Bill's Ponderings

On the Indian-Pacific to Sydney

2012-01-15T18:05:00.000+10:00

We travelled from Peterborough in South Australia to Sydney on the Indian Pacific train:

It was quite long enough.

Änis Chräbelis - Swiss Aniseed Cookies

2012-01-02T11:14:00.001+10:00

I know I shouldn't eat cookies, trying to control my weight but, hey, it was Christmas and I missed a few cookies, especially aniseed ones, so I googled a recipe and found one on a Swiss cooking site, so I set about making some of those delicious cookies and in all modesty I can say they were a success, especially with Diane, Carol and David.

After I made the dough and let it stand overnight as per instructions, I made rolls about 15mm in diameter.

Being Swiss, I used a rouler to cut pieces 70mm long

Again as per instructions I cut slots in the rolls

Shaped them into the right shapes

And placed them into the oven for baking.

I would love to show you the final product, but we ate them, sorry. But they were delicious.

THE DIGITAL STORY OF NATIVITY - ( or Christmas 2.0 )

2011-12-18T11:13:00.003+10:00

Merry Christmas Blogger friends with a little fun!

On the opening screen click WATCH ON YOU TUBE

And a HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

Our Baby Surprise

2011-12-02T15:56:00.000+10:00

Sonya, Bernie and Fox are back in OK Magazine. After another succesful 'Beauty and the Geek Australia Series, OK Magazine foundout that Sonya is pregnant with their second child.

Click twice (not double-click) to read text

Depth of Field

2011-11-13T12:00:00.000+10:00

Tomorrow morning we meet again with the U3A Camera Club. We're discussing the subject of Depth of Field especially when taking shots of flowers. I tried some, not with flowers, but with a frog.

No Photoshop at all.

Pichi Richi Railway "The Afghan Express"

2011-11-03T22:40:00.000+10:00

In Port Augusta S.A. recently, we jumped onto the Afghan Express to Quorn and back. It's a historic Steam Train trip, most enjoyable. I made a little video of the trip:

I love steam trains. This coming Sunday we are taking another steam train ride from Brisbane Roma Street station to an unknown destination but end up back at Roma Street.

Swiss Cookies "Brätzelis"

2011-10-30T18:55:00.001+10:00

We visited our friends Ben and Lyn on the Gold Coast today. Ben showed me a present he received from his sister in Switzerland. It's a 'Brätzelieisen', an electric heat press used by the Swiss to make these delicious little cookies, ususally around Christmas, but hey, we decided to try it out, so while Diane and Lyn were busy on the computer, Ben and I went to work in the kitchen.

First we mixed all the ingredients in a bowl:-

Then we split the work. I rolled the dough into little balls and Ben placed them onto the hot forms in the machine, four at a time.

Then we reversed roles and I took a turn baking the cookies.

After a few minutes, they turn golden brown. The smell in the kitchen was very pleasant. Some of the Brätzelis we left to cool on a rolling pin which gives them a nice curve.

We were very proud of our first attempt to make some of these delicious cookies.

I don't think they'll last until Christmas

Kalgoorlie Gold

2011-10-25T19:10:00.000+10:00

On our recent trip to Western Australia, we visited the Gold Mining town of Kalgoorlie where we visited the Gold Mine Museum. There we descended down the mine shaft into the depth of the earth to see how the miners used to have to crawl through the many tunels looking for gold seams.

After we surfaced again, we were taken into the gold toom where an employee cast a genuine gold bar. Unfortunately we couldn't keep it.

Here's a little video of the experience...

Royal Botanic Gardens - Sydney

2011-10-14T20:16:00.001+10:00

Today, Carol was taking us to the Sydney Botanical Gardens on a cool and overcast day. We had lunch in the Botanical Gardens Restaurant.

The original 19th Century building facade is paired with sleek modern interiors, making Botanic Gardens Restaurant a beautiful location for lunch.

After lunch we took a tour of the Gothic Revival Government House, also located in the grounds.

A Lunch Outing with Family

2011-10-13T17:13:00.000+10:00

It's good to be in Sydney with Carol-Ann and David. To mark the occasion, the four of us went to Watsons Bay to the famous Doyle Seafood Restaurant for lunch.

At Doyle's Seafood Restaurant looking over Sydney Harbour

(left to right) Carol-Ann, Diane, Bill, David at Doyles

Back in Sydney

2011-10-12T05:06:00.001+10:00

Back in Sydney, we are staying with our daughter carol-Ann and son in law David for a few days before we fly back to Brisbane on Sunday.

Back in Sydney staying with Carol and David.

