Another First!

Mt. Buller, Victoria, AUSTRALIA

July 8 to 13, 2011.  Luckily, I had seven days holiday between (our chicken's) batch 39 and 40.  I, originally, had no plans to escape from the farm during the week- I was simply aiming to raise a certain amount for an important project in the Philippines but the weather forecast in Victoria was so enticing that I failed to resist booking online for my 3-day adventure.     

The driver of the horse-driven carriage, Swanston St., Melbourne.

For four years I had been dreaming to visit the Australian Alps to experience the snow but there were powerful circumstances that would always come across my plans; so the snow had fallen and melted for four consecutive wintertimes without RJ visiting the place.

But not in winter 2011 because I have finally found my way to Mt. Buller!

The unique kneelers.  St. Paul's Cathedral, corner Swanston and Flinder's Streets, Melbourne.

...with Margarette- one of Melbourne's city 'ambassadors'. 

I will write another post about my first snow experience.  Most of the photos here were taken in Melbourne- a day before my first encounter with snow.


.

Dear Santa...

Port Wakefield, South Australia
24 December 2010
 

Dear Father Christmas,
 
Good day! How are yah?

Busy ay? If our chicken sheds are only empty, I would love to give you a hand in giving gifts to these excited kids down here who have been very good boys and girls althroughout 2010. But I still have two sheds of broilers left over the weekend, and will get emptied on the 27th, so sorry, I can't help you.

Just a reminder though, if you are coming to Adelaide today and tommorow, our maximum temperature forecast here is 34'C and it can possibly get even higher than that. So please leave your warm northern hemisphere clothes over there, you don't need that down here. I am saying this because for four years that I've been in Australia, I have seen you wearing those thermal garment well-suited for the winter season up there. Mate, it's summertime down here, I am only concern of your comfort, you know...

I believe that you know a lot of great costume designers in Australia or New Zealand, they'd be very happy to create a summer outfit for you. I just don't want to see you uncomfortable Down Under.

A Happy Christmas to you Big Bloke!

 

It's me,
RJ

Come and See!

...dito sa aking blog, hindi ko pa 'to nagawa; ngayon lang. Ang magmamanok ay humihiling ng inyong mataimtim na panalangin.

Simula pa kahapon ay may namumuo nang pag-aalala sa aking isipan at kaba sa aking dibdib. Ito'y hindi dahil sa mga bampira ng pelikulang New Moon na sinimulang ipalabas ngayong araw, kundi dahil sa warning ng Australian Bureau of Meteorology para sa lahat ng mga nakatira sa South Australia.

Sinasabing ang buong state, lalung-lalo na ang mga nasa agricultural areas, ay posibleng magkakaroon ng catastrophic bushfire kahapon at ngayong araw. Kinansela ang pasok ng mga mag-aaral sa malawak na bahagi ng lalawigan, at seryoso ang babala ng mga estasyon ng radyo't telebisyon sa lahat ng taong nasa fire danger zone, habang lubusan namang pinaghahanda ang mga empleyado at mga volunteers ng Country Fire Service at iba pang mga ahensiya ng pamahalaang may kaugnayan sa health, safety and emergency services.

Ngayong umaga, tatlong beses ko nang narinig sa weather reporter ang mga salitang 'good luck' para sa lahat ng mga taga-Timog Australia (kasama na ako rito). Magdadalawang linggo na kasi ang heat wave sa lalawigan, at nakikinitang 43'C ang magiging temperatura sa lungsod ng Adelaide ngayon, samantalang mid-40's to 47'C naman dito sa aking pinagtatrabahuan.

thanks Wikipedia

Napakatuyo ng kapaligiran, 13% humidity ang pinakamababang naitala kahapon. Ngayong araw, natatanaw na magiging malakas raw (hinuhulaang 21-36kms/hr) ang ihip ng tuyo at mainit na hanging manggagaling hilaga (gitnang bahagi ng kontinente) kung saan naroroon ang malawak na disyerto ng Australia.

Ipinaliwanag ng Sunrise Weather (Channel 7) kung bakit posibleng magkakaroon ng devastating bushfire ngayong araw:

The formation of dry lightning and thunderstorms.
(by Seven's Sunrise Weather)
illustrated by RJ

Mamayang hapon o gabi, mataas ang tsansang magkakaroon ng pag-ambon, pagkidlat at pagkulog sa South Australia. Ngunit dahil sa napakatuyong air space ng lalawigan, biglang matutuyo o mawawala ang mga patak ng ulan habang ang mga ito'y nasa himpapawid, kaya maiiwang tatama sa kalupaan ang mga dry lightning at thunderstorms na siyang magiging sanhi ng malawakang sunog.

