Quite simply

Ah yes, just another day on the farm!

jenhammer — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:26:00 GMT

Nestled on one acre in the Noosa hinterland, with magnificent views of the Cooran tablelands is my little cottage I bought some time ago. And as anyone who has ever bought acreage knows, a reasonable amount of maintenance is required to keep weeds, grass and rapidly growing plants at bay.

So as I sat proudly atop my somewhat antiquated ride-on mower, I felt quite pleased with myself. I say proudly because it had taken me the best part of 30 minutes to get this motorised monster to roar into life. Why? Because the beast in question had aged considerably, and the starter battery, once the source of a quick and effective ignition, had died long ago. Now, sheer brute strength and frantic pulling of a rip style cord was required to get this reluctant machine to perform its set duties. Having achieved that part of the ritual I had to be quick, for in order to feed the beast a rusty old lever needed to be pushed forward before it starved, as if that happened the whole back-breaking performance needed to be repeated.

So after about 20 minutes of chomping, slicing and devouring a fair chunk of land, my confidence had grown. Zipping around orange, apple and lime trees, ploughing through overgrown weeds, and ripping through dead roots, I felt quite daring. Spotting a cluster of tall grass strangling a dying tree; I set off to the rescue. However this rescue would be tricky, as the tree in question grew on a slope and would require some deft footwork of the combined brake, reverse and accelerator pedal to keep myself and my machine from rolling uncontrollably down the hill. But of course that was not going to be a problem, as I knew exactly how to handle this machine, or so I thought.

I scurried down the hill, manoeuvring my machine with precision and panache, slicing through the offending grass. Nearing the end of my mission, I reversed down the slope to get the best vantage point for a final burst that would see the killer grass finally end its murderous ways. As I slammed down the accelerator, freshly churned soil flew into the air as my wheels were forced into action. This was my downfall, for as my wheels spun, they lost traction and before I could act, I started sliding backwards down the hill. I contemplated screaming like a banshee in the hope of being rescued but only Sausage my rather timid Dachshund would hear my bellowing, and any hope of rescue from her was out of the question.

Fearing death and realising no help was at hand, (Sausage took flight the moment she heard my screams), I took evasive action. I had to get off this mad beast and fast. But in my haste to dismount, my right leg became entangled with the seat, so as I was trying in vain to disengage my right leg, I was forced to hop frantically on my left leg alongside a backward moving, mad mower. Suddenly I could see the headline flash before my eyes. “MAD MOWER MURDERS MOTHER”! I screamed, ‘stop, stop, you mad mower’, but did it listen? No. It just kept on rolling without a thought for my safety.

Thankfully I was rescued, but not by a small Sausage or some macho male who happened to have heard my screams. Mind you though, Sausage had returned and was now watching with great interest, probably wondering why I had chosen to mow in such a stylish, yet awkward manner.

No, my saviour was a large tree who stepped in and saved the day just as me, my machine, and my now mildly mangled right leg were destined for extinction.

‘Hallelujah’, I gushed, as I quickly freed my leg from the jaws of the mad mower.

It was at that precise moment Sausage decided she could be of use, and not seeing her small grey shape hurtling in my direction, over I went! Seeing as I was now at her level, flat on my back on the freshly cut grass, Sausage figured it was the perfect opportunity to shower me with a few swift fish-breath infused slurps.

So there I was, now not so proudly lying beside a still roaring mower, while a delighted and very smelly sausage dog showered me with love and affection.

After a few moments, I removed Sausage from my face, inspected my injuries, and proceeded to push and heave until the reluctant mechanical beast was back on even ground. And seeing as I’m not one to give in easily, I boarded the beast and finished what I set out to do. After putting the beast to rest, I limped slowly back to the house, stood on my veranda to take in my hard work and I felt proud for I had conquered the beast.

Driving in the City of Angels...

jenhammer — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:09:00 GMT

HERE’S a tip when travelling to Los Angeles, hire a car and drive.

