Eriochilus cucullatus - by way of comparison

This is the amusing little Orchid known as Parson's Bands or "Bunnies Ears". Officially known as Eriochilus cucullatus. It is one of the most common of the late summer Orchids in this region (in truth it might be found from February onwards, into April).

Eriochilus cucullatus

It is relatively common in the Southern Highlands, with a distinct preference for shallow sandy soil, or moss beds over rock shelves. It likes to grow in fully exposed places. Around Robertson it grows in the drier parts of Tourist Road. It also is very common on the moss beds covering the rock faces on the top of Mt Gibraltar ("The Gib").

Eriochilus cucullatus flower stem

By contrast with yesterday's plant Eriochilus petricola, this plant leaf is not well developed at flowering time, and it is green on top and underneath (not red underneath).

Add caption

I have written about this species, and its quaint clerical name, previously. In fact when I did, I commented that one day I hoped to see the related species Eriochilus petricola. That wish was fulfilled in yesterday's Blog posting. It has taken me two years to find that species.

Eriochilus petricola at Granite Falls

This was a new experience for me - visiting Granite Falls. My friend Kirsten had told me about this place, but I could not imagine what it looked like, or why it is here.

It is within the Morton National Park, and that Park is centred on the Shoalhaven Valley, and is dominated by a huge Sandstone plateau. So, what is Granite Falls doing there?

Seemingly it is a geological "intrusion" 

into the surrounding Sandstone plateau.

This is a composite image, and because of the steep angle

of the rocks, my images only match if put together like this.

Igmnore the black surrounds.

Also the grey mass in the lower left foreground

is part of the lookout structure. Ignore that too.

Just follow the water line from the top to the pool, 

way down at the base.

Granite Falls (composite image)

Well, it is there. I have seen it with my own eyes. And it is very strange indeed. Not as steep sided as the usual "Falls" in Morton National Park. But impressive none-the-less.

Also strange was this amazing blue fungus. Small, with a high crowned cap, and a blue stem underneath (visible in the second image). It seems likely that it is a type of Entoloma. My foot was playing up, and I did not take the images I ought have taken - gill shots, etc. I hope to go back next week.

 Note the blue stem underneath.

The day I went there, with Alan Stephenson, it was drizzly and as I discovered, the rock shelf above the Falls is dangerously slippery.

However, it was worth the effort in carefully negotiating this seemingly innoculous rock shelf. The smooth surface of the granite rock was very slippery and potentially dangerous.

We found these plants:

Eriochilus petricola

As the name suggests, this plant loves rock shelves.

It has short stubby hairs on the margins of the lateral sepals

(the large creamy white organs)

The lateral petals ("Bunny Ears") are clearly hairy.

Eriochilus petricola

Its diagnostic feature is the leaf present at flowering time

(but its cousin E cucullata often has

a leaf forming when it flowers).

More importantly, the leaf of this species is red underneath,

not green.

(click to enlarge image)

That Eriochilus is a new species for me.

The more common species in my area is the Parsons Bands Orchid

or "Bunnies Ears".

Eriochilus cucullatus

 Drosera spatulata

This ia  wonderful colony of these tiny Sundews.

Drosera spatulata in situ on shallow moss bed over rock

 Close up of Drosera spatulata

Unfortunately they were only in bud, not in flower.

If I do go back I shall update this post 

with more, and hopefully better, photos.

Gang-gang Cockatoo hit by car.

Near Moss Vale the other day I saw a mid-sized grey lump beside the road. Naturally I stopped (you know me well enough, dear Reader).


Image alert:
If you are distressed by seeing images of dead birds (no matter how interesting I may find these images) please look no further. Kindly come back tomorrow
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The good news is that I also have images of live Gang Gangs further down the page (and a link to the sweetest "lovey-dovey" image of a pair of Gang-gangs you could ever hope to see). You can skip right to the end, if you wish (check the link in the very last paragraph).
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This road-killed bird is a female Gang-gang Cockatoo. (Callocephalon fimbriatum)

 Note the light-textured crest feathers.

