NEW DISCOVERY - World's Second Largest Ever Diamond

Lucara Diamond Corp has uncovered the world’s second largest single diamond - not the largest!.

The 1111 carat, type IIa, gem was found from the south lobe of Lucara’s Karowe mine, in Botswana.

The miner was ecstatic over the find, with CEO William Lamb stating "this historic diamond recovery puts Lucara and the Karowe mine amongst a select number of truly exceptional diamond producers”.  “The significance of the recovery of a gem quality stone larger than 1000 carats, the largest for more than a century and the continued recovery of high quality stones from the south lobe, cannot be overstated."

“Our focus on mining the south lobe, which is delivering value beyond expectation, has been perfectly timed with the commissioning of our recent plant modifications, enabling the recovery of these large, high quality exceptional diamonds."

The world famous Cullinan diamond, which sits in the British crown jewels, is the largest, coming in at 3106.75 carats, roughly three times the size of the new diamond.

I think I would be impressed if I had found a quality diamond THAT big!

It's VERY HOT........Trees Thrive

Over the past week the weather has turned NASTY, VERY NASTY.  Hot and sticky, relatively windless and oppressive.  Sunday was awful- 36.9 maximum [ just 0.3C below all time hottest for November] and there is little relief in the offing.  Oh for a cooling storm!

There has been virtually no rain around Darwin over the past month or so, after a burst on one day of around 15 -  25 mm.  While there has been rain south of Darwin, it has not penetrated as far north as city areas, although there has been rain south of the city around Berry Springs and Adelaide River, and even further south to Katherine.

But oh the local trees.............they are flowering magnificently.

Pride of India - pink and purple, Albizzia / Samanea saman the majestic rain tree covered in yellow fluff,  Poinciania  [ Delonix regia] - both red and orange forms; a wide range of colours in frangipanni, a few yellow flowered Peltophorum,  Allosyncarpia sp - now more common as a street tree in Darwin city and even in a few suburbs with their attractive pale yellow/ lemon bunched flowers.

One should not forget the displays of bougainvilia shrubs - white, purple, red and many more colours also now in full flower.  They thrive on dry weather!  

It is time.........the regular pre wet season flowering.

Purple Pride of India street trees

Red Poinciania in flower

Peltophorum in flower - bright yellow

The piece de resistance - a magnificent orange poinciana [ fairly uncommon] near the Trower Road overpass, in absolutely glorious full flower

BYOW - Bring Your Own Water

How to Reduce Your Water Footprint (Infographic)

It’s no secret that we use a lot of water in our day-to-day lives. However, eating locally and choosing to drink the local water rather than bottle water can help reduce your water usage and footprint. While there are some places where bottled water is certainly the safer option, in most developed countries the tap water must pass rigorous testing. This infographic from Wheels for Wishes  details some ways to reduce your water footprint as well as some details on how much water we actually use.

It has been extraordinarily hot in the NT over the past few days.  Near record maximum temperatures, as well as very high minimum temperatures, so warm that even a dip in the pool is not all that pleasant either.

the inforgraphic is a great reminder that everyone can do their bit to be sensible about water use, and try to bring your own.

Would hardly be a cyclist around that did not carry their own water so follow that example!

Infographic via Wheels for Wishes

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-to-reduce-your-water-footprint-infographic.html#ixzz3qwzBJuXk

While US focussed there is no doubt the story for Australia is similar.

Remember the common story...........BYOW........yes, Bring Your Own Water