David

The Scots and the Song

2012-02-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

Ah ha. Right. So how come half way through the book, Arthur admits that the Scots didn't really invent any thing................. they rediscovered and reused old ideas of 'Why Man'

Coincidentally, as if to counter Arthur's claim, Singapore Expo is exhibiting the animated Song Dynasty Qing Ming Shang He Tu scroll showing life in 9th century CE China. A city with no defensive walls, thriving on free market trading and specialisation of human labours. Gosh, that sounds familiar!!! I suppose the 3rd century BCE terracotta warriors were made in someones garden shed too. The oldest known dragon kiln which could hold 100 pieces of potty can be seen in Fujian province dating from 1100 century BCE. Singapore still has two kilns based on the same design which are 30 meters long and 2 meters wide.

Surely the lesson to learn and the message to promote is that nothing lasts for ever. Some nut case with a big gun comes along sooner or later and messes up the party. Enjoy the moment guys and gals.

That fruit again.

2012-02-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

I know, it just a car. But we got an upgrade from Hertz, they not having our usual cheapo motor. Almost new. Very nice.

The mandatory round the island trip for our visiting friends this time took in the newly opened Prince of
Wales International School. Penang was initially called the PoW island.

Yin Yoke and the King. I nearly passed out when they came back to the car. Note to self. Let the durian eaters de-breath before letting them back into an air conditioned car!!!

Sea breezes also help restore nasal equilibrium.

2012-02-09T02:54:00.000-08:00

Georgetown has commissioned street art to depict cultural activities and life as lived in days passed. I feel sorry for the tiger. Always getting a bad press,. Birth rates always depressed in the year of the tiger. Here his fierce reputation is being used to dispel bad vibes from the area.

Right next to the tiger some older wall art. Not sure if he is intentionally dropping things on people as they pass on the 5 foot way. Very well done it is.

The Jetties, Georgetown

2012-02-06T18:36:00.000-08:00

The so called Clan Jetties were originally built by new immigrant workers to Penang in the mid 19th century who could not afford to buy land......so they built on water.

No fishing boats here these.

Each jetty has a clan living there. The Chew's, Lee, Tan, mixed surname etc.

Good views of the straits and the bridge.

'Love Boat' Restaurant

2012-01-29T03:32:00.000-08:00

Used to be where marriage matches were made. Was in a sorry state of decay.

But now getting a new lease of life. I had dinner here in 1992 or 93. I will again, hopefully later this year.

Phoenix and Dragon dance.

2012-01-27T01:40:00.000-08:00

The dragon does not chase the Phoenix, as you might image, he chases the pearl of wisdom. The spinning ball always leading him on.

The bird circles the dragon and seems to be mocking the poor dragon's efforts to gain the wisdom he seeks.

CNY at 1st Ave.

2012-01-25T03:14:00.000-08:00

All the Penang Malls this year seem to have been competing to house the biggest and best lantern. Like a giant jelly fish hanging over your head!!

We were there this day for the lion, tiger and I don't know what animal dance.

After a lot of head shaking and generally intimidating the general public,

Mildred and friends decided to go up the escalator and create chaos on the first floor.

Seemed a good point in the proceedings to go have afternoon tea. Very nice kaya toast they do.

Penang Airport Refurbish.

2012-01-23T02:45:00.000-08:00

All the turmoil of change was worth it. A new wave has broken over the old airport halls. Back to a Penang easy pace again. Great, clever design.

E&O

2012-01-19T21:21:00.000-08:00

The new wing and car park for the E&O opened just before Christmas. Not as pretty as the old part, so pictured that.

Blue sky and green sea.

When the water front garden is fully open, perhaps E&O can boast the longest of all sea front lawns, as it did in days gone by.

Genting Hill,...Again?

2012-01-18T01:53:00.000-08:00

We keep going back. This model is made completely from Carlsberg beer cans. Even the rigging. the time it must a taken.

And the girls insisted on durians...........but at another table. They whiff, you know.

Francis's Garden house.

2012-01-16T01:44:00.000-08:00

The place where Captain Light built his garden house, Suffolk House, on his pepper estate. This is not the original house Francis built, some time between 1786 and his death in 1794, but a later residence which has been restored to it's 1818 glory. It don't look much but it is such a gem I have archived images in The Gallery. Follow link for more photographs and information on this treasure of a house.

But we were there for afternoon tea, don't you know.

Guaranteed to make my soul mate happy!!!

Straits Quay.

2012-01-14T01:20:00.000-08:00

Another new mall complex.

Firs and palms. Nice.

These places are still very quiet, empty even. So, come before they are discovered. Really great to sit and sip your coffee in the quiet.

