LOCAL MAYOR REFUSES TO REMOVE PORK FROM SCHOOL CANTEEN MENU AND EXPLAINS WHY.

 There is this thing doing the rounds on social media
see below:

LOCAL MAYOR REFUSES TO REMOVE PORK FROM SCHOOL CANTEEN MENU  AND EXPLAINS WHY.
Muslim parents have demanded the abolition of pork in all the school canteens of a Montreal suburb. It seems it is offensive to the Muslim families and shows much disrespect.
The mayor of the Montreal suburb of Dorval, has refused, and the town clerk sent a note to all parents in the municipality to explain why.

The following is what the note stated:
“Muslims must understand that they have to adapt to Canada and Quebec, its customs, its traditions, its way of life, because that is where they chose to immigrate. They must understand that they have to integrate and learn to live in Quebec. They must understand that it is for them to change their lifestyle, not the Canadians who so generously welcomed them.” “They must understand that Canadians are neither racist nor xenophobic, they accepted many immigrants before Muslims (Whereas the reverse is not true, in that ALL Muslim states do not accept non-Muslim immigrants.).
“They must also understand that, no more than other nations, Canadians are not willing to give up their identity nor their culture. And if Canada is a land of welcome, it is not just the Mayor of Dorval who welcomes foreigners, but the Canadian-Quebecois people as a whole. “ “Finally, they must understand that in Canada (Quebec) with its Judeo-Christian roots, Christmas trees, churches and religious festivals, religion must remain in the private domain. Therefore, the municipality of Dorval was right to refuse any concessions to Islam and Sharia.” “For Muslims who disagree with secularism and do not feel comfortable in Canada, there are 57 beautiful Muslim countries in the world, most of them under-populated and ready to receive them with open halal arms in accordance with Shariah law. If you left your country for Canada, and not for other Muslim countries, it is because you have considered that life is better in Canada than elsewhere. So, ask yourself the question, just once, “Why is it better here in Canada than where you come from?”
“A canteen with pork is part of the answer.”


I went and did some research and it turns out first of all that there is an earlier version of this letter for a Belgium town.  This  mayor in Belgium is on public record that no letter of request has ever been received by their council  let alone a reply sent. This was some 3 years back.

So I been thinking why is this still doing the rounds on social media??

Immigration is a hot topic - not just for Europe who at this point in time certainly faces a flood of willing immigrants. Other countries suffer from this too and it is no co-incidence that this is a problem by modern western and shall we say 'well-to-do' (not wanting to call them rich) countries?!
America is having issues with Mexico and here down under we have migrants from the Pacific / Asia countries as well.
Nor is it a particularly NEW issue. For decades Greeks and Turks  have wanted to live and work in Northern Europe - simply because the economic situation (or the ability to earn more money there then "at home"!

I guess this particular hoax touches on a deeply buried nerve on universal Hospitality.  Take out the specific words like Muslim and replace with a generic version and so forth and the issue becomes a bit clearer.
In the olden days - those days when humans where less then a hart-beat away from its monkey ancestor, there would have been huge gaps of land before you would meet the next local tribe - regular connections between other humans was just - well - rare.  Thus the concept of hospitality was gradually forged - one of offering food and shelter to another human being that crossed your path no matter what.  This was done on an instinctive understanding that one day you might be in the same position - of being "on the road" and in need of shelter / food / comfort.

In the process both parties gained new insights and perhaps skills, an exchange of ideas on how to make things better - such as your bow and arrow -  or hunting techniques - or well, whatever.   Thus the offer of food / shelter was seen not only beneficial to your immediate needs but also to your knowledge base.
Very seldom was hospitality denied.  Obviously if your tribe of 20 people faced a horde of mean looking to the teeth armed army of 200 plus then the situation might be a bit different . . . 

However = usually both parties gave freely, and accept uncritically "other-ness" as being equally valid.

