Happy 90th birthday Queen Elizabeth II
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Tag: Australia
O – Oceans
I love spending time staring at the ocean. It relaxes me and reminds me how vast the world really is. Over my life I am excited to have seen the top 4 of the 5 oceans of the world which in ranked order are:
- Pacific
- Atlantic
- Indian
- Southern
- Arctic
Growing up I lived 20 minutes from the Pacific Ocean on the east coast of Australia and loved going to the beach. Whether it was for a swim, to build a sandcastle or go for a walk give me the opportunity and I would be there. When I was 16 I traveled across Australia and got to lookout and swim in the Indian Ocean. I remember this experience began to give me a sense of how big the world’s oceans were. Then in 2000, just as it was officially recognised as an ocean, I was able to look out across the Great Australian Bight onto the Southern Ocean. I remember thinking that at this point that there was nothing between me and Antarctica, which felt very special.
Then in November 2014, the next stage of my ocean journey was revealed, as from the coast of Newfoundland I saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. She was beautiful even in winter and the thing that disappointed me the most was that although it wasn’t far from St Johns, we couldn’t get to the most easterly point of Canada because it was winter. Personally, I would have loved to have stated that I had been to and possibly even dipped my toe in, the most easterly point of Canada as well as Australia.
One of these days I plan on completing the last two goals of my world ocean journey list — to lookout over the Arctic and to cruise across the Atlantic following a similar journey to the Titanic. I don’t know about you but for me the following Jacques Cousteau quote is definitely true. What do you think?
M – Mexican Food
I love Mexican food. It started back in the 1980’s when I began going out to restaurants, Mexican quickly became my favourite as it was so different to our usual food — full of colour, slow-cooked with unusual ingredients. We had many family celebration in our local Mexican restaurant Taco Bill’s including my hen’s night and I was very disappointed when it closed. Today, although you can buy many Mexican ingredients in the local supermarkets nothing beats a good Mexican restaurant experience.
Last year my husband and I spent a week in Port Macquarie arriving on my birthday. My husband was excited because they had not one, but two Mexican restaurants for us to try. He booked us into both — one on my birthday and the other when the kids joined us later in the week. The first was very disappointing and their service didn’t exist. The second restaurant, Poco Loco was amazing. We had a great night together for my birthday, sharing a meal and creating many memories. I was so pleased with the presentation of my food that I actually took a photo of it, something I rarely do but lucky for this week’s photo challenge.
Just looking at it is making me hungry for Mexican.
https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/dinnertime/
L – Lamingtons
Lamington’s are an Australian icon. They are believed to have first been created, by accident in the kitchen of Queensland Government House by Lord Lamington’s maid servant. She had accidentally dropped the sponge cake into melted chocolate and because he hated waste it is reported that Lord Lamington told her to cover it in coconut so his guests could still eat it without making a mess. Everyone loved the creation except possibly Lord Lamington himself who once described them as “those bloody poofy woolly biscuits.”
Lord Lamington was Governor of Queensland from 9th April, 1896 until 19th December, 1901. On 19th December, 2001 the Australian lamington celebrated its 100th birthday.
Image Credit: Donna Hay
LAMINGTON RECIPE
125g butter
125g sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
250g self-raising flour
pinch salt
1/2 cup milk
Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add vanilla. Add eggs 1 at a time and beat well. Sift flour and salt together. Add flour alternatively with milk to the mixture. Turn into a greased and floured lamington tin (square baking tin.) Bake in a moderate oven (180-200C) for 30 minutes. Allow to cool. Cut cake into squares.
Icing:
Sift icing sugar into a bowl. Blend in cocoa with a little boiling water, add a few drops of vanilla essence. Add butter, mix well, adding a little more boiling water if necessary, until icing is smooth. Dip each cake into icing and roll in coconut. Set aside until firm.
Recipe Credit: Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen’s Classic Country Collection
Addit: Flo’s husband Joh Bjelke-Petersen was the longest-serving Premier of Queensland from 8th August, 1968 until 1st December, 1987.