Female Gang-gang Cockatoo (a road-killed bird)

 Viewed from beneath you can see 

the diagnostic coloured marks on the chest and abdomen.

Birds in Backyards says: 

"The adult female has a dark grey head and crest, 

with the feathers of the underparts edged pink and yellow."

Note also the light-textured crest feathers

Female Gang-gang Cockatoo (a road-killed bird)

One of the things which always fascinates me

is the different structures of birds' feet.

With a bird in the hand, even a dead one,

I like to study how the toes are structured.

Toes of a Gang-gang Cockatoo.

This image shows the two rear toes - (one on each side)

and the two front toes curled neatly between them.

This structure is known as "zygodactyly"

It is found in all Parrots and Cockatoos

and in other birds, including Cuckoos.

Here is a link to the very different foot structure of a Sacred Kingfisher

The King-parrot has the same structure as the Gang-gang, of course.

The Painted Button-quail has a totally different structure,

having "lost" the hind toe.

 I promised you photos of live Gang-gang Cockatoos.

Here is a female, chewing on Hawthorn Berries.
Note she is using the left foot to hold the food.

Female Gang-gang Cockatoo eating Hawthorn Berries

This male is also holding his food in the left foot
The tendency to use the left foot is noted
in the Birds in Backyards information on this species.
(See the box: "Did you know" below the map on that site)

Male Gang-gang Cockatoo also eating Hawthorn berries.

This image shows why Gang-gang Cockatoos 

are subject to road accidents

(Click to enlarge)

A flock of Gang-gangs in a Hawthorn tree

These birds, when they find a good food source, 

tend to sit there.

Often they feed low down.

But being relatively large birds, as they start to fly

they tend to drop down in order to gain speed, 

as they fly off (from their perch).

Being perched as low, as they are here, 

that means they tend to fly off at car height.

Bang!

And now something to cheer you all up, here is a lovely image of a pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos grooming eachother. The image was taken by Julian Robinson and is on the Canberra Ornithologists Group photo gallery. With such loving attention between the male and the female, it is no wonder these birds are reputed to mate for life!

Back to Business - more Orchids on Tourist Road

After the bloodbath of the 2011 State Election, I personally take no satisfaction in the result. As Kristina Keneally said the voters did not leave the Labor Party, the Labor Party left them. Too true. In fact I would say I felt betrayed by the Labor Party.

Shame about the poor showing of the Greens though. Ben van der Wijngaart's vote actually dropped slightly to 8.9%, or 2885 votes, down from 2940 in the previous election. Sign of the times? Perhaps.

At least Matt Brown's vote drop was much more significant. He deserved it, in my opinion - for failing to support the local environment against threats to the local Aquifers, from the SCA's proposals and more recently, for failing to protect us against the threat of mining and Coal Seam Gas exploitation.  He is no longer our Local Member. 

Gareth Ward will be the new Member for Kiama. But he has shown no concern so far, for the environment. I cite his support for the Bomaderry Creek issue of the Jo Gash's favourite road by-pass right through this important Bushland Reserve.)
Enough of Politics - (for now).

It is comforting to get back to blogging about some of the odd little Orchids which are currently flowering along Tourist Road in Kangaloon.

Acianthus exsertus

Stem of Acianthus exserus flowers

 Here is a close-up image

Acianthus exsertus - close-up

 Here is another admirer of this flower, 
or rather an admirer of the insects

which are attracted to the flower.

It is one of the tiny "Flower Spiders" 
which spread webs on the flowers.

(Click to enlarge the first image above 
and you will notice the silken lines)

Flower Spiders generally pounce on their prey,

but they use webs as tracks
in order to take them out to the flowers quickly, I suspect.

Flower Spiders are frequently seen by Orchid enthusiasts.

