Australia

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by MG1962

I believe this inscription on a monument erected by the Turks to honour the dead at ANZAC cove sums up their feelings about Australians very well


Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.

I cant speak for the Britsh, French or Indian forces present at the battle, but it is clear that the Australians, New Zealanders and Turks had a lot of respect for each other almost from the start.

Even at the time, concern was shown for the relationship the two sides of the trenches had, some have even said the ANZACS trusted the Turks more than their own commanding officers. And stories of both sides throwing rations back and forth were not uncommon. Though Bullybeef does not seem to have been to the taste of the Turkish troops.

I believe the ANZAC story will always remain an unbreakable triangle of honour and respect, on its three sides the avenging Abdul , the dour Digger, and the courageous Kiwi.


Gallipoli Slang

Quote:

Bully (beef)

Tinned beef, which (together with dry biscuits) formed the basis of rations at Gallipoli, as it was always available in abundance. It was hated by the troops, and not only for its monotony. After being stored for a length of time on the beaches in the hot Turkish climate, it all too often turned into a liquid mass of fat. A well-known trench story has it that when supplies were thrown across nomansland to the Turkish positions, a tin of bully came sailing back, together with a note on which was scribbled : 'cigarettes yes, bully beef no'.The only exception to the rule was perhaps 'Maconochie's', a brand of tinned beef that was appreciated by all for its superior quality.

Since they were still serving a similar product during my service, I will vouch for the description of bully beef. We knew it as "Luncheon Meat, Type II, troops for the consumption of". Now I've spammed the thread. Oh noes !!eleven!

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by learner

Originally Posted by Jeff Corey

"Is that you me old china? Strewth cobber, it's good to see yer ugly mug again!

No wuckers over here about coppin' any pony. I don't Adam we've even got a moderator.

G'donyer bloke, yer blood's worth bottlin', fair ***** dinkum".

Stolen from a china on another toga.

I spot three English cockney rhyming slangs in there. Me old China.

This is a conundrum! Jeff is actually quoting ME from another thread.


Allow me an explanation.


Jeff is currently learning to speak proper 'Strayan. I am helping him, but so is another, who is a Pomgolian.

Jeff will be trilingual soon, or maybe even quadriligual, since I believe he already speaks New York City as well as English.

Apart from the above, I must point out that there' a great commonality in the rhyming slang of the UK and Australia, due to our British heritage. Some of the terms you will see may be anachronsims in Australia, but I understand them in the majority of cases, and Google is my cobber.

I hasten to assure readers that nobody in Australia, the UK, or NYC speaks the way Jeff and I do here.


Cheers and well spotted, China,

Dave

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by Ysidro

Australia is a lie perpetrated by New Zealand to make itself look better.

Un fect, they refer to ut uz the Wist Island.

[SimonD]

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

@ SimonD

Firstly, an apology to you.

In my earlier post addressed to you I included a link that went to a joke article in Uncyclopædia.

She'll be right, mate.

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

Akhenaten paints it as a draw, the Kiwi and the Aussie in the street sees it as our finest hour. YMMV

You really have to see the area for yourself to truly understand how much the soldiers suffered. I find it ironic that the greatest victory (with the least amount of dead) was the final withdrawal. Not that I am saying you haven't, just that reading books about what happen does not capture what an incredible moment it was in our history.

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

Everyone loses in war. I say this as a former soldier.

Even though the Turks won the battle, the cost was very high in men. As you said, ever if you win, you still lose

Originally Posted by MG1962

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.

This was said by Ataturk http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemal_Atat%C3%BCrk

If you go to Gallipoli you will hear and see this written everywhere.

[SimonD]

Originally Posted by Old Bob

Going back to a early post about the Spanish huts that C. Cook got rid of at Little Cove. I was told they were stone huts, our lot don't do stone. (too heavy)

No mention of stone huts in the book 'The Far Shore'. Have you read it Bob. I don't know if you would like it though. It's full of historical documented references.

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by Wildy

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

* Yeah, Crow-eaters mainly.

Grrrr...

I love crow. In the course of expressing some of my views, I get to eat a fair bit of it. I might have some now.

Originally Posted by Wildy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

I believe Wildy and lionking will chip in on this one.

Well I will. Right now in fact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR

Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.

In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.

