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Some six years ago I wrote about a David Attenborough documentary titled ‘The Biami People of Papua New Guinea’.  I found it on YouTube on January, 18th 2010. You can find that post here.

Yesterday when I was checking my blog hits I found that that posting suddenly has 80 hits with people searching for The Biami People of PNG.    Most of those hits were from the UK and so I thought that Attenborough’s documentary must have been screened on BBC television that evening.   Looking closer, I found that around 5 hits were from the U.S.A.

Searching for that documentary with Google I found a TV programme on air on May 8 with small clips of many of Attenborough’s travels and the Biami was part of a collection of his previous adventures…this one from 1950.

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/shortcuts/2016/may/04/attenborough-90-wildlife-legend-top-10-tv-moments

This is a screenshot of that segment…

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Mitch update.

Mitchell's situation is looking better.

Facebook post by his mother Karen.

Mitchell's ongoing saga

 My niece’s son Mitch is still in intensive care after his major road accident.  His leg and arm have been repaired, but he is still on oxygen because of damage to his lung.  The medics cannot repair damaged ligaments until his lungs are deemed strong enough for more surgery.  The lung problem is preventing an MRI scan as the medics think he is not  strong enough to detach him from oxygen etc for the 15 minute transfer to the MRI machine.  If the ligaments are not repaired soon, they may shrink.

Mitch also has some cracked/broken ribs.   

I have this information from my sister in Esperance.  It is all a bit ‘sketchy’ and I hope I have it correct.

T-Boned by a 4WD

My sister Shirley lives in Esperance, a nice seaside town on the south coast of Western Australia.  Her daughter Karen also lives there.  One of Karen’s sons was involved in a serious road accident yesterday.   He was riding a moped to work when a 4WD T-boned him breaking his leg in three places and his arm.  He had a CT Scan and was flown to Royal Perth Hospital for specialist treatment.  Further scans have shown extensive bruising of his heart, lung, kidney and spleen.  The open wounds and broken bones of his leg and arm will probably be operated on today.  There is concern that his heart and lungs may not like the anaesthetic and fail.  I would surmise that RPH has the equipment and skills to get him through the first stage.  If he pulls through, this looks like a long spell in hospital.  

Karen and another son and her ex-husband, the father of Mitchell are standing by.

Update:  Mitchell has survived the initial surgery to repair his leg and arm.

Blowflies

Here in Western Australia we are still in Autumn.  It is cool and we, in the metropolitan areas, have had some welcome rain.  Another welcome event around this time is the dearth of flies.  In warmer times I have a problem with blowflies getting down my kitchen exhaust system, negotiating the exhaust fan and coming in for an inspection of my curry cooking.   The exhaust system goes through the ceiling, through the roof cavity and out to fresh air through a ‘Chinaman’s Hat’ vent.  Previously I had surrounded the vent with fly wire to keep the blowies out and recently had to venture up on the roof to repair gaps in the wire screen.   

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          Someone, please remind me what flies are here for.  

The cooler weather has brought on a small plague of moths who make every effort to lay eggs in all my pantry leftovers. Time to buy some sticky moth baits.

 I guess moths have a place in this world too??

Another question: Is it sensible for a 76 year old bloke to be up on a roof?

Creepers and the Corpse Flower

At 76 I have seen lots of interesting plants especially creepers.  When we worked in Papua New Guinea, one plant was not common, but usually found by following a scent which was described as smelling like a rotting corpse.  I saw only one of these plants, by smelling it and wandering off into the bush to find a strange looking plant which was not one you would cultivate in your garden.  Read about it here.

Here, at my  house, I grow a number of Passionfruit vines and am always fascinated to see how quickly they form support structures to enable them to bridge a gap.  Where are their brains?

Having a look for the sun

Almost there!

A most welcome gift

Yesterday we had our weekly gathering of 6 oldies.   One of the group, Ralph, was chief photographer for Telecom in Perth, Western Australia for ten years until his retirement. Prior to that he was in the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) for 20+ years as a photographer and served in Vietnam during that conflict; Malaysia and Woomera rocket range and as Ralph says....’also at the local pub at Werribee’.  Plenty of stories from Ralph about his life adventures.

