Today (Queens Day in the Netherlands coincidentally) the Australian Federal Government announced the removal of around 100 pieces of discrimination against same sex couples involving such things as tax, superannuation, medical etc. The Opposition isn't likely to oppose this move. The issue of same sex marriage is not up for discussion but I suspect that it will be left until later in the term of this government. It is just too sensitive an issue to be allowed to cloud these 100 pieces of discriminatory legislation from passing through parliament. The government is to be congratulated for moving to correct an imbalance that has been long overdue for reform.
Rene and I last year went to a lot of trouble to ensure that as far as could be done legally we looked after each other as far as property, health issues and superannuation were concerned. If your will and other legalities haven't been reviewed for a while I'd recommend you attend to this sooner rather than later. We'd be happy to forward the name of our solicitor who specialises in same sex legal issues - she is very good indeed.
More information on the reforms are contained here: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/04/29/1209234861987.html
Wednesday 30 April 2008
Google Netherlands
This was sent to me by Rene - Google Nederlands have this logo on their site today. Clever!
Monday 28 April 2008
Just a quick one...
It was 29C here today, and tomorrow it'll be just 21. No rain, just blue skies but a cold front dominating our weather. Definitely doona time tonight. I did manage a swim in the pool over the weekend but I suspect it will not be pool weather this coming week.
Australia during last week expanded and actually grew by 2.5m sq km - that's about the equivalent of 10 New Zealands, five Frances, 20 UK's and enough Hollands to make every Dutchman very happy. Along with this UN sanctioned expansion of the continental shelf comes access to many more resources - not that we are exactly short of those, but a bit more might well be useful.
This week also saw the Aussie dollar reach a 27 year high against the US dollar with A$1=95c. Our resources and minerals sector is helping Australia minimise the current world finance squeeze. We still have significant shortages of labour, and although interest rates have risen along with the cost of fuel, we are not feeling anywhere near the hurt that many other countries are experiencing. Along with our resource exports we also export wheat and rice, two commodities that are at record highs. Australia is indeed 'the lucky country'.
The house continues well with the plasterers hard at it today. Pictures from last Friday are to be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/orloo/sets/72157604789090696/ Look for the set 'April 25'.
NOS Jornaal from BVN in Holland is currently in the background on SBS News channel. It's nice hearing the Dutch language. That reminds me, Wednesday is the Dutch Queen's official birthday Koninginnedag. To my Dutch friends
, have a wonderful and merry Orange Day. More info for the non Dutch fraternity on the day is to be found here http://www.thehollandring.com/koninginnedag.shtml
Rene and I have had the most wonderful recent few days with an overnight guest last Thursday, Kit, our American Aussie friend who's about to visit the US again for a few weeks to see family and friends. His wife Polly (hi Polly!) has already been over there for a few weeks working and visiting family and friends. Following Kit's visit we also overnighted last night in Brisbane at the home of friends who are about to embark on a three month motor home tour of France and Spain. Peter, Bernie and their daughter Rebecca will travel in their new motor home th
at they bought in England after searching the net for weeks. They'll leave it in Peterborough (Cambridgeshire) after the three months and return in a year's time for the 2009 three month tour, picking up from where they left of this year. Bon voyage guys, and see you again in August.
Rene had a flat tyre on his motorbike and so he's getting a new tyre. It was ready for replacement anyway. The weather is superb right now for riding and the countryside around the Sunshine Coast
is superb for scenery plus twisting hilly roads. This picture was from Montville last Monday where I was buying shirts for upcoming weddings. Would you believe we have three (yes, 3) weddings to attend later this year. My 55% silk, 45% cotton shirts look fabulous, especially the one I bought for Rene's sister's wedding on the beach at North Stradbroke Island (Straddie) on October 2.
This coming weekend we have a couple of friends from Toowoomba staying for two nights. Rhonda and Bill adopted Tikki, Mum's dog, when I went to live in Europe. We hope to extend to them a great time here at the coast. We just love visitors.
Rene's sister's dog Splinter passed his obedience test
last week back in Holland. Claartje's partner Jan is pictured with the pampered (but obedient) pooch. Lovely photo!
I can see where visitors to my blog come from. This is the country chart, but there are many other bits of information contained in the site meter icon at the top right of this page. I can even see if people in Beaverton OR and Coventry have checked the blog. Yes, Big Brother is alive and well (I even can see the isp's addresses).
