APRIL the 25th Australia …..my tiny tribute
Anzac Day, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day
Australians recognise 25 April as a day of national remembrance, which takes two forms. Commemorative services are held across the nation at dawn – the time of the original landing, while later in the day, former servicemen and servicewomen meet to take part in marches through the country’s major cities and in many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are more formal, and are held at war memorials around the country. In these ways, Anzac Day is a time at which Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war.
It is great to see young kids marching on this very special parade to honour war heroes by wearing medals earned by their grandparents.Interestingly some of the medals were scaled down to look in proportion to the small people wearing them.Turn out at this very special occasion is always fantastic and parades are held from the tiniest communities to the large cities and is also a Public Holiday (Take note UK) Below is a game that can be seen on this day at most RSL Clubs throughout Australia
“Two-up” is a traditional game which is true-blue Australian, invented in old Australia, and allowed to played LEGALLY in public only on special days, such as ANZACs day public holiday, since it’s actually gambling…Of, course you can gamble and play it any time in an Australian casino.A smooth area of 3 metres diameter is used with any number of players participating. Here’s a few terminology used in the game:
KIP : Piece of wood on which the pennies (coins) are placed for spinning RINGER : Person in charge of the game SPINNER : Player spinning the coins COCKATOO : Keeps a lookout for the “Law” aka Police !
The RINGER will call for the “SPINNER” who will place a bet with the “BOXER”. When this is set, side bets may be made, for either Heads or Tails. The “RINGER” will then call “Come in Spinner”, the “SPINNER” will then walk into the centre of the RING and tosses the coins upwards.If the coins land with 2 Heads facing UP, it is called “HEADS”. 2 Tails is called “TAILED THEM”, and when one of each is showing, then it is “ODDS”. The coins must be tossed until a result is obtained.The game is for the “SPINNER” to spin as many pairs of “HEADS” as possible. When 2 Tails are showing, the “SPINNER” passes the “KIP” to another person.The modern game is now played with three coins thus giving a quicker result i.e. 2 HEADS or 2 TAILS.
Distractions after the Car Smash
After all the fuss re the car crash I have been involved in other issues even joining a very amateurish theatre group..more on that on a future blog. In this wonderful place we live there is so much to do for we pensioners ( IF you are prepared to get of your arse and avago !) I can now continue to get back into animals & creatures we have encountered on our wonderful traipse around Australia (hopefully we will do once again June or July )
All the years I lived in England I was terrified of spiders no matter how small they are ! Incidentally there are NO venomous spiders in the UK.Australia is FULL of deadly,dangerous arachnids! Since living here I have overcome my fears and respect their right to be around (rule of thumb? leave them alone and they wont bother you!) I am now fully trained to remove spiders from our home using a glass tumbler and small sheet of paper. Redbacks WILL be killed humanely ( a highly charged boot crushing them instantly!!) There are so many interesting creatures in this wonderful land and just to see them in their home environment (i.e not caged) is jaw dropping.Can’t wait to get back on the road again.All creatures in this blog are roaming freely with the exception of the Snake,even the crocodile was photo’d in the wild (altho we were ready to run very quickly at the slightest movement!)
Watch me play Didgeridoo
Geoffs Life After Work ! 