@AuzzieMatt will have to confirm but I think wallabies are the single ball holder option and no one wants that right?Roos , country wide are suddenly very nervous ,, and there is concern amongst several Wallabies also …..
AussieMatt travels home - a thread
“ lts complex “ lol@AuzzieMatt will have to confirm but I think wallabies are the single ball holder option and no one wants that right?
And has nothing to do with
…bi fur acation
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- #103
We just call them spiders...
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- #104
Today's outing was to the Sydney Royal Easter Show at the Sydney Olympic Park. It's kind of like a state fair and the slogan used to be "where the city meets the bush". It's put on by the Royal Agriculture Society, so it has a lot to do with farming and that sort of stuff...along with non farming things.
Our first stop was in the Agriculture hall. The 4 districts of the state use all the different things they grow and raise to make these magnificent exhibits that they change every year. They use grain, fruit, veggies, wool etc to make these displays. They've always been one of the highlights of the show for me.
Next we went to the wood chopping, also one of my favourite things to see and if I could, I'd spend hours sitting there watching the competitions. They have people from all over the world competing and we did see a fella from the US that was getting set up, but we left before we saw that heat. The way they start is by seconds. So the lower the number you start, the slower you are. In the last picture, the bloke at the bottom was last to go off at 31 seconds and the bloke at the top went off at about 6 seconds. The bloke on the bottom beat him and actually finished second.
We wandered around all over, had some lunch and a beer, then Connor wanted to go in and see the farm nursery, so we went in and feed the sheep and the goats...I love goats.
Both of these are real...
Connor also wanted to try the chip on a stick, a spiral cut, fried potato on a stick.
And lastly, the absolute highlight of any kids trip to the Easter Show are the show bags. They've just got a load of **** in them but no one cares because there's chocolates and candy and chips and just general garbage but it's fun.
So I got a Milo bag
and Connor got a Beatles bag, because he's a huge Beatles fan.
It was a long day, we left Mum's at about 9 and got back just after 5. Everyone is pooped after walking around all day and we're headed to bed despite it only being 9.
Our first stop was in the Agriculture hall. The 4 districts of the state use all the different things they grow and raise to make these magnificent exhibits that they change every year. They use grain, fruit, veggies, wool etc to make these displays. They've always been one of the highlights of the show for me.
Next we went to the wood chopping, also one of my favourite things to see and if I could, I'd spend hours sitting there watching the competitions. They have people from all over the world competing and we did see a fella from the US that was getting set up, but we left before we saw that heat. The way they start is by seconds. So the lower the number you start, the slower you are. In the last picture, the bloke at the bottom was last to go off at 31 seconds and the bloke at the top went off at about 6 seconds. The bloke on the bottom beat him and actually finished second.
We wandered around all over, had some lunch and a beer, then Connor wanted to go in and see the farm nursery, so we went in and feed the sheep and the goats...I love goats.
Both of these are real...
Connor also wanted to try the chip on a stick, a spiral cut, fried potato on a stick.
And lastly, the absolute highlight of any kids trip to the Easter Show are the show bags. They've just got a load of **** in them but no one cares because there's chocolates and candy and chips and just general garbage but it's fun.
So I got a Milo bag
and Connor got a Beatles bag, because he's a huge Beatles fan.It was a long day, we left Mum's at about 9 and got back just after 5. Everyone is pooped after walking around all day and we're headed to bed despite it only being 9.
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Buckeyegolfnut
Well-known member
That's why stuff like this happens...Roos , country wide are suddenly very nervous ,, and there is concern amongst several Wallabies also …..
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- #106
Today was a bit different and a bit personal.
This morning I wasnted to go to Bunnings, which is Australia's largest hardware store. I have a set of Stanley Australia screwdrivers that was given to me by my Dad around 30 years ago. Somehow I broke the tip off one of the small flat heads and wanted to replace it. These ones are only available in Australia so we went there to get it.
Also, what they do there, is have what we call a sausage sizzle. Local charities or local sports teams do that to raise money for whatever it is that they need and this is done at Bunnings on Saturdays all over the country. As an aside, they also do it at polling locations during elections and call it a Democracy Sausage.
What it is is an Australian beef sausage and grilled onions on a piece of white bread with tomato sauce (ketchup).
It used to be a "gold coin donation" ($1 or $2 coin because we don't have those as paper notes now) but it was $3.50. This was Connor's first Bunnings snag and he liked it, so I was pleased.
This is them under the canopies as well as the front of the store.
Now the personal part and one of the reasons for our trip home.
As some of you may know and quite a lot of you don't, I am actually an identical twin. My brother Andrew and his partner of 12 years, Takashi, got married today.
Andrew actually has a son, Alex and both he and my son, Connor, met for the first time today.
It was a good time with good food and great company.
Tomorrow we're off to Bathurst, where I'll drive one of the best road racing courses in the world and we'll see another bunch of family.
