Flower Update

Spring is here at last. 33c today and flowers are blooming in the yard. The orchids are doing the best we have ever had and my Peyote cacti has bloomed for the first time. After 5 years of tender loving care I have got it to flower.

Brush Turkey

We have had a married couple of Brush Turkeys move into the back bush during the last couple months and watche the progress of their nest building. Really is quite unusual to see. The male builds a nest out of sticks, leaves and anything he can find into a large mound with his wifes eggs buried into the pile somewhere. You can read more about them by clicking on the highlighted text. Have a look at the photos and short video.

NEW ROOF

First post in Months. Jane and I had a new roof put on the house. Check out the pics.

AYERS ROCK ADVENTURE: Day 4: The last day.

Well this was the last day and a sad one too. Time to come back to reality. We had a small breakfast, finished packing and went looking for the cache. Can you see it? Top photo. Jayne found it after we spent 1/2 hour tromping through the bush, then it was out to the airport and back to Sydney.

AYERS ROCK ADVENTURE: Day 3

Sorry about the slow posting, but have been very busy. Day 3 saw us go to Katu Tjuta also known as the Olgas, about a 1 hour drive from the resort I forgot to name Yulara. Another spectacular rock formation and sacred to the Aborigines. @ walks of about 2 hours and 1 hour saw us walk through the "Valley of the Wind" formation that was about 7 km and our way to the second walk I spotted a wild Camel lying in the sun. The second walk into Olga Gorge (Tatintjawiya) was beautiful. Then on our way back Jane and I were introduced to "Geo-caching" a kind of treasure hunt where you use a gps using longitude and latitude coordinates to find a cache with a log book and small trinkets. We couldn't find it on that day. Not having a gps didn't help, but with Google earth we could get an approximate location and you will see in the next post. The back to the Pioneer outback bar and grill for lunch & a swim & then dinner and a few more VB's for a hard earned thirst.

AYERS ROCK ADVENTURE: Day 2

Day 2 we were up before sunrise to drive out Uluru and watch the sunrise and walk around it. Beautiful is the only way to describe the sunrise. 9.5 km walk took about 2.5 hours. Then back to the Lost Camel, lunch and a few VB'S (beers) a swim in the pool and back out to watch the sunset. Spectacular!! Dinner and a few more VB'S and bed. Early start tomorrow.

AYERS ROCK ADVENTURE: Day 1

The 11th of April saw us fly out to Uluru (Ayers Rock) With the Scotts. Spent the first afternoon and evening getting aquanted with our new home. The Lost Camel Hotel. Choose to stay at the resort and watch the sunrise and sunset there on the following day. So after a few VB'S for a hard earned thirst and a large cook it your self steak we retired for the night.

THE DISH

Monday so three of the Scotts and myself head west to Parkes and "THE DISH" a radio telescope made famous in an Australian film by the same name. After spending the night in a small cabin with submarine type bunks for Ben and myself and a large bed for the adults, we visited the DISH and the headed further west to visit several small towns finishing up it WOODSTOCK and then headed back to Sydney.

Patonga Picnic

Today we took a trip to Patonga, a small fishing village north of Sydney for a picnic. Kim, Jayne, Ben and I caught the ferry from Palm Beach. We met Jane B., her Mum and Dad, and Friend Cindi there. After a leisurely lunch we went for a walk on the beach and caught the ferry back to Palm Beach. A good time was had by all.

A Day at the ZOO with the Scotts

Today I took the Scott Family to the Toronga Park Zoo. Located in Mosman, NSW. From the photos you will some strange animals. Excepting the Meerkat. Have a laugh!!

Take 3 VB AD

Here Is Take 3 VB AD

Another try at VB AD

VB AD NIGHT

Freds last night in Australia and we made a silly VB Ad.

CIGAR BOX GUITAR

Here are some pics of my first attempt at making a cigar box guitar. This one isn't glued up yet, but it should be finished by the end of the Easter Holiday. I will post more pics then.

FUNKY FLOWER

A new arrival Staplia a smelly African cacti. Bought at the local sunday market. Bloomed while on trip.Click on the red word for more info.

Trip to Beechworth and Canberra

Kim and Jayne Scott, Fred Pascoe and I took a 3 day 2night trip to Beechworth Victoria and Canberra ACT. Beechworth is Kelly Country (Ned) to see some of the historical sites then on to Canberra to see the Australian War Memorial and back to Sydney. Enjoy the photos.

The Scotts Arrive

Thursday 6th of March the SCOTT Family from Bozeman Montana arrived at Mascot Airport Sydney Australia. They have an action packe several days. Starting with a butterflied leg of lamb BBQ and Pavlova for desert. Followed the next day by a trip across Sydney harbour to Circular Quay and a hike to Paddys Market and lunch in Chinatown. Fred Pascoe from Tucson Arizona arrived the next morning and we all had lunch at the McCaskills house in Balgowlah North. Janes sisters place with her partner Ross and two boys.

BLUE TONGUE & FINISHED PATIO + RINGTAIL POSSUM

Here is a photo on our Blue Tongue Lizard. He/She live outside the back door and up a few steps, lying in a flower pot. As well here is the re-roofed and finished patio. Photo of a ringtail possum in the umbrella tree in front of the front porch.