Mounted Police Are Magnificent In Person And Also In Jigsaw Puzzles

Mounted Police and their horses are not only magnificent in person but their photos made up into interactive Jigsaw Puzzles, which can be done on a computer or laptop, are stunning too.

In this series of CDs there are 5 different photos which have been converted to jigsaws of 12, 24, 40, 104 and 260 pieces each, making a total of 25 jigsaw puzzles.

This range of puzzles can be used both by children with different skill levels and adults. Jigsaw puzzles are easy to do with the click of a mouse button and can be played over and over.

Puzzles are not printable, they're designed to be used on a computer or laptop or even on a large screen via a data projector.

Internet access is not required.

Mounted Police Jigsaw Puzzles CD

Australia (incl. P&H) $29.00 AUD Overseas (incl. P&H) $33.00 AUD

These photos are of Mounted Police Officers in London, England, in front of Buckingham Palace and accompanying the Horse Guards. There are also two photos of Mounted Police Officers at the Australian International 3 Day Event in Adelaide, South Australia.

If you would like to try a sample jigsaw to see how it works, email me at
fran@franwest.com.

Flourishing Relationships Retreat: Helping Couples Enhance And Grow Their Relationship

Flourishing Relationships Retreat has been set up in the Adelaide Hills by Fran West and Hilary Thompson to help couples enhance and grow their relationship.

Open publication - Free publishing - More counselling

Flourishing Relationships Retreat
1. © Hilary Thompson The Out and About Therapist

2. Who is this Retreat suitable for? All couples who wish to grow and enhance their relationship; reconnect with each other and resolve issues that may be causing some disharmony within their relationship.

3. What is unique about this Retreat?
• We cater exclusively for one couple at a time, so there is as much privacy as you want.
• Retreats can be held at the weekend or during the week at a time convenient for both parties.
• We offer relationship coaching for each partner individually and coaching sessions together as a couple.
• The Retreat starts on the afternoon of your arrival and ends late afternoon of the second day.
• One, one hour follow up session with Hilary via Skype is offered as part of the Retreat.

4. Hilary Thompson MIICT Retreat Facilitator
Hilary is passionate about helping people to grow and thrive within their relationships.
She is also passionate about teaching people self help techniques so that they are better able to cope when life gets stressful.
Hilary will be drawing on many years experience as an NLP practitioner to help you to achieve the best possible outcome from this retreat.

5. Fran West BA ARMIT Retreat Host
Fran is your Host for this retreat.
She will be looking after you during your stay at “The Gums”.
Fran is an award-winning pilot, adventurer,author, photographer, and motivational speaker.
She is Australia’s Life Pilot, motivating others to pilot their lives and navigate their way to success.

6. Where is this Retreat held?
The Retreat venue is “The Gums” a four star Bed & Breakfast at Coromandel Valley in the picturesque Adelaide Hills area of South Australia

7. The Food
• Fran will serve you with one of her super continental style or cooked breakfasts.
• Lunches and afternoon teas will be prepared by Chef Jonathan Holmes-Ross of The Artisan Café Blackwood and served at the Retreat.
• For your evening meal, you can sample the fare of some of our local restaurants

8. Want to find out more? Email us at: flourishingrelationships@gmail.com for a comprehensive information package

9. Flourishing Relationships Retreat
A unique experience for all couples

Positive Police Presence With Those Gorgeous Greys Again

Due to popular demand here's a follow up to "Positive Police Presence on Magnificent Mounts".

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is fortunate to have a mounted police unit which happens to be extremely photogenic even when not in parade attire. Here are two more photos for you to enjoy.

The police officers obviously love their job and I'm sure the "gorgeous greys" do too. However, with my wacky sense of humour, I just have to put a different slant on things. The following comments are coming straight from the horse's mouth (so to speak).

"Hey, lady, I know you think I'm adorable but don't touch my mane. I've just had it washed and brushed this morning and you're messing it up!"

"Could you just scratch my neck a little higher please? That's oh so good. I don't suppose you could scratch that itch on my nose as well could you?"

Adelaide Abounds in Beautiful Buildings

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, abounds in beautiful buildings, particularly along North Terrace.