A bell in a belt. Cute.

Penang hill - Year End 2011

2012-01-11T23:16:00.000-08:00

Bonding in the Botanics. Or are they comfirming rank?

No excuse. I love PH. Could move here and cut the cars cable.

David Brown's done out for Christmas. Had the place to ourselves. Another magic moment.

Towards Batik Pulau.

2012-01-10T00:52:00.000-08:00

Another place needing a car for us to visit. The road across the hill opposite our flat. Love these hills.

Clear to see the new development. BUT the old town centre is still there. Long be it so.

Relau Met. Park

2012-01-08T00:46:00.000-08:00

Who would have guessed that this lovingly cared for park was here? Right next to the Relau Villa. Part of the park is in the old Villa's grounds. Doubly hope that the heritage effort reaches Relau. What a place this would be with a restored Villa complete with swimming pool.

Has hill jogging for the fool hardy and a collection of all sorts of fruiting trees. Magic.

Relau Villa

2012-01-06T00:40:00.000-08:00

We could have walked to this place. but we are softies.

All the decaying wood work has been cleared and the remaining faced brick core of the building is in quite good condition. Really hope the heritage guys and gals turn their attention to this little gem. check out this LINK for more info on the Villa.

Shrine close at hand, complete with thieving monkey, bless them.

Sam Poh Temple

2012-01-04T00:24:00.001-08:00

We took advantage of Linden's visit as an excuse to hire a car and visit a couple more of the places where the buses don't go.

The main man. Cheng Ho. This guy's doings makes Christopher look like a novice and his ships dinghies

The work on the second Penang island/mainland bridge is well progressed. Could be finished end 2013. With 40% more cars recorded arriving on the island than leaving before Christmas, not sure we should have a new bridge leading to an island car park.

Film - Sherlock Holmes, Game of Shadows.

2011-12-29T19:01:00.000-08:00

Jude, Robert and Steven Fry. Interesting. Much more shoot'm-up in this film than the first, but well done I think. The film is peppered with visual clues that have you thinking, oh yes I remember that. Bit more Sherlock Holmes in this one. So 4 on the door.

Disappointment, then delight

2011-12-21T05:03:00.000-08:00

Master Hawkers competition at Times Square, Penang. This day was char koay teow day. I was really looking forward to the tasting session......but so were loads of other people!!! Queuing 10 deep and more at each stall.

So, I bottled it. I will track down the winner and go sample for myself. But the day was not all total loss. Now have an official Malaysian driving licence. How cool is that?

B & W progress.

2011-12-13T01:21:00.000-08:00

Julian Davison kindly sent me some period photos of B & W interiors. Julian's book Black and White: The Singapore House 1898-1941 is the source of the plans for the model.

Period house, period photographs.

This is turning into a long project.

Posh Kopi Shop

2011-12-06T22:37:00.001-08:00

New premises for the kopi shop,

and new look. Very B & W.

Waiting for lunch....Gek has a way with the lens!!!

Happiness is char kway teow and fresh apple juice.

Shelters.

2011-12-05T01:24:00.001-08:00

Things still surprise in Penang. A typical ye olde bus stop.

But here comes a new creation, complete with cart wheeled benches, leaning rail and recycle bins. Is this the future look of our bottom parkers. Wonder how many people have missed their bus whilst seated here?

Bukit Genting at dusk

2011-11-21T20:54:00.001-08:00

We returned to the hill...at dusk.

Lights coming on all over the plain.

As dark came the fishing fleet lights appeared on the horizon.

The garden takes on a very eerie quality in the dark!!!

Penang Philharmonic.

2011-11-20T01:40:00.001-08:00

This is totally amateur group of classical music enthusiasts....and they are damned good!!! We attended their recent concert at the E & O's ballroom (not in pic).

Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No.1,
Franz Joseph Haydn: Cello Concerto No.1 in C major
Antonin Dvorak: Symphony No.6 in D major.

Impressive yes? Russian night at the end of December. Tickets bought already.

http://www.penangphilharmonic.org/main/

Bukit Genting, Penang style.

2011-11-15T06:06:00.000-08:00

A new place to us.

See Rock and Pat visited Penang this weekend and with a hired car we were able to visit this hill.

Fab views and lovely Thai food for lunch,

with some weird and wonderful models.

Viewing sunsets are feature of the hill with the park curios lit after dark. Must return to see the show.

B & W.

2011-11-13T06:00:00.001-08:00

March 31st 2010.

November 2011. See http://david-dollhouse.blogspot.com/ for more update photos.

Relau night lights. View from the 11th floor.

