Walkabout

New South Wales in Australia. Coffs Coast | Credit phb A Lifetime of Camping Adventures: From Holstein to the World At 75 years young, my passion for camping has remained a steadfast companion throughout my life. It all began when I was 9 years old, embarking on simple camping trips from Holstein in North Germany with my family. Our trusty VW Beetle and a small tent designed for five people were all we needed to create lasting memories under the open sky at the Baltic Sea near Flensburg. The Early Days in Germany Holstein, with its serene landscapes and rolling hills, was the perfect backdrop for my introduction to the outdoors. Our family camping trips were a blend of simplicity and adventure. We explored lush forests by hiking, serene lakes, and charming small villages and farmland, each trip etching itself into my memory. The smell of pine and oak trees and the sound of crackling campfires became synonymous with happiness and freedom. Expanding Horizons in Europe As I grew older, my camping journeys expanded beyond Germany, taking me across Europe. From the majestic Alps in Switzerland to the picturesque fjords of Norway, each destination offered a unique experience. I learned to appreciate the diversity of nature, from the sun-kissed beaches of Spain to the rugged coastlines of Britain, where I stayed a full calender year. My adventures in Europe were marked…

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Walkabout

New South Wales in Australia. Coffs Coast | Credit phb Exploring Solitary Island Marine Park and the Beach Walk North of Coffs Coast, NSW Nestled along the stunning Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Solitary Island Marine Park is a haven for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those looking to unwind by the sea. This marine park stretches from Coffs Harbour to Sandon River, covering approximately 75 kilometers of coastline A. Here's a closer look at what makes this area so special: Solitary Island Marine Park: A Natural Paradise The marine park is home to a diverse range of habitats, including estuaries, sandy beaches, rocky shores, and sub-tidal reefs A. It's a sanctuary for over 550 species of reef fish, 90 species of hard coral, and 600 species of molluscs A. The park's unique underwater pinnacle, Pimpernel Rock, is a highlight for divers and snorkelers A. Activities and Attractions Visitors to Solitary Island Marine Park can enjoy a variety of activities, such as fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving A. The park is also a prime location for whale watching and dolphin encounters A. For those who love birdwatching, the park's diverse birdlife, including little terns and white-bellied eagles, offers a delightful experience B. Beach Walk North of Coffs Coast One of the highlights of the area is the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk, which traverses 60 kilometers of beaches and…

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Gondwana

Gondwana: Australia's Ancient Past and Its Impact on QLD and NSW today Introduction Gondwana, the ancient supercontinent, holds a significant place in the geological history of Australia. Formed around 600 million years ago, Gondwana comprised present-day South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia. The breakup of this supercontinent around 180 million years ago played a crucial role in shaping the landscapes and biodiversity of Queensland (QLD) and New South Wales (NSW). Credit phb Gondwana's Legacy in Queensland Queensland's rich geological history can be traced back to its Gondwanan roots. The lush rainforests of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area are remnants of ancient Gondwanan forests. This region, known for its incredible biodiversity, boasts ancient plant species that have survived since the time of Gondwana. The geological formations in the Glass House Mountains and Great Dividing Range also reflect the tectonic activities and volcanic events that occurred during Gondwana's breakup. New South Wales' Gondwanan Heritage Waterfalls | Credit phb New South Wales is home to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes rainforests across the state. These rainforests are living relics of the ancient supercontinent and house unique flora and fauna. Iconic sites like the Dorrigo National Park and Barrington Tops showcase the lush greenery and diverse ecosystems that have their origins in Gondwanan times. The fossil beds in the Blue Mountains provide valuable insights into the…