One of the many buildings is the South Australian Museum. I've taken the photo below but I've also included an edited description taken from the Museum's website - www.samuseum.sa.gov.au.

"The concept for the South Australian Museum originated in London with the Foundation of the South Australian Literary Association on 29 August 1834. The object of the society was to satisfy intellectual pursuits such as literature, arts, history and natural science.

In June 1856, 20 years after Governor Hindmarsh proclaimed South Australia a province and in the same year South Australia established its constitution, an Act to provide for an institution that would incorporate a public library and museum was assented to.

The Act promoted "the general study and cultivation of all or any of the branches or departments of art, science, literature, and philosophy" through lectures, classes and united cultural societies under one institution.

In June 1859, shortly after his arrival in the South Australian Colony, Frederick George Waterhouse offered his services as Curator of the South Australian Institute Museum. Waterhouse brought with him valuable experience following his work at the British Museum. Consequently, the Board appointed him as the first Curator (Director).

Eighty years later, legislation giving the South Australian Museum autonomy from the Art Gallery and Library was finally passed. This Act became operational in 1940.

The South Australian Museum is a custodian for the State’s cultural and
natural heritage. The specialised data generated by collection managers,
curators and scientists over the last 150 years and its interpretation are made available to the international community through publication, promotion,
education and exhibitions. This specialised knowledge contributes to the
protection of endangered species, protection of fossils, meteorites and
minerals, environmental impact statements, native title and Indigenous family
history.

Today the South Australian Museum boasts the largest Australian
Aboriginal Cultures collection in the world making Adelaide the gateway to
and from the Outback."

And yet there's more. The Museum is open daily from 10.00am - 5.00pm (except Christmas and Good Friday) and it's FREE admission. Check the Museum website for current information.

Sensational Sailing from City's Sands

When some people think of Australia's sandy beaches, they immediately think of Queensland, our northern most state.

However, Adelaide's white sandy beaches, in South Australia , are just superb, and they're not that far from the CBD.

As you can see from the photo, it's an ideal day for the sailing club to get out on the water. These craft are for one person and offer young sailors the opportunity to enjoy flying through the water.

On a weekend, the beach is teeming with life.

There are people in the water swimming, sailing or kayaking. People are walking their dogs, or their families, and generally soaking up the seaside atmosphere.


Close to the jetty there's the local pub and the cafe has the smell of fish and chips wafting down to the shore enticing walkers to stop and take a break.

Sometimes there are even kite surfers out on the water adding colour to the mix of sail boats and speed boats. It's so relaxing to sit on one of the benches and munch on fish and chips while watching the little flotilla in the distance.

Just South Australia being sensational again!

Check out "Maritime Mix" DVD for more snippets of South Australian waters.

I'm Just a Total Wreck!

The Port Adelaide Ships' Graveyards, near Adelaide, South Australia, are the setting for a good adventure on the water.

There are five abandonment sites within the Port Adelaide area but the largest is at Garden Island, in the North Arm of the Port River, with other sites located at Jervois Basin, Mutton Cove, Broad Creek and Angas Inlet.

I've been exploring around the Garden Island area twice. Once in my nephew's boat and another time in a kayaking group (kayaking enables people to go into the mangroves but the mosquitoes can be very annoying).


There are heaps of vessel remains in the area and their maritime history covers more than a century. One thing that makes this area unique is the fact that these shipwrecks are accessible to people on the top of the water, not just divers.

You can get right amongst the wrecks but be safety conscious at the same time. Because of this ability to get up close in a boat or kayak, it's apparently the largest and most diverse shipwreck site in Australia that can be explored by people who aren't necessarily divers.

The added bonus, if you're lucky, is to have the Port River dolphins swimming beside you. Another recommended adventure in sensational South Australia!

Check out the Ships' Graveyards site.

Photos of the shipwrecks and other vessels on the water here appear in my DVD, "Maritime Mix".

Positive Police Presence on Magnificent Mounts

At the Australian International 3 Day Equestrian Event held in Adelaide, South Australia, last year, I came across two mounted police officers.

They were supposed to be on patrol on the Cross Country day which was the Saturday.

However, their patrol was probably done at snail's pace, certainly not at a canter or a gallop. They would have been continually stopping to chat and allowing the public to pat their mounts.

