tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63058142011-08-03T15:13:20.804+10:00noraboneoccasional thoughts & travel diaryNBnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1001100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-86202484734057588422010-09-27T20:50:00.002+10:002010-09-27T20:53:15.193+10:00I was in need of a good belly laugh and hearing Collingwood not win the Grand Final was music to my ears.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-72573366981758149092009-06-04T15:11:00.001+10:002009-06-04T15:11:20.525+10:00Nothing to see here!NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-41301619266329638842008-06-29T00:23:00.006+10:002008-06-29T12:47:59.383+10:00Norabone's custom of going to the occasional game of footy with her dad was perpetuated yesterday with the Richmond V Carlton game. Nora has barracked for Carlton since she first clapped eyes on the footy card bearing the name Alex Jesaulenko.Her father barracks for Richmond of course, as do some of her dearest friends so when these rival teams clash it is always with a smidge of mixed emotions NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-21327043206637666272007-12-30T16:19:00.000+11:002007-12-30T16:29:15.390+11:00My band is Scott Fitzgerald Lacy and our new album is Mary Stachowicz.World Ocean DayRoderick Haig-Brown Provincial ParkPlatymiscium gracileHonda CB1300Antoine Augustin Cournot1999 Rose BowlCoxcombMetro Toronto WorksKTIVRoy BaumeisterCrurotarsalTakumi NakayamaSomething Like HappinessDiego de MontemayorJames CoomarasamyThis was autogenerated from random Wikipedia article names. Get your own NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1175579658150644122007-04-03T15:29:00.001+10:002008-06-30T11:42:13.108+10:00If it had been an episode of Midsomer or even real life, Nora would have stumbled across the corpse of "Dorothy" while walking her dog, Bronte. (hereafter known as Toto)The reality was that "Dorothy" was actually found in a plastic garbage bag in Boynton's garden shed. She was in a terrible state of decomposition and had the worst case of DOLL DIRT ™ Nora had ever seen.Boynton's distress was NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1174993874208034502007-03-27T22:07:00.000+10:002007-03-27T22:11:14.220+10:00This is probably a much better read at the moment...NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1159279178318586712006-09-26T23:46:00.000+10:002006-10-31T23:36:04.476+11:00Au revoir.Nora's vacances en Europe ends today. Back to Melbourne via Singapore tomorrow and arriving just in time for the big event on Saturday.She bids a wistful goodbye to her host city Den Haag. To her hosts Averil and Ross she is once again utterly beholden, for their generosity and hospitality. Fond farewells until we meet again.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1159277237068044722006-09-26T22:50:00.000+10:002006-09-27T02:11:36.976+10:00Vallée de la Loire.Averil, Ross and Nora left Den Haag on Wednesday to travel to Montreuil-Bellay. We stayed overnight at Lille to break the journey and spent most of Thursday driving. Arriving late in the afternoon at our destination, Averil quickly read the extensive rule book/accommodation guide of the apartment which Nora studiously avoided. After breaking one of the golden rules: "Don't NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1159271203177159252006-09-26T21:31:00.000+10:002006-09-26T21:46:43.193+10:00Morning TV.Watching TV at Lille (overnight en route to Vallée de la Loire) early Thursday am, my attention was caught (for a couple of milli-seconds) by the chat show “Les Maternelles” and the thorny old question: La jalousie entre freres et soeurs. Est-elle inevitable?NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1159258113727871512006-09-26T17:47:00.000+10:002006-09-27T00:06:55.730+10:00More Royals.One week ago was the third Tuesday in September and therefore Prinsjesdag. Nora was caught up in the local show of patriotism and royal watching. She waited with the expectant crowd outside Nordeinde palace. A beautiful autumn day set off the festivities as armed officials lined the route taken by a marching band and assorted regiments marching ahead of the royal party towards the NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158593228731650922006-09-19T01:18:00.001+10:002011-01-25T17:04:05.410+11:00WeselThis weekend Nora accompanied Averil and Ross to Germany for a christening where Ross was to be godfather to twin boys.Our accommodation was nothing short of brilliant. We stayed at Schloss Lembeck Hotel where my room had the proportions of a ballroom and the most amazing views of the moat and garden. Only two and a half hours from Den Haag and close to the Rhine this was an amazing weekend.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158592630294707172006-09-19T01:10:00.000+10:002006-09-19T01:17:10.296+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 15 OBAN TO EDINBURGH VIA BRAEMARThe drive was a long one but eventually we arrived at Braemar as the annual Highland Gathering was in full swing. This was the consumate Scottish experience. Cabers, weights and stones were tossed. Tugs of War, Scottish dancing and massed pipes were observed in seamlessly organised events and to top it all off - a royal visit from nearby Balmoral.ThisNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158592045471187102006-09-19T00:41:00.000+10:002006-09-19T01:09:09.650+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 14 MULL BACK TO OBANWith a full day's sightseeing available before our 7.00pm ferry we set off for another of Averil's significant clan centres. Duart Castle is clan headquarters and was another grand building