tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75921947501505683152024-03-21T11:45:30.627-07:00Life ChangeGraham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-74208182175756683882010-03-06T02:30:00.000-08:002010-03-06T03:33:37.977-08:00Moods of the mountainFor the first time in my life I am living 'in the shadow' of a mountain.<br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNlUbBp3kKAvVnnLunVOcIsM_JNqm7Qg2xxZBYyVi7W2xBJREK2U1gbESvGbMChZO-OQD9tYMAc6O6lqMeuolNnSTc9QXv_kq16Rpv3rvLRUEsveGOCRvVef9i5DLqsHmHcnkpWNQuxcJ/s1600-h/IMG00030-20100216-1945.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445473844027818834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNlUbBp3kKAvVnnLunVOcIsM_JNqm7Qg2xxZBYyVi7W2xBJREK2U1gbESvGbMChZO-OQD9tYMAc6O6lqMeuolNnSTc9QXv_kq16Rpv3rvLRUEsveGOCRvVef9i5DLqsHmHcnkpWNQuxcJ/s200/IMG00030-20100216-1945.jpg" border="0" /></a>Every morning heading off to work the mountain looms large in the windscreen.</div><br /><div>Every afternoon returning from the office the mountain sits as the backdrop to the traffic.<br /></div><div>The mountain can be a barometer of the day. When the apex is bathed in sunshine it is most likely that the sky is blue and the day is clear. When the cloud hangs low down the slopes a cooler day is in the offing.</div><div> </div><div>Each day is a little different. The combination of light and shade, clouds and clear skies offer an infinite variety.</div><div> </div><div>No matter what the weather, and no matter how I am feeling, the mountain stands firm.</div><div>It's persistent presence and stability reminds me of the God who is always there. </div><div> </div><div>No matter what is happening in my life the mountain is there. The world might keep changing around it, but the mountain remains.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div></div>Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-88572843587768423582010-02-06T13:29:00.000-08:002010-02-06T13:30:06.729-08:00Very much alive!"Tasmania is a quiet little island south of the mainland. Nothing much happens there, and it is a good place to go for a holiday." That may (or may not) express the thoughts of many people, but my last week has challenged that sort of thinking.<br /><br />For two days it was a privilege to travel north and visit Salvation Army centres in the north and north west. There's a lot happening there, and more to come.<br /><br />At Burnie, Ulverstone and Devonport things are happening. With good leadership in Corps and social centres needs are being met and lives are being changed. New possibilities are being explored at the same time as ways are being found to overcome current difficulties.<br /><br />In Launceston the Doorways program is being commenced, and under one roof most services will be accessed and people will be able to access physical, social, emotional and spiritual help. Communities are being reshaped. The Launceston Corps is in the process of a radical rebuilding program that will set the tone for the next generation. It is an exciting concept that is renovating the old and making room for the new. Nearby at Kings Meadows response to community needs is bringing change, challenges and life to an older congregation.<br /><br />And back at DHQ there is always some new development as responses are made to opportunities that resource the Army in meeting human need.<br /><br />One common factor in north and south is community. As the faith community meets the wider community at their point of need God works. It is great to see, and great to be involved.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-66938169142319763802010-01-30T13:04:00.000-08:002010-01-30T13:21:02.500-08:00Settling InTwo weeks and counting. New house, new job, and now a new golf club. One decision still to be made - new fellowship.<br /><br />Over the last two weeks much change has taken place. We continue to adjust. During the process we have welcomed family and shared with them in exploring parts of southern Tasmania.<br /><br />So what have I learned in these past two weeks and 4 days?<br /><br /><ul><li>Tasmania is hilly... a great contrast to the landscape we travelled in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">last</span> six months.</li><li>Roads are winding... but the views are impressive.</li><li>Locals are friendly... and very helpful.</li><li>Historic buildings are everywhere... and most towns and villages have more than their share. The weather is great... when the sun is shining, but chilly when clouds come over.</li><li>Amazing work is being done... and I am impressed by the people working in many of our programs.</li><li>Administration is demanding and complex... and never ending if programs are to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">function</span>, people be helped and lives changed.</li></ul>Exciting times, and more challenges to come.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-66848165566591422002010-01-15T20:15:00.000-08:002010-01-15T21:02:21.584-08:00New year, new homeThe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE707ecXf3NIvnCI3g6VGj3z_NeyPrdHTNlVQ5rwHGEyMtn_cICJzED5tO1b9ZOusYpRdCkURwrbjUMHJWnNbiiwaUNqnslid_pkmfeAGWXwt_s1JcRQVW1P6VHyCggbupohSCnyEE2tDU/s1600-h/DSCF7044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE707ecXf3NIvnCI3g6VGj3z_NeyPrdHTNlVQ5rwHGEyMtn_cICJzED5tO1b9ZOusYpRdCkURwrbjUMHJWnNbiiwaUNqnslid_pkmfeAGWXwt_s1JcRQVW1P6VHyCggbupohSCnyEE2tDU/s200/DSCF7044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427197387842567266" border="0" /></a> early days of 2010 were spent finishing our small amount of packing and preparing to move to Hobart. On January 12 we headed to the Spirit of Tasmania and sailed across Bass Straight.<br />We returned to the state we have left twenty two years earlier.<br /><br />There was a sense of familiarity as we landed at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Devonport</span> and made our way to Hobart via <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Launceston</span>. A few days on and we are settled in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Moonah</span>. Our gear arrived as expected, and the unpacking process has been largely accomplished. Not everything is in its correct home yet, but we are getting there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6rbD_HPQOdSCIWVBYE4B3-2xC4q6XGoXZhIBXpPln3suSvUOeVpZQ7BHBB6540XX2qeFWnqX3HfvhjykCOtVmsuxkWAHYCZfsdC8mk6cYdsZs3z5umiS8Rb2VpZyhmDoDhZsTQL2IiyO/s1600-h/DSCF7063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6rbD_HPQOdSCIWVBYE4B3-2xC4q6XGoXZhIBXpPln3suSvUOeVpZQ7BHBB6540XX2qeFWnqX3HfvhjykCOtVmsuxkWAHYCZfsdC8mk6cYdsZs3z5umiS8Rb2VpZyhmDoDhZsTQL2IiyO/s200/DSCF7063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427197559870950450" border="0" /></a>Our last home in Preston offered views of other houses and wonders of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Northland</span> Shopping Centre. Here we have a view of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Derwent</span> River and Queens Domain, a hill the obscures any further view down the estuary. In the foreground if this vista is my workplace, a stately old mansion that has served many different purposes over the years. As we head off to work we also gain a perspective of Mount Wellington from the front of our house.<br /><br />These things come at a cost. The vertical dimension of life in the physical realm is one of the facts of life in Tasmania. Having previously lived in the north of the island I had failed to appreciate that most of the inner suburbs of Hobart are akin to the steeper areas around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Launceston</span>.<br /><br />This week it is back to work. After twelve months of choosing our own pace and place we are now gearing up to get back into a work-life routine. It starts in earnest on Wednesday.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-84548938259895147342009-12-31T14:56:00.001-08:002009-12-31T15:42:07.968-08:00Another year over, a new one just begun<span style="font-weight: bold;">New Years Eve 2009.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6F3DzwLysw-ExkPTYUCNnTPTtH0P0IhgVsoevsf9pm9IpqWbQuFqTqNnZ1cvMWykOSjvKMadmHWv6Sy4kGnvLkfXMcCClnjrQFn1mnUku9SKknwts8w8b-eySbt_LMz8_tGfVBQuak6d/s1600-h/VHGC+DSCF6983.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6F3DzwLysw-ExkPTYUCNnTPTtH0P0IhgVsoevsf9pm9IpqWbQuFqTqNnZ1cvMWykOSjvKMadmHWv6Sy4kGnvLkfXMcCClnjrQFn1mnUku9SKknwts8w8b-eySbt_LMz8_tGfVBQuak6d/s200/VHGC+DSCF6983.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421540412508777410" border="0" /></a>It began in Victor Harbor. Just after 8 a.m. history was made. The Roberts family - Bill, Graham, Russell and Lynda - hit the fairway at Victor Harbor Golf Club. It was the first time the four of us had played together in a competition, and probably the first time we had all played golf together.<br /><br />Victor Harbor is the home course of Bill and Lynda, and father is well known at the club where he has been a member for over 20 years. Lynda has only commenced her membership this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxDc8Io19ib0ZZrHBpcyhftp8WIO4lsRaOvdZD9VkLr-iXj3cayu2hvfssvq8a-8L63ZbWkPgVTTt80kcVwqISIRR5Q003xLpgdgIdjji3bWZ2n377JIZdVAWBv4Xd0yzxsUEtxjaA27p/s1600-h/VHGC+Bird+Man+DSCF6986.