The Black bat flower, Tacca chantrieri, is a species of flowering plant in the yam family Dioscoreaceae. Tacca chantrieri is an unusual species in that it has black flowers. These flowers are somewhat bat-shaped, are up to 12 inches across, and have long ‘whiskers’ that can grow up to 28 inches. There are different color types, including white and brown, both retaining the whiskers of the black variety.

Tacca chantrierei grow wild in the tropical forest in Yunnan Province, China, where they can get as tall as 36 inches (~0.91 meters). They grow best in well-drained soil and high humidity but are hardy down to -3C.

[Info via Wikipedia]

The other week I decided to gernie my grandmothers cement for her before someone had an accident. OMG it was so black in places, it hadn’t been done in over 30 years!

I LOVE Gernie-ing, it is so much FUN!!!
I just find it totally mesmerizing watching the moss and slime disappear!
The cement came up looking brand new again!

I even gave two of my aunties a gernie lesson and one said she is definitely buying one when she returns home from her holiday back to Tamworth.
The other was sticking her toes abit close so I warned her to put her joggers on or she would blow her toenails RIGHT OFF (a gernie sprays water and is very high pressured, it will blow paint off walls if you are not careful!)

It’s nearly that time of year again so let everyone know to get involved, remember to register and switch off your lights for Earth Hour, 8.30pm, Saturday 26th March.

On March 26, hundreds of millions of global citizens, from one hundred different countries, will unite in the action of lights out. Will you be one of them?

Earth Hour is a call to action to every individual, every business and every community. It starts with a simple flick of the switch at 8:30pm on March 26 2011, in a collective display of commitment to protect the one thing that unites us all – the planet. http://www.earthhour.org.au/up to show your support.

These floods are HORRENDOUS!! Lives, homes, businesses & belongings are being LOST! Towns have no food, fuel or supplies with more rain on the way! Lucky we’re QUEENSLANDER’S and can handle ANYTHING!!!!! Though if you’d like to help us, please donate here (any support will be graciously appreciated!) Thanks MATE, we’ll pay it forward!!!!

DONATE HERE

I never thought I would see the day when I had to say something nice about a Queenslander, but that time has come.

I don’t think I have ever been as proud to be an Australian as I am now. I have watched the reactions of Queenslanders to the devastating floods and have been amazed at their resilience and courage.

Many of them have lost everything, their homes, their businesses and sometimes their lives – yet with all that they keep their sense of humour and look on the bright side – I can’t find one – they dig in and help each other; they don’t sit and bewail their fate, nor do they complain about the government or the rescue services. They are not blaming others for the natural disaster that has ruined them. I shall walk taller and hold my head high and be grateful for being an Aussie from now on.

David Edwards

Quote from www.news.com.au | Full story on the flood disaster here

Toowoomba yesturday …

I went to Supre yesterday and bought $30 worth of tops and they kindly gave me a bag … I then when to the chemist and bought $67 worth of products and they kindly put them in a bag …. I then went to BCF (Boating Camping Fishing Hervey Bay) and brought over $200 worth of hiking goods and they asked me if I would like to buy a bag for $ONE DOLLAR (WTF); I said, “No Thanks” with a smile and scooped all this into my arms and walked out.

Now I can understand carrying one one or two things home with no bag or if you spend under $20 lol …. also working in closedly with printers I know those bags would probably cost them no more an 10 – 30 cents each when ordered in their big bulk runs … Talk about Tight + all the advertising they are missing out on!!!!!! Priceless!

Perhaps they could supply boxes like Bunnings does?

How funny …. Thanks but No Thanks BCF, I think I’ll stick to buying my hiking gear from Kathmandu and Mountain Designs as they always kindly give me a bag to carry my purchases.

There are believed to be as few as 50 dingoes left on Fraser Island consisting of maybe 7 family groups (mum dad and pups).

 
Apparently since DERM has taken control of the island over 100 dingoes have been killed, shot, injected and left to starve to death.

SUSTAINABILITY Minister Kate Jones has strongly defended her Fraser Island Dingo Management Strategy and denied seeing any evidence that it has resulted in starvation for dingoes or danger to the public…. Click here and here to learn more.

THE dingo may be the oldest dog breed in the world, according to a new study (well not for long!!)…. click here to learn more.

Save the Fraser Island Dingo… Sign the petition

Donate here

Please click here to sign the e-petition to try and save our Fraser Island Dingoes!!

The petition has been organised by Hervey Bay resident Karin Kilpatrick and sponsored by MP Ted Sorensen and will be on the Queensland Government website until Tuesday, July 22 2009.

Fraser Island Dingoes Face Extinction
Locals, animal experts and some politicians fear that heavy-handed culling under the Queensland Government’s current dingo management plan will be the final nail in the wild dogs’ coffin ……. learn more here!

[Some Info via the Courier Mail]

On Saturday 28th March 2009, I will take part in Earth Hour.

On that day, people in Australia and around the world will turn off their lights between 8:30 – 9:30 pm for one hour – Earth Hour – showing their support and sending a powerful global message that it’s possible to take action on climate change and succeed.

I’m glad it’s just lights, at least I can watch TV with a candle and a cold beer.

Keep an eye on Cyclone Hamish here, if it comes into view I’m heading for the hills with a napsack and sixpack!!

More news here…. Lets hope we all have storm damage in our home & content insurance (just in case!).

Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map here.

Minister for the environment, Andrew McNamara said he was certain there was a large saltwater crocodile on the south west end of Fraser Island.

“There have been a number of credible sightings in the last two weeks.

“I’ve spoken to members of public involved and I have no doubt there’s a crocodile there.”

 To read more please click here…..