CHRISTMAS

Christmas was coming, the goose was getting fat....

A good old Christmas Dinner....

But our's was nowt like that.

Somebody please tell me this is just a starter

Despite the barren looking spread on the table (photo deliberately taken too early because I can't have you all spying on me now can I?) there were salads galore (Salad WTF?), plenty of meats (More like it), good company (Naturally, I was there) and so too was an old friend Kat Lloyd, good conversation (Nom, nom, nom), plenty to drink (Burrrrp!!) and plenty to do (ZZZZ). 

The day as a whole, was a hugely successful one with plenty of time and energy for the inclusion of the likes of :

Board games (not spoiled by the presence of kids), 

Wii console games (not spoiled by the presence of kids), 

movies to wind the evening down (not spoiled by the presence of kids).

The movies were... Paul and Tomorrow when the war began, if anyone is asking. We thought they were good anyway.

Besides all that however, many extra sources of finger foods were provided throughout the whole day which I appear to have over indulged in (not spoiled by the presence of kids), There was still more than enough to drink (not spoiled by the presence of kids), there were Christmas puddings and trifles (not spoiled by the presence of kids), and the conversation was exceedingly invigorating (not spoiled by the presence of kids).

And believe it or not, we still managed to get ourselves totally stuffed

 (not spoiled by eating any uninvited kids).

Maybe on reflection though, it might have been nice if there were a few kids there. After all, Christmas is all about the kids isn't it? And when you have kids, you tend to get kids toys to play with when the buggers go to bed don't you? I knew there was something missing...

21st Century Heroes

As you sit here reading this blog on what is probably your Christmas day morning or maybe within the couple of days just after it, I would like to remind you all of the sterling voluntary work of all the Queensland State Emergency Services that so often get overlooked at times like this.

Lightning over Brisbane

And as I have already intimated a few times within this blog, Australia isn’t always the dry and arid semi desert we often take it for. It has weather and like with most other things in Australia, the weather here has more than its fair share of extremes too. For example, from September/October through April it is storm season, which means storms capable of ripping the roof off your home, gusts of up to 100Km an hour, torrential rain, thunder that will scare the feathers off your birds and leaves small children crying while clinging to their mother’s skirt hems, as well as power outages (oh no warm beer, that will never do).

And then as if that wasn’t bad enough, during the months of December through February there are usually flash floods along with said torrential rains and cyclones to boot. Couple that with the bush fires from September through January (strangely running in unison with school holiday season) and you can easily see the need for extraordinary people running emergency services to help rescue, retrieve and generally clean up the mess afterwards.

You don’t believe me? Then take a look at this lot… This particular incident was a culmination of the dam not being let out in time and when it was released, it was done so during a king tide resulting in massive flooding throughout the area. And this is just a little of what went on at around this time last year. Check out the full associated album for more.

More pictures are available in the online Emergency Services Album

This wasn't just Brisbane either, there were other places across Queensland being hit with cyclones, torrential rains, flash flooding and other forms of storm damage. Places that we have visited during the progress of this blog among others. Places like Bundaberg, Toowoomba, Dalby and Rockhampton. 

And that is why Queensland in Australia has in reserve, a small army of volunteers (around 75,000 individuals), the State Emergency Services, on call for all kinds of trouble, and the emergency services cadets (which we have already established, Jodie spends all her spare time coordinating) fall under the wings of these services.

Queensland,  has it's normal everyday paid emergency services for day to day stuff; QFRS - Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. (meet Billy Bob Wombat, Michael Sharman, Coach Dudley among others (all seen found terrorising G+ as am I)), and QAS - Queensland Ambulance Services.

Rural Fire Service

And then there are the volunteer services:
QRFS - Queensland Rural Fire Service (assisting with bush fires etc).
SES - State Emergency Services (general assisting with disaster management and supply of buildings and vehicles).
EMQ - Emergency Management Queensland (own the cadet program)

There is another branch to all of this too and that would be the State Corrective Services. Not so much for the management of disasters, but there all the same as part of the overall funding package.

  

Together the corrective services, QFRS, SES, QAS, QRFS all supply monies for funding the cadet training program and while EMQ actually takes ownership of the program, it supplies very little in the way of finance, any shortfalls having to be made up through fundraisers or external donations.

State Emergency Services

And apart from the many life skills these kids learn while participating, the cadets, starting with an intake at between the ages of 13 or grade 8 at school up to the age of 15 and a half, can come out at 18 with certificate 2 in community safety which is exactly the same as that that the adults get in the SES only it also has complimentary fire awareness and first aiding courses too.

There are all forms of accident response scenarios for them to practice, triage, radio and communications, map reading, land searches (looking for missing bodies, dangerous weapons out in the open etc), along with participation in community events in policing things, helping to set up, and even raising public awareness about their individual units.

And on leaving the cadets these young adults will have gained real world recognised qualifications for inclusion on their CVs, they can continue on as adult leaders within the cadets or should they choose, they have entry into SES and QRFS or even both with their recognised skill sets. After which, 2 years of continued voluntary service serves as a recognised pre-requisite for a professional career within the paid fire and ambulance services.

Emergency Services Cadets

And as is the case with many other countries I’m sure, if these volunteer services were ever to be paid for through everyday governmental spending, Australia would have bankrupted itself years ago. And likewise, but for the sterling work these guys do or are currently learning to do, including fire services, land searches, flood control, boat patrols, rescuing trapped individuals and the like. Australia probably wouldn’t even be the modern world land we know of today. 


So, for the likes of myself and many others who have maybe been at the receiving end of the help and care given by these emergency services, these guys must surely be the true heroes of the 21^st century and my hat truly goes off to them as I salute them all and wish them a really peaceful but nonetheless happy Christmas. Particularly with the impending approach of the latest tropical cyclone, Grant which is currently off Darwin in the Northern Territories. No doubt these guys are already impatiently waiting to be activated.

xxx Merry Christmas from Oz xxx

Well even if it still doesn't seem to be the case at all from where I'm standing, we finally got indisputable proof through the door that it is actually Christmas time over here in Australia. We had the external fairy lights now (without going overboard... remember global warming?), the eighteen inch Chrissy tree on the dining table and now the ultimate in really telling it like it is, a Christmas card. And it had my name on it too WTF?

A huge thanks goes out to Cath Slater once again (but don't think I have forgiven you
 (or ever will) for burning me so badly that day at Newcastle..). Grrr

So, without further ado, may I take this opportunity to wish all you lovely readers the very best wishes and compliments of the season (Nice pressies... best compliment I could come up with at such short notice). I hope you guys get all you wish for and all the Christmas trees in all the world have Holden utes parked beneath them (because our resident commenter Godders, probably thinks the world would be a much better place if they did).

OK, Now for the bad news... Do Koalas actually exist? Without labouring on the point too much, it's been nearly six weeks now and there's still no sign of them. And at least the card above didn't show the old cliched scenes of snow, wise men, nativities etc which is good because I haven't seen any of those either (especially the wise men or at least, 3 of them all at once). LOL

The sandy beach and surf boards are really bang on though because to many over here, that is exactly what Christmas is all about. It's a day at the beach where the tourists ie me are usually dragged along and fed copious amounts of beer to render them unconscious and then left out to bake in the 40 degrees centigrade, midday, summer sun. There's only Cath Slater can ever burn a tourist any faster.

And besides all best efforts on my part, including putting up sparkly tinsel decorations, carol singing, finding recipies for roasting the resident cockatiels (don't tell Jodie) etc. I still cannot find the all so elusive Christmas spirit, it STILL doesn't feel right here. Not right at all. 

I know, maybe if you all came along and adorned me with rich and expensive gifts. Maybe that would provide me the missing link. And even if not, I could do with a new library of iThings and the like. And I would definitely make sure I had you thinking (if no one else) I felt it was more Christmassy for all your efforts (purely because I'm like that).