We get into difficulty if one party is starting to set terms.
Terms such as - "only my way of doing things is the correct way"!
When one party demands that their needs / customs are to be respected above everything or anyone else.  It doesn't matter which party this is - host or hostee!
It does work both ways - for the thing it touches on is respect for the other person, on validating the other party OR lack thereof.
For example when you ask me to take my shoes of when entering your house you are asking me to respect your space and customs.  When you hold a gun to my head and say shoes off or else - then you want my submission - and there is a big difference.

THUS

the article above (hoax as it is) is touching on hospitality and respect and acceptance for or better of each other.  The moment one side demands concessions,  it has lost the plot.  Guess that is why it still doing the rounds on social media . . . . .  

If this was a real life situation I would expect that there would be a school canteen that serves not only pork but also Halal meals and then both sets of communities have a equal choice . . . 

sighs

seems so simple

Have fun

Some common phrases, sayings, with their meanings and origins explained

I used to discuss these prior to the internet with history teachers - now you can find this stuff on the internet! wohooo

Ever wondered why we say some things - like being piss poor? Wonder no more:


They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot and then once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery.......if you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor"

But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to piss in" and  were the lowest of the low

The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be.

Here are some other facts about the 1500s:

Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and they still smelled pretty good by June.. However, since they were starting to smell . ...... . Brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odor. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting Married.

Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.. Hence the saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the Bath water!"

Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof... Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs."

There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence.

The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying, "Dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet, so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they added more thresh until, when you opened the door, it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entrance-way. Hence: a thresh hold.

In those old days, they cooked in the kitchen with a big kettle that always hung over the fire.. Every day they lit the fire and added things to the pot. They ate mostly vegetables and did not get much meat. They would eat the stew for dinner, leaving leftovers in the pot to get cold overnight and then start over the next day. Sometimes stew had food in it that had been there for quite a while. Hence the rhyme: Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot nine days old. Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.
Those with money had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning death. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered poisonous.

Bread was divided according to status. Workers got the burnt bottom of the loaf, the family got the middle, and guests got the top, or the upper crust.

Lead cups were used to drink ale or whisky. The combination would sometimes knock the imbibers out for a couple of days. Someone walking along the road would take them for dead and prepare them for burial.. They were laid out on the kitchen table for a couple of days and the family would gather around and eat and drink and wait and see if they would wake up. Hence the custom of holding a wake.

England is old and small and the local folks started running out of places to bury people. So they would dig up coffins and would take the bones to a bone-house, and reuse the grave. When reopening these coffins, 1 out of 25 coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realized they had been burying people alive... So they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (the graveyard shift.) to listen for the bell; thus, someone could be, saved by the bell or was considered a dead ringer.
And that's the truth....Now, whoever said History was boring?

Some more --

When getting married the groom and bride would physically be tied by their hands with a rope for the full day - thus signalling to everyone they are lawfully bound together as husband and wife - whence the "tying the knot".   In later years this practice became burden-some  so the priest would lay the stole of his robe on the (holding) hands of groom and bride at the ceremony to symbolize the 'tying the knot'  and we often talk about that "band of gold" (wedding ring) that ties us.  When a prospective groom went to ask the future father-in-law for the "hand-in-marriage" for his daughter, he was in fact asking for permission to "tie the knot.

In parts of Africa the wedding ceremonies to different customs altoghter.
In some villages the females, when becoming of marrying age, would make a special broom of certain branches and then lean said broom against the door frame of her hut.  Any male brave enough to "jump the broomstick" was then deemed forever living in the hut and tied to the female.  The broom stick then would be used to sweep the floor.  When things turned sour the female would physically break the broomstick and and toss it out into the yard - everyone then knew that this relationship was over.



On Salt
You might think of salt as nothing more than the inexpensive stuff that tastes good sprinkled on French fries and popcorn, but in fact it’s far more than just a seasoning and has a long history as a highly prized substance. Today, there are reportedly more than 14,000 known uses for salt. Not only does the human body need it to function properly, but salt also is utilized for everything from producing chemicals to de-icing roads.

