The South Pole

I decided to write a about about the South Pole, this is the southernmost point on Earth, located deep within Antarctica. 

The South Pole is the southernmost point on Earth, located deep within Antarctica. It lies on a vast sheet of ice, surrounded by a frozen landscape that stretches towards the horizon. Unlike the North Pole, which sits over the Arctic Ocean, the South Pole rests on a continent. At this unique spot, every direction leads north.

The first team to reach the South Pole was led by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. He arrived with four companions on 14 December 1911.

During the famous race to the South Pole, Robert Falcon Scott and his four companions reached the Pole but died on the return journey in 1912. Their deaths occurred after reaching their destination, not on the way there. Amundsen and his four companions all returned safely.

Life at the South Pole is shaped by extreme cold and unusual seasons. The sun stays above the horizon for roughly half the year, followed by months of darkness. The air is exceptionally dry, and the landscape has no trees or ordinary gardens. Although penguins are closely associated with Antarctica, they live mainly near the coast rather than at the South Pole itself.

Despite its remoteness, the South Pole is an important place for scientific research. Researchers at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station study the atmosphere, ice and universe. Their work helps us understand our planet and the space beyond it. The South Pole is more than a point on a map: it is a remarkable example of Earth’s extremes and humanity’s curiosity.

 

Week 43 of 2026 a day late

 

Had a good night woke with the alarm again this morning. I was in bed early last night at 6.45pm and fell straight off to sleep and slept through to 4am when I needed to pee, I then went straight back to sleep.

Tasha came and spoke to her dad about loaning her money to get another car she wants something smaller and he said he would, I was surprised.

Yesterday she came down in a bit of a state because she realised her car runs out of rego on Monday, she asked me to pay the CTP for her, and she went and got a rego check. All is good now.

I have had a so so day not great but could have been worse.

Steps:6,675

I had an ok night I was up twice to pee and when Tim’s alarm went off at 4.45am and since I was more or less awake, I got up.

I had my dental appointment, she cleaned out some gunk around the bottom teeth, she also told me it isn’t a long-term fix, and I am going to lose my bottom teeth and wants me to see about going on the waiting list for dentures. She also told me to rinse my mouth twice a day with a particular mouthwash, which I have bought cost $16, and I have to use it for 5 days.

Tim will be home later then usual as he has another job after his school run.

Steps:6,466

I had another good night slept through till Tim’s alarm went off at 4.55am, I am up and waiting for Tim to leave so I can have a shower. It is 10c or 50f at 5am.

Walked up and had a look at
I have had a good day until around 4.30pm when I started to feel sick as in nauseous and extremely tired.

Steps:8,225

I slept well woke only once to pee and that was at 4am, it has been a rough start to the day with legs that didn’t want to work as they should but by 9.30, they are improving.

I went to ride the scooter up to Tasha’s but only got as far as the front door when it died, the battery needs replacing

Tim will be home around 7.45 a s he has another job after the school run.

Steps: 8,253

I slept well woke only once to pee and that was at 1.30am after that I went back to sleep till just before the alarm went off.

It is a wet morning with heavy steady rain it is supposed to rain all day like it is now. Thankfully I don’t need to leave the house today.

Tasha sent me a voice message, and I could hear the pain in her voice which made me want to cry, the pain is in her back she has had back X-rays done and they do not look good. I told her to ring the ambos and if needed go to hospital.

Tim rang to let me know he will be home long after I have gone to bed as he is now doing a rail run which is around an hour and a half each way.

Tasha has improved she had a hot shower and that helped enough. She does have a high pain threshold.

Steps: 9,133

I slept well woke only once to pee and that was at 1.30am after that I went back to sleep till just before the alarm went off.

I woke up at 4.40am to pee and stayed up, Tim was asleep on the lounge he said he wasn’t able to settle so stayed up and got what sleep he could. He had the heater on, and the room was so suffocatingly hot.

I managed to walk down and post my letters when I got home, I was exhausted.

This afternoon Drew and family were moving; Tasha doesn’t know if it is a permanent move or temporary only time will tell.

Steps:11,850

I slept well woke three times to pee and ended up staying up after I got up to pee at 4.30am.

I have paid Natasha comprehensive car insurance she transferred the money to me so I could pay it for her.

Had a great chat with Kathy this morning loved it.

It has been hot day.

Steps: 10, 855

 

 

 

 

 

 

The World’s Oldest Cats

 

Today I am writing about two very old cats starting with Flossie, the oldest living cat in 2026, and Creme Puff, the oldest ever recorded

As of October 2026, Flossie is the oldest verified living cat. The British tortoiseshell was born on 29 December 1995, making her 30 years old. Guinness World Records first recognised her as the world’s oldest living cat in 2022.

Flossie lives in Orpington, England, with her owner, Victoria Green. Although she is deaf and has limited eyesight, she remains affectionate and enjoys eating, sleeping and gentle play.

The other one was Creme Puff, a domestic cat from Austin, Texas, is widely recognised as the oldest cat ever recorded. She was born on 3 August 1967 and lived until 6 August 2005—an extraordinary 38 years and 3 days.

She belonged to Jake Perry, who also cared for another exceptionally long-lived cat named Grandpa Rex Allen. Creme Puff’s lifespan was remarkable because most pet cats live for roughly 12 to 18 years, although some reach their twenties.

Her story is a reminder that genetics, attentive care, a safe home and regular veterinary support can all contribute to a cat’s wellbeing. Even so, reaching Creme Puff’s age remains exceptionally rare, which is why her record continues to capture the imagination of cat lovers around the world.