The Indian Pacific Train

2011-10-11T08:15:00.000+10:00

Another thing we have on the Bucket List is the Indian Pacific Train. This train travels between Perth and Sydney. A little too long for us, so we're just doing the last leg between Adelaide and Sydney. It is still a 24 hour journey, surely long enough to sit on a train. We do have sleeping cabins.

Indian Pacific Train between Adelaide SA and Sydney NSW

Adelaide Zoo

2011-10-10T05:59:00.001+10:00

Back at the Mercure Grosvenor in Adelaide, we are vising the Adelaide Zoo and the Botanical Gardens today.

A Panda Bear at Adelaide Zoo

Motor Museum Birdwood

2011-10-09T05:55:00.002+10:00

Leaving beautiful Hahndorf this morning, we travel to Birdwood on the way back to Adelaide. Birdwood has the Australian Motor Museum which we'll visit while we're there.

Motor Museum Birdwood

Hahndorf

2011-10-08T05:51:00.000+10:00

This morning we are driving to another historical township Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills. We've been there a few times before but always love it. I particularly look forward having dinner there tonight in the german Pub. Bratwurst and Sauerkraut og course.

The German Pub where we have dinner tonight.

Burra

2011-10-07T11:47:00.000+10:00

Today we drive to the historic township of Burra in South Australia. Diane has a college friend there, Val, who we briefly saw on our Lake Eyre trip. We promised her we would return so today we'll meet Val again.

Val and Diane during our last visit to Burra in South Australia

Tp End Eco Cruise

2011-10-06T05:44:00.000+10:00

I guess I'll let them talk me into joining the group on this Eco Tour thoday. We'll see.

Top End Eco Cruise

Afghan Express heritage Train

2011-10-05T05:40:00.001+10:00

I have been a train buff all my life and the Afghan Express has always been on my 'Bucket List', ever since we saw the train when we visited Lake Eyre. So now we are doing it. The Afghan Express service turns the clock back to the 1930s when the famous old Ghan travelled through the Pichi Richi Pass. Wherever possible, the Afghan Express uses distinctive timber-bodied carriages built in the late 1920s for the narrow gauge old Ghan train service, and restored old Ghan steam locomotive NM25.

Original Ghan steam locomotive NM25 with the Afghan Express in the scenic Pichi Richi Pass.

The Afghan Express is the name railwaymen gave to the passenger train that ran from Terowie to Oodnadatta, through Quorn, in 1923. This was the first time a sleeping carriage was included on the train, and when an Afghan passenger alighted at Quorn to recite his evening prayers, the train was dubbed the Afghan Express by railwaymen. In time, this was abbreviated to The Ghan and eventually used by CR officials.

Port Augusta

2011-10-04T05:36:00.001+10:00

We are now a 6-people group, having met Ann and George in Adelaide. Most of the Birthday Bear Group which you may know from Diane's blogs. So in a people mover, we're driving north to Port Augusta.

Port Augusta

Up Up and Away with the flying Kangaroo

2011-10-03T05:32:00.000+10:00

Today, we leave Westarn Australia and we fly to Adelaide in South Australia, a 2 1/2 hour flight.

We are booked into the Mercure Grosvenor Hotel.

Adelaide Mercure-Grosvenor Hotel

Back to Perth for the Final Time

2011-10-02T05:30:00.001+10:00

We are heading to Perth again today where our APT Tour ends.

Perth where our APT Tour ends

Geralton

2011-10-01T05:28:00.000+10:00

Today, we travel to Geralton.

Geralton WA

Monkey Mia

2011-09-29T11:25:00.001+10:00

Today, we travel to Monkey Mia, famous for its Dolphin Feeding on the beaches.

They do a nother boat trip, whitout me.

Kalbarri

2011-09-28T05:23:00.000+10:00

After another night in Perth, this morning we are heading north to Kalbarri.

Cruise back to Perth

2011-09-27T05:17:00.000+10:00

Leaving Freemantle, we get off the bus and onto a river cruiser back to Perth.

Freemantle to Perth River Cruise

Freemantle

2011-09-26T05:13:00.000+10:00

This morning we visit the harbour town of Freemantle with its fabulous colonial buildings. Freemantle was the port from where Australia II liberated the 'America's Cup' in 1983 from the New York Yacht Club where legend had it, it was permanently bolted down.

Freemantle

Margaret River

2011-09-25T05:10:00.000+10:00

Margaret River, south of Perth is a terrific wine region. We have been there before. But today we again visit Margaret River and I am looking forward to see the region again.

Margaret River Winery

Whale Watching

2011-09-24T05:07:00.000+10:00

Today the tour is going on a whale-watching cruise (without me - I don't do boats), but Diane will enjoy herself.

Must be fun if you like that sort of thing

Albany

2011-09-23T05:01:00.001+10:00

This morning we drive to Albany

Albany Western Australia

Esperance

2011-09-22T05:58:00.001+10:00

This morning we are driving to Esperance.

