Tattoo

If I were get a tattoo I would want this on my left arm.

This would be a great alternative. I flew the Piper Arrow for my Commercial Pilot qualification.

Silhouette

Summer Silhouette

Summer Crops

So far SM has been able to get some good crop of cherry tomatoes, birds eye chillies, and 3 potatoes (!). The tomatoes are fine and we give excess away to my sister and our neighbor. In turn Rus gives us some of his roma and truss.   

Shared Activity

On 2 Jan 2012 we start a shared activity - call it bush walking or brisk walking; we have embarked on a journey that we hope will last a little bit.

So far we have been at it for some 4 weeks and SM & I have never done this together for such an extensive period of time.

I know the benefits because I feel better and I keep my body weight in check when I used to climb the Bintulu hill in 2010/2011 for almost 6 months, 2-3 times a week. We now enjoy exploring different trails apart from some days we walk around our neighborhood; usually for between 45 min to 1.5 hours. 

First trails we go to are the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary in Blackburn and Ruffey Lake Park in Doncaster because we have been to these trails before and so they are familiar to us.

 Blackburn Lake - the lakes

I normally enter to the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary via Jefferey St which is a  National Trust Classified street that is worth a brief visit to see some of the nice homes on the street. As for Ruffey Lake I normally enter via The Boulevard which is the main entrance. Nearby the Parking area there are public BBQ pits as well.

 Ruffey Lake hill top view

 Ruffey Lake typical paved walk paths

Ruffey lakes

These trails are usually bush lands but I do not know how to appreciate the floral and fauna and I just recognize common things like ferns, gum trees, native grass, and some wild herbs.

One other trail we explore and enjoy going is the Yarran Dheran in Mitcham.

 Yarran Dheran bush trails

 Yarran Dheran paved walks 

 Mullum Mullum Creek

On this walk we are rewarded with a bonus visit in this historic trail to the Schwerkolt Historic Museum and Cottage. The Schwerkolt family was the first residents in this area. 

Schwerkolt Historic Cottage

Schwerkolt Smokehouse. In the old days there was no refrigeration and so people either smoke, dry or salt their meats

Other trails we have done so far are the Blackburn Creeklands, Koomba Park in Vermont, Koonung Trails along the Eastern Freeway near my sister's home and the one we most frequent that is the Bellbird Dell Reserve near our home in Vermont South.

I now have in my sight The 100 Acres in Warrandyte, Kakoda Track Memorial Walk (also known as The 1000 Steps) in the Dandenongs. Eventually when we are fit enough and in the not too distant future I would want to do the 3-day Great Ocean walk. 

Beginning at Apollo Bay, this newly opened walk traverses through the rainforests of the Great Otway National Park to the majestic Twelve Apostles. On the way you'll see kangaroos, koalas and other wildlife, wild deserted beaches, waterfalls plunging gracefully to the Southern Ocean, a historical lighthouse and remains of several shipwrecks.

Old Scores Settled

First day of CNY 23 Jan 2012 .... old scores are settled and I now move on ......

Rat will be quite happy and relaxed in the year 2012 of the Black Water Dragon. This period will be successful for him if he will be optimistic and bold in his actions. Rat has a rare ability of coming out dry from the water, the first to feel danger, and therefore he is better than the other zodiac signs in adapting to rapidly changing affairs, and responding to unexpected problems. The greatest success can be achieved by a Rat, which is occupied with business, entrepreneurship, commercial activities, as well as a representative of this zodiac sign engaged in art work, culture and art.

