Cop A Gander At These Rippers Too...

  • Kangaroo Paw Finally Hopping Into Action

    My heart-wrenching kangaroo paw plants have finally started to flower, bringing some joy, but a little bit of sadness, too. Perhaps the best lesson they’re teaching me at the moment is not to get too attached to anything. I’ve always wanted to have kangaroo paw in the garden. They’re one of the few Australian flowers I’ve always known about. I consider them iconic Australian flora. They have a connection to the theme of this website. Most of the kangaroo paw I have in our garden have a connection to my hometown. Apart from one plant, I grew all our kangaroo paw from seed I bought in Belgrave, where I grew…

  • Paddock-basherはボロボロでボコボコ

    Paddock-basher is Strine for an old car used around farms or in the bush. 日本語の意味 Paddock-basher は農場やブッシュで使うボロ車のことです。 Explanation These cars are usually unregistered and driven only on private property. 日本語での解説 多くは公道ではなく、農場や私有地だけで使われます。 Example “We learnt to drive in Dad’s old paddock-basher.” 日本語訳 「父さんのボロ車で運転を覚えた。」 Strine Culcha Many country families keep an old paddock-basher because it is too useful to throw away. オージー文化メモ 地方では古い車でも農場で活躍するため、大切に使われることがあります。 Related Terms

  • Falling Stars

    I got to see a falling star this morning, the first time in many years, and immediately made a wish. Partway through, though, I stopped myself and changed the object of my wish. Instead of seeking some inner peace for myself, I wished happiness and contentment to come to my wife (who has the onerous task of having to put up with me more than anybody else), and then for the long list of people who despise me so that they can be relieved of the ill will that must be hard to carry around. (It soon dawned on me that I have actually being wishing for my own quick…

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    おもちゃ工場にあるBig Rocking Horse

    　南オーストラリア州州都であるアデレードの郊外にあるグムラチャ町には小さなおもちゃ工場があり、そこの入り口周辺は有名な「Big Things」である巨大木馬のBig Rocking Horseがある。 　Big Rocking Horseは、高さ18メートルもあり、登ることもできる。展望台が木馬内に三つもある。製作費用は約＄10万（約1千万円）だった。完成したのは1973年。あくまでもおもちゃ工場の広告だったが独自のアトラクションまでなってきた。 　そこのおもちゃ工場はちょっとしたテーマ・パークにあり、エミューもカンガルーといって動物等もいる。おもちゃ工場のツアーなどがあり、そこで製造したものも販売している。レストランもある、値段も割りとリーズナブル。 Big Rocking Horse公式サイト（英語） Rocking Horseフェースブックサイト 大きな地図で見る

  • Inching Back Into Reality, One Step At A Time

    This week was all about crawling back into real life. I had spent the past couple of months pretty much shut away from the world and immobilized due to a broken leg. I got to return the crutches I had used, swapped them for a cane and now decided I am going to try and walk as much unaided as I possibly can. My doctor and physiotherapist advised me not to cycle, but they did so on the eve of the long year-end, new year holiday when dealing with any accident or incident is tough for medical professionals. I discovered cycling not only offered greater mobility, it was easier on…

  • You Know You’re Australian If…

    A decade or so ago, Sydney comedian Richard Glover wrote a fairly comprehensive list of typical Australian behaviors that is usually reprinted around this time of year, heading into Australia Day on January 26. Kangaeroo joints the throng of reprinters by adding the list here. You know you’re Australian if: You know the meaning of the word “girt”. You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn. You understand that, should an Australian prime minister attempt to invent a nickname for himself, the nation would respond by choosing its own moniker, somewhat less flattering. You believe the best-looking people in the world are those wearing the uniform of the…