Seasons come
Seasons go
(um clarification - not "MY" patch on this planet - pics from the 'locality' where i live).
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Harvest
Seasons come
Seasons go
(um clarification - not "MY" patch on this planet - pics from the 'locality' where i live).
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
weather
Erk ... am no longer sure whether am comfortable living here (though yep, have signed up fer another twelve months).
To paraphrase one of Queensland tourism's favourite slogans - 'perfect one day, beautiful the next' ...
but in my experience 'pissarse one day and pissing down the next'.
Yorke Peninsula - 40C (104F) one day - 15C(59F) the next. Sheesh, these wild and extreme changes in weather and temperature are nothing like I remember from South Australia 30 years ago.
(Temperature converter website)
To paraphrase one of Queensland tourism's favourite slogans - 'perfect one day, beautiful the next' ...
but in my experience 'pissarse one day and pissing down the next'.
Yorke Peninsula - 40C (104F) one day - 15C(59F) the next. Sheesh, these wild and extreme changes in weather and temperature are nothing like I remember from South Australia 30 years ago.
(Temperature converter website)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
snow again
Will post this in case the powerlines come down again, or the satellite dish becomes disfunctional.
Am well, in good health. Woodshed is full .. heh. Hopefully the telephone lines remain functional. Ah .. country life.
Received a phone call from neighbour. Something along the lines of ' school has just rung. Snow. Am at work. Can you pick up D... Schoolbus won't drive in snow'.
?? think i, "Who's calling?" (gives some indication of how many times my telephone rings).
"Kat..".
??? think i, mind slowly trolling through the thousands of females that have known throughout a checkered history. Aha; Kat! .. wife of bloke round the back.
"Um, you want me to collect A... and pick up D.. from school".
"Yep."
"OK".
Only just made it. The Holden wagon tyres don't work all that well in slush.
Ah, challenges. Do i yearn for the "well made, specifically surveyed, convenient, 'tarmac' roads and "right" angled, cheek by jowel angsts and antagonisms of suburbia?
NUP.
Am well, in good health. Woodshed is full .. heh. Hopefully the telephone lines remain functional. Ah .. country life.
Received a phone call from neighbour. Something along the lines of ' school has just rung. Snow. Am at work. Can you pick up D... Schoolbus won't drive in snow'.
?? think i, "Who's calling?" (gives some indication of how many times my telephone rings).
"Kat..".
??? think i, mind slowly trolling through the thousands of females that have known throughout a checkered history. Aha; Kat! .. wife of bloke round the back.
"Um, you want me to collect A... and pick up D.. from school".
"Yep."
"OK".
Only just made it. The Holden wagon tyres don't work all that well in slush.
Ah, challenges. Do i yearn for the "well made, specifically surveyed, convenient, 'tarmac' roads and "right" angled, cheek by jowel angsts and antagonisms of suburbia?
NUP.
Saturday, July 09, 2011
When a tree falls ..
... in the forest, does it make a sound. Well, yes.
Suppose that had better post a post, as the weather hereabouts has been somewhat windy of late, but am still safe; house has roof, is still on its foundation, and haven't ended up in Kansas.
Am somewhat isolated here, with few sources of information from the "outer world" and hadn't really been following the weather "forecasts" (nor have any reason to 'bless' them and i still think the best way of finding out what the weather is doing is to stick one's head out of the hatchway - or these days, the doorway) so, on last Tuesday afternoon, noticed that the wind was picking up - the tops on the row of tall gum trees at the back fence were beginning to bend somewhat. Wasn't too worried as they were bending away from the house and there are no tall trees near enough to do damage. Very strong gusts. Then, late in the afternoon (about 5PM), the electricity went off (it gets dark at about 5.30).
Wasn't too fussed, as have the wood heater and still have all the "backup" systems from the caravan (240V generator, kero lamps, gas cookstove, etc.). The numerous relationship disappearances, years on the yacht, and in the caravan, have taught me to always have a "Plan B" (and C, D, E - not sure what happens when i reach Plan Z, though. Will cope with that when it happens).
