Dalgetty was standing at the door last night. No knock on the door, no call, nothing. It had been a heavy day and I was probably asleep in my chair. “Well now you’re awake, can I come in?” I jumped up, startled. It was like a great crash of thunder in a clear blue sky. The door was open and he was looking through the … Continue reading The Impending Death of Dalgetty Jones
The Queen Victoria Gardens are located opposite the National Gallery Victoria and across the river from the Melbourne CBD. There is the city showing through the trees of the gardens This little part of the garden had a surprise I have walked past and not noticed before. Two little boys looking in a pond for some fish. Continue reading Surprise in the garden.
About four days ago John Knifton posted the third of three articles concerning the Boer War 1899 to 1902. The link is here. As it is my habit to poke my nose into other people’s blogs I told John I would send him a photograph of the Boer War Memorial in Ballarat. This memorial specifically relates to Victoria’s involvement although it is a bit confusing … Continue reading The Boer War.
The Painted Cup Moth Doratifera oxleyi is quite common and its caterpillars may be found in great numbers feeding on the leaves of the Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). The two shield-shaped markings at each end of the upper body each surround four yellow-tipped knobs from which stinging hairs can be raised if disturbed. The adult moths are dimorphic (the sexes differ), The females are heavy-set orange-bodied … Continue reading Chinese Dragon Caterpillar
I need to explain the reason for this particular post. I got some comments from one of you – I won’t say who or even whom – but it started me thinking. The first comment was; To be honest, I know very little about Australia. A few years ago a local Australian told me that it was possible to ski in Australia. It had never … Continue reading Farming et al.
One day I will be eighty. After that it’s all downhill. I said that as a joke to an old man who stops and talks most days. I got talking to him when I walked out of my driveway a little carelessly and he almost ran into me with his motorised mobility scooter. “Where are you going, on this fine day?” he said with a … Continue reading A.A.Milne and the meaning of life.
He lay there, in bed, looking out the window. The sun crept across the front of the yard and lit the pink abelia hedge. He looked at it without moving and the pink faded as a cloud drifted across and then the brightness came again – and went again. He looked at the clock on his bedside table – 9.54. Another two hours and six … Continue reading A bunch of flowers.
Summer is holding on but the leaves that are green, are turning brown. The trees know it is autumn, know it is the very best time of the year. But it will get cold. Today I must change the summer weight covers on my bed for the winter weight. It’s a bit of a bother but we must bend with the changes. Or break. Continue reading Ballarat Autumn
I thought she and her husband and family had moved but I was wrong. I was looking for something and chanced to drive down her street. She was out the front weeding some flowers and didn’t look up. I didn’t notice her until I was well past. I wrote this poem back then before she married, before she had her twins, before everything and before … Continue reading Demons – a repost
I went for a walk in the closest patch of wild scrub/forest from my place. 4 kilometres. It was mined for gold 170 years ago but is probably a bit too difficult to turn into a residential area. It is also an area that speaks loudly of introduced plants. Most of the trees you can see are native – at least in this photo. But … Continue reading A walk in the forest
