Sunday, January 15, 2006

Tough Trees


Tough Trees
Originally uploaded by Austories.
Sometimes I wonder why some trees need such tough skins?

Friday, January 13, 2006

Rail Trail imagination


Rail Trail imagination
Originally uploaded by Austories.
Well we did go for a couple of rides on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail - what an inspired idea. Mind you I don't think mid summer is the best time to do it but still we did enjoy it. One day we rode down the old railway line from Bright past Porepunkah and were steaming along quite well on our rented bikes when we espied a vineyard with a cafe open sign strategically placed near the bike trail. Well it wasn't long before we turned around and headed back to said 'cafe' for some refreshment. It was a bit highly priced but we did enjoy a antipasta plate and a very nice cup of coffee and the view out across the grape vines and the valley and bike trail below.

Another day we drove to Everton Station and tackled the hill to Beechworth. They've done the old station up a treat. Notice the 'storybook train engine' bike preparation shed, the water tank just where a trains water tank should be and the conveniences following along in the 'goods carriage' behind. Nice architectural design.

And if you have to ride 16kms up a long hill to Beechworth in the middle of summer then the rail trail certainly provides steady grades the whole way, a fair amount of shade, the odd wallaby and bird life and the thought that here was a train line that Ned Kelly that great romantic rebel of the Australian bush once worked on.

The ride down the hill was pretty cool as well.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Bright Spots on Mt Buffalo


Bright Spots on Mt Buffalo
Originally uploaded by Austories.
Well I think human beings in general and me in particular are born optimists. We went for a drive and bush walk on Mt Buffalo thinking cool Alpine vegetation beside running creeks and lots of shady spots to rest and have a good meal in.

I forgot about the bush fires of a few years back and the drought that has followed. Mt Buffalo looks pretty forlorn I'm afraid. It was hot,not much water to be seen and flies, lots and lots of sticky flies.

One image I wish I had been forthright enough to snap was a smart couple sitting at a picnic table by the dam with food on plates,
glasses of wine, expensive camera on tripod beside them and having
their fly swatting hands constantly brushing away until they retreated to their 4WD. Spoilt a good dream those flys.

Still there were lots of bright spots to be found like these daisies
and a stripedly camouflaged grassshopper with vestigial wings crawling
around amongst the ground cover.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

A Riverina Regional Sport Training Session


Was lucky to be able to get this photo as participants in the Murray River Red Gum Tree Knocking Marathon are normally very secretive about their training sessions but this local Deniliquin expat had been up the tree so long she didn't notice me approach with the camera. Don't miss the marathon! By the way they are looking for sponsors so if anyone has a spare million dollars or so the local Tourist Bureau would be grateful - the Ute Muster is rumoured to be getting a little dusty.

Another strange paddock sight!


Another strange paddock sight!
Originally uploaded by Austories.
Large square Straw Bird eggs I think. Maybe there was a strong southerly wind blowing on the day the birds were laying. This paddock was some distance up the highway from the farm with the round Straw Bird eggs. I guess they are developing some regional variation. I suppose next there will be Slow Straw Birds or even a Straw Bird Cycling Trail.

Strange sight near the highway in northern Victoria.

A paddock full of round Straw Bird eggs. Note the flimsy barb wire fence. You'd think any half intelligent straw bird would step straight over it!

Cool!


Cool!
Originally uploaded by Austories.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

Storyteller on holidays 2

We've carried the old orange kayak around down here on the roof of Karen's Falcon but the water, although beautiful, is too shallow for its sensitive fibreglass bottom. We've now bought some li-los for a cool splash in some creeks like the Buffaloo River below.

Storyteller on holidays
Originally uploaded by Austories.

What does a storyteller do on holidays?

I go bike riding (along the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail - all hail the recently departed Rail Trails President - may his jovial soul rest in some suitable bicycle paradise), kayaking in our chuncky old 2 person fibreglass orange kayak ( it's time I bought a white water one), eating lots of stone fruit ( Karen really knows it's summer that way), go bushwalking, read books (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - disappointing ending but very nice writing) and fret about how to get my blog working through the mobile phone.