Thursday 31 May 2007

Un jour triste et heureux


Ne vous inquiétez pas, je ne vous laissera pas.
Je veux vraiment que vous soyez heureux. En conséquence je pense que nous devrons laisser la nature prendre son cours.
Is she asking him about his good intentions before she breaks the inevitable news.
A day both happy and just a little sad?
Vous DEVEZ cliquer et agrandir cette photo:-please CLICK to enlarge.

Wednesday 30 May 2007

Felix aime des jonquils, (et des jonquilles aussi)


Felix était un cadeau merveilleux. Il a vécu ici avant que nous ayons acheté cette maison, donc il possède tout ce territoire. Aujourd'hui il nous montre ses beaux jonquilles. Un chat très fier.

Tuesday 29 May 2007

Pour célébrer le quatre-vingt-unième anniversaire de Marilyn Monroe


Tout au long de l'année précédente nous avions rassemblé des branchements d'arbre. Samedi nuit nous les brûlerons à notre feu annuel. Peut-être il y aura quelques photos pour vous faire le réchauffeur de sensation en quelques jours.

All year we have been collecting tree branches. On Saturday night we will hold our annual Bonfire in the garden. Hopefully I will have photos to warm you all up.

Monday 28 May 2007

Amanita muscaria dans notre jardin.


Amanita muscaria, (or fly agaric) is a psychoactive toadstool, - a large imposing white-gilled, white-spotted red mushroom, one of the most recognizable and widely encountered. It is famed for its hallucinogenic properties with its main psychoactive constituent causing delirium when consumed.
This one, in our garden causes delirium in the photographer, but not elsewhere. Soon there will be many others along with hundreds of edible mushrooms too.

Sunday 27 May 2007

Aldgate Railway Station and our "Train Sans Vitesse".


On 14 March 1883 the Aldgate Railway Station was opened by Governor Sir William Robinson. It turned out to be a long and frustrating day for everyone concerned. The train from Adelaide with all the special guests gave up the ghost at Blackwood and it took three hours to get it going again. It was only able to pull the first coach. The others had to wait until an extra train had been organized from Adelaide. The line after being duly opened, served the town for over one hundred years. For more than twenty years it also housed the post and telegraph offices.

Est ce que l'histoire répétera, ou pouvons-nous l'améliorer ?

Saturday 26 May 2007

Adelaïde est une ville qui se déplace rapidement, en particulier vendredi


Adelaide on a Friday is a busy and vibrant city.

À l'après-midi, - de 16:30h, vendredi, quelques villes sont bloquées vers le haut avec le trafic et l'entête des personnes à la maison après une semaine de travail dur.
Ici, en notre ville, on peut se déplacer autour, avoir quelques boissons avec les amies ou piloter à la maison dans la circulation dense, qui prend 10 ou 20 minutes.
Peut-être un peut flâner après la statue de la Reine Victoria et la fontaine de John Dowie et détendre. Adelaïde en mai : - d'accord !

At 4:30 on a Friday afternoon, some cities are jammed up with traffic and people heading home after a busy week. Here, in our town, one can move around, have some drinks with 'amies' or drive home in heavy traffic, which takes only 10 or 20 minutes.
Perhaps one can stroll past Queen Victoria's Statue and the John Dowie fountain and relax.
Adelaide in May: - no worries

Friday 25 May 2007

.... another suburb of McMansions being carved out of the bush


On Tuesday, Sally, of Sydney Daily Photo, showed us the latest, Sydney "McMansions", and on the previous Tuesday, a "Wedding Cake House".
Here in Adelaide we can combine all that into one. Today, the Adelaide sun was shining brightly and this McMansion cake house overlooking a spectacular view, was just begging to be photographed.
On Google Earth go to, 34 55 40S and 138 41 02 E

Thursday 24 May 2007

La brume pourpre de la soirée.


The purple haze of evening.

De temps en temps, les jeunes messieurs ont des rêves de bière (et des filles).
De ce qu'on préférerait à plus de rêve que pour avoir assez de bière?
C'est d'où il vient. Là où il disparaît est jusqu'à vous.
Rêver est toujours bon pour l'âme.

Every now and again, young gentlemen dream about beer (and girls). What would one prefer more, than to have enough beer.
This is where it comes from. Where it goes is up to you.
Dreaming is always good for the soul.

Wednesday 23 May 2007

On doit être équilibré, toujours, pendant un jour si pluvieux et venteux


Keeping balanced on a wet, windy day

Aujourd'hui nous allons au haut de la montagne; Mount Lofty. À 2334 pieds au-dessus du niveau marin, c'est la plus haute montagne d'Adelaïde et regarde au-dessus de la ville, ci-dessous.
Encore, il y avait beaucoup de jeunes élèves, qui étudiaient la géographie de cet endroit historique.
On peut voir que la pluie se dépêche ici du Golfe de Saint Vincent.