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxDc8Io19ib0ZZrHBpcyhftp8WIO4lsRaOvdZD9VkLr-iXj3cayu2hvfssvq8a-8L63ZbWkPgVTTt80kcVwqISIRR5Q003xLpgdgIdjji3bWZ2n377JIZdVAWBv4Xd0yzxsUEtxjaA27p/s200/VHGC+Bird+Man+DSCF6986.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421540406947918114" border="0" /></a><br />The bird man is always popular, and attracts the magpies on a number of holes. By the time we got to the twelfth his stock of crumbs was still intact and sufficient to feed the crowd that gathered.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViWQ8aDQOaq5spMVfuqUMTcFLXvzo3cOHd21PbnaIlmyHiBsaV-2BdL6kxt4NjjfjDpI7z6lAPdfHhTkGebRpnQNSAGeR0xFxKrXYniD6LtnZBNWAK0nwLoktKuKSOgO6Qu8c1WVsA53I/s1600-h/VHGC+Lynda+DSCF7017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 172px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjViWQ8aDQOaq5spMVfuqUMTcFLXvzo3cOHd21PbnaIlmyHiBsaV-2BdL6kxt4NjjfjDpI7z6lAPdfHhTkGebRpnQNSAGeR0xFxKrXYniD6LtnZBNWAK0nwLoktKuKSOgO6Qu8c1WVsA53I/s200/VHGC+Lynda+DSCF7017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421540415986850610" border="0" /></a>By the time we got to the twelfth the youngest member of the family had already set up a commanding lead with a birdie 2 on the 10th (4 stableford points) and a par on 11 for another 4 stableford points. Lynda hung on to her lead and get back to the clubhouse with 41 stableford points and a clear margin over the men. To win the day Lynda played 5 shots under her handicap and will lose a few strokes before she plays in another competition.<br /><br />The octogenarian managed to finish the 18 holes in the heat (it got to 41 degrees at Encounter Bay) and performed creditably in difficult conditions with 32 points, about 4 shots over his handicap. That probably means that Lynda beat him off the stick!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBK1Dyi5rFpcOpGn-Im2BeKqMZWNhILzaPpVWVVJYpv0Q520MNnqDiPaHTbraZdZEa-kLn7bZwk3Yx2uN1FBn8TXd7mjGgFRi33uTN5wXcWEyc7vgK2VYd8e-7V-BXVFWzYPAqZ5fxGda/s1600-h/NY+Eve+Storm+DSCF7028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBK1Dyi5rFpcOpGn-Im2BeKqMZWNhILzaPpVWVVJYpv0Q520MNnqDiPaHTbraZdZEa-kLn7bZwk3Yx2uN1FBn8TXd7mjGgFRi33uTN5wXcWEyc7vgK2VYd8e-7V-BXVFWzYPAqZ5fxGda/s200/NY+Eve+Storm+DSCF7028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421548522115116962" border="0" /></a>After golf there was time for a quick bite and coffee before heading back to Melbourne. Until Horsham the weather was hot and storm clouds were brewing. From Horsham to Ararat the rain was torrential - good for a land in drought, but not for farmers in the middle of harvest. After hours of careful driving it was good to get back to Melbourne before the year was out.<br /><br />2009 is now gone. The year of change is over and we prepare to resume work in mid-January in Tasmania.<br /><br />We look forward to new opportunities, new challenges and new experiences as we settle into Hobart.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-14351745364430488912009-12-24T16:06:00.000-08:002009-12-31T16:10:44.132-08:00Wedding Number 2Sydney is a crazy place - great to visit but the roads go everywhere. We managed to find what we needed to, and were mostly on time. It was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">great</span> to share <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">again</span> with family and to celebrate a major <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">milestone</span> in the lives of our extended family.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDmJbd0RF6RK01RtopF1kPaovUUwogmEaHDHXLF69wFbBy6sKuhiaYpwxchz4dcy5Z-6Bbmo6OhDsNJdTNnUSPel012V6ufiYzK6_bW8Xzm_u_RzAO93zRvjSrWKKrb3foQNAkJggKHVn/s1600-h/DSCF6933.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDmJbd0RF6RK01RtopF1kPaovUUwogmEaHDHXLF69wFbBy6sKuhiaYpwxchz4dcy5Z-6Bbmo6OhDsNJdTNnUSPel012V6ufiYzK6_bW8Xzm_u_RzAO93zRvjSrWKKrb3foQNAkJggKHVn/s200/DSCF6933.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421556616185107554" border="0" /></a>Congratulations to Dave and Jess on their wedding, we wish them all the very best for the years to come. The reception was a lot of fun - and Jess was smiling all day.<br /><br />It was a great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">celebration</span>, and it was great to be there for the occasion.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-24816567769759579432009-12-22T15:42:00.000-08:002009-12-31T16:06:01.362-08:00Family Connections<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZAcKTugQtP-8C7koAmTBrT3FyJoN1G785IyJeRiOT9tRjmpRZlBgWIZYXTp2M7Bop_z0bWQ1ff21Afax42hoc_DIDohAbYix36ZaleEnPEfyj10mScS8JVZIRL5pPucJsPPXU3uELsFJ/s1600-h/DSCF6874.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZAcKTugQtP-8C7koAmTBrT3FyJoN1G785IyJeRiOT9tRjmpRZlBgWIZYXTp2M7Bop_z0bWQ1ff21Afax42hoc_DIDohAbYix36ZaleEnPEfyj10mScS8JVZIRL5pPucJsPPXU3uELsFJ/s200/DSCF6874.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421553602046374626" border="0" /></a>From a wedding in Melbourne we headed to wedding in Sydney. After months of travelling together Beth and I went in separate directions - Beth drove up with her parents while I went a little west to Orange to catch up with my brother and his family and t play a little golf on the way.<br /><br />Fortunately Tocumwal Golf Club is on the way. A three night stopover was pleasant, with golf each day on the two well maintained courses. It is remarkable what can be done with an ample supply of recycled water.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TN2aLf0-mD-Bo9O1zuy5GSaCHz1sgYU28kMuyQ89qRCivaY1FcNASnRXZutcIzcEyTE8wXVoQrnSHDK2uwxFxlYCao7nD7gGUQBe5S64m2jxMw2Q5AWg0nvnXHK8baYHwc3S4HHclkMO/s1600-h/DSCF6831.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TN2aLf0-mD-Bo9O1zuy5GSaCHz1sgYU28kMuyQ89qRCivaY1FcNASnRXZutcIzcEyTE8wXVoQrnSHDK2uwxFxlYCao7nD7gGUQBe5S64m2jxMw2Q5AWg0nvnXHK8baYHwc3S4HHclkMO/s200/DSCF6831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421553590162184978" border="0" /></a>At Orange it was more golf - with rounds at Orange Duntryleague, Wentworth Ex-Services, Blayney, and Cowra, as well as the odd nine holes at Orange Ex-Services either early in the morning or in the cool of the evening.<br /><br />Five competitive rounds - and in the sibling contest I was second once more than I was first.<br /><br /><br /><br />Considering the lack of water in Central NSW the Orange courses were in fairly good condition, although there is a lot of run on the fairways. For so many places the lack of water is having a devastating effect. Where recreation is concerned it is an issue that detracts from the experience. When it is your livelihood it can be a matter of financial survival. For golf clubs across the country the extended drought is tough but most will survive. For golfers we might just have to pay more to play golf, or get used to playing in less than ideal conditions.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-86857454385879308412009-12-06T12:34:00.000-08:002009-12-06T13:04:54.449-08:00Family and celebrationsOne of the main reasons for being in Melbourne at this time is family - and especially family a family wedding.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl3mhntaIt0DJ0tVETZcZRU_deouONsTADDlb2zlTA8_m1INN4UVsn-uwSW97UoeGPxzWs-eZ6lssTQaXPQsvJnYp7KXwszvogXJ2Eps-6FaYWy-JEP8HU6q6w4nuetzu1fJUWXRSEfx_/s1600-h/DSCF6747.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl3mhntaIt0DJ0tVETZcZRU_deouONsTADDlb2zlTA8_m1INN4UVsn-uwSW97UoeGPxzWs-eZ6lssTQaXPQsvJnYp7KXwszvogXJ2Eps-6FaYWy-JEP8HU6q6w4nuetzu1fJUWXRSEfx_/s200/DSCF6747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412230156796172722" border="0" /></a>Friday afternoon it was great to share at the wedding of Andy and Rachel. I cannot remember the last wedding I attended, and after six months of casual clothes putting on the glad rags for a wedding is a bit up-market. We did, and enjoyed the ceremony and the wedding breakfast.<br /><br />The faith of the individuals and the families was evident in every aspect of the day. Among the highlights of the day were the speeches. Now it must be said that father of the groom (B.i.l. Bill) may need to add some brevity to his remarks. It is also something that yours truly can do some work on as well. The younger participants spoke exceptionally well - and with good humour allowed us to share some aspects of the journey to adulthood and this significant day. Well done guys.<br /><br />The scary bit was thinking that these kids are now adults, holding down responsible jobs and exercising leadership in church and community. How can it be that my nephews (and my children) are now mature adults? They cannot possibly be old enough yet!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChIbRgpWeYGzAbS8XwvxFzpiElPRlvagi2n-Mwp84TNT38fC5dG4Ydl1OzqN8mFbziRbRgeLOM1aSO6A6XUoE4GUv7EES9nDH7E0jtJ3QBm-bFwIodC0zfHpwqgALv9PaU_OFAL0txrTA/s1600-h/DSCF6790.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChIbRgpWeYGzAbS8XwvxFzpiElPRlvagi2n-Mwp84TNT38fC5dG4Ydl1OzqN8mFbziRbRgeLOM1aSO6A6XUoE4GUv7EES9nDH7E0jtJ3QBm-bFwIodC0zfHpwqgALv9PaU_OFAL0txrTA/s200/DSCF6790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412230148954769346" border="0" /></a>Sunday was a time to get back on deck and show some leadership myself. In a relaxed ceremony at Ocean Grove we gave thanks for the gift of Alana Ruth Kerr to her parents James and Loretta.<br />It was a privilege to share in the day, and see this young family and the community of friends that surround them.