Clouds

 These shots were taken from the plane by me, lucky I had a window seat.  We don't always get the chance to take clouds like these. Photos taken on the way up to Brisbane, Queensland, and then back home again after a visit.

Both photos you can see the sea, the bottom one land, sea and beach.

Katherine Gorge

I posted a post about the Katherine River in November 2024 here, this time I'm doing the Katherine Gorge and there will be a few posts on the Gorge over time.  The Gorge is a 13-gorge system that meanders around the Katherine River NT, Australia.   

The highlight of the Katherine Gorge are its towering sandstone walls carved by the Katherine River over thousands of years.  In recent years the town is known as Nitmiluk which is the Aboriginal name.  

We took a cruise up the river a few years back and these photos are from then.

A small crocodile on the tree limb, if you enlarge the photo you will see it easily.

 

We all had to get out of the boat walk a little way up and get into another boat.

You can see below that Katherine is a very long way from home.

Hydrangeas, Hebes

 Hydrangeas are one of my favourite flowers and are fairly easy to grow and do well in most areas of Tasmania, Australia.

Hydrangeas have a long history, with fossils dating back 40-65 million years and a wide range of cultural uses.

Hydrangeas are native to Asia and the Americas, and were first cultivated in Japan.  Of course, growing in my garden.

Hebe plants are native to New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and some South Pacific Islands.  They are valued in gardens in temperate climates and are especially suited to coastal areas.

And of course, tomatoes growing of which we have a few species. 

Sydney

 I have this editing software the I believe some Real Estate Agents use for inside and outside of their house photos to enhance them, making them look different.  I did use that programme to make these photos 'different' of Sydney as the photos were very dark. The first photo is of the Opera House, from another angle rather than the normal one.  These photos were taken by my eldest son when he his wife and children visited.  If you don't like 'this look' it's ok, I won't be offended.

The Blue Heeler

Well, on January 29, 2024 there was a big flood from ex-Tropical Cyclone 'Kirrily'.  Down here in Tasmania I don't believe we heard about it as that particular cyclone was too far away in the outback in Queensland.

The pub was submerged in three feet of water after 400-500 mm of rain fell in the area. The hotel is located on the banks of the Diamantina River, and is a historic pub with a rich history in Australian folklore.  It was a staging post for Cobb and Co. coaches in the 1860's.

The pub's publican said the repair bill would be about $500,000-$600,000 AUD.  There was at the time a Go Fund me page set up and I don't know if the pub is fully functional at this time.

We have been through this area a few times in our travels, called in to view the inside of the pub and it certainly was and is different.  Writing on the wall, you pay to do that with a donation going to the Royal Flying Doctors.  The photos tell the story.

I'm sure most of my readers have heard of 'Waltzing Matilda', the lyrics written by Banjo Patterson.  There was a man who often visited The Blue Heeler pub back in the day who was the inspiration after his death of that famous Australia song, Waltzing Matilda which means to 'carry a swag', walk the road.  Christina Macpherson was the women who penned the tune.  Waltzing Matilda apparently had it's debut inside the dining room of the pub. 

A little video of Australia's Delta Goodrem singing one verse of Waltzing Matilda in Sydney.

Enjoy the photos of this unique hotel.  The first 3 photos are from the internet and the remainder were taken by myself.  Yes, I played the piano.