Monochrome madness this week is hosted by Sarah from Travel with Me and the topic is trees. Looking through my archives I see I have many photos of trees, we are surrounded by enormous trees where we live.
To be without trees would, in the most literal way, to be without our roots.” Richard Mabey
I did take a few new photos at the weekend especially for this challenge. I’m not sure they would look better in green though!
Weeping willows overlooking the small lake
Taken at one of our favourite places to visit on a Sunday, Chapel Farm in the Swan Valley.
The trees above are our neighbours and provide wonderful shade during the summer. The only problem with these are the red berries that fall and become squished onto the tiles! After taking this photo yesterday I saw this cheeky fellow peeking through. It looks AI generated but I assure you it’s not.
My dear hubby attempting to climb to the top of the Gloucester Tree in Pemberton, but I put the brakes on, as I was too worried that he might fall.
Palm Tree on Samosir Island, IndonesiaTree Stump somewhere in Western Australia
Playing around with photos with different editing tools is a lot of fun, I used Snapseed and the software on my S22 for these edits.
“Trees have a secret life that is only revealed to those willing to climb them” Reinablo Areras
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!
Jumping on the bandwagon with everyone else and thinking about my year that has flown by.
There have been highlights and lowlights (not just for my hair) but we have all ended up healthy and well and that’s all we can ask for. The fact I don’t live anywhere near a war zone makes me all the more thankful for this good life I lead.
I have travelled far and wide and to places I’ve never been before and enjoyed every moment.
January
January saw me travelling to the UK to celebrate my mum’s 90th. I took this trip alone and was able to stay with my parents. I could see my Dad was becoming more frail and my mum was slipping into dementia. However we had a fabulous party for her and I’m so glad I was there to be with her. I also took a sneaky side trip to Dublin.
I enjoyed Dublin very much and it was thanks to my neighbour here in Perth who was also there at that time.
February
Back in Perth we continued to enjoy the summer, relaxing on the patio, catching up with friends and trips to the beach.
March
Once again I was travelling back to the UK but this time with Elena and the kids. My Dad had taken a turn for the worse. We arrived just in time for him to see Elena and Lachie again and also to meet Rosie for the first time. A few days after he slipped away. I am thankful that we made it back to see him. He was 91 and had lived a very fulfilling life.
There was still entertainment to be planned for the children though, so we went up to London and visited parks and playgrounds. They managed to keep themselves very amused in my mum and dad’s house with just everyday household objects. They took the net curtains off one of the windows and used this as a flagpole, found a rolling pin for a microphone and were fascinated by the letter box.
I was hoping any passers-by would not think they were being held hostage!
April
Elena and the kids returned to Perth in April and Anthony arrived. We would be taking care of my mum until the end of the month when the funeral would be held. I caught up with a great many relatives and friends during this month and Anthony and I did manage some days trips to nearby villages and up to London. I was lucky with the support from my relatives and friends in caring for my mum.
Essex SunsetFarewell Nanny Jean
Anthony was missing Australia so decided to have a makeshift BBQ in the back garden.
View from my brother’s garden, South Fambridge, Essex
May
After a sad goodbye to my mum we headed back to Perth. We had a fairly quiet May and began our preparations for another trip to Bali, Lake Toba and Penang.
June
This month we travelled to Ubud, Samosir Island on Lake Toba and Penang. We enjoyed all three destinations. The highlight though was definitely Samosir Island, the stunning scenery and the pace of life was just so relaxing. The people are some of the friendliest we have ever encountered.
July
It was time to visit Melbourne again to celebrate Laurence and Maddie’s engagement. We all went and I’ve already posted about the awful accommodation we stayed in!
The Happy Couple
August
It’s hard to believe that I again took a long haul flight back to the UK for the third time this year! This time for my cousin’s wedding. It was a spur of the moment decision to go back, but I’m so happy I did. The wedding was such a joyous occasion and enabled me to see my many cousins again. I also had another little side trip to Paris, with the same neighbour and friend who was staying there at the time. It was a fantastic three days, and to travel through the Euro Tunnel was an added bonus.
Gallerie Lafayette
September
It was Laurence and Maddy’s turn to visit us and we had them for a week, which we loved. We managed a couple of lunches and dinners with them, although their feet don’t touch the ground while they are here.
October
Enjoying some down time this month and catching up with long forgotten jobs!
Ready for Trick or Treating
Elena bought costumes for the boys and I have to say it was a hard job putting them on.
November
Time for my girls’ trip down south to Dunsborough. We had the best three days, chatting, laughing, drinking and eating.
The dearest friends
December
So here we are at the end of the year already. I’ve only just posted about recent trips to Bali and Hong Kong so won’t go over that again! Just to say another trip is planned in March to Bali, basically to collect my engagement ring which I left in the bathroom at the hotel! I have to ask myself why I didn’t listen to my dear hubby as he said “do a last sweep”. So I lifted my head and scanned the room. Fortunately I got in touch in time and they had found my ring. Ironically the day before at immigration I had found a “diamond ring” on the floor and asked around if anyone had dropped it. I put it in my pocket and forgot about it. That’s karma I suppose.
And so that’s a wrap as they say and if you have read to the end, my thanks to you.
I wish everyone a fabulous 2024 but most of all a healthy one.
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
Paula from Lost in Translation hosts this challenge once a month. She chooses five words and matches the words with photos. It’s a fun challenging challenge! See what you can come up with, thinking outside the box helps.
Buoyant Charming Ill-Mannered Perpetual Tubular
Buoyant
As we are in Bali right now, I thought this photo of Lachie on a beanbag is a good one for Buoyant
A Charming cobble-stoned street, Dean Village, Edinburgh
Ill-Mannered
Petitenget Beach, Seminyak, Bali
One thing you can always rely on is the Perpetual tides coming in and out
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
With the weekend upon us it meant Laurence and Maddy were able to join us for a day out. We all fancied a winery but with so many in Victoria where to go, North, South or East? After some research we decided to wing it and try one in the South East, Mornington Peninsula. Well our first choice didn’t work out which was Foxey’s Hangout, but the carpark attendant suggested we try the sister winery around 15 minutes up the road, called Morning Sun Vineyard. There wasn’t much sun around but plenty of wine.
The menu was short and tapas style so we just ordered every item! Sadly I forgot to take many photos of the food as it disappeared all too quickly. The staff and service were excellent and you could taste any wine. The location was just perfect and it was very cosy inside.
Parmesan coated broccolini Figs wrapped in parma ham
A luscious Shiraz for three and a “flight of whites” for me.
Not much left on those platesAn almost perfectly quartered photo – Cows galloping across the field
Another fractioned photo!
The Gang
A wonderful way to spend a Saturday, family, food and wine
On the drive home we passed by a stunning mural on a water tank, so I jumped out and took a few photos. Located on Arthurs Seat Road it was painted by Michael Leeworthy. It depicts life in Arthurs Seat and is a tribute to the local firefighters. I’m linking it to PPAC.
This brought to mind being up high and looking down at the world beneath my feet. You don’t have to be in an aeroplane to see the world below or up high in a building, sitting in a cable car or on a chair lift brings you closer to nature.
Legs swinging free with the ground below, The Nut, Stanley, Tasmania
Looking over a bridge, Launceston, TasmaniaOn the chairlift going over Cataract Gorge, Launceston
Completely drenched and still a far way to go!
In the Cable Car, Hong Kong, with nothing to break our fall
Back down to earth again. Nothing like digging your toes in the sand and letting the waves lap over your feet.
