Taccola

Greys, Blue, Red & Yellow

2012-02-11T15:48:00.002+11:00

From the inside of the Auckland Art Gallery.

James

An Art Noir

2012-02-04T17:50:00.007+11:00

We watched 'The Woman in the Window' (1944) last night, and I certainly found it enjoyable, but very much a film from another time. Directed by Fritz Laing, I didn't realise that it was often cited as one of the seminal films that set what we now know as 'film noir'.

The actual 'woman in the window' is actually in a painting in a shop window, before she appears to the main character - played against type by Edward G Robinson - as a reflection in that same window. It's a bit of a clumsy-clever title for a remarkably suspicious trick at the point the film takes off.

You wouldn't point to it as a genre establishing film on its own accord, and Robinson seems bumbling and out of sorts which may be good acting - or may be seen as a usually scary actor out of place.

Of the small ensemble cast Heidt, the corrupt ex-cop turned 'tail', and now a blackmailer, played by Dan Duryea, is the most convincing, perhaps because he is the only charecter with some snap and dynamism to him; the others often seem like they're sleepwalking. Perhaps the latter befuddlement is what happens in reality to 'normal' people is such a trapped situation, but it doesn't play well.

Whether you like the film or not, there's some interesting takes on it here (film showing 'free will' or not) and here, the latter including some musing on the role of artworks in the period in film:
"Elsaesser wonders if this indicates the revenge of cinema on painting or if the filmmakers are unconscious of the fact that the paintings they include are bad. (Could it be that they can only afford or find mediocre painters to execute them? Or could it be that because portraits of fictional characters in films are themselves fictional, they necessarily lack authenticity? Since the portrait is simply a prop, it does not need to be a genuine or great work of art.) His explanation is as follows: 'the mediocrity of these portrait paintings is less a matter of aesthetics and more a question of ontology… mediocrity being here the effect of a certain void or vertigo emanating from the portrait, or rather its pretence of a presence… it is bad… because of the multiple perturbations it brings to the narrative.'"

A good start at the budgeting point, unfortunately going into art-crit onanism. For what it's worth, and as can be seen in the still from the film (above) it's not a bad painting by any means and a better likeness of the subject than most of the filmic kind. There are plenty of 'great' paintings of people who are frauds, fakes and even actors in role*.

I would agree that generally most artworks in film (where they are created as solo or incidental props for those films) vary from low quality to risible. Other paintings, where the subject of the film is perhaps a painter or their oeuvre, the artwork can be of remarkable standard - I'm thinking of Bratbys in 'The Horse's Mouth'. A film for another discussion, another day.

James

*That's the great Ellen Terry as a truly terrifying Lady Macbeth by a chap called Sergeant.

Where a flower & flag mean something...

2012-01-26T17:13:00.005+11:00

Most Australians would recognise this combination as being the usual result for a newly-minted Australian from the Citizenship Ceremony. It's a two-Aussie and a dog household now.

We were lucky that we had an excellent ceremony, on a special day, hosted by the Kyneton Mayor, and played in by the Kyneton Municipal Band. They were good too. Thanks all!

The mention of Canada in the news report? That's us, that is. And among other salient thoughts, the mayor was at pains to point out that taking Australian citizenship did not mean forgetting where you came from. The wide heritage, is part of what makes Australia what it is.

James

Edge of the weather

2012-01-21T21:51:00.005+11:00

One of the neat things about living here is that we often see the 'edge' of the weather; particularly on the local 'mountain'*, where the clouds are forming, or stopping. Strangely, although it often looks imminent, this weather often doesn't get to us, only a few kilometers away. Yesterday was a particularly acute version of this, as we started from a bight dawn and drove under the edge of the cloud into Melbourne and then later in the day back out from under. The attached photo was taken from the car (edited above, unedited below**) and shows the cloud on the mountain folding into the cloud to the side.

Fascinating.

*Only in Australia, the flattest continent. A hill to anyone else.

**Shot on my iPhone and then stitched together as a panorama in the App 'AutoStitch Panorama'. I like both versions for different reasons. The roughness of details in the unedited one adds a certain charm, I think.

James

Well...

2012-01-21T21:12:00.001+11:00

...it's been a busy month and a bit, with plenty to blog about, but little chance so far.

It'll be fun to catch up as we go through the photos, reminders and ideas, so stay with us!

The shells seen here were collected from the shore of Endeavour Inlet, South Island, New Zealand, but not brought home. Both Australia and New Zealand are now (rightly) ultra-hot on biohazards, and moving sych things from one country to the other is a big no-no, now.

Still the picture (by Bev) tells a story. We still collect shells on holiday.

Tricolore towels

2011-12-24T10:05:00.003+11:00

Tricolore towels

Artichokes II

2011-12-13T18:49:00.003+11:00

People have asked that if the normal fate of the artichokes pictured here had come to pass. It had...

And then there was:

Strawberries, also from the garden. As the Kiwis say, 'sweet as...'

James

Spiny Visitor

2011-12-12T22:14:00.004+11:00

As we were getting ready to go out, Bev was more than slightly startled to see a huge lump stuffed up against the back of the fridge in our kitchen, looking like a rolled up jumper with a bunch of knitting needles through it.

"I'm quite happy here, thank you!" Echidna seen from the rear. [James]

It proved to be a somewhat lost echidna! Having checked the risks* we attempted to remove it, which quickly proved impossible. Even dressed with heavy gloves and in my coat, trying to lift an animal the size of a large, fat cat that didn't want to be lifted proved more tricky than you'd think - it seemed to be attached to the floor. Echidnas have very powerful digging claws, and are ideally adapted to grabbing onto carpet - as we found. When the spines started to dig into the wooden wall, we decided to call Wildlife Rescue. Apparently the way you get rid of an echidna is to block off** all but the preferred exit, and it will - when it's good and ready - toddle*** off into the sunset.

We propped the back door open, blocked off the sides of the route as recommended and left it to it, and when we returned some hours later, it had gone.

In the meantime, we'd had a crash course in the details of the echidna, and it is a easily overlooked and fascinating animal; unique or odd in so many ways. I'll just mention that a baby echidna is called a 'puggle' and that they seem to happily go through life for a very long time in a range of climates that we find challenging. If you'd like to know more (you'll be amazed, I'm sure) here's a link to this website that goes into more detail, and also this very amusing website (and more) by a chap that has hand-reared puggles. Well worth a read.

James.

* Like the related platypus, it does have a pair of spurs, but the echidna's are not poisonous; the spikes are actually modified hairs and aren't ejected, and if non-Australians are wondering, in general it's easier to assume things are dangerous and work back from there - echidnas appear to be dangerous mainly if you fall on one or try and cuddle it...

** Suitcases and boxes are recommended; it will, like a wombat, go through anything like card and plastic if it wants to, by the way.

*** It has a cute as all gait that really is a 'toddle'.

The Advent of Moomins

2011-12-04T14:37:00.005+11:00

A parcel marked PRIORITY, came from beyond the Arctic circle,

Bearing a franked Santa and a Little My stamp, inside of which was the Advent of the Moomins, arriving just in time, all the way from Finland,

To go up on the picture wall and have door ONE opened on the right day,

While others were borne to Northcote and Kingston, and no doubt other places exotic.

James

[Thanks to Bev, Ottobre Magazine, and, critically, Tove Jansson. Pic 3 by Meghan.]

Technonormal?

2011-12-01T22:06:00.009+11:00

An interesting article on the BBC website ranges far and wide, anchored on the concept of what makes sense for the pace of technological change, and what may actually be 'necessary' replacement rates for gadgets and tools. It's very thought provoking, I think.

If technological change feels like a blur now, what'll it be like in 20 years? Night lights, Vancouver. [James]

(Angela Saini's article includes thoughts on sewing machines, the creativity of making and repairing 'stuff' and the ownership of your technology. Unfortunately the dreadful picture selection was done in someone's smoko.)

Much of what the author's got to say makes a lot of sense, but one thing I'd like to have seen is what seems to me to be the benchmark requirement. Personally, I want tools that work, and stay working for a reasonable period of time, without fiddling or demands.

Using Macs, in the personal computing sphere, this has been our experience for getting on for a couple of decades now*. However I recognise that this slow change has been enabled by a remarkably aggressive development and replacement cycle that needs the 'early adapters' our author talks about. The iPad and iPhone and their developed versions may be crack-cocaine for tech-heads, but they are also useful tools and both Bev and I have found the i-tool we use worth having as a tool.

