Tropical Beach, Cairns FNQ.....A thousand feet.....

Tropical Beach, Cairns FNQ.....A thousand feet....., originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Had to do the obligatory tropical beach scene. Means something to me though as used to swim out to Double Island and dive and spearfish around the islands...crayfish in abundance way back when!!!! Aaaah sweet memories.

When the armies, American and Australian were located in this area during the war these islands particularly Scout's Hat was the main target practice range and were shelled extensively

Malanda Falls, 2009

Malanda Falls, 2009, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

I went to Cairns on Monday night, delivered two horses and had a quick drive about reminding myself of what a beautiful place this is. Ironically while Southern Australia sweltered in 40 plus temperatures a comfortable 34 degrees was the order of the day in Tropical Far North Queensland, sublime if only for the few days I was there!!

Shadow The Sheepdog

Shadow The Sheepdog, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Another year has gone and is that time of year again when a carpet of purple is evident everywhere. The import from South America, the jackaranda does exceedingly well in this country so well in fact I am sure we own it now!!

Moon and Smoke Poster

Moon and Smoke Poster, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Brisvegas!

Brisvegas!, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

A visit to the city today to attend a funeral at the old naval chapel, St Mary's, high on the cliffs at Kangaroo Point.

Halter Training

I am determined to have this fellow ready for the show season which begins in February, 2010 so his training and conditioning will officially begin on 1st November, 2009...I need a line in the sand as have been so not carrying out my plans during the past twelve months. I will have to get fitter as well as involves a lot of flat out running.

A friend took photographs of the training session with me having the occasional conference with the Stallion but he was listening as his ears were back and forth each time he was spoken to. These Arabian horses are so willing if treated a little differently from most other breeds. I just have to change my mindset when dealing with the Arabians.

Fireworks

Fireworks, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Crows Nest Day 2009

Crows Nest Day 2009, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Crows Nest, Queensland, a small country town on the northern rim of the Darling Downs, enjoys a celebration annually each spring.

Wheat fields among the Gum Trees

Wheat fields among the Gum Trees, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Harvest ime....

Golden Grain

Golden Grain, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Not black coal yet!!

Nearly ready to harvest...November is usually harvest time on the Darling Downs of Queensland.

The Queensland Government is allowing mining companies to dig into the best topsoil arguably in Australia to mine coal for export to China and others and from all accounts is short term gain for long term pain as appears the coal may be stockpiled overseas. That is not the problem as coal deposits exist in country not as valuable for food production as this precious pocket of Australia. Seems a little lacking in foresight from this a layman's view where here in Australia our topsoil is very fragile and in the most parts of the continent is only a few feet thick and here the topsoils are rich and go 60 feet down. A no brainer from where I sit. One would imagine the commodity that is going to most sought after in 30 years will be food.

The other point I can not get my head around is that the coal in the past six months is being carted on the roads instead of the rail. How stupid are our politicians as rail arguably causes 60 percent less carbon footprint than running the road trains let alone the damage to the roads and the fraught Toowoomba range crossing and hundreds of road trains negotiating the city streets of Toowoomba.

Into the Darkness

Into the Darkness, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Fantasy Moon

Fantasy Moon, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

I have been off with the fairies again!!

Sitting Easy

Sitting Easy, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Not me, sitting in the wet and rain, rained throughout the day and I had to take the numbers as they jumped and notify if clear ie no faults or whatever.

This horse's attention appears elsewhere but negotiates the jump with ease although looks like he may clip the log but does not.

South Sky Storm

South Sky Storm, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Two weeks old tomorrow afternoon.

New Born

New Born, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

I have been waiting and she is so beautiful...She was born between the dust storm and the fire storm so she will be named South Sky Storm. Her mother is a beautiful thoroughbred mare and her father an Arabian so she will be a registered Anglo Arabian Horse.

She will turn grey (white) like her mother. All grey horses are born a color and turn grey over time and she will be doing it quickly as note the grey hairs around her eyes. She closed her eyes when I took the shot as had not intended to send off the flash but she is savouring her first morning on the planet in this photograph. She is now I think 10 days old.

Anduramba Fires

Anduramba Fires, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

"Let the politicians and the bankers and the city look on at the glow in the sky......Let the grasslands burn let there be no pain...I'll drink my last whiskey and dance in the flames"

Not at the moment but was a sentiment expressed some years ago by one of Australia's songsmiths when the banks were turfing out farmers all over the country and the suicide rate of farmers was high

For my part in this particular instance I can not be more grateful for the help extended in the extinguishing of this particular fire. Unfortunately this was man made not done in stealth or anger but in ignorance of this country and the prevailing weather conditions.

I will not sue but would think it appropriate for a "Sorry, I did not mean to burn your pasture".

Grasslands Saved

Grasslands Saved, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

I am standing on my top boundary and directly below me is burnt out country not in the photo but the horizons indicate the extent this fire could have raged and seems to be under control.

The fire fighters, aerial bombing with water, the dozer, and property owners and neighbors did a mighty job to stop this blaze in this rugged terrain. From the elevation you can imagine the difficult job stopping the fire in these ranges.

Running Gully On Fire

Emergency Services

Emergency Services, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

As I made back up the mountain the fire crews were in action. My legs are rubbery from fatigue and am covered in black soot and dirt.

Off to feed my horses now and then shower and to bed and back out to the paddock early in the morning. I think I will drag the horse float and ride up and down and see if the fire front from next door has swung around. Am reasonably confident this fire is under control.

Fire...At My Place Today

Fire, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

My Paddock Today

My Paddock Today, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

This is the base of the mountain range and you can see the fires snaking up the mountain but the fire break has held.

Back off

Back off, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Mick was ahead on foot with me and the dozer and this corner we go to just as the darkness began this evening.

Dozing the Break

Dozing the Break, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

The dozer doing a dog leg to contain the blaze

The Forest Floor

The Forest Floor, originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

Follow Me.....

Follow Me....., originally uploaded by cnlizziebns.

The dozer negotiating the steep grade of the mountain....me in front on foot...I hope it has good stopping power....just dig in the rippers Peter.