Work

Last week I resigned from the car auction. It was not an easy choice as I have worked with my boss for 17 years. However, the ankle is not healing as quickly as I would have liked, so I took the plunge, sold my shares in the business and am concentrating on getting well, and doing a few personal things. I am still auctioning houses on the weekends and will have a chat to a few firms in a month or two, looking to work as a contract valuer and /or auctioneer.

I turn 50 today and hope this decade is as interesting as the last. Here's to taking risks!

Another ride. Eastern fire trail

With the weather improving, and storms predicted for later in the afternoon, it was time to get out again and do some riding. Again the ankle is not "right", but I need to persevere and chose to ride the fire trails that surround my home.

The Cannondale Prophet

The air was warm and full of the smell of bush honey. The track was firm, but some sections were rough as the rain had washed a lot of the exposed areas out. I was enjoying the Cannondale, even more so as I discover that they are no longer made in the good ol' USA. The current ones are now made in Asia are made of Carbon fibre and have 29 inch wheels. I don't need a new bike as I am at a point where I cannot get the most out of this one and it suits me just fine in its Citrus colours.

Some of the trails in rain forest

The tracks are overgrown as the bush enjoys the wettest summer I can recall. After an hour or so, I returned. I have to confess I have muscles I never knew I had, and the ankle improves with each revolution. Its still tender if i hit rocks as the joints act as shock absorbers. The next 24 hours will decide if i need to go back in and have the 2nd stage of the surgery.

All in all a satisfying ride in the beautiful Blue Mountains

First ride!

Australian Hobby (photo source- Wikipedia)

With instructions from my specialist to try the ankle out, I chose to do a 25k ride around the Lagoons. Its a quiet ride which I have posted about before. There is more water across the paddocks than last week but the sun was shining and the day was gold.

Frankly I did not know what to expect. The ankle has been "ok", not great, as the movement is reduced and I walk with a limp, but the pain is very much reduced. So away we went.

The lagoon ride is nice ( refer to last weeks birding) and it gives me a smile when I see the same birds in the same spot, as I saw last week. The added advantage on the bike are the fragrances. On the bike you move quickly and so the smells in the air really do waft. There is the smell of turf farms, the smell of horse stables, the smell of fresh cut grass, of orange trees and a wonderful smell of Asian market gardens. It all makes me want to add them to a wok!

Nankeen Kestrel with mouse (photo source- bird.net.au)

Perhaps the nicest thing was seeing a Nankeen Kestrel displaying territorial behavior against an Australian Hobby, as well as seeing a paddock full of White- necked herons. I have a confession to make- I have a Nankeen Kestrel in my freezer. It was hit by a truck and died but looks undamaged. As I am a member of SOSSA I can get the bird stuffed. ( as its stuffed already lol..thats a joke...)


White-necked Heron (photo source-birdphotos.com.au)

After 25km I was tired but quite satisfied. The ankle moves differently than before, but it was a real pleasure to be on the bike on a rare and sunny day. I have to say I prefer these conditions that the conditions the boys at "No Hidden Lycra" blog have to ride in!

Lets hope the ankle keeps improving and I can get back to riding three times a week.

The lagoons

Golden-headed Cisticola (Photo courtesy of Alan Fear)

With a break in the weather for the first time in months, I thought would take to opportunity to see what effect all this water has had on the bird life along the Hawkesbury lowlands. This has been the one of the wettest summers I can remember, in fact not like summer at all, and its been brilliant in flushing out the creeks, streams lakes and rivers.


Red-backed Kingfisher

It was not long before I discovered the lagoons full and overflowing into the lower sections of the polo fields and farms. This provides and excellent oppportunity for the bird life as the water brings a lot of insect life up and out of the ground.

Black-fronted Dotterel

There was even fish swimming in the pools that are not normally there. Having spent a good three hours, I had a reasonable bird list and spotted a couple of favorites too. I did get out of the car and use the crutches but they are not too good on water logged ground!


The view back towards the mountains where I live.

The other benefit of all the rain is the growth of grasses providing good habitat for the Little Grass bird as an example. It was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon in the sun. and the list could have been longer if Iwas more mobile.

