Caddo Lake

Posted on January 22, 2016 by kathy

While staying with Michael’s brother and sister-in-law in Texas, we were taken to Caddo Lake, the largest freshwater lake in southern U.S.A. Half in Texas and half in Louisiana, the 26,800 acre lake was once home to the Caddo Indians. The land was bought by the Government in 1835 and within a year all were moved out.

There are a number of theories as to how the town of Uncertain, on the shore of Caddo Lake, got its name. We lunched at Uncertain General Store & Grill, their specialty being catfish, along with other tasty offerings.

1b.Uncertain

I chose the safety of a bowl of fries but Michael had no trouble tucking into a mug of refried beans.

1c.Uncertain

After lunch, we boarded the Graceful Ghost, a replica 1800s steamboat, for a leisurely paddle around the lake.

1.Caddo Lake 1a.Graceful Ghost

The wood-burning paddlewheel steamboat hypnotised us with rhythmic harmonies as we skimmed along Big Cypress Bayou.

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The majestic cypress trees, draped in Spanish moss, were surreal and eerie.

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The egrets were magnificent

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and the occasional beaver nest broke the surface.

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This hitchhiker was enjoying the sunshine.

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The Tea Rooms could do with some renovation

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and if you don’t want to dine there, you can always catch your own.

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Our Caddo Lake experience was enchanting

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and the tempo of the Graceful Ghost inspired Michael to create a musical composition.

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This is where you can listen to “The Graceful Ghost” https://michaelcannon.bandcamp.com/track/the-graceful-ghost

sizzling Summer

Posted on January 19, 2016 by kathy

After the warmest, driest Spring on record, we are having a Summer to match. The dry, crisp grass is the colour of freshly baked shortbread and the trees are shedding their leaves, bark & limbs in order to survive. A few stalwarts are putting on a brave show. The grevilleas and callistemons don’t let the seasons affect them.

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The miniature gladioli are elegant

and the canna lilies are a brilliant shade of orange.

The strelitzia was a surprise guest last year and has appeared again in some unusual places.

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The fuchsias seem to enjoy a hard pruning in Winter, rewarding with their diverse blooms.

The hydrangeas are a gorgeous deep blue this season.

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The burgundy willow myrtle is stunning with its cascading white flowers contrasting against the dark foliage.

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The succulents are thriving in our desert conditions

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and the redcurrants love the sunshine.

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We only have one rose in the garden and it has to be protected in the veggie patch so the possums & wallabies don’t make a meal of it. “Mothers Love” is a pale shell pink rose with the most wonderful perfume, a perfect tribute to mum.

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Monarto Zoo

Posted on January 13, 2016 by kathy

Monarto Zoo is the largest open-range zoo in the world, set on 1,500 hectares about half an hours drive from our former home in the Adelaide Hills. I heard about a package called “Working with Wildlife” which involved spending a day with the keepers behind the scenes. I decided I would surprise Michael in October for his birthday. Little did I know, he had the same idea for me and beat me to it in March. The obvious thing to do was go together. We had an early start and after meeting the team, breakfast for the lemurs was the first job.

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The rhino baby was adorable

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and loved a groin scratch while mum tucked into some tasty greens.

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We got up close with the meerkats

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and tempted them with some delicious mice.

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A cheetah breeding program at Monarto has been very successful. These four were the first surviving litter in Australia in 15 years.

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There was a lure set up to give them exercise and hone their hunting instincts.

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The real thing soon followed and they shared somewhat reluctantly.

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This lion waited patiently for his meal

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while the lioness paced outside.

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We were then driven around the park in a 4 WD to admire some of the other residents. There were various antelope and deer.

This handsome bison was a bit embarrassed.

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The Mongolian Wild Horses happily shared their space

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with the zebra.

Each Cape Hunting Dog has unique markings and rather large round ears.

The highlight of the day was feeding the giraffes. We were instructed to keep the trailer between us and them

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but no-one told the giraffes!

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There is a gorgeous homestead ruin overlooking the savannah but I am unable to find any history on the building.

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If you are in Adelaide, a trip to Monarto Zoo is a great way to spend the day.

http://www.monartozoo.com.au

picturesque Penguin

Posted on January 9, 2016 by kathy

Penguin is a quaint seaside town, a scenic 15 minute drive from our house. It was first settled in 1861 and named for the little penguin rookeries along the coast. The Big Penguin was born in 1975 to commemorate the centenary of the naming of the town. There always seems to be a seagull on its head!

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The rubbish bins around town represent cement penguins and this handsome fella stands outside the Tourist Information Centre.

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The main road hugs the panoramic Penguin Beach

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and lunch at 52 Main was a must when visiting the town.

7.52 Main

A glass of wine, magnificent views and excellent food. The lamb sliders were amazing.

8.52 Main sliders

Sadly, 52 Main closed its doors a few months ago, they are greatly missed. The Uniting Church is an impressive Federation Gothic building, opened in 1903.

9.Uniting church

At the western end of town in the lovely bay of Johnson’s Beach.

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When my sister was here on holiday, we spent some time wandering the shore marvelling at the myriad colours in the rocks.

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No-one told these guys a “shag on a rock” was supposed to be on his own

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but this limpet had the right idea.

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Some of the flotsam was quite delicate

and the sand patterns left by the ebb & flow of the tide were fascinating.

You can see where the worms and seagulls have been.

We returned to Johnson’s Beach later in the holiday

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and the rock formations mesmerised us yet again.

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I think this is one of the most beautiful photos I have ever seen, stunning in its simplicity.

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Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for this one, it is my sister’s masterpiece.

splendid shed

Posted on January 6, 2016 by kathy

Having a veggie garden meant I had to have a potting shed. A few quick sketches and we had a plan. Once the posts were in place for the veggie enclosure, we built the framework for the shed to make the most of the concrete delivery.

1.shed frame

We then finished the veggie patch before embarking into the unknown. With the outdoor workshop in place

2.workshop

we set about building the rest of the frame using reclaimed hardwood.

The roof frame came next

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and the verandah.

We wanted to retain the rustic look and the scavenged corrugated iron was perfect for the roof.

It was starting to feel cosy inside.

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We bought the windows from the local salvage yard and they were next to be fitted.

The mezzanine floor isn’t quite big enough to sleep on but it’s great for storage.

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The floor joists

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were followed closely by the cladding. Again, the local salvage yard just happened to have the cedar cladding we needed, painted white on one side but that didn’t matter – it’s on the inside.