Shannon McDuff’s Blog

This is just an intetresting article that is going around in the news lately… sad, but hopefully they can do something about it.

article below:

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Australian media say a lost humpback whale calf has bonded with a yacht it seems to think is its mother.

The 1- to 2-month-old calf was first sighted Sunday in waters off north Sydney, and on Monday tried to suckle from a yacht, which it would not leave.

Rescuers towed the yacht out to sea, and the calf finally detached from the boat but still swam nearby.

The calf appears exhausted but rescuers hope it will continue out to sea and search for its mother or another pod of whales.

“The outlook is not good, but we are giving the calf its only option. It can’t be fed, and in fact we wouldn’t know what to feed it” because it is not weaned, National Parks and Wildlife regional manager Chris McIntosh told ABC radio

For those of you who may have or may not have noticed.. my website fell victim to HACKING…

And out of that, I reccomend people.. not to have any thing in there password that resembles a word.  (As everyone warns anyway)

It’s a big change – (from Sunny old Hervey Bay to the always cold and never rains Toowoomba) and there is one thing that is most annoying about this town. Apart from the fact that you can’t go down a street without stopping at, at least 3 traffic lights -  There is no 7 day trading. Nearly everything closes on a Sunday, which I would have thought is one of the busiest days in town. If people don’t have anything to do… what do they do? They usually go to cinemas or brows around in shops, but apparently that’s not what you do here.

I can’t help but wonder how much more money they would get if they were open to seven day trading.

So I was off to Hawaii, first time in America and first time flying without the family.

A lot of people think Hawaii is going to be really pretty with little Bali huts everywhere and lots of palm trees and everyone walking around with Lay’s are there body. However, it’s not really like that. It’s like any other city – lots of houses everywhere and lots of people, and always traffic. However, where we stayed which was Wakiki was quite nice, with the hotel - The Hilton Hotel adding to a great experience.

We had 3 swimming pools – with one only being accessed by those in our tower. A beautiful beach to look over with sparkling water. However, I chose not to swim much in the beach water, as there were signs up warning people of the (little) jelly fish in the water (the ones that give you a little sting) which I suppose we don’t find in Hervey Bay because we are protected by Fraser Island. However, this didn’t stop me from doing anything else. With the weather only ditrubing around 3-4 days of our trip and canceling our trip to the Pearl Harboue  we still managed to do- The Cultural Center, Hiking, swimming with the dolphins, Sea life park water park and so much more!

photos up on - www.flickr.com/photos/benmay

In comparing Hervey Bay to Wakiki it was so different – not to mention Hervey Bay isn’t a City. Hawaii- being America, everyone drives on the wrong side of the road which was scary being the passenger…the busses are typical school buses that you see on, say – The Simpsons…. and there are a large amount of stretch limos being used as regular taxi’s.

I don’t think I would ever like to live in Hawaii… mainly because the pay in which people my age get is extremely low…. which shows how important it is – if you are served well – to tip your server.

With someone’s “inside knowledge” on the Hervey Bay council came along http://strewth.wordpress.com . Starting from just a small website Strewth has gained around 29,000 hits! I remember, just back in September reading this website and wondering if it was just another website doomed to turn boring and to be never used again. But, no such luck for Strewth, with so many people finding out – more people will bring in information and all under ‘secret’ names. It would be impossible to find out who anyone is, unless of course, someone who knew let it slip.

Anyway, for those who are interesting in the Hervey Bay council, I seriously recommend reading it. It’s very interesting to see the truth about what’s going on in this town!

A cute little kitten! She arrived at her new home on the 11^th of October and she is…. a 2 month old LAYENESE kitten. She was chosen out by me and my sister so therefore we didn’t get the enjoyment of naming her. This was left up to mum, so…… at the moment she is still not named. Can be referred to as…….  “happy”, “Catti” or “kitten!”

beautiful BLUE eyes!

Its a all go-ahead!!! Hungry Jacks will be going in! Where? at the Bunnings / Main st / Boat Harbour Drive corner.

And I thought I was going to have a boring weekend.

Saturday was my first day of my new job at “My Haven” which is inside Possum Paradise. After quitting my old job on Fraser Island I now have a new job working at “My Haven”. For those of you who don’t know, My Haven (formally known as Pep’s Kef) is situated inside Possum Paradise in Hervey Bay. The nice little cafe there has recently changed over hands which means new ideas, new menus and new STOCK - so at the moment there is a giant sale on everything.  I don’t think I will miss Fraser Island ……..cause I can visit any time I want – not to mention I am going over there for a friend’s birthday!

Sunday night was a big event. Art for earth held a candle ceremony (at my partners place) for the protest of the whale. In massive ‘candle’ letters the words “Let Them Be” were spelt out, as well as 2 other whale and their own logo. With only minimum volunteers they were still able to make it look fantastic.

If you follow this link here - http://artforearth.netfirms.com/Whales/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=2 you’ll find more photos from the day.

*note the picture on the website with the volunteers in it – in the far far distance (up near the house) you can see my shitty little red car!!!!

With winter passing and today being the first day of Spring – I took the opportunity to go down to the beach.  I didn’t go to my usual beach but was still happy with the lovely weather and nice blue sky’s at the Hervey Bay Dundowran beach.

As well as the beach I went and had a lovely apple crumble and milkshake down at Arkarra Garden. Arkarra has come a long way since the 10 years I have been here. It has taken a very nice turn- it now has a very nice Balinese theme to it. Not only this, but it has nice sit down meals and drinks and reasonable prices. Always a nice place to take visitors & kids to as you can go for a nature walk and feed the animals after you have had your meal.

see more photos at www.flickr.com/photos/shannonmcduff

One the biggest events which happens every two years is the Bundaberg Air Show. This is a magnificent three day event, incorporating aerial demonstrations, joy flights, and static displays of some of the finest aircraft to take to the skies.

This was my first year of going to the show, however I have been to a similar smaller air show in my town – Hervey Bay. It was fantastic, and even though we arrived in the afternoon while most crowds had gone – it was still impressive!

The thing that impressed me the most was …the plane in the picture below. (try as I might, I can not find the name of it!) It is used to drop of soldiers in battle so it has to be able to get away quickly. It can take off in under 400m! Just to be able to see something so big, build up so much power and than take off in just that little amount is quite amazing!

More pictures to come of the Bundaberg Air show (2007) in the Gallery!

A few of them are already on www.flickr.com/photos/benmay - have a look!