2011-11-11T16:46:00.001-08:00

An evening beer, feet up on the balcony watching other peoples lives as they go by.

With the food stalls doing business well into the early hours of the morning.

And to feed the mind, a brand new college about to open. Love Bahasa Malay. Kolej Komuniti. We need to spell this way. I for one would find writing in my own language a little easier.

Our New Bridge.

2011-11-09T03:17:00.000-08:00

Well, now I am really settled here. Our bridge, indeed!! But it is on track to be ready 2013.

Close up you can see the road platform and the machine making it. Magic.

And it appears there will be two parts that ships can pass under. This one is just south of the airport. Pictures taken from our condo roof. First clear day for weeks. Rain, Rain and then more rain. But thankfully no floods.

Faces

2011-11-03T01:34:00.000-07:00

Gek has turned her brush to faces.

A little more than life size on 20in x 16in canvases.

In oils, of course. No prizes for knowing the first and last image. Chris in the middle.

Surely not?

2011-10-11T02:01:00.000-07:00

A pre-65th birthday eve lunch celebration with Ray, who just happened to be in town. So it must be true. 65 today.

No, I am not wearing a wig but yes, my glasses have sustained some damage. The wrinkles are all genuine and the face does return to a zero setting......sometimes. All in all, a pretty good 65 years I would say.

Book - At Home, Bill Bryson

2011-09-30T20:21:00.001-07:00

How Bill manages all the facts he seems have in his head is a wonder of nature. This book is more a collection of information that he perhaps couldn't find a 'home' for.........no pun intended .....than a history of Private Life. And is a page turner. There are hundreds of 'Not many people know that' moments.

Film- Johny English Reborn

2011-09-24T03:37:00.000-07:00

Well, very funny film. You have to like Rowan's brand of buffoon comedy though and apparently a lot of S E Asians do!!!! With 6 shows a day for the last 10 days, all being full house at Queens Bay Mall, I can safely say, Malaysians get Mr. Bean. So for that reason along 3 on the door. Good job you cannot be sent to the tower by the Queen these days!!!

New oven.

2011-09-22T01:00:00.000-07:00

Now, why all the excitement about an oven? Well Gek first laid eyes on this beauty in Australia. And it was love at first sight!! She wanted one. Why, I have no idea. She just wanted it. But, baggage weight allowances being what they are on budget airlines.....no way!!! Then, lo and behold, one turned up in our local electric shop in Bukit Jambul!!! Would you credit it? Could we find one in Singapore? No.......but Bukit Jambul,? Well, yes.

New Hawker Centre.

2011-09-20T05:59:00.000-07:00

I may have just mentioned, not just a few times, about the number of food opportunities on offer here in Penang. Well, that number just increased by 50 or more. A new HC on our door step. Our block is the one on the right in the back ground.

And practically no over lap. Each hawker offers something different. 5 mutton + 5 chicken satay....9 RM (2 GBP)

Char Kway Chow.......4 RM (1 GBP). And really good. I guess Penang apartments are going to evolve without kitchens!!!!!! who needs them?

Singapore River, dusk

2011-09-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

After Dali, dinner. But first, chill by the river.

with Linden

and dinner with Toby at an interesting Indian place he knows.

Dusk over the old business district.

and interesting perspectives on iconic buildings.

Dali Exhibition - Doing for yourself.

2011-09-16T00:20:00.000-07:00

D'surreal 1

In the spirit of DIY, curved mirrors, a wall of clocks and Dali piece.

D'surreal 2

D'Surreal 3

Dali Exhibition - Other stuff.

2011-09-14T00:17:00.000-07:00

I confess to being lost in all this symbolism. "There is more method in my madness than there is madness in my method." Hummmmm?

But you do get the opportunity to play with Dali. Hit the plungers and you create.

Not sure what Gek was signaling but fitted in with the place well!!!

Dali Exhibition - Sculptures, Part 2.

2011-09-12T00:15:00.000-07:00

The curating of the exhibits was exceptionally good. This gal has drawers by the way.

Here you have bronze, glass and photographes, but it worked some how.

I was first drawn to serealism by Dali's oil paintings. Saw those at the Tate in Liverpool some years ago now. So this is like a new discovery for me. Sculptures.

Furniture or art?

Dali Exhibition - Sculptures, Part 1.

2011-09-10T00:10:00.000-07:00

For the uninitiated, here is a list of Dali keys to understanding his work. Also for your information,

A soft clock cannot work and refers to eternity:
Ants symbolise death, decay and an immense sexual desire.

The exhibition at the ArtScience Museum is of Dali's sculpture and water colours.

most of the pieces were cast in 1984 but conceived years earlier.

