Colin Steven

From the iPad

2010-12-29T20:07:00.001+10:30

Trying to workout blogging from iPad.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad (cos u can)

PLO - as in Port Lincoln, Sth Aust

2010-11-16T11:58:00.001+10:30

Having never been to Port Lincoln before I figured a weekend away would be nice, so back in May Qantas had cheap flights, some six months later we were at Adelaide airport waiting to head to PLO.

Ok so its not an A380, but for 40 minutes in the air, it was ok, and fun. We got a drink and crakers & dip, there was no mad rush from the pax to leave the plane, luggage arrived at the terminal in minutes and you just collected it off the trailer.

Staying at an apt on the Lincoln Hwy, overlooking the bay, about a 10 minute walk into PLO.

a meander around tanunda

2010-10-11T21:20:00.002+10:30

Whilst waiting for new tyres to be fitted to the i30 I had a wander around Tanunda

farm dayz

2010-10-10T16:27:00.000+10:30

Stepping outside this morning, I noticed three things. First, when shooing the chooks away from the back door with the hose - that the new ivy growing on the water tank, is a really pretty green. Then looking over towards the barn, watching the "big cat" meander towards the house. That the pear tree is in full bloom, and whislt taking photos of the pear tree wondering "whats growing in the paddock this summer" so I braved long grass and possible snakes to take a look, and its (or will be) pea straw, which right now is a sea of green and purple.

dont go into the light - hugo

2010-09-23T21:08:00.002+09:30

Put the bins out and took the dog for a walk up the hill, then came home again.

yo alice!

2010-09-18T10:17:00.000+09:30

John & Don came to town for a visit from Alice Springs, here we are haing dinner with Dave and Ben, and then a quick trip to Spotlight for Don.

a wet week, a chemo week, a writting week & a holiday booked for feb!

2010-09-11T09:55:00.000+09:30

Its official, Tim, myself and our friend Sarah are heading to Hong Kong for a week in Feb next year - Yeah! I'm already excited, I love HK - this trip is brought to us by the fabo Ben wolf76 who now works at STA travel in Adelaide. With recent events, I asked Sarah to do all the work with the bookings etc and since Ben now works in travel, its nice to support friends in their careers. So thank you Ben and Sarah.

This week we have had yet more rain, and sitting at home I should have been productive but instead I've procrastinated over finishing my Uni assignment, but I have re-written one part and forwarded to the "marker" as he asked me to do - he is still in NYC and cant seem to open the document, so will get back to me next week when he is back in Sydney. Which gives me more time to work on the second half. I really hate having to resubmit assignments, expecially when I cant see where I have to change something. But "mine is not to reason why" just finish the damn thing and finally get it over. Who would have guessed that last assingment was going to take so long or be so annoying.

The white cat is almost 100% - antibiotics and varies other pills and creams have him back in the land of cat living - which means he is keen to sleep on my knee when ever I sit down, rather than under the warm air stream from the air con. Even the black cat seems happy the other one is well enough to attack and play with. On the dog front, as Hugo gets older his eyesight is failing, he stands there with his head cocked to one side looking, but not seeing. Poor old bugger, in human years he is about 82 years old.

Our friends John joncub and Donovan are heading down from Alice to Adelaide for a few days, we are looking forward to catching up with them as well as seeing Ben wolf76 and Dave ozzyskip again - oh my two catchups with Dave and Ben in less than a year - the planets are aligning :-)

In other news this week, I took Tim's mum to see her oncologist on Wednesday, Dr Giri - Daph had no idea who he was, she was that sick when they first met. But he is very happy with her progress, and started her on Chemotherapy this week. She had received one small dose previously, but he now has her on a 6 treatment plan, one every 3 weeks. Tim took her in on Friday, and by all accounts she did well. She is convinced that she will not have any side effects - if thats what it takes to get her through it then all power to her. She is champing at the bit to get out of hospital and back home, hopefully this week sometime.

Of course the news from two of our favourite cities Christchurch, and San Francisco hasnt been all that good this week, first a huge earthquake ruining some of Christchurch, and last night a huge gas leak explosing raising 50 houses in San Bruno, San Francisco. Both Tim and I are gobsmacked at the news from both cities - and wondering where else we have been we might have hexed.

If something happens in Hong Kong, I'm handing in my passport :-)

so, how green is your valley?