There's more, but alas, no further time at present. Until later, have a great week.
Australia during last week expanded and actually grew by 2.5m sq km - that's about the equivalent of 10 New Zealands, five Frances, 20 UK's and enough Hollands to make every Dutchman very happy. Along with this UN sanctioned expansion of the continental shelf comes access to many more resources - not that we are exactly short of those, but a bit more might well be useful.
Australia grew today - by 10 times the size of NZ
April 21, 2008 - 4:25PM
A potential oil and gas bonanza could follow Australia extending its continental shelf under an agreement with the United Nations.
"I am pleased to announce that Australia, the largest island in the world, has just been dramatically increased in size," Resources Minister Martin Ferguson told reporters in Canberra.
"We have fully explored through the United Nations our entitlements to actually extend our continental shelf."
Mr Ferguson said Australia had explored its entitlements to extend the continental shelf.
The UN had found that Australia's territory should be extended by 2.5 million square kilometres, he said.
"That is an area five times the size of France, 10 times the size of New Zealand, and 20 times the size of the United Kingdom," Mr Ferguson said.
Mr Ferguson could not put a figure on the potential oil and gas reserves contained in the areas.
"The truth of the matter is that they have been hardly explored," he said.
"There has been some exploration ... in terms of gas.
"This is potentially a bonanza. We have got unknown capacity up there."
It also raised questions about what regimes might be needed in the future to encourage exploration, he said.
Mr Ferguson said resource-hungry nations want security over supply by Australia.
"As you can appreciate, when you sit down and talk to countries such as Japan, Korea, India and China, the big issue they want from us is security of supply and that goes to the energy security debate,'' he said.
"It is also very important in the international debate about energy security,'' he said.
The expansion did not mean motorists could expect cheaper petrol or LPG, he said.
"As you and I appreciate, LPG and oil prices are part of international outcomes in the same way in which so is the price of iron ore, uranium, coal, nickel and copper,'' he said. "We are part of a world market.''
It was important that Australia got on with exploration because it was not oil-rich, Mr Ferguson said.
"We do need to find another Bass Strait or alternatively develop alternative fuels, such as gas-to-liquids and coal liquids, because the issue of energy security goes squarely to the question of transport fuels.''
Mr Ferguson ruled out the exploration of the Antarctic mainland and waters around it.
"We have always acknowledged the Antarctic treaty,'' he said.
The minister did not immediately rule out exploration of the waters around Macquarie Island, in the Southern Ocean.
He was not immediately available to confirm all details of exploration in the Southern Ocean.
AAP
April 21, 2008 - 4:25PM
A potential oil and gas bonanza could follow Australia extending its continental shelf under an agreement with the United Nations.
"I am pleased to announce that Australia, the largest island in the world, has just been dramatically increased in size," Resources Minister Martin Ferguson told reporters in Canberra.
"We have fully explored through the United Nations our entitlements to actually extend our continental shelf."
Mr Ferguson said Australia had explored its entitlements to extend the continental shelf.
The UN had found that Australia's territory should be extended by 2.5 million square kilometres, he said.
"That is an area five times the size of France, 10 times the size of New Zealand, and 20 times the size of the United Kingdom," Mr Ferguson said.
Mr Ferguson could not put a figure on the potential oil and gas reserves contained in the areas.
"The truth of the matter is that they have been hardly explored," he said.
"There has been some exploration ... in terms of gas.
"This is potentially a bonanza. We have got unknown capacity up there."
It also raised questions about what regimes might be needed in the future to encourage exploration, he said.
Mr Ferguson said resource-hungry nations want security over supply by Australia.
"As you can appreciate, when you sit down and talk to countries such as Japan, Korea, India and China, the big issue they want from us is security of supply and that goes to the energy security debate,'' he said.
"It is also very important in the international debate about energy security,'' he said.
The expansion did not mean motorists could expect cheaper petrol or LPG, he said.
"As you and I appreciate, LPG and oil prices are part of international outcomes in the same way in which so is the price of iron ore, uranium, coal, nickel and copper,'' he said. "We are part of a world market.''
It was important that Australia got on with exploration because it was not oil-rich, Mr Ferguson said.
"We do need to find another Bass Strait or alternatively develop alternative fuels, such as gas-to-liquids and coal liquids, because the issue of energy security goes squarely to the question of transport fuels.''
