TexanAussie

The Perfect Storm

2005-02-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

They are calling it 'The Perfect Storm' here in Victoria. Tuesday it was 97 degrees, when at 4:00pm a cold front came in. It started raining and on Wednesday it was 55 degrees. It rained all day Wedesday and then during the night we started getting hurricane force winds and thunder that shook the earth (it registered on the earthquake meter) and the walls of the house. By the time Thursday got here, four people had died and it had broken two previous records in Melbourne. One for the lowest tempeture in February and for the wettest day. We got 6 inches of rain in 24 hours. It seems a low pressure system had come in from Antarctia and the cold hit the warm moist air on the continent. The low pressure tightened over Melbourne and became stationary. Being from Texas and living in Amarillo, I thought I had seen all the best storms, but I will have to say living through 30 hours of The Perfect Storm, I have now seen it all.

Tex-Mex Blues

2005-01-31T13:47:00.000-08:00

If and when I get back to Dallas, the first place I go will be to a resturant that the name starts with an "EL". El Chico, El Fenix, El Whatever, I don't care, as long as they serve Tex-Mex food! I miss those yummy cheese and onion enchiladas, the warm soft tortillas and spicy refried beans. Here in Australia the grocery store sell 'Old El Paso' brand of Mexican food supplies, but hey, when you are use to the real deal, it's just not the same. As yet we have not gone to Taco Bill's to see what kind of food they serve, but looking at the menu it looks expensive and I am sure we will be disappointed. I am now in the position that if I want Tex-Mex food, I have to make it myself. El Chico! I miss you!

Dog Days of Summer

2005-01-26T16:43:00.000-08:00

It has really been hot here that past week. The temps have been in the 90's and since we do not have air-conditioning, it has been tough. The best way to handle this is to get the work done early and then lay low in the afternoon and eat a light supper. It does not usually stay this hot for more than a day at a time. However, there is a high pressure over us and to the west, across the bay of Port Phillip, we can see a cold front trying to push in, but the high is too powerful. So we watch as it rains over Geelong and it looks so cool and inviting. According to the weather girl, this should all change by Saturday.

ODDS & ENDS

2004-12-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

2004-12-19T20:47:00.000-08:00

Tony & our friend Matilda

2004-12-19T20:45:00.000-08:00

My kitchen in Australia.

2004-12-19T20:43:00.000-08:00

Our latest picture of Jacob age 9 weeks

Pam's Birthday

2004-12-14T13:35:00.000-08:00

Tony took me to the Sherbrook Forest in the Dandenong Mountains to the little village of Sassafrass. We had lunch at Miss Marple's Tea House. The Dandenong Mountains are just east of Melbourne and are full of beautiful Rosella Parrots. It was a lovely Spring day in October.

2004-12-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

Birthday lunch at Miss Marple's Tea House

2004-12-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

Birthday 10/12/2004 Sherbrook Forest

HOLIDAY AT LAKES ENTRANCE

2004-10-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

Maltilda and I went on a week long Holiday to a place called Lakes Entrance, a little fishing resort in Western Victoria. On the front side of town, across a sand bar called 90 Mile Beach is the Tasman Sea. On the back side and surrounding the town are beautiful large lakes. We took a cruise on these lakes and saw islands with Koala Bears, nesting places for Black Swan and of course the Pelicans. The cruise took us to the little village Metung. As usual I give a thumbs-up for the natural beauty of this land called OZ.

Warm Regards,
Pam

Fishing boats at Lakes Entrance

2004-10-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

At Lakes Entrance. Notice the Black Swan!

90-Mile Beach

2004-10-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

We had to walk across this sand dune to get to the ocean (Bass Strait)

2004-10-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

Tasman Sea

2004-10-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

Pam at the Ocean at Lakes Entrance

2004-10-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

Pelicans at Metung

2004-10-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

Man feeding the Pelicans at Metung

2004-10-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

Matilda walking down the street at Metung

2004-10-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

Our front garden

OUR WALKABOUTS

2004-08-31T22:37:00.000-07:00

These are pictures of our hiking and bike trails. I can catch the Koonung Trail about 250 yards from the house. I walk about two miles on these trails but you can catch trail after trail all over Box Hill and Melbourne. All the trails connect. There is quiet a bit of wild life on these paths and beautiful birds everywhere. Feeding the ducks and the water fowl is one of the highlights on my walkabouts.

Hope you enjoy.
Pam

2004-08-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

If you double click on the picture it will enlarge

Bushy Creek Trail

2004-08-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

Bushy Creek Trail

Our Car, The Ford

2004-08-29T00:58:00.000-07:00

Our car

Click on the Comment Below and you can see the Galah

2004-08-29T00:57:00.000-07:00

The little pink thing in the middle of this picture is a beautiful Galah Bird

Heading down the Bushy Creek Reserve

2004-08-29T00:55:00.000-07:00

Heading down Bushy Creed Reserve

2004-08-29T00:54:00.000-07:00

Entering the Bushy Creek Reserve

2004-08-29T00:52:00.000-07:00

Feeding the Water Fowl

2004-08-29T00:51:00.000-07:00

Visiting the Billabong

2004-08-29T00:49:00.000-07:00

Starting off at the Koonung Trail