<br /><br />In between I managed a round of golf at Whittlesea Golf Club. That was also cause for celebration bit that is another <a href="http://www.thisgolfinglife.com/graham">story</a>.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-73668663519240313582009-12-06T12:31:00.000-08:002009-12-06T12:34:24.991-08:00Show me the money.Last financial year the World Bank’s private sector arm more than doubled its support for fossil fuel projects to US$2.2 billion, while funding for renewable energy in the same period was a mere US$243 million. (<a href="http://blogs.crikey.com.au/rooted/2009/12/03/day-two-of-annas-copenhagen-blog/?source=cmailer">Random fact from Rooted: Nourishing the environment debate</a>)Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-84582749811323396542009-11-30T12:42:00.000-08:002009-12-01T12:49:26.512-08:00So near and yet so far.The drive to Geelong from Port Fairy caused us to reflect on the change in our environment. Up north your could drive a hundred kilometers and only see one or two houses. Here it seems like there is a line of settlements along the road. SO many people - and of course the traffic.<br /><br />I had to get away from it for a while, and found a nice little spot about 4 kms south of Colac. It was called the <a href="http://thisgolfinglife.com/graham/?p=37">Colac Golf Course</a>. A couple of hours there was enough for me to get perspective back and travel on to Geelong and family.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCdN55b6Iy_01PJPXynB1tgzAzIf4SALQpdIRd5frvkGx9b7L3RS126ooj6I0wl1y-Om6kKvQ9tZ9Bgji-imNRmFKWU_dLsf7wxorXf7j19acj2Fc0P8EaZirMe2gadZ_2rFEudlpgsJt/s1600/Colac+GC+DSCF6735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCdN55b6Iy_01PJPXynB1tgzAzIf4SALQpdIRd5frvkGx9b7L3RS126ooj6I0wl1y-Om6kKvQ9tZ9Bgji-imNRmFKWU_dLsf7wxorXf7j19acj2Fc0P8EaZirMe2gadZ_2rFEudlpgsJt/s200/Colac+GC+DSCF6735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410372456831297026" border="0" /></a>Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-33217261607300739232009-11-28T12:31:00.000-08:002009-12-01T12:42:55.396-08:00Port Fairy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTNMf34lCQ-XY77Ynd29kp_TR15oi8DZi5ESPnyVAQRJXt6RWWQL9eEGtfu9-Zu2s2te27LanxqMs4MRZYwnySYZgl9On_ZrkGX5gdeSvSFpxfHOMf4RaCKz8Qkk-EFOoZXYlhu85UEWJ/s1600/Victoria+SW+DSCF6728.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTNMf34lCQ-XY77Ynd29kp_TR15oi8DZi5ESPnyVAQRJXt6RWWQL9eEGtfu9-Zu2s2te27LanxqMs4MRZYwnySYZgl9On_ZrkGX5gdeSvSFpxfHOMf4RaCKz8Qkk-EFOoZXYlhu85UEWJ/s200/Victoria+SW+DSCF6728.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410370587570581938" border="0" /></a>Port Fairy has a lovely golf course situated about 6kms from the centre of town, and that is where I headed. Even though it was overcast, and there was a little bit of light rain around, I made my way to the course. It looked good...but there were lots of people around.<br /><br />In another situation it might have been great. It was a VGA Seniors event running over two days - with shotgun starts. Course closed! Port Fairy Golf Club will have to wait for another day.<br />Their practice facilities got a bit of use though. Having travelled all this way in hope it seemed appropriate to ask permission and do some work on my short game. Yes there was a little bit of drizzle, but the day was warm, and I really didn't get that wet.<br /><br />Later, when Beth had recovered from my extended absence, we did a little bit of sightseeing, and drove around the area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDO_O73vBnM20L-u4wQzFYrefk0_tNTAs9FrNboW4s_q1i88QbfoY8Oc3XcGFqEeJdENctTX8xK27Y78QDIH_iA5fG1mN502kofIf8lrKaSJa4XVhBQJgR5yxrIuNIYhCZeG7kp0pCOkY/s1600/Victoria+SW+DSCF6722.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDO_O73vBnM20L-u4wQzFYrefk0_tNTAs9FrNboW4s_q1i88QbfoY8Oc3XcGFqEeJdENctTX8xK27Y78QDIH_iA5fG1mN502kofIf8lrKaSJa4XVhBQJgR5yxrIuNIYhCZeG7kp0pCOkY/s200/Victoria+SW+DSCF6722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410370776140050322" border="0" /></a>Yes, we are back in Victoria. It was the cusp of summer - the skies were grey, and there were regular showers.<br /><br />Yes, we were glad to be in Port Fairy, for that night there was heavy rain around Melbourne and a storm that ripped through Blackburn and caused a fair bit of damage.<br /><br />The slogan on our number plate says it all - Victoria, the place to be. Yeah, right!Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-46806191405070154282009-11-27T02:14:00.000-08:002009-12-01T12:31:42.517-08:00VictoriaIf you go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0R61gMqlPFHZZLjYpXIaNaf2FgBx6CeDwT0IgoYv66EK1oSZXZXnU4vyD54kSYAhdgFqcDvmTe65S8wy8lcbBgBxDCfGF0-pcsoaiVd6vvsgukC8pER_Wbu0GsqGp51-Bu6KMHstapBp/s1600/Victoria+SW+DSCF6708.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0R61gMqlPFHZZLjYpXIaNaf2FgBx6CeDwT0IgoYv66EK1oSZXZXnU4vyD54kSYAhdgFqcDvmTe65S8wy8lcbBgBxDCfGF0-pcsoaiVd6vvsgukC8pER_Wbu0GsqGp51-Bu6KMHstapBp/s200/Victoria+SW+DSCF6708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410366754929822114" border="0" /></a> east for long enough you eventually run out of South Australia. That happened to us somewhere between Mount Gambier and Nelson.<br /><br />Our first night back in Victoria was spent at Pritchards Campground, a lovely spot on the Glenelg River about 25 kms east of Portland on the Dartmoor Road. It was there that the initials GSWW became intelligible, and a noisy koala enjoyed chomping on eucalyptus leaves high in the trees above our van.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RcjFuHPMwhOoRA2AahIZROM3a_RD4ip5cuA9O-GuUwjJ_Z0rXfnSkgf7EnK4eHxt0EAyJEWTNWxDAVA6AQx16jF4haaNRLfMRK4ojGTf0yKpCAj72XJP6ivNQLyHFAb_VeBmEPngexjJ/s1600/Victoria+SW+DSCF6694.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RcjFuHPMwhOoRA2AahIZROM3a_RD4ip5cuA9O-GuUwjJ_Z0rXfnSkgf7EnK4eHxt0EAyJEWTNWxDAVA6AQx16jF4haaNRLfMRK4ojGTf0yKpCAj72XJP6ivNQLyHFAb_VeBmEPngexjJ/s200/Victoria+SW+DSCF6694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410366749050173762" border="0" /></a>After setting up camp we also discovered that you are supposed to get your permit to camp and then go to the site. A specific site is booked, not just a place in the campground.<br />In our travels in NT, WA and SA we paid for our permit on the spot. There they trust you to fill out your own permit and put the money in. I guess that there may be a few more people wanting to camp in some of these spots, but it would have been helpful to have some sort of sign or indication <span style="font-weight: bold;">BEFORE</span> we camped there. Now we have to find some way of getting the money to Parks Victoria<br /><br />For the uninitiated GSWW appears on a number of signs along the road - and it means Great South West Walk. We managed about 800 metres of the track as we caught a glimpse of the Glenelg River from a lookout spot.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LWCJ-4zjx4WpSYlX0i3BCrf6yQzZPg3cnUxNxZgY7ru2xAVO0o2A_1Zh04Mz1R8lvaO1m0pDJaVNUsCHb7uTvUKYxZYMyGupaXlpfa8CVH0DsOIxN7qv5nkY_1wUjdOMLWQa6RyC85ww/s1600/Victoria+SW+DSCF6684.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LWCJ-4zjx4WpSYlX0i3BCrf6yQzZPg3cnUxNxZgY7ru2xAVO0o2A_1Zh04Mz1R8lvaO1m0pDJaVNUsCHb7uTvUKYxZYMyGupaXlpfa8CVH0DsOIxN7qv5nkY_1wUjdOMLWQa6RyC85ww/s200/Victoria+SW+DSCF6684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410366738493600658" border="0" /></a>On the Nelson to Portland Road we also spotted a family of emus - seven in all, happily feeding less than fifty metres from the busy highway. They are the first emus I can recall seeing in this part of the world, and to see seven was remarkable.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-13521212672085202212009-11-26T01:43:00.001-08:002009-11-26T02:14:34.971-08:00Family - and history.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKhp3EkGhbk_XXWFK6fz2T-pJnbLqt5EPxc_ZTYBP7WU1Ut20ZeFuBQCS04OXOb6ogi2WLEt5pbsPuew45bTcpRtKpZ5uRjbSfrFo2KF-MTzXyZa4dGmT5xgvniqN1OdU3sRkRzPEtRkJ/s1600/Bill+circa+1928.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKhp3EkGhbk_XXWFK6fz2T-pJnbLqt5EPxc_ZTYBP7WU1Ut20ZeFuBQCS04OXOb6ogi2WLEt5pbsPuew45bTcpRtKpZ5uRjbSfrFo2KF-MTzXyZa4dGmT5xgvniqN1OdU3sRkRzPEtRkJ/s320/Bill+circa+1928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408346381906868338" border="0" /></a>There are things you discover as you travel the path of life... and among them are old photos.<br /><br />Despite the fact that these pictures have been around for close to eighty years I have no recollection of seeing any of them. My father and his older sister are the children in the photo at left. I assume it was taken mid to late 1927.<br /><br />In looking back into the past I discovered where my middle name came from. Maybe the information had been shared before, but now there is reason to remember. I have become the proud owner (or is that trustee) of a chair that once belonged to my great-great grandfather.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl7FpejeaaQWY3dmtQkqSyePSLbYLkXUlpyquRrBiZye0bMY8L5vB03qDXGAMcCGD8o-vOE2c68j8Jp7AxJ2Hh0_Zy2gEPxBwWD-Tx2LFPoAN2S0ULkQk-lpeaOeL0Wp5lNrPvAoPD-zY/s1600/Clarice+circa+1930.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl7FpejeaaQWY3dmtQkqSyePSLbYLkXUlpyquRrBiZye0bMY8L5vB03qDXGAMcCGD8o-vOE2c68j8Jp7AxJ2Hh0_Zy2gEPxBwWD-Tx2LFPoAN2S0ULkQk-lpeaOeL0Wp5lNrPvAoPD-zY/s320/Clarice+circa+1930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408346386146265394" border="0" /></a>And then there is this posed photograph of mother - looking decidedly younger in this studio portrait.