aussielozzie18

@A&L_Ont The pennies. Thank you for sharing your daughter Allie and her presence in your lives with us. My best friend who lost her daughter 3 months ago is gaining comfort from the signs through the natural world of her presence around them.

@jagsfan I am so sorry to hear you have had pneumonia. That is worrisome. I hope you are on the mend now.

@dani negreanu Dani, I am so sorry you, your family, your neighbours and many friends have been living for many weeks with a sense of dread since the change of government and that so many of you were forced to protest in the streets to make your feelings known. Devastating that your sons and grandsons will be forced to move away from you to another country to live the life that is no longer possible in Israel. My heart breaks for you and I thank you for continuing to post here and for keeping us informed. How is your DH’s physical pain this week?

@brillohead Congratulations on securing the job as a ER Nurse and finding your birth father. They say good things happen in 3s so go out and buy that lottery ticket 😀

Allianz with cruise pack + small upcharge for a couple of straightforward pre-existing conditions.

Amadee Island is not listed on the smart traveller site

Warm & overcast Sunday in Sydney. After walking around the Botanical Gardens & the Opera House we had afternoon tea at the QVB. Back to the grindstone tomorrow. Have a nice week everyone.

That looks nasty. Hope the occupants of that car are ok. Would be dangerous trying to exit the car if the wires were live. Hope everyone in the affected areas stays safe & damage free.

@Sunshine3601 Have a fabulous cruise with Chris & Donna & hope Petey doesn’t get up to too much mischief while you are away….

@Lionesss How wonderful that you get a whole month one on one with your gorgeous granddaughter. What a precious gift. re ants/insects - DD is currently on a home improvement binge. After he outlayed his plans - I told him he better have a long overdue termite inspection done because no use spending a tonne of money if the house is being eaten from the inside. Thankfully the report came up clear. Hope you get rid of your ants.

The wildlife park is in suburbia and the dingo enclosure backs onto a suburban home. Someone’s dog was barking and the dingos were howling in response…made the hairs on the back of your next stand up…. @Coralc I assume you are aware of the facial tumours devastating the Tasmanian Devil population? The Azaria Chamberlain case was appalling. The miscarriage of justice and the way Lindy Chamberlain (the baby’s mother) was treated & judged by the media & Australian public and this was in the time before the internet.

Can’t say a saw Renee…did take a photo of the koala roll call but I took so many koala photos that I had to go back & delete a batch including the names. Lifespan in captivity is 15 years according to wiki so she might be munching gum leaves in koala heaven right now….

Not arrogant at all. You are speaking the truth and definitely a career life to be proud of.

We call them “bin chickens” so you were close with “garbage birds” but yes they are Ibis.

Another warm & overcast day in Sydney. State Election today, so all the schools had sausage sizzles, cake stalls and coffee carts for fundraising from all the voters going to school halls today. Bought some delicious homemade macarons, choc tarts and tried some elderflower cordial. In the late afternoon went for a long walk and the drizzle set in. This little guy was sheltering from the drizzle In amongst the flowering gum blossoms.

Lovely photos & pleased you enjoyed your visit so much especially given you are a Biologist.

Native birds at Featherdale. @jagsfan you might have visited here when you were in Sydney? Apologies for not keeping up with everyone’s posts. Hopefully will catch up this weekend

Greetings from a warm but overcast day in Sydney. Headed out to Featherdale Wildlife Park in the outer suburbs of Sydney today. Busier than expected for a Friday but still plenty of space to take photos easily.

Noumeas city beaches are currently closed to swimming and will not re-open until shark nets have been installed. also, got two visits to Noumea on an upcoming cruise.

DH was rather taken with this one. A dunnart by Janet Luxton, a small marsupial at risk due to the devastating bushfires on Kangaroo Island (cruise port off South Australia). It was a full scale painting selling for $7.8k. Gang Gang Cockatoo using images of burnt leaves for its crest by Josh Dykgraaf I loved these for their burst of colour. Painted by a New York born artist Stephanie Chambers now residing in Australia painted during sunset.

On the Edge: Species at Risk art exhibit at the Royal Botanical Gardens Sydney. Viewed this free exhibition today @jagsfan thought you might like these photos of some of the bird art exhibited & for sale. By Pamela Pauline (above) Goudian Finches by Janet Matthews (below) Mosaic of Palm Cockatoo by Kelly Mackey

Back to regular programming and Sydney spam… We’re in autumn downunder but the weather hasn’t got the memo. Been a hot summer weekend - reaching 37C both days. Carnival at Circular Quay this morning on a hot, humid & smoky Sunday. Wondered why The Rocks was closed off and police were everywhere. Got closer and realised it was the St Patrick’s Day Parade. A sea of green

Been a pleasure to follow the Bella Cruise. Loved @Sea Dog beautiful videos, @A&L_Ont stunning suite views, the many cocktail & food photos and the camaraderie exhibited between the whole group. Hope those with knee issues get sorted soon and that Bella’s dad and cruise organiser extraordinaire is well soon to organise Bella2.

That photo was worth the wait. Beautiful photo of both of you.

I just burst out laughing on a busy train. Thank goodness I wasn’t in the quiet carriage…