10th May 2009,  Near Geeveston

These things are tiny, just a few millimetres across. I’ve only seen them on the lower half  of horizontal (fallen) trees. They reach out to get some light, although there’s usually not much light available where they grow. They are translucent.

Popularity: 19% [?]

10th May 2009, near Geeveston.

To continue on with my previous post “You may think it’s yours, but…“, I have an answer from Panasonic. There has been speculation as to whether Panasonic withdrew it’s position on not allowing the use of generic batteries in many of their cameras. Here is their answer:

“Thank you for taking the time to contact Panasonic with your enquiry.

Panasonic is able to confirm that due to faults and damage that can be caused by using non genuine batteries. The current Range and Firmware update for Cameras will stop non genuine batteries from being used.

Please contact Panasonic Customer Care on 132600 for further support”

If you have one of the Panasonic cameras targeted by this change that is able to use generic batteries, it is because it does not have the latest firmware update installed and it was manufactured before Panasonic’s dodgy decision - see previous post “You may think it’s yours, but…“.I have personal experience for being so critical of this action. I used to own a Nikon Coolpix E8800. It was a high end camera for its time and it cost me a small fortune. After buying it I went to the local camera store to get a uv filter to protect the lens. I couldn’t find one to fit even though the store had the whole range of sizes. What Nikon had done was made the filter thread size on this camera non standard - 53.5mm. The only filter I could get for this camera was from Nikon.

There were at least two problems with this: cost and availability. The cost was more than the best Hoya filter available, but worse was that the filter couldn’t be found - It wasn’t available. It was on back order for three months before I finally got it. That was an apprehensive three months for me; my cameras tend to suffer the extremes of climate and conditions.

Two years down the track and after lots of use in said extremes, the filter was looking worse for wear. I decided to replace it. I couldn’t find one anywhere in any country; the only filter available was a neutral density filter. Neutral density filters are probably the least used and definitely not something to leave on your camera - which is why there was still old stock available. Nikon had simply stopped making the UV filters when they stopped selling in reasonable numbers.

The same thing is happening and has been happening with these Panasonic Cameras. Many of the early purchasers of these cameras with the limitation of only working with Panasonic batteries had to wait months before batteries were available. Pretty frustrating, especially when you have an exceptionally power hungry camera like the G1 or GH1.

If you assume that this decision of Panasonic is a financial one, then it is just as logical to assume that they will stop manufacturing these batteries when it is no longer profitable.

I shall wait to see what Olympus comes up with in their micro four thirds range and just hope that they don’t make a similar decision, or if they do, let it be known up front so that people can make a fully informed choice before purchase.

Popularity: 12% [?]

10th May 2009, close to Geeveston.

It is the eve of our holiday; a last post before we go.

We won’t be near towns for a few days, it will be interesting to see how Wiebke copes with limited food choices

The last time I had breakfast with her, we were having pancakes. I put some elderberry jam on mine, Wiebke put lots on hers.

Then, with the expertise of a brickie, she trowelled on a five cm layer of quark, a strange cheese that tastes like yoghurt.

Then, on top of that, applied a layer of sugar straight from the bag that it came in.

She was laughing self consciously at the amused look on my face and my silence.

The pancake had disappeared underneath all the stuff she’d put on top of it; it’s role seemed to be limited to providing the theme for her breakfast, without actually contributing much to it.

I’ve just read this to her; and she laughingly said, “you haven’t even seen decadence yet, that was just an entrée”.

Popularity: 22% [?]

2nd May 2009, near Geeveston

This is my favourite walk. It is so wet, dripping with mosses and lichens off all the trees and most other surfaces. Old rotting logs full of life. So many different mushrooms - black ones and green ones as well. So often we would stop in wonderment. And, it is an interesting walk; little ups and downs, the track constantly changing direction. It goes flat for a while, then you are on the side of a steep rain forested hill that drops hundreds of meters to a roaring creek that you can hear but not see. We have been here two times now, and still have not made it to the falls, too busy stopping to photograph beautiful miniature worlds within this beautiful area.

And leeches. But they belong here too.

Popularity: 22% [?]

2nd May 2009, within 10km of Geeveston.

It is Friday. My work week is busy, mundane, and I don’t get enough sleep. I daydream about weekends, cameras, motorbikes, and an upcoming longer holiday.

Wiebke is complaining about her busy life, and why does it have to be this way.

I’m reading an Asimov book. He talks about a world that has so many robots to each person. Robots do all the menial stuff; farming, labouring, housework, cooking meals. The population is stable - no major growth, no major decline, so the planet has enough resources to support them all luxuriously and still remain healthy. People are happy and content - life is good.

I suppose if all we have to complain about is being too busy, or not getting enough sleep, life is good here too.

I still need a nap though.

Popularity: 21% [?]

2nd May 2009, within 10km of Geeveston.

We have a few nice pictures from the walk on Saturday. The walk along the creek was beautiful, but I also knew that we were surrounded by monotonous eucalypt plantation, that we were following a ribbon of land along the creek that is a semblance of what the greater area used to be. I am thankful to see these places, but sometimes, often, I wish I could travel back in time to experience them before the arrival of man.

Popularity: 21% [?]

2nd May 2009 (today), about 10km out of Geeveston.

Wiebke and I went for a drive. We took some dirt roads through forest to come out in Geeveston. Then we found a rocky little road climbing a hill out of Geeveston. We stopped at a creek and went walking from there. It was like a rain forest; lots of different fungi and spongy mosses. It had all been logged a long time ago, but was still beautiful although not as deep as it used to be.

These fungi were growing on a dead tree.

Popularity: 21% [?]

1st April 2009, my garden.

Tuesday 14th April, was a beautiful day. It was the sort of day that I wished I was riding through the hills, instead of working.

When work finished, I turned right, instead of left which is the normal way home. I ended up beside the Huon, heading out toward Judbury; fast, winding, dirt road, and beautiful countryside.

At Jud creek, I crossed the Huon and headed back in toward town along the Huon again, then took a track south, leaving the river.

I navigated by the sun; a rarity here because of the high hills blocking its view. So long as I headed south and / or east I was right. I just took any interesting tracks that were going in those directions.

The tracks were generally fast, with lots of corners. A few were dead ends - finishing at a loading area for log trucks or a gate.

After an hour and a half of this, riding in isolation, I rode around a locked boom gate and hit a road. I headed east, and started to recognise the outskirts of Geeveston. From here I was five minutes from home.

Popularity: 19% [?]