The valley where I grew up, and where my youngest brother still lives was mentioned on the news this morning as there have been high winds causing a lot of damage. I texted him after hearing this to check he was OK.
His gleeful response was, "Yes, but all the election signs have been totally demolished ".
He's a bit of an anarchist.
Methinks we could do with such an intervention over here, too!
Yes, the signs are everywhere, more so there because there are some high profile candidates standing there, but there are 5 or 6 parties who are likely to win at least one seat, which makes for a lot of signs.
I have lost count of how many parties there are altogether. One called Freedoms is a new party made up of various groups who opposed the measures taken to protect against Covid. Many of the members were active in the protests at Parliament last year. They are unlikely to win any seats, and rather than address meetings they often go to the meetings other parties have and attempt to disrupt them. Interestingly some of their members are not interested in the freedom of others.
Double posting to say that tomorrow is Women's Suffrage Day here. I will pick some white camelias and drop them off at my M.P's office. They were the flowers the suffragists chose to symbolize their movement.
Double posting to say that tomorrow is Women's Suffrage Day here. I will pick some white camelias and drop them off at my M.P's office. They were the flowers the suffragists chose to symbolize their movement.
And total fire bans are in place for Sydney metro area as well as the Hunter, far south coast and Eden-Monaro regions. Very early for that. Roughly half the State with high to extreme risk ratings. No bbq this evening for us.
And total fire bans are in place for Sydney metro area as well as the Hunter, far south coast and Eden-Monaro regions. Very early for that. Roughly half the State with high to extreme risk ratings. No bbq this evening for us.
We've already had a dangerous fire two villages over from us which started in long grass Sunday, quickly threatened residences and closed the main road. Fortunately now appears to be under control. Tomorrow the danger rating is extreme to catastrophic for the valley. The upper valley has quickly deteriorated into drought, so hopefully there will be no outbreaks.
Oh I miss warmth (even after what, ten years?) ... though I think the Sides of the South, from which I departed in the early afternoon today, approached 20 today. Not here astride the Alpine Fault. Though I admit we are in double figures, and I won't have to give my car its blankie tonight.
And total fire bans are in place for Sydney metro area as well as the Hunter, far south coast and Eden-Monaro regions. Very early for that. Roughly half the State with high to extreme risk ratings. No bbq this evening for us.
We've already had a dangerous fire two villages over from us which started in long grass Sunday, quickly threatened residences and closed the main road. Fortunately now appears to be under control. Tomorrow the danger rating is extreme to catastrophic for the valley. The upper valley has quickly deteriorated into drought, so hopefully there will be no outbreaks.
And total fire bans are in place for Sydney metro area as well as the Hunter, far south coast and Eden-Monaro regions. Very early for that. Roughly half the State with high to extreme risk ratings. No bbq this evening for us.
We've already had a dangerous fire two villages over from us which started in long grass Sunday, quickly threatened residences and closed the main road. Fortunately now appears to be under control. Tomorrow the danger rating is extreme to catastrophic for the valley. The upper valley has quickly deteriorated into drought, so hopefully there will be no outbreaks.
I saw that on the way home from Singleton on Sunday afternoon. I was up there two weeks ago and it was dry then. However, on Sunday the grass was dry and crunchy beneath my feet at the UC and even drier, if that is possible. Let's hope there will be some rain soon.
The bar tailed Godwits have arrived in Christchurch and are feasting to regain the weight they lost flying here. This is the earliest I have known them to appear.
I have an appointment near the estuary today so I may get to see them.
Thanks Gee D, they were a bit further away, at Geralding. I was surprised that they affected me so much because they weren't the usual sharp,shallow shocks that we had here, but a couple of long rolling ones that kind of merged into each other. People close to the epicentre -found that their balance was affected. I took much longer to write posts and my spelling went haywire. I also had my usual crying session afterwards, which is my way of easing the tension.
Sorry, that epicentre was meant to be Geraldine. Apparently engineers and other experts raced off ther eto check bridges and buildings, as combined with heavy rainfall, various structures could be at risk. There have been several aftershocks as can be expected in a quake that size but none of which I felt. The best quakes are the ones you hear about, rather than those you are aware of.
I may be offline for a few days as I.m having some computer problems and it goes in for a check up this afternoon. I hope I will have it for the weekend, but I'm not sure I will.
That was quick, the computer bloke is a genius, and unlike some of the computer experts he can translate so this technopeasant could understand at least some of what he was saying.
Very much a summer day here, with the maximum in the mid-30's. The forecast is for a couple more days like it. There's also a fire ban for much of the State, including Sydney with a general warning to "take action now to protect your life and property".
Some welcome rain over night, but not enough to wet deep down.
I have been doing some culling of older possessions and I have a small dilemma. I have most of my Sunday School prizes dating from circa 1957 to 1963 plus other 'feel good' books given by various family members for birthdays and Christmas who are no longer with us.. They are taking up space which could be used better but I am reluctant to throw them out. Most of them have outdated theology etc. Secondhand bookshops don't want them. If I don't toss them it will be up to my nieces and nephew and I know one of them will not hesitate. Any thoughts most welcome.
Seriously it can be therapeutic. I did a mass chuck of ancient certificates/ diaries/ letters to parents from 1965-80 a couple of years ago. Read some of the letters-cringeworthy!!-before doing so.
By all means send it: our part of the world (east coast Terror Australis) is up for a long hot dry summer. Apart from the flourishing banana trees in my subtropical backyard am not looking forward to summer. At least the Deep North ( the Territory and F(ar)N(orth)Q(ueensland) will have The Wet( hot as Hades with 100% humidity).
I will leave that to your imagination and Zappa’s trans-ditch( the Tasman Sea) fond recollections…
That is similar to the rule I have introduced my travel companion to as we eat around east coast America - never say no when someone offers you a fork.
I just got an email talking of Queensland's southern outback as the St George region. So for many years, I've been wrong thinking of that region being the area between Rockdale and the Georges River.
Mind you I have heard both Sutherland and Baulkham Hills described as “The Shire” without any further qualification.
They say that one should show one’s passport south of Tom Ugly’s bridge; maybe a KJ bible when entering the other Shire which I have heard described as the “buckle of the Bible Belt”
They say that one should show one’s passport south of Tom Ugly’s bridge; maybe a KJ bible when entering the other Shire which I have heard described as the “buckle of the Bible Belt”
Never heard that saying, but it's very true. A great number of (most likely) independent churches all pretty well inspired by Billy Graham's teachings.
Oh yes not to mention Sydney Anglican establishments especially that presided over by Canon Bruce Ballantyne-Jones ( Miranda maybe) featured many years ago in an ABC programme ( ?Compass) entitled “ Gimme that ole time religion”.
Sent our old mate [redacted] ( a Shire girl and now dean of Sale Cathedral) into fits of rage, bless her.
(ETA redacted to avoid outing - Doublethink, Admin)
As for the latter no surprise that the HQ of Opus Dei is in the Hills as is other conservative RC institutions such as the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal ( at Dundas Valley on the edge of the Hills)
As for the latter no surprise that the HQ of Opus Dei is in the Hills as is other conservative RC institutions such as the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal ( at Dundas Valley on the edge of the Hills)
Goes very well with their political leanings. And if you think about it a bit, the religious and political conservatisms go together.
Indeed; in my chorister days @ Parramatta ( 2008-14) it made for some tricky moments with my confreres not a few of whom had strong Coalition connexions.
Yep all done here. Not too busy @ Darlo Public and the P& F were out in force with snags (beef and vege) plus bacon & egg rolls cooked to order. A steal @ $6 and hope they make a motza👍
The fundraising from a captive market if very beneficial to those organisations. Perhaps it could be used as a tool to persuade people in the US etc where there is no compulsory voting of this useful side-purpose.
Indeed, the Saturday vote makes life less stressful for those of us not at work on the day. I do recall years ago mini booths being set up in hospitals when I drew the short straw & did a 16 hour shift on an election day. About as much time off as a toilet break but a chance to help throw out the Coalition
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Methinks we could do with such an intervention over here, too!
I have lost count of how many parties there are altogether. One called Freedoms is a new party made up of various groups who opposed the measures taken to protect against Covid. Many of the members were active in the protests at Parliament last year. They are unlikely to win any seats, and rather than address meetings they often go to the meetings other parties have and attempt to disrupt them. Interestingly some of their members are not interested in the freedom of others.
A good way to remember the day
We've already had a dangerous fire two villages over from us which started in long grass Sunday, quickly threatened residences and closed the main road. Fortunately now appears to be under control. Tomorrow the danger rating is extreme to catastrophic for the valley. The upper valley has quickly deteriorated into drought, so hopefully there will be no outbreaks.
Here’s for some rain for you soon
I saw that on the way home from Singleton on Sunday afternoon. I was up there two weeks ago and it was dry then. However, on Sunday the grass was dry and crunchy beneath my feet at the UC and even drier, if that is possible. Let's hope there will be some rain soon.
The bar tailed Godwits have arrived in Christchurch and are feasting to regain the weight they lost flying here. This is the earliest I have known them to appear.
I have an appointment near the estuary today so I may get to see them.
Oh, wait.
I may be offline for a few days as I.m having some computer problems and it goes in for a check up this afternoon. I hope I will have it for the weekend, but I'm not sure I will.
I have been doing some culling of older possessions and I have a small dilemma. I have most of my Sunday School prizes dating from circa 1957 to 1963 plus other 'feel good' books given by various family members for birthdays and Christmas who are no longer with us.. They are taking up space which could be used better but I am reluctant to throw them out. Most of them have outdated theology etc. Secondhand bookshops don't want them. If I don't toss them it will be up to my nieces and nephew and I know one of them will not hesitate. Any thoughts most welcome.
Seriously it can be therapeutic. I did a mass chuck of ancient certificates/ diaries/ letters to parents from 1965-80 a couple of years ago. Read some of the letters-cringeworthy!!-before doing so.
I wouldn't mind, but I have to go out in it, and I'll be very wet indeed by the time I get to the station ...
I will leave that to your imagination and Zappa’s trans-ditch( the Tasman Sea) fond recollections…
They say that one should show one’s passport south of Tom Ugly’s bridge; maybe a KJ bible when entering the other Shire which I have heard described as the “buckle of the Bible Belt”
Never heard that saying, but it's very true. A great number of (most likely) independent churches all pretty well inspired by Billy Graham's teachings.
Sent our old mate [redacted] ( a Shire girl and now dean of Sale Cathedral) into fits of rage, bless her.
(ETA redacted to avoid outing - Doublethink, Admin)
As for the latter no surprise that the HQ of Opus Dei is in the Hills as is other conservative RC institutions such as the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal ( at Dundas Valley on the edge of the Hills)
Goes very well with their political leanings. And if you think about it a bit, the religious and political conservatisms go together.
Vote early, vote often and vote for the dead.