<br /><br />But wait...there's more, but those other pictures are not going to appear here - at least not yet!Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-37650160103352583562009-11-26T01:26:00.000-08:002009-11-26T01:53:34.902-08:00Family connections - golfAfter Nullarbor Links Victor Harbor offered green fairways and green greens. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglJuBNGo740CN5jNOBMIwpatuQR8IupP3i_sC6oRRDZpbYJyGzbYKz6mBaeaZickdiPPmCAqYzucOtbEbLnF_w0DWxkjeAblFSDEnoUIZqKyziM-_6JlX4Ju1_xFL-N9IDZqwbLFgkrfa/s1600/DSCF6471.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglJuBNGo740CN5jNOBMIwpatuQR8IupP3i_sC6oRRDZpbYJyGzbYKz6mBaeaZickdiPPmCAqYzucOtbEbLnF_w0DWxkjeAblFSDEnoUIZqKyziM-_6JlX4Ju1_xFL-N9IDZqwbLFgkrfa/s320/DSCF6471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408342132909620226" border="0" /></a>With an 82 year old father who plays competition golf twice a week (now on a gopher), a sister who got interested early this year, and a brother-in-law who got the bug as well it was inevitable that golf was on the agenda.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJAF2kuG1a5-84kGHdmbVBcg1fJL1EF_uArSsZsUCwsNoeVmn4x1Pt7-NKivDWxYwTqESVffwcN7rBcCAeyFmQ5LhtZGFe9dNCkMeoCeoly8NNVle6zEUBDKLNNLzqMQlURWKQzDCmvIR/s1600/DSCF6425-1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJAF2kuG1a5-84kGHdmbVBcg1fJL1EF_uArSsZsUCwsNoeVmn4x1Pt7-NKivDWxYwTqESVffwcN7rBcCAeyFmQ5LhtZGFe9dNCkMeoCeoly8NNVle6zEUBDKLNNLzqMQlURWKQzDCmvIR/s320/DSCF6425-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408342123792178194" border="0" /></a><br />A little time on the practice fairway, three visits to Victor Harbor Golf Club and one to South Lakes (Goolwa) meant time to sort out a few golfing problems.<br /><br />Sorting out problems and scoring well do not always go together, but at least I managed to play two good nines in competition. The only problem was that one was on Tuesday and one was on Thursday. Hope remains!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmq_T8QWYHnPfYM2hgEW8laHVJU5Yg0uH0je6cmbYKyjE4r6RKjZmIxrfg8tlXWEErZ3-KX_tCdGU95JxssdBTQ9qdD1-7lpb7TvR73_YNi1MnWlWXGPeDh-g3WzKbR-fMJDzbX3HK_4U/s1600/DSCF6445.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmq_T8QWYHnPfYM2hgEW8laHVJU5Yg0uH0je6cmbYKyjE4r6RKjZmIxrfg8tlXWEErZ3-KX_tCdGU95JxssdBTQ9qdD1-7lpb7TvR73_YNi1MnWlWXGPeDh-g3WzKbR-fMJDzbX3HK_4U/s320/DSCF6445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408342127878904130" border="0" /></a>At least I was able to help my sister find some extra distance off the tee for a while. The problem was not paralysis by analysis, but there are times when we concentrate so hard on getting things right that we just fail to give the ball a good solid whack! One trap that I occasionally fall into (especially on narrow fairways) is trying to steer the ball 'down the middle'. The result is often far worse that standing on the tee and trusting my swing.<br /><br />Enough of golf already (not really but this is not the place - see <a href="http://www.thisgolfinglife.com/graham">www.thisgolfinglife.com/graham</a>)<br /><br />Where was Beth all this time? Well she had unrestricted access to the laptop to work on photos and in movie maker. A lot of progress was made in sorting out the thousands of photos we took on our way around Australia.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-23749359581313251222009-11-26T01:19:00.000-08:002009-11-26T01:26:29.606-08:00Family catch upAfter a week of constant travel it was good to stop in one place for a week and to catch up with family. This week was the 12 month anniversary of my sisters death at age 57, the end result of an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her courage and strength in facing adversity were obvious, and she is still missed by her children, grand-children and wider family. Even so, life goes on.<br /><br />At her funeral the final word was with Gloria. She knew time was running out, and made the most of that time spending all she could sharing with her children and grand-children. Some people do not have that time to say goodbye. It was a reminder for us all to value those we have while we can.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-11481179083830570202009-11-24T00:59:00.000-08:002009-11-26T01:19:17.909-08:00SA GreatI <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp-SmbfHtzBTlRz_fNyZNe6MUC8HRd3PsH0fcfqwSm3EJZpsLP8fVnqq-f-4ci35tfFBwclSVi_hdwuDYiwRQaBBepLQrtOhu89HWabX76Be3FUzFA2XWDh8RGZ2lpwc0tLfcJnnxCaLy/s1600/DSCF6374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp-SmbfHtzBTlRz_fNyZNe6MUC8HRd3PsH0fcfqwSm3EJZpsLP8fVnqq-f-4ci35tfFBwclSVi_hdwuDYiwRQaBBepLQrtOhu89HWabX76Be3FUzFA2XWDh8RGZ2lpwc0tLfcJnnxCaLy/s320/DSCF6374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408336790680063842" border="0" /></a>heard that SA Great has now changed its name to Advantage SA, witha sub-brand Advantage Adelaide. There was apparently some confusion with South Africa they say. Great move to change after only ten years of confusion!<br /><br />Whatever, it was great to be back in SA. Beth got quite emotional as we were coming through Port Augusta, but there may have been other reasons for that!<br /><br />Once over the border and into SA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82oZdUZV65NH7lp0_PMBR-wAm22ImpXNAQYRsxP9qBHl2icBBxT25ztW9WMTFxOZqEw1YOt2pTNJJcloOYg1StjhrmFPIhdMQlsrT41KR3kO0CgUvICou8Uz23aguKsPe-nAfMrdqzeOB/s1600/DSCF6339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 152px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82oZdUZV65NH7lp0_PMBR-wAm22ImpXNAQYRsxP9qBHl2icBBxT25ztW9WMTFxOZqEw1YOt2pTNJJcloOYg1StjhrmFPIhdMQlsrT41KR3kO0CgUvICou8Uz23aguKsPe-nAfMrdqzeOB/s320/DSCF6339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408336782470293890" border="0" /></a> we stopped at a couple of places on our way to Victor Harbor.<br /><br />Streaky Bay was a lovely respite by the sea, even though the temperature was still high. A gentle breeze at night at least cooled us down a bit. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hLFaDqO804VZalym0HqOzVYByNLEwX-oIOpDZVG4LzcpRENoVbnIZmP559yPswJPUwXSuOLXFWHgRXkErd4Zw_BeKjqjtdIajb9sw8DKjB0FreL_Wqngqn4GrMO6m7FZH2KQBlI9aRle/s1600/DSCF6400.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 109px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hLFaDqO804VZalym0HqOzVYByNLEwX-oIOpDZVG4LzcpRENoVbnIZmP559yPswJPUwXSuOLXFWHgRXkErd4Zw_BeKjqjtdIajb9sw8DKjB0FreL_Wqngqn4GrMO6m7FZH2KQBlI9aRle/s320/DSCF6400.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408336805356832450" border="0" /></a>Looking back it was ironic that as we headed to Streaky Bay ABC local radio was focusing on the 'catastrophic fire alert' procedures for schools. Two days later they were implemented for the first time ever! Then it rained. The farmers were celebrating their first decent harvest in years, then some got hit by fires, and those who hadn't finished their harvest had to cope with unseasonal rain. Farming is a tough life!<br /><br />The next night was Port Broughton,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5NE6a4PqHmE_QRl4iB98eHAnHOh_EG1E1menyTf7k9SIx7KQS3THyB2QZsaVKycaoOUz1GapF7rsX-F4VoBMCNXaVEtS6ZAhtOnCe-DbFlnV81SYa4Ya2z89ygnP6pmj8JLVqq7PS80K/s1600/DSCF6389.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5NE6a4PqHmE_QRl4iB98eHAnHOh_EG1E1menyTf7k9SIx7KQS3THyB2QZsaVKycaoOUz1GapF7rsX-F4VoBMCNXaVEtS6ZAhtOnCe-DbFlnV81SYa4Ya2z89ygnP6pmj8JLVqq7PS80K/s320/DSCF6389.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408336795597934082" border="0" /></a> and we were glad the caravan park had a great swimming pool. It was delightful! <br /><br />When we set up camp on the shores of Spencer Gulf we were well clear of the Nullarbor. Yet getting on the way some of the scenery looked eerily like the area we left a couple of days ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQZ1HXAocW6ghC3CpxjRSee3cTqBjCT_VcbG7WT7TboByODtY-snzMaiNzcvVrTZPoq5_sNB1LvX9VD5QDrQudV42JiEWrBqDhB20C_jKtLcjsdrX6hmV2hg24F1w0yKFA-a-MOl6uBy9/s1600/DSCF6372.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQZ1HXAocW6ghC3CpxjRSee3cTqBjCT_VcbG7WT7TboByODtY-snzMaiNzcvVrTZPoq5_sNB1LvX9VD5QDrQudV42JiEWrBqDhB20C_jKtLcjsdrX6hmV2hg24F1w0yKFA-a-MOl6uBy9/s320/DSCF6372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408336789998739762" border="0" /></a>South Australia is the driest state in the country, and driving through the area around near Whyalla and Port Augusta it was not at all hard to beleive.<br /><br />Then it was on to Victor, via Copper Coast Salvos (it was Sunday morning) and Adelaide.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-7411028786977799732009-11-21T01:00:00.000-08:002009-11-26T02:11:21.051-08:00South and East<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcEmcxWoWveVZlV9u_fHC9Jbronv_yReb0ezA16Q074Hsl1kWCdpvcErwrg8Txz2Fpu0I42ScrG9PeJNzocq4UatpmhC29T0yBdzWFBBTHi10bi55Au0QHbKDRkzSE7S6_eyfpw9mTDpi/s1600/DSCF6544.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcEmcxWoWveVZlV9u_fHC9Jbronv_yReb0ezA16Q074Hsl1kWCdpvcErwrg8Txz2Fpu0I42ScrG9PeJNzocq4UatpmhC29T0yBdzWFBBTHi10bi55Au0QHbKDRkzSE7S6_eyfpw9mTDpi/s200/DSCF6544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408351071959845826" border="0" /></a>We managed 3000 kilometers in one week across the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nullarbor</span>, but opted to cruise across to Melbourne at a more leisurely pace.