So, busied self with setting up the generator (for the freezer), lighting the lamps, stoking the fire, and preparing evening meal. Was about 6PM when noticed that Abbey wasn't around. ??? think i. Went out, whistled, called, (and muttered sotto voce imprecations); why tonight, of all nights, to jump the fence and go wandering). Ah, think I, perhaps she's gone to see what the dogs round the back at Andy's are doing. Put on my arctic apparel, collected torch, and went looking for her (and also to check to see how Andy and his family were faring).
While talking with Andy .. we hear a 'crack, crackle, crack crackle crunch CRUMP! '. Wow, that was close, we say. Andy informs me that he's OK; but still no Abbey, so walked the 3/4 k home (guessing that Abbey will come back when she's ready). Had just reached the back door when i hear a plaintive 'oof, woof' from the car. Silly girl had hopped into the back when i was getting the tools for the generator, and was too busy, distracted, to notice.
Went to bed early that night, then went back to Andy's next morning to see where the tree was. Found it about 100 yards away down the hill. Oooer.
[pics]
There must be a sort of 'wind funnel' at that little patch, as there are eight or nine ancient pines down - some old, previous, falls; some recent. Still can't figure out why only some come down, and others surrounding it remain standing.
Had a look at the internet as well ... wow, one fell on a train .. must have been a wild night in the Blue Mountains area.
SMH stories
Interestingly, the electricity came back on at about 1PM on Wednesday ( has been off for three or four days, previously). Heard later on the radio that the electricity repair crews had to pack it in at about midnight, as conditions too dangerous. While i might take snide side-swipes at "blokes in yellow Day-Glo" coats - however, electricity restoration workers, and the SES (State Emergency Service volunteer) crews (orange overalls), have my utmost admiration.
[link to SES updates]
Suppose that had better post a post, as the weather hereabouts has been somewhat windy of late, but am still safe; house has roof, is still on its foundation, and haven't ended up in Kansas.
Am somewhat isolated here, with few sources of information from the "outer world" and hadn't really been following the weather "forecasts" (nor have any reason to 'bless' them and i still think the best way of finding out what the weather is doing is to stick one's head out of the hatchway - or these days, the doorway) so, on last Tuesday afternoon, noticed that the wind was picking up - the tops on the row of tall gum trees at the back fence were beginning to bend somewhat. Wasn't too worried as they were bending away from the house and there are no tall trees near enough to do damage. Very strong gusts. Then, late in the afternoon (about 5PM), the electricity went off (it gets dark at about 5.30).
Wasn't too fussed, as have the wood heater and still have all the "backup" systems from the caravan (240V generator, kero lamps, gas cookstove, etc.). The numerous relationship disappearances, years on the yacht, and in the caravan, have taught me to always have a "Plan B" (and C, D, E - not sure what happens when i reach Plan Z, though. Will cope with that when it happens).
So, busied self with setting up the generator (for the freezer), lighting the lamps, stoking the fire, and preparing evening meal. Was about 6PM when noticed that Abbey wasn't around. ??? think i. Went out, whistled, called, (and muttered sotto voce imprecations); why tonight, of all nights, to jump the fence and go wandering). Ah, think I, perhaps she's gone to see what the dogs round the back at Andy's are doing. Put on my arctic apparel, collected torch, and went looking for her (and also to check to see how Andy and his family were faring).
While talking with Andy .. we hear a 'crack, crackle, crack crackle crunch CRUMP! '. Wow, that was close, we say. Andy informs me that he's OK; but still no Abbey, so walked the 3/4 k home (guessing that Abbey will come back when she's ready). Had just reached the back door when i hear a plaintive 'oof, woof' from the car. Silly girl had hopped into the back when i was getting the tools for the generator, and was too busy, distracted, to notice.
Went to bed early that night, then went back to Andy's next morning to see where the tree was. Found it about 100 yards away down the hill. Oooer.
 |
| Aha, there 'tis |
 |
| Snap, crackle and .. thwump |
 |
| Andy and son looking for gemstones |
There must be a sort of 'wind funnel' at that little patch, as there are eight or nine ancient pines down - some old, previous, falls; some recent. Still can't figure out why only some come down, and others surrounding it remain standing.
Had a look at the internet as well ... wow, one fell on a train .. must have been a wild night in the Blue Mountains area.