2010-09-08T18:18:00.000+09:30

With all the rain, our back yard is looking lush. Green even :-)

no pic just letters

2010-09-06T17:17:00.000+09:30

Its been a long week, couple of trips into Adelaide, one for a education day held by SAPNA (South Australian Perioperative Nurses Association) at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, very interesting stuff on MRSA (golden staph) and VRE. This was followed by a visit to Tim's mum, she was doing ok that Sat.

Then I visited JB Hi-Fi trying to find a Blu Ray copy of a DVD of a ABC program that Tim was after for his Birthday, given that the Elizabeth and Tea Tree Plaza stores didnt have it, I wasnt expecting much - but it was there (yeah).

Tuesday Tim and I both went into the city to see his Mum, catching you with the Collette afterwards for some nice food and good old chat about everything really.

Then sadly I had to work Thursday - Sunday, with the later part of the week finding me caring for a sick cat - one of ours. He went to the vet this morning and now has Antibiotics, eye cream and various vitiamins all for a head cold, and upper resp tract infection - mind you in saying that, he is sick. You can hear him wheezing as he walks along. So hopefully he will be on in a few days.

spring bounce

2010-08-31T14:03:00.000+09:30

Spring is making a presence here in Moculta, our only daffodils have come through, and even Hugo has a bit ouf bounce in his step. The cold plays havoc with his hips.

going for a walk

2010-08-29T19:33:00.002+09:30

Today since it was so nice, I went for a walk. Ok so I had to drive to Angaston to do the walk but it was a nice walk.

There hasnt been a proper train service into the Barossa since sometime in the 1960's mind you there has been lot of debate on getting one started again, but it's never going to happen.

And to finally put the rail track that runs from Angaston to Nuriootpa the council have removed the sleepers and track and replaced them with a walking/cycle track.

From the Barossa Council webpage: "As part of the Barossa Council's off-road walking and cycling network this scenic trail links the towns of Nuriootpa to Angaston via the old railway formation, passing many Barossa Valley vineyards along the way. Starting at the Barossa Valley Highway in Nuriootpa where it also links with Tanunda, the trail heads east past the Nuriootpa station then south east and east towards Angaston.

This trail has been built using the existing railway ballast for the base and has been sealed to provide a good quality surface for walkers and cyclists to enjoy."

The track goes for 6.5kms, I did about 1km before the clouds came in, and my camera battery failed. Ahh well and excuse to do the rest another day.

oh crap - really

2010-08-26T21:41:00.002+09:30

Oh crap really - my last Uni assignment has been returned by the marker "please re-submit" meaning its a fail if I dont. I really hoped this was all done and dusted, but alas not.

I actually got it back a week ago, and was told the marker would contact me, which he hadnt done until today, and then only after I emailed University of Sydney Medical School to say "hey whats going on, I guess he's not getting back to me since he is heading to Canada for a "pain" conference on Saturday.

But he did email me this afternoon, telling me what I need to do to pass, and to email him my work at anytime before I submit it officially. Sadly I only need a mark of 33% to actually pass the course/subject.

So crap it continues :-)

is it summer yet

2010-08-23T17:01:00.001+09:30

It seems we have been stuck in winter for way too long. This morning when I went to get the mail from the post office, my car told me it was only 1c mind you it was 10.40am.

So come on summer, I’d not like to be so cold all day.

key moo therapy

2010-08-22T16:03:00.000+09:30

So this week has been a bit of a rollar coster with Tim's mum being in hospital, finally being diagnosed - Non Hodgkins Lymphoma subsquently transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Less than 24 hours at the RAH and she has had her first dose of chemotherapy, I'm not sure what drugs they have used but after one dose she was eating a little and giving Tim some cheek when talking back to him :-)

It's wasnt quiet the week we had planned of sitting on a beach or beside the pool in Phuket, but we can always do that some other time.

