“Life is a zigzag journey, they say, not much straight and easy on the way, but the wrinkles in the map,explorers know,smooth out like magic at the end of where we go”
Ivan Doig
An interesting theme this week from Patti for Lens Artist Challenge, to look for zig zags in your photos. I can’t say that I’ve photographed anything specifically for a zig zag, but they can be found in so many of our photos.
We’ve been on the road travelling interstate for the last ten days or so and I have a few new photos.
Gundagai Historical Bridge
The rest are from the archives! I’ll be posting about the road trip on my return to Perth.
Reflection of Fairfield Pipeline Bridge, Victoria, Australia Alexandra Suspension Bridge, Launceston, TasmaniaBusy road crossing, Hue,Vietnam
The photo above was taken a few years ago but I noticed a few zig zags here!
This week the Lens Artist Challenge is balconies, hosted by Flights of the Soul. Who doesn’t love a balcony to sit out and watch the sunset or sunrise from your hotel, or if you’re lucky to have one in your own house to sit and watch the world go by. When we lived in Hong Kong we called a balcony a veranda or verandah, I’ve since learned that the word veranda is very much Australian. A proper balcony is elevated and a verandah is on the ground level, perhaps under a balcony!
Seville, Spain
The above photos were taken on a visit to Seville, Spain many years ago. With most cities a balcony is all important and a way to feel connected to your neighbour and the action below.
The above were taken whilst walking along the Regents Canal, London. I wonder what the significance of the cow is!
Perast, Montenegro
Our apartment was the first floor on the left, it was relaxing to sit and enjoy the spectacular views over the Bay of Kotor.
Enjoying the sun underneath the balcony in Stanley, TasmaniaCockatoos looking for scraps on the balcony, Lorne, Victoria
Melbourne, Victoria
I could only stand inside the apartment and take this photo, it made me feel too uneasy being on the 26th floor!
This little outing was taken during the last school holidays and it’s also just down the road from me. The Claremont Museum is somewhere I’d never visited even though we’ve lived here for 20 years. I thought I would check it out with my two munchkins.
The building was actually a school once upon a time, called Freshwater Bay School opening in 1892. It was subsequently used for a place of worship, a boarding house for young men and also a police station.
There is no entry fee which was surprising and when we entered the kids were given clipboards by the lady in charge with photos of tiny lego men which were hidden all around the museum.
Ready to start searchingLessons from the good old days
After spending a good hour in here we wandered down to the small river beach and as it was a hot day, they decided to have a paddle and build sandcastles.
Sand and water provide endless entertainments for kids.
Time for lunch and a play
After I had taken this photo I zoomed in and was taken aback at how creepy and ugly these mini sculptures were!
“Kids, hallowed be thy youth. Enjoy it while it lasts.” ― DON SANTO
Oh! to be young again is many a lament you often hear from old people, but I’m not sure I would want to be a child again. I’m very happy I don’t have to go to school anymore, especially not hundreds of years ago anyway.
“No matter if you’re 14 or 90 years old, you’ll never be this young again.” Matt Purcell
Tina from Travels and Trifles is the host this week for Lens-Artist and the topic if you haven’t guessed is “To be young again”.
“Water is the driving force of all nature.“ ~ Leonardo da Vinci ~
The challenge from Lens Artist this week is “Water in Motion” by Sophia @ Photographias.
Who doesn’t take photos of water? Everything about water, sea, rivers, lakes and waterfalls is just waiting for a photo. Here are some of mine over the years.
Bleak day – New Year’s Eve UK from our hotel window
I would love to see this in Perth right now! It’s just another day in paradise here but in dire need of rain as trees and plants die, as huge branches fall heedlessly to the pavement below.
In the not too distant past – Gulfoss Falls, IcelandPurpose built waterfall – Launceston, TasmaniaWellington Dam, Collie, Western AustraliaWatching Storm Eunice wreak havoc in Devon
“I’ve seen your stormy seas and stormy women, And pity lovers rather more than seamen” ~ Lord Byron ~
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), It’s always our self we find in the sea.” ― e.e. cummings –
After the serenity and calmness of Bali we are now in the busy and bustling city of Hong Kong. Surrounded by lush green hills, the skyscrapers jostle for space in this ever growing city. Wherever you go there are buildings going up and buildings coming down. Each competing with the others to see who can be the tallest or thinnest and offer the best view. It’s a city that never sleeps and is never quiet.
We are staying once again at the Hotel Icon on the 17th floor and can see for miles across the harbour to Hong Kong Island.
On our first morning we opened the curtains to this view. Not a skyscraper in sight. A heavy fog had descended, obscuring everything. I remember these days well from when we lived here before, especially in the New Territories. They would last for days and wreak havoc with my hair.
Luckily for us the weather turned out well over the next few days.
