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Next Christmas... no cake, pies or pudding. With my mother gone, I don't have to stay home at Christmas, so THIS is it:Bush Christmas (by Lorraine Cobcroft)
In the bush the Christmas lights are stars
And the carolling angels, birds
The songs you hear are whistled or cooed
And they don't have any words
'Christmas' trees are decked with gum nuts
And gifts are never wrapped
But mostly caught in fishing nets
Or pulled from rabbit traps.
In the bush the sun is hotter
And the air is ever still
And it's useless dreaming about snow
For you know it never will.
You might catch a bush turkey
But you'll do without the ham
Though there always is the option
Of bully beef in a can.
But there's nothing quite as special
As Christmas in a swag
Camped by a river in the Outback
Eating dinner from a bag.
This is Christmas 'real Aussie' style
And it would never do
For city slickers, or Gen X
Or, I s'pose for the likes of you.
But it did for the Aussie drovers
And the pioneers of this land
And for our warring soldiers...
Well it would have been thought quite grand.
And it'll do me for the rest of my years
For the bush is home, you see
And ne'er a white Christmas, nor tinsel and trim
Will ever mean 'Christmas' to me.
Lorraine wrote: "Next Christmas... no cake, pies or pudding. With my mother gone, I don't have to stay home at Christmas, so THIS is it:Bush Christmas (by Lorraine Cobcroft)
In the bush the Christmas lights are ..."
Well versed Lorraine. I share your love of the bush and your verse brought back many fond memories of my childhood. :)
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Ohh how awesome! But you're warm inside aren't you???
Brenda wrote: "Melissa wrote: "It is Snowing :D"
Ohh how awesome! But you're warm inside aren't you???"
I am indeed; I decided to hunker down with a book and some tea.
Ohh how awesome! But you're warm inside aren't you???"
I am indeed; I decided to hunker down with a book and some tea.
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Brenda wrote: "Oh I could handle that part Melissa:) The humidity here is yuk!!! I'd be happy over there with you - hubby wouldn't though:)"
We would be happy to have you for the winter. You can leave your husband at home; more room to bring your books :P lol
We would be happy to have you for the winter. You can leave your husband at home; more room to bring your books :P lol
Oh geez, I'm melting here! It reached 35C by 8am this morning, roaring around 40 now with a hot wind boiling outside. The wild birds in our back yard are hanging over the water bowls and bird seed bowls Mum has out in the shade for them, the cat who visits us regularly is flopped in the garden (ignored by the birds and she's too pooped to annoy them), our cats are zonked out on the sofa, beds and floor, and the dog is flopped on the kitchen floor. I have no idea why Polly (one of our cats - big, fat and fluffy) refuses to come in (there is a cat flap on the door) but insists on lying out on the hot veranda. Me...I'm on my last week of annual leave, checking emails and drinking ice cold Diet Coke. I had to make a trip out early this morning and the beach as I passed it was thronged with swimmers and people *sunbaking!* That gave me a WTHell moment. seriously? SUNBAKING?????
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We would be happy to have you for the winter. You can l..."
Haha!!!
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Reminds me of one of the reasons we moved to Pottsville. Just perfect here! We usually get one week of moderately uncomfortable heat each year, never need an air conditioner, and never need a heater. And if it is warm, there's always the surf or the creek for cooling off, or you can just walk on the beach and enjoy the lovely cool breeze off the ocean (which usually flows from the rear windows of our house right through to the front rooms).Hated Brisbane heat. Hated Armidale cold (and heat through the short summer). Hated Melbourne's 4 seasons in a day. So far haven't found anything to dislike about Pottsville - except that developers have discovered it and it threatens to grow too fast.
Oh goodness Angela, what city/town do you live in? Brisbane has almost the perfect weather today. it is a bit humid but only 26c. Your post gave me a laugh - I'd like to see it but, no, on second thoughts I will stay here! lol. :)
Laureen wrote: "Brisbane has almost the perfect weather today. it is a bit humid but only 26c. Your post gave me a laugh - I'd like to see it but, no, on second t..."I agree, Laureen - we're not doing too badly here today - warm enough to go for a swim (which I'm going to do soon - a few too many Christmas treats to burn off!), cool enough to walk the dog without too much discomfort - especially later this afternoon when we will be going - if it doesn't rain around that time :-) And at the moment I'm sitting inside reading, and I haven't even opened all the doors and windows and it's quite pleasant. Wish the whole country could have this weather throughout summer!!
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Angela wrote: "Oh geez, I'm melting here! It reached 35C by 8am this morning, roaring around 40 now with a hot wind boiling outside. The wild birds in our back yard are hanging over the water bowls and bird seed ..."I'm with you.Angela. I don't do sun baking. Either I am in the water or I'm off home.
Angela wrote: "Oh geez, I'm melting here! It reached 35C by 8am this morning, roaring around 40 now with a hot wind boiling outside. The wild birds in our back yard are hanging over the water bowls and bird seed ..."Sounds like you're in Perth - 41C expected today. We're usually in Perth at this time of the year visiting my sisters and in-laws so I know what that feels like. Would rather be here in cool, windy Sydney today that's for sure!