Before the days of artificial refrigeration, the main method for preserving food was to treat it with salt. In this way, salt came to represent power; without it, armies couldn’t travel great distances and explorers couldn’t sail to new lands because their provisions would spoil. Throughout the ages, a variety of cultures also used this mineral in ceremonies and religious rituals. For many centuries, until salt deposits were discovered throughout the world and extraction methods improved, salt was scarce, which made it more valuable. Mozart's Birthplace was Salzburg - a town built on Salt (Salz) extraction nearby and the resulting salt trade

In some ancient societies, roads and cities developed as a result of the salt trade.
The expression to be worth one’s salt, which means you’re competent and deserve what you’re earning, is most often said to have its roots in ancient Rome, where soldiers were sometimes paid in salt or given an allowance to purchase it. The word salary is derived from the Latin “salarium,” which originally referred to a soldier’s allowance to buy salt. 

Getting the sack
This comes from the days when workmen carried their tools in sacks. If your employer gave you the sack it was time to collect your tools and go.


White elephant
White elephants were once considered highly sacred creatures in Thailand—the animal even graced the national flag until 1917—but they were also wielded as a subtle form of punishment. According to legend, if an underling or rival angered a Siamese king, the royal might present the unfortunate man with the gift of a white elephant. While ostensibly a reward, the creatures were tremendously expensive to feed and house, and caring for one often drove the recipient into financial ruin. Whether any specific rulers actually bestowed such a passive-aggressive gift is uncertain, but the term has since come to refer to any burdensome possession—pachyderm or otherwise.



 

Things I have eventually learned

What I have learned:
It has been a while - have been busy - so here are some thoughts

Thoughts on our Life 

 

I've learned.... life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned.... that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... that being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... that you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... that simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned.... that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... that even the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned.... that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned.... that love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... that I wish I could have told my Grandma that I love her one more time before she passed away.  

I've learned.... that one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... that I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.

I've learned.... that when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... that the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done

Cheers

 

Mystery explosions solved - does long dead volcano become alive again??

As you know - we had a rather large earthquake in Christchurch and that February  shake did do some decent damage to the area.  As you probably also know - Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's third-most populous urban area. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast,   just north of Banks Peninsula (ok so that part is the important part here).  wohooo
Banks Peninsula forms the most prominent volcanic feature of the South Island. Geologically speaking, the peninsula comprises the eroded remnants of two large composite shield volcanoes (Lyttelton formed first, then Akaroa), and the smaller Mt Herbert Volcanic Group. These formed due to intraplate volcanism between approximately eleven and eight million years ago (Miocene) on a continental crust. The peninsula formed initially as offshore islands, with the volcanoes reaching to about 1,500 m above sea level. Two dominant craters formed Lyttelton and Akaroa Harbours. The portion of crater rim lying between Lyttelton Harbour and Christchurch city forms the Port Hills.  Actually Banks Peninsula comprises 15 volcanic vents/cones - not 3. These have not been active for 6 million years and the subduction zone and 'hot spot' that made their creation possible has long since moved away - much like the Hawaiian chain islands of extinct volcanoes.  So they say . . . . .

So naturally when we had the 6.2 earthquake one of the most often questions asked was: is the volcano coming alive again?!  Common consensus  until that point in time was - no chance - it is extinct  and has been so for some long time. 

Further our GNS scientists here in NZ have tested the hot springs around Banks Peninsula post-quakes.  The chemical composition of that water is not that which would indicate volcanic activity/source.  The massive amount of liquefaction and earthquakes that Christchurch has experienced has caused changes in our water table and natural spring levels but again nothing indicating volcanic activity or presence of magma. 

See this link and read the story there:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/5183064/Lyttelton-eruption-not-possible

However in the last few months there have been "mystery explosions" and deep rolling boom sounds recorded in the eastern part of town.  The hot springs tested - have also  been noted to be - well - hotter.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/67417742/Mystery-big-explosion-in-Christchurch

Further - I lost count how many aftershocks we have experienced since Feb 2011 but it is fair to say it is in excess of 3000.