SMH stories
Interestingly, the electricity came back on at about 1PM on Wednesday ( has been off for three or four days, previously). Heard later on the radio that the electricity repair crews had to pack it in at about midnight, as conditions too dangerous. While i might take snide side-swipes at "blokes in yellow Day-Glo" coats - however, electricity restoration workers, and the SES (State Emergency Service volunteer) crews (orange overalls), have my utmost admiration.
[link to SES updates]
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Snow day
[under edit and updated re-edited: 16th]
mm, yep, know that there are a few people who think that am losing my mind .. but - the photos in the previous post were taken last Monday .. woke up this morning to this ....
[click fer a bit bigger'ns]
but the lassie bitch female canine is a bit bemused..
mm, yep, know that there are a few people who think that am losing my mind .. but - the photos in the previous post were taken last Monday .. woke up this morning to this ....
[click fer a bit bigger'ns]
A light dusting began on the afternoon of a Tuesday day in May ..
.. and since it gets dark at around 5.30pm these days, tend to go to bed and sleep at about 7.30pm (why should i waste resources).
Woke up at 4am Wednesday, felt a bit chilly, decided to get some more wood from shed, opened door and ..
Oooer, rubber boot time (which, by the way, were found at the local dump 'waste transfer station' - a pair of perfectly servicable, size 8 Blundstones, no leaks). Went to shed, collected more wood (which had been chainsawed chopped prepared previously .. ), re-lit ancient slow combustion heater, extricated thermal underwear and ski snow clothing that had been quietly hiding in various cupboards and storage containers since somewhere back in the 1980's (Buller, Hotham, Falls Creek) .....
Waited for some illumination light (first pic), then wandered around the locality ..
Felt a need to share, but had to get the ladder out ..
since satellite interconnection is obviously 'weather dependent'.
Had, of course, been scooting walking in and out of the house all morning waiting for a break in the leaden cloud laden sky .. but while yes, have heaps of photos this morning, 'twill take time to process them. Hopefully, will get one with sunshine.
In the meantime, i come back and sit close to here.
and the local postal contractor might be delayed ..
and yep, the trees had a slight problem. Heard the 'cracK! - swoosh, 'thump' of bigger branches than these.
(perhaps Australian 'branches' are thinly spread, haven't quite the strength to withstand "European" northern hemisphere assault?)
Decided that this might be a 'good food day', so ..
decided to cook up a stew for sustenance ..
.. but unless readers think that am rich enough to afford to 'switch on' the rather fancy electric 'four hotplate' stove and oven in the background ..
the little 'campmaster' costs me about $AU1-00 per week to cook things with .. heh.
(not only that, know exactly how much it costs, week by week, and do not have to wait three months to see what sort of 'account' the electricity profiteer 'retailer' expects me to pay).
.. it's always wise to take care on the roads
.. and yep, totally puerile and pissweak .. but have always wanted to do this ..
[will probably edit this, add a few more pics - is the most exciting thing that's happened around here, for a while]
Monday, February 07, 2011
Fire and water
I did have the intention of trying to 'superimpose' some maps - Australia, USA, British Isles - to try to give some perspective of the widespread 'natural' "disasters" Australia is experiencing at the moment. It IS 'widespread'. 59 homes recently lost to bushfires in Western Australia. Severe flooding in parts of Victoria.
Though even this image is misleading, since the "lattitudes" are reversed - upside down. "Cooktown" and "Cairns" should be where "Florida" is in relative terms.
http://www.backyardgalahcam.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=282
The 'clean-up' behind Toowoomba and Brisbane flooding, Cyclone Yasi; is already underway (though there 'are' reports in the Murdoch press of "slow response" to Yasi. Crap; bit difficult when roads are washed away or under 6ft of water and trees have to be chainsawed .. whaddya expect? Instant Plasma TV sets airdrop by Hercules? (or Caribou, helicopter??. .. and yep, possible, all options are on the table, SES personnel from all over Australia and military are moblised and active .. but .. ).
Aaaand yes, am being somewhat facetious. Prompted, mostly, by Tedious Tony.
