Skywatch Friday: Swimming Season

My kids tried out the pool for the first time this year. Very cold was the conclusion and so it was on to the trampoline to warm up. Beautiful clear skies and warm weather during the first month of spring.

Heysen Trail

 From Wikipedia

The Heysen Trail is a long distance walking trail in South Australia. It runs from Parachilna Gorge, in the Flinders Ranges via the Adelaide Hills to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is approximately 1200 km in length.^[1]
The trail was first suggested by Warren Bonython in 1969 but design was stalled by several years due to Government politics and issues with private land owners. The first 50 kilometres of the track was laid out through the Mount Lofty Ranges in 1978 after responsibility for the track was handed to the Department of Recreation and Sport. Terry Lavender was the main designer for the track, and oversaw the majority of its construction until it was completed in 1992. The trail is named after Sir Hans Heysen.

The Brand New Whiz Bang Swim Centre in Marion

Just opened this weekend, the new State Swimming Centre in Marion is very impressive. Lots of blue water, funky seats, lane markers and slides. World class by all accounts, it is comparable to the London Olympics pool in terms of FINA rankings. Yeah South Australia.

Saturday in Thebarton

Skywatch Friday

Evening sky in Thebarton.

Rann on back foot as surge in staff numbers and wages dwarfs larger states | The Australian

STAFF numbers in the South Australian Premier's Department are almost double those of other, larger states. This is increasing pressure on Mike Rann as tough budget cuts begin to have an impact on the community.Mr Rann yesterday had to call an Adelaide radio station to defend his staff and wages bill amid growing public anger. 

Staff numbers in Mr Rann's Department of Premier and Cabinet have increased from 716 in 2005 to 1244 last year, according to figures provided by his office yesterday. In Victoria, with a population four times greater than South Australia, Premier's Department staff numbers dropped from 465 full-time equivalent positions in 2005 to 343 last year. 

The Queensland Premier's Department employed 684 bureaucrats last year, up from 517 in 2005.
The Liberal opposition yesterday claimed Mr Rann had been forced to reveal his department had wasted $246,000 in twice remodelling the office of his chief executive. "After three years, two remodelling attempts, $246,000 wasted, we are back to where we were three years ago," opposition finance spokesman Rob Lucas said. 

Mr Rann yesterday called radio station FIVEaa to defend his department's staffing levels: "There was a department called the Department for Administrative and Information Services . . . to save money, we put that under the Premier's Department."

via theaustralian.com.au

Emperor with no clothes. Has he sacked the footmen, the spin masters, the arse wipers and the food tasters yet?

Posted via email from poobumwee's posterous

Skywatch Friday

Tonights evening walk with Spotty looking up towards the end of our walk.

More nice skies at Skywatch Friday

Our Current Weather. Very Driech and I got Drookit

Yesterday was one of the most Scottish days I have had since moving to South Australia. Rain, wind, thunder, lightning, grey skies.......

People here think that they have died and more. The reservoirs in South Australia are over 90 percent full, for the first time in years. Water is flowing in the Murray River. Farmers are happy. Sun potentially on the horizon for later in the week. What is there to complain about.

I quite liked it in small measure. I was inside most of the day, but I did get the chance to walk in the rain and get soaked. It gave me the chance to use driech and drookit. Rare conditions in South Australia.

Until the next time....

Almost Royal Adelaide Show Time

Foliage, Plants and Stuff in my Neighbourhood

Yet More Winter Colour in the Adelaide Southern Suburbs