Today we are going up to the top of the mountain; Mount Lofty. At 2334 feet above sea level, this is Adelaide's highest mountain and overlooks the city, below.
Again, there were many young pupils, who were studying the Geography of this historic place.
You can see the rain rushing-in from St. Vincent's Gulf.

Tuesday 22 May 2007

Conditions de l'hiver en automne; - Je suis malade de lui.


Bien que ce ne soit pas encore officiellement hiver, dans Adelaïde, nous trouvons les conditions humides et froides.
Le dernier mois a été une période qui essayerait sa patience un peu. Par conséquent je suis vous montrant comment Adelaïde regarde un jour heureux et ensoleillé.

Even though it is not yet officially Winter, in Adelaide, we have been experiencing cold and wet conditions.
The last month has been a time that would try one's patience a little bit. Therefore I am showing you how Adelaide looks on a happy and sunny day.

Here is King William street BEFORE the construction of the new tramline extension. You will see the results when the sun is shining again.

Monday 21 May 2007

Ces canards se conduisent mal encore !


Encore, aujourd'hui, les canards ont décidé de se dépêcher vers le bas à la ligne ferroviaire. Toutes les fois que je leur dis de rester à la maison, ils m'ignorent. Ils mangeront seulement du pain rassis pour le dîner ce soir. Petits canards très mauvais!

Again today, the ducks decided to hurry down to the railway line. Whenever I tell them to remain at home, they ignore me. So, they will only get stale bread for dinner tonight.
Bad little Ducks !

Sunday 20 May 2007

Will the snow slide off this roof?


In little more than 200 years, Australia has grown from its humble origins to become a vibrant nation of cosmopolitan cities. We have European style homes dating back to the 19th Century as well as contemporary architecture in current residential design.

House designs reflect the changing social patterns in Australian history and can be glimpsed by observing house styles throughout the country.

This very expansive home in the hills of Adelaide looks as though it has been around for over 100 years. It was completed recently and will possibly see snow, maybe once or twice in it's lifetime.

Saturday 19 May 2007

Mushrooms are great for barbequeing


Previously thought to contain little nutritional value, many varieties of mushrooms are high in fibre and protein, and provide vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), biotin (B7), cobalamins (B12) and ascorbic acid (C), plus minerals, including iron, selenium, potassium and phosphorus.
They contain antioxidants Ergothioneine and Selenium. Research is being conducted as to how mushrooms help to prevent breast cancer, prostate cancer, and heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.

These mushrooms typically spring up in hordes in Adelaide after the rains. On an Aussie barbeque, what could be nicer with a little cleansing Cooper's Sparkling Ale.

Friday 18 May 2007

Encore, un autre jour triste. Another sad day.


Aujourd'hui a été un autre jour triste dans notre famille.
Le père de Madame est mort ce matin.

It's a very sad day, today; Madame's Father passed away this morning.
Trevor was born in 1930 having a French Grandmother and Australian Parents.
He had four beautiful daughters, seven grand children and one great grandson.

Rest in Peace, Trevor.

Thursday 17 May 2007

A great little dog.


Any person who is blind or vision impaired can be considered for a Guide Dog to assist them with their mobility needs and to enhance their independence.
Guide Dogs S.A, provide quality, services for people with a sensory loss.

Here, in Victoria Square, Adelaide, this brilliant little Labrador has just escorted his master from the tram and is now waiting for the lights to change.
I reckon, that's wonderful and "Guide Dogs SA" are wonderful too.

Wednesday 16 May 2007

Adelaide's High Speed rail link to the rest of Australia.


When ALSTOM re-built the TGV line from Paris to Strasbourg, they took great care to ensure that the rails were laid with infinite precision. The lines are dead-true and level, and all the gradients, radii and track cambers are checked and set, to enable the TGV to speed along with speed and safety.

In the Adelaide hills, the lines take on a slightly more poetic approach and provide travellers with a lovely roller-coaster effect.

When you Click and enlarge this photo, you will get the hang of it.
Adelaide International Airport will always welcome you to Sunny South Australia.

Tuesday 15 May 2007

Bogaduck Road : Un poteau indicateur pour des canards


Toutes les fois quand nos petits canards s'échappent, la première chose d'être fait est de se dépêcher vers la ligne ferroviaire à cet aimant de canard.
Ils sont dans l'amour avec la boue. Pour barboter et éclabousser autour dans la boue.
Un canard ne pourrait pas être plus heureux mais il doit passer par la ligne ferroviaire qui m'inquiétera toujours.
Les canards dont je parle, sont montrés dans l'agrandissement de la photo d'hier.

