tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74369597918790462872011-11-26T17:07:26.373+11:00Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.comBlogger451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-87614619720142368162011-11-26T15:45:00.003+11:002011-11-26T15:56:52.083+11:00

12 months on and I find myself sitting at the computer trying to find, for the life of me, on the world wide web, some sort of records of previous flood heights because we find ourselves being surrounded by water, yet again! Either I am not asking Google the right questions, or the records don't exist. So, then I got to thinking about my blog and if I might have written anything about flood

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-21614616998284892192010-12-13T21:12:00.003+11:002010-12-13T22:07:48.004+11:00

We're still isolated. Sure, the water has gone down enough and you can get out if you really need to but now, we're just waiting for the flood water from further upstream to completely isolate us once more. Basically, we're going to be here for at least a week. If you were to take a look at the graph of the river height, you'd see that it has held at a pretty high level and hasn't moved much at

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-27877700414553023142010-12-09T08:56:00.003+11:002010-12-09T08:58:53.601+11:00

Mark Robert Harlen 24th July, 1962 - 9th December 2006.

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-2568780157245748642010-12-08T00:12:00.002+11:002010-12-08T00:18:57.984+11:00

So, just a quick one for my readers but if you've heard about the latest in the flood situation here, you're probably wondering if everything is ok. Everything is ok! Today we received a message from the SES automated system (but yes, someone had to punch the button) telling us to "prepare for evacuation now". Many people in town believed the order to be to evacuate now! I can see why. Meanwhile,

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-48305824321096651072010-11-09T22:00:00.002+11:002010-11-09T23:10:44.989+11:00

This is Joe's Hut, up in Coolah Tops. It was a great example of Aussie bush building. Talk about rustic! The men who lived in this shack had to be pretty tough, I reckon!Well, my first attempt at serious journalism has begun. Today marks the day I sent off my first story with pictures to a magazine. I don't know if it will even get published but just the thought that it might get considered is

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-43345114750328335772010-10-26T18:39:00.001+11:002010-10-26T18:57:24.952+11:00

Well..its still here I see! I'd have thought that blogger might have zapped my account or something, seeing as the blog hasn't been written to in a while. The only thing that reminded me about it was an email notification that someone had recently posted a comment. (in the last few months that is!)So, here's a shout out to those 4 faithful followers of mine! lol. I guess you might get a

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-78235548313524360972009-12-09T16:03:00.002+11:002009-12-09T16:30:35.048+11:00

But it could as easily be one thousand and ninety five seconds later...or one thousand and ninety five months later...I won't say years because I'm pretty certain if that many years have passed, then I'll be well and truly reunited with my love in Eternity! Bit of an intense start to a post when I've not been posting for so long I know...but whilst I originally had other ideas for my blog, it had

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-38884748155790431392009-05-31T13:56:00.002+10:002009-05-31T14:47:34.802+10:00

May has been a crazy month here. And although I have sat down several times now to write to the blog, I've not managed to actually post it up! So...here's what I had started to write at the beginning of the month...Just back from a quick trip to Sydney. The main reason for going was to get to Cafebiz, an industry trade fair for...well, cafes! A friend was doing a reopening on Saturday of their

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-90629877776250772852009-04-04T16:46:00.003+11:002009-04-04T17:23:24.526+11:00

YES YES YES! Joy oh Joy...(Er...at this point I will say...I am being very careful and responsible...)This might not be so exciting a revelation for some of you and there might be some who are a bit worried. But, don't worry...The bitumen has finally been laid down on the Bingara Road up to Sawn Rocks. This might mean nothing at all to you. And well, that's fine but it means a heck of a lot to me

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-20633967356579962722009-02-24T20:43:00.003+11:002009-02-24T21:02:46.297+11:00

Which, I think is an Eric Clapton record but seeing as I'm no Eric Clapton fan (that was Mark) I'm not really sure. So, if you think I am an Eric Clapton fan, allow me to destroy that thought. Because I'm not. But I am a Star Wars fan.A long time ago, in a town far far away...Well, it could be the start of a story but even with Star Wars, its not really is it? I mean, we actually find out that

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-71301834414041777052009-01-04T12:12:00.002+11:002009-01-04T17:52:15.744+11:00

Well, all I really wanted to say is..."More photos" but I'd better just fill in with a few more words as well! I'm still in Not-So-Sunny-Queensland...or Beautiful One Day...Raining the Next Queensland or just plain old Queensland. I'm near the beach and that's all that matters! I will be here for another two weeks, just bumming about, doing some more beach and a bit of retail therapy. Seth is up

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-78821162949301190962008-12-23T22:18:00.003+11:002009-02-26T19:03:25.386+11:00

A very good friend of mine might get that title. Every time I get a call from him, he says..."Me here." and then there's a whole dialogue we go through after that. For now, I'm at the beach. Well, near enough to it. It's very good to not be behind the coffee machine for a while. Four weeks actually. And boy, do I have an absolute pile of reading to do! Meanwhile...enjoy some scenery!