And that is what the actual words are. What you hear is:

Originally Posted by Wildy

Australians all let us rejoice For weare mnya nya e.
Wigodensoi adwelworwoil owromis GIRT ie
Owrrands raraoun rinratursrits
rofutyrirare
Inistryage
Etevyage
Adan Osraya air
Inoyrurainsrenretusring
Adance Osraya air

And if I remember rightly it's usually silent or a mumble for the second verse. Because very few people know what the second verse is.

my bolding

Silence is golden, representing the Golden Wattle, Australia's National Flower

Originally Posted by Wildy

[foreigner mode]I think it says a lot about a country when even their Olympic athletes don't know their own anthem.[/foreigner mode]

The Australian Youth Choir can't run a four minute mile either, but I take your point.




Cheers mate,

Dave

[Mobyseven]

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

Human settlement began approximately forty thousand (40 000) years ago with the arrival of the Aborigines, now generally and respectfully known as the Koori...

...in south-eastern Australia. Not everywhere.

[Akhenaten]

For Wildy:

Quote:

Bound for South Australia

In South Australia I was born
Heave away. Haul away!
South Australia round Cape Horn
And we're bound for South Australia

Haul away you rolling king
Heave away! Haul away!
All the way you'll hear me sing
And we're bound for South Australia

As I walked out one morning fair
Heave away! Haul away!
It's there I met Miss Nancy Blair
And we're bound for South Australia

There ain't but one thing that grieves my mind
Heave away! Haul away!
It's to leave Miss Nancy Blair behind
And we're bound for South Australia

I run her all night I run her all day
Heave away! Haul away!
Run her before we sailed away
And we're bound for South Australia

I shook her up I shook her down
Heave away! Haul away!
I shook her round and round and round
And we're bound for South Australia

And as you wollop round Cape Horn
Heave away! Haul away!
You'll wish that you had never been born
And we're bound for South Australia

I wish I was on Australia's strand
Heave away! Haul away!
With a bottle of whiskey in my hand
And we're bound for South Australia

In South Australia my native land
Heave away! Haul away!
Full of rocks, and fleas, and thieves, and sand
And we're bound for South Australia

- auld sea shanty

Wikipedia

This song was collected from sailors in Tyneside, Northern England, and included in Laura Smith's The Music of the Waters collection in 1888.


Pax

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by timhau

Australia. The place where hotels are just as likely to put you up for the night as they are to serve you beer.

Indeed. Pub accomodation is a great cheap alternative when travelling in Oz. My wife and I have enjoyed many trips on this basis. Food is wonderful, staff are friendly and usually good for the best info on what's going on in town.


Cheers

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by UncaYimmy

This a great thread. I've always wanted to visit Vienna and maybe check out the Alps.

Ziß vill be for you eine most interestgerschtüngel wakationing. Düring your wisit, you may vish to be kalling in to ze Australian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

Der addreßenheimer ist:

Mattiellistrasse 2-4, 1040 Vienna

Telephone: +43 (0) 1 - 506 740
Fax: +43 (0) 1 - 504 1178
Email: austemb@aon.at


Paßing ön to you zay may be ziß invörmation:


The Australian Alps National Parks

Quote:

As a well-watered, snow-clad and mountainous area in a mostly dry and flat continent, the Australian Alps with 1.6 million hectares of protected areas are of great significance.

Austria: Area = 82 444 km²

Australian Alps National Parks: Area = 16 000 km²

ie. Approximately 20%. That represents this chunk of Ausralia.

Australian Alps National Parks

The majesty of the Australian Alps present a vision splendid of Australia's rugged landscape, and never fail to impart a feeling of untamed beauty.


Cheers Mate,

Dave

[gumboot]

I've always liked Terry Pratchett's description of Australia:

"Everything that isn't poisonous is venomous"

(Or perhaps the other way around).

In all seriousness I look forward to visiting Australia in November for the first time.

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by fromdownunder

Actually Joh was a Kiwi.

Norm

Actually, that's only partly true too:

Wikipedia (paraphrased)

Quote:

Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen KCMG was born on 13 January 1911 in Dannevirke in the Southern Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand, and lived in Waipukurau, a small town in Hawke's Bay. Bjelke-Petersen's parents were both Danish immigrants

He was one in a million, was old Joh.


And his wife, Lady Flo, gave the world Pumkin Scones.


skål

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by MG1962

An American tourist arrives at Sydney airport and proceeds to the customs check

Customs Officer: Sir do you have a criminal record?

