19th October

Internet Problems.
I’m still having network problems. After an early start yesterday, my network crashed. That’s with the new modem installed. I rang technical support (after doing all the usual things they tell me to do) and eventually they told me to pull the thing apart, disconnect everything, and leave it off for about thirty minutes, then ring them back. Nothing worked, so the technician said that the modem needed to be sent back. ‘‘Again?” I squeaked in agony. Another three weeks of isolation loomed. But I’m an optimist and kept trying to get the wretched thing up and running. No luck yesterday.
Today, ever the optimist, I turned on the unit and walked away. As I walked away, the virus protector informed me that it had just been updated. My day was made.

These problems led me to look for alternative network providers, and to find out what redress we have if we feel the service is not satisfactory.

I rang Mr. Katter’s office and his staff member was right on the ball. Very helpful and informed me that there is an ombudsman to regulate these services. The TIO number is 1800 062 058. Before you ring, make sure you have your contract and other documents handy.

Some historic dates for this week.
19th 1895 Banjo Patterson’s Man from Snowy River and other stories published in 1895.
20th Sydney Opera House officially opened 1973.
21st irrigation pioneer, William Chaffey born in Canada 1856.
AND
25nd the 1,000,000 Holden car rolled off the assembly line in 1962.

Recipe:
ROSELLA PICKLE.
Ingredients; Rosellas, vinegar, spice, peppercorns, chillies, salt and water.
Mode: Peel the fruit from the seed pod in as large pieces as possible. Throw them into salted water for five or six hours. Then boil the vinegar with some whole spice, peppercorns and bird’s-eye chillies. Put the fruit into jars or bottles and pour the vinegar over it when cool. Tie down and store away for a week or two.
The Antipodean Cookery Book, 1895.

Did you know?
Each king in a pack of playing cards represents a real leader.
Spades = King David.
Clubs = Alexander the Great
Hearts = Charlemagne
Diamonds = Julius Caesar

Perception—an interesting experiment.
The following is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. MetroStation, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a socialexperiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007,this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. Duringthat time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most ofthem on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged mannoticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stoppedfor a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.About 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.At 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at hiswatch and started to walk again.At 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard andthe child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This actionwas repeated by several other children, but every parent - withoutexception - forced their children to move on quickly.At 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normalpace. The man collected a total of $32.After 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no oneapplauded. There was no recognition at all.No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatestmusicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces everwritten, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, JoshuaBell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $200 each to sitand listen to him play the same music.This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. MetroStation, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a socialexperiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.This experiment raised several questions:* In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do weperceive beauty?* If so, do we stop to appreciate it?* Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musiciansin the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one ofthe most beautiful instruments ever made . . .How many other things are we missing as we rush through life? just because of the preprogrammed MIND - the product of the dead past. Contributed by Carole.
　
　
　

The weather’s turned - again ! This time I know it’s my fault. Sorry. It has been so hot lately that I took the plunge and put away my winter clothes yesterday. After all, it was close to 30 degrees so I thought I would be safe. It was so warm at night that the cane toads were out in force. Great big lumbering monsters baring me from the outside world.
I always enjoy changing wardrobes. I discover clothes I’d totally forgotten so it’s almost like getting a new wardrobe. One of the benefits of getting older, I guess. Anyway, today it’s cold again, the toads are hiding but they reminded me of the news article which triggered the following poem

Evolution?
Pothole was a young ringer
working his way out west
eradicating the prickly pear,
an imported cacti pest.

The cactoblastis grubs,
introduced to eat the pear,
became a bigger problem -
sugar cane its favourite fare.

To stop the devastation
of important cash crop earners
the cane toad was suggested
by some scientific slow learners.

Cane toads over-run our state
from coast to western border,
ugly poisonous interloper
defying our natural order.

The cactoblastis has now gone,
prickly pear's an exotic fruit,
soon Pothole's prodigy will send
our toads to China, earning lots’a loot.
F.Mackay. 2010