As a regular visitor to the City of Angels, I find driving a great way to explore the city and its surrounds. And don’t let the thought of driving on the infamous LA freeways stop you, for they are not as scary as you may think. Signage is good and quite easy to follow, particularly if you know what direction you wish to travel. The freeways are labelled numerically and by direction, which makes getting around quite easy. For instance, the 405 North will take you North whereas the 405 south will indeed take you south – simple.

With the fundamentals of navigating the LA freeways taken care of, it’s time for the fun stuff – hiring the car. Remember you are in LA and the opportunity to travel in style is there for the taking, depending on your budget, but the car hire companies are willing to negotiate on price if a particular car takes your fancy.

On one of my recent trips a little haggling had me cruising Hollywood Boulevard in a sleek black Hummer, which was fitting as while driving this infamous road I found myself caught up in a media frenzy courtesy of the latest Terminator movie premiere. With red carpet laid out and barricades in place, super sized limos were lined up outside the Kodak Theatre depositing the beautiful. For a moment I thought they mistook my black Hummer with tinted windows and a mysterious air as containing someone of interest, but no, I was waved on without thought.

Whilst driving the Hummer through the LA streets was fun, it was the car I scored on my latest trip that afforded me the biggest buzz to date.

Having decided we wanted to drive north to Santa Barbara, on arrival at Enterprise car hire, my friend and I were given the choice of hiring either a red Dodge or a silver convertible Mustang.

No prizes for guessing which one we chose and within the hour we were racing past the traffic on the 405 north in the carpool lane.

Now here is another tip, the traffic on LA freeways can be a nightmare, but if there are at least two of you travelling, use the carpool lane. Why more LA residents don’t utilise this opportunity is beyond me. It’s amazing how many people travel solo and end up being continually stuck in the manic traffic gridlock.

As we headed to Santa Barbara we left the 405 and changed to the 101 north. We did this without incident and found ourselves cruising the freeway with the roof down, while Bob Segar crooned about his love of Hollywood nights.

From LA proper the 101 carves through the hills framing the Los Angeles basin and eventually hugs the coastline. This route is a pleasure to drive, even if you don’t have the luxury of a convertible.

After a few hours exploring the sights of Santa Barbara we were headed back to our base at Long Beach when the Mulholland Drive turnoff caught our eye. As this road is home to many famous people, an exploration of this area beckoned. But instead of Mulholland, a wrong turn had us navigating the Mustang around the winding Topanga Canyon Boulevard through the Santa Monica Mountains. Being late afternoon on a clear spring day the view we were afforded was nothing short of spectacular. We chose to take advantage of a lookout which offered the opportunity to stop and further take in the view of Los Angeles and its surrounds without fear of plummeting off the road into a rocky canyon below.

Our unexpected exploration of the mountains ended when Topanga Blvd deposited us onto the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), just north of Santa Monica.

Being familiar with this area and knowing the car did not have to be returned until the morning, we decided a stroll along the famous Santa Monica Pier followed with dinner and drinks on Third Street Promenade was on the agenda.

On-street parking is not a problem, we easily found a place for our Mustang to rest one block from the pier and two blocks from the Promenade.

Although the pier is a famous landmark on the LA coastline and worth a visit because of its history, it is very touristy and a little tacky. I found pelicans dive-bombing into the Pacific for their supper a more appealing way to pass the time.

From the pier walk 3 blocks inland to Third Street Promenade where a myriad of shops and restaurants await your patronage. With stomachs rumbling we settled on dining at Bravo, a quaint looking Italian restaurant. A good Pinot Grigio accompanied by a delicious serving of Bruscetta as local buskers serenaded us in the relaxed atmosphere was just what the doctor ordered.

As night descended, fairy lights illuminated the tree lined promenade and created a wonderful ambience. To walk off our meal, we wandered past shops such as Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Gap, H&M and Victoria’s Secret.

Without the luxury of a car, we would not have had the opportunity to experience LA as we did, so when you are next in LA, drive. And if you do happen to find yourself a little lost, stay positive as you could find yourself having more fun than expected.