with an impressive and illustrious history. Nearby Torosay Castle had magnificent gardens which we came back to see just prior catching the ferry.Tobermory was another NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158589068530089882006-09-19T00:01:00.000+10:002006-09-19T00:41:49.266+10:00SCOTLAND. Day 13 MULLWe set off by boat to Staffa in order to explore Fingal's Cave. Wet weather gear was provided (and utilised) as this was quite a damp, rainy day. The views of the cave were spectacular and inspiring. We walked along the slippery rocks to get right inside.Our boat trip dropped us off at Iona (alleged buriel site of Macbeth) where we spent most of the afternoon exploring the NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158569684170574132006-09-18T18:53:00.000+10:002006-09-19T00:41:26.006+10:00SCOTLAND. Day 12 OBAN TO MULLAfter leaving Kilmelford we returned for a better look at Oban. After spending some time browsing around the town we set off for the seal rescue centre where abandoned seal pups are brought for recuperation prior to being released back into the wild.Returning to Oban we caught the ferry to Craignure, Mull and began the long drive to Fionnphort (pronounced 'fin-ny-firtNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158566163931174532006-09-18T17:38:00.000+10:002006-09-19T00:41:02.816+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 11 SKYE TO OBANStill on the Gavin Maxwell pilgrimage we sought out the real location of 'Camusfearna', somewhere near Glenelg. We didn't have 'Aspen's' luck finding it although we were able to appreciate the solitary beauty of this relatively unspoiled remote location.A little further along on the road to Oban we happened upon Eilean Donan Castle. The castle has clearly had a NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158320066235259332006-09-15T21:26:00.000+10:002006-09-15T21:37:48.513+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 10 SKYEToday was spent almost exclusively paying homage to Gavin Maxwell or more specifically to the preservation of otters in the wild. We spent some time at the Bright Water visitor centre then had a guided tour of Eilean Bàn. Some research prior to our trip had us well prepared for the day. Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers (prior to his death) were hugely influential in NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158315731487110532006-09-15T20:05:00.000+10:002007-11-30T22:52:25.450+11:00SCOTLAND. DAY 9 SKYEThe rugged and photogenic landscape of the isle of Skye was the star attraction today as we skirted around the Cuillins, Kilt rock and the Old Man of Storr.Then a visit to Portree, an attractive fishing village and the principal town of Skye.The otter hide at Kylerhea was where we sat patiently watching for our first otter sighting. Averil and Ross were convinced of a positiveNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158253284466529662006-09-15T02:52:00.000+10:002007-01-24T17:49:48.070+11:00SCOTLAND. DAY 8 ULLAPOOL TO SKYEUllapool is a picturesque village located on the shores of Lochbroom. The market and village were explored during the morning until we set off on a speed boat tour of some nearby islands. Another attraction was the possibility of seeing more marine life. The journey required donning a waterproof 'action outfit' which may not have looked flattering but achieved its NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158158126277711932006-09-13T23:53:00.000+10:002006-09-14T00:35:26.710+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 7 ORKNEY TO ULLAPOOLThe scenic route from Thurso to Ullapool was punctuated by a series of approving gasps as each stunning panoramic view replaced another. Thurso itself was memorable for Nora's worst culinery moment of the trip. A Scotch pie! Clearly there are regional variations on this recipe and she should have been warned by the seedy nature of the venue as much as the hot or NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158155080194985882006-09-13T23:16:00.000+10:002006-09-14T00:44:02.243+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 6 ORKNEY (Thurs Aug 24)More of the ancient Pict sites today and the weather was a tad wet.Successfully negotiated the causeway at low tide to explore the Brough of Birsay as well as the Broch of Gurness. More sightseeing around the island before a visit to Maes Howe - not for the claustrophobic! Crawled the 5 or so metres along the 1 metre high entrance tunnel to see this incrediblyNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158152857005456072006-09-13T22:37:00.000+10:002006-09-13T23:08:47.806+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 5 ORKNEY MAINLAND (POMONA)This was a day to explore the ancient Pictish sites of the island. Our quest included Skara Brae, a village revealed by a storm disturbing the cliffs in the mid 19th century. Nearby Skaill House afforded some information on more recent history. Skaill House also represents a grand version of what we came to see as a 'typical' Orkney house. Grey pebble-mix NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158146607837931372006-09-13T20:47:00.000+10:002006-09-13T21:39:24.323+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 4 Inverness to Orkney (Kirkwall).As the party was due to meet the ferry in the early afternoon a prompt departure from Drumnadrochit was required. The drive to Gills Bay took between three and three and half hours.At John O' Groats we turned left to the ferry terminal. The journey afforded views of abundant but elusive marine life with Common seals basking on rocks or paddling near NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158069233506491442006-09-12T23:53:00.000+10:002006-09-13T00:10:45.876+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 3 Inverness AreaA visit to the Culloden battlefield was essential for Averil as she traced the movements of her clan ancestors and their part in the doomed Jacobite rebellion.Not a great distance away, Cawdor Castle provided more insights into Scottish history. Set in magnificent grounds with a sizeable formal garden, an afternoon of exploring was most instructive and NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1158065907603380822006-09-12T22:40:00.000+10:002006-09-13T00:04:56.766+10:00SCOTLAND DAY 2 (Sunday 20th Aug) Pitlochry to Inverness.The morning was spent exploring Pitlochry beginning with the Hydro centre and salmon steps on the Tummel river. Pitlochry is a tourist centre and noted for its gardens which were certainly in bloom during our visit.A short distance from Pitlochry is the Killekrankie walk which features Soldier's Leap and commemorates the Battle of NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1157645140121786732006-09-08T01:42:00.000+10:002006-09-12T23:59:11.976+10:00SCOTLAND. DAY 1The anticipated rendezvous was achieved without a hitch. Nora arrived shortly before Ross and Averil and the trio then collected the hire car that was to convey them to far-flung destinations. Ross was the designated driver with Averil as navigator. In truth Nora eschews map reading whilst in motion but enjoys looking retrospectively at the places she's been. An agreement was NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1157627002801466692006-09-07T21:02:00.000+10:002006-09-07T23:47:06.820+10:00Retrospective diary.Welwyn Garden City, HertfordshireNora harks back a couple of weeks to 17th August and a visit with hosts with whom she shares an ancestor or two. The weather, a portent of rain patterns for the next few weeks, was wet-tish and prompted postponing a trip to Cambridge. My hosts were very attentive and suggested two alternative local excursions. The first to St Albans was a NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1157379100111538012006-09-05T00:02:00.000+10:002006-09-12T01:03:10.896+10:00A London moment...Before Nora does her retrospective Scottish blog she reflects on a memorable London moment. As a pedestrian crossing Oxford Street (with hoards of others I hasten to add) her ears were assaulted by the harsh cries of a London lassie cycling towards us at speed, yelling in anticipation: "Get out of the f*%king way!!" Naturally we obliged and scattered. Not the polite bell tinkle NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1155749457109301622006-08-17T03:04:00.000+10:002006-08-17T03:38:54.036+10:00A Perfect Day in the English Countryside.The sun was almost out, the car was tres luxurious and the music was G & S.Norabone was driven by Mile End Millie & Co to the 1066 zone. As the journey unfolded the weather cleared and we arrived in Hastings late morning. Two fascinating museums, the Shipwreck Heritage Centre and the Fishermen's Museum were well worth a visit.Lunch was the perfect seaside NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1155570072666399052006-08-15T01:25:00.000+10:002006-08-15T01:46:03.730+10:00Young at HeartMadurodam is an attraction for children of all ages, as Nora and Averil discovered after a brisk cycle on Saturday. This was an excellent way to identify the 'must see' attractions of The Netherlands - in minute 3D scale. Just a tad alarming to see full size carp swimming in the ponds around the ships and barges assuming the role of white pointers perhaps, or killer whales. Normal NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1154942772935228082006-08-07T19:23:00.000+10:002006-08-07T20:27:12.616+10:00Giethoorn.Discover the Venice of Holland. Well yesterday we did! Averil, Ross and Nora had the perfect day for messing about in boats. (shhh. They were Whisper boats)NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1154643828394906882006-08-04T08:01:00.000+10:002006-08-07T08:29:23.890+10:00You can't really complain about rain when you're on holiday. (Well...you can...but I'm not about to turn this blog into a moan fest) Even Amsterdam gets wet sometimes which is why I took refuge at an exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum.Thanks to boynton for allerting me to the Airworld exhibition from Melbourne.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1154340076541221522006-07-31T19:59:00.000+10:002006-07-31T20:01:16.553+10:00DIY quiz.Which of the following spanners would you employ to tighten your bicycle pedal?NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1154336308901342872006-07-31T18:35:00.000+10:002006-07-31T21:01:47.383+10:00Excursion. The days of map reading and navigator rage are over when you have this gadget affixed to your windscreen. Verbal prior warnings of turns, merges and exits are all part of the service as well as an on screen map showing your progress. At the end de Hoge veLuwe national park with the Kröller-Müller Museum and sculpture gardens. This was a very interesting afternoon of rambling NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1153919576608199472006-07-26T23:10:00.000+10:002006-07-26T23:12:56.620+10:00Just because I'm wearing a singlet and shorts and the neighbours are inflating one of these...doesn't mean it's hot in Den Haag!NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1153910688044599622006-07-26T20:42:00.000+10:002006-07-26T20:44:48.073+10:00Have wheels! Now which way to the beach?NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1153735407752221422006-07-24T19:57:00.000+10:002006-07-26T02:09:06.866+10:00Cliche Statement #1 overheard on airport transit bus. Speaker - nasal Californian male. Listeners - elderly couple from Brisbane . (and me)"Yeah. I always go to McDonalds whenever I travel. It's the one constant." Nods of approval by oldies.Ahhh. I guess the local fare is out of the question. ;-)NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1153654811727835902006-07-23T21:36:00.000+10:002006-07-23T21:40:11.736+10:00Here I am back in Singas and my flight here from Melbourne was - luxury. An aisle seat - with no one in my row! Three seats to myself. Woo hoo.