Cicadas

This little fellow came a visiting over Christmas.

Merry Christmas from Grump land

HERE'S HOPING YOU ALL HAVE A LOVELY SAFE CHRISTMAS BREAK. WONT BE AROUND FOR A WHILE.

FROM HERE:

TO HERE:

WOOFXX

Odds and Sods

Some left overs from the camera that asked to be uploaded.

South Melbourne Beach

At last a hot/dry day and we headed to the beach. It is only a bay side beach so no big breakers, still refreshing.

 For some it is a matter of use what you have, this man actually has a couple of fishing rods attached to this small inflatable.

 If you are swimming remember to swim between the flags.

Going to Tasmania? This is the very best way to travel, over night by boat.

Early Morning before the rain

The balloons were out this morning. They had to land on our park, the rain which is pouring down now was on the way.

You wouldn't want to be up in a balloon now, way too wet.

Some photos from the kids

 They seem to be able to find a different perspective.

Our visitor, full moon and wall pictures

Taz is our visitor this weekend and you couldn't ask for a better guest. He looks longingly into your eyes, he is gentle to touch and when he touches you. He loves to snuggle up for a cuddle. And he comes back to you in the park. Bonus

Polished

Sometimes I am asked to polish brass. Here is a letter plate I have just finished. It is in the Art Nouveau style.

More Rain

One of those wet early morning trips to the shops. Deserted streets, still awaiting the Sunday shoppers and breakfast eaters.

Fancy Nancy

Nancy took a turn for the worse last night. She had a stroke, not a lot of news as yet and she is now as safe and sound as you can get in this day and age in a large public hospital with her family there with her.
Nancy is in her nineties [never quite sure exactly which ninety she is at the moment but I think it is in the mid nineties. She had a sister who lived to over a hundred. In fact Nancy has had a lot of brothers and sisters. Around about 13.
When Nancy was in her seventies her husband had a stroke and that is around the time I first met her. I didn't know her husband before he had his stroke. Nancy looked after him for the best part of 15 years. Luckily he wasn't too disabled by his stroke. But even so she became a full time carer for him. I was always amazed at how she coped with looking after Bob and staying happy and positive with the world around her. She has 3  children and 6 grand kids and 11 great grand kids. She always has a smile and laugh, she wants to be around her family and makes her great grand kids laugh.
I once read somewhere that people who don't become bogged down with grief or negativity seem to live longer lives and think that is what Nancy represents. I know she has seen most of her brothers and sister pass away but she has stayed positive and alert.
I hope she can recover from this set back and still enjoy her life. I have a very big soft spot for Fancy Nancy as I call her. She loves a drink on special occasions a Champagne with orange nowadays. So here's to you Nancy, all raise your glasses and hope she gets better soon.
X

Signs of Life

We don't drink Bushells tea like we used to, but there is still an old sign around. This one is high enough to be safe from the Graffiti terrorists.

Some reflections on Summer

Clouds

We had the rain then the clouds before the sun came out. Here are some of the Clouds flying past our backyard.

Rain

It rained solidly on Saturday, so was confined to barracks as we say in the colonies. I took some photos through the barracks window.

Balloons on the skyline

Every morning I take the dog for a walk in the local park. This morning there was a beautiful clear sky and the balloons were up. Unfortunately I only had my mobile phone with me. I hope you get the feel of the morning. The sun was coming up at the same time as the balloons, it was like they were multiplying in front of our eyes. The Moon was still up that is the white blob in the last photo.