Sanay ako sa Pilipinas na nagkakaroon ng mga pag-ulan, pagkulog at pagkidlat at hindi naman ako natatakot. Ngunit noong nakaraang Pebrero, aking naranasan sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ang bagsik ng mga matatalim na kidlat at napakalakas na kulog habang walang ulan- ito'y walang tigil sa loob ng 45 minuto hanggang isang oras! Hindi ito biro; at inaamin ko ako'y natakot ng husto!

Hindi ko na pahahabain pa ang post kong ito... Narito ang mga nakuha kong larawan dito sa manukan para maipakita sa inyo kung gaano katuyo ang aming kapaligiran.

Ang kalsada papasok sa manukan.
# 22 Pareora Rd., Port Wakefield, South Australia

Wheat field surrounding the poultry farm.

Harvestable wheat, a closer look...

Sa labas ng Aking Tahanan...

The awful scenery in the northeast of the poultry farm.

We slashed the grasses as a compliance to the orders of the Wakefield Regional Council -one of the preventive measures against the invasion of the poisonous Australian brown snakes and fire.

Hangad ng mga taga-Australian Bureau of Meteorology na sana'y sa pagkakataong ito sila ay nagkamali sa kanilang inilabas na forecast. Sana nga... sana.

Sa kabila ng lahat ng 'to, ako nama'y naniniwala nang may buong katatagan sa kapangyarihan ng pagdarasal.

Sabi ng mga Australians, "Os-tral-ya iz a nAys pLAyz (Australia is a nice place)!" well, it's true. So, come and see!






...there is no relevance, but the title of this post has been inspired by the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10.


.

Rising...

Glenelg, South Australia

I am thinking that thousands or even millions of souls wandered around the state of South Australia at around 3 in the afternoon last November 2, 2009.

It was very hot (41'C), dry and sunny in Port Wakefield, and the gusty wind was angrily blowing from the north (the Northern Territory and South Australian desert) at around 2 pm. But there was a very sudden 'cool change' at 3 when the wind started blowing from the south (Antarctic); in just a span of thirty minutes I had to rush to the chicken sheds, shut the blinds and turn the cooling facility off to maintain the required 21'C temperature inside.

The relatively cool environmental temperature sustained for another three days, at the maximum of only 22'C. I love it, no more complicated tunnel ventilation setting, no hassles, and no worries.

I think I have to review my Climatology so I can explain these incidents in a more scientific way and stop blaming the non-guilty souls of my departed loved ones for the cool days last week. I was stricken by my conscience for not lighting even a single candle for them that day. Well, I joined the Australians for deliberately ignoring the commercialized and American-influenced Halloween celebration. Certainly, the cemeteries Down Under would have been totally forsaken had the Filipino widows (Australian by residence or citizenship) failed to visit the grave of their deceased husband that day.

Back to my weather report, the forecast for this week is very bad. According to my favourite TV station, the South Australian weather or temperature at this time of the year has never been like this before. I really hate dry, warm, or hot weather (this always reminds me to get closer to our Saviour), that's why I have been upset since Friday after hearing the news about the coming heatwave in S.A.. This means that starting today until Friday, maximum temperatures will be above 35'C.

Yesterday was my day off, and together with my friends, we visited Glenelg. ...never heard? Well, if Queensland has its Gold Coast, and New South Wales boasts for its Bondi beach, South Australia is very proud of its Glenelg.

My apology, I am too lazy to describe and write more things about Glenelg this time. I'll just share some photos I've taken yesterday, instead.

Pines, not palms!

The Glenelg beach-front condominiums.

On the jetty...

McCafe, Glenelg, S.A.

On queue... Mc Donald's, Glenelg, S.A.

"Have it here or take-away?"- in Australia
"Dine-in or take-out?" -in the Philippines

Left to right: Toti, RJ, Jollie, and Fernan.
Literally and figuratively, 'full'!

Uhmn, after all, it seems that summer isn't really that bad.

The mercury has been rising! The hormones are 'rising'... everything is rising!





.

Change

According to the World Health Organization 65% of the deaths in the year 2005 were due to heart and lung diseases, cancer, and diabetes mellitus—health problems which are directly related to a person’s lifestyle. Physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, malnutrition and faulty diet have been enumerated as the major risk factors for these lifestyle diseases.