Brenda wrote: "Where are you Angela? That sounds horrible! When I read your post to my hubby, he said maybe Perth or surrounds?"He's not far off - I live in Geraldton, about 440kms North of Perth
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Laureen wrote: "Oh goodness Angela, what city/town do you live in? Brisbane has almost the perfect weather today. it is a bit humid but only 26c. Your post gave me a laugh - I'd like to see it but, no, on second t..."Hi Laureen - I live in Geraldton, West Aust. It's not that unusual to get really hot in summer (and the last few years, humid at times). But we had lovely weather over Christmas - a sweet 20+C! So to go soaring into heat was a bummer. Geraldton has lovely beaches - it's also the land of sun, surf and *&%$! wind!!! LOL
Phrynne wrote: "It's actually chilly in Sydney! And we had some rain this morning. We still started the Xmas cake though and it is a yummy one. Gave myself a little pat on the back:)"OMG - rain *sob* what does that look like?!
Dale wrote: "Angela wrote: "Oh geez, I'm melting here! It reached 35C by 8am this morning, roaring around 40 now with a hot wind boiling outside. The wild birds in our back yard are hanging over the water bowls..."I avoid the sun - it only hits my skin as I scurry from house to car to work or shops and back again. Summer hits - I head for the shade and a cold drink! My eyes nearly fell out of my head when I also saw the die-hards beating the footpath along the shore, doing their morning exercise. I almost melted in my air conditioned car watching them. I admire them...but I have to wonder if they had some heat stroke to go with their vigour!!!
Carolyn wrote: "Angela wrote: "Oh geez, I'm melting here! It reached 35C by 8am this morning, roaring around 40 now with a hot wind boiling outside. The wild birds in our back yard are hanging over the water bowls..."Hi Carolyn - I'm in Geraldton , about 440kms North of Perth. Yep, Perth can get really nasty as well. Times like this I think of shifting to Tasmania...
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Angela wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Angela wrote: "Oh geez, I'm melting here! It reached 35C by 8am this morning, roaring around 40 now with a hot wind boiling outside. The wild birds in our back yard are hanging over..."Geraldton is a lovely place - best when it's not over 40C I expect. I spent two summers as a teenager in Port Hedland when my Dad was working there (I stayed in Perth with my grandmother as the PH high school only went up to Y10 back then). I can still feel the hot, dry heat that came day after day.
Brenda wrote: "Haha! That's my destination of choice in the heat here too Angela:)"Where are you, Brenda?
Carolyn wrote: "Angela wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Angela wrote: "Oh geez, I'm melting here! It reached 35C by 8am this morning, roaring around 40 now with a hot wind boiling outside. The wild birds in our back yard a..."Hot dry heat is easier to take than the humidity that comes more often now, don't you think? I remember a time we didn't have air conditioning, now I couldn't live without it!
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Where are you, Brenda?"
Newcastle Angela:) About an hour and a half north of Sydney:)
Geraldton is a lovely place...Could be true! It's one of the few places we disliked in WA, but maybe that's because a car service place ripped us off shockingly, and all we got to see really was the part we walked around killing time while they took forever to do a simple service, and then the next day while tyres were changed. Hated Port Hedland too, but that was definitely because of the awful, awful place we stayed - South Port Hedland Golf Club. We ended up there after we searched in vain for a free camp south of Port Hedland that appears not to exist anymore, and it got very dark on us so we had to head back to the town and grab the first caravan park we could find.
Did enjoy a lovely free camp just east of Geraldton, though. And the drive from Geraldton to Mullewa was really lovely. Mullewa was a treat. Found the Mullewa rose, and the wreath flowers were gorgeous.
Angela wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Angela wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Angela wrote: "Oh geez, I'm melting here! It reached 35C by 8am this morning, roaring around 40 now with a hot wind boiling outside. The wild birds in..."I do prefer the hot, dry heat. It's lot easier to get used to then heat with humidity. We were lucky to have aircon in the house.
Brenda wrote: "Angela wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Haha! That's my destination of choice in the heat here too Angela:)"Where are you, Brenda?"
Newcastle Angela:) About an hour and a half north of Sydney:)"
Cooler there than here today? I must Google the weather. Bet it's greener, too, and more flowers! I just brought a friend home from visiting her husband in hospital, and the heat is currently 43C!
Lorraine wrote: "Geraldton is a lovely place...Could be true! It's one of the few places we disliked in WA, but maybe that's because a car service place ripped us off shockingly, and all we got to see really was ..."
Ooohh, the wild flower season is gorgeous around here
True, Angela. All through WA, we enjoyed the flowers. Happily, we planned our trip for the right time of year to enjoy them - and to miss the heat.
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Where are you, Brenda?"
Newcastle Angela:) About an hour and a half north of Sydn..."
