top: The Chaffey Pump.  This is the original pump installed by the Chaffeys when irrigation was first brought to the Sunraysia district.  The pump is now preserved near the art gallery (Mildura).
From vintage postcards:  In 1887, George and William Chaffey selected land in this barren area of red soil and stunted growth. They were Californians.  However, with the ample waters of the Murray River at hand, abundant sunshine and a dry climate the area, at the corner where the states of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales meet, was to turn from land valued at 2/6 an acre into a fabulous district of patterned greenery with values up to five hundred pounds an acre.
Geogre Chaffey, an engineer, knew the miracles worked by irrigation and saw the possibilities in this area. Nowadays, the Sunraysia district consists of a hundred square miles of properties planted to vines, mixed fruits and vegetable growing.

In 2011, the story unfolds with current debate about suvival of the Murray-Darling rivers, water usage and long-term management.
From Nucolorvue Post Cards.

Wide calm waters of the Murray provide excellent passage way for the paddle steamers.  This scene was taken between Mildura and Merbein. (South-west corner of the state NSW.)
Next, dipping grapes at Irymple. before drying.
Vintage post cards by Nucolorvue

This is how it was. This bridge near Wentworth is typical of many which span the waters of the Darling or Murray Rivers.
Old postcards from Nucolorvue P/L.

In transit, potential conversations around the water cooler.  How are the office converstations in a Google workplace? Is the water in its original state? According to the Sunday newspaper, Google is voted one of the very best workplaces. Now that's good advertising.   

Dudley Headland south of Newcastle. Suburbs surround a nature reserve. Amazing luck had this sought after land preserved free from McMansion creep.  

Follow the secret path to a wonderful eyrie and hear the hum of bees, wild flowers, birds and shore break. 

The wind at play by day on the 'bay'.  Over the sea to the north is the distant edge of Newcastle.  

More water sport and picnics. Locals enjoy swimming in this inviting Indonesian river. The water is fast flowing but children are undetered.  A sighting of an orangutang is a possibility.

River and vehicular ferry on a back road out of Port Macquarie.

Remember how the sky randomly lit up brightly at night over Newcastle when BHP steel works carried out some big process?

Stormy Newcastle Beach had plenty of white water on Saturday and a touch of sunlight for a brief time. 

Wild weather in the tradition of a 'Pasha Bulker Storm' eased up today.  Rain squalls didn't deter onlookers and serious, well-equiped photographers.     

To the south at Catherine Hill Bay.

Nothing is exported from this wharf anymore.  The live beef export trade to Indonesia is resuming.  Suspension of trade was likely to be short lived and was my prediction.  As you were....

Catherine Hill Bay late this afternoon south of Newcastle. 
Wimbledon Mens final, live, begins close to midnight our time.  Will it be another Spanish conquest?  Lorenzo just won the Italian MotoGP in a close race and it kept us awake for the tennis match.

All aboard at Kempsey Station. Many of these passengers were taking the train to bypass the flooded Pacific Highway which has been closed at this point for about four days.
The highway is roughly in the distance under the flood.waters which cover the cow paddocks. A viaduct crossed the high and wide river just south of Kempsey station which is on higher ground where a flood free 'suburb' has developed.
Surely it is the preferred area of development but not for the the big duopoly supermarts who have just established themselves down on the banks of the river in the original settlement. The highway is planned to bypass Kempsey township all together.
This afternoon, the New England Highway was in good enough condition except for a few patches, and pot holes were under repair near Murrurundi or thereabouts, police cars were active and the pot holes were largly all patched up in the Singleton area.
Coffs to Dorrigo and Armidale was a wonderful run,  notwithstanding narrow hairpin bends on the long steep climb through rain forests, a big semi trailer or two, several high fast waterfalls splashing the road as they thundered down and the road, which is narrow, has a very low wall between car and a vast sheer drop at several points. Not to be missed. 

This morning I was on a cruise shadowed by a pirate ship ....

Just joking!

Thanks Blogger/Google techies. Glad Friday 13th is over? 

On high tide line,  little critters with small blue balloons go crackle and pop if you dare tread on them. And watch out! An attached length of 'string' will inflict pain on contact with your skin and will send a surfer to seek first aid.  I have never been keen to test whether the power to sting remains in these beached specimens. A number of remedies existed and wonder what the latest is? 

Bluebottles have another quirky name: Portuguese man o'war ! A flock will drift into a surfing areas from time to time.

Once upon a time when washing day was a big deal, a blue pellet was added to the rinsing water to brighten the clothes.  At one stage, I think, Reckits blue was known as a remedy for the bluebottle sting - a treatment since discredited.

Macro view with Nobbys from sea level.

Towards the end of a long morning in the laundry, compleate with a wood fired copper, I have assisted my mother by preparing the starch. White granuels of chalky starch where disolved in a basin of boiling water and certain items of cotton clothing were dunked in the hot slimey liquid then wrung out again. After drying - on a clothes line - came the dampening down when water was sprinkled on the clothes and they were rolled up ready for ironing day. 

Unhinged by heatwave. Is this a mirage?

Frangapanni fantasy games.
Back to reality today when small children start 'big' school .Extreme summer's day is ahead, both for weather and emotions.  

Eventide, Port of Newcastle
Runner does a balancing act!

'our land is girt by sea'
Australia Day today.

Inland seas lately (floods). Sweet troubles. Sugar supplies were low yesterday. Sugar crops and sugar mills  have problems following the floods. Does that mean the clanking grinding sugar mill at Bundaberg is in trouble?