Dual Purpose Post

Words for Wednesday is a moveable feast.  A big thank you to everyone who has stepped up and provided the prompts to keep it going.
 
At the moment it looks like this.

 

January 2017:  Granny Annie provided the prompts, and they were excellent and got some new people playing - which is lovely.

February 2017:  We are coming full circle and Delores will post the prompts on her blog. 

March 2017:  River is providing the prompts on her blog.

April 2017:  Lee has joined us in providing the prompts.  They will appear on her blog.

May 2017:  I will be providing the prompts here.

June 2017:  The prompts will be here again, but provided by Margaret Adamson and her friend Sue Fulton.  Her prompts will include photographs taken by her friend Bill.

Thank you one and all.  Margaret and Sue have generously provided me with sufficient prompts for two months, but as always I am hunting for more people to contribute.  If you are able to do so, please leave a note in the comments, suggesting which month you are able to provide prompts.

The other issue is less positive.  I am feeling physically, emotionally and mentally sore, tired and overwhelmed and have decided to take a break.  I will be back in March, if not before.  I will miss you, but need to find some equilibrium again.  Take care of your important selves and have fun.   

Sunday Selections #312

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week? Beauty.  Moving from delicate to dramatic and back to delicate again.

Starting with delicate.

Starting with a hoya - which a blogger told me looked like cake decorations.  And I would agree.  Very, very pretty cake decorations.
 

 And then to a double lilium.  I do love its blushing pink petals.

Then to a blazing sunset which had me, the smaller portion and a new neighbour standing in the road.

And back to a subtler kind of beauty.  Our honesty (lunaria) plants have gone to seed.  The seed pods don't look like much, but the outside cover peels away to reveal perfect silver discs...

 

Sunday Selections #311

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week?  I also have my birthday in January.  Not a significant one, and much lower key than the smaller portion's this year.  But lovely just the same.

Starting with a gift he gave me.  Seen from the front, it is a glass fountain.  Seen from the back?  Meaningless cuts and notches in a glass pyramid.  I am in awe that anyone thought of it, and was able to execute it.

The day itself was hot.  Very hot.  The weather boffins promised us 37C (98.6F) but they lied.  By midday we were already on 38.9C (102.2F).  Given that my sweet spot is about 14C (57.2F) I was a sad and soggy person.  And yes, I do know that quite a lot of Oz gets hotter and was hotter, but MS thrives in the heat and summer is always difficult for me.

Just the same, we went for a drive to see how the kangaroos were faring in the heat.  

They were smart.  Their normal haunts were deserted and we finally tracked a few down deep in the shade.

We didn't disturb them, and left them in peace.

Sadly, on Friday 13th my city was hit with a windstorm.  A big windstorm.  Trees came crashing down, and it was very evident in the park the kangaroos inhabit.  It was too hot that day to get out and take photos but we went back a few days later.

By the time we returned lots of the damage had been cleared away.  There is more work to be done though and the scent of eucalptus from the downed branches was thick and heavy.

    
The kangaroos didn't care, and neither did a pair of red-rumped parrots (who were keeping their rumps hidden).  It is a lovely area and I hope it recovers quickly.

  

Sunday Selections #310

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.  This week?  Those of you who saw my last post will not be surprised I am returning to the zoo.  

On our final morning at the zoo we were given a lavish breakfast before heading off on the second zoo tour.  I am not a big breakfast eater and wandered outside onto the terrace.  Despite the cloud and the early hour it was already hot.

Looking down from the terrace I could see into the white lion's enclosure.  They were up, but not moving fast.

First Jake* appeared, and ambled out of sight.  (* The guides called the animals by name when they were talking to or about them - which I liked.  They obviously had an emotional commitment to the animals in the zoo - which I loved.)

Then it was Mishka's turn.  She wandered down to the water's edge.

Then she too wandered under the overhang of the terrace and out of sight.  A few minutes later I heard noises behind me.

Turning around I discovered that Mishka had brought her ball to us.  It seems that their den is under the overhanging terrace and off it is the small enclosure you see in the next photos.  Do I like seeing anything behind bars?  No.  The difference on this occasion is that Mishka chose to be there, and could leave at any time.

And bars or not, she appeared to be completely relaxed.  Which was lovely.

Luxury and Big Cats

I am very glad to be able to report than the smaller portion loved his birthday surprise.  And he was surprised too.  I am also really glad I had managed to keep it secret.

So where did we go, and what did we do?

My city has a zoo.  A privately owned zoo, the National Zoo and Aquarium.  For a number of years they have been arranging animal encounters where you can meet, pat, feed the animals.  Some years back we patted cheetahs and fed a bear and a tiger.  Wonderful experiences.  This is the zoo my youngest brother volunteers at, and for a month each year he does 'work experience' and works there full time (describing himself as Australia's oldest work experience participant).

More recently they have introduced the Jamala Wildlife Lodge.  Visitors can stay in Jungle Bungalows, Giraffe Treehouses or the Ushaka Lodge and get up close and personal with the animals.  This trip I chose a Jungle Bungalow and the chance to sleep in close proximity to tigers, lions, cheetahs, bears or sun bears.  (And as an aside one of the zoo's sun bears was destined for bear-paw soup (an obscenity) before she was rescued and housed here.)  You are able to give preferences, but the final decision is made by the zoo staff.  Our first preference was to stay in the bungalow next to the tiger enclosure, but we were allocated the one next to the cheetah.  Were we disappointed?  Slightly, but only slightly.  And that disappointment wore off quickly.

The addition of Jamala Wildlife Lodge is a major step to bolster the programs that are run by the zoo.  A significant amount of the net proceeds from Jamala Lodge and animal encounters are donated to registered conservation funds that protect species in the wild, prevent habitat destruction and/or discourage poaching, including Free the Bears and the Snow Leopards Trust.  A commitment has been made that at least $100,000 will be donated this year.

 The website and brochures describe Jamala Wildlife Lodge as luxurious - and that it was.   At every point.

This was our bungalow.

The biggest luxury for us though was outside.  Every window overlooking the enclosure was full length.  Outside was Jura, an adolescent and very beautiful cheetah who from time to time cruised inches away from the windows much to our delight.

 Lucky, lucky, lucky.

Included in the booking were sumptuous refreshments, starting with afternoon tea when we arrived, canapes and drinks before dinner, a three course dinner and wine, and a wonderful buffet breakfast.

We also had the option of two zoo tours, with pleasant and knowledgeable guides.  We took up both options.  Of course.

The one in the afternoon was through the main part of the zoo, and included watching a number of animals receive treats from the guide.

The next, after breakfast the next day, started before the zoo was open to the public and took us to some newer (and as yet unopened) areas of the zoo.  And we got to feed some of the animals and give a wombat a scrootch on the top of its very bony head.  Bliss.

There are many, many photos to come but I am just going to show a few in this post of some of the other big cats.  It was a very hot day, and as cats do, they were mostly totally 'laxed.

And, remember I said that I had opted for this gift as an experience? When I booked I was asked whether it was a special occasion.  I mentioned it was the smaller portion's birthday treat, and they gave him a gift.

His own cheetah.

The attention to detail, and cheerful helpful attitudes helped to make this an experience to cherish.  And we do.  And will.  And neither of us have ruled out a return visit, despite the fact that considerable saving or a lottery win will be required.  The service and facilities were exemplary, and the experience amazing.  Sentiments which were echoed by every other guest I spoke to.