Swan Finale

 

There is a sad event attached to this post. Foxes attacked the swan family and took away two cygnets and seriously injured the goose which must have bravely defended the young ones. As a result of the attack, the goose died a day later and the Swan couple took their four remaining cygnets with them walking through the local suburb to another water location which might prove to be more secure against killers like foxes that come up from the river gorge. It is unfortunate that one really stupid English colonial idiot thought it smart to bring foxes to Australia so that he felt more at home. So this will be the last video of the swan family. The footage was taken at the wetland during the weeks before the attack. It took an effort to make the video and the music added is Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor (First Movement) which seems to catch the emotions of the moment - new life and loss. The video can be viewed HERE.

Tallarook Mechanics Institute Born Again

Peter has watched with keen interest the rebuilding of the Tallarook Mechanics Institute in the main street of the town. Sadly the 127 year old building burnt to the ground on Saturday/Sunday night of May 5/6, 2018. Insurance was honoured and architects were commissioned to design a replacement. It took a while to get going though. The locals made it very plain that the new building had to look much the same as the old one and so the result was an interesting mix of innovation and tradition. The pictures below show the magic of the old and tell the construction story of the new, up to pictures taken just days ago.

The location had a first Sunday of the month regular market.

Church Online

When the general lock down happened, our experience of church moved into a completely new phase of interaction. It went online each following Sunday. Our communion with the bread and drink was self-prepared from our own stores. No longer does the Anglican Church worry about priestly oversight of the sacraments it seems. Plenty Life, the church we are connected to made the change-over early. All churches are online now so as not to be blamed for any spreading of the virus. We use Zoom as a platform. It is robust and 'way better' compared to Skype which seems to lose its sound/vision coordination half way through a call. So we are glad we are using Zoom and even have a free account with it for smaller off the cuff link-ups. 

Ballina RSL

We were delighted to find this place when we stopped for a cuppa. There were other places in the town but this one was cool and had a great view of the inlet. To top it off this place had the best collection of Services memorabilia that we have ever seen in an RSL. We share some of what was there.

Adora Downs Wedding

This is why Adora Downs is booked out for about 18 months. Couples have to plan long engagements in order to access a wedding experience like this one. This place does not have static online site but it seems that they don't have to, such is their popularity. Adora Downs used to be a sheep station, converted for wedding events. The sheering shed has become the reception centre, dining room and what ever else. The is a huge variety of accommodation for all the guests, even a number of railway carriages. There is an indoor chapel in case of rain or different taste. Quite an experience for all who came.

Adora Downs

This remarkable place is full or old farm 'art' and random accommodation for guests and in its unique combination leaves everybody with a real rustic and rural experience. Part of this experience is learning to cope with the millions of very friendly flies and persistent mosquitoes. Fortunately there was a reasonable breeze or it would have been a bit tough. But the trials were worth it against what Agora Downs offered as hosts. The food was amazing and plenty of it. The cost ($155 for each of us for the weekend) was great considering the food, pool, bedding, and the rest. Those who had alcohol (on their tab) did have to pay on top of this but we heard that the extra amount was not over the top. Adora Downs is booked ahead for about one and half years so it is very popular indeed.

Snooker table with beer barrel support

Outside dining (unless raining)

Our accommodation a short walk from the main house

Our early morning view from our accommodation

Every bathroom is a new experience

Lots of yard art

This place a perfect place to relax

More yard art (an original Sunshine harvester!)