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-1606672086364762252008-12-07T14:45:00.004+11:002008-12-07T15:38:56.472+11:00

It's been a week of highs and lows...High water but not as high as it could have been and certainly lower than expected! Ok...I'll stop trying to be funny now.There were floods about but nothing that stopped us from doing anything we wanted to do. It has held up some of the harvest still. I know that there are a lot of farmers who will just be glad to see the end of this harvest. The rest of us

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-15734832309803695122008-12-03T23:13:00.004+11:002008-12-03T23:31:09.092+11:00

Today marks another milestone in the saga that is my life and was Mark's.It is today, that I am officially allowed to talk about what was in the final report from the ATSB on the safety issues that may have been brought up by the accident that Mark had.One thing to keep at the forefront of your mind when reading anything from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau is that their brief is to find a

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-69440393892599015612008-11-18T22:16:00.003+11:002008-11-18T22:33:31.842+11:00

To watch the way of the rain, When it falls slow and free...I can't take credit for writing those words, except for here, as they are someone else's. I do however, have a fondness for them.And so it rains here!Has been for a whole day or so. While other parts of the country are being bombarded with high winds and cyclonic conditions, we're just getting steady rain. Which is how this country needs

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-51915415031566448412008-11-16T20:34:00.003+11:002008-11-16T20:57:21.040+11:00

Gesh...probably the hardest thing that any woman and maybe even any male for that matter, has to do is take their own picture. I found it difficult to get my mind around and then to figure out how to do it without showing any of my "ugly" bits...and I'm not talking about the private parts here!So, another challenge and seeing as this time, I have not got a willing subject of the human variety, I

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-944948434196150432008-11-11T21:45:00.002+11:002008-11-11T22:13:03.400+11:00

Whew...what a couple of weeks...I've been very busy making coffee...The ABC Open Garden scheme came to our town and several gardens in the district were invited to open. One of the gardens is just two doors down from the bakery cafe where I work. My employers were approached to do coffee and light refreshments for visitors over the two days. Reluctantly they agreed. So, a commitment was made to

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-44003246127317216882008-10-22T21:42:00.002+11:002008-10-22T21:53:54.141+11:00

With this CRAZY weather? I mean, it's boiling hot one day, freezing the next! So far, this spring we've had hot, we've had cold, we've had rain, I've heard of sleet and hail in some districts and we won't mention the wind! Mainly because I really hate the wind, it drives me nuts. I think that having exceptional hearing is a bad thing because when it is windy, you are adversely affected by it. I

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-68318677148331789212008-10-19T14:00:00.003+11:002008-10-19T14:13:30.696+11:00

Before I get razzed on for not updating...Here goes.The photo I entered in an online competition WON! It was well deserved I thought. Here it is again just to remind you...As for the garden...well...it didn't do so well. But, it was its first outing in something like a garden competition and I didn't think it would actually be that good first time round. Especially, as there was a great lack of

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-27624769102613502032008-10-01T08:01:00.004+10:002008-10-01T16:26:27.612+10:00

Its been a HUGE weekend with us racing around to get the backyard spotless and set up for the local town garden competition. I had entered the outdoor movie screen area into the "Entertainment area" section, along with the backyard into the "Back Yard" section. We spent the weekend whippersnippering, mowing, pruning, weeding, watering, planting in the garden. I emptied and refilled my small

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-42217094602140324932008-09-21T12:40:00.006+10:002008-09-21T22:19:19.633+10:00

...In A Movie...Well, I had some thoughts a while ago about how I found myself relating to certain female movie characters. I thought I'd put it up here and see what thoughts I get back. Let me know who you relate to, I'm interested to know...Some days I feel like...Princess Leia...A little bit of royalty but not really, a little bit fiesty, like I could take on the Empire and win all by myself,

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-76612854051648673262008-09-14T18:22:00.004+10:002008-09-14T19:27:13.837+10:00

Well...here I am...12 months since I started a blog. I thought I'd celebrate by telling you all why I am the way I am. And this will be where I might lose readers or keep them. So be it! This post has been a long time coming...in fact its been 12 months and 37 years in the making!Because its ALL about Jesus. It is Jesus who has redeemed me, Jesus who has paid the very dear price for me, Jesus who

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-75550387547001793672008-09-01T10:32:00.003+10:002008-09-01T11:29:53.710+10:00

Here I am again! This is becoming a habit...Have just got back from a Christian conference of 3 thousand people in Katoomba called "Engage". It was aimed at working people, so it had relevance to being a Christian in the workplace. Got to hear some great teaching from some awesome speakers, sing along with a great band and had lots of fun with some friends on a road trip. What a whirlwind though!

