Our world - London, UK

These scenes were captured in London, England during a previously mentioned fabulous 6-week return visit to the country of my birth.  Clockwise they are:  the pretty way London City Council pretties up it's signage impressed me.  Then there is the Tower Bridge; below that a view from the Thames Embankment across to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (partially obscured). Finally this different perspective of Big Ben was taken from our river boat.

For more pics from around the world, please do visit http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Weekend reflections - Adelaide

Looking over the River Torrens towards the Adelaide Festival Centre and the CBD

Remember to visit http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/ for other reflective shots.

Skywatch Friday - Peekaboo !

This was taken outside my home one evening in mid-December last year. (Oh, how a telephoto lens would have been handy, to better show the moon sneaking into the viewfinder!)  Still, guess I should be grateful to be able to see it with the naked eye.

For other sky scenes from around the world, do visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/

South Australia - the Barossa Valley

  A few months ago, together with several friends, I visited another mutual friend's property in the Barossa Valley, about an hour's drive north of Adelaide city. This is the view across surrounding land.   

 

And this is Lucy, ever-alert for wayward sheep

Here the sheep - mostly lambs - were looking for an afternoon treat

Free ranging chickens.   "Mmm . . . is that a worm I see down there? "!

It was a delightful, relaxed afternoon spent in the company of good people, discussing a wide range of topics over a delicious lunch, and soaking up the glorious environment. (No, I don't mean the wines - on this occasion!)

Our world Tuesday - Adelaide Hills

These shots were taken back in April of this year (with a Canon iXus 60) and the locations were the Paracombe region (vineyard shots ) and approaches to Birdwood, in the Adelaide Hills.

The shot in the bottom left-hand corner - at first glance - made me think there was a fire raging on the property, but it turned out to be the magnificent "fiery" foliage of the trees (thankfully!).

To see other views from around the world, visit http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Scenic Sunday - Melbourne

Viewing the streets and buildings of Melbourne's CBD - from another era - and oblivious to the hustle and bustle of today's traffic and trams.

  Don't forget to check out other Scenic Sunday captures at http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend Reflections - Melbourne

This is the interior of a rather grand hotel in the CBD of Melbourne - this design somewhat took my breath away!

Don't forget to check out more reflective captures at James' http://www.weekendreflection.blogspot.com/

Skywatch - River Murray

This capture of the River Murray was taken by my late Father, who

was the inspiration for my love of photography.  He was a remarkable man who

turned our bathroom (back in the '50s) into a dark room for the developing & printing of film

and he even converted a barrel vacuum cleaner into a photo enlarger!

Visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to see other skies from around the world.

Seascapes

In earlier postings I referred to the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia as being my favourite "neck of the woods" in this State.  Those postings were mainly of Normanville and Carrickalinga which are both situated on the northern side of the Peninsula.

The following shots were taken on the southern side, on Granite Island, which is adjacent to the popular seaside town of Victor Harbor and accessed by walking or riding on the horse-drawn tram across the long bridge.

I particularly enjoy watching and hearing the crashing of waves upon the rocks, regardless of the weather

... and here a Spur-Wing Plover surveys it's surroundings

... just far enough back not to get the lens splashed !

Our world Tuesday - Victoria

This is more of the picturesque State of Victoria in Australia. This particular shot was taken in the wine-growing region of the Yarra Valley - and yes, we did sample the results of the winemaker's efforts; exceptional !

For more scenes from around the world, visit ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com

A pleasant surprise in "the garden"!

While I genuinely appreciate flowers, I'm no gardener, so imagine

my surprise and delight when I discovered this beautiful Iris in

my back yard a few days ago!  (I'd been given several plants last year

when a friend moved house, so I planted them against the fence, behind the tall palm trees and pink Diosma in my small rear garden area and pretty much forgot about them - how forgiving is nature of such neglect!)

Scenic Sunday - Red Hot Pokers

Don't know the botanical name for this plant, but it is

popularly known as "Red Hot Pokers" for obvious reasons!

This was taken on the hillside of the northern Adelaide foothills, about

15 minutes away from my home on an unusually warm Winter's day.

Click here to view other scenic shots from around the world

http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

Weekend reflections : Federation Square

One aspect of Federation Square in Melbourne, Victoria

Go to http://www.weekendreflection.blogspot.com/ 

for more reflective photos from around the world

What images stir your heart ? .....

After an absence of almost 40 years, it was a dream come true to be able

to revisit in 2009 the country of my birth.  (While I am very grateful to now be an

Australian citizen, there still lingers this strong sense of "belonging" in England.)

The shot above was taken within the grounds of Dover Castle.

On our arrival in England, we stayed with friends in Kent and were

treated to wonderful long walks along pathways such as this, on high land

overlooking glorious green fields.

.... and in Canterbury (while being rowed by an athletic Uni student earning

some holiday cash), this delightful family captured our attention.