Of course, you can view a piece of sculpture from an infinite number of angles. These are my 2 angles. Egg, soft clock and ant, not seen in the photograph complete the nude.

On the way to see Dali.

2011-09-08T00:05:00.000-07:00

The walk from city Hall to the Esplanade can be done completely underground.

Anyway, I have no idea what these are all about.

But they did set us in the right mood for Mr. Dali.

The stretch from the Esplanade to the ArtScience Museum is an above ground walk....and it is hot out there. Time to cool off.

Sarong Kebaya at the Peranakan.

2011-09-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

Lady Peranakans wore and some still wear this distinctive form of dress.

Very lacy and see through.

Some Batik was also on display.

Shophouse revisited.

2011-09-03T20:04:00.000-07:00

Singapore's Peranakan Museum have used the shophouse to demonstrate the original use of the house as part of an educational programme the museum runs in the school holidays.

Seems it was a hit with boys and girls,

and their mums!!!! The house will also be doing a tour of Singapore's regional libraries, starting next month, October, at the Central library. Result!!!! Photos thanks to Cherry and Michelle.

Penang Hill Fenicular Railway

2011-08-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

The new carrages. Airconned and everything.

The 1 km journey now takes 10 mins as opposed to the previous 30 mins. A bit too quick for some. But must say it looks all very smart now.

Penang visit.

2011-08-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

Our party numbered 11. Hire 2 cars or 1 big van? The van option turned out to be a brilliant choice. First day we did the round island tour...in the rain.

But the islands lush flora was shown off at its best.

Tropical island style.

The last evening of the visit was spent on Penang Hill watching the sunset show over dinner on the terrace.

And this is the sunset looking East.

Big Bro' and familly visit.

2011-08-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

A gathering of the clan in Penang. Here at one of our favorite eateries, Old Town Coffee in town...for breakfast.

Schumacher trying to avoid the camera, our youngest visitor this trip. And yes, Schumacher's dad follows F1 and loves Ferrari

Of course, food was high on the must do itinerary!! We did all sorts including a seafood lunch.

Three generations. Niece, sister and auntie.

And todays job is...

2011-08-14T02:13:00.000-07:00

We have been back from our Australia trip just over 4 weeks now. So what have I been up to since? Painting the floor of course!!! Well that and cracking on with the B & W model house http://david-dollhouse.blogspot.com/.

Book - In Search of Myths and Heros

2011-08-12T02:09:00.000-07:00

So, Jason and the Argo was a very early Cook and the Endeavour journey of exploration/colonial expansion: the Queen of Sheba was a promoter of interstate trade: Shangri-la is really a place call Shambla which is where Buddhism went after India turned it's back on it as life guide: and, well, King Arthur, Camelot etc, was a tale told by Geoffrey of Monmouth - bit like Tolkien and Lord of the Rings.

Interesting. Or did I miss something?

Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum

2011-07-27T02:09:00.000-07:00

In Kedah, on the coast just by Sungai Patani, is this extraordinary site with 30 + Hindu Temple dating from the fourth century AD.

Buddhist artifacts have also been unearthed here.

All this is a result of the trading activity for which this part of the Malaysian coast was well known 1500 years ago. Trade between India, Indonesia and China. This at a time when Europe was entering the Dark Ages. For more info, click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bujang_Valley. Also You-Tube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnJvV2vV7nI

I have still to find out what these worked granite stones are for. Looking at the accuracy with which they were made, I would suspect they are modern. (?)

Anniversary

2011-07-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

T'was in the hills behind the Glass House mounts that we celebrated our third wedding anniversary.

Beautiful day, marvellous view.

Friends and relatives met.

2011-07-17T03:09:00.000-07:00

Adelaide. Khishgee and Alima our Mongolian friends, both of whom are researching at the Flinders University here.

We also met up with Cecilia and Weng Sing together with Lay Lee. Sorry, no picture of Lay Lee.

Melbourne. David Ribchester, my cousin and his kids. We last met in 1965 on the eve of his emigrating to Australia.

Melbourne. Peter, Kathy and Rebecca Creamer. Peter was a Ngee Ann colleague in Singapore 1983/5. We are just good friends really!!!!

Sydney. Stephen and Annie Ribchester with Joyce, my auntie and Stephen's daughter Melissa.

Melissa with husband Damian and their 6 month old baby Tahliah

Sydney. Timothy, a colleague of Gek's from her early days in Peat Marwick, Singapore.

Sydney. Meow, Gek's ex colleague from CCS, Ngee Ann Poly last met in Sydney 10 years ago.

Brisbane. Vicki, my mum's cousins daughter. We also met in Singapore in 1983/4.