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1153487356278597132006-07-21T23:05:00.000+10:002006-07-21T23:09:16.296+10:00NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1152769737076182432006-07-13T15:29:00.000+10:002006-07-13T15:48:57.086+10:00Norabone rides again. Her loyal readership (she knows who you are) can keep in touch in the customary manner. ;-)NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1117716281696262162005-06-02T22:27:00.000+10:002005-06-02T22:44:41.703+10:00Last Sunday I got to know some of my neighbours - perhaps a little better than I would have liked - as I did a bit of a door knock. Scary stuff. I have always been impressed by the generous and unconditional support the Salvation Army gives needy people in the local community and have often felt the joy of giving to a worthy cause. As a volunteer collector I began at the designated house number.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1110959480320237302005-03-16T18:45:00.000+11:002005-03-16T18:51:20.320+11:00Nora has been having only very occasional thoughts and noteworthy experiences of late but I did get along to see Madame Butterfly in the vineyard on Saturday. Please read the hillarious account of our experience at aftergrog. All true! NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1103637019126592802004-12-22T01:48:00.000+11:002004-12-22T00:59:33.683+11:00Forget Bad Santa…this is bad Nora. Bad Nora has hit the 22nd of December and failed to meet the Christmas card postal deadline. To my overseas readers I would like to add special remonstrations of regret and embarrassment, having gone to the particular effort in November of purchasing Amnesty cards, OS stamps and airmail stickers. They are coming…and so is Christmas and obviously we know which NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1096545795774113262004-09-30T22:02:00.000+10:002004-09-30T22:05:53.236+10:00What's the Color of Your Blog Personality? Quiz at About Web logs and...My Blog Personality's True Color Is...REDIt's all about passion, heat, and intensity.I take pride in my strengths and I learn to deal with my weaknesses. I like to blog about things that really matter to me.
NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1095775955683659772004-09-22T01:12:00.000+10:002004-09-22T00:12:49.676+10:00
You are Charlie Brown!
Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by
NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1095749709544111822004-09-21T16:36:00.000+10:002004-09-21T17:13:06.220+10:00It completely slipped my mind that I hadn't reported my most recent theatrical adventure. I went to a matinee with my mother (which seems apt) and we were both dazzled by the Melbourne cast. It was the kind of show that as soon as you walk out you want to see it again, and even weeks later I feel the same way. Obviously many of the production values came straight from here but the local cast gaveNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1093069358899786222004-08-21T14:55:00.000+10:002004-08-21T16:22:38.900+10:00Norabone has not jumped on the Olympic Games bandwagon. I have always been indifferent to the games and in the past, tried to avoid them, apart from an occasional swimming final here and there. I shunned the self-congratulatory medalists (of all nations) as well as the new found patriots who obnoxiously trumpeted the latest metallic achievements on every airwave.
"Citius, Altius, Fortius"...than NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1088578543723017572004-06-30T16:41:00.000+10:002004-06-30T16:55:43.723+10:00A site I am drawn to for all the wrong reasons is Albino Blacksheep. They seem to specialise in Flash animation and if you follow the links you need the sound on. The first is one boynton sent to me some years ago. Seems harmless enough...
This next one has certain crass appeal but one of my particular favourites is Pie Hole. Browsing around Albino Blacksheep you'll find some bizarre animations NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1088415701186407642004-06-28T19:23:00.000+10:002004-06-28T19:41:41.186+10:00I had a particular reason for watching the telecast of this on Saturday night having got wind that important family members were going to be there. Chuh. I watched in vain. The telecast didn't happen due to bad weather but I hope they at least got to see some play. Of course we're all hoping for a Philippousis win today.
In the meantime I ignored the oncoming symptoms of a head cold (timed NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1085636862733824192004-05-27T13:37:00.000+10:002004-05-28T15:45:28.566+10:00Last night I bought a third class ticket to a first class performance of the G&S masterpiece 'The Mikado'. I was sitting in the State Theatre Box G which is as close as you can get to the ceiling without touching it. Acoustics up there were incredible, but it is no exaggeration to say that the performers play to the gold class seats approximately mid-stalls. Sitting up so high gave me a fantasticNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1084951334244986132004-05-19T17:20:00.000+10:002004-05-20T11:42:24.563+10:00
what kitchen utensil are YOU?