Mr Ferguson ruled out the exploration of the Antarctic mainland and waters around it.
"We have always acknowledged the Antarctic treaty,'' he said.
The minister did not immediately rule out exploration of the waters around Macquarie Island, in the Southern Ocean.
He was not immediately available to confirm all details of exploration in the Southern Ocean.
AAP
This week also saw the Aussie dollar reach a 27 year high against the US dollar with A$1=95c. Our resources and minerals sector is helping Australia minimise the current world finance squeeze. We still have significant shortages of labour, and although interest rates have risen along with the cost of fuel, we are not feeling anywhere near the hurt that many other countries are experiencing. Along with our resource exports we also export wheat and rice, two commodities that are at record highs. Australia is indeed 'the lucky country'.
The house continues well with the plasterers hard at it today. Pictures from last Friday are to be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/orloo/sets/72157604789090696/ Look for the set 'April 25'.
NOS Jornaal from BVN in Holland is currently in the background on SBS News channel. It's nice hearing the Dutch language. That reminds me, Wednesday is the Dutch Queen's official birthday Koninginnedag. To my Dutch friends
, have a wonderful and merry Orange Day. More info for the non Dutch fraternity on the day is to be found here http://www.thehollandring.com/koninginnedag.shtmlRene and I have had the most wonderful recent few days with an overnight guest last Thursday, Kit, our American Aussie friend who's about to visit the US again for a few weeks to see family and friends. His wife Polly (hi Polly!) has already been over there for a few weeks working and visiting family and friends. Following Kit's visit we also overnighted last night in Brisbane at the home of friends who are about to embark on a three month motor home tour of France and Spain. Peter, Bernie and their daughter Rebecca will travel in their new motor home th
at they bought in England after searching the net for weeks. They'll leave it in Peterborough (Cambridgeshire) after the three months and return in a year's time for the 2009 three month tour, picking up from where they left of this year. Bon voyage guys, and see you again in August.Rene had a flat tyre on his motorbike and so he's getting a new tyre. It was ready for replacement anyway. The weather is superb right now for riding and the countryside around the Sunshine Coast
is superb for scenery plus twisting hilly roads. This picture was from Montville last Monday where I was buying shirts for upcoming weddings. Would you believe we have three (yes, 3) weddings to attend later this year. My 55% silk, 45% cotton shirts look fabulous, especially the one I bought for Rene's sister's wedding on the beach at North Stradbroke Island (Straddie) on October 2.This coming weekend we have a couple of friends from Toowoomba staying for two nights. Rhonda and Bill adopted Tikki, Mum's dog, when I went to live in Europe. We hope to extend to them a great time here at the coast. We just love visitors.
Rene's sister's dog Splinter passed his obedience test
last week back in Holland. Claartje's partner Jan is pictured with the pampered (but obedient) pooch. Lovely photo!I can see where visitors to my blog come from. This is the country chart, but there are many other bits of information contained in the site meter icon at the top right of this page. I can even see if people in Beaverton OR and Coventry have checked the blog. Yes, Big Brother is alive and well (I even can see the isp's addresses).
There's more, but alas, no further time at present. Until later, have a great week.
Sunday 20 April 2008
Want some rain? Have some of ours.
There's some serious arguing as to where the next dam should be built. One argument says that we don't even need another dam, use what we have smarter. All this aside, the area just north of us here on the Sunshine Coast is likely to be the next dam site. Presently it only rains in this part of south east Queensland. Yes, Brisbane has a sprinkling of rain here and there, but h
ere where we live we have had loads and loads of rain. The picture shows the rain 30 minutes ago just over where we live (we're between Maroochydore and Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast). We had 75mm (3") in the 24h until 9am this morning. There's been a lot more since then. Brisbane had just 0.4mm (I think that was a cane toad that peed on the road).
We had an early meeting with Ray our builder on Wednesday. To save fuel we both took our cars to Beerwah station (31 km from here), I left mine in the commuter car park and got in with Rene for the drive into the city. After the meeting Rene drove me to my school nearby the house then he went back home to the coast. After school I got a train into Bowen Hills from Windsor station near to my school, changed onto a Nambour train, sat on that for 91 minutes and got ou
t at Beerwah, drove home 25 minutes and arrived feeling that I don't exactly want to repeat that trip again in a hurry. I left school at 3:30 and arrived at the basement car park in our building at 5:45. I only had to stand on the train from Bowen Hills until Petrie, but all in all I'll stick to my car until we move back to Brisbane at the end of June.
