Postcards News

Winning ways are back

2009-03-13T17:56:00.002+08:00

After the blood was mopped up and the dust settled and the walking wounded left the field, the glow the South Africans had been basking in became a tad chilly.

Australia once again rose from the ashes and blew the opposition apart. This may not be a permanent condition but so far I like what I see. I enjoyed the tests in Australia and took the losses on the chin reminding myself we were in the throws of re building and it would be a good while before the wheel turned.

Well the wheel turned so quickly in fact, it left me cross eyed. I think now the Australian and overseas media can have a good slice of humble pie to eat after giving the boys a right shellacking after their losses in 2008. Go the Green and Gold!!

2009-02-01T16:16:00.002+08:00

I have been watching the series down under with a great deal of sadness but also with a great deal of optimism because the way I look at it, once you have hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up! It may take a couple of years, or more but you can't lose an entire champion team bar two, (some would say one) and expect the same results. The team that's playing now is really a state team in the making of a national team. I must say though, I do empathise with the teams that came against the previous Oz team because now I know what it is like to have your favourites flogged! I admire Matty Hayden, listening to him after his retirement was amazing, he is the most interesting man and full of zest to get on with life. Justin Langer, the smiling assassin, is the most optimistic man I have ever listened to and should be a team motivator.

2009-01-06T09:46:00.002+08:00

I have been a great lover of the commentary on ABC radio maybe with the exception of Peter Roebuck whom I love to hate but he has surprised me at times, actually has put in a favourable comment or two about Ricky Ponting, seems totally out of character. Kerry O'Keefe is always enjoyable to listen to whether he is right or wrong really doesn't matter, he makes light of most things. I have every faith Australia will pull through this difficult stage, may take a year or two but we will be back!

Still, I am well known in our family for being totally one eyed about

the Aussie team...

2008-12-26T22:44:00.001+08:00

Shane Warne

2008-12-24T11:17:00.002+08:00

This is great especially Ricky Pontings impersonation!

My 2008 summary

2008-12-23T23:43:00.001+08:00

Well, it is almost over and what a funny old year it�s been. It started with a trip to Chiang Mai in Thailand which was a wonderful relaxing time with my daughter. March came along and took us to Bologna, Rome and Florence. Not quite as restful as the previous trip but certainly had some high points.

A day trip into Florence was one of those high points. It was such a beautiful day. We did one of those over priced horse and buggy rides but oh so worth it and after all the sight seeing had a wonderful dinner in the Tuscany hills and watched a magnificent sunset. My daughter was well on the way to completing her degree for a registered nurse. My Granddaughter was going to start a new life in Brisbane which didn�t quite pan out.

Tragedy struck when my estranged husband passed away suddenly overseas whilst visiting his family, and an unexpected trip was made to England and Ireland for his

funeral. Apart from the sad occasion it was, it was lovely to catch up with his wonderful family.

I have also been able to catch up with an old friend this year which has been one of the highlights.

My daughter and family bought me a membership to the WACA (Cricket ) and the first test I was able to go to had Australia losing to South Africa. Totally unheard of for years here. Of course previous to this year, Australia was top of the wasser without a doubt. Now we are struggling and all because I got my much craved after membership, I�m sure!

Of course many ebbs and flows have happened over 2008 but in general it wasn�t a nightmare year and I am always thankful to be able to tick another one off! My daughter, despite her trials and tribulations passed with flying colours just recently. Her graduation takes place sometime in March where I will front up as the beaming, proud mum.

Two of my grandsons started club cricket but have progressed to Districts where they were given their Baggy Greens, and of course cricket Australia has no further to look for that elusive spin bowler than Aidan who bamboozles everyone, mind you I guess at 13 he may be a tad young for the national side. And Ben will be our next wicket keeper/ batsman I am sure!

I should be seeing my daughter and family from Pannawonica sometime in January, which I am looking forward to, they are so far away from us.

Merry Christmas and a very prosperous, healthy, happy and safe 2009.

Blogger Tags: 2008, travel, cricket Australia

2008-09-18T21:46:00.003+08:00

I've been a bit slack on the blogging side of things but it's probably more the lack of time. I've just come back from another trip to England, Ireland and Amsterdam. England and Ireland were a necessary trip but Amsterdam was a nice little side trip. Although it was going to be a wind down we packed as much as we could into the few days we had there, so consequently came home exhausted. I hope to add the photos to travel-postcards soon along
with some photos from the London Eye. It's a pity we weren't in Holland when the tulips were out but we did go into the countryside to see the traditional windmills and try some of the tasty cheese. We also took a trip into Brussels where the square is very beautiful and the waffles even better!

