Baggas’ Blog

Local shots 15

Originally uploaded by baggas

Well it’s been a wild, stormy day, but at least we’ve been treated to a pretty spectacular finish

Our backyard

Originally uploaded by baggas

Major storms in Port Kennedy today. Constant thunder, lightning and heavy rain for much of the morning. And this is what happened to our fence..

Today’s been a crazy day in general. I’m on-call for the hospital. Have already had 2 babies delivered today with at least one more on the way, so I’ve been driving back and forth to the hospital in the heavy rain. Also our gas hot water system stopped working this morning so we had to call out the gas man to fix it in the pouring rain. Not looking forward to getting the bill for that.

Local shots 14

Originally uploaded by baggas

Well this is part of the memorial to HMAS Perth, a guided missile destroyer that served from 1965 to 1999, including distinguished service in the Vietnam war. Rockingham is the site of a major naval base, which is I guess the reason they put this memorial here. Also nearby there is a huge ship’s gun turret, presumably from the Perth.

In the background you can see the blue CBH grain terminal wharf, where I spent many summer days while I was in medical school. I had a job there most summers shovelling grain, unloading trains and loading ships. The top tower of that wharf has one of the best views around - was a great place to sit and eat my lunch or dinner, or just hang out when there wasn’t much work to be done.

About a month ago, with the aim of working on my health and fitness, I visited our local bike shop and got myself a reasonably good bike. The last one I had was a cheap one that rusted from disuse a few years ago. Well I haven’t been doing so great thus far, being so busy that I’ve only ridden it 3 or 4 times, and only short trips.

Well tonight I went out for a ride along the cycle path near our house, and was well rewarded with some great views of a gentle sunset over the ocean. All too often we don’t appreciate what a beautiful place we live in. I need to work at getting out on my bike more often, and scenes like this are a great incentive to do so.

Local shots 12

Originally uploaded by baggas

Down the park near our house with the boys. Owen is practising his bike riding (doing pretty good too!)

… and flickr is still not co-operating with this blog posting.. the photos make it to flickr, but not to my blog. I have to take the extra step of blogging the photo from within flickr… annoying

Local shots 11

Originally uploaded by baggas

This is in one of the better parks in Rockingham, with plenty for the kids to do - but I have no idea what the point is of these totem pole things. Is it some weird new age thing? Do they hold occult fertility rituals or sacrifices here in the dead of the night? Certainly doesn’t look indigenous to here.. strange.

Speaking of parks, keep your eye on this blog for some upcoming video of “The Best Playground I Have Ever Seen” and it’s right here in WA. I’ll post it up here over the next few days.

Anyway I’m off to dance around the totem poles.. :p

Local shots 10

Originally uploaded by baggas

This one’s from last week - Shoalwater Bay. My friend used to live a street back from this beach so we spent a lot of time down there as kids. I particularly remember one episode where we got freaked out by an angry seal when we tried to swim to Seal Island. We ended up turning around and going back to shore. Good times.

Local shots 8

Originally uploaded by baggas.

Boring looking photo I know, but significant to me. This is the Safety Bay Scout Hall, where in grade 4 in 1984 I was part of the first ever class of students at Maranatha Christian School - we had a combined class of grade 4 - 7 students and around 40 kids total in the school.

Now I’m parked outside the current, much huger, Maranatha College waiting to collect my grade 2 son. I noticed the other day in the office here that they still have a few plaques with my name on up on the wall. Scary how fast time flies. Life is too short…

I need to get a batch of photos printed over the next few days. Usually if it’s just a few photos that need printing I’ll use our printer at home, which puts out pretty nice looking prints, but if it’s a bigger size batch I prefer taking them to a shop to get them done. I’ve used Harvey Norman printing a bit in the past because it’s nice and close to us, but the last time I went there the prints were awful quality.

SO, I’ll ask for advice… anyone have any tips on where is the best place to get digital photos printed, preferably in the Rockingham area (though other tips are welcome too)?? And if so, how do you get them done - glossy or matte? Do you use their “image correction” features or just print them as is? What’s your experiences on pricing and waiting times? … thanks

Local shots 7

Originally uploaded by baggas.

You could call it a beach, or you could call it a sea weed depository … either way Safety Bay is a nice spot.

Now let’s see if this works - the flickr blog posting is a bit inconsistent - the photos I send from my phone always make it to flickr, but don’t seem to then make it to blog every time. It’s a bit hit and miss - so here goes…

[yep - the photo made it to flickr but not to the blog. Although it’s then easy to send it on using one click from the flickr website but it’s a shame the mobile posting is not so reliable…]

Local shots 6

Originally uploaded by baggas.

Whenever my drug pushers disappoint and do not bring me lunch, I like to visit this joint up the road - Perth Noodle Wok. Always very tasty. Today’s meal - Phad Thai noodle box - and it was very nice indeed

Local shots 5

Originally uploaded by baggas.

Coffee, crossaint, ocean, and trees - a perfect breakfast before work… along with a good book of course!

Had a little case in theatre this morning so I’ve half an hour to kill before my clinic starts.

Local shots 4

Originally uploaded by baggas.

Sunset over the park near our home tonight. The photo just doesn’t do justice to how spectacular this was…

Of course using a mobile phone camera doesn’t help. 

Originally uploaded by baggas.

I’ve never spent a huge amount of time here, but for some reason this park has always appealed to me..

Any locals want to tell us where it is??

Local Shots 2

Originally uploaded by baggas.

My favourite shop in the local area. No prizes for guessing why

The kids know this as the “orange guitar shop”

Local Shots 1

Originally uploaded by baggas.

I’d prety much forgotten about remote posting via flickr until I notced ob1 doing it the last few days. Nothing like some fresh photos to keep things interesting.

So here begins a series of random photos of my world as I’m around the traps. To start with, the focal point of Rockingham, where I have spent many many days since I was a kid - Rockingham beach.

Online refrigeration

Originally uploaded by baggas.

I know you can do an awful lot of things on the net these days but keeping things cold? Now that’s impressive! :))

Hiring babies

Originally uploaded by baggas.

Now if you ever need to hire a baby you know who t call.

Saw this the other day