You are a fridge! You can keep your cool, even when faced with a heated situation. You enjoy being the center of attention, and people come to you for advice or when they want something. People also like to stick things to the front of your body.
once again via boyntonNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1084453145456461912004-05-13T22:54:00.000+10:002004-05-14T15:59:24.803+10:00...and the good news is that the cook book turned up. Alas, no reference to Oysters. It was probably in the NMAA afterall, as was this diary quote: I walked home again with great pleasure; and there dined by my wife's bedside with great content, having a mess of brave plum-porridge and a roasted Pullet for dinner; and I sent for a mince pie abroad, my wife not being well to make any herself yet.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1084438966287320722004-05-13T18:32:00.000+10:002004-05-13T22:53:34.686+10:00It's one of those times when I really want to put my hands on something and of course it isn't where it should be. This time it's my copy of a nineteen sixty something version of the PWMU (Presbyterian Women's Mission Union) cookbook. You see a significant milestone has been reached by the PWMU this year. The publication of the 100th edition of what I consider a really useful recipe collection. NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1083823412326534102004-05-06T16:01:00.001+10:002004-05-06T16:17:50.576+10:00Norabone is a very rare female name.Very few females in the US are named Norabone.Be proud of your unique name!source namestatistics.com
James and Mary Smith are looking smug - albeit a little common.
via boyntonNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1081585776291782052004-04-10T18:21:00.000+10:002004-04-10T18:43:57.216+10:00Some weeks ago now, whilst visiting Zuerich I was given an Easter gift by my Swiss hostess - a Swiss chocolate bunny. It seems that this iconic figurine is not only a prominant celebrity in Swiss lore, it is now the subject of the Austro-Swiss bunny war! Now the day has almost arrived when I can eat it. She also sent one for boynton who has come close to eating hers every day since it arrived. NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1080798689045435422004-04-01T15:51:00.001+10:002004-04-01T16:18:41.420+10:00I am the Natural NumbereI go with the flow_what number are you?this quiz by orsa
via boynton
NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1080371879256376162004-03-27T18:00:00.000+11:002004-03-27T18:21:30.513+11:00During my recent European adventure I couldn't help noticing the BBC was running a poll for the Top Ten British Sit Coms. Voting is now in and apparently tonight (local time) Jonathan Ross will announce the winner. Averil will be watching and I agree with her it is a very hard choice with so many sentimental favourites to choose from. Personally I'd have bumped Blackadder out to number 11 and NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1079742763582158912004-03-20T11:21:00.000+11:002004-03-20T11:36:04.623+11:00Are retrospective posts allowed? Of course! There was a day whilst in Umbria, our first with the hire car, when we set out in search of scenery and found it here. We drove around the lake, and found more medieval structures and dwellings as well as a hospital located with one of the prettiest views you could imagine. In the same village was a public toilet which, according to Averil and Ross was NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1079498797988927702004-03-17T15:41:00.000+11:002004-03-17T15:49:54.983+11:00Melbourne in autumn is a wonderful place to be. Just got back from a swim at the Doncaster pool where the warmth of the sun and the water were about the same. It really is a lovely time of year.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1079011133094301562004-03-11T23:58:00.000+11:002004-03-12T00:22:02.750+11:00Driving home from Tullamarine airport in a taxi I listened to talk-back commercial radio on the topic of the terrible taxi service in Melbourne. I was going to say "Hey mate can you turn this up" but thought better of it. The caller who rang in recounted this story.
Caller: Yeah I'd had a few so I hailed a taxi and said to the driver can you take me to Keysborough? He wasn't sure of the way so heNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1078807519728036672004-03-09T15:39:00.000+11:002004-03-09T15:48:25.793+11:00Lucky me! This is still on and no amount of curiosity will induce me to go and see it. My own inclinations tempt me elsewhere. NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1078748785778389852004-03-08T23:07:00.000+11:002004-03-08T23:31:22.746+11:00I'm sitting in the 'Chances' bar located in a hotel in a city somewhere in South East Asia. This is one of those spots where guests meet for drinks, rendez-vous or wait for their airport transfer. I was checking my emails (an obsession of mine as Ross and Averil will attest) with the added bonus of bar service and - happity hocks for me - it's happy hour. Or so I thought until the couple singing NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1078408817932656062004-03-05T00:39:00.000+11:002004-03-05T01:06:26.466+11:00Am Dienstag sind wir zu