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It is elder son James’ 30^th birthday today, just where have all those years gone to? I think he has his usual ‘pub going’ celebrations planned for most of the weekend, however there is a late afternoon family gathering planned for today in the usual manner, just a little earlier than is usual. Of course, that has been determined by a certain football match which is happening tonight. More on that later!

I got up this morning to hear the disturbing news from Norway – the following online news report, tells the story…………………………………….”Blast victims lying bleeding on sidewalks sprinkled with shattered glass from disfigured buildings; normally peaceful Oslo resembled a war zone on Friday after a powerful bomb tore through its core. At least 17 have been killed in attacks in Norway, a bombing in central Oslo and a series of shootings on an island just outside the capital, and the figure could rise, a senior police officer says. Police also found explosives on the island of Utoeya, where a gunman opened fire on young people at a summer camp organised by the ruling Labour Party, Sveinung Sponheim, acting commissioner for Oslo police, told reporters. The explosion that ripped through government buildings in Oslo killed seven people and seriously wounded another nine, said Sponheim. The shootings a little later on Utoeya killed 10 people, according to provisional figures. But he added: “It is very likely that this figure will rise even more.” Sponheim said the suspect arrested on the island was a 32-year-old man who had Norwegian nationality and was of “Norwegian origin”. In the blink of an eye the city of half a million, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded every year, became a picture of urban desolation with building skeletons left standing after an explosion heard kilometres away. The windows of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg’s office were blown clear out – the imposing government tower badly damaged on all sides so that one can see right through the building. Surrounding buildings were also mangled. According to the Norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang, whose editorial team have a clear view of the devastated government building, a body was seen dangling from a blown-out window shortly after the explosion. the normally bustling neighbourhood, which houses several government ministries, is much more quiet at this time of year with many people away on holiday”.

As indicated above, not the part of the world that you would normally expect to hear this kind of news coming from, but it seems no where is secure from the actions of crazed and fanatic people!

Sadly, this occurrence is going to generate enormous media interest – and this, to the detriment of news from Africa [already poorly covered] of the terrible famine threatening to engulf millions of refugees in Somalia. On Wednesday, the United Nations declared famine in two regions of southern Somalia [the first such declaration in two decades, meaning it’s been determined that many are dying from a lack of food],and in doing so, warned that the crisis could spread within a couple of months in the war-ravaged Horn of Africa. It warned that action needed to be taken immediately or famine will spread to all eight regions of southern Somalia within two months, due to poor harvests and infectious disease outbreaks. With up to 2.8 million Somalis living in the south, a spokesman said that “Every day of delay in assistance is literally a matter of life or death for children and their families in the famine-affected areas.” One report indicated that years of drought, that have also affected Kenya and Ethiopia, have hit harvests and conflict has made it extremely difficult for agencies to operate and access communities in the south of the country. Much of southern and central Somalia is controlled by Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda who imposed a ban on food aid in 2010, which the UN and the United States said had exacerbated the crisis. The rebels lifted the ban this month. In the worst-affected areas, half the children are malnourished. “It is likely that tens of thousands will already have died, the majority of those being children,” a relief spokesman said.

This drought – it’s one of the driest years in the region since 1950-51 – has combined with increased food costs to put more than 11 million people across the Horn of Africa in need of humanitarian assistance. Many are in Somalia, though most are in Kenya and Ethiopia, countries where aid agencies have worked for decades. I’m concerned that over the next week or so, the urgency of this situation is going to be completely over shadowed by the events in Norway, as serious and tragic as they are. The pictures and reports coming out of that part of the world are indeed, heart rending and disturbing.

Against my better judgement, I watched the entire coverage of Stage 18 last night, through until 2am, and then couldn’t get to sleep!!! The writer deserved that!! But what an experience, a truly epic stage, and helped by a terrific commentary team – I ewas ridiculed, when I remarked on Facebook that watching that bike race this morning was almost as good as a football final. Australia’s Cadel Evans put in a real gutsy effort but even he was outstaged by the Schleck brothers, especially Andy Schleck who raced away to a leading break with 60 kilometres to go, most of it uphill in the mountains of the Alps. Evans spent most of that distance on his own in front of the rest, but the Yellow Jersey leader of 9 days also performed magnificently – the Frenchman, Thomas Voeckler, hung on desperately behind Cadel, and although he lost some time to both Cadel, and the Schleck brothers, he remained in front by the end of the stage, thoroughly exhausted, but still wearing the yellow jersey.
By the end, Cadel Evans was closer to the leader, but had slipped back to 4th position overall – with Andy & Frank Schleck in front of him this time, as well as the leader, Voeckler.
The outcome for me – the excitement of the closing stages this morning made if difficult for my mind to want to rest, and it was quite a while before I got to get a few hours sleep. Certainly, looking forward to tonights 19th stage of the TDF – the final big chance for Cadel Evans to pounce, if he still has it in after yesterday’s ride.

In the meantime, I occupied some time today in the shops – birthday presents for son James [for tomorrow], and a few new CDs for myself. Overseas, it was also the birthday of an old friend – met ‘Bronnie’ on the internet almost 12 years or more ago now, and have stayed in touch since then, although not so much over the past year or so. Think she is occupied by a new relationship, and hasn’t got much time for old chat friends, and Aussie ‘Blues’ !! However, now and then, her birthday has slipped past, and I’ve been guilty of missing it by a couple of days – made sure that would not happen this year. So if you are reading this Bronnie, I’m sure you have a beautiful happy day – and in view of some of the things life has dealt you in the past dozen years or so, you deserve that happiness!
Susan was back in Sunbury for part of today again – appointments, etc, and a loan of some money from Dad – before heading back up north for the weekend. Three trips up and down she has made this week!! Hope her car will keep surviving? She left late afternoon – Jodie was with me tonight for a few hours, borrowing Susie’s computer again!

And tonight’s race!! Stage 19 of the Tour de France – a short 109.5kms but packed with three major climbs, including the 11.8km climb up Col de Telegraph to an altitude of 1566 metres, the 16.7km Col du Galibier at 2566 metres and the 13.8km Alpe-d’Huez at 1850 metres, to the finish line. Many still feel that Evans is the strongest rider with the best chance tonight, despite the efforts of the Schleck brothers. Three time TDF winner, Alberto Contador [Spain] was disappointing yesterday, and seemed to rule himself out of finishing on the podium.
However, things did not go as planned. It was Contador who got away to a speedy breakaway, and would stay at or near the front for much of tonight’s race. Yellow jersey wearer, Thomas Voeckler was really struggling tonight, with the weight of the Fren ch nation on his shoulders, while for our Cadel Evans, early disastert – mechanical problems with his bike early in the race, saw him drop behind dramatically, and from that point onwards, he was trying to make up ground. I was determined to watch the coverage again tonight despite feeling very tired, and in fact, unwell for a while, after the evening meal [my cooking!!!].