Ralph yesterday gifted his collection of cameras to me. Some nice gear in that lot and even if they are all from the time of film, I think I might source some film and shoot some photos through the medium format Zenza Bronica.  At our old house, I built a darkroom and processed film and printed photos.  I taught photography for some 12 years and have gone completely digital in cameras and photoshopping images.

The new acquisition will join my camera collection.  Click images to enlarge

A little sucker

Doing a bit of pre-winter gardening I found a little sucker (literally) sucking on my Tahitan Lime Tree buds   Don't know its entomological name and being a nice day and feeling well I didn't punish it.   Drink up kid!
Click image to view.

I can't drink upside down.

A good deal!

I was doing some grocery shopping in an IGA store and noticed a large stack of coffee machines.  When I asked about the price I was told they were free with the purchase of 6 packets of coffee pods.  I went for the deal and for A$39 I have 6 packets of 12 pods of different tastes and a nice coffee machine.    Best deal I have had in many a year.

I already have a coffee machine but have not used it much as I didn’t enjoy the coffee I had ground.  It is also a bit messy compared to the pod machine.  I'll sell it or give it away to someone.

Click images to enlarge

In with the new

out with the old

Winners and losers

And I definitely lost today.  My microwave oven light had died so I sourced one from a parts supplier.  It is not a standard low wattage bulb and it cost $38+.    The salesperson told me it was expensive because of the microwave rays it would be exposed to.   BS!  The bulb isn’t in contact with any dangerous rays. 

  PS; if you are attempting to replace such a light bulb in a microwave oven, be careful of any residual high-power zaps from touching the wrong bits.

I have a microwave leak meter to detect leaks from poor door seals. Inexpensive, and well worth owning when many microwave ovens are operated at eye level.

Made my day!

Doing some shopping at a local market this morning I met Suzie, a wonderful young lady I taught during my years at Willetton SHS.  I urged her to visit for a cup of tea and we had probably about an hour of great reminiscences about family, school and friends.

Suzie has an ongoing affliction of migraine headaches and over a number of years she has tried the usual medical treatments and even some alternative treatments to no avail.

She is hopeful of eventually finding the cure.

Suzie today and another pic from my scrappy marks book when I taught her in Year 8.

You made my day Suzie.

How is it so?

Today I received a small tool I had ordered from Germany.  It is designed to accurately push out pins in a metal watch band to adjust the size to suit a wrist.  As an old bloke I am getting quite skinny and I needed to shorten the band of the watch I received from my school upon retirement some 17 years ago.   It cost a mere A$1.40 and was sent air mail, post free and delivered to my door by Australia Post.  How is that done?  Click to enlarge the image.

  

I’ll try it out tomorrow, but not be too upset if it doesn’t do the job.

Music on the Brain

Wonderful programme on ABC Catalyst recently....Music on the Brain.

Research worldwide has shown that people in deep dementia awake and even sing along when headphones playing familiar music are placed on the head of patients with remarkable results. Similarly, patients with advanced Parkinson’s Disease when experiencing dance music lose all the dyskinesias associated with Parkinsons and begin dancing effortlessly. Footage taken in nursing homes show this amazing temporary change.

If you are in Australia you can view this 30 minute program on ABC iView.

http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/catalyst/SC1502H006S00

Oldies gathering

Had a gathering yesterday of a bunch of oldies with a lifelong association with the scouting movement.  As we have lost a few in the years gone, their wives have remained friends as part of this small group.  Most of us started out in the Cub Scouts at around age 9/10; progressed to Sea Scouts and then the Rovers.  So I, at least, joined the movement at around 67 years ago.   Here is a pic.  I am not in it as I was wielding the photographic machine or whatever it’s called. 

Click image to enlarge

Imagination

This morning I ‘installed’ a small job I did for daughter Helen’s Pre Primary class. I drove to the school and went to the office to sign in as a visitor.  The school registrar quizzed me about what I was here for and asked if I had a Working With Children certificate.  I told her I hadn’t and she was on her way to tell the Deputy Principal.  I yelled out that I was not going into a classroom and my daughter had chosen this exact time so that her class would not be outside in the playground.  She hummed a bit, but signed me in and gave me a visitor’s badge to wear.  A lot of people think that Principals run schools, but in my experience the registrar seems to be in charge most times.

The little job was to try and attach a few things I had made onto a tree to entertain the kids and spark a bit of imagination.  The tree wasn’t my choice as it was difficult to get all the things looking like they should.  I would have preferred a straight trunk tree, but Helen said it looked fine and the kids would love it.

I stood outside the fence when the kids were let out to take a look.  It was a great success.  One girl told everyone the ‘there is someone inside there’ and tried to open the little door.  Worthwhile project.

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Young performers

A friend (and ex-student of mine) Sean, has two lovely kids, Cody and Bae.  I took a snap of Bae when my wife Joan and I visited Sean and his family in NSW some 10 years ago.

Click images to enlarge.

Bae is now 16 and is quite the thespian.  Pic here of her playing The Bad Joke Monster in a production of ‘Conundrum’ and was nominated for Canberra Area Theatre (CAT) award.

Cody is a music performer and has recently commenced a music diploma.

Canadian visitors

Had a nice couple of days with cousin Ann and husband Doug visiting from Canada.  Ann was a Lock from Narrogin Valley in Western Australia and she met Doug who was in Australia, working and they returned to BC, Canada where they still live.  They are leaving Australia on Sunday flying direct to South Africa (Sith Iffrica) for a few weeks there on safari etc.

Many laughs in the two days they stayed over at my place.  My wife Joan and I visited Doug and Ann in Canada for a pleasant week and they suggested that I could return for another visit.  Maybe; or I could just wait for their regular four yearly visit back to Australia to catch up again.

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Joan Lock

Today marks five years since my Joan died.    We had 46 wonderful years together.  Miss her every day.

A few pics of our time together. Click to enlarge

1965

1973

1990

?

From Bridgetown, Yogyakarta, Agde (France),Bali and Penang

Honour among thieves?

A friend, Joy, had her purse stolen from a shopping trolley in a store at a large shopping centre.  She only realised it was gone when she fronted up to the cash register to pay for her purchases.

She immediately cancelled her bank cards and tried to remember what other details one does keep in a purse or wallet.  I don’t offhand know all the cards etc I have in my wallet. 

Yesterday she received a parcel from Australia Post’s Returned Mail Office containing her purse, minus the cash, her bank cards and drivers licence.  She enquired with Australia Post as to how her purse became returned mail.  It seems that opportunistic theft of purses and wallets is mainly to get cash and credit cards.  The rest is often dropped into an Australia Post mailbox and when sorted is dispatched to any address on ID in the purse.

Joy has already sourced a new driver’s licence card and her bank cards will take a few days to arrive.

Edison Amberola Phonograph

Apart from computers, I am working on refurbishment of an Edison Phonograph I have owned since building it from bits I found under a house in 1965.  It needs a touch up of the box and I have readjusted the needle height and drive.  The phonograph was manufactured in 1917.   It runs well after all those years, but I thought I would pretty it up before I fall off the perch.   I have 110 cylinder records in excellent condition.  Click on pics to enlarge them.

Edison Amberola...batteries not supplied.

 'When the Corn is Waving'

by the Knickerbocker Quartet

Edison visited the Eiffel Tower and met Eiffel in his apartment at the top of the tower. When my wife and I visited France we looked in on the mannequins of Eiffel meeting Edison

This article is well worth reading. Copy and paste in your search engine.

http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gustav-eiffel-s-secret-apartment

Astronauts

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The visit

Yesterday I had a visit from two sisters, Kris and Danielle I ‘taught’ at Willetton SHS some 18 years ago.  It was a wonderful morning with reminiscences about teachers and students and the school itself.  These two gals made my day.

Kris, who took this snap on her phone explains the shedding of 40 years off my life, telling that it was taken using the Meryl Streep filter.   I am going to contract her to take all my photos from now on.

click to enlarge

Hiri Motu

Some 18 years ago when I was still teaching, I was rounding up 13 years at Willetton SHS in Western Australia.  I had occasion to be in the front office when a family came to enrol their son.  I could see and hear that they were Motuans from the Central District of Papua.  I had learned a pidgin version of their language called Hiri Motu and in the crowded office I said loudly.  Umui be daika...Lau be Kerema tauna.  (who are you..I am a man from Kerema).  The family looked around for a dark skinned male but couldn’t see one.  I introduced myself and met the lad who was enrolling, Hane Nou.    I retired and Hane finished high school.    His father was in W.A. doing a PHD at a local university.  When he finished his PHD they all, except Hane, went back to Papua New Guinea.