K – Hello Koala Sculpture Trail
Until December 2016, the street and building of Port Macquarie, New South Wales are peppered with large-scale koala sculptures made of fibroglass and hand painted and decorated to a theme. The artists consist of celebrities, professionals as well as local community groups. Each koala has a plaque at its base that has the sculpture’s name and artist’s details. There are 50 of them in total and they were built to help support the work of Port Macquarie’s Koala Hospital — the first of its kind in the world. I fell in love with them and photographed all I saw, about 37 I think. I hope you enjoy some of my favourites. They were so cute.
J – John Williamson
John Williamson is one of Australia’s most iconic country music singers. Last year he celebrated 45 years since his first song Old Man Emu become a hit. During this time he has produced 50 albums, which equates to more than one a year. He is an amazing ambassador for Australia and his songs touch and connect with all generations. He also isn’t afraid to take on the controversial issues. Even today on a road trips with our adult children, his albums are the only ones that we have no arguments about.
I have seen him in concert a few times in the local pubs and RSL clubs (Returned Service Leagues), after which he is happy to come out to meet his people and sign his autograph on albums or books.
Below is a small taste of his different styles including some interesting images of Australia when the albums were produced —brings back many memories for me. The first 3 I grew up with and have definitely united the country and brought about change. The last one is relatively new but connects with me as on retire that is exactly what we want to do — join the grey nomads traveling around Australia with no cares in the world.
But with 50 albums there is definitely something for everyone’s taste. I think True Blue is my favourite John Williamson song, what is yours? Let me know in the comments.
I – Idioms
Idioms are phrases that have special meaning often very different from their literal meaning. The Australian language is full of them and some can be so common place that we forget that non Australians struggle to understand their meaning. So to help explain my idioms I thought I would dedicate ‘I’ to them and many be help my international readers understand some of our confusing slang.
Phrase: Away with the pixies
Meaning: Dreaming
Example: He’s away with the pixies. ( He’s dreaming.)
Phrase: Bob’s your uncle
Meaning: If you do whatever is said before everything will be alright.
Example: Just three more chops with the axe and Bob’s your uncle.
(My fun response to this idiom has always been — no Bob’s my dad actually.)
Phrase: Don’t get your knickers in a twist.
Meaning: Don’t get upset.
Example: He’s 5 minutes late Mum, don’t get your knickers in a twist.
Phrase: Woop Woop
Meaning: Middle of nowhere, far away from any where of interest
Example: I’m going to Woop Woop tomorrow.
Phrase: Flat chat
Meaning: Go very fast
Example: I had so much to do, I had to work flat chat to get out of work on time tonight.
Phrase: Play silly buggers
Meaning: Messing around, wasting time
Example: They are up stairs playing silly buggers instead of doing their assignment.
Phrase: Pull your head in.
Meaning: Shut up, I don’t want to talk to you.
Example: Jane, pull your head in, you’re becoming a bore.
Phrase: Buckley’s Chance
Meaning. No chance
Example: You’ve got two chance of that happening , your’s and Buckley’s.
Phrase: Mad as a cut snake.
Meaning: Very angry.
Example: Don’t go near dad tonight , he’s as mad as a cut snake.
Phrase: Kangaroo loose in the top paddock.
Meaning: Not too smart
Example: I’ve been watching him for a while and I think he has a kangaroo loose in the top paddock.
Phrase: Bring a plate.
Meaning: Please bring a plate with food on it to share to a party or barbeque.
Example: Mary invited us to her house on Friday night and asked if we could bring a plate.
Phrase: As useful as an ash tray on a motorbike or as useful as tits on a bull.
Meaning: Not a very helpful person or thing.
Example: Janelle was as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike this afternoon when I asked her to help in the kitchen.
H – Hospital For Koalas
Have you ever thought what happens to sick or injured koalas? Enter the world’s first Koala Hospital. Like humans those living around the Port Macquarie region of New South Wales are taken by koala ambulance to the Koala Hospital.
In 1973, Jean and Max Starr began caring for sick and injured koalas in there home. Soon however they realised the problem was much bigger than they had to offer and a purpose built koala hospital began construction which has now grown into a specialist world renown research facility. Today, the hospital comprises of a treatment room, 8 intensive care units, 6 outdoor intensive care units and 33 rehabilitation yards.
When a rescued koala is brought into the hospital via ambulance they are named. The name they are given is divided into two parts — the first name is after the home range in which they are found and their second name is after the person that found them. For example if I found an injured koala, they would be named Sydney Max. A koalas name is particularly important as if a koala is to be returned to the wild, they must return to their original home range and if this information is in their name there is no confusion.