Photos from the meeting with the builder are here on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/orloo/ - forgive the amateurish appearance of the layout, I just did this late last night after a friend of mine in Toowoomba sent me a link to her Flickr folder. I thought, "If Debbie can do it, so can I". Thanks Deb for the motivation. If you play around with the pictures you'll see a description with each picture. Click on the 'enlarge' icon and see more detail. Progress is halfway with the addition of stairs and a door being the major changes, although 'stuff' is happening all around the site every day.
The 2020 Ideas Summit is in its second and final day in Parliament House Canberra. PM Kevin Rudd announced a couple of months ago that 1000 people would be invited to attend fro
m the many nominations. Each participant is paying their own way to Canberra (well, some have their costs being met by various organisations) and so far no one outstanding new idea has emerged, but the networking must be incredible to behold. Details and summaries (even viewing and listening to presentations online) are available here http://www.australia2020.gov.au/ A friend of mine representing Carers Australia is attending, but she's a lobbyist in Canberra, so it's sort of a working weekend close to home for her.
Friday night saw Rene and I head off to a house at Coolum Beach for a night of chatting, eating and drinking plus playing cards. The monthly get together of four couples was reduced from 8 to 5 with one bloke having to work, another in Melbourne working and his partner in the States. We both had a most enjoyable time, lots of talking and laughing. Next month we assemble again, this time at our place here on Kawana Island. I'm looking forward to it.
Last Wednesday Rene prepared an Indonesian 'rijsttafel' dinner for our neighbour Gina who was leaving the next day to visit family in Sydney. He only prepared around 8 main and side dishes, but there were only three people dining. He's a great cook and it was absolutely delicious - look here for more information if you're not Dutch or Indonesian http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/2772
Now, I'm not a size queen but....have you seen the progress on the world's tallest building? It's called the Burj Dubai, and it's absolutely phenomenal. http://www.burjdubai.com/ Curre
ntly it's at it's maximum height of 141 floors and beggars belief. Now I won't enter a conversation as to why it has to be so tall etc etc, suffice to say one day I'd love to visit it and just see it for myself (I think I'll have to stand far, far away from the base). Conversely it makes one admire the creation of the Empire State building and that glorious (still my favourite) Chrysler Building in New York. Considering they were designed and then constructed in the late 20's, early 30's it sort of puts them into the all time amazing category, along with landing a man on the moon nearly 40 years ago - that still seems incredible, even today.
Currently I'm reading Jeremy Clarkson's collection of road test articles for the Sunday Times called "Don't Stop Me Now". I just love his way of painting pictures with words. Yes, it's not high literature, but it's a bloody good read for those of us into cars and reading non fiction. I mean to say, mentioning 'walnut-faced Italian peasants' - what a terrific piece of imagery
. Anyway, poor old Rene is deep into his serious 'real' book in bed, and the 'slightly' rotund guy beside him is chortling away over another brilliant descriptive passage. Thank goodness for separate mattresses (very European) otherwise as I guffaw and giggle, body heaving involuntarily, the poor chap would be launched skywards.
On that note I'll conclude for this week. I have a workshop for African mothers this Wednesday at school conducted by a lady from the health department. We're looking at ways of packing healthy school morning teas and lunches. We want them to avoid copying the bad habits of Australians who frequently buy prepackaged foods for convenience that are often not healthy and downright expensive. Many of these ladies are trying to cope with new foods and labels they don't understand - just what do the nutrition and ingredients labels mean? Should be a good session. I like my work....
ere where we live we have had loads and loads of rain. The picture shows the rain 30 minutes ago just over where we live (we're between Maroochydore and Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast). We had 75mm (3") in the 24h until 9am this morning. There's been a lot more since then. Brisbane had just 0.4mm (I think that was a cane toad that peed on the road).We had an early meeting with Ray our builder on Wednesday. To save fuel we both took our cars to Beerwah station (31 km from here), I left mine in the commuter car park and got in with Rene for the drive into the city. After the meeting Rene drove me to my school nearby the house then he went back home to the coast. After school I got a train into Bowen Hills from Windsor station near to my school, changed onto a Nambour train, sat on that for 91 minutes and got ou
t at Beerwah, drove home 25 minutes and arrived feeling that I don't exactly want to repeat that trip again in a hurry. I left school at 3:30 and arrived at the basement car park in our building at 5:45. I only had to stand on the train from Bowen Hills until Petrie, but all in all I'll stick to my car until we move back to Brisbane at the end of June.Photos from the meeting with the builder are here on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/orloo/ - forgive the amateurish appearance of the layout, I just did this late last night after a friend of mine in Toowoomba sent me a link to her Flickr folder. I thought, "If Debbie can do it, so can I". Thanks Deb for the motivation. If you play around with the pictures you'll see a description with each picture. Click on the 'enlarge' icon and see more detail. Progress is halfway with the addition of stairs and a door being the major changes, although 'stuff' is happening all around the site every day.
