Chili Medley

Copyright Julie Vaux 2013

One of the stalls at the Thursday market at Hornsby mall recently had ornamental chili plants with a gorgeous variety of colors.

The OTHER Bike Path

Yes this is about the OTHER Bike Path. The one that's suppose to be part of a network running across the North Shore. One section of it runs along the back of the units on College Crescent and has been paved in sections VERY slowly over the last decade. One section up at the top under the church car park is STILL unpaved and partly because of that I suspect the pathway is mainly used by local residents people walking dogs and a few skateboarders and maybe a few ACTUAL cyclists too? 

I went for a walk there a couple of days ago and find one narrow section is NOT clogged with weeds.  I'm not sure who is suppose to be finishing this project but this is just ridiculous. Can the whole path be paved and finished properly after someone rips up the weeds? It would take one or two days at the most to finish but apparently since its not in public view a mountain bike trail that can't be used when it rains is more important? 

The Hornsby Mall Eagle

People seem to either love or loathe the Sculpture Fountain in the middle of the Mall or just walk past it without noticing its complexity.

I wonder how many of us have noticed there's an eagle at its apex?

Party Noise College Crescent Hello

College Crescent Residents
Hello and an UNgentle reminder

NOISE CARRIES

Yes We realise it was a warm summer night so you had the balcony doors open but it was the middle of the week and your dinner party / drinking session went on and on and on until ... was it after 2 AM?

Did you notice the large building site across the street?

Some of us work casually or from and look forward to quiet nights  after a day or a half day depending what hours we're working on.

We'd had to listen to swearing yelling crashing drilling cutting banging from that building site all day.

You may have been out all day and need to unwind and relax?

Fine B U U U T

Please cease to do that as you've done it before by shrieking loudly from your balcony!

Either close the doors or drink less on weekday nights!

I'm sure your building manager and body corporate have received complaints.

I don't want to add to that list!

January Rose

Copyright Julie Vaux 2013 

Despite the heat wave followed by the rain the roses in Hornsby park are thriving and for every one damaged by the heat another beautiful blossom is nearby.

Do take a walk through the park. Yes the one up near TAFE.

Magnolias In March? Flower Alert!

Does anyone know why the local magnolias are blossoming in march ? The one in front of centrelink is blossoming too now!
Watch out also flower lovers for day lilies late summer roses and someone in pretoria parade has planted what looks to become a soon spectular display of sunflowers or marigolds?

A confused magnolia.

A confused magnolia indeed. Usually they blossom in August but there is one local tree thats out of synch of the rest or perhaps from different stock?

Its blooming now in summer instead of late autumn.

Copyright Julie Vaux 2013 

The Poetry of Cracks

Copyright Julie Vaux 2013

Consider the Poetry of a humble pattern of cracks across a pavement.

When I looked at this pattern of cracks from a certain angle I saw the outline of mountain ranges. What do you see?

Life is like this?

Chaos can produce art and the wind tangled up these bits and pieces into a natural composition for me!

Folks I'm hoping to imporve my  photography skills further with a TAFE course.

Please watch out for and support any entries I make in this years Council photography competition.

If you want to see more of my photos please visit my RED BUBBLE SITE

Oh Those Plums

The plum season also ends soon but last week and hopefully this too one stall had 4 different varieties get them while they last at the thursday markets!

Mangoes

The mango season ends  soon so dont forget to check out the markets for specials

Beautiful Thursday Market Fruit

mango season's almost over grab some of thesee lovelies on thursday at the hornsby mall market

Australia Day 2013 Hornsby Mall

Here are my favorites amongst the various photos I took last week.

a patriotic boxer showing the flag and enjoying the attention 

Croc Tease. No he's not bored with his fans. If you touch a certain spot on the jaw they do this!

I don't know who this kid is but hey parents if my photo came out better email me and I'll send you a copy of this. Olivia the Olive Python made a lot of new friends and fans!

The RSL band performing beautifully as ever bringing music to the mall!

Meet Olivia and dealing with snakes.

It's the Year of the Snake and last weekend on Australia Day at Hornsby  Olivia the Olive Python was doing her best to show people all not snakes bite or are poisonous.

What should you do if Olivia or any of her cousins try to move indoors to get away from the extreme heat or the rain? Don't panic or try to hit the snake. A upset snake is more likely to bite, regardless of species. Keep dogs cats and other pets away from the snake if possible.

If the snake is actively aggressive and lunging at you or a pet or child use a broom BUT not to swat the snake. Use the soft end to push the snake away or if its poisonous to get the snake to bite that instead you.

Have the phone number for one or all of these on hand: the Council Animal control officer if there is one, the RSPCA, or WIRES. Even if they don't deal with snakes they can probably tell you who's the nearest person who can.


If the snake has bitten you or a pet and you don't have first aid training ring an ambulance straight away and get the patient to stay as still as possible.  You need to slow down their circulation. Sucking venom out of the bite will only help  if the bite was shallow and you do it ASAP. For pets immobilize pet in blankets and get it straight to the vet but ring first to check the vet has antivenene available!

Most snakes even the poisonous ones are not aggressive and help keep down pests like mice and rats and some insects. If you're lucky enuff (yes I DO MEAN LUCKY) to have a small python in the area please check there are no holes in your floor or outdoor aviaries or cages or henhouse if you keep birds or small animals  and also so that it can not  get into cavities between walls and maybe even help it by letting it drink from your pets water bowl or giving it a separate water bowl to keep it away from the pets if you think its moved under a rock in the garden?

Finally stay informed! Go to the library or Google for reliable information.
Learn the difference between vipers adders and pythons.
and learn first aid.

Would you like to see a fuller article on how to treat snake bite?

Let me know ?