Friends are off to Bali tomorrow for a week. They go about three times a year and love the place. There are other places to visit for around the same money and I wonder why they don't do at least one trip to, say, Singapore. I guess they have been going for so long and so often that the familiarity of the place and the people are important. I just talked to Haddon and he is quite sick with a heavy cold. Great start to their hols.
I collected 12 donated computers from a store room and have reconfigured seven of them with educational software and some games. As soon as I hear that the Fawcett Foundation will help with space in their shipping container, I will change the Australian power plugs to Indonesian plugs and start collecting boxes and shredded paper for packing.
The murder of Mrs Corryn Rayney and discovery of her body buried in a deep grave in Perth's Kings Park is still unsolved. Police discovered her grave by the most fortuitous set of circumstances. Her car was driven to Kings Park and up a track where the body was offloaded and buried. Fortunately, for the police, the murderer ran over a bollard in the track and damaged the gearbox causing an oil leak. When the car was found in a nearby suburb they noticed the oil trail and tracked it back to the grave. Unlucky killer! There are the usual armchair detectives pointing to her husband, her sister and probably the archbishop of Perth.
I reckon the whole thing will be solved within a week.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
New project
A couple of days ago I was starting to feel lost in retirement and then all of a suddy, there is a posting on the Mac Users' Group for free computers. I decided to take them...about 12 plus a couple of laser printers. I will pick them up this evening and start cleaning them up and configuring them for Bali. It is long enough now to get over the bad time that Indonesian Customs gave us both entering and exiting Bali.
The difficulty with such an undertaking is getting the stuff to Bali for free. Garuda Airways will help with one or two computers at a time, but then we have the same problems with Customs when going through Denpasar airport. In reality the only way to do it is to talk the John Fawcett Foundation into giving me some space in one of their sea containers which regularly go to Bali. The Foundation has also had lots of problems with Customs and now ships directly to Surabaya where the Customs Department is more 'transparent'. It seems that they have a sort of computer system there whilst in Bali they do everything on paper. Once unloaded in Surabaya the container is trucked to Denpasar, Bali.
The John Fawcett Foundation has the use of a shipping container owned and paid for by Ross's Salvage, a company which buys Balinese manufactured furniture and ships it back to Western Australia. Good for the Foundation as they get to fill it with medical supplies on the upward journey.
The difficulty with such an undertaking is getting the stuff to Bali for free. Garuda Airways will help with one or two computers at a time, but then we have the same problems with Customs when going through Denpasar airport. In reality the only way to do it is to talk the John Fawcett Foundation into giving me some space in one of their sea containers which regularly go to Bali. The Foundation has also had lots of problems with Customs and now ships directly to Surabaya where the Customs Department is more 'transparent'. It seems that they have a sort of computer system there whilst in Bali they do everything on paper. Once unloaded in Surabaya the container is trucked to Denpasar, Bali.
The John Fawcett Foundation has the use of a shipping container owned and paid for by Ross's Salvage, a company which buys Balinese manufactured furniture and ships it back to Western Australia. Good for the Foundation as they get to fill it with medical supplies on the upward journey.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Aches and Pains
We both have them today.
Kevin's are because he spread half a trailer load of compost (kindly donated by Dave next door) and also did some other work for a friend in South Fremantle which involved a lot of squatting and bending.
Mine are due to two things as well. Firstly a water aerobics class that was full on - and I have only been to one other since we got back from the US, so I am out of practice. Second was a mammogram. I got the letter yesterday that I was due for the checkup that happens every two years, rang to make an appointment and got in today. This is something that is better to get over and done with, rather than think about it.
The procedure was as horrible as usual. Though the radiographer did the best she could, there is no way to make it easy. I have a bruise just below my right shoulder where the edge of the frame dug in. However, if it leads to early detection of cancer or better still, provides reassurance that there is no problem, it is worth it. And we Australian women of a certain age are so lucky that the checkup is free.
Kevin's are because he spread half a trailer load of compost (kindly donated by Dave next door) and also did some other work for a friend in South Fremantle which involved a lot of squatting and bending.
Mine are due to two things as well. Firstly a water aerobics class that was full on - and I have only been to one other since we got back from the US, so I am out of practice. Second was a mammogram. I got the letter yesterday that I was due for the checkup that happens every two years, rang to make an appointment and got in today. This is something that is better to get over and done with, rather than think about it.
The procedure was as horrible as usual. Though the radiographer did the best she could, there is no way to make it easy. I have a bruise just below my right shoulder where the edge of the frame dug in. However, if it leads to early detection of cancer or better still, provides reassurance that there is no problem, it is worth it. And we Australian women of a certain age are so lucky that the checkup is free.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Retirement
Lots of people have asked me about retirement...'what do you do?' I have never understood their concern as I have always been busy with various projects. In the last couple of days, however I find myself walking around the house trying to decide whether to watch TV, a DVD or go and buy something. Retirement has hit me and I must find a new project.
Today a lady I have worked with emailed me to let me know that a business contact has a large number of PCs to donate to a good cause. That company has a policy of removing the Hard Drive from the computer so that any data cannot be retrieved. A good friend teaches IT at a Senior College and I have passed the offer on to him.
I guess many people who use a computer do not know that even deleted data can be retrieved using simple software. That's why you see the cops collecting computers from suspects' houses. On Mac computers (and probably PCs) there is an option to empty the trash securely, so that the next lot of data overwrites the secure trashing. I would think that there is still a chance that bits and pieces of data are still left around the traps. Smart villains would almost certainly have a spare hard drive for any naughty stuff.
The 21st party on Saturday night at our neighbors' place went off without noise or beer cans on the lawn. We were rewarded (for what I do not know) with some birthday cake and a bottle of bubbly. I guess it is because we allowed guests to park in our driveway. I did mention that Ross, the 21 year old did visit all the neighbors in the street to advise them there was to be a party and there was only one couple who objected. They are the Cul-de-sac's Neighborhood Watch because they know something about every resident and are always looking out for undesirables. We don't mind them being watchdogs.
Today a lady I have worked with emailed me to let me know that a business contact has a large number of PCs to donate to a good cause. That company has a policy of removing the Hard Drive from the computer so that any data cannot be retrieved. A good friend teaches IT at a Senior College and I have passed the offer on to him.
I guess many people who use a computer do not know that even deleted data can be retrieved using simple software. That's why you see the cops collecting computers from suspects' houses. On Mac computers (and probably PCs) there is an option to empty the trash securely, so that the next lot of data overwrites the secure trashing. I would think that there is still a chance that bits and pieces of data are still left around the traps. Smart villains would almost certainly have a spare hard drive for any naughty stuff.
The 21st party on Saturday night at our neighbors' place went off without noise or beer cans on the lawn. We were rewarded (for what I do not know) with some birthday cake and a bottle of bubbly. I guess it is because we allowed guests to park in our driveway. I did mention that Ross, the 21 year old did visit all the neighbors in the street to advise them there was to be a party and there was only one couple who objected. They are the Cul-de-sac's Neighborhood Watch because they know something about every resident and are always looking out for undesirables. We don't mind them being watchdogs.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
A 21st party
Our neighbors, Judy and Dave, have three kids. I have mentioned them before. They are excruciatingly nice! We are fortunate to have neighbors like them. One of them, the middle one, is having a 21st party tonight. He has warned the cul-de-sac that there is to be a gathering and we have suggested that the kids use our driveway for parking, leaving their own lawn for others.
Today our automatic garage door broke one of the cables. We have manually forced the door up and hope that our open garage doesn't attract villains. I will get new cables on Monday and fit them. Cul-de-sacs are fairly nice places to have a house. No passing hoons making black tyre-marks on the roadway . . . they are however, a problem for party parking.
I think tonight might be one where we drink a fair bit and sleep through the party noise. I reckon I can do that.
Today our automatic garage door broke one of the cables. We have manually forced the door up and hope that our open garage doesn't attract villains. I will get new cables on Monday and fit them. Cul-de-sacs are fairly nice places to have a house. No passing hoons making black tyre-marks on the roadway . . . they are however, a problem for party parking.
I think tonight might be one where we drink a fair bit and sleep through the party noise. I reckon I can do that.
Friday, August 17, 2007
House hunt still on
Our daughter Helen's offer to buy was not accepted and she has decided to wait and see if the owners come back to her. I don't think they will as it is a very nice house in a newish suburb with what look like nice neighbors. I think they will stick with their initial sale price for a few weeks at least
She is agonising over shifting from Victoria Park which is a very trendy suburb with lots of pubs, restaurants and a 'village' feel to it to St Pauls estate which has the 'settle down' feel to it. There may be a bit of the 'settled' fear showing. She is going to look at more houses over the weekend. The current stock market and house finance scare may also have influenced her.
A couple of days ago I was offered a contract to write a course for the School of Isolated Education..Distance Ed. It sounds interesting, but I have been retired for 9 years and don't think I want to re-learn stuff that I have long forgotten. I will look at it when I get the details.
In a couple of weeks we; Helen, Martin, brother Graham and I are going to the Steely Dan concert at the Sandalford Vineyard. As usual, the main attraction comes on late in the evening.
I am getting a bit old for this stuff, but being a serious fan of the band I cannot miss the show. It is to be an outdoor concert and it is one that will go ahead regardless of the weather. Hope it doesn't rain.
She is agonising over shifting from Victoria Park which is a very trendy suburb with lots of pubs, restaurants and a 'village' feel to it to St Pauls estate which has the 'settle down' feel to it. There may be a bit of the 'settled' fear showing. She is going to look at more houses over the weekend. The current stock market and house finance scare may also have influenced her.
A couple of days ago I was offered a contract to write a course for the School of Isolated Education..Distance Ed. It sounds interesting, but I have been retired for 9 years and don't think I want to re-learn stuff that I have long forgotten. I will look at it when I get the details.
In a couple of weeks we; Helen, Martin, brother Graham and I are going to the Steely Dan concert at the Sandalford Vineyard. As usual, the main attraction comes on late in the evening.
I am getting a bit old for this stuff, but being a serious fan of the band I cannot miss the show. It is to be an outdoor concert and it is one that will go ahead regardless of the weather. Hope it doesn't rain.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Haddon and Margaret
Today I returned a borrowed exercise bike (unused) to Haddon and Margaret. We had a cup of tea and lots of discussion about worldly matters and when I was about to leave I was given some seeds and seedlings of various plants. There were some seeds from a very nice red flowering Canna, a Cape Gooseberry plant and some seedlings from some sort of 'spider' plant. As you can see I am not an exotic plant gardener. They have a great back yard...very Baliesque with a Bali style retreat. They are into plants, but I am into edible plants...silver beet (Swiss chard) is my fav. and of course, tomatoes.
I also love Cape Gooseberries (Phisallis peruvian) and have had much success growing them in the past. They are a weed and thrive on neglect. It would seem that cultivation is the last thing that they need. The other common name for them is Chinese Lantern Fruit because the fruit is encased in a lantern-type shell. They are almost bitter to the taste and make wonderful tarts covered with ice cream and cream. That taste makes them safe from nasty insects. There is a trade-off there! I have always thought that they were named Cape Gooseberries because they came from South Africa like lots of our plants, but no. Google (Aus) tells me that the lantern shell around the fruit is a 'cape'. Is Google ever wrong?
When we lived and worked in Papua New Guinea I took Cape Gooseberry seeds back and planted them. They grew, but the fruit never ripened. One thing I did take back that was a success was silver beet seeds and the students were able to grow enough silver beet to offset their school fees. It seems that people did not know that Australian vegetables like silver beet would grow in the tropics. My boarding school students made good money selling their produce to Australians starved for familiar vegetables.
I also love Cape Gooseberries (Phisallis peruvian) and have had much success growing them in the past. They are a weed and thrive on neglect. It would seem that cultivation is the last thing that they need. The other common name for them is Chinese Lantern Fruit because the fruit is encased in a lantern-type shell. They are almost bitter to the taste and make wonderful tarts covered with ice cream and cream. That taste makes them safe from nasty insects. There is a trade-off there! I have always thought that they were named Cape Gooseberries because they came from South Africa like lots of our plants, but no. Google (Aus) tells me that the lantern shell around the fruit is a 'cape'. Is Google ever wrong?
When we lived and worked in Papua New Guinea I took Cape Gooseberry seeds back and planted them. They grew, but the fruit never ripened. One thing I did take back that was a success was silver beet seeds and the students were able to grow enough silver beet to offset their school fees. It seems that people did not know that Australian vegetables like silver beet would grow in the tropics. My boarding school students made good money selling their produce to Australians starved for familiar vegetables.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
short one today
This evening I shared a few beers with brother Graham. His house is about ten kilometers from our place and Joan had said that she would drive up and collect me in the intoxicated state before meal time. And that she did! We watched a few TV programmes...almost all of them of American origins....why do they clap their own achievements? That is something that is not Australian. Traditionally, in Australia, winners wait for others to applaud; not clap their own achievements.
As I said; a short and intoxicated post!
As I said; a short and intoxicated post!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Tuesday and a confession
Our daughter Helen has overnight thought long and hard about buying a house and this evening she has made the decision...buy!! One of the worrying things for her is her employment tenure. If she doesn't get tenure at her current school she may not be able to meet her mortgage repayments of $350.00 a week. She is confident that she will be teaching next year and even if things went badly she has two qualifications to fall back on . . . Education and Business. Even without tenure there are plenty of relief jobs in teaching and those jobs don't require lesson preparation. The teacher being relieved is obliged to provide adequate lesson planning.
