Another Caturday

 

Hello everyone, it is Caturday and this week we have this photo of Luca.

Hi all, I’m Luca and this is my big brother Blain, this is a lovely photo of the two of us.

 

Vatican City National Anthem

 

This week we have the National Anthem of the Vatican City.

 It is called the "Inno e Marcia Pontificale", which translates to "Pontifical Hymn and March" or "Papal Anthem". This anthem is played on all major occasions within the Vatican City and also serves as a symbol of the Holy See and the Vatican City State according to the Vatican State website. 

It's played to mark the presence of the Pope or his representatives, and on other solemn occasions within Vatican City. 

The anthem was officially adopted by Pope Pius XII in 1949.

The anthem is not meant to be understood as a national anthem in the traditional sense. Instead, it's a piece of music that resonates with those who see Rome as the See of Peter according to the Vatican State website. 

Initially a purely instrumental piece composed by Charles Gounod in 1869, it became the official papal anthem in 1949, replacing an older anthem. Italian lyrics were added later that same year by Antonio Allegra, and Latin lyrics were added in 1991 by Raffaello Lavagna. 

 

 

A Summer hodgepodge in winter

 

Here I am doing another hodgepodge which is brought to you by Joyce over at http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/

Here are this week’s questions.

Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)what was your favourite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? What do you like most about summer now?

Well, it is winter here but in summer as a child I would spend most of the day outside playing. Now days my summer days are the same as my winter days. 

Something you'll celebrate this summer.

During Summer we have four birthdays we celebrate 

Summer tastes like. Smells like? Sounds like? 

Summer tastes like water ice blocks; it smells like BBQ’s and sounds like laughter and music.

June 18th is National Splurge Day, what's the last thing you splurged on? What might you splurge on today?

I don’t splurge on anything as a rule. 

Share a favourite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme. 

Can’t think of a damn thing at the moment.

Insert your own random thought here. 

Remember not to take your life for granted, wake up every day and show deep gratitude for your life. Try your best to be kind and understanding to the people around you.
Appreciate the small moments that you often overlook.

 

 

Geelong

 

This week we are having a look at the second largest city in the state of Victoria, which is Geelong, located on Corio Bay, part of Port Phillip, and is about an hour's drive southwest of Melbourne. 

It is a vibrant city with a rich history, particularly in wool production and design. It's known for its beautiful waterfront, proximity to the Great Ocean Road, and as a major regional centre with a growing population and economy. 

It's the second most populated area in Victoria, with the City of Greater Geelong having an estimated population of over 289,565. 

The town has a strong connection to the wool industry and was once a major wool port. It was also once known for its automotive manufacturing but is now has a growing tourism sector. 

Geelong was recognized as a UNESCO City of Design for its commitment to using design and creativity for urban development and sustainability. 

The city's name is derived from an Aboriginal word, and it acknowledges the traditional owners, the Wadawurrung people. 

Geelong is home to Deakin University and other educational institutions, contributing to its role as a centre for research and innovation. 

Geelong is a popular starting point for exploring the scenic Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine Peninsula. 

The city's waterfront has been revitalized with developments, creating a vibrant area for leisure and recreation. 

Geelong hosts various major events and festivals, further enhancing its appeal. 

 

Brown Bears

The brown bear is a large bear native to Eurasia and North America. Of the land carnivorans, it is rivalled in size only by its closest relative, the polar bear, which is much less variable in size and slightly bigger on average.

Grizzly bears and brown bears are the same species, although currently grizzly bears are considered to be a separate subspecies.

Brown bears are omnivorous, eating a mixed diet of plants, berries, fish, and small mammals, with almost 80 percent of their diet being tree bark, leaves, roots, mushrooms, nuts, fruit and berries. They are not averse to meat and will eat small rodents, birds, frogs or snakes, fish and carrion.

Unlike black bears, brown bears have long, strong claws that they use to dig for food, pick fruits, and catch prey.

The average life span for a wild brown bear is about 20 years, although many bears typically live longer than this. The oldest wild brown bears known lived for about 35 years.

Bear cubs are born after a gestation period of around 180-270 days. The newborn bears are naked, blind and toothless and are completely dependent on the mother. A litter usually consists of one to three cubs that weigh only 300 to 400 grammes at birth and are around 30 centimetres long.