Shortly after midnight, my time, Cadel Evans trying to keep ahead of the pelaton, as he battlers to catch the leaders, while Voeckler appears to have given up any hope of retaining the yellow jersey as Tour leader. Evans – 51 seconds behind, with half the race to go!! I’ll return shortly!!

At 12.45 am my time, and with 33 kms to go, still on the downhill section, the Evans group is 22 seconds behind the leading group of 5 runners. Five minutes later, the gap has widened out again to 29 seconds, starting to lose ground, but must catch the leaders before they get to the final up mountain section, give themselves a chance for a breather. Meanwhile, some incredible scenery as always in this race, amazing waterfalls crashing down from the top of the peaks, beautiful valleys, though the view no doubt not appreciated by the riders. Past the huge hydro electric projuct, the Lac de Chambon, beautiful, but looks a bit low in water. With 25 kms to go, it is just 4 seconds different, then soon after, the two leading groups merge together, slow a little, as they call for drinks – this slowing means the other chase groups, including that with Voeckler in it, are also much closer, now only a minute behind. At this stage of the race, the favourites for the Tour de France, after 2,000 kms of riding, have only 57 seconds between them – all points to an exciting finish, again, tonight, and a critical Time Trial tomorrow.

Cadel Evans is sandwiched between the two Schleck brothers – he must stay with them to give himself a reasonable chance of winning the Tour through the Time Trial on Saturday – as they approach the final climb of the day. It’s being a hard ride through the mountains for them all, with the final climb to come, as they approach the end of the downhill 50km section.
It’s the battle of Alpe-du Huez – Contador takes off again, Evans stays with the Schleck brothers, he must watch them and stay within the last times at worst. The yellow jersey man, after getting up with the leaders, is fast dropping back, on this climb, and he is out of it. I’m barracking for Evans to attack, reduce the time difference prior to tomorrow’s race. My brother [Robert] would be proud of me, lol, watching this bike race with the enthusiasm of a football match!! Ten kms to go, and Contador still looks strong up the front. Cadel Evans though, needs to accelerate, forget about waiting for others to ‘help’ propel him along, must attack himself – he won’t panic, team keeping him informed of times etc, but I fear he might get over-run in the finishing sprint by the Schlecks as he was last night.

Four kms to go – the crowds on the road are amazing – scary in fact, just how the riders can get through the crowds without collisions to hard to comprehend, they are crazy, many of these supporters lining the roads at the top of the mountain. It’s a strange feeling, just like the end of a footb all final. Get near the end, and some barriers are on the roads, easier to get through the crowds.
Then Contador falters, and in the end, the Stage is won by a Frenchman [the first French winner of a Stage this TDF], with Sammy Sanchez [Spain] second, and Alberto Contador, 3rd. Behind them, Cadel Evans eventually got the better of the Schleck brothers, he came in a courageous 5th, with Andy Schleck in 8th position. The other courageous effort was by the Frenchman who has held the yellow jersey for 10 days, but lost it tonight – Thomas Voeckler came in 3 minutes and 21 seconds behind the winner.
So with the Time Trial to come tomorrow, the experts all say Cadel Evans is in a prime position – he is now just 57 seconds behind the Schleck brothers, in 3rd position. And for me, two epic nights of cycle watching with a thrill I’ve not previously experienced. No wonder the crowds get so overly excited to be there on the spot!! It really is a ‘people’s sport’!!

I’ll call this an uneventful day –  another cold July weekday in Melbourne, don’t recall seeing much of the sun, though admittedly I was in the office for most of the day.  Getting a few tasks up to date, and behind me, and with thoughts of the likely quick passing of the next few months – certainly my boss, Jackie, had my departure in mind, and was already on course for a replacement person, etc. No doubt before then, she will have ensured that she knows every dot and comma [and calculation] of what I do – I think she has this constant thought that there will be a gap between ‘people’, so she has to know everything back and front. The kind of person who tries to do ‘everything’ in some fashion or other.  I think I am avoiding that ‘teaching’ process, although my other work associate has ‘kindly’ lined me up to do a ‘Group Treasurers’ training session at the end of September –  something I could have well done without at this stage of things!!

I notice that the Uniting Church Environment Network is making it very obvious which side of the ‘climate’ debate they are on –  their latest newsletter begins with the words      “The Government has announced its carbon tax package. This is a crucial opportunity for us to actually see some meaningful action on climate change, but we need as many people as possible to do something in the next few months to shift public opinion and ensure it gets through Parliament”  Seems to be an assumption there [as with campaign organisations such as GET UP] that we all [as part of the Church for example] all agree wholeheartedly with what the government is doing!  True, some meaningful action at last, but do we have to necessarily agree with the means of undertaking that action?  If you support the word ‘environment’, it’s assumed you automatically go with the flow, no questions asked!  I do notice that they have organised a forum for later next week entitled ‘Who’s telling the truth about Climate Change?’  There are two well credited Professors involved in this conversation [David Karoly Professor of Meteorology at Melbourne University in conversation with Yoshihisa Kashima Professor of Psychological Sciences at Melbourne University]     – but not knowing anything about them, I wonder whether they will be on the same track, or in fact, presenting an option of views? Maybe I should go along and find out – but a week night on the other side of Melbourne? Not the kind of outing normally on my agenda these night.

I had my taxation return ready to go tonight, then discovered a couple of points I needed to clear up – was feeling a little annoyed at that, when a lady from an organisation who had asked me, once again, to do the audit of their small local organisation, arrived [two hours after I’d expected her] – anyway, I made sure that was just a quick visit, she handed over the records which I unwisely promised to have completed by the end of next week. Wan ted to get my own affairs sorted out first  [this was another of my ‘voluntary’ occasional roles for the community – I’d generally relinquished most of the audit roles that I’d undertaken in the past, but this one, and the church audits seemed to keep coming back!!].  Bill is still not very efficient at saying ‘No’!!

Jodie also called around for a brief time, wanted to use Susie’s computer.  She looked rather tired, and obviously her two part time jobs are draining the girl a little. I know she is looking for a permanent position suited to the qualifications she gained earlier this year, an d I must try and help out in that area, somehow. As for the rest of the evening, I spent most of my time working on my newly purchased ‘Family Tree Maker’ Program – slowly making progress in that area.

A day off work today, in order to attend the Family History Society’s mid-year dinner/lunch – had a number of other tasks, including tax returns and other financial matters to attend to, so decided to use a complete day for those purposes. Susie came down last evening, to attend an appointment she had for this  morning [which was subsequently cancelled – another trip in her car that was not necessary!!].  Back up north for more ‘classes’ later.  While it was reasonably mild this morning, when I called in early at the radio station to give a brief local sports report, the morning appeared to become more overcast and cold as the hours went by.

