Monday 30 April 2007

Nos Crocodiles Australiens ont faim pour plus de touristes, (pour leur rendre visite, naturellement).


Ils préfèrent le goût des touristes Britanniques et Brésiliens, mais les touristes de la Floride sont toujours bienvenus. Ce petit camarade vit dans le Adelaïde River, qui est dans le Territoire du Nord, tout à fait loin d'Adelaïde. SA.

Our Australian crocodiles are hungry for more tourists, (to visit them naturally).
They prefer the taste of both British and Brazilian tourists, but Tourists from Florida are always welcome.
This little fellow lives in the Adelaide River, which is in the Northern Territory, quite a long way from Adelaide. S.A.

Sunday 29 April 2007

Les tournesols sont fleurissants partout pour ce petite 'Sophie' d'Adelaïde.


The sunflowers are flowering everywhere for this little Adelaide girl, Sophie.
We love to look at the Photoblogs of all our friends throughout the world and to wish we could be in each and every place. Adelaïde children sometimes ask their parents to take them to Ribérac in France. This is in the department of Dordogne in the Aquitaine region.
April in Australia: - Nearly as good as being in France.

Nous aimons regarder le Photoblogs de tous nos amis dans le monde entier et pour nous souhaiter pourrions être dans chaque endroit. Les enfants d'Adelaïde demandent parfois à leurs parents de les porter à Ribérac dans La Dordogne, un département Français de la région Aquitaine.
Avril en La belle France: - S'il vous plaît, mon papa, peut nous restent ici pour jamais?

Saturday 28 April 2007

Les poissons australiens aiment le coucher du soleil presque autant que des humains.


Fish in Australia love sunset as much as we do. We feed them and then we trick them into thinking it's dinner time. Our dinner time.
April in Adelaide, - Perfect any Friday.

Friday 27 April 2007

Paris a une nouvelle ligne de tram. Adelaïde a seulement une ligne de tram, mais nous l'étendons.


Paris has another new Tram Line. Adelaide has only one Tram Line, but we are extending it.

Adelaide is a 9 to 5 city, and one can get almost anywhere in 20 minutes. Even in North Terrace at 5pm there is no, really, heavy traffic.
With the 31 million dollar extension to the Glenelg Tramline to the University of SA campus, not too much disruption is being caused. Soon, you will see the finished project on these pages and (perhaps), you will all think you are in Paris !

Thursday 26 April 2007

Il n'y a aucune mouche sur lui. (Il est trop rapide.)


The last time I was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, was on the 8th December 1956. As a little boy, I took myself and my Grandpa to the closing ceremony of the 16th Olympiad.

These-days, William takes his Dad and Mum to the Richmond v Sydney Swans football match at the M.C.G. and shows them the things his Grandpa and his great, great Grandpa have passed down to him.

As they say in Australia, "There's no flies on him !"

Wednesday 25 April 2007

It's been a Full-On Week.


I once posted a shot of our driveway, lined with lush, green, Pin Oak trees last Summer. This photo, taken this morning, shows the soft Autumn hues of the leaves as they gently fall to the ground. Winter is only slowly approaching and we are looking forward to some rain.

Nothing much else to report, really.

If you click on this photo, you can see the lovely Autumn leaves of the 'Quercus Palustris'.

Tuesday 24 April 2007

Dear Family and Friends


Today our Dear Mother's life was celebrated as she took her next journey. We will remember her beauty and her love for us all.


Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Monday 23 April 2007

The quaint, old Railway Station at Mount Lofty


Adelaide has one major railway line connecting it, through the hills, to the Eastern States, and along which all rail freight is moved.
The Mount Lofty Railway Station is at the apex of the steepest gradient on this local and interstate rail line.
If a coupling breaks between freight cars, one wonders if the last cars might plummet backwards, down to Adelaide at breakneck speed.
Here is a broken coupling on the ground and a rail car with no coupling. We need arrestor beds on the railways as well as the Freeway?

Sunday 22 April 2007

What's for Dinner Tonight? 2


When Adelaideians feel like eating rabbit for dinner, a quick trip out to Finniss River on the Fleurieu Peninsula generally should do the trick.

But, rabbits are considered one of the most damaging and destructive introduced animals ever brought to Australia. Rabbits cause soil erosion and land degradation. These long-eared pests ring-bark trees and eat the seedlings, giving the plant species no way of growing back. They compete with native animals for habitat and food, such as the Greater Bilby which is now endangered, and are considered one of the most damaging and destructive introduced animals ever brought to Australia.

The boys reckoned they could shoot them, three at a time, but the camera was under the weather so we hope you will believe us? No, there weren't any rabbits to be found. Neither were there any steam trains on this broad gauge line, this day.

April in Australia; no worries.

Saturday 21 April 2007

Everything's still up to date in Adelaide City


No matter where you go in Adelaide, one sees modern inventions and the latest advances in technology. This device, the automobile, was seen today on Adelaide roads. It can travel at over 25 miles per hour and deliver passengers to the Eastern states in way less than three days. A bloke called, Henry makes them, and soon, we'll all have to wear hair nets at speeds like that.
Crikey !! What's the world coming to.