Esperance is a large town in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia, located on the Southern Ocean coastline approximately 720 kilometres (450 mi) east-southeast of the state capital, Perth.

Esperance Western Australia

The Mining Town of Kalgoorly

2011-09-21T05:56:00.001+10:00

This morning we are driving through the wheatbelt to Coolgardie for a vosot to the Gold Museum, then on to the mining town of Kalgoorlie.

We join our APT Tour doday

2011-09-20T05:54:00.003+10:00

Today we are joining our APT Tour of Western Australia. We start crossing the jarrah forests of the Darling Ranges to historic York then to the quaint outback town of Hayden and explore the natural wonder of Wave Rock.

APT Coach

Tonight we stay at the Wave Rock Hotel in Hayden

Up up and Away (AGAIN)

2011-09-19T05:45:00.001+10:00

We're off again on another trip. This time to Western Australia for a Wildflower Tour then to South Australia for some exciting train journeys.

Today, we fly to Perth In Western Australia

As with our recent US Tour, this blog will be automatically updated every day or so, to show you where we are and what we are doing. So you can follow us on our travels. have fun.

On Monday we're off again

2011-09-16T14:11:00.002+10:00

Monday morning we're off again on another trip, this time to Western Australia and to South Australia.

From Monday on, you can follow us once again on our journey on this blog which again will be updated automatically every day.

Have fun following us...

Perth Western Australia

Adelaide Hills Winery

Spring Garden 2011

2011-09-06T18:23:00.002+10:00

Diane is very proud of our garden. It's spring and once again the garden looks great as you can see in the video below.

See if you can spot the gardner....

The Making of an Artist

2011-08-21T20:34:00.000+10:00

Grandson Fox

Photo by Diane

The Geeks and their Girlfriends are back

2011-08-19T08:19:00.004+10:00

Sonya, Bernie and Fox are in Sydney for the recording of the new series of Beauty and the Geeks - Australia for Channel 7. Bernie is the host. He took us to the mansion yesterday where they are filming the show.

I am not allowed to show or reveal much but a couple of shots are permitted.

The back of The Mansion

Bernie in his make-up trailer getting ready for the shoot.

We also met some of the contestants. The show goes to air later on this year, this year with ten episodes.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Things you see in Bondi Beach

2011-08-18T08:03:00.004+10:00

The things you see in Bondi Beach. Talk about 'Free to Air TV.'

Click picture to enlarge

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Visiting Family

2011-08-17T10:44:00.001+10:00

We are in Sydney, visiting the family. Last night we had dinner with all of them, it was great.

Click to enlarge picture
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Carson's Chicago

2011-08-14T11:28:00.001+10:00

On our recent trip to Chicago, we had dinner at the famous 'America's #1 BBQ Steakhouse, Carson's. We were not disapointed the steaks were huge, succulent and very tender. If I'll ever return to Chicago, I'll eat there again.

From left - Helen, Diane, Bill and Maureen

The wine was not half bad either.

Our USA trip video is finished

2011-08-03T08:50:00.001+10:00

Here are some extracts:
L

The Things you see in Bondi Beach

2011-08-02T18:46:00.001+10:00

Spotted in Bondi Beach. Talking about 'Free to Air TV'

Click on photo to enlarge

New York New York

2011-07-31T10:40:00.000+10:00

I found New York to be a great city. Enjoy the clip

My Bear Encounter in Yellowstone National Park

2011-07-27T22:44:00.000+10:00

Here's the video footage of my bear encounter in Yellowstone National Park. I got such a shock when this bear walked right by me that it took some time for me to focus the camera. The grizzly followed a few minutes later.

Route 66

2011-07-20T10:27:00.001+10:00

I guess, everyone knows something about one of the most famous roads in the world, Route 66 which ran from Chicagp across the USA to Los Angeles. It was a also known as 'Main Street of America'. Route 66 was officially removed from the US Highway System in 1985 as it did no longer fit into the new US Road Numbering System.

Portions of the road that passed through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico and Arizona have been designated a National Scenic Byway with the name of 'Historic Route 66'. Whatever its name, it terminated in Santa Monica CA where the famous sign still stands.

At the end of the Road (Route 66)

For more information on this historic rout

CLICK HERE

Foxy is walking

2011-07-15T00:08:00.001+10:00

Foxy took his first steps yesterday and we were here to see it. How lucky was that?

Alas our US trip has come to an end and we're flying back to OZ tonight.

Back in L.A.

2011-07-14T08:36:00.006+10:00

We are back in Los Angeles with Sonya, Bernie and Fox. We fly home tomorrow night.

We went to the Apple Store in Hollywood where we bought the iPad before we left for New York. They fixed it so now I can post blogs with the iPad, so we'll need to do the trip again.

