What caught your eye today.

[sandyship]

The pictures of the dust over Aussie were very dramatic . New Zealand had a slight haze from them a week ago but we have had rain since so no fall out from this last spectacular dusting. Not great for asthmatics i would think. Amazing weather happening all around the world really.

[filmoss]

Should this not be in some sort of gardening section now as it has digressed from its original thread ( Sort of ! )And no disrespect to the posters I hasten to add !

[Lynne]

Point taken about the gardening comments however I really felt this was an interesting topic concerning different things that take the eye.It covers such a wide range of subjects to reflect on.We all come from different backgrounds and experiences and each poster can offer something new.
I personally have enjoyed reading what others notice happening around them -it is a pity to tie topics down too much in my view -ideas should be allowed to develop.
If you look back at some of the points covered -beside gardening -Harry Patch-the Sydney sand storms-United Nations-Church Bells -for and against-the Proms.
That's what I think anyway.

[anacortesdamp]

Agreed, Lynne.


Frank

[Lynne]

Thanks Frank -I was beginning to think I had a different view to everyone else.
Anyway today I got some long- haul flight details.
Wow ! The extra fees including new increased Carbon taxes -Climate Change again!!!!! mean that those charges are getting close to half the actual fare for the flight.
For anyone who travels and has not caught up with these increases ,from November, Carbon taxes are divided into 4 bands and flying further afield is really penalised in a big way.
These extra charges are due to almost double again in November 2010.
The extra for European destinations is not too bad but any further and it mounts up. I think it is specific to this country.
Those who bring in these penalties as enjoy free or subsidised flights round the World as usual.

[muffers]

Yes Lynne your right, I started this thread for anything that caught people's eye on that particular day. Not really anyone subject just something for that day. My little tree had its first night of frost last night so I am anxious to see how it did.

Today what caught my eye was the amount of leaves that have already fallen in the garden .

[LDunlop76]

The trees I look out at from this window are just beginning to turn. What caught my eye this week though was Hallowe'en and Christmas stuff in the supermarket. Hallowe'en fair enough, but even for those who buy a little towards Christmas every week, surely Christmas cakes on the shelf in September is too early???

[Fiverise]

I agree although we bought one this week from Lakeland on a day out doubt if it will last on the shelf till christmas though.

[Lynne]

Sad to see all the news of the Earthquakes and Tsunamis in the South Pacific and Indonesia and the terrible results.
Must say I have a special interest in this as I know how many many Samoans and Tongans ,among other Pacific Islanders ,live and work in Australia and New Zealand and send a great deal of what they earn either individually or through the Church back to their families who on the whole have very little to come and go on.
Tourism was beginning to pick up a bit there but generally there is not a great deal to make a living out of except fishing , coconut and growing Taro.
New Zealand itself is in the Earthquake zone and Auckland is built on -I think!!!!!-about 50 extinct volcanoes as many parts of the city suggest -Mt Wellington -Mt Albert-Mt Victoria-Mt Eden etc.
If you climb to the top of these and look in the craters, generally they are grassed over and have sheep or cattle grazing.
One Mt Eden has been made into a Garden area with Camellias and Magnolias.
From the top of Mt Victoria there is a 360 degree view of the harbour looking out at another prominent volcanic landmark -Rangitoto- which is covered with Pohutukawa trees and at Xmas is a lovely scarlet red.
Seems no part of the world is immune from some sort of natural threat
When I first went to the South Island no one had warned me about earthquakes so it was a bit of a shock after being there a week to have the eerie silence -the animals upset then the house lights swinging.
It must have been absolutely horrific and still is over there.

[noel]

Sad indeed. We have a lot to be thankful for living in this small overcrowded damp island. Padang has suffered a 2nd earthquake this morning following yesterday's quake, only just over 6 on the Richter scale. It's a high price to pay for living in a tropical "paradise".