We only have a total population of 23 million. Not all of that population are adults. Spread across a land area roughly the size of the USA ( And the entire British Isles could most likely fit into the state of Victoria). While Anna Bligh and, especially, Julia Gillard as "Prime Minister" of Australia are doing their best to try to figure out how all this shit can be "paid for" .. Tedious Tony is asking for "donations to the liberal party" to help fight "the great big new tax" (a proposed 'levy' on incomes greater than AU$50,000.00 per year which equates to AU$1-5.00 per week for one year for assistance to Queensland floods)).
Efforf Tony. Tawdry trick, some of us DO remember the Howard Gummit imposed 7 (seven) "levies" on the unsupecting populace - not counting the 'read my lips' no GST. Go suck on yer taxpayer funded parliamentary salary, and never forget that if yer thrown out of YOUR job - you DO qualify for an extremely large, guaranteed - taxpayer funded - pension (dammit).
Perhaps he may be more comfortable departing our shores and having 'tea parties' with expat Rupert Murdoch ....
Though even this image is misleading, since the "lattitudes" are reversed - upside down. "Cooktown" and "Cairns" should be where "Florida" is in relative terms.
 |
| this one came from |
(and Ireland should be where Tasmania is..forgive me, am still searching for accurate relative latitudes)
The 'clean-up' behind Toowoomba and Brisbane flooding, Cyclone Yasi; is already underway (though there 'are' reports in the Murdoch press of "slow response" to Yasi. Crap; bit difficult when roads are washed away or under 6ft of water and trees have to be chainsawed .. whaddya expect? Instant Plasma TV sets airdrop by Hercules? (or Caribou, helicopter??. .. and yep, possible, all options are on the table, SES personnel from all over Australia and military are moblised and active .. but .. ).
Aaaand yes, am being somewhat facetious. Prompted, mostly, by Tedious Tony.
We only have a total population of 23 million. Not all of that population are adults. Spread across a land area roughly the size of the USA ( And the entire British Isles could most likely fit into the state of Victoria). While Anna Bligh and, especially, Julia Gillard as "Prime Minister" of Australia are doing their best to try to figure out how all this shit can be "paid for" .. Tedious Tony is asking for "donations to the liberal party" to help fight "the great big new tax" (a proposed 'levy' on incomes greater than AU$50,000.00 per year which equates to AU$1-5.00 per week for one year for assistance to Queensland floods)).
Efforf Tony. Tawdry trick, some of us DO remember the Howard Gummit imposed 7 (seven) "levies" on the unsupecting populace - not counting the 'read my lips' no GST. Go suck on yer taxpayer funded parliamentary salary, and never forget that if yer thrown out of YOUR job - you DO qualify for an extremely large, guaranteed - taxpayer funded - pension (dammit).
Perhaps he may be more comfortable departing our shores and having 'tea parties' with expat Rupert Murdoch ....
Saturday, February 05, 2011
still singing
"Yes, we have no bananas"
aand .. 'i do like to live beside the seaside'
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Extreme ? weather
(first posted at 11.37AM .. edited and bits added )
Hoo boy, i would not, at this point want to be in the shoes of Anna Bligh (Premier of Queensland) or, probably more to the point - Andrew Fraser (State treasurer) -OR, if it comes to that, ANYONE living on the North Queensland coast. Not only are they faced with trying to figure out how to pay for and "repair' the damage created by the recent, rather extraordinary, flood events in Townsville and Brisbane (and elsewhere), they are now faced with yet another "extra-ordinary" event -(other names for this circular wind event are "typhoon", "hurricane").
Cyclone Yasi *.
Hoo boy, i would not, at this point want to be in the shoes of Anna Bligh (Premier of Queensland) or, probably more to the point - Andrew Fraser (State treasurer) -OR, if it comes to that, ANYONE living on the North Queensland coast. Not only are they faced with trying to figure out how to pay for and "repair' the damage created by the recent, rather extraordinary, flood events in Townsville and Brisbane (and elsewhere), they are now faced with yet another "extra-ordinary" event -(other names for this circular wind event are "typhoon", "hurricane").
