ABC Wednesdays - O for orchids

This photo of a display of orchids was taken last September at the Royal Adelaide Show. This was one of several exhibitions by local orchid clubs.

My research tells me that there are over 25000 species that occur naturally around the world, with an additional number of hybrids in excess of 60000.

The first time I really took notice of orchids was when I visited the Botanical Gardens in Singapore; an extensive and splendid display.

I have since 'inherited' a number of orchids from my father in law. I hope that one day I may be able to post photos of some flowering orchids from our garden.

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

Anzac Day - community band

This is the Henley & Grange Concert Band playing at the Henley Beach Anzac Day dawn service. Normally I would have been one of the saxophone players but due to a problem with my hand I was not able to play; the first time for about 10 years.

Anzac Day

This morning I attended the Anzac Day dawn service at Henley Beach. Even though wild wet weather was ominous, there was a big crowd of people paying their respects to the service men and women of Australia.

Myer Centre

This is the Myer Centre facade in Rundle Mall. Last Saturday I showed the view on North Terrace; quite a contrast.

ABC Wednesdays - N for Nunga TV

Nunga TV was a series of television programmes produced by Indigenous Australian students at Warriapendi School. Nunga is a self-reference term used by local aboriginal people.

As with most radio and TV stations one must have a promotional vehicle, so the staff and students went about creating their own; learning and applying many useful skills along the way including mechanics and art.

Here is a link to a site that features 6 of the episodes produced in 2006.

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

Sailing kayak

So what shall I do today? Go peddling, rowing or sailing? In this vessel you can do it all!

Spotted off Brighton yesterday this is a Hobie Adventure Island; a 4.88 metre kayak with a difference. See the manufacturer's site for details.

The owner spent quite some time travelling along side us as we were sailing back to Glenelg. He explained the versatility of his craft; especially the unique paddles.

Shags on a rock

This morning I went out for a sail expecting a decent breeze; instead it was almost dead flat so what else to do but take photos. These shags (cormorants) are perched, not on a rock, but on one of a series of concrete blocks a few hundred metres offshore from Glenelg.

These concrete caissons were built in 1914 as part of a breakwater for Glenelg. In 1915 the project was abandoned after a severe storm. These "Glenelg Blocks" are often frequented by local fishermen and divers.

Retained facades

When the Myer Centre was built the facades of the old buildings on North Terrace were retained. Behind them is a modern high-rise building which houses the Myer store and over a hundred speciality shops. It was completed in 1991, at a cost of about one billion dollars.

Massim hut

There is quite a large area in Adelaide's Museum displaying items from Papua-New Guinea. The hut is a model, about one third actual size. It was made by the people of Rogeia Island, near the south eastern tip of New Guinea. It was donated to the museum in 1936.

ABC Wednesdays - M for meteorite

Last Saturday I went to get a photo of our museum for M, but while I was there I saw this meteorite.

The Mundrabilla Meteorite was found in 1996 on the Nullarbor Plain, in Western Australia. This specimen weighs 2500 kg. I'm sure glad I wasn't nearby when it hit the ground!

While I was walking around the museum I saw lots of other interesting M's; this is a sample of Mesolite from Maharashtra in India.

Entry to the Adelaide Museum is free and you can take photos but flash is not allowed. I was not really prepared, so I will return sometime with my tripod to get some more shots.

Click here and here to see previously posted outside shots of the Museum itself.

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

Great Eastern Steeple

The feature race at Oakbank on Monday was the Great Eastern Steeple; a 4950m race - three laps of the course including the jumping of 24 obstacles.

Pentacolo (no10), the ultimate winner, is seen here clearing one of the obstacles.

Oakbank Races

Today along with 55000 other people I went to the races; the Easter race meeting at Oakbank, about 30 kilometres from Adelaide, is billed as the largest picnic race meeting in the world. Even if you are not an avid racegoer it is a great event; people of all ages come to have a fun day.

It is such a relaxed atmosphere; great to be able to park your vehicle in the middle of the course and enjoy socialising and eating and drinking with friends.

The Oakbank Racing Club has been running this event on Easter Saturday and Monday since 1876.

Estcourt House

Sitting atop of the Tennyson Dunes is Estcourt House; built between 1881 and 1883 as a private residence. From the mid 1890's until 1989 it was used as a medical institution for blind and crippled children.

It was sold again in 2000 and has since undergone renovations including the restoration of the observation area above the roof level.

Tennyson Dunes

Tennyson beach is halfway between Semaphore and Grange. It is one area of Adelaide's coastline that has been preserved, with no housing development right on the beach front.

About 50 native plants have been observed in The Tennyson Dunes; some of these that were once prevalent along the coast now only survive here. Fenced walking paths have been established to help maintain the unique nature of this habitat.

Evening lighting

Compare this photo with one posted yesterday; what a difference half an hour makes to the lighting at dusk.

ABC Wednesdays - L for Lighthouse

This is the Marino Rocks Lighthouse located about a kilometre inland in the Marino Conservation Park, just south of Brighton. The lighthouse was built in 1962 and can be seen in the Gulf from a distance of up to 42 kilometres.


Click here to see a view I posted last week of Adelaide's coastline at night from the Park.

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

Indofest 2009

I have mentioned previously SA is dubbed the Festival State. On Sunday was yet another festival; Indofest 2009, an expose of Indonesian culture. Held in Rymill Park in the City, this was a free entry event with performances, workshops, arts and crafts and lots of tasty food.

A Balinese Taruna Jaya Dance - beautiful girls in exquisite costumes; lovely to watch.

The SeOrkesNyah Dangdut band - a highly energetic and entertaining group with a mix of traditional Indonesian and Western instruments.

An appreciative crowd!

Racing ducks

This morning I attended a function at West Lakes. Organised by the Adelaide Rotary Club, this duck race was raising money for the Animal Welfare League and Rotary's local and international projects including the eradication of polio.

The first race (pictured) was the major sponsors' race. The main event that followed featured hundreds of much smaller ducks that were purchased by members of the public for $5.

The whole event was pitched at families with other activities provided for children along with food and drink stalls for everyone.

Mobile blogging

My new toy; a Dell Mini 9 Inspiron Netbook computer which weighs about a kilogram.

Now I will be able to keep on blogging even when I am cycle touring or cruising in my yacht. The computer has an SD card slot so I can load and edit photos for uploading. The device plugged in is a 3G wireless modem, so I can access the Net anywhere there is a phone network.

Modern technology! I continue to be amazed.

Miniature rose

As I have mentioned previously, Adelaide's climate is well suited to growing roses. 'Miniature' rose flowers are about 5cm across, and the bushes only grow to about 50cm in height. I photographed this rose this morning in our front garden; getting familiar with my macro lense.

ABC Wednesdays - K for Korfball

A couple of weeks ago I spotted this game in action on the beach at Glenelg. Korfball is played in 50 countries, but is particularly strong in the Netherlands where it originated.

There are six teams in Adelaide, and they usually play in the ETSA Park stadium. The teams each have 4 men and 4 women. Here is a link to the Korfball SA website.

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