Much of today’s media was focusing attention on the overnight interviews [or grilling] of media magnate Rupert Murdoch, and his son James over the present phone hacking scandals by members of his organisation in the UK.  That had resulted in the closing down of the responsible newspaper ‘News of the World’, a number of lost reputations,  a few arrests, and now posed a threat to the Murdoch empire!!!  A good thing, many would say, and those same people would probably attach a lot of cynicism to protestations of ‘sorry’ and ‘we knew nothing about the phone hacking practices of our staff’.  Just the very practical aspect of that is a little difficult to believe, although considering the Murdoch’s over-riding role in those media organisations he controls, in all fairness, it would difficult to expect the ‘boss’ to be aware of everything that happens – I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt,  those I imagine most people wouldn’t!!  And of course, the old adage – ‘the buck stops here’ irrespective of what he did or didn’t know!! Anyway, one awaits with interest, as with many such events, the eventual outcome of that saga.

Overnight in the Tour de France, a strong effort and brilliant sprinting finish by Cadel Evans over arch  rival and Alberto Contador [Spain] – they finished back in 11^th & 12^th positions in last night’s Stage 16, but the important thing about that for Evans that it enabled him to inch valuable seconds off tour leader, Thomas Voeckler [France] and 2^nd placed Frank Schleck [Luxembourg], shooting Evans up into 2^nd position overall, and now just 1 minute and 45 seconds behind Voeckler for the TDF title. The winner of Stage 16 was Norway’s Thor Hushovd, the early leader in the Tour during Week 1, but who is now placed back in 53^rd position, overall.

Interesting to note that Australia is in the middle of an influenza outbreak., and it is predicted to be about to get worse here in Victoria. Apparently rates are more than three times higher than  last year, with the peak flu season sweeping through NSW, Queensland and South Australia. Apparently the higher numbers have arisen following a spike in the March/April period when there was high rainfall leading to the subsequent moist air allowing viruses to thrive.  However, numbers were still below the 200i9 levels, when Australia was hit by the HINI [Swine Flu] influenza.  Thankfully, I did make sure a couple of months ago that I received this year’s flu vaccination, and while I suppose that is not a 100% guarantee of immunity, it has provided some peace of mind over the past couple of years.

I had a very enjoyable lunch in the company of members of the Family History Society today – dining at the Sunbury Football Club ‘restaurant style’ facilities. Mind you, having such a large meal in the middle of the day, I knew was not a very wise decision, as I normally eat quite lightly at that time. However, we proceeded with a pleasant meal of fish & vegetables with chips, followed by a good old fashioned ‘bread & butter pudding’ [unfortunately laden with delicious ice-cream & cream, two items I do generally avoid these days!!!]. As expected, that affect of that delicious meal began to be felt by late afternoon.  Being on my own again, there was at least no commitment  to prepare an evening meal, and I don’t think I bothered with anything substantial!

A surprise visitor late this afternoon – from Susan’s former boyfriend, must have been expecting her to be home, as was surprised when I said she had returned to Bendigo. They must have communicated earlier today, and Susie forgot to say she would not be here. Anyway, didn’t say what he wanted, but would give her a ring!  Not really sure that I want him to come back into Susie’s life –  don’t know if the required ‘trust’ would be there any longer.

On the news front, there was a large funeral was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today for legendary Australian Football League coach, Alan Jeans, who died last week. The coach of four successful premiership teams, Jeans probably received the best of tributes from many of those men who played football under him –  regarding him as a father figure, and a fine coach, policeman, and human being.  Many regarded him as a ‘second father’, and the tributes were certainly flowing at the service today, such as  ‘”(He was) the most morally sound man I’ve ever come across.”.  Alan Jeans played a modest 77 games with St Kilda, before taking over as Coach of the Club in 1961. He delivered their only Premiership flag in 1966 [ a one point win over Collingwood], and then after 16 years at St Kilda, he was appointed the Coach of Hawthorn in 1981 and went on to guide the side to premierships in 1983, 1986 and 1989.   The Hawks dominated the competition, appearing in seven successive grand finals from 1983 to 1989 – excluding 1988 when Alan Joyce took over and won the flag.

I think that today has been one of the most frustrating days on the road for many months. Although I did leave a little later than usual,  a normal 50 minute trip took almost an hour and three-quarters. And after all the frustration of that, I was not impressed by a ‘tailgater’ who seemed to expect me to drive my car  at high speed [as she was attempting] over a series of road humps in residential suburban Clifton Hill.  She was forced to adjust to my speed for that short period of time.  The road annoyance did not end there. A brief trip down to the local post office early in the afternoon also saw a two min ute return journey dragged out to over 20 minutes, due to roadworks, etc.  The return journey to Sunbury via a different route later that afternoon proved only marginally better. It was a blessed relief to get into the radio studio tonight

Our friend in Thailand, here he is, relating to me the ‘adventures’ of getting to a medical  appointment in that country. Writing on Sunday last  –   ‘Its another “5 day long weekend” in Thailand this weekend.  Its the Buddhist Lent.  Therefore ‘the wife’ has been up at 5 every morning. Expecting to “earn her merit” from the Monks (and see some “Good Luck”). Here in Korat its the annual Candle procession.
We have been going to Pak Chong – about 100 kms away. A doctor their believes he can ease the pains in her ankles\  Of course everybody knows – I’ve suffered from a “Pain in the Neck” for years.We travel in a mini-bus. A thrill-seekers ride. Which the drivers seem to all want to make the trip in under the hour.   Which includes a fuel stop.With the long weekend the 3 lane-divided highway was bumper to bumper on Friday morning at 7.30 a.m.  The trip back – at 2 p.m. in a “regular bus” took over two and a half hours. 
[Meanwhile], the Thai election is still full of surprises. The Electoral Commission has not “granted” approval of all the “successful candidates” – as yet. The Prime minister elect – 
Thaksin’s sister Yinluck, is one IN QUESTION.  There is a claim against her that she has been assisted in her campaign  by a convicted criminal – her brother Thaksin. T.I.T. A previous charge that – as she posed for a photo with a  noodle vendor and therefore  was paid for the photo with the vendor… Has been thrown-out. This Is Thailand and the stupidity still continues’.

Never one to pull back on his opinions, is our friend, I wonder how many people in Thailand would be prepared or able to speak out in that manner about their political leaders? In the meantime,  in a response, I made reference to this morning’s traffic chaos in Melbourne. I can hear him snorting in ridicule at my traffic confession –  the response back said simply  –  ‘Please do not try to believe that any traffic in Melbourne could compare with the troubles on the roads in Thailand.  Its a danger to travel in a bus. I have one friend who refuses a seat behind the driver of the bus. Will only sit on the near-side of the bus. On our recent trip to Bangkok we saw two buses rolled over on their side in the  highway ditch. At different points of the 260 km trip. This weekend the highway was full of accidents along the way. As I said bumper to bumper in the 3 lanes of the divided highway. With some drivers still wanting to weave their way through the traffic flow’.

Last night and this evening saw your personal essayist on the radio for over 5 hours – my new late Monday night program in particular continues to give me at least, lots of pleasure, and hopefully some late night radio listeners in these times of multi channelled television, and computer related facilities and entertainment. Yes, us radio people are up against it, in trying to draw an audience from the range of alternatives, even within our own industry. As I’ve  probably mentioned previously, one thing I do concentrate on for a Monday night is to play the music of Australian artists, in particular, new releases, new singers & musicians, and so on. These are artists who don’t get promoted on commercial radio, and apart from performances at gigs, pubs, etc, without the promotion by community stations such as ours,  would get little in the way of air play. Much of my music I select from the industry itself [through an organisation called AMRAP] – a program particularly dedicated to distributing this kind of music to community radio.  In their end of financial year report, AMRAP has just advised, that this CD mailout service, which was revitalised with Federal Government funding in 2008, distributed during the 2010-2011 financial year to over 300 community radio stations or their representatives some 19,667 CDs [of which I have about 15 so far] from 397 Australian music CD releases.  AMRAP packaged and posted these CDs direct to stations or other recipients, and tracked the results on behalf of the musicians, who pay a nominal fee per CD for the service.

While over in the UK at present, the media, the police and even some politicians are getting involved in the ‘phone tapping’ scandals, here in Australia, our Prime Minister’s standing in the Polls and her Labor Party have apparently reached record lows. Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, Michelle Grattan, political columnist says:

“In results that will send waves of fear through the government, approval for Ms Gillard’s performance has tumbled another 3 points to 34 per cent, while her disapproval rating has jumped 3 to 62 per cent. The carbon plan has been given an unequivocal thumbs down, with 56 per cent of respondents opposed to a carbon price, 52 per cent rejecting the government’s carbon price and compensation package, and 53 per cent believing it will leave them worse off. More than half (56 per cent) say Ms Gillard has no mandate for her plan, and the same proportion want an early poll before the plan is introduced. Nearly half (47 per cent) think Bob Brown and the Greens are mainly responsible for the government’s package. More than half (52 per cent) say an Abbott government should repeal the package while 43 per cent believe it should be left in place under a new government. Ms Gillard yesterday denied she had been ringing around to gauge backbench support for her failing leadership. The Coalition’s primary vote is up 2 points to 51 per cent, while the Greens’ is down 1 point to 11 per cent. Approval of Mr Abbott has risen a point to 47 per cent. His disapproval is down 2 points to 48 per cent … Ms Gillard’s approval rating is her worst so far and the lowest for a PM since Paul Keating’s 34 per cent in March 1995” .

Amazingly, the Opposition leader, Tony Abbott is the preferred prime minister on poll figures, and if an election were to be held this weekend, the Labor Government would be thrown out!!! However that will not happen, and with an election more than 18 months away, the current political situation will no doubt be much changed by then!! Will be interesting to see if the same two leaders are still in those roles, when that time comes.

This morning, I woke in time to see the second half, extra time & penalties, of the Women’s World Football Cup Final between Japan and the USA.  I must admit I was barracking for Japan – I think the USA have won the Title 3 times, this was Japan’s first appearance in the Final, and they had to come from behind on two occasions – near the end of fulltime, and then again, just on the end of extra time, to force as penalty shoot out between the two teams. It almost looked as though the Americans cracked under pressure by the time the match got to that point.   Japan went on to win the Final on that penalty shoot-out, after been 2-2 at the conclusion of extra time. They therefore became the first Asian football [soccer] team to win the FIFA World Cup. As one journalist reported soon afterwards:-

“Amid the sorrow that lingers throughout Japan, perhaps a little joy—courtesy of the determined women on its World Cup team. They beat the Americans for the title in a riveting final Sunday night, 3-1 on penalty kicks, after coming from behind twice in a 2-2 tie. The star of the shootout was feisty goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori, who made two brilliant saves in the shootout. All tournament long the teammates poignantly reminded the world they were playing for their battered country, still reeling from the devastation of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Did they ever.  They held the gleaming trophy high above their smiling faces as confetti swirled around the podium, flecking their hair with gold. “Before we went to the match tonight we had some commentary on television and we heard comments on the situation in Japan,” coach Norio Sasaki said. “We wanted to use this opportunity to thank the people back home for the support that has been given.” This was Japan’s first appearance in the final of a major tournament, and they had not beaten the Americans in their first 25 meetings, including a pair of 2-0 losses in warm-up games a month before the World Cup. But the Nadeshiko pushed ahead, playing inspired soccer and hoping their success could provide even a small emotional lift to their nation, where nearly 23,000 people died or were reported missing. After each game, the team unfurled a banner saying, “To our Friends Around the World—Thank You for Your Support.” On Sunday, they did it before the match and afterward they had a new sign to display: Champion—the first Asian country to win this title. [Meanwhile] The Americans found it all too hard to grasp. They believed they were meant to be World Cup champions after their rocky year—needing a playoff to qualify, a loss in group play to Sweden, the epic comeback against Brazil. They simply couldn’t pull off one last thriller”.[Nancy Amour, AP National Reporter]

This evening, I was at a medical clinic in Sunbury awaiting an appointment. In the waiting area, apart from the usual television set blaring away, there was a magnificent large scale photograph on the wall –  the photo, hopefully appearing below, was of the Australian  World War One 11^th Battalion [3^rd Infantry Brigade] posing on the Great Pyramid of Giza, on the 10 January 1915. This Battalion did much of their war training in Egypt, and were amongst the first to land at Anzac Cove on April 25^th, 1915. In the five days following the landing, over one third [one estimate I read put it at 80%] of  those from the battalion pictured, were casualties.  Apparently, it is said, the original photo was intended to be just of the officers, who are seated or squatting along the bottom of the picture. But Australians being Australians, the rest of the Battalion joined in, and this photo was the outcome. A couple of particular points about the photo –  in the front row of soldiers standing behind the seated officers,  slightly to the right of centre, there are four men standing with their entwined – a father and his three sons, who would all die during that first landing attempt at Gallipoli. There is also another figure [somewhere in the picture] – one of the Battalion soldiers had died a day or so before the photo was taken, but his mates wanted to include their ‘dead’ fellow soldier in the photo  – I couldn’t find him, and was told that unless he was specifically pointed out by someone who knew of his whereabouts, you would be able to distinguish him from the others.

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 Anyway, as I stood there examining this huge framed photograph, I couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful acquisition, this piece of Australian history, it would be to have a copy. That would be especially the case, if for eg, you were aware that your ancestor was in that Battalion at the time, and is most likely, somewhere in that picture.  Today, I would imagine that possession of a copy is probably possible – the image is of Australian origin, but is now in the public domain because it’s term of copyright has expired.  The 11^th Battalion was one of the first infantry units raised for the 1^st AIF [Australian Infantry Forces] during the First World War, and was the first such unit recruited in Western Australia. After some brief training in Perth, it sailed to Egypt, where it undertook four months of intense training before taking part in the landing at Anzac Cove.