We are about to have Aussie tucker for dinner tonight...steak, carrots, silver beet and spuds. As preparations commenced it was found that we had no potatoes. Kev volunteered to nip over to IGA in Coolbellup to buy some. Here comes the confession part; I went to the store in Ugg Boots! I don't normally venture outdoors in Uggies. It is, however, OK to shop in Ugg Boots in Coolbellup... popular footware over there! Sorry Had and Marg.
We are about to have Aussie tucker for dinner tonight...steak, carrots, silver beet and spuds. As preparations commenced it was found that we had no potatoes. Kev volunteered to nip over to IGA in Coolbellup to buy some. Here comes the confession part; I went to the store in Ugg Boots! I don't normally venture outdoors in Uggies. It is, however, OK to shop in Ugg Boots in Coolbellup... popular footware over there! Sorry Had and Marg.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Helen's house hunt
Our daughter Helen teaches at Banksia Park PS in Leeming. She loves it there and is hoping to retain her position there next year. The Western Australian Education Department has suddenly become Mr Nice Guy about postings because of a teacher shortage. If she works two full years at a school, then she will be granted permanent status and remain at that school. The Principal has told her that they want her there next year and it looks like she will get tenure.
On Sunday we looked at a house for sale quite close to our place. Helen is ready to move from her two bedroom unit in East Victoria Park into a house and today she went to look at the house we had seen over the weekend. She is sold on it. Just 7 years old in a nice area with nothing to do, she will probably make an offer tomorrow. She owns her unit and should be able to sell it for around $290,000. This house is on the market for $469,000, but the agent tells us that $465,000 will probably get it. Then of course the state government wants its slice of the action with stamp taxes probably in the $19,000 range. We will most likely help with that part of the purchase, if it goes through. Houses in this state are sold at a premium with timber/weatherboard places selling for more than this double brick 3X2. Hope she makes the leap.
On Sunday we looked at a house for sale quite close to our place. Helen is ready to move from her two bedroom unit in East Victoria Park into a house and today she went to look at the house we had seen over the weekend. She is sold on it. Just 7 years old in a nice area with nothing to do, she will probably make an offer tomorrow. She owns her unit and should be able to sell it for around $290,000. This house is on the market for $469,000, but the agent tells us that $465,000 will probably get it. Then of course the state government wants its slice of the action with stamp taxes probably in the $19,000 range. We will most likely help with that part of the purchase, if it goes through. Houses in this state are sold at a premium with timber/weatherboard places selling for more than this double brick 3X2. Hope she makes the leap.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
A prediction
I have a friend (his blog has a link on this page) named Paul, who is an avid...possibly one-eyed, Fremantle Dockers supporter. Today the Dockers had a big win in the AFL and surprisingly there was no nasty play.
My prediction is that Paul will write of the Dockers' win in glowing terms: and so he should, they had a great win. I am happy about their win also. I am also happy about the Eagles winning as well this weekend. You see, I am a parochial Western Australian and I want both teams to win. When they play each other (in a 'Derby') I don't barrack for either side...I'm a winner whatever happens.
Check out Paul's blog tomorrow from this page.
My prediction is that Paul will write of the Dockers' win in glowing terms: and so he should, they had a great win. I am happy about their win also. I am also happy about the Eagles winning as well this weekend. You see, I am a parochial Western Australian and I want both teams to win. When they play each other (in a 'Derby') I don't barrack for either side...I'm a winner whatever happens.
Check out Paul's blog tomorrow from this page.
PC problem
Yesterday I collected a Windows PC from my son. He had borrowed it from a friend and on returning it it would not get up and go. 'Fix it', he was told, so Dad decided to have a look inside.
I know the inside of Macs well and PCs are basically the same, so I opened the case and had a fiddle with connections etc to no avail. The computer would start and the hard drive would run, but no screen. I decided to cart it over to a PC/Mac Guru's house to see what he thought. As soon as he set it up it ran fine. Damn! On restart it didn't want to show a screen. Eventually he went to Goggle and found the codes for the start-up beeps that were sounding....there it was; three beeps indicated that the RAM was either faulty or needed re-seating in its slots. Fixed!
Also yesterday, brother Graham and I did a little bit of house hunting for our daughter. She wants to upgrade from her two-bedroom unit to a house. The bank has set a limit on the amount she can borrow and we were looking at places around the $420,000+ price. Not much at that price in a reasonable suburb. We did see a house in the suburb of Parkwood, but the opening time was later in the day so didn't get to look inside. Parkwood is not considered to be a great suburb and this house is opposite a park and the last dwelling in the street adjacent to bushland.....ideal for villains to jump the fence at night. Parkland can also gather drinkers and youths on weekends. The older I get, the less democracy I wish to afford youth.
We might go back today and take another look.
I know the inside of Macs well and PCs are basically the same, so I opened the case and had a fiddle with connections etc to no avail. The computer would start and the hard drive would run, but no screen. I decided to cart it over to a PC/Mac Guru's house to see what he thought. As soon as he set it up it ran fine. Damn! On restart it didn't want to show a screen. Eventually he went to Goggle and found the codes for the start-up beeps that were sounding....there it was; three beeps indicated that the RAM was either faulty or needed re-seating in its slots. Fixed!
Also yesterday, brother Graham and I did a little bit of house hunting for our daughter. She wants to upgrade from her two-bedroom unit to a house. The bank has set a limit on the amount she can borrow and we were looking at places around the $420,000+ price. Not much at that price in a reasonable suburb. We did see a house in the suburb of Parkwood, but the opening time was later in the day so didn't get to look inside. Parkwood is not considered to be a great suburb and this house is opposite a park and the last dwelling in the street adjacent to bushland.....ideal for villains to jump the fence at night. Parkland can also gather drinkers and youths on weekends. The older I get, the less democracy I wish to afford youth.
We might go back today and take another look.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Elephants
I am a bit elephant's trunk at the moment...it is, after all, Friday.
The email I sent to the manufacturers of the carving machine replied advising me that they do not ship to, or support their machine in Australia. There is a woodworkers' expo at the Showgrounds over the weekend and I will go and see if someone has imported one of the CompuCarver machines and has it on show. The entry fee is a bit steep at $17 for oldies...guess it is worth it?
Today I drove to Banksia Park Primary School to swap cars with my daughter to try and solve a problem with her car. Her car was 'missing' under load and I guessed it might be spark plug leads. I don't have a good multimeter and so I drove her car out to cousin Ted's place in Willetton where we tested the spark plug leads and found that one lead was dead. I bought a new set of leads and all is well. She (our daughter) is off to Wedge Island for the weekend with a newly acquired boyfriend. She rang just before she was due to be picked up for her weekend and left details of the new beau. There was a little apprehension about spending a weekend with someone she didn't really know too well. Smart gal!
I will talk with our son tomorrow and see if he is ready to start looking for a job. Yesterday I went and looked at a car for sale in Willetton. It is a 1987 Corona with a lot of kilometers on the clock but not in bad condition. They want $900 dollars ONO which means $750 I reckon. Our son has an appalling track record of car maintenance. Almost all of the cars we have bought him have cost us double the purchase price in repairs and maintenance because he neglects his vehicles.
The email I sent to the manufacturers of the carving machine replied advising me that they do not ship to, or support their machine in Australia. There is a woodworkers' expo at the Showgrounds over the weekend and I will go and see if someone has imported one of the CompuCarver machines and has it on show. The entry fee is a bit steep at $17 for oldies...guess it is worth it?
Today I drove to Banksia Park Primary School to swap cars with my daughter to try and solve a problem with her car. Her car was 'missing' under load and I guessed it might be spark plug leads. I don't have a good multimeter and so I drove her car out to cousin Ted's place in Willetton where we tested the spark plug leads and found that one lead was dead. I bought a new set of leads and all is well. She (our daughter) is off to Wedge Island for the weekend with a newly acquired boyfriend. She rang just before she was due to be picked up for her weekend and left details of the new beau. There was a little apprehension about spending a weekend with someone she didn't really know too well. Smart gal!
I will talk with our son tomorrow and see if he is ready to start looking for a job. Yesterday I went and looked at a car for sale in Willetton. It is a 1987 Corona with a lot of kilometers on the clock but not in bad condition. They want $900 dollars ONO which means $750 I reckon. Our son has an appalling track record of car maintenance. Almost all of the cars we have bought him have cost us double the purchase price in repairs and maintenance because he neglects his vehicles.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
CompuCarve
Each time we visit the U.S. we usually see something that Kev thinks would be a 'goer' here. It sounds like we visit every year; in fact we have been there only three times. This trip I didn't see any new-fangled machines or schemes that would go well here. However just today I received a newsletter from Sears (I don't know how I subscribed to the Sears newsletter?) featuring a wonderful computer-controlled wood carving machine at a price of US$1800. See it here.
This machine could be just the thing for our son to start a home business producing detailed carved plaques and nameplates for houses and farms etc. From the promotional video and the many postings of internet forums for the machine, it seems to be a great little machine.
I have emailed the firm asking if they market their machine in Aus or even ship to Australia. Two thousand bucks is not a lot to spend to get our son into something that he, with my assistance, could run. There again, I have had lots of schemes that I have not followed through on.
This machine could be just the thing for our son to start a home business producing detailed carved plaques and nameplates for houses and farms etc. From the promotional video and the many postings of internet forums for the machine, it seems to be a great little machine.
I have emailed the firm asking if they market their machine in Aus or even ship to Australia. Two thousand bucks is not a lot to spend to get our son into something that he, with my assistance, could run. There again, I have had lots of schemes that I have not followed through on.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Photography
We have now downloaded all the photos we took, though I think there may be some on the CDs that Kevin made at Jennifer's which haven't been loaded on to our computer. The question now is what to do with them all.
Kevin spent some time today with Photoshop and the photos that he took at the Barn Bash the night before the wedding. The lighting was really bad, but he has managed to adjust most of them so that the people are not only recognisable but also look good. He is planning to make some CDs of this and also the wedding to send to the bridal couple and their parents.
But what to do with all the others? We might put them on Flikr. Or, since I wrote a pen and paper diary every night, I may set up another blog and chronicle the whole US adventure with heaps of photos.
By the end of the trip my three year old digital camera was starting to play up. It no longer turned itself off, and I was getting rather too many pics of pavements and blank walls. I had been frustrated often as well with the length of time it took to process each photo. We timed it at 10 seconds this morning - no wonder I lost lots of photo opportunities.
We got a Hardly Normal (Harvey Norman) catalogue in the junk mail over the weekend which advertised some cheap digital cameras, so we went today to look at them. Ten minutes later we had bought a little Nikon CoolPix half the weight of the Canon with a much bigger viewing screen, 6 megapixels, digital and optical zoom and a host of features that will take me months to get really familiar with, all for less than $200. And the processing time is less than 2 seconds!
It went with us today to a gathering to celebrate the 71st birthday of a friend. We haven't yet downloaded the pictures to be able to comment on quality, but watch this space.
Kevin spent some time today with Photoshop and the photos that he took at the Barn Bash the night before the wedding. The lighting was really bad, but he has managed to adjust most of them so that the people are not only recognisable but also look good. He is planning to make some CDs of this and also the wedding to send to the bridal couple and their parents.
But what to do with all the others? We might put them on Flikr. Or, since I wrote a pen and paper diary every night, I may set up another blog and chronicle the whole US adventure with heaps of photos.
By the end of the trip my three year old digital camera was starting to play up. It no longer turned itself off, and I was getting rather too many pics of pavements and blank walls. I had been frustrated often as well with the length of time it took to process each photo. We timed it at 10 seconds this morning - no wonder I lost lots of photo opportunities.
We got a Hardly Normal (Harvey Norman) catalogue in the junk mail over the weekend which advertised some cheap digital cameras, so we went today to look at them. Ten minutes later we had bought a little Nikon CoolPix half the weight of the Canon with a much bigger viewing screen, 6 megapixels, digital and optical zoom and a host of features that will take me months to get really familiar with, all for less than $200. And the processing time is less than 2 seconds!
It went with us today to a gathering to celebrate the 71st birthday of a friend. We haven't yet downloaded the pictures to be able to comment on quality, but watch this space.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Home sweet home
It doesn't matter how good the trip was ... there is no place like home.
We were met at the Perth International Airport by my brother Graham and driven home. Had a few drinks with him and slept in our own bed with an electric blanket smoothing out the cool weather. The last two days have been like summer, but whilst we were away there has been heavy rainfall and more is promised this week. That should do some good for the water supply dams.
Yesterday I had a phone call from an African chap I had helped out by giving him an iMac and a multi-purpose printer/scanner/copier. I at first thought that something had gone wrong with either the computer or the printer, but he merely rang to thank me again for setting him up with a computer. Nice! He along with his wife and child have been in W.A. for about a year. The child, a girl, attends school and the parents are both employed as carers for disabled children at Rocky Bay Village.
Joan says: I have finished the washing - the ironing is still waiting - and have adjusted to being home again. I do like our own bed and bathroom, and especially the plumbing. Every motel we stayed in while we were away seemed to have a different system for toilet flushing and showers. It's just as well Kevin is mechanically minded. I always made him take the first shower!
We were met at the Perth International Airport by my brother Graham and driven home. Had a few drinks with him and slept in our own bed with an electric blanket smoothing out the cool weather. The last two days have been like summer, but whilst we were away there has been heavy rainfall and more is promised this week. That should do some good for the water supply dams.
Yesterday I had a phone call from an African chap I had helped out by giving him an iMac and a multi-purpose printer/scanner/copier. I at first thought that something had gone wrong with either the computer or the printer, but he merely rang to thank me again for setting him up with a computer. Nice! He along with his wife and child have been in W.A. for about a year. The child, a girl, attends school and the parents are both employed as carers for disabled children at Rocky Bay Village.
