Tag Archives: photography

London

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Our British adventure began with a few days in London. Neither of us had been for many years and we couldn’t resist seeing the postcard sights. The best view had to be from the London Eye.

1.London Eye

Opened in the year 2000, it is Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel at 135 metres. One revolution takes about 30 minutes, travelling at a rate of 0.9km/hr. This allows enough time to get on and off without stopping and do a quick sweep for explosives in between.

2.The Eye

The 32 pods each hold 25 people. I’m pleased to say we only had 8 in ours.

3.The Eye

Before long, the iconic landmarks came into view. St. Paul’s Cathedral and Waterloo Bridge.

Charing Cross Station with Embankment Place shopping complex above and Hungerford Bridge, often called Charing Cross Bridge.

A little higher

8.The Eye

and we could see across the 23 hectare St. James’s Park

9.St James's Park

to Buckingham Palace.

10.Palace

From the top

11.The Eye

it was a long way down

12.The Eye

and we were awed by the dimensions of the Palace of Westminster, otherwise known as the Houses of Parliament.

13.Parliament

As we descended, we had a close look at the intricate architecture of County Hall and a glimpse along the Thames to Westminster and Lambeth Bridges.

After lunch and a beer on Southbank we embarked on a Thames River Cruise. On the way we had a different view of County Hall and a closer look at Big Ben.

The Houses of Parliament were just as impressive from the water.

19.Houses of Parliament

The Tate Modern was not an attractive building, it looked like the power station it used to be.

20.Tate Modern

Hay’s Wharf was a trading wharf from the middle ages until 1969. The Wharf and Galleria now house offices, restaurants, shops and flats.

The glass facade of City Hall contrasts sharply with HMS Belfast, moored nearby and now owned by the Imperial War Museum.

Tower Bridge blends with the hue of the river and sky.

25.Tower Bridge

The Tower of London stands proud

27.tower

despite competition from The Gherkin.

28.Tower & Gherkin

The 40 storey commercial skyscraper in the financial district has dominated the skyline since 2004.

29.Gherkin

We walked the scenic route back to our hotel, past the Horse Guards Parade,

up The Mall, through Admiralty Arch

32.Admiralty Arch

to Trafalgar Square. Nelson oversees the hustle & bustle from his Column, keeping watch on The National Gallery.

Piccadilly Circus concluded our sightseeing.

35.Piccadilly Circus

I think we did well for one day!

Hartzview Vineyard

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When my sister was here on holiday, we ventured on a girl’s road trip to Strahan and Hobart. Having sampled the produce of Hartzview Vineyard at Salamanca Market, we realised an expedition further south was in order. The complimentary lunchtime dessert voucher was added incentive. On a gorgeous overcast, drizzly day and after a few diversions along the way, we arrived at Hartzview in time for lunch.

1.Hartview

Hartz peak was shrouded in mist.

2.vineyard

The shop was filled with tempting produce, some of which came home with us.

The views through the stained glass windows of the tasting room were lush and peaceful.

There was no need to reserve a table

9.dining room

and the meals were superb.

Did I mention the free dessert?

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After lunch, we explored the Heritage listed fruit pickers’ huts.

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The seven restored huts, dating from 1934 and 1943, were used by seasonal fruit pickers who came to pick berries from December to March.

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Whole families would live in a hut, sleeping up to eight people.

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During the Second World War, Italian prisoners of war worked as fruit pickers and farmhands and were housed in these huts.25.hut324.hut2-4

This unexpected journey into the past, coupled with a wonderful lunch in a beautiful location, made for a very memorable day.

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wonder wall

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Last month, we completed a project that we had been working on for a few weeks. There was an area along the driveway where the land dropped away to the paddock and the driveway was being undermined.

We looked at all sorts of retaining wall solutions and decided used tyres were the way to go. The fellas at the local tyre service were happy to help and put aside any tyres of a specific size for us. Each week, we would collect them

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place them in position

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fill them with soil (we had a truckload of clean fill delivered) and stomp the soil to pack it down.

Of course, Poppy was on hand to help.

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The dead tree close by was removed in case it came down on the new fence line. It will be next years firewood.

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The posts for the new fence were positioned

and stabilised as we went.

The grasses didn’t take long to start growing in the new soil.

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Finally, we were up to the top row

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and more soil levelled the tyres with the driveway.

Once we get some rain, we will add grass seed to the top level and the wall will be complete.

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Now for that fence…………

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A big thank you to the guys at Tyreright. If you need new tyres or are thinking of building a wall, you’ll find them here https://www.tyreright.com.au/stores/burnie

Caddo Lake

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While staying with Michael’s brother and sister-in-law in Texas, we were taken to Caddo Lake, the largest freshwater lake in southern U.S.A. Half in Texas and half in Louisiana, the 26,800 acre lake was once home to the Caddo Indians. The land was bought by the Government in 1835 and within a year all were moved out.

There are a number of theories as to how the town of Uncertain, on the shore of Caddo Lake, got its name. We lunched at Uncertain General Store & Grill, their specialty being catfish, along with other tasty offerings.

1b.Uncertain

I chose the safety of a bowl of fries but Michael had no trouble tucking into a mug of refried beans.

1c.Uncertain

After lunch, we boarded the Graceful Ghost, a replica 1800s steamboat, for a leisurely paddle around the lake.

1.Caddo Lake1a.Graceful Ghost

The wood-burning paddlewheel steamboat hypnotised us with rhythmic harmonies as we skimmed along Big Cypress Bayou.

2.Caddo Lake3.Caddo Lake5.Caddo Lake6.Caddo Lake

The majestic cypress trees, draped in Spanish moss, were surreal and eerie.

4.Caddo Lake7.Caddo Lake

The egrets were magnificent

8.egret

and the occasional beaver nest broke the surface.

9.beaver nest

This hitchhiker was enjoying the sunshine.

12.Caddo Lake

The Tea Rooms could do with some renovation

13.Caddo Lake14.Caddo Lake

and if you don’t want to dine there, you can always catch your own.

15.Caddo Lake

Our Caddo Lake experience was enchanting

10.Caddo Lake11.Caddo Lake16.Caddo Lake

and the tempo of the Graceful Ghost inspired Michael to create a musical composition.

17.Caddo Lake

This is where you can listen to “The Graceful Ghost” https://michaelcannon.bandcamp.com/track/the-graceful-ghost

sizzling Summer

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After the warmest, driest Spring on record, we are having a Summer to match. The dry, crisp grass is the colour of freshly baked shortbread and the trees are shedding their leaves, bark & limbs in order to survive. A few stalwarts are putting on a brave show. The grevilleas and callistemons don’t let the seasons affect them.

1.grevillea13.grevillea32.grevillea24.callistemon2

The miniature gladioli are elegant

and the canna lilies are a brilliant shade of orange.

The strelitzia was a surprise guest last year and has appeared again in some unusual places.

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The fuchsias seem to enjoy a hard pruning in Winter, rewarding with their diverse blooms.

The hydrangeas are a gorgeous deep blue this season.

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The burgundy willow myrtle is stunning with its cascading white flowers contrasting against the dark foliage.

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The succulents are thriving in our desert conditions

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and the redcurrants love the sunshine.

23.redcurrant

We only have one rose in the garden and it has to be protected in the veggie patch so the possums & wallabies don’t make a meal of it. “Mothers Love” is a pale shell pink rose with the most wonderful perfume, a perfect tribute to mum.

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