We did find time to catch up with our good friends Rob & Jim over from Melbourne for the weekend, we all had dinner and drinks with other friends Ben & Dave, the funny thing is its taken us a year to catchup with Ben and Dave - but it was well worth the wait - Thanks Guys

the other side

2010-08-17T14:19:00.002+09:30

following on from yesterdays almond flowers, this was the sky looking to the north (not so appealing)

pretty

2010-08-16T18:06:00.000+09:30

Its been cold and wet, but perfect for the blooming of the almond tree.

ah well :-)

2010-08-14T13:37:00.000+09:30

Phuket will have to wait, with Tim's mum really sick and in hospital we decided to cancel the trip. Now to battle the insurance people with 12 pages of paperwork, hoping we can get some $$'s back.

all aboard

2010-08-10T17:21:00.000+09:30

There's something about Melbourne's Flinders Street Station that just makes me smile

an extended weekend in MEL

2010-08-10T14:11:00.000+09:30

We visited Melbourne for the weekend, flying in with Qantas and home with VirginBlue. Using the credit we had avaiable from our previous cancelled Perth-Adelaide flight. We got to the airport and all was ok, but by the time we got to the Blue Lounge, the flight had been pushed back nearly 2 hours. Then it was brought forward by an hour, but 26 people were not able to fit on this plane due to a change in aircraft. We elected to stay, with VirginBlue picking up the tab on accommodation overnight at the Hilton and $54 worth of food vouchers, and a $358 credit on our next booking. If we keep flying with VB we might never have to pay for another ticket the way this is going. Next morning the flight out was delayed an hour, but we arrived back in Adelaide without any problem.

ah phuk et

2010-07-27T01:05:00.000+09:30

Have to say I'm kinda looking forward to this next holiday, especially after today. I just want to escape and never come home... and funny Tim says the same thing. BWT the above is the pool at the hotel we are staying at.

somethings never change and then some do

2010-07-21T01:03:00.001+09:30

Riverside Drive, Tern Hill - where I lived when going to Market Drayton Junior School. The top photo shows my Gran standing in our doorway, with Mum, my Aunt Evelyn, cousin Irene, and Uncle Bob. The bottom pic shows Riverside Drive via Google Maps - the windows have changed a little, and the doors have been moved out - I guess to allow more room inside - I remember the houses were tiny - typical Brit 2 up 2 down. Still looks pretty though.

somethings never change

2010-07-21T00:36:00.000+09:30

Google Maps UK finally has my old school online, Market Drayton Junior School, Alexander Rd, Market Drayton, Shropshire. I was there for two years between Penang and Oz. Funny it doesnt look like it has changed much.

ok, now go scare the crap out of someone else

2010-07-20T16:25:00.000+09:30

I'll be the first to admit that things that slither make me a bit nervous, even when the have legs. Coming home from the post office this afternoon, I found this fellow near the chicken house - of course my mind goes "if its warm enough for him, it is warm enough for snakes"

this will make Tim laugh

2010-07-11T18:56:00.000+09:30

Apparently I'm the:

You are The Hermit

Prudence, Caution, Deliberation.

The Hermit points to all things hidden, such as knowledge and inspiration,hidden enemies. The illumination is from within, and retirement from participation in current events.

The Hermit is a card of introspection, analysis and, well, virginity. You do not desire to socialize; the card indicates, instead, a desire for peace and solitude. You prefer to take the time to think, organize, ruminate, take stock. There may be feelings of frustration and discontent but these feelings eventually lead to enlightenment, illumination, clarity.

The Hermit represents a wise, inspirational person, friend, teacher, therapist. This a person who can shine a light on things that were previously mysterious and confusing.

need more red

2010-07-08T09:49:00.000+09:30

visited 13 states (5.77%)
Create your own visited map of The World

japan

2010-07-04T22:29:00.000+09:30

woo hoo - I received two fantastic books from my friend Sarah on Japan travel. So guess I best start saving for that holiday.

canberra

2010-07-03T15:24:00.004+09:30

For our friend Gordie who has just accepted a job in Canberra, and will be moving from Brisvegas sometime soon.

hot and cold birthdays

2010-07-01T09:24:00.004+09:30

Last year we headed to NZ for my Birthday, and it was bloody cold, pretty but cold.
For this birthday we headed to Alice Springs to visit John & Donovan, much nicer to spend time in the warmth. We came back to a nice sunny Sunday afternoon but its been bloody cold here since. I think I prefer birthdays in the warmer regions.

yep - i'm old

2010-06-29T10:23:00.001+09:30

47 years ago (well 46 years and 51 weeks) but I do believe its my first pic.

hey Alice!

2010-06-28T13:55:00.005+09:30

We did a quick weekend trip up to Alice Springs to visit John and Don. Good times, fabo place to visit, so much to see. Beers in the spa, egg and bacon sandwiches in Todd St Mall, Sunday am - noice :-)

down it goes

2010-06-09T11:35:00.004+09:30

Unlike the old train stations at Tanunda and Angaston, poor Nuriootpa train station has been left to become nothing more than are target for termites & vandals, and will be demolished in the next few months, according to the Herald newspaper today.

