SOX

Today, I had the pleasure of delivering SOX, an 8.5 week Great Dane puppy, to a foster carer down south. I had picked up this little cutie mid-morning, and he got on well with Bronty, as she did with him!! Mind you, he slept all the way down!!!

Sleepy Sox

Wake UP!!!

When we got to the transfer spot at McDonalds Albion Park Rail, the foster people were there waiting. They were then going onto Cowra, which is another 4-5 hours drive away!! Needless to say, we were getting a lot of 'looks' as Bronty and Sox were stretching their legs, having a drink and even having a play!! He was just SO DARN CUTE!!!

Bronty and Sox Playing

After saying our 'good-byes' I once again drove up the Illawarra Escarpment towards Sydney, and when I reached Loftus, I stopped for something to eat. It was the BEST chicken, cheese and tomato bread roll I have ever had! This, with a double shot coffee, was certainly needed. Bronty, on the other hand, was absolutely dead to the world asleep (puppy play?) and couldn't have cared less what I was eating!!

Anyways, we got home late afternoon, I had a snooze (as did Brnoty)...

Hoo roo for now...

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Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins Time, So...here we go!

Hosted by Janet at Friday Fill-Ins

1. I saw on the news last night, the most HORRIFIC news of a Police Officer having been killed in the line of duty yesterday... Read more HERE.
2. I had an interesting 'discussion'* through the week, where a pretty big hint was dropped about something... I pleaded for more information, which never was given, but I did ask for a hint...just a hint, please! ALL to no avail though!
3. Once I had wanted a new car, not a secondhand one, but a new one. I can't see this happening soon though, but I am considering a new, secondhand, one now...
4. I use to really enjoy swimming, and I want to get back into it for some fitness. Its quite good, minimal impact, high cardio, so it should be good to lose weight, improve fitness and generally, get healthier! I should also get slimmer, like I was in times past.
5. The road led to Goulburn during the week, an afternoon drive south took me some 5 hours return, nearly 400klm, but I had fun, it was peaceful and I enjoyed listening to Birdie, Christina Perri, Amy Winehouse and Tony Bennett.
6. The evening light, as well as in the morning light, offers the best for photography, especially at the airport when spotting. Its often referred to as "The Golden Hour"!
   
   YJ-AV1 B738 Air Vanuatu
   YJ-AV1 B738 Air Vanuatu
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner with J, C & M (maybe; I've left my glasses at home, and I have eye strain already, and a headache brewing, so we'll see) at L'etoile in Paddington, tomorrow my plans include an early morning swim with Bronty at the beach, getting washing up-to-date, lawns mowed and Sunday, I want to have a BBQ lunch with L's family, for her birthday (during next week), and I will also be heading to the cemetery with some flowers as well!

Hoo roo for now...

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* Discussion was via SMS, and the party (or parties) shall remain nameless for the purpose of this blogpost...

Wordless Wednesday No. 68 - Mellow Yellow Caves of Vietnam

Ok, NOT quite wordless, as it is also "Thematic Photographic - Mellow Yellow" as well...

Here, we are deep in the 'Surprise Caves' of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. The theme (mainly due to the types of lights used) has a distinct yellow hue about them. First, we have the "Pointing Finger", even though an English Gentleman (well into his 70's if not 80's suggested his 'magazine' suggested otherwise).

"Pointing Finger"

Here is a hsot of the roof of the caves, it was difficult to photograph inside, given the low light, number of people and the speed in which we had to walk...

Caves Roof
Deep into the caves...
Caves Exit

Hoo roo for now...

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wordless wednesday

Excellence in the Environment Awards 2012

Excellence in the Environment Awards 2012

Yesterday, was the annual Excellence in the Environment Awards, and the third annual award presented for Individual Excellence in Sustainability - which is dedicated to Louise after she died in 2009. Both M & J were there as well, as guests of the NSW LGSA.

The morning had con-current sessions of presentations on all things environmental, water, waste, energy, procurement even biodiversity! There is a lot of great work going on in Sustainability at a Local Government level, we should all be encouraged by what our LGA is doing. A full list of the categories can be found HERE, whilst the winners are HERE.

When it came time for the actual presentation of the awards, and I sat on the panel for the Individual category, the was many dignatries, The Minister for the Environment, (and acting Minister for Local Government), The Hon. Robyn Parker, President of the Local Government Association of NSW Cr Keith Rhoades AFSM & the Vice President Shires Association Cr Maria Woods (plus all of the sponsors as well). Both M&J, as was I, was humbeled to hear the Minister, and both the President of the Local Government and the Vice President of the Shires Associations, speak so warmly and fondly of Louise, and the work she had done in the field of Sustainability. Work, that is still being looked upon as groundbreaking, still today.

