Random shots

A Whale of a Tale

Hi Gang!
Just back from Port Elliot. What a wonderful weekend. Didn't want to come back. Went whale watching with some exchange teacher friends. It was an interesting group-2 Canucks, 2 POMs and 1 aussie. Excellent food, conversation and time spent at the beach. It was just what I needed-the first sunny weekend in MONTHS. The area around Port Elliot is a popular nursery and breeding ground for whales. Apparently there are over 45 species of whales and dolphins seen in Australian waters. The most common seen off the coast in SA is the Southern Right Whale. This time of year they mate and give birth in the protective bays of the Fleurieu Peninsula. We went to Horseshoe Bay and Basham Beach. Basham Beach was the lucky spot this weekend as we saw several seals frolicking and then we saw the whales! I saw a mom and her calf playing and then I saw 2 more whales in the water. We left the beach area and went out to the point for a different view. It was amazing! I loved seeing them blow from their blowholes. I could see the tails and pecs as well as the big bodies swimming along. They were a sight to behold! I did try to take some photos but I think all I got was the odd black blob-I need a real zoom lens. I still haven't figured out how to get the pictures sorted on my computer but am working on it. Good tech support is hard to find.

Those of you who contact me via my hotmail account I am sad to say I can no longer access it. Not sure what is going on there. I will ask my techie when I see her next. Sorry Wanda I can't access the addresses either. hmm. I am half way through term 3. I can not believe how quickly the time is passing-I must be having fun! I suppose you all are feeling that way about summer. I hope things are going well for all my teacher friends getting ready for a new school year. Lots of love and hugs to you all!
G'Day eh!
Bern

Not that I am a name dropper....

BUT look at me and Jenn rubbing elbows with world renowned children's author Mem Fox!!!! I saw a poster at my local library that Mem was speaking at the Marion Cultural Center and I was able to get tickets to a sold out event. When I finally made it to the front of the line to have some books signed I told Mem that I had come all the way from Canada to meet her. She laughed and asked me why I was really here in South Australia. I reluctantly confessed that I was here on exchange. We had a lovely chat. She is funny, enthusiastic and very down to earth. It was an honor and a pleasure to meet her. Thank you Mary Cox for introducing me to her books!

I am having some technical difficulties with my computer. It would seem that I don't understand it. As soon as I become enlightened I will post my Uluru, Central Oz and Darwin shots. It was a great trip. I saw wild camels, wild brumbies, dingos, crocks and birds of all sorts. It was just like being a part of a National Geographic Film.

I am still freezing and wearing my wool socks to bed. The almond trees are in blossom so hopefully spring is just around the corner. I have started a yoga class on Friday nights-the perfect way to end the week. Two hours of yoga and then home to bed. I am starting a wine appreciation class this Wed. I am signing up for the City to Bay Fun Run. Since you all know there is nothing fun about running it goes without saying that I will be walking. I have a bit of a Tim Tam tummy to walk off so I have started training.

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer. Lots of love and hugs to you all,
G'Day eh!
Bern

PS Sue D-the soup was a big hit with the staff-I even had fresh cilantro that I am growing on my window ledge for it. Yum! Thanks !

Winter Holidays

Hi Gang,
I am back from my latest adventure to central Oz and the Top End-Darwin. It was a busy hectic 2 weeks. I think I may need a vacation from my vacation. The flight home at 2:30 am arriving at 6:00 am did not help my energy levels any at all. I went for a long walk on the beach today and then tried to get many of my chores caught up. I have loads of great pictures to show you all but need to find the time to get myself organized. So be patient. I believe that good things come to those who wait........... In the meantime I hope everyone is enjoying summer in Canada. Take Care!
G'day eh!
Bern

River Murray Adventure

Hi Gang! This was the most relaxing trip I have ever enjoyed. Going up the River Murray on a house boat with 8 mates was a blast. We had a masterchef class where I learned how to make sticky date pudding with caramel sauce-YUM!
I got to drive the houseboat through the area where there is a ferry crossing. It was a great new experience but the guys have suggested I not give up my day job to become a houseboat captain. A Tim Tam slam is part of every social event-well it is in Oz when I am there! Did you know that pelicans grow in trees? Well almost. So do Sulfer Crested Cockatoos. Me and my mates Shelley and Rosemary had a great time. Good food, good drink and good friends-who could ask for anything more? If you ever get a chance to go on a houseboat don't hesitate.
G'day Eh!
Bern

It worked!

It may be winter outside but in my heart it is spring......
So I was wishing for sunshine and today it was sunny, sort of, for a little while. So I took my socks off. I had a wonderful quilt day-yes Jane I am on pic 65 of 111. Past the half way mark! I have bought some fabulous wool batting-at least I think it will be fabulous, I will let you know after I quilt it. So I have a new protege-my friend Jenn's daughter Danna is getting the quilt bug. I have started her with something simple-the chop suey quilt. Scraps, scraps and more scraps which I begged from the community quilts commitee of the SA Quilters Guild are being put to good use. Danna and I are going to make some charity quilts and then she is going to do her own quilt. Jenn was working on report cards so Danna and I were busy doing other more fun things. I made chocolate orgasm muffins-no really that is the name of them. I am reading Australian authors this year and the last book I read was by a gal named Kerry Greenwood. The heroine of her books is a baker named Corinna who bakes and solves mysteries. There are always recipes at the end of the book. This one sounded good. I think I am going to have to play with it a bit though I don't think I used enough chocolate. Perhaps I shouldn't have taken those few little bites out of the bar.LOL.

Jane I got my hands on a stack of 5 inch squares-got any ideas for a nickle quilt? Mandy and Anita how are your gardens growing? It's hard to believe that July 1 is just around the corner. I am teaching my possums "Land of the Silver Birch" and have a stash of dulse to share with them this Canada Day. OK I will also share my Ganong Chicken Bones.

Just 2 more weeks til I visit the red center. I can't wait to see the desert. So what are you all up to this summer?
G'day eh!
Bern

Happy Winter Solstice!

BTW I almost forgot it is the shortest day of the year here in the southern hemisphere. YEAH! That must mean more daylight is coming my way soon. YES. Ok so only by 3 minutes a day but we can all use a little more sunshine in our lives.
miss you,
Bern