Seriously though, while over here on my jollies, it is hard to keep up with the everyday struggles of the real world and with this in mind, I would appreciate it if you could all return again tomorrow for the much awaited blog entry in appreciation of the voluntary emergency services that we have been spending so much time with. The service members that give up their time freely at the least opportune of moments and do so without want of recognition.

I've had a wonderful first five weeks here now, the weather has been brilliant if not milder (as in cooler) than normal, the temperatures comfortable, not too overbearing with excessive humidity, and the rainfall minimal, a far cry from last year. Yes it has all been fantastic but it could have all been so very different. Come back tomorrow and I'll show you all what I mean. And for those of you who can't make it, please come back real soon. 


And finally to all of you lovely readers, I demand you have a very merry Christmas and continue to drop by for a few words of wisdom from the silly old Englishman (git more like) who continues to boldy explore this amazing continent while forever continuing to dodge deportation at every step of the way (hope all is well back home).

Unexpected Dinner Guest

Somewhere pretty close to Dragonfly Mansions, lays a local bar type restaurant thingy place just around the corner. And the reason I am mentioning this now is that the other evening, a friend of Jodie’s, Sharon, had turned up and we had planned to all go out for a meal there.

The Boathouse Tavern... Coomera QLD

It wasn’t a great distance to travel, just a couple of hundred yards if that, so off we all hopped (made it more interesting that way) down the road (yes we didn’t drive), across the field, over the railings and through the traffic until we finally reached our destination… The boathouse Tavern

Once inside, the surroundings were refreshing and comfortable and we were only let down by the standard of food being served being as how the place was staffed by microwave technicians rather than fully fledged chefs. Having said that though the servings were still ample, the food edible and very little went to waste.

It was supposed to be a meal between just the three of us that night, but half way through and completely unannounced, you wouldn’t guess who had the audacity to just come along and show up...

MR EDDIE LIZZARD!!

He was in fact what is commonly known as approximately 24 inches head to tail of water dragon. And he has probably claimed the pool laiden tavern as his home; being able to feed on any scraps the 'awed at the sight of him' punters might throw him. Providing that is, that the punters weren't so hungry they might pick him up and eat him in the first place.

Now these days, it is quite rightly scorned upon when dogs turn up in restaurants, but what is the ruling on lizards? Surely anything that shits and walks at the same time, or is even capable of thinking of doing so (sorry granddad), should all be classed together in the ‘undesirables’ list, even if this particular chap brought us many smiles all round.

He didn’t really do much while there it must be said, but as far as any mid meal entertainment goes, he has some of the thousand dollar a gig performers well and truly licked as he calmly wandered through the dining masses, head held high and generally not giving a toss.

He knew the place well and felt just as much at home in the pond waters as up on dry decking. It was easy to know this place was surely his and we were the passers by that night.

 

Bye Bye Bundy

With breakfast firmly rammed down our necks, we were ready to go tackle another day of mystery touring ahead of us. We had said the previous night that it would be a good idea to just go where the car takes us and that was what the plan now was. (We really must get the steering fixed you know).

For more building pics, Click Here

So we headed back into Bundaberg town centre to look at some of the buildings there. We have done a lot of buildings during this last few weeks. Mainly because that’s what I do for a living and Jodie has a keen interest in them from a developer’s point of view too. So yes there are a few building pics and there will probably be a lot more to follow.

And after leaving the town centre, the next place we came across of any interest was Bauple Museum, a community based project where the local history had been collected together and put on display for all and sundry to come along and witness. What a brilliant idea. It would be great if more places would do the same. We had a great time noseying around and there was some really good stuff in there too. Only problem was, with just having had another birthday recently, it was thought I was one of the crusty old exhibits and it was really hard to get away again.

For the latest in communications, Check out the Bauple Museum Album

When I eventually did escape however, we high-tailed it down the road fast enough for nobody to catch us which meant that in little to no time at all, we had reached another hidden treasure along the way, Alford Lake Park, Cooloola, just on the outskirts of Gympie (please, no visions of pervy old men in ball masks here). Recently flooded, the place has undergone a total rejuvenation extending its boundaries even further. And it is really quite beautifully done and it really was a pleasure to wander around it to take it all in.

