come to mind.

Kargaroos hop around and relax on the lawn and under trees near these houses.  Whats the difference between a roo and a wallaby?  Who knows? Wallabies are small....   ;
Crocodile Kangaroo Dundee of Central Australia is popular in the UK.  News of his activities are filtering down on ABC1. 

From kangaroo to kangaroo politics and the leadership spill.  Why ever  would we contemplate a change of leader to a man who has been described as incompetent and, as someones else said, has mocked the party while the all hard yards have been done by other hard working members. The joker is laying or lying low. Was he true to his word or just lacking support?

Compare the speech of the fiesty red head to the trite words from Julie Bishop, charming as she is. Gillard can say it like it is. The leader of the opposition has to be avoided and the mute button comes in very handy.
It is something to have a slightly unconventional, less squeeky clean, slightly boring, effective leader of the government and one who can go for spunky futuristic policies. 

We  must reject sucking up to Israel.  The threat of chemical warfare in Syria, got a mention but how could the big leaders swan about close to the terrible disasters in Syria and Lebanon without offering more to those countries.

As we have shipped out our source of air pollution and climate change to Asia, visibility was stunning in Newcastle today.
TEN coal ships were moored out to sea.
Instead of sitting around, gulping down potato chips and scraps, the seagulls were doing a spot of fishing, for a change.

 Perfect sunny warm calm weather and music.  What a day for a protest against the extension of coal loading facilities in Port of Newcastle.

See the dense atmospheric pollution in Beijing.  The burning of fossil fuel makes a hugh contribution to pollution. Even Chinese members of The Party are objecting to the pollution. 
(All the same, topsoil has been blown over northern China in the past and along with local weather has contribulted to air pollution.)

Hunter Valley companies exports pollution to China and elsewhere and plagues our localities with unhealthy levels of coal dust.

Old King Cole?  Nat King Cole?

No. King Coal the black mineral.

This morning protestors marched to Civic Park Newcastle.  Everything about coal is 'making us sick'.

Roll out the National Broadband network NOW.  We are twenty minutes from town and ten minutes from a smalll coastal resort and Telstra Turbo Mobile Broadband hardly works at all.
We have three mobile sim cards!  One is sure to get thru. To add a photo would be tempting fate.

The university was  deserted by the end of this rainy day and the damp renovated court yard was forsaken for the Godfrey Tanner bar. An overseas student remarked in an interview that there were no bars on the campus in Scandinavia. That's food for thought.

According to Mary Kissel, Wall Street Journal editorial board, we could be in for a correction and a swing back to the centre. Sounds awful like a Howard revival afterall.

Instead, for all its problems, give me the current vision for an education revolution and progressive policies as the only way to go.

Mary Kissel is a very engaging speaker but one has to make allowances for the Murdock press.

 Is a Guinness Pub phoney?

Something like a Neo-Howard future. 
Frequently the Libs refer to Howard's way.
Long ago, yet it is still frightful.
Is that our future?  Is that about as stirring as the Libs get?


In contrast, the 'dining room' in the hotel in Maitland was probably original with upholstered tapestry seating, wrought iron features and elegant coloured light fittings which the camera does not do justice too.