Greetings from Port Hedland

Yes, I have finished in Kimberley, and am now in the Pilbara area of WA Basicly the mining area- mostly iron ore. It is flat, dusty, windy and mostly salt flats. Not pretty, in fact landscapes are difficult. I have been taking some photos of "mining gear". If no one else, my grandsons will appreciate the machinery.!!!
I have replaced my laptop, so is really great, in such an isolated area to have my Skype going again and Lightroom. Thanks to my little bro!!!!! No photos were lost in the crash -most were on an external hard drive luckily.
This machinery has the look of several dinosaurs .


This area is challenging to live in- very prone to cyclones.As a consequence town is 90% single storied, also no trees of any size....
There are the longest trains in Oz here dragging iron ore to the port to be loaded onto ships. All day and night there is the constant rumble of trains heading to port, or rattling on their return journey.
As you can guess not a lot of pluses(++++), but there is one I am going to spend some time pursuing. We are staying in a camping ground here, nearby there is a long beach. It is the time of year for turtles to come ashore to lay their eggs.Best time is high tide as the turtles don't have as far to crawl. I am keeping an eye on tides- will keep you posted.

I have been downloading all my boab images- have about 200!!!!! Here is a small selection to enjoy....






Take care everyone...enjoy Spring. Finish here in 4 weeks. Will be back in NZ for 5 days then intend heading to Europe for 5 weeks. Going to base in Athens and then use public transport to explore Turkey. Back end on November.
lots love.....

greetings from afar

A beautiful Boab for you to enjoy. These trees fascinate me....found this one facing west- really had to do the sunset thingey!!!!!

This little cottage has been my home for the past month...Nothing to look at!!!!!BUT all I need....The dawn chorus is deafening, and continues most of the day. Captured some great photos of a rare Black winged Green parrot- a beautiful critter...This morning got an image of a bower bird, he flew past me at great speed. I had my long lens in my hand!!!! No phone, no internet but have realised one can survive without all these.

This is my 'workplace', a little claustrophobic, but I cope. We are parked at the moment in an Aboriginal Health Compound. On Monday we are moved by a prime mover to Fitzroy Crossing. There for a week.

This is a great example of these unique trees. This boab is about 1500 yrs old, and was used to 'contain' prisoners,(usually aboriginal), en route to wherever !!!!

These trees are quite specific to this area of Australia, and are closely related to the boab tree of Madagascar.

I am very well and loving the job. I am actually doing something that is making a difference to women.

I am sorry contact through FB is haphazard, but will be back on my computer in Kununarra,(if my computer is going again or I have replaced it)> Thank goodness for a brother who is a computer whizz, and who lives in perth. (Luv ya Grant and Donna).

Take care all of you in ChCh- I really feel for you- all the frustration.

Emailing me is the best contact.

luvs and keep warm....

In remote Oz......

I have no internet, no cellphone, no phone....what it is to be so remote. I have bought a cheap telstra cell phone so have some coverage, and come into the van when I want internet.
I am in Derby, a long way from anywhere.....

I am working on van laptop, and now find I cannot upload any photos....you are all going to have to wait until I find an alternate place, or we get a little less remote. I am really enjoying the work, totally in my comfort zone. I have met some amazing women. Here in Derby, 85% of our clients are indigenous- really interesting ladies. I have another radiographer working with me, she is from Glenorchy(Queenstown), small world eh!!!! Kiwis are overtaking OZ.

Take care and I will try and find some way of getting access to another computer.
cheers...

Still in Broome....

Here I am, its Saturday morning. I have worked a full week in my new job. I am enjoying it.

I am sitting here at the resort where we are living. Sitting by the pool- only place I can get my internet,(truly!!!). Its cool- probably about 22'. (I know its all relative. The locals are complaining how cold its got!!!!! 17' at night.) We have clear blue skies, gentle breezes....I am sorry if you are heading into winter..... I have a car I share with my colleague/receptionist. Shes out and about, so I get the car later, and I make time to do my blog!! A win/win situation.

Work is full on, very busy with a lot of community ladies coming in group bookings- makes for an interesting time. We have another 3 weeks here- and have very few appointments left. Guess there may be some overtime sought.

I thought I would share these photos- after the camels have trekked up and down the beach they are walked back the farm where they live- about 4km out of town. These two were taken well into twilight as the beasts leave the beach. NB lights on last animal !! Tail lights!!!!