Diane in the helicopter flying into Grand Canyon.

Flying over the Colorado River Nevada

It was an amazing trip. We travelled 6,687 km from New York to L.A. Through the heartland of the United States and we saw some amazing things.

My blog is now over but I'm sure Diane will post more details on her blog when we get home, so stay tuned and thanks for watching and commenting.

Cheers,

Bill

Las Vegas - Calico - Los Angeles

2011-07-12T02:32:00.001+10:00

We travel back into California again with a stop at Calico Ghost Town to relieve the wild, tough days when miners struck it rich. Through the Mojave desert and over the San Gabriel Mountains back to Los Angeles.

Calico Ghost Town

Mojave Desert

Off to Sin City (Las Vegas)

2011-07-10T02:25:00.000+10:00

We head to the unique phenomenon of Las Vegas, where today's fortune hunters try their luck at the 24-hour gambling tables of the "Strip." We have a two-night stay at the Tropicana - Las Vegas.

Who knows, we might just try our luck... or maybe not!

Grand Canyion Here We Come

2011-07-09T02:18:00.000+10:00

After leaving Cedar City today, our first stop is Zion National Park, a landscape that was carved out by rushing streams over a period of a million years. Through Kaibab National Forest to the less visited north rim of the Grand Canyon, with views over the mighty Colorado River.

Zion National Park

Grand Canyon

Bryce Canyon - Cedar City

2011-07-08T06:11:00.000+10:00

We leave Salt Lake City and travel through the sagebrush landscape of southern Utah to Bryce Canyon National Park with its breathtaking sandstone and limestone cliffs and ever-changing colours. We head west through Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument to Cedar City for our ovrernight stay.

Bryce Canyon

Best Western at Cedar City, UT - our hotl for the night

Grand Teton National Park - Jackson - Salt Lake City

2011-07-07T06:00:00.000+10:00

Today, we head south into the magnifiscent Grand Tetons with saw-toothed, 4,115m high ridges crested with snow most of the year. Through "Western" Jackson with its wooden sidewalks and swing-door saloons, and we'll arrive in Salt Lake City, the centre of the Mormon religion, in the late afternoon where we'll take a brief orientation drive before reaching the Red Lion Hotel for the night.

Grand Tetons

Jackson

Salt lake City

Yellowstone National Park

2011-07-06T13:39:00.001+10:00

most interesting Day. Sorry no pictures.

I was sitting down on a park bench this afternoon, waiting for Diane, when someone shouted to me,"Sir, there is a bear heading your way."

I stood up and sure enough a fully grown black bear walked by me about 10 feet away. I got my camera ready but by the time it was running I just got the back end of it. By now lots of people came running to me telling me ho lucky I was not getting eaten.

a few minutes later someone else was shouting, "Bear,"

when we saw a grizzly bear following the black bear. well this time I was ready and caught it on camera, just as a ranger ordered everyone back into their vehicles, well, our bus was about 500 metres down the road so we returned to the bus and hoped for the best.

nothing can now beat this experience.

Yellowstone National Park

2011-07-05T06:20:00.000+10:00

We leave Cody and drive through the Shoshone National Forest to Yellowstone National Park, following the Grand Loop Road to Artist Point with views of Yellowstone Canyon and the Lower Falls, nearly twice the height of Niagara. Next, we visit the geyser basins with bubbling mud paint pots and finally the reliable "blow" of Old Faithful, Yellowstone's great geyser.

We stay two nights in West Yellowstone, the western gateway to the park. Located in Wyoming, Montana nd Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bisons and elk and we hope we'll see some of those (from a distance).

Old faithful

Yellowstone National Park

We stay two nights in West Yellowstone, the western gateway to the park. Located in Wyoming, Montana nd Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bisons and elk and we hope we'll see some of those.

Keystone - Cody

2011-07-04T07:54:00.001+10:00

We head through the rich, mountainous country to Buffalo, where open-range cattle kings made war on the sheep ranchers of the 1880s. We drive past Sheridan, the scene of many fierce battles between the U.S. Cavalry and the Sioux, Cheyenne and Crowe Indians.

Then we climb over the Bighorn Mountains en route to the overnight stay in Buffalo Bill's frontier town of Cody.

Town of Cody

Badlands National Park - Keystone

2011-07-03T07:45:00.001+10:00

First a drive through Fort Pierre National Grassland to see the prairie as it once was when only buffalo and the Sioux Indians occupied the land. Next we go to Badlands National Park, where 37 million years of wind and water have carved out a remarkable colourful sight. Then we head deep into the Black Hills and behold the granite faces of Mount Rushmore, a giant monument to four American presidents - Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt.

