Lions

It is time for some more about big cats, the lion is often called the king pf beasts because it is so big and powerful, and it doesn’t have natural predators.

The average weight is 160-180 kilos or 353-397 pounds, however, a large male can weigh as much as 230 kilos or 507 pounds. They are 3 meters or 10 feet in length, the stand at 1-meter or3.2 feet tall.

A lioness is between 110-140kilos or 243-309 pounds they are about a foot shorter than the males.

The male has a mane around its neck that gives it a royal look. Its roar is fierce and frightening they are truly majestic and exhibit dominant behaviour. They are the only cat with a mane this collar of long, thick hair covers the head, neck going down to the shoulders and chest. Their mane can also protect them in a fight. It takes five years for the mane to be fully grown.

Loins prefer to roam throughout open lands and are generally found in woodlands, grassy plains and aera with thorny scrub trees. You would find them living near their food supply is, that being deer, antelope, zebra and other hoofed animals. There will also be water nearby.   

They are found in eastern and southern Africa, and some can be found in the Gir Forest of India, these are called Asiatic Lions. However, most will be found in national parks and reserves, where they are  protected from hunters and there are 100’s in zoos.

Norway

 

Good morning, all hope everyone is doing well and either had a good weekend or are having a good weekend, my weekend was good I did bugga all.

This week we are looking at Norway, another Scandinavian country encompassing mountains, glaciers and deep coastal fjords. Oslo, the capital, is a city of green spaces and museums. Preserved 9th-century Viking ships are displayed at Oslo’s Viking Ship Museum. Bergen, with colourful wooden houses, is the starting point for cruises to the dramatic Sognefjord. Norway is also known for fishing, hiking and skiing, notably at Lillehammer’s Olympic resort.

The capital is Oslo and the population is 5.5 million and currency is the Norwegian Krone and the official language is Norwegian. Most Norwegians have a reasonable level of English. You will find that you can speak English in most shops and restaurants, as well as in public offices and with service providers. If you are not comfortable holding a conversation in English, it is even more important to learn Norwegian.

They are not a member state of the European Union, but they are associated with the Union through its membership in the European Economic Area (EEA).

The national flag of Norway is red with a navy-blue Scandinavian cross bordered in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog, the flag of Denmark‎.

It was designed in 1821, and is based on the Danish flag, the Dannebrog, marking the union with the Kingdom of Denmark from 1397 until 1814. The blue cross symbolises the union between Norway and Sweden from 1814 until 1905.

Norway is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The country is governed by a prime minister, a cabinet, and a 169-seat parliament (Storting) that is elected every four years and cannot be dissolved. The current Prime Minister is Jonas Gahr Støre he is the country’s 36^th Prime Minister.

The current King is Harald V, he succeeded to the throne on 17 January 1991. Harald was the third child and only son of King Olav V of Norway and Princess Märtha of Sweden.

The country is known for its mind-boggling fjords, lakes, soaring white mountains, emerald-green forests, urban excursions, and more. It is a perfect blend of remote quaint villages and bustling hubs. Known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun”, an experience unique to the country is the Northern Lights.

Norwegians are proud of their traditions of equality and humanitarianism. The country often takes in refugees and people seeking asylum from other countries. The people of Norway have one of the highest standards of living in the world.

They have universal health care, funded primarily by general taxes and by payroll contributions shared by employers and employees.

Anyone registered as a resident in Norway has a right to access the Norwegian state healthcare system. State healthcare in Norway is not completely free. Healthcare costs are covered by both the state and through patient contributions (user fees).

Norwegian citizens do not have to pay tuition at public universities. Also, students who are citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland can study for free at Norway public universities. Until 2022, international students from other nationalities could also study for free at Norway public universities.

In Norway's schools, there are two semesters. The new academic year begins in the middle of August. The first semester begins in August and ends in December. The second semester begins in January and ends in June. The school year of primary and lower secondary education consists of 38 weeks (190 days) for pupils and 39 weeks for teachers and is divided into two terms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 33 of 2024

 

I slept well, but after another rough start, I had been asleep for around 2hrs and woke up coughing, the coughing continued for about 2.5hrs after that settled, I settled and slept through till the alarm went off.

