The House(s) of Fran_mart

No, the border in question is not the Rio Grande. Rather it is the River Murray, and this post is being created in Eltham, a lovely suburb on the North-Eastern outskirts of Melbourne. The post will also feature links to a couple of sub-pages I have created to hold photos and thus preventing this page getting too big. Our reason for travelling to Victoria was to attend a contest of skill and science (to use the phrase Damon Runyan applied to pugilism) in the form of an Australian Rules football match between St Kilda Saints and the Adelaide Crows. It came about through my friend Rob winning a private box when he attended a breakfast before the 2009 Grand Final (which the Saints didn't win – boo-hoo). He invited us to take up a couple of the seats in the box. This was accepted very quickly (thanks again Rob). As we had long standing invitations to stay with friends at Eltham, and to take the small dog with us, the entire trip was a done deal! We set off in a fairly restr...

This post holds some images of roadside structures noticed in the Melbourne area on our travels.  Unfortunately the best  - a twisty rusty (but new and designed that way) bridge over the Hume Freeway, with a panorama of the CBD skyline - escaped us until returning where it wasn't so exciting (but I have included the shot anyway).

These are a few shots taken at a great range which might give a view of the game.  I start with the Saints coming on the field - apparently 'Linenhouse' is their sponsor! This gives an overall view of the Stadium. Next we have a happy moment, of the Saints kicking a goal.  As I said these shots were taken at a fair distance. The final shot is of the Crows cheer squad: I think this was taken in the second quarter as they didn't get much of a workout after half time!

Today ( 26 May 2010) we have had some more reasonable rain.  It started about 5:30 am and went until about 10:30am totalling up to 15.5mm.  This was enough to get both our creeks running and to top up our house tank.  Compared to last year, in aggregate for 2010 we are up to 312mm which is the same amount of rain as had fallen up to 3 October 2009! What is particularly interesting to me about this is where the rain has come from.  And I don't want any smart comments about ' the sky "! About half the amount fell in a very large episode in February where the rain came from the North, as a cyclone remnant headed down the Coast.   This latest lot came from the East due to a low pressure system sitting off the South Coast pumping moisture inland. A fair proportion of the rest was Summer thunderstorms. The main point being made is that very little of it is coming from the traditional source, of fronts moving through from the west of the country.  The...

Last evening I was doing the dinner dishes (at least the ones which don't fit in the dishwasher) and looking at the swift moths which have decided to reappear. There then came a tap-tap on the window.  No, it was not Raquel Welch (despite my fond memories of Pete'n'Dud's sketch on this topic) but a far larger moth fluttering on the glass.  I was contemplating getting the camera for a snap, but this was going to involve logistics with removal of rubber gloves etc. Suddenly there was an even louder tap.On looking out again, it was still not Raquel Welch. Rather, there was the male Tawny Frogmouth sitting on the window sill (perhaps 60cm from me).  No sign of the very large moth.  Getting the camera was now a matter of urgency but, alas, the Frogmouth had an appointment elsewhere and departed before a single glove could be removed. The next evening I got a snap of a swift moth (I think) so have included it to the left.   As I went to bed I noticed a ...

With that title you shouldn't be expecting great changes to your life as a result of reading this post! We were in a paddock thinking about setting up a vegetation monitoring site (of which more later ) when I was struck by the small dog's posture.  This is very typical of her when she can see something interesting but a little bit out of range.  The second image is just of willow leaves that have fallen into a small billabong (fortunately deficient in swagmen, jumbucks and -particularly fortunately - troopers) in Whiskers Creek.  I suspect the areas of clear water indicate where 'roos have misjudged a leap.  They look a bit like shots of polynias in ice fields but there are no seals or polar bears in them.

I have chosen this title because where we live and places like it can't really be called the Outback! It could be thought of as Tales from the Urban Fringe, but that sounds like an Art Festival. Tale 1 One night recently Frances and I were sitting in our sun-room having a cleansing glass or two of red and watching the light fade. The small dog was with us (but not having any red). Shortly after it had completely faded – say 5:40pm - there came what sounded like a VERY loud knock on the back door. Small dog goes ballistic. I scuttled off to see who was knocking. No-one visible. So I checked various other doors and go out with the spotlight and can't find anyone. Frances and I agree that this is most strange and puzzle about it for a while. Small dog goes back to sleep. After a while we go back to the lounge, where there is a nice warm fire. In passing Frances notices that her palette has fallen off her art-cart and the two halves have separated. This would h...