12th October

Well the good news is, we have water after a miserable day without any. The other news is that it is being pumped from the creek. It reminds me a bit of the Jaws movie ... Just when we thought we were safe to put out our summer clothes the dirty water is back. I can hear that creepy theme music.
Unless you have a great filter system, beware of those rusty stains on your good whites and don’t forget to boil your drinking water. The council is working on the pump problem.
Had an email waiting for me when I finally got back on line. Maggie, the dog from ‘Running in Pink’, says that she and owner Deborah De Williams have made it around Australia. Deborah is the first female to run the entire distance, not sure about the dog. Some of you will remember her stay here last year and I imagine quite a few saw her on ‘Sunrise’. What a great achievement, such persistence. You can visit her website on www.runningpink.com.au
I wonder how many watched the Bathurst race on Sunday? I’m still recovering. What a nail-biter. of us have actually driven the circuit? I bet there are a few stories out there. Might make an interesting book of memoirs. The view we got from the helicopter shows what an awesome circuit it is. The race has become an icon over the years and is a real family affair., they say.
Many thankIt was so full of action that I couldn’t leave the television until the ads. Today they say that the leaders were almost out of fuel when they finished. How many s to Trish’s visitors who helped me when my Gopher broke down while I was walking the dogs one afternoon during the school holidays. They noticed the problem and fetched my husband. This saved me trying to get the dogs home without transport.
The storm bird is certainly not lying this year. We are getting our fair share of rain and thunder. Not like Brisbane, thank goodness but it has kept our grass green. The interesting thing I’ve noticed is that there are very few ants—lots of fleas this year, but no ants.
Speaking of fleas, ‘Margaret’s Handy Hints’ says not to try and wash the fleas off your dog, as fleas swim, but rub a good quality flea powder through their hair regularly.
And did you know—the oldest recorded written recipe (about 4000 years old) is for Beer? Who’d have guessed? www.beerinstitute.org/
　
　

8th October

G'day - I have been off line for the past three weeks and now I discover we are now behind the rest of the east coast. Yes, daylight savings has started. I don’t know about you but I get so fed up with having to juggle time zones in the summer. It goes on for so long too. Now I have to remember when is the best time to ring—when is school, tea, and all the other commitments mothers have with young children. And the poor things all have to get up in the dark. I always hated that!
Since I last wrote Terry and Carole have returned from their holidays in Bali, just missing one of the best ever Torrens Creek’s Golf Open weekend.
The weather was kind; the course was picture perfect with a green covering, thanks to the gentle rain we’d had leading up to the weekend. Molly and Pedro Borrinson catered for the club and produced a hungi so tasty that appreciative diners, golfers and visitors, were reluctant to leave. OLiver Twist—eat your heart out. What will the Hambrose bring?
Weather continues to confound. Last week of September saw a spectacular storm here on the Sunday. Two inches were recorded in half and hour and the wind was strong enough to blow the rain, mixed with leaves and branches, horizontal so it is doubtful that the measurement was accurate. It was the best storm I’ve seen here in years. What will the rest of the season be like? Apparently the catchments down south are filling to capacity.
The three weeks I was off line was long enough to show me that I am addicted to the internet. I had real withdrawal symptoms. My service provider promised that it would be only one week. These people based in cities have no idea of logistics of country living, nor the distances, even the overnight courier took two days, plus. Bring on the cable Broadband—PLEASE?
One thing I did learn by accident. There is a new scam to be aware of. A foreign gentleman rang me one evening and asked if I was getting an error message on my internet. I was a little suspicious and led him along for awhile. He said he could fix the problem. By that time I was fed up and told him that I doubted that as I had no modem at the moment. He hung up immediately.
According to my server provider the scammer, when accepted to fix the problem, charges a one off price, does nothing but pockets the money. There have been a couple of such calls in our town, so beware.
　

7th Sept.
The passengers from last Tuesday’s Aussie Tour bus were given a special treat when Nev., guitarist and singer, entertained them for the evening. He and his wife were travelling through and decided Torrens Creek was the best place to spend the night. Obviously a seasoned performer, Nev. catered for all styles and tastes and kept the music going into the wee hours, to the glee of locals and passengers alike. Just goes to show, you never know what you might miss if you don’t stop for awhile.

Carole and Terry are away for two weeks well earned holiday. Welcome back to Shaz and Gaz who have returned for a stint behind the bar to keep us all happy while the holiday makers make merry. We hope they enjoy their stay with us.
Spring cleaning is the ideal time to sort out those unwanted items that could get a bit of cash so don’t forget the Car Boot Sale to help the Torrens Creek Progress Association on 18th September, between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm. Donation of a gold coin is all it costs to set up a stall. Coffee and tea will be available for a small charge.
The weather is behaving strangely. Over 25 ml. Sunday. The photo shows the cloud rolling in late afternoon. Not even the ants were prepared for it. We had nary a one in the house - but cockroaches are another story. I heard that Eucalyptus oil is an excellent defence against them so have been washing the floors and cupboards out with a mixture water and oil. It is not advisable to use more than half a cap to the bucket of water as it tends to make floors slippery.

I notice that the tourist traffic has decreased slightly but that didn’t deter these early birds at Pentland last Wednesday morning. The police were out in force, checking vehicles and breathalising drivers before 10am. This was quite a turn out for the little town. And it wasn’t even school holidays...