Mount Rushmore Monument

Sioux Indian Nation

2011-07-02T06:37:00.001+10:00

Today we travel into the rich farmlands of South Dakota, homeland of the Sioux Indian nation. We'll stop in Mitchell to see the Corn Palace, a remarkable moorish-style building where the interior and exterior are covered with designs of corn outlined with grasses and grain. Then we take a scenic drive through the Crow Creek Indian Reservation and along the mighty Missouri River to Pierre, the state capital for our overnight stay.

Mitchell Corn Palace

Minneapolis

2011-07-01T06:26:00.005+10:00

We begin the day with a city sightseeing tour of the bustling downtown area as well as the many beautiful parks and gardens and residential neighbourhoods.

Then we head out to the fabulous 'Mall of America', the largest shopping centre in the USA, featuring more than 400 speciality stores as well as several large retailers.

Tonight we go aboard a paddle wheeler on the Mississsipi River for a dinner cruise.

Mississipi Paddle Wheeler

Wisconsin Dells - Minneapolis

2011-06-30T06:17:00.000+10:00

Today, we enter Wisconsin Dells, a popular spot for photographers. We'll take a boat trip in a unique amphibious vessel, then we're off to Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. Then we'll drive through St. Paul, Minneapolis' twin city, before reaching our overnight hotel in Minneapolis.

Downtown Minneapolis

Chicago

2011-06-29T06:11:00.001+10:00

We have a morning tour of the 'Windy City', Chicago. In the afternoon we'll take a cruise on Lake Mitchigan and through the locks of the Chicago River.

Tonight, we'll go up the Sears Tower, one of the world's tallest buildings for some spectacular views.

Chicago

Henry Ford Museum

2011-06-28T06:05:00.003+10:00

We begin the day with a visit to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. We'll also see the 'Automobile in American Life' Exhibition, then drive to Chicago, America's third-largest city, in the afternoon.

Henry Ford Museum in Detroit

Niagara Falls to Detroit

2011-06-27T04:39:00.001+10:00

This morning we board the Maid of the Mist for amazing close-ups of the falls. We've been to the falls before in 1970 but never went on the boat, so this time we won't miss the chance.

The Maid of the Mist

Then we travel the Niagara Parkway along scenic countryside on the way to Detroit

Detroit

On the way to Niagara Falls

2011-06-26T06:08:00.002+10:00

Having left the USA this morning, we have a scenic day driving north through Pennsylvania Dutch Country, home of the Amish and Mennonite religious sects. Then along the Susquehanna River to Williamsport, the birthplace of Little League baseball.

We'rr driving through Amish Country

Williamstown

Later, we cross the Rainbow Bridge to Canada and arrive at Niagara Falls Ontario for our overnight stay.

USA National Capitol - Washington DC

2011-06-25T06:03:00.000+10:00

We have arrived in the USA's national capitol - Washington for a tour of the city.

President Obama's workshop

Philadelphia

2011-06-24T06:00:00.002+10:00

We head south through New Jersey to Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States. We'll visit the Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution was signed.

Doesn't that just look like Brisbane from Kangaroo Point?

New York, New York

2011-06-23T06:54:00.003+10:00

We have settled in in our hotel and are now part of the Cosmos Tour which started last night. So today we go and explore the Big Apple with our Tour Director to see Broadway, the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, City Hall, Wall Street and Trinity Church.

Los Angeles - New York

2011-06-21T06:48:00.001+10:00

After a great time with Sonya, Bernie and little Fox, it's time to fly to the Big Apple, so New York, here we come.

Qantas Flight QF107 from Los Angeles to New York

We're back from Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks

2011-06-20T06:53:00.001+10:00

We just returned to LA from a fabulous four days in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, with Diane's cousins, Chuck, Bonnie, Lynne and Chuck's wife Lois.

Diane is surrounded by her American Cousins

One of the many waterfalls we saw in Yosemite NP

We taught cousin Lynne the art of planking

General Sherman Tree. the largest living tree on the planet
It is a Sequoia tree over 22,000 years old and still growing

The Magic Yosemite Falls

So now we're back in LA with Sonya, Bernie and Fox for a couple of days before we fly to New York.

Yosemite National Park

2011-06-18T06:35:00.001+10:00

Today, we're visiting Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

Yosemite National Park

Still Further North

2011-06-17T04:57:00.001+10:00

Today Chuck will drive us to Folsom, Sacramento, to meet Bonnie, his sister, another cousin of Diane.

Folsom, Sacramento C.A.

We're Heading North

2011-06-16T04:38:00.000+10:00

Today, Diane's cousin Charles will pick us up and drive north to San Luis Obispo where he and his wife Lois live. We'll stay overnight with them before heading further north to Yosemite National Park for the next few days.

