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.

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 ?

Oliver Brown and Chocolate

Oliver Brown 
Belgian chocolate cafe 
is NOW open in Hornsby

So have you tried it yet? I viisted and tried a DARK hot chocolate with marshmallows and crunchy balls. Oh and you can ask for Milk chocolate too!

HIGHLY recommended!

It's in the mall next to the Quality butchers across from the chemist and fish 'n' chips place.

They also sell chocolates to take away and you can sit in or take away drinks.

I'll be visiting again. Try it!

The Hornsby Mall Xmas Tree is up !

Either wondered about how they get the big tree up in the mall?

Well I happened to be going past to get fish and chips last weekend when they were assembling the tree! The tree sections are stored in several boxes and one of those accordion lifting platforms is driven into the mall . Safety lines surrounded the work area and by the time I had picked up the fish and chips they had the bottom section up already!

So if you havnt been near the Mall lastly or you're been going straight from the shops to the carpark take a moment to check out our tree and watch out for the gift donations box to appear!

Or do it while you're waiting for fish and chips!

Hornsbys best fish and chips is just up the top of the laneway that leads to the library so if you dont want to check out the tree why not pop down and pick up some books while you're waiting for ... I recommend their grilled fish pack!

Hornsby Markets August 2012

Hornsby Markets have more than one fruit and veg stalls!

There's this one and the Organic one next to it and further up the Mall another.

I recommend if you have time to check out all three since they  have rotating stocks and specials each week and sometimes get rare or unusual fruit and veg when in season. This week they had mulberries and no one else did! They also seem to get the best custard apples and persimmons.

Hornsby Markets Every Thursday in the Mall!

Retro Wall Mosaic.

Have you ever glanced to your right crossing the footbridge from the station and noticed this mosaic?There was a brief trend for these in the 60s and 70s and this must be one of the last surviving ones in the area?

I rather wish peeble mosaics would become popular again even if this one does look rather out of place compared to the rest of the shop building.

You can still sometimes see samples of this style in beachside suburbs too on walls and footpaths.