An unforgettable day.

On 21 July 1969 (Australian time), we were sent home from school to watch the moon landing. Elsewhere, thousands congregated around shop windows to watch Neil and Buzz walk on the moon (my Mum among them); we stayed up until nearly midnight just to watch the Saturn V launch on July 16. We cheered when they came home safely.

NASA: You are the last explorers, the last pioneers. Exploration and discovery must never die. Thank you NASA. Thank you Neil.

The pic is from NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/armstrong/index.html

Neil Armstrong - engineer, pilot, astronaut, father, gentleman, lunar explorer, hero.

The final step, the greatest leap, the last frontier.

Rest in peace, Neil. xxx

PS To Neil's family: The moon rose at 12:26pm (Central Standard Time, Australia)...and I did remember.


NASA's tribute:

Hi All

A roller-coaster fortnight. Two severe storms + associated deluges, hail, thunderstorms - even snow falling at Mount Lofty, Stirling and Crafers (but it melted as it hit the ground), and the coldest evening temperature on arrival from work: 4C. Yes, we've had colder mornings, but with wind chill - this was -2C. AAAAAAAAH!

Start with the bird news: Depleted numbers (probably due to the storms) until today, and a new equation:

Sunshine + low winds = birds

With the golden wattles out, the gentlemen birds were handing out the chocolates and the flowers to their lady birds and there werecandle-lit dinners everywhere. Today's haul (the best for about 3-4 weeks): fantails, golden whistlers (incl one juvenile male not quite fully coloured), wrens, y/f h/es, thornbills (brown, little, y/r), rosellas, currawongs, spineys (courting or fighting, not sure which), pardelotes and babblers (heard), shrike thrush, a couple of birds I'm not sure about, bronzewing, ravens, and two pairs of kookaburras out-laughing the other from south to north over the mountain.

A difficult week otherwise, and news of an unsuccessful job application. Bugger. Writing...better left unsaid - restarts this afternoon.

And sadder news for the science community, and especially NASA, with the passing of Neil Armstrong. My one true hero - thank you Neil, and farewell (see above post).

And I'm rereading Alan Garner's "Elidor" - for fun and to let my brain escape.

Happy writing
Bo
x

Hi All

Cold nights, cool days, and we're all waiting for summer!

I sent away the "writing assignment" last week, so it was back to the writing desk...and a Treacle Week for writing. It's not that the scenes aren't planned, far from it, it's just that one is inclined to drag, and I've tried several starts to find what works. Usually this means the scene is wrong, but I've just worked out a better start that builds the "right" amount of tension. Excellent! The second scene is improving - if only I had more hours to work on it! And with two training sessions (after work) per week for the next 2 more weeks - that sure cuts into my writing time.

A fabulous set of science "demos" (demonstrations) at a local school - thanks Sam and the Northern Hub group.

Last week I joined the MtBS Bush Action Team removing weeds along the summit path. A great group of people, and the depleted weed numbers always make you feel good. And when you get "paid" with a fabulous sunset (see below), it's worth it. Thanks Angela, and the team.

Bird news: STILL depleted numbers I did see a few wrens (in the tops of the casuarinas today), one grey fantail (one???), currawongs, thornbills (always good value), spineys, yellow-faced honeyeaters, and RBFs. The walk is always lovely, I never get tired of it.

And for sci-fi fans, "...at midnight on the 12th of August..." means only one thing: WAR OF THE WORLDS. Read H.G. Wells's fabulous book, or listen to Jeff Wayne's masterpiece. ULLAH!

Happy writing
Bo
x