The cubs typically stay with their mother for 2 to 3 years, learning essential survival skills. This period allows them to grow strong, learn to find food, and navigate their environment under their mother's guidance. In some regions, like Katmai, cubs might stay with their mothers for around 2.5 years. 

Cubs are born in dens and rely on their mother's milk for nourishment and protection. 

During their time with their mother, cubs learn crucial skills like foraging for food, recognizing and avoiding predators, and navigating different terrains. 

While some cubs might become more independent in their second year, they often continue to den with their mother for at least one more winter. 

Mothers are very protective of their cubs and may chase away or threaten other bears, including males, to keep their young safe. 

By the time they are around 2 to 3 years old, cubs are generally ready to venture out on their own and start their independent lives. 

They can climb trees, although their ability to do so diminishes as they grow older and larger. While young brown bears are excellent climbers, their size and weight can make it more challenging as they mature. However, they are still capable of climbing trees, even as adults. 

Why do they climb trees, well for various reasons, including escaping predators, accessing food (like fruit), or even just for fun or exploration.

 

They have an exceptionally acute sense of smell, exceeding that of dogs. Contrary to popular belief, bears are not nearsighted. Their eyesight and hearing are comparable to humans. They can run in short bursts up to 40 mph (64 kph) and are excellent swimmers

They use rocks as a tool to scratch an itchy spot and they know when they are being hunted.

Brown bear attacks on humans are relatively rare, with an average of about 40 attacks per year globally. While most encounters with bears do not result in attacks, and the vast majority of bears are not interested in attacking humans, defensive reactions can occur if a bear feels threatened or surprised, especially if it has cubs.

Vatican City

 

I thought after writing about Russia the largest country in the world, I would write about the smallest country.

The smallest country in the world by both area and population is Vatican City. It is an independent city-state located within Rome, Italy, and serves as the spiritual and administrative centre of the Roman Catholic Church. Its area is just 0.44 square kilometres (0.17 square miles). 

Vatican City, a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy, is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It's home to the Pope and a trove of iconic art and architecture. Its Vatican Museums house ancient Roman sculptures such as the famed “Laocoön and His Sons” as well as Renaissance frescoes in the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling.

The entire population of Vatican City is only around 800 people. Every citizen who resides in the city is Roman Catholic and is considered to be influential or significant in some way within Catholicism.

The flag of Vatican City is a vertical bicolour of yellow and white, with the emblem of the Holy See (a papal tiara and crossed keys of Saint Peter) centred on the white half. The yellow symbolizes spiritual power, while the white represents temporal power. The keys represent the Pope's authority, and the tiara symbolizes the Pope's threefold power. 

It was adopted in 1929; the year Pope Pius XI signed the Lateran Treaty with Italy creating the new independent state of Vatican City.

The Vatican City passport is a passport issued by the Holy See (the governing body of the Vatican) or by the Vatican City State. It's ranked among the most powerful passports globally, granting holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a large number of countries. The Vatican issues both diplomatic and service passports, while the Vatican City State issues ordinary passports for its citizens.

The euro is the official currency of the Vatican City, although Vatican City is not a member of the Eurozone or the European Union. The euro has been the official currency of Vatican City since 2002.

The coat of arms of Vatican City is the coat of arms used by Vatican City, which was originally adopted by the Fundamental Law of Vatican City State on 7 June 1929. This coat of arms is defined by law as having the silver key in bend and the gold key in bend sinister.

 

 

Week 24 of 2025

 

I had another good night’s sleep my watch said I slept for 8hrs 25mins and didn’t wake at all, not as cold this morning 13C but still strong winds.

Kathy came over to drop off Summer’s jeans that need to be taken up.

Tim went to the urgent care doctor this morning and came home in a mood he was prescribed the same drops he already had for his eye just stronger. However, he admitted that he wasn’t using the drops as told to by the optometrist, so he is going to try doing what he was told to do and see how that works out. He was told to use the drops 6 times a day he did a couple of times on only two or three days.

Went to watch the news and no free to air TV this started Tim going off in a right foul mood about it, till while outside having a smoke speaking to a neighbour, he discovered it’s not just us, but others as well have no free to air reception.

BGL:5.8

Steps: 6,700=3.53kms

I had another good night’s sleep my watch said I slept for 9hrs 21mins and didn’t wake at all, another bloody cold morning temp is 5C.