This morning I wasnted to go to Bunnings, which is Australia's largest hardware store. I have a set of Stanley Australia screwdrivers that was given to me by my Dad around 30 years ago. Somehow I broke the tip off one of the small flat heads and wanted to replace it. These ones are only available in Australia so we went there to get it.
Also, what they do there, is have what we call a sausage sizzle. Local charities or local sports teams do that to raise money for whatever it is that they need and this is done at Bunnings on Saturdays all over the country. As an aside, they also do it at polling locations during elections and call it a Democracy Sausage.
What it is is an Australian beef sausage and grilled onions on a piece of white bread with tomato sauce (ketchup).
It used to be a "gold coin donation" ($1 or $2 coin because we don't have those as paper notes now) but it was $3.50. This was Connor's first Bunnings snag and he liked it, so I was pleased.
This is them under the canopies as well as the front of the store.
Now the personal part and one of the reasons for our trip home.
As some of you may know and quite a lot of you don't, I am actually an identical twin. My brother Andrew and his partner of 12 years, Takashi, got married today.
Andrew actually has a son, Alex and both he and my son, Connor, met for the first time today.
It was a good time with good food and great company.
Tomorrow we're off to Bathurst, where I'll drive one of the best road racing courses in the world and we'll see another bunch of family.
What a great day! Thanks for sharing
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I’m having a great time following along in your trip home. Thanks for letting us be part of it.
Agree with the other's sentiments, thanks for sharing and taking us along! Have thoroughly enjoyed!
I'm not sure the world can handle two @AuzzieMatt 's in the same hemisphere all the time probably best to spread that level of awesomeness to one per hemisphere
Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Congrats to your brother.
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Great photos and history thanks for sharing
Congrats to your brother as well
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- #114
I'm not sure the world can handle two @AuzzieMatt 's in the same hemisphere all the time probably best to spread that level of awesomeness to one per hemisphere
Still waiting on monster bugs, jacked roos and snakes. Looking forward to not sleeping after seeing them. 
Technically speaking it would be AuzzieAndrewI'm not sure the world can handle two @AuzzieMatt 's in the same hemisphere all the time probably best to spread that level of awesomeness to one per hemisphere
But you're probably correct regardless!
Awesome day for the family mate, great times.
Please tell me you're going to record the lap doing your best Peter Brock voice.
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- #118
I recorded the lap and didn't say a thing until we were going down Conrod.
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Today we traveled over the Blue Mountains to Bathurst to see my Dad's side of the family. It's a 2.5 hour 180 kilometre/111 mile trip one way through the countryside.
On our way we stopped at Blue Mountains Ugg Boots at Faulconbridge. (Follow the link and you can order them from the manufacturer in Australia for delivery to the USA or elsewhere, I have before and I've still got the Uggs) The Minister was making noise about wanting a pair but funnily enough, when we got there, she said she didn't. So Connor and I both got a pair of scuffs for ourselves like these.
While we were there we stopped at Maccas
for brekkie and I filled up the chariot next door. The tank was half full
And of course this thing needs 95 octane, which is the bottom price of AU$2.149 per litre. It was US$51.
After that kick to the stones, we headed off to arguably one of the best road racing courses in the world.
This is actually all public roads except on race day. So, being public roads, I wanted to drive it because when I was racing, I never had the opportunity to race there. The Minister was kind enough to hold the phone for me. The speed limit around the track is 60kph or about 40mph. The guys in the V8 Supercars go upwards of 280kph/175mph on the track and the really twisty bits, like the corkscrew and the dipper, I was down to around 25kph/15mph and they do 60kph/40mph or more.
After the lap, which had me grinning from ear to ear, we headed to my cousins house, which is less than 5 minutes up the road.
We had a barbie (no shrimp), smashed some beers and just had a good time.
It was great seeing everyone again and meeting the new additions to the family, including all of the kids (who've been born while I've been in the US) and one of my cousins husbands.
This is just my Uncle and Aunt (they're divorced), their kids, their kids kids and Connor and I. Basically my Dad's side of the family.
Someone looks a bit grumpy in the front row!
This is my Dad's only brother and Connor, the Minister and me.
And this is everyone.
The guys on either side are my cousins husbands and someone is still grumpy.
One the way back we stopped in the Blue Mountains again and saw the Three Sisters, which is an iconic (in Australia) rock formation and an area of significance to the local aborigines.
It was a great day catching up with family that I haven't seen, in some cases, for 15 years and for Connor to meet more of his family.
On our way we stopped at Blue Mountains Ugg Boots at Faulconbridge. (Follow the link and you can order them from the manufacturer in Australia for delivery to the USA or elsewhere, I have before and I've still got the Uggs) The Minister was making noise about wanting a pair but funnily enough, when we got there, she said she didn't. So Connor and I both got a pair of scuffs for ourselves like these.
