Somersby Waterfalls

Went to Somersby on the Central Coast (NSW) on Saturday to scout out anything worth while painting and found these lovely falls.

There are a series of falls, two of which you can walk/climb to.  Did myself proud by climbing down to the second one although the return trip up was almost my undoing ...lol.

I am not the most fit person, in fact my exercising consists of hanging clothes on the line; and I am, shall we say ... curvy ....lol.  I also have arthritis in my feet so the return trip was horrid with me thinking to myself that I must have been more than a little crazy to even have attempted it in the first place!

I was dragging myself up each step trying not to look ahead at the rough steps or the steep track; in my head I was thinking how embarrassing it would be if I had to get rescue people to come and help me up.  A friend was 'pulling' me over the steep or the really rough stairs - thank goodness - wouldn't have made it otherwise.

Have been told that these series of falls are spectacular just after the rain.

There are several more falls but there is no track to them and you have to scramble/climb/trek down the mossy rocks and through the rainforest to get to them.

I wasn't that crazy to think I could attempt something like that!


Found these two pictures showing the falls after rain.  The first is the same falls in my top two pictures and the second picture is the same falls in the lower picture falls I took, you can see the big rock and overhanging trees.

Had BBQ lunch with special guests ....  a male brush turkey and his harem of 5 girls.  Was just the girls for quite a while but he must had realised the girls were being fed.
 
He turned up and  made their lives miserably - whenever any food was presented he would chase the girls away so he could have it all!

He actually took most of my bread roll from my hand - well took isn't the appropriate word more like tore/snatched/grabbed .... rotfl. Still I thought he was very handsome so didn't really mind.





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Western Caribbean Low Not Tropical But a Rainmaker in Central America

A low pressure area in the western Caribbean Sea still has a slight chance of developing into a tropical depression as it closes in for a landfall, but that's not stopping it from dropping heavy rainfall in Central America today.

The low is forecast to make landfall on the Belize coast today, November 19, and continues to move westward and further inland. Although the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. still gives the system a ten percent chance of developing into a tropical depression, it continues to drop moderate to heavy rainfall over Belize and Guatemala today.

At 1 a.m. EST today, the center of the low was located near Roatan Island, Honduras near 16.9 North and 85.8 West.

By 7 a.m. EST, the weak low pressure area had disorganized showers and thunderstorms. It was centered over the Gulf of Honduras and was moving westward between 5 and 10 mph. It is expected to move inland later today over Belize and Guatemala.

Tropical Storm Jal

Today's AIRS imagery hints that circulation is still occurring in Jal's remnants. The circulation was particularly apparent in the AIRS visible image. The AIRS infrared satellite image showed that the strongest convection and thunderstorms are now occurring to the west of the center of circulation and over the open waters of the Arabian Sea.

At 900 GMT (4 a.m. EST) on Nov. 9, the remnants of Tropical Cyclone Jal was over the waters of the eastern Arabian Sea. The Arabian Sea is located in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean and covers a total area of about 1,491,000 square miles.

Relative to land and the nearest city in India, Jal's remnant low was about 70 miles east-southeast of Mumbai near 17.4 North and 71.9 East. Mumbai is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and is located on India's west coast. It is the most populous city in India with 14 million residents.

The forecasters at the Joint Typhoon Warning Center are monitoring Jal's remnants for possible regeneration later today.

Another Noisy Night

Well the other night it was thunder shaking the house - tonight it's Blackhawk Helicopters!!!

Up to 4 Army Blackhawks have been carrying out training exercises all afternoon and it is set to continue until 11pm.

It is around 8.30, dark, cloudy and only a quarter moon partly hidden by the clouds. My house is right alongside the railway line and they seem to be now using the line as a landmark to fly in.  Through the day they were higher up and it wasn't near me but tonight ...

They are in complete blackout - no lights and they zoom along the line seemingly only metres above my house.  I am sure I could stretch out my hand and touch them.  I am amazed how low they are and how close to the treetops they are flying.

