Weekly Chat, Sunday April 10, 2011

Dreich – and all the other D-words!  Still doing various things in prep for hol – pleased we did garden and hung washing out yesterday.

Diane – again hoping that you had no storm damage or power problems last night, after your very hot day.

Alicat – busy weekend for you, making garden puppy-proof!  Hope the foot is less painful today – was it one of those nasty metal toolboxes with the sharp corners?

AQ – enjoy your undercoat until the cream painting is done!  Loved the Paddle Steamer photo – and her history.

Annette – sorry about technology frustration!  Always fancied a trip on a Mississippi Steamboat – never likely to happen, and probably a dream which is better than the reality!!

Dibnlib – hope your OH feels better today.

Brenda – sadly, I reckon Japan is rumbling on towards another very big one sometimes soon.

Margo – pleased you enjoyed the dance show – and Sunday sounds idyllic with the three of you (you, OH and Billy) in the garden together.

Must look busy – OH will be back with shopping.

dibnlib  hope your OH is feeling a little better.  Sinus troubles are not nice.

original goldfinch we enjoy Billy's company so much.  Hoping that if the weather does change here he will make use of his bed indoors.

Diane - Sending positive thoughts your way to assist with The Decision. Thank you for report on the Argyle wallabies. That wasn’t on our news. No room for good news stories when they can broadcast bashings, bullyings, car-jackings, robbery and of course sport, sport, sport.

Annette - No animal gophers in Aussieland. The handsome fella was a white-backed magpie, like those that visit our front verandah for a feed.

No worthwhile TV, so herewith more Riverland saga. Then out to Paringa to see the Black Stump and a visit to an antique shop. Have you heard the saying "beyond the black stump"? This 8 metre 8 tonne Black Stump at Paringa is the largest of 11 reported around Aust. The root system of a 600-year-old river red gum found upstream near Chowilla. Permission granted to remove, special chain saw from QLD large enough to cut root system from 2 metre diameter trunk took 3 hours. Twelve 44 gallon drums for flotation & pulled by houseboat, the journey took 5 days at 2 km per hour.

When the locks were installed to control the river in 1920s, water remained permanently in some areas. These river red gums were drowned back then and are still standing.

Another river scene.

Next around to Lock 5 near Paringa. Technical stuff for those interested.

There we saw a Sacred ibis (through bus window)

and several white-winged choughs darting in the trees. One obligingly displayed his white patch.

Afternoon OG no tool box was one of those plastic ones which was lucky other wise might have down more damage but full of tools still hurt even though it was plastic still hurts but less painful than last night

Hello!  what a lot to catch up on, and I was on here last night!

First of all, here are your Monday Smiles for this week - 'funny' pictures of children & animals, mostly:

My early date today, was with the Funeral of dear 'Stella', who died last week and who was buried in a lovely country churchyard very near to her home. The lovely old village church was almost full, with friends, neighbours and relatives, and of course two whole rows of pews  of nurses who had come to pay their respects. Her dear sister wore a bright jacket, and they played "Lady in Red" during the service.  Afterward, the rain held off and the Springtime blossoms on the trees and the daffodils around seemed somehow appropriate for her: she would have loved it all.

Now my OH has gone off to the Manchester Eye Hospital as he had another meeting with his GP today about a painful eye he has been struggling with- and later today we have to take Buzz to the Vets as he has not been too good lately.  Rather a hard way to start the week!

I'm off to eat some lunch & read all of the above, you have all written lots.

Lindybird thanks for Monday Smiles.

Lindybird sorry you have had a hard start to the week but pleased that you thought "Stella" would have loved it all.  So glad the rain held off as well.

Hope your OH gets on OK at the Eye Hospital and they will be able to find what is causing his pain.

Will be thinking of you when you take Buzz to the vets.  Such a worry when a pet becomes unwell.

Afternoon all,

Linda : Sorry you have had such a bad start to the week. All these troubles seem to come together. I hope Buzz and your OH get on ok today. Thanks for the monday smiles.

Aq : Thanks for the pics.

Everyone else thanks for the chat etc.

Another nice day with the temp up to 19c. Not really sure where the morning went but here we are in the afternoon already. Stayed up to watch the golf and although Rory McIlroy did not win, it was a very exciting finale with 5 or 6 players on 10 under at one point. Glad that Tiger Woods did not win or Bo Van Pelt. Why would anyone call their child Bo? Anyway a great spectacle on a very beautiful golf course.  Just done the dogs washing so I had better go and hang it out now.

There has been a hatch for Appio & Vergine and also Alice & Virgilio.