University CampusNorth Point across the harbourLion Rock
Maybe you’re wondering who cleans all these windows and how. There was a small notice in our room informing us of window cleaning, but one I only glanced at. Good job we were both decent at the time!
Always time for a banter!
Vertigo would have no place in this job!
Each morning we would have coffee in the room and enjoy the spectacular views and comment on the activity below.
Time for Tai ChiYou can just make out the figures under the curved canopy
Each day we would take a bus to wherever we wanted to go. There was a bus terminal around 10 minutes walk from the hotel. With google maps I could find the exact route and times as well.
Former Central MagistryCentral Police Station
A mix of old and new buildings in Central.
Us on a BusNo trip is complete without a ride on the Star Ferry
Flower Stalls in Central
A Bauhinia Tree growing out of the wall
The photographic opportunities in Hong Kong are many and I have to stop and think, “do I already have that shot?” as they never get old.
It’s that time of year again for all those innovative sculptors to exhibit their wonderful creations upon the shores of Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia. I went with a friend yesterday to walk along the beach and upper grassy areas to view the fantastic pieces on offer. Many of the photos also work well with John’s Lens Artist Challenge this week too, which is all about light, shape, texture and form.
We started along the top grassy area and then walked to the end of the groyne. We both had swim suits on under our dresses and the water looked so good, we had a swim before proceeding to see the rest.
“Blanket”“Brood”“Woman wears Trousers”
The focus on the photos above are circular shapes and different textures. The name of each piece did not seem to correlate with the sculpture and seemed to be random words selected from a hat! Everytime I tried the last photo a small boy kept looking through and saying hello!
“The Approach”“Silver Lining”
A view through the sculptures
“Human Vessel”“Little and Large” – my own title!“Fortitude”
Tall and skinny ones and mirrored images
All the pieces looked completely different depending on which angle you shot from, making them all the more interesting.
“The Top of the Balance”“Gumnut Cap Quintet”“Florb”“Petal Driven Fairy Motor”
My favourite out of the four above would be Florb, the texture was amazing to touch. Some of the sculptures allowed for touching. There were hoards of school children swarming around, some too young to read, so therefore lots of touching going on!
“The Top of the Balance” edited by me!
“Dave”“I Put a Moon on the Table – Someone is Living in it”
The above are also two of my favourites. How cute is the “Moon” and look at the intricate detail. I also love “Dave” standing loud and proud.
“Love Aus”“A Bridge too Far”
Textures, shadows and shapes
“Macrame Boab Tree”“Trash Can Mountain”“Ceramic Tree Ants”“Giant Toe Nails”
I made up the above titles!
“Seated Man”“Hush” Soaking up some rays
I hope you enjoyed this walk along the sands with me to view these wonderful sculptures. This is one of my favourite events of the year.
Also joining Restless Jo for Monday Walk – although my walk was Wednesday!
Unique – being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. Oxford Dictionary definition.
This week Amy @ The World is a Book has set the theme of Unique. As we are in Seminyak, Bali this week I have spotted a few unique opportunities around the streets.
Hey Ho and off we go
The greatness of art is not to find what is common but what is unique. Isaac Bashevis Singer
“Flaming Flamingoes!”
Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. Margaret Mead
Baked and Caked Denims
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. Douglas Adams
The Lens Artist Challenge this week is as my title says “Looking Up, Looking Down” hosted by James @ JazziBeeBlog. – Featured image, the stained glass dome in Gallerie Lafayette, Paris, France
I’ve collated a few from my archives as I’m always looking up anyway especially if a building has an interesting ceiling. Looking down from up high is always fun especially in a busy city.
Looking Up
I had to tilt my camera almost flat to look up at the ornately carved dome of Santiago Cathedral, Spain
Lacy Dome with stained glass windows – Osmania University Arts College, Hyderabad, India
Paintings of the Apostles on the dome of Frederik’s Marble Church, Copenhagen, Denmark
Withoutlooking up I wold have missed the intricate l’Etoile design tiled ceiling, Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France
Looking Down
Looking down from our hotel window in Hanoi, Vietnam, giving us wonderful overview of the streets and rooftops of this busy city
An elevated look atHoi Van Overpass, seen on our drive, from Da Nang to Hue, Vietnam
On the cable car leaving Lantau Peak and looking down onto Lantau Island, Hong Kong, giving us a fantastic bird’s eye view
The Challenge for Lens Artist this week is from Ann-Christine and the theme is “On Display”. It could be almost anything she said from … from a shoe shop to a garden party …
Mine are from shop windows and displays. Some recent from my trip to Paris and some from past trips. I’ve chosen food, hope you’re all tempted.
Streetside Parisian cafeAnyone for cake!Chocolate Cafe, GothenburgPumpkins on display for Halloween, GothenburgDisplay of wine bottles, CroatiaHubby playing the fool, Ely, UK