Brisbane. John and Lyn of Mongolia fame.

Trip end, Coolangatta

2011-07-16T02:22:00.000-07:00

The end. 5800 km since we landed in Adelaide 57 days before.

The start of the Gold Coast.

Another city sky line at dusk. This is where we will pick up the trail next year.

The Glass House Mountains.

2011-07-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Cook saw these through his glass from the Endeavour in 1770. They reminded him of glass furnaces as seen from the sea off the coast of his home in Yorkshire, England.

Now nicknamed the Gorilla, these lumps of granite are the cores of long extinct volcanoes.

This one more obviously so.

Brisbane

2011-07-13T01:55:00.000-07:00

The high way by the city is raised on stilts next to the north bank of the river. The sweeping lines of the road seem to fit some how.

There are a number of river bridges, of which this has to be the most elegant,

linking to the South Bank. If this looks familiar to Londoners, then no surprise. Art galleries, theatres etc live here.

In the Botanical Gardens are the water heights of the recent, the lower red box and the 1974 floods, the upper red box. IE, all the South Bank was under 10's of metres of water. Hence the newly decorated under ground car parks!!

Yamba

2011-07-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

Enjoy.

Winter in this part of the world looks amazing. More inspiration than you can shake a stick at.

Port MacQuarie

2011-07-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

Desert dunes.

The harbours and bays along this coast have very tricky entrances with treacherous currents running.

At sunset over these troubled waters are quite something.

Port Stephens - Nelson Bay.

2011-07-07T18:50:00.000-07:00

Port Stephen's was a one night stop over.

Sun sets again.

The bay water being totally calm, unlike the hammering waves round the head land.

The headland stands at 161 mts above sea level. To reach the top is a 1 km climb. Do the math!! In the gathering dusk and a threatening sky we made a dash for the top. Good to know me old heart can still cut the mustard. Mind you my calf muscles were a bit stiff for the next couple of days.

Magic again. Can the rest match up to this east coast? Going to find out in the not too distant future!!

Ferries.

2011-07-06T04:34:00.000-07:00

Crossing the bay on the Manly ferry.

The ferry's have a bow at each end. Saves having to turn the boat round on the return.

The bosts are quite old and on our trip accross the bay entrance from the sea, it rolled quite alarmingly. Fortunately, only for a short while.

Loads of other ferry and taxi types in bay.

Same colours as the Penang ferries.

The Bridge.

2011-07-03T17:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, Sydney bridge must be the most photographed bridge in the world. Hope this is just a little different image. Taken from the ferry to Manly.

The CBD. Cities have become so samie in profile. The quest is still on for a distinctive sky line

The clouds had the day this day.

Sydney's other bridge.

2011-07-01T04:13:00.000-07:00

A beautiful suspended bridge.

Sydney - Olympic Site.

2011-06-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

The 2000 Olympics were in Sydney and the sprawing venue is still very much here.

You get the impression of an abandoned sci fi flim set.

Complete with aliens.

Still the buildings are quite spectacular, even if they aren't sure whatn they are here for now.

Blue Mountians.

2011-06-29T17:31:00.000-07:00

Next days was frosty.

And the day was so clear.

The Mount Tombah botanic gardens.

And the blue was there again.

The Blue Mountains.

2011-06-28T05:24:00.000-07:00

Winter sunset at Echo Point.

And they mountains are blue.

Bass Point and Minnamurra.

2011-06-27T22:31:00.000-07:00

Where the river meets the sea. Photographs cannot do justice to the day. Absolutely breathtaking. We didn't want dusk to fall.

Pelican,

dolphins, of the friendly variety

and whales. I waited in vain for him/her to do a tail splash again. no chance. Bugger!!!! One day, matey.

Great Pacific Drive.

2011-06-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

Looking South, back towards Wollongong.

The road in all the publicity material. The original road ran along, about 50 feet above the bottom of the cliff. Must have been a bit of hairy drive with the falling rocks and all.

The Sea Cliff Bridge is a place where, following the wreck of their ship, the survivors noticed coal seams in the cliffs above them. Black Gold. No surprise to learn then that the nearest village is Coalcliff.

Sydney

2011-06-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

It is over there. Sydney is not on Botany Bay like what I thought. Well, the Southern suburbs and the airport are but not the Opera house and the Famous Bridge. Sydney is in the next estuary up the coast, that of the River Parramatta. Cook noted it but having just provisioned his ship, sailed past on his way north from Botany Bay.

Becoming a habit..........catching Australian cities in profile. All of them are going to be in deep doo daa if the sea level does in fact rise as predicted.

Joseph Banks.

