Here comes the sun!

As I mentioned yesterday, Saturday dawned dull and dreary.. but somehow I just knew that the sun would come out in time for my favourite hair-stylist to marry the love of her life. I found a spot up on the balcony so I could see her arrive, how sweet are the two little ones below, and make her way up the aisle. I knew she would be a beautiful bride and I wish them much future happiness, but R, please don't give up hair-styling for many years to come :)

The chapel of St. Michael the Archangel, situated within the grounds of the Catholic Education Centre, was built in1938 in the neo-gothic architectural style.. the high altar was made in Genoa, the windows in England and in 1952 Greek artist George Karafilakis was commissioned to paint the picture above the the altar. I knew the gardens had an English feel to them, they are the original Edwardian gardens that the centre was actually built around. Another week begins, happy Monday, take care and stay safe...

The Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel..

Yesterday morning began in a typically spring fashion, cloudy with a touch of rain! Thankfully by midday the clouds had dispersed, even if it was only for a few hours, a few hours is sometimes all you need :) I've seen the The Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel on the hill many times when I've driven through West Leederville, yesterday I had a lovely reason to stop. It's quite difficult to get a clear shot of the church, the surrounding trees have obviously been here as long as the church, will have to Google a wee bit more to find out exactly how long that is, look at the two awesome beauties below!

I'll give you a peek inside and a petit clue as to why I was there..very pretty chapel, more to come :) Hope you are having a fab weekend, happy Sunday, take care and stay safe...

The wonder and beauty of age..

If you've been following my blog for a while you know that I love old things with a passion! Remind me to show you a Persian rug that I bought recently, 70 years old with hardly any pile but with the original design just visible, j'adore, even though I get mocked horribly :) The old Baker and Rouse cameras look amazing locked behind glass here. The lens, French I think, are in remarkable condition and although I think they are too gorgeous, this old beauty is never, no way going to fit into my handbag :)  

Oh alright, I'll show you my old rug but no rude comments oui, I get enough of them from family and friends :) There must be some who can see and appreciate the beauty of having something that has a bit of history, I mean, who's feet have walked here before mine :) Bon weekend, take care and stay safe...
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A steamy romance!

Railway stations hold a fascination for so many, myself included.. that's why it's hard to believe that in all the years I've lived in Perth, even though we pass by every time we head out to Guildford I've never stopped in to the East Perth railway station, formerly the East Perth Locomotive Depot, could it be that the building itself, below taken while driving past :) built in 1976 is not so inspiring!

 

Yesterday we stopped.. I'm happy that we did. This old beauty, the Bakewell 542, a WAGR S Class of 4-8-2 steam locomotive was built in 1943, retired after 28years in 1971, lovingly preserved by Rail Heritage WA and plinthed here at the East Perth station. What is it about old steam locomotives that we all find so fascinating and also a little romantic.. or is that just me :) All the links today provide a fund of information for lovers of old steam trains. The building that didn't inspire me from the outside was surprising inside, show you later.. Happy Friday, take care and stay safe.. P.s. big catch up today...

Return of the Carnaby's black cockatoos..

I've been expecting it! Since the bottle-brush tree in my front garden burst into full bloom last week I've been waiting for the annual arrival of the Carnaby's black cockatoos. I heard the flock from some distance away giving me time to grab my camera just before they descended en mass on the tree, you can hear what that sounded like here, have a listen.. an astoundingly loud and distinctive call. The cockatoos with grey around the eyes are female and ironically the pink rimmed eyes belong to the males :) As is our way we are systematically destroying their natural habitat thus putting them on the endangered list.. the annual 'great cocky count', designed to provide accurate data on the numbers and distribution is the largest single survey of black cockatoos in WA. So you see providing them with a decent meal now and then is the least I can do :) Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe...  

Les deux papillons..

It's been a while since Fremantle artist Anya Brock's vibrant work has appeared here, so you can imagine how delighted I was to come across les deux papillions when returning from an appointment in Subiaco last week. It was good to see, as yet, these be-winged beauties were untouched by the scourge of the tagger.. the fate of so many murals around Perth, a real shame. Have a look at more Anya Brock fabulousness here.. Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe... 

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Tango in the old town hall...

Only kidding! There's no way with my knee I could even contemplate the tango for at least another six months and even then it's pretty unlikely :) We were there for another reason, the quarterly Northern Exposure Photo Market in the Leederville Town Hall. Queuing below, the entry fee five dollars.. not bad for a right old rummage through some vintage and up-to-date photography gear..

