Tag: Memories

Coffee Catch-up #7

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If we were having coffee I would tell you about how proud I was on Wednesday evening when I was presented with my new Toastmaster badge that places the letter ACB/CL after my name. Although I was pleased to have completed the manuals, the feelings that developed when I actually saw them in print did surprise. They brought home to me the importance of presenting awards as soon as possible after completion. The fact that when I first finished my CC award several years ago, it took me over 12 months to get it recognised by anyone probably also played a part in my feelings.

If we were having coffee I would tell you about my run in with my exercise coach after which he disrespectfully dismissed me and told me I could finish up 4 weeks earlier than my original date. Given the circumstances this was probably the only option as there was no comprise possible.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how I enjoyed swimming, running in the water and relaxing in the members only spa this afternoon for the first time in 8 years. I would also tell you that I am looking forward to the greater options in my new exercise program including aqua aerobics, my long time favourite.

If we were having coffee I would tell you how I am catching up on many long time overdue jobs at work, which is inspiring to think about new systems to make many tasks easier.

If we were having coffee I would tell you what a great meal we had last night with one of my Toastmaster clubs social event at Thai Garden House. The food was fresh, light and flavoursome which is why in 2013, it was awarded Sydney Metro’s best Thai restaurant.

If we were having coffee I would tell you that I am excited to be back on track with my Blogging from A – Z challenge this week. It has taken a lot of work over the weekend especially as I am also keeping up with my regular features but so worth it. From my experience, the more I write the better and quicker I get at it.

If we were having coffee I would ask you what you have been up to this last week, let me know in the comments.

J – John Williamson

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

F – Future

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In the future my husband and I plan to travel back to Canada especially Newfoundland and spend 6-12 months exploring and soaking up the culture. We visited in 2014/15 enjoying it so much that we made an immediate plan to return after retirement, which can’t come quick enough.

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/future/

#Blogging from A -Z 2016

Coffee Catch-up #6

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

D – Driftwood Sculptures

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I came across these amazing driftwood sculptures while driving through the countryside in North Island New Zealand. The artist appeared to work from his home which was surrounded by these beautiful creations. I remember feeling creative just looking at them.

C – Cockington Green Gardens

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Cockington Green Gardens located in Canberra—Australia’s capital is home to meticulous crafted and highly detailed miniature buildings and landscapes. It is a wonderful place full of creativity with replicas of many international known buildings or scenes. If your ever visiting Canberra take a couple of hours and enjoy a roam around the gardens and be inspired.

B – The Big Banana

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B

 

In yesterday’s post I mentioned that Australia has over 150 big things. The original big thing — The Big Banana opened in 1964 and recently celebrated its 50th birthday. John Landi came up with the idea initially to get more people to stop at his banana stall on the Pacific Highway, Coffs Harbour. It worked. Australians and international visitors stopped in droves to visit the Big Banana and taste the iconic chocolate coated bananas. I remember my first trip as a young and impressionable 10-year-old travelling north on my first road trip. There were bananas everywhere and the Big Banana itself looked so much like a real banana. Then I discovered why, the designer had cut up the most perfectly shaped banana into 40 pieces to build the pattern.

 

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Over the years the Big Banana has grown into the biggest tourist attraction on the North Coast of New South Wales. It is now called The Big Banana Fun Park and includes Laser Tag, an Ice Skating Rink, a Wild Toboggan Ride, a 36 hole Mini Golf Course and Water Park. There is also “The World of Bananas” multimedia experience, plantation and a packing shed, nursery, café, gift and souvenir shop, a Candy Kitchen and Cheese Making Workshop. There is definitely something here for everyone including a mandatory selfie in front of the iconic Big Banana.

Last year I returned with my family and enjoyed sharing my fond memories of the Big Banana with my children, and created some new ones. I was also excited to discover the Big Banana’s monkey who helps entertain the million visitors each year is called Max.

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It’s no wonder the Park’s slogan is “It’s a bunch of fun.”