So guess what was observed today - urm - yesterday??  One gigantic enormous steam-cloud being spewed forth from the crater rim, rising vertically  several hundred meters before it flattened  out.  Steam - which means water had to be heated by magma and find its way up and out.   It was a impressive sight for sure!
I tried to ring the local Geonet people who intially did take my call - but then laughed this off - and hung up.  Subsequent phone calls were ignored.  I think they may have put me on a barred list.  Sighs
Luckily for me - I had my camera with the long lens with me at the time, so was able to take urm - 'an evidence - photo'.  

Leaving work later in the afternoon and taking another look - by then the steam had dissipated - so I guess the volcano run out of - urm - steam?? Or was it puff??
Either way -  Banks Peninsula may be declared as dead volcanoes, now I am not so sure anymore . . . . .

Have fun


 

Shark-hunting bear goes home - or at least tries to

 The day dawned nice and red - and so were some eyes! Not from the crying but from the lack of sleep - seems the flight pattern changed and the planes came in to land - more or less over our heads - until the small hours!!

Not being in a hurry we stayed in bed for a bit - but eventually had to get up.  Saw the young lady from the 4wheel drive in the morning - she looked ok - if still very grumpy.  Hmmmm anyhow - we did what we had to do - breakfast and so forth - then actually packed our bags and cleaned up the Camper van.  We were ready by mid-morning - in no real rush but eventually decided it was better to drop of the van and head to the airport - so we closed doors and belted up and put keys in the ignition - and --- nothing.  WHAT?!?!?!?!
Pulls key out, re-inserts key and turns and - *cough* nothing.  Not a peep / sound engine noise - just - - nothing!

Mild panic rising!!


One call to the camping ground folks - who are only 10 km across the airport - who said to ring road-side assistance - who said - we send you a Mercedes mechanic - if he hasn't turned up in an hours time - please ring back.
I did contemplate jump-starting the van myself - but mid morning the camp-site was deserted - everyone must be out in town and even though the useless car manual pointed where things should be, the battery itself was in a completely different space (and found after a bit of detective work by the mechanic) !! 
The chap did turn up - right on an hour later.  He tested and jump started us - and long story short - the Battery is a dud!!  Just as well he came - and gave us a paper that made it all official.  Could not stop anywhere for top-up of Diesel so had to make our way to the rental place and explain the situation there.  They were good - waiving the fill up (around 20 Liters).

From there to Sydney Airport and unlike here in Christchurch we could check in our bags early - leaving us free to roam.  We then discovered there is a direct train link to the middle of town and we checked watches and decided we could make that - only to be thwarted by the train tickets - seems we run out of cash.
Ah well
Time to sit and relax at the airport and catch a plane home.
Time to wind up for Mondays work
Time to do last minute shopping at the airport.
Time to reflect on what we have seen / tasted /experienced.