 

Links

 

Here are this week’s links

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/10/sharing-my-world_01788353466.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/10/just-bit-of-hodgepodge.html

 https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/10/tuesdays-four-on-thursday.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Huge Herbivore Dinosaurs: Giants of the Prehistoric World

Today’s post is about huge herbivore dinosaurs can you imagine an animal longer than a bus, with a neck stretching towards the treetops and feet built to carry an enormous body. Some of the largest dinosaurs were herbivores: animals that ate plants rather than other animals. The biggest belonged to a group called sauropods, recognised by their long necks, long tails, small heads and four sturdy legs.

Among these giants were Argentinosaurus and Patagotitan, which lived in what is now Argentina during the Cretaceous Period. Estimates suggest that these enormous dinosaurs grew to around 30 metres or more in length and weighed many tens of tonnes. Their exact sizes remain uncertain because fossils are incomplete, and scientists must reconstruct much of their bodies from the bones available.

Other famous sauropods included Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus. Brachiosaurus had forelegs longer than its hind legs, giving its body a distinctive upward slope towards the shoulders. Diplodocus had a remarkably long tail and a more lightly built frame. Although both were huge plant-eaters, their different body shapes likely helped them feed in different ways.

Keeping such enormous bodies fueled meant eating large quantities of vegetation. Sauropods used their teeth to crop or strip plants, generally swallowing their food without chewing it thoroughly. Their long necks allowed them to reach a wide area of vegetation without constantly moving their heavy bodies. Plant material was then processed in their digestive systems.

Not every large herbivore was a long-necked giant. Triceratops carried three horns and a broad bony frill, while Ankylosaurus had protective amour and a heavy tail club. These dinosaurs were smaller than the largest sauropods but still impressive animals.  

Understanding Lung Diseases

Today I am looking at the so-called common lung diseases are conditions that affect the airways, lung tissue or blood vessels in the lungs. They can make breathing difficult and reduce the body’s ability to take in oxygen. Some illnesses develop suddenly, while others last for years and require ongoing care.

Common Types

·       Asthma: Inflammation and narrowing of the airways can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and breathlessness.

·       Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A long-term condition involving airflow limitation, often associated with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking is a major risk factor, although other exposures and genetic factors can also contribute.

·       Pneumonia: Inflammation of the lungs, often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It can cause coughing, fever and difficulty breathing.

·       Pulmonary fibrosis: Scarring of lung tissue that makes the lungs less flexible and can cause increasing breathlessness.

·       Bronchiectasis: Damage and widening of the airways, often associated with an ongoing mucus-producing cough and repeated chest infections.

·       Lung cancer: Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. Smoking increases the risk, but people who have never smoked can also develop it.

Common symptoms include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, tiredness and repeated chest infections. These symptoms can have several causes, so they do not confirm a particular disease. A cough lasting more than three weeks, unexplained weight loss or increasing breathlessness should be assessed by a doctor. Coughing up blood also needs prompt medical attention. Severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, confusion or difficulty speaking because of breathlessness requires emergency help.

When you see a doctor the doctors assess symptoms, medical history and exposure to smoke, dust or chemicals. Depending on the suspected condition, tests may include breathing tests such as spirometry, chest imaging and blood tests. Treatment varies with the disease and its severity, and may include prescribed medicines, pulmonary rehabilitation or specialist care. Avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke, reducing exposure to harmful dust and fumes, and discussing recommended vaccinations with a healthcare professional can help protect lung health. Early assessment and appropriate treatment can improve symptoms and quality of life, even when a condition cannot be cured.

 

A Brief History of Television

Today I thought I would write a bit about the history of TV.

Television began with an extraordinary ambition: to transmit moving pictures over a distance. It was not the invention of one person, but the result of decades of experiments in light, electricity and communication. What started as a small, flickering image eventually became a familiar feature of everyday life, bringing entertainment, news and distant events into people’s homes.

Early television systems used rotating discs to scan images line by line. In 1926, John Logie Baird demonstrated a working mechanical television system in London. Its pictures were small and low in detail, but they showed that moving images could be transmitted and reconstructed. Meanwhile, inventors including Philo Farnsworth and Vladimir Zworykin developed electronic approaches. Electronic television offered better picture quality and became the foundation of broadcasting for much of the twentieth century.

In 1936, the BBC began a regular television service from Alexandra Palace in London. Television was initially an expensive novelty with a limited audience, and the Second World War interrupted its development. After the war, broadcasting expanded rapidly. During the 1950s and 1960s, television became a household fixture in many countries. Families gathered to watch news bulletins, comedy, drama, variety shows and sport, often arranging their evenings around broadcast schedules.

Regular television broadcasting began in Australia on 16 September 1956, when Sydney’s TCN-9 went on air. The Melbourne Olympic Games later that year helped introduce audiences to the possibilities of televised sport. As stations opened in more cities and regional areas, television became an important part of Australian life. Viewers initially watched in black and white; the official introduction of colour television on 1 March 1975 brought a striking change to the home viewing experience.

Later developments changed both television technology and viewing habits. Cable and satellite services increased the choice of channels, while video recorders allowed viewers to save programmes for later. Digital broadcasting improved transmission and enabled additional services, and flat-screen displays gradually replaced bulky picture-tube sets. Internet streaming took the change further, allowing audiences to choose what to watch and when, rather than relying entirely on a broadcaster’s timetable.

The history of television is therefore more than a story of better screens. It is also a story of changing routines and shared experiences. From early mechanical experiments to on-demand programmes, television has continually evolved while retaining its central appeal: bringing moving images and stories to an audience.