The National Nutrition Council’s theme for the 2009 Nutrition Month celebration—“Wastong Nutrisyon Kailangan, Lifestyle Diseases Iwasan,” clearly reminds me to evaluate my attitudes and habits towards the food I eat, the drink I take, and the activities I do. Today is the culmination of this month-long celebration, and I believe that it is the best time to check and CHANGE my lifestyle should I find it faulty or unhealthy.

No smoking and moderate alcohol intake... Less fat, less salt, less sugar, less stress... More fruits, more vegetables, more exercise! Easy!

*******

The island of Mindanao in the Philippines has been experiencing heavy and continuous rains for three weeks now. As a result, flash floods and landslides have affected almost 200,000 people in the villages in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, South Cotabato and Sarangani. (Read more...)

An extreme weather event such as storms and flooding is a strong indication of Climate CHANGE. But meteorologists say that I can counteract the effects and subsequently save my planet if I check and CHANGE my activities that are directly related to the production of greenhouse gasses.

Stop illegal logging; plant more trees! No burning... limited use of fossil fuels (coals, oil and gas) and judicious use of home appliances.

More walking and more bicycling... Simple!

*******

July 30, 2009... At last, 'Pres. Arroyo meets President Obama' in the White House.

They have, actually, one thing in common. Obama said, "it’s about time for a CHANGE!"

Arroyo said, "we need Charter CHANGE!"

I would like to thank all my friends in the blogosphere who voted for my article ‘The Keynote...’- an official entry to the 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards.

Mabuhay ang PEBA!

.

Mga Malalakas at Pampalakas

Kung inaakala mong nalunod na ako sa baha dahil sa malakas na bagyong tumama sa Queensland, nagkakamali ka. Mas lalong hindi rin ako nilamon ng mga malalakas na buwaya dahil bukod sa maagap na paglabas ng mga babala ng Queensland Government, ako'y nandito naman sa isa sa mga lalawigang dalawang linggong tinamaan ng heatwave. Hindi ko nga alam kung swerte pa rin akong nandito ako sa South Australia dahil inilayo ako ng tadhana mula sa bagyo, baha, at buwaya sa Queensland; at sa lakas ng apoy na nagmumula sa mga nasusunog na kagubatan at mga nayong nagaganap ngayon sa lalawigan ng Victoria.

Hindi ko nga alam kung swerte nga akong nandito ako sa South Australia kahit na kahapo'y halos dalawang oras umihip ang napakainit (48'C) at napakalakas na hanging (humigit-kumulang 110 km./hr.) nagmumula sa malawak na disyerto ng Northern Territory, na sinamahan pa ng napakapal na mga alikabok at mga buhangin!


Hindi ko rin alam kung swerte pa rin ako kahit kahapon ng umaga ako'y binangungot habang gising sapagkat inabutan ko ang gabundok (15 tonelada) na pakaing manok ( o feeds) na natapon sa sahig ng manukan dahil naputol ang tubong nagdudugtong ng feed silo sa mga feed lines. Humanga rin ako sa automatic auger at sa 32.2 ft./sec. sq. na lakas ng hila ng gravity dahil ang lahat ng mga patukang nasa loob ng imbakan ay nakaya nitong ihulog sa sahig ng manukan magdamag (oras nga lang siguro)!

Kaya kahapon, manu-mano kong pinakain ang 40,000 naming mga alagang manok sa shed 5... Sandok, buhos, sandok, buhos, sandok, buhos... Mag-isa ko lang itong ginawa sapagkat kasalukuyang nagbabakasyon ang farm manager at ang aking kasama rito'y nakaday-off naman. Natuwa naman ako kanina dahil kahit papaano'y tatlo na rin kaming nagtulung-tulong mag-sandok, buhos, sandok, buhos, sandok, buhos... Ito'y ginawa namin ng tatlong beses sa isang araw.

Kaya ngayo'y pagod na pagod ako. Sa tantiya ko sa makalawa pa mauubos ang mga natapong feeds na 'yon. Pero dahil nga palagi mong sinasabi sa aking, "Kaya mo 'yan!" ...kinakaya ko talaga. Maraming salamat sa 'yo.

Saka na po ang matinong post. Sa ngayon, sabayan mo nalang muna akong kumain. Kain lang nang kain, pampalakas at pampawala ng pagod.

Typical outback Australian 'steak & chips'.
(Chips - is a preferred term for a French-fried potatoes in Australia.)