Here is one of the little tan coloured "Tiny Greenhoods". 

This group of flowers is in the process (still) of being officially named. 

The main "type" is called 
Speculantha parviflora (formerly Pterostylis parviflora)

Speculantha sp. aff parviflora (small, tan form)

Speculantha parviflora - the true species.

Casting a Valid Vote in NSW, 2011

It is not my intention to tell anyone how to vote. I am reluctant to stick my toe into the sordid mess of politics, but voting is indeed part of the legitimate sphere of interest of "The Nature of Robertson". It is indeed an obligation (but not always a pleasure), for local residents.


Regular readers know I am an active environmentalist and that I have strong opinions on the lack of environmental protection offered by the current Government and by the Labor Party current local Member Matt Brown. You all know I am an active campaigner to protect the precious rivers and groundwater resources of the Southern Highlands. This first arose as an issue for me with the threat to the Kangaloon Aquifer as originally posed by the Sydney Catchment Authority, and more recently by the Government-approved Coal Mining Exploration by Cockatoo Coal, under Exeter and Sutton Forest.

Need I say more?

The current Member for Kiama, Matt Brown, as I like to imagine him.

My purpose in today's Blog post is to simply urge readers (in NSW) to make sure that whatever vote they wish to cast tomorrow is cast validly, so that it counts. There has been considerable reform to the voting system in NSW in recent years, including "Smart Roll" changes to the registration system. One can even register on the day, apparently, provided you have a valid Driver's Licence showing your current address (in NSW).


The NSW Electoral Commission has a helpful "idiots guide" to filling out the voting card.


I learned something, and that is that for the Upper House, if one wishes to vote "below the line" (so as to determine your own preference distribution) you need only fill in 15 boxes, not each and every box for each candidate. That's what I shall do, in the Upper House.


My reason for wanting to check that is that I was concerned that the Greens had made a decision to not "distribute preferences" for voters who opt to fill out a singe vote 1 "above the line" for their party.


Preferences are important.


If you are a person inclined to vote for other than one of the two major Parties, then your vote may well "expire" unless you direct your own preferences down the line. What's the point of having the right to vote if your vote is not effective?


I certainly do not wish to see my vote vanish in thin air. I want it to count.


That's why I shall be voting by putting in all the preferences available - in the Lower House ballot paper, and at least 15 preferences in the Upper House ballot paper - below the line. That way it is MY VOTE, not the vote determined by some back-room party hacks who think they know best what I want my vote to do. *** DJW EDIT Please see the comments below. My observation is challenged as not quite accurate.


Anthony Green advises that the voting above the line allows for some degree of preference indication, but surely this applies only after all the first party candidate votes have been exhausted?
He says:

• "In the Legislative Council, a single '1' will only count for the selected party and there are no between-party preferences.
• "If a voter wants to in the NSW Legislative Council, they may number the boxes above the line in order of preferred party, and these will be implied as being preferences for individual candidates." Source

For those interested to find out more about tomorrow's NSW election, I recommend spending a few minutes over on Anthony Green's Electoral Blog, on the ABC site.

Swifts and Penguins (What???)

The Swifts (White-throated Needletails) visited Robertson late in the afternoon, today. They were here a week ago too.
The Penguin did not visit Robertson. 


My brother Brendan caught it accidentally while fishing at Green Cape. Can one get two birds more different?
Yes, but I don't have any current Emu photos.

How often can I publish a fit and healthy Little Penguin? Surely I can be excused for posting a Penguin image?

***** ****** ******

But firstly here is my best Swift image from today; and several of the weather conditions and why the Swifts were circling my house. 

They circled around, as they drifted slowly northwards, between 6:30 and 6:45 pm, in the late afternoon light. I estimate that I saw 100 birds in those 15 minutes.

