Backyard Astronomy

 I am finally working out the intricacies of my new smart telescope.  It needs to be handled carefully but getting the software to play nice with the images is an art form by itself.  I am progressing. These are the C100 and the RCW 57 nebulae taken in the backyard.

School Photos

 This is the last year Cooper will have a school photo and Lachlan only has two to go.  Does that make us feel old?  Yes it does!

James' Gallery Update

 James called over today so we could update Granny's Gallery.  This is the selected portrait.

Memories of Childhood

 The Enid Blyton book "The Magic Faraway Tree" was a feature of both Claire's and my own childhood.  So when it was released as a film we were both intrigued to see how it would translate into a movie.  The answer was "not very well" from our perspective.

James' Family Birthday Gathering

 On Sunday the Reid and Altis families gathered to celebrate James' 24th birthday.  It is always a great opportunity to catch up with the Altis families and snatch a few photos with the grandchildren.

Mitchell Turns 24

 Mitchell had his Birthday so of course, Granny's Gallery needed an update.  He called across to face the camera.

Cooper's Deb Ball

 Cooper and his Deb Partner Caitlin and about 35 other couples had been practicing for the Mullauna Deb Ball for a couple of months.  It all came together last Friday at a huge Reception venue in a very well presented evening.  We were privileged to attend.

The participants were presented, there were a number of formal dances before a break and then a number of progressive dances.

Ebony's Birthday

 We called in to see Ebony on her birthday.  Holly had made her a cake so we were able to sample it.

My New Toy

 For a couple of months I have been looking forward to the arrival of my new toy, a "smart telescope" that collects starlight by tracking deep sky objects and stacking the images together.  It is small and powerful.

The challenge is now to learn how to use it effectively and process the images.  I used some simple settings to photograph Nebulae C103 and C 92.

Historic Maryborough

 Maryborough is a town crammed with history.  We saw one of the earliest commercial buildings in the area (early1800s),

The Grand Stand at the Oval was clearly from a different era.  The old Fire Station was at a high point overlooking the Town.  It is now an Art Gallery.

Many of the old buildings around the town have been repurposed.  The original water supply for the Fire Brigade is now a lake in their Botanic Garden.

One of Victoria's original Log Gaols still stands a few kilometres down the road.

The main historic showpiece in the area is the massive Railway Station that was built by an early Victorian Premier to bolster his re-election prospects.  He failed.