2011-06-23T21:33:00.000-07:00

Joseph Banks was the principle naturalist on the endeavour. For some strange reason, his memorial is much posher than Cook's. This may reflect the character of the two men, if Hough is correct. Cook a navy man through and through, Banks an aristocrat. Banks brought, amongest other things, two grey hounds on the 2 year voyage.

One Laughing Kookaburra. Wonder if Bank's shot one?

Then there were two. Heads back for a good old laugh. Apparently these birds aren't native to Western Australia, having been introduced there by early European settlers from the East of the country.

No laughing matter is hunting. The birds sat on the branch watching the grass below, before swooping down on some poor unsuspecting bug.

This guy, a Forest Raven I think, was always eying our lunch. Wollongong library is to thank I am for the bird identifications. Great places, libraries, to get free WiFi.

Little Pied Cormorants.

2011-06-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

Very cute they are too.

The sea is at almost the exact same level where the granite meets the softer limestone rocks.

This bit of serentipity has given rise to this fabulous coast line. Add the rollers from the Pasific and you cannot stop watching the dance.

Botany Bay and Captain James Cook.

2011-06-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

Botany Bay. This was the first landing place of the Endeavour. Since Zachary Hicks first sighted land, at Hicks Point, Cook had to travel some 200 km before he could find a safe anchorage for his ship. I have been reading Richard Hough's biography of Cook, making this visit to landing spot feel very real.

Took a 100 years before a monument was placed at the landing site. Having read about the extraordinary sea trips that Cook and his like undertook in the 16 and 17 hundreds, this road trip of ours is a walk in the park.

Today the Bay is still welcoming visitors form across the planet,

and taking delivery of manufactured good. This container ship is coming through the same passage the Endeavour did 240 + years ago.

Very narrow it is too. The smaller smudge is a surfer paddling his way out to sea. What is he on???

Wollongong

2011-06-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Third largest city in NSW, after Sydney and Canberra.

The city owes it's existence to coal. There is a deep pit still here, somewhere in this South facing view.

To the north is the Great Pacific Drive leading to Botany Bay. That is tomorrow's day out.

But first, coffee and sticky date pudding. Keira Mount cafe. Very nice too. The days are beautifully bright and warm in the sun.

Forest and more forest

2011-06-19T19:44:00.000-07:00

This South East corner of Victoria and New South Wales has large forested areas. Great driving roads too!!! Really should have a Morgan here. Round Oz in a Mog!!!!

Too many maps can be confusing. Still, no major U turns needed.

Whales.

2011-06-17T00:05:00.000-07:00

On the road between Batemans Bay and Wollongong.....Jervis Bay or rather the coast by Jervis Bay. This photo was taken at the max on my 300mm lense. See the faint plume?

Well it was a whale. Amazing my Cannon. Don't know what is in the picture till you get it home and on the computer. So difficult to get a pic with the ocean swell that was running at the time. This whale must have surfaced on the crest of the wave. He/she wasn't on his/her own. There were at least 4 of them, counting the blows that went up every now and then. They have arrived early. Usually they are seen in early/mid July heading north. No Orcas this time.

How many more wave photos!!!!!

But the power in them is something to marvel at.

Book - The future of Life.

2011-06-15T03:09:00.000-07:00

Road trip reading. So, we are approaching a bottleneck. We have to get through this bottleneck with most of our ecosystems in tack, or at least in a state where they can be rebuilt if humans are to live on this planet. No problem for Life. It has gone through worse than what is coming. But humans?

The problem? Get all the humans alive now and born in the next 50 years to an acceptable standard of well being without needing 4 additional planet earths to achieve it. This book was published in 2002. Progress has been made since, but very, very slow it is. Still, I'm optimistic.

90 Mile Beach - East End

2011-06-14T01:18:00.000-07:00

This is the end of a 90 mile, 144 km, sandy beach.

This being a Sunday, this angling scene will no doubt be repeated along the whole 90 miles....even if it is cool to cold.

How rare are rainbows in the sea?

Post take digital enhance....but I like the effect.

Better run for home I think.

Lakes

2011-06-13T01:28:00.000-07:00

Behind this eastern end of the 90 Mile Beach are a number of interconnected fresh water lakes.
Looks cold, yeh? This guy built this craft himself out of three lengths of drainage pipes which he stuffed with polystyrene foam making it almost unsinkable. The pilot, a dog, is sitting in the backward facing chair. Off the pub for a meal, turns out. Brilliant fishing platform, complete with sun shade, not needed today.

I think this is a Skua. There were a number on the beach. I have been attacked by their cousin's off the coast of Scotland. A very Hitchcock experience that was!!!