Missing the full command?

I'm happy to take things apart and see how they go; occasionally repairing them too, but I'm not kidding myself I'd ever be able to repair even a dial-telephone, nor am I in a society where me being able to repair one is necessary. On the other hand I'm not interested in the latest tool to impress others, but I appreciate that drive has accelerated technical solutions at affordable prices for many of us. Between the make-do-and menders and the tech-heads may be technonormal?

James - not iJames

*Bev and I both used 'tombstone' Macs for many years, Bev's mother having one before that even. In the late 1990s we had Duncan the iMac, joined by Penny the iBook in 1998 and 1999. Duncan was retired when we emigrated in 2004 and an unnamed flat screen iMac was bought in 2005, and an iBook in 2008 for an around the world trip to replace Penny which didn't have a CD burner etc. Adding to these this year are my iPhone and Bev's iPad 2, both of which have been invaluable and very flexible work and leisure tools. Penny still works, and only Duncan has died, in his case after we'd passed it on.

2011-11-30T11:17:00.006+11:00

A couple of great things about the Commonwealth of Australia's coat of arms is that it features native flora and fauna (the former unofficial to the authorised design, the latter integral) and secondly that the kangaroo and emu are both edible. (Try finding a unicorn, and you really, really don't want to try lion or eagle...)

Australian passports. The left hand example, issued in 2001, has differently shaped arms than the 2011 example on the right. The logo below the word 'Passport' actually refers to the fact the document has an electronic chip, and isn't a monochrome version of the Aboriginal flag, although exactly the same layout. The smaller arms on the 2011 issued wallet at the top (back) is different again.

Again the contrasts between Canada and Australia are intriguing in this area, as Canada's arms are essentially a British design with some Canadian additions, while Australia's is so appropriate it actually doesn't use traditional heraldic beasts.

When the Australian arms were approved in 1912, in Parliament, MP William Kelly said:

"The emu and kangaroo are so built that they hardly fit into the heraldic atmosphere, and I think we make ourselves ridiculous when we endeavour to carry on the traditions of the Old World with some of the wild creations of our Australian fauna."

I doubt anyone in Australia would suggest more traditional (and therefore non-native) heraldic animals would be a better alternative nowadays. However, making a full size example of the arms smacks somewhat of the chimps' tea party, but didn't stop Museum Victoria:

In contrast of course, Australia's flag, so vehemently defended by certain conservatives is 25% someone else's anyway, while Canada opted for its own flag in 1965. The contrasts and similarities are worth, I think, noting. Australia's flag can be easily mistaken for any of about a dozen similar designs, and when folded or draped, for that of the United Kingdom. But no-one would mistake the coat of arms as belonging to any other country than Australia. Conversely Canada's coat of arms is distinctive only in its details (maple leaves etc.) while the Canadian flag gets 100% recognition in tests.

Heraldry, eh?

James

Wagtailettes

2011-11-29T22:17:00.011+11:00

Like most of Australia, we have a very active Willy Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys) which regards our house and the surrounds as 'his' territory, and regularly poses in camera range as seen before here. No-one really seems to know why they waggle their tails as they do (when perched, or on the ground) but from observation I think the usually advanced explanation of it being a bug attracting trick is highly suspect.

A while ago we noticed that rather than the one Wagtail, there was a pair about, chattering at us and sweeping their tails just as their name is derived.

They were also VERY clear that the barn was out of bounds to us (as above) and anyone else, such as the magpies which were getting harassed (usually it's the magpies harassing everyone else). Wagtails are pretty fearless and didn't mind dive-bombing us if we got too close.

A couple of weeks ago, after all the activity, we were getting ready to go out for dinner at a friends when we noticed that there were two black and white fluffballs on the side and roof edge of the barn - the Wagtail chicks were out, and having a look at the wide world!

Our departure was delayed while I grabbed some images on a rather grey day. Above - chick on the left, watching parent on the right.

"Oo are you?"

A fw days later, after a bit of careful exploring while the barn was clearly not under guard, revealed the nest, on a beam, anchored by a a piece of abandoned wire.

The chicks have grown quickly, since, and it can be hard to tell the juveniles from the parents at a glance, but it's clear the little ones haven't developed the tail-feather muscles properly yet, and the waggle has a training-wheels feel about it.

There's also the fluffy baby feathers, with brown tips, as seen above, even though the Edward Heath eyebrows have receded to a more normal proportion. Mature Wagtails are fully black and white with a dash of yellow, and the sexes seem to be indistinguishable.

Sometimes mum or dad is around, and there's still quite a bit of learning going on. One of the juveniles flew into the house's lean-to and (confused by all the windows) was unable to get out, until I captured it in my hands and released it outside. It was like holding a mouse wrapped in a tiny umbrella, the feather's shaft feeling like the umbrella's ribs.

The Wagtail parental advice and home are wound-up as soon as the next clutch is laid, and the current kids are given the heave-ho.

Bev had one of the adults snatch a bug out of the air less than a couple of feet from her face. They are very aerobatic, and have a very varied flight pattern.

They are nice to have around, and make good companions in the garden.

James

Wood Engraving Workshop

2011-11-27T20:54:00.008+11:00

Sometimes it's nice having birthdays in the same month. We were discussing, one day way back in July or August, what we wanted for our birthdays and concluded that there was not a lot we wanted in terms of things, but that it would be lots of fun to take a class together. Something creative.

Not long after, we stumbled across workshops at the local studio and gallery, Lauriston Press. The wood engraving workshop was taught by David Frazer, an Australian artist working not just with wood engraving, but also in paint and other media.

We signed up and weeks passed...

The workshop was great! Just seven attendees, including us, in a little light-filled studio in central Kyneton -- so, good coffee, close to home. All of the people on the course were really lovely.

Without exception, I think by chance, everyone had come with an image in mind that was interesting, different, historical, thoughtful. That made the class more interesting as there was a lot of quiet working, with murmurings of discussion about why, and what, and what next.

It turned out to be really quite difficult!

But intensely fascinating...

Straight lines a challenge.

But the effect was stunning.

After a brief tussle with a nose (profile thereof inexplicably growing through lack of tool control!) ...

We ran them through the press.

And discovered that all the oops-es and some of the awkwardness drops away miraculously when it's on paper.

We were both quite happy with the result!

Wood engraving appeals to both of us because of all of the historical wood engraved book illustrations. We were both a wee bit confused as to the difference between wood block printing (carved into a block along the grain) and wood engraving (carved into a cross-cut piece of wood, therefore across the grain and much finer detail can be created).

Our hands hurt, it was a challenge -- but we would definitely try it again!

Bev

Gated

2011-11-25T22:44:00.003+11:00

Olli has an access problem at the White Horse, Uffington, 1st July 2008. Photo by Bev.

Arty Chokes

2011-11-23T18:20:00.003+11:00

Our artichokes that Bev's been nourishing are justaboutready...

These are their pre-prandial portraits.

James

Senso Unico a Orvieto

2011-10-22T18:33:00.003+11:00

Only in Italy.

Cool

2011-10-15T19:09:00.003+11:00

One birthday gift (thanks Jo & Paul!) inside a new acquisition - the big freezer.

James

Streamline Moderne house in Bendigo

2011-10-11T22:58:00.001+11:00

One of the great things about Australia is the range of Art Deco building that are still around, and more importantly used and preserved.

One of our favorites is just on the road out of Bendigo towards Melbourne - a remarkably cohesive house still reflecting the original architect's intention with the building. Strictly speaking it's 'Streamline Moderne' rather than Art Deco, but either way you expect someone in impeccable thirties suiting to drive up in an equally fast open-top tourer. It's one of the houses supported by the Art Deco & Modernism Society.

As the National Trust entry says:

Roseview was designed by Godfrey Eathorne and constructed in 1939. It is one of the few Streamline Moderne houses in the Central Goldfields region, and was one of the earliest constructed in the Bendigo region. It is an outstanding example of this style of housing. It resembles an ocean liner, and reflects the emphasis on the streamlining of methods of transportation. It utilizes both flat and curved surfaces and has little external ornamentation. The use of materials such as rounded glass windows and metal window and door frames reflects an innovative approach to construction consistent with the style.

"A1" as they said then.

