Spring has Sprung in Australia
A better title maybe "Dangerous Encounter's", we will see what you think.
After a very dry winter,this last week saw some gentle rain. Goodness the grass shows a tinge of green: blossom's are appearing and the Grape vines are showing life again. The gum trees are ever green and gives , a sense of well being in our Forest. Wombat's, Wallaby's, Guannas and Bird,s are out, including our regular pair of swifts, who have produced two chick's, who are now flying, after their exercize's just off the veranda.
And so to our little adventure. I have a near vintage, Vanden Plas 4 Litre R a rather rare derivative f the Austin A99 and more popularly seen in movies as a Wolesley Police Car. I opened up to air the inside and removed a clothe off the steering wheel and there flat, was a big Huntsman Spider enjoying the warmth. Hoy!, out of here you , why? came the reply and promptly jumped down and under the accelerator peddle and hid..NO no no, you are out pal. Leave me be, came the reply look, so the paint brush was brought into play, for quick shove, on the brush and out. He gathered he was not welcome and made for the shed and a nice warm corner, where he could keep an eye on me and enjoy the warmth of the Generators when on.
Just as I was getting tools out of the Land Rover, when a spider of a vastly more dangerous kind came walking past my foot. A Sydney Funnel Web spider, a young male I quess, he was a beautiful shiney black and obviously on a mission, as he was in the open on this sunny day. Excuse me, Syd: now listen up. He stopped and I advised him of the peril's of meeting up with a lady (twice as big as him) and having his wicked way with her. Hang on, hang on, I havn't finished. It is said, that you must jump away immediatley after being the big fello you think you are, for if she catches you , you will be eaten Head First, thus giving her babies the genes she want's and a good meal into the bargain.
Like all young men, he was not listening to older folk and proceeded on his way.
The very next day of this spring, I walking off the balcony and OH NO!, lying basking it self along the front of the said Vanden Plas was a young Red Bellied Black snake, deadly chap like the Funnel Web. OK you, move it and like the Huntsman, looked at me and indicated, Why?. Because I said so, in a loud voice,which attracted the attention of Patricia. Hello she said arn't you beautiful and when he moved off she followed him to the near by nearly dry pond. A short time later he re-appeared wriggled around near me. lifted his head and I repeated GO and he did, into the tree line.
A week passed and a storm occured and no doubt the three found shelter and are going about their lives, the funnel web also if he is lucky and took my advise. This second Sunday the Sun was shining again and Patricia and I decided to go the beach for a picnic. The sea was a little too rough on the in coming tide so we paddled on the foreshore. We notice people on the beach standing up a looking out to sea and there and behold ,a little way out, was a WHALE doing it's thing. Spouting water and yes, we saw its tail, rise and splash. Oh what joy it brings to us in Australia,to see these magnificent animal's. We saw another I think smaller one, before we left, closer in.
And so, I have to say Spring has Sprung in Australia and what a wonderful way to conclude my little story
All the best for the Summer to come and the same for colder climes of Winter, may it be safe and joyful.
Malcolm Mason Shallow Crossing State Forest, Australia
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
BURMA and Aung San Suu Kyi
Burma and Aung San Suu Kyi
I think this is going to be a Sad and rather Harrowing story, of Hung San's journey for political Recognition and gain, in Burma (Myanmar). It should not be surprising, being the daughter of General Aung San, in the 1940's leader of the independence movement. I believe was killed in 1946/7!. This is also a story of the involvement of her husband Micheal Aris, an academic of some note in UK and The USA, plus a couple of boys?.
On September 19 2017 we all witnessed the lady address a large assembly in Rangoon, saying that she did not understand why some 400 thousand Muslin faithfull in North West of the Country,had fled to Bangladesh,following the military and I believe reported Buddist vigilanties, attacked them and burnt their villages.
This morning 20 September,we heard on radio a chap saying "It sounded more like a political speechthan a Nobel Luariat"
She always was and is, a political activist, above all else, including her family. A story of MOI.
As some of you know my Burma experience started in the sixties, when my employer The Austin Motor company, said go to Rangoon (I will use the old names) and find out why orders have stopped - It was Reparation activities by Japan for War destruction etc. This was the actual start of the Japanese supply o f vehicles to Military regimes and shortly to Terrorist organisations.
Move on to the late 1900's and my wife and I were on a flight bound for Paris and had landed in Rangoon, Burma. Just before leaving a lady was shown a seat next to us. A very straight backed lady, silent and reading. Curiousity got the better of me and I asked, what was she reading= Philosophy came the reply and in telling her about my earlier trip to Burma, I reallised I was talking to Aung Sung Suu Kyi.Near silence until we reached Paris.Well not quite she did speak to Patricia.