The 2020 Ideas Summit is in its second and final day in Parliament House Canberra. PM Kevin Rudd announced a couple of months ago that 1000 people would be invited to attend fro
m the many nominations. Each participant is paying their own way to Canberra (well, some have their costs being met by various organisations) and so far no one outstanding new idea has emerged, but the networking must be incredible to behold. Details and summaries (even viewing and listening to presentations online) are available here http://www.australia2020.gov.au/ A friend of mine representing Carers Australia is attending, but she's a lobbyist in Canberra, so it's sort of a working weekend close to home for her.Friday night saw Rene and I head off to a house at Coolum Beach for a night of chatting, eating and drinking plus playing cards. The monthly get together of four couples was reduced from 8 to 5 with one bloke having to work, another in Melbourne working and his partner in the States. We both had a most enjoyable time, lots of talking and laughing. Next month we assemble again, this time at our place here on Kawana Island. I'm looking forward to it.
Last Wednesday Rene prepared an Indonesian 'rijsttafel' dinner for our neighbour Gina who was leaving the next day to visit family in Sydney. He only prepared around 8 main and side dishes, but there were only three people dining. He's a great cook and it was absolutely delicious - look here for more information if you're not Dutch or Indonesian http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/2772
Now, I'm not a size queen but....have you seen the progress on the world's tallest building? It's called the Burj Dubai, and it's absolutely phenomenal. http://www.burjdubai.com/ Curre
ntly it's at it's maximum height of 141 floors and beggars belief. Now I won't enter a conversation as to why it has to be so tall etc etc, suffice to say one day I'd love to visit it and just see it for myself (I think I'll have to stand far, far away from the base). Conversely it makes one admire the creation of the Empire State building and that glorious (still my favourite) Chrysler Building in New York. Considering they were designed and then constructed in the late 20's, early 30's it sort of puts them into the all time amazing category, along with landing a man on the moon nearly 40 years ago - that still seems incredible, even today.Currently I'm reading Jeremy Clarkson's collection of road test articles for the Sunday Times called "Don't Stop Me Now". I just love his way of painting pictures with words. Yes, it's not high literature, but it's a bloody good read for those of us into cars and reading non fiction. I mean to say, mentioning 'walnut-faced Italian peasants' - what a terrific piece of imagery
. Anyway, poor old Rene is deep into his serious 'real' book in bed, and the 'slightly' rotund guy beside him is chortling away over another brilliant descriptive passage. Thank goodness for separate mattresses (very European) otherwise as I guffaw and giggle, body heaving involuntarily, the poor chap would be launched skywards.On that note I'll conclude for this week. I have a workshop for African mothers this Wednesday at school conducted by a lady from the health department. We're looking at ways of packing healthy school morning teas and lunches. We want them to avoid copying the bad habits of Australians who frequently buy prepackaged foods for convenience that are often not healthy and downright expensive. Many of these ladies are trying to cope with new foods and labels they don't understand - just what do the nutrition and ingredients labels mean? Should be a good session. I like my work....
Sunday 13 April 2008
Who was visitor #2000?
I have no idea. I know who weren't because of a number of messages and emails, but no matter, it was just a bit of fun. Rene's commercial web site http://www.centredart.com.au/ has around 100 visitors every day, so for a personal blog 2000+ in 15 months isn't bad.
Lovely weather these past few days, much more like autumn. I think today reached 28C (well, our car said it was) and when we returned home from overnighting in Brisbane the pool was really quite busy - a good indicator. I couldn't believe the pictures of our globetrotting PM in London last weekend walking in the snow in London. In April?
We have enjoyed the company of many visitors over this past ten days or so while I have been on vacation. It has been great fun catching up with friends and family you don't see all that often plus hosting friends for a couple of nights and just plain talking our heads off (yes, even Rene). We've also had many, many lunches and dinners away from the apartment. My, my, school will be very ordinary next week !
The house continues to move along. Virtually all the external cladding is finished. When we went to have a look yesterday afternoon the stairwell area had its windows in and the vertical cladding applied - it looks wonderful. Speaking of stairwell, on Wednesday we arrived to find the staircase in place. It of course will have to be stained and coated, but it looks terrific. The front door had also arrived, although for now just hammered into position. Lock up is this week, painters arrive to start on exterior walls, and the internal gyprock panels on the walls and ceilings go in. They want to take the scaffolding down soon. I'm guessing the garage door will be fitted to ensure the house is secure. The bath in the main bathroom upstairs is already in place. The solar hot water panels are attached to the roof, just the two whirlybird roof extractors are to be fitted (these extract hot air from the ceiling above the insulation).
Great news! Rene's visit to the specialist was worth it - he doesn't have a hole in his ear drum and it has been treated by the specialist and it has improved enormously. He's back to him in a fortnight.
Finally, upon arriving home I turned on the computer and read on the ABC news site of the announcement of Queensland's Governor Quentin Bryce becoming Australia's first woman Governor- General this September. If one has to have a monarchy I certainly like this nomination by the
Prime Minister. Ms Bryce is a Longreach girl, brought up in Ilfracombe (near the central Queensland town of Longreach from where a good long time friend of mine hails). A lawyer, mother of five, grandmother of three, she has long been an advocate of issues concerning women, children and Indigenous Australians. As I said, I personally feel the monarchy in Australia is way overdue for replacement by a republic, but if we have to have one, she will certainly be a wonderful choice. Her bio is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Bryce
Prime Minister. Ms Bryce is a Longreach girl, brought up in Ilfracombe (near the central Queensland town of Longreach from where a good long time friend of mine hails). A lawyer, mother of five, grandmother of three, she has long been an advocate of issues concerning women, children and Indigenous Australians. As I said, I personally feel the monarchy in Australia is way overdue for replacement by a republic, but if we have to have one, she will certainly be a wonderful choice. Her bio is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_BryceFinally, Big Ben (below left) was 150 the other day. I'm not sure when I first realised this fact, but have you ever noticed that countries are symbolically represented by man made structures? I mean: Eg
ypt - pyramids, UK - Big Ben + Houses of Parliament, Australia - Opera House Sydney, France - Eiffel Tower etc etc. Cities too, with London Eye, Golden Gate Bridge for SF and if you come here to Brisbane, the Story Bridge (below right) - yes, I know, not world renowned or recognised, but that's all we have. Oh, sometimes the City Hall - it's beautiful, if not internationally known. Now, for Australia we could include a natural landmark, Ularu (Ayers Rock), but as a ru
le a graphic artist in a travel brochure or newspaper advertisement would go for a simple clock face, a few vertical lines, some spikes below for the building roof, and you have Big Ben and London and the UK (I know Big Ben is the bell in the tower, but you get my drift). Comments?
ypt - pyramids, UK - Big Ben + Houses of Parliament, Australia - Opera House Sydney, France - Eiffel Tower etc etc. Cities too, with London Eye, Golden Gate Bridge for SF and if you come here to Brisbane, the Story Bridge (below right) - yes, I know, not world renowned or recognised, but that's all we have. Oh, sometimes the City Hall - it's beautiful, if not internationally known. Now, for Australia we could include a natural landmark, Ularu (Ayers Rock), but as a ru
le a graphic artist in a travel brochure or newspaper advertisement would go for a simple clock face, a few vertical lines, some spikes below for the building roof, and you have Big Ben and London and the UK (I know Big Ben is the bell in the tower, but you get my drift). Comments?Bye for now...
(from the BBC)Big Ben has officially celebrated its 150th birthday.
The bell was cast at Whitechapel foundry on April 10 1858 and was first rung in the Great Westminster Clock on May 31 the following year.
A century and a half later, the Whitechapel Bell Foundry is still there and celebrations have been held for the famous bell.
Proposals for the famous landmark were first decided in 1844 - just a year after a fire engulfed the Houses of Parliament.
The requirements were simple the first stroke should register the time correct to within one second and the hour bell should weigh 14 tonnes.