While we were there we stopped at Maccas
for brekkie and I filled up the chariot next door. The tank was half full
And of course this thing needs 95 octane, which is the bottom price of AU$2.149 per litre. It was US$51.
After that kick to the stones, we headed off to arguably one of the best road racing courses in the world.
This is actually all public roads except on race day. So, being public roads, I wanted to drive it because when I was racing, I never had the opportunity to race there. The Minister was kind enough to hold the phone for me. The speed limit around the track is 60kph or about 40mph. The guys in the V8 Supercars go upwards of 280kph/175mph on the track and the really twisty bits, like the corkscrew and the dipper, I was down to around 25kph/15mph and they do 60kph/40mph or more.
After the lap, which had me grinning from ear to ear, we headed to my cousins house, which is less than 5 minutes up the road.
We had a barbie (no shrimp), smashed some beers and just had a good time.
It was great seeing everyone again and meeting the new additions to the family, including all of the kids (who've been born while I've been in the US) and one of my cousins husbands.
This is just my Uncle and Aunt (they're divorced), their kids, their kids kids and Connor and I. Basically my Dad's side of the family.
Someone looks a bit grumpy in the front row!
This is my Dad's only brother and Connor, the Minister and me.
And this is everyone.
The guys on either side are my cousins husbands and someone is still grumpy.
One the way back we stopped in the Blue Mountains again and saw the Three Sisters, which is an iconic (in Australia) rock formation and an area of significance to the local aborigines.
It was a great day catching up with family that I haven't seen, in some cases, for 15 years and for Connor to meet more of his family.
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I think I would love to drive that race course in a Mazda MX-5, that would be fun. Thanks for sharing. Great pictures.
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- #122
Today we went to the Taronga Zoo on the north side of Sydney. Another train and ferry ride and we got there.
I'll just throw some of the photo's of the "other" animals in this post.
I love this city, my city.
We have a photo of us in nearly this spot 19 years ago.
Had to add a dork.
Australia has over 1 million Dromedary (one hump) camels in the wild. We have so many, we actually export them to the Middle East.
You know I love goats.
I'll just throw some of the photo's of the "other" animals in this post.
I love this city, my city.
We have a photo of us in nearly this spot 19 years ago.
Had to add a dork.
Australia has over 1 million Dromedary (one hump) camels in the wild. We have so many, we actually export them to the Middle East.
You know I love goats.
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- #123
And now for some of the Australian animals...including the snakes and spiders for @Canadan. I hope you don't have nightmares.
Let's get the dangerous stuff out of the way first.
The most common snake around here. Not particularly dangerous with anti-venom available.
They actually do have a red belly. There are also yellow-bellied black snakes.
And now the deadliest snake in the world.
Nowhere near as bad as salt water crocodiles, but still a bit bitey.
These are the guys you want in your house because they can control the flies and other annoying creatures, like small children and yapping dogs.
Yes, they can get pretty big, about 6" across, they are harmless.
These are our version of black widows, not real dangerous, you just have to check your shoes and under the toilet seat.
One of the best nightmares is last. The second deadliest spider in the world.
I have never seen one in the wild, but that doesn't mean they're not around. For the most part, they're found in wood heaps and under corrugated iron that's lying on the ground.
Let's get the dangerous stuff out of the way first.
The most common snake around here. Not particularly dangerous with anti-venom available.
They actually do have a red belly. There are also yellow-bellied black snakes.
And now the deadliest snake in the world.
Nowhere near as bad as salt water crocodiles, but still a bit bitey.
These are the guys you want in your house because they can control the flies and other annoying creatures, like small children and yapping dogs.
Yes, they can get pretty big, about 6" across, they are harmless.
These are our version of black widows, not real dangerous, you just have to check your shoes and under the toilet seat.
One of the best nightmares is last. The second deadliest spider in the world.
I have never seen one in the wild, but that doesn't mean they're not around. For the most part, they're found in wood heaps and under corrugated iron that's lying on the ground.
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Everything was going well until you posted those pictures. This is not how a Monday should start out…
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- #125
Now the cute critters.
Rock wallaby
Emu, like emew, not e mu.
In the state of NSW it's illegal to handle koalas, so this is as close as I could get.
Australia's native dog, the dingo. Been around for about 3,500 years.
This guy was a bugger to try and get a photo of because it was really dark (thanks Google Night Shot mode) and he was constantly on the move.
We had a couple of these in our backyard when I was a kid.
Rock wallaby
Emu, like emew, not e mu.
In the state of NSW it's illegal to handle koalas, so this is as close as I could get.
Australia's native dog, the dingo. Been around for about 3,500 years.
This guy was a bugger to try and get a photo of because it was really dark (thanks Google Night Shot mode) and he was constantly on the move.
We had a couple of these in our backyard when I was a kid.
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