This weekend we are being told in Victoria to look south to see the cosmic phenomena known as Aurora Australis.  This is exactly what Mel has done on the farm in central Vic.

We even have our reporter in the air flying back from Joburg to Australia last night.  Taken from the driver seat in the A380.

So why are we getting such a great light show at the moment. The following YouTube gives a simple explanation. Meteorologists have advised that good old Ricketts Point has the clearest view in Melbourne to view this phenonoma. 
​Enjoy

Janet and I had a wonderful time away in Europe in October last year.  The highlight of our trip was a week on a fully rigged clipper sailing ship - the Star Clipper.  It was a great experience - the ship is only 115 metres in length and takes about 160 guests.  Our cruise started in Civitavecchia (port of Rome) and then sailed south with stops down at the Lipari Islands just of the coast of Sicily, Medina / Taormina in Sicily, and then up the Amalfi coast with stops at Amalfi, Sorrento / Capri and Ponza Island before returning to Civitavecchia.  As shown in the attached photos, the fully rigged Star Clipper is spectacular and it’s quite an event when the sails are raised - all to the musical accompaniment of Vangenis’ ‘Conquest of Paradise’ - very stirring!  Our cabin accommodation was very good, meals were excellent and we met many interesting people from all over the world.
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​After our Star Clipper cruise, we went to Portugal and spent a few days in each of Porto, Coimbra and Lisbon.  We hadn’t been to Portugal before and we found each city had lots to see and do.  Porto is particularly lovely and included a tour along the Duoro Valley.  Coimbra is the university town of Portugal - the university is great and the ancient library there is really special - looks like something right out of Harry Potter!  Lisbon is a large sprawling city with many sights to explore and lots of walking in between.

As we swelter in Melbourne while also suffering wind, rain, hail and catastrophic fire conditions all in one day, some of our friends are viewing one of the last pristine places on earth.   Here are a few photos that have been coming from Amanda & Doug. 

For a video wrap please go to the end of this post for a separate video from Allan Foster who has also been visiting the Antarctic with Av at a very similar time.

It doesn't seem far when you look at from a different perspective, but I am sure the travellers will confirm that it's like another world.

Amanda & Doug will have many memories of Cocacabana Beach, Rio then Iguaza, Buenos Airies and Santiago before dropping 40-50 degrees Celsius on the way to the Antarctic via Shetland Islands.

Meanwhile Al & Av Foster were taking a slightly different path into Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Falkland Islands,  South Georgia and then on to Antarctica.  Don't miss the attempt by Al below to audition for the next Attenborough documentary.

As you all know, we have changed address again.  #9 and possibly last.

The move late in the year gave Dave a chance to exhibit the Xmas lights.  They were good enough to win the Lifestyle Xmas Lights competition so this helped to become well known in the community.
​Check out the winning submission .​

A few months now and we are loving it.

This is the first article for the 2024 season.  Yes, you are correct ... this event did occur in 2023  but it followed the 2023 Grand Final.

After a very busy time travelling to WA in September, preparing and selling our Kialla home, purchasing and moving into our new lifestyle community and completing September with 15 of our friends being entertained around home over the Grand Final weekend, it seemed a fitting excusion to take 5 days to relax in Port Douglas.  Even more relevant was that this was a celebration of our  wedding anniversary.