Whenever our little ducks escape, the first thing to do, is to hurry down to the railway line to this "Duck Magnet". They simply love it; rolling and splashing around in the mud. A duck couldn't be more happy, but he must cross the railway line. That can be a bit worrying.
Enlarge yesterday's shot to see the ducks.

Monday 14 May 2007

A Sunny Autumn Day in the Adelaide Hills


The sun was shining brightly at 9 am today in Aldgate, and the leaves were arguing with each other, - whether to fall or stay on the trees. You could nearly hear them.
Perhaps they were sick of looking at this Palladian Entablature. I can't think why !

Sunday 13 May 2007

I'm never gonna stop the rain, by complainin'


Adelaide weather is perfect one day and perfectly wet, the next. Anyhow, you've heard me complainin' about the drought; now we have rain to complain about, and that's wonderful.
Paul Newman and Katharine Ross weren't exactly Complainin' when they NEVER TRIED TO STOP THE RAIN BY COMPLAINING. Perhaps they just clicked on this link.

May in Adelaide; no worries.

Saturday 12 May 2007

Madeleine Mc Cann


British girl, Madeleine McCann, aged 3, was abducted from Praia da Luz in Portugal on 3rd May 2007. Her parents were dining at a restaurant, leaving her and her twin 2 -year old siblings alone in their apartment.

Madeleine, of course, could be anywhere in the world now. If you see her or know anything, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or 0044 1883 731 336 for outside UK.

I have decided to show Madeleine's picture here on Adelaide Daily Photo, to help publicise this terrible event and circulate her photo so that everyone can look out for her. Her family and Sky News are asking people to circulate a poster/photo for this reason. Let's all pray that this beautiful little girl will be returned safe and well.

Rewards of £1 million - from a UK businessman, and £10,000 - from The Portugal News - have been offered for info. leading to arrest.

I thank Lynn of Cheltenham Daily Photo for permission to use the information, above.

OLYMPIC GAMES: SEVEN YEARS LATER


Had it not been for the diligence of a certain Adelaide citizen, the Olympic games in Sydney in 2000 may have never commenced.
None-the-less, we ensured that the Olympic flame was successfully transported from Mount Olympus to Sydney without a hitch. Here you see the magnificent torch, at Henley Beach, newly equipped with a fresh butane cylinder and the citizen without whom, none of this would have been possible.

Friday 11 May 2007

South African War Memorial, North Terrace


The South African War Memorial, on the corner of North Terrace and King William Street, Adelaide, commemorates the Australian soldiers who fell during the Boer War, 1899 - 1902.

This Boer War Horseman Statue, of granite and bronze, erected in 1904, has recently been cleaned and restored, and unveiled on May 6th 2007.
Twenty thousand Australians served and about a thousand were killed in this, the Second Boer War.

Thursday 10 May 2007

The trams are getting closer


Here's the next installment of the Glenelg to Adelaide tramline extension. This photo was taken where our new tramline passes the Adelaide casino on North Terrace. Bit by bit it is happening.
If the city fathers had put some thought into it we could have had APS, which is ground level current collection or "Alimentation par Sol". This system which ALSTOM have installed in Bordeaux, utilizes 3 rails. The third rail, in the middle of the tracks, serves as the power supply. This rail consists of a succession of 8 metre long powered sections, interspersed by 3 metre neutral sections. The tram as it rolls by, activates the powered section underneath, by touching it with a "frotteur" (skate). Each time no more than two, separated, 8 metre long sections are powered. This means that pedestrians in front of the tram or behind it do not run any risk, since the rail not under the vehicle is always neutral.
Here in Adelaide, however, we will have an overhead power conducter as we have had for the last 100 years.

Wednesday 9 May 2007

Happy Little Vegemite, Sisters


Vegemite, invented in 1923 by food technologist, Dr. Cyril P. Callister, is somewhat of a National Treasure, and consumed by Australians at home and abroad. It is often playfully described as a "national food". We all grew up on it and take it with us when we travel.
The Vegemite Jingle gave rise to the Australian slang expression 'Happy Little Vegemite', (a happy person) in the 1980s.
This is the JINGLE to click on, and below are the words. Can you guess which happy little Vegemite sister is Madame.

We're hap-py lit-tle Veg-e-mites
As bright as bright can be.
We all en-joy our Ve-ge-mite
For break-fast, lunch, and tea.
Our mum-mies say we're grow-ing stron-ger
Eve-ry sin-gle week,
Be-cause we love our Ve-ge-mite -
We all a-dore our Ve-ge-mite -
It puts a rose in eve-ry cheek.