It is real eerie - you hear the throb, throb, throb, of the rotor blades, then the house starts to shake but you can't see them.  You know they are close then suddenly they are right on top of the house deafening you with the noise.

They are flying in pairs.

One has been flying along the line and the other a 100m behind and probably the same distance beside it - I am standing on my back steps and look up to see the belly of one as it zooms past.

Actually it is rather fun although if they are still rattling my windows at 11pm I probably won't be feeling as friendly.

The army has used this area a few times for its exercises so we are starting to get use to it.  Just prior to the Olympics it was mayhem here.  They were practising day and night and had men hanging out of the helicopters.  They were 6 or so and they would zoom in and sometimes hover above the house.

Shame my grandson isn't here to see them - I am sure he would be excited, actually I think both my sons would be just as excited as him.

This quote is from the local newspaper 

Operations Officer of the 6th Aviation Regiment, Major Cameron Satrapa, said the training is designed to have as little impact on Blacktown residents as possible but some noise would be noticeable.

“The Army would like to thanks the people of Blacktown for their patience and co-operation while this necessary and essential training is undertaken,” Major Satrapa said.

Talk about an understatement on the noise....lol.

Ah, the joys and excitements of living in Blacktown....rotfl.

Some trivia for you -

• In a moving helicopter the speed of the blades relative to the air depends on the speed of the helicopter as well as on their rotational velocity. The airspeed of the advancing rotor blade is much higher than that of the helicopter itself. It is possible for this blade to exceed the speed of sound.

• Helicopters also vibrate; an unadjusted helicopter can easily vibrate so much that it will shake itself apart. To reduce vibration, all helicopters have rotor adjustments for height and weight. Blade height is adjusted by changing the pitch of the blade. Weight is adjusted by adding or removing weights on the rotor head and/or at the blade end caps.

• The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft

• S-70A-9 Black Hawk: Export version for Australia, assembled under licence by Hawker de Havilland. First eight delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force, subsequently transferred to the Australian Army; remainder delivered straight to the Army after rotary-wing assets divested by the Air Force in 1989

• It can carry 11 troops with equipment, lift 2,600 lb (1,170 kg) of cargo internally or 9,000 lb (4,050 kg) of cargo (for UH-60L/M) externally by sling.

• Australian Army Aviation has 35 S-70A-9 Black Hawks in service as of January 2010.^[67]
  • 5th Aviation Regiment (Australia)
    • B Squadron
  • 6th Aviation Regiment (Australia)
    • 171st Aviation Squadron (Australia)

• Royal Australian Air Force received 39 UH-60L (S-70A-9) Black Hawks, transferred to Australian Army Aviation in 1989.^[82]
  • No. 9 Squadron RAAF
  • Aircraft Research and Development Unit

Here endth today's lesson ......

Oops got carried away - there is a lot more I can give you but I think that's enough Trivia for the day .... lol

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Odds and Ends

Survived the night ... rotfl... hopefully we don't have many like that!

Didn't go out today - it has been overcast all day but no rain, probably none left!  Although in truth it has rained but just not around here.

I ordered a book a week and a half ago from the Bookdepository in the Uk and it arrived today... pretty quick and even better when you consider that is was $32 cheaper than here AND I didn't have to pay for postage.

It is quite an interesting text book and considering it was originally written in 1917 and still  being used regularly by artists, a valuable resource.  My eldest sister also sent me a couple of art books - one of hers and one of my Dad's.

I have a small collection of Art books, mainly watercolour, a couple encyclopaedias and some Norman Lindsays. I also have a copy of Anatomy for the Artist by J Barcsay written in 1953 which I love.  It has to be one of the best resources for an artist on the Human Figure.

Sat down an worked out what gouache tubes I need, pastel pad and what books I am interested in - getting myself organised for the SALE....lol.  Spent about $200 so far..... and I still have 2 weeks before it starts!!  I want to try using pastels - one of the members of a group I belong to keeps telling me I should give it a try; her work is exquisite and she only uses pastels.  Another friend is also urging me to try, he uses pastels and other medium.