Rat should always uphold his rights, he should not adapt to the opinions of others or facts if such contradict his own conviction. Rat's activeness should be as open as possible, and clear to people otherwise he will inevitably have problems in relations with colleagues and partners. A representative of this zodiac sign should be moderately ambitious - this year of 2012 offers a good opportunity to move up the career ladder. Rat must respond to problems immediately after they occurred, and not postpone them for the indefinite future hoping that the problems would disappear by themselves. Old problems should be resolved in the beginning of 2012, else Rat in the future will not be able to move forward. Rat should not participate in dubious business and scams - sometimes, problems will just provoke Rat to engage in illegal activity and having yielded to the temptation of earning easy money, he can be cornered and bid a long farewell to his career. The favorable position of the planets will help Rat assign his forces well - he can recover quickly after periods of intense work, and can do several things simultaneously. The beginning of 2012 will be tough and intense - Rats will have to quickly turn around in time to respond to all problems. Spring is an equally intense period, but this time will bring clarity to most directions, and Rat will find it much easier to operate, knowing his way. In the first half of 2012, a representative of this zodiac sign should best engage in promotion of new projects so that he can spend the second half of the year in developing and promoting them. It is not necessary to start new affairs after mid-summer, but business expansion, establishment of new partnerships will receive the best development. Rat must remember that the year 2012 requires activeness from him and not fussiness, and he should gradually get rid of his impulsive activities, move to smoother and more peaceful methods of work. Summer is a quiet period, and Rat may take a short rest, but npot losing sight of his own affairs. Fall can bring confusion and unexpected obstacles to the life of a representative of this zodiac sign but they will not become big obstacles to success.

Rat's personal life in 2012 will be pushed into the background by him because work with a high rate of actions will not allow him/her to pay much attention to his/her partner and feelings - at least in the first half of 2012. Rat's impulsiveness may lead to many problems even in relationships that may seem ideal at first glance. Single Rats will have the chance to meet their love in the second half of 2012 - this period is more favorable for development of relations and will be a good time for romantic encounters. Rat will not encounter treachery and betrayal by a partner - he needs to be concerned about his own poorly thought-out decisions and spontaneous actions.

Don't leave home without: six must-haves for travellers

THIS IS AN ARTICLE I EXTRACTED FROM THE AGE. I FIND IT USEFUL. I DO PRACTISE ALL OF THEM EXCEPT BRINGING AN IN-EAR HEADPHONE BECAUSE I DON'T USE AN IPOD.

If you're planning on getting away this summer, no matter how you get there, you need a list of travel must-haves, which should help with the most common discomforts.

IN-EAR OR EAR-COVERING HEADPHONES

The idea of being on a public transportation system without something to block people out can cause panic in many hearts. Keeping others' annoying mobile-phone conversations away, blocking the yammering of children and crying babies, and fending off random conversation with bored grandmas - headphones do all of these things and also provide you with your favourite tunes, an absorbing podcast, or a recorded book by your favourite author.

ON PAPER READING MATERIAL

E-readers like the Kindle and Nook are great, but when you have many hours of transit and limited recharging ability (not to mention all flying time when devices are decreed powered off), dead tree reading is a safer bet. Pack at least one book and one magazine and you'll be protected from boring customs and security lines, too (where electronics are also frowned upon).

HEALTHY, FILLING SNACKS

Don't make the mistake of "picking something up at the airport" unless you know it well. While food offerings have gotten better in recent years, it's still mighty disconcerting to realise there's no food offered in-flight and nothing edible in the airport either. Crackers and muesli bars; dried fruit: good quality, organic dark chocolate; and a tough fruit like a banana, orange or apple travel well.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

Contrary to popular belief, you can bring water bottles through security and onto your plane - they simply have to be empty when you pass through customs. Once through, you can fill it right back up. Keeping hydrated is a good way to avoid getting ill while travelling - dry mucous membranes in the nose and throat are more susceptible to germs.

INFLATABLE NECK PILLOW

It's hard to get any real rest while sitting up, whether in a car, plane or train, with your neck craned to one side or the other. A much more travel-friendly and compact version is an inflatable neck pillow that takes four or five deep breaths to fill. Your neck will thank you, and you'll probably rest more soundly, too.

AN EXTRA PAIR OF THICK, COMFY SOCKS

Socks seem to get so gross when travelling, for some reason. Whether it's changing into them before arrival at your destination, or an extra layer over your feet at 30,000 feet, more socks are better.

MY RECOMMENDATION: If possible get a pair of flight socks (anti-dvt) which gently applies pressure to the lower leg and that assists in blood flow and reduces the number of potential blockages.

You can buy flight socks at pharmacies and Kathmandu.