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Gondwana

Gondwana: Australia's Ancient Past and Its Impact on QLD and NSW today Introduction Gondwana, the ancient supercontinent, holds a significant place in the geological history of Australia. Formed around 600 million years ago, Gondwana comprised present-day South America, Africa, Antarctica, India, and Australia. The breakup of this supercontinent around 180 million years ago played a crucial role in shaping the landscapes and biodiversity of Queensland (QLD) and New South Wales (NSW). Credit phb Gondwana's Legacy in Queensland Queensland's rich geological history can be traced back to its Gondwanan roots. The lush rainforests of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area are remnants of ancient Gondwanan forests. This region, known for its incredible biodiversity, boasts ancient plant species that have survived since the time of Gondwana. The geological formations in the Glass House Mountains and Great Dividing Range also reflect the tectonic activities and volcanic events that occurred during Gondwana's breakup. New South Wales' Gondwanan Heritage Waterfalls | Credit phb New South Wales is home to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes rainforests across the state. These rainforests are living relics of the ancient supercontinent and house unique flora and fauna. Iconic sites like the Dorrigo National Park and Barrington Tops showcase the lush greenery and diverse ecosystems that have their origins in Gondwanan times. The fossil beds in the Blue Mountains provide valuable insights into the…

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Counting down 2024

Sydney and NSW, Brisbane and Queensland 1 Hour later: https://videopress.com/v/SQf4RNSY?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Dateline in Sydney and Auckland As the clock ticks down to the start of 2025, Sydney and Auckland are among the first major cities in the world to welcome the new year. With just 36 minutes to go in sydney and NSW, the anticipation builds, and the dateline becomes a focal point of this countdown as the years are passing by. The Dateline's Role The dateline is an imaginary line that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole and demarcates the change of one calendar day to the next, and it holds special significance on the last day of each year. As the world moves across this line, different time zones experience the arrival of the new year at different moments. Sydney, located in the Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) zone, and Auckland, in the New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT) zone, will be among the first to ring in 2025, but not at the same time. The world was watching at the end of 1999, but today the Time Zones are not a focus in a every country, and many people never heard about the Dateline at all. Celebrating in Sydney In Sydney, the countdown to 2025 is more than just a moment—it's a spectacular celebration of community and hope. As the clock strikes midnight in about 30 minutes,…

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Tart

I copied this on the last day of the year 2024 from the Newsletter Kel sends out: What is Aussie Language? Just subscribe to learn about Aussie Slang and Aussies plus their sense of Humor. Which is not British, and far from German, which is mostly dry like Loriot. Language and the Gap. Cultures and the Gaps, id est Plural! Not to become political on this hot day in Dubbo NSW. OZWORD OF THE DAY: "Neenish tart" Australia has a number of sweet, baked treats. To the best of my knowledge the classic ‘Ice Vo Vo’ is ours. (As a friend of mine remarked: ‘Is it always plural? Or is it possible to have an Iced Vo?’)  In Adelaide you can find a try a frog cake– a small cake shaped like a frog with an open mouth and covered in icing (usually green, although pink and chocolate are also available), invented by Balfours bakery of Adelaide in 1922.  Or, perhaps, you’d like a sinker a solid fruit square, with flaky pastry on the top and bottom and topped with pink icing. Or, perhaps, a German cake – a yeast cake with a crumble topping sometimes with fruit (either apple or apricot) under the crumble.  But then there’s the classic ‘neenish tart’—the great Australian baked treat.  A neenish tart is a small pastry case filled with mock cream and iced in two colours – white and…

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Star Gazing in OZ

The Seven SistersConstellation | Stella | Stars and Significance Navigating with the Seven Sisters: The Pleiades Constellation The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is one of the most captivating star clusters in the night sky. Nestled in the constellation Taurus, this cluster has served as both a cultural icon and a navigational aid for centuries. A Celestial Guide for Ancient Mariners In ancient times, the Pleiades played a crucial role in nautical navigation. The Greeks, for instance, named them after the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione from mythology. Sailors of antiquity, including those on epic voyages like those of Odysseus, relied on the Pleiades to guide their ships. The constellation's prominence in the night sky made it an easy reference point for determining direction and seasons. The heliacal rising of the Pleiades—when they first become visible in the dawn sky—was particularly important. This event marked the beginning of the navigation season in the Mediterranean, signaling safe passage for trading vessels and explorers. A Modern Mariner's Reference Though modern navigators have advanced technologies at their disposal, the Pleiades remain a beloved fixture in the sky. The cluster's bright stars, especially the seven most prominent ones, are easily visible and often used by stargazers and amateur astronomers for orientation. The Stars of the Pleiades The Pleiades consist of over a thousand stars, but seven stand out due to their brightness:…

