We Are Family - Sister Sledge

A few photographs from yesterday to start today.

After all the greetings it was down to a Champagne Breakfast,

and a cuddle from Lisa & Julie.

The Birthday Girl opening her presents.

Looks like Frederick will take after his Grandpa after all!

With just a slight adjustment, this was the first time I have ever given anybody a '1/2 year old' birthday card.

There is a definite chill in the air here and the morning was met with overcast sky but no wind. For me it was an early return to the Blue Gum Trail and a first look at the Golf Club area. The 'dawn chorus' hereabouts is a raucous cacophony of Parrots, Cockatoos and Miners the later being the only passerine seen so far.

First on the day list and new for the trip was a lone Grey Butcherbird followed by

Pacific Black Duck.

Torresian Crow and

Galah were also new but the latter, often seen in plague proportions, were distant and not performing at all well.

A pair of Australian Magpie-lark were fairly obliging while

this pair of Maned Wood Duck with family, wandered close by.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo are extremely numerous as are close relative Rainbow Lorikeets. A heavy downpour of rain forced me back home, but to be honest a coffee was well overdue while the pancakes with blueberries and honey didn't go amiss either. With everyone ready for a run out, we headed for Balmoral Beach just a short drive from home where there were a few birds one of which produced the funniest moment of the day.

Armed with lovely Fish & Chips we found a park bench and enjoyed our picnic meal except for Nigel who had returned to the car to collect a jacket. On his return he unwrapped his food and about to bite into the fish

the Laughing Kookaburra on the left

launched from its perch and swiped half of his Cod.

Unfortunately, I was a little slow to react and missed capturing the impact,

but as the bird struck home, carrying off the top half of the fish,

Nigel was startled and dropped the other half.

Seen eating the fish in the 2 photos above, this one shows a very self satisfied bird,

as does this head detail.

Again the rain spoilt the show, and as we headed back to the car the top arc of a rainbow could be seen above the tree line. At home there was lots more time to spend with the Grand Children including

a little Computer Tuition before bedtime. I think I've grasped most of what Frederick taught me!

When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees

I get a massive amount of inspiration and direction from the lyrics of songs in general, but from Prog Rock particularly, not least the track Home By The Sea from the 'self titled' Genesis album. Since I've been back from the States, I must have played this story of ending your days in a Retirement Home, and how there is no escape, about 50 times. Without one morbid thought, I decided on an 'executive decision' and put it into place.

Home By The Sea - Genesis

Coming out the woodwork, thru the open door

pushing from above and below.
Shadows with no substance, in the shape of men
round and down and sideways they go.
Adrift without direction, eyes that hold despair
then as one they sigh and they moan!

"Help us someone"! "let us out of here"!
'cos living here so long undisturbed
dreaming of the time we were free.
So many years ago,
before the time when we first heard
welcome to the Home by the Sea

Images of sorrow, pictures of delight
things that go to make up a life.
Endless days of summer, longer nights of gloom
just waiting for the morning light.
Scenes of unimportance, like photos in a frame
things that go to make up a life.

Help us someone, let us out of here
'cos living here so long undisturbed
dreaming of the time we were free.
So many years ago,
before the time when we first heard
welcome to the Home by the Sea

Sit down Sit down Sit down
'cos you won't get away
no with us you will stay
for the rest of your days - Sit down
As we relive our lives in what we tell you
Let us relive our lives in what we tell you

As reported in a previous post I drove daughter Julie, son outlaw Nigel and grandson Lee to Heathrow a couple of days ago, with them arriving in Sydney yesterday to visit her younger sister Lisa. When, I wondered, will I ever see my 2 beautiful daughters together again and likewise, when will I meet my other 2 grandsons for the first time? Having the time, money and motivation it was considered 'no time like the present' was the best policy and this closely guarded secret has been kept from them all. What I am unable to report today is the reaction, which was amazing for us all.

At 10:00 local I arrived at the York home and Bernard answered the door. He took one look at me, and did a double take then nearly fell over as I put my finger to my lips and gestured him to summon Lisa. She too was flabbergasted and in turn called Julie and the rest and of course there were a few tears! When Lisa came to she did say it was the best Birthday Surprise she had ever had.

Cuddles for Lisa as she tries to get over the shock.

Son-outlaw Nigel and Grandson Lee joined us

before Julie and baby Frederick also came in to view.

It was then time to take my Grandfatherly roll,

and who wouldn't be bowled over by these 2 delightful children, seen here with Dad Bernard.

Finally, a shot of Alexander (left) and Frederick together before lunch and then a walk

in the local park.

There, we found Dusky Moorhen,

and Australian Magpie.

There were also good numbers of Maned Wood Duck (male)

and (female)

a few Common Mynah

and the odd Chestnut Teal. It's now time to try and shake off the jet-lag, so it's good-night from him and good-night from him!

Oh, by the way, I'm in Sydney, Australia.

Where In The World - Part Three

Due to travel requirements the post is a little late today, in fact I'm lucky to get it posted at all. Having just arrived at my final destination the location still remains under wraps, but here are a couple of clues.

1. I arrived in Bangkok, Thailand 12 hours ago.

2. Identify these birds and you will at least get the country, shouldn't be too difficult even for the non-birders amongst you.

Rainbow Lorikeet

Pacific Black Duck

Rufous Whistler

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Pacific Baza

Noisy Miner

Eastern Yellow Robin

Wonga Pigeon

Where In The World - Part Two

Finally, I've managed to pull all the strings together and am in The Swan (JD Wetherspoons) Pub in Weymouth having a steak and glass of wine before catching the National Express coach to the airport. The next time of writing should see me in foreign parts with some new bird photographs to publish, but for now here is another selection from the archive.

Giant Antpitta

Nazca Booby

Shining Sunbeam

Nile Crocodile

Banded Dotterel

Collared Trogon

Lava Heron

Pale-mandibiled Aracari

Cape (Pintado) Petrel

Great Thrush

White-capped Dipper

Toucan Barbet

Blue-footed Booby

Empress Brilliant

Grey-hooded Gull

Floreana Giant Tortoise

Inca (Green) Jay

Northern Giant Petrel

Blackburnian Warbler

White-fronted Tern