It’s now 9.30am I have vacuumed, ironed shirts, fed the birds and exercised as well as sorted emails read around 25 blog post and now, I am going to put my feet up and watch Youtube for a while.

Tim is really annoyed his sewing machine is playing up and everything he tried failed. Of course, when we told Tasha she got all shitty like we broke it to inconvenience her.

Tasha rang and asked if I had $240 for a new car battery and of course I gave her the money, will I get it back, I doubt so.

BGL:5.9

Steps: 5,601

I didn’t have the best night’s sleep, I just kept waking up, but I were managed to have 6hrs 17mins of sleep so not too bad.

Had a text from Jess letting me know Sam isn’t going to school as she is sick.

Tim rang to tell me he wouldn’t be home as he had another job after his school run. However, he walked in at 9.45am he brought the bus home as there was nowhere to park at the place in Cardiff where he dropped off the people. He went back to pick them up at 1.30pm.

Jess came over when she placed an online order with Kmart, she thought there was a problem with the order but after looking at it again she realised it was right.

This afternoon Jess rang and asked if I could take Sam to a hairdresser tomorrow to find out how much it would cost to have her hair cut the way she wants it. I said tomorrow I have an appointment with the podiatrist then me and Sue are going to Kmart. I suggested we do it Thursday morning and both Jess and Sam were ok with that, so I asked Sue if it would be ok with her, and she said it would b.

BGL:5.5

Steps: 6,758=3.54Kms

I slept straight through the night again 9hrs and 6mins and I was awake for 33mins.

Sue and I went to the podiatrist then to Kmart so she could buy a stream mop then home. We laughed so much spending time with Sue is good for my mental health.

The skip bin that was supposed to be delivered tomorrow was dropped off this morning, by the time I went to wait for Sam this afternoon it was over full. Tim and Tasha are pissed off and so am I the bin was only a small one, nowhere big enough for 16 units.

Well even though the skip was full Tim decided he was taking the clear roof panels I cannot think what they are called anyway he took them up. Tasha took up a few things and left them near the skip.

BGL:5.5

Steps: 5,564=2.88kms

I slept straight through the night again 7hrs and 24mins and I was awake for 6mins.

This morning, I am taking Sam to the hairdresser, she tried to cut her own hair and stuffed it up. Sue will drive us there and after the hairdressers Sam will go to school.

When I went with Sam to the hairdressers, she now has an appointment next Friday at 9.30.

Tim got a charter for this arvo, he should be home around 7.30pm.

Tim rang me and let me know he will be late home as his job changed.

Steps:4,519=2.31kms

BGL:5.5

I slept straight through the night again 9hrs and 41mins and I was awake for 46mins.

I have no idea what time Tim got home last night. I went in a 5.10 and asked if he needed to get up, he said no, so I will not get dressed till either after he gets up or 7.30 whichever comes first.

Noticed when I got up that Blain had bought himself a car, it’s a 2007 Mazda cost him $4,200.

Kathy came over to pick up Summer’s jeans and she went and had a chat to Tasha while she was here.

I was in the laundry looking for a container for a packet of biscuits I was opening and knocked the salt container, causing it to fall and hit my foot and yeah it hurt a lot, also cracked the container, so tossed that and transferred the salt into another container.

I had a phone call from Housing about our rebate application she wanted to know what my income was. She had a bit of a problem getting her head around the fact that I have none. She asked a few times did I not get a Centrelink payment, and did I have something from Centrelink saying I didn’t receive a payment. No, I don’t I have nothing to do with Centrelink. She ended up saying she would see what she could do.

BGL: 5.2

Steps: 6,967=3.60kms  

I slept straight through the night again 9hrs and 4mins and I was awake for 41mins.

Didn’t go anywhere or do much today just didn’t feel like doing anything.

Well, I did a load of washing and hung it up to dry, also ran the dishwasher and unpacked it when finished and I vacuumed but that’s all.

I thought Tim was going to get pizza for lunch, but he decided he wasn’t hungry. So, I asked Tasha if she would go to Macca’s for me and she did.

BGL: 5.8

Steps: 8,111=4.19kms or 2.48miles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Caturday

 

Here we are at another Caturday, yeah, I have been somewhat slack the last couple of weeks.