Cyclone Yasi *.
 |
 |
| 3PM Weds 2 Feb 2011 |
To try to put this monster into perspective; the "building code" in Queensland has been written to the (most probable) level of "strong enough to withstand a Category 4 cyclone". Yasi is due to cross the coast within 24 hours, is Category 5 (strongest) and showing no sign of either diminishing, or veering back out to sea (but don't take my word - or that image, for 'truth' - but there is a series of 'recorded' isobars on the bom website that i also 'interpret'. Why? Well, if one has spent quite some time on the deck, in charge, of a small [32ft] boat on the open ocean [as distinct from four rectangular brick walls and air conditioning] .. one tends to become very interested in what "the weather" is about to throw at ya).
[Hurricane Katrina: (August 2005) Category 5 at landfall; winds 280kph [175mph]. Locally, Cyclone Larry (North Qld:20March2006) was a category 4; gusts to 240kph , but only 50 klm across. This one is ??klm wide]
Heavy rainfall and floods are one thing - but when combined with wind strengths of 250-300klm/hour (150-190 miles/hour) things become somewhat awkward. Not only that, it closely coincides with the (normal) high tide event. One often hears the words "storm surge" - which, due to the low pressure in the eye of the cyclone, raises the average sea level..
Queensland tidal ranges can be in the vicinity of 7 - 12 metres (.. feet), so most coastal communities are aware of that, and build above the highest known tide height .. but .. the 'storm surge' for this one is predicted to be in the region of 4 metres (14 feet) over and above the high tide mark. This, of course, is not counting the wave heights whipped up by the 200kph winds which have to be added onto the heights (especially in the southern half of the circle)..
There will also be massive amounts of torrential rainwater coming down from the catchments – but can't go anywhere except sideways if the estuaries are already rising from incoming high tide and storm surge.
I read where there are some areas in the USA experiencing snow. Would, frankly, prefer the minor discomfort and inconvenience of having my car or house buried under 12ft of snow – than owning coastal property hit by 300kph winds then swamped by 30ft seas.
Oddly, phone calls from Cairns (to ABC RN an hour ago) are saying that - at the moment - all is quiet. Just another "perfect Qld summer day".
Another oddity, have just finished reading “The Perfect Storm” ; a story written by Sebastian Junger [published in paperback by HarperTorch; 2000] about an unusual confluence of weather events off the coast of Newfoundland in 1991 - and made into a movie.
Another oddity, have just finished reading “The Perfect Storm” ; a story written by Sebastian Junger [published in paperback by HarperTorch; 2000] about an unusual confluence of weather events off the coast of Newfoundland in 1991 - and made into a movie.
{* why 'Yasi"? .. ah, depends on where they originate. This one originated outside of the Australian Bureau of Met jurisdiction, who tend to give cyclones 'male' names}.
Will have to leave this post here, too much 'updating' info coming in.
5.21PM .. and believe me - when it hits do not expect "immediate" rescue .. the local 'emergency' services are already being 'locked down' .. but they'll be back as soon as they can . And yep, there were BOM staff on Willis Island, they pulled them out at the last minute, but left the radar running. Willis Island radar ceased transmitting.
8.36PM. For weather nerds
10.32PM. OK far be it from me to actually admit that twits and twats actually exist - or even that have 'heard' about them .. errm
12.38AM .. ok, nuffin i can do about it from here .. gone to bed.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
F .. Ark!
Rather than trivialise the recent flood events in Queensland and NSW with dopey quips about Noah - will just post these links for overseas readers. Am, of course, "above it all" at 1100mtres (3600ft) near the tops of the NSW hills; but the images and videos still provoked a tiny tear.
Have just been watching this video
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/01/10/3109884.htm
From this site which has comprehensive coverage.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/11/3110113.htm
Have just been watching this video
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2011/01/10/3109884.htm
From this site which has comprehensive coverage.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/11/3110113.htm
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Whether the weather
.. will just be what I remember.
Friend of mine (yer, do have one) turned up on Friday afternoon/night for a few beers and we bloody near froze (and Nah, didn't share bed; both have sleeping bags, .. tch tch). This is Australia .. in late December?? Had to go and chainsaw some more wood for the heater on Saturday afternoon .. just before the rain set in. Is still raining.
