Dragon’s Climb!

As a variation to our usual socialising for the Dragonboating club, we figured a climb up one of the local mountains would be a good cross-training exercise.

 As I recall from many years ago (when I made the climb) it was a moderately easy ascent.  However since then, my fitness level had diminished and coupled with a few extra kilos, I wondered if it was the same mountain I’d been up and down on a 37 degree day and barely worked up a sweat!  It turned out to be more challenging 12 years later.

The six sensible dragons, Coach Sandy, Binnie, Elaine, Jan H, Heather and Andrea who opted to walk the streets of Pomona and go on a short shaded walk around the base of the mountain.  They lunched, op-shopped and browsed the art gallery whilst the other (demented) mob attempted the climb. 

Norma, an octogenarian, Linda, myself and Meg the koala kid were the four who set out believing they could make the climb safely.  After we’d dawdled up the path for 30 minutes or so with Meg giving a running commentary on the native flora and all the time hoping for a glimpse of a koala, we quickly realised this was no ordinary walk in the woods.  At the 2nd benched seat  we “oohed and aahed”  at the amazing views and sights when we looked backwards but following that it didn’t take us long to see the track had been unmaintained, was badly eroded with loose rubble just waiting to cause a bad slip to unsuspecting optimistic oldies.  Self-preservation kicked in and Meg suggested it was folly to continue so poor Norma who’d had been keen to do the climb succumbed to peer pressure. 

Linda and I reckoned we’d nothing to lose except our pride so up we went.  After much scrambling, (moaning) and abseiling of sorts we made it.  Fortunately only the occasional back tracking when we’d picked the wrong course but I definitely appreciated having the strength in my legs and arms as it was not easy negotiating that climb. 

 But then as I remembered the view was breathtaking from the summit.

Magnificent

Splendid

Relieved, stuffed and quietly concerned about getting down

Pondering the possibility of knees giving out on the descent?  Only a brief doubt .....

Yay, success.  Glad to have achieved it for a second time and Linda who has made the climb MANY times, we both agreed it was the last.  Dear Meg was at the bottom to greet us. She was excited to find some “lerp” (bush tucker food), so she had been snacking during the wait.

However as far as extra curricular activities go, we have a trip to Carnarvon Gorge planned for October and we’ll fit a climb of the Story Bridge in Brisbane once the regattas have finished.

Go Dragon’s!

Sixty Nine!

 Many years ago my mother gave birth to ….  

As a birthday present, each year David treats me to a golf course of my own choosing (within reason) upon which I can play.  He has the honour of driving me around the course and making the appropriate comments.  However, he’s close to getting the sack, I caught him looking at his phone a little too often.

I chose to play on the Maleny Golf Course which is pictured below.

For years it has been a 9 hole course but just recently it’s become an 18 holer.  The locals are renowned for attempting to keep their little piece of paradise untouched, but as they die off, a bit of progress has happened, a great golf course.  There are many stands of magnificent large native trees and the large tree ferns and really pretty shrubs and plants.

 Somehow the panoramic shot doesn’t capture the real hilliness of the course.  Anyhow it’s immaterial as I was driven around in a cart.  Anyway, as you can see it’s beautiful green countryside, the fairways were beautifully cut and greens had recently been top dressed.  However hazards took the shape of ‘long kikuyia’ grass - impossible to even find your ball let alone hit out of.  I found a few of them ie the grass.  The bunkers were a little different to other courses in that they had reveted sides.  The course is in a high rainfall area and these types of ‘walls’ keep together instead of being washed out.  Strangely enough, they didn’t pose a problem for me and good to be in a fully sanded bunker for a change.  Anyway the course was interesting (honestly) as there was no water, dams, creeks or drains, instead there were environmentally sensitive areas, usually in gullies and of course no human was allowed to enter!

The highlight of my game was a par on hole 1, thereafter it all gradually went downhill.  The weather was perfect though so all round a good day spent.

For those who aren't from around the Sunshine Coast, a description of it's location.   It's situated on the plateau of the Blackall ranges in an area known as the Glass House Mountains.  An idyllic spot as you have the coolness of the higher ground with a great view of the Sunshine Coast.  The Hinterland is home to many 'greenies' and arty crafty folks, a favourite retirement place for people who have lived in hot and humid places like Darwin.  It's usually packed with visitors on weekends, long weekends and holiday periods so normal people avoid it except on week days.