Colourful displays in Singapore

 Following a workshop in Singapore in March of last year, before flying home

to Adelaide, I took some "time out" by visiting the extraordinary Jurong Bird Park.

These are a few of the snaps taken there before I retreated to the airconditioned airport -

I was concerned about my camera "cooking" in the heat & humidity!

These birds amazed me - it was as though they'd been spray painted this rich colour!

And this pair amused me - it was as though each bird was looking

at it's own reflection in a mirror.

Beneath the canopy

.... and this is beneath, where you can see the tree trunks and all

the tuberous roots heading skyward.

Over the top .... (of the Mangroves)

Sshh . . . we're bird watching !

There were 3 or 4 of these "hideouts" along the boarded walk which was just above sea level. 

In case you didn't know, Mangroves are uniquely adapted trees and larger shrubs that inhabit the tidal sea edge and I have just learned that Australia has the third largest area of mangroves in the world after Indonesia and Brazil.

A window to the world .... well, part of it anyway!

This was the view from inside a viewing hut on part of the

Mangrove Walking Trail at St Kilda in South Australia.

From this hut one can observe the various birds that inhabit this area -

I believe there are several hundred species in total, and we were blessed to see

a beautiful Blue Wren hopping amongst the mangrove roots.

Beautiful Victoria (the Australian State, that is..!)

This is just a "snatch" of gorgeous East Gippsland in the

Australian State of Victoria

Scenic Sunday - Versailles

These shots were taken at the remarkable Palace of Versailles in France.

The central picture does not capture the entire palace -

I couldn't get back far enough to get it all in!!

The grounds, gardens, lake, ponds, fountains and statues were amazing

and the interior of the palace was an awesome experience.

If you're blessed to visit France on any future travels, I suggest you ensure

this is on your itinerary.

For other scenic photos from around the world, do visit http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

A picnic and a mystery . . . .unsolved?

These shots were taken at the site of the famous film

"Picnic at Hanging Rock", in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria.

The film, directed by Australian Peter Weir, tells the story of several schoolgirls

who went missing in this area during a picnic in 1900.  At the time, it was suggested

that this was a true story, but there have subsequently been reports that this is not the case.

Whatever the case, the scenery was great and the story

made for a eerie climb up the rock!

Weekend Reflections - Waves, sea, sun & sky

This was taken at Normanville on the Fleurieu Peninsula

(I hope you'll forgive my return photographic visits to this area -

it is just such a relaxing region and offers wonderful opportunities for the

constantly changing and beautiful sunsets and cloud formations)

Don't forget to check out http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com/ for more reflective photos

Wines, vines and geese !

 

These pictures were taken at another favourite Fleurieu Peninsula town - McLaren Vale,

an internationally recognised wine growing region

(and a "MUST visit" when you come to South Australia!).

The geese were quite tame and didn't budge as I walked up closer to take pictures.

Skywatch Friday - The promise ...

This rainbow was "captured" in the area of Port Elliot

in Encounter Bay on the southern shores of South Australia

If you liked this shot, visit http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to

view some awesome sky scenes from photography enthusiasts around the world

Memories of England

This is the River Stour and surroundings, in Canterbury, Kent, England - snaps taken during a 6-week

return visit in 2009 with close friends to the country of our birth .

Our World Tuesday - Carrickalinga, South Australia

These shots are of my very favourite part of South Australia -

the Fleurieu Peninsula, specifically Carrickalinga.

The water is crystal clear, and the white sand wonderful beneath one's feet as the beach stretches for miles - a great place to contemplate God's creation, His provision and His unconditional love.

For more shots of places beyond your shores, visit http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Carrick Hill - update

At my post in Weekend Reflections, I refer to Carrick Hill and that more information would be coming.

  (That post was taken from the bottom right hand corner of this picture)

You can read about this wonderful building at http://www.carrickhill.sa.gov.au/history.html

The images in the top left and bottom right are of a Pleached Pear Arbor

(which I'd not heard of before) - see below for an explanation of this term.

Sorry, you'll need to click on this image to enlarge it (my blogging skills aren't yet sufficiently developed to use a better method !) - but it is worth reading.

A mildly rugged coastline

This shot was taken in my absolute favourite Australian State of Victoria, from Queenscliff

at the base of the Bellarine Peninsula. A car and passenger ferry service runs between Queenscliff and Sorrento (at the base of the Mornington Peninsula) every hour on the hour, 7am to 6pm, all weather, 7 days a week - the trip takes approximately 40 minutes and is a fun inclusion for any trip to Victoria/Melbourne.

For more shots from around the world, visit http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com/

From the outside looking in....

My intended tour of this building didn't work out, but we were able to

stroll around the gardens of this Adelaide estate, former residence to one of the City's

prominent citizens (more on that later). 

From the outside looking in, this image caught my eye.

Don't miss the spectacular reflective captures of others at

http://www.weekendreflection.blogspot.com/