Golfing with the kangaroos, Wagga City Golf

Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region of New South Wales is known as the city of good sports.  Many a sporting great has grown up in Wagga, Mark Taylor, Michael Slater, Geoff Lawson, International cricketers, Paul Kelly Brownlow Medalist, Australian Football, Steve Elkington, golf, Tony Roach, tennis. 

However, only the locals know of the regular participants on the golf course at  Wagga City Golf, about 60 to 100 kangaroos, spend their day, lounging in the sun on the fairways and roughs of the course.  One by one they make their way out of the nearby Pomingalarna Reserve each morning and head back to the hills at sunset.

From the big bucks, who will watch with interest as you chase your golf ball in amongst the herd, to little tiny joeys, who do not wander far from Mums side, they have an attitude that the golfers are invading their territory and they might move slowly out of your way only if you persist in getting close.

The fairways are wide and long, surrounded by euclypts and native shrubs, testing the endurance of the short hitters, but are favoured by the stronger golfer. The picturesque 9th hole tests the accuracy of  all golfers as many have fallen to the trap of the pretty waterway on the left and a double bunker on the right.

Water is a feature of the beautiful course, with large dams used to water the adjoining fairways, a picturesque lake, with the pretty gazebo used for weddings and ceremonies

The Club house sits above the surrounding fairways, with views to the City of Wagga and in the evening the lights are like a fairyland tinkling in the distance.  With the waters of the fountain tumbling into the rocky stream in front of the outdoor reception area, creates a beautiful venue for the many weddings and special occasions held regularly.

As I was photographing and videoing, I had just put my camera away to continue playing, when I heard a splash!.  I turned and saw a very small joey about one and half metres into the dam swimming with all his might. I don't know if Mum threw him in, or he went voluntarily, but he hopped out and Mum proceeded to lick him dry. 

Canoeing in paradise, Margaret River WA

A beautiful way to get some exercise, relax and enjoy the scenery, the birds and nature

Where the Margaret River meets the Indian Ocean

The quiet calm waters of the Margaret River, melt into the roaring Indian Ocean

Niagara Falls

We can hear the roar from a distance. The first thing we see is the mist rising like a cloud, we can't see the drop-off because of all the tourists and as you get closer, the width of the Niagara River is enormous, the colour, that gorgeous emerald green of a glacial flow. The sun is shining and the colour of the water of the Niagara River is spectacular. We are so close to the edge of the Horseshoe Falls that we feel like we can lean over the railing and touch it. It is only a couple of metres away and the footpath has been built at the same level as the water's drop-off. The cliff edge of the falls, curves around in front of us to create the perfect horseshoe.
The American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are further down the river. If you hadn't seen Horseshoe Falls first, you would think these natural wonders would be awesome, but, we have been spoilt by the sheer strength, power and grandeur of the larger falls.

Niagara Falls

One of the seven wonders of the world, certainly didn't disappoint.

Horseshoe Falls Niagara River

American Falls Niagara River

Niagara Falls Horseshoe Falls

We took a tour under the falls. We were 200 metres below the escarpment and the tour took us to two tunnels, which opened up with the falls pounding down to the bed below.  If you wanted you could get as close as two metres to the water falling at the opening of each tunnel. The lookout was on the downstream edge of the  falls at the same level.  From this perspective we could see the fury of the water as it crashed past you to the bed of the rocks below.

Horseshoe Falls Niagara

We stayed in Niagara Falls a couple of days and each day, we would wander down just to check if this magnificence was still there, the sheer power and strength and volume was awsome

Kamloops to Banff - Rocky Mountaineer Journey

As we leave Kamploops and are eating our beautiful breakfast, the scenery gradually changes from dry ranges to the lush Douglas fir trees on tall mountain peaks closer to Banff

Breakfast

Atlantic Salmon

Desert

Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains

Farm buildings Thompson Vallery

Butchart Gardens, Vancouver Island

Words cannot express the beauty of Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, so I will just show you a heap of photos. Enjoy