Treasures of the Jewish Ghetto of Venice..

When in the city I often call in to the art gallery to see what current exhibitions are on.  As a lover of all things ancient the 'Treasures of the Jewish Ghetto of Venice' instantly appealed. These precious objects from the 17th to early 20th century were hidden in Venice during the war and only recently discovered and restored by Venetian Heritage in time for the 500th anniversary of the Jewish Ghetto of Venice in 2016. Above the hanging lamps (Ner Tamid) hang over the Ark in every synagogue.

Above a late 19th century bronze Hanukkah lamp used to celebrate the eight day festival of Hanukkah or Festival of Lights and below a wall light support c1851 made in silver and wood.. There were many other treasures including a silver Torah crown c1700's very much like the crown shown here. I didn't take as many photos as I could have, instead I spent time admiring these precious reminders of a faith that has endured many horrors over the centuries yet is still resolute today. Can you believe it's Friday again.. have a good one, take care and stay safe...

 The question for CDP'ers on February 1st theme day is this..  If you had to leave forever the city 
from which you usually post, what would you miss most?

The 'beach' is back in town !

Isn't that the title of a song :) You know it's summer in Perth when umbrellas, deck chairs and a beach pop up in the Cultural Centre, surrounded by heritage buildings it's quite a sight! An English gentleman said to me 'is this what you call a beach in Perth''.. I replied, 'yes sir, in the middle of the city it is, but what we really call the beach is just half an hour away and among the best in the world :) What a super fun facility for young mums to enjoy a coffee with friends while the kids play, these two had the beach to themselves.. for a while!

Preparations for this year's Fringe World beginning on Friday are well underway with spiegeltents popping up here and there around Northbridge. Hope you're looking forward to a bit of risque, bawdy fun.. I am :) It's been a very long time (50 days I heard someone say) since we had any rain in Perth, there's a possibility of a storm today and a 30% chance of 1mm of rain, I'm not sure whether to get excited or not, think I'll hold off and see what actually occurs :) Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe..

Egg shell blue.. a woman's touch!

'What a very pretty colour' was the first thing I thought when I saw the building above, followed by Co-Masonic Temple..  quoi? The 'Co' means that women can be admitted as members thanks to French feminists in the late 1890's forming Le Droit Humain. Not popular with male-only Masonic lodges who 'do not recognize Co-Fremasonry, holding it to be irregular or clandestine' hmm! Spotted in Northbridge, a diversely ethnic inner-city suburb, I'm going back to explore more thoroughly! Hope your week is off to a happy start, take care.. p.s. only one photo.. it's been a while :) p.p.s. Surely a woman who would pick egg shell blue right!

Un bouledogue français..

When I heard that the building on the corner of Beaufort and Aberdeen St. in Northbridge was going to be demolished in the near future I wanted to make sure I had some shots of artist Drew Straker's French bulldog mural recorded for posterity.. it's adorable right! A bit of a shame to lose it but it's in a seriously shabby part of town in desperate need of an upgrade. I wasn't going to tell you this, but yesterday afternoon the first time we went into Northbridge to take these shots.. click..no card! Oh la can you imagine! Thank goodness for the freeway, 25 mins back home and another 25 return and from now on a spare card and battery carried at all times :) Have you found yourself in that predicament before, sooo annoying! Happy Monday, take care and stay safe.

 Click here to view all participants of Monday Mural

Walk with me II ..

I think I must finally be getting acclimatized to Perth summers.. it's only taken thirty years or so :) It was 38C yesterday and here I was out and about! One thing is for certain I couldn't live anywhere but by the sea, the sea breeze is a life saver! Sorrento Beach looks a bit quiet, would have been much busier earlier in the day. Below looking up to the marina and the lighthouse which is where we're off to..

Walking along the rocks to the lighthouse.. can you see what I see down there? You'll have to pull it in close..

I like to stand in the shade of the lighthouse and watch the seafarers returning to harbour, yesterday they seemed to return by size of vessel..  and then there were those who preferred to do their fishing from the rocks, if I was 'into' fishing that would be my choice :) Much cooler today 30C, might have to pop on a jumper :) Happy Monday, or Sunday.. take care and stay safe..

City Daily Photo bloggers post photographs on a theme on the first day of each month.  On 

February 1, they will address this intriguing question:  If you had to leave forever the city 

from which you usually post, what would you miss most

The working lunch!

There is no walk in the park for some

No leisurely lunch with a chum

Too many details to thrash out

For some that's what life's all about

Put the mobile phone down and get walking

The office is the place for business... deals!

Oh come on, I couldn't have it rhyming all the way..
that would be way too cliché :)
Here's wishing and hoping for a safe and peaceful weekend, take care and stay safe...

Click here to visit James and Weekend Reflections

Past, present and future..

I'm a sucker for old black and white photos so when I spotted this image of how the area here being demolished revamped for Elizabeth Quay was back in the late 1800's I braved my fear of heights and stepped out onto the grilled viewing ledge on the top level of the The Bell Tower. If you pull the shot in a bit you can see the beautiful old Moorish style pavilion of the old Perth City Baths (better photo on link) opened in 1898. If only that could have been revamped, unfortunately it was removed in 1920.. tragique! Most of those old buildings are still around though..  

Above the site as it looks right now. A lot of the underground foundations have been completed so it's onwards and upwards. Below as it's going to look by the end of this year.. yeah right, like that's going to happen :) Can you see the blue balloon, that's where I'm taking these shots from, the Bell Tower will be dwarfed by highrise. Still trying to be positive but must say this vision doesn't make me 'sigh' like the old pavilion! TGIF, have a good one, take care and stay safe..

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