Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Why did the koala cross the road?
Last night I came across this guy and likely saved him from a grizzly end. Note to others. koalas have very sharp claws.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Photo Hunt: Written
Every day the weather forecast was written on the black board where I stayed for a few days. Surprisingly cool, wet and overcast here in Adelaide for this time of year. Better than some of the UK weather.
Skywatch Friday
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Adelaide,. Heading into Summer
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Photo Hunt: Juicy
Friday, November 19, 2010
Clarke and Dawe - The Big Stories. As They Happen. Video - WittySparks
Clarke and Dawe - The Big Stories. As They Happen. Video - WittySparks
Skywatch Friday: Gouger Street, Adelaide
Living in town at the moment. Lots of interesting things to do for a few days.
More interesting skies at Skywatch Friday.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Battle of Sherriffmuir A Historical Poem by William Topaz McGonagall
'TWAS in the year 1715, and on the 10th of November,
Which the people of Scotland have cause to remember;
On that day the Earl of Mar left Perth bound for Sheriffmuir,
At the same time leaving behind a garrison under Colonel Balfour.
Besides leaving a force of about three thousand men quartered in different parts of Fife,
To protect the people's property, and quell party strife,
The army along with him amounted to three thousand foot and twelve hundred cavalry,
All in the best of order, a most pleasant sight to see.
The two armies bivouacked near Sheriffmuir during the night,
And around their camp-fires they talked concerning the coming fight.
The Duke of Argyle's English army numbered eight thousand strong,
Besides four hundred horse, posted in the rear all along.
And the centre of the first line was composed of ten battalions of foot,
Consisting of about four thousand, under the command of Clanranald and Glengarry to boot;
And at the head of these battalions Sir John Maclean and Brigadier Ogilvie,
And the two brothers of Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat, all in high glee.
The Marquis of Huntly's squadron of horse was also there;
Likewise the Stirling squadron, carrying the Chevalier's standard, I do declare;
And the Perthshire squadron formed the left wing,
And with their boisterous shouts they made the welkin ring.
The centre of the second line consisted of eight battalions of infantry,
And three of the Earl of Seaforth's foot, famous for their bravery;
There were also two battalions of the Marquis of Huntly,
Besides the Earl of Panmure's battalion, all men of high degree.
And those of the Marquis of Tullibardine, commanded by the Viscount of Strathallan,
And of Logie Almond, and likewise Robertson of Strowan;
Besides two squadrons of horse under the Earl Marischal,
And the Angus squadron was on the left: these include them all.
During this formation, the Duke of Argyle was watching all the time,
But owing to the ground occupied by them he couldn't see their line,
Which was unfortunately obstructed by the brow of a hill,
At the thought thereof the Duke's heart with fear did fill.
The hill was occupied by a party of Earl Mar's troops looking towards Dunblane,
Which the Earl of Mar no doubt resolved to maintain;
Then the Duke returned to the army, and ordered the drums to beat,
But an hour elapsed before his army were ready Mar's to meet.
As soon as the Earl of Mar perceived Argyle's line was partially formed,
He gave orders that Argyle's army should be instantly stormed.
Then Mar placed himself at the head of the clans, and led forward his men,
As a noble hero would do, which no one can condemn.
Then he pulled off his hat, which he waved in his right hand,
And when he arrived within pistol-shot the Highlanders made·a bold stand,
And they poured in a volley upon the English infantry,
And to the dismay of the Highlanders the English returned fire instantly.
And to the horror of the Highlanders Alan Muidartach was wounded mortally,
Then he was carried off the field, a most pitiful sight to see;
And as his men clustered around him they stood aghast,
And before he died he told them to hold their posts fast.
While lamenting the death of the Captain of Clanranald most pitifully,
Glengarry at this juncture sprang forward right manfully,
And throwing his bonnet into the air, he cried, heroically,
Revenge! revenge! revenge to-day ! and mourning to-morrow ye shall see!
No sooner had he pronounced these words than the Highlanders rushed forward, sword in hand,
Upon the royal battalions with the utmost fury, which they could not withstand,
And with their broadswords among the enemy they spread death and dismay,
Until the three battalions of Argyle's left wing instantly gave way.
Then a complete rout ensued, and the Earl of Mar pursued them half-a-mile;
Then he ordered his men to halt and rest a while,
Until he should put them into order right speedily,
Then follow the enemy at the double-march and complete the victory.
Then the Highlanders chased them and poured in a volley,
Besides they hewed them down with their broadswords mercilessly;
But somehow both armies got mixed together, and a general rout ensued,
While the Highlanders eagerly the English army hotly pursued.
The success on either side is doubtful to this day,
And all that can be said is, both armies ran away;
And on whichsoever side success lay it was toward the Government,
And to allay all doubts about which party won, we must feel content.
The Cliche Family and how the Ad Guys shaft you
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Skywatch Friday: Trampoline Time
Hannah was 12 and Ryan 10 this week. They are very creative with my camera. This was self timed from the top of the dog kennel and the colours adjusted.
More nice skies at Skywatch Friday.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Love Lips on the Stairway. Duke of York Hotel, Adelaide
Monday, November 08, 2010
Happy 12th Birthday Hannah
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Tips for Life « The Ben Lomond Free Press
Via TBLFP’s north east correspondent Ken Fitlike
1. If you are choking on an ice cube, don’t panic. Simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat and presto, the blockage will be almost instantly removed.
2. Clumsy? Avoid cutting yourself while slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.
3. Avoid arguments with the missus. about lifting the toilet seat by simply using the sink.
4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.
5.A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
6.If you have a bad cough,take a large dose of laxatives. This will make your body too afraid to cough.
7. Have a bad toothache? Smash your thumb with a hammer and you will forget about the toothache.
8. Just remember what the rules of life really are: You only need two tools: WD-40 Duct Tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn’t move and does, use the duct tape.
9. Be really nice to your family and friends; you never know when you might need them to empty your bedpan.
I liked a few of these. I live by all of them.
Photo Hunt: Alive
Friday, November 05, 2010
Fluffy Clouds over the Adelaide Parklands
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Reasons to be Cheerful Part Three
Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga script stunning victory and Murali in his final MCG international appearance hits the winning runs as Sri Lanka wins improbable victory.
Clearly One Day Cricket is well dead and buried. Hello Cricket Australia???
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Aurora Borealis lights up Iceland
A PHOTOGRAPHER has snapped stunning images of the northern lights in Iceland.
The Aurora Borealis light display, particularly visible in polar regions, is usually observed at night where it illuminates the northern horizon as a greenish or red glow.
Kristján Unnar Kristjansson went to extraordinary lengths over the last nine years to capture the amazing light show in all its glory.
The 31-year-old says he often drives to remote, light-pollution free locations to get the best view.
This often means he drives around 10,000-15,000 kilometres for the perfect shot - but it's worth it.
"No words can properly describe the experience,” Mr Kristjansson told the UK’s Telegraph.
“Even though I've seen them now and again throughout my life, I'm still awe-inspired and flabbergasted every time they show up."