Psychedelic memories.....

It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in Perth, just perfect for strolling and shopping. I like to think that even though by some standards Perth might be considered a small city  at the back of beyond, that we do have a our fair share of stylish young people as per example above. I'm very sure I had a similar psychedelic dress back in the  70's.....Ah! good times..!!

Artrage.....

Artrage Inc. ( Artrage) on the corner of Milligan and Roe St. in Northbridge is a  complex that is made up of Artrage, The Bakery and Fringe World, between them they run a huge everyday program of live music, theatre and art productions. It started off as the Festival Fringe society in 1983 and has grown from there.  Artrage is sponsored by the Dept of Culture and the Arts, Lottery West and also Western Power (Western Power and Artrage). Thousands of artists have entertained tens of thousands of visitors to Perth over the years. So all in all it is a pretty amazing space, plus the 'graffiti art' on the outside walls is fabulous!

Mistaken identity.....!

Funny story.... A few weeks ago I went to the Zoo to see about doing some volunteering work. We were taken around in a small group by a docent (volunteer) of much experience,  having been there for ten years.  She had many amusing anecdotes to tell, the one that sticks in my mind is the one about the  father standing with his son  complaining that it was  'a little bit sad that this zoo didn't have a mud pool for the hippo to roll about in' .  They were standing looking at a rhino at the time, probably this big bad boy above.  She quietly said 'isn't it good that the rhinoceros has  clean water to drink and trees to scratch his back on'. Thankfully the little boy was  absorbed in the sight, so dad was saved the embarrassment of not knowing his hippos from his rhinos!! Haha! I would like to say 'oh well anyone can make a mistake' but hey.. come on!!!   p.s. just so you're sure this was not a tall tale, we don't actually have any hippos at our zoo.

Two of a kind.....!

This lighthouse located on the North Mole in Fremantle has been in operation since 1906, it's light is visible for 11 miles and it indicates the entrance at the western most point of the Harbour. The 15m tower is made of cast iron and is painted red. The great thing is that there is a pair of them.... an identical lighthouse ( well apart from the fact that it's painted green) sits on the South Mole (South Mole Lighthouse) they are apparently the only two lighthouses left of this design  anywhere. I think they are a really attractive couple and more than make up for the dismal edifice that is Parliament House!

It's all about the sky.....

Because it ain't about the building (excuse my bad English!!). Which is not really fair I guess as I haven't given you a full front on view of Parliament House . Let me explain a little, when it was decided to build Parliament House on the hill overlooking St. Georges Terrace (knocking down the old army barracks for the view of the terrace, which was foiled anyway because they had to leave the Barracks Arch in tact, see a few posts back) an Australia wide competition was held to pick the design, all were ignored and the design went to the Public Works Department!! Well that says it all moi thinks!! Still the pollies have to gather somewhere so this building might be quite fitting after all!! I did rather like the sky though, hope you do too!   p.s. I'm sure there will be a lovely image of Parliament House somewhere on Google.

Last of the birds....

Birds of Paradise that is!! This amazingly exotic looking plant (about Bird of Paradise) is native to South Africa, but it is pretty easy to grow here in Perth,  similar climate I believe.  The season for them is coming to an  end, we will next see them re-appear fresh in September, Spring time that is. Really looking forward to the Spring Festival in Kings Park, the photo opportunities there are endless.

Buggy ride in the Swan Valley..

A while ago, my daughter (above), sisters and nieces (an all female affair) decided to see the Valley (Swan Valley) from a completely different viewpoint. We organized a buggy ride (Buggy ride in the Swan Valley ) it was so much fun, sad to say I cannot remember the beautiful Clydesdale horse's name, lets call him Clive (?) took it all in his stride, not the slightest bit agitated by the cars whizzing by as we clopped along the road.  We stopped at a winery to sample local olive oils, jams and pickles and of course wine! Then on to Oggie's Ice Cream for a bit of the sweet stuff! Last stop and most interesting was All Saints Church(All Saints Church) the oldest Church in WA. I like looking around cemeteries, but this one was  really sad, so many children died at a very early age in those days, can imagine it would have been an extremely harsh place to settle. Thankfully they were men and women of the hardy type and persevered!

A Fishy Tale....!

I was having my almost daily constitutional around the marina, when I noticed these four persons sitting staring intently ahead! Stopping as I passed behind them  to see if what they were observing was actually that fascinating, and yes, yes it was!! There were little fish leaping out of the water with what I thought was gay abandon!! Not so it seems, what was actually happening was that there was a bigger predator fish swimming about under the water trying to eat them, therefore  not as much fun being had as I thought. The annoying thing was that every time I clicked there was not a fish in the air, so I guess you'll just have to take my word that this is not just another of those 'it was this big' stories!!

