Public Art – Travels with Ali

~ Postcard from Perth ~

It’s been a wonderful week here in Perth with the arrival of the newly engaged couple, Laurence and Maddy. We’ve had family lunches and dinners and days out with them. There’s nothing like having all your family around.

My featured photo is the golf course that I live opposite, I have to say though I’ve never been tempted to take up golf. My Dad used to love coming to visit for their annual three months, where he would take up a temporary membership. Just recently I have been walking to Bridge which is the other side of the golf course. I could walk straight across, but I’m not keen on dodging the balls and also don’t think the players would appreciate a random walker suddenly appearing between holes.

Walking around the golf course is like walking through an aviary. There are so many birds flying around now it’s become warmer. I can hear parrots squawking, kookaburras laughing, crows cawing, cockatoos screeching and magpies trilling.

The red Bottlebrush trees are in full bloom along my street. As you can see there are many trees, so not quite sure why our council has seen fit to plant 1,500 more trees along our street and the surrounding suburbs. Maybe to stop the many golfballs that come flying into our driveway. Only last month Anthony’s back windscreen was smashed. The Golf Club do pay for repairs, but it’s the inconvenience of getting it repaired.

These birds are all very tame and quite happy to pose and then fly on their way.

I saw a wonderful mural walking back from Zumba the other day and had to stop and take a couple of shots.

**“A Single Act of Kindness, Creates Endless Ripples”**

I loved the quote to go with it.

Also last week I went to watch my 5yr old grandson during his swimming lessons. I felt a bit sorry for the teacher trying to stop these little guys jumping up and down, they looked like tadpoles, such excitement. It’s amazing what was achieved in two weeks with the majority now water smart and being able to swim. I remember going for swimming lessons but around aged 8 or 9, not as young as 5. I came away being able to doggy paddle.

Now the house is quiet again as the happy couple have left for Melbourne, so we will have to start planning a trip over to see them.

**Laurence and Rufus watching the footy**

We had one last family BBQ before they left.

Linking up with Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share

It’s been a busy and wonderful week …

This is the last post for Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share and I am sharing my busy and eventful week with you.

Starting Monday evening for Anthony’s birthday, we decided last minute to go for dinner. I was quite tired after having the munchkins all day, not that I am complaining, Monday is my best day! We thought we would try one of our favourite Greek places but when we got there it was closed and being renovated, never mind we drove to another favourite. This had been replaced with another restaurant but it was packed to the rafters with tables spilling out onto the street. Finally we found a small Moroccan place that could seat us. We had beautiful meal and we will definitely go back. I was amazed that on a Monday night this suburb was so busy with nearly every cafe and bar full. So different from last year.

I found some wonderful murals as well. The whole street was lit up and many trees were decorated with lights and baubles.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I played Bridge all with different partners. I think I am becoming a bit obsessed with the game. I have joined a golf club, not to play golf but to play bridge! It’s just a social membership but the club has fantastic views from the terrace towards the sea and the city skyline. It will be good for evening drinks watching the sunset.

I have been busy also trying to buy everyone’s Christmas gifts and my mind has been a whirl. The children were easy and I could have bought so many things, but had to limit myself. I’m nearly done and now for the wrapping, which is not so enjoyable and also to find somewhere to hide them. Lachie and Rosie pretty much know every hiding place there is.

I’ve also been pressure cleaning the tiles outside, which is extremely hard and dirty work, with the dirt spraying up my legs. All in a good cause I suppose.

Friday night we drove into the City to meet Elena, Damian and children to do the Rio Tinto Christmas Trail. First we were having dinner and the only place I could get into was an extremely noisy and packed pub. I thought Rosie would be scared but she seemed to enjoy the live band. Places now have apps on the table that you scan and order your food and drinks where you sit. It’s so convenient and saves having to line up at the bar.

Off we set to walk the streets of Perth. I have to say Perth has really outdone itself this year and is definitely on par with Sydney and Melbourne. Maybe I’m biased. Although I would have preferred the lights not to have been so far apart, 6,000 steps later…

**I think everyone had the best time and now definitely in the mood for Christmas**

Tonight we are off to our annual street party, walking distance of course. It’s going to be a very warm evening. Catching up with all the street gossip will be fun and meeting the new kids on the block.

🎅🏻 Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and hope you are on Santa’s good list 🎅🏻

PPAC – 🐘Herd of Hope Elephants 🐘

For Cee and Marsha’s Public Art Challenge this week I have some elephants from the Herd of Hope. They are bronze sculptures created by acclaimed artists Gillie and Marc, I came across them on our recent day trip to London in Spitalfields.

They are a family of 21 bronze elephants, who were lost when they became orphaned and are now in the care of the Sheldrick Trust.

I would have liked to look at all of them and read the stories but there was not enough time, maybe on another visit.

PPAC – #27 – Murals from my Neighbourhood

For this week’s PPAC I have a few from local outings.

We went out for lunch last week to a nearby suburb and I said to my hubby “I wonder if there are any murals I haven’t seen” and as I turned around there was this beautiful one staring right at me!