Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 12 March 2023

Wonder if any of you have been watching "The Piano" which finished on Wednesday. If anyone hasn't seen this, you tube, the piano final, blind Lucy. It bought us to tears.

Morning all:  

AQ:   Pretty snazzy hairdos on those crested terns or was the wind was causing aggro?  We all seem to like your bus outings; maybe post some shots of the scenery as you sit/zoom by?  :-)  And yes, maybe Rusty is correct re a coffee shop nearby?   Was Dampier named after that awful humidity?  Ah no; apparently inspired by Brit explorer, though I like the Aboriginal name of Murujuga (translates to "hip bone sticking out").   I think I mentioned we had a road in town called Indio Muerto (named after a deceased Indian who was found there in 1851 during "a disastrous survey" by one Captain Haley who apparently couldn't draw a straight line so some streets downtown are still misaligned - oh well). Anyway, it was recently renamed Hutash Street (Chumash Indian name meaning Earth Mother).   Aren't you glad you asked?  Oh, right, you didn't....

Lindybird:   Too bad about the chocolate - maybe just have it earlier?   Re family trees, we have several relatives we aren't sure about.  Maybe better not to ask....  :-))

dibnlib:  Don't get The Piano here - I gather a competition. The only "Piano" I know is the Harvey Keitel movie from years go.   I did stumble across Cunk on Earth on TV last night - the BBC/Netflix mockumentary spoofing all the nature/history documentaries.  Was especially funny because they had real experts responding seriously to the protagonist's clueless questions. For example, I didn't know the Ancient Egyptians had emojis but called them hieroglyphics.  :-)  I'd better end here; getting a bit silly.  

Take care all.

Annette: Yes, the problem was, I think, the timing. I had the chocolate very late & had forgotten a previous incident where it had a similar effect.

We went out sightseeing in the car this morning as it was rather cloudy here today, and a sneaky breeze meant that some people actually had coats on! Shock, horror!! Went to a bit of the coast where there are sheltered inlets, and found a very colourful display of wind surfing -- that is, people being taught to ride the waves with the help of a wing like sail.

Later, stopped to stock up on food & essentials. Much hunting around, as although it is a very new, modern supermarket, the managements ideas of what should be put where is somewhat muddled. Found the flour on the 3rd time searching round!! Still can't understand why no bananas today, when they're grown here!

Lindy - always fascinating to delve into family history. My sister has done a bit but has not gone back many generations. Glad you found the flour in the end. I went to a different Tescos on Wednesday and was wondering around looking for the jam!!!!!
A friend and I had a very pleasant couple of hours at Chester Zoo this morning. We are members so it doesn’t matter if we don’t stay long. We both enjoyed looking at the spring flower beds near the old house (which is now a Brasserie) We ended up walking about 2 miles. We saw the Tamandua for the first time!! Very cute. A sort of anteater which climbs trees!!!!

We've been watching and enjoying The Piano ( A sort of competition where many styles of play are showcased by a motley crew of players of all ages. ) Missed the last episode but found out who won, by accident yesterday. It was such fun seeing & hearing all the first talented players, I didn't care who was chosen to be the best.

Already forgetting which day we're on, here. Enjoying my book, which is a very old one I 1st read when just a teenager - it made me laugh like a drain, then. Just as funny now. It's called "Anybody Can Do Anything" and is by Betty MacDonald. Her first book was called "The Egg & I" and was about getting married to a man whose ambition was to run a chicken ranch up in the mountains. Various disasters and trials and tribulations followed -- but her book became a top seller. Now its out of print & my original copy is just a sheaf of loose pages held together with sellotape. My present book, the sequel, was found thanks to the internet.

Speaking of ancestors, I found this picture of my granny when she was young.  Aw!!

HEATHER – Humidity 99%!!! That’s why I stay away from tropics – I complain if ours is above 60%.

RUSTY – There is a tiny corner for a “café, always crowded. I am super wary about crowds, especially lately. Our covid numbers were up 37% last week (nothing to do with festivals, etc of course ha ha). I could get takeaway I guess.

LINDA – I have been typing up Family History. Two “Family Stories” are more or less finished with another 10 to go (6 of mine and 6 of OH). It would be quicker if I didn’t decide to embed a few photos into Word doc. More time wasted as I learn as I go how to do it. Yesterday I was hunting for some photos, which I did find eventually but not before I found several boxes of forgotten paperwork including an exercise book in which I had handwritten a story. Yep, the one I have almost finished typing. I read the old .version and I was pleasantly surprised how much better it sounded than my latest. . . Ho Hum.

ANNETTE – See coffee comment above. My recent bus outings have been winding through suburbs between here and my shopping centre, just boring suburban houses. If you want to see pics, why don’t you just pick any street/s in Lockleys, Underdale, Brooklyn Park and take the Yellow Man for a walk?

Having said that, tomorrow I am off on a “real” bus trip; one with the theme of George Fife Angas. He was a founder & supporter of our colony, opening up land and bringing our emigrants, including many Germans escaping religious persecution in Prussia  (all at high interest; he was in it to make money.) We visit his OTT memorial complete with figure of Fame, buildings he donated (eg Childrens Hospital). We have lunch in the Barossa Valley town of Angaston, named for him. I shall take photos but remember I cannot see very well and I hope my camera will focus better than I can.

Annette - I hope you enjoy tour bus trip. It sounds very interesting.
Lindy - I hope you are now settling in and getting a good rest in some warmth. Actually, it is mild here today and I must give the grass its first cut. It’s really long already despite having recently been under snow! My daffodils and tulips have completely recovered and are flowering happily? Isn’t nature wonderful?

Week improved – mostly.

There was a piece in our local paper Friday about violence in local primary schools as suffered by J – but the numbers are only given for actual suspensions – the one who attacked him and followed up with a further threat was not suspended, however J continued Tuesday and Wednesday as current normal.

We did our planned shopping trip to garden centre and butcher/deli on Wednesday. Garden centres catering has gone further downhill! E-E had a sweet treat birthday voucher so we just shared a mac cheese and salad and followed up with his cake! The shopping itself was successful. We avoided the afternoon rain by going earlier than usual – but that did affect parking at the butcher due to the yummy mummies taking screaming Olivia-Janes and whingeing Olivers to the adjacent swimming pool. Heard on TV this week that Oxfam are saying we should not refer to mothers and fathers - they should only be called parents!

Can’t remember much about Thursday. Friday was E-E’s birthday. He had cards and phonecalls from both our daughters – first communication since I was in hospital about five weeks ago (they have also sent Mothers’ Day cards – the hypocrites! And one has said she might call in for an hour one afternoon in September – when I already have a provisional weekend away in the diary!). He went and ordered his new lawn mower Friday afternoon – told people it was his birthday present – maybe he forgot I booked concert tickets for tomorrow. Today seems a normal Saturday so far.

ANNETTE – I hope A’s job application will be successful!

RUSTY – I had a good look at various news this morning, and was surprised how many Ospreys are around already! I do hope LG nest will be occupied this summer.

HEATHER – you are right – the chairs had to be put right under warranty. I would certainly not recommend Adjustamatic for their customer service!

LINDA – glad you arrived and found most things satisfactory! OH has Smith in his family tree – maybe he is your cousin! Ha-ha.
AQ – I hope you enjoyed your photography trip and that it was not too hot.

Limited time in the study due to other things, so will get this on its way.