Well I did not wash my face in the Mayday dew this morning. Couldn’t have even if I’d wanted to. The rain had washed the dew away!

We have had rain this past few days. Good rain, steady but not pouring. Mind you we are still less than our month and year to date averages. It does look hopeful though.

During the month we had Kevin08’s (Prime Minister) 2020 gathering in Canberra. (You might remember T. Blair doing something similar in the UK in 1999) 1000 of “the brightest and best” gathered together to prioritise and ‘agendaise’ the major issues facing Australia, and I suppose fix them. A couple of thoughts from the idea. What did we elect a Government for? What did that make the rest of the population who didn’t go? It was by nomination and invite. Seemed to me it was the same (mainly) faces and voices that we hear pontificating on TV and radio and in the press all the time. I certainly didn’t get asked! Oh, and if you please – pay your own way to it!! It was a good weekend so we are told. Lots of wonderful ideas to solve our ills came from it. Trouble is, though, most of them we have heard before — still waiting for them to be attended to! Main issue seemed to be the resurfacing of the Republic issue. Should we have our own “Head of State” and get rid of the Queen? I think that we should but it certainly is not a pressing issue compared to the state of the Murray and the economy and Global Warming! Interestingly Republicans talk of the “Queen of England” being our Head of State. As far as I can see the Queen of Australia, who is also the Queen of England is our Head. Interestingly again She is never described as Queen of Britain (or United Kingdom). Kevin08, who won’t use a one or two syllable word if he can find a five or six one to use thinks this a good idea.

They are going to spend about $13 billion over 10 years buying back water from irrigators to help the Murray. Trouble is by the time they do it it may well be to late to save the river! But lets talk Republic!!!!! April in Australia is of course, thee month, we remember/commemorate Anzac Day. The 25th being the actual day. Dawn services are held around the country and the world in memory of the ANZACS of the Great War and all other conflicts that we have been involved in. This year on the 90th anniversary of the battle at Villiers-Bretoneaux there was a Dawn Service at the Australian Cemetery there. The first since the battle. Incidentally the Australian recapture of Villiers was a turning point in the war. They stopped the German advance on Paris, retook Villiers and shortened the war. The Australian Brigadier in command apparently defied his orders and attacked at dark instead of, as ordered, in daylight and was successful. It was a very moving ceremony. Over 5,000 there. The French still pay tribute to the Anzacs who liberated them.

In Australia there were large crowds at all Dawn Services and at the Marches. It seems that the crowds get bigger each year. Not in celebration of war but to commemorate those who served and those who fell. More poignantly of course we in Australia just as in Britain and America still have service personnel making the supreme sacrifice. We lost another digger just a few days ago in Afghanistan.

LEST WE FORGET.

Back on Politics. The South Australian Government, the other week shot itself in the foot. It decided to charge the Disabled, fees for the use of equipment, wheelchairs, special beds, walking frames etc that had previously been provided free of charge. This mind you, to save about $200,000 a year!!!!. Announced in the morning. By lunchtime cancelled!!!! Government redfaces all around. Spin doctors had very difficult time with that one!!

Socially we have been quite quiet, although last weekend was busy. A 50th party on Friday night and an Engagement 'Do' on the Saturday. Both nice evenings. The Engagement was enhanced (well I think it was) by a hail storm! It was outside with small marquees for the guests. The noise and the chill were awesome as was the almost snow scened garden afterwards as the hail settled on them. Mind you Dennis and Cathy (whose son was one of the engagee’s!) weren’t best pleased. All the guests did. Then it was home to the football on TV.

Lauren-Jane was on school holiday the second half of the month. We saw very little of her. She spent every day bar one at the stables. We had leased her a horse for the duration and she has now become a “stablehand” part time. Absolutely loved her time there. I’ve told the owner to be careful as Lauren-Jane will soon be taking over!! Seriously though it was good. Fresh air, exercise and learning for two weeks instead of computer games, videos’ and TV.

Sports wise the Australian Football League season continues. Adelaide Crows now stand at 4 and 2 and the Power have won their last 2 games after losing their first 4! Adelaide United go from strength to strength in the Asian Champions League. Undefeated after four games and top of their group. Two games to go and their fate in their hands, or should that be feet? They have just lost one of their best to a knee reconstruction.

It is May already. It seems only yesterday that we celebrated New Year. Is time getting faster? Or is it age that makes it seem so?

Until next time

Eric

(article by Eric Ford, Australia)