PS - in the highly unlikely event of anyone using this blog as a reference, I understand the house is a private dwelling, and thus not open for public viewing.

Some Wave...

2011-10-09T22:01:00.003+11:00

...that left this boat on a local dam. We're a good 50 kilometres from Port Philip Bay and about double that to the coast.

James

Not quite Goldfields Gothic

2011-10-07T22:06:00.009+11:00

But the family at the cottage. Toby, Bev, James.

Photo by Kathy Mexted. Thanks!

James

6,000 Sticky notes

2011-10-05T16:42:00.003+11:00

This Deadline film should make you smile.

One of those things that you'd think you could do yourself (if you'd have thought of it) but soon realise there's a lot more to it than the initial, simple impression. 6,000 sticky notes, 3 months planning, and a 4 day shoot.

The follow up of a sticky figure man traveling the world is even more fun, albeit an advert for a sticky note company. The making of Deadline and Deadline Two (Sticking Close To You) can be found here and here.

Just fun.

James

Wrong Place

2011-10-01T13:25:00.004+10:00

Nothing odd about this brand-marketing tourist tat array, except it's in Melbourne's Tullamarine airport.

Presumably there's now Manchester United gear available in Liverpool; CN Tower gift sets in Vancouver; leaning tower tat in Firenze, and so on. Wrong place, folks!

Ductacular

2011-09-20T20:46:00.003+10:00

Sometimes you've just got to stretch and beat the wings...

Pacific Black Duck

James

On Days Like These - Two

2011-09-20T18:37:00.005+10:00

This BBC advertorial ~ with a few problems* ~ has a classic mix - Alfa Romeos and Tuscan roads. The programme here. You get the feeling you could do better, which is probably the point... Enjoy.

Days like these - One.

* A reporter on a vintage car segment who drives automatic only?

University Research

2011-09-16T12:00:00.006+10:00

I know this is true, I've tested it.

From the remarkable xkcd.

It's that mint sauce time of year...

2011-09-11T23:47:00.002+10:00

So cute.

So ... ... edible.

Eyrey Mature Themes

2011-09-11T17:15:00.005+10:00

It's official. Thanks to the movees, we now know Jane's got 'Mature Themes'.

Oh, and you might like to note that Charlotte Brontë's also got a 'bold new vision'.

Hmmm.

Dashing dusk dog

2011-09-04T13:11:00.002+10:00

Toby in hot pursuit last night. Although not a perfect image, as an experiment I'm happy with it. I like the way the image 'rotates' about a fixed point on his hind leg.

James

Perfect Headline

2011-08-25T18:11:00.003+10:00

Sometimes the headline is just sweet:

Woman uses stiletto to attack ATM

What's not to love? As you'd expect that's basically the best bit, although "The machine ... was struck 'almost 50 times' by a woman shortly after midnight on 2 July." is a pretty good sentence. Sometimes spending your carefully hoarded kebab money on that extra cocktail in the knowledge you can ~hem~ 'hit' the ATM is a mistake, particularly when the &^%$%# machine refuses to hand over the cash.

The article finished by saying that the Police would like a chat. I'd hope it would be for tips on grip and angle, and what kind of stiletto does the best damage.

James

For those who want the rest of the story, it's here, with video. I like how she hammers the thing, puts her shoe back on, goes 'beep boep boop beep' "No Cash" and then calmly has another attitude adjustment on the machine.

Danish Doors

2011-08-24T23:28:00.002+10:00

Doors in the Danish Design Museum. It's the odd details at the sides that distinguish the rooms.

Pic by Bev.

Autostitched Puddle

2011-08-17T11:26:00.007+10:00

We've had a bit of rain recently, and there's a big puddle in the big field.

While standing in it in my Wellingtons (that's what puddles are for, remember?) I thought it would be a fun opportunity to try out the Autostitch App on the iPhone (from Cloudburst Research Inc, since you ask) and bashed off 27 images it then nailed together into one. All settings were basic auto, and although there are a lot of artifacts in the full size original, and I didn't try to fill all the gaps (I wanted it to look vaguely like a Hockney composite) it's an impressive job, I think.

James

Census counts

2011-08-11T22:02:00.003+10:00

Australia has one of the highest census response rates in the world, with 97.3 per cent of its population counted during the 2006 census, the spokesman said.

This compares with 97.2 per cent in Canada and 93.9 per cent in Britain, he added.

The Age.

And some of that's down to my work as a collector! Part of the difference between the UK and Australia will be down to Australia having all household census forms being hand delivered, and mostly still hand collected by dedicated collectors, while the UK uses the (more comprehensive) postal system. I don't yet know what method the Canadian census uses, but I'm sure I will soon. Meanwhile, the US census seems to exist in an alternate reality, and I've been unable to find any reliable statistics as to its count accuracy behind the variety of other strange stories and controversy it generated.

There's some interesting material on censuses on the Wiki page (here) including on the countries in question.

James

Passing Magpie

2011-08-08T23:22:00.002+10:00

They have a certain aerodynamic elegance, I think...

... and also have a scary beak and red eyes!

James

Rare Inspiration I

2011-08-06T23:07:00.003+10:00

"When the poet Paul Valery once asked Albert Einstein if he kept a notebook to record his ideas, Einstein looked at him with mild but genuine surprise. "Oh, that's not necessary," he replied . "It's so seldom I have one."

— Bill Bryson (A Short History of Nearly Everything)

See: Rare Inspiration 1 and spot the difference.

James

Mudwrestling

2011-08-06T09:10:00.007+10:00

James and I went for a nice country drive the other day. The roads near here soon change from tarmac to reddish brown dirt, bumps and lumps leading over sweeping open hills of grazing land, down to streams and past fields of sheep. Grand dark stands of trees mark the sites of colonial homesteads, many of them long gone. Vistas suddenly open up and gently disappear.

After a few hours, we turned down a little road that should hook us up with a homeward-bound way.

The road got a little smaller.

(Does anyone remember the spooky story about the car breaking down outside the mental asylum? You know, the one your sister told you when you were kids and were sleeping out under the stars - well, maybe not tonight, but some time, yes indeed.)

Oh, but it was beautiful, in a misty moisty sort of way.

It just also happened to be the Mother of All Mudholes.

Hands gripping the wheel, I skiied the car on a cushion of slippery silty slippery mud.

"Keep the speed up! Don't, whatever you do, stop!" my husband implored me, as I gritted my teeth into my best approximation of a rally driver's smile (driving a cute red Mazda, of course). I eased my foot down, steering into the skids like Dad taught me on ice in Canada. (Thanks, Dad!)

We hit a few hidden water holes, scraped the bottom and bounced a lot -- but we made it through, only to find the ruts deepening and the road descending to a mud-bound, rocky stream, which it forded. Theoretically.

James hopped out to check the road ahead. Nope. So he watched me from the grassy bank as I executed a classy and quick 22-point turn, we swapped over and he skidded his way through Mudhole Mamma, agreeing that it was a truly nasty driving experience.

We checked the map ad saw the small print: Passable only by 4WD. And we laughed, until James said:

"Hey - Where are my keys?"

Postscript:

It rained all night, torrents of rain. We lay awake, listening to the sound of James' keys gently slipping through mud to a resting place unknown.

In the morning, the dog loved the long walk in the squelchy mud. It was wonderfully beautiful, especially after we found his keys, gleaming in the grass at the side of the road - no, track - washed clean by the rain.

Thanks be to mud!

Found Pears

2011-08-05T23:50:00.003+10:00

This one's from February 8, 2010 when we still lived in the city, and didn't have a pair of pear trees outside the front door.

We had to borrow someone else's tree and these were the tasty fruits (~ahem~) of Bev's subsequent labours...

James

Curl House

2011-08-05T23:22:00.004+10:00

Both Bev and I very much enjoyed being shown the architecture of the San Francisco Bay area by Mike and Ania. This one - I think in the Alameda area - gets a special vote.

While the slight weathering and peeling paint could be seen to detract from the design, in a country that over-values neat newness and (sometimes) undervalues architectural originality in vernacular architecture, it provides a different balance.

It's also interesting how the house changes its look even in such two close viewpoints.

James

Cop Fodder

2011-08-05T22:56:00.003+10:00

In America, the cops hang out at the donut shop. In France...

Paris, 2008.

James

Imperfect 10

2011-07-30T22:46:00.003+10:00

Imperfect Ten, Lake Okanagan.