Check out the turtle near the lower tree stump
and check out the Lake Alford Album here

Further yet down the Bruce highway is a building that seems to defy gravity in much the same way as do the Ripleys world of strange things buildings situated on coastal regions. Except where as Ripleys might have a car hanging out of the front façade, this place has a ute parked on the roof. We are of course talking about the Ettamogah Pub near Noosa. The Pub claims to be the most photographed pub in the world - probably because it was built to appear as if it were falling down (it's based on a pub in an old Aussie cartoon series).

More pics here

The pub is an everlasting tribute to all things quintessentially Australian and its location halfway between Brissie and Noosa makes it a handy rest stop for a drink or a steak. We however chose neither, preferring instead to rush home and get naked as the housemate was away test-piloting a blisterpack of viagara and a packet of ribbed pleasure seekers this weekend but I cannot really go into that kind of detail here.

Of course there were other places of interest along the way like the double bridge that spans the mouth of the Brisbane River which looks quite spectacular from within the confines of a passenger seat in the old Rolls c’nardly. Another local masterpiece of engineering well worth a look at sometime. But for now our journey reached another end and the welcoming door of Dragonfly Mansions awaited us weary travellers.

A Bit of Bundy part 2

Click here for the Kacy's Restaurant Album

After taking as many pics as we pleased back in the Bundy Kegs cooperage, it was getting desperately close to the next meal time for my delicate body and so we decided we would head up towards the coast again for a pretty stretch of beach at Bargara. It's not a huge place by any standards and we entered it near enough in the middle where we accidently stumbled across a restaurant come motel, come hotel, come hostelry called Kacy's.

It was a delightfully pleasant place fully equipped with its own wine cellar and the food was good too. And with a choice of comfortable surroundings both indoors and outdoors, we chose to sit inside by a large fish tank (more photos hopefully and having seen the tank shots, maybe not) and as far as we are concerned, it comes highly recommended to any would be venturers.

Having refuelled for the afternoon, we headed straight across the road for a small but charming gift shop having gotten in the mood of dressing the hat. Unfortunately for the hat though there was nothing in the line of pins or other appropriate adornments. So the hat was in a mood and left in a huff.

Click here for The beach at Bargara Album

Shame that, because having left the shop we strolled over the road to another great Australian beach, Bargara where even more photos were taken. It was around about now that with the frequency of photography being undertaken, the photographs we took actually began to look something half decent (if you still exclude the fish tank back in the restaurant).

We were on a roll (photographically at the very least) now and so travelled further up the beach to a place called Mon Repos, a turtle breeding area along with its own information centre. And although we didn’t get to see any turtles (mainly because it wasn’t early or late enough) we did manage to see some stunning scenery without the need of travelling too far to get it. All we did was follow the pathways to the beach set up specifically for night parties to go down and see the hatchlings run for cover.

Click here to see the full Mon Repos Album

I know it must seem silly to many to have travelled so far and not stayed to capitalise but there is one thing you must learn about Jodie’s mother and step father… Being as they live in a really rural area, they have spent the majority of their lives living under the sun which means rising and falling along with it. And as we had previously arranged to meet them for dinner that day, we had to rush back at around what felt like 4ish in order for the old biddies to be bedded down for seven – Bless!!

So you can guess what happened next can’t you? Yes we returned home to meet the parents, got a take away instead of going out, stayed up together until ten (wooooo) and then sat and twiddled our fingers and toes for a couple of extra hours before it was closer to our normal bedtime. We had to be up early in the morning… for kangaroo hunting (but rgular readers will know that already).

It was needless to say, six o’clock the following morning and I was already sat adjacent to Clifford, bombing down the road in an old white Toyota run-around, heading toward an open paddock where kangaroos were known to gather at such a stupid hour. And sure enough they were there waiting for me. It would have been nice to say with their autograph books at the ready, but they were kangaroos dammit. They can’t read can they? And so with the joeys in the bag so to say, it was back home for breakfast before we packed and set off back for Brissy once again.