San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. SLO, as it is refered to by locals has been described as 'the happiest city in America' by Oprah Winfrey and the National Geographic book 'Thrive' by Dan Buettner.

Walt Disney Studios

2011-06-15T02:27:00.002+10:00

Jim, the son of Diane's cousin Chuck works at the Disney Studios in Los Angeles, as an animatronics designer. he is taking us on a private tour through the Disney Studios.

Meet Salem, the cat from the TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which was designed and operated by Jim on the show. So today, we'll see how it is all done. Can't wait.

More tomorrow....

Don't mess with the LAPD

2011-06-13T07:12:00.000+10:00

I had a run in with the Police in Pasedina.

Visiting San Diego

2011-06-13T02:22:00.000+10:00

Today, we're traveling down to San Diego to visit my cousin Gigi and her husband Fredy who have lived there for many years. We last saw Gigi and Fredy in 1970 when they visited us in Los Angeles while we were passing through from New Guinea on the way to London.

San Diego by night

Back to L.A. tomorrow..

Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market

2011-06-12T04:56:00.002+10:00

Today, Sonya and Bernie are taking us to the famous Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market. This monthly flea market features more than 2,500 vendors and attracts 15,000 to 20,000 buyers every month. Well, two more this month.

A visit to the Getty Centre

2011-06-11T13:13:00.000+10:00

Another very exciting day here in Los Angeles. Today we had a cultural day, visiting the Getty Centre on a hill overlooking the city. It was quite an experience, especially fighting our way through LA traffic. I always thought Brisbane traffic was bad but boy, oh boy, there are a lot of cars here in this city.

The Getty Centre in Los Angeles

Irises by Vincent van Gogh

Wheat stacks, Snow Effect, Morning by Claude Monet

Portrait of Anthony Valabrescue by Paul Cesanne

The Getty Centre is just full of original paintings too numerous to mention and entrance is free. We also saw the special Cuba exhibition of photos. It was very interesting.

A day at the Discovery Science Centre in Orange County

2011-06-10T11:54:00.000+10:00

You can never teach them too young, so with this in mind, we took a trip with young master Fox to Orange County and spent a few hours in this fabulous centre. Fox had a lot of fun pressing all the buttons.

At the Discovery and Science Centre

Tomorrow we're going to the Getty Centre to take in some cultural delights, more of that in tomorrow'spost.

Los Angeles - Here We Are

2011-06-09T02:15:00.003+10:00

We have arrived in Los Angeles and are staying with our daughter Sonya, her husband Bernie and grandson Fox at their home in Hollywood. We'll be here a few days before we'll visit my cousin and her husband in San Diego next Monday.

LAX the famous air port structure we first saw in 1970

Let our sight-seeing begin....

Up Up and Away with the flying Kangaroo

2011-06-08T04:00:00.006+10:00

Today, we're off on our holidays to the USA, so from now until we get back on 16th July, there'll be a post on this blog most days from the place where we are that day, so if you're interested, you can follow us on or travels in cyberspace. This morning we fly directly from Brisbane to Los Angeles on a Qantas 747-400.

Qantas QF 15 from Brisbane non-stop to Los Angeles

More from Los Angeles, where Sonya, Bernie and Foxy are awaiting us.

Cheers,

Bill and Diane

We're Going On a Trip

2011-06-04T15:32:00.004+10:00

We're going on a Trip on Wednesday to North America.

Starting in Hollywood, Los Angeles, where we'll be staying with our daughter Sonya, her husband Bernie and grandson Fox. While in California, we'll be visiting both Diane's and my cousins and traveling to San Diego and Yosemite National Park.

After we leave California, we'll be flying to New York to join a 21-Day Cosmos Tour crossing the continent back to Los Angeles, before flying home in July.

We'll be visiting:

San Diego
Yosemite National Park
Lan Luis Obispo
Philadelphia
Washington DC
Niagara Falls (Canada)
Detroit
Chicago
Wisconsin Dells
Minneapolis
Pierre
Mt Rushmore
Keystone - Cody
Yellowstone National Park
Jackson
Salt Lake City
Grand Canyon
Las Vegas

From Wednesday 8th June, you can follow us every day on this blog which will be updated most days to show where we are and what we're up to.

To see where we are return to this blog

Here is our Tour Map:

Our Tour Map - Starting in New York ending in Los Angeles

Who's a Smart Fox, then?

2011-05-28T14:29:00.000+10:00

Sonya sent us this photo of Fox sitting on a swing. She also wrote that the little smartypants has learnt how to open the fridge and help himself to strawberries and beer. (Although I'm sure he couldn't open the bottle).

Just the same, he's cute....

Hi Guys, am I not just soooo cute?