James

Willie's on the ball

2011-07-30T22:32:00.004+10:00

One of out smaller neighbours was having a fly around the front of the cottage on Thursday. One of a few nice portraits of Willie Wagtail from the session.

James

Caught neighbours

2011-07-09T21:43:00.006+10:00

Found the neighbours staring over the fence again...

As usual, when caught, they hopped it...

And after losing interest in us, stared at the other neighbours...

But that lot are a bunch of cows.

James

Happy Dog

2011-06-29T21:39:00.004+10:00

Mumm

2011-06-25T22:44:00.003+10:00

What's better than one glass of champagne?

Several, of course. Thanks to Mike and Ania, we were able to sample the wares of Mumm in California, and it was rather nice.

Over the fence...

2011-06-18T10:24:00.003+10:00

The Neighbours were bouncing around this morning.

Welcome to San Francisco!

2011-06-01T15:15:00.004+10:00

We've returned from a pretty intense trip through New Zealand and North America, and only now are we getting to stuff like the blogs. Watch this space though, there's lots to come.

With an amazing array of neat and cool stuff throughout, what could be a better start than the magnificent hat we saw in San Francisco's International airport. It is, of course, from the San Francisco institution Beach Blanket Babylon. Why is it in the airport? Well for a start this is an airport with several art galleries and a aviation history museum, and secondly, it's in honour of an anniversary:

"In honor of Beach Blanket Babylon's 35th Anniversary, the San Francisco Airport is presenting a display of various hats that have appeared in the show throughout the years. At San Francisco International you will find the 25th Anniversary Skyline Hat, which was first presented at the Herbst Theatre in 1999. This lavish hat, which was part of our Silver Anniversary finale, paid tribute to Steve Silver. The hat is 15 feet wide, 10 feet deep and grew to 29 feet tall. At 300 pounds, the brim alone required 60 yards of taffeta and 200 ostrich feathers."
From Jo Silver's blog here.

This was just one of the magnificent and over the top things we got to see in an all too brief stay in San Francisco - most guided by our hosts Mike and Ania.

Some hat.

Peter wasn't fast enough...

2011-04-07T22:28:00.003+10:00

...so Toby caught him and that was it.

There's not enough meat on him to justify skinning etc, so he's going to be compost for roses tomorrow.

Airtruk

2011-04-07T22:13:00.004+10:00

Seen on the weekend at the Antiquers Echuca Airshow, the unique Transavia Airtruk.

They don't make them like that anymore - or before.

Buried Treasure

2011-04-04T20:52:00.010+10:00

I think the pictures tell most of the story, except...

We'd earlier 'planted' (placed and covered) them...

They're Pink Fir Apple...

And they tasted as good as they looked.

We get to do food metres and minutes.

J&B

Next instalment

2011-03-30T19:26:00.004+11:00

So, mention of long tresses in my last post because yesterday I went and plocked down in a chair at the local ladies salon and said "Cut it all off." Which they did. I must be mad, winter's coming. But I'm happy!

Meanwhile, up in the skies, the lads seem to be having a fine old time.

"Cheeeese! You've got a microphone up your nose."

The dog and I have just lit a fire (he supervised from a safe distance) and we're about to do some quilting. At least, I'll operate the needle and quilt; he'll operate the zzzZZzzz noises.

B

Fly by

2011-03-30T15:38:00.006+11:00

So, I got a noisy phone call. REALLY noisy. And yet, somewhere in all the buzzing and loud droning, I could hear the happy yells of my lovely husband.

"Go outside in ten minutes!" he shouted, "Look up."

Sure enough.

I waved my straw hat down in the big green paddock feeling like some dame in some 1940s movie.

The fingers of the wind tossed my long tresses and I turned around to share the moment with .... the dog, uninterested, sniffing with intention at a shrub.

Oh well.

Have fun, lads!

B

Earth Hour

2011-03-27T23:11:00.002+11:00

After dinner dominoes.

James

Hit that food town.

2011-03-14T18:50:00.004+11:00

Very exciting. A very important friend - who since we worked together back in the dark ages has become a successful and high-profile food writer - is in town for a few days to do with the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. As a very important addition, we've agreed to do a flying B&J Food Tour of Melbourne...

So, that'll be The VicMarket-MedWholesalers-Enotica&BooksforCooks-Dolchetti and off to ours afterwards, then! Enough to make you bite on a rose.

Further details soon. Did I mention 'very important'? Good.

High dog

2011-03-12T19:43:00.002+11:00

Toby takes the mark. Pic by Bev, thanks to Kathy for loan of the camera.

Christchurch

2011-02-23T01:12:00.007+11:00

Christchurch cathedral tower & spire, the former badly damaged, the latter lost yesterday. [James Kightly]

As I write more news of the earthquake that yesterday hit Christchurch, New Zealand, and surrounds, is still coming in. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said "We may be witnessing New Zealand's darkest day."

We have happy memories of a couple of days spent in the city in 2007, and among many other fine sights, we enjoyed the cathedral and its tower. As well as the tragic loss of life, the collapse of many buildings the steeple of the cathedral has also fallen in to itself, the church and around. This in a city already hard hit by another, earlier earthquake last year. Reflecting on the issues around the last earthquake, Roy Wilson, a director of architecture firm Warren and Mahoney said: "People could get a little bit of hope and salvation that [the cathedral] was in there in the city, but with that gone … it puts a different spin on things."

Christchurch cathedral seen from the air after the earthquake. [Reuters, via BBC.]

It has been a tough few years in the Antipodes, and any sense of hubris regarding our relations with nature should have been corrected by this latest tragedy. Nature remains the most powerful force in our lives.

Although New Zealand is actually a significant distance from Australia (roughly equivalent to crossing Europe, or half the width of the USA) the ANZAC ties are still strong across the Tasman, and I'm pleased to be able to report that Australia has already dispatched rescue teams: a 40-strong search-and-rescue team was immediately sent and another team of 34 will leave later this morning. Another 74-strong team from Queensland will also be sent. The teams are taking specialist search dogs, and they are being airlifted by the RAAF in Hercules and C-17 transport aircraft.

The RNZAF (which famously got rid of its 'prestige' strike force some years ago) has also quickly gone into action with local aviation contacts reporting Hercules and Orion aircraft in action, and already civil and military helicopters have been of inestimable use. It is not an odd place to find the military. Like the 2009 Victorian bush fires, comparisons are already realistically being made with war zones.

Christchurch cathedral tower in happier days, at the end of roof replacement and repairs in 2007. [James Kightly]

But the people on the ground first were the locals and Christchurch visitors, and despite some hyperbolistic news reporting, it's clear that those first on the scene have gone to the task of rescue in a manner anyone would hope to match if the worst happened to them. Remarkable rescues have already been reported, and although the death toll is certain to rise, it is to be hoped that more rescues are pulled off.

It is early days, but I am sure the New Zealanders will recover and rebuild.

Only in Italy

2011-02-20T16:38:00.006+11:00

While we were last strolling in Florence, we passed this little vignette, and I grabbed a (rather average) snapshot. My initial interest was from being an ex-professional in the field (I can justly state I've written manuals on how to do window dressing) but there's so much more to it. For a start, I'd never seen a pintled revolving display window like that before.

But really, it's fascinating because it could only be dressing the window in Italy. The accessories; from shoes, to cigarette, shirt-fronted glasses, to 'phone, the carefully rumpled or unrumpled clothes - and hair, and the extended team to dress one window.

Inspiring lust with a boathook?

James

360 Degree Markets

2011-02-16T18:32:00.011+11:00

Thanks to this post on 360 Cities Panoramic Photography Blog, we have a set of 360 degree panoramas that drop you right in the middle of a selection of the world's markets. Click on the title to go to the panorama.

Cho vuon Chuoi market, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Spice Suq Sana'a in Yemen.

And there's twenty more; although sadly none of our favourites (anyone prepared to do Oxford's Covered Market? Our 'local' is probably still Melbourne's Vic Market and then there's the fish market in Treviso, which has to be a top location, set in the middle of a canal). It's close to a 'real' experience, but you can't fondle the merchandise, smell the smells or hear the crashes, noises and banter. But some things are captured -

My favorite has to be this Sicilian fish market in Marsala - there's a nice man offering you your fish (I can't seem to find the 'complete transaction' button) while the usual market lurkers are all staring at 'you' wondering what you are up to - very Italian.