Abseiling......WHY??

            You might have to zoom in for details.
As a confirmed acrophobic (plus the vertigo thing!) I can't imagine what makes people do things like climb down cliffs, skydive or bungee jump for fun! Me, I like my feet planted 'low' on terra firm, BUT.......!!

I will go to dizzy heights (ha!ha!)  to get a shot. This was out at Kalamunda quarries, a popular place for abseiling. Another spot found by my friend (and sometimes mentor!!) believe me it's not somewhere I would venture alone, he took this shot of me from the abseiling spot.

Barefoot bride.....

Bit of a sentimental post today.  My son rang from Sydney to tell us that he had proposed to his girlfriend of  ten years (tissue please!) thus explaining the matrimonial image above ( not my son).  A few months ago the daughter of my good friend asked me to take her wedding photos, which was both an exciting and nerve wracking prospect. I was lucky enough to have a friend who was experienced in the taking of wedding photos who came along to give invaluable advice, it was an exhausting and exhilarating experience and thankfully all were thrilled with the results. This photo is an impulse shot that  was taken as we were returning from the beach where we took photos as the sun was setting, the yachts in the background are a giveaway to the location, the Hillarys Yacht Club (Hillarys Yacht Club) is a popular venue for weddings for the nautical backdrop and glorious sunsets.

"Come in No. 9....."

Walking along the West Coast Highway early in the morning we stroll past the Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club ( Sorrento Beach Life Saving Club).  On this particular morning they had just opened the equipment shed and I couldn't resist a quick shot of  the sleek, shiny and very colourful canoes. The Club has been around in one form or another since 1958 and provides an invaluable service to summer beachgoers.

NOW can I have a duck!!

Intrepid explorer...

This rather imposing looking gentleman was Willem de Vlamingh (About Willem de Vlamingh). Willem  (as I like to call him!!) arrived on our shores in 1696  a good hundred years before Captain Cook.  He first landed on Rottnest Island, which he named after the many Quokkas (thinking they were large rats) and then on up the river naming it the Swan River after the black swans. I was wondering if, apart from the buildings far in the background and the camera (ooops!!) just behind him, if the scrub behind him was similar to when he landed all those years ago, it does look a bit 1697 ish!!

Bringing home the dinner.....

It's when I see a scene like this that I wish I enjoyed fishing. This couple were sitting on the South Perth foreshore (Fishing the Swan River) maybe hoping to catch a good sized Bream to take home for tea. The backdrop to their angling activity was breathtaking with the sun going down, glancing off the City high rise. I'm thinking even if they weren't lucky enough to catch their supper, what a relaxing way to spend an evening!

Les petit chevaux

Why is it that every little girl wants a pony? I know I did! This was a very impromptu shot as we were leaving the markets on Sunday.  This little girl's parents couldn't tempt her away even after she'd already had two rides. Why would she want to leave, she had them eating right out of her hands!!!

The Bell Tower

Construction of the Bell Tower began in 1999 and was completed in 2001. I remember the government at that time did a survey to get public opinion of the concept and that it was not well received, but as governments tend to do, they went ahead with it anyway. It is known as one of the largest musical instruments in the world and it houses many bells of historic significance, some dating back to the 14th century.(The Bell Tower) You can actually go up into the tower and watch the bells being rung and have a bit of a  try yourself! It's not my favorite building in Perth, I find it a bit ugly, but it certainly is an interesting design and  is hugely popular with tourists. The view of Perth and the Swan River from the top is pretty spectacular.

Welcome pause in the journey

This cafe (Voyage) is such a welcome sight at 6.30 in the morning when you have been walking already for an hour and a half and are gasping for the best coffee ever to boost you on for the last half hour of the walk home. What I like best about it is that even at that (some would say ghastly time of the morning!) there is always a warm smile and hot coffee no matter if you are dressed in running, walking or cycling gear and most importantly if you have been walking your dog, they are catered for too with water and post. Even though it is fairly casual at that time in the morning, as you'll see if you click the link, the food is amazing.

Saucy Saturday

I'm sorry I just couldn't resist. Every week when we do the shopping, I'm not sure why, but when we arrive in front of  the tomatoes I seem to be compelled always to utter  the same words  "gosh we ARE lucky here, the fruit and vegetables are so good".  It's become a bit of a joke with my daughter.. I'm really, really going to try and not say it next week!! Does anyone else have such a compulsion? Not necessarily about tomatoes !!

Lost Friday

In the spirit of Sky Watch Friday I tried unsuccessfully to take a picture of the alignment of Venus. Jupiter, Mercury and Mars. Thankfully my 'friend and  sometimes mentor' was a bit more organized with tripod at the ready in the early hours. To the naked eye it was an amazing sight as I'm sure a lot of you experienced, I love Venus anyway, but she was even more spectacular the last few days.