Joan says: I have finished the washing - the ironing is still waiting - and have adjusted to being home again. I do like our own bed and bathroom, and especially the plumbing. Every motel we stayed in while we were away seemed to have a different system for toilet flushing and showers. It's just as well Kevin is mechanically minded. I always made him take the first shower!
Friday, August 3, 2007
Singapore Airport 5.20am
We have just had a 16 hour flight to Singapore from LAX. There was hardly a bump and Joan read and slept for most of it. I didn't manage any sleep as I had a bad pain in my right leg. Even though we are here for another four hours and the flight to Perth is five hours, we feel that we are just about home.
Yesterday we left the motel at Pasadena and made a less stressful trip into LA proper. That last motel was by far the best we had used and was only $15 a day more than the cheapest one. Most of the motels were poorly maintained with plumbing or electrical problems. The Indians (of the sub continent variety) seem to have captured the cheap motel business.
The day before, we had a passing look at a couple of LA attractions as we drove past them on the bus tour and decided to spend a few hours before heading to the airport taking a close look at them. The first was the Petersen Motor Museum and this is a wonderfully presented museum. Best we have seen! Next was on to the Tar Pit. This museum and actual dig was amazing! Right in the centre of LA is this ongoing excavation of thousands of fossils of animals, birds and insects trapped in the tar floating on the water, some over 40,000 years ago. There are complete skeletons of Mammoths, wild horses, Sabre Tooth Cats (they are cats not tigers) dogs, wolves, birds and insects. There was a continuing dig which the public could watch. A paleontologist's dream: to work in the city!
We returned the hire car and caught a free shuttle to the airport. LAX is chaotic. Nuff said. At the Singapore counter we were told that we were separated, Joan did a bit of grumbling and they found us two seats in the 'emergency' seating area. They are the ones near the emergency exits and we got a lesson on how to open the door in any emergency. As it happened I didn't get the opportunity.
Yesterday we left the motel at Pasadena and made a less stressful trip into LA proper. That last motel was by far the best we had used and was only $15 a day more than the cheapest one. Most of the motels were poorly maintained with plumbing or electrical problems. The Indians (of the sub continent variety) seem to have captured the cheap motel business.
The day before, we had a passing look at a couple of LA attractions as we drove past them on the bus tour and decided to spend a few hours before heading to the airport taking a close look at them. The first was the Petersen Motor Museum and this is a wonderfully presented museum. Best we have seen! Next was on to the Tar Pit. This museum and actual dig was amazing! Right in the centre of LA is this ongoing excavation of thousands of fossils of animals, birds and insects trapped in the tar floating on the water, some over 40,000 years ago. There are complete skeletons of Mammoths, wild horses, Sabre Tooth Cats (they are cats not tigers) dogs, wolves, birds and insects. There was a continuing dig which the public could watch. A paleontologist's dream: to work in the city!
We returned the hire car and caught a free shuttle to the airport. LAX is chaotic. Nuff said. At the Singapore counter we were told that we were separated, Joan did a bit of grumbling and they found us two seats in the 'emergency' seating area. They are the ones near the emergency exits and we got a lesson on how to open the door in any emergency. As it happened I didn't get the opportunity.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Downtown/Intown LA
Yesterday we ventured into LA to do the 'Grand Tour'. The tour took all day and started off with a very nerve wracking high speed drive in 3 - 4 lane traffic at 60-70 MPH since we had to be at the pickup point at Grauman's Chinese Theatre at 9am. Our Sat Nav device is pretty good but under these curcumstances travelling in a mass of metal it only warns us what to do at .8 of a mile. So a suggesting of 'keep right' when in a left lane causes panic and sweaty hands. Fortunately LA drivers are used to cars changing lanes at high speed...I'm not! The voice on the satnav caused the only amusement on that trip by pronouncing left as 'bleft'.
Once parked in a huge multi-level parking area we joined the tour. Apply later for details.
The tour took us to the highlights of LA. We didn't intend to take the second tour of the Celebs' houses, but somehow we paid for it so went along for the ride. That tour finished at 6pm and that put us back in peak hour traffic again. The navsat chucked a hissy fit and wouldn't talk to us.....probably because it heard me laughing at the mis-pronunciation of left. So we headed off in the direction that Joan thought was right and after about 20 minutes it started to talk to us again. And we were on the right road.
Today we book out of the motel and head back into LA to look at a couple of things we thought needed extra time at. One is the 'Tar Pit', a large pit of tar in the middle of LA. Since the 1940s archeologists have found many prehistoric animals including mammoths. Then we drop off the car and get on the plane to Singapore at 9.15pm. We should be landing in Perth about 3pm Friday, having lost one day.
Once parked in a huge multi-level parking area we joined the tour. Apply later for details.
The tour took us to the highlights of LA. We didn't intend to take the second tour of the Celebs' houses, but somehow we paid for it so went along for the ride. That tour finished at 6pm and that put us back in peak hour traffic again. The navsat chucked a hissy fit and wouldn't talk to us.....probably because it heard me laughing at the mis-pronunciation of left. So we headed off in the direction that Joan thought was right and after about 20 minutes it started to talk to us again. And we were on the right road.
Today we book out of the motel and head back into LA to look at a couple of things we thought needed extra time at. One is the 'Tar Pit', a large pit of tar in the middle of LA. Since the 1940s archeologists have found many prehistoric animals including mammoths. Then we drop off the car and get on the plane to Singapore at 9.15pm. We should be landing in Perth about 3pm Friday, having lost one day.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Los Angeles Monday
From Sacramento we continued south through the Sacramento and San Jaoquin valleys - all farming country and flat as a billiard table. Off the freeway at Fresno, but downtown was deserted on a Saturday afternoon. Even the Tourist Information Centre had closed 45 minutes before we arrived! Took pictures of the heritage water tower building, then back to the freeway. The freeways in this part of California have masses of flowering oleanders down the median strip - most attractive.
We spent Saturday and Sunday night in Visalia. We looked up the phone book in search of some distant relatives who we thought lived there and found two people. Neither answered their phone so on Sunday morning we went driving and found someone home at the second address. And they WERE relatives. We stayed for about an hour. Steve and Linda Lee-Thomas are making a trip to Australia in February, including Perth so we will make plans to catch up again then.
This morning to LA. Farming country, then bare mountains to the city. Freeways get more scary the closer you get to the really big cities. We are so glad we have the navman!
Tomorrow we are going on a LA bus tour, then Wednesday we are planning a visit to the Zoo before we return the car and catch the plane. We lose a day, and will be in Perth Friday afternoon. Really looking forward to it.
We spent Saturday and Sunday night in Visalia. We looked up the phone book in search of some distant relatives who we thought lived there and found two people. Neither answered their phone so on Sunday morning we went driving and found someone home at the second address. And they WERE relatives. We stayed for about an hour. Steve and Linda Lee-Thomas are making a trip to Australia in February, including Perth so we will make plans to catch up again then.
This morning to LA. Farming country, then bare mountains to the city. Freeways get more scary the closer you get to the really big cities. We are so glad we have the navman!
Tomorrow we are going on a LA bus tour, then Wednesday we are planning a visit to the Zoo before we return the car and catch the plane. We lose a day, and will be in Perth Friday afternoon. Really looking forward to it.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Sacramento
We are just about to leave Sacramento heading further south to Visalia.
Two days of travel and sightseeing included Crater Lake in Oregon. Absolutely spectacular lake formed by a volcanic eruption thought to have taken place about 70,000 years ago. If you ever visit Crater Lake enter the park from the south. We entered from the north and it was quite frightening driving narrow roads with the cliffs falling away on the right and no guard rails.
Yesterday we drove south from Klamath Falls and had spectacular views of Mount Shashta. We drove into a couple of lake resorts on Lake Shashta. It would be a great place for an outdoors holiday. We also visited Shashta Dam...very impressive! Facts and figures may follow.
This morning we wandered around Old Sacramento which is an historic district and very touristy. It was even getting crowded at 9.30am and nothing really opened until 10.
This post is from a public library.
Two days of travel and sightseeing included Crater Lake in Oregon. Absolutely spectacular lake formed by a volcanic eruption thought to have taken place about 70,000 years ago. If you ever visit Crater Lake enter the park from the south. We entered from the north and it was quite frightening driving narrow roads with the cliffs falling away on the right and no guard rails.
Yesterday we drove south from Klamath Falls and had spectacular views of Mount Shashta. We drove into a couple of lake resorts on Lake Shashta. It would be a great place for an outdoors holiday. We also visited Shashta Dam...very impressive! Facts and figures may follow.
This morning we wandered around Old Sacramento which is an historic district and very touristy. It was even getting crowded at 9.30am and nothing really opened until 10.
This post is from a public library.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Mountain drive
We were driven by Jennifer up to Mt Hood which is still showing snow.
The first stop was Latouselle Falls then on to Castle Rock and then to the most spectacular Multnomah Falls...over 500' fall ( the second highest in the U.S.).
In the same general area is a massive fish hatchery for salmon and trout. At the same site is the Bonneville Dam built as a Public Works project during the great depression. It is is a hydro-electric rather than water supply dam.
At the fish hatchery there is a pond with several Sturgeon fish. They are massive..probably up to nine feet long and looking like a cross between a Whale Shark and a Dolphin. They are pre-historic and certainly look like it.
After Bonneville we drove further up the Hood River to Mt Hood. The drive back to Lake Oswego took us through more spectacular forest country and, as we approached Portland/Lake Oswego, through market gardens and eventually the city.
We bought fruit and vegetables at a farm market stall, chicken and wine and have enjoyed a wonderful meal out in the evening sunset.
Tomorrow we start back on our drive to LA. We are planning on visiting Crater Lake tomorrow, then spending the night in Klamath Falls.
The first stop was Latouselle Falls then on to Castle Rock and then to the most spectacular Multnomah Falls...over 500' fall ( the second highest in the U.S.).
In the same general area is a massive fish hatchery for salmon and trout. At the same site is the Bonneville Dam built as a Public Works project during the great depression. It is is a hydro-electric rather than water supply dam.
At the fish hatchery there is a pond with several Sturgeon fish. They are massive..probably up to nine feet long and looking like a cross between a Whale Shark and a Dolphin. They are pre-historic and certainly look like it.
After Bonneville we drove further up the Hood River to Mt Hood. The drive back to Lake Oswego took us through more spectacular forest country and, as we approached Portland/Lake Oswego, through market gardens and eventually the city.
We bought fruit and vegetables at a farm market stall, chicken and wine and have enjoyed a wonderful meal out in the evening sunset.
Tomorrow we start back on our drive to LA. We are planning on visiting Crater Lake tomorrow, then spending the night in Klamath Falls.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday in Oregon
I decided to stay home today and not go to museums and quilting/fabric stores. I wheeled out Jennifer's push lawnmower and made an adjustment to the blades and mowed the lawns. She has an aversion to motorised mowers and I can see that her mower is very quiet and also an exercise machine. I was buggered after that little task.
Joan and Jennifer visited a wide range of craft/fabric stores and arrived home at around 5 pm. I had cooked a curry after buying some stewing steak at the local. I also bought a Patak's Madras Curry Paste. I followed the recipe on the bottle of paste and now suggest that the quantities of paste to meat are not commensurate with Australian/American tastes. Half measure would have been good. Joan had to go and buy some yoghurt and bananas to tone down the heat.
Tomorrow is the last day we are spending with our host and she is taking us up to the Columbia River to view Mt Hood and the waterfalls. Early Thursday we head off back to LA on the inland route. The trip back will take us near the Californian town of Visalia where a brother of my grandfather took up residence after the first world war. His family still lives there and we think we will make an un-announced visit. Should be interesting.
When I walked up to the local supermarket to buy meat and curry paste, I also bought a six-pack of a boutique Oregan beer for $4.99 with 5c back on each bottle. I could live here!
Joan and Jennifer visited a wide range of craft/fabric stores and arrived home at around 5 pm. I had cooked a curry after buying some stewing steak at the local. I also bought a Patak's Madras Curry Paste. I followed the recipe on the bottle of paste and now suggest that the quantities of paste to meat are not commensurate with Australian/American tastes. Half measure would have been good. Joan had to go and buy some yoghurt and bananas to tone down the heat.
Tomorrow is the last day we are spending with our host and she is taking us up to the Columbia River to view Mt Hood and the waterfalls. Early Thursday we head off back to LA on the inland route. The trip back will take us near the Californian town of Visalia where a brother of my grandfather took up residence after the first world war. His family still lives there and we think we will make an un-announced visit. Should be interesting.
When I walked up to the local supermarket to buy meat and curry paste, I also bought a six-pack of a boutique Oregan beer for $4.99 with 5c back on each bottle. I could live here!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Portland Monday
Today, our host Jennifer, took us to Portland to get a feel for that city and visit the International Experimental Rose Garden along with the Japanese Garden nearby. Portland is a nice looking city, not with skyscrapers, but many nice renovated buildings and facilities.
The Rose Garden has approximately 7000 rose varieties. Not being a rose person (having been attacked by roses when pruning them) I was surprised that I found the gardens so interesting. Joan and Jennifer were showing off [not true! Joan] their knowledge of names and types of roses. I trailed along.
Above the Rose Gardens is the Japanese Garden which is truly magnificent. Nestled on a steep hill amongst the native timber and dense undergrowth is 5.5 acres of beautifully crafted gardens, water features and walkways. There are a couple of the traditional raked sand gardens and although there were quite a few visitors, there was a very tranquil atmosphere. A great place to visit!
On the way back I was able to buy a small oilstone at a hardware store to repair a knife that I had broken the tip off when shucking oysters. The knife is now back to its original shape. We had lunch at a very smart pizza bar. Jennifer was non-plussed that we didn't order a salad to eat before the pizza. We like salad, but prefer it with the food rather than before food.
The Rose Garden has approximately 7000 rose varieties. Not being a rose person (having been attacked by roses when pruning them) I was surprised that I found the gardens so interesting. Joan and Jennifer were showing off [not true! Joan] their knowledge of names and types of roses. I trailed along.
Above the Rose Gardens is the Japanese Garden which is truly magnificent. Nestled on a steep hill amongst the native timber and dense undergrowth is 5.5 acres of beautifully crafted gardens, water features and walkways. There are a couple of the traditional raked sand gardens and although there were quite a few visitors, there was a very tranquil atmosphere. A great place to visit!
On the way back I was able to buy a small oilstone at a hardware store to repair a knife that I had broken the tip off when shucking oysters. The knife is now back to its original shape. We had lunch at a very smart pizza bar. Jennifer was non-plussed that we didn't order a salad to eat before the pizza. We like salad, but prefer it with the food rather than before food.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Money, Money, Money...
I have lots of photos from yesterday's event; the wedding of Bruce, our nephew, to Tamara. I will post some at a later date.
The wedding invitation told us to be there by 6.30pm. As we arrived at the estate our car was taken over by Valet Parking and we were shown where the temporary toilets were. Kenny would be proud of these dunnies! They were as good or better than any regular toilets, even having artwork on the walls and carpets on the floors.
The house is Tamara's folks' place. They have river frontage to the Willamette River and have their own landing and a huge houseboat on station below the gardens. The bride was brought up the river on their launch and a float plane was doing spectacular take-offs on the stretch in front of the house. That plane took the married couple further up stream at 5am the next morning where they are now recuperating at a five-star riverfront hotel.
The newlyweds will take off on their honeymoon in a couple of days, firstly landing in Britain, then Paris and then off to the Seychelles for a couple of weeks. They have a largish yacht and crew to look after them on a private cruise.
The wedding was a bit speckie with the pathway for the bride covered with white rose petals.
Much drinking and socialising before and after the ceremony. Three photographers and a few video cameramen recorded the event with Kev and other guests snapping pics of the happy couple.
We enjoyed a very nice meal and conversation with other guests. At midnight we decided to leave, forgoing the fireworks which were scheduled for 12.30am. Kev was a little bit over the limit, but made it home without any strife from the Sheriff.
Today Jennifer drove us to the Evergreen Air Museum, about an hour away. The museum's main attraction is the Spruce Goose built by Howard Hughes.... still the largest floatplane to fly. The museum has a wonderful collection of aircraft and I took loads of pics.
The oysters mentioned in yesterday's posting were great. I did them in the half shell with bacon chips, tomato, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice under the oven grill.
The wedding invitation told us to be there by 6.30pm. As we arrived at the estate our car was taken over by Valet Parking and we were shown where the temporary toilets were. Kenny would be proud of these dunnies! They were as good or better than any regular toilets, even having artwork on the walls and carpets on the floors.
The house is Tamara's folks' place. They have river frontage to the Willamette River and have their own landing and a huge houseboat on station below the gardens. The bride was brought up the river on their launch and a float plane was doing spectacular take-offs on the stretch in front of the house. That plane took the married couple further up stream at 5am the next morning where they are now recuperating at a five-star riverfront hotel.
The newlyweds will take off on their honeymoon in a couple of days, firstly landing in Britain, then Paris and then off to the Seychelles for a couple of weeks. They have a largish yacht and crew to look after them on a private cruise.
The wedding was a bit speckie with the pathway for the bride covered with white rose petals.
Much drinking and socialising before and after the ceremony. Three photographers and a few video cameramen recorded the event with Kev and other guests snapping pics of the happy couple.
We enjoyed a very nice meal and conversation with other guests. At midnight we decided to leave, forgoing the fireworks which were scheduled for 12.30am. Kev was a little bit over the limit, but made it home without any strife from the Sheriff.
Today Jennifer drove us to the Evergreen Air Museum, about an hour away. The museum's main attraction is the Spruce Goose built by Howard Hughes.... still the largest floatplane to fly. The museum has a wonderful collection of aircraft and I took loads of pics.
The oysters mentioned in yesterday's posting were great. I did them in the half shell with bacon chips, tomato, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice under the oven grill.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
One down, one to go.
Yesterday evening we attended the barn bash. It was held in a large traditional barn with a bar, stage and table area. Australian beers and wines were offered in copious quantities and there were even a couple of kangaroos present. The kangaroos were 'joeys' brought along by their breeders to give the show an Aus flavour. No one mentioned roo shooting or roo steaks.
The food was sort of Aus....party pies, prawns and lamb. Dessert was Pavlova.
Kev took quite a lot of pics. We don't know when the party ended, but at 10.30pm people were getting well and truly oiled up.
As is usual with weddings, there has been a bit of stress between the groom and family members. An Australian couple who have known Bruce all his life felt neglected when he seemingly ignored them . They did spend a lot of money getting to Colorado and then Oregon and felt that Bruce should have given them a bit more of his time. Tonight is the wedding.
This morning, although I was/am a little hung over, Jennifer took us to the farmers' market. The produce was well presented and of wonderful variety and quality. All the produce sold was fresh and sold by the growers. I had a double-take at an oyster stall. Large, and I mean large, oysters @ $6.00 a dozen.
Kev is going to try and do Oysters Kilpatrick for lunch. I just have to shuck them first.
The food was sort of Aus....party pies, prawns and lamb. Dessert was Pavlova.
Kev took quite a lot of pics. We don't know when the party ended, but at 10.30pm people were getting well and truly oiled up.
As is usual with weddings, there has been a bit of stress between the groom and family members. An Australian couple who have known Bruce all his life felt neglected when he seemingly ignored them . They did spend a lot of money getting to Colorado and then Oregon and felt that Bruce should have given them a bit more of his time. Tonight is the wedding.
This morning, although I was/am a little hung over, Jennifer took us to the farmers' market. The produce was well presented and of wonderful variety and quality. All the produce sold was fresh and sold by the growers. I had a double-take at an oyster stall. Large, and I mean large, oysters @ $6.00 a dozen.
Kev is going to try and do Oysters Kilpatrick for lunch. I just have to shuck them first.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Portland,Oregon
Jennifer is treating us royally and this morning took us to check out a couple of huge stores. One named Home Depot was a huge Bunnings type store with much much more stuff for hardware freaks like me. The other store is named CostCo, a huge (again) store where you buy a membership for one year and get great discounts on bulk buys of almost anything. It was originally aimed at small retailers, but the public swarms in to buy up big. The shopping trolleys are about double the size of a normal supermarket trolley.
We went to a large shoe store and purchased some shoes for today's pre-wedding 'Barn Bash'. We cruised past the Barn to check it out before heading there around 6pm this evening. It is on a rural property very close to Jennifer's house and the owners don't seem to be of the peasant- class. The wedding tomorrow is at the in-laws' house in a very upmarket area just a bit further away from Jennifer's place. We are going to drive to both events.
Portland is a delightful city. Trees are very big here...both in size and quantity. Squirrels and birds of many breed abound. We could live here!
Sorry if I labour a point, but American drivers make West Australian drivers seem like crazy, angry and inconsiderate people.
I have just been told to stop writing and go for a drive.
We went to a large shoe store and purchased some shoes for today's pre-wedding 'Barn Bash'. We cruised past the Barn to check it out before heading there around 6pm this evening. It is on a rural property very close to Jennifer's house and the owners don't seem to be of the peasant- class. The wedding tomorrow is at the in-laws' house in a very upmarket area just a bit further away from Jennifer's place. We are going to drive to both events.
Portland is a delightful city. Trees are very big here...both in size and quantity. Squirrels and birds of many breed abound. We could live here!
Sorry if I labour a point, but American drivers make West Australian drivers seem like crazy, angry and inconsiderate people.
I have just been told to stop writing and go for a drive.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Portland Oregon
Well, we arrived at Jennifer's house in Lake Oswego, south of Portland, Oregon, this afternoon courtesy of our hired Sat-nav device. En route we booked in to three motels of varying quality. The towns we stayed in were nice, interesting and easy to get around in. [Joan : getting to them was occasionally fraught. We set the Sat-nav to get us from Santa Cruz south of San Francisco to the Golden Gate bridge yesterday. Unfortunately the freeways were a mess - there had been rain and there were 404 accidents in the Greater SF area before 8 that morning as the television informed us before we left. The Sat -nav selected what would normally be the quickest route. When we left our estimated arrival time was 90 minutes. Three and a half hours later we arrived at the bridge.]
We got off the freeway from SF to have lunch in a town named Healdsville...absolutely lovely! Fremantle council should take a taxpayers' trip there to see how it is done. Then last night we stayed in Eureka which began as a goldrush town. The council should visit there too, to see how well a modern town can maintain its historical buildings.
On the drive up the coast from San Francisco there were amazing coastal views and lovely small towns. Then further up we drove through mountainous regions covered with enough Californian Redwood forests to soak up all the Carbon Dioxide from the 'trucks' that are all too common. 'Trucks' are actually large 'utes' most with dual wheels and monster engines.
The wedding business starts tomorrow with an 'Australian BBQ'. I have been told to make the opening speech and propose the first (of many) toasts to the couple to be married.
Tomorrow I will go and purchase a small breathalyser. Jennifer says that the police don't have booze buses and leave you alone unless you are driving stupidly. . .
We got off the freeway from SF to have lunch in a town named Healdsville...absolutely lovely! Fremantle council should take a taxpayers' trip there to see how it is done. Then last night we stayed in Eureka which began as a goldrush town. The council should visit there too, to see how well a modern town can maintain its historical buildings.
On the drive up the coast from San Francisco there were amazing coastal views and lovely small towns. Then further up we drove through mountainous regions covered with enough Californian Redwood forests to soak up all the Carbon Dioxide from the 'trucks' that are all too common. 'Trucks' are actually large 'utes' most with dual wheels and monster engines.
The wedding business starts tomorrow with an 'Australian BBQ'. I have been told to make the opening speech and propose the first (of many) toasts to the couple to be married.
Tomorrow I will go and purchase a small breathalyser. Jennifer says that the police don't have booze buses and leave you alone unless you are driving stupidly. . .
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Los Angeles Adventures
We are still thinking about Singapore Airport and how great it is for the transit passenger. LAX was a little different. Customs officers didn't fleece us like Bali, but the immigration people were a tad unfriendly.
We picked up our car - you get a free shuttle bus from the terminal to your hire company. We are with Dollar and we can highly recommend it. So far we have had two cars. The first was a Chrysler Sebring - very nice. The second car is a Dodge - not quite as luxurious.
Why two cars you ask?
We got lost in the Venice Beach area, and decided to pull into a carpark to set up the satnav we also hired. Wrong decision!! Going in the Exit resulted in the destruction of three tires, when we ran over the security spikes. Fortunately we had bought a mobile phone earlier and rang the hire company. They dispatched a man with a new car and spare wheels for the Chrysler and we were on our way. Still took 90 minutes to sort though very little paper work.
The mobile phone is a godsend. Because of this we had no chance of reaching Hearst Castle , but I manged to ring and rebook. Cost us $7.
We are spending the night in Cambria which is 8 miles from Hearst Castle. We are doing the 9am tour and will then be on our way again. We will stop tomorrow night as soon as we get tired - we are a bit worn out tonight by our adventures.
We picked up our car - you get a free shuttle bus from the terminal to your hire company. We are with Dollar and we can highly recommend it. So far we have had two cars. The first was a Chrysler Sebring - very nice. The second car is a Dodge - not quite as luxurious.
Why two cars you ask?
We got lost in the Venice Beach area, and decided to pull into a carpark to set up the satnav we also hired. Wrong decision!! Going in the Exit resulted in the destruction of three tires, when we ran over the security spikes. Fortunately we had bought a mobile phone earlier and rang the hire company. They dispatched a man with a new car and spare wheels for the Chrysler and we were on our way. Still took 90 minutes to sort though very little paper work.
The mobile phone is a godsend. Because of this we had no chance of reaching Hearst Castle , but I manged to ring and rebook. Cost us $7.
We are spending the night in Cambria which is 8 miles from Hearst Castle. We are doing the 9am tour and will then be on our way again. We will stop tomorrow night as soon as we get tired - we are a bit worn out tonight by our adventures.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Singapore Airport
Good flight with Singapore in a Boeing 777 with great food and service. The skipper even assured us that we were safe as we went into an hour of turbulence. I now know that the wings do flap to keep planes up there.
Singapore Airport is just amazing. It is like five large shopping centres with loads of free entertainment for people in transit. We decided not to take the free city tour as they suggest a five hour stopover is needed. Ours is only three hours.
Joan wants to hit the duty-free shops. The next leg of the trip is the biggy and we have sleeping tablets if necessary.
I watched a movie on the first leg from Perth 'Lonely Hearts' starring Travolta and Gandofini (?). Great movie set in the fifties with a dastardly couple of murderers leaving bodies all over the US. 5 out of 5 from me.
Singapore Airport is just amazing. It is like five large shopping centres with loads of free entertainment for people in transit. We decided not to take the free city tour as they suggest a five hour stopover is needed. Ours is only three hours.
Joan wants to hit the duty-free shops. The next leg of the trip is the biggy and we have sleeping tablets if necessary.
I watched a movie on the first leg from Perth 'Lonely Hearts' starring Travolta and Gandofini (?). Great movie set in the fifties with a dastardly couple of murderers leaving bodies all over the US. 5 out of 5 from me.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Think local
I have a friend who lives in Palmyra. He was 'bringing out his dead' to a roadside rubbish collection due in his area when he met a couple from Zambia who were trying to assemble enough secondhand furniture to make their flat a bit more habitable. The man mentioned that they were also looking for a computer. Paul, my friend in Palmyra, thought of me and so I decided it would be nice if I could do something local instead of thinking of overseas assistance.