White-throated Needletail circling quite low (Click to enlarge)

The balmy afternoon light was quite a shock (after ten days of drizzle, including the last three days of heavy rain). This image shows the weather (and the bright light) in which the Swifts were flying around.

And this image shows why they were here.

A huge swarm of flying insects is clearly visible.

Click to enlarge to see them, (look in the yellow ring).

Flying insects visible in this image (click to enlarge).

And now for the Little Penguin.
My brother Brendan went fishing at Green Cape last week. He sent me this image today.

Little Penguin - and a healthy looking one at that.

They were fishing from the rocks into deep water. Green Cape is the boundary of Bass Strait, so there is serious water out there. But he was not expecting to land a Penguin on a line.


The bird got tangled around the legs on the nylon trace line they were using. It was not "hooked" at any stage. He quickly untangled the bird and released it again ASAP. No damage done to either party, and a real surprise (to all).


Contrast the magnificently streamlined wings of the Needletail, and the wing size compared to the body, with the chunky body of the Penguin and its short but powerful flippers. Penguins use their flippers to "fly though the water".

Private land mining 'right' gone too far

The Illawarra Mercury has come out against the right of Coal Seam Gas Mining Companies to gain access to private properties in order to mine underneath private lands.

As they say: 
"It must be heartbreaking to be a landowner and suddenly discover someone has been granted a mining licence to mine your property without your consent.

"It’s even more disturbing when highly dangerous chemicals are sometimes used in the mining process, contaminating the water supply used for livestock and crops.
That’s exactly what can and is happening from Queensland to the Hunter Valley, the South Coast, Southern Highlands and all the way to Western Australia.

"And it is all happening in the name of exploration for the coal seam gas industry.
In the Illawarra, mining companies are seeking approval to extract gas from Darkes Forest, the escarpment behind Austinmer and from Shellharbour to Nowra and west to Berrima.

"The Mercury shares the concerns of residents, environmentalists and stakeholders worried by the rapid expansion of the industry and the controversial water-powered hydraulic fracturing or ‘‘fracking’’ method often used to retrieve gas.

"It’s time to take a step back. Governments and mining companies must be more transparent and forthcoming in providing vital information to communities and those affected by any future drilling." 

• End of quoted story.

For the traditionally "pro-mining" paper like the Illawarra Mercury, this is an extraordinary shift of ground. They deserve to be encouraged, and even congratulated. You may go to this site and leave a comment (probably only for a short time).


To be sure there are other issues involved, such as destroying the drinking-water Catchments we all rely upon, but at least this is a start of a raised awareness of the damage done by CSG mining. 

The problem of Longwall mining cracking rivers might seem  a "bridge too far" for the Mercury, but at least this is a step in the right direction.

Can't Eat Coal, Can't Drink Gas - reporting the event

Some people have been busy uploading their images from today's rally in Sydney against Coal Seam Gas. Unfortunately, my images are still inside my phone, as I do not have the Mini-USB (or is it a Micro-USB?) device I need in order to download a bunch of images. Hopefully I can get one tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, I will rely on links to other people's images.


This video is good - it shows the large number of people well, and with sound it presents the atmosphere better than still images.


These images cover the main part of the rally, although I am heartbroken I am not visible in any of images. ;-)) I guess that just shows how many people were present, that I could hide amongst them, all. By the way, the Banners and Posters are great, as often they show where the people are from. That's important.


It was a good natured rally, and its good for people from all across NSW and some Queenslanders (facing the front line of the same battle) to meet and share experiences.


Tim Duddy spoke well, on behalf of the Caroona Farmers. We wish him well next weekend as a candidate for the Upper Hunter.
Cate Faehrmann was particularly forthright in her comments - good on you Cate.
Bev Smiles gave a good rallying speech too.

It was good to see Rob Oakeshott there - the Federal member for Lyne, whose electorate includes the Gloucester area, which is part of the Manning River Catchment. Amanda was pleased to see him there, as I know she has been knocking on his door in recent months. Good on you, Amanda.