We Know When We're Beaten

2011-05-15T19:10:00.000+10:00

If you've been following my 'From Thun to Brisbane' blog, you may remember that I came to Australia with my friend Ben a long time ago. Well, like me, Ben is still in Australia living with his wife Lyn on the Gold Coast. The four of us have been friends for a long time. When our children were very little, Ben and I taught Diane and Lyn how to play the Swiss national card game 'Jass'. So every couple of months we get together either at our place in Daisy Hill, or their place at Labrador. We play cards, always the girls against the boys. Now I don't want to boast, but ususally the boys win. Not so this weekend. This time the girls (both Australian) beat the boys (both Swiss) at our own game 6 games to 2. As I said, I know when we're beaten.

Hearts is trump and holds 50 points with the Stöck

If you would like more information on how to play 'Jass' - CLICK HERE

A Walk in Brisbane

2011-04-24T23:34:00.000+10:00

Easter 2011, Diane and I took a walk from South Bank into Brisbane City Botanic Garden for a Sunday stroll and a picnic. It didn't rain and we had a great time. Here's a little video:

Two lovely people

2011-04-15T19:07:00.000+10:00

Daughter Sonya sent us this lovely picture of our eleven months old grandson Fox standing in their kitchen in Hollywood. The picture was taken by his daddy Bernie on a camera phone.

Sonya with our grandson Fox in Hollywood

Our Morning Walk

2011-03-25T16:44:00.000+10:00

We can't do it every morning, but we do as often as we can, that is walking in the Daisy Hill Forest before breakfast. To try my new Canon Legria camera, I shot some pictures this morning.

The entrance sign to the Daisy Hill State Forest

We drive up to the park, which is about a kilometre away from our house. Diane still walks home while I go and buy the newspaper.

The Circle Road inside the park

The park has a circle road with seven parking lots scattered all around the circle. On weekends it is very busy with families utilising the various barbecues provided free of charge by the state government. On weekday mornings lots of people come up here for a walk, like us.

The Daisy Hill Koala Centre

We walk past the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, which is run by the Natural Resources Department of the state government. That's where they look after injured or orphaned Koalas. It is open to the public as the sign says between 10am and 4pm.

Wallabies are grazing in the park

There are usually a few wallabies grazing in the park. They are not too scared of people, although they will hop away if you get too close.

'Don't come any closer, do you hear?

During the drought a couple of years ago, they did come up to people looking for food, but since the rain, there is plenty of natural food for them so they don't need to beg for food any more.

These two are near one of the barbecue tables

We keep on walking through the beautiful park.

There are lots of big gum trees in the park

Of course the park is now lush and green. A couple of years ago the ground was all brown and burnt looking. Even the great gum trees look much healthier these days.

A couple of close-ups to finish this post

Diane's Garden

2011-03-09T16:37:00.008+10:00

I have a new HD video camera. To try it out, I shot some footage in our garden, well, Diane's garden to be precise.

Press anywhere on the picture to start movie

About the camera:
I have always had Sony video cameras in the past (still got 2) but all of them had to be repaired at one stage or another, which is always a hassle and costs money, so I did a lot of research and have found that Canon technology has now surpassed Sony both in colour and performance so this time I have bought a Canon top of the range camcorder. See how I like it. So far so good.

Diane receives a great complement

2011-02-24T22:41:00.000+10:00

As we are travelling to the US in June, I decided I need a new video camera, a HD (high definition) model as I have been filming in standard format in the past. So today we jumped in the car and trundled off to Photo Continental at Mount Gravatt, one of the leading equipment retailers. There we asked to see Andrew, the manager who is married to a former teaching colleague of Diane's. He sold Diane her Canon EOS camera last year.

While he was talking to us, he mentioned that together with Sharon, his wife, they had been looking at Diane's blog recently. He said to her, 'Diane, I am very impressed with your photography, some of the pictures on your blog are amongst the best I have seen, and believe me, in this job, I see a lot of pictures every day'.

For once, Diane was speechless. Unfortunately I didn't have my video camera with me to film that.

I personally think he is right, here is one of her photos from Canada:

Early morning in the fog by Diane Bohlen

The Cats are Back

2011-02-14T09:34:00.003+10:00

Great News, The City Cats are back

Most of Brisbane's CityCat and CityFerry services have resumed yesterday morning following last month's devastating floods.

Fifteen of the city's 23 ferry terminals are back online, after many suffered major damage and some were washed away during flooding on January 13.

The Brisbane river services employ about 180 operating staff.

The first upstream CityCat service departed from Apollo Road at 5.25am yesterday, while the first downstream service left the Guyatt Park terminal at St Lucia at 5.40am.

Services are expected to run every 12 to 13 minutes for most of the day.

