Well my last day at HMAS Cresswell has passed and what a magical day it was. As I left, as always in a hurry, I decided to drive along the waterfront past the captin's house for one last look at the bay. After weeks of rain followed by days of extreme wind the sun was shining and the bay seemed amazing. It shone sapphire blue with white sands. Along the roadside the kangaroos nibbled on the grass and stopped to watch my car pass as if they knew it was for the final time. Further up the road several mothers stood feeding their joeys in the sunshine and the tree above them was filled with chattering parrots. I drove around past the new gym and swimming pool center, still under construction, and waved to our boys for one last time. The biggest surprize waited for me at the front gates where several of the officers waited to say good bye and left me with a salute, that brought tears to my eyes. I will miss them all. It is time to move on to the next project and carry these wonderful memories with me. I went to Cresswell thinking that I was happy to remain fishing and exploring for another twelve months and now I have left, leaving with new friends and experiences. Life has been good to me, I have had the opportunity to encounter so much that I would not otherwise have...ANZAC morning service with our Naval friends, the NEOCs passing out parades, camping out experiences, and so much more. Thank you to friends along this part of life's journey.
I did a quick drive down past Murray's Beach, Greenpatch, Caves Beach and many of the haunt's which J and I visited. After packing the car I looked about Callala at the many Banksia's, Bottlebrush, Wattle and Gums all out in flower and listened to the ocean for one last time. As I turned out of Calla Beach Rd. standing on top of the Callala Beach sign was a lone Kookaburra staring at my car. I stopped to take a photo and say goodbye.
Thank you to my dear friend Gaza who took me to work at the jail and hence, my time at Jervis Bay. This will always be considered a special time in our lives and I will treasure it. Had you not have taken the time to ring me that afternoon I would have missed so much. It has been a fantastic two and a half years with so many breathtaking views, excellant experiences and wonderful memories. I know that my friend Mick will also read this blog so I want you to know that I value your friendship and company highly, I hope that we have the chance to work together once again some day. Life is always filled with smiles and laughs when I am around you. You left me with fun memories of Wellington and now Jervis Bay. Go the blues. Some other names whose company I want to note in my blog are Don, Paul and Barry from Richard Crookes, Lewis the homeless man lol, Rob Planet, Paul Stowe and Sue (everyone knows to be nice to the cook lol)from the jail, Daniel, Steph, Tina, Rebeckah, Tom, Ben, Miss Sally, Steve from DOD, Max and Cameron, Pete from Lamonts, Glen, Hugh and a very special Ryan. Gosh you lot bring a smile to my face when I think of you at any time. What a wonderful gift you have all given me, a smile at any time is something very special. I am going to make a collage of photos from both sites so stay tuned.

Kings in Grass Castles......................

"If one were to paint this country in it's true colours, I doubt it would be believed. It would be said at least that the artist exaggerated greatly, for never have I seen such richness and variety of hue as in these ranges"
From the novel "Kings in Grass Castles" by Mary Durack

The Trout......

When I was in fouth grade our teacher Sister Fabian taught us a German Folk song called The Trout. It was just a simple song and I have come across it several times since then. The Trout was written by Franz Schubert in approx. 1750. When we went to high school I remember one of my music teachers instructing us the very same German folk song in German. It is amazing that I remember the first verse word perfect (in Germen) lol and again today I came across it in some text. When I calculated the time period it is 43 years since learning this in German and I can still remember it, eyt I cannot remember what I did yesterday lol lol.

In einem Bächlein helle,
Da schoß in froher Eil
Die [launige]1 Forelle
Vorüber wie ein Pfeil.
Ich stand an dem Gestade
Und sah in süßer Ruh
Des muntern [Fisches]2 Bade
Im klaren Bächlein zu.

Ein Fischer mit der Rute
Wohl an dem Ufer stand,
Und sah's mit kaltem Blute,
Wie sich das Fischlein wand.
So lang dem Wasser Helle,
So dacht ich, nicht gebricht,
So fängt er die Forelle
Mit seiner Angel nicht.

The bottom photo is of the four of us children, I was in fourth grade at the time