Last time I went to my Arty shop I picked up a small box of 12 pastels to have a play with then discovered when I got home that my paper is not very friendly.  I use a cold press watercolour 300gsm and from what I have been told a smooth surface is better and I don't need to have it so heavy because it is a dry technique.  So that is why the pastel pad is on my list.

I hope you are all taking notes from this - there will be a short quiz sometime in the future ... rotfl!!

While on the book front - the new Kathy Reichs book is called Spider Bones so next time I am out I will look for it.  I also want to buy Billy Thorpe's Tangiers that was release the end of October - I was so glad that it was finished by his friends - the music is wonderful.

Got a full day with Abi the end of the week .... a little nanny and Abi time ..... probably be a late afternoon/evening but I don't think I will be complaining.   She is at that great age now, walking around and into mischief, becoming independent.

My boyfriend hurt his leg today - poor darling.

He was racing outside, trying to beat Bell but something went wrong.  He came limping in whimpering for me to cuddle him and rub it better.  I think that's fair - he is always there for me so I should return the favour. Although he was a bit of a wooz during the storm, spent most of the time under my desk.

He has a problem with one of his back legs and has arthritis in it also, have him on glocosamine to see if that will help. 

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Elements Against Me ... lol

Just gathered all my stuff together - had decided to go and scout for some painting locations - cameras, sketch books plus checked all my art gear I keep in the car to make sure I had everything I could possibly need.

Changed into decent clothes' (remember how your mother always told you to wear knickers without holes when you went out in case you had an accident), put the dogs out the back and locked up.

All this time I hadn't bothered to look outside apart from a glance out the back-door where the sun was shining brightly.

Opened the front door to that eerie darkness and stillness that precedes a storm, stopped in my tracks and looked skyward in time to hear a loud clap of thunder!

Oops - might not be a good idea to go now.

Came inside and had a quick check at the BOM radar and there bearing down swiftly was a large storm cell the centre of which was black. That meant heavy rain, possible hail and I am not that stupid as to go out in that when there was no real need and the storm is on a direct path to me with no obvious signs that it would miss Blacktown.....lol.

So came back inside, let the dogs back in (they thought I was nuts, change back into my paint-spotted gear, turned on the music, made a coffee and listened to the thunder and the rain starting to fall!  The outside edge had just reached me.

Maybe I shall venture out tomorrow or Wed.

DIL rang me to say it had hit her house and there was 'buckets of ice' everywhere - she lives about 20min west of me so I am really glad I didn't go out.

Checked my email to find that my new favourite art shop is having a big sale, minimum of 15% off storewide; starts on the 22nd (my wedding anniversary) and goes to the (27th Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary and Mum's birthday ... so obviously an omen for me to go ...lol ).  I have sold a few paintings recently so I have some extra cash to splurge with.

Downloaded the sale catalogue ... mmm that was not a good idea.... there is just too much to choose from.  But there are a few things I need so it will be a perfect opportunity to buy them and maybe have a little browse, just in case mind you......rotfl.

Did note that they are selling books discounted too and, as there are 4 or 5 I have have my eye on, I will see if they are cheaper than the Bookdepository my favourite book seller for  Arty books (in UK) who post worldwide with free postage and delivery; really good considering their books are very cheap already.

Only have four more Karin Slaughter books to read (I had 10) so might have to take a trip to the local library to search out some new authors.  Friend told me about Lisa Jackson and a few others he said were good. I have already tried most so I may give her a try. Plus he said there is a new Kathy Reich's out ... woohoo.

STORM(s) UPDATE
Well that storm this afternoon was just a prelude - there have been several more and they are actually getting worse as they progress.  The fourth one has just finished and the fifth is very close.  The imagine shows the fifth one about to hit and the fourth one just past Parramatta.  There are more behind it.