The winner, a passionate young man from Byron, was also asked to give an acceptance speech, and whilst he thanked all of the people he works with, both within Council but more so the community of Byron Bay, he went on to acknowledge Louise's parents, and myself, and with his brief research into the work Louise had accomplished, he has taken some new initivies onboard to adapt to Byron.

After the Awards were done and dusted, we were then welcomed to have lunch (which was a great offering of foods), before heading out for the afternoon.

By this stage, it was late, I was tired, and I was drained, but as a mate of mine was leaving for work in Saudia Arabia, I wanted to get out to the airport to see his plane off. I had only just made it with around 20 minutes or so to spare!

Hoo roo for now...

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The Day The Hobbits Arrived (Thematic Photographic)

Ok, to be a part of Carmi's thematic Photographic this week, (Flying), I thought I'd add in the latest logojet, from Air New Zealand; The Hobbits!

Arrival from Auckland
Departure back to Auckland

You can, of course, read more about Thematic Photographic over on Carmi's blog... Written Inc!

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The day started with rain, and although the forecast was to top 40c, I initially doubted this very much... How wrong was I! There was a few of us out there, and a few left to try and grab a different view of the beast. I, and a friend from Holland, and another local spotter all hung around on the mound. She did look lovely, and a credit to ANZ for doing it!

However, by the time it was scheduled to leave, it was now after midday and not the best for spotting, but the heat was increasing by the minute! And by the time it actually left, it was nearing 36c!

On my way home though, I had to stop at the Pool Clinic, and purchase a 'Creepy Crawly' for the in-laws pool. Initially, I was going to go home and pick up Bronty, but she was probably better at home in the cool, so I went straight over to their place. Installing it took no real time at all, and before too long, it was circling the pool picking up leaf litter from the bottom! We also added some chemical, chlorine and an acid to stop the chlorine escaping, and I left it to do its thing, happily do its thing at that!

By the time I got home, Miss Bronty was MORE THAN HAPPY to see me, bless her! I had gotten something light to eat for dinner, as the last thing I wanted to do was cook! The heat did NOT get any cooler, and thank goodness I fixed the air-conditioner a couple of months ago! I eventually got too bed, but later in the night, 2.30am Sunday, it was still 27c!

Hoo roo for now...

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Friday at the V8 Practice Day Sydney Olympic Park

Wednesday, I was asked as to what my plans were for Friday by a mate, B... When I explained to him that I was to be at work, he told me to reconsider, and that I need to have the day off... When asked as to why, it really was a "no brainer", we were going to the V8's practice day, and all thanks to Jim Beam Racing!

My only issue was, it was going to be a hot day, with the temperature scheduled to reach 39c! We met the team outside, and we were given our passes for the day, and also the wristband to gain access to the corporate room, which was located right above pit lane. We had caps, chiller bags and even stubby holders waiting for us on the tables. Later in the morning, we were also given a 'Pit Lane Shirt', which was just way to cool!We watched the first practice session from the corporate tent, as well as the 'Muscle Cars'!

We had a drink (or two) before heading down to the static exhibitions, whilst the Porsche's and ute's did their practices.

We retreated back to the corporate are for a little respite from the heat (and humidity), and some lunch. The food was great, and needless to say, the drink of choice in the Jim Beam Racing tent, was "Jim Beam" and coke! I also had a fair amount of water, given the heat, so I was far from being 'happy' from the alcohol! We also were fortunate enough to have our photos taken with the Jim Beam Girls as well!

After all of this, we then headed down to one of (I think) best parts of the track; a tricky and tight, chicane! I so wanted to get a photo of the cars speeding through here, and preferably, on two wheels!!

All up, a great day, regardless of the weather, and thanks heaps for the invite B!

Hoo roo for now...

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Wordless Wednesday No. 67 - Colours of Vietnam

Saigon Sunset
Saigon by night
Hoi An - Lanterns
Sapa Waterfall
Ha Long Bay - Sunset
Hanoi Street

Hoo roo for now...

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Where did that weekend go to??

Ok, since getting back from Vietnam, I have been busy - sorry about that! On the Tuesday, got home and started to do the washing, colours first and whites to soak! I also managed to get the back lawn mowed (I can't STAND it when it gets a little 'woolly'!

Wednesday was my first day back at work, and as I had not touched my work emails whilst away, I had a fair amount of 'catch-up' to do! Wednesday night though, I started to get a sore throat, and a fever overnight... Oh no...