This week we have Archie inspecting the sink after his mum did the dishes, he decided to try the taste of the bubbles left over. He didn’t like the taste.

Here we are at another Caturday, yeah, I have been somewhat slack the last couple of weeks.

This week we have Archie inspecting the sink after his mum did the dishes, he decided to try the taste of the bubbles left over. He didn’t like the taste.

 

Nicaragua National Anthem

 

This week we are looking at the national anthem of Nicaragua which is "Salve a ti, Nicaragua," which translates to "Hail to thee, Nicaragua." 

It was approved in 1939 and officially adopted in 1971. The lyrics were written by Salomón Ibarra Mayorga, and the music was composed by Ernesto or Anselmo Castinove, with arrangements by Luis A. Delgadillo.

The melody of the anthem goes back to the 1700s as a liturgical anthem in Spain. It was brought to Nicaragua shortly before independence in 1821 and was declared as the country’s first official anthem sometime between 1835 and 1837.

This wordless melody was used until 1876, when it was replaced with the song Soldados,ciudadanos (Soldiers, Citizens). Also thought to be wordless. It was replaced yet again in 1893 after General José Santos Zelaya took over the country; it was replaced with Hermosa Soberana (Beautiful Sovereign) which was composed by Zelaya’s son-in-law Alejandro Cousin and was written by either Rubén Darío, Santiago Argüello or Manuel Maldonado.

This was replaced in 1910 after Zelaya fled the country, but the song remains a popular patriotic song in Nicaragua.

After decades of political upheaval, which was reflected in the anthem, it was decided to bring stability back to the country by bringing stability to the anthem, so the first anthem, the piece of liturgical music brought over from Spain nearly 90 years previously, was reinstated as the anthem, but had to be recreated from memory as no written record of the music was found. Emergency lyrics were written by Marco Antonio Ortega under the title LA Patria Amada (The Beloved Homeland) until a contest could be held for new lyrics.

The first priority was to arrange the old music of the national anthem, and Luis Abraham Delgadillo, a Nicaraguan composer who studied in Milan, was chosen to arrange the anthem. A contest was then held for the new lyrics for the anthem. The requirements were that there be words for both parts of the anthem, the only topic would be peace and work (as a contrast to the political upheavals of recent history) and that the words fit the melody. The winning lyrics were adopted by the government in 1939.

Hail to thee, Nicaragua!

In thy soil, no longer rages the cannon's voice,
Nor does thy glorious two-coloured banner stain
With the blood of brothers.
May peace shine beautiful in thy sky,
Nothing tarnishes thy immortal glory,
For labour is thy worthy laurel,
And honour is thy triumphal ensign! 

 

Bears Part 1

Hi everyone, I have decided to do a few posts about bears, there are eight species of bears: the American black bear, the Asiatic black bear, the brown bear, the giant panda, the polar bear, the sloth bear, the spectacled bear, and the sun bear. So, over the next few weeks we will have a look at them and learn something about them.

Bears are found in a wide range of countries across North America, South America, Asia, and Europe. Specifically, countries with bears include Canada, the United States (including Alaska), Russia, Japan, China, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Norway.

Several animals are commonly referred to as "bears" but are not actually bears. These include koalas, red pandas, raccoons, and bear cats. 

  

Russia Today

 

Hi everyone, this week I thought I would wrap the posts about Russia with a bit about what it’s like now days.

So, the country is experiencing a period of significant transformation and challenges. While its economy has shown resilience, particularly in the face of Western sanctions, it remains heavily reliant on energy exports and faces persistent issues with corruption and human rights abuses. The ongoing war in Ukraine has also led to intensified repression of dissent and a decline in international relations. 

Power is concentrated in the hands of President Vladimir Putin, with a system that suppresses genuine opposition and controls the media. 

Life expectancy is lower than the OECD average, and there are issues with poverty and inequality. Life expectancy for women is 78 years, compared with 68 for men.

The war with the Ukraine has had a profound impact on Russia, leading to a decline in international relations and increased repression within the country. While overall confidence in the military remains high, there are signs that the war has eroded some support, particularly in comparison to pre-war levels. 

The war is a significant factor in Russian life, with many citizens living in a "twilight zone" where the war is both ubiquitous and a backdrop to everyday life. 

