Wichita Falls!

Wichita Falls, boasts a population of just over 100 000 and that's about all folks! The infrastructure of highway ramps was over kill for the size of the town. To journey 1 mile to the local Walmart was a series of entry and exit ramps instead of a quick trip around the corner.

For leisure and exercise, you can visit Wichita's Lucy Park and name sake Falls!

                                                        Internet portrayal


                                                                     

                                                                 Reality!                                                  

       

                                                             

Texas Time!

Howdy y'all. 

Time for another adventure (any excuse for a duty free top up). The destination of choice this time is 'Texas'. We are flying into Dallas Fort Worth, renting a hire vehicle and hitting Route 66. Along the way, we will check out Wichita Falls (love that name) and Caprock Canyon before donning our cowboy hats and spurs in Amarillo. We are staying with Rhonda and Greg. The gorgeous Texans whom we met whilst hiking Havasu Falls. (Grand Canyon). Greg, a fair dinkum cowboy runs a ranch near Palo Duro National Park.(second largest canyon in USA).  Looking forward to trying all things Texan. Activities on the ranch agenda include horse riding, cattle rounding and gun shooting (should make for some great tales) . Fortunately, we will be able to celebrate July 4th in style. Heading to the Canyon with Rhonda & Greg for some authentic hospitality by way of  'Texas' the musical followed by a chuck wagon Texas Bbq. So excited!                                                                                                                                                                      

             

                               If y'all are up for a bit a laughter therapy, just watch this space!                     

Leap Second! Frequent Flyers Beware!

The Earth's rotation around its own axis is gradually slowing down. However, the atomic clock which determines the length of a day is ticking away at the same speed. By adding a leap second every now and then, the UTC is synchronized with astronomical time. The last leap second added in 2012 caused some websites, including Qantas to crash. As a result some flights were delayed or cancelled.


















The next leap second will be added on June 30 at 23:59:60 UTC. Hope y'all haven't got flights booked!

Grog Blog! FNQ beers!

The Great Northern Brewing company created for Queenslanders as a tribute to 'The Cairns Historic brewery'. This brew captures the Queensland adventure of sun, sand and fishing. Original lager or super crisp pours a clear golden colour with floral aroma. Mild flavour with a hint of citrus.


 Sadly, our local Blue Sky Brewery has officially closed its doors putting an end to production of  FNQ lager & gold, Cairns gold and Blue Sky pilsner.



This leaves the local brewing monopoly to Red Dragon Brewery. Formerly known as 'U- Brew- It', The new owner not only has his Red Dragon label on offer but will brew unique boutique beers for local businesses. 45 local venues now provide their own label beers thanks to Red Dragon. Green Ant Cantina have 9 different drops to try. Following suit is Mena Creek pub, Down under bar, Nick's restaurant and the list goes on.







So, Ol' Man Sam you can carry on
Drinking beer
Drinking beer without a care
Drinking beer
Without a caaaare!

Rio!

Copacabana,
caipirinha.

Patterned pavements
adorn the promenade.

Golden sands

meet crashing waves.

Bronzed, skimpy clad bodies,
paddle on the shoreline.

Soccer, volley ball.
toned abs!

Omnipresence of Christo Redentor,
guarding from the mountain top.

Blessed is life!

In defence of Frankston!

Hello! Our names are Brad & Lea and we grew up in Frankston. Franga, Franghanistan, Funkytown or whatever you wish to call; it was not always as infamous as it is now.

This picturesque, seaside town has a lot to offer aside from moccasins and trackie dacks. Frankston was named after pioneer Frank Liadet, who built the first brick house in 1855. (house still stands in the Ballam Park estate). Along with the beautiful coast line, Franga does offer some culture with the Arts Centre, McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery and Murdoch's Cruden farm.

 Looking back on our childhood, we can find lots of fabulous memories.

 - Festival of lights. Every Christmas the norfolk pine tree outside the civic centre is adorned with over 4000 globes. Treasured memories of Christmas eve visits to lie under the tree to admire the spectacle.

- Best legs in town; the local chicken take away shop. Herbs and spices beat Colonel Sanders hands down!

-As we got older Bay City Disco, Frankston Pier, Bayside cinemas and at the footy were the in places to be.

 - Coming of age, saw us checking out the famous 3 pubs on the corner or having Chinese banquets at Jade Gardens on Nepean Hwy. Souvenired a great selection of chop sticks from there.

Funky Town may offer a humble beginning but it has produced its share of successful people.

Russell Greene, Graham Kennedy, Debbie Flintoff- King, Elisabeth Murdoch, Mick Molloy, Mal Walden and the Daddo brothers: just to name a few!

                                

Far North Queensland Day! ay!

On June 6 in 1858, Queen Victoria signed an Order-in-Council to create the new Australasian colony of "Queen's land". This date is now the official birthday of Queensland. Up here in the Far North, we like to think of ourselves as a separate identity. Our interpretation  is to make it a day to celebrate being a Far North Queenslander!

A true Far Northerner will:

1. add "ay" to the end of every sentence.
2. not use indicators at roundabouts.
3. think that "non-alcoholic" is a swear word.
4. prefer to dress in their formal gear; tank top, shorts and thongs.
5. know the best way to dispose of a cane toad.
6. wear a hawaiian shirts on tropical Fridays.
7. not be afraid of deadly animals.
8. bet on a cane toad race.
9. not believe in daylight savings.