Put a lid on it.....!!

On a clear day if you are walking, biking or driving down the West Coast road you may be able to see
Rottnest Island which is 20klms off the coast in the Indian Ocean. On Wednesday when we were walking along the coast I noticed the oddest thing!! The sky was as usual, immense and wonderfully blue, except....that there was a huge cloud almost the entire size of the island hovering above Rottnest, it really did look quite bizarre!! I have to say it was a very attractive cloud, dark underneath and fluffy on top, beautifully shaped and perfect for Skywatch Friday.. p.s. if you pull the first picture right in, you can juuuuust see the white of the island lighthouse to the right .....!!

Les Ponts de Perth ll .....

It was a little unfair that by the time we reached The Narrows bridge (The Narrows) the light had changed and softened giving a warm glow to the stone structure thus making it straight away more attractive than the cold utilitarian aspect of The Causeway.  Even though it doesn't boast  any statues and sculptures this bridge is slightly more fetching even minus the 'glow', and the views from the top are pretty spectacular! The second picture is the view from the top of the bridge looking over to South Perth where we started the walk and where we're headed back to, the third is the view the other way looking back to the City from where we have just come. The Causeway is just out of sight to the way, way right of this shot, quite a walk, come on... surely you must be a little impressed haha.....!! Have a great day.

A stop along the way.....

If you look at the second picture and click to enlarge you will see in the far, very far distance in the left hand corner the second bridge that we will cross over....eventually. It's a beautiful walkway alongside the Swan River, we saw so many different types of birds and the other good thing is that there's a separate cycle track running alongside too, so when you're walking you don't have to fear being run over by the dreaded 'enthusiastic (sounds better than crazy huh!) bikers.!! By the time we reached the spot in the top picture it was getting later in the afternoon and the light was changing and made for some pretty reflections.... Next bridge tomorrow, not quite so utilitarian .....!!

Les Ponts de Perth l .....

Now I'm the first to admit that The Causeway (The Causeway) is no 'Pont Neuf' neither in age nor beauty, but it has had a colourful history from it's humble beginnings in 1843 right up to the new and improved bridge that was completed in 1952.. There's the story of Mr. E.C.Loftie who in 1867 was fined forty shillings for causing an obstruction, the mob of cattle he was driving got spooked and wedged themselves between the rails and couldn't be moved for an hour.....ah! those were the days. Nowadays you can see The Causeway is more than sturdy enough to cope with the heavy traffic flow, unfortunately not a herd of cattle to be seen, although I did hear that a few weeks ago the traffic was held up for ten minutes or so by a family of black swans walking across the main traffic flow...fabulous, I just wish I'd been there to get the shot.....!! Hope you snap something fantastic today.....

Mistaken identity.....!!

We went for a walk around the bridges yesterday and I really should show you the bridges....and I will, but this bird which I thought was a Cormorant, but when I researched it a bit more thoroughly at home turned out to be an Australasian Darter (Darter) put on such a show for me, stretching out his wings to dry and turning his head this way and that as if to say 'make sure you get my best side'  that I decided to show him off today. Have to admit I was a little disappointed he wasn't a Cormorant, commonly know as a 'Shag' .....hehe! there, I got to say it anyway.....!!

Gum-nut fountain.....

The sculpture in the top picture is one of my favorites, it's so typically Australian, with the gum-nuts and eucalyptus leaves. It sits on a roundabout leading up to the main street in the hills suburb of Kalamunda where on the first Saturday of every month there is a market for selling local produce and handcrafts. It attracts visitors from all over Perth as well as the locals and there is a good chance that you'll go home with something a little bit special! Another reason we like to go now and then is to catch up with my sister-in-law and her husband who make and sell all types of the most delicious fudge, they have gotten so well known around the different markets in Perth (Fudge Fusion) that they  have people come to the markets especially looking for them, we call them their 'fudge groupies'!! That is the one stipulation at these markets, everything has to be hand made, which makes a nice change from the 'same old, same old' that you buy in the shops....Hope you find something special in your day today.....!! p.s. my poached egg was delicious but way too easy for you guys.....!!

Still perfect.....!!

I have an ongoing 'discussion' with a friend on the how to get the perfect mystery object above, I actually have had the perfect two on many an occasion at a certain place (can't tell you where, it would be a dead giveaway clue!) he doesn't however agree and always has something uncomplimentary to say about them, some people just don't see perfection when it's staring right at them on the.....! It's all very mysterious...Hope you solve some clues this weekend.....!!

To see other entries in the 'Mystery object' theme day: Click here to view thumbnails for all participants