Have to admit that have never spent much time in NSW, nor been this high up. (nah, no illegal chemicals - and 'high up' is probably small bikkies for someone who lives in 'real' mountains.
(gah, bloody computers .. can't find any online maps which tell me the exact height above sea level ..)
Will not be impressed by anyone in snowy England (or anywhere) who chortles .. 'see, global warming is a myth'. It's NOT about 'warming' per se - the concept is "climate change" (as well as acidification of oceans, melting of tundras, changes in ocean currents - but that's all a bit complicated for the "flat-earthers"* to comprehend).. .. and did I read somewhere that the "overall" temperature in Australia is the 'warmest on record'?? (*Flat Earther - i only know what i read in the bible which is proven by what i see) [as if we didn't have enough uncontrollable unicellular lifeforms on this planet]..
Yer, I also see the big hot orangey thingo in the sky turn up on the eastern horizon every morning (well, most), travels overhead, disappears to the westward. Obviously 'proves' that the sun travels across the small valley where i am at the moment from that side to that side. So? Obviously dragged across the sky by some mysterious spacecraft?
Have been having a squizz at some of the 'science' sites and this one is fascinating. Became annoyed when saw one of the "commenters" still disputing "proof". Bloody sight more "proof" of the ecological change/ fossil record - than trying to "prove" the existence of a mythical "god"; who picks up a pen and writes books?..
Which one? Ra? Jupiter? Zeus? Yaweh? Jehovah? Christos? Allah?
There was a prediction some time back which contemplated what would happen if the meltwater from the Greenland icecap/Siberian tundra affected the Gulf Stream - ocean current that keeps the British Isles sort of temperate.
[can't find the post where I mentioned it , but this link will do, circa 2003]
Friend of mine (yer, do have one) turned up on Friday afternoon/night for a few beers and we bloody near froze (and Nah, didn't share bed; both have sleeping bags, .. tch tch). This is Australia .. in late December?? Had to go and chainsaw some more wood for the heater on Saturday afternoon .. just before the rain set in. Is still raining.
Have to admit that have never spent much time in NSW, nor been this high up. (nah, no illegal chemicals - and 'high up' is probably small bikkies for someone who lives in 'real' mountains.
(gah, bloody computers .. can't find any online maps which tell me the exact height above sea level ..)
Will not be impressed by anyone in snowy England (or anywhere) who chortles .. 'see, global warming is a myth'. It's NOT about 'warming' per se - the concept is "climate change" (as well as acidification of oceans, melting of tundras, changes in ocean currents - but that's all a bit complicated for the "flat-earthers"* to comprehend).. .. and did I read somewhere that the "overall" temperature in Australia is the 'warmest on record'?? (*Flat Earther - i only know what i read in the bible which is proven by what i see) [as if we didn't have enough uncontrollable unicellular lifeforms on this planet]..
Yer, I also see the big hot orangey thingo in the sky turn up on the eastern horizon every morning (well, most), travels overhead, disappears to the westward. Obviously 'proves' that the sun travels across the small valley where i am at the moment from that side to that side. So? Obviously dragged across the sky by some mysterious spacecraft?
Have been having a squizz at some of the 'science' sites and this one is fascinating. Became annoyed when saw one of the "commenters" still disputing "proof". Bloody sight more "proof" of the ecological change/ fossil record - than trying to "prove" the existence of a mythical "god"; who picks up a pen and writes books?..
Which one? Ra? Jupiter? Zeus? Yaweh? Jehovah? Christos? Allah?
There was a prediction some time back which contemplated what would happen if the meltwater from the Greenland icecap/Siberian tundra affected the Gulf Stream - ocean current that keeps the British Isles sort of temperate.
[can't find the post where I mentioned it , but this link will do, circa 2003]
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Geminid meteor shower
Mmm, in addition to the considerable amount of rain in Eastern Australia causing flooding in quite a few towns in NSW and Victoria (and SA, apparently) - there's also a couple of meteor showers of note.
Have to admit that was disappointed to miss the Leonid shower in November due to heavy cloud cover; have fingers crossed for clear skies for the Geminid shower - but am not hopeful (NSW forecast).