American: Wow I didn't realise you still needed one

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by proudnonbbeliever

All around the great south east, i've lived up at the sunshine coast (my favourite place in the world - mooloolaba), all the way down to the gold coast but currently i have a wonderful 3-bedroom mortgage with my fiancee at beenleigh, about a half an hour south of brisbane.

Kewl as!

Mooloolaba is getting up towards Old Bob's place at Gympie. I have foggy memories of sampling the local produce of Beenleigh.


Yo ho ho and a bottle o' rum,

Dave

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by proudnonbbeliever

the maps i was thinkin of were the early ones done by dutch explorers and the like who were to lazy to actually go all the way around the coastline and just made up the rest based on observations. They would've made bloody good aussies, bit of a shame.

The National Library of Australia has examples of the maps you were thinking of.

You can navigate to them from here.


Dutch people DO make bloody good Aussies.

Quote:

There are 96.000 Dutch born emigrants in Australia and approximately 250,000 Australians with some Dutch blood in them. (2008)

This bloke, Ton Ammerlaan whose site I quoted that from knows all about Dutch stuff in Australia, and he's very good at webbing it.



Zie later u vriend,

Daave

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by proudnonbbeliever

i must say theres a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge difference between modern aussie slang and the cockney spoken by the first fleet.

we tend not to sound like street urchins from dickens but more like crocodile dundee if he was stoned out of his gourd.

Wow! . . . Duuuuuude! It's like . . . sooooo funny you should say that . . .

I was just thinkin' . . . umm . . .

I'm hungry.

[Wildy]

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

Dutch people DO make bloody good Aussies.

Quote:

There are 96.000 Dutch born emigrants in Australia and approximately 250,000 Australians with some Dutch blood in them. (2008)

More Germans though.

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by SimonD

She'll be right, mate.

Bonzer!

Originally Posted by SimonD

You really have to see the area for yourself to truly understand how much the soldiers suffered. I find it ironic that the greatest victory (with the least amount of dead) was the final withdrawal. Not that I am saying you haven't, just that reading books about what happen does not capture what an incredible moment it was in our history.

I understand what you mean, I haven't been to Gallipoli but I dearly hope to make it one year.

Originally Posted by SimonD

Even though the Turks won the battle, the cost was very high in men. As you said, ever if you win, you still lose

Yes.

Originally Posted by SimonD

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG1962

Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side now here in this country of ours... you, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land. They have become our sons as well.

This was said by Ataturk

If you go to Gallipoli you will hear and see this written everywhere.

Thank you both.

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by SimonD

No mention of stone huts in the book 'The Far Shore'. Have you read it Bob. I don't know if you would like it though. It's full of historical documented references.

Just like this thread, which I'm sure Bob is enjoying immensely.

The friendly, meandering way it's developed is a credit to us all.


Cheers,

Dave

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by Mobyseven

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

Human settlement began approximately forty thousand (40 000) years ago with the arrival of the Aborigines, now generally and respectfully known as the Koori.

...in south-eastern Australia. Not everywhere.

I should have checked more carefully before I made my somewhat sweeping statement.


From the KOORI PRACTICE CHECKLIST published by

Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd

93 Wellington Street, St Kilda, Victoria 3182

Ph: (03) 9510 3233
Fax: (03) 9510 6288
Email: info@ngwala.org

Quote:

Terms Used To Describe Indigenous People & Services

The term “Koori” has been used throughout this document in reference to indigenous people and services in Victoria. The term Koori is not intended to exclude Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people from other parts of Australia. Equally the use of the terms Aboriginal and/or Indigenous is intended to be inclusive of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia.

Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd also acknowledges that the word “koori” can be offensive to some groups and individuals of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community.

Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative Ltd would like to acknowledge that the Department of Human Services has funded this project.

I appreciate your correction of this error and invite continuing scrutiny of my posts.


Cheers,

Dave

[MG1962]

Originally Posted by SimonD

You really have to see the area for yourself to truly understand how much the soldiers suffered. I find it ironic that the greatest victory (with the least amount of dead) was the final withdrawal. Not that I am saying you haven't, just that reading books about what happen does not capture what an incredible moment it was in our history.

I cant speak for the New Zealanders involved, but from an Australian perspective the thing that seems to have motivated them was a terrible fear of letting themselves down, their mates down and their country down.

Like others have mentioned, I too want to visit the area and see what these guys put up with, and what they were trying to achieve, and more importantly say thank you.

