Mount Kaputar National Park – New South Wales 13-07-11

Mount Kaputar National Park is part of the traditional lands of the Gamilaroi People. One day they will once again take care of these lands.

Sawn Rocks is a unique geological formation of hexagonal rock columns, formed by slowly cooling lava. The formations are also called ‘Organ piping’ near Sawn Rocks campsite

Nightfall at Sawn rocks campsite

Female Fairy Wren

Strange beauty in gum nuts

Incredible lichen growth in this area

Native reed?

Native teasel?

Wattle (Acacia alata) ?

Gunnedah – New South Wales 13-07-11

Mid - Winter glory - Wattle tree where we stopped for a cup of tea !

Gunnedah Town Hall

56 Day Preston Underground Coal Mine Stay Down Strike – The World’s Longest Ever!

On 26 March 1986, 91 coal miners were told they were to be retrenched from the Preston Extended Colliery in Gunnedah. Knowing that these sackings heralded the closure of the Preston and Gunnedah pits and the end of underground mining in the Namoi Valley, 14 miners commenced what is still today the world’s longest stay-down strike lasting 56 days.

The courage and determination of the 14 stay-down miners (only seven of whom were on that retrenched list) sparked enormous public support. When they emerged from the pit on 17 May, they had won back the jobs of the 91 retrenched miners and secured the futures of the Preston and Gunnedah mines.

Burning Mountain Reserve - Scone – New South Wales 12-07-11

Scorched earth!

Stringy bark Gum used by Australia’s First People to make rope.

Amazing velvet fungi

Scorched minerals,plus a strong smell of Sulphur here! Also took a video of the heat haze.

Research shows that this coal seam has been burning for 6000 years It is believed to have ignited near the Pages River some 6km north of this reserve and has been moving continuously southward at 1km a year.

Ripples and light on a dull day

Crimson Rosella ?

The North of England Refugee Service

NERS is organising an event in opposition to the racist EDL (English Defence League) marching in the Boro this coming Saturday

Formed less than a year ago, the English Defence League has become the most active far-right street movement since the National Front. The Guardian spent four months undercover with the movement, and found them growing in strength and planning to target some of the UK's biggest Muslim communities

The EDL has become ever more confrontational and violent in recent months, with its supporters bent on creating fear by attacking Asians, independent bookshops and Asian food shops within multi- ethnic communities.

Bush walk on the Tony Doyle track to Pearl Beach Broken Bay 27- 06-11 NSW

Starting on the Tony Doyle track, this walk passes the old Warrah Trig. Once amazing views of the Hawkesbury River mouth from Warrah lookout are now obscured by Banksias, and Scribbly gums (Eucalyptus haemastoma) This beautiful walk winds down hill to Pearl Beach.

Lion Island Reserve - Hawkesbury estuary entering Tasman sea

Sydney boronia ? (Boronia ledifolia)

Hairpin banksia (Banksia spinulosa)

Hibbertia pedunculata

Broad-leaf drumstick (Isopgen Anemonifolius)

Looking towards Brisk Bay and Patonga

Red Spider flower (Grevillea speciosa)

Flat white at Pearl Beach cafe!

A walk along Pearl Beach

Afternoon sunlight on Pearl beach

Native fuchsia (Correa reflexa )