Luzern gegangen. The destruction of the bridge by fire in 1993, caused by a ship's funnel moored beneath, robbed the world of a series of 14th century paintings. A couple survived, some charred boards and the rest - gawn. Mt Pilatus overlooks the city which is populated by men and women, like those in Rome or Paris who are simply the last word in chic. The men are not NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1078404644027159362004-03-04T23:11:00.000+11:002004-03-05T00:42:23.873+11:00My trip to Zürich was mit Swissair, the first in my experience where snacks/meals had to be purchased in hard currency (Swiss Francs oder Euros). There was a complimentary choc just prior to landing which was pure bliss. Regrettably I had left my essential communication tool at home in Kew, so a copy was purchased in order to facilitate conversation with my affable Leipzig-born hostess. She is a NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1078096654120651372004-03-01T10:04:00.000+11:002004-03-01T10:21:46.123+11:00Today the sun came out, the snow was melting. What better pursuit when in the Hague than to hire some bikes and explore? We rode along many sludgy paths, through thawing, snow-covered parks and fields where deer were roaming and eventually ended up back at the beach. The only logical thing to do was buy some freshly cooked fish and chips and soak up the atmosphere. Like any bike ride though, you NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077995589921646552004-02-29T06:02:00.000+11:002004-02-29T23:44:05.310+11:00Remember not so long ago I spent some time in London? I stayed with my relatives Mile End Milly and co. and whilst there I was reintroduced to that marvelous institution The Archers. This radio serial is of itself a damn good reason to emigrate or should I say "go home to the old country"? It's positively addictive (as MEM will attest) and I know the depth of her addiction - The Archers calendar NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077991911411680362004-02-29T05:04:00.000+11:002004-02-29T05:23:37.296+11:00I didn't mention where we stayed during our Roman holiday/Assisi sojourn. Whilst in Rome we were at the Palladium - where else? Whilst in Assisi - eh! Seize the day indeed!! (by the throat and shake vigourously) I didn't mention that we've observed the shortcomings of BBC World TV from a number of countries now, where it is often the only English-speaking service available. One of their catch NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077975922624490472004-02-29T00:25:00.000+11:002004-02-29T00:49:07.280+11:00Recently I had a sulk regarding an inability to blog about Firenze. Now that I'm back at home base - Den Haag - with the luxury of broadband connection I find the reflection a little hazy. We made straight for the Galleria dell'Accademia where we found this surrounding the much anticipated chap. Stanford University has a hand in the obstructed view.
We then went to the duomo - as well as NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077817374083350202004-02-27T04:39:00.000+11:002004-02-27T04:46:47.843+11:00Today we visited another medieval city - Perugia - shrouded in cloud and drizzly all day. Perugia is the home of Baci chocolates...it means "kiss" y'know! We didn't even sample any of these delicious local delicacies on account of it's winter, and like here in Assisi - EVERYTHING IS CLOSED!!!NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077816986496960182004-02-27T04:27:00.000+11:002004-02-27T04:40:16.343+11:00After a most frustrating attempt to blog at this internet cafe I concede defeat. My lengthy hyper-linked post on Firenze was thwarted by a computer crash. In a sulk I will describe the journey home. Picture the setting. Ross driving (admirably I hasten to add) the hire car as we hit Peak Hour. It's raining. The roads are unfamiliar. Fortunately you can't do much but follow the signs - well markedNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077543855605274962004-02-24T00:40:00.000+11:002004-02-29T00:16:01.576+11:00Currently in Assisi. Our days in Roma were very busy as we explored the Colliseum, Pantheon, Forum, St Peter's Basilica, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps. Hyperlinks to follow when I'm less hyper.
Assisi is truly medieval. More anon.
*Hyperlinked as promised.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077145209932623212004-02-19T09:42:00.000+11:002004-02-19T10:50:16.890+11:00My uncle Knuckle gave me a book some years ago. Today I went to the most comprehensive exhibition of the artist's work and was dazzled. The gallery contained an incredible collection of Escher's drawings, woodcuts and lithographs with an interesting slide show, as well as a virtual 3D tour de force via a visual head-set with sound which explored the works animated and digitized. Wow!
Then a NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077061312616600912004-02-18T10:26:00.000+11:002004-02-18T10:51:24.013+11:00Since arriving in the Netherlands I hadn't actually ventured to Amsterdam until today. Leaving the station I followed a series of canal paths until I reached my first destination. There were many quotes to read as the visitor wandered through the house.
