Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Love Thy Neighbor

And put up with him. And let him pester you during the day to fix his computer. And help him move in three MASSIVE (bloody-well heavy, mate) rainwater tanks. And let him borrow any tools he needs. And keep an eye on his place when they are out of town.

Why?

Is it because I am a nice (don't swoon ladies, I'm human) guy?

No.

Well, actually, I AM a nice guy (ok, you can swoon now).

Why do I like my neighbor Frank?

He's one of those "salt of the earth" blokes. A country bloke. Tells it like it is. Loudly. Very loudly. But that's not why I like him.

Why do I "love my neighbor"?

Cus of where he (and his family) go during the school holidays. See, his wife --Mary, very nice lady-- is a school teacher and they are all from rural Vic just across the border.

His son, Jess --plays a damned good piano for a 13 year old, helps him out on the property over in Vic when they all head back.

What sort of property is it, you may ask?

He has vines.

As in vineyards.

Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of vines.

I do believe the grapes he grows are all contracted out to a local winery over there.

He brings The Most Awesomely Tasting Grapes back over here this time of year! And he has a permit so there's no quarantine!

Just look at the haul he dropped off yesterday:

great grapes

Yes, BIL has really fuzzy arms.

These are the most succulent, firm, flavourful, tender grapes I've ever had. Heck, I even make sure I don't wash the 'stash or beard after eating Frank's grapes so that I can suck the juice outta my facial hair at 3 am! Yes, they are that good.

Doesn't that paint a pretty picture? Yes, I thought so.

And for putting up with me babblings, how's abouts some pictures?

noisy miner 01
Oi mate! Are you eating that piece of bread?


lotsa lorikeets
Damn I hate going to the bistro right when the kids get outta school!


i spy ibis
Don't turn around mate! That bipedal pervert with the camera is watching us again and we don't want to encourage him.



Hey look! They actually DO move:

11 comments:

TwoYaks said...

What is that bread-desiring bird? It looks übercøøl.

Crazy in Alaska said...

Holy Crap! Those grapes look like they were grown next to a nuclear power plant!

Toshua said...
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Alaskan Dave Down Under said...

TwoYaks: That's a type of aussie honeyeater, specifically a "miner". This is a black-faced miner, also called a noisy miner --if you've ever heard them then the name is obvious. They are very cool! Bugs beware when miner birds are around!

Crazy in Alaska: We grow bloody-well big grapes down here! Helps to have a uranium mine a few hundred clicks north... Oh, welcome to the jungle, enjoy your stay :)

Crazy in Alaska said...

As long as you stay away from the glowing ones you should be fine! :D

Alaskan Dave Down Under said...
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Alaskan Dave Down Under said...

Crazy in Alaska: But if I don't eat the glowing ones how can I see at night? WP and I are off to hide in the woods for the day, hope you have a good one.

Arvay said...

You must be very grapeful!

Alaskan Dave Down Under said...

Arvay: And they are great grapes that I am grapeful of! :)

Jim and Heather on Meerkat said...

I like the übercøøl bird too. But if they are so noisy, why don't the bugs hear them and run for their little worthless lives?
Nice grapes too - does he bring you any vino??

Alaskan Dave Down Under said...

SV Meerkat: The noisy miners aren't nearly as noisy as, say perhaps, a cockatoo. I believe the reference is in relation to other miner birds.

The grapes are (almost were) awesome. No vino, but Frank doesn't make the wine, only the grapes.