I phoned Mr George Kuslawa and he is on his way down from Maylands to collect an iMac and printer.
If Britain is anything to go on, we should try and make our immigrants happy with us here.
I phoned Mr George Kuslawa and he is on his way down from Maylands to collect an iMac and printer.
If Britain is anything to go on, we should try and make our immigrants happy with us here.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
More Troy
Troy Mercanti; Perth's own bad boy, turned himself into police after lying low for a few weeks. The fellow who was viciously bashed by Troy and his mate lost about three litres of blood and was in a bad way for some time in hospital.
Troy's lawyer read a statement from the victim, who is also a bad boy with quite a few convictions, which explains how he was at fault and Mr Mercanti was acting as a mediator to stop a fight. Say what?
This is quite a different story to the one shown on security camera footage with Troy king- hitting the man, stomping on him and Troy's mate breaking a bar stool on him.
The victim was reported as 'sustaining life-threatening injuries'.
Methinks the victim/witness has been got at.
Troy's lawyer read a statement from the victim, who is also a bad boy with quite a few convictions, which explains how he was at fault and Mr Mercanti was acting as a mediator to stop a fight. Say what?
This is quite a different story to the one shown on security camera footage with Troy king- hitting the man, stomping on him and Troy's mate breaking a bar stool on him.
The victim was reported as 'sustaining life-threatening injuries'.
Methinks the victim/witness has been got at.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Bali the good
Even though we were ripped off by customs there is a lot about Bali that is good. We have done most of the sightseeing before, so this time we stayed around Sanur.
We went to Kuta for about an hour and that was enough. The place is very busy and most of the shops there are for wealthy tourists. In Kuta we also got pestered by some time-share scammers. The scam starts out with a lovely young Balinese girl asking if you would mind doing a short survey to help tourism. In the list of answers is your name and hotel. I could see this one coming....a phone call that evening to tell us that we had won and needed to go to a short meeting to collect. The other one is along the same lines, with a scratchy card showing good prizes also collected at a one-hour talkfest. Needless to say we did not go to collect our prizes.
Our hotel was great. Breakfast on the beach, fully serviced with endless coffee/tea refills @ about $A3.50. Every evening there was a four piece ensemble playing popular western songs. We have stayed there four times now. The gardens are lush and there are plenty of birds, frogs, lizards and squirrels. At first I assumed that the squirrels had been introduced when the Dutch were still there, but after help from Mr Google it seems there are Asian squirrels. I wonder how their instincts work when there is no winter to squirrel away food.
The food is OK, but I reckon we are fortunate to have a great variety of restaurants and cafes in W.A. which provide as good or better food than Bali.
Transport is cheap and there is the amazing calmness of Bali drivers. Thousands of motorcycles, cars and trucks heeding none of the traffic rules with absolutely no road rage. It would be wonderful if every Australian driver could witness that. The horn is used only when overtaking. Why are we such angry and ignorant drivers? On the country roads dogs casually move off the road as trucks etc come along. It is not a big problem if a dog is killed, but a cat is another matter. Our driver told us that he had killed a cat and immediately went to make an offering at a Temple. To not do so invites years of ongoing woes.
Interesting LPG tanker in Bali:
We went to Kuta for about an hour and that was enough. The place is very busy and most of the shops there are for wealthy tourists. In Kuta we also got pestered by some time-share scammers. The scam starts out with a lovely young Balinese girl asking if you would mind doing a short survey to help tourism. In the list of answers is your name and hotel. I could see this one coming....a phone call that evening to tell us that we had won and needed to go to a short meeting to collect. The other one is along the same lines, with a scratchy card showing good prizes also collected at a one-hour talkfest. Needless to say we did not go to collect our prizes.
Our hotel was great. Breakfast on the beach, fully serviced with endless coffee/tea refills @ about $A3.50. Every evening there was a four piece ensemble playing popular western songs. We have stayed there four times now. The gardens are lush and there are plenty of birds, frogs, lizards and squirrels. At first I assumed that the squirrels had been introduced when the Dutch were still there, but after help from Mr Google it seems there are Asian squirrels. I wonder how their instincts work when there is no winter to squirrel away food.
The food is OK, but I reckon we are fortunate to have a great variety of restaurants and cafes in W.A. which provide as good or better food than Bali.
Transport is cheap and there is the amazing calmness of Bali drivers. Thousands of motorcycles, cars and trucks heeding none of the traffic rules with absolutely no road rage. It would be wonderful if every Australian driver could witness that. The horn is used only when overtaking. Why are we such angry and ignorant drivers? On the country roads dogs casually move off the road as trucks etc come along. It is not a big problem if a dog is killed, but a cat is another matter. Our driver told us that he had killed a cat and immediately went to make an offering at a Temple. To not do so invites years of ongoing woes.
Interesting LPG tanker in Bali:
Monday, July 9, 2007
It never rains but it pours
Literally, yesterday. There was a break from the rain in the late afternoon when we were able to get out and finish pruning the roses (there is a green pickup this week). No complaints from us - send her down, Huey.
Metaphorically, computers again. At long last the container has arrived, so the ones that are packed ready to go to Zimbabwe can finally be moved from the garage and workshop. We are really glad that it happened this week - there would have been all sorts of problems in trying to organise this while we were in the US.
And the rain has revived Bibra Lake. There is still a long way to go before it is full, but most of the central mud bank is now under water and it looks like a lake again. North Lake is still struggling, but there are isolated fingers of water. Today there were dozens of swans there, swimming in the water patches and fossicking for seeds in the growth that still covers most of the central area of the lake.
Metaphorically, computers again. At long last the container has arrived, so the ones that are packed ready to go to Zimbabwe can finally be moved from the garage and workshop. We are really glad that it happened this week - there would have been all sorts of problems in trying to organise this while we were in the US.
And the rain has revived Bibra Lake. There is still a long way to go before it is full, but most of the central mud bank is now under water and it looks like a lake again. North Lake is still struggling, but there are isolated fingers of water. Today there were dozens of swans there, swimming in the water patches and fossicking for seeds in the growth that still covers most of the central area of the lake.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Home sweet home
We are glad to be home. I don't want to hear about corruption, graffiti, the state of our roads and the medical system. After Indonesia this place is Utopia.
I said I would elaborate on our first-hand experience with the Indonesian Customs Service; or rather, a couple of its officers.
The main purpose of going to Bali was to visit the school at Catur where we set up computers almost three years ago and take a couple of secondhand Macs and printers and a cheapo digital camera to try and give staff and students a rounded experience.
We had an iMac in its original packaging and another two smaller boxes of gear including an older laptop, printers and ink refill kits etc.
As we went through customs at Denpasar airport, a customs officer grabbed us, having seen the large iMac carton and demanded to know what it was all about. I had labelled each carton with the destination (the school) and the contents. I explained that it was second-hand gear for a poor school in the Bangli district. He then told us to follow him with the gear to a special room. Very Corbyesque! We were told to sit at a desk where he questioned us some more then said that we must pay duty and made me write down the values of each item. I did a reasonably honest estimation of what I could sell all the gear for in W.A. and he calculated the duty at 17% of total estimated value. That worked out to be A$21 and he then informed us that it was not enough. I reinforced the point that the gear was to help a poor school. He then called his superior who told us that old computers are deemed to be new computers for tax purposes, and that we must now negotiate a duty payment. The ‘negotiations’ came down to $50 Australian and we felt that we would lose our gear if we didn’t pay, so we handed over 50 good ones. I asked for a receipt, but they said that receipts cannot be issued for negotiated taxes. We were told later that we had done well to get out for $50.
On our way back to Aus, we lost half a bottle of vodka because 'only full bottles were allowed in baggage'. When we landed in Perth I asked a senior Customs Officer about that rule. He laughed and said we had been had again.
If we venture to Bali again, I plan to drink about half a bottle of whisky, do number ones in it and when going through customs ask if it is OK to take it in our luggage. With any luck it should be confiscated.
I said I would elaborate on our first-hand experience with the Indonesian Customs Service; or rather, a couple of its officers.
The main purpose of going to Bali was to visit the school at Catur where we set up computers almost three years ago and take a couple of secondhand Macs and printers and a cheapo digital camera to try and give staff and students a rounded experience.
We had an iMac in its original packaging and another two smaller boxes of gear including an older laptop, printers and ink refill kits etc.
As we went through customs at Denpasar airport, a customs officer grabbed us, having seen the large iMac carton and demanded to know what it was all about. I had labelled each carton with the destination (the school) and the contents. I explained that it was second-hand gear for a poor school in the Bangli district. He then told us to follow him with the gear to a special room. Very Corbyesque! We were told to sit at a desk where he questioned us some more then said that we must pay duty and made me write down the values of each item. I did a reasonably honest estimation of what I could sell all the gear for in W.A. and he calculated the duty at 17% of total estimated value. That worked out to be A$21 and he then informed us that it was not enough. I reinforced the point that the gear was to help a poor school. He then called his superior who told us that old computers are deemed to be new computers for tax purposes, and that we must now negotiate a duty payment. The ‘negotiations’ came down to $50 Australian and we felt that we would lose our gear if we didn’t pay, so we handed over 50 good ones. I asked for a receipt, but they said that receipts cannot be issued for negotiated taxes. We were told later that we had done well to get out for $50.
On our way back to Aus, we lost half a bottle of vodka because 'only full bottles were allowed in baggage'. When we landed in Perth I asked a senior Customs Officer about that rule. He laughed and said we had been had again.
If we venture to Bali again, I plan to drink about half a bottle of whisky, do number ones in it and when going through customs ask if it is OK to take it in our luggage. With any luck it should be confiscated.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
flight delayed
Our flight back to Perh has been delayed by four hours. Good thing that we are flying 'executive' as we have access to a very nice lounge with drinks, food, comfortable lounge chairs and toilet facilities.
We thought that we had had the last bad experience with Indonesian Customs Officers...but not so. As our baggage went over the X-Ray machine we were taken aside and told to open the bag because there was alcohol inside. We had a half bottle of vodka. The 'man' siezed the vodka explaining that half bottles were not allowed. He placed the bottle under a desk and no doubt will pour it down the drain at some later date...via his kidneys. Bastards! Crap like we have experienced this trip is enough to put tourists off..they don't need a bomb to do that!
The school installation didn't go very well. We managed to get four computers up and running with two printers. Hardly enough for a computer lab. The teachers were in love with the iMac and the digital camera and very impressed by the older Mac laptop we took. For all our efforts and expenditure there was little thanks.
We thought that we had had the last bad experience with Indonesian Customs Officers...but not so. As our baggage went over the X-Ray machine we were taken aside and told to open the bag because there was alcohol inside. We had a half bottle of vodka. The 'man' siezed the vodka explaining that half bottles were not allowed. He placed the bottle under a desk and no doubt will pour it down the drain at some later date...via his kidneys. Bastards! Crap like we have experienced this trip is enough to put tourists off..they don't need a bomb to do that!
The school installation didn't go very well. We managed to get four computers up and running with two printers. Hardly enough for a computer lab. The teachers were in love with the iMac and the digital camera and very impressed by the older Mac laptop we took. For all our efforts and expenditure there was little thanks.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Frustrations
Joan is writing this blog.
Kevin has now realised just how nice his workshop is with all the tools, soldering irons, hot glue guns, screwdrivers etc.
He has (we have) made frequent trips to Hardy's for stuff needed to assemble a long cable with eight outlets for computer stations to be used at the school in Catur. Very difficult to communicate technical needs when no English is spoken.
We bought 5 adaptors on Sunday, took them to the school and found that they didn't work with Australian plugs. They were multi format, and while the plugs went in, they were not held securely. So on Tuesday we had to try to take them back and get credit for them on the purchase of Bali plugs and terminals. We finally succeeded in that though it took a long time and much miming.
Then there were the necessary tools. Another trip needed when the first lot purchased proved inadequate for the job.
Kevin is getting sick of fried rice and mie goreng. We are both less enthusiastic about Bintang than we were at the beginning. One more day to buy watches etc, another trip to Catur and we'll be ready to get on the plane and drink champagne again.
Kevin has now realised just how nice his workshop is with all the tools, soldering irons, hot glue guns, screwdrivers etc.
He has (we have) made frequent trips to Hardy's for stuff needed to assemble a long cable with eight outlets for computer stations to be used at the school in Catur. Very difficult to communicate technical needs when no English is spoken.
We bought 5 adaptors on Sunday, took them to the school and found that they didn't work with Australian plugs. They were multi format, and while the plugs went in, they were not held securely. So on Tuesday we had to try to take them back and get credit for them on the purchase of Bali plugs and terminals. We finally succeeded in that though it took a long time and much miming.
Then there were the necessary tools. Another trip needed when the first lot purchased proved inadequate for the job.
Kevin is getting sick of fried rice and mie goreng. We are both less enthusiastic about Bintang than we were at the beginning. One more day to buy watches etc, another trip to Catur and we'll be ready to get on the plane and drink champagne again.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Day four Bali
We have been to the Catur school and been quite disappointed that the wiring we did last time (almost three years ago) has been removed and cannibalised. There is only one power outlet in the computer room which is a new room.
Six of the oldest computers have died..we have no idea why. So now we have only five working computers and we have been out today buying electrical cabling and plugs and sockets to set up the room again.
We took one iMac G3, a couple of printers and an older Mac laptop, printer inks and refill kits and a new digital camera. The teachers were fascinated by the digital camera and in no time were printing off their own pictures. The laptop, although a bit slow, was also coveted, and the Principal carted it off to lock in the office.
Toilet facilities at the school do not need describing... put you off your lunch. It did us.