It is just after 8.30pm here and the one that has just ripped through - strong wind, really heavy rain, hail and lots of lightening -  had one bolt hit the railway at the back of my house (about 20m) when I was outside trying to tie down a loose shade-sail and I could feel the tingle through my feet, my hair all standing on end....lol... hope they don't get any closer than that.

The Bureau has updated their severe thunderstorm warning ....lol.  Checked the BOM site and there is a line of storms stretching past Coonamble which is about 400kms away - looks like it is going to be a wet, noisy night.

Just hope I don't get one through like the one that did so much damage to my house a few years back.  Times like these it would be nice to have someone in the house with me instead of two scaredy-cat dogs ....  rotfl.  Normally I love thunderstorms, love watching them but this line of storms is really fierce and some of this lightening is just a bit too close for comfort.  My house is even shaking from some of the thunder claps, they seem right above me.

The picture is from my side yard of storm #5 - boy is this a horrid night!

My battery on the laptop is just about dead and there is no way I am plugging it in so - think I will go to bed and cuddle up with my favourite man - Fozzie... well, my only one....lol...Bella is hiding somewhere in the house so she won't be much comfort.

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Christmas Cards and Other Things

Really excited - I put some of my paintings onto a new website in the United States to see if I could sell any more. I painted a couple of pictures specifically to use a cards for Christmas and I sold some to several people!!

They have a 15% discount on my stuff at the moment if you use this code:    sooziii_is_on_sale_6234

Okay, I am not going to make a fortune but it is really exciting to think that some of my paintings will be sent all over the world as Christmas cards. Have no idea who purchased them all but if by chance they read this blog - a very big thank you!!!

I am in the middle of painting a third one which will round out my Christmas series but I posted a few others that would make nice cards for any occasion and some of those sold too. Any suggestions for subject matter for cards would be appreciated ..... lol.

It would be really wonderful if some people bought some prints but I am not greedy; it is just exciting ....lol.... but I have been lucky lately as I have sold a number of original paintings.

After my trip to the Buddhist retreat I was able to cross of another one of my bucket list which was exciting too.

Found a new author - Karin Slaughter and have now got all her books. I love murder mysteries/serial killers; I have finished the first 2 books and just starting the third. Have 7 more after that. She is a very good writer but her books are extremely graphic and not for the faint-hearted. They also deal with rather controversial subjects like rape, paedophilia and female circumcision.

I love to read, have thousands of ebook and yet I am always on the scrounge for new authors. I do re-read my favourites on a regular basis ..... lol Lord of the Rings 102 times, Harry Potter series 35 times, Shanara series 67 times, Anne McCaffrey's dragon series 16 times, Dracula 28 times, Terry Pratchett, Terry Goodkind, Matthew Reilly, etc, etc .... oh dear.....rotfl.

Easy to see I rarely turn on the television. As a matter of fact if I am alone it would probably only go on about once a month if it was lucky! Beats me why I bother with one to be honest.

Actually there is something seriously wrong with my set - it is a 132cm LCD that I bought for my husband when he was alive - it had a big blue spot/blob in the middle of the screen that is getting bigger and brighter. Did a google and discovered it is the Optical engine and costs $1800-2000 to replace. I have a warranty on it still but they are rather hedgy as to whether it will be covered.

Waiting for a tech to come out and confirm then see what will happen. To be honest if it is dead I may not bother buying a new one if it isn't covered by the warranty.

My printer also died recently and, unlike the TV, I needed to buy another. Decided to go with the cheapest one I could find because all I really use it for is reference pictures when I am painting.

Found a HP printer at Officeworks for $45!! When I got it home I discovered it was a scanner and copier as well!! Amazing to think that you can buy a coloured printer/copier/scanner for less than $50.



PS - Technician has been and confirmed that the Optical Engine was gone on the television.  Told me they will now put in a quote to the insurance company and they (insurance co) will then make a decision sometime next week.   

So I will either have a TV set or not - to be honest I don't really care which way it goes except for the fact that the TV was over $3000 and I would have thought it would last a lot longer.

Lol - this is what I do instead of watching television......




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