Good to see you here, aliehs! I saw your posts on the Old Ship and hoped you had made it across.
Woke to the sound of summer rain falling during the night, sat up in bed and wept with relief. Now it is bone-dry again. If this drought doesn't break, we'll have even more stringent water restrictions. Watching my trees die off one by one has been so painful this last month.
Greetings from Geelong, the should have been capital of Victoria, poised between the sea and the forest, and rapidly becoming a dormitory for the octopus to the northeast.
Thanks Simon. I have gingerly crawled out from the lifeboat, and am half way up the ladder to the deck and fresh air. I think that I created my own, as it were. We are definitely the "Should have Been" ...... fill in the dots place, but having lived here now for over half my life, I do think it's a great place on the whole. Despite the bureaucracy; and most of us have to deal with that!
Try the bureaucracy up here. we have mountain trains ordered which are too big for the platforms. Not only that, but they will not fit the mountain tunnels. Solution? Scrape away at tunnels to make them bigger. New metropolitan trains have paired seats facing each other. Definitely not able to be adjusted. This has never been a preferred way of seating for commuters, rubbing knees with strangers in the train. Two sports stadiums to be pulled down and rebuilt. Who profits? Developers. PArramatta pool used by thousands in summer for many yers has been demolished. For another sports facility. Newcastle trains no longer go to Newcastle but a coupke of stops short. Too bad if you want to have an interview etc in Newcastle itself. Find more transport
The current premier was the Transport Minister for quite a while and should know better. Then again, she insisted train guards wear long trousers in the heat as she did not like knobbly knees showing on guards as they signalled departures.
The train debacle does have it's level of hilarity. I've done the Newcastle-Sydney commute frequently over the past few years and I'm so looking forward to doing it while sitting backwards and knee to knee with a stranger. I was recently at a meeting of people who took public transport in the CBD due to the lack of all-day parking, and still needed to make 2-4 changes between trains and buses just to get to the center of Newcastle. And the privatization of buses in the city. The new timetable has left a lot of people stranded. Public transport is apparently no longer for the public.
Hello again from a semi-regular lurker.
On a recent visit to Melbourne I attended a service at St Paul's Cathedral and was intrigued by the minister's apology that the tap and go on the collection plate was out of order. Was he joking or is that really a thing? Given that they did have electronic donation facilities at the side of the cathedral, I guess it's possible.
Aleihs, the best day I ever had in Geelong was at the Breakwater community back in the early part of the century. It was a short retreat but I still have the soapstone cross I carved there. I can see it now over on my prayer table. What struck me most was that the community performed a rite commemorating Christ's Easter journey daily, and had constructed a pit, complete with stairs, through which the celebrant passed, symbolising Christ's journey through death to life. Ah, that is a sweet memory. I hope they are still there.
It reached 38.6 here,near the river and close to CBD. It was still35 when I went to bed about 11:00 pm. Humidity was low, which spelt disaster on far South coast when coupled with strong NW dry winds from inland. over 70 homes destroyed at Tathra and a ferocious wind change was just as bad for RFS and CFS
Yes, those fires around the country are terrible. We had some strong winds and dust yesterday.
Although autumn made an appearance this morning...a much cooler start. And there are whispers of water falling from the sky on Saturday. It is desperately needed. For the bush as well as the farmers.
Very heavy rain is forecast for many areas over the next wo days. Hope Barnabas Aus gets some. It is forecast as heavy on Central Coast where son lives, Gosford where he works and up the Hunter Valley where Barnabas Aus is. Son has bus both ways basically at door in Gosford but has several minutes at coast end to his house with no shelter.
The Anglican Bishop of Christchurch has resigned. She is not retiring, but says she is waiting to see when God wants her to be next.
+Victoria has been a great pastor for Christchurch, and in unsung ways further afield. I post as someone who is no fan of the bishoply breed in general. I'm glad that she's not retiring, she has much still to offer.
I have discovered a way to control the weather! If BoM forecast a high likelihood of heavy rain, so that I take our sheets to the launderette, the day will be gloriously warm and sunny. If, on the other hand, BoM forecast a gloriously warm and sunny day so that I hang them out to dry, cyclonic rain will drench the property.
I don't know how far from our shack this method works, let's guess just within the valley, so it won't be much help to other Shipmates, sorry.
I think we all could well have some form of that weather control, FD. It used to be washing the car, but I haven’t heard that one for a while. Sheets it is for me. I now live in apartment and sheets no longer have a line but a rack. Plenty of breeze up here, but the breeze brings the rain onto the balcony.