The Mudgee people and their neighbours at Bylong (and the famous "Costa" who told me he grew up in Bylong) were there today. Costa certainly looks the part of a genuine "Bushie" in the "Driza-bone". The Hunter Environment mob were very well represented. Good to see Colin and Julia there, and Lance Batey and Jan Davis and heaps more I did not know. The Gloucester/Stroud people were there, as well. Gloucester Shire Councillor Julie Lyford spoke very well. Rod and Robin (the GRIP team) and Amanda Albury were there as well.


Notable absentees? The Labor Party and the Liberal Party and the Nationals. Tells you something, I think.


But, for those who might be concerned about an apparent Green political bias in the crowd - yes, probably to some extent (but you have to remember who has offered the most support for the Rivers SOS and anti-coal mining movement over the last 5 years. But, for the record, it was it was definitely NOT JUST A GREENS event.


Rivers SOS campaigners were scattered throughout the crowd, (Caroline Graham and Betty and myself travelled up together on the train). We met Dave Burgess and Sharyn Cullis on the way to the event. Graham Brown spoke well, too, which is good as he has great "cred", as a former Coal Miner. He is convinced by Newcastle Uni research that alternative energy sources are available, and that the jobs created in "alternatives" would outweigh jobs lost in mining - almost straight away. Way to go, Graham!

Can't Eat Coal, Can't Drink Gas

Dear fellow residents of the NSW Southern Highlands (and Matt Brown MLA).

There will be a large rally in Sydney on Sunday. It will be a really interesting combination of Greens (yes some "Capital G" Greens) and Farmers, and environmentalists and people who just have a grievance with how the State has fared over the last 16 years (mostly dyed-in-the-wool Liberals and National Party supporters).

So there will be something for (nearly) everyone in this rally - from Bankers and Stock-brokers to bushies, the unemployed and the (supposedly) " retired" like me. It will be a group with a common theme - people who love and respect the bush, Nature and the environment.

This rally has been developed by the Lock the Gate Alliance (anti-coal seam gas people), and the peak Environment groups - Nature Conservation Council and many other environment groups.

The organisers of the "Shoo Cockatoo" campaign are going; and so will I.
Caroline Graham from Rivers SOS and I will travel up to there together.
Many hundreds of campaigners from all across the State will be heading to Sydney.

This is not an anti-labor rally, per se.
I prefer to think of it as the first step towards retribution against NSW Labor for the damage they have inflicted over the last 16 years of imbalanced, pro-development, pro-mining favouritism (especially the evil Part 3A legislation). Others will have their personal reasons for attending and waving their placards.

I will be there to try to stand up for the Rivers, and "Upland Swamps" of the Southern Catchment, and the local farmers whose aquifers are still threatened by the risk of mining by Gujarat NRE (not an immediate threat, but a threat none-the-less). Oh yes, I will be there to stick up for the silent threatened species, especially the Orchids, of course, such as my beloved Kangaloon Sun Orchids from Butler's Swamp, Kangaloon (image attached).

Kangaloon Sun Orchid - endangered by the threatened actions of the SCA

My personal motivation is the failure of the Sydney Catchment Authority (and the NSW Water Minister, Phil Costa) to understand the real threat their proposals posed to the Kangaloon Aquifer, and to the local farming community.

Everyone is welcome to join in.
If you cannot do that, at least please take notice of this rally (on the "telly" on Sunday night, and the papers and radio on Monday morning).

And please remember the efforts of the people who are going to Sydney this Sunday, when it comes to casting your vote the following Sunday.

Personally, I am sending this note out not to tell anyone who to vote for - just who I WILL NOT TO VOTE FOR.
The rest is up to you all.
That's democracy in action.