Your grandmother Mary George was born to the Budwee family. Your great grandparents Anthony and Sadie Budwee migrated from Kfarsghab Lebanon before Mary and her twin brother Armen were born. Kfarsghab is known as the twin town because its people traditionally lived in one town during the winter and another town during the summer. The summer village is called Kfarsghab, which means fortified village and the winter village is called Morh Kfarsghab which means the winter resting place of cattle which belong to the village of Kfarsghab. Both villages are in the Caza (district) of Zgharta, which is in the Valley of Qadisha, this is considered a holy and spiritual place in Christian history. Simply put, Kfarsghab is located in the North Lebanon region.
Kfarsghab, the summer village, is located high up in the mountains on the road going from Ehden to Bsharri in the northern part of the Qadisha valley. Kfarsghab is mentioned in documents as old as 1283 AD so you can appreciate the thousands of years of tradition and history the family must have practiced. Kfarsghab is a Mediterranean mountain village with heavy winter snows and mild dry summers. However, Kfarsghab is located in an area with rivers around it so the people were assured of clean stream water all through the summer. Often during the winter there were very violent snow storms and landslides so it seemed safer to move down to the winter village. The terrain of Kfarsghab is very rugged hilly land.
Morh Kfarsghab, the winter village, is located down on the north-western slope of the Joueit valley separating Miziara from Bnachii. A written document mentioning Morh is dated to October / November 1748 AD (Thu'l-Qa'dah 1161 Hijri). Morh Kfarsghab is a Mediterranean “plains” village with heavy rains, mild winters and hot dry arid summers. So you can understand why the families moved back to Kfarsghab during the summer, when they knew in advance how harsh and unforgiving the summer sun and dry conditions would be. In fact, Morh Kfarsghab experienced torrential floods; sand and dust storms in April / May, which was the summer months. The terrain of Morh Kfarsghab is rugged hilly land overlooking the Joueit Valley.
The semitic name of Kfarsghab is composed of two parts : KFAR-SGHAB

Kfarsghab is surrounded by two rivers and crossed by a third one. Al Msil is the torrent which separates Kfarsghab from Bane, a neighbouring town. It was a tiwn where Valleys and rivers, springs and forests, peaks and mountains stamp the life of the people. Generations of hunters and farmers, shepherds and hermits have lived there.
In 1998, the officially registered population of Kfarsghab was of 3,772 persons, making it the fourth populated area of the district of Zawiyeh. It is estimated that 25% of the registered persons (ca. 900 persons) live actually in the village. Emigration took its toll of Kfarsghab population - but also blessed it economically - since the mid 19th century. It is estimated that 20,000 persons around the world - mainly in USA and in Australia - are related by origin to Kfarsghab. In fact, 95% of the family live outside of Kfarsghab now.
The religion practiced by the ancesters was Maronite (Roman Catholic rite) 100% of the town were Maronite. After migrating to Australia a Maronite church was built at Marrickville and later at Harris Park.

The ancestors made their living from growing olive trees hence olive oil, apples, pears, grapes and cherries. They herd cattle and sheep for food and milk and exchanged their wares with other villages. in the 20th century they exported their produce and meat to countries such as Irak, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Many of the town's people that did not participate in farming or herding were raised in families where age old skills were passed down the generations. Your great grandfather for example, was a stone mason. He could carve headstones, create decorative finials for buildings and ornamental fountains.

Rich Beyond Measure.........

I read that the New Zealand government would like to move the city of Christchurch; makes sense considering how many earthquakes have damaged the city and how many residents have either been killed or injured over the past year. In Alaska there was a devistating earthquake only a few days ago which left death and significant destruction behind it. Additionally, 5 million people in a township on the coastline of China were washed away when floods hit the town one week ago today. Indeed, another tsunami warning has sent Japan into a tail spin at a time when they are still trying to recover from the last one.

I sit and look and wonder what messages Mother Nature is trying to send us.

When I think about this I think of all the damage that has been done to the planet but we can recover from that. Perhaps we need to rethink our values or learn that peace of mind and peace in our hearts should be the most cherished possession that we can have. The material objects can not go with us, the obsession many have to buy more and more, to own better and better, to be as good as the next person, is such a waste. The memories one can leave behind for our children and their children are priceless. The laughter, the experiences together, the love shown to each other is all immeasurable. The most precious thing that J and I have are our children, attached to us by threads of love stitched in place over a lifetime. If the world ended tomorrow I would die rich beyond measure.

This beautiful wedge-tail eagle was down at Tianjarra Falls at Moreton National Park when we went hiking one weekend. The birdlife there is amazing, especially the raptors. The falls are on the back road to the coast via Nerriga. It is a very beautiful part of the world.

Grauation Day Part 2

Today was Graduation Day for the NEOCS. By this time of the evening they will be partying and celebrating. There were over two thousand guests at the passing out parade at HMAS Cresswell made up of family, friends, school mates and instructors. J and I stood at the side of the canteen watching as they accompanied their guests back to the car park, both struck by how mature and grown up they all appeared in their new junior officewr uniforms. We both turned to each other at the same time harbouring the same thought of how proud their families must be of them. I know that we certainly felt proud of them, we have come to know them so well over this past six months that it is hard to believe the officious young men and women who stood so tall and serious today were the very same. One young man who came in for breaky today walked his mother and grandmother to their car and I stood amazed at the difference in him. His mum gave him a huge hug and his grandmother wiped the tears from her eyes. I guess that said it all. Day after tomorrow he will report for duty to Watsons Bay where he will live on base; his best friend will report for duty to HMAS Albotros at Nowra in tow weeks. Out thoughts and best wishes go with all of the new young officers. I hope they have a wonerful life, a rewarding career and may they never see war.

The End of the World........

www.youtube.com/watch?v=84Ud3V9NPw8

The End of the World, trivialising neuclear missiles, blaspheming kangaroos and loving world power.........made me laugh