Woke up to the sound of rain falling on the corrugated-iron roof of the stoep (verandah), sheer music to my ears. And the weather suddenly cooler.
Lovely. I remember crying at rain sometime inthe 90s after a prolonged drought and a determination to not complain of rain, ever again, I think I have kept to that. It is cool and quite wet here after nearly 40 two days ago. I hope the rain is finding its way up the Hunter and similar places where it is much needed.
I think one of the loveliest sounds possible is the sound of rain on a tin roof. We havw corrugated aluminium here but that is a floor above me so it is not the same as direct sound.
@Foaming Draught, I have that weather thing too: it's called the Piglet Umbrella Principle, which states that if you have one, you won't need it (and vice versa).
We may be, finally, getting some rain over the weekend. The farmers will be pleased. As will a few townies...as I got coffee and did some shopping it was the talk of the town.
Quite a bit up in the Hunter. Dungog seems to have been spared the river overflowing. Will call my aunt there tomorrow.
Half day tomorrow for the Albury Horse Racing Cup. The town shuts down at 12. As will my work laptop.
We did indeed get plenty of rain. Our newly-installed 2000litre domestic rainwater tank was filled to overflowing within twelve hours of the rain commencing. We've had well over 100mm [four inches in old money], as I've emptied the rain gauge twice and it was just too heavy at times yesterday to even get to it across the backyard. Unfortunately the drought-stricken Upper Hunter has not fared so well, with patchy falls.
Not just rain, but jolly cold. Must add a blanket over the summer duvet. Hot water bottle, maybe?
At least I'm okay until I go to bed, as I'd unpacked a warm jacket I'd bought on line, and it is very snug.
I’m so looking forward to cold (well, cool - it is Qld after all). It feels like hot and muggy has been the norm for too long this year: it’s probably because we are only now, in March, getting some summer rain to cool the days just a little.
Saying Hi! from Aus. I feel like I probably know a couple of you in real life given the locations. Have nothing else of interest to add, except I wish we had more grey weather and less blue skies!
How can you wish for less blue skies? Unless you're in a place in drought... The days are closing in, and yesterday was the last day it'll be warm here until November. I hate Melbourne's climate. Great city, love the city. Long for SEQLD's warmth and predictability.
Some rain, but not enough to fill our empty dams in the Cape. Floods and sinkholes in Johannesburg, so we're hoping for more rain before Easter.
Outrage and dismay over the Australian players' ball-tampering in an international cricket Test in Cape Town What baffles me as a non-spectator is how they thought they could get away with it when every blade of grass and surreptitious nose-picking gesture is picked up by numerous multi-angled high-definition cameras around the field.
Outrage and dismay over the Australian players' ball-tampering in an international cricket Test in Cape Town What baffles me as a non-spectator is how they thought they could get away with it when every blade of grass and surreptitious nose-picking gesture is picked up by numerous multi-angled high-definition cameras around the field.
The whole cricket world agrees with you. It is contemptible. (And on a probably more important topic for you, prayers for rain on the Cape).
Thanks, FD, several of my older friends and neighbours are seeing their GPs about bad backs due to 'bucketitis' after hauling buckets of spring water back home day after day for two months.
It has been an odd and acrimonious Test so far and my feeling is that the Australians should simply forfeit the Test and fly home. How bizarre for a Test captain to throw away his team's reputation and his own career like this.
Yes, a couple of politicians here have made the call that the series be awarded to Sth Africa and the team fly home. All involved to receive suspensions. I agree. It's the same as doping.
Smith and Warner should never play again. The test series and all match fees should be forfeited. This is a disgrace. I have been a fan and defender of Australian cricket, this is a disgrace. Ruined Australian cricke.
It has been an odd and acrimonious Test so far and my feeling is that the Australians should simply forfeit the Test and fly home. How bizarre for a Test captain to throw away his team's reputation and his own career like this.
Totally agree, and I hope that sponsors are looking carefully at the contracts these players are on.
Are you sure that moving into her diocese did not cause Bp Victoria to resign? But seriously, prayers for discernment to lead her in the right direction.
Just watched video of the Press Conferences of Smith and Bancroft ...
I am old enough to hate to see a grown man cry (while intellectually recognising that more of them probably should)
My Dear Dead Dad is turning in his grave and I am remembering all the lectures we got from him on "sportsmanship" as children.
