EARTH.

 

We only have one earth and need to do all we can to preserve it

We were taken out of our 21st century comfort zone in 2003 and 2005 and were richly rewarded when we visited a rural village in Limpopo Province 100 ks from Punda Maria Gate.

Both visits were for 1 day only, but we took away unforgettable memories.

2003

Scenes similar to this were passed on our way to the village.

Dusty depressing bare dry earth.

 

We had no idea what we would find at the end of our long drive from Pretoria.

On our arrival we showered with traditional food and hospitality.

We were then guests of honour for a performance of traditional dancing drumming and singing.

This performance was at the local school….a far cry from our suburban schools that are surrounded by green grass and not brown/red earth.

 

 

 

 

So much happiness and pride in culture evident.

We departed in high spirit for KNP.

2005 

September

We were guests of one of the local families, and once again were welcomed with food song and dance in the family backyard.

This one escaped the dinner table.

No job….bleak future.

Mobile phones and coca cola, but dressed for our visit.

 

Maybe we need to rid ourselves of some of our 21st century luxuries to help our one and only EARTH survive.

Sorry about the quality of the photos….it was before I caught the bug and only had a basic camera.

LP

Mmmmm I wonder what the U.S. Ambassador is saying to the new Australian Prime Minister?

 

 

 

“This is how David drives me to my meetings and appointments every day”

(Photograph taken  from Sydney Daily Telegraph Saturday 26th June 2010)

 

LP

Julia Gillard to become prime minister

Julia Gillard to become prime minister: "Search the web"

Wind

 

I thought FIRE was hard but wind has been a test.

In hindsight I should have taken more photos of the elephants frolicking in Klopperfontein Dam. The bubbles rising from the tail ends of these gentle giants could only have been caused by a rear end explosion (fart/wind)

 

 

 

This is my contribution for wind

 

I was lucky enough to catch this dust tornado in September 2005

 

 

I did find a few other photos to post

Another dust tornado

And another

Phalaborwa

This wind does nothing for my hair……

LP

Danielle’s 30th……It has been a long haul.

 

 

Danielle was born on 17th June 1980, in Dungog , a small country town in NSW Australia.

 

 

Christening…David had lots of hair

Christening……Lorraine had no grey hair

 

Christening …….Aunty Shirley Mum Lorraine and Nan

 

 

Dungog…in Nans garden

 

Nicholas Katie & Danielle…Concord Sydney

Year 10 Formal…Canberra

 

18th Birthday…Canberra….Blond phase

Year 12 Formal…Canberra

Naidoc ball…Canberra

End of Traineeship for Centrelink…Canberra

 

30th Birthday Bowling…Canberra

 

I will put  “to be continued another time” here, because there are more photos and stories stored away.I will start searching this week and work through school, trips weddings etc

Also have Nicholas and Katie and extended siblings to work through

 

LP

Order of Australia Medal

 

An early morning phone call yesterday from David's Mum .

A happy day for her and the family.

 

Congratulations and well deserved Mum & Nan.

 

lp

Fire in Africa.

The following photos were taken 21st September 2009.

We had to exit Kruger National Park at Crocodile Bridge and drive Katie to a medical appointment in Nelspruit.

The cane fields were burning and we made a short stop for some photos

lp