Butterflies, benches, bombing & a big Baob tree.....!

It looks like I've gotten carried away with an overload of pics (again) but there's one for each day I'll be away :) As from tomorrow I'll be 'orchestrating' plumber, electrician, tiler and more to work in harmony (wonder if a bit of Vivaldi might keep a calm workplace?) & by the end of the week with a bit of luck I may be cooking in comfort once more, although I've grown surprisingly attached to my one burner hot plate! A few last shots of the Spring Festival in Kings Park. Along with fields of wildflowers, long stretches of lush green lawn and exotic plants from around the world, there were a few new things this year like the decorated E.H. Holden's I showed you here and the 'yarn bombing' below. The story of the journey of the giant Boab tree is quite astounding, but as you can see (last shot) it's doing well and loving it's new home overlooking the Swan River. Don't you love the benches wrapped lovingly around the tree, what a spot to sit and absorb the atmosphere of the park on a spring day, you just know the view will be fab! Take care of yourselves while I'm away, stay safe and I look forward to catching up in a few days....take care!

Footy v elegance.....!

Although the game of Aussie Rules football holds no allure :) for me it was excellent to see the support and excitement for the Fremantle Dockers in their hometown this week. Fremantle was awash with purple and white.. balloons and spirits flying high in anticipation of a win in the second preliminary final against the Sydney Swans today. I really feel I should care :) the Dockers are WA's only hope of winning the Grand final this year...Go Dockers!! Personally I like to 'reflect' on more pleasing scenarios, such as the ornate dome and corner turret of the tres elegant Esplanade Hotel below. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, take care.... linking to James's Weekend Reflections.

Here's to exuberance.....!

During the last few weeks of grey skies and downpours there have been stretches of intense blue that herald the arrival of spring. Driving down to Fremantle (excellent link) on Wednesday we were doubting the viability of one small umbrella :) but by the time we had parked..voilà, the sun! So here rising up into that blue sky is the Fremantle Town Hall built in the late 1800's, the description of the architectural style made me smile... 'a confident Victorian free style interpretation of classical architecture' and.. 'at the roof level 'classicism' gives way to an exuberant array of towers not encountered in classical architecture'. it's impossible to resist an exuberant array of anything oui :)) Friday once again, hope it's a good one.. take care and stay safe.....

Secret tunnels & the Panopticon Principle.....

In need of a break from kitchen 'stuff' yesterday we drove down to Fremantle for lunch..if you love old buildings with history Fremantle is a must visit. The Round House above is the oldest remaining building in WA, built in 1830/31 with private labour as it was built before convicts arrived on these wild shores. Designed using the Panopticon Principle with only eight cells it soon became inadequate and the Fremantle Prison (that's a whole new post) was built in the 1850's using convict labour. Below an archive image c1874 looking up from High St. and right, the same view  c2013 yesterday :)

The Whalers Tunnel below, the first engineered tunnel built in WA, was constructed under The Round House in 1837 by the Fremantle Whaling Co. as a way to move goods between Bathers Beach and the town..the tunnel was used as an air raid shelter during WWII and a 'secret' side tunnel was built leading up to Gunners' Cottage.. Below left looking out to High St. and right out to Bathers Beach.....

It took the convicts five months using pick axes to carve the 64 metre long tunnel through the limestone of Arthur's Head..and I'm very happy to say that it is the only structure remaining that has any connection to the whaling days! We did come across the weirdest thing half way through the tunnel.. a piano, and it worked! Odd much n'est pas :) Happy Thursday, take care.....

The good, the good & the excellent.....!

Even though it was only a few weeks ago, I can't for the life of me remember where I took this shot. It was unexpected and I know I was surprised to find it.. in a ladies loo :) but it's really pretty oui! To be fair there is a bit going on at the moment, here's the good news..they've moved the fitting of my new kitchen forward to next week as opposed to two weeks later.. happy, although now we have to step it up a notch with the painting and preparation. Saving the best for last...the VERY excellent news, in the new year..at last I'll be a grand-mère, hallelujah :)) Have a wonderful Wednesday, take care...linking to Monday Mural.

Fly-ins welcome....!

Well I always like to see them.. not so much P, he just thinks of the poo :) This is what you call taking 'weather for the ducks'..literally! Every year a pair of Pacific Black Ducks, I like to think they're the same pair, swoop down and land in the pool. They've been a little unsettled by the new pool cover and it's quite funny to see their reaction when they splash land and don't sink..yesterday there was a bit of quacking as they discussed the situation waddling for cover under the hibiscus bushes. Fascinating the way the heavy rain just beads on their feathers and rolls off, would be handy that don't you think! Neither were amused when P shooed them off below, don't know why they glared at moi :)) Hope your week has started well, take care and stay safe.....

Spring rain.....

When you live in a country with a hot dry climate where many months go by without a single drop of rain there are so many reasons to appreciate the weather we've been experiencing these last few weeks in Perth..with more to come. Everything feels fresh and clean after a downpour, the smell is divine don't you think? and...water lashing down on a windscreen, if you can get your driver (Aimee) to switch off the wipers for a moment can make for a bit of an abstract shot! Sorry I haven't been around much this weekend.. I spent most of Saturday abed with 'un mal de tête' which unfortunately doesn't translate to 'tall, dark & handsome' :)) Hope you had or are having a fab weekend, take care.....

"Jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's".....

I don’t want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I’m not sure where that is but I know what it is like. It’s like Tiffany’s.”

You might've guessed that Breakfast at Tiffany's is a favourite :) I'm sure Holly Golightly aka Audrey Hepburn would have been very much at home in Tiffany & Co. Perth, sitting pretty in the 1905 Victorian design building on King Street! When I took these shots the windows were dressed 'Gatsby' style. As yet I've not received one of Tiffany's iconic little blue boxes.. perhaps it's not too late :)) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, take care. Linking to James's Weekend Reflections.

A right royal facelift.....!

Standing at the Wellington St. entrance to Prince Lane, the mural titled 'Lost Giants' by renowned artist Stormie Mills seems to have acquired a princely crown since I last saw him! The laneway which runs from Wellington through to Murray St. has had a colourful facelift in preparation for it's forthcoming role as one of the thoroughfares from Northbridge into the city when the Perth City Link Project is completed mid 2014. Running parallel with King St., the interweaving paper dress making patterns and design murals by WA artists Clare McFarlane, Denise Brown, Stephen Genovese, Jae Criddle, Paul Caporn and Leanne Bray depict the strong connection to the fashion industry. It's a long lane so the addition of new lighting and security cameras are a definite plus on the safety side. I couldn't swear to the safety of my sanity these days, but most people wouldn't notice a difference :)) TGIF hope it's a good one, take care.....

A little bit of Africa in the heart of Perth.....!

Although my usual preference is for soft, aromatic, romantic flowers I can't help but admire the brash, robust 'couldn't give a damn' exuberance of the spiky weather hardy flora such as the leucospermum, aloes, stelitzias and the proteas which are the same family as our banksia. The South African garden, which is part of the original design in Kings Park, like many Australian plants comes into it's full glory in spring and summer. The protea below (worth a click) were like honey cups, the bee disappearing into the feathery folds was one of many that were already in the middle of the flower, fascinating to watch! There's so much more to see of the spring festival, Aimee's battery died not long after we arrived tsk! so a return visit is on the cards! Goodness is it really Thursday already, roll on the end of renovation madness :) Take care and stay safe.....

Who's a pretty boy.....!

You may or may not know that our recently elected (?) PM has a penchant for wearing 'budgie smugglers' when he goes for a dip.. I took this shot on Saturday after the elections and couldn't help wondering..nah! let's not go there :)) It's one of my favourite murals in the city on the corner of Wellington and William St. I always look forward to seeing it when walking over the Horseshoe Bridge into the city, something sweet at Tartine Cafe is a delish bonus! It was created by the very talented WA artist Anya Brock who's studio is on my visit list..I have just the spot for a giant budgerigar, seriously I do! Hope your week has started well, I'd like to say mine has but I'd be fibbing :) Take care and stay safe....Linking to Monday Mural..

Tools, stockfeed & the wife to church.....!

I love the story about the Aussie farmer back in 1933 who approached the Ford Motor company with an idea for a vehicle which could carry his tools and stock feed and still be able to take his wife to church on Sundays.. streuth :)) and so the ute was born! The difference between the 'utility' and the American 'pick-up' is that the utility is a one piece body, whereas the pick-up has a separate cab and tray..I'm a fund of useless information today n'est pas!!