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-13575672989654098902008-08-07T21:05:00.006+10:002008-11-16T21:01:08.206+11:00

Damn blogger...Sorry if you've left comments recently and they've not been published. In order to reduce the spam problem, I moderate the comments before publishing them. It appears the last lot got eaten by some bug in the system! Sorry folks! But I did get to see that you'd left me some comments! Thankyou!Yes, I've been a bit busy of late. A few pictures will tell a thousand words I'm sure.The

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-27264718173352867862008-05-28T18:49:00.002+10:002008-05-28T18:56:52.707+10:00

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-25852836727159744062008-05-26T21:29:00.003+10:002008-05-26T21:36:28.638+10:00

So, I think I lost my muse there for a while...I haven't even been writing up in my real life journal much either.It was like after the excitement and busyness of March, I didn't have anything left to say and that 3 posts on one weekend was probably enough to turn any die hard reader away. Well, I hope that there are some of you still out there...waiting...reading...listening to crickets!

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-22965610217247706792008-03-24T16:58:00.008+11:002008-12-09T10:40:03.142+11:00

There really is nothing like coming down the road towards Mt Panorama. It is an awesome vista as you come over the small rise on the main road to the track. As you get to the top of the hill, you look up and see the huge letters proclaiming that it is "Mount Panorama". As soon as you see that, your heart begins to beat a little faster as you know you are within moments of riding over the

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-91641671958232930872008-03-20T22:16:00.005+11:002008-12-09T10:40:03.801+11:00

As promised...After fueling up on the way out of town, we were to head off towards Rylstone via a scenic route through some of the state forest. I guess for the staff in the fuel station, it might have been a familiar sight to see all his pumps taken up by bikes as he sure seemed none to fussed as we lined up to pay him our measly dollars! I don't think there was anyone paying much over 10

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-84430956666742601222008-03-19T07:54:00.002+11:002008-12-09T10:40:04.156+11:00

Last year I had joined up with the Ducati Owners Club of NSW. I joined because it is often a good way to find parts and information for your vehicle, hence why I am also a member of the Chevrolet Car Club of NSW as well. The membership has often paid for itself with information!This year, I saw that DOCNSW was advertising the National Ducati Rally in Bathurst and so I decided that I'd very much

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-33615862875316025132008-03-08T15:24:00.004+11:002008-12-09T10:40:04.538+11:00

My trip to Melbourne ended pretty well. The only downer to it was that my luggage didn't make the same flight home as me and came in on the next flight the following morning. I was very happy that it did arrive home of course!Celebrate the Bean was a huge day on Sunday, with many people being drawn to the Coffeesnobs stand. I think the aroma of roasting coffee was what drew them in first! We had

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-13875728692405631682008-02-29T19:17:00.004+11:002008-12-09T10:40:04.801+11:00

A very busy week this week, one that has been touched by tragedy...Last weekend, I spent riding the Duke to Armidale. As part of my trip there, I had been challenged on a forum to take a photo of the bike in front of a local landmark which is big! I chose the big golden guitar at Tamworth.Actually, come to think of it, I think I became the tourist attraction at the golden guitar as when I was

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-30128676496987199812008-02-17T17:05:00.002+11:002008-12-09T10:40:05.242+11:00

Thought I'd just do a photo blog today. On Aussie Scooters, we've been challenged to take local photos with our scooters in them. These are what I've started to snap around town...

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-21032458655885732682008-02-11T19:31:00.000+11:002008-12-09T10:40:05.466+11:00

Scooter! A 125cc Aprilia Habana to be precise.I thought it time to talk about my daily driver. He should get an honourable mention at least as he's nearly as famous as me around town!At least, most people here in my town know who rides the little blue scoot! Its always funny to see people do a double take when you go zipping past as they certainly don't expect to see a scooter, which is more of

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-76954377351479734352008-01-31T21:00:00.000+11:002008-12-09T10:40:05.649+11:00

Its a new school year. I've just taken my son back to school and I can tell you, it doesn't get any easier.Contrary to this photo, my boy is now a tall young man of 15. Here in the photo he is a little man of 4. We were taking a walk in a nearby cotton field, near to where we were living at the time. The dog was a great mate, a Basenji called Outsider. The dog is no longer with us, as he was

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-62121840871051916872008-01-26T17:23:00.000+11:002008-12-09T10:40:05.799+11:00