These camels fascinate me...(obvious huh!!!).They all have different personalities which shows as one takes time to talk to them. I got chatting to a lad who worked with them- he was doing a gap year before doing physiotherapy. A very interesting and devoted fellow who had quite a bond with them.

A selection of snaps to enjoy.......

take care and enjoy my travels/adventures..... with luv....

Now in NW Oz........

I have enjoyed nearly 4 weeks in NZ. It was a well needed break. I enjoyed getting to know my little granddaughter again- she is 20 mths.

I also had the joy of being part of my new granddaughter's birth- Tilly Mae Campbell arrived on the 10th May. Three days later I flew to Perth. I spent a lovely weekend with my brother and sister-in-law in Perth, then on to Broome.

I am here in Broome until 17th June. Then we pack up and are moved by prime mover to Derby.

We have 3 weeks in Derby and leave 15th July.

After Derby we go to Fitzroy Crossing for the week 18-23rd July.

We leave and move on to Halls Creek for another week 26-1st August.

From Halls Creek we go up to Wyndham for another week finishing 5th August.

Then on to Kununurra for a longer visit from 8th Aug until 5th September.

From there I am not sure of dates, but we return to the WA coast and are at Port Hedland until I finish in October.

Broome is quite unique- amazing people I have met so far.It has a fascinating history of the Pearl industry.From the late 1800's it was known as "the Pearling Capital of the World." The mother of pearl shell was highly sought after. In the 1950's Japan's famous Kikichi Mikimoto came to Broome and started the famous "seeding" the oyster to produce a perfect cultured pearl.There are still many mementoes of that era, though many buildings were seriously damaged during the war.I am lucky I have the use of a very nice Subaru Outback- (500km a month), so am able to do some exploring. My receptionist is very nice. She has done trip before so knows all the places to go, people to see.

Last night I did something that has been on my 'bucket' list for a long time- being on Cable Beach at sunset and enjoying the camels trekking. Perfect sunset- delighted with my photos...I have attached some for you to enjoy.

Another trip that has been on my 'bucket' list since I arrived in Oz, is visiting Cape Leveque.(Check out a map.) I booked a trip yesterday and go there in a couple of weeks time.

How amazing is that- 2 items of my 'wish list' accomplished in the same day!!!!!!!!!!!

Broome has the picture perfect coastline- white sands stretching as far as the eye can see, the deepest turquoise sea which looks like its been taken to with the "vibrancy" button in Lightroom-spectacular.Reaching down to the sea in a lot of places are deep red rocks. I have found a spot sitting by the pool which has power, and internet access, so I shall attempt to keep my blog up to date....promise.

--

I HAVE NOW LEFT THE NORTHERN TERRITORY

I am very surprised it is nearly a year since I have added a post to my blog. Life has been hectic, but still no excuse. Having had no access to broadband in the flat is the main reason. I have finished in the NT. I have mixed feelings about that . I really enjoyed the job in Darwin, but having been there 3 years, it is time to move on.

I have been offered a job working in NW Australia, which I start in 2 weeks time.

At the moment I am in Ashburton awaiting the birth of my 5th grandchild...

When I think of Darwin I will always think of tropical living- heat, humidity, storms, balmy nights, mangoes, wetlands, wonderful sunsets.

I have loved my time here, and love the photos I have. The birds here are special, a lot of them unique to the Territory. I am sorry to have left the NT, it is unique and an amazing place to live.

My next experience will be as unique and as amazing.

North of Darwin into Malaysia....

At Easter we made a short trip into Malaysia.We spent a short time in Singapore(en route) keeping well off the beaten track, and walking the back streets. Quite by surprise we found this beautiful Buddist temple. it was unbelievably peaceful in a city of 4 million people. It was built in 1995, has a library, shop, and an area on the ground floor where they have services.We spent several hours inside just absorbing the peace...

The island of Singapore is not very big, so we weren't surprised to see tenement blocks by the hundreds... not for me I'm afraid.

The city is an amazing mix of some beautiful old architecture-

mixed with some very modern skyscrapers.

From Singapore we took a train north through Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth (previously an Australian Navy base), now stopping place to go to island of Penang.We spent 14hrs on the train, no stopping of any use, and no buffet. It was a long day with just a bottle of water.The internet had said there was food on board!!!! Next morning in Penang we were found by a tour operator!!! I had forgotton how obvious a redheaded freckled person is in a population of darker skins and black hair.... The tour operator was superb- took us all over the island for the day, for about $20...

This is the largest temple is Malaysia..built over several cliffs-quite an engineering feat.