Quiet on the outside...

A hive of activity on the inside! It was particularly busy yesterday, everyone looking to find that something special.. sad to say I didn't but it's always fun trying :) Hope you had/are having a super weekend, happy Monday, take care and stay safe.. P.s. is this the sort of event you would enjoy?

Well that's a first!

 Is this something you see often in your city or town? This was a first for me. On my many trips into the city I've never come across religious placard carrying before.. it was a Sunday so that might explain it :) There was no argy-bargy, no forcing his opinion, he didn't try to converse, just strolled around quietly with his sign.. personally I prefer to have my camera in my hand but each to their own right :) Happy Sunday, take care and stay safe..

 

Exploring the Gandhi within.. 'Mahatma in me'..

'There is a sufficiency in the world for man's needs

but not for man's greed'... Mahatma Gandhi.

 

This beautifully reflective artwork created in stainless steel is the work of one of India's leading creative artists Vibhor Sogani and is part of the Borderless Gandhi Exhibition titled 'Mahatma in me'. Picking up and reflecting the surrounding colours of Elizabeth Quay it took me only a second to see Gandhi's profile but once locked in it was clear, each piece skillfully executed.. 

The exhibition runs until the 2nd of November, definitely worth a visit. For someone who bagged Elizabeth Quay for most of it's construction, I'm sure getting my money's worth now.. don't hold it against me, the 'hat eating' picture is coming up any day now :) Happy weekend, take care and stay safe...

 Visit James here to see more weekend reflections from around the world..

A belluva view!

The Bell Tower, a finalist in the tourism awards, (category1, major tourist attraction and cat.6, cultural tourism) sponsored by the National Trust of WA was also open as part of Perth Heritage Days 2016 last weekend and was free to visitors without height issues, of which there were many as you can see above :) I took these shots with my long lens from....

... the other side of the harbour! It's not that long ago since I took in the view from atop the bell tower and as Elizabeth Quay progresses I will go up again and take more shots.. no need to step out of my comfort zone (acrophobia) too often right :) Happy Friday, take care and stay safe...

Perth Heritage Days 2016.. His Majesty's Theatre.

 His Majesty's Theatre, just one of the many venues open last weekend during Perth Heritage Days 2016. Named after King Edward V11 reigning monarch of the time, the theatre opened it's doors on Christmas Eve 1904. You have seen 'bits' of His Maj before :) using my new semi fish-eye lens is the only way I can get the whole building into shot. Four storeys of Edwardian Baroque fabulousness, its crowning glory the painted dome, which was originally designed to slide open on a warm summer evening to allow the audience to enjoy the cooling breezes.. I would have loved to experience that! During major renovations in 1977 the dome was permanently sealed and redecorated to match it's original 1904 design..  

Below.. this way to the stage door.. the 'employees only' entrance to the theatre.  Have you ever waited for an autograph at the stage door? I never have.. wonder if it's too late :)

Loved the signs outside the 'ladies and gents', can just imagine the ladies standing at the mirrors below powdering their noses in the interval! I would have liked to take more shots in the auditorium, unfortunately not allowed as the stage was being set up for the latest production, The Pearl Fishers. I was lucky to get a quick shot of the dome before I was spotted :) Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe...   

Gondolas on the Swan...

The city was full of surprises on Sunday, as well as Camels on Hay St. there were gondolas and steam paddle boats on the Swan River! A gondola gliding under a bridge is the only similarity to a gondola gliding under a bridge in Venice :) As opposed to the gentle flow of a narrow canal, the bridge in Elizabeth Quay leads out into the vast expanse of the Swan River, and on Sunday the wind was up and the waves choppy. Designed from original drawings of a traditional Venetian gondola, it was built here in Perth by the builder and wood carver who worked on the replica Duyfken , the hull made from solid Western Red Cedar, the stern-post (if you pull the shot in a bit) the head of the iconic Black Swan...

It was definitely 'hold on to your boater hat' weather :)

Ooops! That was close!

This would have been a Gondolas on the Swan fifteen minute trip because not long after, the gondola reappeared and entered the harbour..  albeit minus the hat :) A one hour trip is also on offer but the weather I think would have to be a bit kinder, in fact I might brave up and have a short trip on a warm summers day in a long flowing dress.. what do you think :) Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe...