The minimalist struggle!

As we painted the house throughout last year each room was vigorously cleared of  superfluous 'stuff' as a wave of minimalism washed over moi :) this in no way negates the pleasure I enjoy fossicking through second hand/junk antique shops. If in Guildford, as I was yesterday, a walk along James St. aka Guildford's antique strip is compulsory even though it stretches my desire for old things to breaking point! It was love at first sight when I spotted Monsieur above, I fought my way through much stuff :) to reach him and even though he was without feet I wanted him, mentally I had already found the perfect spot for him in my minimalist environment. Here's where things fell apart.. his price tag $85. Me to dealer "he will need a fair bit of work and he is without feet, will you take $60 for him?" Dealer "the lowest I will go is $75." Me "Okay I'll leave him." Dealer shrugs as I walk out empty handed! What would you have done if it was something you fell in love with, would you have been more determined? I'm a shocking haggler but here's the thing, all I can think about is this swim-suited, mustached gent standing at the side of my red sofa with goodness knows what on his wee tray :) Happy Friday, take care and stay safe...   

All that is translucent is not clear..

I didn't show the amazing sculpture here by Perth artist Alessandra Rossi that featured in Sculpture by the Sea because I wasn't sure if my shots were good enough. The early morning shade/light was tricky but it was one of my favourite pieces in the exhibition and I really wanted you to see it. Titled 'Untitled Coral (aqua)' the artist statement "a solitary young girl in a dress is inspired in part by the phenomenon of coral bleaching, something that occurs in nature when ocean water becomes too warm and coral begins to expel an algae giving it a white appearance. Additionally, the work grapples with modern issues of identity, functioning “as a metaphor for the patination and discoloration of emotion engendered by the digital era.” The translucent nature of the acrylic sculpture can be seen clearly pictured here when it was exhibited on Bondi Beach last year, superb! Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe.. P.s. for anyone who still thinks climate change is fiction..

Waiting with style!

I'm not sure why I like this image so much, perhaps because it epitomizes summer/spring in Perth.. well Fremantle actually but that's neither here nor there :) The early morning sun shining, the smell of coffee brewing? Nah, it's absolutely 100% hair envy :) how gorgeous does this young lady look in her summer dress, the sun glinting off that fabulous mop of curly hair, j'adore! Hope you like it too, happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe...

Straker in Subiaco..

Walking along Rockeby Road in Subiaco a few weeks ago to my delight I came across the mural here on the wall of Zuma Originals, designer fashion and swimwear. I couldn't see a signature but I really didn't need one, there is only one street artist that I know of in Perth who uses the 'neon glow' technique.. the uniquely eye-catching style of muralist Drew Straker who's work you have seen here many times, super cool don't you think! Hope your week is off to a good start, happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe...

Click here to see more Monday Murals from around the world...

Dogs Day Out 2017..

Such a treat.. yesterday morning on a perfect autumn day we went for the first time to enjoy the City of Joondalup's annual Dogs Day Out.. it was incredible to see how many Perthites were out in force with their four legged fur babies.. all amazingly well behaved, the dogs that is :) They danced, rolled over, fetched.. under the watchful eye of their proud humans. Of course we came away thinking it was time we went to the rescue shelter to pick a four legged addition to the family.. we'll see how that goes :) Happy Monday, take care and stay safe...

Night Noodle Markets at Elizabeth Quay..

We were in the city last night to sample the many delights of the Night Noodle Markets (video) at Elizabeth Quay. It's impossible to pass up an opportunity to take a few shots of the bridge lit up at night.. to get the shot above I had to click in the one instant that there were no humans in the way :) the white specks in the sky below were birds, so many birds! 

Looking over to the city from the bridge it's not clearly visible just how many people were heartily munching away over there :)

The Duyfken has been moored and open for tours at Elizabeth Quay since November last year, she will be pulling up anchor and departing on 4th April.. pity, she looks good sitting there at the quay..

Already busy when we arrived, by the time we left it felt so good to head away from the crowds. There's a nice atmosphere at Elizabeth Quay and one of these days I will surprise you with a shot of me eating that hat I seem to remember saying I would :) but for now I'm too full of noodles.. Happy Sunday, take care and stay safe.. P.s. big catch up today..

Cansumerist reflections..

Just when you thought I was fini with Sculpture by the Sea :) There is more to 'Cansumerism' than first meets the eye! Created by WA contemporary visual artists Hayley Bahr and Tim Keevil using recycled metals, perspex and printing equipment 'this evolving sculpture is a fully functioning printmaking studio. Inside lies a hammock for contemplation, a printmaking press and all the materials to create prints from etched recycled drink cans'. Even before discovering these internal workings this is an eye-catching, message sending sculpture lying semi-crushed on Cottesloe beach! Happy weekend, take care and stay safe...