I think it is the least I can do for a bunch of guys who created such a source of inspiration and enduring legend

[SimonD]

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

He was one in a million, was old Joh.

Thank Ed. One was enough. Though he did give rise to some great music which was played on the greatest radio station in the world - 4ZzZ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4ZZZ

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by gumboot

I've always liked Terry Pratchett's description of Australia:

"Everything that isn't poisonous is venomous"

(Or perhaps the other way around).

In all seriousness I look forward to visiting Australia in November for the first time.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) keeps even more nasties from arriving in Oz. They have a book out:

AQIS guidelines for airline and aircraft operators arriving in Australia

Quote:

9. Aircraft disinsection


Regulation 23 of the Australian Quarantine Regulations 2000 states:

The commander of an overseas aircraft (or, if the commander is not the operator of the aircraft, the operator of the aircraft) must make arrangements for the disinsection of the aircraft in a manner, and within a time, approved by a Director of Quarantine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines 'disinsection' as the 'procedure whereby health measures are taken to control or kill the insect vectors, of human diseases present in baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods and postal parcels'. For example, insect vectors include mosquitos. AQIS administers disinsection requirements on behalf of DoHA.

In other words, when your plane arrives in Australia they jump aboard and give everything a good going over with the Mortein and kill everything but the passengers, mostly.

This is the last time you will be safe in Australia. From this point on, everything that bites you is trying to kill you, horribly.

[SimonD]

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

Dutch people DO make bloody good Aussies.

I have a great Dutch friend called Rene Dekker who lives in Gympie. From him, I first heard of the Pyramid of Gympie. I meant him on Groote Eylandt (which is Dutch for Great Island - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groote_Eylandt).

Strange old world

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by Wildy

More Germans though.

Grüße, Deutsche!

Particularly in beautiful Hahndorf, South Australia.



Cheeren,


von Dave

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by MG1962

I cant speak for the New Zealanders involved, but from an Australian perspective the thing that seems to have motivated them was a terrible fear of letting themselves down, their mates down and their country down.

I must confess that I have been speaking out of turn on behalf of the Kiwis. I hope a son or daughter of Aotearoa will enlighten us all.

Originally Posted by MG1962

Like others have mentioned, I too want to visit the area and see what these guys put up with, and what they were trying to achieve, and more importantly say thank you.

I think it is the least I can do for a bunch of guys who created such a source of inspiration and enduring legend

Spoken like a true ANZAC.

[SimonD]

Originally Posted by MG1962

I cant speak for the New Zealanders involved, but from an Australian perspective the thing that seems to have motivated them was a terrible fear of letting themselves down, their mates down and their country down.

Like others have mentioned, I too want to visit the area and see what these guys put up with, and what they were trying to achieve, and more importantly say thank you.

I think it is the least I can do for a bunch of guys who created such a source of inspiration and enduring legend

The diggers never seem to lose their 'humaness' (if that's a word). They never really saw the Turks as the enemy, just another bunch of poor buggers who were forced into the same terrible conditions as they were.

One of my favorite songs

The Band Played Waltzing Matilda (Eric Bogle)

When I was a young man I carried me pack
And I lived the free life of the rover
From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my Matilda all over

Then in 1915 my country said: Son,
It's time to stop rambling, there's work to be done
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun
And they sent me away to the war

And the band played Waltzing Matilda
When the ship pulled away from the quay
And amid all the tears, flag waving and cheers
We sailed off for Gallipoli

It well I remember that terrible day
When our blood stained the sand and the water
And how in that hell they call Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter

Johnny Turk, he was ready, he primed himself well
He rained us with bullets, and he showered us with shell
And in five minutes flat, we were all blown to hell
He nearly blew us back home to Australia

And the band played Waltzing Matilda
When we stopped to bury our slain
Well we buried ours and the Turks buried theirs
Then it started all over again

Oh those that were living just tried to survive
In that mad world of blood, death and fire
And for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive
While around me the corpses piled higher

Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over head
And when I awoke in me hospital bed
And saw what it had done, I wished I was dead
I never knew there was worse things than dying

Oh no more I'll go Waltzing Matilda
All around the green bush far and near
For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs both legs
No more waltzing Matilda for me

They collected the wounded, the crippled, the maimed
And they shipped us back home to Australia
The armless, the legless, the blind and the insane
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla

And when the ship pulled into Circular Quay
I looked at the place where me legs used to be
And thank Christ there was no one there waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity

And the Band played Waltzing Matilda
When they carried us down the gangway
Oh nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared
Then they turned all their faces away

Now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
I see my old comrades, how proudly they march
Renewing their dreams of past glories
I see the old men all tired, stiff and worn
Those weary old heroes of a forgotten war
And the young people ask "What are they marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question

And the band plays Waltzing Matilda
And the old men still answer the call
But year after year, their numbers get fewer
Someday, no one will march there at all
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me?
And their ghosts may be heard as they march by the billabong
So who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda with me?