James

Sunsets

2011-02-16T16:18:00.001+11:00

Seen one...

Cars at the Rock

2011-02-15T21:38:00.008+11:00

Every year, on the Valentine's Day weekend, the Macedon Ranges & District Motor Club hosts the 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' car show. It's a great event with thousands of interesting cars in a unique venue and really is a giant picnic. Here's a taster of just some of the cars seen last Sunday.

The variety is impressive, and cars are both sometimes grouped by club or theme, and mixed in around the trees.

It wasn't just cars, but there were 'bikes, a few tractors and commercial vehicles, and a display of static engines, including this mobile shearing kit.

'Inga' the 1952 Austin Lodestar was a highlight, fully fitted out inside with 1950s kit.

And there were plenty of other big beasts around the traps.

Because of the venue, sometimes it felt like a time-warp, back to a picnic in the 1930s.

The kangaroo herd that so successfully derailed the races at the rock recently were very much there, and very confused as to where to go. This is probably the busiest, noisiest and most crowded day at the rock, certainly from the wildlife's point of view!

This wedge took me straight back to my 1970s Matchbox Whizzwheels and the colour combinations rarely seen since.

Not the more famous (and popular) Minor, but a Morris Oxford.

And it wasn't the only Morris , there, this Bullnose was nice to see from one of our old hometowns.

A set of split-screen VW Combi vans in the Volkes Corner.

Where this 'feral' VW was also scaring small children.

Meanwhile, over at the cricket oval, was this neat little FIAT, worth buying for the number-plate alone. Pasta on your plate? Cool.

And a good day out was had by all, I'm sure.

James

The Wet II - Rochester's Pub

2011-02-08T12:07:00.005+11:00

Today, here's just one snapshot of the recent floods of Victoria. One of the areas hit by the floods was the inland wheatbelt town of Rochester, a place that we've driven through on trips north. It has a very memorable Aussie-style pub, the McMaster's Hotel:

Photo by James

As the Herald Sun reported on January 16th:

THE small wheat and dairy town of Rochester in the Victoria's north has been hit by its worst flood.
About 80 per cent of the town is under water and more than 200 properties have been inundated.
The flood waters are expected to peak this afternoon at more than 9.2m, when the full impact of controlled releases from Lake Eppalock are felt. The overflowing Campaspe River has split the town in half and continued to cause water levels to rise well above the town's 1956 record flood level about midday yesterday.

This is what the pub looked like from the air:

And worse than 'a pub with no beer' is a pub full of water:

As the Herald Sun went on to say, it was a real case of bad timing:

Tony McCurry is dreaming of most pub owners' and drinkers' worst nightmare - a dry bar. Mr McCurry and wife Marlene took over running the Hotel Rochester on Wednesday after owning the freehold on it for 10 years.
The water started to recede yesterday, but still covered the floor of the main pub and beer garden.
Mr McCurry said the couple knew the flood was coming, but never expected the damage to be so severe.
"We did sandbagging but by 7am the water was just starting to trickle in," Mr McCurry, 63, said. "Within three hours it was knee deep right through the hotel. It is certainly bad luck."

We hope they've dried out and been able to wet some whistles since.

James

Reflection in a Mac

2011-02-07T20:40:00.002+11:00

The afternoon sun passes by.

Dog hits the road...

2011-02-06T19:25:00.005+11:00

When heading off to Castlemaine for the farmer's-market-day out, we noticed a couple of ears in the back on the car...

I'm going to call this one Dog iPad, because it's like Dog TV, but more mobile...

Shortly after the dog nodded off. Appropriate really.

James. Pictures by Bev.

Sharks Patrol These Waters...

2011-02-03T22:29:00.003+11:00

... as we are often told, by overseas visitors.

(Shark wrangling by Paul.)

Passing Eagle

2011-02-03T15:28:00.003+11:00

We've seen a pair of Wedgetails flying around the area, but this was a solitary example - he managed to climb a terrific amount in the thermals from a few hundred feet when NW of us to between 1,000 - 2,000 ft a kilometre to the south. As the Wikipedia link states:

Their keen eyesight extends into the infrared and ultraviolet bands. This helps them spot prey and allows them to see rising thermals, which they can use to gain altitude while expending little energy.

One up on the glider pilots!

James

Cloudscapes

2011-02-03T15:19:00.004+11:00

One of the things we like very much about living here is the big sky.

Yesterday evening there was a number of thunderstorms rattling about, and they created the most amazing pre-sunset cloudscapes.

When the sun did start to set it turned the opposite sky pink.

Ripples in the dam were created by paddling feet.

James

Lysander Wordle

2011-01-23T13:01:00.001+11:00

This 'Wordle' is based on my Lysander book's text. It's a kind of summary, but I'm not sure it does proper credit to the research. Still, it looks pretty. A bit like writing the book, it's rendering down a huge amount of information into a much smaller, easier format. This does that all over again.

James

The Wet - I

2011-01-22T22:43:00.008+11:00

Normally a nice view of Five Mile Creek in Woodend, from this bench. Still a pastoral scene, but somewhat more aquatic.

It's been interesting times around Eastern Australia recently, as most know. The tragic events up in Queensland, including the shocking fatal flash flooding in Toowoomba, have hit the world's headlines, and recently, and currently, there's been significant flooding in North-Western Victoria, with towns flooded and in some cases isolated, but with thankfully none of the sudden onrush and subsequent loss of life Queenslanders have faced. Many people have asked us if we are OK, (including Sahlah in a recent comment) and we are.

In fact the longer it stays wetish (for us) the better as stuff can grow, and it eats into what's normally fire season. We'd all like it in less big lumps, more evenly spread over time. But we certainly aren't going to complain, here.

There's been exceptional rainfall around us and some minor flooding, which has thankfully been mainly 'interesting' rather than a problem for our area of Victoria. Here's some of what we've seen.

The view of the rock, shows a local field filling from the lower side. The low line of trees running down to the right are on a creek, normally dry, but here... On that day we measured 102mm (4 in) of rain, which was frankly like being in the tropics, for us.

A later walk a day or two later with as much rain again, this was a nearby field. I liked capturing a cloud in the puddle. Kind of existential waterness.

This is (rather obviously) the Campaspe River in flood. The turbulent line is the river, the rest is meadow, underwater. It's a fair amount of water, and in fact this is the stuff providing part of the problem for our north-western neighbours, because the Campaspe flows inland and (much later) into the Murray, this causing Echuca and the other towns to the north of us and downstream on the Murray (westwards) lots of problems. Like a lot of Australia's rivers, it's not very big, it's very long, and it goes the wrong way. And like many of them, it's there as much as a flood route - very infrequently - as a normal river.

'No Entry' indeed. This is the car park for Woodend's tourist information centre. It's actually only a few centimetres deep, and drained quite soon. In fact before we got there, our friend Kathy captured a shot in Woodend that was waterless when we arrived a few hours later. It's a great shot, and you can see it here.

ALL of the waters above have now gone, and while it's a bit damp (like England is all the time) it's not a problem anymore.

But more on the Big Wet soon...

James

It's the Shunting, Innit?

2011-01-21T22:58:00.004+11:00

What is going on?

A persistent accompaniment of dark muttering and shouting, together with a brisk tearing of wood and metal reminiscent of early Walpurgis Night in a local cemetery, suggest to the more imaginative of the passengers that the engine is being dismantled and put together again.

See over on Anno - Libro to find out. Have a look around at the other posts while you are there.

James

Let's Meet!

2011-01-21T21:43:00.002+11:00

It's always good to get together and chat with friends.

Dear Diary's Pawmarks

2011-01-21T19:34:00.001+11:00

Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favourite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!

Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am.

Bastards.

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released -and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now...

This post was lurking in the archives, unused. Too good to leave there, though! With thanks to Rich, who originally shared.

Glass Bottles

2011-01-17T18:32:00.005+11:00

Every evening at this time of year when there's a sunset, these bottles that Bev's collected from here, there, and the cottage garden, are sunlit about dinnertime.

Climbing Mt. Alaska

2011-01-08T21:29:00.010+11:00

(Photo by James.)

Our lovely friend Riiiita was here for a couple of chilly days over the Christmas holidays, and she wanted me to teach her how to cook.

"What, everything?" I said, alarmed.

"Pretty much," she said, "but we can start with Baked Alaska."