First up - the wild life.
    We never saw a single shark on any watery course ( and those in a tank do not count) - so there went the hunt south
    We never saw a crocodile either - even though the Park/Zoo we visited had one on display - it must have been hiding!  Am told later that it is too cold for them south of Brisbane.
    We did not come across a snake or spider or any other harmful critter either.  We are sure they exist - it's just they made a biiiiig be-line around us!! Smart move on their part.
    We did see some interesting other wildlife (and humans).  The birds (the feathered ones) are so different and colorful and - yes - very noisy.  Mamabear in particular thrilled to have wild kangaroo skipping past our Camper-van on some occasions.
    ANTS - they are EVERYWHERE.  Literally. I kid you not. They have to out-number any other living creature in Australia by a factor of at least 10000.  In one camping ground we saw a regular highway of ants going up a tree to who knows what for.  They were going up in 4 lanes wide - AND coming down in two lanes! A 6 lane ant highway!!   No wonder the birds had a feast right next to our Camper-van!!  I contemplated taking a pic - but realized the small ants and focus and . . . . .
    Koalas - saw them only at the sanctuary.  Seems they have it best - sleeping most of the day!  Inspiring stuff.
    Possums - would you believe it - they are "protected" in Australia as a species.  Seriously?!  They are a major unwanted pest here in NZ - carrying TB and stripping the leaves of the trees and also raiding the nests of our native birds.
    Farming - inland before you get to the 'outback' is a lot of farmland - but we saw very little cow's or sheep, unlike in NZ where you see them everywhere.  The land is just soooo vast - I am sure they just spread further apart . . .
    Weather - we had fabulous sunny warm days - with Brisbane being almost too hot. Along with that come the extreme storms and we saw in Coff's Harbour how much the pacific can dump if it so pleases!
    Plant-life - you think Australia - dessert - right?!?! Gum trees and cactus!  It also has a rain forest!  It is naturally different to the one here in NZ - and I am sure different to any other part in the world, and yet it does exist! 
    Time -  we are so used to daylight savings and our sun setting at 9pm or later
during summer, and to sit outside at 6.30pm having our dinner in darkness - took some getting used to.
    People - very friendly and helpful in Brisbane - nothing was too much trouble and you felt very welcome.  This diminished the further south we got. 
    Food - some stuff just divine (especially some hunter valley wines).  And everything is larger/bigger/fuller then in New Zealand. Not sure if the warmer longer sunnier days have got something to do with that.  Also there is a huge variety of fruit due to its tropical climate.  If you love food - go there - it has an amazing range of color/taste/size available.
    Road-safety - we think we have it tough - wait till you met a traffic officer in NSW. . . . .
    Patriotism - I am sure NZ is just as passionate about their country as our Western Island cousins are about theirs.  They however seem to be able to show it more openly.  We saw more flags flying and represented in towels etc etc then  here.  Then again - we have the All Blacks, who needs a flag . . . . 
     Multicultural - Sydney in particularly was noticeable - so many people from so many different cultures.  One thing above that, that stood out - a casual observation Asians seem to be around 40% of the population.  Not sure if that bears out in their census data, as I said - it is just an observation, but as a ethnic group they stood out.

Anyhow - will we go back - probably?! When - who knows?!?!
First up we have a weekend in Tekapo (my Birthday treat) - then my sister is talking about coming out from Europe and we haven’t spent any time lately in our favorite spot - the Coromandel, and further, Mamabear really wants to spend a week or two in Cook Islands . . . .
Hmmmm we better win Lotto soon . . . . .

Anyhow - arrived home well after midnight and just fell into bed. 

Have fun



 

Shark-hunting bear forgets the hunt and goes all cultural

Well this is our last “normal” day in our 'Western Island'.  – Tomorrow we fly home – so we are going to what any self respecting Kiwi would do - go and raid the town.  Uh yeah

First-up we tried to buy tickets to the train, a multi-day pass Opal card, which you just pre-load with cash and then you swipe every-time you check in AND out! Great system. Would you believe it the train station sales lady attendant didn't won’t our money - instead sending us to the local news paper stand,   ^.0   who promptly tried to send us back to the station attendant.  Talk about a circle go merry around! Asian lady at the news-stand then tried to haggle with us trying to convince us to SAFE money by buying a single pass.  Sighs. 
Eventually we got a multi day pass.  How hard could that be!!

Made sure we got on to the correct train and eventually got off in town – first stop – Circular Quay, Opera House and Harbour Bridge – very humid and crowded!  There was a cruise liner in the harbour too - somewhat blocking the view - but hey.   There was also something happening at the opera house with a lot of very FINE dressed folks arriving and also - several police officers being present.  Had to hold Mamabears hand tightly - as she is not used to men carrying guns . . . . . 
 
The Opera House souvenir shop also sold - wait for it - LEGO.  It had three sized models (along with suitable prices) a miniature block set / a large set / and a $500 extra large set - with all of them having the 'custom made' outside roofs - brick by brick . . . . . . .   It was tempting to get this dust gatherer and take a set home and make it once home ^.^

Having had our dose of culture we then back tracked to train station and crossed over to Darling Harbour area where we explored Tumbalong Park.  It has many cafés and other attractions - of which one is a Chinese garden.  
We always liked the new-ish one down in Dunedin / NZ.  This one is older and also bigger.  The pond alone is almost twice the size and had several large Kai-carp.  It is an odd thing - such tranquility set in such a busy 

place.The other noticeable thing is/was the amount of building going on.  There will be a fabulous entertainment / conference/arts centre bordering the south side of the park!!

