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.

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.

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

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)

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.

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!

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