Friday 20 April 2007

What's for Dinner Tonight?


When Adelaideians feel like eating fish for dinner, a quick trip out into American River on Kangaroo Island generally should do the trick. James reckoned he could pull them in, three at a time, but the camera was under the sandwiches so we hope you will believe us.
King George Whiting are considered as one of the best table fish around, and South Australia is fortunate to have the densest concentration of King George Whiting in Australia. They can reach a maximum length of 70cm, weigh up to 2.5kg, with a maximum age of fourteen to fifteen years. That's not bad at $30 per kilogram, as James found out this day.
On Google earth, rip across to 35. 45. 45 S and 137. 50. 00 E, and you'll see a few more jumping into the boat. Now, where can we catch some lemons?

Thursday 19 April 2007

Australians simply Love Orchids.


L'Australie produit les Plus Jolies Petites Filles dans tout le monde, (et leurs petits amis sont très beaux également); mais les orchidées sont presque aussi jolies que les filles !!!
En cette photo ma belle jeune fille porte Les Orchidées Apostasiacées à un mariage très important.

No Adelaide wedding can EVER be held without - Orchids, Little Girls, and Handsome Young Men.

Wednesday 18 April 2007

A Dear and Wonderful Mother, Valda.


The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Tuesday 17 April 2007

A serious, but all-too-common occurrence.


This afternoon, in Adelaide, tragedy struck at Astec Paints at St Marys, a company that has proudly manufactured paint and allied products since 1978.
Spare a moment for the effects of such a tragic event and the distress caused to the hard-working employees and the management of this wonderful local company. Even the firemen, attending this fire sadly suffered casualties.
Photo taken from the nearby foothills looking over the suburbs. In the distance is Glenelg with it's Norfolk Island pine trees that you have all seen before, around Valentine's Day.
Click this photo to enlarge it.

Monday 16 April 2007

We live to love and we love to live.


De temps en temps, ici, en Australie, il est nécessaire de consommer la nourriture. Nous tous pouvons avoir faim.
Ce soir, nous fournirons à tous nos amis un dîner Australien typique de barbecue.
Premièrement, une peu de bière, pour nettoyer le système.
Secundo, mangeremo una certa bistecca della groppa.
Schließlich müssen wir einen Salat mit Oliven und Tomaten essen.
Le deseo toda la buenas salud y felicidad con su comida esta noche hermos.

We all live in this WORLD and we love all our friends. To you, my friends, I shall say, "I love you". We need you and we need this strange world that we live in.

Saturday 14 April 2007

Dominique et Jacques ont eu assez de travail dur. Getting out while their luck's in.


Sometimes, one has to visit the out-of-town office to check if the troops are bringing in the bacon.
However, the boys in the country office told me they were throwing-in the towel in July.
Crikey! What's the world coming to. At least we went to the pub and had this shot taken.

De temps en temps, il est fortement nécessaire de s'assurer que mon bureau, dans les endroits loin d'Adelaïde fait beaucoup d'argent.
Aujourd'hui j'ai rendu visite à mes deux chefs de service pour voir s'ils travaillaient fortement. (Ils vivent dans une jolie petite ville en France.)
Ils m'ont informé que le travail était trop difficile, et qu'ils ont voulu se retirer en juillet.
Il sera très regrettable de les voir partir des affaires.

The House that Robert and I built !!!


When Nathalie was just a twinkle in her parent's eyes in the Rhône-Alpes, ADP's intrepid photographer was roaming over a very different Alpe.
Robert and I travelled to Sydney on several occasions to watch the fantastic, new Sydney Opera House, take shape, and we crawled all over it. As Architecture and Surveying students, we simply walked in and joined one of the many tours organized by the local faculties.
This photo was taken from the roof of the - then Unilever Building on Circular Quay in 1965. Thanks to Robert for the image and also for enhancing the original Kodachrome. All my shots were Black and White and I was lucky enough to have them published in the Sydney Daily Telegraph on the occasion of the Architect, Jørn Utzon's return in 2002 after an absence of 37 years.

You definitely must click and ENLARGE this photo.

Friday 13 April 2007

Vinte anos mais tarde, ela é a melhor motorista de Renault de Adelaïde.


Even though she does not speak Portugese, my beautiful, little-est daughter will remember her "exitador" days in Adelaide, but not much of her wonderful Grandfather who loved her. Here, they both are together for only a very short time. London is so far away and we miss you, Sweetheart.

Thursday 12 April 2007

Notre maison dans les collines d'Adelaïde, - parce que vous m'avez demandé cette photo.


Une maison doit avoir un nom, et vous êtes prié de nommer cette maison. Que doit-elle s'appeler ?
A home needs a name. What do you suggest we call it?

Wednesday 11 April 2007

Nearly two centuries later.


Adelaide, named in honour of Queen Adelaide, consort of King William IV, was founded in 1836 as the planned capital for the only freely-settled British province in Australia.
Even though Colonel William Light, designed the city in a grid layout, interspaced by wide boulevards and large public squares, he did not foresee the way in which 21st century "boxes", would detract from the elegant profile of gracious Victorian Era buildings.
Today, the General Post Office and the Torrens Building are becoming soaked into the sponges of unfortunate planning thought. Hardly deserving to be thought of as the "Paris of the South".