Giant Redwoods

jenhammer — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:59:00 GMT

A rush of suffocatingly hot air took us by surprise as we opened the sunroof. A quick glance at the temperature gauge on the dash of our rental car explained all. Outside in the Californian countryside the mercury was hitting 110 degrees or approximately 45 degrees Celsius. To say it was hot was an understatement. It was damn hot!

Flicking the sunroof switch soon strangled the oppressive heat, and in its wake, nothing but cool, air-conditioned comfort soon made our drive to the Sierra Nevada Mountains refreshingly pleasant.

About a 3 hour drive from Los Angeles the route to the park is diverse and interesting. Seemingly endless straight highways give way to winding narrow roads that hug rocky terrain on one side and thrashing rivers on the other.

As we drive deeper into this untouched wilderness, leaving the concrete jungle and maze of freeways that dominate the Los Angeles landscape, the feeling of isolation and relaxation is paramount.

Deep within the Sierra Nevada’s live giant Redwood trees that are said to be among the oldest living species on the planet. Visiting these giants was the main reason for our journey into the mountains and as I stood with the 80-metre giants whose life had spanned over 2000 years, I felt at peace. Their gentle stillness quieted my senses and allowed me to rest my mind from the rigours of life. The immensity of their being protective and comforting, there was no need to speak in their presence.

C'est Magnifique

jenhammer — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 09:41:00 GMT

WHEN imaging that quintessential French holiday, Paris immediately comes to mind.

But take a look beyond the beguiling City of Lights, and you will find France is a country full of many beautiful places waiting to be explored. And the city of Annecy, about 5 hours drive south of Paris is just one of those places you should experience.

Nestled at the southern tip of the azure waters of Lake Annecy and framed by the majestic peaks of the Haute-Savoie region, Annecy is a bewitching city that embraces the true French provincial way of life.

In the city’s heart, the medieval village houses countless cafes nestled among pastel coloured buildings that line cobbled-stoned streets. Aperitifs can be sipped while watching resident white swans glide across near-still waters of ancient canals that sweep beneath centuries-old footbridges.

Annecy is also home to one of France’s most photographed monuments, the twelfth-century, Palais de l’Isle. Built in 1132, this ancient building sits in the centre of Thiou, the city’s most famous canal.

The distinctive Palais de l’Isle, once the primary residence of the Lord of Annecy, became a jail from the Middle Ages until 1865. Classified as a Historical Monument in 1900, today it houses a local history museum and is a willing model for both amateur and professional photographers the world over.

For market lovers, the medieval village in the old town quarter comes alive three days a week. Here you can forage among stalls loaded with local produce and a mouthwatering array of cheeses, wine and freshly baked breads.

Above the old quarter an ancient castle complete with square towers and a pyramid-shaped roof houses the local museum. Worth a visit if only to check out the very public medieval toilets, three of which are cut into the castle wall in cozy elbow-to-elbow proximity of each other.

Although Annecy is said to be one of the most expensive places in France, a visit to this picturesque place won’t necessarily break the bank. Affordable accommodation can be found in Gites, rooms or fully self-contained apartments in local homes. They are a great way to experience the local culture and the helpful staff in the Tourism office located in the centre of town can assist with bookings.

Annecy is a city that caters to all seasons. In summer, kayaking, canoeing, cycling, hiking or recreational swimming can be enjoyed. Or for skiing buffs, Annecy is a great base during the winter months. The Olympic city of Albertville or resorts such as Chamonix and the ultra-chic Megeve are only a short drive away. Along the way you can soak up the charm of provincial life by visiting the many charming villages and castle dotting the landscape.

But regardless of when you visit, you are sure to embrace the charm and beauty of this magical French city.

Tourist information:

Paris – Annecy TGV train information: www.raileurope.com.au

Annecy Tourism: www.tourisme.fr/tourist-office/annecy.htm

Ryan Air & Easy Jet have flights to Paris/Geneva from $A30.00

For bookings go to www.ryanair.com or http://easyjet.com

Photos: C'est Magnifique

jenhammer — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:46:00 GMT

Photos: Out in Africa

jenhammer — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:45:00 GMT

Photos: Just another jaunt across the Pacific

jenhammer — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:29:00 GMT