<br /><br />One night at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Parnka</span> Point on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Coorong</span> allowed us to glimpse some of the local wildlife. Blue-tongue lizards (about four in the space of 500 metres), a bearded dragon, a snake, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iXupBiL5ao_anFneoh6zwBG_omIleQFrLhKUNtfsL_JEhhXwjvDhgBfnp82-iGaWk0NxLZvgwzsaFNQWy7phOM4vMNKRDVQiUDI9g03_9N7IWedmlGxYRyBPSxEouJbfKYfMh-n23JrN/s1600/DSCF6570.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iXupBiL5ao_anFneoh6zwBG_omIleQFrLhKUNtfsL_JEhhXwjvDhgBfnp82-iGaWk0NxLZvgwzsaFNQWy7phOM4vMNKRDVQiUDI9g03_9N7IWedmlGxYRyBPSxEouJbfKYfMh-n23JrN/s200/DSCF6570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408351086167649186" border="0" /></a>an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">echnida</span> and some emus were all at home in this little section of park where we camped.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUaC1luGSpqalVMDgqmfDXjH3bVhUxMeCxgBrulES65gB2ItchuREQ3RCiAlyM1Ld0UljabG4JgPnIuZxMSvoPkHP8__ig0RScVpPQJS1CRxLujfSVxON5uta8YmmWGBzV3IN6Cn3mKVS/s1600/DSCF6546.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUaC1luGSpqalVMDgqmfDXjH3bVhUxMeCxgBrulES65gB2ItchuREQ3RCiAlyM1Ld0UljabG4JgPnIuZxMSvoPkHP8__ig0RScVpPQJS1CRxLujfSVxON5uta8YmmWGBzV3IN6Cn3mKVS/s200/DSCF6546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408351083664310962" border="0" /></a>Much is being made of the condition of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Coorong</span> which is suffering because no water is flowing in from the Murray. It is a fascinating area, with a mixture of salt and river water combining in a unique lake area that is but one big sand dune back from the oceans and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Lacepede</span> Bay.<br /><br />Further down the coast are the southern ports - Kingston, Robe and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Beachport</span>. Despite travelling the road before I cannot recall stopping and visiting any of these places. No doubt they were all once bustling fishing <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglfTWDqO4uWJfMsIEyPwEKWhihpm7dbesQxqRgsJHhvnQgmHsWqEXbXCudel-KE60Xg-bNXlTWjrVVA1VtkXicINj475Si_7VgNyTFIzpxk0Cp7DSRgJkuK59To5pgCk0p7-r41YbhrxJ/s1600/DSCF6618.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglfTWDqO4uWJfMsIEyPwEKWhihpm7dbesQxqRgsJHhvnQgmHsWqEXbXCudel-KE60Xg-bNXlTWjrVVA1VtkXicINj475Si_7VgNyTFIzpxk0Cp7DSRgJkuK59To5pgCk0p7-r41YbhrxJ/s200/DSCF6618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408351090614099042" border="0" /></a>villages and shipping ports, but now are mainly tourist and holiday destinations.<br />Each of them has much to offer the visitor who wants to wind down near the sea. From my perspective each of the centres has a golf course, so any of the three would be great places to stay! Kingston also has a good bike path, and the original Cape <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Jaffa</span> lighthouse sits as a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">museum</span> feature near the foreshore.<br /><br /><br />We enjoyed our brief visit, and will look to return for a more extended stay at some stage in the future.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-86160235001910000542009-11-17T12:37:00.000-08:002009-11-17T13:11:28.177-08:00Crossing the NullarborNullarbor Links shaped the timing of our trip across this part of Australia, but we did check out some of the scenery along the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiZ5eFCIWVodHyWXzfkpRLTm6wy-dBwggJc9C4PyTZu1EtfOF-1hDiKasGc4UTncrS0jYLYhL6KwTZ6mNeVWmHzl_s4hCyxdNlCe54jhbH_Yftfng3XsH-gRnupCiZZUb7R-RIu4a2mm1/s1600/Eucla+Signpost.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiZ5eFCIWVodHyWXzfkpRLTm6wy-dBwggJc9C4PyTZu1EtfOF-1hDiKasGc4UTncrS0jYLYhL6KwTZ6mNeVWmHzl_s4hCyxdNlCe54jhbH_Yftfng3XsH-gRnupCiZZUb7R-RIu4a2mm1/s320/Eucla+Signpost.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405178503917578258" border="0" /></a>The Roe Plains are an interesting variation in the Landscape between Madura and Eucla (or Eucla and Madura if you come from the east. As you travel along those plains look out for the boot tree, the CD tree and the clothes tree. Not part of the natural landscape the evidence of human activity adds variety, and of course, if you need another pair of shoes, a CD or some item of clothing the fruit of those trees might come in handy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYJAdqKFDCqD9E1-xRUNvajICyBwYsY7nEOZHd75puyoLtSQW7mmcY_nIEbWOPH3iJ6jWxc2MHY0QlOfM7uKmPTcqpWY5X70DZgCAg65fuQBym4mSyDiYdCRqzSKP7D2I1j434geW2VG3/s1600/Bunda+Cliffs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYJAdqKFDCqD9E1-xRUNvajICyBwYsY7nEOZHd75puyoLtSQW7mmcY_nIEbWOPH3iJ6jWxc2MHY0QlOfM7uKmPTcqpWY5X70DZgCAg65fuQBym4mSyDiYdCRqzSKP7D2I1j434geW2VG3/s320/Bunda+Cliffs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405178516677987810" border="0" /></a>The spectacular Bunda Cliffs that look out over the great Australian Bight.<br /><br /><br />At times these views are just a kilometre or from the highway and are worth checking out.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ta3HTT51ULskvzzjLehIH7k0RPTu3bNC_4VI3eUzbCAQjwdeghGjDi-54o90nFt_8XbkNFBZVn82P3gqUDw9XEwhgXWJMIsf5XUB5wC_LGi-z2lbhZvaMuAntoBbPvQGhj8fwxalSOGH/s1600/DSCF6173.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ta3HTT51ULskvzzjLehIH7k0RPTu3bNC_4VI3eUzbCAQjwdeghGjDi-54o90nFt_8XbkNFBZVn82P3gqUDw9XEwhgXWJMIsf5XUB5wC_LGi-z2lbhZvaMuAntoBbPvQGhj8fwxalSOGH/s320/DSCF6173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405178914477774290" border="0" /></a>Just past Nullarbor Roadhouse is the head of the bight.<br />We were a month late for the whales that rest there on their journey south, but it was still interesting to call in. No whales, but on the way out we spotted a group of feral camels making their way east.<br />For those familiar with the Nativity story the wise men were missing, and the camels were heading the wrong way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHhVYkvrC3usMn_oya8uhneWUnrbmJPfwO2bJRUF5r5PRO4iDcDBNT_Y_sSsars2OicX5X5kRmpCh1-UQMYraHtfL1F98RmwosjQtV4CcXjfnxRCzGH1V8OPJuep85HjoU7Xql4MC3mKx/s1600/DSCF6164.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHhVYkvrC3usMn_oya8uhneWUnrbmJPfwO2bJRUF5r5PRO4iDcDBNT_Y_sSsars2OicX5X5kRmpCh1-UQMYraHtfL1F98RmwosjQtV4CcXjfnxRCzGH1V8OPJuep85HjoU7Xql4MC3mKx/s320/DSCF6164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405178907963747010" border="0" /></a>And then there are the Nullarbor plains. We crossed the Nullarbor, but the actual Nullarbor plains are only a very small portion of the trip. <br /><br />The treeless plains do not take your breath away, but they are impressive in their own way.<br /><br />And of course there are other signs along the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyOtT9q9AH-Lj31iNWfoBV7ziL6Jwu9GMPNZP9EOnljawejlGW400V_5xIZVG2x9muvV2_qXkp1NaeZZ0KOYJpZ8v71R0jecmlaa4hvbm-W2U44iCHBkpUpHPZWqp4sEEE9-Uh2o509ch/s1600/Nullarbor+Road+Sign.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyOtT9q9AH-Lj31iNWfoBV7ziL6Jwu9GMPNZP9EOnljawejlGW400V_5xIZVG2x9muvV2_qXkp1NaeZZ0KOYJpZ8v71R0jecmlaa4hvbm-W2U44iCHBkpUpHPZWqp4sEEE9-Uh2o509ch/s320/Nullarbor+Road+Sign.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405178506226178290" border="0" /></a>Travelling in daylight hours meant that we did not see any wombats, and only just caught a glimpse of the odd kangaroo. You already know about the camels.<br /><br />For us the travelling part of the journey is coming to an end. Now it is back to touch base with family, attend a few weddings, and prepare for Christmas. Thoughts are turning slowly to next year, and there is some time available for other things as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv9XEwOUdrNiuCrxQjmfPiX7tNJKEGigKKZW-tBKscUEYN5ZA6Sj_M_YFSGNleR4eFkK60cC4f7_N_YcINape8ZQBGxssiPPhWnh0pMnfXSYLILcfyr4s5bwtqpCecLg282w3FU3SiXTw/s1600/Penong+Windmills.JPG"><br /></a>Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-88509223284186253392009-11-17T12:22:00.000-08:002009-11-17T12:37:51.111-08:00Nullarbor Golf Wrap UpFour days, and forty degree heat. 18 holes and 1395 kilometres. It was done. All that remained was mathematics (add up the score) and go to the Ceduna Visitor Centre for my certificate.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JqwBpldM3B0jxHqLVLhdLWPQBROhxLCClEsJscQyLPzmSYVWiGnjIBzRRtUvnZUFuG7WdvKKnzLiGUbN-uhh9P-bYJCq6Gbynm7Fkw318QAclIo5uKTaEJJ_ozVf9ofFIgCIV5kjguvb/s1600/DSCF6420.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JqwBpldM3B0jxHqLVLhdLWPQBROhxLCClEsJscQyLPzmSYVWiGnjIBzRRtUvnZUFuG7WdvKKnzLiGUbN-uhh9P-bYJCq6Gbynm7Fkw318QAclIo5uKTaEJJ_ozVf9ofFIgCIV5kjguvb/s320/DSCF6420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405172278842833986" border="0" /></a>Disappointed? Yes. Double and triple bogeys meant a card that did not reflect my idea of a good score.<br /><br />Happy - yes! I had completed the course. Card Number 377 was complete.<br /><br />Off to the visitor centre and I was asked my score. It goes on the certificate. How embarrassing. The certificate will include my score.<br /><br /><br /><br />"How did you go?" was the question.<br />"It was a lot of fun, an experience," came my reply, "but lost balls, penalties and a bad three putt didn't help my score."