No Cherries But A Couple Of Jobs Get Done

Sunday 25th November, 2012

Weather wise the weekend was perfect.  It was warm, great weather to get out and about.  Tony had planned to wash the car and also the pond needed a good clean out.

On Saturday after Tony finished cleaning the pond we decided to go for a drive in the Hills to see if any cherries were for sale.  The Cherry Shed at Kenton Valley was open but unfortunately had no cherries.  They weren't going to start picking theirs until this coming week they said.  We had a coffee and scones instead while there.

We thought we'd try a few other places but Tony being Tony decided to take a road that we've never been on "just to see where it goes".  Needless to say it took us nowhere near where the cherries are grown.  It ended up being a back road to Nairne. 

By now it was getting too late to go looking for cherries and so we made our way back to Adelaide.  On the way home we decided to go to the movies.  I wanted to see "Argo".  We ended up going to the Picaddilly Cinemas at North Adelaide.  Firstly we had something for dinner....we tried an all you can eat Chinese Restaurant.  We weren't impressed, the food wasn't very fresh, looked like leftovers from lunch.  We had a voucher and so it cost us $24 each, normally $32.90.  No way was it worth that much.

The movie was fantastic!  It had us on the edge of our seats most of the time.  One movie I highly recommend for people to go and see.  It's about the American hostages and the escape of 6 people who worked at the American Embassy in Iran in the early 1980's. 

Today Tony washed the car and the rest of the day was spent lazing about.  Another weekend over and done with which means it's getting closer to Christmas.....4 weeks on Tuesday in fact!  That means 5 weeks and we're into a New Year!!!

I came across this photo on the Adelaide Now website.  It was taken at the Blanchetown Caravan Park.  Blanchetown is a small town on the Murray River about 90 minutes from Adelaide.  The bird is a Kookaburra.  When I first looked at the photo I thought 'Wow that's a large worm," but after looking at it for a few more seconds I realised it was a brown snake.  Ugh!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday 22nd November, 2012

If you celebrate Thanksgiving and are reading this....Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you are having a wonderful day with family and friends and didn't over indulge.....lol

In Australia we don't celebrate Thanksgiving Day but that doesn't mean to say that we can't reflect on what we are thankful for.  I am thankful for waking up each day and spending it with the man I love and enjoying another day on this wonderful planet.

We're On Red Alert!

Tuesday 20th November, 2012

The State is on red alert today.  We have got the ideal conditions for bushfires......high temperatures, strong northerly winds and low humidity.  Schools have been closed on the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas as these two zones have been declared as being catastrophic danger areas.

Currently there is a bushfire burning over near Port Lincoln again!  This time it is at Coomunga and it looks as if it is heading for Port Lincoln.  They say it is burning out of control in dense scrub.  One report said that the fire came to within 100 metres of the outskirts of the town.  Thank goodness for the wind change late this afternoon, it averted a disaster.

Late this afternoon, in Adelaide, a change came through with thunder and lightning but no rain.  Due to lightning strikes there have also been several grass fires in the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula, South East, Riverland and Mid North.  None of them have caused too much concern.

Tonight is also the final of "X Factor".  This year the standard of the contestants has been very high and some great singers were eliminated in the earlier rounds. The three finalists, Samantha Jade, Jason Owen and a boy band The Collective would all be worthy winners.  

My heart says Jason, of all the contestants he is the one who has grown the most throughout the show, but my head is saying Samantha Jade, she has the most amazing voice.  The Collective are also very good too, 5 boys who didn't know one another at the start of the show, were put together by the judges and have jelled.  Their sound is amazing too.

The winner has been announced.............Samantha Jade (mentored by Guy Sebastian)

Jason Owen was runner up...............(mentored by Mel B (Spice Girl fame))

The Collective came third.............(mentored by Ronan Keating)

Congratulations to the winners!  Looking forward to seeing what next years "X Factor" produces.

Perfect Weather For Gardening

Sunday 18th November, 2012

The weekend has come and gone and for us it has been a productive one.  The whole weekend was spent outside......gardening.  The weather was perfect for spending some time in the garden, temperatures of 23-24C although I did get a bit sunburnt today.

Tony got on the roof to clean out the air conditioner as we have some rather warm weather forecast for Tuesday, they are saying the temperature could get to 36C.

While on the roof he took some photos of the area and the Gulf.

Last night we went to fill the water bottles and on the way we called into the Port to watch the fireworks.  Hundreds of people had gathered on the River bank and wharf to watch them.  Earlier in the evening they had their Christmas Pageant but we didn't go.

After we had finished in the garden this afternoon I needed to go to the shops to get some meat and vegies.  I decided not to go shopping tomorrow.  Firstly we went for a drive and came across a street with these magnificent Jacarandas lining the road.  Apparently it is a sign that Christmas is just around the corner once these trees start flowering.  Beautiful trees, but what a mess they make when the flowers start to fall.

