The Ragtag Daily Prompt for Monday: Quench
On a hot January day, all the blokes like to gather around and quench their thirst
Across town, everyone is keen to have a drink
In a quieter part of the country, just a couple of blokes have a quiet drink in a small place
The Photo for the Week challenge: Mountains
What is a mountain with a past you ask. The mountain I chose for Bren’s photo challenge #17 is that well know mountain with a historical past.
Going back in time to 79AD some people were going about their daily life when the ground rumbled and suddenly an explosion sent ash and hot lava raining down upon the people and “buried the cities of Pompeii, Oplontis, and Stabiae under ashes and lapilli and the city of Herculaneum under a mudflow.” (https://www.britannica.com/place/Vesuvius) The last eruption was in 1944 and the volcano is still active. Vesuvius is very closely monitored today.
Yes, I chose Mt Vesuvius. This is the view of Vesuvius that people of Pompeii would have seen although before the eruption, the mountainside was forested with Oak and Chestnut trees.
This is the view over the Bay of Naples, across the Plain of Campania and Naples to Vesuvius
The word prompt from Debbie at Travel with Intent: Purple
Check out Debbies Purple – click on the above link – It is stunning and I was thinking what do I have that’s purple to be able to contribute to this photo challenge. There is no way I can do wonderful lights like Debbies post. But I do live in a city which just had it’s Jacaranda Festival and has Jacaranda trees. But I wanted more so it’s floral all the way.
Here’s my bit of Purple
Better start with a Jacaranda tree
Purple berries from a native vine
Looking into a Torenia flower
Another Native flower from my place. Haven’t identified it as yet.
The Native Wisteria or Wild Sarsparilla that grows all over my place
and a regular Wisteria with bonus Wanderer Butterfly
Purple Pansies
Another purple flower I found somewhere
Wonderful Water Lilies
Another Australian Native flower found on the coast, Purple Fringe Lily
My old mates Iris
Back to the streets of Grafton
Thought about a song. Here is the original from 1958
I was on the verandah and noticed all the colour in the garden. I grabbed my camera and walked around getting photos of the flowers. I even found a native Smooth Pea just popped up. This will be a huge post so I think I’ll do a slide show. I also haven’t included all the flowers as it would be too much. There are some flowers I have posted before as well. Maybe I’ll do another post if you want.
I am sure you will know some of the flowers but if you want to know about any of them, please ask. I will group them as best I can.
The theme for Proscenium’s Friday Follies: Signs
I wonder who lives in there? I wonder if they are?
The Friday Foto Fun from Kate: Wheels or Circles
A cafe view
Water drops
More water drops
How to get your eggs to the market in Paris
This cart in Verona still gets the job done
Flowers of a Fire Wheel tree
The word prompt from the Lens-Artists: Blending in or Standing out
Blending in
or Standing out
Inspired by Debbie at Travel With Intent quote
“Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security
unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively, unless you can
choose a challenge instead of a competence.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
In times past
on horseback
they rode into the bush.
It was time to muster
to check the stock.
Not a casual ride
a ride with purpose,
spending days in the bush.
Getting to the yards
check the fences
stow the gear
and the swags
in the shed.
Many days will be spent
with the cattle and horses.
Evenings
Lit by the glow of the fire
stories and tales
of the brave,
of the exciting times
and some with exaggerated imagination.
A time of challenge
in the bush.
Muster the stock
and drove them back
to the home yards
down the dusty road
to home
and a comfortable bed.
The Tuesday Photo Challenge from Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Comfort
No matter what is going on, Mum is always there to comfort. A kiss of appreciation goes a long way.
The word prompt from Nancy’s Photo a Week Challenge: Bridges
“The Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Clarence River Bridge have much in common. They were both completed in 1932, both were engineering marvels of their time and both linked road and rail from north to south. Prior to devoting himself to the Harbour Bridge, J.J.C. Bradfield supervised the design drawings of the Grafton Bridge. “The nickname “the bendy bridge”, results from the upper road carriage needing to detour from above the railway line to the streets below.”
https://www.graftongallery.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-NPT-53-47-28
A second bridge is being constructed as the old bridge cannot handle the amount of road traffic now-a-days. You can see bits of the new bridge preparations in the background.
