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Sunday, May 27, 2012

When You Cannot Afford The Real Thing

Eurovision? We've laughed, we've cried... - Great memories from Terry Wogan

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In all the long, and some would say weary, years that I’ve infested the television, the programme for which I received the greatest public accolades was the Eurovision Song Contest. Some might say unkindly it was because I was never in vision. But in my declining years, I like to fondly think that over the many hard yards of the Eurovision, the discerning viewer and I have aged in the wood together. As the song puts it, ”we’ve seen fire and we’ve seen rain”, or if it’s hymns you prefer, we’ve soldiered on “through dungeon, fire and sword”.
In the beginning, we happy few smiled our secret smiles when others took Eurovision seriously enough to confuse it with a real song contest. Later, our little smiles became muted chuckles as television critics lambasted it for the musical rubbish that we always knew it was. We knew well that the noble objective of bringing the nations of Europe together on the dove’s wings of song was destined to show only how far apart we were, and how age-old national prejudices never die. Ah, had we but read the omens, we mightn’t be in the fix we are today.
Those of us who knew the Eurovision score from the beginning had our moment of quiet satisfaction when, in the 1980s, the penny dropped for those who should have known better, and they realised that the contest was not for listening to or watching critically, but for laughing at.
A couple of years ago I was invited to defend my and the UK’s less than respectful position, at the European Broadcasting Union’s annual convention, in Lausanne. The producer welcomed me on stage with a chilly: “We don’t understand why you sneer at a programme that brings you 11 million viewers every year.” I tried to explain that we don’t fawn over our friends, we rib and josh and gently jeer. It doesn’t mean that we don’t like the contest – rather, it shows, however wryly, how much affection we have for it. I’m not sure they got that, east of the Danube.
I had barely shaken the dust of my native heath from my hobnail boots when, in 1971, BBC radio sent me back to Ireland to commentate on my first Eurovision. Amid great rejoicing, Ireland had won the contest for the first time the previous year, with a gentle ditty sung by a pretty young lady who went by the name of Dana, a name purloined years later by the Israeli winner, Dana International, of whom more later.

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The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch

I used to visit the National Gallery of Scotland on the Mound, just to look at this picture. Used it as my avatar for a while. Such balance and serenity.

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Clothed Figure Drawing Class

Friday, May 25, 2012

River Torrens Historical Photographs

People arriving at the Elder Park Migrant HostelLooking south over the University bridge over the River TorrensLooking south-east over the River Torrens to AdelaideHenley on Torrens - water skiing eventHenley on Torrens - people watching the rowing on the riverSpectators at Henley on Torrens
Elder Park Migrant HostelLooking across the River Torrens to AdelaideBoat race on the River TorrensTorrens Lake showing rowboats and onlookersRiver Torrens showing soil erosion and rubbish piling up on riverbankRowing on the River Torrens
Crowds of people at Elder ParkRowing on the River TorrensPeople strolling on the banks of the River Torrens near the University bridgeAn early view of Popeye on the River TorrensRiver Torrens near the University bridgeRiver Torrens and the Adelaide City Bridge
Men in rowboats on the River TorrensRiver Torrens and Elder Park from the Adelaide Railway StationLooking across the Torrens towards the Adelaide Railway StationRiver Torrens, looking towards the City BridgeElder ParkThe floating Palais de Danse, moored at Elder Park on the Torrens Lake

River Torrens, a set by History SA on Flickr.

The River Torrens runs through the centre of Adelaide. It is dammed and now is primarily a recreational area.

Skywatch Friday



Onkaparinga River National Park earlier this week. Lovely overcast and cloudy skies and rain.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Twenty years for me.

The world's highest observation decks - Telegraph

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Done a few of these. Love having done the Twin Towers in the 80s.

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Conservation Work: Onkaparinga River National Reserve







Pastor: build fence to contain and starve gays | Religion Poisons

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Gotta love religious tolerance.

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New Extreme Drinking Trend Involves Alcohol Soaked Tampons | NBC San Diego

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Ewwww Only in America?

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Occasional Scotland: Mosaic Monday - Our Nation's Sons

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Very familiar architecture and colours for me.

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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Australasian Community Church, Morphett St, Adelaide


IMGP1811, originally uploaded by theclutterbells.

This simple spire looks very dramatic in many kinds of light., particularly grey skies.

Ha Ha This would be me.