Heritage listing hasnt saved this station, and there is never going to be a passenger service back out here in the Barossa, despite the fact the population is ever increasing. So the owners of the line, have council approval to pull it down. Sad, but its better than what it looks like now.

more of winter

2010-06-08T07:23:00.004+09:30

cold here this morning, cold enough to freeze the water sitting in the back of the old ute.

Winter is on the way

2010-06-07T14:21:00.004+09:30

We've gone from sunny crisp days like these

To fog and rain, like this

but at least its nice to have rain, and its not to bad today.

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T22:05:00.002+09:30

Happy Mothers Day Mum, still miss you.

Sydney

2010-05-03T19:10:00.001+09:30

A weekend in Sydney, we checked out the house of O, and some of the Sydney Comedy Fest acts.

little red dot

2010-04-26T11:05:00.001+09:30

hiding under the rim of the dogs food bowl!

Mothman

2010-04-25T14:06:00.002+09:30

gathering on our fly screens at the moment

Nuri in the morning

2010-04-25T14:01:00.001+09:30

Last week I took my car in for a service, this was the sky that morning as I waited.

Gold Coast 2010

2010-04-04T11:45:00.001+09:30

Photos from the Gold Coast

what cats do in gardens

2010-03-20T13:14:00.001+10:30

Haemanthus Coccineus

2010-03-17T14:18:00.002+10:30

Summer is officially over, our Haemanthus Coccineus are starting to flower.

San Francisco - 2010

2010-03-08T11:24:00.001+10:30

We went we shopped, ate and spent time with friends. big thanks to Mike for allowing us to stay at his place, and huge thanks to Dan for taking us to the airport with all our shopping in his SUV. So much shopping that it wouldnt fit in Mikes car.

Hugs and love to Jim & Lena for driving in from the central valley to spend an afternoon with us, was a hoot.

SFO2010

tanunda, south australia

2010-02-21T19:52:00.002+10:30

we headed out yesterday to ten pin bowling in tanunda, then had something to eat and a wander down the main st.

Tanunda Hotel

Tia demolishing a custard tart and hot dog

Tanunda Rotunda (I kid you not)

Tia and I having camera wars in the car

Nearly home

the hood

2010-02-19T19:51:00.004+10:30

Tim and I wandered around the Adelaide Mall last Friday night with the kids, here are some pics.

argh & ahhh

2010-02-19T17:16:00.002+10:30

Argh - because back in Dec 2009 I had three days off work, due to a work related injury - nothing exciting, I hurt my neck. Needless to say, as it was at work - I had mountains of paperwork to fill in.
My workcover person has been off work, and the person replacing her has also been off work - so the whole system seems to fall in a heap. Two weeks ago I had a sick day, this pay, because my previous 3 days off work havent been converted to workers compensation leave, means I was docked a days pay. Now thats not too bad - but I'm on holidays and kinda was expecting the extra $200. Contacting my workcover person, but she cant do anything till she gets some info from payroll - who in their wisdom, cant seem to string a excel spreadsheet together with email, so workcover person is now waiting for the payroll person to either re-email the details or incribe it in slate and have it sent over on the donkey.

the Ahhh it yesterday I presented to the Nursing Grand Round some information on Innovations in Recovery Nursing, and it went ok. It was kinda fun & reminded me how much I enjoy that whole presentation thing (as long as I know what the hell I'm talking about), and now that its over - I have 18 days off - YEAH!!!!

the patient is fine

2010-02-10T20:44:00.002+10:30

Poor Smude celebrated his 6 month birthday with a visit to the vets for the "snip" - the funniest thing is the pink chlorhex wash die and his ear tattoo die. He's pink bits are just that.

Around Moculta, South Oz

2010-02-01T16:54:00.002+10:30

As you can see there's not a whole lot out here. I like the last pic, its the reason with dont get broadband internet - Telstra are too mean to upgrade the exchange.

Barossa Gawler Tractor Pull

2010-02-01T16:34:00.005+10:30

and the music they played during the break - Abba, no really they did. I figured it was the first thing on someones iPod they plugged into the PA system.

It was hot and dusty, but fun to watch.

really!