It is 9 degrees and my BGL is 5.5

By 8am I was feeling really tired and had a nap from 9.30-10.30am.

At around 2pm I started to feel tired again so I decided to write up Monday & Tuesday’s blog post so I wouldn’t fall asleep.

It has turned out warm.

Steps: 4,699

I slept well, but after another rough start, I got up and used the powerfit then back to bed and straight off to sleep. Maybe I should try using the powerfit before going to bed at night.

I have woken up tired, the temp I 13 degrees and my BGL 5.5

Sam has a doctor’s appointment before school, so Jes will drop her at school. I was going to go with them but didn’t feel up to it. I ended up having a nap in my chair, Sue came over to check on me. Sam needs to take iron medication. I felt better after my nap.

Sam was later arriving home I was starting to wonder if she went to school after the doctor’s appointment.

By 6.30pmm I started having trouble staying awake, but I will stay up as long as possible.

I decided to use the powerfit before going to bed, so we will see if that makes any difference.

Steps: 5,095

I slept well, went to bed at 9pm and slept till 11pm when I woke with a dry mouth so got up and had some water and went back to bed next thing, I knew the alarm was going off. It is 14 degrees and my BGL is 5.4

I had to get Jess to go with Sam due to it raining.

I have changed the sheets and washed the dirty ones along with the towels and now I must vacuum.

A wet day, I tossed the sheets and towels into the dryer.

It was raining when I walked up to meet Sam, thankfully, only light rain.

Steps:4,115

I slept well, went to bed at 9pm and slept till 11pm when I woke sweating and needing to pee, after returning to bed I was restless. I ended up getting up and doing stuff on the computer and using the powerfit again before going back to bed at 1.15am. I then slept till the alarm went off.

It is 15 degrees and my BGL is 5.5

It is a wet day but not a cold day, the hospital rang Tim must be there by 9am, he is on clear liquids from today till after the procedure.

Steps: 7,588    

I had a shocking night due to restlessness I was tossing and turning, up and down. I managed to get between 3-4hrs sleep.

Tim managed to go to bed for 3hrs between 3.30am and 6.30am

It is 14 degrees and my BGL was 5.5

Sue drove Tim to the hospital he is having a colonoscopy and an endoscopy he had it done under a general anesthetic, but he thought he would be done and home by 1pm and that wasn’t the case. Sue picked him up and brought him home at 3pm.

This afternoon Jess has asked me to go with her and Sam to a doctor’s appointment so that a mental health plan can be done for Sam.

Steps: 4,985

I had a better night, slept straight through till 3.45am when I needed to pee but went straight back to sleep.

It is 13 degrees and my BGL is 5.1.

Tim is working today in Gosford, he arrived home around 4.30pm.

I have been feeling sad all day and I don’t know why; I also have no motivation.

Steps:6,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restless Legs Syndrome

 

Hello everyone, this Friday I am looking at restless leg syndrome or RSL. This is a condition that both Tim and Tasha suffer from, me I have more a restless body as it isn’t just in my legs and often more in my upper body.

The most prominent symptom of RLS is the overwhelming urge to move your legs, especially when you’re sitting still or lying in bed. You might also feel unusual sensations like a tingling, crawling, or pulling sensation in your legs. Movement may relieve these sensations.

If you have mild RLS, symptoms may not occur every night. And you might attribute these movements to restlessness, nervousness, or stress.

A more severe case of RLS is challenging to ignore. It can complicate the simplest activities, like going to the movies. A long plane ride can also be difficult.

People with RLS are likely to have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because symptoms are worse at night. Daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and sleep deprivation can harm your physical and mental health.

Symptoms usually affect both sides of the body, but some people have them on only one side. In mild cases, symptoms may come and go. RLS can also affect other parts of the body, including your arms and head. For most people with RLS, symptoms worsen with age.

People with RLS often use movement as a way to relieve symptoms. That might mean pacing the floor or tossing and turning in bed. If you sleep with a partner, it may well be disturbing their sleep as well.

More often than not, the cause of RLS is a mystery. There may be a genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger.

