Friday, February 21, 2014

Monday, February 17, 2014

HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY, BANJO PATERSON!

HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY, BANJO PATERSON!

(c) expired Wikimedia Commons

One of Australia's most famous poets, known mostly as a bush poet, was born 150 years ago today.
I imagine that he would have been totally amazed to know that we still celebrate his works all these years later.

Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson was born in Orange, NSW on 17th February, 1864.

To quote Wikipedia...

"...the eldest son of Andrew Bogle Paterson, a Scottish immigrant from Lanarkshire, and Australian-born Rose Isabella Barton,[3]related to the future first Prime Minister of Australia Edmund Barton.[4] Paterson's family lived on the isolated Buckinbah Station near Yeoval NSW [5]until he was five when his father lost his wool clip in a flood and was forced to sell up.[6] When Paterson's uncle died, his family took over the uncle's farm in Illalong, near Yass, close to the main route between Melbourne and Sydney. Bullock teamsCobb and Co coaches and drovers were familiar sights to him. He also saw horsemen from the Murrumbidgee River area and Snowy Mountainscountry take part in picnic races and polo matches, which led to his fondness of horses and inspired his writings.[3]"


 The link above gives a summary of his life and works,  one of his most famous has to be the words of Waltzing Matilda...

However, one of my favourites is 
"The Man From Snowy River"

I just love the rhythm of it.


There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around
That the colt from old Regret had got away,
And had joined the wild bush horses - he was worth a thousand pound,
So all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far
Had mustered at the homestead overnight,
For the bushmen love hard riding where the wild bush horses are,
And the stockhorse snuffs the battle with delight.



Banjo rests at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium, Sydney.

                               May he Rest in Peace.



Sunday, February 9, 2014

NIGHT TIME VISITORS

NIGHT TIME VISITORS

I love visitors... these are just  few that love to wander over at night....



Three sets of eyes watching and waiting...




Hiding behind the top of the pole looking out...







I'll be brave and lead the way... ringtailed possum.....





Here comes the family.





Finally in the tree and the camera's still there...



They can have the front yard, I'll take the back...






Feeling a bit washed out tonight...



Don't forget the rest of the family





They're on their way...


Right, here we come...







Last of the family... let the party begin....