I taught Hane in my last years at WSHS.  Hane is still here in W.A. and we are to catch up next month.

Walter Mitty

Walter Mitty is a fictional character in James Thurber's short story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"  I have just watched the remake of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  Wonderful; confusing, somewhat unsatisfying, but  stimulating to the point that I must re-watch it again.  I can remember the saying ‘A Walter Mitty character’ when I was a youngster describing a person who was a bit of a dreamer and quite unbelievable. 

Post war ramblings

My father was a skilled carpenter/builder and just after WW2 finished, my parents bought a housing block in the suburb of Bicton for £30.0.0.  Dad went on to build our family house, finishing in 1947.  Building materials were scarce after the war and parts of the house and Dad’s workshop were completed as materials became available again.

A few days ago I was looking through family memorabilia in a bit of a nostalgic trip and found an old newspaper advert for kitchen cupboards.   I recognised the cupboards as being the same as the ones in our family home.  Dad had copied the arrangement and built his own.  I remember helping him with the glueing of the frames.  The glue back then was animal glue and I was the glue boy who had to be very quick at poking glue in the dowel holes as Dad clamped them together.  Animal glue had to be used hot and fluid.  I do not recall any of the glue joints failing even up to the time we sold the house circa 1998.

Click image to enlarge

Car Warranty

I bought a  Kia sedan just over 12 months ago.   I remember all the hype about a 7 year warranty.    The dealer I bought it from has been writing to me reminding me that if I don’t service my car with them, the warranty is void.   It is past the original warranty time of three years and they remind me that the new warranty runs out in 2020 and if it is not serviced by them I am no longer covered.

It seems that the extended warranty is offered by Kia dealers and not Kia.  I like the car and will take my chances and get it serviced by a local service centre at around two thirds of the dealers price.  Shonky deal that most people would not know about without reading the fine print.  

Look back at the past

Our Bicton home on Canning Highway was built in 1897.  We were the second owners to occupy that grand house with many of the belongings of the last family to live there still intact; artefacts of a family gone.  One is an autograph book belonging to Elsie Murray.  Over the years I have looked at this book with drawings, poems and well wishes from an era long gone.

One man named George D’Arcy-Evans painted a couple of pictures for Elsie in her autograph book in May 1914.

Click images to enlarge

  Just today I googled the name D’arcy-Evans and had two hits.  One is a GP and I left a message at his surgery to see if he was interested in having the paintings.  

Another couple of pages featured the visit to Fremantle Harbour in 1916 of the Japanese Cruiser Iwate....Allies in WW1; the baddies in WW2.

Last drinks at the Thirsty Camel

It’s last drinks for the local bottle shop near my home.  Chelsea is one of the staff doing the last shift before the new owners take over tomorrow.  Not one of the dedicated staff of this bottle shop has been offered a job by the new owners. 

Sad that I will not be able to enjoy their pleasant service especially the charming Chelsea.  She should walk into a job easily with her pleasant personality and charm; hope so.

Click the photo to enlarge.

Bare shelves 

Bye Bye Psoriasis

Today I finished the Ultraviolet ray treatment for Psoriasis.  In all I had 47 treatments.  There are a few residual bits of Psoriasis, but nothing serious.  The nurse in charge is reminiscent of Nurse Ratched; bossy and a bit offhand.  I am happy to have done with the treatment.

When I left the treatment rooms I told her that I hoped that I would not see her again.  She merely replied........’You’ll be back’.

Moses has gone

Today I received a message from the son of one of my ex students from 1962 in Papua.  He informed me that his father had passed away.  

Moses Hailai was a cheerful, intelligent and friendly lad in my class at Arehava Primary School in an isolated village in the Gulf of Papua.   I was Teacher in Charge at the PS for three years before transferring to Madang Technical School.   Moses trained as a teacher and he too became Teacher in Charge of a school in Lae, New Guinea.