The beloved City Cats are sailing up the Brisbane River

People are very happy to see the Cats back in service

Quite a sight, the flotilla of City Cats returning

The Cats in single file

Pictures taken from Brisbane Times - Read More

We discovered Termites in the garden

2011-02-09T14:45:00.001+10:00

Diane reported on her blog some time ago, that we had termite stations installed around the house in the garden. Well it was time to check them and sure enough, we discovered one of the station was invested with the critters. So on the phone to the pest control chap who came out to place some stuff in it that will eliminate the pest. Unfortunately when we opened the lid the first time, they got frightened and most of them ran back to their nest. But we've been assured that the stuff he put into the trap will attract them again so they'll come back and carry the stuff back to their queen and hey presto no more white ants. (So we hope)

The man opens the station

You can still see some of the termites that didn't get away

The poison is added and the lid replaced

The first pictures emerging from TC Yasi

2011-02-05T06:24:00.005+10:00

Pictures are now emerging from the cyclone ravished areas in North Queensland. When Yasi hit, it hit big. The worst-affected areas included Mission Beach, Cardwell, Tully, Innisfail and Silkwood. Hundreds of thousands of homes lost power, hundreds lost roofs or sustained other heavy damage.

And there was the human toll. One man has been confirmed dead. Now, as far north Queensland begins its long road to recovery and as a weakened Yasi continues its march inland, the reconstruction will begin. Here are some pictures I recorded from the TV.

TC Yasi made Landfall

2011-02-03T07:36:00.003+10:00

Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossed the coast at Mission Beach, just north of Cardwell, between Cairns and Townsville around midnight last night as a category 5 cyclone. The forecast path shown below is the Bureau's best estimate of the cyclone's future movement and intensity. There is always some uncertainty associated with tropical cyclone forecasting and the grey zone indicates the range of likely tracks of the cyclone centre.

Early reports indicate that in the township of Tully, 90% of buildings have suffered major structural damage. The good news however is there has been no loss of life reported so far.

The DESTRUCTIVE CORE of Yasi, with gusts in excess of 125 km/h, will weaken as it continues to move in a west-southwesterly direction. Yasi is SE of Georgetown and will be near Mt Isa tonight as a tropical Low.

DAMAGING WINDS, with gusts above 90 km/hr, are occurring along the coast and extend inland to Georgetown and Hughenden. They will extend further west towards Richmond and Julia Creek during the day.

TROPICAL CYCLONE FORECAST TRACK MAP OF TC YASI - 7.00AM 3/02/11

2011-02-02T08:58:00.001+10:00

This is a picture of Wavenhoe Dam, Brisbane's main water storage dam, in January, showing just how close we came to a much larger disaster.

In comparison to May 2007 when Lake Wavenhoe looked like this

This tree trunk is usually under 8m of water

Flight over Lake Eyre

2011-01-26T15:38:00.000+10:00

Late last year we travelled with a group of friends to South Australia where we took a flight over the flooded Lake Eyre. This lake is only suppose to flood once in a generation, but 2010 was the second year in a row that it has flooded and by the looks of it, it will flood again next year.

It's a spectacular view from a small plane flying over this inland sea.

The Wedding

2011-01-17T21:52:00.000+10:00

OK Magazine is out this week and we are now allowed to publish Sonya and Bernie's Wedding Pictures.

Here are the four pages that appeared this week. To read the article, click on the pictures once, and a second time when it has enlarged.

Page 1

Page 2

There is a shot of me walking Sonya through the crowd of guests to Bernie. I never imagined in my life I would end up in a national glossy magazine.

Page 3

Page 4

In the top picture of Page 4, Diane and I are standing on the left hand side.

The Cleanup has began in Brisbane

2011-01-15T21:25:00.000+10:00

The Aussie spirit came to the fore today with thousands of people volunteering to clean affected streets and houses. Here are some detail of the Channel 7 news tonight.

The 2011 Flood is heading for Brisbane

2011-01-12T12:10:00.001+10:00

The latest about the flood which is now heading towards the state capitol Brisbane. The pictures are from the Brisbane Courier Mail and the commentary is fro the early morning edition of Brisbane's Channel Ten.

More dramatic Amateur Footage

2011-01-11T14:57:00.003+10:00

Things are moving fast in South-East Queensland. Toowoomba resident David Jutsum captured the extraordinary moment when the Chalk Lane Creek overflowed, carrying away cars.

You Tubers capture the flash floods in Toowoomba

2011-01-11T11:09:00.001+10:00

The following pictures were captured by amateur You Tubers of the main street in Toowoomba and shown on ABC-TV news:

Flood Drama in Toowoomba

2011-01-10T19:32:00.000+10:00

Latest ABC news footage from Toowoomba.

The flood is heading our way

2011-01-10T12:36:00.000+10:00

After heavy falls all night, the news is not good for Brisbane either.