  Visit James to see more Weekend Reflections from around the world..

'A good golf partner is one who's always a little bit worse than you are'..

That would be me, except it wouldn't be a little bit worse it would be abysmally worse.. I've only ever played three games of golf many years ago, to cut a painful story short I don't have the temperament for it, which is a shame because P loves it :) That doesn't mean to say I don't appreciate the sight of a beautifully designed and maintained golf course. Took these shots very early yesterday morning at the Araluen Golf Resort (good coffee) for all the keen golfers out there you can see the golf course flyover video here.. you will enjoy the view!

It was a rainy, cloudy overcast day but when the sun burst through for short spells the greens and surrounding trees looked amazing.. surprisingly few golfers out on the course..

This I think is the ninth hole below, I watched three balls successfully sail over the lake to land on the putting green, of the fourth ball there was nothing to be seen but ripples on the water.. didn't see any golf clubs go flying through the air :)

Below the same group of four teeing off for the second nine, clubhouse in the background. Have you ever looked at the word GOLF backwards..  just saying :) No, seriously I do get it.. it's an every game challenge between you and that little white ball with only one winner, but the fresh air, walking and companionship are all good! Happy Friday, take care and stay safe.. P.s. 'the size of the divot is directly proportional to the frustration felt'.. sound familiar :)

Here's the sting!.

Christopher Robin I think the bees suspect something

Perhaps they think you're after their honey

Well, it may be that. You never can tell with bees..

 I remember a few years ago in summer we had a real problem with bees in the swimming pool. Attracted to the water in the hot weather they would end up desperately clinging on to anything to get out, the anything quite often being swimmers.. if you've ever been stung you know it's not fun :) On investigating it was found that someone in the neighborhood was keeping beehives, a definite no-no in residential areas. Problem solved when said neighbours moved the hives out to a rural location. I spotted this swarm of bees high up in a tree while looking for birds, not great shots (minus long lens) but look at all those very important little workers swarming away up there.. they kind of give me the creeps en masse like this but I know without them we would be up the creek without a paddle :) Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe... P.s. wee bit different from the belly dancers yesterday :)

Bollywood in the city...

We were in the city on Thursday last week to enjoy the cultural diversities of Harmony Week in 140 William. Diversities that included $5.00 truly tasty street eats.. the Bollywood/belly dancing, African drummers and Chinese lion dancers were an unexpected (to me) treat. Focused on food :) it was the music that alerted me to get my camera ready, music followed by a flurry of blue and white swirling silk capes opening to reveal dancers from Bollywood Dhamaka..

The combined super shimmying sent my camera into multi-exposure:)

A triumphant  finale..

... before disappearing into the crowds from whence they came! It was exciting to watch and almost impossible not to wiggle one's hips to the hypnotic beat.. you should have been there :) Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe..

Minty blue and white freshness..

Driving along Vincent street last week I couldn't have been happier to spot another delightful Robert Jenkins mural on the side of Mount Lawley Dental Clinic. 'Minty polar bear' in fresh blue and white.. mmm! I could almost smell the toothpaste :) The cheeky little chaps featured in many Jenkins murals, although not on one of my favourites here, were fairly active above and below.. you can see in the last shot this was no small endeavour and although only painted in August last year it has already been tagged, I've noticed a lot of that lately in Perth.. so not cool! Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe.. P. s. had a few computer glitches over the weekend, hopefully sorted now so big catch-up today.
Click here to see more Monday murals from around the world...

A grand example of adaptive reuse..

When the Perth General Post Office was completed in 1923 it was described as 'the most sumptuous and impressive Federal building in Australia'. I remember thinking it was rather splendid when we first arrived in Perth and I walked through the doors below. I'm happy to say the herringbone pattern parquet flooring made up of 600,000 jarrah blocks and other jarrah features are still there, the post office is not, making way this year for Swedish fashion retailer H&M..

When the Melbourne General Post Office was restored after a fire severely damaged the interior in 2001 it was restored and remodeled as a shopping facility, it's main tenant H&M, it was described as 'a grand example of adaptive reuse'. On the one hand I feel a wee bit sad that such a wonderful heritage listed building is being used for this purpose, but on the other at least it is being used. Below another shot of the chandelier repeatedly reflecting as it disappears into the distance. What a busy Saturday it was, am very much looking forward to a lazy Sunday, how about you? Take care and stay safe...