I must say that I really did not want to get out of bed at 5.30 am this morning, and travel up to the radio station, and I suppose if I was like some of our other presenters, I would have simply stayed put – but, that’s not the way it works with me, and while for the first hour on air, I felt [though hopefully didn’t sound it] very weary, and not as healthy as I would have preferred. But as usual, pleased I was on duty, particularly when the couple who normally follow me on a Sunday, rang in with apologies – not up to doing their program today! That one, we can be sure, was a genuine absenteeism! They are not a young couple, and I often wonder of a Sunday, just how one or other of them, has even managed to get away from their home, let alone cope with the 30 minute drive from Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Incidentally, my feature piece of music this morning was Beethoven’s 6^th Symphony [the ‘Pastoral Symphony’ as I think he titled it himself.  I have been gradually moving through the nine symphonies that Beethoven wrote, over the past few months, usually leaving a gap of 6-8 weeks between each one. This one was composed  with Beethoven’s more famous—and more fiery, and probably best known—Fifth Symphony.  Usually, a performance of the 6^th takes about 40 minutes [which was pretty accurate, with the CD version I had this morning], but apparently the last three movements are played without a pause. I’d not realised that at the time, although the pauses which I ‘allow’ between movements when playing on air, are almost always of much shorter duration, than you hear in a live concert performance. It often amazes me at just how long those breaks are with some orchestras, shouldn’t be necessary or required in my view. I any case, Symphony No. 6 is longer than most of them, and is in fact made up of five separate movements, and was completed by the composer in 1808.  It has a great deal of reference to nature and associated themes, and Beethoven actually attached, unusually, sub-titles to each of the five movements..  He was a lover of nature who spent a great deal of his time on walks in the country, and apparently  frequently left Vienna to work in rural locales. He is quoted as saying that the Sixth Symphony is “more the expression of feeling than painting” and the same point is made in the title he attached to the first movement. With that, and the other titles which I’ve listed below, were, again in the words of the composer himself   “It is left to the listener to find out the situations … Anyone that has formed any idea of rural life does not need titles to imagine the composer’s intentions.”

The five subtitles which Beethoven attribution to his composition were:

• Movement1: Awakening of cheerful feelings upon arrival in the country [allegro ma non troppo];
• Movement 2: Scene at the brook [andante molto mosso];
• Movement 3: Happy gathering of country folk [allegro];
• Movement 4: Thunderstorm, Storm [allegro]; and
• Movement 5: Shepherd’s song; cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm [allegretto]

Portrait of Beethoven in 1804, by which point he had been working on the 6th Symphony for two years.

Meanwhile, the weather deteriorated considerably, so that by mid afternoon, the temperature outside felt as though it had dropped since this morning.  Once I returned from the radio mid-morning, home was where I remained – an afternoon spent working on music programs for next week, and through the evening back onto the family history projects!!

Something had made me think that Susie had a brief semester break from the university, and so would be down here for a few days.  Not the case however, and she left for Bendigo at 9.45 pm –  I was not happy again, at her leaving so late, but she is simply not interested in what I think – just me fussing again!! So there is little I can say.  Just hope and  pray that all goes okay, nothing I can do to change the next couple of hours. Sent a message to Jodie, to let her know that Susie had just left  – Jodie’s response  –   “Probably better than if she drove in the morning, doubt she’s awake before 11 often enough to concentrate better than at night. She’ll be fine. J x” Of course, it was not really Susie’s driving I was worrying about, but more the aspect of the possibility [faint as it was] of some kind of breakdown out on the highway late on a Sunday night, a mobile phone out of action, etc, etc. The kind of potentials I have in mind when I drive myself, but which the mere mention of to my daughter, gets her ire up!!!  Oh well, at least she messaged me as soon as she arrived in Bendigo tonight.

A usual, a selection of late night international sporting events on tonight, our time –  would have liked to have been in the position to forego sleep, and do some late night viewing. But then, whether I watch or not, it won’t change the outcomes, will it!!

Woke to a heavy frost outside, but the early morning sunshine looking quite spectacular [even if not feeling particularly warm!!]. Not that the sun has yet done much to get rid of the thick coat of frost over Susie’s car. Think she was going somewhere today – if I hear her arising, I shall go and ‘clean’ up the car for her!

Meanwhile, the big clash of the two football giants here in Melbourne today – Carlton versus Collingwood – expecting a crowd of 90,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground [I won’t be amongst them – young Jodie is coming over to watch the game on TV with me].  I’m not really expecting my team to win – not on the basis of their performance last week, a couple of injuries, and the fact that Collingwood have been basically unbeatable this year, sitting comfortably on top of the ladder! Though they are not without some off-field problems – a player suspended, and their captain fined over a minor betting scandal – though I don’t really think that will affect their playing performance today. So in advance, the Blues I expect to be the underdogs [after  badly going down to the ‘Dogs’ last weekend]. As for the Club report – I think I will include in today’s contribution, as my record of their thoughts [it will interest me perhaps in years to come, if today’s first gamer becomes a star of a few year’s time ].  The team remains a relatively ‘young’ one in terms of match experience at the AFL level.

“The Carlton match committee has made three changes for this Saturday’s Richard Pratt Cup match against Collingwood at the MCG. One of the players coming into the side will make his AFL debut in the blockbuster on Saturday. Jarrad Waite, who had hip surgery in Tasmania on Tuesday, will miss the next three matches and he is joined by Jordan Russell and Ryan Houlihan on the sidelines for Saturday’s blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG. Russell is out of the side injured (general soreness), while Houlihan has been omitted from the side that was defeated last Sunday by the Western Bulldogs. Houlihan will have to wait another day to reach the 200 game milestone, having played his 199th against the Bulldogs. Returning to the team is Ed Curnow who resumed after injury in the VFL last week. He is joined by Matthew Watson, a first-year player whose last AFL game was in round thee, against Collingwood. Watson also played in the round two match against Gold Coast at the Gabba, his only two AFL matches. The other inclusion is Wayde Twomey who was elevated to the senior list this week and is set to make his AFL debut in front of 90,000 at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.\   Aaron Joseph will play his 50th game on Saturday.

Of the 1136 young men to have completed their senior debut for the Carlton Football Club, how many have done so in front of 90,000 people against Collingwood at the MCG? It’s the extraordinary scenario now confronting the Sunshine-born Swan Districts recruit Wayde Twomey, who will take to the hallowed turf wearing the No.39 guernsey made famous by the rebounding Premiership half-back flanker of 1995, Ang Christou.  “What a beauty to start off with,” said Twomey, just hours after he got wind of his selection at a café near Bay Street, Port Melbourne. “I was actually having lunch with my Dad when ‘Ratts’ [Senior Coach Brett Ratten] gave me a call. He obviously knew I was pretty excited about it at the time, because I don’t think I could speak properly after he told me,” Twomey said. Twomey, a seasoned 25 year-old taken with Carlton’s 51st selection in the 2011 Rookie Draft, recalled a discussion with the Senior Coach some six weeks ago, at which he took on board Ratten’s recommendation to work on specific areas of his game. “Ratts told me that I’d been slowly working away on them, and that on the weekend he was very impressed with the way I’d gone about my game. He told me that was what he wanted and that’s why I’ve got a gig,” Twomey said. Twomey’s trek across the Nullabor came at the time he was completing an electrical apprenticeship, when he felt the need to leave familiar digs “and basically live life a little more”. At the time he was chasing the leather for Werribee and on relocating to the west, found a home at Swans. Back in April, Twomey completed his one and only appearance on the MCG, in a Foxtel Cup fixture for the Northern Bullants against Greater Western Sydney. “It made an impact big-time,” he recalled. “I remember walking out onto the ground before the game and thinking ‘How good is this?’ – it was like walking on carpet. But it might be a little different with 90,000 people watching on. “In saying that, I’ve been playing senior footy for seven years now, so I don’t think there’s going to be anything out there that’s going to shock me”………………….That was probably of interest to no one but myself, and maybe in future years, eldest son, and fanatical Carlton supporter, James!  But that’s fine, I’m okay with that J.