A Bit of Bundy

Good evening everybody, I am Andy Robinson, I'm just turned 49 years old and I too am (cough, cough, sniffle, mumble) an alcoholic... Or I'm sure I would be if I ever got locked in where we visited next.

Another 400-ish Km heading north up Queensland's Bruce Highway we went and we finally made it to where Jodie's Mother lives with her partner Clifford, in the sleepy farming town of Bundaberg.

I might have given that little fact away the other day with my 'where have all the animals gone?' post in which Clifford and I set out early one morning to hunt kangaroos, but this was where we now found ourselves for the weekend, catching up with family and exploring the local scenery.

But how does that make me an alcoholic you might ask, and if you don't, I will happily sit here and wait for you to do so.... Oh good you finally asked (hurry up next time.. grr).

Mmm, I might be looking a
bit too gay here

Well Bundaberg it seems, is sugar land, and it has been since 1872 when it first began producing commercial sugar form sugar canes. It has acres upon acres of these cane things growing here and some of those canes eventually go to the Bundaberg distillery where in 1888 a group of farmers joined together to make rum with the by-products from the molasses the sugar canes were producing. And that is how Bundaberg rum and my reported troubles may have first come into being.

It was in 1888, that the first barrel of Bundaberg Rum literally rolled out of the distillery production line. And since then, Bundaberg Rum, through its trials and tribulations, has gained recognition as one of Australia's most famous of spirits. Later, in 1986 the Bundaberg Distilling Company appointed its first tour guide and a positive demand soon saw the need to expand the tourist operation. And that was possibly our cue to become a part of it this day.

Our guided tour around the distillery had us look, feel and taste our way through the makings of the Famous Aussie Spirit. Starting with the raw material molasses, to the aromas of maturing spirits, where our temptations ran high for a refreshing free sample or four in the bar with a variety of Bundy mixes and Rum liqueur based drinks.

Spot the real bear

It was a pretty good if short tour, during which we learned how the distillery had suffered a couple of setbacks; the first being a fire in 1907 and second a ‘big’ fire in 1936. And it was probably around then that they suddenly realised that what they were playing with was quite... Extremely Highly Flammable I guess and they have since started taking steps to help minimise any future of these 'combustion parties'. 

It must have been along with these steps that came the ban on the use of cameras, the wearing of watches and the carrying of anything battery powered (although why anyone would choose to use a vibrator on a tour of a distillery is beyond me... Oh they meant mobile phones, ooops). And as if that weren't enough, spare a thought for the hard of hearing too that were rendered instantly deaf upon surrendering their hearing aids. Don't anyone tell them about my pacemaker eek.

Other than that, we generally had a good time as we looked back at the Bundaberg rum advertising history, came face to face with the famous Bundaberg Rum Bear, drank merrily of his wares (well, being the designated drinker, that post fell on my shoulders and I was only too happy to take on the samples Jodie (the designated driver) would have had to suffer hee hee), bought freely of said wares and generally ran amok of the place. Even the hat was recognised on this jolly and was further adorned with assorted pins to help commemorate the day.

Click here to view the full Bundaberg Rum Album

After the tour, the bar, the shop and the ubiquitous ice cream, we jumped back into the car (because the term putt-putt is somewhat frowned upon), set the sat nav for our next destination and followed the verbal instructions of… “Drive around the corner”.

We were at Bundy Kegs. A small cooperage (barrel making facility) owned by Schmeiders. That's the company that produces the massive storage kegs for Bundy distillery, which was more a collection of talented people making barrels, carving woods, blowing glass etc being presented through a free to enter gallery come shop display type thing where rather than laying down any hard earned, yours truly decided to take photos instead. It was a good stop, some interesting stuff and it was an half an hour well spent.

Click here to see the full Bundy Kegs Cooperage Album