I have copied this note to my local Member Matt Brown MLA,

• Matt you had the chance to avoid this - four years ago when a number of us came to lobby you privately, about the Kangaloon Aquifer. But you chose to ignore us.
• You thought I was a dead set "Greenie". How wrong you were. I was and still am, a genuine Environmentalist. There is a difference.
• I have voted Labor all my life - but I can no longer do so in good conscience - thanks to YOU, Matt, and the NSW Labor Government.

Denis Wilson
Enrolled voter in the Kiama electorate.
Robertson NSW 2577

Attachment from Nature Conservation Council

Dear Friends,

After community action from farmers, conservationists and voters across NSW, both Labor and Coalition are under pressure to deliver this election to protect communities, agricultural land and water from the impacts of coal mining and coal seam gas.

After years of delay, Premier Keneally announced a plan this week to (supposedly) introduce stricter controls on the mining and gas industry, including identification of exclusion zones and banning some toxic chemicals used in coal seam gas extraction.  The Coalition have pledged to protect Dharawal State Conservation Area from mining and create a new national park; and are focusing on impacts to agricultural land and water resources.  

This Sunday, join people from across NSW to send the message home:

Can't Eat Coal, Can't Drink Gas
- NSW Election Rally to protect local communities, agricultural land and water from mining impacts.

When: 12 Midday, this Sunday March 20

Where: Martin Place, Macquarie St end, Sydney.  

Across NSW, communities are organising to protect their health, water, climate and agricultural land.  On Sunday, people will be attending from communities facing new coal seam gas projects at Camden and Gloucester; farmers from the Liverpool Plains stopping the undermining prime agricultural land; citizens from Western NSW tackling the proposed Cobbora coal mine; Southern Sydney and Illawarra local working to protect our drinking water from underground coal mining; and St Peters residents facing off a proposal to extract coal seam gas from under Sydney city.
This Sunday, one week before the NSW Election, join us to make the message loud and clear: "Food before coal. Water before gas.  For our land, our water and our future."
Speakers include:

John Thomson, Broke resident from the Lock the Gate Alliance;
Tim Duddy, Liverpool Plains farmer and independent candidate for the Upper Hunter;
Bev Smiles, Mudgee landholder from the NSW Nature Conservation Council;
Peter Martin, businessman and convenor of the Southern Highlands Coal Action Group;
• Cate Faehrmann, NSW Greens MP and mining spokesperson;
  
Julie Lyford, long term community campaigner and Gloucester Shire Councillor; and
Emceed by Simon Thomsen - restaurant critic for The Daily Telegraph; long-term editor of the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide; and a judge on Channel Seven's upcoming Australian Iron Chef series.

This election, demand your politicians put communities ahead of mining profits. 

Cheers,

Holly Creenaune

Outreach Co-ordinator
Nature Conservation Council

Web:  www.nccnsw.org.au/march-20-rally and www.lockthegate.org.au

Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201739353184982

P.S.  Bring your banners, placards, friends and family to stand up for local communities, agricultural land and water at 12 midday this Sunday March 20th at Martin Place, Sydney.

*****

Here follows some useful information regarding arrangements for those going to the Rally being held in Sydney this coming Sunday 20th March.

Buses and parking

• The rally starts at midday at the Macquarie St end of Martin Place
• Best place for letting people out of buses is probably Hospital Road
• The rally will finish at 1 Farrer Place (out the front of Governor Macquarie Tower) at 1:30pm.  Farrer Place meets Young St (at a dead end), Circular Quay is very close, as is Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Macquarie St (Opera House / Botanical Gardens end, that has a lot of bus parking).
• Car parking is expensive, the cheapest by far is at the Domain ($10).  More expensive options and closer options include 131 Macquarie St; 1 Martin Place; the MLC centre 19-29 Martin Place.
• Road closures: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/stpats_parade_2011_closures.html
• Clearways (ie. can't park here or let down passengers):http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/stpats_parade_2011_clearways.html
• Traffic arrangements map:http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/newsevents/downloads/stpats_parade_2011_map.html

Lesser Wanderer Butterfly and a Pointed Greenhood

This is a Lesser Wanderer Butterfly. Danaus petilia (was D. chrysippus petilia) I have seen a few of these Butterflies this year, but not many. This one sat placidly on a stem of Kangaroo Grass, beside a small creek, beside Tourist Road, in Kangaloon.

