Blogs from Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania

DAY 373 I awoke with terrible cramp in my calf muscle, I rubbed it for ages before it calmed down and went back to normal. I had a glass of water beside me, it was a warm night so I drank it down with ease and eventually went back to sleep. I knew Andy had already got out of bed, it was daylight already but I was tired so carried on sleeping, we had a late night last night and after all that travelling a small lie in was deserved. I finally succumbed to the daylight at 7.30 and got up. I remembered that Andy told me when he went out to the truck this morning, he noticed that overnight someone had “egged” it, the egg was spattered over the rear, the drivers window and wing ... read more

Well, here I am in Australia and settled into my project in Bathurst, near Sydney, (only four hours away). I’ve been in Oz for twelve days now and I’ve got another four weeks to do. Still, the convicts had to stay for a lot longer, so it’s not so bad. Up to now, I’ve just been doing the tourist thing with Anna, which has been a wonderful time. Where to start on my first Aussie blog? I know, South Africa. There were a few interesting things that happened after my last blog, (well they were interesting to me, anyway) so behave and listen up while I tell you about them. On the Saturday night before I left, had a very disturbed night as something was digging around m caravan. After twenty minutes, the dogs started barking ... read more

Come and Visit, I Have a House! It is no longer a cold winter here. Spring is in full swing. Bathurst's spring days are equal to the very nicest Alaskan summer days. The sun is so intense (I’m told the hole in the ozone is directly over Australia) that sunscreen is a must whenever you go outside. Apparently Glenn’s cousin’s American husband, Doug, got heat stroke his first time outside. Doug insisted that being from Arizona he was used to the sun, but low and behold not so. Safe to say, I’m growing nervous about the dramatic increase in temperatures that’s just around the corner. I really hope Alaskans don’t melt in extreme heat—that would be a bummer. Glenn and I went on a short road trip to his hometown of Burraga for its annual County ... read more

Here's one for the petrol-heads among you, so if you are not into motor racing then log off now! Must say I am not a great fan but I did enjoy checking out Mt Panorama. Surprisingly, the track is a public road with private homes, restaurants, even a vineyard! So it is open 24/7, but with a speed restriction of 60kph, and this is enforced quite frequently by the NSW police! We were told by the very helpful and friendly staff at the Motor Racing museum at Mt Pam that the cops often catch people doing excessive speeds and also there have been road fatalities (amateur drivers rather than racing car drivers) on the mountain over the years. Anyway, Blu drove around 3 times and I did one circuit - it is quite different than you ... read more

The main purpose of our trip to Bathurst was to visit, situated in the heart of Bathurst, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum which is the home of the internationally renowned Somerville Collection. This important collection is internationally significant because it covers rare specimens from all over the world. It is housed in the 1876 Public School building which underwent major refurbishment before being fitted out with stunningly beautiful exhibitions. Close to 2000 fossil and mineral specimens are displayed in two main exhibitions. The Somerville Collection is the lifetime work of Warren Somerville and features some of the finest and rarest examples of minerals and fossils in the world. The specimens currently on display in the Museum represent about one quarter of the total Collection. Highlights from the mineral collection include crystals from over 100 Australian ... read more

Nov 22. Rolled car back and back parking the best view. Gusty winds. Bush fires. 'The Clunes Pass will never be the same.' Firefighter entering the library. I met an evacuee. She got sticker discount. Homes threatened. Bush burning. Lightening strike on tinder dry. No rain in forever. Doubledecker bus around the bend. I will here record sticker sighting on road to Katoomba. So I am with Gaia these days. Pure vision a powerful purgative. Did manage to stand stark still while local looney lurked up close. Lesson learned!! And in those quiet places great ages of layered rock talk to us today. Of ages long past time change all. Flock tiny honeyeaters. A dozen wouldn't equal a cockatoo. Sulphur crested habiting this bush. Australian King Parrot flew past unmistakable. Red head and underparts. Dark green ... read more