Now, Baked Alaska is not the kind of thing you'd think of for a first cookery lesson. But the lovely Ms R. is about to move in with the lovely Mr J., and there are little blue birdies tweeting songs of love.

Mr J., we are told, is a man of hidden talents -- he loves to create complicated and extended menus to impress -- so the gal needs something pretty schmick to hold her corner.

(Photo by James.)

When the stakes are high and the gal needs more than an egg and a nifty salad, which Fairy God-Aunt should she turn to? The one looking fetching by the stove, of course. That knows how to cook and can write a mean recipe for the faintest of hearts. We can do it when we have the lovely Ms. Nigella Lawson as team coach for the gal's side.

(Photo BBC, via Telegraph.)
Note the lack of Baked Alaska in her Christmas.

So Rita chose the Baked Alaska from Feast. The little skiier on the mountain of fluffy white egg meringue was, she insisted, essential. James turned his talents to fashion a fine pair of popsicle-stick skis, attached to an unfortunate Christmas tree decoration.

He looks a little piste to me, don't you think?
(Photo by Rita.)

Nigella's directions were excellent: jolly and explicitly clear. The shopping expedition to the supermarket pondered and found the perfect mountain-shaped slab of coffee ice cream, which was lovingly rested on a cool sponge cake base and then whipped about the ears with puffs of white frothy egg-white meringue. Bake it fast.

We made the Alaska. We Baked the Alaska, and the ice cream did not melt.

(Photo by James.)

A gal could work up a sweat, trying to get that meringue on there as quickly as possible.

slip, slap!
(Photo by James.)

Pleasant surprise at the result, or maybe it was the sugar high? Some foods come with a % recommended daily intake: Baked Alaska needs a Recommended Annual Intake of 1.

Yes, that man is definitely suffering from sugar overload.
Baked Alaska Recommended Annual Intake: 1. Wooden skier: 0.
(photo by Rita)

And we asked Rita today when she would be making the Baked Alaska mountain for the boy. Without missing a beat, she said,

"Baked Alaska, no -- that's a team effort."

Guess she'll be back for more mountain climbing next Christmas, and an annual dose of Alaska!

Dawning

2011-01-05T07:12:00.003+11:00

Cool morning, things to do. Up early with coffee, in the garden.

The Troll in the Cottage

2011-01-02T17:23:00.002+11:00

I've taken to referring to myself as the troll in the cottage these days, as it seems I barely want to go out at all, apart from great excursions into the garden every day.

Moomin Cookbook
Originally uploaded by SelfMadeHero

But there's one advantage to being a troll: Moomintroll cooking!

Jo and Paul very kindly gave this to me for Christmas and it's packed with recipes -- the expected and the unexpected. It runs from berry soup to smoked fish and several variations on porridge (which I don't think I'll be making in any big hurry). It's definitely an introduction to Finnish cooking, as the subtitle would have it, and although lots of the recipes are incre-dibly simple, it's got a slightly unexpected character to it. And lots of quotes. Plus super fantastic illustrations.

Tonight for dinner? Well, seeing as we have not left the house and do not, no no never have visited the Troll Supermarket, tonight's dinner is Little My's peppery spaghetti. We have ham! And cream, and pepper... we eat!

Tomorrow I suppose we must go out...

New Year's day

2011-01-01T15:22:00.002+11:00

Woke up this mornin'
(bah-na, ba-num)
Got outta bed
(bah-na, ba-num),
Made me some cawfee
to clear my head.
(di-dee, di-dee)

Oh it's the mornin!
Oh it's the day!
New year's a dawning,
and hey --

Who forgot to close the curtains last night and why am I up at 6:15?

(I may not be invited back to blog for a little while....)

Meredith of the floppy ear

2011-01-01T14:16:00.006+11:00

Meredith is now in Canada, but he started life in Australia.
(Don't tell me Meredith is a girl's name, I'm not listening.)

One ear stubbornly flips down - it's the one with the different lining. His body is scraps and the legs and arms are bits of old clothes-making projects.
A very useful chap is Meredith.

When he's not nestling in tissue paper and leaping in a jiffy bag for the budget flight to Canada, he likes long walks, evenings by the fire and the occasional ride in a plastic truck or toy train set. (You get me, Zachary?)

Sunset at the Year's End

2010-12-31T16:10:00.001+11:00

Actually taken on the 29 December, it stands well enough for the end of 2011. The duck family should be pleased as they seem to have navigated the majority of the ducklings to full size.

James

England Retain the Ashes

2010-12-29T19:15:00.010+11:00

The MCG at lunch, day three, with the kids on the field.

Well, yesterday was a painful day. After the 'series of a lifetime' England win in 2005, where both teams delivered the most exciting sport you can imagine, followed by a five-nil whitewash of the tourists when England came to Australia in 2007, and an average series, rightfully won by England in 2009, the improvement in England's cricket and the remarkable collapse of Australia's team was made stark, with Australia's one win of the series (with one to play) being liked by a commentator to a 'dead cat bounce'. As that win was essentially down to a remarkable one-off bowling performance by Mitchell Johnson, ironically backed up by a high score with the bat as well, it rather obscured the rest of the team's poor performance.

Excepting house-hero Hussey, Australia's batsmen have consistently failed, and again it was ironic that Victorian Siddle managed a test-high score with the bat in a sinking cause this morning, scoring 40 with Brad Haddin to stave off certain defeat for an hour more.

The post-mortems have started, and there will be a major reconstruction of the Australian team in the near future. One simple fact stands out to me (and not widely remarked elsewhere) is that Australia needs more than one bowler to be able to take a swag of wickets a game, and when that same man is significant among your high scorers, then the others need to do more than just turn up.

Australia's captain Ponting has not been a favourite here, and his disgraceful argument with the umpires and England batsman on day two is symptomatic of his buckling under pressure, again. Another point not widely made is that he is now neither in batting form nor fit to act as a behavioural example for the current Australia team, or that which must be under rebuild very soon. Inheriting Waugh's world beating team and tough attitude, after the retirement of a suite of greats, Ricky has shown he can neither perform with the bat nor develop a new team from a cauldron of opponent's pressure in the way that Alan Border did, and set that 70s Australia team on the road to greatness.

England's performance was almost flawless - but more importantly showed batting in depth, and not only did their first 'set' of bowlers deliver, the three brought in after changes were as effective as their predecessors. Fielding and morale stayed high, and England looked a strong team, rarely being knocked, even at the WACA loss.

Sadly supporters on both sides resorted to boos at disfavoured players at times, and on the third day the booing of Ricky Ponting as he walked out was thankfully surpassed by a more appropriate clapping and cheers. Generally the crowds were well behaved, and England's Barmy Army provide entertainment to everyone except the most one-eyed Aussie supporter. Billy Cooper's trumpet is now an enjoyable game fixture. Both of us were frankly surprised by the number of England supporters, which, given the distance and cost (some questions over monopolistic practices for the tickets they were able to buy didn't sound very hospitable when we heard about them) shows a dedication to their team that's laudable. As one England supporter in front of us responded to a boorish Aussie behind us, they've had to put up with Australia for twenty years, and I agree the England fans and team have every right to make hay and celebrate - they earned it.

It's called 'test' cricket as it is a pressure game, testing as it gets, and class, and performance will overcome temporary form and however much luck you can get. After the 25 possible days play is up, the best team stands clear. Both statistically and in evident attitude, the gulf between the teams is huge - no great comfort to an Australia supporter that it looks like a reversal of the team's roles around the 2000 period.

We took our two English guests to the G yesterday, and for their first day of real test cricket they couldn't have had a much better one - painful though it was for us! That was a pleasure - as well as the fact that some of the young lads playing at lunch (top) will perhaps be in a future Australian slide the equal of the Invincibles and Waugh's men. Oh, and that Australia still has the greater number of Ashes wins, series wins, retentions, period of ownership, and, of course, the first series win which started it all.

But we must finish with due credit to a perfect team performance by Strauss' England squad. The best team won.

James

Team Pasta

2010-12-26T22:51:00.008+11:00

After an episode with some eight-year-old pasta chefs, Bev decided she needed a pasta machine for Christmas. Funded by her sister (thanks Tam!) and purchased from the Med Wholesalers (who have to sell Nonna-proven Italian cooking kit, or risk Malocchio) we have a pasta machine.

