Sunday, May 31, 2009

The hills are alive

Remember the Sound of Music and the glorious scenes of the Alps. We were surely reminded of this today at a concert of The Henley and Grange Concert Band.

Guest artists this afternoon were Adelaide Alphorns' Martina and Wendy. These local ladies went all the way to Switzerland to learn to play these wonderful instruments. We were all enthralled by their delightful performance.

Friday, May 29, 2009

The Pool of Tears

This is a monument erected at the site of Colebrook Home at Eden Hills. Many of the Stolen Generations' children lived here between 1943 and 1972.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

ABC Wednesdays - S for Sorry Day

National Sorry Day has been held in Australia since 1998; a day of remembrance each year to commemorate the history of forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and its effects.

From the late 1800's until 1969 as many as 100,000 indigenous children were taken from their families in the name of assimilation. These children became known as the Stolen Generation.

Indigenous children were placed into government-run institutions, taken into church-run institutions and adopted or fostered by white families.

Yesterday a free community Sorry Day event was held in Victoria Square. This is a photo of one of the acts on stage; the lead singer Jarrad attended Warriappendi High School where I work in a computer support role. Students and staff from the school were there to support him.

The ABC Wednesday meme was created by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here

Monday, May 25, 2009

Sand carting

As mentioned previously, to maintain the Adelaide beaches there is an ongoing sand carting program. The natural drift is northwards and sand builds up in places like the entrance to the Patawalonga at Glenelg. The sand is being loaded here at Glenelg and 'returned' to Brighton (south of Adelaide).

Beach replenishment was first started in 1973 with an average of 100,000 cubic metres of sand being moved each year. Click here to read more (on the City of Holdfast Bay website)

Sunday, May 24, 2009

2009 Ride of Silence

Yesterday I participated in the 2009 Ride of Silence.

The ride is held all over the world to HONOUR cyclists who have been injured or killed, RAISE AWARENESS of cyclists and to ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD.

This year's ride was from the centre of Adelaide and along Port Road to Semaphore. Conditions were conducive to cycling; slightly overcast but fine. We had green lights all the way; escorted by the SA Police.

Friday, May 22, 2009

My retirement home!

I hope it doesn't really come to this with the recession!

Not quite 5 star accomodation, but comfortable enough for a couple of days. This was our accomodation at McLaren Vale a few weekends ago. The tent is erected on an ensuite powered site, meaning we had our own shower and toilet and the convenience of electricity for lighting, heating and charging the netbook computer!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

ABC Wednesdays - R for Retirement Village

This is the entrance to the Pasadena Village, one of many such retirement complexes that have been built in the Adelaide metropolitan area in recent years.

This complex consists of 47 new two and three bedroom houses with features such as a lock up garage with a door into the house, a security system and access to emergency medical assistance. The houses have ducted airconditioning and modern fittings. The gates into the Village also have a security system installed for residents' peace of mind after hours.

The residents have access to shared facilities like the park shown here; a barbecue are and a bowling green. Also on site is a large community room where residents may choose to socialise.

I know some people who live in such a village and they love the lifestyle. In a village like this neighbours would get to know each other more easily that in general suburbia.

To read more and see more photos, click here for link to the developer's website.

The ABC Wednesday meme was created by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Marni Naabudni Tarndaganyangga

Marni Naabudni Tarndaganyangga - 'Welcome to the place of the red kangaroo" was the message given to students as they filed past the fountain. Two students from each school threw rocks into the fountain; equivalent to knocking on a door to seek permission to enter the space. This Aboriginal man explained the significance of the ritual and welcomed them as they filed past.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Come Out 2009

Come Out Festival, now in its 35th year, provides arts experiences specifically for the youth of SA. Schools across the state participate in a range of activities; music, dance, circus, theatre and cultural events.

The opening event was held in Victoria Square. The local Aboriginal Kaurna people regard this area as an important meeting place and call it Tarndaganyangga; the place of ‘red kangaroo and
rocks’.

Local Kaurna community and elders and members of Taikurtinna Dance group welcomed and entertained hundreds of students, their teachers and members of the public.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

New cycle path

Today I went cycling in the rain! We don't really complain about wet weather because we have had drought conditions for several years.

Our leader took us up the Veloway (along side our Southern Expressway) to Reynella and then back to the coast at Hallett Cove via this new off road cycle path. We then headed back to the Kingston Park for lunch. Most of the ride (about 30 kms) was in fact on purpose built cycle paths; so great not to be riding on public roads.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Glenelg beachfont

A few years ago there was major redevelopment of the foreshore at Glenelg, including these new facilities - a new building for the Glenelg Life Saving Club and an entertainment complex' The BeachHouse.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

ABC Wednesdays - Q for Queen Victoria

Another queen statue in Adelaide (I've already posted Queen Adelaide); this is a statue of Queen Victoria that takes pride of place in the centre of Adelaide City. Queen Victoria was the reigning monarch during South Australia's formative years. This monument was erected in 1894; presented by Sir Edwin Thomas Smith, a prominent South Australian citizen - a brewer and member of local and state government.

The ABC Wednesday meme was created by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here

Monday, May 11, 2009

The Great Escape

Yesterday was a disappointment to many Mothers' Day zoo patrons when they were evacuated from the Adelaide Zoo. An enterprising orangutan tried to leave her enclosure. She shorted out the electric fence and then dragged tree branches into a pile in a bid to scale the wall. How clever was that!

Meet Karta, the culprit - a 27 year old 62kg primate.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mothers' Day

Today was Mothers' Day and what better way to show your love for your mother than to give a bunch of flowers. On this day there are many roadside stalls like this where enterprising private gardeners sell to the public.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Willunga Glass


I took this photo last weekend whilst sheltering from the rain; definitely worth a browse even when it is not raining! The Willunga Leadlights & Glass Studio has a wonderful display of their creations; mostly uniquely Australian.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Golden vines

Another reward for riding the hills near Willunga last Sunday; a wonderful autumn view.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

ABC Wednesdays - P for Primitive Methodists

This building caught my eye in Willunga last weekend, especially the inscription relating to its history.

Built in 1867 as a Primitive Methodist Church, it became a private residence in 1890 and then Vanessa's restaurant in 1979 and is now Christina's on High Street.

The Primitive Methodists was one of three streams of Methodism that was being practised in the early days of South Australia. Originally started in 1808 in England by a Methodist lay preacher Hugh Bourne after his expulsion from the Methodist movement; his ideas were deemed radical by the Methodists' leadership.

In 1900 the three streams of Methodism - Bible Christians, Primitive Methodists and Wesleyans were united to form the Methodist Church of Australia.

The ABC Wednesday meme was created by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Willunga

Willunga is 47 km south of Adelaide. Being the second oldest town in South Australia, it has many wonderful old buildings.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Small wheels

Every group has one; someone always out for a challenge! While the rest of us rode up the hills on bikes equipped with lots of gears, Eric rode his new aquisition direct from China - a single geared small folding bike designed for city commuting.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

A steep climb

Today I had a challenging bicycle ride; about 40 kilometres in the ranges near McLaren Vale where I had spent the weekend with my cycling group. Riding up this hill was certainly hard work, but there was a reward; a great view!

Friday, May 1, 2009

A wet rural ride

Today I went on a bike ride from McLaren Vale along a rail trail to Willunga. While we were at Willunga there was a deluge. The rain eased and we headed back to McLaren Vale only to be met with another heavy shower. Fortunately we were able to shelter along the way until the rain eased again.

Along the rail trail shelters like these have been erected on the sites of former railway sidings.