Big El's and The Cure, Mexican & Irish side by side!

Back on the streets of Northbridge.. just for a change :) sitting side by side on Francis St. the colourful duo Big El's above and The Cure below. If it's Latin American fusion/Mexican you're after Big El's the go, haven't heard or read a bad review yet. How cool is the Mexican Dia de Muertos influenced painting by Perth artist Destroy, there's another beauty inside I believe, will have to check it out! With the colder weather heading our way it might be a bowl of beef and Guinness stew that takes your fancy, or maybe just a hearty pint of Guinness without the stew..sláinte! Hope your week is off to a good start, take care and stay safe...

Rainbow Serpent..

Last week I showed this work by Ukranian artist AEC on the Central TAFE building in Northbridge. Today, just around the corner on the same building a piece by 'partner in art' Waone, who together make up team Interesni Kazki. Titled 'Rainbow Serpent' it too is influenced in surrealistic style by Aboriginal mythology, the serpent a common motif in Aboriginal art, with relating details like the stripey numbat only found in WA and the Australian red tailed black cockatoo. Now this.. let's be kind and say ordinary :) building has a bright and colourful exterior that reflects the bright young minds that study within! Happy Monday, take care and stay safe..

Click here see more Monday murals from around the world

Piccadilly Arcade.. memory of a more elegant time..

A touch of Art Deco flamboyance above the Hay St. entrance to the Piccadilly Arcade that connects through to Murray St. in the city. Built in 1938, restored in 1984 the Piccadilly is the oldest of the city arcades and in my opinion by far the prettiest, j'adore Art Deco!

Delightful features above and on the ceiling below..

Thankfully the Piccadilly Arcade is now safely on the State Heritage Register. The old Piccadilly Cinema at the Hay St. entrance to the arcade had been delighting movie goers for 75 years until it closed in 2013.. it will be redeveloped into retail space, with a view to perhaps returning to theatre status at some time in the future, I won't hold my breath but as they say 'the best way to keep a building is to make it useful'! I guess that could apply to most things :) Happy Sunday, take care and stay safe...

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Video killed the radio star!

Remember the 1978 hit Video killed the radio star? Who would have thought then that less than 40 years later it would be payback time! Must admit even though over the last few years I didn't use it often I was a little sorry to see the 'closing down sale' sign outside the only video store for miles around. On the plus side I did pick up ten films français for not many dollars. With Netflix, Quickflix and hey Presto :) the choice is unlimited, which do you use? I'm not interested enough in tv to bother with any, whoever came up with the concept of reality tv has a lot to answer for :) Whatever you're up to this weekend, enjoy. Take care and stay safe.. p.s. did you see The Closet, hilarious! 

Jurassic Swamp.. curious and curiouser!

The suburb of Gwelup, named after Lake Gwelup, a small swampy area (Careniup Swamp) in the southern part of the suburb was our destination early on Sunday morning. After seeing some rather intriguing photos of the area Aimee and I were keen to check it out. First impression.. pretty, although not all that different from other swamp areas around Perth, but being the intrepid explorers we are we forged forward into the 'interior', I did after-all grow up in deepest, darkest Africa :)

... and look below, is that Alice disappearing into the woods mumbling  .. 'wish I hadn't gone through, and yet.. and yet, it's rather curious'. This is where we plunge into the fantasy world that exists in my head :)

The 'bouncers', hooded monks.. are we cool enough to enter Jurassic Swamp?

.. in time to see a tyrannosaurus rex looming out of the woods...

.. a pterosaurs taking to the skies!

.. a herd of wooly mammoths partying with flowers in their hair :)

.. a velociraptor below coming out to 'play'.. do you see him there? It's all going on!

Seriously (?) it was pretty squishy walking.. eventually we reached a point where ahead was a no-go area unless wearing wellies, which we weren't. I imagine the area we had just explored will be totally under water when the rains begin in earnest.

Making our way back through the same arch we had entered we both agreed it had been so worth the visit. Whether you consider Morning Glory a weed or not, in this controlled area it has transformed what would have been tres ordinaire into something quite fantastical! Check out Daily Details to see Aimee's shots of the visit. Happy Friday, hope it's a good one. p.s. apart from the first where I amped up the blue, the rest of the shots are SOC.

Questions, questions, questions?

 Corner of William and Wellington.. 9am Monday morning. Don't you wonder when you see people pouring off the train into the city, where did they come from, where are they going? The two young girls below pulling their cases, were they arriving in Perth or leaving, did they enjoy their stay or were they glad to be leaving? Why didn't I ask them while I was waiting to cross? Is the man with the huge earphones listening to music, learning a language, on the phone? Did you notice Tartine Cafe to the left on the corner, no question as to where I was going :) What about the fretwork on The Royal Hotel isn't it gorgeous, check the link.. might be an excellent place to stay when you come to Perth! Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe.. p.s. mega migraine last two days :( off to bed early catch up today..

Solar power.. it makes sense!

It's winter here in Australia, not that you'd know with a temperature of 24C yesterday.. there's still beaucoup de sunshine! I know I've shown The Breakwater at Hillarys Boat Harbour before, but surprisingly yesterday was the first time I myself took note of the huge solar panel unit that covers the entire roof area leading me to wonder if it provides enough solar energy to run all of the venues which make up the Breakwater.. such a brilliant idea to harness natures power! Our humble abode has enjoyed solar water heating for over twenty years.. how about you, is it an option? Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe.. p.s. the outside umbrellas were as yet unfurled.. too early, the sun not yet quite over the yardarm :)