In 1986, John Williamson country singer was at the Koala Hospital when a rescue koala was brought in and was so impressed with the work done that he wrote a song about Australia’s dying koalas — Goodbye Blinky Bill and donated the royalties to the hospital. This generosity has provided John Williamson Wing and allowed the hospital to expand its support for koalas and its research.
There are three main reason 200- 250 koalas each year are brought to the hospital are:
- Disease
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Dog Attacks
If you ever get the opportunity add The Koala Hosptital to your to-do list. While you can take a self guided tour at anytime of day feeding time at 3pm is an amazing experience.
Coffee Catch-up #6
If we were having coffee I would tell you how I am enjoying getting back into regular blogging by participating in Blogging from A – Z 2016. My theme is loosely based around Australia and my travels, so it has been fun remembering and sharing my knowledge and fun. Despite being a bit behind I will complete the task by the end of April.
If we were having coffee I would tell you how surprised I was to find white spots on the underside of the water filter when I finally changed it last night, later than it was meant to be changed. My son is convinced it’s just the charcoal changing colour and I am happy to go with that theory as the thought of me swallowing anything else filtered through my water is a bit much for me to cope with.
If we were having coffee I would tell you that this week I clicked over 20,000 views on my blog. When I started Inspiring Max less than 2 years ago I didn’t dream this was possible. Now I ask myself how long will it take me to reach 50,000 views and I tell myself that if I work hard at it, maybe 18 months. I would also tell you how grateful I am for my regular followers as well as random viewers I receive. I would also tell you that I love that my blogging community grows daily.
If we were having coffee I would tell you how frustrated I am with the inconsistencies around new parking laws in Australia. In New South Wales at least I was recently booked for parking less than 10 metres from the curb. The ironic thing was that my daughter and I had discussed in the morning the distance we were parked from the curb and estimated it to be 10 metres. However looking more closely, after the fine, we realized we had parked less than 10 metres from the curb, but we weren’t happy that all the cars parked on the 4 corners of that street should have been booked not just us — no one else was.
If we were having coffee I would tell you how much I enjoyed catching up with our special friends last Saturday drinking French champagne together. I am grateful to have special friends that even though we only catch-up with them randomly these days due to commitments with life, we always just pick up from where we left off after our last visit.
If we were having coffee I would ask you what you have been up to this last week, let me know in the comments.
E -Emu
Emus are our national bird and take pride of place with the kangaroo on our coat of arms. They are our largest bird, second only to the Ostrich in the world and can range in height up to 2 metres and weigh up to 45 kilograms. Outside the cities especially in rural and remote Australia, emus are a common site as they roam free and can survive in extremes of temperatures.
Country singer John Williamson penned his famous infectious tribute Old Man Emu many years ago and it has become part of everyday culture. In the song he compares the emu to other animals and birds, focusing on its assets not what it can’t do — fly. I think this isn’t a bad philosophy to live by.
By nature, emus are curious creatures and aren’t shy in coming forward. If they want something, they will come at you quickly. Here are a few examples:
- Back in the 1980’s my husband was driving on a dirt road when an emu began running beside him. Initially, he thought nothing of it, then suddenly for no reason the emu suddenly turned and crashed into his car.
- In the 1990’s we were visiting Wagga Wagga Botanical Gardens talking to the kids about emus when one suddenly leaned over the fence and pecked my father’s red shirt. He wasn’t hurt but the kids thought it was very funny and have never forgotten it.
- In 2000’s we were visiting a private zoo in Tasmania where they had trained the emus. We joined a group of about 20-30 people to ride around the emu pen in an open truck and feed the emus. Everyone had a bag of feed and held it out in one hand. Then suddenly the scariest thing happened. All of the emus descended onto the truck eating the food from the white bags. All you could see was emu heads in your face. They were very delicate and didn’t hurt anyone but the noise between the screams and the emus was deafening. An experience I will never forget. Australia also has a big emu, Stanley who guards the highway just out of Lightening Ridge. If your driving past don’t forget to give him a wave.
https://www.inspiringmax.com/stanley-the-emu/
If you have any fun emu stories I would love to hear about them. Let me know about them in the comments.