Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Footprints in the sand
Yesterday was wet wet wet. Today the sun shines between showers and this gentleman was carfefully brushing away every last pine needle.
I was sorry to have to leave footprints in his perfect sand as I walked by.
Tomorrow I set off for Slovenia. First stop Graz: twelve train hours away.
I was sorry to have to leave footprints in his perfect sand as I walked by.
Tomorrow I set off for Slovenia. First stop Graz: twelve train hours away.
Nespresso
Wonderful what you can do if you have a quid. Launch a 'luxury'coffee brand complete with special coffee machines that 'extract' the coffee from little dinky aluminium one-cup containers. Nespresso coffee from Nestles. The machines (there are lots of options) are sold through upmarket specialty shops which have tables at the back where you can have a tasting (ie a free cup of coffee). No milk though or the shop would have to register as a cafe. Instant espresso coffee!
(Ahhhh... Modaks. How far away you are.)
Klövensteenweg, Hobökentwiete
Klövensteenweg, Hobökentwiete …. yes I am back in my second Heimat. The names are remnants of the German once spoken in the flatlands to the north and east.
The houses here are aesthetically pleasing and I am reminded of Paul Keating and his view that architecture is important. Beautiful surroundings do affect the psyche. How unfortunate that Keating's is a minority view in Australia.
The big old brick houses here often house several apartments.
Between them are newer Scandinavian wooden houses ....
.... and some with glass fronts which keep out the winter cold but let in the light. Tall oaks and chestnut trees line the streets.
The houses here are aesthetically pleasing and I am reminded of Paul Keating and his view that architecture is important. Beautiful surroundings do affect the psyche. How unfortunate that Keating's is a minority view in Australia.The big old brick houses here often house several apartments.
Between them are newer Scandinavian wooden houses .... 
.... and some with glass fronts which keep out the winter cold but let in the light. Tall oaks and chestnut trees line the streets.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
A Frankfurt landing
"... hat sich beschwert!"
"Echt? (Really?)"
These were the first words I heard in Germany, an overheard conversation between two women walking along the corridor from the Frankfurt airport to the railway station beneath it.
Sich beschweren has several meanings, among them to attach blame or to complain about something.
How very German, I thought to myself. But it was thought with a smile as I love being in Germany. It had taken me only 20 minutes to get through all the airport formalities despite long queues.
"Echt? (Really?)"
These were the first words I heard in Germany, an overheard conversation between two women walking along the corridor from the Frankfurt airport to the railway station beneath it.
Sich beschweren has several meanings, among them to attach blame or to complain about something.
How very German, I thought to myself. But it was thought with a smile as I love being in Germany. It had taken me only 20 minutes to get through all the airport formalities despite long queues.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Yes .... Singapore
This can only be in one place in the world ... 
Yes, correct, Singapore Airport. Orchids, carp in ponds and carpet that blots out the noise.
I have been through Singapore Airport so many times, but have only just discovered you can take a shower there. I have a 9 hour stopover this trip so I booked into a day room at Terminal 2. It is a comfy wee room, the only difference to a proper hotel room being the lack of external windows. When you turn off the light it is pitch black. The shower is pure bliss.
Yes, correct, Singapore Airport. Orchids, carp in ponds and carpet that blots out the noise. I have been through Singapore Airport so many times, but have only just discovered you can take a shower there. I have a 9 hour stopover this trip so I booked into a day room at Terminal 2. It is a comfy wee room, the only difference to a proper hotel room being the lack of external windows. When you turn off the light it is pitch black. The shower is pure bliss.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Little bub in Sydney
The little Sydney bubby who was one year old on 9th August. She was supervising my packing.
A moving stone ....
My bags are packed (again) for a flight to Frankfurt on Sunday. Under Frankfurt Airport is a main line train station and it usually seems to take only 15 minutes to get through customs and onto the platform. Sydney could learn a thing or two about speedy processing.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Cupcakes
Cup cakes for bub's first birthday celebrations. 
Can she be one already? Have I been here in Sydney nearly a year?
Can she be one already? Have I been here in Sydney nearly a year?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 06, 2010
Dad and Grandpa
... probably taken about 1938 I would guess. I wonder why they look so gloomy? Are three beautiful trout not enough?
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Music to lull you to sleep
I have 'discovered' Maria Callas and in such a strange way.
For months the best way to put bub to sleep was to sit her on my lap in front of the computer watching Rene Fleming sing "D'amore al dolce impero". She would watch the video (which shows just an album cover) and nod off
Then one day last week she suddenly became bored. I tried playing her Waltroud Meyer singing Liebestod but the poor little mite started to cry! Whether it was the music or the gory production I don't know, but I quickly changed back to "D'amore al dolce impero", this time the Callas version. The changing photos in the video were enough to hold bub's attention until she slept.
I never really liked Maria Callas before but I love this video:
And just for the record ... here is Rene Fleming's version which I just about know by heart by now.
For months the best way to put bub to sleep was to sit her on my lap in front of the computer watching Rene Fleming sing "D'amore al dolce impero". She would watch the video (which shows just an album cover) and nod off
Then one day last week she suddenly became bored. I tried playing her Waltroud Meyer singing Liebestod but the poor little mite started to cry! Whether it was the music or the gory production I don't know, but I quickly changed back to "D'amore al dolce impero", this time the Callas version. The changing photos in the video were enough to hold bub's attention until she slept.
I never really liked Maria Callas before but I love this video:
And just for the record ... here is Rene Fleming's version which I just about know by heart by now.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Seagulls
On the way to Manly in the ferry seagulls accompany the boat, swooping alongside. 
The Ferry slows to a crawl as you reach the Manly wharf.
Then on the way back, there are the seagulls again. I wonder if they fly all the way or if there is a change of bird half way along Sydney Harbour.
The Ferry slows to a crawl as you reach the Manly wharf.
Then on the way back, there are the seagulls again. I wonder if they fly all the way or if there is a change of bird half way along Sydney Harbour.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Rock 'n' Roll in Patonga
Last night I went to the Rock'n' Roll night at the Patonga Pub. It is a great pub with a wonderful position on the shore line, no pokies and live bands. 
Last night George (guitar) and Zak (harmonica) played from 7pm to 10 to midnight with hardly a break. They are a great duo and the patrons danced with abandon.
At the beginning of the evening the women danced while the men propped up the bar but as the night wore on and the amber liquid flowed the blokes all danced as well. They are a great crowd at the Patonga pub.
Next morning dancing patrons had a bleary start to the day but the sun was shining across calm water and sailing boats dotted the Brisbane Waters. A little bit of heaven.
Last night George (guitar) and Zak (harmonica) played from 7pm to 10 to midnight with hardly a break. They are a great duo and the patrons danced with abandon. 
At the beginning of the evening the women danced while the men propped up the bar but as the night wore on and the amber liquid flowed the blokes all danced as well. They are a great crowd at the Patonga pub.Next morning dancing patrons had a bleary start to the day but the sun was shining across calm water and sailing boats dotted the Brisbane Waters. A little bit of heaven.
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