<br />"So what was your score, it goes on your certificate."<br />"88" was my response.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuDR_PieYYg2A1Vwh7PhcCccKxoHNeM-WV6Z__1OVmIVGL1alcHqd9T03HhyphenhyphenT0QP70y1TnQH7oYr1flk8yJ3a_8eL1dtJYYr3iCvo6-HScw9KHdDplxgZzsOwd3GB844gtTyf13Wb3vqK/s1600/DSCF6418.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbuDR_PieYYg2A1Vwh7PhcCccKxoHNeM-WV6Z__1OVmIVGL1alcHqd9T03HhyphenhyphenT0QP70y1TnQH7oYr1flk8yJ3a_8eL1dtJYYr3iCvo6-HScw9KHdDplxgZzsOwd3GB844gtTyf13Wb3vqK/s320/DSCF6418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405172275574883138" border="0" /></a>"Wow, that's terrific! This is first certificate I have done for a score less than 100."<br />Another voice from behind the counter added "...and some of them have been almost twice that."<br /><br />Certificate in hand we left the air-conditioned visitor centre and headed out into the heat again.<br /><br />The challenge had been faced; Nullarbor Golf Links had been conquered. Well, conquered is not really the right word. We had survived the heat, the dust and the distance. We had endured ants, march flies (they sting), three corner jacks and the flies at Eucla. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAXDyq19dWYOa2e0wSCD3FDiAfH6MYehkG9fVGChF7wbol6kwLe4jnSNPr7fSgFloq2eHXZVqdP2TMWEhQSWYMVTKgza6JA0Q4wSHagN4aVyK7imzYdSuBdQyQxpm2AO1DoKgzb9YPEDC/s1600/DSCF6336.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAXDyq19dWYOa2e0wSCD3FDiAfH6MYehkG9fVGChF7wbol6kwLe4jnSNPr7fSgFloq2eHXZVqdP2TMWEhQSWYMVTKgza6JA0Q4wSHagN4aVyK7imzYdSuBdQyQxpm2AO1DoKgzb9YPEDC/s320/DSCF6336.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405172270443182274" border="0" /></a>I had lost two golf balls - and we found seven. It had still been a lot of fun, and added much needed variety to 1400 kilometres of our 2900 trip to Adelaide.<br /><br />Would I play Nullarbor Links again? Yes ,Yes, Yes! Maybe I would try for some cooler weather next time. It was a little warm, unusually hot in fact, as we crossed the Nullarbor early in November 2009.<br />Would my faithful photographer document the event? Seems I need a golfing partner next time; she is not planning to do it again.<br /><br />Nullarbor Links is not Kingston Heath. They will never hold the Australian Masters on this course, but it is an experience not to be missed. Next time you head across the Nullarbor, take your golf clubs.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-35428058447773588532009-11-15T23:56:00.000-08:002009-11-17T12:22:07.798-08:00Day 4 The Last Leg!After a frustrating Day 3 the end was near. Days 2 and 3 had been hot (the weather, not the golf) and another 40 degrees plus awaited. Only four holes to go.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu547hNHLogq9MRk4bkwhv8XS-aLi-0rrqXXgoLMIRHjzA7UvlElO7eiSbdGzMgInluRJLKTm2u-Iae6BFnHrOiK8jlHVTLU0sgLEKj54ar9CKbNjgt5owsnUih5hMzPxD5sKDmVTGIWO/s1600/Nundroo+Tee.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu547hNHLogq9MRk4bkwhv8XS-aLi-0rrqXXgoLMIRHjzA7UvlElO7eiSbdGzMgInluRJLKTm2u-Iae6BFnHrOiK8jlHVTLU0sgLEKj54ar9CKbNjgt5owsnUih5hMzPxD5sKDmVTGIWO/s320/Nundroo+Tee.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405166229003623778" border="0" /></a>Nundroo was first on the list. Ten o'clock in the morning and the temperature was climbing. Beth needed a little encouragement to walk the 600 metres to the tee, but the faithful photographer was still determined to see the course to the end. Up and over the hill we went - into the never never! This time there was a slight change of strategy. Beth was going to try and watch the ball as well as take photos. Clever!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhew6dZsszcwEyJ7-XU0q0KQ9Da8quaXMdKNakMxa9fmY0_6eXAyk7P7lzcLYoUMMQ0SLZrtHFCyPxdekiNQ2qNMOE_IfuaDeZmEbsQNru0lr6fTjVSjGxRYf3fsDCJbo0og_2VFLPe43z/s1600/Nundroo+search.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhew6dZsszcwEyJ7-XU0q0KQ9Da8quaXMdKNakMxa9fmY0_6eXAyk7P7lzcLYoUMMQ0SLZrtHFCyPxdekiNQ2qNMOE_IfuaDeZmEbsQNru0lr6fTjVSjGxRYf3fsDCJbo0og_2VFLPe43z/s320/Nundroo+search.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405165896266862994" border="0" /></a>The challenge here was the fairway. First the drive had to find the fairway, and then it had to bounce straight. Striding confidently to the tee I struck the ball a mighty blow. Moments later I proceeded up the fairway before turning right into the long grass to look for my ball.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid32zi-IUTMM72DfrII58KTJ4qpgTw1LFuDoXLBXxtyj38mAXvh4eq1P3vLhcogBzwYYD3hH2H1JB4Iq6R1DT9LIgVtO5MzoLRl4WPr4bOvuTAximmNr5aI5wjhyphenhyphenYzXNijWQ0PinYS_jhL/s1600/Nundroo+Lie.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid32zi-IUTMM72DfrII58KTJ4qpgTw1LFuDoXLBXxtyj38mAXvh4eq1P3vLhcogBzwYYD3hH2H1JB4Iq6R1DT9LIgVtO5MzoLRl4WPr4bOvuTAximmNr5aI5wjhyphenhyphenYzXNijWQ0PinYS_jhL/s320/Nundroo+Lie.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405167279499510418" border="0" /></a>My heart sank as I considered yet another lost ball. Fortunately the grass was not as thick as it appeared. Discretion was called for!<br /><br />Tiger Woods might play a long iron or fairway metal (a.k.a. a fairway wood) for his second on such a hole. Not me. I played a pitching wedge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn7w5P4uCvbBzaIc1JgOKXp0NBnwaGlL35hCzJT-TDCeqEmpBhXxhG6dswvvPBjeV4zRQ0OL4j3rvFJDgeu79XArDxu2qIe19w1mlAgKe0kEr56fdtR5X09geZAAuBTaueUDpysm2q9Ws/s1600/Nundroo+shot.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCn7w5P4uCvbBzaIc1JgOKXp0NBnwaGlL35hCzJT-TDCeqEmpBhXxhG6dswvvPBjeV4zRQ0OL4j3rvFJDgeu79XArDxu2qIe19w1mlAgKe0kEr56fdtR5X09geZAAuBTaueUDpysm2q9Ws/s320/Nundroo+shot.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405165899303287122" border="0" /></a>Tiger Woods would go for the green on such a hole. Not me. I was just trying to find the fairway.<br /><br />The theory on a long hole is driver, long iron, pitch then putt. My practice was becoming driver, pitch, long iron, chip, then putt. When things went bad it was driver, pitch, long iron, pitch, short iron, pitch, chip then putt, and putt again!!!!<br /><br />At Nundroo I managed to finish my mixed up order with a one putt and a par 5, to my great relief. After the hotel we enjoyed great coffee in a cool roadhouse. Need to go? They have the best kept toilet facilities my caddy had seen throughout this experience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3rR0TEVYwr-4MIMihoRnvdSww2tQ4O6IF-dkx58zZvLKo_jCqa-mWyMayiVlYUXNLbSW50iO8QhXUtNG_heQlZ-tqUMVRrJAtAS1_2vVLbZPysOJG7jVqnuFN8v2TUjrEIRVosXo4mv1/s1600/Penong+trouble.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3rR0TEVYwr-4MIMihoRnvdSww2tQ4O6IF-dkx58zZvLKo_jCqa-mWyMayiVlYUXNLbSW50iO8QhXUtNG_heQlZ-tqUMVRrJAtAS1_2vVLbZPysOJG7jVqnuFN8v2TUjrEIRVosXo4mv1/s320/Penong+trouble.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405165241650851522" border="0" /></a>Hole 16 (counting down here....only 2 more to go) was a short uphill par 4 with a few trees in the way. I found one tree back left of the green, but a one putt saved the day.<br /><br />My course notes said that Penong hole was on the golf course. Conversation at the roadhouse confirmed that it was on the site of the golf course, which had not been visible for about 20 years.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmCH6HP-XKWvBwot6pL0kVvyTVDgntEtTZ1Tg-sy7xSc9FmW0Yv1wqnxQ9NA6JvQ-097e0c8amOmV-loFRVPIpDVDSGZ-HrnqpuBsmDHxwRnVnZu56cjNuK-UOUiMqEdpnSGagnPKhY1Y/s1600/Oyster+bay+chip.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmCH6HP-XKWvBwot6pL0kVvyTVDgntEtTZ1Tg-sy7xSc9FmW0Yv1wqnxQ9NA6JvQ-097e0c8amOmV-loFRVPIpDVDSGZ-HrnqpuBsmDHxwRnVnZu56cjNuK-UOUiMqEdpnSGagnPKhY1Y/s320/Oyster+bay+chip.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405167927027165666" border="0" /></a>Last stop Ceduna. This time the holes were on the local golf course and the territory looked less frightening. Two short approach shots meant a good putt was needed to save par before headed to Denial Bay, the name of my last hole.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FeTyVz9S58HmL0hrs3XJxbW6cSzDQkQfF-BSgfSVrCjoI4K3CvzNEMuV7VrjDmOzq3n0dPI1Jm9XFR8GWwsvEAM8u5J8VDiUDo_4xp_7UPRClP_MThye45L-6AWJtuJNYN6NBHrU_F_-/s1600/Denial+Bay+disaster.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FeTyVz9S58HmL0hrs3XJxbW6cSzDQkQfF-BSgfSVrCjoI4K3CvzNEMuV7VrjDmOzq3n0dPI1Jm9XFR8GWwsvEAM8u5J8VDiUDo_4xp_7UPRClP_MThye45L-6AWJtuJNYN6NBHrU_F_-/s320/Denial+Bay+disaster.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405165247759192850" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately it was into the wind, and my photographer captured the tragedy as it unfolded. To avoid a possible out of bounds on the right I went left... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawsnkAmiM2aySGfSKthOAip1Le8W7vPkkA1CSEty6c-eDCezHdAjXYEBJBg9Aw5MnTWQXDg8_X4LxzZT723aG08f09DqJA_ENyqY9rU4khwYuAuhXZlyrUeZgvOJvslsBuE_5wk8zNRwx/s1600/Denial+Bay+final+putt.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawsnkAmiM2aySGfSKthOAip1Le8W7vPkkA1CSEty6c-eDCezHdAjXYEBJBg9Aw5MnTWQXDg8_X4LxzZT723aG08f09DqJA_ENyqY9rU4khwYuAuhXZlyrUeZgvOJvslsBuE_5wk8zNRwx/s320/Denial+Bay+final+putt.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405167921693911746" border="0" /></a>and then managed to mess up 3 of the next five shots. The last of these was only about 15 centimetres, and that I got right.<br /><br />Next post - the wrap up!Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-52741866899023926002009-11-13T13:27:00.001-08:002009-11-13T13:49:07.388-08:00Day 3 - Day of Disaster Take 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmGomv8avX-g-RBdz_RdDX9pVYieCxRm6tik-kpNhFOODX_cJNMN-4lsqsED4bmmBYyzjW7JNkrmXX0guJKsSqGETGjbhL0Eia1ct4EHFu254XDodxZ_Av_iwraDuxYDJ4-ChAetsXd91/s1600-h/Madura+View.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmGomv8avX-g-RBdz_RdDX9pVYieCxRm6tik-kpNhFOODX_cJNMN-4lsqsED4bmmBYyzjW7JNkrmXX0guJKsSqGETGjbhL0Eia1ct4EHFu254XDodxZ_Av_iwraDuxYDJ4-ChAetsXd91/s320/Madura+View.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403703737647941154" border="0" /></a>The day started well enough at Madura. A lovely 125 metres uphill par 3. Aim the trees, aim left of the flag and it will be OK. Two putts later I had a par to start the day and things were looking brighter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LlHMOzzD7tTSx1wgAYV5vm_Vtt9-3kwsxGsJgtd3JWWj1Wjpk5vcWVgvefRjGpyhpVkHXB0bnwXpgVcwP-obLHD0d9oXgEgBeYrecKQR_XFq5ID4-FBtrOCHKot_qrW2Tjfofayliz3R/s1600-h/Mundrabilla+Buggy.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LlHMOzzD7tTSx1wgAYV5vm_Vtt9-3kwsxGsJgtd3JWWj1Wjpk5vcWVgvefRjGpyhpVkHXB0bnwXpgVcwP-obLHD0d9oXgEgBeYrecKQR_XFq5ID4-FBtrOCHKot_qrW2Tjfofayliz3R/s320/Mundrabilla+Buggy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403703743309802610" border="0" /></a>Mundrabilla is halfway along the Roe plains and there is the Watering hole. It stared well enough, I saw the ball go left of the fairway, hit a rock and bounce at right angles on to the fairway. Well, that's what I thought. Being careful I played a provisional. It was a great shot and it was needed. After searching for a while and not finding my first shot I know why the guy drove his buggy into the old swimming pool!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGR1nPedVRMRZpvk8YPr0UUmt4P60kcfBZI0JjB5dQbYY24O9oOODGnomdX1qHTc0UREglWw6CZpg9XIoRydMq0IjRgIaAcqT2xXsk5_NOX7cEPiozdjODnjyBXIi07QK0ANIQzLW-lm9/s1600-h/Eucla+Hole.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJGR1nPedVRMRZpvk8YPr0UUmt4P60kcfBZI0JjB5dQbYY24O9oOODGnomdX1qHTc0UREglWw6CZpg9XIoRydMq0IjRgIaAcqT2xXsk5_NOX7cEPiozdjODnjyBXIi07QK0ANIQzLW-lm9/s320/Eucla+Hole.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403703745344217138" border="0" /></a>Ah Eucla. Halfway along our journey and on to a real golf course. Another easier hole, with wide open fairway and a little bit of a head wind. No long grass to hide you ball, not scrub left of right, just a couple of bushes on the fairway. A duck hook left meant it was in the sparse but long grass. We found 6 balls - we did not find mine! With the provisional ball another shot was dropped as well.<br /><br />Now the Euclascourse has some of the friendliest flies around.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNfsG_BqrldjcNrl0rDLQCh25Yu1aUDpFKqPiwuKTA2DRrz-zipaNA4_dkbBQbHnEf4c_tYVtTMvjzga41koNbKuRsdE8DrVRt_sc1vq9s6ImVmSoNs5UVlukfwDrN-iQWuYGluPVtFq7/s1600-h/Eucla+friends.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 137px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTNfsG_BqrldjcNrl0rDLQCh25Yu1aUDpFKqPiwuKTA2DRrz-zipaNA4_dkbBQbHnEf4c_tYVtTMvjzga41koNbKuRsdE8DrVRt_sc1vq9s6ImVmSoNs5UVlukfwDrN-iQWuYGluPVtFq7/s320/Eucla+friends.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403707656694938690" border="0" /></a> Despite all her efforts and almost constant movement Beth did not walk alone!<br /><br />At Border Village, just a 12 kilometer drive we found another par three. It was not as frightening to look at as Balladonia, nor was it as long but when your tee shot goes right under a tree it can still be a problem.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-mJhh0EvT1KsXfDi5QLE9-anOY7olXINoZX75JioV_LSdxfdGbKfXWg2V64YUSlw4bPRbjVgmVpGI5pBkoBdWO8e8mR8mCh7mt_In9QXcnYTitk_2sTA6N7Wz6jn4e5eVn4zcRRRMakY/s1600-h/Nullarbor+Hazards.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-mJhh0EvT1KsXfDi5QLE9-anOY7olXINoZX75JioV_LSdxfdGbKfXWg2V64YUSlw4bPRbjVgmVpGI5pBkoBdWO8e8mR8mCh7mt_In9QXcnYTitk_2sTA6N7Wz6jn4e5eVn4zcRRRMakY/s320/Nullarbor+Hazards.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403707137039734082" border="0" /></a>The final hole for the day was a Nullarbor Roadhouse. A par 5, and the chance to get a par. Yeah right! Military golf ended my day - left, right, left. Add a penalty and some into the wind <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd74ObU_7G8Nx6KNoUiw5uYmHAi3ftH9v1lMwJLS5WEkxBRnaDxItJ6QfqgHfJkQFP6F_CHJQ2Gl-Cqu3qgo_Dn9D8JCD50_4WjDIV4M6mLfEBBL0yS7ZTHjWZDhZc7EGbKItqziNFFRR/s1600-h/Nullarbor+Problmes.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd74ObU_7G8Nx6KNoUiw5uYmHAi3ftH9v1lMwJLS5WEkxBRnaDxItJ6QfqgHfJkQFP6F_CHJQ2Gl-Cqu3qgo_Dn9D8JCD50_4WjDIV4M6mLfEBBL0yS7ZTHjWZDhZc7EGbKItqziNFFRR/s320/Nullarbor+Problmes.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403707658523306418" border="0" /></a>shots that didn't make the distance and the day finished with a triple bogey even though I did not loose a ball.<br /><br />Maybe things will be better tomorrow. Surely they couldn't be worse.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-65312422870003970182009-11-12T12:59:00.000-08:002009-11-13T13:27:02.353-08:00Day 2 - Day of DisasterWere it not for the Nullarbor Golf Experience we would not have gone in to Fraser Range Station. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZY8J7ek85Cd_Cqmbo7-YYQmX3gIUQHgJEpk-NLBlLvDr3x53Z-wt5_WK4AwMvn4_6v4Wsq6bH4w9ezGAw5xHTVwP8OmjM-dioC9e8ThyJRoApb_jru2S6cfoUEerggKzEwMxtnGBMn9oE/s1600-h/Fraser+range+trouble.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZY8J7ek85Cd_Cqmbo7-YYQmX3gIUQHgJEpk-NLBlLvDr3x53Z-wt5_WK4AwMvn4_6v4Wsq6bH4w9ezGAw5xHTVwP8OmjM-dioC9e8ThyJRoApb_jru2S6cfoUEerggKzEwMxtnGBMn9oE/s320/Fraser+range+trouble.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403697820808558722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A delightful spot about 100 kms east of Norseman this would be lovely place to stop for a few days. Their hole is short downhill par 3, and easy little hole. Warning - do not overhit! My tee shot did not go into the dry creek at the back but stayed in a pile of dirt. Once I got to the green it was easy except for the pace of the artificial green. A 1.5 metre downhill putt became a 2 metre uphill putt which I missed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiunpDyr5o4MW1-r-gGPP9hRMNgsetAGQbpqFNYsYfiFGmDeALEh27GhNicx7gnrEsJdQzDFjKnosbZt4oZ07ciGlVBZbbojYjUxpuVvfsDtyJCWX5xtNQDGWDNdeMhcoNY6OapiJ1N9ce/s1600-h/Balladonia+Fairway.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiunpDyr5o4MW1-r-gGPP9hRMNgsetAGQbpqFNYsYfiFGmDeALEh27GhNicx7gnrEsJdQzDFjKnosbZt4oZ07ciGlVBZbbojYjUxpuVvfsDtyJCWX5xtNQDGWDNdeMhcoNY6OapiJ1N9ce/s320/Balladonia+Fairway.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403697824759940690" border="0" /></a>On to Balladonia with one of the more challenging par 3's you will find anywhere. The 175 metres of fairway, and then a gentle approach. Don't be too long, there's salt bush. Don't lay up (unless you are dead straight) there's dead trees and dirt. Oh- avoid being left of right there are trees and scrub there too.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jYdTrVgCG4b9pASwLKWsJqF8PK4-w79eOx5yq5N_ZWKZWDQCo_Mr_GB-6xN9fmZ94EWnxYjQcbntQrnMBVSn0g_rNBwqXp5mf39U9XY7T6QbP8BiAcNNSGJcsqxrKE6qPCGMOd871i-l/s1600-h/Balladonia+green.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jYdTrVgCG4b9pASwLKWsJqF8PK4-w79eOx5yq5N_ZWKZWDQCo_Mr_GB-6xN9fmZ94EWnxYjQcbntQrnMBVSn0g_rNBwqXp5mf39U9XY7T6QbP8BiAcNNSGJcsqxrKE6qPCGMOd871i-l/s320/Balladonia+green.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403697828991570226" border="0" /></a>Having struck my tee shot long and left the first challenge was to find the ball. Here my photographer came to the rescue, and we managed to escape with a bogey.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aeWj2J3zPOkmXFL3RJDveRxmYIVS0v8s_0cjVAo8-4G0OPOYMiD6XN85Vhz7ZdHcX95Vn4mMC5IByJnbbvPt5sVLZqHBhw-WnNHJs5ghi-CDCP20qFwPasIc5X2IFUAq-A06jHZjB10O/s1600-h/Cocklebiddy+fairway.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aeWj2J3zPOkmXFL3RJDveRxmYIVS0v8s_0cjVAo8-4G0OPOYMiD6XN85Vhz7ZdHcX95Vn4mMC5IByJnbbvPt5sVLZqHBhw-WnNHJs5ghi-CDCP20qFwPasIc5X2IFUAq-A06jHZjB10O/s320/Cocklebiddy+fairway.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403697833821136114" border="0" /></a>Caiguna offered some respite, a short par 4 dogleg left. How far to the turn? No idea. Solution, a little draw. Problem it went straight - and about 40 metres through the fairway into the scrub. At leas I found it, and managed to get closer to the hole, but not close enough. Another chip and I was on the green, but two putts was satisfactory.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZkx0npAvN_38WIbJ6GqvVfkwMyNDzDtg5Bv0CqibOja5ixy8U9nOCrQs7RRY6BQCZi6-x8EpZqGS5csIOwNIUXPns9NticvCHWjvBhWKqmTFkXcV3v2xZSGzZQrKy3nWA1D-uh8WFwZG/s1600-h/DSCF5920.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZkx0npAvN_38WIbJ6GqvVfkwMyNDzDtg5Bv0CqibOja5ixy8U9nOCrQs7RRY6BQCZi6-x8EpZqGS5csIOwNIUXPns9NticvCHWjvBhWKqmTFkXcV3v2xZSGzZQrKy3nWA1D-uh8WFwZG/s320/DSCF5920.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403702244538146674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cocklebiddy looked scary, but there was little scrub, more like a runway than a fairway. The challenge was to clear the 180 plus metres of natural grasses to reach short stuff (or the absence of stuff really). At least here I avoided the long stuff and managed the fairway and my first par for the day.Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-17447321469913251632009-11-10T01:19:00.000-08:002009-11-13T12:59:33.979-08:00Kangaroos, ants and a dancing hottie!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WNyUd6x7AZBoYPcLEH2vx0xC5QX5g4xHvBk1R1-4SrNT5C7hwD2YuS6AaxJB7TqZrgHxbHDlPIVbThgqthEzPOaCwEqb6HZb_kOYIT-G-dBnxddPyWEjQkyFMX2E3gSkoW8CwAdmGDkB/s1600-h/Hannans+start.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WNyUd6x7AZBoYPcLEH2vx0xC5QX5g4xHvBk1R1-4SrNT5C7hwD2YuS6AaxJB7TqZrgHxbHDlPIVbThgqthEzPOaCwEqb6HZb_kOYIT-G-dBnxddPyWEjQkyFMX2E3gSkoW8CwAdmGDkB/s320/Hannans+start.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403691163601083154" border="0" /></a>Our journey east is to be shaped by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nullarbor</span> Golf. Our experience started at Kalgoorlie. After paying the fees at the visitor centre we got the card and mat then headed for the first holes.<br /><br />Overnight we had witnessed a sound and light show, and when we entered Kalgoorlie the newspaper headlines cried "Night of Drama for Kalgoorlie". When I signed up for the round I signed up for more drama. Kalgoorlie had been the venue of the sound and light show, with a thunderstorm that stirred things up a bit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2Vq-os3YD1Fx9vwHLt_yADZ5cTe33PspXb_u6PF_-NUYVSWhoxCDyRxtQ0s47RiocRiDrqP-jBzaqoP6jJI5VMkyv_vD5PCjKdZUZfiY8RKmzKmhFGpFSGhOBGpknp5QhEpSHLX5yqKI/s1600-h/DSCF5676.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2Vq-os3YD1Fx9vwHLt_yADZ5cTe33PspXb_u6PF_-NUYVSWhoxCDyRxtQ0s47RiocRiDrqP-jBzaqoP6jJI5VMkyv_vD5PCjKdZUZfiY8RKmzKmhFGpFSGhOBGpknp5QhEpSHLX5yqKI/s320/DSCF5676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403690049262982898" border="0" /></a>On the golf course it was warm and a little steamy, but it was good to be out on the fairway with a few locals.<br /><br />We discovered more than a few however. The storm had stirred up the ants who were out in force on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hannans</span> Golf Course.<br /><br />The first two holes were <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hannans</span> 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> and 18<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>, and my photographer was gracious in giving her time. What she did not do was put shoes on, preferring thongs (a.k.a flip flops). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh190MkFe5CFYHcT-6Beg2MXsiNQ0ZcfugBK7_JPp8msCpkKPJC396WmQ7THZo22ExszecU1uIbFvJmJP8u6fW4j52lxRFCr-tMqrxKpK1_Nh69i13KShlaZqvLgYMiayHKN0W5_KkfPpF3/s1600-h/DSCF5692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh190MkFe5CFYHcT-6Beg2MXsiNQ0ZcfugBK7_JPp8msCpkKPJC396WmQ7THZo22ExszecU1uIbFvJmJP8u6fW4j52lxRFCr-tMqrxKpK1_Nh69i13KShlaZqvLgYMiayHKN0W5_KkfPpF3/s320/DSCF5692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403690044023191266" border="0" /></a>Apart from learning how to take photos on a golf course, she was also distracted by the kangaroos that grazed or rested nearby. <br /><br />It is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">remarkable</span> how hard it is to concentrate with a photographer who pauses for a few seconds to take a photo and then starts dancing around. To not be distracted by a women hopping from foot to foot, stamping and jumping and offering expressions that are not to be repeated here was a great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">achievement</span>. <br />Pause for five seconds and the ants <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">wer</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QAzTBQ0-N9cGfKjR5IICFHch9uTY-9y0EDUq3bebCDxerBeGufc1ahgBkN8Ok-QagVe8CL6kRtsYZV5Fo7vnyDeY9g0pGfGpZkOT7hs8bzScppbr4LhnpQeEmPgi1aKK57z7DWgmG_gz/s1600-h/Kambalda+Equipment.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QAzTBQ0-N9cGfKjR5IICFHch9uTY-9y0EDUq3bebCDxerBeGufc1ahgBkN8Ok-QagVe8CL6kRtsYZV5Fo7vnyDeY9g0pGfGpZkOT7hs8bzScppbr4LhnpQeEmPgi1aKK57z7DWgmG_gz/s320/Kambalda+Equipment.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403692334197226034" border="0" /></a>e on you, crawling over shoes or unprotected feet, with no regard for your sense of personal space!<br /><br />My golf was passable for a change. While there is a temptation to offer a blow by blow description I will refrain, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">even</span> though it is hard. I managed to play five holes (2 in Kalgoorlie, one in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kambalda</span> and two at Norseman), scrambling pars and only dropping a shot on the last when my drive went too long for the line I selected.<br /><br />Considering how it began, and with Beth dancing around each time she stopped anywhere on the course at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Hannans</span>, it was a great effort to be only one over par.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64ijrI8i_HhLLmwryfJyA0wNumOITKHJcKm4_NbBrcvG78pyVGtW_TnZU6U80j0SKuiHMaexhSxh_7CDxXeiW91zNHOtIZBnXobo6i2I5RHkHRaUE4ziNnODyV14hiRHxk7eO9OM8OtER/s1600-h/Hottie.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64ijrI8i_HhLLmwryfJyA0wNumOITKHJcKm4_NbBrcvG78pyVGtW_TnZU6U80j0SKuiHMaexhSxh_7CDxXeiW91zNHOtIZBnXobo6i2I5RHkHRaUE4ziNnODyV14hiRHxk7eO9OM8OtER/s320/Hottie.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403692328780907010" border="0" /></a>Beth is right though. There were more ants on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Hannans</span> in Kalgoorlie that course than I have seen in one area in my life. Stop, and they started their exploration of this new territory.<br /><br />The ants may have been annoying, but on a steamy day in Kalgoorlie at least it gave me a header for this post. And she was wearing a red singlet top too!Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-89797097639721029292009-11-10T01:14:00.000-08:002009-11-10T01:19:53.424-08:00Connecting in Perth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauSnaPoXwgH8vvQ3LTF0vlbNQp7dRIQxKrjgCexwCM1WZAQGkzY7k-LBifkMGJBoNXn9WNsE7OvFnDt5IpGmZ0g-kafUNcsrSG_HVB5NAPVt_AjNeTh56Kk2bA7cJEX64FZeONzlxU0X_/s1600-h/DSCF5642.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauSnaPoXwgH8vvQ3LTF0vlbNQp7dRIQxKrjgCexwCM1WZAQGkzY7k-LBifkMGJBoNXn9WNsE7OvFnDt5IpGmZ0g-kafUNcsrSG_HVB5NAPVt_AjNeTh56Kk2bA7cJEX64FZeONzlxU0X_/s320/DSCF5642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402402043752434530" border="0" /></a><br />It was good to spend a few days catching up with people we have shared with in previous days.<br /><br />Connections WA was a great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">opportunity</span> to touch base with some of the officers I had taught when they were in college, and to catch up with some who have worked nearby in various appointments.<br /><br />Perth is an interesting city with the coast nearby, and the coastal plains stretching east and north.<br />I'm not sure how you make a city <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">livable</span> without <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">creating</span> miles and miles of suburbia. The City of Perth is certainly making an effort to retain open spaces, with many bushland reserves along the coast, and lots of bike trails for the energetic. We were energetic on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Saturday</span> morning and rode about 10 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">kms</span>. It was good that we took a break for coffee at North Beach, about half way through our ride.<br /><br />We did enjoy connecting, and the meeting on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sunday</span> gave food for thought, but more of that some other time,Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7592194750150568315.post-60713347494566409782009-11-05T14:53:00.000-08:002009-11-05T14:59:14.964-08:00Kids bothering you?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDG9mlLIFNlxO-PLJaZksJOveT9Iev2bGRF5C7iIOTXKR_0Fal6kQeWhNH15-iprhO-evovx9ulFT7aruPY0G4VEVUnb65Y8KaC0_ck9QKO0fSh3eSmRbnwv114Oq4mzoiyf9wJnP8hfv/s1600-h/Perth+DSCF5628.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDG9mlLIFNlxO-PLJaZksJOveT9Iev2bGRF5C7iIOTXKR_0Fal6kQeWhNH15-iprhO-evovx9ulFT7aruPY0G4VEVUnb65Y8KaC0_ck9QKO0fSh3eSmRbnwv114Oq4mzoiyf9wJnP8hfv/s320/Perth+DSCF5628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400756986024317346" border="0" /></a>Do you having trouble finding space for yourself?<br /><br />Do the kids keep hanging around and pestering you?<br /><br />Is peace and quiet hard to find?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, this Mum has the solution.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheilAPJH3Lkordl3SsVaaDDuTHs1g0Wb12Kxw_aH16YOFT1rqIySvSeBiRAxUqikbsG43HsZw8RhDtPxi1xj9p1HDIwoDFIaDdkIJlezLtOyb1f-k5aghFAl-t5lTyUP3u-I5I7dk7vd5P/s1600-h/Perth+DSCF5629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheilAPJH3Lkordl3SsVaaDDuTHs1g0Wb12Kxw_aH16YOFT1rqIySvSeBiRAxUqikbsG43HsZw8RhDtPxi1xj9p1HDIwoDFIaDdkIJlezLtOyb1f-k5aghFAl-t5lTyUP3u-I5I7dk7vd5P/s320/Perth+DSCF5629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400756990654551442" border="0" /></a>Graham Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13617441082663584915noreply@blogger.com1