Spring in Tasmania

Spring has sprung in Tassie.

I'm here doing some work for a client, and thought it would be good to share some pictures I took with my mobile phone of some of the flowers that are blooming all over the place at the moment.

These flowers were taken near Rosevears, on the west side of the Tamar River, about 15km north of Launceston.

We don't really get spring in Queensland. It's about 3 weeks of winter and that's it.

It's lovely to experience what seasons are really like for the rest of the world.

"Abtei von Sant'Antimo im Starcia-Tal"

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

"Abbey of Saint Antimo in the Starcia Valley"

Photo: Norbert Kustos

A Postcrossing postcard from Nicole in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Thanks Nicole!

Lightning in the gum trees

We were lucky enough to have another electrical storm over Lawnton this evening.

Actually, even though our place is hidden among all the gum trees, I was still able to steal a few shots.

Harrison and I sat out on the deck calling god names to see if it would make better lightning.

Harrison was quite sagacious for a nine year old when he said that he didn't think it made any difference.

I think my attitude would be different, however, if I was in a small ship in an electrical storm at sea!

Regardless - it's beautiful to watch, and elusive to catch. And like most awesome things, the image never does the real thing justice.

So much to see. So little time....

"Reckles"

One my earliest childhood memories was sitting on the loungeroom floor of my Mum and Dad's old house in the UK playing with their 45rpm records.

I used to call them "Reckles".

We'd play them on an old portable white record player with a blue fabric front, and brass buckles, so you could do it up like a suitecase and carry it.

In an attempt to chase down old memories, I re-enacted the scene of the crime, playing in my own loungeroom with the same "reckles".

(I mamaned to convince mum to give them to me).

No stunning results yet.

But as the Beatles say in one of their "reckles" that I played today. "It's not like me to pretend, but I'll get you! I'll get you in the end!".

Here's a video I did of it - mainly to help jog my memory, but also to have a bit of fun!

"Bonjour du Gr. Duché Luxembourg"

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

A Postcrossing post card from Diane in Luxembourg.

Diane works for a South African adoption agency, helping to find parents for orphans.

Thanks Diane!

"Hagen Delecatessen"

"Hagen Delecatessen"
Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

A postcard from PNG circa 1975.

Quote from reverse of card:

A salesman at the Hagen market keeps an eye on the produce as cynical tribesmen
and women inspect his pork pieces. A wide range of fruit and vegetables, live
animals and birds as well as cooked food for immediate consumption are offered
for sale.

This postcard is a gift from my friend Darryl. I think it has been sitting in his house for ages.

Thanks Darryl for a fascinating card!

"Lilly of the Valley"

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

The national flower of Finland.

A Postcrossing postcard from Laura in Finland.

Thanks Laura!

Waitomo Caves, NZ

Waitomo Caves, NZ
Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

My daughter Lilly let me have this postcard.

It's from her friend, Sophie, who was holidaying in New Zealand at the time.

Thanks, Lilly!

And thanks, Sophie!

"The Coast Fairy Tale"

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

By the artist Karin Blume.

A Postcrossing Post Card from Renate in Germany.

Thanks Renate!

"Shanghai", China

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

A Postcrossing post card from Sanni.

Sanni is from Finland, but is studying at the moment in Shanghai.

Thanks Sanni!

"Amersfoort", Netherlands.

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

A Postcrossing post card from Gerrit, in Holland.

Thanks Gerrit!

"Bygone Hull"

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

Princes Dock and the River, Hull, East Yorkshire.

A Postcrossing postcard from Chloe in Hull.

Thanks Chloe!

"Take a walk on the wild side", by Jos Lambregs.

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

A Postcrossing Postcard from Miek in Belgium.

Hilarious!

Thanks Miek!

Watching the kids

Liz and I sit on the beach and watch, while the kids have fun in the shallows.

Starclouds Over Coolum

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

Here's my second attempt at capturing star clouds.

We had a great three day break at Coolum Beach. The nights were dark, so I took the tripod up to the roof terrace, and fired off a few shots.

I was amazed at how well the Canon 50mm lens could pick up.

Olympia, Washington State, USA

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Originally uploaded by MagicTyger

A postcrossing card from Linda.

Thanks Linda!