Australian finger foods.
left- (crisp brown) coated fried chicken and pizza slices
right- chicken nuggets and meat balls
center- spring rolls (known as lumpia in the Philippines)
top- sausage rolls
below- meat pies

Our daily bread from our neighbor.

Magbabalik po kaagad ang The Chook-minder’s Quill... (Magpapahinga lang po ang magmamanok.) Abangan! *CMQ

Australian Map by:
test.ausmeat.com.au/.../austmap_index.html

Feeding System illustration by:
www.brockmfg.com/

A TEMPORARY 'FURNACE'

Unlike a frosty morning, I don’t know how to capture a scorching day in a photograph just to prove to you that for three days now, I’ve been struggling in an oven-like environment!

LAST WEDNESDAY it was sunny and arid... the mercury rose up to 49.5’C! The digital thermometers’ display read 999; possibly, it could only register up to the maximum of 50’C, so I have come up with my hypothesis that the temperature at around 2:30pm that day had gone beyond 50’C here in Port Wakefield.

I was profusely sweating (for the first time in my 2-year stay in Australia) despite the high-cool setting of the air-conditioning system inside my caravan. My fridge was not working well; while there was an electrical meltdown in Melbourne and Adelaide!

It was 45.5’C in Adelaide City, 5’C higher than the recorded temperature in 1908; and 1.1’C lower than the recorded hottest temperature of the city last January 12, 1939. The local evening news on telly* featured a photo showing a non-stick frying pan under the sun with a well-done sunny-side up egg on its surface!

Then a frightening thunderstorm with heavy rain had started at 9pm and ended at around 12 midnight leaving a very humid and warm (34’C) condition!

YESTERDAY at around 7am the temperature was already 30’C. The maximum temperature I had monitored so far was 48.8’C at 2:25pm, then I decided to stop keeping track of it because I felt that the temperature was becoming hotter and hotter while I’m aware of the current thermometer reading!

TODAY... This morning I woke up after an overnight low of 32’C. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has forecasted 42’C maximum temperature; very sunny and dry in South Australia today (while a storm is expected in the Northern Territory and Queensland). Too bad that this relentless heatwave has been predicted to continue until Thursday next week!

HOW LONG CAN I COPE UP? [The chickens are very lucky because their house has been installed with a very effective cooling system.] Whew! This is my workplace—it’s freezing during winter and it’s scorching during summer. I don’t know if it is reasonable to leave this workplace only because of its unfriendly climate. I don’t know if quitting from this job could guarantee an absolute relief from this very challenging 'season'. If I could only leave these chickens unattended, I will really escape from this burning furnace!

The current climate is, somehow, reminding me to keep closer to My Saviour—this is the only good (yet the greatest) thing I could perceive out of this. After all, it must be the best thing to ‘live’ in a beautiful, comfortable and lovely place, eternally.

*telly - (noun) [Aust slang] television; TV

Kulog at Kidlat

MAULAP ANG KALANGITAN... Summer na summer na pero nasa 23’C lang ang pinakamataas na temperatura sa labas ngayong araw. Nagkamali ‘ata ang panahon, baka akala niya ay tag-sibol pa rin ngayon. Pero ang sabi ng ulat-panahon kaninang umaga, malamang na ngayong tag-araw ay magkakaroon ng La Nina dito sa Australia.

Siguro ang dasal ng mga Australyano ay narinig na rin ng Panginoon. Simula kasi nu’ng dumating ako rito sa kanilang bansa noong Enero ng nakaraang taon, ang buong bansa ay tinatamaan ng El Nino Phenomenon.

Ang takbo ng panahon ngayong araw ay hudyat na siguro ng pagsisimula ng nakikinita ng mga siyentipiko sa magiging lagay ng panahon sa bansang ito. Kaninang umaga nang ako’y gumising, pumapatak ang ulan kaya ako’y muling nahimbing! At kanina sa trabaho, umambon naman ng husto!

KANINA RIN SA TRABAHO, kumulog at kumidlat! Kumulog at kumidlat pero hindi doon sa kalangitan, kundi dito sa loob ng aking katawan! Nakaramdam ako ng isang napakatinding sakit na biglang gumuhit dito sa ibabang bahagi ng aking likuran! Sagad hanggang butong tumagos mula sa ‘king mga kalamnan!

Ako ngayo’y hindi nakakatayo ng tuwid, at kapag pilitin kong maglakad napakatinding sakit ang hatid! Ayaw ko ng ganito... Ayaw kong nagkakasakit ako... Lalo na ngayong Pasko, at malayo pa sa pamilya ko!