Much cooler Angela...currently around 21c :)
Dale wrote: "Leonie wrote: "Fruit Mince pies! Yum! I made a dozen, but the family consumed them all on Christmas Eve. Fortunately the Christmas Cake is still available for consumption, and I reckon it's the bes..."You'd be very welcome to the recipe - just let me know :)
Angela wrote: "Laureen wrote: "Oh goodness Angela, what city/town do you live in? Brisbane has almost the perfect weather today. it is a bit humid but only 26c. Your post gave me a laugh - I'd like to see it but,..."I have been to Perth some years ago but not Geraldton. I absolutely loved Perth and the Swan River. I decided at the time that WA is Qld's Sister State. Our lifestyle is so similar but I think Perth did more to save the beauty of their famous river than Brisbane. We have only started to really value our river in the past 10yrs. Access is now much improved but we will never have the colour of The Swan.
I think I would need to be close to air-conditioning though than the smaller towns. Camping is not my thing especially in the heat!
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@Michael Yes, thanks for that; after you've had that heat, you're sending it over to us:) I don't know about you but we've already been deemed 'extreme bushfire threat'.
Michael wrote: "I had a look at the long term forcast and it does not look good for here in Adelaide. Tomorrow 35, Wednesday 37, Thursday 38, Friday 38, Saturday 35 and Sunday 36. :("
Oh yuck, Michael. That is too hot. Try to stay cool and drink lots of water.
Oh yuck, Michael. That is too hot. Try to stay cool and drink lots of water.
That's frightening, Michael. Stay safe. "All the floods happening in NT. When we were there a few months back they were complaining of repeated dry seasons and fearing that they wouldn't survive another year without rains. My husband assured them rain was coming - big rains. His father had taught him to predict rain based on the colour of tree trunks of selected breeds of trees. Those who he told were very skeptical. Even the Aborigines had never heard of it. But the method has always proved accurate - and it did again.
Michael wrote: "I had a look at the long term forcast and it does not look good for here in Adelaide. Tomorrow 35, Wednesday 37, Thursday 38, Friday 38, Saturday 35 and Sunday 36. :("That sounds horrible Michael. The worst thing about Adelaide heat waves is that it doesn't cool down much at night. You get some really high minimum temperatures. Hope you've got some aircon so you can sleep Ok.
Michael wrote: "Melissa wrote:Oh yuck, Michael. That is too hot. Try to stay cool and drink lots of water.
I will Melissa. We at least had three days of relief. I think this is going to be a really, really hot s..."
I have no idea how you Australians cope ,lol. Between the heat and all the the animals that are out to kill you :P
I will Melissa. We at least had three days of relief. I think this is going to be a really, really hot s..."
I have no idea how you Australians cope ,lol. Between the heat and all the the animals that are out to kill you :P
Michael wrote: "Melissa wrote: I have no idea how you Australians cope ,lol. Between the heat and all the the animals that are out to kill you :P
I would not have it any other way Melissa. I think all the positi..."
And one day I should love to visit Australia :)
I would not have it any other way Melissa. I think all the positi..."
And one day I should love to visit Australia :)
@Melissa I think Dorothea Mackellar's poem My Country says it all for all of us here. The second stanza reads:I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!
B the BookAddict wrote: "@Melissa I think Dorothea Mackellar's poem My Country says it all for all of us here. The second stanza reads:
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of d..."
This poem sounds familiar; I believe I have heard it before. Regardless, that is a beautiful stanza.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of d..."
This poem sounds familiar; I believe I have heard it before. Regardless, that is a beautiful stanza.
Leonie wrote: "Dale wrote: "Leonie wrote: "Fruit Mince pies! Yum! I made a dozen, but the family consumed them all on Christmas Eve. Fortunately the Christmas Cake is still available for consumption, and I reckon..."Thanks. I will Pm you, Leonie, when I catch up on a few things.
Michael wrote: "Melissa wrote: I have no idea how you Australians cope ,lol. Between the heat and all the the animals that are out to kill you :P I would not have it any other way Melissa. I think all the positi..."
I'm with you Michael. Could not imagine living in any other country.
I hope everyone is staying safe; I have heard that there are some major bushfires ocurring.
Melissa wrote: "I hope everyone is staying safe; I have heard that there are some major bushfires ocurring."Yes bush fires and floods are a constant here but how people deal with these problems is always a source of pride for us. These events bring people together in unexpected ways and we learn the importance of inner strength and helping our neighbours in tough times.
However, life is unpredictable where ever you live and this country would love you to come and visit. I think you might be surprised at how "sophisticated" we have become since the days of convict settlement. Our cities are lovely, our beaches the best in the World (biased I may be) and our outback is another World but beautiful in a very individual and unique way, and if you love snorkelling, visit our magnificent reefs. Oh, and did I mention our sunsets? Lol.
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I try to keep focus on the fact that I had her for 64 years, and we were close. And she was more than ready to go. But I know the pain of loss will never go away completely.