The Russian government has been using propaganda to portray the war as a struggle against the West, and this has been effective in uniting some segments of the population. 

The war has led to a transfer of wealth from the government to the military and regions impacted by the conflict, creating a temporary consumer boom. 

Russia's international standing has been severely damaged by the war, and it faces increased isolation. 

Many countries advise against all travel to Russia due to the ongoing war and associated risks. Also, there's a high threat of terrorism. Terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and Daesh-aligned groups, continue to call for attacks in Russia. Attacks can be indiscriminate and may occur on or around seasonal, festive, or religious events in public places, including popular tourist sites.

 

Next week we will move on to somewhere else as yet undecided 

Week 23 of 2025

 

I had another good night’s sleep slept for 6hrs 52-mins and didn’t wake at all. It is cold this morning at 10C.

Tim and I went shopping, and by the time we got home I was exhausted with my legs aching.

Tim bought himself a tablet so expect him to need my help to set it up.

Around 5pm I started to feel unwell, with a headache and a tight feeling in my chest and I am very tired.  The tight chest feeling has passed but I still have a headache and just feel kind yuck.

BGL:4.9

Steps: 4,852=2.44Km 

I had another good night’s sleep slept for 8hrs 51-mins and didn’t wake at all. It is cold this morning at 9C, and I am aching all over my headache is worst then when I went to bed last night.

After Sam left, I decided to make myself a croissant it is a bake at home one after having that and emptying the kitchen bin I took 2 more headache tablets and started to feel more energic, the headache eased of a lot.

After a while the headache went away but it has come back, as it has gotten colder.

Tim received an email telling us that our rent is going up $65 per week to $515 per week, he is going to ring and find out what is happening about our subsidy claim.

BGL:5.1

Steps: 6,265=2.99kms

I had another good night’s sleep slept for 8hrs 54-mins and was awake for 41min. It is cold this morning at 9C.

Jane told me this morning we only get one kerb side collection per year, and we have already had it. This is because when unit 16 placed a heap of rubbish near the letter boxes and someone reported it, and the council came and removed it so now we have to wait another 6 months. I am not happy.

Also, Tim rang about our rent subsidy application and was told it wasn’t in our file, they lost it, so we had to resubmit it via email. That should have been easy, but no the email kept bouncing back, I told Tim I would try from my Gmail account, and I think it went, well it didn’t bounce back. He will ring in a couple of days and see what they have to say about it.

 BGL: 5.5

Steps: 8,270=4.45Km

I had another good night’s sleep slept for 6hrs 11mins and was awake for 26min. It is cold this morning at 9C and the weather ap says it’s going to rain around 9am.

Asked Jess if she could get me a bacon & egg muffin and a hash brown for breakie on her way home from work and she did.

Started raining at around 10am and hasn’t stopped.

BGL: 5.5

Steps:7,946=3.92km

I had another good night’s sleep my watch said I slept for 6hrs 23mins and didn’t wake at all, but I think it was more like 8hrs as I went to bed at 8pm and woke at 5am. It is cold again this morning at 10C. Yesterday was the coldest day we have had all year according to the news report.

It hasn’t been as cold as yesterday and no rain.

Found a letter in the letter box from Housing says they have arranged for a skip bin for the complex to get rid of our bulk rubbish, this will happen next Thursday the 12^th. Tim is going to take the morning off work so he can take our stuff out and get rid of it.

BGL 5.9  

Steps: 7,776=3.99Km

JESSICA’S BIRTHDAY SHE IS 36 TODAY

I had another good night’s sleep my watch said I slept for 8hrs 52mins and didn’t wake at all, damn it’s cold this morning only 5C.

Went with Sue her doctor’s appointment, then we went to the square so I could get muffins from Muffin Break as they are my favourite muffins. Sue bought me a ham & cheese pretzel which I had half of for lunch.

Jessica cane over around 1pm and I gave her the birthday present I bought her; she liked the tops and the bag.

After Tim got home, she came over and he gave her the present he bought her, a locked box for a spare house key or whatever she wants to use it for.

BGL:5.8

Steps:6,223=3.18km

I had another good night’s sleep my watch said I slept for 8hrs 45mins and didn’t wake at all, not as cold this morning 13C.