What do they mean when they use the word "forgiveness", I wonder
(as in asking for from The Public and The Little Kids Who Looked up to Them, I wonder
Memories of Kim Hughes' tears when he stepped down. But I think soon it will be time to recognize that the knives need to come out of the Smith Warner Bancroft backs before we have a suicide on our hands. Sometimes we make terrible mistakes in life.
Damp coolish Good Friday. Waiting for Catholic friends to arrive with a plate of hot-cross buns stuffed with pickled fish. This is an old Cape food tradition and served up every Easter right across the Peninsula, Cape Flats and Winelands. It is one of the most revolting combinations I have ever tasted and each year friends are hurt and offended that their treat isn't appreciated.
Memories of Kim Hughes' tears when he stepped down. But I think soon it will be time to recognize that the knives need to come out of the Smith Warner Bancroft backs before we have a suicide on our hands. Sometimes we make terrible mistakes in life.
I remember Hughes crying but have forgotten the citcumstances.
Comments
Woke to the sound of summer rain falling during the night, sat up in bed and wept with relief. Now it is bone-dry again. If this drought doesn't break, we'll have even more stringent water restrictions. Watching my trees die off one by one has been so painful this last month.
Go Cats!!!
The current premier was the Transport Minister for quite a while and should know better. Then again, she insisted train guards wear long trousers in the heat as she did not like knobbly knees showing on guards as they signalled departures.
Bureaucracy?
On a recent visit to Melbourne I attended a service at St Paul's Cathedral and was intrigued by the minister's apology that the tap and go on the collection plate was out of order. Was he joking or is that really a thing? Given that they did have electronic donation facilities at the side of the cathedral, I guess it's possible.
I think they'd be interested to hear from you in Eccles.
Aleihs, the best day I ever had in Geelong was at the Breakwater community back in the early part of the century. It was a short retreat but I still have the soapstone cross I carved there. I can see it now over on my prayer table. What struck me most was that the community performed a rite commemorating Christ's Easter journey daily, and had constructed a pit, complete with stairs, through which the celebrant passed, symbolising Christ's journey through death to life. Ah, that is a sweet memory. I hope they are still there.
Although autumn made an appearance this morning...a much cooler start. And there are whispers of water falling from the sky on Saturday. It is desperately needed. For the bush as well as the farmers.
The Anglican Bishop of Christchurch has resigned. She is not retiring, but says she is waiting to see when God wants her to be next.
Huia
I don't know how far from our shack this method works, let's guess just within the valley, so it won't be much help to other Shipmates, sorry.
I think one of the loveliest sounds possible is the sound of rain on a tin roof. We havw corrugated aluminium here but that is a floor above me so it is not the same as direct sound.
Quite a bit up in the Hunter. Dungog seems to have been spared the river overflowing. Will call my aunt there tomorrow.
Half day tomorrow for the Albury Horse Racing Cup. The town shuts down at 12. As will my work laptop.
At least I'm okay until I go to bed, as I'd unpacked a warm jacket I'd bought on line, and it is very snug.
GG
It's great to see you, Climacus.
Hello everyone. I registered for the new ship, but it's been, you know, Lent and all. *rolleyes*
Happy sailing y'all.
How can you wish for less blue skies? Unless you're in a place in drought... The days are closing in, and yesterday was the last day it'll be warm here until November. I hate Melbourne's climate. Great city, love the city. Long for SEQLD's warmth and predictability.
Outrage and dismay over the Australian players' ball-tampering in an international cricket Test in Cape Town What baffles me as a non-spectator is how they thought they could get away with it when every blade of grass and surreptitious nose-picking gesture is picked up by numerous multi-angled high-definition cameras around the field.
The whole cricket world agrees with you. It is contemptible. (And on a probably more important topic for you, prayers for rain on the Cape).
It has been an odd and acrimonious Test so far and my feeling is that the Australians should simply forfeit the Test and fly home. How bizarre for a Test captain to throw away his team's reputation and his own career like this.
But it has soon warmed up again. Winter is coming but summer is fighting back.
Totally agree, and I hope that sponsors are looking carefully at the contracts these players are on.
I am old enough to hate to see a grown man cry (while intellectually recognising that more of them probably should)
My Dear Dead Dad is turning in his grave and I am remembering all the lectures we got from him on "sportsmanship" as children.
What do they mean when they use the word "forgiveness", I wonder
(as in asking for from The Public and The Little Kids Who Looked up to Them, I wonder
I remember Hughes crying but have forgotten the citcumstances.