On Saturday Aimee and I went up to Kings Park Botanical Gardens to enjoy our first walk through the profusion of colourful wildflower displays in the 50th anniversary of the Spring Festival.. once is never enough to take it all in.  Although spring is a delight, a visit to  Kings Park at any time of the year affords many photographic rewards, views of the city and the Swan River from up top on a stormy day are  fabulous! As a little extra '50th anniversary' attraction this year there were two iconic EH Holden ute's decked out in daises and cornflowers....

The ute above positioned looking out over the river and the other below sitting in front of the Botanical Cafe with a view out to the city and below down along the magnificent lemon scented gum trees that line Fraser Avenue. I have more shots from the festival but no time to sort them out, yesterday was a painting kind of day.. looking good so far :) I hope you've had a more relaxing weekend than I, catch up today..Happy beginning of the week, take care and stay safe.....

La tour de macarones ....!

A while back I mentioned that as part of the spring celebrations in the city many shops are decorating their windows for the Windows of the City competition. Not that we needed an excuse to visit Jean Pierre Sancho on Hay St. but Aimee and I thought we really should check their window :) Too many temptations, although I lost my heart that magical moment many moons ago when I tasted for the first time a JPS brûlée tart..heavenly! This may be my vote for best window..  As for the results of our Federal elections I can't bring myself to think about it yet except to say.. seriously people WHY? I'll be painting tomorrow, that should be fun (read messy)..happy weekend, take care.....!

Fifty shades of politics.....!

Libra (moi) trait: indecisive! Whatever happened to white just being white..I discovered that there are many, many shades of white with names like 'promised land', 'intimate white', 'love note' and 'white belle'. I eventually settled on 'antique white USA' (it's vital to clarify the USA as... you guessed it there are many shades of antique white!) with 'cradle white' trim, we'll see how that works out. Much more important matters however are the Federal elections tomorrow, I don't often talk politics (?) on the blog, but I will say this, I'm hoping for a miracle tomorrow, if the voting goes the way of the popularity polls we should be afraid, very afraid! I have a feeling that  your Saturday is going to be better than mine :) take care.....p.s. I'm a happy little camper since I got the hotplate below to use until the hob is connected...in FOUR weeks :))

Don't 'banksia' on it.....!

Sometimes girls just want to have fun (I dare you!) After a frustrating kind of week a bit of silly is called for don't you think? Do you ever take a shot because even before downloading you can see the potential for a bit of fun?  Suspended out into the big blue by a mere twig of a branch I knew that with the help of Picasa I could transform the Banksia from a symbolic Australian wildflower into a magically suspended Australian Christmas candle. I apologize and can't promise that things won't get worse :) it's the Federal elections on Saturday, I'm not sure how much worse it can get! Have a fab Friday, take care and stay safe.... Click here to view all participants of Skywatch Friday

Middle of the road.....!

I went for a 'calming' walk yesterday afternoon to see if the wild Freesias were out in Hepburn Reserve. I knew before I could see that they were, the perfume was a delight.. There were masses of freesias on either side of the path and one small patch braving it out right in the centre, I couldn't help wondering how many Australians would take that middle road on Saturday when we have our Federal elections! The Australian bush in spring is awash with aromatic bushes like the golden wattle below right and on the left, not perfumed but pretty unusual looking, the long flower spike of the Xanthorrhoea aka the grass tree. Oh yes, the reason I needed to 'chill'..I'd just found out that it will be another four weeks before my kitchen will be installed, cooking on one hot plate is fun :)) Have a great Thursday, take care and stay safe.....

Four seasons.....!

What's that they say about Melbourne weather? Four seasons in one day! Since meeting (virtually speaking) fellow bloggers from around the world I've come to realize that the same could be said for many cities and is without doubt the case here in Perth.  Never cancel an outdoor activity in the afternoon because it's raining in the morning et vise versa! As for the continuing saga re my kitchen, it seems I was a little hopeful (read naive) in thinking it would be completed tout suite! It could be as long as three weeks before it's finished, c'est la vie! My Mum used to say 'patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace, Grace is a little girl who....' I'll leave the rest to your imagination :)) Have a good middle of the working week day, take care and stay safe.....