A Wintry Day

Well blow me down !!!! Or was that just the high winds in the mountains once again. Had to slow down on the road on the way back from a housesit on the Bells Line of Road to visit the in-laws and had to stop behind a long line of cars. What now?? Over the last year we've have many stops on this road, with pot holes being filled, tree trimming by the electricity people, whole sections re-tarred, new line painting, electric people again - replacing poles and then this time, cleaning up the remnants of yet another tree which decided to lay it;s life on the line - LOL - and lie across the road to try and trap the unwary motorist. Alas, poor tree - you were reported by a vigilant local ! No laying down on the road and resting when you could be someones firewood. Never fall down here where it's been freezing cold and the locals trying to keep warm - you gave them what they wanted - your fine bark upon their fireplaces :)

The heaters are cranked up high and by the smell in the air and the pervading mist of smoke, many fireplaces must be burning brightly in the hearths, thus keeping their owners warm. I love the clicking sound of my own oil heater as it hums along keeping my toes toasty and my brow sweating. LOL. Sometimes I think his Lordship likes being hot - never mind warm. I sometimes think that too hot equals getting sicker quicker, because when we venture outside the brisk wind and icy air sucks the breath out of us and chills us to the bone.

At least the wintry weather is kind to my lavender plants. Have four different types in this collection of twelve and they look good for much of the year. The deep hues of purple come out during Winter. Nice to look at and even better to smell. And the decline of bees although noticeable in the mountains seems not to be too effected within this patch.

A little break between 'sits' and work and so we are busy mending and erecting new fences for parentals, visiting friends, parents, children and grandchildren and tending to the needs of some of our relos who are not in the best of health at the moment. News of births encourage - a little girl for Shiri & Lloyd, a little boy for Rebecca and another grandson to come for me before the year is ended.

And of course, I have to write and let you join in :))

Life goes on and so do we. Enjoying the moments.

Miles of Smiles - Lady Di

Camping in Australia - Does it compare to Scotland ?

T'was a wondering about what it must be like to go camping in Scotland. In Australia, the word camping is still a politically correct term. I know Tramping is used in New Zealand and Trekking - well we do that too. So what is is called in Scotland??
Heaps of camping groups in an about the national parks and forests though you will need to get permission in some areas from National Parks & Wildlife office. We use the following term when going about our native bushlands and that - Take only photos, leave only footprints. Throughout the parks there are fire places ready made so you can make a cuppa, have a bbq or keep warm - BUT - if its summer in Australia you MUST adhere to Bush Fire danger periods and not light any of these at all. No naked flames allowed.

The bush track to Patterson Camping Groungs, Kurrajong Hills NSW

Wikipedia tells us the following about camping in Scotland though I would advise looking up http://www.highlandtitles.com/ or such and let them know that youre coming for a wee visit.

Did you know that as part of Scotland's access legislation (The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003) you can camp on most unenclosed land?

This is just one of the aspects which gives Scotland some of the most progressive access legislation in Europe and wild camping is also a great way of getting out into the less-discovered parts of Scotland's stunning countryside.

However with this right comes some responsibilities. Campers should leave these wild places unblemished by their visit and protect them for future visitors and campers. Over the last few years there has been an increasing number of high profile cases of antisocial and careless behaviour at wild camping sites. Concerns have been raised after some locations were affected by vandalism, out of control fires, rubbish, abandoned equipment and pollution from unburied human waste.

SNH is keen to reinforce the principles of responsible behaviour for visitors wild camping in the countryside. Scotland's Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) provides guidelines for people accessing the countryside and choosing appropriate camp sites.
Wild camping is encouraged throughout Scotland provided campers apply the good practice 'leave-no-trace' guidelines as detailed on the Outdoor Access Scotland website. These are:
- Avoid overcrowding by moving on to another location;
- Carry a trowel to bury toilet waste and urinate well away from water courses;
- Use a stove or leave no trace of any camp fire. Never cut down or damage trees;
- Take away your rubbish and consider picking up other litter as well.
- If in doubt, ask the landowner. Their advice might help you find a better camping spot.

