01 March, 2010

Hunter Region Botanic Gardens and a weekend catchup

Last week, I went up to the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens... this is quite a quaint little gardens that really are doing a wonderful job on, basically, running on the smell of an oily rag!

And a very dear friend, A, sent me a message saying to take some mosquito repellent, and I thought I would be OK, well I was wrong! There were HEAPS of them, and they were persistent little sods too! but, whilst they were landing on me, they didn't seem to be biting me, so all was good! There is, at the entrance to the visitors center, a stand that has a few insect sprays, so I think I will use them next time!

HRBG Fountain, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
HRBG Rotunda, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
HRBG Garden Chapel, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

They have also done a 'sculpture/carving from an old tree that had passed.

ABORIGINAL SCULPTURE IN THE GARDENS An ancient Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa) in front of the Visitors Centre carved by Aboriginal sculptor Worimi Dates. The carving depicts the people and totems of the Garuahgal tribe of the Raymond Terrace area. Native animals and people emerge in harmony with the tree telling the story of Worimi's family. The rich colour of the carving is achieved by using Preschem's Aussie Clear timber treatment, Preschem have sponsored the tree by providing a year's supply of oil.

HRBG Tree Sculpture, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
HRBG Tree Sculpture Closeup, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
HRBG Tree Sculpture Pelican, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
HRBG Tree Sculpture Roots, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

The weekend was an extremely busy one. I got home from the HRBG at around 6pm and I went straight to bed. I had a mate that was on the first flight out of YSSY to Dubai and then Tehran and needed to be at the airport at 2.30am. I woke at 12.30, had a coffee and headed across to pick him up and we were on our way (to McDonald's for another coffee)! After dropping him off and saying goodbyes, I headed home for another sleep and correct my body clock! The rest of the day included a trip over to the in-laws and then dinner at the DoG with some other friends. It was a great dinner, and to finally put faces to these guys I have had many conversations with over the years on discussion forums! Needless to say, there were a few 'tall stories' and the like, and the old saying of 'what happens on tour, stays on tour' applies to these as well!

Sunday, I there was no rest for the wicked, and I was off early to purchase and install a new modem/router for my aunt in law. She is also now SKYPE enabled for when we head overseas. Did I say that it is now 30 days away!?

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24 February, 2010

WW No. 2: - My FIRST HDR image!

Here is my very first attempt at doing HDR!

First HDR PR, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

For more info on WHAT HDR is, please take a look here.

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22 February, 2010

On and off the rails

Yesterday, I went for a bit of a drive as it was going to be such a nice day, sunny and warm. But I had NO idea as to where I was going to go and what I was going to do! I had recently purchased a new lens and I wanted to try it out... So in my travels, I ended up over in Sydney's South at Loftus and the Tram Museum, sort of...

I didn't actually go TO the Museum, but I went over the Pacific Highway where it enters the Royal national Park where I could hopefully get a couple of good 'Shots'! I even put my camera ON the rail with the oncoming tram, but that shot was not to good, and was not level on the horizon, so I have not processed it. I hope you like them!

Tram Rails Loftus, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Tram Rail and Leaves, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Tram 249 Loftus, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Tram KEW Loftus, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Tram Victoria Bridge Loftus, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

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18 February, 2010

Thursday Thirteen # 1

A bit of a photo essay really... My late wife, L who passed away last April whilst carrying our twins...

1. Her smile…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

2. Her 'funny Faces'…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

3. Her work trips…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Arrival at Heathrow, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

4. Her work around the house…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

5. Her WANT to be a mum (even if it was through IVF egg collections)…

16 Right, originally uploaded by lounbern.
Fourteen, originally uploaded by lounbern.
A picture tells a 1000 words..., originally uploaded by lounbern.
Twins, originally uploaded by lounbern.

7. Her being an 'Aunty L'…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

7. Our outings here and there…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

8. Her supporting me…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

9. Her craftiness…

tangerine, originally uploaded by lounbern.
Avalon waiting quilt, originally uploaded by lounbern.

10. Her sense of family, and love of it…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

11. From our Wedding Day…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

12. Rembering her in her youth…

Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Louise, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

13. But ONE thing I will never forget, is her lasting memory…

Headstone, Plaque & Photo, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Family Tree Planting, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.
Plaque and Stone, originally uploaded by AussiePomm.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

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17 February, 2010

Whine, congratulations and an update!

Have been feeling a little... down over the last couple of days. Not sure if it was the whole Valentine's day thing or not, but feeling a little overwhelmed! [/end whine]

Anyways, the trip has FINALLY been paid for in full, just waiting for the final invoice and itinerary. These will more than likely come with the tickets for the Rail component, but now I can relax a little. All that remains (really) is where and what attractions will be had! I would have loved for mum to go on the London Eye, but she has an aversion to heights, but I hope she can summons up the courage for the Eiffel Tower!

The Itinerary, 42 days, is as follows:

  • Manchester, Liverpool, York, Bath, Windsor and London.
  • Paris and Angers
  • Venice, Florence, Pisa and Venice
  • Naples Capri Italy, Piraeus (Athens) Rhodes Greece, Kuasadsi (Ephesus) Turkey, Alexandria (Cairo) Egypt, Messina (Sicily) Italy and back to Civitavecchia (Rome)
  • Dubai

I can't wait to get onto the plane (44 days from now, but I am not counting (MUM is though)) but to get some great photos as well!

My journey to a healthier lifestyle is going well, as I mentioned, I have lost 2kg and 20cm overall on my body measurements. Yesterday, I started a boxing session with the trainer and felt OK after it! My eating is going ok, even good, and I have started to eat some vegetables including Broccoli! I am currently going twice a week, and from NEXT week, I will be throwing in a class as well on the Wednesday! I am still walking of a morning, and cycling of an afternoon (when it's not TO hot) and I go for a walk in my lunch time.

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