OK folks strap yourself in for this ride. You will need stamina, food, drinks and a possible toilet break as I have been unrelenting in snapping away with all manner of things. I was going to break the photos down into subject groups in separate posts, but I thought “What the heck, you can scroll through at your own pace.”
What better way to start the day (or post) than with a sunrise from my besties new place
Let’s start with things. I don’t know what to call this bunch of photos as they are different. Enough talk. Off we go!
I found these gelatinous blobs on the beach, hundreds of them. Perhaps baby jelly fish?
When you see a land form that resembles something else
The planes have been showing themselves a bit in October.
Just love these rock cliff, the colours and again, can you see a face?
The moss gave the tree a bit of a dress with a vine for dramatic effect.
More moss. This time at the waters edge at the beach
The rock pool took on an ethereal mood
Just the shelf at my besties place
When I put on this lamp, I just had to take the photo. Another shelf at my besties
October saw the rain come. This dam, I use the water around the house and garden, was about one-eighth full. Seeing the water flow into the dam cured my blues.
The waterhole on my place never is dry but came very close this year. Seeing it full again made me happy. I think the birds and animals are pleased as well
Waterfalls make such a soothing sound don’t you think? Even little waterfalls that help fill the waterhole.
Of course a bit of rain and sunshine brings out the fungi
Fungi of all shapes and colours. Some big….
…some small
and some are edible
I love Grass Trees. These are at a place called Naughtons Gap. They are bigger than some of the Grass Trees on my place.
A wonderful discovery was a whole street in Grafton lined with Bottle Trees. This will be investigated as to why and how and perhaps a bushboy post about the history of the Bottle Trees in Grafton may evolve.
The early morning dew and spiders webs. I can’t resist
Sitting having a cup of tea with my bestie when a large Skink wandered about the garden. Wonderful markings aren’t they?
Would you believe that this tree is called a Cheese Tree?
Just an ant having a swim. He did get out eventually.
The flower and a bee. The flower is on what is called a broad leaf weed which is supposed to be undesirable in a lawn. Look at the bees pollen sacks. I don’t think the bee would be as happy if the “weed” wasn’t there. Think before you mow please.
Just a feather
and another
The Forest Kingfishers have arrived. The male looked about for anything that moved in the grass or the garden.
The colours on his back are lovely.
This photo shows a bit more of the iridescence
Galahs are funny birds. This bloke is sitting on the stock trough on next doors place at my besties
It’s a bit of a way down to get a drink.
Another arrival in Spring are the Grey Shrike Thrush. They are in the trees around the garden and sing in the morning and in the afternoons. What a delight to have in my garden.
The Pied Currawong didn’t mind a bit of rain.
Doesn’t he look great. The black with the red of the Flame Tree
The Fig Bird was spotted eating Mulberries
So was his mate
A Coucal Pheasant came for a visit and sat high in the Gum Tree.
Later on, I think he was checking me out through the undergrowth.
Another October visitor, a Brown Honeyeater
He soon found the bird bath
The Blue-faced Honeyeaters have arrived in numbers to feast on the Honey Gem Grevillea
The female Blue-faced Honeyeaters also drop in for a snack
Remember the post about the Post where the Noisy Friar Bird was chased away by the Spangled Drongo. Here Rainbow Lorikeets get a serve from the Friar Bird. A bit of a peck to the head.
The Rainbow Lorikeets were a bit bemused by all the carry on.
A female Satin Bowerbird enjoyed the nectar in the Yamba Sunshine Grevillea.
But like everyone else, the Honey Gem Grevillea is the best place to get a meal.
Yellow-faced Honeyeaters seem to have a constant scowl on their faces.
I think this Yellow-faced Honeyeater spotted me and my camera
The gravity defying White-throated Treecreeper taken from the comfort of the chair in my office
They are lovely as they hop up and down the trees looking for something to eat.