We are going back Friday to do a last effort at getting a small lab up with printing paper, plastic bags for covers and spray and wipe to clean off the grime on everything. We don't know at the moment how many printers we can get going.
It is sad that there are very few tourists here at the moment and hotels, businesses and transport drivers are bleeding.
Six of the oldest computers have died..we have no idea why. So now we have only five working computers and we have been out today buying electrical cabling and plugs and sockets to set up the room again.
We took one iMac G3, a couple of printers and an older Mac laptop, printer inks and refill kits and a new digital camera. The teachers were fascinated by the digital camera and in no time were printing off their own pictures. The laptop, although a bit slow, was also coveted, and the Principal carted it off to lock in the office.
Toilet facilities at the school do not need describing... put you off your lunch. It did us.
We are going back Friday to do a last effort at getting a small lab up with printing paper, plastic bags for covers and spray and wipe to clean off the grime on everything. We don't know at the moment how many printers we can get going.
It is sad that there are very few tourists here at the moment and hotels, businesses and transport drivers are bleeding.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
First Bali Blog
We are here. The flight with Garuda business class was worth the extra $300 each. Good service, food and seating. Champagne at 8.30am. We just scraped through with the luggage allowance. A good thing Garuda gave us the extra.
The experience getting through customs was almost enough to turn us around. More later.
We have had a good couple of days and are off to Bangli and the school tomorrow.
The weather is very pleasant with humidity around 7o% and nice cooling breezes on the beach.
The experience getting through customs was almost enough to turn us around. More later.
We have had a good couple of days and are off to Bangli and the school tomorrow.
The weather is very pleasant with humidity around 7o% and nice cooling breezes on the beach.
Friday, June 29, 2007
We are off!
Our flight to Bali departs Perth International at 8.am tomorrow morning. That means we have to be out of here just after 5am to pick up brother Graham who will look after our car and collect us in seven days. We will take plenty of photos of the school situation to show all the people who have helped us with equipment to set up in the school
A mate just informed me that today Garuda International (the airline we are flying with) has been banned from landing anywhere in the EU because they have deemed it to be an unsafe airline. Say what?!
Apparently Garuda didn't reply to demands from the EU to view their maintenance records etc.
A mate just informed me that today Garuda International (the airline we are flying with) has been banned from landing anywhere in the EU because they have deemed it to be an unsafe airline. Say what?!
Apparently Garuda didn't reply to demands from the EU to view their maintenance records etc.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
More Lee stories
My grandparents' farm was at Toolibin near Wickepin and Albert Facey had a small property nearby. I recall my uncle and mother saying that Albert Facey somewhat embellished his life story when he wrote his most successful biography 'A Fortunate Life'. Facey's cottage has been moved to the centre of Wickepin town.
My uncle, on his death bed, told me of Facey starting the district's first private tennis club. Tennis was very big in small country towns and sidings. Anyway, Facey's tennis club was at his block and there were several rules in place facing members-to-be. One was that prospective members had to use a specific type of tennis racquet and they had to be nominated by a current member.
My uncle Graham (Lee) explained that the rules were designed to keep the entire Lee family out.
My uncle, on his death bed, told me of Facey starting the district's first private tennis club. Tennis was very big in small country towns and sidings. Anyway, Facey's tennis club was at his block and there were several rules in place facing members-to-be. One was that prospective members had to use a specific type of tennis racquet and they had to be nominated by a current member.
My uncle Graham (Lee) explained that the rules were designed to keep the entire Lee family out.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Alan Lee
Alan Lee is a distant rellie ... not really sure what we are in relation to each other. He is retired like me and has been heavily involved in researching the Lee family tree for quite a few years. My mother was a Lee. Alan visited today bringing me up to date on his Lee family research.
Alan has collected lots of photos and information about the Lee family who emigrated from Toxteth Park in Liverpool in 1861 on the SS Great Britain. They settled in Victoria and later moved to W.A. and it is believed that the men rode horses from Victoria to W.A. seeking employment en route. The Lees eventually took up farming land east of Narrogin in the wheatbelt. Most of the brothers were successful farmers and it is sad that none of the farms exist in Lee hands today. I had many happy holiday times on my grandparents' farm at Toolibin, 30 miles east of Narrogin.
A few of the Lees were drinkers and brawlers. I'm OK on the drinking thing, but not much of a brawler. I guess I inherited the Lock family traits of humour and tolerance. Or maybe it's just because I am a bit puny.
Alan has collected lots of photos and information about the Lee family who emigrated from Toxteth Park in Liverpool in 1861 on the SS Great Britain. They settled in Victoria and later moved to W.A. and it is believed that the men rode horses from Victoria to W.A. seeking employment en route. The Lees eventually took up farming land east of Narrogin in the wheatbelt. Most of the brothers were successful farmers and it is sad that none of the farms exist in Lee hands today. I had many happy holiday times on my grandparents' farm at Toolibin, 30 miles east of Narrogin.
A few of the Lees were drinkers and brawlers. I'm OK on the drinking thing, but not much of a brawler. I guess I inherited the Lock family traits of humour and tolerance. Or maybe it's just because I am a bit puny.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Talking about the weather
The forecast this week was for lovely rain almost every day.
Sunday and Monday were obligingly soggy, but today has been disappointing. Fabulous winter's day, blue skies, not all that much wind, no rain. I want it to rain - LOTS, and so do the the farmers in the wheatbelt. It is winter though, and the temperature plummets when the sun goes down.
I don't like the cold - I could never live in Canada or the northern part of the US. Today's weather was lovely - just right for a walk (we didn't go, I went to water aerobics instead) and for sitting in the sun. If we didn't need the rain so badly I would say it was a "perfect winter's day" - I hear the Mamas and the Papas singing ..... we will be in LA in just over a fortnight.
In the interim there is Bali. I hope it doesn't rain while we are there but pours here. I won't miss the cold though.
Sunday and Monday were obligingly soggy, but today has been disappointing. Fabulous winter's day, blue skies, not all that much wind, no rain. I want it to rain - LOTS, and so do the the farmers in the wheatbelt. It is winter though, and the temperature plummets when the sun goes down.
I don't like the cold - I could never live in Canada or the northern part of the US. Today's weather was lovely - just right for a walk (we didn't go, I went to water aerobics instead) and for sitting in the sun. If we didn't need the rain so badly I would say it was a "perfect winter's day" - I hear the Mamas and the Papas singing ..... we will be in LA in just over a fortnight.
In the interim there is Bali. I hope it doesn't rain while we are there but pours here. I won't miss the cold though.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Bali all go
Kevin finished packing the computer stuff for Bali today. We will be well within the luggage allowance, thanks to the extra amount that Garuda has given us. I admit at one stage thinking that all we would be able to take in personal luggage would be one change of clothing! Buy it there you say . . . . could work for Kevin, but not for me. Fortunately, this is not necessary.
We are also much more organised this time than the last time we went. We have a wonderful Indonesian lady here in Perth who will ring Bali to tell the head teacher we are coming. We have an English speaking driver prepared to do translations. I think it will work well.
We are also more prepared for the facilities or lack thereof at the school. Our day pack will contain a roll of toilet paper, insect repellent and some Wet Ones as well as water and food.
We are also much more organised this time than the last time we went. We have a wonderful Indonesian lady here in Perth who will ring Bali to tell the head teacher we are coming. We have an English speaking driver prepared to do translations. I think it will work well.
We are also more prepared for the facilities or lack thereof at the school. Our day pack will contain a roll of toilet paper, insect repellent and some Wet Ones as well as water and food.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Lies, damn lies and statistics
W.A.. we're tops! The local Sunday paper, The Sundry Slimes is always good for some trashy reading. Today we are informed that Western Australians are pushing up the divorce rate (+21% in 2005) whilst nationally it was down by 0.7%.
Apparently we also incarcerate more aboriginals than any other state; our young females are binge drinking at a greater rate than the rest of Aus....48% drink weekly Vs 35% in other states and we probably are fatter than other states and use less toilet paper. Not sure about the last two, but I guess someone doing a PhD will present a dissertation showing just that
I think the Northern Territory has the largest beer consumption in Australia. Something to do with going troppo I guess.
Apparently we also incarcerate more aboriginals than any other state; our young females are binge drinking at a greater rate than the rest of Aus....48% drink weekly Vs 35% in other states and we probably are fatter than other states and use less toilet paper. Not sure about the last two, but I guess someone doing a PhD will present a dissertation showing just that
I think the Northern Territory has the largest beer consumption in Australia. Something to do with going troppo I guess.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
American money
I went to Garden City today to buy some US dollars for the Indonesian visa we will have to buy when we land in Bali next Saturday. You have to have the exact amount- $25 per person. They will not accept a $50 note to cover two, crazy as that seems. I bought another $50 as well, just to have a bit of cash when we arrive in LA.
I was surprised to see that US dollars are now different colours. Not as bright as Australian dollars, but certainly easier now to distinguish between $50 and $5. We had a few problems last time we were in the US, especially in low light situations.
One time we were getting on a bus in San Francisco and needed to pay $2. Kevin tried to feed $20 into the machine which wouldn't take it. We felt really embarrassed, blocking the entry of other passengers. The driver came to the rescue. He asked how old Kevin was, and when told he was 60 said " well then, just you get down the back of the bus". So we both travelled free. I can't see it happening here in Perth.
I was surprised to see that US dollars are now different colours. Not as bright as Australian dollars, but certainly easier now to distinguish between $50 and $5. We had a few problems last time we were in the US, especially in low light situations.
One time we were getting on a bus in San Francisco and needed to pay $2. Kevin tried to feed $20 into the machine which wouldn't take it. We felt really embarrassed, blocking the entry of other passengers. The driver came to the rescue. He asked how old Kevin was, and when told he was 60 said " well then, just you get down the back of the bus". So we both travelled free. I can't see it happening here in Perth.
Friday, June 22, 2007
The Dinner Party
We obviously need to have more of these to get the protocol correct.
I served the first two courses as planned, then decided to leave a little time before dessert and coffee.
We chatted happily, drank quite a lot of wine and then Teena and Roy went home. No dessert, no coffee. I forgot all about it.
Oh dear - I hope they will forgive us.
I served the first two courses as planned, then decided to leave a little time before dessert and coffee.
We chatted happily, drank quite a lot of wine and then Teena and Roy went home. No dessert, no coffee. I forgot all about it.
Oh dear - I hope they will forgive us.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Dinner guests
We are having people around for dinner tonight. We used to be into dinner parties years ago, but somehow that changed and this will be the first time we have had people, other than rellies, to dinner for probably ten years. We do have people for impromptu meals, but not the table-cloth planned meal.
Our guests are Teena and Roy. They both run separate business in the same market complex. Teena runs a craft shop, a cafe and sewing machine centre. Roy runs a brewing shop selling brew kits, ingredients and equipment. Each year Mr Costello (the treasurer of Aus) lets them take a trip to the U.S. to investigate craft fairs and shops as well as micro breweries. Not bad!
Fish pie is on the menu, preceded by home-made tomato soup.
This morning brother Graham dropped by and took me along on his daily run delivering stock from his employer to businesses all over the metro area. Some of the items were not worth the fuel costs, but the customer demands immediate delivery these days. Just as well Mr Costello covers the cost of the vehicle and fuel as a tax deduction.
Our guests are Teena and Roy. They both run separate business in the same market complex. Teena runs a craft shop, a cafe and sewing machine centre. Roy runs a brewing shop selling brew kits, ingredients and equipment. Each year Mr Costello (the treasurer of Aus) lets them take a trip to the U.S. to investigate craft fairs and shops as well as micro breweries. Not bad!
Fish pie is on the menu, preceded by home-made tomato soup.
This morning brother Graham dropped by and took me along on his daily run delivering stock from his employer to businesses all over the metro area. Some of the items were not worth the fuel costs, but the customer demands immediate delivery these days. Just as well Mr Costello covers the cost of the vehicle and fuel as a tax deduction.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Troublesome Troy
I mentioned some time back that bikie member Troy Mercanti has managed to get away without going to prison a few times.
He doesn't look like what you would think a bikie should look like. He has short hair and doesn't sport the traditional bikies' beard and distinctive clothing.
I also mentioned the blue at the Coolbellup hotel where a fellow was bashed badly. Turns out that TroyBoy was caught on surveillance camera giving the guy a real pasting. Troy's mate assisted with a bar stool.
The police are looking for Mr Mercanti. I am not a gambling man, but I bet Mr Mercanti can once again get off this charge. Methinks the witnesses will be talked to.
He doesn't look like what you would think a bikie should look like. He has short hair and doesn't sport the traditional bikies' beard and distinctive clothing.
I also mentioned the blue at the Coolbellup hotel where a fellow was bashed badly. Turns out that TroyBoy was caught on surveillance camera giving the guy a real pasting. Troy's mate assisted with a bar stool.
The police are looking for Mr Mercanti. I am not a gambling man, but I bet Mr Mercanti can once again get off this charge. Methinks the witnesses will be talked to.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Safety and Justice
Today's 'West Australian' newspaper reports on the trial of Marco Sorani who is an associate of the Scorpion Boys gang. The result...he walked free.
All he did was get upset at a man and his son pulling in front of his car causing him to brake heavily. In fact it upset him so much that he motioned for the other driver to pull over. That driver got out of his car and apologised to Sorani and was immediately stabbed under his armpit. His son jumped out to help his father and he was stabbed below his shoulder. Father and son were treated in hospital.
The knife used was a small one of about 4cm long attached to his wife's key ring. It would seem that he intended to use it, seeing it was on her key ring.
Sorani has been in the news before. This time he was given a 30 month suspended sentence and an 80 hours community work order.
