Shane.Blamer's blogspot

Gang-gang cockatoos Watched these two for a few minutes this morning on my walk home from coffee (before logging in)  I could hear others in the distance, potentially yellow-tailed black cockatoos

Vermont (Day 29) I went to Currawong Bush Park reserve, which i call Mullum Mullum — where i picked up rubbish.  Then ended up at Forager's Drop for a pot of beer. The keg ran out on the Double IPA that i ordered ("Kong"), so they gave me a half for free — and a pot of a different Double IPA ("Gaze").

Lulu bar (Day 28) I'm culling photos by searching, say, "Jan 11" — and reviewing every year going backwards.  Today, I finally managed too get usable photos of my fish, Pixel.  And I went day-drinking with R because she had a discount voucher (really it's an app). We ended up at Raccoon bar — where I added to my Don't Look Down series. Putting your hands in the "drinks selfie" was an idea i got from A at brunch a few days ago. We are not left-handed. The duck is from my Hi-Vis Duck series.

Thornbury (Day 27) Feeling dusty, I drove to meet H in the cinema foyer because we had planned to see Nosferatu (2025). We had arranged it over text the night before when we were both lit. However, after we arrived we decided not to see the film — instead chatting over pints of ciders/water at The Thornbury Local upstairs.  She hadn't been to Kitty Somerset, so we say out the back until it became too hot (where we saw a mouse) and then moved inside (dimly lit, and cooling). Hot chips, Greek salad and then I drove home.

Edinborough Castle Hotel (Day 26) Sydney Rd, Brunswick. My friend R played a gig in the back beer-garden. I had several wines. Afterwards, I tried to surprise my trivia team in Smith St, Collingwood — however by 10pm they had already left the pub. Instead, I went to Holy Diver for a pot of beer, and then The Mill for a few more. I met the barchick "Sawsha", who is one of the owners (i think). And a young guy named Zen who had bought tinnies "to pre-game before a DJ at midnight". Since the bar was essentially empty, i convinced him to stick around to have a pot with me. When he left he gifted me 2 cans of beer (Panacea was closed.) The morning started with a lovely brunch with A in Glen Iris. I'd accidentally over-stayed in my carpark — but i wasn't fined. On the way home, i stopped in on 3 Ravens for a mid-strength pot of beer, and then The Royston (Craft & co was closed.) I also quickly dropped in on Bridge Hotel in Richmond to take an updat...

Sugarloaf Reservoir (Day 25) Ultimately, today's dam felt underwhelming — you've seen one, you've seen them all. I did not stay long because my phone battery was low. (My phone/battery is 4 years old & will need replacing) Beforehand, I went to Pound Bend Rd, Warrandyte. Ostensibly, looking for koalas. Regardless it is a nice, quiet place to get back to nature. Insects, birds, skinks. I walked slowly, noting the signs that mention platypus; but no signs of any platypus. They are notoriously shy. Not shy were two skinny-dippers. They had a camera on a tripod stood up in the river. To judge from their tie-dyed clothes on the bank, they were hippies. They saw me before i saw them.

Currawong Park Reserve (Day 24) Picking up rubbish. It's mostly to disguise what's in the ice-cream container. I've heisted a few more mosquitofish.  This morning i've used the Nike website to "design" my own sneakers. Really that means i've chosen the colours (from what they offer). You can see what i came up with here . My main aim was to have black souls — so they don't look dirty.

Bonza Social Club, Balnarring (Day 23) M drove us down because he's such a nice bloke. I was impressed by the stylish venue and the tasty beers. Also, delicious food. Delightful staff.

4 Pines, Sydney Rd (Day 22) R had a discount voucher for half-price food & drinks at Dutch restaurant. We had cocktails, plus I had a Belgian cherry sour beer. The oysters were a huge mistake - and made us both feel a bit ill. It was 38°C as was the day before. Seafood stored incorrectly we suspect!  Beforehand we had 30% off drinks at Penny Black. And afterwards we had 30% off drinks at 4 Pines (pictured). So, I was calling it 2.8 Pines. R dominated on the Point Blank machine. High score.

The Piano Bar (Day 21) Hens' Night began in the afternoon at The Purple, in High Street Northcote. It was 38°C, which meant we didn't use the back outdoor area. The two Hen's parties combined before dark. We went across the road to Francesca's - where we sat out the back. The cocktail slushies were popular. A group of us piled into the photobooth. Lastly, we went to The Piano Bar to hear Simon Ross (pictured) play his classy piano renditions of cover versions of all kinds of songs by request. There was much dancing. I lost my sunnies.

Bulleen Arts & Garden nursery  (Day 20) Hops plant. Felt an intense burst of motivation. I'd looked into it plenty - including talking to a grower. Chinook is the exact type that I've been watching him grow this season. Hops needs a lot of water over the hot, drying Australian summer. I'm looking into irrigation. In my way home, I climbed a steep track that I had never felt confident to tackle. I was feeling so energised & excited because I'd received confirmation of a date i thought wouldn't go ahead (as she's heading overseas). Additionally, heisted tiny fish from a local dam (on public property). Six approx. They are all named Pixel. In a fish tank on my back porch. Best guess is male mosquitofish. They are the size of a fingernail clipping. The dam had 1,000s of them and females too, which are substantially bigger - with a black beauty spot.  This heist was planned out meticulously. I did a couple of dry-runs. Ran to plan ~15 min. Bright,...

Boronia Rd café (Day 19) Today was a rest day. I had low energy and felt a bit down. I walked up to get a morning coffee - just some place local. Over this break, I was trying to drive to an unfamiliar café each day to get my morning coffee. Working from home means that I've been very many times to the few cafés (5) that are within walking distance. My calendar reminded me that I was invited to a friend's house with others for a BBQ, but that all seemed too full-on to pursue. I didn't end up chasing down the details i needed (where, when). Also I never heard from anybody about it afterwards. So I'm unsure that event ever happened.  No FOMO.

Mullum Mullum (Day 18) Kangeroo bounced up beside me without seeing me. I watched it drink for a minute or two until it was done - and then hopped away.