Guildford, Victoria, Australia

The Big Tree

The main reason for visiting this town is 'The Big Tree' at the intersection of Fryers St and Ballaarat St (it is suitably signposted off the highway). This truly remarkable and beautifully preserved red gum is thought to be the largest of its species in Victoria. The girth at the base is 12.8 metres and the height is 25.9 metres.

A plaque suggests that Burke and Wills camped beneath its generous umbrage on their journey from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Although this is apocraphyl Burke may well have been acquainted with the tree as he was superintendent of police in the Castlemaine district from 1858 to 1860 and would have been familiar with the terrain.

Text from The Age Australia

New year, new gear

Last year I wrote a little summary of what had happened that year, and what should I achieve the next year. Now's the time to check how I managed to achieve last year's goals and what are my new years resolutions.

In the year 2011 I will:
1) move into that flat (DONE! though the flat still isn't quite finished yet)
2) develop my programming skills (DONE! www.wannabeballerinas.com was launched)
3) keep those hobbies instead of starting new ones (FAIL! I got a skateboard)
4) Perform at some greater stage than Tavastia (DONE! Yupp, Flow festival, Sweden etc. quite a year)
5) Travel to another continent never visited before (FAIL! Went to Australia, and I've been there before)

In the year 2012 I will:
1) Learn something new
2) Still develop my programming skills
3) Become a better ballerina
4) Win something
5) Enjoy my life instead of complaining all the time