SkyWatch - Yae, though I walk in the valley of the shadow . . .

Moonrise over our farm.

Dear friends and followers, once again (4th, time in 7 years) I was

headed for the great Unknown and yet again, it was my Darling 

Daughter who recognised the signs. She was only here for a few 

days before flying back to San Francisco and on to the Edinburgh

Festival. 

DD is a lady of action, quickly donning her Guardian Angel hat,

drove her parents into the local hospital, where my husband was 

admitted.

Ten years of the strain of looking after him as he sank deeper 

and deeper into dementia, was yet again, taking it's toll on my

75 year old, rheumatic fever ravaged heart. I have two man-made 

heart valves and now, the third one was refusing to co-operate.

     My kidneys were shutting down, causing a massive build-up 

of water, not only in the body, but the brain as well.

Impeded thought processes and pulsating vision, put a stop to 

blogging as well as many other activities.

I had always hoped that I could look after my husband until he 

no longer remembered us. Unfortunately, the disease was making 

him physically aggressive again as well as very controlling 

without any understanding of what he was doing.

The outcome of this tale of woe is that he will have to be 

institutionalised and I am up for many blood tests and specialist

visits, with the hope of being returned to some sort of 'normalcy'

where I can still live alone without needing outside assistance.

Even in the darkest night, the moon still rises.

Thank you all so much who have looked in and sent me supportive 

thoughts and prayers.

Each and every one has been greatly appreciated.

SkyWatch ~ Sunset, Moonrise, Moonset

Still remembering our wonderful 38 hour holiday in Moonta

Bay and this red sunset over the sea.

The fishing improved as the moon rose.

I awoke at 4a.m. to the full moon preparing for bed.

Needless to say, I was out of my bed and up two flights of

stairs, grabbed my camera and in my best birthday suit

(perish the thought), sprinkled with stardust and moon

glow and out on the balcony in a flash. If a stray dolphin

saw me, good luck to him!

This is the actual moonset with very little light and no tripod,

it is a little fuzzy just as I was with all this excitement.

Click to enlarge and sink into the sea . . .

With thanks to the Marvellous SkyWatch Team who have

hosted this meme continuously for years.

MY WORLD ~ 34 Dusk at Murray Bridge

After the Murray Bridge and District Orchid Club's
winter show, a group of us decided to finish off the
day with dinner at one of the excellent local hotels.



Having cleared up the hall and done some Sunday
shopping, we still had time on our hands and headed
down to the mighty Murray River, the biggest river in
Australia. Whether it still is the bigget or not is questionable
since most of the water has been pumped out by the three
states it either borders or passes through. Murray Bridge
is the largest town before the river, some 100km down the
track, enters the sea... if perchance there is any water left to
make it that far.



There was still enough light to catch this Seagull



and an old paddlesteamer waiting for the return of its
passengers from living it up in the sleepy township.



Opposite the steamer, on a rise, the usual tourist trap
for food and souverirs, softened by lamplight.



A ship of dreams with one of the spans of the old
railway bridge behind.

As dusk settled on the river and the moonlight grew,
we left this enchanting scene for a convivial evening
with friends.



All photos enlage to enhance the enchantment.

To wander the world or join in, click on the Logo.

To Klaus and our group of gracious hosts of this

meme, my heartfelt thanks.

SkyWatch ~ 37 The Moon and I

Just click on the photo and blast right into heaven!

The sunset was brilliant and I thought that was that



but the the moon rose full, and beautiful
with still a hint of colour left in the sky



near by, a last farewell from the sun as she pulled
up the covers and said day was done



I could not sleep and crept outside into the cold
winter night to be met by this delightful sight



the full moon deep in the Werstern sky,
lighting the clouds as he passed by
and I with joy and awe in my heart
sought my warm bed my sleep to re-start.

If you enlarge the last photo you will see the stars as well.

To see moon and sun and clouds elsewhere, just
click the Logo and you are there.

To the whole SkyWatch Team, so many of us truly
love this meme.

SkyWatch ~ 34 Just One More Day

Please enlarge them to get the full force of the effect.



Defeating the night, the sun writes a victory sign in the sky



clouds building castles in the sky with rising thunderheads



slowly slipping into sleep, she still displays her glory



to make way for the rising moon and friendly twinkling star.

The star is visible when enlarged.

To visit other skies, click on the Logo at right.

Thanks to Klaus and the Skywatch team we can all join the fun.

Shedding the Shackles

From dreariness of daily grind
leaving cares and woes behind
soaring like birds on magic wings
flying to new and wond'rous things

Round Gulf St.Vincent in chariot fair
300 miles swept away without care
on reaching the tip of Peninsular foot
the sea was lapping right up to our boot

Breathing delighted the humid air
forgetting the drought that led to despair
dear friends, great food and a glass or two
bring forgetful sleep to a dawn brand new.















Dear bloggy friends, forgive my shunning of your
cups of tea, 'twas not mere caprice that led me astray,
holiday settlements in the more remote regions do not
cater for guest internet.
I will do my best to catch up on all your doings ASAP!

MY WORLD Tuesday ~ 1

My thanks to Tom, Sandy, Imac, Klaus, Ivar,
Wren and Fishing Guy for not only dreaming
up this site, but also implementing it for all our
enjoyment.

For some time I have been wanting to post on
why I live, where I live and this gives me the
perfect opportunity.

We live in our own little paradise, with the full moon
rising over the road less travelled, these old Eucalyptus
trees form the gateway to our farm on both sides.



Ours is a tranquil valley with no one looking over
our shoulder, and people coming here for any
reason find it hard to leave because it feels so
peaceful here.

As you can see, when we BBQ we don't skimp
on the meat.



Every dog can enjoy her day rounding up sheep
or coming for a ramble through the wild wood



a gentle place where children can live their
fantasies and dreams



with nostalgia for lost homelands in the Northern
Hemisphere evident in the division of the park my
husband planted 15 years ago and has coseted into
existance in this harsh climate. Half is planted to
native Australian, and the other half to vegetation
north of the snow line towards the top of the globe.

A view through the autumnal birches towards
the barn and farm house



The pond in the park in a good year, now a distant
memory, when the the grandchildren could take
flying leaps from the little jetty on the other side



My favourite view, from our garden down to the
main farmhouse where our daughter and three
of our grandchildren live. Love wears rose
coloured glasses.



Wait for the next exiting episode next week
God willing.

For other exciting stories or perfect places
click on the MY WORLD logo to the right.