The road rage should have been enough for the community work. The stabbing should have seen him in prison. Good thing he didn't have the obligatory stiletto in the car.
All he did was get upset at a man and his son pulling in front of his car causing him to brake heavily. In fact it upset him so much that he motioned for the other driver to pull over. That driver got out of his car and apologised to Sorani and was immediately stabbed under his armpit. His son jumped out to help his father and he was stabbed below his shoulder. Father and son were treated in hospital.
The knife used was a small one of about 4cm long attached to his wife's key ring. It would seem that he intended to use it, seeing it was on her key ring.
Sorani has been in the news before. This time he was given a 30 month suspended sentence and an 80 hours community work order.
The road rage should have been enough for the community work. The stabbing should have seen him in prison. Good thing he didn't have the obligatory stiletto in the car.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Bali Preparations
We have spent most of the day doing stuff for the Bali trip.
Kevin spent hours filling old cartridges for the Stylewriter printers that went to Bali either in the first or second shipment. Then we went looking for other necessary items.
The most important was a strong cardboard box for packing one of the computers we are taking. We tried several of the electrical goods retailers. While willing to help, most had had their packing materials collected for recycling within the last 48 hours. We succeeded at last at Retravision in O'Connor.
Then we went looking for refill inks for the newer printers we have been given to take there. While some take the same ink as the Canon (Stylewriter) printers, others are more specific in their ink requirements. We are quite knowledgeable now about where to look for the stuff we need.
When we got home Kevin found even more information on the internet about refilling cartridges that he had thought he couldn't refill because of technological advances, so one of our own printers will go as well.
We will replace it with a printer/scanner/photocopier that costs $69 with a $20 cashback voucher. New ink cartridges for it cost more than that, but armed with the latest information from the net, Kevin is confident that he can refill them.
The school in Bali may have more printers than computers at the rate we are going!
Kevin spent hours filling old cartridges for the Stylewriter printers that went to Bali either in the first or second shipment. Then we went looking for other necessary items.
The most important was a strong cardboard box for packing one of the computers we are taking. We tried several of the electrical goods retailers. While willing to help, most had had their packing materials collected for recycling within the last 48 hours. We succeeded at last at Retravision in O'Connor.
Then we went looking for refill inks for the newer printers we have been given to take there. While some take the same ink as the Canon (Stylewriter) printers, others are more specific in their ink requirements. We are quite knowledgeable now about where to look for the stuff we need.
When we got home Kevin found even more information on the internet about refilling cartridges that he had thought he couldn't refill because of technological advances, so one of our own printers will go as well.
We will replace it with a printer/scanner/photocopier that costs $69 with a $20 cashback voucher. New ink cartridges for it cost more than that, but armed with the latest information from the net, Kevin is confident that he can refill them.
The school in Bali may have more printers than computers at the rate we are going!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Oh boy, I'm Zonked
I have spent a couple of h0urs at my brother's place and I am a bit pissed!
We tried to consume a couple of whites and were quite successful. One was a French white and at $8.00 it was a good start to the day. Can't remember what it was all about but I am sitting at the computer waffling on.
Dinner is a stew. I would like to say that it is 'beaut', and it probably is going to be pretty bloody good.
Ouch! I just fell asleep and head touched the keyboard.... so goodbye!
We tried to consume a couple of whites and were quite successful. One was a French white and at $8.00 it was a good start to the day. Can't remember what it was all about but I am sitting at the computer waffling on.
Dinner is a stew. I would like to say that it is 'beaut', and it probably is going to be pretty bloody good.
Ouch! I just fell asleep and head touched the keyboard.... so goodbye!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Bikies' Bash
There was a bit of a Friday night biffo at a nearby hotel leaving one bloke near death. The local chapter of a bikie gang had a few members at the pub...probably supervising their business assetts, the skimpies. I'll leave it you to guess what the skimpies do in a very rough pub.
A friend, Haddon, lives opposite the pub and has in the past made complaints about the noise and fights that regularly occur on a Friday night. Some time back he was interviewed by several TV stations when a fellow was killed by a heavy blow and a fall onto the road. This time Channel 7 made a bee-line to his place to do a repeat, hoping that he would be able to describe the whole thing. Seven was probably a bit disappointed when he told them he didn't really hear or see anything. Never-the-less they showed him saying just that.
I want to get on TV too. Got to work on an angle there.
I went to Office Works today to check out their cheap printers for our trip to Bali. I bought a Canon multi-function printer/scanner/copier for $49. At that price I figure I will go and buy a couple more as they are cheaper than the replacement ink cartridges. What is that doing for the greenhouse gasses?
A friend, Haddon, lives opposite the pub and has in the past made complaints about the noise and fights that regularly occur on a Friday night. Some time back he was interviewed by several TV stations when a fellow was killed by a heavy blow and a fall onto the road. This time Channel 7 made a bee-line to his place to do a repeat, hoping that he would be able to describe the whole thing. Seven was probably a bit disappointed when he told them he didn't really hear or see anything. Never-the-less they showed him saying just that.
I want to get on TV too. Got to work on an angle there.
I went to Office Works today to check out their cheap printers for our trip to Bali. I bought a Canon multi-function printer/scanner/copier for $49. At that price I figure I will go and buy a couple more as they are cheaper than the replacement ink cartridges. What is that doing for the greenhouse gasses?
Friday, June 15, 2007
'Never get old'
'Never get old'. My uncle would tell me that every time I went to visit. He lived to be 86 years of age without too many ailments. Mind you he didn't drink or smoke. He might have been a nicer person if he had.
You might think that I would be worried that he can read what I am now writing about him. Not so. I don't believe in that stuff...he would also be able to see me do all sorts of things that shouldn't be seen by departed souls. Can they all see what I do? Ablutions etc etc???
Anyway, back to oldies. We went to friends' house today ostensibly to celebrate Joy's 68th birthday. Dear me, what a lot of old crocks we are. We eight friends share just about every affliction available. Won't name them, but we've got 'em. Bring on stem cell research.
You might think that I would be worried that he can read what I am now writing about him. Not so. I don't believe in that stuff...he would also be able to see me do all sorts of things that shouldn't be seen by departed souls. Can they all see what I do? Ablutions etc etc???
Anyway, back to oldies. We went to friends' house today ostensibly to celebrate Joy's 68th birthday. Dear me, what a lot of old crocks we are. We eight friends share just about every affliction available. Won't name them, but we've got 'em. Bring on stem cell research.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Keys and the Locks
We went our separate ways today.
I attended the monthly meeting of the Machine Embroiderers' Group at the Embroidery Guild, then went to Warnbro to meet up with an internet friend (female and a quilter - just in case you are visualising other scenarios!)
Kevin firstly finished a "little" job for friends which involved building a wooden box to cover a pump and then installing the electricals. After that he took a pile of old keys to other friends in South Fremantle in the hope that one of them would fit a gate. None did, though one or two came close.
We have been collecting keys for about 30 years - sometimes seriously, but mostly as an occasional thing. It started when we moved into the Bicton house in 1975 and found a jar of old keys that didn't fit any of the locks. They were too nice to throw out. On our first big trip to England and the States we collected quite a few keys in second hand shops in various places. We had a board hanging on a wall with most of them displayed. When we moved I threw out out the board because the velvet it was covering it was so tatty, but we kept the keys.
They are in a bowl at the moment. I must think about displaying them again.
I attended the monthly meeting of the Machine Embroiderers' Group at the Embroidery Guild, then went to Warnbro to meet up with an internet friend (female and a quilter - just in case you are visualising other scenarios!)
Kevin firstly finished a "little" job for friends which involved building a wooden box to cover a pump and then installing the electricals. After that he took a pile of old keys to other friends in South Fremantle in the hope that one of them would fit a gate. None did, though one or two came close.
We have been collecting keys for about 30 years - sometimes seriously, but mostly as an occasional thing. It started when we moved into the Bicton house in 1975 and found a jar of old keys that didn't fit any of the locks. They were too nice to throw out. On our first big trip to England and the States we collected quite a few keys in second hand shops in various places. We had a board hanging on a wall with most of them displayed. When we moved I threw out out the board because the velvet it was covering it was so tatty, but we kept the keys.
They are in a bowl at the moment. I must think about displaying them again.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Fremantle Synagogue
Not too many people who work in Fremantle or visit Fremantle would know about the Fremantle Synagogue.
It was built in 1902 to serve the Jewish residents of Fremantle (about 60 in all). Later, as Perth developed, many of them shifted to Perth where another synagogue was built and by 1910 the Fremantle Synagogue no longer held services.
The synagogue was sold and has had many uses as retail outlets...most failing. In 1976 the Perth Hebrew congregation sought permission to remove the prominent Star of David to incorporate it in the Menora Synagogue as a tribute to early Jewish pioneers in Fremantle. The Fremantle council offered to supply the congregation with a replica of the star, leaving the original in Fremantle.
Of late, the side of the Synagogue has been used a billboard of sorts for large notices taking a swipe at Freo Mayor Peter Tagliaferri.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Bitten by the travel bug
I am not really a traveller. I know that aircraft are at least as safe as cars, but I am a little worried when I think of the passengers and all their luggage in a machine that weighs many tons which flies without even flapping its wings.
That being said, we have at last got our booking sorted out for the Bali trip. We are travelling Business Class and hope that is like we have seen many times before when we have struggled past Business Class to our Cattle-Class seats. Last year we upgraded to business on a flight to Canberra. The aircraft was a Boeing 737 and Business seats were the same as economy with just a bit more room around them. Not even a curtain separating us from the peasants. The only real difference we noticed was when we landed and were preparing to disembark. A hostess stood in the aisle holding back the mob until we Business Class passengers were all on our way.
But wait there's more. Barely a week after we return from Bali we are off to the U.S. for a wedding. And in September Joan is off to NZ for a conference and a tour and I will be visiting Queensland for a week then on to NZ to join the tour.
In Queensland I hope to catch up with teaching colleagues from PNG; many not seen in 46 years.
That being said, we have at last got our booking sorted out for the Bali trip. We are travelling Business Class and hope that is like we have seen many times before when we have struggled past Business Class to our Cattle-Class seats. Last year we upgraded to business on a flight to Canberra. The aircraft was a Boeing 737 and Business seats were the same as economy with just a bit more room around them. Not even a curtain separating us from the peasants. The only real difference we noticed was when we landed and were preparing to disembark. A hostess stood in the aisle holding back the mob until we Business Class passengers were all on our way.
But wait there's more. Barely a week after we return from Bali we are off to the U.S. for a wedding. And in September Joan is off to NZ for a conference and a tour and I will be visiting Queensland for a week then on to NZ to join the tour.
In Queensland I hope to catch up with teaching colleagues from PNG; many not seen in 46 years.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
A bit late
We went to a swapmeet this morning at Kardinya Shopping centre. Kardinya is the site of the first K Mart in Western Australia(?). I remember people travelling from all over to shop at this new store. Earlier, supermarkets sounded the death knell for corner shops and this K Mart looked like doing the same for department stores. Not so!
There are a few friendly corner-type stores around, one being the Fremantle General Store. The old corner store didn't have to bother with use-by dates. We checked to see if a can of something was still OK by looking at the ends to see if they were blown. Sugar came to the store in a hessian bag and was scaled out using a sugar scoop. Very little packaged food then!
When I was a lad, the bread was delivered by horse and cart and milk was delivered into a billy can left on the front verandah. The milk was randomly checked by some government person with a hydrometer to see if the milkman was watering our milk down. Another great scam stymied by the introduction of bottles.
Tom The Cheap, Tom Wardle, later to become Sir Thomas Wardle, started the first supermarkets in W.A. and no doubt he pinched the idea from the U.S. They were very successful with the first personal shopping experience for Western Australians where they actually selected their own purchases before paying at a checkout. Previously shoppers had to tell the storekeeper what they wanted and the item(s) were put on the counter and added up before money exchanged hands. No plastic shopping bags then.
Anyway we bought a few things at the swapmeet. I bought two 1 litre bottles of 'torch fuel' for one dollar each from a stall that was obviously a fire sale from a hardware store. This torch fuel is actually kerosene which normally sells for about three times that amount. I will go back and get a few more...great for cleaning. Also picked up a couple of video tapes for 50c each.
Joan bought a couple of books including an old book titled Sketching and Rendering in Pencil.
There are a few friendly corner-type stores around, one being the Fremantle General Store. The old corner store didn't have to bother with use-by dates. We checked to see if a can of something was still OK by looking at the ends to see if they were blown. Sugar came to the store in a hessian bag and was scaled out using a sugar scoop. Very little packaged food then!
When I was a lad, the bread was delivered by horse and cart and milk was delivered into a billy can left on the front verandah. The milk was randomly checked by some government person with a hydrometer to see if the milkman was watering our milk down. Another great scam stymied by the introduction of bottles.
Tom The Cheap, Tom Wardle, later to become Sir Thomas Wardle, started the first supermarkets in W.A. and no doubt he pinched the idea from the U.S. They were very successful with the first personal shopping experience for Western Australians where they actually selected their own purchases before paying at a checkout. Previously shoppers had to tell the storekeeper what they wanted and the item(s) were put on the counter and added up before money exchanged hands. No plastic shopping bags then.
Anyway we bought a few things at the swapmeet. I bought two 1 litre bottles of 'torch fuel' for one dollar each from a stall that was obviously a fire sale from a hardware store. This torch fuel is actually kerosene which normally sells for about three times that amount. I will go back and get a few more...great for cleaning. Also picked up a couple of video tapes for 50c each.
