Friday, June 30, 2006

I can't imagine myself going out without my mobile. It has become a habit and I feel totally vulnarable without it. Somehow at the back of my small brain there is this fear of my car breaking down, or someone might want to call me or something like that. All those years when the mobile was unknown we went out without any worries.We drove hundreds of kilometers in our old cars without and trouble. We never had the need to seek help. Yet within the last six or seven years I have had to use my mobile to ring the NRMA several times for one reason or another although the car is still new. I can manage a flat but things like a burnt out fuse I become totally dependent on trained mechanic. I have experienced the radiator overheating, the failure of the car to start due to the failure of the battery, the need for a replacement of a converter and a the replacement of an alternator. Once as I was heading towards home my gear stick just slumped to its side as if it had lost its potency. I just could not shift the gear. Luckily I had my mobile, thank God. I stood by in wait of the tow truck to tow the car to a workshop. I was told that a screw had dropped and it took less than thirty minutes to get the gear back into working condition. I am so dependent on my mobile like I need my box of painkillers for my constant headache.
The multitude is gathered at the feet of Sarah and Peggy. The odd one out is a domestic duck. It has the ability to recognise Peggy from some distance. It can be seen to make a special effort to head towards her before the other birds. Naturally it gets a bigger share of the daily supply of rations. Posted by Picasa
These marsh hens can be seen heading towards us to be fed. They flap their wings to lift themselves above the water to reduce drag and at the same time they appear to run on water causing water to splash beneath them. Their reward is bits and pieces of fresh bread. Posted by Picasa
Brown ducks Posted by Picasa
Swan: a very elegant bird that occupy the southern section of the lake. There are only two of them. They do fly from one lake to another within the Capital Territory. Posted by Picasa
This is a purple marsh hen commonly found around lakes and wetlands.
The more common variety are smaller and have white beaks.Posted by Picasa
This is the present Commodore VN (manual) It runs entirely on gas and has been for the past eleven years. It has had many parts replaced so it is not that old old. The main engine is never touched. We like it and it will (by the look of things) be our very last work horse unless it died first. It has an old look about it because of the dull paintwork. It purrs along beautifully especially on the highways. We hate to lose it because a replacement will be too much for the pocket.
Would you believe that it has done 400,000 km to date, equivalent to 10 x the distance round the world. Would any of you part with anythiing that has been so faithful? Don't think so. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Second of a series of six holden commodores we owned between 1976 -- 1990.
The owner drivers were Peggy and William. It was replaced by a Blue Bird which was smashed in an accident on our way to a computer workshop. It was a writeoff. We chose Holdens because they were reasonably priced and they could be repaired anywhere, even in a small town away from the metropolitan areas. Spares were easily available. Above all they were made for the country. Posted by Picasa
Our workhorse -- first one that we acquired as soon as we arrived in Brisbane --before we moved to Mackay. It was secondhand but we used it to drive everywhere - twice to Melbourne and once to Brisbane. We didn't realise it had a fatal flaw. I replace the whole steering column with one I got from the wreckers and by 1975 we got rid of it to buy the G-Pak. From that day on we stayed away from secondhand cars.
 Posted by Picasa
Our acquisition when we were about to leave Mackay for Adelaide. It was a holden Torana (Torana G-Pak). A delightful car to drive long distances . It was fast and comfortable -- still see some of them from time to time especially at exhibitions. We paid AUD 6000 for it -- new of course. Those were the days when petrol was cheap. Posted by Picasa
I don't think many of the younger members of the family would have known that one of the cars we had (as you see when Wendy and Claire were still little) was a mini cooper . We enjoyed driving it. Peggy smashed it into a police post one wet day while she was on her way to KL. The Policemen threw their guns down and jumped to safety. You cannot imagine how a small car like that could carry all four of us on our holiday trips all over the country. Posted by Picasa


Not in your wildest imagination. She could not have been with all these animals in one place. It must have been doctored. Indeed it was-- executed by Terrance Metcalfe, Peggy's brother-in-law. Nevertheless Peggy is thrilled with all her friends 'cause she is an animal lover.

Incidentally, the duck that was missing yesterday was sighted further down the lake. It was a relief and a joy to see it.

Which of the animals is real?