More than 40 percent of people with RLS have some family history of the condition. In fact, there are five gene variants associated with RLS. When it runs in the family, symptoms usually start before age 40.

There may be a connection between RLS and low levels of iron in the brain, even when blood tests show that your iron level is normal.

RLS may be linked to a disruption in the dopamine pathways in the brain. Parkinson’s disease is also related to dopamine. That may explain why many people with Parkinson’s also have RLS. Some of the same medications are used to treat both conditions.

It’s possible that certain substances like caffeine or alcohol can trigger or intensify symptoms.

 

What causes Autism

 

 

 Hello whoever is reading this, it is Thursday down under and time for a little more about ASD.

Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. Given the complexity of the disorder, and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are probably many causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role.

It is known that those on the ASD brains develop differently this is caused by genes, which means that if someone in your family has autism, other family members are more likely to also have ASD.

Other factors may increase your chances of having ASD. This may include the age of your parents. Research is also looking at the role of the environment in triggering ASD.

Autism is not caused by vaccines, food, your culture or social surroundings.

Being autistic does not mean you have an illness or disease. It means your brain works in a different way from other people. It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older.

 

 

 

Milne Bay 1942 part 1

 

So here we are at another Wednesday and this week we are in Milne Bay it was at Milne Bay that Australian troops inflicted on the Japanese their first undoubted defeat on land. Many may not realise that it was the Australians who first broke the invincibility of the Japanese.

In late August 1942 unable to move further along the Kokoda Track the Japanese decided to make a second line of attack on Port Moresby. So, on the 25 August they landed at Milne Bay on the extreme eastern tip of Papua about 370 kilometres or 230 miles from Port Moresby.

Although under great logistical stress with the fighting on the Kokoda track allied forces were ready for them and unlike Kokoda which was dragging on the battle of Milne Bay would be over in only ten days.

Australian and Untied States forces had been active in the area since June. These were the 55^th Australian Infantry Battalion and 46^th United States Engineer Battalion. The American engineers were constructing three airstrips on the swampy coastal strip between the sea and the mountains.

There was also a RAAF squadrons of Kittyhawks and Hudson bombers, the aircraft played a vital part in the outcome of the battle.

The total force of Australian and Americans in Papua at this time was 9,000 and for the first-time army, navy and air forces came under one commander the Australian Major-General Cyril Clowes a Duntroon graduate.

                        Major-General Cyril Clowes  

When it appeared likely that the Japanese would land in the Milne Bay region the 18^th Australian Infantry Brigade of the  7th Australian Division which had recently returned from the Middle East was sent to reinforce the Allied Forces already there.

The Japanese aircraft began to raid the area on 4 August ready for the landing, like Kokoda the terrain was difficult, just a swampy, narrow coastal strip covered in dense jungle only a few kilometres wide. It was hot and humid with constant rain which washed out roads being constructed.

I am having trouble concentrating so that will do for this week.

Big Cats and Defence

 

This week we are looking at how big cats defend themselves, mostly we think of them as deadly predators, but many have developed methods to protect themselves from injury during a hunt.

Also, they must deal with other cats that want to take over their territory and steal their kill for themselves. As well as protecting their cubs which is the responsibility of females.

A lioness will protect her cubs from other animals as well as from other lions who pose a threat to them. When a new male lion takes over a pride, he will usually kill all the cubs and mates with the lionesses to start his own family.

Lions usually hunt together to increase their chances of killing prey and protecting themselves, they will fan out in a semicircle to creep up on prey.

They have been known to take on large animals like giraffes and elephants which may result in them being injured.

Tigers are very protective of their territory; a male’s territory generally includes three or four females. The males will aggressively fight each other to defend their territory.

However, females have been known to share their kill with neighbouring females.

When these big cats attack in groups some will drive the intended victim in the direction of other cats waiting to pounce and kill, this is mostly used by lions and lynx.

Some animals have methods of defending themselves against attack by the big cats, elephants will kick, rampage and trample and are usually successful in running away.

Zebras snort loudly to alert the herd of impending danger and the males will position themselves between the predator and the herd. They will kick and bite trying to give the herd time to escape.

The wildebeest are known to break into a stampede when confronted by a predator.

More next week