"I want to be useful and bring enjoyment to all people. And therefore I am so grateful to God for giving me this gift of writing, of expressing NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1077009553978550332004-02-17T20:08:00.000+11:002004-03-05T01:13:30.826+11:00Our Lyon experience bore a strong resemblence to this but without the guiding hand of Patrick we managed okay. For a weekend in February we were lucky with sun peeping through and no sign of rain or snow. The basilica overlooking Lyon has many stairways to its summit and we trod our way to the top. The views were incredible and quite different to the ones we'd had the day before. Our final day inNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1076939474801315502004-02-17T00:39:00.000+11:002004-02-17T03:41:53.576+11:00I spent a four day weekend in Paris and Lyon. A song was stuck in my head. A song I hadn't heard for perhaps 30 years. It came back with a flash of nostalgia while I was sitting in a Delft cafe last week with Ross, played on a weird cd collection of falsetto hits. Ross grimaced. I can't say whether I like it or not (well I can say actually - a dag's confession- I do)but the fact that I could NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1076527207674087802004-02-12T06:04:00.000+11:002004-02-12T09:25:33.530+11:00Ross and I caught a tram today which took us on a short trip. We arrived at our destination at a time when the weather, at 10 degrees seemed almost tropical. The town has a charm enhanced by a strong sense of history - reflected in the old buildings and churches - and an absence of McDonalds, Burger King and Pret a Manger. We were informed on arrival, that Delft has much more to offer than NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1076370501612042722004-02-10T10:25:00.000+11:002004-02-10T11:08:44.373+11:00There's nothing like a spot of weather to interfere with your travel plans. I've now struck my second 'rough patch'. Initially the take off was delayed (I won't bore you with the regular intercom announcements) by an hour. We eventually took off and were 15 minutes from Amsterdam when, due to high winds we were diverted to Dusseldorf to land and re-fuel. It was one of those highly dramatic, whiteNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1076242023124162372004-02-08T23:02:00.000+11:002004-02-08T23:20:27.466+11:00The Cecil Beaton exhibition was very interesting. The gallery itself is a repository for celebrities through the ages from the Tudors to Ricky Gervais. I could have spent all day browsing at the mostly British subjects. Today I leave the UK and relatives who have been extremely kind and generous in their hospitality.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1076004496148010502004-02-06T04:50:00.000+11:002004-02-06T11:41:00.326+11:00My attempts to browse and create the usual hyperlinks have been thwarted today. Just a couple of items to report. My day began with a trip down memory lane, or to be more specific Roman Road, located somewhere here . It was a market day but the few stallholders had covered their wares because of the fairly heavy drizzle. This provided the perfect excuse for me to 'brunch' in a cozy caf, where NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075914837724489792004-02-05T04:07:00.000+11:002004-02-05T04:16:18.140+11:00Confession time. I have reached an age where philistinism and museum fatigue are in equal measure. I spent a large proportion of the day here, here and here when all the time the sunshine and blue(ish) skies were drawing me here! I did notice there was a Cecil Beaton exhibition opening tomorrow at the National Portrait Gallery. Perhaps...NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075833038917098532004-02-04T05:26:00.000+11:002004-02-05T03:48:38.543+11:00This morning I went to a fantastic Women's Library where my companion (a distant relative not on the Bone side) and I browsed through some early magazines for a trip back to our troubled youth - not to mention a bit of recovered memory. We studiously avoided the heavy feminist tomes. An excellent library! Then a short walk to the nearby gallery.NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075832499407720802004-02-04T05:17:00.000+11:002004-02-05T03:49:55.716+11:00Yesterday I spent the afternoon exploring the windswept heights of Greenwich. Straddled the date line AS YOU DO. Browsed through the museum and examined the instruments. An afternoon is simply not enough time to spend in that precinct...hope to get back there but if not, perhaps in another 14 years. NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075832067499292432004-02-04T05:04:00.000+11:002004-02-04T05:26:27.983+11:00Currently blogging in Leceister Square having just seen a matinee of this! "OMG LOL WTF?" as they say. It was pretty damn good and so thought the hundred or so high school kids I saw it with. (are they really the same species?) Their natural exuberance and the compulsion to text message was tamed by the riveting performances of Hugh Ross and Dominic Rickhards - not to mention female personage NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075500862900442182004-01-31T09:04:00.000+11:002004-02-11T10:30:20.716+11:00My hosts here at a Welwyn Garden City (with whom I share an ancestor or two) took me to a wonderful local museum today. The special exhibition was a collection of frocks, photographs and some memorabilia belonging to the late Dame Barbara Cartland - a local! Needless to say pink was well represented in a variety of shades, patterns and variations on a theme. It really WAS her colour. Other NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075485903157491862004-01-31T04:38:00.000+11:002004-02-01T08:26:48.780+11:00Yesterday, the non-arrival of the ordered taxi was clearly a portent that Nora Bone ought not venture out this day. Hailed a passing cab in the absence of our own. Driver (almost gleefully) announced in Dutch there were NO trains leaving the Hague central station for Schiphol airport due to snow on the track. We suspected he was inching to drive us ALL the way...optimistically hopped out to awaitNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075330890957373712004-01-29T09:28:00.000+11:002004-01-29T10:05:22.043+11:00Monday was brilliant sunshine and blue skies, again with the evidence of more snow falls during the night. With the lifting of the fog we could see the full extent of Salzburg's environs - Alps in the distance - and once again we were in awe of the natural beauty of this city - even in winter! Our tour guide for 'The Sound of Music' experience - a local - exclaimed that despite doing the tour NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075287605248664572004-01-28T21:52:00.000+11:002004-01-29T04:43:30.170+11:00During the night there were heavy snowfalls which continued throughout the day. This did not deter Averil, Ross and me from trekking in the snow to the top of Hohensalzburg fortress, begun in 1077 and expanded over the centuries until 1495. We took a guided tour and learned of the Archbishop princes and various moments of historical significance. One fascinating legend was that during a siege, NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1075286239128540032004-01-28T21:20:00.000+11:002004-01-29T04:36:01.590+11:00Our long weekend in Austria was off to a cold early start as we departed Amsterdam 7.25am on Saturday. Not far from our destination, the announcement of the temperature in Wien of -9C induced an exchange of horrified looks. When we did arrive however, there was glorious sunshine and blue sky. Emerging from the U-bahn at Stephansplatz we were awe struck by the beauty of Wien's grand old buildingsNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074869041032317752004-01-24T01:29:00.000+11:002004-01-28T12:05:37.700+11:00My current bedside reading material contains the following oft-quoted passage: `When I was nine, my mother gave all my books to the Salvation Army. I was distraught. "But you've read them, Barry," laughed my mother, as if it were the height of self-indulgence to retain books after a first perusal. "I hope you're not going to grow up to be a selfish little boy." Sadly, I did.' Ahhh!