What a morning, Tim helped Tasha return the not working TV to Big W at Lake Fair Shopping Centre, they exchanged it without issue. But Tim was in a mood about having his plans not go as he wanted. After helping Tasha, he came and picked me up and we went back over to Lake Fair so I could do a little shopping.

It has turned out to a warmish day although this afternoon it has become very windy, and the wind is cold, so I had to shut the doors as I was freezing.

BGL: 6.1

Steps: 6,770=3.54km

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post with links to other posts

 

Time for me to do the post with links to other posts.

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/getting-to-know-me.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/tuesdays-four-on-wednesday.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/junes-first-hodgepodge.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2025/06/kates-five-things.html

 

Gold Coast Queensland

 

So, we have looked at the capital cities of Australia, now we will look at the second largest city in each state, starting with Queensland.

The Gold Coast is a metropolitan region south of Brisbane on Australia’s east coast. It's famed for its long sandy beaches, surfing spots and elaborate system of inland canals and waterways. It’s also home to theme parks such as Dreamworld, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild. Inland, hiking trails crisscross Lamington National Park’s mountain ridges and valleys, home to rare birds and rainforest.

The Gold Coast is Australia's sixth largest city. It is home to over 635,000 people. It is a city known for its lifestyle and diversity, with almost one in three residents born overseas. The city boasts close to one million visitors each year from countries all over the world.

The Gold Coast's history in Queensland, Australia, spans from pre-European settlement to its modern status as a major tourist and economic hub. Archaeological evidence suggests indigenous Yugambeh people inhabited the region for at least 23,000 years.

European colonization began in the late 1700s, with the first accurate map of the area produced in 1842. The area developed into small townships like Nerang (1865) and Southport (1874), and by 1959, it was proclaimed a city.

Tourism became a major economic driver, particularly from the 1920s onwards, leading to the city's boom in the 1980s with skyscraper construction and a focus on tourism and entertainment. 

The Gold Coast is generally a safe place, but like any city, crime can and does occur. Those in charge acknowledges that crime is a concern, but also that they work to maintain a safe and liveable city. The Gold Coast is known for its relaxed coastal lifestyle, but crime is a part of life.

 

Mouse-Deer aka Chevrotain

 

This week are looking at a creature called the Chevrotain, or mouse-deer. At first glance, these animals look like a weird mash-up of a deer, a mouse, and a pig, however they and not a mouse nor a deer or even a pig.

They are primarily found in the forested regions of South and Southeast Asia, Specifically The Greater Sunda Islands, the Philippines, southern China, and mainland Southeast Asia.

                       Vietnam Mouse-Deer

A single species, the water chevrotain, is found in the rainforests of Central and West Africa. The water chevrotain is found in western equatorial Africa. 

They are known as the smallest hoofed mammals in the world, with their size typically ranging from 45 cm (18 inches) in length and 30 cm (12 inches) in height. 

                       Water Chevrotain

The water chevrotain, is a larger species, is still relatively small, with a body length of about 85 cm and a shoulder height of 35 cm.

Mouse deer are territorial, unlike many other hoofed mammals, they have no antlers. Instead, the male mouse deer protects itself with a pair of tusk-like canines. When under threat or agitated, mouse deer rapidly beat their hooves against the ground.

After getting pregnant, a female chevrotain will carry the offspring for five to nine months, depending on the species. The baby can usually stand on its own within one hour of being born. Mothers will visit their young periodically for feedings and stand on three legs while nursing.

                      New born mouse-deer

Chevrotains are known for their ability to be almost continuously pregnant—greater and lesser Malay mouse deer can mate again only a few hours after giving birth.

Due to their small size, chevrotains are preyed upon by many different animals. Lacking antlers or horns for protection, the tiny animals are forced to lead secluded lives. Some species are nocturnal and very rarely seen. Chevrotains are very shy and often graze alone, only coming together to mate. They communicate with a series of smells and noises; this timid behaviour makes it difficult for scientists to study them.

                           Mother and Baby

Although normally peaceful, a male will angrily beat his hooves when agitated—they can stomp around four to seven times a second. This “drum roll” technique wards off predators and warns others in the area that there’s danger.

They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on the leaves, fruits, and buds of trees and shrubs. It has occasionally been observed eating insects, crustaceans and even small mammals. Like many herbivores, the water chevrotain has various adaptations to facilitate effective digestion of its low-nutrient diet.

