Have a look at some of these lawn pics... Plus, there is a couple of flowers at the bottom!
Hoo roo for now...
------Have a look at some of these lawn pics... Plus, there is a couple of flowers at the bottom!
Hoo roo for now...
------Mind set: - confused!
Sort of, but not really! In a day where the realisation of TC Yasi was becoming apparent, I had spent the day seeking information, preparing information, and giving out information! And somewhere in amongst all of that, I had some really great company around me (which was fantastic) and ate some really great food (which was also fantastic)!
It all started early, VERY early! I had not been sleeping terribly crash hot, not a good comparison since we've been having daily temps for a week now above 38c! In fact, on Tuesday it hit 41.7 in the early evening, but at 1.20am (Wednesday) it was still a stifling 32.9c! So thus, my lack of sleep...
ANYWAY, I had gotten to work and I was working on an image that just did NOT want to play... So I got it to its best and then went and got a coffee, I so needed a coffee!
Heading towards lunch, I was beginning to do a report needed for work and I got SO hungry, so I went over to Martin Place with S, as she was a little 'stressed' to say the least! I ordered the Scotch Fillet Steak Sandwich with an Orange and Passionfruit juice!
After lunch, J had been looking at getting a lens, Sigma APO 50-500mm 50-500 F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM, and after a bit of searching, I had found a couple locally as a lot on eBay were Hong Kong based. On my way home, I stopped in a shop in Drummoyne where he didn't have THAT lens, but more so the 150-500 instead! AND, as he's right under the flight path, would make a great spot to have a play with it and test it out before buying it! And I am now going to get one as well (my b'day present), as my 80-400 lens, which I've had for nearly 2 years now, I only got to 'learn on' before going out and spending up big! We are now in the midst of negotiating on a price, as depending on where they get purchased from, rounds out at c. $3,000!
And last night, after a brief chat with M on the way home, we decided to meet up at La Mono for some 'wog food', which is a fun way of saying Lebanese! We had some chicken, shish, bread and TWO bowls of Garlic Dip, YUMM!!! Thanks guys, both M&J for having dinner, I had a great night and I hope that you both did as well! And thanks for the great company...
This is why I am content at the moment, I have some great friends and associates around lately, to which I am grateful for!
Hoo roo for now...
------Tropical Cyclone YASI hitting the Far North Queensland coastline... Stay safe!
Hoo roo for now...
Source of images and selected text: - News.com.au
------Taken on a recent heritage train trip to Bomaderry (Nowra)
Hoo roo for now...
------OK, so I know I've been slack lately with blogging, but I HAVE been a tad busy!
You will remember, that the house has had some major work done, (repoint and re tuckpointed on the facade). Here is a little more of a 'tease' as I want to get ALL of the painting done, and then do a big reveal! This will (knowing my upcoming trips) most likely be either my birthday in March OR the end of March at the latest!
I've also been busy with a trip to Nowra on the South Coast on an old CPH Railmotor, Brisbane for a day of spotting with J and met up with M, 20/20 Cricket games (NSW v Tasmania & NSW v QLD) with B & J (and Co...) as well just for good measure!
Nowra on a CPH Railmotor
The day started early, having to be at Central Station 8am. The old Railmotors, built in 1923, were restored beautifully and faithfully, except for the 'long drop' toilets are now no longer dispensing to the tracks below, as opposed to being enviro friendly today! There was a fair amount of 'rocking and rolling' as we had a top speed of 80klm. It was also rather noisy, as there wasn't much in the way of insulation for sound, but it was a great noise! The trip took us out from Central to Waterfall, down the escarpment via Helensburgh to Thirroul and through Wollongong. We briefly stopped at Bombo Beach just before Kiama and then onto Bomaderry (Nowra) where we had lunch at the local RSL Club. Thanks S&L for including me on this day trip, I had a ball!
Trip to Brisbane for some spotting
I spent Australia day with a mate, J, and his dad, D up in Brisbane. We also teamed up with N who flew in from Newcastle and some local spotters up there as well, M works with J but at the Brisbane airport! We did some spotting, but alas, these photos are still on laptop, so I will need to process and upload as soon as I can. The day will get a post in its entirety, as I had a great day, as I think we all did! Thanks J for the trip, I owe you one!! :)
20/20 Big Bash Cricket
Now I know that some people just do NOT understand the laws of cricket, and I am not about to tell you how its played. It is easier to watch a game and see it, rather than be confused as to its play. Having said that, this version, 20/20, is a recent incarnation of the game, and these two games are the Domestic version of it! Both games, I went with J & D (and co...), B &R and M. We had dinner up in the Members Gold Dinning Room, and then sat in the Members seating area which has a particularly good vantage point! On the NSW v TAS game, I did not take my camera, but I took it to the NSW v ACT ladies match and following them was the NSW v QLD game. There was a little bit of entertainment between games, and being an old curator myself, I watched the pitch repairs and rolling! It was, both nights, a great outing, and I can't wait to go again! Thanks to all involved!!
Hoo roo for now...
------Today, I had one HELL of a headache, and didn't make it into work it was that bad. Having said that, I spent most of the day either in the house (with air con on in lounge room) or in bed sleeping... It was another hot day in old Sydney town! At one point, I woke up in a sweat that was, simply, horrid! Sorry if this was TMI!
Anyway, this is going to be a quick post due to me being tired, so here are some photos, the reason why it needed to be done, a progress photo (or two) and then some of the completed work (both repoint and tuckpoint)! I will have to wait though to do a full shot, as I need to mow lawn LOW, fertilise and water in to make the garden look a lot better as it has had a bit of a trudging this last week and a bit!
I am SO happy with the work from Guliano from the Brick Pointing Team! I am MORE than happy to recommend!
Hoo roo for now...
------This week, sees the starting of a major works program at home, whilst it bring the finish of another. It had been a long time coming for me, and finally, a yard upgrade that is finished for a friend!
On Monday, the re-pointing and tuck-pointing of the house started. I first got a quote done for this way back in Feb/March of 2009. It was an on again off again due to other commitments. However, in November, I committed to it and I got the call from the tradesman saying he was going to start! So, on Monday, he took to the mortar lines with an angle grinder and ground out about 10-155mm or so of the old lime mortar. It was going to be a two day job, but it was done in the day (soft mortar) but he did finish at around 7.30pm!
Tuesday, the garage side wall was re-pointed in an off white mortar. This took the day, and Wednesday and Thursday, was the area along the other side of the house along the second bedroom in the same off white, as a decision was to be made if I was to have from the facade to the entrance door, tuck-pointed. You see, most early Californian Bungalows have a 'front door' but in my case, it is a door that is to the side of the house. So the facade (Garage, bay window and veranda around the corner) was of a slightly different brick, a face brick, with matching common bricks elsewhere. This was very typical of the period (1927) of the home. BUT, I am not sure about returning it to a tuck-point, and having a very distinct change where the entrance door is. The areas that are getting tuck-pointed, has a brown mortar instead of the off white, but then gets taped up and a very fine white line is put on. It is very much a dieing art and trade! Anyway, here are the pics I quickly grabbed the other day:
Also, before Christmas, I helped plan and coordinate a friends backyard makeover. He did the bulk of the design, I just helped it come to fruition! It was fun spending HIS money for once !!! lol Anyway, his spa was installed prior to Christmas and yesterday, the shade structure was installed. So his makeover is now finished! He is SO happy with it, me too just quietly, and the yard is now very much a usable space for entertaining (not to mention, having a spa as well)! He's having family down on Wednesday, they don't know its been done, and he is very excited! Here are some pics of his place:
Hoo roo for now...
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