2010-01-27T08:31:00.002+10:30

In Semaphore, Sth Aust

Around Light Pass, South Australia

2010-01-25T14:33:00.002+10:30

Light Pass is a small village not far from us, it is where Tim's Mum grew up, she is still a member of the local Lutheran Church there.

Crime spree

2010-01-21T10:59:00.003+10:30

Outside the Barossa TAFE Campus (Community College for those in USA), have no idea what was stolen, but someone is pissed off.

Letting sleeping cats lay

2010-01-21T10:55:00.003+10:30

So those reusable shopping bags we have to have here in Sth Aust come in handy for a number of things :-)

A walk in the country

2010-01-10T17:31:00.000+10:30

A stolen meme - why not

2010-01-07T09:03:00.000+10:30

Stolen from inbhirnis @ livejournal - the Alphabet meme (i'm stuggling for 2010 content) :-)

A - Age: 46
B - Bed size: Queen
C - Chore you hate: Gardening
D - Dad's name: Robert
E - Essential start your day item: Coffee
F - Favorite food: toast
G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H - Height: 5' 8
I - Instruments you play(ed): Recorder, Chanter, Violin (none of them very well)
J - Job title: Registered Nurse
K - Kid(s): none
L - Living arrangements: with Tim
M - Mom's name: Wilhemina
N - Nicknames: hamish
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: as both patient and staff!
P - Pet Peeves: stupid people
Q - Quote from a brilliant person: "Just because I dont want to play with them, doesnt me I dont recognise a decent pair of boobs" Me at work this week, discussing female breasts with the rest of the team.
R - Right or left handed: Right - unless I'm eating, and wearing a watch.
S - Siblings: younger brother (deceased)
T - Time you wake up: I work shift work, so it depends on the day. 0500 for an early shift, 0700-0900 for a late shift.
U - Underwear: Boxers
V - Vegetable you dislike: none really
W - Ways you run late: crap time managment at home, then having to leave for work
X - X-rays you've had: Shoulder, chest, neck, abdomen, back, knee
Y - Yummy food you make: toast
Z - Zoo favorite: Penguins

Current view

2010-01-05T20:03:00.002+10:30

current view from the front porch.

Well there goes 2000-2009

2010-01-05T08:33:00.002+10:30

It stuck me as funny that this past 10 years seems to have flown by, ok I have moved from Melbourne to country Sth Aust, I did spend 3 years at Uni SA as a fulltime student, and put in some hours to (almost) finish a grad cert in something at University of Sydney. I have driven my newish (bought in 2004) car nearly 180,000 kms. Which includes a couple of trips to Melbourne and back, and one drive to Brisbane and back. I have travelled to mainland USA 3 times, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Finland, NZ and Hawaii once each, two trips to Perth WA, one to Canberra. But really 10 years gone, just like that! I find working a roster thats over 7 days a week allows one day to flow into the next, one week dissolves into the next and before you know it half the year is gone. So what am I going to use blogger for in 2010?

Last year I decided to post something to blogger daily, and for the most part I managed, sometimes with working I would have to leave it for a few days and then upload the pics and post a few days at once, but I did 365 posts.

So for 2010, not sure. I thought of stealing an idea from Chris aka scream4noreason on livejournal, of posting a self pic everyday, but in all honesty I hate having my photo taken so cant see me doing that to myself for a whole year.

There isnt that much happening around here in the Barossa for a years worth of pics from here, and we dont have much travel planned for 2010.

I might just post the odd thing here and there, I'm hoping to do some more work on my family tree, finish that damn grad cert - just to say I've finished the bloody thing.

Wishing everyone a successfull 2010 and beyond - Col

31 December 2009 - 365! Happy Hogmanay

2009-12-31T08:35:00.004+10:30

An example of a local Hogmanay custom is the fireball swinging that takes place in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire (my Mum's home town area) in north-east Scotland. This involves local people making up 'balls' of chicken wire filled with old news paper, dried sticks, old cotton rags, and other dry flammable material up to a diameter of 61 cm. Each ball has 2 m of wire, chain or nonflammable rope attached. As the Old Town House bell sounds to mark the new year, the swingers set off up the High Street from the Mercat Cross to the Cannon and back, swinging their burning ball around their head as they go for as many times as they and their fireball last. At the end of the ceremony any fireballs that are still burning are cast into the harbour. (from wikipedia)

Me circa 1973-1974, before moving to Oz.

well thats 365 posts for the year, lots of pics from our travels. Which included Hong Kong, Hawaii & New Zealand all places we loved. Not sure where 2010 will find us (other than a quick USA mainland trip in March), but I'm sure it will be fun.