In the fresh water lake, these are Royal Spoonbills both pretending sleep, standing on one leg.

A Cape Barren Goose. A solitary fellow, unlike geese and ducks that like company.

Sun Rise View.

2011-06-11T00:54:00.000-07:00

The view from the door of our luxurious accommodation. Not a red sun rise, But interesting non the less.

And even this local was feeling a little chilled.

A room for the night in the hills.

2011-06-10T17:50:00.000-07:00

During this road trip, we have stayed in all sorts of bedrooms........but this has to be the most exotic. Sun Rise View, Olinda, Mt Dandenong Ranges.......The Burgundy Room.

Turn around and you have bed, complete with pink heart pillows and what is that in the corner....a jacuzzi!!! Marvellous.

The furnishings add to the ambiance.

And there is the Pink Lady again!!!!

And to cap it all off, Queen on a huge screen. Gin and Tonic anyone?

Mount Dandenong.

2011-06-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

On the way to the coast again, via the Mount.

On with the long lens and a bit of post shoot digital messing about, Melbourne was in the distance after all.
Not pollution just a bit misty and a long way off. Still looks likes somewhere in a Sci Fi movie.

The views are marvellous. All across the flat lands between the hills and the sea.

Kathy and Peters place.

2011-06-10T17:33:00.000-07:00

We have stayed the week at Peter and Kathy's place and this night was a wedding anniversary celebration. P & K's 27th year to our nearly 3 years.

Complete with cake. You have to have a cake.

Ballarat

2011-06-07T23:27:00.000-07:00

Britania is still here, it would appear.

Together with Bolton Town Hall, opps sorry, Ballarat Town Hall complete with our Victoria watching everything that goes on in her old estates. So that makes Penang, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and and......

Australian road safety has a campaign to encourage drivers to take a power nap if drowsy. Perhaps they should advise you to park first!!!!!

And than it snowed. Real snow. The outside temp dropped to 1deg C.

But 5 mins later the temp was up to 2 deg with the clouds racing out of the way of the blue skies.

Ballarat - Austrailian Ex-prisoner of War Memorial

2011-06-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

This is a National Memorial site for Australians who died as POW since the boar War.

This wall of names is almost entirely of those who died in the Second World War. Over 35,000. A reversal of what you see on the memorials to the men who died in combat in these wars.

Ballarat Botanics Sculptures

2011-06-07T23:07:00.000-07:00

The British Lion,

and Brave Heart in the same space.

with the classic Flight from Pompeii,

Ruth,

Susannah.

Ballarat - Botanic Garden

2011-06-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

A garden graced by love Victorian inspired structures.

Including this very welcome tea rooms. Was a cool rainy, sleety, haily day. Nice coffee and carrot cake here can be had.

A very early church still in place. 1887.

The summer house shelters a collection of classical sculpture.

With a very red, autumnal tree.

Heilde Museum of Modern Art.

2011-06-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

On the outskirts of Melbourne, the Museum has a sculpture park and indoor galleries.

All done with mirrors.

A cool day still does not deter the picnickers.

Gek loved these sculptures.

Melbourne - Victoria Market.

2011-06-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

We parked outside this Whitworth enterprise.

The market is large. Apart from the usual market stalls, fruit and veg, clothes etc, there is a great deli section. We picked up some olives, Kangaroo Island honey and Cuban coffee to keep our stocks up.

Melbourne - Arcades.

2011-06-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

Victorian Arcades.

and more modern derivatives and a feature of Melbourne City centre. Ok for shops too.

Great places to dive into on a coldish autumn day.

Beautiful domes,

and quirky feature clocks.

This lady in pink cashmere keeps popping up in the photos.

Melbourne - Views from the river.

2011-06-07T20:27:00.000-07:00

Those autumn colours again. The NGV is beside the river, with bars and cafes. And a blackened stone wall that could have been Manchester's Victorian railway arches.

Turn around and you see the Eureka tower. You can have a queasy moment at the top if so wish. We did not so wish. Perhaps I should have cropped the trees out of the picture. But then they are balanced by their reflection in the blue glass. Cripes!!! Must be the effect of the gallery!!!!

Melbourne - NGV inside.

2011-06-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well, call me weird, but found the building more artful that the art it contained.

Utility places like these escalators were so visually interesting.

Even the corridor to the loos!!!!

I love the place. Sorry, Mr. and Ms. artists. You have been upstaged by an architect!!!

Melbourne - NGV outside

2011-06-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

Coming out of Flinders railway station, across the road is the National Gallery of Victoria for Australian art. A street performance was in full swing this day.

A very interesting building, the branch at Federation Square which houses Australian artist's work of all types.