It always has a "mountain" walk that doubles with a waterfall.  The waterfall providing the 'churning' and oxygenation of the water and of course a very nice back drop! 








The Two dragon murals.  A nice gift and fantastic artwork.









 
This tiny wee thing was sunbathing - then blushed as he heard the click of the camera and vanished in the blink of an eye!   
I did not know that the Aussies could be so shy  *grins*







Lunch became a nice treat at the 'Guylian Chocolate' café.  We have the treats here but not as a shop/cafe! Sydney has three.  Shame - they so should send one over here.  The Hot Chocolate drink (with coconut) was divine and almost a meal in itself!  We sat on the terrace and enjoyed what there was to enjoy - including seeing all the office people coming out for lunch.  Suits galore!!  Eventually had to give up our seat so we trekked criss cross back towards 'The Mall' and up the Westfield tower.  Fabulous views from the top!  Alas no badge, seems there is only one design for the four million people town! We think we even saw our camping ground across the airport - well the beach anyhow.  
Here we are looking down on St. Mary's Cathedral!  
 



There is even a maritime museum along with a decommissioned Squid - wait - submarine.  A great place for kids to crawl around and pretend to be Nemo.  

Mamabear by now recovered from the shock of seeing armed 'Men in Blue' and we spotted what we assumed to be Queen Victoria Building, and having heard about that decided to go all royal.  So down the shaft and more foot traffic across town.  


It is an indoor sort of mall place - but with shops that I am sure ask for more $$ then we can ever earn - looked very upmarket and classy!  This bear felt out of his comfort Zone.  The clock tower though was very interesting. It has these movable rings - and Cook's Ship sailing around it and a few other features!! 











Dinner was had at an Italian restaurant on the darling harbour other side. 
The Thunder plus one heavy passing shower help us making up our mind where we wanted to dine (it started to rain just as we walked outside past the cafe - which had the sails-shades)  - so we sat outside under a large umbrella and had a very nice meal while it still was very humid at 24 degrees.  Mamabear not impressed with the rolling thunder (again).





Eventually we had to go back home again to the Caravan so walked back to the train station via the mall etc. 

Looks like the cruise liner had vanished while we were in Darling Harbour . . . . . . .  










Now we are sitting outside the van - in darkness while still feeling the heat and while I finish the other bottle of red we picked up from the Hunter valley (yumm yumm) we are having to listen to a young couple in a 4wheel drive having a small 'domestic'.  You could not miss it, as they were less then 3 meters across from us!  As I still can speak German (more or less perfectly), I more or less had to hear and understand how the 'conversation' went.  Luckily they settled down (or the 'discussion' settled) and everything went quiet.  I was about a heart-beat away from going across and act as UNO peace-keeper. For a while I feared for the young girl and her safety.  This did make me think - 30 years of marriage - how on earth have we survived for so long and then also survived in a camper-van for 12 days? Traveling for a large number of days and away from home and cooped up in such a small place - personal space becomes important and you really have to work at your relationship.  Or as one elderly Lady once in Downtown Abby so eloquently expressed it with:  "Sheer bloody dumb luck"   :)

 Amongst all of that, we are contemplating tomorrows travel home. 
How/ when best to drop the van back and what we had to do, in what order, etc!!

Sighs - Holiday is nearly over.

Ah well - time to finish the last glass and then make the bed - for the last time . . . 

Sharkhunting bear goes wine hunting

Usual routine first thing in the morning - even if the Fonz dragged his feet! 