A Security Nightmare

Thursday 15th November, 2012

Last night Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, flew into little ol' Adelaide for a two day visit.  Apparently it's supposed to be a private visit to catch up with friends but while she is here she will also speak to government officials and visit Techport, South Australia's marine defence hub.

Arriving at the Intercontinetal Hotel

Our city has never seen such massive security.  Streets were closed for her entourage to pass through. Her husband Bill, and former President of the USA was here some years ago for a speaking engagement.  I don't think there was this much security for him.

Meeting Jay Weatherill (Premier) and Kevin Scarce (Governor)

Wow I don't know why she just didn't walk from the InterContinetal to Government House, a distance of maybe a few hundred metres, instead of this huge convoy.  It would have given more South Aussies the chance to see her.  I don't think Prince Charles had this big of a entourage last week when he was here.

With all the formalities out of the way in the morning, this afternoon she got to spend some time to herself. She flies out tomorrow morning for Singapore.

We Were Warned!

Sunday 11th November, 2012

Today is Remembrance Day.  It is the day we remember our fallen soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their lives fighting to keep our country free so that we can enjoy the freedom we have today.

                   
                                                       Lest We Forget

It has also been quite a warm day.  The temperature reached nearly 34C.  Tony and I have been rather lazy, I had a nap..... think I am still getting over yesterday.  Tony also took down the air conditioning vents and cleaned them.

A couple of months ago we were warned that this state could be in for a bad bushfire season.  We have had a few small grass fires, mainly caused by lightning, that have just burnt out scrub and farm land.

Today though, a bushfire, near Tulka on the Eyre Peninsula,  a small town some 12 kilometres from Port Lincoln has caused some disaster.  To date it has destroyed shacks, homes, numerous sheds, caravans and four vehicles.  Thankfully no lives have been lost.

The firefighters so far have not been able to contain it.  They are expecting a cool change overnight and hopefully the wind conditions will change too.  There are also numerous other fires burning in the State, but none of them causing any problems like this one is.

It's not even summer yet.  Let's hope and pray the State is spared from a major bushfire this year!  People are always continually being told to clean up around their houses and properties but a lot of it falls on deaf ears.

Thank goodness for our CFS (Country Fire Services)!  These men and women are always on standby and ready if and when they're needed.  Let's hope they won't be needed too often this summer!   

That Man In The Red Suit Comes Calling.......Again!

Saturday 10th November, 2012

Last night Tony had a Christmas function to attend.  In the meantime I had organised to pick Taylor up as she was staying the night so that she could come to the Christmas Pageant with us.  Late yesterday afternoon I got a phone call from Tanecia asking if she could come to.  Why not, more the merrier don't they say.

After picking them up I went into town to wait for Tony.  We were also picking up Katie but firstly she was having her grading done for Karate.  Kahra didn't know what time that was going to finish.  

Once we got into town the girls and I went off to have something to eat.  Tony rang shortly after to say he had finished at his function and so he met us.  We hung around in the city for awhile and then decided to go to Villi's to wait for Kahra.  She had rung to say that Karate was finished and that they were on their way.

After getting Katie we headed for home and straight to bed.  It was later than I wanted to be home as we had to be up early in the morning.  The roads were being closed off at 7.00 am and we wanted to park the car at Tony's work.

Tony set the alarm for 5.00 am (ugh!).  We woke the girls up after we had had our showers and were ready to leave by 6.00 am. 

We set up our spot where we were going to watch the Pageant from and the girls and I went off to Maccas to get us some breakfast. After eating Tony and I took a walk to get a paper and some chalk for the girls to "decorate" the road with.  The worst part is the waiting around.  You have to get into town so early to get a good possie and that usually means around 6.30 - 7.00am.  The Pageant starts on South Terrace at 9.30 am winding its way through the streets and depending on where you sit  it takes about 20-30 minutes to get to where you are. 

It was all over by 11.15 am.  All the kids were super excited to see that Father Christmas had arrived safely in town.  It got to be quite warm sitting in the sun, we all got a good dose of vitamin D this morning.

This year the Pageant was 80 years old.  The floats consisted of some old favourites, new ones and some that they brought out of storage. There were 63 floats, various bands, dancing girls and choirs. Most of the participants in the Pageant are employees and their children of the various Credit Unions along with some celebrities.  The crowd was estimated to be around 350,000 that lined the 3 kilometre route.

The girls weren't staying with us for the remainder of the weekend.  They both had separate birthday parties to go to.  We dropped Katie off back to Kahra and Taylor and Tanecia back home.  Tony and I went off to do some shopping and when we got back home we both fell asleep.

Hmmmm I wonder how the girls are doing?  Not much sleep last night, up early this morning and then partying.  They won't be too long out of bed tonight, I bet!