Down the slippery slope..

After all the rain we have been having this winter yesterday we took a drive to Mundaring Weir to see what the water levels were like in the dam.. show you that tomorrow. Located 39km from Perth in the beautiful Darling Ranges the lake created by the dam is surrounded by forests of tall trees and typical Australian bush. The view of the lake from above...

 Before descending the 'rustic' road down to the dam below.. 

... to see views like this! You can see why in spring, summer and autumn this is a popular spot for walking and family picnics..

...and then there was the drive home! The partly blue skies in the first pics didn't last too long, it was rain all the way. You might be surprised when you see the water level in the dam tomorrow! Happy Friday, take care and stay safe..

'Behind the clouds the sun is still shining'..

Or.. 'Try to be a 🌈 in someone's cloud' :) Whichever way you look at it the clouds have been plentiful lately, the sunshine not so much! In the same spot on Hay Street where last year you last saw umbrellas this year there is a canopy of clouds.  

... and below the only rainbow I've seen in a while. All part of Winterfest 2018. Must get into the city at night and take the clouds all aglow, can't let a bit of chilly weather put me off :) Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe..

'Voyage of Discovery'..

Art is a bit like that don't you think.. a voyage of discovery. To understand this piece and the reason for my title you will have to read the description below. While I like to think I have a broad appreciation of artistic expression in it's many forms there are times when I have looked and thought seriously! The real irony here is that despite the controversy when acquired, I think this is a very clever piece of construction and probably took a lot more thought and effort than some of the works hanging on the walls. I'm not sure I'd have a spot for it at home 😉 but was happy to enjoy it's intricacies here in the Art Gallery of WA. Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe..

Green eyes and bright ideas!

Whenever we are in Leederville I check the ever changing artwork on the walls of the YMCA HQ. Was not disappointed last week.. a new, since I last looked, mural by super talented Perth artist illustrator Paul Deej. His work, seen here many times, inspired 'by popular cultures of movies, comics and hip-hop' is a joy to discover colouring up a dull, dreary Perth winters day. Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe..

Visit Sami to see more Monday Murals from around the world..

Origami in steel..

What better way to while away a few hours on a winters day! Yesterday, chilly outside, warm and inviting inside Art Gallery WA. In the foyer a new sculpture on loan to the gallery, a piece by English sculptor Lynn Chadwick (1914-2003). The couple 'while sitting side by side are actually separate entities. Occupying their own space, staring, one imagines, into their own worlds and their own distinct futures'. I think you might be in for an 'arty' week :) One of the exhibitions moved me to tears, which I can honestly say has never happened before, show you later in the week. Hope you had/are still having a wonderful weekend, happy Monday, take care and stay safe.. 

Give us this our daily bread..

'Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods,

and good bread with fresh butter,

the greatest of feasts'..

Well it is Sunday! No, I'm not going all religious on you but there is something quite divine about the smell of freshly baked bread 😉 Aimee and I went to the Boatshed Marketplace in Cottesloe yesterday for the first time.. so many temptations! Aimee came away with a bagful of treats which, unable to commit to a full size :) included a mini Japanese squid ink baguette, above.. must remember to ask her how that was. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday, take care and stay safe..

Papa Pelecanus..

During a break in the weather yesterday we had a walk around Herdsman Lake. With all the rain we have had this week the lake is full to overflowing making it impossible to get as close without wearing galoshes, which I wasn't. Up ahead through the trees around the lake the blurry shape of the biggest pelican I've ever seen. Seriously it was ginormous.. determined to get clearer shots I did end up with soggy shoes :)

 Not sure if these pics give a clear idea of his size, in fact I think the first blurry shot gives the best indication. When he finished preening and swam out onto the lake I did get a clearer image. A few facts, pelicans can live from 15 to 25 years in the wild, I'm guessing we're looking at an old fella here.. size of bill up to 50cm (20in) I would have said this beauty was longer! He was an impressive sight.. definitely worth the soggy shoes 😊 Happy Saturday, take care and stay safe..

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