2008-07-20T13:13:00.002+08:00

I have discovered a website that helps people in poverty areas achieve by giving a small loan which is paid back. It's not a charity and all the money goes to that person. To read more please visit Kiva .

2008-05-03T18:58:00.003+08:00

Our trip to Bologna and Rome with Florence also revisited in March/April. Weather was a tad cold at times but it also hit the low 20's celcius which was quite warm. A memorable night was dinner in the Tuscany Hills overlooking Florence and watching the sun go down. Photos at my picassa album.

2008-04-27T14:23:00.004+08:00

Harbhajan misjudged hand shake!

It seems Harbhajan didn't slap his team mate, he shook his eye in a misjudged handshake. The Australian Team were called liars for reporting his racial remarks to Symmonds. Harbhajan denied that, the same as he denied slapping Sreesanth and yet this was reported: “Players have let down the Board with such behaviour. The tape clearly shows Bhajji hitting Sreesanth on the face. We have had enough of all this,” BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty told CNN-IBN.

Rather "obnoxious" act don't you think using stand over tactics on a team mate.

Thankfully the Indian public are now awake up to his despicable antics and probably not before time. I hope they (The BCCI)throw the book at him, but I seriously think that is highly unlikely, he has been getting away with his bad boy antics for around 11 years. Haven't read anything the other dispicable person on my list (Peter Roebuck) has written and I am sure it won't be worthy of me reading anyway.

2008-01-08T23:22:00.000+08:00

I am finding it difficult to comprehend what I have been reading about India and Australia, it beggars belief. It seems the only batsmen in the whole world of cricket who don't walk are Australian. Every one else apparently walks unfailingly..HA!! I was in South Africa in 2006 when Gilly was ridiculed by the local press for walking when he could have got away with it.

The Indians are all high and mighty about claimed catches, not so vocal when Dhoni claimed a catch in England that clearly bounced in front of him. Some of the decisions made by the umpires were shockers and we know that because the commentator's have taken it upon themselves to be the third umpire.

They shove their own opinions down our throats and the scenes are replayed and analysed in slow motion umpteen times. Instead of just describing the match ball by ball and moving on when a decision is made by the officiating Umpire. Australia had some shocking calls against them in the 2005 ashes but not once did I hear they were to blame for us losing the ashes. We lost, moved on and won again. Pity India doesn't do the same.

Ponting is being vilified for reporting a racist remark, one that was clearly explained to Harbijan during the atrocious game in India. If the boot was on the other foot how Team Australia would be damned. As for Peter Roebuck what a headline seeking manic he is, but then I am biased here because I never could stand the man.

The team has also been vilified for celebrating the win, good heavens who wouldn't celebrate it, they had retained the trophy and clocked up their 16th consecutive win, nothing compared mind you to when India won the unimportant 20/20 championship or the over the top celebrations of England's ashes win, but of course this is the Australian team and whatever they do will be wrong.

Tall Poppies and Sour Grapes syndrome at it's best. Now that I am on a roll, I also have to question the continuous harping about the teams behaviour , I watched that test and didn't see one team member reported for bad behaviour, I did see dissent from one of the Indians who apparently was so in shock he couldn't move when he was out, that was his story anyway. So here we have an Australian batsman who waited to be given out and an Indian batsman who waited after he was given out, which is worse? No prizes for guessing, of course it was the Australian, stands to reason, at least by the rest of the cricketing worlds reckoning!

Well I have had enough of this utter tripe that is going on, the best contest since the 2005 ashes, a gripping match, had me on the edge of my seat biting my nails and enjoyed every minute of it even when I was totally sure India was going to draw. Then along comes the crap by the bucket load and smothers the enjoyment of watching two excellent teams play a game of cricket.

2007-12-30T08:21:00.000+08:00

I'm trying really hard not to blather on about the cricket but as I read nearly every article in creation about it I find it hard not to. It seems according to some people Aus is a champion team only because of bad umpiring decisions made against other teams ..we are also making the cricket boring because we keep winning. It wasn't so boring of course when the West Indies annihilated every team back in their hey day. Aus has worked hard to get where they are and it won't last, it never does, some other country will finally work just has hard and get on top. Once Team India stops feeling so precious and get their hands dirty in the field they will put up a very competitive fight. What red blooded supporter doesn't want their team to win ..in any sport? So less whining and more effort would be more appropriate. In the meantime go the green and gold I for one am very proud of the fine bunch of players that make our national team.