By the age of 5 months, the mouse deer is sexually mature. These animals have a lifespan of about 12 years. Life isn't easy for a mouse deer, with a range of carnivorous predators sharing their habitat.

They are farmed in some parts of Asia, particularly Vietnam, where they are raised for both their meat and other products. 

Twentieth Century Russia

This week we will have a look at Russia during the twentieth century, this was a period of immense political, social, and economic upheaval, marked by revolution, civil war, and the rise of communism.

The century began with the Tsarist empire, ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and saw the country transform into a communist state. Key events include the Russian Revolution, World War I, the rise of Joseph Stalin, the Cold War, and the eventual disintegration of the Soviet Union. 

                  St Petersburg early 20th Century

Russia's participation in the war contributed to the social and political unrest that led to the February Revolution in 1917. This is when the monarchy was overthrown, and the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seized power, establishing the world's first communist society. This marked a shift from autocratic rule to a communist regime. This was known as the Russian Revolution’.

 

The country found themselves with a civil war which lasted between 1918-1922, this saw the Bolsheviks fighting against various anti-communist forces, ultimately solidifying their control over the country. 

After the civil war Russia united with other republics to form the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). 

The Soviet Union was composed of 15 Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs). These republics were: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. 

It was at this time that Joseph Stalin became the dominant leader, implementing policies of industrialization, collectivization of agriculture, and widespread repression.

During the second world war The Soviet Union fought against Nazi Germany and the Axis powers, suffering immense casualties but ultimately contributing to the Allied victory.

At first The Soviet Union officially maintained neutrality during WW2 but cooperated with and assisted Germany. However, after Nazi Germany attacked the USSR on June 22, 1941, the country allied with the United Kingdom and then the United States after the latter joined the war in December 1941. 

On 22 June 1941, Adolf Hitler launched Operation Barbarossa, an invasion of the Soviet Union with the largest invasion force in history.

Hitler had always wanted to see Germany expand eastwards to gain Lebensraum or 'living space' for its people. After the fall of France Hitler ordered plans to be drawn up for an invasion of the Soviet Union. He intended to destroy what he saw as Stalin's 'Jewish Bolshevist' regime and establish Nazi dominance.

Soviet forces launched a counteroffensive against the Germans arrayed at Stalingrad in mid-November 1942. They quickly encircled an entire German army, more than 220,000 soldiers. In February 1943, after months of fierce fighting and heavy casualties, the surviving German forces—only about 91,000 soldiers—surrendered.

After the second world war the country known as East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was formed in October 1949 within the Soviet occupation zone of Germany following World War II. The Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED), led by Walter Ulbricht, played a key role in its establishment and subsequent governance. The GDR was established as a communist state within the Soviet zone, marking the beginning of the Cold War division of Germany. 

Between 1947-1991 saw what was known as the Cold War, this was the ideological and political rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States shaped global politics and led to an arms race.

The Cold War was a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. It was characterized by an ideological struggle between capitalism and communism, a nuclear arms race, and proxy wars, but no direct military conflict between the two superpowers.

The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 due to a combination of internal factors like economic stagnation, overextension of the military, and rising ethnic tensions, along with the influence of the Cold War and US policy of containment. 

Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms, including perestroika (economic restructuring) and glasnost (openness), while intended to revitalize the Soviet system, inadvertently accelerated its demise. 

The Soviet economy was struggling with low productivity, inefficient planning, and a lack of innovation. They were heavily invested in a large military, especially during the Cold War, which strained its economy. 

As the USSR was a vast empire with numerous ethnic groups, it was natural that many would feel oppressed and sought greater autonomy or independence. 

Gorbachev's reforms, while intended to address the economic problems, also opened the door for more political and cultural freedom. This led to increased criticism of the government, rising nationalist sentiments, and the weakening of the Communist Party's grip on power. 

In 1991, hardliners attempted to overthrow Gorbachev, but the coup failed due to a lack of support from the military. 

After the failed coup, the Soviet Union's republics began declaring their independence, and Gorbachev resigned as president. The Soviet Union was formally dissolved on December 26, 1991. 

The collapse of the Soviet Union had a profound impact on the world, leading to the end of the Cold War, the emergence of new nations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and a shift in global power dynamics. 

That will do it for this post more about Russia next Monday.