Painting again

I've recently been doing some work on a painting I started in April/09. Oil 20 x 16 inches. It's from a photo I took of the Franz Joseph Glacier in NZ. I like it so far but don't hold your breath for the finished item :)

My Home

Just thought I should correct a possible misunderstanding. The posting a few days back entitled "Home" actually shows a house across the road from our house. That pic was just to show the lousy weather that greeted me. Anyway here is a photo of our place on College Drive. Yes, this one was taken on a more typical day in the Okanagan.

November Sunrise

Was around this morning as the sun was about to rise and got this photo. Soon it will be photos of snow and stuff :( At the moment still golfing... have to keep moving or freeze to the grass lol. Yes that is Kalamalka Lake in the foreground.

Home

Home again after a great time in Oz..... but look at the weather which greeted me. Not the greatest for sure.

I intend to keep the blog running but not the almost daily that it has been. To all who have been following my travels this time, I hope you enjoyed. I did, especially the comments you made. Thank you.

Koala Park

Had a great time today at the Koala Park, where there are in fact all sorts of Australian animals and birds, mostly being cared for until they can be reintroduced to the wild. Had to take a few photos of course. Also got one of both my grandkids together which I title "My Street Kids".... they were engrossed in watching the building of a brick wall just along the road. The rest of the pics are of a Dingo (Ozzy wild dog)...The feeding of a Kangaroo...The kids petting a Koala. Hope you can sort out which is which.

Last Sydney Stroll?

Went for a another stroll in the city today, may be the last this trip as I leave on Friday... and yes, it's Tuesday here. Spent time in the Museum of Sydney... great information on construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and on the tram service that used to run here. Some cable car and some overhead electrical power system.
Wandered the Royal Botanical Gardens for a bit and got some photos there of course,thought the sign telling me to PLEASE WALK ON THE GRASS was worth showing, then lunch in The Rocks and a ferry ride back to the north shore. I've thrown in a pic of a Manly Ferry... bigger than the local harbour ferries but with a peculiarity. It never has to turn round.... two bows and no stern so it is going forward all the time, sort of like the "pushmepullyou" in Hugh Loftings "Doctor Dolittle". You want to sit at the front end you go to the end facing the ocean when you board. Valuable information for anyone always wants to look where they are going. :)
I thought the view of the Jacaranda tree in the middle of the public area of Circular Quay was worth showing. Sydney makes sure you see blooms wherever you go.

Zoo report :)

Just got back from Taronga Zoo. It's a good zoo as much as any zoo can be good.... and yes we had fun.... went on the sky-ride and all. Took several photos, many no good at all, but some fit to show, especially the one including the baby elephant. OK I'll say it first.... "CUTE"

Thanksgiving

Yesterday afternoon we all went to a Canadian Thanksgiving lunch in Sydney, Australia. It was organised by a group of are, were, or maybe, Canadians who live in the area and wanted to get together for the occasion. Excellent food, enjoyable wine and beer, and the greatest company. Should have had my camera along but didn't. Earlier in the day I took a stroll and just had to take a photo of a Fig tree. Didn't know they came this big but they do. (No camera tricks in this photo). Also showing a pic of a small restaurant at Milsons Point almost under the north end of the Sydney Harbour bridge.
Going to the zoo this afternoon with a 5 yr old. You think we won't have fun ???? Should get a few photos too.

Weekend again

Not the greatest day weatherwise but Saturday was ok I guess. Spotted this Bougainvillea as I wandered along, and then the Poinsetta. Not shrubs we find outside in BC, at least not the Okanagan Valley. Maybe I just haven't been looking.

Return to Syney

Got back to Sydney on the bus last night. Good trip.
Found a few more things in Canberra yesterday before I left, like my favourite spot to sit and rest :) Also stopped in at Floriade (the floral display) again and actually found other than tulips.... but the tulips are really gorgious. I thought the pansy tree was neat too. Several of those around.
Visited the National Museum (interesting)and the Canberra Museum and Gallery..... some interesting stuff there too. Canberra is very spread out and not designed for foot travellers, which I was. And I thought walking the golf course was exercise? (Haha)

Canberra

Got to Canberra yesterday arriving in heavy rain... not a nice welcome... but it cleared.... Wandered as is my thing.
Today, Wednesday, went to the floral display which is running here. Lovely displays
of mainly tulips, but interesting to see other smaller flowers planted between them.... made sort of a backdrop for the tulips. Very effective.
Walked tfrom that venue to the Portrait Gallery.... seemd to be all paintings of people :)... actually lots of good stuff.... and then on to the National Gallery. Wonderful art.. much by Australian artists... would you believe "No photos" :)
And would you also believe that by the time I walked back to the hotel my feet were tired? Good day though.

Manly again

Surprise, surprise, we went to Manly today and it didn't rain the whole trip. Pouring and thunder now we are home. I must have done something right lol.

There is a jazz festival on so hordes of people and some very good music, mostly swing despite the title, but a couple of excellent jazz groups. Got a pic of a Manly street scene....A view from the seafront of part of Manly....The Surf Lifeguard crew, they were busier than they look here.... and lastly one of my favourite part of Manly. go figure :)

This post isn't set out just as I would like it, so you will have to figure for yourself which pic is which. Maybe someone will tell me how to do this in a better way.

Manly

OK Diana, you wanted a pic of Manly so I found one on line. "Cheating?" Well ok but not claiming it's mine either... Likely breaking all the copyright rules too.
Anyway woke this morning to rain.... it's now 8:30pm and yes... it's still raining :) Hopefully tomorrow will be a great day.

Yesterday (Thursday)

OK total confusion but yesterday was Thursday here. Accept it.
Went down to Milson's Point, just below the north end of the harbour bridge, and as usual I wandered. Also took a few photos, of which only one I feel is worth showing. It's my grandaughter Claire aged three, and my title for this pic is "Who Cares?"

Went to Manly

Did another photo trip around The Rocks, an area of Sydney catering to the tourists. This is the part of the city first colonised by the convicts and their keepers, and features some very quaint little allies, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Also a host of small restaurants and cafes.
Took a ferry trip to Manly, a place just out of Sydney, and met up with another WCer,Lindsay, whose user name is LPBaker. We spent a very pleasant afternoon visiting the Manly Art Gallery, and on to a blissfully quiet park area, where the only disturbance was bird song. Also took in the view of the Sydney area from a headland which overlooks the way to the ocean, taken by the Sydney/Hobart yacht race each year. Oh to be up there on race day. It was a great afternoon... thanks Lindsay.
(Note) The pics are in The Rocks, not Manly.

Tuesday

Been here a week already. Time flies when you're having fun :) At least it's warming up a bit.... sunny and hardly any wind today.
Took a couple of photos this morning while roaming North Sydney, one of an interesting looking house, no idea how old, and another of North Sydney Post Office, again age unknown but certainly not modern.
Yes, I remembered to crop them this time.

More wanderings

I went for a walk yesterday to explore Tunks Park. I had seen if from North Bridge way above, so wanted to go down and roam. Got a photo of the bridge from below. Also another of those beautiful boat moorings...Long Bay...with which Sydney abounds. I found that when you go down to something you have to come back up..... a path that climbed a mountain... but it was good exercise and a great morning.
In the afternoon I golfed in a gale with my daughter Sarah.... sorry no photos :)

City Wanderings

Yesterday I wandered the city for a while.... had a beer at the Warriors Return, my favourite Sydney pub....had lunch at a Bavarian restaurant in The Rocks....rode a ferry across to the north shore and walked from there home, so got my exercise :)
A couple of photos I sort of like are of (right)the bustle at Circular Quay... and (left)one showing one of the newer "fast" ferries, really sleek lines and comfortable seating.
Could have cropped those photos for better effect... but they were direct from the camera.... must keep that in mind.

Walk pt 5

My stroll took me around Lavender Bay. A mooring for some very nice smaller craft.
(Note) For anyone who's counting, this computer is one day and several hours out as it's on Vernon time, so all days and dates are one day off....who cares anyway ? :)

walk pt 4

Thought while I was at it I would include a not so usual view of the Sydney Opera House. It's taken from the North Sydney shore of course.

walk pt 3

Looks like she is going to hit the opera house , but just the usual illusion.

walk pt 2

Not just small craft use the harbour. Saw this big one heading under the bridge into the harbor. I mean BIG.

A morning walk

I went for a walk this morning along part of the shore of Sydney harbour. Very peaceful, hardly anyone around. Got some, to me, interesting photos and will try to get photos and text in some sort of relation. May have to do this as seperate posts.
The first is what was at one time the biggest hinge in the world. I supports half of one end of Sydney harbour bridge.

dust

Would you believe it ???? I arrive in Sydney and the city is half shut down with a dust storm. The sky is a pale orange all over. Absolutely devoid of features. And no !!!!... you ain't getting a photo of it lol.

Sydney again

Got here safely on a sunny day. Yes it rained. Must be me. lol Pics to follow.Found one already :)

6 days

Only 6 days and I am off to Oz again Sept. 20, until the middle of October. Watch for what goes on and photos. Anyone figures there is something in or near Sydney that I should see just let me know.

September song.

Less than a month now and off to Sydney again, but looks like the trip to Blue Mountains has run into misfortune. Just hope everyone involved is OK and we can do it all at a later date.
Got some nice sunrise pics yesterday. Here's one of them.

plans

Plans have been made for another visit to Sydney, Australia, in September. Hoping for a week in Blue Mountains and will have the pastels along. More nearer the time.
Summer is here in the Okanagan Valley and golf is taking up my time, I'm happy to say :)

Sunrise II

Another recent pastel which has received some good comments. Soon it will be golf season, and hopefully another Oz visit later in the year.

sunrise

It's been a while since I posted here so as I've been working on a sunrise, a first for me, I might as well show it as it is so far.