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Star Gazing in OZ

The Seven SistersConstellation | Stella | Stars and Significance Navigating with the Seven Sisters: The Pleiades Constellation The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is one of the most captivating star clusters in the night sky. Nestled in the constellation Taurus, this cluster has served as both a cultural icon and a navigational aid for centuries. A Celestial Guide for Ancient Mariners In ancient times, the Pleiades played a crucial role in nautical navigation. The Greeks, for instance, named them after the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione from mythology. Sailors of antiquity, including those on epic voyages like those of Odysseus, relied on the Pleiades to guide their ships. The constellation's prominence in the night sky made it an easy reference point for determining direction and seasons. The heliacal rising of the Pleiades—when they first become visible in the dawn sky—was particularly important. This event marked the beginning of the navigation season in the Mediterranean, signaling safe passage for trading vessels and explorers. A Modern Mariner's Reference Though modern navigators have advanced technologies at their disposal, the Pleiades remain a beloved fixture in the sky. The cluster's bright stars, especially the seven most prominent ones, are easily visible and often used by stargazers and amateur astronomers for orientation. The Stars of the Pleiades The Pleiades consist of over a thousand stars, but seven stand out due to their brightness:…

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Bond University

Gold Coast RobinaVery new Suburb at the Gold Coast in Australia Some kind of a Blue Zone already … I renamed this Uni James Bond University. The Bond University, located in Robina on the Gold Coast, Queensland, has a rather young history since its establishment A. History of Bond University Founding: Bond University was founded on May 15, 1989, making it Australia's first private, not-for-profit university B. Vision: The vision was to offer an exclusive educational experience of the highest international standards, with small class sizes and renowned academics B. Early Years: The first cohort of 322 students graduated in 1989, quickly establishing Bond's reputation for excellence B. Growth: Over the past 30 years, Bond University has become one of Australia's leading tertiary institutions, known for its expertise in various fields such as business, law, medicine, architecture, and more B. Recognition: Bond University has been ranked as Australia's top university for student experience for 16 consecutive years B. Bond University continues to thrive, offering accelerated undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas, and non-award programs C. Alan Bond and the Founding Fathers Alan Bond was a prominent Australian businessman known for his high-profile and often controversial business dealings. Early Life Born: April 22, 1938, in Hammersmith, London, England A. Immigration: Moved to Australia with his family in 1950, settling in Fremantle, near Perth A. Career Highlights Business Ventures: Founded the Bond Corporation in…

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Bond University

Gold Coast RobinaVery new Suburb at the Gold Coast in Australia Some kind of a Blue Zone already … I renamed this Uni James Bond University. The Bond University, located in Robina on the Gold Coast, Queensland, has a rather young history since its establishment A. History of Bond University Founding: Bond University was founded on May 15, 1989, making it Australia's first private, not-for-profit university B. Vision: The vision was to offer an exclusive educational experience of the highest international standards, with small class sizes and renowned academics B. Early Years: The first cohort of 322 students graduated in 1989, quickly establishing Bond's reputation for excellence B. Growth: Over the past 30 years, Bond University has become one of Australia's leading tertiary institutions, known for its expertise in various fields such as business, law, medicine, architecture, and more B. Recognition: Bond University has been ranked as Australia's top university for student experience for 16 consecutive years B. Bond University continues to thrive, offering accelerated undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas, and non-award programs C. Alan Bond and the Founding Fathers Alan Bond was a prominent Australian businessman known for his high-profile and often controversial business dealings. Early Life Born: April 22, 1938, in Hammersmith, London, England A. Immigration: Moved to Australia with his family in 1950, settling in Fremantle, near Perth A. Career Highlights Business Ventures: Founded the Bond Corporation in…

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Ein Bett im Kornfeld

Sie sind ja schon im Grünen schön, aber vor dem Gold dieses Kornfeldes entfalten sie ihre wahre Pracht. Ab und an macht es das Zusammenspiel aus, wie… Ein Bett im Kornfeld Because Music is the Language … More here soon. Winter at the Gold Coast and 23 Degrees Celsius. | Credit phb

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