A great list of sensible no nonsense requirements :))

Here Be Dragons...... Lords, Lairds and Ladies

The Three Sisters

Here in the Colonies of New South Wales we have the faith of the Scots, in knowing that there be dragons all over the world. For the believer that is. In the Blue Mountains of NSW and almost at my doorstop lies some of Australia's finest National Parks and dragons lie therein.

Maybe I should re-name the National Park behind our property - to Australias Glencoe Woodlands heehee - but I reckon I would get myself into so much strife, so I'll leave it alone. I don't have that power anyway. Luckily most of the land in our National Parks haven't been violated by man's destruction. As these photos show, its a beautiful vista of how Mother Nature intended for all of us to see her in her glory.

Mountain Ash

A Few pics of the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains for you to drool over :)))

Now, here is a little info about three such 'Dragons' -  these 'beasts' that 'scour' our native parklands.

 Eastern Water Dragon
(Physignathus lesueurii )  This is the Eastern Water Dragon who lives on the Eastern Coast of Australia and its hinterland - From the top of Australia at Cape York Queensland, NSW and Victoria.  

This picture shows the dragon approximately 20" long (50cm) from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Mature Water Dragons can grow up to 3 foot long (90cm). The picture is of a male - shown by his red neck which will get a little darker as he ages.


Water Dragons hibernate from late Autumn to early Spring which is now in Australia. Mostly these animals lie in wait for an insect to land nearby. Then they'll jump on their victim and grab it on their tongue...


               Mountain Dragon (Rankinia diemensis)

Then we have the Mountain Dragon which is probably the smallest of lizards that bears the name dragon. LOL. They grow to around 20cm in length.You would have to imagine a massively big lizard but alas it is but a wee one. They can be found in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Victoria as well as in Tasmania where it is the only native agamid. Mountain dragons are found in dry woodlands and heaths with access to open areas for sunning themselves giving them energy. They are oviparous and feed on ants and other small invertebrates.They are not quick footed relying instead on camouflage to evade predators.

Overall colour is grey to reddish brown, with two rows of lighter coloured paravertebral stripes or blotches running down their back. These stripes are deeply scalloped, so that they appear like two series of blotches. They have a cream coloured belly. Individuals can grow up to 20 cm in length, although the average length is somewhat smaller, with females typically growing larger than males. They have a row of enlarged spinose (spikey) scales on each side of the tail-base.  (Thanks Wikipedia for the info!)

Lying in wait in the leaf litter for tasty ants

      



Sitting on the leaves of the Isopogon
commonly known as Little Drumsticks




Isopogon anemonifolius



                         Southern Leaf Tailed Gecko

                                 (Saltaurius wyberba)

The Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko is a master of camouflage. Instead of scurrying away, it will lie perfectly still to either catch its prey or prevent it from become something else's. This Gecko grows to approximately 15cm in length. Kinda ugly little fellow but we love all our Native Fauna. There is a second Southern Leaf Tail - Saltaurius swaini - known to live in rainforests

They are found in the Greater Sydney area up to wher I live in the North side of the Blue Mountains., and live in dark sandstone crevices and even our shed and garages, They have three defence mechanisms too - their colouring, a noise like a squeal or bark and the dropping off of their tail which is a last resort. The squeal is amazing when you first hear it - such a loud sound from such a little creature.








The tail keeps wriggling letting the Gecko get away though the regowing tail is somewhat smoother for a while. I found these two photos on the internet to show    what the tails look like.
There are many more species of Lizards with a few more being called Dragons, but these are the ones more likely to be seen here in the Blue Mountains. I must check the woodlands on http://www.lochaberhighlandestates.com/ and see what sort of 'Dragons' still remain in Laird's Wood. Only 1% of the forest remains, but, regeneration may entice back some of the wild and native fauna of the Scottish Highlands :)) One tree has been planted in our name to assist though I think quite a few more will be needed to help along the way.