Today, 17th December, 2000 we were married. Today, would be our 12th wedding anniversary...
Monte Chapel
Bridal Party
Us...
Us again
Cake
Us...
Hoo roo for now...
------Today, 17th December, 2000 we were married. Today, would be our 12th wedding anniversary...
Hoo roo for now...
------Today, you would be 43... You are forever missed...
This weeks 'Thematic Photographic' (check out Carmi's post) is all about the shades... My take of this, is looking at the cause of the 'shade' and that is a cloud... Carmi explains much better than I the technical difficulties about shooting a shade, but here we can see the Vietnamese sun, glaring through and piercing the clouds to form brilliant sunrays. The adverse effect of this, is of course, that there will also be shades cast onto the earth underneath...
So make sure you go and visit, come back through the week, and see if I post another shade, and I promise, there wont be 50 greys either!!
Hoo roo for now...
------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!!!
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!!!
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...
------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).
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...
Hoo roo for now...
------ wordless wednesdayExcellence 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...
------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!
You can, of course, read more about Thematic Photographic over on Carmi's blog... Written Inc!
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...
------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...
------Hoo roo for now...
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