SCENIC SUNDAY - ROTORUA

Another shot from one of my favourite places in NZ.

Hubby and I enjoy staying at the camp site on the other side of the lake. A leisurely walk around the Blue Lake takes about 90 minutes. I usually moan and complain up the hill but luckily for me we get that out of the way first and enjoy the rest of the walk.

Hubby's entry for the week is the next post up.

SKYWATCH FRIDAY - ROTORUA

My first Skywatch Friday entry is a collection of shots I took during a visit to one of my favourite places in New Zealand.

Misty Memories

Misty memories
Childhood schooldays
Off to learn in the swirling fog.
Feeling comfort in the damp embrace
Your friends can't see
The joy on your face.
You're free from the embrace of tyranny
Forced on you by family.
My life has changed over many years
I have learned to conquer all my fears.
Life's great!

KB's 55's are awesome and often bring a tear to my eye. I am not sure how to post it, so if you are monitoring, Mr. G., this is my first effort.
Warmest regards,
KB's Hubby

FLASH 55 - A SOFT PLACE TO FALL

She wasn't perfect, there were many things she wished she hadn't done. Could she take back the hurt she had caused and be forgiven? So many questions she was afraid to ask. She covered herself with warm blankets and hid from the world.

'Please stay.' He wrapped her in his arms. She had her answers.


Flash Fiction - Each Friday, I compose a short story of 55 words - no more, no less. If you would like to join in the fun and games... post your story and report to the boss -

G-MAN

If you're not interested in contributing a story, feel free to read the other entries. I'm sure any comments you have would be appreciated.

Happy reading and writing!
Love
KB
xxx

WHAT'S TAKING UP MY FREE TIME?

I've love to read as long as I can remember. I'm part of an online book club - bookcrossing.com. Many of the bookcrossing members are also involved in the online community - livejournal.com. One of the activities we part take in is keeping a record of the books we've read during the year. I was horrified to discover my tally for the year to date is 7 . Yikes, this is a pitiful number for me compared to previous years. I used to read more when I was working. I have more free time on my hands now which begs the question - what's taking up my free time? Me thinks some changes need to be made.

*goes to find book to read*

LEMONADE AWARD

Dickiebo has given me a lemonade award. I was about to say generously gave but after reading his comment, I'm not sure if it was given our of generosity or pity, LOL!

I hate following instructions as I am easily distracted but I'll try my best.

1. Put the logo on your blog or post - Done.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs, which show great attitude and/or gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post (I'm far too lazy to post links but you can see them on my sidebar) and let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog. *nods off*

4. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award. *wakes up again*




KB’s nominated Lemonade Award Winners are:-

Hubby - Cause he's my love
Missy - The big sis I always wanted
Toadee - A prince among toads
Muttars - Cause he drives me insane
Marja - She's sweeter than lemonade
Keith - A fellow piss head - I mean wine connoisseur
Dickiebo - A dawgs best friend
Morgy - The second best blonde in the world
D - Need my daily dose of vitamin D
G-Man - Keeps me on my...toes

Ol' England

Well, here I am in Merry Ol' England. It is 0430 hours and quiet as a grave. That will change soon enough. As some of you may be aware, the G20 Conference is starting tomorrow, and security is HUGE. Estimates of cost are around 1.2 million pounds (and that is conservative, I think), and these costs are at taxpayer's expense. It is no wonder that people are upset! These conferences rarely solve any of the world's problems. That sort of money would be far better spent on eradicating malaria bearing mosquitos in the poorer nations, educating the poor in third world countries (no, Mutters, not New Zealand), or providing free birth control in the same. Why do we put up with such frivolous expenditure of our hard earned cash? I wish I had the answer, but it is not my money, or my electorate. I do feel for the British taxpayer though - their economy is in the shit, national health is more a joke than it ever was, and bureaucracy rules supreme (the Poms invented it, but Australia perfected it, incidentally). The concern about security is so high that the hotel we stay in is closing its main doors as the protest march is to start from Grosvenor Square (where the US Embassy is located) at 1300, right outside the hotel lobby. That is not comforting in itself. What is worse, is that my room faces directly toward the US Embassy. Thankfully, Air New Zealand pays my personal life insurance, but that is of no comfort to KB. Enough C4 and you could say "good-bye" to everything in the Square and a good deal beyond. So I guess security has its purpose (we are probably in the safest place in England, really).
As I commented to the Captain on the way to the UK, "Why couldn't the conference have been held in Alice Springs? It's far away from extremist hotbeds, it's in the middle of the GAFA (for those uninitiated, that's the Great Australian F**k All), there's f-all to blow up, it costs a bloody fortune to get there, and to top it off, we don't overnight there". When he finished laughing, he said "That's because nobody gives a f**k about Australia either".
Such are flight deck discussions. It saddens me that our elected officials are not as pragmatic. With a little thought and a lot less self indulgence, our politicos could achieve a great deal more. But we have to hold them accountable.