What I'm mostNBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074767789986316432004-01-22T21:15:00.000+11:002004-01-22T21:41:29.606+11:00Pub trivia. Our 'local' which serves Strong Bow on tap and is literally a few hundred metres stumbling distance from the apartment was hosting 'International Trivia' on Tuesday evening. As three of the four paws of 'Barry the Cat' we took on the world. The competition was fierce. The host, a frustrated DJ interspersed music at every available opportunity. Not good. Not Dave. Not Jim. Not even NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074617967135316762004-01-21T03:56:00.000+11:002004-01-21T04:16:58.373+11:00Not all the streets of Den Haag are safe! Strolling around the retail centre today I was shocked to see these lurking outside an otherwise benign shopping outlet. A warning: Never make eye contact!!NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074605228595261042004-01-21T00:16:00.000+11:002004-01-21T00:34:10.450+11:00Today we took a guided tour through the Peace Palace, located a short tram ride away from the apartment. The tour was interesting and informative, as the guide discussed Tsar Nicholas II's peace imperative in the late 1880's. He was apparently feeling a bit 'jittery' after the unification of Italy and Germany and the Palace was built as a venue for peaceful negotiations between states. Many of NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074451188821554642004-01-19T05:14:00.000+11:002004-01-21T04:14:04.890+11:00My introduction to Den Haag today was accompanied by sunshine so we made our way to the beach with overcoats, scarves and a goodly proportion of the town's population. It was the place to be. En route we watched ice skating beside a canal, walked to the Centrum station and caught the tram to the beach. Walking along the beach was like a who's who where I even caught sight of somewhat timid NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074263645900394692004-01-17T01:22:00.000+11:002004-01-17T01:40:25.030+11:00The streetscapes around here make me feel like I'm on the set of a Jacques Tati film. I have already heard a guy chatting on a mobile with excerpt: "ce soir?... Voulez-vous?" but with my abysmal French he was probably talking about hiring a video. Hah! Other noteworthy clichés observed: man striding down street wearing a beret with a baguette tucked under his arm...canine relieving itself NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074174888834803492004-01-16T00:51:00.000+11:002004-01-16T00:56:41.843+11:00Best T-shirt slogan seen today: "To lah or not to lah that is the question in Malaysia."NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074139768415742042004-01-15T14:48:00.000+11:002004-01-15T15:11:20.700+11:00Flight to Singapore was without event other than the very public vomit by a kiddie on the check-in conveyor belt at Tulla airport. Enormous restraint shown by the hundred or so observers, including self. Tuning in to a local TV news channel my attention was caught by this exhibition but my squeemish sensibilities will probably propel me in this direction, in the few hours I have left here.
NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1074000663296976922004-01-14T00:19:00.000+11:002004-01-14T01:10:57.216+11:00Bags are packed...and I've heeded the advice "We can't stress enough how COLD it is right now." I have dutifully purchased boots, socks, thermals and dusted off the jacket. This leaves just enough room for a few essential items for my ex pat hosts.
One last task was to stock up on products for the ones left behind...NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1073744245321624102004-01-11T01:05:00.000+11:002004-01-11T01:24:41.686+11:00Chatting to a relative about my destination - Den Haag - she urged me to visit the gallery with 'The Girl with a pearl earring' - which inspired the novel by Tracy Chevalier referencing some of Vermeer's paintings which inspired the movie which inspired the truman music clip. Where does one start?...or stop? NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1073719116645110642004-01-10T18:10:00.000+11:002004-01-10T18:33:13.750+11:00Driving around today half listening to 774 Grandstand broadcasting from Adelaide. The commentator (name unknown) had Kerry O'Keeffe on the line to announce his commentary had been voted 'best of the series' for an exchange that went something like this:
Kerry: (Australian cricketer) is playing like a triple scotch.
Harsha: Ah Kerry. By that you mean he's playing a bit stiffly...blah blah blah...NBnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6305814.post-1073651009729904142004-01-09T23:17:00.000+11:002004-01-09T23:24:14.760+11:00In the throes of preparing for a trip to Europe, I was searching the London Underground website for the most convenient way to get from Heathrow to Relatives (somewhere in East London).
NBnoreply@blogger.com0