2007-12-24T16:23:00.000+08:00

Well all I can say is that I am so over Shane Warne, no one doubts his cricketing ability but there must be serious doubt as to his mindset. What is it with him, he was part of a legend team and all he seems to be able to do is bag the baggy green. Can't bear to be out of the public eye , I guess. Even convicts have their own code of conduct and I would have thought the respect for his team would continue in the afterlife of cricket. He is entitled to his opinion but a little respect for the team he was part of wouldn't go astray, still it IS Warnie the complete larrikin (A person given to comical or outlandish behavior) I am talking about and I have serious doubts that "respect" would be part of his vocabulary.

2007-11-13T07:42:00.000+08:00

I'm being a right little whinger lately but I have another pet hate. I get emails asking if I would exchange links, they haven't put my link up first but I oblige if it is travel related, send them the directory page it is linked to, then they email back saying they want the link on at least a rank 3 page.

When I have checked their page out they aren't even ranked at all, so what is that all about!

Also after I have been through the trouble of linking, I find the majority haven't linked back. Now this is unacceptable, they are the ones who are emailing me to be linked, not vice versa. So then I have to go to the trouble to take the links off the directory again. I have decided it isn't worth the hassle.

My entry page is ranked 4 but I have reorganised my site and other pages have to be ranked again, so tell me why they didn't check this out before making me go through all the hassle.

If you ask me, they are just time wasting pains in the proverbial!
From now on anyone who wants to link to me have to have my link up before they even ask.

2007-11-08T16:11:00.000+08:00

I am not a political person but with the elections looming I am going to vent my anger at the Western Australian Government. Since daylight saving has been forced upon us for three years (so nice for CITY people who can go to the beach) there hasn't been a morning I have woken up without saying how much I hate this government.

But that is not all, they have changed the the voting system so that 1 country seat covers 91% of Western Australia. That's how much they think of rural people. They have created a nanny state where they lay the rules and we have to abide without any input(until the election!!) Not satisfied with targeting smokers, they are now targeting obese people. I guess Hitler had something when he wanted the perfect race. The Labour government is hot on his heels.

Who will be next I wonder, one supermarket aisle has been allocated for buying cigs, will there be one for the obese and the drinkers as well. "Excuse me, puffers in this aisle, anyone buying fatty foods in aisle 6 please and as for you drinkers you can only go to aisle 7." It makes no difference if you are aggressively against any of those "vices" the point is they have no right to segregate anyone.

They have ruined rural hospitals, obviously we aren't important enough to be taken care of although our tax dollar is worth as much as anybody elses. I am no one of consequence (certainly where the Labour Gov is concerned)and I have never been stirred up about a political party until now. I don't belong to any politcal party and have no desire to do so but I can't wait to cast my vote.

2007-10-21T09:41:00.000+08:00

I have to laugh but feel insulted at the same time to think scammers think we are so stupid. The latest one I recieved was from Dr Godwill Okeke, Pay Master General of Nigeria whose email reads drgodwillx8@yahoo.co.jp. So we have a paymaster general from Nigeria with a free yahoo account from Japan. Interesting!!! Why do they waste their time, surely no one but no one responds to their promises of giving away millions of dollars to get hold of your bank details. I have not been interested enough to find out how it works but however they plan to do it I wish they would stop filling my mailbox with such idiotic nonsense!!

2007-09-13T15:41:00.000+08:00

Last weekend family and friends went to Northam to do some hot air ballooning to celebrate my birthday. It was incedible! We all overcame our fear to realise there was no need to be fearful at all. The boys seemed to enjoy the experience along with all of us.We went down the night before to get up at some ungodly hour to do the flight and it was worth every sleepless moment! The Avon Valley is beautiful this time of the year, lovely and green as opposed to the summer months. The Avon Valley is about an hour from Perth in Western Australia.

2007-09-11T09:02:00.000+08:00

Of course I am not proud at all BUT Ponting gets top award. You can read the article below. Cricket season is back!! http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1340886

2007-08-12T12:22:00.000+08:00

San Francisco was an amazing city, and as beautiful and friendly as I was told. I had a wonderful week there and although probably saw a fraction of what was on offer, I did my best in my limited time. I flew there after exciting New York and New Orleans.

My diary is on the website.