At fist I thought.....Hummmmm. But then we went inside.

Towards Melbourne

2011-05-30T22:39:00.000-07:00

Unlike the road up to Apollo Bay where the road is along the cliff tops, the road after Apollo bay is some ways down the cliff.

Added much to gek's driving pleasure!!!!

The wind was strong and off shore and with quite heavy breaking waves created the effect of white horses manes blowing out behind them. Remind you of anything?

An extraordinary effect.

This coast is and was very dangerous to shipping. To reduce the number of wrecks, lighthouses became a feature of this coast line.

We were really fotunate with the weather again. 19 deg C and a cloudless sky. Blue was the colour of the day.

But there is an end to the Great Ocean Road. This was our end. Portarlington.

and in the last rays of the sun.

there is Melbourne. Some where over there is a bed with our name on it!!!

Apollo Bay

2011-05-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

We stayed over in Apollo Bay for three nights. Gek took advantage of the excellent accomodation to paint.

But we did get out and about. This is the way we left Apollo, heading towards Melbourne.

Very quiet at this time of year.

Twelve Apostles.

2011-05-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

These famous structures are subject to a Southern Ocean wave every 14 seconds. Not surprisingly, there are casualties. The pile of rocks in the foreground was once a pillar similar to the others.

To the West

To the East

And the waves keep coming.

Very beautiful they are too.

Towards the twelve Apostles

2011-05-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

On the road along the Great Ocean Road.

Along this section of coast line are some extraordinary looking weathered rocks sticking out of the sea.

London Bridge The waves coming through the arch created strange wave patterns.

Waarnambool - Day 2

2011-05-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

The first of many waves.

And surfers, no doubt. Look behind you.

Granny’s view from Granny’s grave. Granny died in 1848, being the first European woman to do so in Warrnambool. She was moved here in 1904.

Warrnambool - Day 1

2011-05-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

A three night stop in Warrnambool.

War memorials are as evident here as in the UK. A sign of shared traumas.

Having a Mr. Bean moment in the Warrnambool Library having found a free WIFI connection to the internet. Not cheap here you know, Web access.

To Warrnambool

2011-05-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

Caught a rainbow.

Dropped into Portland

And Port Fairy.

Route 1 here we come.

2011-05-30T18:49:00.000-07:00

We did start this road trip in Adelaide and we did sort of take Route 1to our first stop at Mount Barker in the Adelaide hills, but now we were feeling we were really on our way around Australia.

A little weather ahead.

Our over-nighter was at Robe. An Obelisk to guide sailors,

and these strange hollows in the cliff top lime stone. Need to find out how they were formed.

Victor Harbour.

2011-05-30T06:01:00.000-07:00

As we were soon the discover, Autumn along South Australia coast is decidedly the out of season time. Most places we have visited are very, very quiet. So we decided to walk across the causeway to Granite Island, on the off chance we might see the penguins. A bit chilly.

Could have taken the tram but felt for them poor horses. Not unlike a Blackpool tram without an engine.

And the first of many, many wavescapes,

Before training it back to Goolwa.

Goolwa

2011-05-30T05:55:00.000-07:00

Pinch a picture of the river mouth.

Goolwa is at the mouth of the Murray river, the river that has caused so much flooding hundreds of miles to the north of here in this year (2011). Where the river water flows into the sea is unexpectedly very narrow. The mouth has had to be dredged continuously for the past 4 years, just to keep the passage open for local boats to pass between the river and the sea.

Pinch a picture of the river mouth.

This more what it should look like but it is much fuller now. Sorry no photo.

Goolwa the starting point of the Victor Harbour train. Not that I am that interested in trains! Oh, really?

Waiting for the depart whistle in beautifully refurbished cars. Looking so chilled.

Our Hills home from home.

2011-05-30T05:51:00.000-07:00

Our terrace view,

Where Gek first got out her paints and brushes.

But more on the paintings later.

Always with the watchful by Harry. The ever hopeful Harry. Why won’t you throw my ball?

Pam and Dave, our hosts and now friends, invited us to dinner on our last night at Rainbow End. If we manage our intended circumdrive of this big island, we will be back to see them in 2014! They made our stay in the Hills totally brilliant.

Adelaide hills - Botanic Garden

2011-05-29T04:24:00.000-07:00

Our visit to the Hills was timed to coincide with the Autumn. We wanted to catch the colours.

And weren’t disappointed.

The Botanic Gardens are on the slopes of Mount Lofty on the side away from Adelaide. Not really formal in the style of the Singapore’s Botanic Gardens, giving these gardens a much more ‘natural’ feel to them.

Don’t think holly indigenous to Australia , but clearly thrives here.