According to the sales ledger the cost of the bell was £572.
It took 20 minutes to fill the bell mould with molten metal and 20 days for the metal to solidify and cool.
Then it was tested to make sure it chimed at the right tone, a practice that is as important as it was 150 years ago.
The name for the bell tower was debated in Parliament with many suggestions being made but the winning title was named after Sir Benjamin Hall.
The bell was cast at Whitechapel foundry on April 10 1858 and was first rung in the Great Westminster Clock on May 31 the following year.
A century and a half later, the Whitechapel Bell Foundry is still there and celebrations have been held for the famous bell.
Proposals for the famous landmark were first decided in 1844 - just a year after a fire engulfed the Houses of Parliament.
The requirements were simple the first stroke should register the time correct to within one second and the hour bell should weigh 14 tonnes.
According to the sales ledger the cost of the bell was £572.
It took 20 minutes to fill the bell mould with molten metal and 20 days for the metal to solidify and cool.
Then it was tested to make sure it chimed at the right tone, a practice that is as important as it was 150 years ago.
The name for the bell tower was debated in Parliament with many suggestions being made but the winning title was named after Sir Benjamin Hall.
Saturday 5 April 2008
Stuff everywhere!
I went to the new house last Wednesday and found stuff everywhere. Not only stuff but people doing things with it. There was a gas fitter, carpenters, air conditioning folk, security bloke and electricians, all doing something and making a hell of a mess and quite a bit of noise. I met the last of our soon-to-be neighbours as well, and she was lovely. They have a beautiful home made of recycled timber and it looked just stunning, from what I could see just in the living room and kitchen area. Very nice collection of neighbours on all sides. We are very fortunate. The pictures show some of the stuff hammered and screwed to the walls and ceilings. Unlike in some countries our plumbing pipes are contained within the walls and not attached to the outside walls. I still remember our house in Scotland one icy, freezing day with a burst pipe and the whole of the back of our house covered in this sort of fan made of ice. 
Four a/c ducts in living room.
Plumbing stack in the workshop area under the two upstairs bathrooms.
A maze of ducts with central unit in the middle of the upstairs ceiling. The noisy unit is outside the house.
Vacation time is upon us again.
Well, not exactly 'us', more 'me'! I'm planning on just one trip into Brisbane this coming week, on Wednesday, and that's it - no more until the following Monday. Now, when one is a commuter of some length, that IS a vacation, not having to get behind the wheel early in the morning.
Good news! Rene, my partner, doesn't have a hole in his ear drum. Yes, after four visits to a doctor, loads of antibiotics and no real improvement in his ear he got a referral to a specialist, and this surgeon discovered that there is no hole; he needed some treatment to the area and a one off application of some sort of cream, and another visit in three weeks time. Additionally, no more antibiotics, and prevent water from the shower/pool/ocean getting into the ear. He recommended an annual visit to a specialist from here on too. Great news.
Do you ever have trips in the car when you think everyone on the road is out to get you? I had one the other day when a lady overtook me and then turned in to my lane just ahead of me, but very sharply, and I jammed on the brakes. Nobody was behind us and nobody ahead of us. At 100 km/h it is scary. But just 15 minutes later I approached a major split in the road, two lanes turn left onto an arterial road, and the right two lanes continue on. This male driver is in the lane to my left, and as he is going to the left he changes his mind, indicates, crosses a painted island and swerves beside me, and eventually just behind me. I brake, then accelerate, and all this at 100. I get to school and discover the only parking space left is waaay away down the road, I go to turn in only to discover a pram in the middle of the right side of the bay. A mother had put junior in the car and left without the pram.
Starting tomorrow we have visitors for two nights, so the next three days will be busy and above all fun. My brother's family from Toowoomba will be visiting us here for the first time later in the week so that'll be worth looking forward to. Guess what? After many, many days of fine sunny weather (even quite hot days) this week has occasional showers forecast for every day. Must be the holidays here on the Sunshine Coast again.
Our PM is overseas for 17 days and has been to Washington, Brussels, and today London. He made a slight misjudgment in giving President Bush a very little salute across the room in Brussels (he has been set upon by all the notable anti PM folk) but I think it's just a storm in a teacup created by people who have nothing better to do than pick on every action and come out negative. God I loathe the pettiness of Australian politics and politicians. Mr 10% only 10% want him for PM - Brendan Nelson (that's the Leader of the Opposition) who first pounced on this incident concerning Mr 70% Kevin Rudd (PM) needs to continue on his 'Listening Tour' of Australia and hear the silent scream coming from the Right that says, "for Heaven's sake, give us someone from the Right we would actually want to vote for in the next election".
