Graffiti Blues

Graffiti in Dublin lacks the charm and energy of that found in Melbourne, I think.

This is a welcome exception.

There Are Warm Places Elsewhere

February is beginning to wear a bit thin here.

Today working with Iphoto opened up more subtle colour possibilities and offered a welcome reminder of a world where burning fossil fuels to keep warm is not necessary.

The Pleasure of Geometry

Well planned cities and towns are a joy to photograph.

Melbourne is exceptional, to my eye at least.

Marvelous Melbourne

Melbourne is a surprising city.

While it is certainly very Australian in its flora and everyday culture, visually it seems that a fragment of Europe had somehow fallen into place on the other side of the World.

The cast iron decorations on so many houses were brought over as ballast for the many ships that traded back and forth and the influence of a large Italian population ensures that there are many houses that have pleasing proportions and classical interior details.

The architectural ugliness and clashing colours that causes the visitor to Europe to jump with alarm is not a feature of the Australian cities I have seen so far.

There is much to be learned...

Melbourne in Faux Vintage

Wandering in the Past

There is a lot to do in a house.

This week will see a new broom blasting through the rooms here, waxed cloths weilded with energy and a vastness of suds applied to duvets and mats.

Little time, therefore, to take new photos.
The past will have to do...

The Weather is Frightening...

Memories of being out of doors, reading in the calm shade of the betulas in the garden are receding beyond recall.

It rains in Australia as well, but mostly the climate is warm most of the year and when it does rain, the mists create a mysterious haze that cheer the heart.

Cloudy Memories

Driving round Melbourne is always exciting.

The sunshine brings colour to the most banal objects.

Cranbourne

Cranbourne Gardens are a must for any garden lover.

. There are thousands of native species planted and although I have never yet seen a Southern Brown Bandicoot, I live in hope.

Graffiti

Although I kept intending to get to Hosier Lane in the centre of Melbourne, somehow we got caught up in so many activities, there was not even time to cross the road quickly from the National Gallery of Victoria and see how the urban artists were getting on.

However, while being driven from pillar to post, an interesting collage of this year's graffiti could be compiled... in time.

People seem to be divided into two camps when it comes to decorating public wall spaces. Some see it as vandalism, others as an opportunity to add decoration to dull spaces.

This was taken in 2010 and is well designed.

Why Can't We Have Skyscrapers in Ireland?

I miss the Melbourne skyline.

Any attempt to reach for the stars in Dublin has been subject to planning limits.

Why?

The Blindness of Strangers...

The people who threw us out of our lodgings last week have done us a favour.

It was explained, in strident tones and with a note under the door, reminiscent of a Thomas Hardy novel.. that we were not to their purpose... not the sort of tenant they were used to and that they could do so very much better.

It was announced, very grandly, that since it was night-time and dark, we would be allowed to stay the night. Packing took a matter of minutes... the fridge was given a quick clean over, and off we went, post haste as in a Georgette Heyer romp, to stay with people who like us better.

Suddenly all the possibilities of being footloose and fancy free dawned.
A few days looking at art in the NGV, a lazy visit to the Melbourne Food Fair, a trip to "Kill City", "Ted's Cameras" and "Polyester Records" (so hip and cutting edge that the music rocking the shop was full of effing and blinding) and we were ready for a trip to the Alpine Shire around Bright.

At least we had been, up to the kerfuffle, comfortable and well housed, unlike some of the students we have met who are packed like sardines into cramped rooms. I count my blessings and continue to remember how good business practice is based on Goodwill, an asset that cannot be bought.

There is a Feydeau farce running on TV.
It could be a metaphor for the silliness of the past few days...

Landslides are not my cup of tea...

Back in action, re-invigorated after a trip to the Grampians where the people are still reeling from the damage done by floods six weeks ago. What a mess... Anybody who loves dramatic scenery will love the Grampians. But news that many roads through the National Parks are blocked left me alarmed rather than seeking large fallen boulders to photograph. "The Wild" is a place to be avoided in my case, and I had quite enough contact with the natural world while watching plagues of locusts doing their drop fall dance through the air.

It goes out on the news daily... the people of Victoria feel abandoned and although there are work camps set up to re-establish fences swept away in the torrent, the extreme disasters in Queensland have taken most attention.
I also have to admit that, from now on I shall examine any insurance policy I buy with extreme care. Many people right across Australia who thought they were insured against most problems now find that flooding is an ambiguous term. When is water water? Acts of god now come in so many nuanced forms that one might wonder at the deviency of a deity who has nothing better to do of a day than send tiger snakes swimming up through the plumbing into house interiors.

I suggested to one new acquaintance that they ask more questions about entitlements in extreme circumstances. Many years ago, aware of EU law and having worked for medical cover, my health board tried to give me the bum's rush and make life very awkward indeed. After months of negotiation and producing every bit of paper they required, the answer came back:
"You are entitled because we cannot prove that you are unentitled."
Bureaucracy is a river to be navigated. Here's to plain sailing for those who are still in shock after the frightening events of recent days...

Continuing to Bear Up

There has been an outbreak of whooping cough among adults in Melbourne.
While my personalised cold is probably no more than that horror's nasty little brother, I have just been reminded about the importance of innoculation, when innoculation is possible.

I happily announced last Autumn that I never get colds. After the second bout within two months, I wonder if a 'flu innoculation might not be wise in future. However, since there is no protection against the common cold, it might just be another case of belt and braces, where neither is efficient.
This hum-dinger, apart from saving my liver from any possible alcohol damage (I could not drink wine if I were paid) has sent my co-ordination into a state of confusion. A nice piece about a restaurant I happily visited a few nights ago, Thanh Ha in Victoria Street, got mangled and deleted, unsaved.
Here's to better luck next week.

Things Are Looking Up

We're Back in Sunny Melbourne...

... after a relaxing flight with a two night stop in Singapore.

We finally got to visit Sentosa Island on Chinese New Year and it seems that most of the population of South-East Asia had the same idea... to go to the beach. There were picnic parties in every corner and it was an ideal setting for portraiture. More photos to come, but in the meantime some images of this beautiful place can be found in the title bar.

Street Photography

Melbourne comes even more to life during Chinese New Year.

Everybody eats out and follows the lively processions of drummers and musicians who fill the city centre.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a kaleidoscope.