Welcome to 2012

Welcome to 2012

Me capturing me being literally reflective
on New Year Day 2012

The New Year has arrived and our small village at Murrurundi was virtually undisturbed by the revelling at midnight as the new year was welcomed in. There were a few fireworks as the new year dawned. But even the occasional barking of a dog could not be heard. This year we stayed home, and enjoyed the ambience of "our little villa".

"Our little villa" nestles in the night

2011 was a great year. I married Pearl, my soul mate, confidante and friend. We had a wonderful wedding with perfect weather for our 'pond garden ceremony'. We had many friends and family join us for some three days of festivities.

My poem 'Midnight' uses a similar analogy in the last

line as Wilfred Owen uses in the poem below. Although

a very sad poem it reminds us of the war wounded.

Anthem For Doomed Youth

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells; 

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?

Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.

The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

<Wilfred Owen - written 1917>

Anthem For Doomed Youth

I felt inspired around midnight to write a poetic reflection and this is what tumbled out:

Midnight 

The fleeting day has slipped into the night

And now awaits the coming of the dawn.

Darkness seeps into every empty space

Where daylight waits the curtains to be drawn

The earth half-sleeping sighs in dreaming

Where night allows neglecting of the time.

Soon enough the sunlight with its streaming

Will demand a new day’s pulling up of blinds. 
<Rodney 1st January 2012>

____________________________________________________________________


New Year's Day Breakfast at Cafe Telegraph - Murrurundi

Pearl and I were invited by the owners of our favourite restaurant Wil and Chuckles, to join them in New Year Breakfast Celebrations with their other 'regulars'. The restaurant gardens are near the Pages River. The weather was perfect again and it was a great way to kick off the new year with friends in our community.

The beautiful gardens at Cafe Telegraph

Wil and Chuckles have owned the Cafe Telegraph for some years, They open the Cafe (Restaurant) on weekends for breakfast and lunches, The meals are always fresh, very tasty and great val

Pearl and I make a regular habit of going to Cafe Telegraph, at least once a month - and probably more often

Wil and Chuckles owners of Cafe Telegraph

Relaxing at Cafe Telegraph for Breakfast

Cafe Telegraph has the most outstanding garden
 venue, which is well shaded in summer by grape
 vines hanging over the pergola, and lovely fruit trees
offering shade as well. Cafe Telegraph adjoins the
 Pages River, where the running water and bird life
 all add to the ambience and relaxing atmosphere.

No wonder Pearl and I picked this venue for our
 wedding reception last year. It was simply perfect, 

Pearl enjoys a relaxing time at Cafe telegraph

Pearl and I had a great celebration at Cafe Telegraph where we enjoyed a sensational breakfast, kindly provided by our hosts, Wil and Chuckles. We saw many of our friends, some who were back in Murrurundi for the New Year holiday weekend.

Murrurundi has great places to eat. When we visit these places, they will become part of the blog







_________________________________________________________________________________

 The Day's Postscipt
So the 1st day of January 2012 draws to a close - hope you had a great day.

• I found out that my friend Michael from Scone nearly electrocuted himself when drilling into a wall at his home. Give a thought for Molly Meldrum
•  My friend John Townsend from Central Bucca almost cut his hand off when he tried to fix his ride on mower while it was still going. He only realised after the near miss that he would have died as he probably would have bled to death and gone into shock, as there was no one around. He said he kept "kissing his hand" afterwards, because it was still attached to his arm!
• I spent far too long on blogging today - but I have learn't a lot - and sitting on the lounge for too long can make your bum ache