QUOTES
I came across a blog featuring famous quotes, and I chose a few to share with you. A couple you may have to read a couple of times, but worth reflecting upon:
"All living souls welcome whatever they are ready to cope with; all else they ignore, or pronounce to be monstrous and wrong, or deny to be possible."— George Santayana, writer, philosopher (1863-1952)
"I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work."— Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), novelist, Nobel laureate
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."— Douglas Adams (1952-2001), author
"Procrastination is like masturbation. At first it feels good, but in the end you're only screwing yourself."— Origin unknown
"Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time."— Mark Twain (1835-1910), writer, wit
Good news! Rene, my partner, doesn't have a hole in his ear drum. Yes, after four visits to a doctor, loads of antibiotics and no real improvement in his ear he got a referral to a specialist, and this surgeon discovered that there is no hole; he needed some treatment to the area and a one off application of some sort of cream, and another visit in three weeks time. Additionally, no more antibiotics, and prevent water from the shower/pool/ocean getting into the ear. He recommended an annual visit to a specialist from here on too. Great news.
Do you ever have trips in the car when you think everyone on the road is out to get you? I had one the other day when a lady overtook me and then turned in to my lane just ahead of me, but very sharply, and I jammed on the brakes. Nobody was behind us and nobody ahead of us. At 100 km/h it is scary. But just 15 minutes later I approached a major split in the road, two lanes turn left onto an arterial road, and the right two lanes continue on. This male driver is in the lane to my left, and as he is going to the left he changes his mind, indicates, crosses a painted island and swerves beside me, and eventually just behind me. I brake, then accelerate, and all this at 100. I get to school and discover the only parking space left is waaay away down the road, I go to turn in only to discover a pram in the middle of the right side of the bay. A mother had put junior in the car and left without the pram.
Starting tomorrow we have visitors for two nights, so the next three days will be busy and above all fun. My brother's family from Toowoomba will be visiting us here for the first time later in the week so that'll be worth looking forward to. Guess what? After many, many days of fine sunny weather (even quite hot days) this week has occasional showers forecast for every day. Must be the holidays here on the Sunshine Coast again.
Our PM is overseas for 17 days and has been to Washington, Brussels, and today London. He made a slight misjudgment in giving President Bush a very little salute across the room in Brussels (he has been set upon by all the notable anti PM folk) but I think it's just a storm in a teacup created by people who have nothing better to do than pick on every action and come out negative. God I loathe the pettiness of Australian politics and politicians. Mr 10% only 10% want him for PM - Brendan Nelson (that's the Leader of the Opposition) who first pounced on this incident concerning Mr 70% Kevin Rudd (PM) needs to continue on his 'Listening Tour' of Australia and hear the silent scream coming from the Right that says, "for Heaven's sake, give us someone from the Right we would actually want to vote for in the next election".
QUOTES
I came across a blog featuring famous quotes, and I chose a few to share with you. A couple you may have to read a couple of times, but worth reflecting upon:
"All living souls welcome whatever they are ready to cope with; all else they ignore, or pronounce to be monstrous and wrong, or deny to be possible."— George Santayana, writer, philosopher (1863-1952)
"I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work."— Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973), novelist, Nobel laureate
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."— Douglas Adams (1952-2001), author
"Procrastination is like masturbation. At first it feels good, but in the end you're only screwing yourself."— Origin unknown
"Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time."— Mark Twain (1835-1910), writer, wit
Going Green in Australia's Blue Mountains
This article is in today's New York Times. It's a nice read. http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/travel/06blue.html?ex=1208059200&en=a96c6eba2064a357&ei=5070&emc=eta1 It certainly is a very beautiful part of this incredible country, although I haven't been there for 20 years.
Thursday 3 April 2008
Who'll be visitor #2000?
The first 1000 hits came from January to November last year. The second 1000 has arrived from November to now, early April. Not there quite yet, but I wonder if you'll be #2000? You can check by clicking on the 'site meter' at the top of the page.
Oh, I finished up this afternoon for 10 days vacation. Hooray!
Oh, I finished up this afternoon for 10 days vacation. Hooray!
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