Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Gallimaufry#140

Just a gallimaufry of AI-generated photos, real photos and ramblings 📸
Awww!
Lunchfried rice topped with shredded fried imitation crab sticks
Fried imitation crab sticks are a fantastic addition to fried rice, adding both flavor and texture. 

FROM THE TRAVEL ARCHIVES

Greek signboard
Turns out, my Greek is limited to the letters I barely survived in Math and Physics!

Sheep shearing at Wallan Wool Shed, Australia 1992
I’ve never seen a live sheep in Malaysia, though there are small-scale sheep farms nestled in the highlands and cooler regions. It's hard to imagine a sheep with its thick fleece enduring our scorching heat, especially now with climate change causing even higher temperatures. 
Having never seen live sheep, I always imagined them to be as white as fresh snow. So, imagine my surprise when I first saw sheep in Australia, and they were more of a beige color! 

My visit to the Wallan Wool Shed in 1992 was an interesting experience. I vividly recall the rustic charm of the shed, with its wooden beams and the earthy scent of wool. Watching the traditional sheep shearing demo was captivating—the shearers, with their practiced hands and swift movements, skillfully handled the sheep, expertly removing the fleece in one continuous piece.

The experience offered a unique glimpse into the rural Australian way of life and the wool industry. The sight of the freshly shorn sheep, naked and bare against the piles of fluffy fleece, was almost comical. However, the sheep looked petrified during the shearing process, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they felt stress or pain from the nicks and cuts. 

BALLARAT 1992
Ballarat is a historic city in Victoria, Australia, known for its significant role in the 1850s Gold Rush. Once a booming gold mining town, Ballarat now offers a blend of rich history and modern attractions. The city is famous for Sovereign Hill, an open-air museum that recreates the gold rush experience, complete with gold panning, historical buildings, and reenactments.
A blacksmith in a rustic forge, surrounded by tools and a sign advertising "Small Horse Shoes" for $1.50
Capturing the essence of life in a 19th-century gold rush town.

The hubs panning for gold at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

 FUN FACT 
 The Australian gold rush saw some massive gold finds. One of the largest nuggets ever discovered, the "Welcome Nugget," was found in Ballarat in 1858, weighing an astonishing 69 kilograms (152 pounds).

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53 comments:

  1. I don't understand Greek, not even the letters :-) So be proud of yourself. Those vintage pictures are beautiful.

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  2. Beautiful series of photos.
    I find the AI ​​mice cute, the food looks delicious.
    Greetings Irma

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  3. What a ınteresting knownles, thanks for your sharing

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  4. What a cool experience! The sheep shearing and the history of Ballarat sound really interesting. Thanks for sharing your travel memories!

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  5. I am curious what the imitation crab is made out of? We have sheep in my area, so I am familiar with the color. We also have a historic park "Washington Crossings State Park" twenty minutes away where George Washington crossed over into New Jersey and led the battle to help win the war against the Hessians every troops (working for England). The park holds a sheep sheering festival each year!!

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  6. Ballarat Sovereign hill is where I learnt about gold rush

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  7. Dear Veronica, the welcome sign for dogs is really cute. You don't see that very often, quite the opposite. I think I've mentioned several times in my blog that I love sheep. In Ireland we took part in a sheep demonstration for the first time - first the sheepdogs showed us what they could do, then the sheep shearers. Here is my old post about it:
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2015/10/irland-reisebericht-killarney.html
    It's really fascinating how calm the sheep are when they're being sheared - I think experienced shearers know how to hold the sheep so that they don't kick. Sheep's wool is rarely pure white - if only because sheep, like all animals, roll around in the dirt 😉 - but there are definitely lighter and darker varieties. Here you can see a few sheep breeds that are common in Austria: https://www.oebsz.at/rassen/schafrassen/
    In Tasmania I was also amazed by the sheep colors, because they were mostly light brown or at least beige rather than creamy white. As far as I know, domestic sheep descend from mouflons, which are brown and have quite short fur that does not need to be sheared. Soay sheep are also darker domestic sheep with relatively short fur and do not need to be sheared. The woolly fur of many other sheep breeds is the result of complex breeding and is also related to the climate. I could imagine that the sheep in Malaysia tend to have short fur... (?) Maybe you could visit some and tell us about it one day...
    I have never tried gold panning, although I have seen offers from time to time when traveling. Have you found any?
    All the best, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/08/weltreise-2024-neuseeland-sudinsel.html

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  8. Wonderful travels. Fried imitation crab sticks yum

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  9. Dearest Veronica,
    No doubt those sheep were petrified and also received some cuts by the VERY hastily sheering.
    In The Netherlands there are lots of sheep and no, they never are pure white, some are even very dark.
    But the wool industry once was a powerful one before all the synthetics came into play.
    Such open air museums are great for teaching the newer generations how life used to be during such an era as the gold rush.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  10. I've never seen sheep shearing before. Yes, it seems like that would be very uncomfortable for them. They are such dear animals, and there are many Bible verses that mention them. How fun to have experienced your time in Australia. I know well of the California Gold Rush, but didn't know about the Australian Gold Rush. It's fun seeing pictures of the old towns rich in history, the blacksmith, the general store, etc. The 1800's is a favorite era of mine, so I delighted in your post today. Love the "welcome" dog.

    Have a good rest of the week.

    ~Sheri

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  11. Oh dear Veronica,
    Your archive images are great and the implementation with AI is simply great. I love your little mices so much,
    greetings from a very hot Germany
    Kirsi

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  12. Those photos from your Australian trip are priceless, Veronica! And of course, the charming mice had to join you in panning for gold - lol! Blessings!

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  13. We have some farms near us and I've seen sheep shearing before; they do look so funny after sheering! My oldest son has been obsessed with gold mining shows for as long as I can remember and all of my boys have tired their hand at panning for gold and blacksmithing too. We have an old coal forge in our yard actually since my husband really enjoys it as a hobby.

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  14. It's amazing to witness the greed for gold everywhere on this planet. The sheeps looks strange without wool. The mices looks always so sweet, Veronica!
    Have a nice weekend!

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  15. Dear Veronica :)
    Sovereign Hill's open air museum must be an interesting place to visit and a great history lesson for anyone who doesn't know about the gold rush, likewise the art of sheep sheering I find fascinating. The sheep must feel lighter and cooler afterwards. The AI images of the little mice taking part in the activities are very cute.
    Take care
    Best wishes
    Sonjia.
    .

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  16. I've seen sheep in zoo's and on farms a few times. The food looks good. Loved the pictures.

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  17. That's a nice bunch of fun photos and I do like that stage coach!

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  18. Me dio ganas del cangrejo. Te mando un beso.

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  19. Did your husband enjoy panning for gold. My father was fascinated by the similar era in California, and he once got to try panning for gold. (I got to try it on some school trip ages ago, too, but I was less enamored.)

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  20. Awww indeed! I love the picture with the dog and the "Welcome" sign!
    My grandparents had sheep in the countryside, and your pictures reminded me of my childhood years! They would shear the sheep, clean the wool, and then my grandmother would spin the wool into yarn using a spindle. What beautiful times!
    Thank you for the information about the city of Ballarat!
    Wishing you a wonderful day, Veronica! Kisses

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  21. Lots to like this week! I always look forward to seeing what your mice are up to!

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  22. I love coming back here to see what's going on with the AI ​​mice.

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  23. The fried rice looks amazing, very good.
    I love the last picture, it is so cute <3
    I wish you a nice weekend

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  24. Great collection of old pictures.
    Have a nice weekend ⛵☀🍉

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  25. I love fried rice and never thought of topping it with something crunchy like the crab sticks!

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  26. Hello, Veronica,
    You've never seen a sheep before, here there are so many grazing in the meadows and we're seeing more and more of them! I thought that was funny because it's so normal to see sheep here!!!
    I didn't know about the gold rush in that Australian town and I was impressed by that gold nugget that weighed only 69 kg! I loved your photos!
    Happy weekend!

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  27. Wow, I didn't realize gold nuggets could be so large! I've always wanted to try panning for gold.

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  28. Hello,
    Fun photos, the AI mice are cute. I like the photos from Australia and the sheep. The fried rice does look yummy! Have a great day and happy week ahead.

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    1. Veronica, I enjoyed your critters and photos. The welcome dog is cute and I love seeing all the sheep. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week ahead.

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  29. Between controlling the animal and getting through that wool, shearing sheep looks like hard work!

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  30. That's one heavy gold. Sheep look so cute and fluffy but I don't know if it's just those particular sheep I saw but they were pungent. Is it the same for all?

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  31. Love all these images, the mice are my favorite, really bring a smile to your face! Thanks so much for sharing, hope you have an amazing rest of the summer!


    xoxo, MidoriLinea

    https://www.midorilinea.com/blogs/midori-linea/panda-village-koala-world

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  32. Love the photos and AI affects and the plate of food heheh!

    Have a gallimaufrytastic week 👍

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  33. Love seeing these old photos and yes it is good they shave off the wooly coats I can imagine it is awful in the heat. I think I prefer your AI illos to the photos LOL.

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  34. It’s fascinating to see the blend of past and present through your travel memories and photos! From the unique experiences with sheep shearing to exploring historic Ballarat, it’s clear you’ve had some memorable adventures. The fried rice with imitation crab sounds delicious too!

    Invited to read my new style post: https://www.melodyjacob.com/2024/08/uoozee-church-outfit-review.html

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  35. Another delightful series of photos, and those mice are very cute!

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  36. Buenos recuerdos y rico ese arroz. Si he visto esquilar ovejas a un vecino que las tiene.
    Buena semana Verónica. Gracias.
    Un abrazo.

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  37. Love the old photos and the mice are so adorable.

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  38. Fascinating - I got to see some sheep shearing not long ago and was amazed at the process.
    Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2024/08/some-artwork-from-pennsylvania-academy.html

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  39. Fun photos from the present to yesteryear. TFS

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  40. Oh my, that poor sheep being sheared really does look petrified. I hope the shearers try to be careful not to nick and cut them in the process.
    I love the AI picture of the little mice watching the shearing of the sheep.
    And wow, I never knew gold nuggets could be so big.

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  41. Those little mice always make us smile, so adorable! We wish we had some large gold nuggets!

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  42. ...the mice watching the sheep shearing is fun!

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  43. Sheered sheep are a funny sight. Having seen the process I have to believe that they are severely stressed by the experience.

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  44. I tried sheep shearing 50+ years ago when I used to go to Young Farmers. I think I enjoyed it less than the sheep did!

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  45. Fascinating post, as always, Veronica! Your meal looks and sounds delicious and I enjoyed your Australian travelogue, but also felt sorry for the sheep. I sincerely hope the shearing doesn't hurt them.

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  46. You have AI down to a fine science. Beautiful. You also have the very best food. Yummy.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

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  47. I agree, Veronica Lee, in that I also thought sheep would be snow white. I read that the shearing is nit painful. Did your husband fiund any treasures at Ballaret.

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  48. Thanks so much for participating and sharing at #41 #WW (Words welcome). See you Wednesday at #42, https://esmesalon.com/tag/wordlesswednesday/

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  49. ...Veronica, I enjoyed your yummy post!

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