Happy Hogmanay to everyone - wishing you all a great 2010 and beyond.

30 December 2009 - 1988 to 2009 (just check out the hair)

2009-12-30T08:56:00.005+10:30

1988 Brisbane Expo

VicBears Christmas Party December 1999

Tim & I MidSumma 2001

Sydney Mardi Gras 2001

A Birthday / New Years Eve Party (Jan 2002) - Tim & I with Rick and Ian

BearStock 2003

Adelaide Mall 2004

BearStock 2005

March 2006 - with Jules, Jim & Tim (for Rob's 40th)- in Melbourne

In Sydney 2007 sadly the Duck PJ's are no longer)

September 2009 - for Tim's 40th (Tia, Tim and I)

29 December 2009 - step daisies

2009-12-29T09:38:00.002+10:30

an outcrop of daisies that have grown from one of the cracks in the back steps

28 December 2009 - attack of the 11 cm kitty

2009-12-28T09:35:00.000+10:30

Smudge has the longest legs on any cat we have had.

27 December 2009 - trip the lights fantastic

2009-12-27T15:23:00.000+10:30

(a borrowed pic)

We took a drive to see the lights in Lobethal, which were nice. Had picnic dinner at the oval, Tim does the best picnic's - pasta and bog sauce & beer.

26 December 2009 - tim, tia and me

2009-12-26T15:20:00.000+10:30

photobooth play shots

25 December 2009 - humbug bah

2009-12-25T15:14:00.000+10:30

24 December 2009 - Macau Ferry Lunch

2009-12-24T23:36:00.000+10:30

23 December 2009 - Midsumma Melbourne 2001

2009-12-23T23:26:00.000+10:30

The summer Tim and I met :-)

22 December 2009 - ahhh

2009-12-22T12:14:00.001+10:30

Perth Zoo, Oct 2009

21 December 2009 - another from Floriade

2009-12-21T07:36:00.001+10:30

20 December 2009 - from Floriade 2009

2009-12-20T22:35:00.001+10:30

19 December 2009 - well dont just stand there

2009-12-19T16:25:00.001+10:30

but he did for ages...

18 December 2009 - still got them

2009-12-18T09:45:00.003+10:30

17 December 2009 - big ferg

2009-12-17T11:00:00.003+10:30

Chris's cat - Fergus, his big, bloody big! Makes even our big cat look tiny.

16 December 2009 - get back in the queue

2009-12-16T12:03:00.000+10:30

I dont know what annoyed me more, the fact the flight from Perth to Adelaide was cancelled, or being spoken to by a jumped up bitch who kept yelling "just get back in the queue" so thats what 104 passengers did, blocking the queue for those people trying to get onto the flights going to Sydney & Melbourne!

Then she realised that it might be better managed if the displaced pax were only taking up 2 queues not 5.

Gotta love flight delays.

15 December 2009 - on a mission

2009-12-15T09:31:00.003+10:30

Not sure what the mission was!

14 December 2009 - through the square window

2009-12-14T09:18:00.000+10:30

The view from the study.

13 December 2009 - Brissie Lizzie

2009-12-13T09:01:00.001+10:30

One of Virgin Blue's orginal startup fleet, 737-700 named Brissie Lizzie, sitting at MEL waiting to fly out.

12 December 2009 - Oh Stanley

2009-12-12T08:58:00.000+10:30

Another pic from Stanley, Hong Kong Island.

11 December 2009 - QVH

2009-12-11T08:54:00.003+10:30

Hidden in the new QV Shopping Mall in Melbourne, is what remains of the old Queen Victoria Hospital.

10 December 2009 - under the overpass

2009-12-10T08:09:00.001+10:30

A road overpass in Canberra, ACT

9 December 2009 - dusk at happy town

2009-12-09T09:21:00.001+10:30

Disneyland Hong Kong, May 2009.

8 December 2009 - green

2009-12-08T10:08:00.001+10:30

Perth Zoo, Western Australia

7 December 2009 - long ago in a place far away

2009-12-07T10:03:00.000+10:30

Not really! Tim & I here at the farm, probably 5 years ago.