It’s 10.35am, the frost is melting on the grass [and car] outside, and the sun continues to look inviting. Time for a brisk morning walk!!!  Weather stayed fine while I was out there, beautiful conditions for a walk.  The birds of the area seemed to be enjoying the weather also – crows, galahs, etc, all in good voice.  However, as the afternoon and evening drew ever closer, that nice weather outlook began to deteriorate. As did the positive hopes towards my football team!!  Today’s game, despite Jodie’s company was not what we had hoped for, and while the Blues were always within touch of the Collingwood team, the lack of good forwards producing consistent results, meant it was obvious that  we could not get over the top of the opposition. Not unexpected, but nevertheless disappointing, and Carlton have now lost five games in a row against our most traditional of rivals. As for the new ‘boy’ referred to above, I would say he earned his spot in the team, and put in a good effort, hopefully we will see more of him.  In front of a crowd of 85,936, the quarter by quarter scores revealed:-

Carlton Blues:                        2.1.13         4.6.30         9.11.65       Final:   11.13.79

Collingwood Magpies:           2.6.18         5.11.41       11.16.82     FINAL: 13.20.98

Jodie left soon after the game ended – she and Ash [the boyfriend] were going to see his team play tonight in the city – West Coast Eagles versus St Kilda. If the Eagles win, they will replace Carlton in the Top 4!!  Thankfully, that didn’t eventuate, and we manage, somewhat undeservedly, to remain in the top four teams, an important aim for the finals series, and the ‘double chance’ it allows at that time.

A rare Saturday night that saw Susie home all evening – I gather she is working fairly solidly on her studies at the moment, and with boyfriend situations currently in the doldrums, the social life might have been put aside, to concentrate on the university work.  She gave me all the paperwork tonight [well, most of it] to allow me to complete her Tax return for the year just ended. In the past, I have usually performed that function for most the ‘family’ although I notice Adam has already received his  tax refund, so he has obviously worked out that it is a much quicker process to do it himself, than rely on Dad!!!  Good for him. Of course, doing all that, I tend to end up neglecting my own ‘return’ which usually gets completed near the end of October deadline date. However, the resolution is to complete this year’s return over the next few days!!

I watched a bit of the Tour de France tonight, and after today’s Stage,  our Cadel Evans remained in 3^rd position overall, with [despite my concerns referred to over the past couple of days] his team, and Australian commentators remaining optimistic that he can still win the Tour at the end of next week!!  I hope that is what I will be reporting at this time next weekend. Cadel Evans has finished second in the Tour de France on two occasions now, both times, only a matter of seconds and minutes separating him from the eventual winner.

I seem to have been busy with ‘other things’ these three days, but life goes onwards, the news keeps happening [good and bad] – phone tapping scandals with the Murdoch newspapers in the UK, and no doubt elsewhere gathers media and public outrage, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott on their own separate campaign travels around the country to either sell the carbon tax, or discredit it, and the Tour de France races through three more stages of it’s cruelling agenda since I was here last!!

Wednesday night saw this writer at another Family History Society committee meeting – it was a very cold and miserable night, and one would have gladly remained at home after the last two nights out, but it was nice and warm in Peter’s home, and the meeting as congenial & useful as per normal.  There are a couple of special functions coming up in the next few weeks connected with this year’s recognition of Sunbury’s 175^th anniversary, part of which I must try and be a participant in.  Speaking of celebrations, my old Church in Ballarat – Neil Street Uniting [or Methodist as it was in those days] is having it’s150 years celebrations late in August to which I also hope to get to. Received an email during the week from the organiser of that event [in response to a query of mine about the occasion] –   

“Thank you for your email. Winston has been working very hard – especially for a 90 year old – obtaining addresses and I know that you and all of your siblings are on our list. Invitations are being sent out over this weekend and included with that is an RSVP slip. You will each receive an individual invitation. When you receive this would you mind completing the slip with names attending. In the mean time I will note, with excitement, your attendance. I know the Kirk name has been linked to Neil Street and my mum often talks about your family and how your mum coped in the small cottage.  I was Laurenne McKenzie – my brother being David McKenzie and my mum Elvie.  You may remember them – I am a bit younger than you”

 I must be honest,  and admit that I don’t recall that family, but then that is no reflection on them, rather than upon  my memory. But it was gratifying to have my ‘family’ remembered. Probably hard to forget us. In those early days, we lived in a small house/cottage in between the main church and one of the original church buildings, and by the time we left for the Humffray Street home, there were eight of us in that small residence –  Mum, Dad, and the six children!!! I am looking forward to that event – wonder how many people I will remember?

As readers will no doubt be aware from my scribblings, last Sunday Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the Government was putting a price on pollution by introducing a $23 per tonne carbon tax. Whilst the carbon tax is directed at 500 companies who pollute the heaviest, there will be flow-on effects to the rest of Australia. The topic is divisive: some say Australia must get tough on climate change to protect our future; others say climate change is just a scam and gives the Government another reason to drain hard-working Australians’ taxes. Hence the reason for our two leaders running around the nation at present trying to convince that ‘divided’ public that ‘their’ way is the right way. The National Seniors ‘E-news’ this week had the following to say on some points which are probably going to affect me over the next year or so, depending on how my ‘financial’ situation falls.
‘Australians aged over 65 who don’t receive the age pension or hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will miss out on the carbon tax household payments announced on Sunday. National Seniors Australia chief executive, Michael O’Neill, said: “The government has been generous in compensating pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders with a Clean Energy Supplement projected to be over and above the cost-of-living impact of the carbon tax”. “We are concerned, however, that while they may benefit from tax cuts a single self funded retiree on an income of $51,000 or a couple on $81,000 a year will not receive cost-of-living assistance”. “The extent to which this impacts on these retirees will depend on the arrangement of their financial affairs.” “As debate rages around whether $150,000 a year constitutes a middle-income Australian family, a single self-funded retiree on $51,000 is deemed wealthy enough to resist the price impacts of a carbon tax,” O’Neill said. Retirees below age pension age (65) also miss out. “Retirees on fixed incomes have very little capacity to adjust to unforeseen price increases. Many are already struggling with basic living costs,” he said. The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card entitles low income retirees to cheaper medicines and help with utilities. However, despite rising living costs the card’s income limits of $50,000 for singles and $80,000 for couples have not increased since 2001. Pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders will receive a Clean Energy Supplement of $338 (singles) and $510 (couples) annually, starting March 2013; and a tax free lump sum advance payment of $250 in May 2012’. [National Seniors, 14 July].