Finding our way home

While Aimee and I waited on the South Perth foreshore to catch the ferry back over to the City, we watched this flock (is it a flock of ducks?) forming an orderly queue, apart from the odd scuffle here and there, to make their way home across the river. Couldn't help wondering if they were organizing themselves in order of seniority or importance!

Lessons Perth style

I  don't remember school being this much fun!

Barracks Arch

This is the view of yesterday's Arch looking up from St. Georges Terrace. It has a really interesting story (BarracksArch).  When Parliament House was built on the rise, the barracks were knocked down so that Parliament would have a view of St. Georges Terrace, but because of the public outcry (thank goodness for public outcry!) the Arch remained. The ironic thing is, that it still blocks their view of the terrace. The ghostly silhouette in front is called 'The Unidentified Photographer', he is a life-sized bronze created in 1996, he is holding a Box Brownie camera.

View through to the Terrace

Just as I think of King St. as 'designer central' St. Georges Terrace is definitely 'power street', big business and banking (Link to St George's Terrace). It's also one of my favorite streets as it has a great mix of old buildings and skyscrapers. Yesterday when Aimee and I were doing our 'mother/daughter' long (really long) walk, I espied this view of the Terrace through the Barracks Arch.

The Circus is in town

It's Mothers Day here in Australia, had a great morning with family then my daughter and myself armed with our cameras and a backpack set off for a walk around the bridges, four and a half hours later here we are!
I was really pleased to walk past the The Esplanade because I knew the circus had arrived in town a few weeks ago and I wanted to take a few photos. The Ashton Circus has been a family affair for 150 years (http://www.circusjosephashton.com.au). I have had a few 'I'm running away to join the circus moments' but I have never actually been to a circus.

Zoo business

I went to the Zoo (http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/) today with my sister-in-law. The first place I always  head for when I go to the Zoo is the big cats, I love them.  We did go for another purpose other than seeing the animals, we went to a docents orientation meeting (http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/Act/Volunteering/) and while we found the meeting extremely interesting, this old chap found it all a bit of a bore!!

Sunset over the WACA

This was the shot I went out for a few nights ago, we had had a few fires around Perth and my friend (an extremely talented photographer and sometimes mentor) worked out exactly which way the wind would have to be blowing for the smoke to contribute to a spectacular sky, as per usual he was right.  The big light towers that you see in the background are the floodlights for the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) grounds (http://www.waca.com.au).

Lots of birds and one old chook!!

I went with a friend yesterday evening to take pictures of the sun going down behind the city, and got side tracked by the soft light over The Burswood Casino (http://www.mediaman.com.au/profiles/burswood.html) I'm not a fan of casinos in general, not being a gambler, however I do find the 'pyramid' like shape of the Burswood quite interesting.  Our timing was just right as an older lady was there feeding the birds, she must do it at a regular time each evening as so many birds seemed to be waiting for her, and for me it makes this shot not just about a casino.

Hillarys Lighthouse

 Hillarys Marina's lighthouse was originally built on Bedout Island off the north coast of WA in 1909 (Bedout Island). It was demolished in 1980 and rebuilt. Now it stands proudly looking over one of the most beautiful harbours anywhere in the world.

Ghostly Guardians

These Lemon Scented Eucalyptus trees line Fraser Avenue which is the main entrance to Kings Park.  They were planted in 1938 and replaced the original Red Flowering Gums that were planted in 1898 which were affected by disease. They are lit up at night on special occasions like Australia Day, Anzac, Christmas and when the Annual Wildflower Festival is on in September each year. The photo is a little bit blown out, but I think it lends well to the 'mysterious' feel I was aiming for.

22 Silly Galah's !

There is a very well used Australian expression when a person is being ridiculous 'don't be a silly (or stronger) galah!' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galah) guess it's that good old Aussie humour as the galah is apparently a very intelligent bird. I couldn't resist this 'bunch of silly galahs, all huddled together to keep warm early this morning.

Theme day - Mail Box - Seen better days

We were on our walk down the West Coast Highway this morning , I was on the prowl for an interesting mail box to photograph.  There are so many big grand houses along the coast road, with equally grand post boxes, but the most intriguing box to me was this one which has without doubt seen better days.  The house, not grand amidst it's neighbours, was definitely lived in and it started me wondering what the post man's thoughts were when he delivered the mail to this address. The 'no advertising material accepted' sign on the stump made me laugh, where would they put it!

This is my first Theme Day post where all CDPBs come together worldwide on the same topic: Click here to view thumbnails for all participants