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by SimonD

I have a great Dutch friend called Rene Dekker who lives in Gympie. From him, I first heard of the Pyramid of Gympie. I meant him on Groote Eylandt (which is Dutch for Great Island - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groote_Eylandt).

Strange old world

Solid Gold Jackpot!

Your turn, Bob! Be gentle with me.

[Wildy]

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

Grüße, Deutsche!

Particularly in beautiful Hahndorf, South Australia.



Cheeren,


von Dave

Oh nein. Bitte nicht. Hilfe. HILFE!!!

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by SimonD

The diggers never seem to lose their 'humaness' (if that's a word). They never really saw the Turks as the enemy, just another bunch of poor buggers who were forced into the same terrible conditions as they were.

One of my favorite songs

The Band Played Waltzing Matilda (Eric Bogle)

<polite snip>

It's very moving. I hope people overseas have access to a performance of it.

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by Wildy

Oh nein. Bitte nicht. Hilfe. HILFE!!!

Uh oh. Das boot is on the other fjord now!

I cannot speak German. Only my Babel Fish can do that.

[Old Bob]

What a great country, so many places worth a look. Near Injune the gullies have petrified wood sticking out of the ground and on one dry barren hill all the shale type rocks are full of fossil, mainly fern and sticks but who knows what else. West behind Mt Hutton is an area called Hidden Springs. Holes form in the ground like wells,easy to step into amongst the grass. The dingo fence goes through the area. (hoping Dave will refine the fence details for all the people not up with how big that is) The Canarvan National Park is worth a mention, one area has sand stone with holes that were buried jumbled trees washed in by a giant event. These holes were used to stuff deceased natives and the bones are still there, that is not shown to the tourist and the place is crawling with brown coats(park rangers) and little wallabies. (can't have a shot in there) Wild rugged scenery with a pansy camping park.

[Akhenaten]

In December last year, in a thread in R & P, I expressed curiosity about whether Hebrew was spoken very much in Australia.

gtc was kind enough to offer this advice:

Originally Posted by gtc

If you like Bagels, then I'd recommend a trip to Glick's Bakery on Carlisle Street almost opposite Balaclava station. You could ask them what they speak.

I have taken this advice and discovered that the bagels are delicious and that Hebrew, as well as for religious observances, is preserved fairly well in the community, particularly by the senior folk. The spoken language sounds like a creek running over some rocks to me. Members of the jewish community apparently also speak 3 zillion other languages, including faultless 'Strayan.

It was a pleasant hour or so, and easy to enjoy for anyone who is hungry, inquisitive and in Melbourne.

Here is Glick's Website.



Shalom

David (the other one)

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by Old Bob

What a great country, so many places worth a look.

A few posters have mentioned that they intend to visit. I hope we can convince them to talk their friends into coming down as well.

Originally Posted by Old Bob

Near Injune the gullies have petrified wood sticking out of the ground and on one dry barren hill all the shale type rocks are full of fossils. Mainly fern and sticks, but who knows what else?

West, behind Mt Hutton, is an area called Hidden Springs. Holes form in the ground like wells; easy to step into amongst the grass. The dingo fence goes through the area. (hoping Dave will refine the fence details for all the people not up with how big that is)

My pleasure, as always.

The Dingo Fence - the world's longest fence.

Quote:

It is one of the longest structures on the planet, and the world's longest fence. It stretches 5,320 km (3,306 mi) from Jimbour on the Darling Downs near Dalby through thousands of miles of arid country to the Eyre peninsula on the Great Australian Bight.

The fence is 180 cm (5.9 ft) high made of wire mesh, and extends for 30 cm (1.0 ft) underground. The fence line on both sides is cleared to a 5 m (5.5 yd) width. Star pickets are spaced every 9 m (9.8 yd)

Now THAT is a fence.

