The Daily Gaggle

HAVING a convicted criminal call you in your home sounds a little bit unsettling — particularly if they’re still serving time when they do it. And if prisoner number 31047 tried to sell you some raffle tickets for a worthy charity you might be forgiven for being a tad cynical. And yet there’s every chance you may have already received such a call and - if you’re a generous sort - maybe even made a donation, all without ever knowing you were talking to a criminal. It’s also possible that your kids go to school in a demountable classroom put together by convicts in Cessnock or drink milk processed by prisoners at Emu Plains. It might be strange to think about it but prison labour is used in a whole bunch of industries across the state and so, one might say, why not telemarketing? The blunt truth is this: No one wants criminals re offending when they get out of jail; they are much less likely to re offend if they have a job; they are much more likely to get a job if they have training and...

I haven't had much opportunity to write a post, my time mostly being taken up by more pressing activities within the home and those concerning relatives and my dear friends from the now defunct 'HMS KING GEORGE V' Association which was wound up on Friday Sept 25. There were just seven of us in the Australian by choice members left from the crew of that famous British battleship, which ended her war years in the Pacific and returning to Sydney Sept 27, 65 years ago, at age 83 I am now the youngest member. Let me quote the words of someone myself and others rubbed shoulders with during the long drawn out periods of action within the pacific campaign particularly the dreadful operation Iceberg which claimed so many lives. The words of Vice admiral Bernard Rawlings "I am not certain that those at home have any idea of what these long operating periods mean, nor of the strain put on those serving on these ships, so many of whom, both officers and men were mere children. In ...

For dramatic pictures referred to in my blog, .......GOOGLE ...Sydney Daily Telegraph Sept 24 .09 These pics are amazing. you may comment on my blog.

Today here on the Central Coast of NSW Australia we are approaching mid spring. The Sun shining over a immense mantle of dust kilometers high is penetrating through to the interior of our house; despite that every conceivable entry has been sealed, It is doubtful much out door activity will take place today and my major concern is for those whose livelihood will be affected also asthma sufferers. Yesterday in Unclesamland an old guy reputedly turned 113 years of age, this I find hard to believe as his origins seem a trifle sketchy. However not so one birthday boy who turns 55 today, Whilst I was serving with the British Navy, Christopher our eldest was born in the British Military Hospital in Singapore to Rosemary my nearest and dearest who was a sweet little twenty year old at the time. Rosemary is still sweet but a little older. Christopher can join in the B/Day celebrations with approximately 59,725 other Australians from our new revised population figure of 22.8 Million. Lifespan o...

It could be that the working person has one way of cutting back on spending in order to top up the mortgage and other high fiscal outgoings and that is by staying home with a slab of tinnies and cheap plonk for er indoors, this is becoming the in thing. This is not a new conception but an echo from the past when shanks pony was the main mode of transport and robbers lurked around darkened corners to bail up unsuspecting intoxicated wayfarers. sadly these have been replaced by people called bobbies cops garda's and other unsavoury names like Govt revenue gatherers. By inviting your friends around on a reciprocal basis and arranging a designated driver or pick up or a Cab can cut the costs of having a social gathering enormously. Most (grown up)families have facilities for entertaining to implement this , although I would not recommend this sort of going on where young children may become involved. Although policing these indoor activities does raise questions. however choosing caref...

Bills, accounts to sort out and other domestic renovations cleaning and gardening chores have taken over my time during the past four weeks. Relatives calling and a more calm Pr/Son, have taken toll of our time, so maybe this weekend we may get out and about. It has rained about three times but briefly within the past month, today and yesterday the temp reached 32 Cel, indoors it is still in the mid 20's we would normally have the heat on in the evenings until mid spring in the Sth/Hemisphere. Out shopping recently I finally had a showdown with a local butchery within a shopping complex. Asking for six Forequarter Lamb chops on display, The guy probably with a thumb on the scale filled a bag from behind the counter with the scrag ends from the lamb Forequarter. With a large audience of women, I the tipped the scrag ends onto the counter and demanded those that I had asked for. the bloke serving replied if you don't like them 'Piss off". I did just that, and so did the ...

It's not that we're really old but you may remember some of these, I did :) Someone asked the other day, 'What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?' 'We didn't have fast food when I was growing up,' I informed him. 'All the food was slow.' 'C'mon, seriously. Where did you eat?' 'It was a place called 'at home,'' I explained ! 'Mum cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.' By this time, the kid was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table. But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I figured his system could have handled it : Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore Levis , set foot on a...

Budgewoi NSW OZ 11:35 am Frid Sept 4. 09. Keeping it a secret from our number five son, our trip overseas was disclosed on our return when he bucked up courage to apologise for his unseemly behaviour over the past year or so. Finally arriving with daughters over the past W/E together with new B/F. Although tension reigned throughout the visit, it finally concluded amicably followed by a sigh of relief from nearest and dearest and myself. Since returning from the U/K much of my time has been spent in the garden, also any moment I expect a call from number four son who will be laying a new kitchen floor plus new carpet for the stairs and upper hallway. Being that it is Friday and two days away from 'Fathers Day', it would not surprise me if the Wife's bedroom curtain replacement project will join the confusion. Fortunately the pain in my right foot which arrived four days ago has disappeared overnight, maybe getting ones leg over may have been the answer. Back after lunch. 12...