He retired some three or four years ago and his son, also Moses Hailai, found me on Facebook and we have been corresponding for a couple of years.  Moses senior and his wife are both gone now.  Life expectancy is not great in PNG.

I have thought of returning to PNG for a visit after leaving there some 40 years ago.  If I am to do it, I should make plans soon.

Click to enlarge

Moses with hibiscus flower

A printer bargain

An Australia-wide store advertised Canon printers for $12.00 (one per customer)  I visited two branches and bought a printer at each and my daughter and husband James were out shopping so I asked them to buy me two more.  They will go with computers I give to needy people. I usually either get given printers or buy second hand ones and spend hours getting them running and buying ink cartridges. Either way is still more expensive than a $12 brand new printer.   These printer cartridges can be refilled either by yourself or exchanged for refilled cartridges at a cartridge store, much cheaper than the original/genuine cartridges.

Rebecca Baumann..Artist

A few days ago I visited the Fremantle Arts Centre to view an installation by one of my fav ex-students, Rebecca Baumann.  I confess that I am not as familiar with art in its many forms as I am with the workings of an internal combustion engine, but I did enjoy Bec’s show.

You might like to know more about Bec here.   She is world-renowned and has exhibited in quite a few countries.

   Video of part of the installation

Remembering Mike Treasure

Yesterday evening, family and friends of Michael Treasure gathered in the gardens of the University of Western Australia to dedicate a bench seat as a memorial for Mike.  His body was donated to the university medical faculty to serve the training of MDs and hopefully research into Parkinson’s disease.  Mike wanted it so.   

The bench is made from English Teak and the price included a perpetual maintenance contract.   After the dedication, the group of friends and family enjoyed some champagne, food and then a movie in the university outdoor theatre.

The University of Western Australia is this year, 100 years old.  The grounds are quite wonderful with huge trees and a variety of plants and ground cover.

Dorothy, Mike's wife; Brian and Lilli and on the right Katherine and Rick

Pliny the Elder

My niece’s husband Rick, gave me a nice Xmas present of two bottles of a California beer named Pliny the Elder. He brought it into Australia in his luggage. It is bottled in 510ml bottles and cannot be shipped outside of California; for what reason I know not.  Another difference with Pliny is that when you go to a store you can only purchase two bottles.     Pliny is 8% alcohol and maybe that is somehow restricting.    I enjoyed it.  Thanks Rick.

I will catch up with Rick tomorrow evening and find out the reasons for the two bottle only deal and why it cannot be shipped out of California.  Rick and Katherine are heading back to the U.S. on Wednesday.

If you are so inclined, you can read about this brew here.

Christmas Day

Daughter Helen and hubby James drove me ‘north of the river’ for Xmas Day at my sister-in-law Dorothy’s place for a major calorie upload.  Fab food, wine and conversation with niece Katherine and her husband Rick who are here in Western Australia visiting from San Francisco. My nephew Brian and his wife Lili rounded off a good day.

Helen was elected as Father Xmas to hand out the presents under the tree.  When I received a large package from Dorothy, I joked that I hoped it was one of her watercolours that I have always admired. Dorothy insisted I take it down off the wall and take it home. I was quite taken aback, thinking she must be a bit angry, but no, she knew I have liked it for years and now it is mine. Yeah!!

When I was dropped off home by James I was asked to come in to my neighbours’ house for a glass of French Champagne which turned into a lovely meal.  A good day!

The South of France

We spent a month in France in 2005 (?) mostly based in Agde on the med coast. Wonderful!
A couple of roadsigns on the outskirts of Beziers. Very effective.

Translation..On this road between Beziers Vias and 29 deaths since 5 years SLOW

The grandkids visit

Me with my grandkids Rosie and Ruby.

Mahatma Ghandi

I have been reading some articles about Mahatma Ghandi.  No special reason.  The world probably needs more leaders like he was.

Mahatma Ghandi’s worldly possessions at the time of his death include a watch, eating bowl and sandals.   

The wooden sandals look as though the toe holds were cotton reels.