Then we are off – first stop – to get some diesel - for that we turned back into town - then off to the local info centre to see which wine cellars they would or could recommend.  Not much luck there - but did see this lovely woodwork art - all in-laid!  Its size - 2.5 meters up and some 4m or so across - massive!  Info centre was 5km outside Cessnack and while there I saw you could fly with a jet ^.0   wohoooo

www.cessnock-jet-fighter-flights

Uhhhhhh yeah;  until I saw the price/time thing. They asked - $1500 for a 15 min flight and it goes up from there – OUTCHTIME!

We sat in the van and debated which vineyard we would visit - not knowing any of them at all.  In the end we decided to go to the first wine cellar on the left coming up after we leave the info centre! 

I N S P I R E D  choice - that's all that needs to be said!!

Lady there being very chatty and knowledgeable – swapped stories about Europe / Christchurch  / and wines from here to there - especially as I used to be able to enjoy a Chianti / Lambrusco / Beaujolais not to mention a number of Austrian wines such as Traminer etc while still living in Europe.

This particular vineyard is what you would call a boutique Winery - only making about 20 000 litres and only selling via the door.  They do run a membership club which helps with the harvest and so on and they do - surprise surprise - get some special benefits - such as a special harvest and bottles ONLY they can buy/consume.  Given that I was so  *cough*  knowledgeable - I was able to sample one of these special bottles!  urm - lets just say membership does have its benefits!! Shame we can't enroll from here in NZ. 

Eventually  bought three bottles to be consumed in 2 days – that should not be a problem (so we thought).  Had to stop and take a pic as some Roo's casually grazed amongst the wines. 

Since the Navigator got to taste all of hers AND mine (me being the 'sober' driver) and her head was doing circles  - so not being very RELIABLE as navigator we filled her up on cheese and bread and . . . .

 

 Just as well we needed to make it to Sydney camp-ground near the airport and it was mostly a 2 lanes highway  - so you point the car south and let it run for 150 km or so.  However we were not looking forward hustling through Sydney roads. 

Again - roads more like a European Autobahn – speed limit at 110km/hr -not half bad.  Road in places in bad nick with 3cm wide cracks in concrete running 4-6 meters zigzagging along!!! 
Lunch at a area so similar to the European rast-plaetze on the autobahns - complete with the truckies area for parking.  We ended up buying something from a 'alternative' kind of healthy eating place that seriously tried to sell us a packet of steamed beans (along with the health description WHY they are so good for us).  Hmmmmmm 
The drive into Sydney – co-driver still under the influence from wine testing – so we winged it – followed signs to airport (not on google map drive – but hey) and eventually found our camping ground after doing laps around the block cause the navigator missed the turn.  Camp-site bit of a run down place – new manager friendly enough and trying to improve the site though. 

Parked our mobile home – then walked 3k to super market for tonight’s home cooked meal – only 3^rd cooked meal in our van!!!! Must be a record!

Now relaxing with a glass of the Muscato wine we bought - very rich and sweet and at 18% very lethal. Not sure how the cooked meal will turn out – but the wine is SUPERB!!!! HICKS 

Might have to have the whole bottle to myself as the navigator is still suffering from this mornings tastings - - shame ae?!?!?!?! Besides surprisingly the Muscato turned out to be a red . . .

Within the nebulous thoughts we had, it dawned on us that we made a crucial mistake – should have flown into Sydney first and stopped at Hunters en route to Brisbane – then we could have picked up 10 bottles (one per day) and enjoyed them daily 'till we got to Brisbane!! Hmmmmm food for thought!!!!!

Anyhow - another hot night - so cooled down outside finishing the wine and settled in for the night - looking forward to a full day in Sydney tomorrow

The vineyard we sampled. Lovely place and such friendly people

 

The Fonz assured me that he was over the age (I think 30 was mentioned) so he was allowed a glass too! He tells me he very much enjoyed that one and has to talk with his 'owner' when he gets back from his travels (remember he kinda got kidnapped/volunteered for this journey)  to see if he could have the occasional glass more often . . . . .
Actually he may have been 'volunteered' to keep an eye on us ? ?    hmmmmmm 

 
 One day to go then we have to go back home again!!  Sighs



 

Shark-hunting bear goes wine hunting instead

 
 

 

 

Usual morning routine / wash / pack / leave etc. 

Well - it is meant to be.

<----  Hmm I have to say a certain bear - not naming names - decided to have a bit of a sleep in!  Come on Fonz - time to get cracking!!




First stop – the smoking mountain. Thought we can get there and back, just a short stroll – turns out it was a 2 hour uphill and downhill walk – so not good for Mamabear and her dodgy knee – thus very sadly and reluctantly flagged that experience.  

Then headed towards the Hunter Valley with  morning tea in 'Willow' - lovely spot! Visiting the info center and asked about the flags further up the road - turns out it is some kind of memorial for the first shipments of prisoners arriving in Sydney. The attending lady told us the story of one of the passengers, a 80 year old convicted person ( for perjury) who survived the journey and a year in Sydney before she ended her life - it must have been so hard for her.  We ended up having a very interesting chat about previous generations and so forth.  Australia certainly has some historical challenges ahead.

Lunch turned out to be on a road side rest area with nothing being there except a log drop and one table in the shade - so had lunch inside the van where the air-con kept us cool! 

Then a quick stop in Singlton which has a very large sundial. Seem to remember it is the largest in Australia!  It is true to its time and even has a board telling how many minutes you have to adjust by for, from various earth movements etc.  One thing it does NOT do (and so do all sun dials) is to ADJUST for day-light saving.  Would be super if there is one made that has a movable ring that can be moved forward or backwards by one hour . . . . . 



Anyhow - quick stroll through town then pressed on towards final resting place – Cessnack, set at the heart of wine country!
Well folks - the famous Hunter Valley is really more like a Hunter - urm plain/plateau.  It is true that on one side are the Blue Mountains - a cliff top type leftover remnant from a zillion year ago ocean bed of sorts - - turn 180 and look the other way and the  "Valley" extends as far as they eye can see - some 60 - 100km in a more or less flat area.  One part of the "Valley" has a horse breeding industry and looked lush and green.  Another large part was used extensively for open cast mining - and you saw lots of tailings.  All up it is a bit of a misnomer to call it "Valley". 
Hmm rant over

We found our camping ground and seeing it was so nice and warm sat outside for about 2 hours enjoying the warmth and 'Traminer' white wine!!! Lovely drink!!!








From reading this it would appear we spent most of the day on the road traveling and you would be almost right.  It was the longest leg to travel. We also had plenty of stops along the way to break up the driving.
Anyhow we made plans for next two days – booked a camping place – then wandered of in search for Asian food (with the local on-site Thai place closed on Monday's, drats!).  The stroll into town looked long-ish but we decided to stretch our legs and had the long stroll into town (3 km) and  ---  found most eating places there shut as well!  Sighs
  Eventually found a place called 'Bellygood” - main trading was takeaways but they also had 3 tables to sit down and eat – so we did just that. Then the long walk again back home.  In-between I snapped this evening mood! 

We had finished the wine and all stores were closed so - we just sat and enjoyed what warm air there was left - except for Fonz - who yet again wanted to be tucked up in bed!! hmmmmm
He must be traveled out - or is he disappointed with the shark-hunt and sulking?!?!

www.Burning_Mountain

It was peacful and no birds were screeching and one felt almost compelled to sing Taps!
Anyhow the next day should be a cracker.

Here the Fonz started breakfast - then had cold feet so moved back to bed - tut tut bear! 

I finished the brekkie and snapped this - just so we have a proof that once the bed is made - there was little room for much else.  It goes seamlessly from bedroom to kitchen! Puts a new meaning to 'having breakfast in Bed'!
Mamabear catching up with the temperatures - seems Brisbane will win the days high - with Christchurch being the coldest!

The Fonz decided to helpful after all (and this had nuthin' to do with his love for a glass or two of red - so he tells me) and looked to plan the next days journey - but as they say, that's another story.

The bed made up - back into a lounge! wohoooo