6 December 2009 - whats that skip

2009-12-06T12:22:00.001+10:30

I seem to find lots of statues of Skip...
This one is in Perth Zoo.

5 December 2009 - on top of the world

2009-12-05T12:17:00.000+10:30

On top of Elements Shopping Centre, Kowloon, Hong Kong - the place we got lost in and ended up going back to Hong Kong Island by ferry and back to Kowloon by ferry so we could get out of the shopping centre :-)

4 December 2009 - let sleeping dogs and all....

2009-12-04T10:25:00.001+10:30

Dingo, without a baby, Perth Zoo.

3 December 2009 - its a sign

2009-12-03T08:24:00.001+10:30

From our day in Macau. I loved the tiled street signs.

2 December 2009 - Golden Arches, theres no escape

2009-12-02T10:03:00.002+10:30

We didnt get to a McD's in Hong Kong, but we did in Macau. Given in Macau they speak Portugese and Cantonese, I had to order by picture :-) Funny I had to do the same in San Francisco once too. Poor women just couldnt understand my Oz accent.

1 December 2009 - moose on the loose

2009-12-01T19:42:00.002+10:30

Ok so lets set the scene. It's January 3, 2000 - the new millenium has come and gone, after spending a week in San Francisco, you head to Honolulu to relax before heading back to the normality of work. But whilst in San Francisco, you not only sprain your ankle going down a flight of stairs (but dont spill a drop of the beer you are carrying), you come down with the flu - that year it was Sydney Flu, and mainland USA it was everywhere. Ta Da - you get the flu, you feel like shite. You find a GP in Waikiki, and spend $309 US to get antibiotics for the now developing chest infection, something for the fever and snot.

The next morning feeling a little better you head to Moose's a place someone at home has told you "you must go, its great" - there are no tables, so you sit at the bar, skull a huge glass of OJ, and one of water. Your food arrives, it looks great, smells fantastic, but the next thing you know, youre looking through a crowd of feet and legs, and then realise you have fainted in Moose's - 911 are on their way. Um no they arent, I'm fine, I have the flu. I'll be ok - thanks everyone.

You spend the next day and a half doing nothing but sitting under an umbrella on the beach trying to get better.

Cut to October 2009 - Moose's is still there, Swine Flu is all the rage. But at least this trip I was ok. But I didnt tempt fate and go in, maybe next trip....

30 November 2009 - pert

2009-11-30T19:39:00.000+10:30

I cant remember what it was, but I thought it was photo worthy. A something in Perth, Western Australia

29 November 2009 - does it come in another colour

2009-11-29T11:35:00.000+10:30

Inside the Senate side of Old Parliament House, Canberra.

28 November 2009 - more canberra

2009-11-28T08:30:00.001+10:30

Forecourt Parliament House, Canberra

27 November 2009 - move to Canberra !

2009-11-27T08:28:00.000+10:30

Advertising at Floriade for people to move to the ACT. Sorry would take more than a flower show to get me to Canberra...

26 November 2009 - mr! we give you good luck

2009-11-26T08:14:00.001+10:30

Hongkers, May 2009

25 November 2009 - sydney

2009-11-25T08:11:00.000+10:30

We had six hours to kill before out flight to Hawaii, so we went and visited the Welcome Wall in Darling Harbour.

24 November 2009 - hows the weather up there

2009-11-24T10:53:00.000+10:30

The keepers didnt day how tall the Giraffa camelopardalis was, but the man feeding him is 6' 3"

23 November 2009 - and in the red corner . . .

2009-11-23T08:22:00.001+10:30

After weeks of avoiding Smudge, Winston has decided he will play with him. Now theres black and white fur everywhere.

22 November 2009 - WA wildlife

2009-11-23T08:19:00.001+10:30

Sitting in the sand at Cottesle Beach, WA

21 November 2009 - a 1970's memory

2009-11-21T13:00:00.002+10:30

Finally started scanning some of Mum & Dad's old slides, this one is of Song, she worked in our house, cooking and cleaning. She taught me Mandarin and Malay, neither I know any of now.

20 November 2009 - Stampy in Perth

2009-11-20T08:13:00.000+10:30

18 November 2009 - Kowloon Harbour, HK SAR

2009-11-19T15:35:00.000+10:30

18 November 2009 - bugga that - its too hot Skip

2009-11-18T09:16:00.001+10:30

Perth Zoo, it was actually called The Kangaroo Resting Area.