Tuesday 10 April 2007

Early morning on the Murray.


At just before first light, the River Murray's serenity is only disturbed by the melodious sounds of snoring, floating over the quiet waters. Dozens of holiday-makers will soon arise and Houseboat motors will buzz into life. This is what the river looks like at 5:40 AM. April in Australia; still no worries!

Monday 9 April 2007

Déjeuner le Dimanche de Pâques avec des Étrangers.


De temps en temps, on a l'énorme faim. Par conséquent il est encumbent sur un pour alimenter les armées. Aujourd'hui Madame et moi ont voyagé aux sud de la France pour célébrer le déjeuner avec nos bons amis. Nous avons apprécié beaucoup de nourriture fine et également du vin français très bon avec nos amis français. La plus mauvaise partie du jour, était le mal de la tête après tout le rire.

Sunday 8 April 2007

Waiting for the Train?


The SteamRanger Heritage Railway operates heritage steam trains between Mt Barker in the Adelaide Hills, over the Mt Lofty Ranges, to Strathalbyn and on through the coastal holiday towns of Goolwa and Port Elliot to the tourist resort of Victor Harbor.
These young men are examining the Finniss River Viaduct with this magnificent river gum as a backdrop.
On Google Earth, go to, 35°23'22.15"S and 138°48'51.23"E

Saturday 7 April 2007

Oxygen is necessary for good health


From time to time it is necessary to refresh oneself and to take a deep breath.
Oxygen is required to make all the human organs function correctly, especially when one is at the mouth of Australia's longest river, the Murray River.
In Australia it is so important to ensure that one's stomach is not dominating in the photographer's eye and that is what we naturally strive for. Of course, the beer, is only for effect, naturellement !!!

Friday 6 April 2007

Champagne Charlie is his name...


Here, at Fox Valley in the Adelaide Hills, is a small vineyard of the same name, that produces high quality grapes, grown specifically for South Australia's highly revered Petaluma Champagne.
This little chap, as well-dressed as he is; tries his best to scare the crows away but probably has a better time waiting for me to walk across the back paddock for a chat and to take his photo. He certainly gets a friendly 'toot' from me each morning.

Thursday 5 April 2007

Blight on the Landscape


Today is dilemma day. We have brought you high speed steam trains, little girls with big fish and little girls with lots of things. But this Wednesday's special has to be enthralling, captivating and riveting. Here, and before your very eyes, is the Stonyfell Quarry at Greenhill.
This quarry on the face of the foothills, visible as monstrous scar, can be seen from Adelaide and the coast when looking East.
The quarry, an open cut mine, started in 1837. It mines sandstone, quartzite rock, which is used as aggregate on Adelaide suburban roads and for building materials and railway ballast.
However, Adelaideians are oblivious to it. I guess we don't notice it anymore.

Wednesday 4 April 2007

The Benaut Renault. (Quelques leçons en langue française pour des Américains à Paris.)


Aujourd'hui, nous pratiquerons l'épellation de "Benaut" et de "Renault". Ils peuvent rimer, Michael, mais l'épellation est la chose !!!
Here is my littlest daughter in the Benno-Renno, (a dear old family hand-me-down.)

Tuesday 3 April 2007

High speed trains in ADELAIDE ?


Throughout Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and South America, etc, ALSTOM, is forging ahead in it's pursuit of Excellence in High Speed Rail transportation. In a couple of days Eric Pieczak will propel an ALSTOM 'Train à Grande Vitesse' at hopefully a speed exceeding 540 kilometres per hour on the line TGV EST EUROPÉEN from Paris to Strasbourg while the world waits with bated breath.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Australians are paddling in the backwaters like the Sleep's Hill Viaduct, above. Phillipe Mellier, you are always welcome, here in Australia. I will put my money on 560kph, one way bet!

J'espère que les temps font fraîches, sèches et ensoleillées, M. Pieczak.

Monday 2 April 2007

Salle de classe en plein air. 2


Between Adelaide's Government House and the Torrens Parade Ground on King William Road and on the banks of the Torrens, is this grassy river terrace, where people sit under shady old trees and peruse the walls of Government House which once bristled with bottle glass.
Today, boarding school girls and their teachers study the history of the place and contemplate the nurses who died in the wars, shown on this little memorial.

Sunday 1 April 2007

Government changes Australia's National Emblem.


In a surprise statement from Canberra, today, it was revealed that the Kangaroo and the Emu will no longer be shown on Australia's National Coat of Arms. As of midnight 31 March 2007, the "Fish", so plentiful in Australian waters has taken pride of place.
With a booming fishing industry, in the coastal waters, it was also announced that the Goods and Services Tax on fishing gear, protective clothing and tools of trade for recreational fishermen and women - only - would be withdrawn as of midnight.
This young lady from Adelaide was one of the first to fully equip herself with all the necessaries and she may even appear on Australia's Coat of Arms,

Bon Poisson d'Avril à tout le monde