The Geminid shower is due between midnight and dawn on the morning of Tuesday December 14th.
.
Have to admit that was disappointed to miss the Leonid shower in November due to heavy cloud cover; have fingers crossed for clear skies for the Geminid shower - but am not hopeful (NSW forecast).
The Geminid shower is due between midnight and dawn on the morning of Tuesday December 14th.
The most active time is expected to be about 2am, after the constellation for which the meteor shower is named rises into the night sky.The Geminids meteor shower is so named because it will appear to come from the constellation Gemini.Viewers should look towards the east-north-east of the sky to get the best show.
.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Take to the hills!!!!
Flood warnings? have to admit that this is new. Am listening to the radio (wireless communicator, with D cell batteries - ancient technology - for those who can't remember) and there are 'Flood Warnings' all over the place - electricity is intermittent (or supplied by a cheap 240Volt generator in the dunny)..
Seems sort of "commonsense" to me but Do.Not. drive. walk. Swim. through floodwaters. Might be fun for some, not fun for the SES. (on the other hand, it might be. Who knows what turns the volunteers on)
can remember sitting out (?), through; two floods of the Mary River in Queensland. Had a 32' ketch, anchored in the river. 3am, anchor still held, was watching the "moored" boats from further upstream drift slowly past. Eventually had to cut anchor rope, current too swift; get boat downstream in reverse.
Seems sort of "commonsense" to me but Do.Not. drive. walk. Swim. through floodwaters. Might be fun for some, not fun for the SES. (on the other hand, it might be. Who knows what turns the volunteers on)
can remember sitting out (?), through; two floods of the Mary River in Queensland. Had a 32' ketch, anchored in the river. 3am, anchor still held, was watching the "moored" boats from further upstream drift slowly past. Eventually had to cut anchor rope, current too swift; get boat downstream in reverse.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Flora
Flora.
Just another quick post with pics. Do they tell the story in a thousand words? Doubt it. Am in a completely different environment from what am used to.
 |
| a couple of months ago |
It may well be that this is “normal”, and have been told so by some of the “locals”, but will take all that “under advisement” since none of the “locals” that self has been able to communicate with have been here for more than 25 years.
Have no idea whether it is part of “climate change” - but this is the essential problem trying to convince “the locals” that there is anything different. Not too many European “locals” in 'the locality" who can claim a history beyond 250 years.
Am chatting with someone who has “aboriginal” heritage; and tells me that his ‘nana’ lived in this house. The difficulty comes from the fact that he experienced a ‘stroke’ and heart attack - 6 months in coma - two years ago. Lost his memory. We’re working on that. The surprising thing is, while short on “formal” education - he’s still smarter than I am (but tells me that am unique, one of the few who understand what he‘s on about. Sort of gratifying, somehow).
However, back to the flora.
Just some pics of stuff that have been planting.
Do I really need to plant "european" rock melons?
Am not planting these - natives .. heh.
Australia has some subtle stuff - not immediately apparent,
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Rain, rain
There is an old song
"rain rain, go away
come again another day"
Um, must be of british origin, or something. Not to worry. 'Twas my day to go into town to get the fortnight's supplies. Has been raining for the past three days - not the tropical 'downpour", just a sort of continuous drizzle.
Decided not. (bit difficult to get vehicle out onto the "public" road. this place is not on the local council "high priority" list, most of us just sort of 'make do').
Have to admit that this place is sort of odd - am used to South Australia - rain stops in September.
Drove to the closest local "town" though. Dropped into the local Post office (where else can one get the local gossip? .. heh). They didn't stock "computer supplies" (was looking for a new keyboard - does anyone sell a keyboard that understands me shouting at it?) .. so didn't stay long; but did find out that the road to Bathurst was closed, flooding.
"rain rain, go away
come again another day"
Um, must be of british origin, or something. Not to worry. 'Twas my day to go into town to get the fortnight's supplies. Has been raining for the past three days - not the tropical 'downpour", just a sort of continuous drizzle.
Decided not. (bit difficult to get vehicle out onto the "public" road. this place is not on the local council "high priority" list, most of us just sort of 'make do').