Another photo from my office chair. I call this one, “I can see what you are doing” is what the King Parrot is saying.
A young King Parrot morphing into a male
Getting a good Eastern Rosella photo quest continues
Out for a drive, we spotted a smallish bird run across the road and into a paddock. A new bird has been seen, an Australasian Pipit.
On another adventure drive, we spotted flashes of green zooming across the road. A flock of Rainbow Bee Eaters were hanging about. This is a breeding pair
Aren’t the males colours amazing?
You may wonder why we are back at a couple of young King Parrots. I thought it was lovely to have them sitting on a hanging pot under the verandah, until I spotted what they were doing
Yes, these “lovely” young birds had eaten half of the succulents in the pot. All around the pot, the succulent trailed over the edge. Can you see the bit trailing over the edge now. This hanging pot is no longer hanging where pesky King Parrots can get at it.
Water drops and new growth
I love the colour of this Succulent. Was tempted to pinch a leaf or two
I love the colours in this photo of a Hanging Violet with red in the background
A lovely Native Geranium growing in the “lawn” Another reason not to mow
Pansies, pansies, pansies
and more Pansies
This year the Silky Oaks flowering was spectacular
A flower of a Succulent
The Budlea flower spike wonderful and smells delightful
Some of the Roses looked a treat this year
A pink Bottlebrush flower
The native water lillies on my dam. Water Snowflake
The rain knocked a lot of the flowers off the Flame Tree. The little cups filled with water
Some native flowers that grow on my place. This yellow beauty is Dogwood
I think this native flower is a Hairy Guinea Flower
I have been encouraging a lot of Egg and Bacon plant to grow on one part of my property. It’s spikey habit is good for protecting small birds when it is in a fairly dense thicket
Plus the flowers are lovely. You can see the sharp points in the leaves
A small pink Grevillea.
My besties flower beds are looking great
and yet more flowers
This flower has caused great excitement for me. This is the first time I have seen a Hakea Florulenta on my property.
Aren’t the tiny flowers delightful?
The early morning fog gives a sense of wonder to start the day
Of course when it rains, you also find rainbows. This one had a faint double above.
Well, the sun is setting and you have reached the end. Well done for sticking around to get to the end and thanks for having a look at my October 2018
Did you have a favourite photo?
The word prompt from Leanne: Street Art
What a fabulous topic. I am sure there will be lots of posts showcasing Street Art from around the world. I love Street Art which is so different from graffiti. So much talent.
On the weekend, we took to the back lanes of Lismore, a city on the north coast of New South Wales, to get from here to there. I wished I had grabbed my camera from the car so it is phone camera shots for this post. I have a few photos from times past and intend spending a Sunday in the lanes when there won’t be delivery van and vehicles parked obscuring the full potential of some of the best of Australia’s Street Art.
Here is a few snippets for your enjoyment
I found this display wall of Spanish street art tiles in a tile shop in Murwillumbah
PS The header is in a tunnel in Grafton, my town
The photo challenge from Jenn at Traveling at Wits End: Drops of Water
A few drops of water
Proscenium’s Friday Follies S1 ep2
I am not sure babies should be shaving or that parents should be shaving their babies but perhaps that’s what the medicine will be used for……..
I’d like to thank alltheshoesiwear for for tagging me for this! I’m so honored that you thought of me! Thank you so much 💕
Rules:
• Post the tag and image above.
• Mention the creators of the tag and link back to their blog.
This tag was created by Everyday Magic With Jubilee and Mom Life With Chiari. You can click on the highlighted names to check out more inspirational posts from their blogs. Make sure to tag them in your post so that they can read your letters of encouragement.
• Thank whoever nominated you and link back to their blog.
• Nominate 5 other bloggers that you love and notify them by commenting on their latest blog post.
Often times we may wish that we could go back in time and give our former selves advice and words of wisdom. If you could go back in time, what would advice or encouragement would you give to yourself?