Thursday, I was a little achy, I had a cough, and I was beginning to feel very tired, but I did 'push' through the day all the same. You see, whilst waiting in transit at Saigon airport, I had a little brat of a child (c. 8 maybe 9) sitting/kneeling on the bench seat behind me, we were having a bite to eat before clearing immigration. Anyways, whilst he was playing his DS, he let out this almighty hacking cough, a real 'flemmy' one... I turned around to see him still going, and playing his game console, not even bothering to cover his mouth from his germs... I gestured to him to stop it, as the last thing I wanted was to fall ill! Anyway, I did, and by Friday, I was death warmed up! I still went into work, although, I did leave at 10.30am after only 3 hours... I got home, and I slept most of the day...

Although on Saturday I was feeling a little better, and I had to give the in-laws the new computer I had been transferring files over too. A drive over, unboxed both the new PC and the new printer, and it is up and running smoothly (only thing remaining to do was a licence key for MS Office). It was then home for a quick 'kip' (or so I thought) before heading to the other end of Sydney, for my mum's family Christmas gathering. Of mums siblings, she is one of five, there was only three of them as uncle Brian passed away a few years back and uncle Frank is in a nursing home after aunty Margaret died 2 years back. But it was nice to catch up with Uncle Arthur (with aunty Joy), aunty Pat (with uncle John) and a few of my cousins (and their kids)! It was a quieter affair this year, to early? Busy people?? I totally understand we are all busy...

Mum, Uncle Arthur and Aunty Pat
Joy, Arthur, Mum, Pat & John
Cousins
Pat, Mum and Jenny
David and Arthur (in-laws)
Cousin Stephanie and her dad, Uncle John

Sunday morning, Bronty and I went down to the beach for a swim; she loves the water! There was a couple of other dogs there, Staffies and a couple of Foxies as well. It was going to be a HOT day, forecasted 36c, and the house was all closed up and was cool when I got home; and luckily, my recently fixed air-conditioner (by me of course) worked a treat!

Hoo roo for now...

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Vietnam - Hanoi Day 2 & 3

Today was to be the catch-up 'Hanoi City Tour' that we moved due to a sickness earlier in the trip. We had breakfast, and got ready for the guide to meet us nice and early - 8am!

Our first point of call was the tomb of the late Mr Ho Chi Minh ('Uncle Ho' as he is known). We were told that we could NOT take in cameras or mobile phones, and happily packed everything up and left with our guide. There was also a 'tourist' entrance and a 'Vietnamese' entrance (which also had a priority, but still, NO phones/cameras! Anyway, we made our way through security, yes, bags x-rayed and walk through a metal detector - much the same as in any airport! Anyway, we joined the very long, snaking its way around corners, regular guards along the way. The asian (chinese I think) girl in front of us, pulls out her phone and started to take photos of the long line! Even the Japanese guys behind us saw this as an invitation and got theirs out!!! The girl in-front, even used it in front of a guard!!!We eventually made our way to the door of the tomb, where Uncle Ho was laid in state, and the guards were telling people to 'shhh'. M even got told to remove her hands from her pockets! There were four guards around Uncle Ho, each looking at the passing crowd, ensuring silence, and NO photos etc. The tomb is closed for a month every year, to allow him to be restored, our guard later told us that he never wanted to be on public view like this, yet the public wanted to view him! It was alomst sureal to see him, and I left with very mixed emotions to what I had just seen...

We then walked through the grounds, past his house and 'Stilt House' before coming out to the front of the Mausoleum.

As we were walking back to the bus, we passed by the bike parking area... All I could think of was, "now WHERE did I park my bike...?"

Next up, we stopped at the 'West Lake' Pagoda, quite a nice (large) lake... And not too bad of a Pagoda either!

Next stop, was the Museum of Literature, which was more of a University of sorts... We were somewhat lucky, as in a couple of days time it was the graduation day for students! And today, a lot of them were here giving thanks to the teachers (National Teacher Day) and were also praying for success in the Higher Examination coming...

Our final (we dropped the 'shopping' tour of the 'Old Quarter' in Hanoi as we do that of an evening) destination for the day was the Museum of Ethnology. This was looking back at the history of the Vietnamese people, and the housing used by the minority people; primarily to the north. There was a lot of fascinating things to look at here, especially the differing styles of housing!

We then headed back to the hotel to rest up, have dinner, and get some sleep...

The following day, was a mad-dash shop around the streets to grab a few last minnute bargains, before the flights back to Saigon and home. It will be good to get back home...

Hoo roo for now...

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