Originally Posted by Old Bob

The Carnarvon National Park is worth a mention. One area has sandstone with holes that were buried jumbled trees washed in by a giant event. These holes were used to stuff deceased natives and the bones are still there. That is not shown to the tourists and the place is crawling with brown coats (park rangers) and little wallabies.

This picture of the Carnarvon Gorge is from Real Travel. They has more.

Originally Posted by Old Bob

Wild rugged scenery with a pansy camping park.

Where else would pansies go, if not to a camping park?


Cheers Bob,

Dave

[Sideroxylon]

Originally Posted by Akhenaten

You are correct.


Upper image of Darwin Harbour © Members@Lycos
http://www.yvonneclaireadams.com/Hos...arwinTides.jpg

Here is another beach photo - Mindil Beach, Darwin.

Australia’s remote northern state capital Darwin is a great place to visit. The Mindil Beach markets are a must where you can enjoy great Asian food while watching a spectacular sunset from the beach. The markets are only open during the dry season (May – October) which is the best time to visit anyway. In the wet it buckets down for days on end with some great lightning shows – according to wiki 1,634 lightning strikes were recorded in the space of a few hours in 2002. You can’t go swimming in the sea either during the wet because of the deadly box jelly fish. You want to be pretty careful where you swim anyway because of the crocodiles. The fishing is great in the sea and rivers – you don’t have to go far to try for a barramundi.. It’s also a great staging place for a visit to the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park.

[MG1962]

Originally Posted by SimonD

The diggers never seem to lose their 'humaness' (if that's a word). They never really saw the Turks as the enemy, just another bunch of poor buggers who were forced into the same terrible conditions as they were.

I think that is an extremely good point. And one of the reasons I think ANZAC day has resonated through the Australian physic for so many generations.

It is not jingoistic chest thumping, but a very somber and sad reflection of war and the sacrifices that come from it. The Turks got sucked into the war. And although we were there by choice, many had no real idea why except to shoot Turks.

One group who do often get over looked in this campaign are the Indian troops. Although they were not put on the line very much, they suffered horendous losses in their logistics rolls

[SimonD]

Originally Posted by MG1962

One group who do often get over looked in this campaign are the Indian troops. Although they were not put on the line very much, they suffered horendous losses in their logistics rolls

Simpson spent most of his 'free' time with the Indian troops, who refered to him as 'Bahadur' - the bravest of the brave.

[Old Bob]

"The Far shore" No I haven't read it. Many of the snippets come down as family stories and in most cases are true ,perhaps slanted a bit with time. My Grand Parents lived in Harrietville (little gold town NE Victoria) A Beveridge woman (of the Beveridge Brothers _Kiddmans of Victoria) used to feed and shelter Ned Kelly. He would come in after dark get feed clothes washed and have a sleep then take off before dawn. The whole town knew except the copper. He rode through the mountains out of sight. (no dobbers then) My Grand Parents eloped, walking from Omeo to Harrietville over the mountains highest Bogong 6508ft Hothom 6306ft. 80 miles. One horse two people and a rifle, no roads then. Not that it matters but we live south of Gympie at North Arm only 60 klicks down the road. Call our place "Casper Downs" but thats another story. Must thank Dave from us all for the pictures and info. (My computer hates me)

[Akhenaten]

Originally Posted by Sideroxylon

Australia’s remote northern state capital Darwin is a great place to visit. The Mindil Beach markets are a must where you can enjoy great Asian food while watching a spectacular sunset from the beach. The markets are only open during the dry season (May – October) which is the best time to visit anyway. In the wet it buckets down for days on end with some great lightning shows – according to wiki 1,634 lightning strikes were recorded in the space of a few hours in 2002. You can’t go swimming in the sea either during the wet because of the deadly box jelly fish. You want to be pretty careful where you swim anyway because of the crocodiles. The fishing is great in the sea and rivers – you don’t have to go far to try for a barramundi.. It’s also a great staging place for a visit to the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park.

That's the spirit! What a great post; informative and descriptive with links to further reading. Thank you.

Just one point though. As I've previously mentioned, swimming in the sea puts one at less risk from the crocodiles because the sharks eat most of them. Sharks with box jellyfish in their mouths, and when they chase you they shoot box jell . . .


Soz.

[proudnonbbeliever]

The beenleigh rum distillery was knocked down due to termite infestation,

Luckily some other mob bought the name and built new premises on the grounds behind that and is producing the rum now.

Its a lot better than the former eye-watering, throat-burning, so-called liquid.
(oh, how i miss it )