Dear 15 year old me,
1. Don’t be hard on yourself because …
…….no matter what you are doing it will all be alright.
2. The relationship you’re in ….
……isn’t really isn’t a problem. Your relationships with girls comes and goes. The benefit is that you are learning what it is like to be in a relationship. It is great that you remain friends with so many shows you that it wasn’t the right time and that you really are OK otherwise you wouldn’t have so many good friends who support and are able to tell you when things just aren’t right.
3. You will get through this because …
……you have a strong group of friends who like you and enjoy your company.
4. Don’t get caught up in thinking …
……thinking!!! You are always thinking of so many things. No you are not ugly. Glasses help you see and aren’t something that other people really focus on. Being tall and skinny does make you stand out a bit. Thinking of the negative you is not really a negative you. Accept who you are in your mind and you will be a lot happier.
5. These experiences will help you learn …
…..to be the man you will become. That special person is in your future, you will have kiss quite a few frogs before the princess appears.
My Nominees….
*sorry if you have already been nominated
The word prompt from Bren at ryanphotography: Sepia
I am going back to the Isle of Brac, Croatia to put a bit of sepia onto a few photos as Brac has a certain old world charm. I hope you enjoy my efforts in applying sepia toning with a couple using vignette as well.
A mausoleum in the cemetery
A tall masted schooner in the harbour
An old rock wall in the village
One of the many vehicles that are used to drive around the island. Yes it does still go
The Ragtag Daily Prompt: Chime
I decided to chime into this conversation with a few bells that can ring in the day, or chime into your life.
When viewed from below you can see the actual chime that strikes the bell at the Grafton Cathedral.
The bell in Lismore in it’s ornate metal cage
The view from the bell tower in Split Croatia
and here is the bell
You can’t see the bell but the chimes ring out over London from Big Ben
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Any kind of tables and chairs
Bobbin on his table of choice
The Grafton Catherdral
The church in Verona
The dining room in the hotel in Split Croatia
Table and chairs in a cafe in Avignon France
The Lens-Artists photo challenge #17: Just For Fun
What happens when you are having a romantic evening and decide to have a bubble bath? What happens when you set up the bathroom with candles and scent? What happens when you put in the bubble bath stuff? What happens if you turn on the spa jets?
This!!!
What happens when you have two people who always see the funny side of life? What happens when the two people have a bit of an artistic side? What happens to a bubble bath when an artist finds inspiration? What happens when the photographer sees the image and lighting?
This!!!
The word prompt for the photo challenge from Leanne Cole: Flowers
The Brunsfelsia are flowering and this little grasshopper is enjoying the sun
I could go on and on with Grevillea flowers but here is just a couple. A new planting from a few years ago has a lovely pink flower.
A standard Grevillea, Robin Gordon, is one the birds love.
The Hippeastrums are in flower and are a delight of colour scattered about the garden.
One of the old wheelbarrow Hippeastrum gardens
The Stingless Native Bees love gathering the pollen from the Hippeastrums 
In a pot at the front verandah, a Native Frangipanni’s scent drifts into the house. The flowers start as white and as the get older become yellow.
The Tuesday word prompt from Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Slippery
I have been thinking of what can I post that is slippery. I know I have quite a few snake photos but as usual I wanted to do something different. Anyway it would be hard to “compete” with Franks fabulous snake photo. (the model is OK as well).
So without further to do – meet Gus
Gus is an Axolotl or Mexican Walking Fish, although he is not a fish but an amphibian. I inherited Gus from my daughter when she moved into her new property and didn’t have room or the right conditions to have Gus. 
Cheerful looking little bloke isn’t he?
The word photo challenge prompt from Debbie at Travel with Intent: Golden
The Gold Top Mushroom
Of all the Spiders in my garden, the Golden Orb Weaver is spectacular with a rather messy web
Other Spiders webs are well constructed. This one with a golden glow of the morning
The Golden Lycras are a sight to see in the garden
The Golden Whistler has a wonderful song
and of course the golden glow of a sunrise is a great way to start a morning
How many golden things are in your life?
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