Such is the reputation of our South Australian Mounted Police that people of all ages are drawn to them and their horses like a magnet.






The police "greys" are all geldings of German warmblood breeding. As well as carrying out their police duties, both riders and horses provide a positive side to policing. You only have to look at the smiles on the faces of both officers to see that they love their job. I have a sneaking suspicion that the horses love the attention too.

Here are a couple of websites for more information:
http://www.horsesinuniform.com/index.php?set_albumName=album04&name=gallery&include=view_album.php
and
http://www.police.sa.gov.au/sapol/about_us/structure/operations_support_service/special_tasks_rescue_group.jsp

The stables for the police horses are located near the old Adelaide Gaol, where my grandfather was a warder.

Just a word of warning. In some countries you have to be very careful when photographing police. Sometimes it isn't allowed and you can get yourself into trouble, particularly in some Asian, South American or African countries.

However, it doesn't just happen there. While I was waiting for my flight home to Australia in 2009, I was photographing traffic outside Los Angeles Airport Terminal. Some of the traffic included, by chance, police cars and motorcycles. I suddenly found myself being approached by a security guard. He wasn't very amused and asked why I was taking so many photos at the airport. I handed over my business card and promptly explained that it was all quite innocent and I had no ulterior motive other than to take photos for my "Getting Around" DVD for aged care and dementia patients.

So, having had that experience, I asked the mounted policewoman if it was OK to photograph them and post the photos on the internet. Not a problem!

What a great way to promote the police and South Australia with such a positive attitude. Go Greys!

Torrens Tempts Tourists to a Pleasant Paddle

As you've probably gathered by now, I live in a beautiful city in Australia. Adelaide is the capital of the state of South Australia and it has the River Torrens flowing through the centre of it.

Alongside the river is a well used walking, jogging and cycling trail.

The motor vessel, "Popeye", plies the river and takes passengers down to the weir and back up to the zoo. Check out the video links.

Another pleasant way to have fun on the river is to hire one of the paddle boats and get up close to the fountain and birdlife. You can pass the Adelaide Festival Theatre, Convention Centre, restaurants and rowing clubs. Not a bad way to exercise in the fresh air.

For locals, the river provides a great escape at lunch time and after (or before) work, but for tourists it's a chance to experience something different. Be tempted too!

Cross Country Event, Adelaide, South Australia, Video Clip

In early November, I was photographing and filming at the Australian International 3 Day Event, a premier event for equestrian sports in the heart of Adelaide’s beautiful parklands. I only attended on the Saturday which was the cross country section of the event.

It wasn't terribly brilliant weather for photography because it was overcast most of the day, interspersed with periods of light rain. Still new to the art of using a borrowed video camera, I did however manage a few snippets here and there.

This clip shows a small section of the jumps in the parklands. Because the course is so spread out, spectators are able to have an unhindered view of riders and their mounts. The area around the water jumps was a different story.

I'm not an Ugly Duckling! Video Clip

Black swans are a feature on the River Torrens which runs through Adelaide, capital of South Australia.

There's a walk and cycle path which winds its way alongside the river and it's a favourite place for workers and tourists alike.

Just lovely to see the cygnet with the adult swan, very different in plumage.

Popeye is Alive and Well in Adelaide, South Australia. Video Clip (part 2)

Popeye is alive and well in Adelaide, South Australia. Popeye, the motor launch, that is.

It cruises along the River Torrens and it makes a leisurely way to see the city from the river.



It cruises under the city bridge, past the Adelaide University, and has another boarding area near the Adelaide Zoo. For a bit more footage see Video Clip (part 1).

Travel tips Australia Click Here!

Your guide to travelling Australia Click Here!

Popeye is Alive and Well in Adelaide, South Australia. Video Clip (part 1)

Popeye is alive and well in Adelaide, South Australia. Popeye, the motor launch, that is.

It cruises along the River Torrens and it makes a leisurely way to see the city from the river.



It has one boarding area near the fountain, just down from the Festival Theatre and Parliament House. For a bit more footage see Video Clip (part 2).

Travel tips Australia Click Here!

Your guide to travelling Australia Click Here!