Lesser Wanderer Butterfly

Here it is sitting on a rock shelf, beside the creek.

Here is the Pointed Greenhood (Pterostylis acuminata). This yet another case of an Orchid which is not supposed to be here. It is meant to be a coastal plant, found at lower altitude. This is on the sandstone plateau, on Tourist Road, Kangaloon, at an altitude of 625 metres (thanks Google Earth). Alan Stephenson has confirmed my tentative ID for this plant. Normally it has fawn tinge to the front of the hood. But the gaping sinus and the pointed labellum are diagnostic.
 

Pterostylis acuminata - note the bulging "sinus"

 Here is another plant, taken two days earlier.

Click to enlarge

Note the pointed labellum

That is the source of the name "acuminata"

Pointed Greenhood - Pterostylis acuminata

My thumb was intended as height gauge. I have placed my fingers to the ground, and stuck my thumb out horizontally. In that position, it is just touching the hood of the flower. That makes the flower 20 cm tall.

Here is the labellum and the sinus, seen from close up, and low down.

Pointed Greenhood - Pterostylis acuminata

The Greenhoods and the Butterfly were about 50 metres apart - hence I have published them together. Some more of the "natural jewels" of Tourist Road, Kangaloon.

Old Tractors at the Robbo Show, plus human "gig" race

These images are for Kirsten. Fancy going to Temora for good tractors.
:-))


Mind you these guys drive their own tractors, and might not let anyone else "play" on them, as apparently happens at the Temora tractor display.


The Berrima District Old Machinery Club members had their motor-powered tools, pumps and saws on display  all weekend, but the took their tractors for a lap of honour around the track too.

Local earth-moving contractor, 
Robert Randall on the McCormick-Deering

An early model Grey Fergie Tractor.

A very large yellow tractor (sorry - missed the name)

Another early Grey Fergie

An International Tractor

A Cane Tractor - a specialised high-lifted tractor
to drive above the cane.

Another Grey Fergie

"The General"
a bit of an oddity as it is a 3 wheeler.

Peter Vaughan (our local mechanic) 
on an Allis-Chalmers Tractor.

Local Dairy farmer Brian McEvilly 
on a large McCormick "Farmall"

And now for something less "mechanical"

at least non-motorised.

Celeste acts as the jockey on a "gig"

And here is the full "horse" and "jockey" team.

  You might recognise the fancy trousers.
Same design as the shorts in yesterday's post.
Truly stylish, Bardy - long and short trousers - both truly striking.
Where do you get them?

Australian Championship Potato Race - Robertson

There is no question of the correct title of the Spud Race.

The "Spud Race" as it is known locally

Firstly the juniors start off the series of Spud Races.

Then there is the Ladies Spud Race, sponsored by the Illawarra Fly.

Here is the winner, from Kangaroo Valley.

And I would have to say that she looked so fresh and relaxed at the finish

one thought that she might have gone around the circuit again.

Well done to her!

Next to the men's Spud Race, sponsored by Elders.

My friend Bardy looks very optimistic 

as he loads up the 50 Kg bag of Robertson's finest spuds.

Here is the winner about to cross the finish line.

Shock Horror - he is not a local, or even from Crookwell

He came from Sydney!

Oh, well, at least he's showing some pain.

Bardy is looking up 

(as much as one can with 50 Kg of spuds on your shoulders)

to see exactly where the finish line is.

 

Here is Bardy in recovery mode

after completing the race.

Fine set of shorts too, Bardy.

I really admire his courage in starting the race.

To successfully finish this race is a genuine triumph.