That organisation has prompted a debate on the issue of the carbon tax, and it seems, that as with the community in general, opinions are widely divergent, as the couple of following indicate. Readers are welcome to form their own opinion on the relevance or otherwise of these comments.

1. For those who think the planet has been “raped”, please consider that Planet Earth is a fully self-contained unit. The various elements it contains cannot increase or decrease, only appear in different forms in different places.
    At funerals, we often hear: “Ashes to ashes …. dust to dust. From the earth we came, and to the earth, we shall return ….” The same concept applies to trees, vegetation, clothing, furniture, household goods, bricks and mortar etc. Planet Earth spews forth anything it chooses, at any time. This puts far more carbon into the atmosphere than any human civilisation could manage. “Carbon Pollution”, on which the new Green Pagan Climate Change Religion is based, is nothing more than a contradiction in terms, designed to send people on a fear/guilt trip. Carbon is a naturally occurring element, one of the principal buildings blocks of all forms of life, and not a pollutant at all.
2. I believe that we must support a carbon tax. Global warming is real and whilst we have seen previous earth temperatures fluctuating, by previous coolings and warmings, the impact of industrialisation is hastening the warming process. We need to act for our children and future generations. That is not to say we are not anxious. The combined income limit of $80,000.00 unchanged since 2001 is unrealistic. The tax free threshold is great, but the tax brackets have been shortened so that by $80,000.00 there is no tax break either. Tax reform in the true sense of the word also needs attention.
3. Please don’t be fooled by scaremongering about Peak Oil and Peak Gas. This is just an excuse to charge us all high prices, while the Chinese government is “given” a 50 year supply of natural gas from the Gorgon Project for 6 cents a litre. This is not a misprint. The staff cuts described by Tony Abbott would not take effect in hospitals, schools, public transport or workers in other infrastructure services. They would be applied to Green bureaucrats employed to collect the Carbon Tax. Some of the states of the USA have now rejected Carbon Trading, due to serious damage done to their economies. About 1/3 of the 27 countries in the European Economic Union have gone (or are going) broke as the result of Carbon Trading and the rise of the corporates. Most political parties already have moderate environmental policies in place. Carbon Taxation is not about the environment at all. Many local councils are already extracting methane from landfill and using it as a fuel. Green waste is being converted into Biochar to naturally increase crop yields for farmers.
4. I again strongly recommend that everyone reads the Lima Declaration and Plan of Action on Industrial Development and Co-operation (1975) signed by 178 countries under Gough Whitlam. This has been both the “green light” and the forerunner of enabling the rise of the third world at the expense of the developed nations.
   I think the fact that self-funded retirees cannot gain access to compensation, and the thresholds that have not been raised since 2001, are further proof that the government places little value on the older generations. I am highly doubtful that the compensation package will keep pace with actual costs for anyone. I am expecting double digit unemployment and the imminent loss of the remaining 6% of our manufacturing industries.
   A vote for Greens, Sex Party, Socialist Alliance, Labor and other communists from the far Left will send our nation further down the tube.  At the next election, when emotions are sure to be running high, please don’t swing like pendulums across to the other side and make the mistake of voting for Liberals. They also support corporatisation of the people’s income producing assets and utilities, the ongoing sellout to the third world and are not pro-worker.
5. Unless humans take action to reduce their use of the Earth’s natural resources, the planet is doomed. I cannot imagine the Earth in 150 years time. In just under 200 years humans have raped this wonderful planet of nearly everything. In well less than 100 years, all the oil and gas will have been used up but still some people believe we should do nothing to change our ways.
6. There is a lot Australia can do to reduce damage to the environment without destroying our future and the wealth of our children and grandchildren. There is too much political expediency in the current government position.
    Julia changed her promise as part of the deal to hold onto government at all cost with the support of the Greens.
   Most of Australia’s coal exports are coking coal. This is used in steel making and is a necessary ingredient in raising standards of living in Countries such as China and India. Our thermal coal exports can easily be replaced by overseas coals that produce higher levels of nasty chemicals such nitrous oxide or sulphur dioxide.
   Our focus should be domestic not destroying our exports and wealth. There is no reason why Australia domestically can’t do more to reduce all forms of pollution not just the least nasty Carbon Dioxide which occurs naturally. We should increase renewable power generation options in Australia and if we are “fair dinkum” we should also encourage greater pubic transport usage and less reliance on oil. Don’t forget we have a liquid fuel crisis on the horizon as demand escalates and supply is close to its peak, the price will continue to rise. Our society is currently built on suburban sprawl and high private car usage.
   House and building designs can reduce energy consumption as well and we can plant more trees.
   Lets not have a silver bullet approach to carbon tax and destroy our children’s future.

Some valuable input there, but it’s obvious the public’s perception, though much of it may not be as in depth as revealed by some of the above remarks, is much influenced by the idea of the affect of climate change on our children’s future. Interestingly different points of view about the carbon tax equally suggest the  potential ‘destruction’ of those futures!!! Personally, while I may not like the ‘government’ we have,  I’d prefer to see them get on with the program now created, though ensuring that the outcomes are not detrimental to those who can least afford additional cost of living changes, and generally, let’s see if all the ‘political’ rhetoric actually has some climatically advantageous basis to it. The majority of scientists and economists, as just two of the professional groups involved in advising all sides, seem to be of the view that action is needed,. And now!!  We have action proposed. Let’s give it a go!!!

Back to important things!!!!!  The Tour de France!!  Since I was last here, we have seen Stages 11 – 13 completed, and by earlier Saturday morning, our time, the situation remained as follows.  After losing the yellow jersey over the weekend in the medium mountain stages, Thor Hushovd of Norway,  took Stage 13 in an impressive showing. He finished the course in 3:47:36, ten seconds better than David Moncoutie, whom he passed on the descent to the finish line. Jeremy Roy finished 26 seconds behind for third place. It took over four minutes for the next riders to come in at the finish line. Thomas Voeckler retained the yellow jersey with his finish in the peloton, and he leads Frank Schleck by 1:49 after the stage, with Australia’s Cadel Evans retaining 3^rd position overall.  Mark Cavendish will still wear the green jersey with his 264 points, but Rojas is right there with 251 points. Roy and his 45 points captured the King of the Mountains red polka dot jersey as he took the climb at Belair and the tougher Aubis. As can be seen there are various separate ‘winner’ categories within the overall title of the Tour de France.