Was a favourite Eric Clapton album of Mark's. But I digress. I am going to relate the details of 9th of December, 2007, as I'm sure that there are those who'd like to know how it went!It was an evening that seemed to come together very smoothly. Friends were coming from Sydney and those who lived here were already confirming that they'd be there. It was looking to be a big night.The day before,

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-35558487950865294292008-01-20T15:04:00.001+11:002008-12-09T10:40:05.889+11:00

Apologies to those of you who are visiting and reading. I have not been attentive to my blog and have not done many regular updates. I won't bore you either with a huge post about what has been happening, suffice to say it has been mostly all good!However, I will bore you with my adventures on a Ride On Lawn Mower...New Years Eve has fast become an annual event at friends where we race ride on

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-6804034065980971982007-11-30T21:42:00.000+11:002008-12-09T10:40:06.039+11:00

I love old pictures...I can vaguely remember this photo being taken but not much beyond that. I could eventually reach the foot pegs on this bike properly and Dad taught me to ride it. It wasn't very fast and I think it would be lucky to do more than 20 kms/hr! But that was still pretty quick to a kid!Now, to think I'm riding a 900 cc!It's been a busy couple of weeks here, so haven't had much of

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-52537610761559466682007-11-11T12:33:00.000+11:002008-12-09T10:40:06.178+11:00

Well, it is now just under a month until the 1 year anniversary of Mark's accident.What a strange way to describe the day of someones death! As an anniversary! We normally have such good images associated with anniversaries, this just seems a bit odd in comparison.Having no clue at first as to what to do and how to deal with it, I seriously thought about going away for the weekend. In the end, I

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-63495709215508026862007-11-07T21:14:00.000+11:002008-12-09T10:40:06.288+11:00

The title to this entry has two meanings to me today! A pair of boots being what I bought for myself when in Tamworth on Monday, as I was passing through back to home. A pair of motorcycle boots to be precise.The other meaning is that my son has gained the title Lance-Corporal in Cadets. So, he's been wearing a pair of boots too! I was excited to hear that he'd decided to do the leadership course

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-40346688003212536252007-10-30T21:46:00.000+11:002008-12-09T10:40:06.410+11:00

Well, I've kind of plagarised that saying. It should say to Ride A Horse is to Ride the Sky! But, a bike is up there with riding horses and I've done both!Putting some photo's away the other day, I happened across one very tiny photo of myself that my mother had passed onto me. I was photographed sitting up on a dirt bike, gripping the handle bars, my feet barely touching the pegs at all of

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-82503972830819405892007-10-12T21:52:00.000+10:002008-12-09T10:40:06.497+11:00

Ever had one of those strange experiences where you wake up and don't remember what time or day it is? I experienced that earlier this evening! I have just got back from two nights out camping and catering for 20 people. Exhausted, I went to have a 15 minute powernap! Famous last thoughts! I woke up several hours later, in the dark. It was a bit disturbing and a little unreal as it was dark and I

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-36656286906163062562007-10-08T21:08:00.000+10:002007-10-08T21:11:19.550+10:00

Random Facts About MeI've been tagged and so here I am responding to that tag. Again, I am totally new to this world of blogs and so don't really know to much about this sort of thing, so please, bear with me!1. I have one teenage son.2. My main job at the moment is as a barista (that's a maker of coffee, not a lawyer!)3. I have a big indoor screen and an even bigger outdoor screen for watching

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-7327003489727649142007-10-03T21:06:00.001+10:002008-12-09T10:40:06.659+11:00

When I get to see Mark again, I hope that when he asks me "So, what did you end up doing with your life, Duchess?" I hope that I can give good account to him as well as to Jesus. I am sure that it would be heartbreaking for him if he knew that I didn't live well after he had gone. I guess that I am fortunate that Mark had a pretty good outlook on life himself. He was definitely full of life and

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-7740049966088824242007-09-16T13:28:00.000+10:002007-09-16T13:37:41.726+10:00

They say a picture says a thousand words!Hopefully, what I'm about to say won't take that many...The aircraft in the picture is an AirTractor 802 series aircraft. The pilot of the aircraft in that photo is my husband. He was photographed by a client who's field of sorghum he was spraying.Why start a blog with this image? Well, I guess because that man piloting that plane is why I'm starting a

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7436959791879046287.post-49860786864254964272007-09-16T12:39:00.000+10:002007-09-16T12:42:43.926+10:00

Well, here I am in the wonderful wide world of Blogging...I'm making this foray into the blogging world as a way to test the waters so to speak!So as I get my blog set up, I'll fill in the blanks about my story so far...

Duchesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18086548777303657429noreply@blogger.com0