Tuesday 8 May 2007

My Grandfather was an honourable man.


My Grandfather was an honourable man.

He told me that if I did not learn something every day of my life, I could end up going backwards. He was a Master Painter and Signwriter and he took pride in every thing he did. As a Freemason, he was Grand Master of the Lodge of Rectitude, and his word was his bond. He wore lace-up boots and was impeccably groomed. He never hit anyone and his razor strap was only ever used for sharpening his razor.
He loved, and positively encouraged everyone that came in contact with him.

There are some other people that one encounters, that have never met, nor been influenced by such a man. Perhaps they may have, but never recognized, positive spirit, positive energy, positive human endeavours that influence and support the growing, developing spirit of little ones and those who foster, nurture and bless them. Such beings can act like the snake, attempting to win their way in the universe by bringing others down. Down to their level.

If one is sometimes at a low point in life, let it not be that one has allowed themself to be reduced to another's low level. Recognize the negative, human emotions that others may display and never let them beat you by succumbing to their anger, hatred, jealousy nor retribution. You could end up inside the snake who will just lie in the sun and dream of her next victim.

Monday 7 May 2007

Adelaide Skyline from Brown Hill, Mitcham


Autumn may well be here, but there are always "Blue Skies" just around the corner in Adelaide.
Adelaide has a Mediterranean Climate with never extremes of climate. Adelaide's latitude is less than 35 degrees south of the Equator which makes us closer to the Equator that Cyprus, Malta and ALL of Europe. It can resemble Paradise sometimes; and last Friday, Brian and Julie, close to our place, received 6 inches of rain in a day. Can't ever remember that happening.

May in Adelaide: No worries, except for a few odd hand movements.

Sunday 6 May 2007

What turns a young man's head?


When one walks down an Adelaide street, MUSIC may be playing in your head. But it's not until you see something like this young man's head spinning round, that you can identify the music playing in your head.
Click on the MUSIC, above, and you can read his mind.
Click on the young man and you will see why.

Saturday 5 May 2007

Avowed Republican becomes the Queen's man in Adelaide


Retired Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, an Avowed Republican and the man who helped South Australia win the air warfare destroyer contract, will be South Australia's new Governor.
He will be sworn in on August 8 to take over from Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, who retires on July 31.

Today, the tradesmen were at Government House and the Police were counting carpenters, cats and characters as they clocked-off, collected their pay and cleared out for a cleansing claret or chardonnay to clear their minds.

Je vous souhaite tout un bon week-end, mes amis.

Friday 4 May 2007

When it comes away to blow, it Blows and it Blows !!


This week the Bureau of Meteorology in Adelaide, has been sending us high winds and driving rains, up to 150 mm in the space of one day.
Last evening our garden Rose Arch simply blew away in the wind along with all the blooming, climbing roses.
Well, - we will just have to construct another one, and when you come to Aldgate, you won't know the difference, I hope.
This is what it looked like yesterday; - today this view is too depressing.

Please, click on this shot and see how nice the roses were.

Thursday 3 May 2007

A very popular and likeable, local identity in Adelaide. ( And it's my 100th Post ! )


In order to minimize our litter stream, South Australia's Environment Protection Authority, years ago, introduced the container deposit legislation scheme, whereby all drink containers should be recycled and the refundable deposit paid on their return. People who benefit from the scheme may include those who may be disadvantaged or possibly in poor circumstances.
This local identity in Adelaide's Rundle Mall, is ensuring the bottle cap is ditched and that the contents are not wasted before making his way to the recycle depot with the day's catch.

Wednesday 2 May 2007

Daily Photo Theme Day - (Something to dream about)


On waking myself this morning, I remember that I had been dreaming of returning to Toscana. Perhaps to Cortona, San Miniato Alto, or Sinalunga?
No, the Soil Geology of the Arno River and its alluvial plains, and the effect of its bearing capacity on early Italian Renaissance structures. If you look behind my left ear you will see cables and massive lead weights attempting to rectify something we all know so well.

Tuesday 1 May 2007

Éoliennes dans la campagne, Sud-Australien, nous donnent Énergie Renouvelable dans un monde des ressources, celui sera bientôt épuisé.


Wind mills in the South-Australian countryside, give us Renewable Energy in a world of depleting resources.

We must all reduce the threat of climate change due to pollution, exhaustion of fossil fuels, and the environmental, social and political risks of fossil fuels and nuclear power. These wind generators near Millicent, south of Adelaide are just one, small, South Australian contribution.