Orly, as I remember, any way Aung Sang was met by some official group and whisked away. Was it the journey that never was?. Whilst waiting for a bus I met a chap I knew, one Tony Benn MP, who said hello, I appear to be without transport, I pointed to the Limosine/Taxi rank and he was gone. Passed on now, a great man and always pleasant.
Hung San returned to Burma and as time passed a Nobel Award given, but she still was Politically activated however time was taking its toll on her health and that of her husband in the UK/USA. House arrest came, so I thought she needed to go to her family, so I wrote to Lt General Klin Nyunt - first Secretary 1,in Rangoon.
A little time later the Junta offered her permission to leave Burma and permission to return. She refused.
It was then that I realised she really was a Political person and thinking only of herself and her aims of ruling Burma, family was all but abandoned. I wrote and told her that Family should be the all important and she would do more for Burma outside than in. To no avail, if of course she received my letters..
Well she achieved the Premiership, but is now old and on her own, never having trained a successor.
We should all realise now, she would have little influence on the Military on what they are doing to the Muslim minority,however not to speak up for fello human beings is not tolerable to me. She still has the mindset of MOI. A person who sacrficed her family for Political ends, I think showing she should have no problem not speaking up for the 400,000 displaced people in the north west,but, as I said she is old now and probably just plain tuckered out. Sad story ending isn't it
I just wish that her sons would demand her retirement and take a break after all these years. Had she had a daughter, things might have been different,as all we husband's fathers and grandfathers know all too well, the daughters will always confront their Mum's head on and gets things sorted out.
Malcolm Mason, Australia, September 2017
Final Note; As I have indicated before, His Holiness the Dalai Lama must to come for ward at times of World stress, and this time condemn Buddist's groups from their,reported vicious activities- Of helping the Burmese Military and intercepting aid convoys, If there s anyone who should know the effects being expelled from his home and country, it is this man. Where are you now sir with your silence.
FIN..
I think this is going to be a Sad and rather Harrowing story, of Hung San's journey for political Recognition and gain, in Burma (Myanmar). It should not be surprising, being the daughter of General Aung San, in the 1940's leader of the independence movement. I believe was killed in 1946/7!. This is also a story of the involvement of her husband Micheal Aris, an academic of some note in UK and The USA, plus a couple of boys?.
On September 19 2017 we all witnessed the lady address a large assembly in Rangoon, saying that she did not understand why some 400 thousand Muslin faithfull in North West of the Country,had fled to Bangladesh,following the military and I believe reported Buddist vigilanties, attacked them and burnt their villages.
This morning 20 September,we heard on radio a chap saying "It sounded more like a political speechthan a Nobel Luariat"
She always was and is, a political activist, above all else, including her family. A story of MOI.
As some of you know my Burma experience started in the sixties, when my employer The Austin Motor company, said go to Rangoon (I will use the old names) and find out why orders have stopped - It was Reparation activities by Japan for War destruction etc. This was the actual start of the Japanese supply o f vehicles to Military regimes and shortly to Terrorist organisations.
Move on to the late 1900's and my wife and I were on a flight bound for Paris and had landed in Rangoon, Burma. Just before leaving a lady was shown a seat next to us. A very straight backed lady, silent and reading. Curiousity got the better of me and I asked, what was she reading= Philosophy came the reply and in telling her about my earlier trip to Burma, I reallised I was talking to Aung Sung Suu Kyi.Near silence until we reached Paris.Well not quite she did speak to Patricia.
Orly, as I remember, any way Aung Sang was met by some official group and whisked away. Was it the journey that never was?. Whilst waiting for a bus I met a chap I knew, one Tony Benn MP, who said hello, I appear to be without transport, I pointed to the Limosine/Taxi rank and he was gone. Passed on now, a great man and always pleasant.
Hung San returned to Burma and as time passed a Nobel Award given, but she still was Politically activated however time was taking its toll on her health and that of her husband in the UK/USA. House arrest came, so I thought she needed to go to her family, so I wrote to Lt General Klin Nyunt - first Secretary 1,in Rangoon.
A little time later the Junta offered her permission to leave Burma and permission to return. She refused.
It was then that I realised she really was a Political person and thinking only of herself and her aims of ruling Burma, family was all but abandoned. I wrote and told her that Family should be the all important and she would do more for Burma outside than in. To no avail, if of course she received my letters..
Well she achieved the Premiership, but is now old and on her own, never having trained a successor.