The other day, I posed a couple of questions to my brother, Robert. I wrote:-

 I  continue to be bemused by the Cadel Evans saga – obviously, I don’t understand cycling and/or the Tour de France enough – last night’s commentators had us convinced that by the end of Thursday’s stage, Cadel Evans would be wearing the yellow jersey!!! In fact it seems to be a foregone conclusion that he will be wearing it at the end!  Is this all just a beat up [Gillard/Abbott style spin] to keep us all tuned in to see it happen. As the mountain climbs approached – Cadel’s turn is coming, we are told!!!!!  – I hope it is, but to be honest,I wish they would take that kinds of pressure off [if not on him], on us hopeful spectators!!!
I don’t know where he ended up overnight – Radio National didn’t even mention his name in respect to ‘how’ he finished – as for the commercial channels, they have stopped even mentioning the Tour  – too many stage wins by Cavendish and the Europeans!!  –  they don’t seem to think Australians are interested unless we are in front!! 
Apart from all that ‘the man himself’ seems to be enjoying the Tour  – that ‘is’ great to see – and I will keep hoping, and watching, even if the rest of Australia is losing interest!   Same old story –  if he comes anywhere below first, the media & public won’t want to know, if he wins, we will give him a ‘ticker tape’ parade!!   Like our ‘Matilda’  – played a tough quarterfinal World Cup Soccer match the other night, eventually lost to the tournament runnersup [World Cup won by the Japanese girls], but who would know  – if not winners we are not interested!!
 
Enough from my soapbox – enjoy your weekend [on the bike],  [Bill]

A very speedy response from Robert.

Forget the commentators; there’s always an element of beat up and optimism in what they say. I’m sure Cadel Evans is more than happy with where he sits today (only day 1 in the Pyrenees)………………………………………… Agree with what you say about the Australian press only liking winners. Always remember Ron Clarke back in the “60s” (I think) – held every world record for middle distance running, but when he failed to get a place in the Olympics the headline in the Melbourne Herald was “gutless wonder”!   Sometimes think the press and public generally forget how amazing these athletes are. These TDF guys are just so mentally tough; like Jonny Hoogerland who spiralled through the air landing in a barbwire fence after being hit by that press car a few nights ago; back on a replacement bike with the doctor leaning out of a car putting bandages around his legs as he speed along and requiring 33 stitches that night; can hardly walk when not on the bike but is still leading the polka-dot jersey competition (for best climber). These guys seem to operate on the principle; if nothing’s actually broken then keep going! [Robert]

I think that might be enough for this trio of days!! 

Ohh, and daughter Susie was back home some time this afternoon – has a problem with her car, which requires an expensive fix, was not the battery as suggested last week, but something to do with the immobiliser, a part which can’t be easily replaced because the vehicle manufacturers have gone out of business – talking about a Daewoo Lanos Sedan. Also discovered tonight, though not from Susie, that the latest ‘relationship’ was no longer!  She seemed okay tonight. We ate ‘noodle haven’ food, not my first preference, but well, won’t hurt once in a while. Will it??  Stir fry, sweet & sour!

Just down the road from Sunbury, is the small. Township of Diggers Rest  –  in the C18th gold rush days, it was the first major overnight stopping place for the gold diggers heading out from Melbourne to seek their ‘fortunes’ on the goldfields of places further north such as Castlemaine or Bendigo [Castlemaine, was as far as we can gather the first destination  of my original ancestor here in Australia, for the gold diggings in 1854]. Anyway, with Sunbury so close to the town , there are only a few retailers in the town, mostly it is residential and farming these days. A few years ago, the historic Diggers Rest Hotel, located on the old highway, burnt down, and that left only four businesses operating in the town. Well, that number has been further reduced, although I only really discovered the fact yesterday.

The General store and post office went up in flames  a few days ago. Residents in Diggers Rest have been left devastated after one of the town’s few remaining retailers was extensively damaged by fire. Police believe the blaze, which occurred about 4.45am, was deliberately lit. Owner Barry Richards said he came in to organise the home delivery of newspapers to find the shop on fire. He said “There’s not much left in town now.” “There’s a fish and chip shop, another milk bar and a licensed grocer and there was us,” Mr Richards said.  He is hoping to set up a temporary post office with the help of Australia Post by next week. No one was injured in the fire.

The building was 127 years old and served as both  general store and post office for the town. It always concerns me when a post office is destroyed in a fire,  because apart from the building and normal building contents, you can never really know the extent of loss as far as postal articles are concerned this morning. Certainly, in the early days of settlement, without the type of communication we have today,  the loss of some mail could be life devastating for some people – that letter that had been coming for twelve months, that never reaches it’s destination, and so many other unknown circumstances.

The blaze, which occurred on the Old Calder Highway about 4.40am, destroyed four rooms and about 40 per cent of the weatherboard building. It took 40 minutes for more than 40 firefighters from Diggers Rest, Toolern Vale, Sunbury and Caroline Springs to bring the blaze under control.  Fire investigators were at the scene at first light sifting through the debris to determine the cause of the fire. A fire spokesman said afterwards that “The entire building was damaged by smoke and heat but the fire’s only encroached on four rooms”.  “Being of weatherboard and timber construction it (the fire) ran pretty quick, so by the time we got here (4.44am) it was pretty sizeable.  “We were hampered by access to the building being such an old building – getting in through the roof and that sort of thing.’‘ It was hard to estimate a damage bill from the blaze, but said there had been a “complete loss of stock and post’‘.   Another slice of local history lost to the area!

Tonight saw the second of two nights in a row on air at the radio station. Last night’s late 3 hour shift, I thoroughly enjoyed presenting as usual, even if I heard from nobody throughout the evening. It is a show that I hope to develop further over the months ahead, and particularly beyond my retirement later this year. Mean while tonight was ‘Showtime’, and following last Friday night’s visit to the theatre, I devoted a major part of this program to music from the soundtrack of ‘Love Never Ends’ by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Wanted to give my listeners a taste of a wonderful night’s entertainment.  Jayne, our loyal listener from Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs, rang in during the show – she is one that most of us can always count on tuning in, when she is well enough to do so. Living on her own these days, she regards 3NRG as her family now, and often makes the trip by train to Sunbury to join in any functions that might be happening with respect to the station.

In the Tour de France, after a rest day on Monday, and following some of the disastrous incidents of Sunday’s stage, today [tonight] was a tough but relatively incident free Stage 10.  A total of 178 riders took to the start of Stage 10 after Alexandr Kolobnev (Katusha) tested positive for a  banned substance and Yaroslav Popovych (RadioShack) did not start due to illness.  Today’s route took the riders 161kms from Aurillac to Carmaux.  Four categorized climbs—two cat-3’s and two cat-4’s—awaited the riders in addition to the intermediate sprint. Stage 10 concluded as German rider Andre Greipel completed a stunning sprint to the finish to defeat Mark Cavendish, Jose Joaquin Rojas, and Thor Hushovd for the stage victor.  The overall situation after Stage 10, saw  the first five positions unchanged – 1. Thomas Voeckler [France]; 2, Luis Leon Sanchez [Spain], and 3. Cadel Evans [Australia] with the two Schleck brothers from Luxembourg in 4^th & 5^th spot. I made no attempt to watch any of the event beyond about 11pm – would like to, but one needs sleep! And there is little value in my taping each night’s stage, because I would never be able to find time to keep up with each day by trying to watch the tape. So we depend on a few highlights next evening, and do get to enjoy some of the scenery in the first hour or two of the coverage each night.