So (on Christmas day) there was a team effort to make tagliatelle. Paul went first...

...and proved a smooth operator. Top tip (from Maria) was to dust the pasta with flour to smooth the rollers by making the pasta silky...

Jo dressed for as the elegant Italian Donna for the task, and rolled a successful batch as well...

I turned a mean handle next,

...and lastly Bev, who'd helped her glam assistants take a turn...

and then...
...we ate it.

Well that was England's day

2010-12-26T22:26:00.003+11:00

Words fail me, so over to Peter English, summarising Australia's batting on Cricinfo:

"...the side face-planted on the biggest occasion of the cricket calendar."

Decorated Tree

2010-12-24T18:36:00.000+11:00

A gum tree branch does service as the tree. Christmas Eve, with family.

One - One and Two to Play

2010-12-21T22:41:00.004+11:00

And this* may be the only space left at the G on Boxing Day if predictions turn out. A history in pictures here, and a summary of the history and atmosphere here.

James

*Taken in December 2008 at the South Africa Test.

Waugh on Cricket

2010-12-18T22:20:00.005+11:00

Sadly we aren't allowed TMS here in Australia, ABC's Grandstand having exclusive rights - ironic, as several of the commentators swap seats from one box to the other. (Still, TMS are welcome to keep Boycott.) Cricket wouldn't be worth it without the radio.

At home, a couple of days ago we had a Canadian visitor who was somewhat puzzled by the method of following the game as well as being puzzled (of course) by the game itself. Like the unique nature of the twenty-five day test of quality, having a TV on and mute while listening to the radio is probably not seen in many other sports.

If you want a man to bat for your life...

TMS's Aggers, guesting on Grandstand mentioned he'd interviewed Steve Waugh over on 'the other channel' and after a bit of online searching, this is one we can listen to. As ever, two top cricket analysts make a great interview. Lots of ground covered, and it's here.

Meanwhile today retired Australia opener Matthew Hayden stopped by the ABC commentary box and impressed us, sandwiched between two more regular commentators. I doubt you'd get the average soccer player discussing his chickens, best farm manure, and how to produce a fruit reduction for your Christmas ham and offering the recipe over the airwaves in between the more normal sporting recollections. However remembering listening to the cricket with ABC while a kid on the back of his dad's tractor is just as expected.

Oh, the test match? What a day's cricket! What it's all about. As Vic Marks of The Guardian said:

This has been a proper Test match, the best of the series by far. There were times during the first two matches when it was possible to wander off around the back of the stands for a pie (in Brisbane) or a Pimms (in Adelaide) in the knowledge that nothing of great significance would be missed. In Perth it has been foolhardy to take the eyes away from the action for a minute.

He added:

Mike Hussey, yet again, was the rock for Australia. He hit his second century of the series in front of an adoring crowd on his own turf. He now has 517 runs in the series at an average of 103 and here England probably only dismissed him because he was stranded with the last man again.

If England win from here, the remaining batsmen will deserve soup-plate gold medals, not just OBEs. That said, it looks like we'll be going to the G on the Boxing Day Test with a live, and exciting series. What more could you ask for for Christmas?

James

Single left-hander...

2010-12-17T22:42:00.008+11:00

Hussey is probably the only Australian player who has done his job in the three tests. ABC.

I hadn't written about the Ashes tests since the last post, because in the words of a great Australian captain, "There are two teams out there, one is playing cricket. The other is making no attempt to do so."

Sadly the issue was that Australia's team were simply not up to the level of Ashes test cricket.

Conversely, England's players were clearly a team, all credit to them - they have played well as a team, and looked solid, not missing chances, rebuilding after knocks and being top class batting, bowling and fielding. Good cricket depends on both teams finding form, and playing well, together, and Australia were certainly - to be as kind as possible - out of form. They were a sad shadow of the team of Waugh's era. The fielding was poor, and the batting from the dedicated batsmen for the most part a disgrace. But after a couple of sparky individual performances up to yesterday - including another solid batting performance by Hussey and Haddin, and a remarkable high score with the bat by fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, today saw the contest really come to life with two teams fighting on form. Tellingly it was a dedicated fast bowler that high-scored for Australia yesterday, and it's ironic that the same chap was responsible for knocking over most of England's team today in one of the tightest, most effective single bowler efforts I've seen. When you're hot...

Mitchell Johnson (and that tattoo) celebrate another England wicket.

As another great Australian bowler, Terry Alderman, now summarising for the ABC's Grandstand commentary said: "Single-handedly Mitchell Johnson has got Australia back in the game." I'll just mention Mitch is a left-hander.

An 18 minutes ABC highlights summary here.

Obviously I'm glad Australia's back in the game, and serious, but better still for everyone is that as I write tonight, this game (and the series) is now really in the balance, and we've seen (and hopefully will see) some really good cricket by both sides, which is what it should be about. Serious questions remain. Ponting's poor scores with the bat mean (were he not captain) he'd almost certainly be out, but Clarke, the deputy, is fairing little better and no obvious other successor. A sad reflection on the previous solid succession planning Australia developed through the 1990s and early 21st century. Another pressing question is what was Johnson thinking with that tattoo. No, really, no.

Strauss' men can, on their performance to date, be proud of being one of the best England teams to tour Australia for a long time; let's hope they keep it up. But let's also hope that Australia do so as well, and give us a series to rival the 2005 Ashes.

Here's to a good contest!

Annoying juvenile

2010-12-12T20:26:00.006+11:00

There's been a persistent loud keening whining noise around (mostly) the Eastern side of the cottage. It's a juvenile magpie trying to harass its parents into handing over the food.

They are noisy. While the normal adult magpie's song is one of the most pleasing and characteristic sounds of the Australian bush, as the Wiki article says:

Fledgling and juvenile magpies emit a repeated short and loud (80 dB), high-pitched (8 kHz) begging call.

(85 dB over time needs hearing protection for humans.) I can see why magpie parents go off their offspring, but with a beak like that, I'm surprised we don't find more young magpies 'Stabbed in the garden with a mystery sharp object'.

Of course to most Australians, magpies are a more personal threat, magpie swooping in the breeding season is something that can be a real challenge. It's worth noting that the Australian magpie (Cracticus tibicen) has nothing to do with the European bird, and is yet another example of a creature getting named by homesick immigrants. A good article on magpie swooping and the background here. Mostly, though they are no trouble - a lot less to us than we are to them, and they are a great bird to have around.

Just avoid the juveniles.

James

Osso Buco Dinner

2010-11-28T22:08:00.006+11:00

One of the nice things about rainy spring weekends, is you lie on the sofa and read those new cookbooks your husband is always mentioning you keep buying. (To which I can now respond, "But it's my job!" and chuckle madly, clutching the latest.) No, not too many, but some good ones...

A productive visit to the farmer's market netted a glorious slab of osso buco, some small young artichokes, potatoes and a few other goodies.

And the other great thing about spring? Just at the time when you rip out all the leeks before they go to flower, there are buckets of broad beans.

Broad beans preparing - braised leeks with white wine, some boiled potatoes, tossed all together with a very fresh home-grown garlic sprig.

Osso buco on the left, slowly simmering all afternoon in white wine, then finished with a gremolata (lemon zest and parsley). Simple, slow - and fantastic!

All either from our garden or local produce from the area - Trentham spuds (ours aren't ready yet) and the meat from the local Belted Galloway herd, and by buying from the farmers, premium food at a reasonable price.

Good thing there's enough for tomorrow, too.

B

Old white-nose is back

2010-11-27T08:39:00.007+11:00

ONE week ago Michael Hussey was one of about 20 people in the country who believed he should be in the Test side. Yesterday he convinced the other 22 million with one of his most sparkling innings in years. Hussey single-handedly pulled Australia back from the brink with an unbeaten 81 before day two was abandoned early due to bad light.
Jamie Pandaram, The Age.

The following morning, Hussy brought up his 100. But that was just a start...

Yet again our favourite batsman pulls runs from the hat, including a special 'taking it to England' six.

Mostly Hussey scored off the back foot. He will look at the scoreboard and feel proud. The English will study the charts and realise they bowled too short. Hussey moved past 50 and on towards his hundred. He deserves a lot of credit. In the crisis of his career and at a critical time for his team, he dared to attack.
Peter Roebuck, The Age.