We should all realise now, she would have little influence on the Military on what they are doing to the Muslim minority,however not to speak up for fello human beings is not tolerable to me. She still has the mindset of MOI. A person who sacrficed her family for Political ends, I think showing she should have no problem not speaking up for the 400,000 displaced people in the north west,but, as I said she is old now and probably just plain tuckered out. Sad story ending isn't it
I just wish that her sons would demand her retirement and take a break after all these years. Had she had a daughter, things might have been different,as all we husband's fathers and grandfathers know all too well, the daughters will always confront their Mum's head on and gets things sorted out.
Malcolm Mason, Australia, September 2017
Final Note; As I have indicated before, His Holiness the Dalai Lama must to come for ward at times of World stress, and this time condemn Buddist's groups from their,reported vicious activities- Of helping the Burmese Military and intercepting aid convoys, If there s anyone who should know the effects being expelled from his home and country, it is this man. Where are you now sir with your silence.
FIN..
Saturday, August 26, 2017
A Tiger named BEN
A Tiger named BEN
One cool morning, I was having breakfast and I happened to look at the Calender on the wall. It was one of those issued freely by a Pharmacy. Very colourful, as each page was covered in Children's Art works, of things they like. It was, all in a Project to help 'Children' though the Trauma of being poorly.
There looking at me,was a Tiger, a sad looking one at that, painted by Anush Ahhenapalli, presumably from the Canberra area.
Looking at that picture, reminded me of the time I had met a Tiger like that.It was in the nineteen sixties and I was in Khartoum Sudan, on business for the British Motor Corporation on the delivery and assembly of special Truck's, fitted with Large single wheels on the rear, for negotiating sandy conditions. Followed in time, by others makes.
For the period I was there, I used to see a very unhappy Tiger in a small enclosure next to the Hotel. Good morning old chap, cheer up,I wish I could do some thing for you. after a couple of meetings I decided to name him BEN, not very original, but he didn't seem to mind.
Then fortune struck, in the form of one of those Intl: Rotary lunches we visitors attended. I think the regular Philips' man was there also. I sat ext to mine- host, the boss of the distributor of our products and after all the carrying on! and laughter and fines of one kind and another, I had a chance to raise the plight of BEN. Mr Mason, you are in luck, I will introduce you to the owner of BEN and so it was that how I met Mr Abdul ------, I do not remember his full name, anyway I told him my concern for BEN'S welfare.
Well Mr Mason, tell me what I can do to make BEN'S life better. The door was opened for me and I suggested, A Much bigger enclosure; a Much bigger and deeper pond;lots of Greenery, grass shrubs and branches. He was a nice man who said, Oh dear, I seem to have neglected him some what eh!. Ah yes, he had spotted someone and was gone.
I continued my journey over to Saudi Arabia and on and BEN was nearly forgotten until one Day, about six months later, I was summoned to The Export Directors office - immediately!. Ah, Mason. Who the dickens is BEN. I have here a telex from Khartoum, for you, most confusing, what on earth were you doing man. Oh dear, can I see the telex Sir as it is addressed to me, the encounter with Ben came clearly into focus.
I explained my encounter. Hmm came the reply, interesting but not part of your operation. OK Mason, one other thing. I am informed you assisted a young American, out of Saudi Arabia, apparently the authorities were looking for him.. No no don't tell me how you did it, but in future be very careful in situations like that. Good Work any way Mason.
I used the incident yours later, by telling President Bush, HE owed me one!. A short time later,an Australia Quantanimo Bay detainee was released, the business man. Coincidence,you never really know.
Back to that telex.. It Read, Attention Mr Malcolm Mason. I met Abdul ----- the other day and he sends his regards. BEN now has a larger enclosure; a bigger and deeper pond plus the Khartoum Parks department provide greenery and branches. On Friday after prayers, he is given a treat,a goat,which cheers him up no end!. Regards.
BEN was not the last encounter with a Tiger. I'll tell you all about another time, at a logging camp in
Malaya,same decade.
Just before publishing this blog My wife ad I attended a Grandparents day, at our grand daughters junior school. A young lad in the same class, came up said hello, I'm Abdul and my family come from Khartoum in Sudan and we chatted. The boy so reminded me of the Tiger man with that wonderful Open and Friendly Manner, I was so familiar with people in that area and around the World.
Oh, such joy to end my blog, with two people named Abdul both of which had very long names.Sixty something years apart. Ben was part of my life as the two Abdul's
Malcolm Mason. Remember all my blogs are stories based on fact's as I remember them. Bye for now.
Malcolm Mason. Remember all my blogs are stories based on fact's as I remember them. Bye for now.
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