To really cap the celebrations off,  we stayed in a lovely cosy cottage secluded amongst gorgeous gardens with brilliant fountains and features around every corner.  We had 2 nights stay so relaxation was the main theme.

This was my view from the hanging egg chair on the verandah

A seafood restaurant down the road topped off my indulgence - a mango dream cocktail, some fine white wine and a whole lobster mornay.  I managed it all but could not 'fit in' sweets.

A super couple of days.  Many xxx to hubby.

The Mango!

 

From seed to fruit ….  what every gardener strives for!  It's been in the making for at least 10 years -

 a Bullock Heart mango lovingly grown by Dave.  It's an absolute beauty, one single fruit in it's first 

ever crop.  It sounds fairly meagre but mangoes in this climate are hard to grow successfully.  This 

particular tree was grown from seed, has weathered frosts, years of neglect while Dave has worked 

offshore with only spasmodic watering by Jean.  It's only been in the last year since Dave has retired 

that it has received regular and generous waterings.

Anyway the 'prized' fruit was watched over for months while it grew, finally protected in a special bag 

from the birds.  It's dimensions were 15 cm in length (I should have measured it's girth as well 

but didn't) and it weighed a whopping 1.1 kg

A real beauty!

The eating ceremony was a big occasion!  Needless to say it was absolutely delicious.  Some may 

not know but this type of mango is not usually sold in the shops, apparently the size is not 

commercially viable.  The characteristics of the fruit is that it has no stringy fibres and has a very 

small seed.

As you can see the tree is a fairly miserable specimen.  The white paintings on the trunk and most 

of it's branches are protection against disease.  It's suffered in it's existence and never really received 

any sprays of any kind when it was afflicted so it's a real survivor.  Anyone, except Dave would have 

chopped it out but his determination to persevere has paid off.  In the past it had borne fruit but the 

winds in November have always destroyed them so we were lucky in a way.

Dave is especially proud of his little mango tree and all efforts … I could be a real killjoy and calculate

the amount of water and fertiliser it received and it would be a very expensive mango.

However I expect there will be more fruit to come so it'll probably be a worthwhile part of the garden.

Onya Dave!

Holiday in Norfolk Island Nov 2020

 

Our Norfolk Island trip postponed from March 2020 because of the border closures, now came to fruition - and a welcome getaway it was.

A little island, approximately 35 sq kms, north east of Brisbane and only a two hour flight.  It turned out to be a little piece of paradise.  Mountains, rugged clifftops and the seashore, massive Norfolk Island pines, and breathtaking scenery.

Our accommodation, The Islander, boasted the best view on the island and it really was!  We could see Nepean Island and Phillip Island from our lounge room, the reef and all the activity on the water…. boats snorkelers, swimmers, exercisers, cows, the lot!

See for yourself, a magnificent panoramic view ...

The buildings in the foreground were of Kingston where the penal settlement is situated.

The stands of Norfolk pines were many, very majestical and symmetrical in shape, on the island.

We had 6 days on the island and while a lot of the touristy activities weren't available, we mainly did our own thing and explored by ourselves.

The reef at low tide was popular with snorkelers and the water was crystal clear,

Some white boobies nesting on the grass-topped cliffs

  Some of the wildlife...

Didn't sight the Green Parrot anywhere but it's supposed to be very shy, I did see a couple of Red Robins

A grove of Ficus trees with huge exposed roots, located opposite A Hundred Acre Reserve

My presence gives a good perspective of the root sizes.

Some wonderful greenery of ferns, orchids, tree ferns, natives and Norfolk Pines, all part of the National Park

Open-grazing is practised on Norfolk Island, fences are to keep out livestock rather than in.

Chooks were feral on the island and roamed freely … roosters contributed to the problem and chicks were everywhere as well.

Some very healthy cows in the long paddock.  Cows have right of way when it comes to traffic and wear reflective ear tags so they can be seen easily at night on the roads.

Unsurpassed views

Many breath-taking coastal scenes - blue water and green grass!

In my opinion, probably one of the prettiest spots in the world, note the Little Rock pool.  To the right were also Little Rock pools on smaller islands - quite exquisite.

 

The St Barnabas chapel, an Anglican Church built by the Melanesians and the missionaries around 1880.

The beautiful Rose Window was dedicated to the memory of those workers who had given their lives in the islands.

The Golf Course with it's lush green grass fairways and long grass hazards.  The pro shop and restaurant are in the Georgian style buildings

A sample of the countryside ...