As soon as I have resized my photos I will tell you some of our adventures in Penang, and in the Cameron Highlands.

Take care, and enjoy Autumn..I do miss the seasons.

AND STILL IT RAINS...EVERY DAY......

Yes I am still here, I have been very slack keeping up my news. Life really does roar along at a great pace.I spent a month at home over Dec/Jan, but saw very few people. I spent all my time, apart from a week in the Catlins, emptying my house and putting it into storage. An awful job, but it is now done. I have a lovely tennant who is also looking after my two dear cats- how lucky am I?

I am still enjoying my work- it is very busy.We are planning to do the change to digital very soon- as soon as the government give us the promised money!!!!! This will make life easier- no more chemicals, processors etc, just computers all the way...(and those associated problems).

I have left my expensive apartment, and am living for a short while in a caravan on a property owned my a work colleague. It is 40mins out of town, but we share a vehicle so its all good.

this is my home at present...

It is very peaceful and I do enjoy trying to identify noises in the night. I regularly have possums tapdancing on a water tank nearby. A family on wallabies snuffle most nights.Many birds live around me- many I can't identify- very frustrating.

Something else I really must share are the amazing storms...I know I do go on !!!! But they are spectacular!!!!!!These few I took on the way to work the other day....enjoy....

AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT ALL CAME DOWN........

I am still enjoying this challenge over here, but I am really missing friends and my very precious family. My new grandchildren are growing rapidly, and I hate to miss their growing up. I will beback before end of year-

keep safe, keep well love to all

Into the wet season....the monsoon cometh...

I am sorry, and quite horrified how long it has been since last post. I am very well, and keeping extremely busy with work. I am now qualified-I have my Diploma which will allow me to work wherever in the world I want. I have been back and forwards out of Darwin- several trips back to NZ, several trips back to Alice,(for work), and last week a trip to Nhulunbuy(which is on the Gove Peninsula- on the western tip of the Gulf of Carpentaria).Nhulunbuy would have to be one of the world's best kept secrets- absolutely beautiful. Turquoise seas+white sands+ palms- what else is there?

This post I will just touch on some of the exciting things that have been happening to my family-

I went back for 4 days early June for Anna and Craig's wedding

It was such a happy day even though a fleeting visit for me-4days !!!

Early September I was priviledged to be part of the birth of Marlee Catherine Campbell. She is very dark- was 9 1/2 lb at birth- a big girl. Anna has maternity leave until January, and then I think Craig is to be a house husband. They are all doing well.

these photos are all at 2 weeks old.....

This one was yesterday- 5 weeks old-

taken with her very proud dad....

In the next week or two, Sara is expecting her second baby....they are going to be a very busy parents. I think Hugo(3 in Jan) keeps them on the run. I am heading over to help later in November.

Laura has been a very clever girl and lost 50kgs- I am proud of her life changing,(and life saving) effort. She is feeling so much better.

I have also had trips to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth- some for work, and some for pleasure. The airpoints are stacking up nicely!!!!

I will endeavour to keep the posts coming a little bit more regularly. I haven't got out much with the camera- my main lens was in Canon hospital for 3 months- finally got it back last week. Will be able to get out and about in the weekends now. Quite disabled without the camera !!!!

Take care- I am sure ChCh is warming up..spring was beautiful while I was back. I do miss the seasons- all the same here.....

lots of travels......

I have been very bad keeping people up with my news... I am sorry- it has been busy.

I am present in Adelaide.I have a week's study here as the Academic component of my Diploma. Several months and I will be all done. I have a case study to do, and a heavy assignment to work through.

I had a great fortnight back in ChCh over Easter. I went back home to photograph a wedding. I also went to, and thoroughly enjoyed two dear friends' wedding.What a special time that was.

My friend Jude and I, were very appreciative to manage an overnight trip to Hanmer. It was great spending some time in the hot pools.Also had several visits beyond Hanmer to visit the Acheron Accommodation House. It was built in 1862, and has been very well preserved. It provided food and rest for drovers and travellers and their horses.

Acheron Accommodation House.

We were blown away by the beautiful autumnal colours along the Clarence River and the Acheron. It is situated on the edge of Molesworth Station.

Clarence River



Towards the Lake Tennyson turnoff.

Above and below.

Acheron House

This image is similar to above one, but taken the previous evening. It was actually snowing in the tops of the hills. I had noticed how cold it was.....

I hope this finds you all keeping warm- I do know I am really enjoying the constant warmth of Darwin- I must be getting old!!!!
take care