Have to admit that this place is sort of odd - am used to South Australia - rain stops in September.
Drove to the closest local "town" though. Dropped into the local Post office (where else can one get the local gossip? .. heh). They didn't stock "computer supplies" (was looking for a new keyboard - does anyone sell a keyboard that understands me shouting at it?) .. so didn't stay long; but did find out that the road to Bathurst was closed, flooding.
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Bit chilly
Woke the other morning to see the thermometer in the van reading 0.5 degrees C.
Um, must be time to dig the snow gear out of a locker .. heh.
The lass already has her 'winter wardrobe', and seems quite happy in the frost.
..and yes, I do have a spiffy little "Campmaster" butane gas heater - though could get expensive. The canisters are roughly $5-00 for four, but they last about 1 hour per canister. Might just stay abed, in the zero C rated sleeping bag.
Some people have suggested "moving North", but am still trying to save enough to get the engine on the wagon into some sort of trustworthy condition.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Magic and mystery
While yes, the 'archetypical' Aussie bushland is only a few hundred yards further away, this part of the forest fascinates me. The weather is trending toward the 'cool', damp, and have been told that I can expect ice and snow in a few weeks time - so am posting these pics as they sort of remind me of "Europe", and can understand where the notion of 'faeries' and 'goblins' come from.
I also seem to have a fascination with taking pics of toadstools and fungi .. heh.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
On the road again
Well, it's nice to know the gummint now think that am worth a few more dollars per fortnight. Had hung about 'til last Wednesday waiting until bank balance registered more than zero and, since was getting itchy feet again, had planned to push off into the unknown last Friday (yesterday?).
Had begun packing up and discarding excess detritus that tends to collect after lengthy sojourns but local events almost prompted an unscheduled and rapid departure. The weather had been unseasonably warm - first recorded November 'heatwave' .. six days over 35C .. and Thursday reached 42C at the campsite - when the fires began.
Weird weather, Thursday. Was hot, and the Northerlies came blasting in as precursor to a southerly change. Had to go into Port V for a few supplies mid-morning when I noticed smoke off to the west. Found out that there was a "dangerous and catastophic" bushfire near Curramulka - just 15 klm away over to the west (the bushfire warnings are a bit 'over-the-top' since the Victorian ones last year, but hey, whatever). Didn't pose a huge threat while the winds were northerly, but sort of scurried home as wasn't sure when the wind would go Sou'west.
Later in the afternoon the sky clouded over and then the lightning began. Weird stuff. Horizontal sparkles. Vertical slashes. Oddly, not much thunder. It really tried to rain but, apart from a few scattered drops, not much reached the ground. Apparently there were spot-fires all over the Peninsula, so the CFS had their work cut out, and couldn't concentrate resources on the one fire. Later in the afternoon, I noticed smoke near Pine Point, 10 klm to the north. Hoo boy.
At this point will have to say that the countryside around here is not similar to the disastrous Victorian bushfires last year. The terrain is mostly flat, vegetation - while tinder dry - is mostly crops or stubble, not much in the way of scrub and with many intersecting roads. Even so, with winds gusting to 90klm, it wouldn't have taken long to get to Port Julia.
Decided that discretion was the better part of valour, so pulled the annexe down, hitched the wagon to the van, and waited. Fortunately both nearby fires were contained by 10pm, so didn't have to make a hurried exit. Bittuva tense time, though.
Spent Friday morning repacking, and am now on the road again.
[I came into this world with nothing - and still have most of it]
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Another magnificent morning
The lass wakes me up, recently, at about 5am. She sleeps on the other bunk, mostly, then gently pokes me awake with a paw at 5am. Have no idea what she wants .. food? a cuddle? play?
I struggle out of bed and .. well, give her all of the above.
Yer, I know - a simplistic account; the "back story" is rather more detailed and complicated than that. Has been very windy here for the past two days .. had to get my pilots licence out and see whether it covered a landing in Kansas City .. heh.
I struggle out of bed and .. well, give her all of the above.
Yer, I know - a simplistic account; the "back story" is rather more detailed and complicated than that. Has been very windy here for the past two days .. had to get my pilots licence out and see whether it covered a landing in Kansas City .. heh.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
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