Saturday, May 15, 2010

What a Cutie !

How do you like me in this little striped number,? quiet inexpensive, (not like the one below). Well, the nights are becoming a little cooler and we Foxies don't have much hair on our little bodies, so something to keep out the cold is a real bonus for us. I'm a little shy when it comes to modelling though.

Cubbie - Fashion Icon.

Well, hello, it's me Cubbie, I'm really just a normal little puppy, but put me into an outfit like this and I immediately become a Fashion Icon. How good do I look ? The mistress has me all decked out in leather and fur, I look so cool, an outfit like this deserves a night out on the town or something like that, I simply must do a bit of showing off. This is three new outfits this week, is there no stopping them, throwing money around as if there's no tomorrow - I love it.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Info on St Helena Island.

Today Brendon Watson, owner and trusty tour guide from Brisbane Bay Tours, (contact him on 31343260), invited several, volunteers from the Wynnum Manly Tourist and Visitors Information Centre, for a wonderful morning on the Bay. "Where would you like to go"? was the question. We all agreed it was the perfect day to visit St. Helena Island. So after safety instructions from our Skipper we were on our way. The skies were bright and clear, the water calm and inviting, all the conditions just perfect for our adventure back into history. We had a smooth and comfortable trip taking only about 10 to 15 minutes.

The Hell Hole of the Pacific.

St. Helena was a quarantine station, and prisoners made the journey across the waters of beautiful Moreton Bay by whaleboat. When they arrived they were put to work clearing the scrub on the island and quarrying stone for use in the building of accommodation for the new quarantine station. This all happened during the mid 1860's. When completed St Helena housed some of the countries worst criminals, murderers, and crimes of violence such as manslaughter, shooting and stabbings, rapists, and men convicted of assault. The prisoners were severely punished by being lashed and confined to dreaded dark underground cells, they were also gagged. It is no wonder St. Helena had such a fearful reputation, being referred to as the "Hell hole of the Pacific" and "Queensland's Inferno". Here on the left we see more of the quarantine station ruins and on the right a view back to the modern bustling city of Brisbane, capital of Queensland. You can see more of my images by visiting www.margiparton.com and if you would like to leave a comment or become a follower I would love to hear from you.

The Butcher the Baker.

This is all that remains of the Butcher shop and the Bakery on St Helena Island. In the distance the Manly Boat Marina can been seen also the Lota and Wynnum areas. You can see more of my images by visiting www.margiparton.com. and if you have a moment do leave a comment.

A baker's delight ?

Here is what remains of one of the ovens used as part of the bakery on St Helena Island. The door is open and one could be excused for imagining the aroma of hot freshly baked bread, just taken from the oven and ready to eat.

Green Isles

More of the remaining buildings and high enclosure. In 1799 Matthew Flinders described the island as one of the "Green Isles" however it wasn't named St. Helena untill 1826.

Till another time.

Thanks Brendon from Brisbane Bay Tours, for a wonderful morning on beautiful St. Helena Island, in Moreton Bay, from us all at the Wynnum Manly Tourist and Visitors Information Center.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

My visit to New Zealand.

Here are a few visual memories of my recent visit to New Zealand. This of course is the "Silver Fern', emblem of New Zealand. It's to be seen everywhere, growing along the edges of the road, clinging to the side of the mountains amongst pine trees and nestled along the border of bush tracks leading to scenes of beauty and wonder. The Silver Fern is lush and green on it's delicate upper surface, but it's not till you look at the under side that it reveals it's 'silver' lining.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Peace and quiet.

This lovely fresh creek is on the north island. It's quiet and peaceful and one could sit here with a good book and spend time just soaking up everything you can see and hear. The pace is slow, and life is pretty enjoyable.

The Gum Diggers.

I visited the reconstructed workings of the Gum Diggers on the west coast of the North Island. The site of the original diggings has been developed to show visitors how the workers lived and worked under rather difficult circumstances. It was cold, cramped and very uncomfortable, but their reward of the beautiful Kauri Gum or Amber as we call it, was well worth it. The Kauri Museum, a must visit when in N.Z. has the most amazing display of Kauri Gum, do visit when you next visit The Land of the Long White Cloud.

Waiting for a Makeover !

I just love taking pics of old things and this old boat was just sitting on the side of the road waiting for me to drag out the camera. So here she is in all her glory, I wonder how long she has been waiting for me, some time I suspect. New Zealand has a rather slower pace of life I feel, so maybe the boat owner will get around to restoring her to her former glory one day.

The Blue Lake.

I walked around the beautiful Blue Lake, a distance or around 5 - 6 kms through tall trees, tree ferns and lovely lush green undergrowth, past small 'beaches' seeing the odd boat on the water. There are pine trees everywhere as timber and tourism are New Zealand's main industries. I have captured lots of lovely images of this beautiful country and you can see more of them very soon by visiting www.margiparton.com