Hussey, however, displayed the raw hunger of a man who might have been dropped had he not produced a timely century for Western Australia while young pretenders Callum Ferguson and Usman Khawaja failed for Australia A in England's final warm-up match.

The 35-year-old's desire, plus his well-known determination and vast experience, turned him into a rock-solid force in the final session.
Oliver Brett, BBC.

Storm & Sunset

2010-11-26T23:57:00.003+11:00

Quite the evening.

I'd never seen the windmill work around 270 degrees within minutes before.

And then the sun went down.

James

Numbers for Ashes

2010-11-25T21:27:00.005+11:00

As anyone who knows me knows, I'm not a one for numbers as a rule. However today's first day of the Ashes has been a good statement of intent for Australia, and some of the numbers tell a lot of the story.

As in the previous post, 1 wicket on the 3rd ball for 0 runs was a good start for Australia, and given it was their captain, tough on England.

Summariser Kerry O'Keefe (left) laughs with Englishman Johnathan Agnew ('Aggers') and the ABC scorer. ABC Grandstand.

By the day's end Mitchell Johnson's 0 wickets for 66 and England's reasonable morning session had been wiped from the memory by a stunning performance of Australia's newest great fast bowler, Peter Siddle. Returning with his first match in the team after being sidelined with stress fractures to his back, his 26th birthday today proved to be the kind of day few could hope for. A Sixfer for 54 runs isn't anything to sneeze at, but in the middle of it was a hat trick of carefully crafted cunning wickets, a trio of England players who didn't know what hit them.

Siddle is only the 11th Australian to take a hat trick at this level (the last being another Victorian bowling great; the inestimable Shane Warne) and the first person to do it at Brisbane's Gabba. Whatever Siddle's career holds from here, his achievements today have put him in an exclusive group of record-setting bowlers. As well as the aforementioned Warne, by returning after back injury more cunning and fiery, he joins another great Australian bowling hero, Dennis Lillee.

Xavier Doherty's two late wickets on debut (or dayboo, as it's pronounced here) likewise were eclipsed, despite their merit. A tough day for England, ending as depressingly as it started with Australia's unthreatened openers putting on 25 runs after the Aussie bowlers had dispatched the entire England side for 260.

It's early days (1/25th in!) but Australia are going to be pleased, and England looking to damage control on day 2. One other overshadowed achievement was England batsman Ian Bell's well crafted 76 while at the other end his team mates fell like ducklings to a fox.

Honours on day 1 don't reflect how a series turns out, but it was certainly a hard fought and terrific day's cricket. Any other sport's both briefer, and well...

The ABC commentary box webcam awaits the takes of tomorrow at the end of day one. ABC Grandstand.

... just isn't cricket.

James

One for None

2010-11-25T11:08:00.004+11:00

Ball three, England's Captain, Andrew Strauss out, caught for a duck by Hussey, bowled Hilfenhaus, 25 days to go...

The Ashes are on.

Not with a whimper, but a flour blast

2010-11-23T17:17:00.005+11:00

Loaf by Bev.

Thanks to my friend Brett's Airminded blog, I was introduced to Beachcombing's Bizzare History Blog, the first winning entry for interest, which starts with "Food is dangerous at the best of times" has the following quote lifted from it:

Of course, fires are always difficult to interpret in archaeology: there are so many possible culprits including saboteurs, warriors, lightning storms, a drunk servant, a lava stream…

If there is no other evidence the best archaeologists can do is talk about ashes and look for signs of rebuilding.

You want to read on, don't you? Well here you go; Great Balls of Floury Fire. Don't say I didn't warn you!

James

Only for America

2010-11-21T21:56:00.004+11:00

We were lucky enough to score a free sample bottle of wine recently. But it had a secret. I noticed the harrasing, dictatorial note at the bottom of this wine label, thus realising it could only have been intended for the US market, even before I also noticed the 'Surgeon General' (someone we don't have here) and spelling which proved it.

Informed choice? Or simplistic haranguing? It's easy to get into a pointless argument over such absolutist statements. Let's just hope the Surgeon General doesn't discover the human body produces an amount of its own alcohol* and that 'moderation' isn't a difficult concept.

It was very nice wine, by the way, and being adults able to use our judgement, it was a pleasure without anyone being harmed. Amazing. That's why the importer's name's been obscured.

James

*See an interesting article here on The Straight Dope discussing it and another asinine 'advice' poster.

Neighbour's youngsters drinking again

2010-11-06T22:34:00.003+11:00

Shocking.

James

Imagine...

2010-10-26T12:37:00.003+11:00

A concours car show in a Great Exhibition era building.

Intrigued?

First Dip

2010-10-23T22:47:00.002+11:00

Toby's first swim of the year.

Apparently just the thing on a warm day after a run.

How to eat a cookie

2010-10-19T22:10:00.006+11:00

It has come to our notice that some people don't know how to eat a cookie* properly.

Thanks to Australian-New Yorker Ella Morton, we are lucky enough to have the expert, the Cookie Monster to teach us the correct technique.

Cookies are very important, and correct technique and vocabulary and crumbing crucial. What would we do without the Cookie Monster's expertise? We are, of course, most appreciative, but letters from the Cookie Monster's Attorney will not be acted upon.

This one, is, of course for Zach, and his appropriate vocabulary.

James
(Occasional Cookie Monster understudy).

*'Biscuit' outside N America, of course.

Reflections, light and water in Wellington

2010-10-18T22:41:00.007+11:00

I don't think this café was always a café, you know. And how 'HB' can be the initial letters for 'Clothing Factory' beats me.

Mermaid in the Museum of Wellington City & Sea

Keep right in the cablecar.

Blue skies and the observatory

Maori carvings awaiting erection

I think the market will crash soon.

...

Pretentious architecture and blue lights.

Cause sunbathing later

Restaurant & fishing boat

Hooked on Scotland.

The light in the old cathedral.

And the words on the University Bookshop.

amam Wag.

Wake.

Beached boat.

Beached whale?

Protected stream.

Gordian knot.

And more on the wonders of windy Wellington soon.

James

Mythic Scale Degrees of Soil Contamination

2010-10-16T17:59:00.004+11:00

Worst:
Still comes up Godzilla.

Pretty near worst:
Still comes up Dragons.

Not much better:
Still comes up Battling Skeletons.

Not good:
Still comes up Triffids.

OK:
Still comes up Roses.

Cost effective:
Works on the smell of an oily rag.

Remarkable:
Soil comes up Jimmy Hoffa.

Really remarkable:
Comes up Tibetan Monks.

(For Tam)

Kestrel

2010-10-07T19:21:00.007+11:00

Although not much chop as a photo, here's a shot of 'our' local kestrel, as it was buzzed by another smaller bird who was obviously not impressed at the turf the kestrel had chosen.

I'd been watching it as it hovered, in a stiffish breeze, and for seconds at a time, it didn't flap the wings at all. That's an amazing effort, balancing the four forces* so perfectly. (It's equivalent to a person walking on a medicine ball while it rolls down a bumpy hill - blindfold (you can't 'see' air, remember?).) Despite all the much vaunted capability of modern aircraft, fly-by-wire computers, variable geometry et al, we don't have anything that can do this without a lot of pilot skill or using a lot of energy - a lot more than muscle power for certain.

James

*Lift, Thrust, Weight & Drag - here.

Just looking

2010-09-27T18:24:00.003+10:00

Well, there's not been much to see here lately, but that doesn't mean there's been nothing going on. Watch this space...

You never know what might turn up.

James

New boots, mouli & floods

2010-09-05T23:26:00.007+10:00

It's good to have some new boots, and we also got a new mouli that'll be crushing items into Italian delicacies in no time. Drawing by Bev, of course.

The boots went straight into action as there's been some serious flooding in this part of Victoria.

We are alright thankfully, but the creek that's been dry earlier in the winter was running about ten metres wide yesterday. (Some places have had a month's average rainfall overnight.)

The picture above was taken yesterday, Saturday. If you look at the picture below, taken from this post a few weeks ago, you can see how much bigger the creek became.

But that's not all.

The whitecaps running past the big tree are in the creek bed proper, but that island isn't normally one!

This meant that Bev went into 'worm rescue' mode, saving many of the little guys to become aerators in the veggie-beds, rather than drowning on the driveway...

All good fun. But sparing a thought for those flooded out, or our Kiwi cousins in Christchurch dealing with a major earthquake.

James