2007-08-05T17:47:00.000+08:00

Arrived home after touring Canada, New York, New Orleans and San Francisico a satisfied but weary traveler. Canada was the most scenic place I have been to so far. The mountains and lakes surpass anyother place. New York was exciting if a tad warm and unpredictable on the weather side. New Orleans rained for the first couple of days which was a blessing because it cooled everything down.

I was just as thrilled to see it as I was New York. Bourban St was amazing as was the food, which of course I ate too much of. San Francisco is such a beautiful city as everyone kept telling me, and I never stopped enjoying it even after the mild earthquake we had two days before I came home. So another trip is behind me and as I bury myself in work it is all but a distant and beautiful memory.

But I am planning the next one as I write because that gruelling plane flight is also beginning to recede in my memory!

2007-03-30T09:43:00.000+08:00

World Cup: Of course my team is Australia, but when Aus isn't in it then I have to say my favourite team is Bangladesh, why? because they are fighters, they are pulling themselves up and coming of age. They have beaten Aus before in a one dayer and nearly beat them in a test in Bangladesh. So I am in a quandry with both teams playing each other. My first loyalty must be with Ponting and Co and if Bangladesh won we would never, never hear the end of it which is a shame (the sweet sound of the Aus team falling again) but how wonderful for them if they pulled it off. I get so frustrated with people, media downing Australia, surely the idea would be to lift the game to that higher level, I sometimes think it must be the green and gold eyed monster raising it's head.

2007-02-28T17:01:00.000+08:00

Haven't got much to yarn about now that our wonderful cricket team has fallen in a big hole, still they will pick themselves up and dust themselves off, I am sure and have a great World Cup match. I am still quietly confident!! BUT I am still reeling from our 3 nil loss to New Zealand, how good was McMillan and on our side, Hayden who soldiered on with a broken toe to make 180 runs all to no avail and may keep him out of the cup. What a spate of injuries we've had. Well all I can say is bring it on and hopefully we will come back. Of course the media are having a field day now that the tall poppy has broken, what did someone say...nothing sounds sweeter than the thud of the Australian team falling, I can't agree, of course!!

2007-02-11T20:35:00.000+08:00

I wasn't going to comment on the cricket anymore but can't let this pass without a congratulations to England for coming back from an all time low and getting a good rollicking all summer to win the finals. I think our blokes will come back into form in time for the World Cup, hope so anyway. Still can't take anything away from England, I think it's a mighty effort after the disastrous tour to keep themselves going and take it out. I don't like the Duckworth Lewis equation though, they took 8 overs away from Aus and only 13 runs, so really made it impossible to keep up the required run rate. Having said that though, I think England was always going to win. Would have been much better for the poms if they could have bowled out the overs instead of rain stopping play so they could enjoy the celebrations of the moment. Still I think they will be enjoying it anyway!!

2007-02-01T19:59:00.000+08:00

100 Years of Country Week

The local newspaper had this article about a retired local English teacher, Mr John Rutherford. One hundred years of Country Week cricket was celebrated and John was recognised for playing Country Week for Merredin and also Western Australia and wore the baggy green for Australia.
He was a medium pace and opening bat for University before starting with WA and having a chance against England. John was named in the WA Country Week team of the Century along with several other cricketing legends including Kim Hughes, Geoff Marsh, Jo Angel, Brad Hogg and Westonia local Laurie Mayne. The team all consists of players who played at least one season of Country Week and also represented the State or Nation in cricket. Brad Hogg opened the night's proceedings. John said for him the highlight of the night was hearing the recently retired Justin Langer's account of the five-nil win in the Ashes series. John is holding a replica of the baggy green worn against England and wearing the shirt given to him as part of the 100 years celebration.
John still resides in Merredin.

2007-01-26T10:08:00.000+08:00

It's Australia Day today 26th January and our small community celebrates it with a community breakfast in the local park. The Lions Club cooks the breakfast of sausages, eggs, toast etc and we sing the anthem which goes like this:

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR

Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free; We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature's gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history's page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair.

Beneath our radiant Southern Cross We'll toil with hearts and hands; To make this Commonwealth of ours Renowned of all the lands; For those who've come across the seas We've boundless plains to share; With courage let us all combine To Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair.

Of course the cities put on large firework displays at night which make for a great family outing but here it's nice to see the kids running around with their aussie flag stickers on their faces along with the caps and t shirts and generally enjoying themselves.

We have the cricket and today it is between us and the old foe the "Poms" again, how they would love to beat us on Australia day!!
We shall see, it starts in an hour. (Latest scores)