Seasons past

Whilst appreciating that we should aim to be content and enjoy each day as it comes, with the recent solidly hot temperatures here in Adelaide (and more on the way), I can't help longing for the beauty (and freshness!!) of Autumn.

This shot was taken in the picturesque town of Stirling in the Adelaide Hills, which always has spectacular displays of nature's beauty in that season.

For images revealing worldwide beauty, visit http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Underneath the Arches . .

Beneath the Morphett Street bridge, spanning the River Torrens in Adelaide

For other reflective pictures from around the world, visit James'

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

This is my contribution to Skywatch Friday.  Go to http://skyley.blogspot.com/ to view other sky shots from around the world.

Captivating Cornwall

 

Further to my previous posting - This was the accommodation we happily stayed in at Lostwithiel . . .

 . . . and some of the fabulous countryside we rambled through. . .

.... some background on Lostwithiel

  

The site of our accommodation also housed the local Golf & Country Club with a Pro Shop. A lovely large atrium off the dining area enabled one to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast while watching the more energetic either play golf or tennis!

Delicious food, very comfortable and cosy accommodation, welcoming hosts and picturesque surroundings - what more could one ask?  All in all a memorable stay!

Oh . . to be in England . . !

These images were taken in the region of a charming town in Cornwall, UK, going by the name of Lostwithiel.  In the course of looking rather distractingly for accommodation (having preferred the "adventure" of a spontaneous find, rather than the usual pre-booking), we "happened" upon this captivating site and ended up staying 5 days!  We were not disappointed in any respect.

Australian wildlife

Last year a friend visiting from the UK was thrilled to be able to get so close to some of our kangaroos, when we took him to Gorge Wildlife Park in the Adelaide hills.



And here a female 'roo is reaching for some food, revealing the cute joey in her pouch.



... and of course, here's another Australian "icon" - the much loved Koala Bear



while our rather elegant Pelican is on the lookout for food



. . . perhaps as these Crocodiles are !!
(don't be fooled by that "friendly" grin they're displaying!)

These are my contributions to

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

Green 'n' Gold Reflections

During another meander through the delightful Adelaide Hills recently, we stopped at the ever popular Pomegranate Cafe in Birdwood for a delicious light lunch.  The outdoor seating beneath umbrellas beckoned, but we opted for a table on the verandah. Inside, a couple of rooms catered for those seeking more substantial shelter, and the quaint fireplace and gorgeous mirror in the front room got my vote!  This eatery is well worth a visit if you're in the area.

The greens have it

The shape and colour of these leaves captured my attention at the weekend - even in the harshness of a mid-day sun they still held appeal.






.... and here is one of many vineyards in the Adelaide Hills region, looking healthy and growing towards "a good drop".

The sound of music . . .

Came across this cute little cherub during my photographic wanderings yesterday. In my imagination I sat a while in the cooling shade and listened to the angelic notes floating on the air, accompanied by the gentle trickling of water from the adjacent waterfall .... The cares of this world seemed far away.

On a lazy afternoon . . . .

Taken in late September on the banks of Adelaide's River Torrens, where locals and visitors were enjoying using the paddle boats, watching the ducks and black swans, gently cycling along the paths, appreciating an ice-cream or a cappucino and others simply lounging around on the grassy banks relaxing.

Visit James' http://www.weekendreflection.blogspot.com/ to view other reflections from around the world.

Keep hanging on . . .

This day seemed reluctant to depart, as did the fishermen on the end of the jetty at Normanville on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula.

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

Closer to home . . .

 ..... after our foray into North Cornwall, UK, now for something a little closer to home . . . .  This is the interior of a financial institution in Melbourne (in Collins Street if memory serves me correctly). Apologies to the history buffs among us - I didn't stop to find out the background information on this extraordinary structure;  perhaps one of our keen Melbournites would be kind enough to oblige?

Port Isaac.... continued

This is an example of the steep access laneway that I referred to in yesterday's posting.  As one drove through the village itself, in parts the wing mirrors of the car (and we had a standard 4-door sedan) were only inches away from the building walls!

Sadly, the tide was out at the time of our visit - it would have been much more picturesque at high tide. However, as you can see, cars (ours included) were parked on the sand in the harbour, and we were able to venture out onto the harbour walls and take in views of the village from that perspective.

The "little" house at bottom left of this scene is the one used as Doc Martin's surgery.  Up close it seems a fair sized building in its own right, but here it seems dwarfed by the adjacent homes!







This young lad informed us he was packing live lobsters for export to Spain.  There were many pots, each crammed full with this delectable seafood, so it seems his job had just begun!




Below is the view from the surgery area looking towards the harbour wall I stood on to take the 2nd photo above.
 

 .... and here is the school where Louisa (Doc Martin's "love interest") teaches.

..  finally, towards the top of the hill behind the school and church.

Port Isaac

Port Isaac is a small and picturesque fishing village on the Atlantic Coast of North Cornwall, United Kingdom and is also the setting for a popular English TV series "Doc Martin" starring Martin Clunes. (The village name is referred to in the show as "Port Wenn") The narrowness of the steep lane leading down to the harbour, especially during busy times, ensures drivers are extremely alert. A careful watch on the tide is also essential when parking on the sand!  Our visit here was another highlight, the only disappointment being that we'd missed seeing filming of the next series by one day!

For views from other parts of the world, visit http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/

I wonder . . . .

...... And then I began to wonder what the jetty would look like in B&W...

Beachside

Once again I have returned to a lovely outing on the last day of 2011 where the night lights on the Henley jetty still glow as the sun gently heralds a new day. The middle bottom shot surprised me as the glow of sunrise in the sky reflected on the water.

At bottom left, potential evidence of "the early fisherman catches......"?!

The water was so clear we could see fish and crabs on the ocean floor below.

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

A local park

Out on a photo-shoot in a local park one rather drizzly morning, the beautiful lush green foliage and many nasturium plants contrasted with the grey sky and this reflected tree. Happy weekend!

For other reflective images from around the world, visit http://www.weekendreflection.blogspot.com/

Australia !

On a friend's property just prior to Christmas, this scene just screamed out "Australia" to me. With the windmill, concrete rainwater tank and watering trough and, of course, all those wonderful gum trees - all that's missing are the sheep and cows - they were in the paddock behind me!

This is my contribution to Skywatch Friday. Have a great weekend.

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

Such history!

Following are some images taken in one of many churches visited during my 6-week return to the UK in 2009. This particular church was Anglican and located in Kent, south England.  Above the archway leading to the altar is a dome-shaped inscription which is enlarged below.

Although appearing dim here, I am hopeful

that, when clicked on an enlarged, you will be able to reasonably clearly make out the wording as appeared in the original photo.

This artwork was created in 1688 and spells out the Ten Commandments.

On the left is a gravestone in the floor of the church. I was captivated by the language of those days.  (You will find it easier to understand if you substitute an "s" where you see what appears to be an "f").

.... and on the right are two Celtic headstones in the graveyard outside.

Morning has broken . . .

Another shot from the Henley Jetty taken on the last day of 2011.
The morning was delightfully fresh without being chilly at 5:30am, but once the sun
made it's presence felt, the temperature quickly rose into the 30's (C).

This is my contribution to http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/