Joan bought a couple of books including an old book titled Sketching and Rendering in Pencil.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Bali travel saga
Bali is a three hour flight from Perth and it is quite difficult to get two seats in business to get there. On one hand we hear that the Balinese are concerned that Australians are not returning to Bali after a couple of horrific terrorist bombings and on the other it is very difficult to get a seat on a plane. We did think that going business rather than cattle-class would get us on, but it seems that we were wrong. We are wait-listed for one of three days and still no joy. We have just told our travel agent (well, he is not just our travel agent) that we are prepared to travel in the following week and hope to get a result tomorrow. Hope!
I did a bit of a Steptoe and Son yesterday and today collecting donated printers etc for possible inclusion in the Bali project. Paul, a friend, gave me a Brother all-in-one scanner/printer/copier. Lovely machine! The only thing wrong with it is that it had run out of ink. It seems that the ink is dearer that the machine, so Paul bought a new printer. I will suss out the possibility of filling the tanks with bulk ink. I have one-litre bottles of the three ink colours supposedly specifically for Canon printers. Tomorrow I will seek information from my friendly cartridge re-filler to see if there really is a problem using my Canon ink in other printer brands. Bet there isn't.
I did a bit of a Steptoe and Son yesterday and today collecting donated printers etc for possible inclusion in the Bali project. Paul, a friend, gave me a Brother all-in-one scanner/printer/copier. Lovely machine! The only thing wrong with it is that it had run out of ink. It seems that the ink is dearer that the machine, so Paul bought a new printer. I will suss out the possibility of filling the tanks with bulk ink. I have one-litre bottles of the three ink colours supposedly specifically for Canon printers. Tomorrow I will seek information from my friendly cartridge re-filler to see if there really is a problem using my Canon ink in other printer brands. Bet there isn't.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Absent Friends
We got a Christmas card from Tom and Carolyn today. Not for Christmas 2007 - this was last year's card that was returned to sender, resent, and has now arrived.
We met Tom and Carolyn in Popondetta in 1974. They were fairly new doctors from Canada working in conditions that must have seemed extremely primitive to them. After 4 years in the Sepik in PNG, the Popondetta hospital was almost state of the art as far as we were concerned. We socialised and when we went finish (back to Australia) we kept in contact.
When we met we had two kids - they had none. By the time we visited them in New Brunswick in 1990 they had five, and a few years later added a sixth.
This is what we garnered from the card. Son #1 is a neurological registrar (aka brain surgeon) who married a lawyer last year. Son #2 is doing a PhD and has to spend a semester in Paris - poor soul. Son #3 is teaching in Oman and doing lots of travelling (hasn't ventured to Oz yet). Daughter #1 is also teaching (Calgary), daughter #2 is in first year at Uni in Nova Scotia and #3 is in Year 9 and very sporty. Wow! They certainly did the right thing as parents.
We would like to meet up with them again, but there is no chance on our July trip. We will be pushing it to meet up with Ann (Kevin's cousin) and her husband Doug who live in British Columbia. Definitely no possibility of getting to the Maritime Provinces.
Besides, Tom and Carolyn have never visited Western Australia. We will have to keep putting forward the idea that a BIG TRIP is a necessary part of their future.
We met Tom and Carolyn in Popondetta in 1974. They were fairly new doctors from Canada working in conditions that must have seemed extremely primitive to them. After 4 years in the Sepik in PNG, the Popondetta hospital was almost state of the art as far as we were concerned. We socialised and when we went finish (back to Australia) we kept in contact.
When we met we had two kids - they had none. By the time we visited them in New Brunswick in 1990 they had five, and a few years later added a sixth.
This is what we garnered from the card. Son #1 is a neurological registrar (aka brain surgeon) who married a lawyer last year. Son #2 is doing a PhD and has to spend a semester in Paris - poor soul. Son #3 is teaching in Oman and doing lots of travelling (hasn't ventured to Oz yet). Daughter #1 is also teaching (Calgary), daughter #2 is in first year at Uni in Nova Scotia and #3 is in Year 9 and very sporty. Wow! They certainly did the right thing as parents.
We would like to meet up with them again, but there is no chance on our July trip. We will be pushing it to meet up with Ann (Kevin's cousin) and her husband Doug who live in British Columbia. Definitely no possibility of getting to the Maritime Provinces.
Besides, Tom and Carolyn have never visited Western Australia. We will have to keep putting forward the idea that a BIG TRIP is a necessary part of their future.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
More travel stuff
Yesterday we went to a travel agent and booked our Bali trip. It looked pretty good. A$1353 each which includes flying business class return, airport transfers and one week's accomodation at a nice hotel. Today we heard that the plane is booked out and we are on a waiting list. Joan asked the man to try and get us on an earlier or later flight. We should know tomorrow.
We have also sussed out a safe and reliable driver who does an all-inclusive full day's tour for rp450,000 per day which is roughly A$62. He won't have to take us touring, but will have to sharpen up the English skills when we get him to translate the operating instructions for the computers.
I am selling parts from a car that I bought for my son as a spare parts bank. He has a company vehicle and has sold his own car. There have been a few calls usually about the parts that are already gone and if we don't sell most of it by the time we are to go to Bali I will get it taken away by a scrap dealer. The dealers pay for the shell with a Woolworths shopping voucher to the value of $50. That's not too bad as I paid $80 for the whole thing. It has many good parts and I hate to see good stuff go into a crusher.
We have also sussed out a safe and reliable driver who does an all-inclusive full day's tour for rp450,000 per day which is roughly A$62. He won't have to take us touring, but will have to sharpen up the English skills when we get him to translate the operating instructions for the computers.
I am selling parts from a car that I bought for my son as a spare parts bank. He has a company vehicle and has sold his own car. There have been a few calls usually about the parts that are already gone and if we don't sell most of it by the time we are to go to Bali I will get it taken away by a scrap dealer. The dealers pay for the shell with a Woolworths shopping voucher to the value of $50. That's not too bad as I paid $80 for the whole thing. It has many good parts and I hate to see good stuff go into a crusher.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Snails and the Ark
I get an email newspaper from News.com.au. It often contains interesting stuff that the local daily rag doesn’t cover. In today’s posting there is an article about Indian airline hostesses being stood down because they were overweight. They took the airline to court to protest unfair dismissal. Their claim was dismissed by judge Rekha Sharma and in his summing up said:
‘If the air hostesses are asked to battle their bulge..it is not understood how it is in any way unfair, unreasonable and insulting.’
‘If by perseverance the snails could reach the ark, why can’t these worthy ladies stand on and turn the scale?’
We have decided to travel to Bali within a couple of weeks to sort out the problems with our computer installation at Primary School Negeri 1 Benatih. It is going to be quite a task as not one person at the school…teachers or students know any English.
It means a day trip from Sanur up to the school with a driver who is a reasonably good English speaker to help with translation and a second trip to the school as a follow up later in the week. We figure that we need time with some teachers and especially four or five intelligent students. I think we all know that kids can learn new technology much quicker that adults.
This trip will be in business class as it allows us 30kg luggage each and we will be able to take another computer, printer and digital camera. It costs about $300 extra each to upgrade to business. Spend the kids’ inheritance.
We will of course enjoy Bali and buy the obligatory Rolex watches and copy DVDs.
Australian customs don’t seem to bother with such things as long as they are not brought into Aus. in commercial quantities.
‘If the air hostesses are asked to battle their bulge..it is not understood how it is in any way unfair, unreasonable and insulting.’
‘If by perseverance the snails could reach the ark, why can’t these worthy ladies stand on and turn the scale?’
We have decided to travel to Bali within a couple of weeks to sort out the problems with our computer installation at Primary School Negeri 1 Benatih. It is going to be quite a task as not one person at the school…teachers or students know any English.
It means a day trip from Sanur up to the school with a driver who is a reasonably good English speaker to help with translation and a second trip to the school as a follow up later in the week. We figure that we need time with some teachers and especially four or five intelligent students. I think we all know that kids can learn new technology much quicker that adults.
This trip will be in business class as it allows us 30kg luggage each and we will be able to take another computer, printer and digital camera. It costs about $300 extra each to upgrade to business. Spend the kids’ inheritance.
We will of course enjoy Bali and buy the obligatory Rolex watches and copy DVDs.
Australian customs don’t seem to bother with such things as long as they are not brought into Aus. in commercial quantities.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Thomas Graham Lee
A little more about the career of T.G. Lee.
Gray Lee moved through the ranks over his career. Whilst head of the Liquor and Gaming Squad he realised that the gaming houses in Perth were only being raided once a year in November and only about six people were charged each time. He decided to remedy this situation and changed his Sergeant and without warning arrested 30 ‘prominent’ people in a club. They all pleaded not guilty, so he summonsed them as witnesses against the proprietor and they collapsed and all changed to plead guilty.
He went on to be the Police Chief State Prosecutor retiring after 38 years in the force as a Superintendent and recognised with the awarding of the Queen’s Police Medal.
Snip from the Australian Roll of Honour
After he retired he enjoyed being ‘council for the defence’ for friends and family even avoiding a Multinova speed-camera conviction himself.
The railway carriage he lived in along with his notes are in the Kalgoorlie Museum.
Gray Lee moved through the ranks over his career. Whilst head of the Liquor and Gaming Squad he realised that the gaming houses in Perth were only being raided once a year in November and only about six people were charged each time. He decided to remedy this situation and changed his Sergeant and without warning arrested 30 ‘prominent’ people in a club. They all pleaded not guilty, so he summonsed them as witnesses against the proprietor and they collapsed and all changed to plead guilty.
He went on to be the Police Chief State Prosecutor retiring after 38 years in the force as a Superintendent and recognised with the awarding of the Queen’s Police Medal.
Snip from the Australian Roll of Honour
After he retired he enjoyed being ‘council for the defence’ for friends and family even avoiding a Multinova speed-camera conviction himself.
The railway carriage he lived in along with his notes are in the Kalgoorlie Museum.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Lake Davilak
This morning we walked around Lake Davilak in Manning Park. The lake is quite small and has been almost completely dry during the summer. Over the past few weeks we have some good rains and Lake Davilak is once again a Lake. Not so yet for Bibra and North Lake, also near our house.
Most people think the name Davilak is from a pioneering family in the area, but the truth of the matter is that it most probably originated from aborigines believing that devils lived in the lake after dark....'Devil Lake'. Another theory is that an itinerant named Davies camped there and the Davilak name came from Davies Lake. I'll settle for Devil Lake.
This afternoon we went north of the river (we south of the river folks do venture north sometimes) to visit our in-laws Dorothy and Mike. Mike has severe Parkinsons Disease dyskinesia and is awaiting a deep brain stimulation implant operation. He has not thrown in the towel and has many projects on the go; quite a few beyond his ability. He is soon to get an electronic pump to administer his medications automatically and at lower levels over the 24 hours. Hope it improves him before the big operation.
Most people think the name Davilak is from a pioneering family in the area, but the truth of the matter is that it most probably originated from aborigines believing that devils lived in the lake after dark....'Devil Lake'. Another theory is that an itinerant named Davies camped there and the Davilak name came from Davies Lake. I'll settle for Devil Lake.
This afternoon we went north of the river (we south of the river folks do venture north sometimes) to visit our in-laws Dorothy and Mike. Mike has severe Parkinsons Disease dyskinesia and is awaiting a deep brain stimulation implant operation. He has not thrown in the towel and has many projects on the go; quite a few beyond his ability. He is soon to get an electronic pump to administer his medications automatically and at lower levels over the 24 hours. Hope it improves him before the big operation.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Thomas Graham Lee
Recently I contacted the W.A. Police museum to donate my late uncle’s uniform adornments: badges of rank and medals etc. Before he died he arranged them on a display board.
Graham Lee was born in January 1916 and grew up on the family farm at Toolibin, a wheat and sheep area. He went to school at the Toolibin School which was a one-teacher school on the farm. At age 13 he left school and educated himself by reading books and with the help of teachers boarding at the Lee farm.
Through the depression he trapped rabbits and collected ‘dead’ wool and later became a shearer owning his own plant.
Later he applied to join the police force and commenced training in July 1938. His first permanent posting was to Kalgoorlie which was a tough mining town. The day he arrived at Kalgoorlie, the lead story in the Kalgoorlie Miner newspaper was about Arthur Shackleton who had beaten Don Bradman’s score by being arrested 334 times for drunkenness. Each time he was arrested his horse and wagon was taken to the police station until Shackleton was released. At odd times the horse tired of waiting for his master outside the pub and made its own way to the police station to be fed.
Some of his co-workers called him ‘Nelly Lee’ as they considered him to be a bit of an old woman. He was a very straight cop and the fact that his superiors warned him to keep off the brothels and gambling dens didn’t deter him from booking a few. He was punished by being sent out on the ‘Wood Line’ to live in a railway carriage at the end of the woodcutters train line where wood was collected for the water distilleries in Kalgoorlie.
He retired as a Superintendent in 1976.
maybe more later on T G Lee
Friday, June 1, 2007
The Infallable Falled
Joan is very sharp at writing the English language and is always 'there' for me when I mis-spell a word. Early this morning I was re-reading a previous post which she had written in March and found a spelling mistake. Could it have been a typo?
Pretty embarrassing, especially as it is a word we are both very familiar with and scorn people who mis-spell and pronounce it incorrectly. Prostate/prostrate. I took some pleasure in telling her and even though people are not going to backtrack too much into our blog, she changed it to the correct spelling.
After my prostate operation I was prostrate in bed for a few days.
[Comment by Joan: I never claimed to be the Pope, so there!]
Pretty embarrassing, especially as it is a word we are both very familiar with and scorn people who mis-spell and pronounce it incorrectly. Prostate/prostrate. I took some pleasure in telling her and even though people are not going to backtrack too much into our blog, she changed it to the correct spelling.
After my prostate operation I was prostrate in bed for a few days.
[Comment by Joan: I never claimed to be the Pope, so there!]
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