Birds spotted:- Black swan, noisy miner, little black cormorant, , masked lapwing, chestnut teal, white ibis, red-rumped parrot, welcome swallow, nankeen kestrel, grey butcherbird, red-browed finch, crested pigeon, intermediate egret, golden-headed cisticola, black-winged stilt, white faced heron, yellow-rumped thornbill, black-fronted dotterel, little grassbird, superb fairy wren, australian raven, australian magpie, pee wee, dusky moorhen, eurasian coot, house sparrow, white-plumed honeyeater, little pied cormorant, australian darter, restless flycatcher, australian wood duck, bul bul, red-backed kingfisher, red wattlebird, purple swamp hen, pacific black duck, common bronzewing, bell miner, satin bowerbird, willy wagtail, mallard. Total:-41

Elsinora Station NSW

This is my Grandfather or 'Pop" as I preferred to call him. Frank Cotter. His brother Jim and he were arguably the best riders in the far west region. They are small men, almost jockey sized. As Bryce Killen said "There is nothing as good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse." This is the horse that won many a race.

Jim went on to win many a horse race at Wanarring, and in QLD. Both were hard men but with a sense of humor. As Prue (my cousin), said- "My mother remembered Jim. He came in after winning a race all dressed to the 9's. There was a lot of back slapping and laughter and joke telling. Jim was a ladies man, very dapper. Jim walked up to the table where my mother sat at and started to chat her up. This caused her no end of embarrassment. When this failed, He whipped the table cloth off the table and let all the plates and, cutlery and glasses in place, much to the delight of the spectators."


In those days, 1880-1920's The race horse was owned by the rider, it was their daily work horse. Both boys had the best in the district. Frank was a major influence on me and his storis and tales lie with me today

This photo was taken in front of the same home as the one with the 4 men. Pop is on the far right. We think this is Elsinora Station part of Thurloo Downs. . All that remains of this is a few bricks and a memorial to the Killen family.

I recall my Pop in detail. He was a significant influence on me. I hope I can write a book about him

Cats!

Me!

This is me, posing for a photo shoot. As you can see I am smiling. Do you think I have potential for movies?

My cousin Koko

One of my favorite movies is "Red Dog" which stars my cousin Koko a Red Cattle dog cross Kelpie. Based on a true story, and if you watch it you will see just how amazing we are as dogs and just how we make cats our friends.

He can ride motorbikes and I can bite them

Recently, we got a new cat called Sable. She looks very much like Midnight and I have tried my very best to get to know her. I have bent new security screens, jumped on tables to try and get through windows and even used my "super" bark to evoke fear and friendship.

He even like trucks as I do!

Still she sits right at the windows. Do you think she likes me? I think I am pretty good looking too, whilst I am not movies star I have a unique coat and colour. and it a double coat which means its water proof!


Do you like my smile? I have "choppy" jaws. they sound like two planks of wood clapping together when i am serious about issues. E.g. not being fed at exactly the same time, not going on walks, not being allowed to steal workshop tools.

Trout

The Fish River crossing. Quite fast flowing and deeper than usual.

It was time to capitalise on the beautiful weather by getting out again, this time back to the Fish River at Tarana in search of rainbow trout. Again I was to drive, use the crutches a bit, but basically sit and continue reading a book whilst others enjoyed a stroll along the mountain stream.
The track beside the river where I got tangled in barbed wire

The wind had picked up and the temperature dropped a bit, but it was not too long before a line was wet and trout could be seen in pursuit of the lure. I sat and enjoyed the pine trees, the smell of bush honey and hay. I did have a go at a bit of "bush walking" but I got tangled in barbed wire within a few feet of the car...so we shall leave that for later.

Silvereye. (photo courtesy of Agmates).

Many of the usual bird were in the canopy. A little difficult to spot as the wind tossed the branches about, however I did get a brilliant look at a Silvereye. A charming little bird with a distinct white ring of feathers around the eye. Again the door configuration proved a valuable hide.

FJ door configuration.
As you can see from the photo above the door opening, whilst frustrating in a tight car park, proves a perfect "hide" for bird watching, with easy access to the binoculars, and camping equipment inside without spooking the wildlife.

All in all a nice way to spend an afternoon.