A Rat Trap Station - rats are one of the very few pests on the island

A part of the old and modern cemetery - note the windswept shrubs on the hillside

Dave accompanied me and he was delighted to spend most afternoons in the only craft brewery on the island

Another spectacular view of Kingston, looking down to the golf course and Quality Row Rd  - these houses were for the 'toffs' back in the convict settlement times.

I treated myself to a Gardens Tour and had a lovely experience, learning about some of the endangered natives and some of unique challenges such as wind and salt.  It seemed many of the gardens were buffered by the wind by growing hedges - the pohutukawa was very popular for this purpose.  However the volcanic soil and sub-tropical climate made it easy for gardening providing there was a bit of protection from the wind.

A Myrita - there's a narrow and broad leafed variety and looks a bit like one of the figs that are currently trendy

A young Gingko Biloba??

Emily Bay - a safe swimming spot on the island and yes I swam, weather was perfect.

"Darby and Joan"

We both thoroughly enjoyed the visit, very laid-back lifestyle and very friendly locals.  A lovely change from all the techno-whizz stuff on the mainland, only 2G technology and DVD's used.
We pretty well covered the island on roads (shocking condition) and tracks and it's pretty peaceful except for the odd moo and rooster crowing.

Another HOLE-IN-ONE

 The event happened a couple of weeks ago but pretty recent for a hole-in-one.  Obviously I was very EXCITED.

The hole was a par 3 but it was visible from the tee so we all saw the flight and the ball roll into the hole.

I overshot the green, ball rolled up the hill and rolled down again, normally it would have rolled off the green and down into the gully.  In this instance it hit the pin and bingo.  HEE HAR!

It won't be listed on the wall in the golf club cause it occurred in a social match.  The girls in the photo with me were witnesses

It's my third one but just as thrilling as the first.  

Helen, Jean and Sandra, one memorable Friday arvo

 

May there be many more ...

Up in the sky …. 20 Sept 2020

What a treat and what an experience!

Alana, a good mate turned 65 recently and to celebrate decided on a joy ride in the air.  I was her special and lucky (but unwilling) friend to accompany her.

The aircraft was an Open Cockpit WACO Biplane and is affectionately known as Marilyn as in Marilyn Monroe

She has a super sturdy aerodynamic airframe and has massive double wings, capacity of 275hp 12.5L, 7 cylinder Jacobs radial engine. 

She did look rather classy and sophisticated.

Passengers putting on a brave face

(Alana) Emily Earhart and (Jean) 
Amy Johnson - the real pilot Rodney is sitting in the rear.

Part of the Sunshine Coast

Our trip took in the Caloundra beaches, the Mooloolaba Spit, Pt Cartwright and the hinterland to Diamond Valley over Ewen Maddock Dam and Australia Zoo.  It was a lovely smooth flight with commentary from the pilot.  Of course the Queensland weather played the part to make it an unforgettable day.

Rodney the pilot even gave us more than we bargained for, on landing he opted for the grass instead of the tarmac to give us a special but safe landing.

Happy to be back on Terra Firma

 

A Fancy Dress - Sat 5 Sep

 

My latest little venture - Zumba dance.  I've been going to classes, probably 6 so far and find it pretty challenging, a lot of fun and a good aerobic workout.  I sort of know the moves of most of the popular songs and can keep up with the group, now I just need to loosen up and shake some 'boodie'.  There are a lot of learners in the class so nobody feels really foolish … lots of giggles and laughs!

Anyway just recently we had a 3 hour dance party with the fancy dress theme of Heroes and villains.  I got into the spirit of things and came up with a topical idea - the corona virus.

It was an entirely home made costume from bits and pieces - a beanie with golf tees inserted inside out with pom poms glued to the tips.  I safety pinned a garland of pom poms on the outside legs of a pair of jeans.  Also I donned a pair of Elton John glasses to be incognito.

As I left home, David suggested to watch my speed, cause if I got stopped by authorities they'd think I should be locked up!

Guess who, What am I????

As you can see the other girls were all glammed up and went as heroes - Zumba queen, tooth fairy, a suffragette, super woman, Queen Bee and a health care worker.  I was the only villain!

There were plenty of healthy snacks to keep our energy levels up and I managed to keep hydrated with my Corona beers.  It was pretty hot in our upstairs room and we only had one 15 minute break so we sweated a lot as we stomped away.  It was a fun time.