Mel's Laatste Sup

Mel's last weekend in Australia - 8 bottles of champagne created a fitting atmosphere for much frivolity at Pee Wee's Rest.  Not much frivolity this morning though....

Hooroo Mellie, it's been a blast mate XX

Dancing with Brolgas

An aboriginal legend tells of a beautiful tall slender young woman Buralga who loved to dance.  She spurned the attentions of an evil magician and with a whirlwind of dust she was changed into a graceful crane.  The brolgas dance is famous for its elegant bowing and bobbing interspersed with periods when they stop to throw back their heads and trumpet loudly.  Sometime they leap into the air, a metre or so high and parachute back to ground on their broad black and grey wings.  These dances are thought to represent a courtship and helps to strengthen the bond between Brolgas who mate for life.

The complicated dance of the brolga is imitated by the Aborigines in some of their dances.

I saw my first 'free' brolga during a recent adventure to Carnarvon Gorge.  I could barely believe my eyes and without doubt this was the highlight.

For those of you who didn't know, the brolga is our only true crane in Australia and although I didn't actually see them dance, it's not that hard to imagine.  They actually look like a feathered ballerina with a splash of red at their tip.  As I watched the three, I imagined the harmony and rhythm of their dance with their slender limbs and elegant necks moving every so gracefully through the mushy undergrowth.  I pleaded for the bobbing, advancing, retiring and trumpeting revealing Buralga but alas it was not to be on this occasion.

As close to I am ever likely to get having Brolgas in my own back yard....

This is Pixie - the world became a more wonderful place the day she arrived.

Let The Fun Begin

I have for a few moons been thinking about a Blog as an alternative to FaceBook and other social sites.  At first they seem like a great idea to keep in touch, exchange chat and photos, but alas, with the passing of time I have watched my own FB page grow beyond what I feel comfortable with.  My very savvy Aunt tripping through France is the reason I decided to steam ahead, and if you grin while reading the little snippets in Dancing with Pixies as I do with the Frog Blog than I will be a happy Fraulein.


I truly don't know the ins and outs of this new try, so bear with me. 

Enjoy!