Whether the Weather...or will it rain?

Sure we in WA have had such wonderful summer days...before the official beginning of summer I might add. But thank God the weather travels east so they...the chosen few...can look forward to break too.

The rain fall over there has been a blessing for some when you think of the bush fires in northern NSW. However rain has been a normal expectation for so long that I have to say that rainfall is not always bad news.
 How do I know? Because in Crete there were rain fall storms passing over us but leaving us laughing ...running for shelter...and admiring each wet and dripping outfit as the individuals clambered back onto the bus.

Yes rain became a source of entertainment for us. Sure we wanted to see historically valued sites but when the clouds changed to grey... off we ran... looking for cover. About ten of us squeezed into a tiny shed thinking it would only be for a short while. Not likely! After 20mins we were forced out beyond cover to straggle towards the waiting bus. What a laugh it was on us.

But as you can see I managed to photograph the amazing landscape.

 Click on the photos to enlarge! You won't regret it!

A Venetian Affair!

Well one could almost think so having been there 3 times now.

But it wasn't until I had read "A True Tale of Forbidden Love in the C18th" by Andrea di Ribilant that I was intrigued and interested to read about 'The Mask'... the symbol of those carefree days.
Robilant described how the mask had been an integral part of Venetian attire like wigs, fans and beauty spots.
Venetians were allowed to wear masks in public from October to Lent...with the exception of the "Novena" the 9 day period before Christmas.
And everyone wore one from the Doge down to the woman selling vegetables at the market.

  So the custom added a little mystery and intrigue to everyday life. However when one reads about the almost endless carnivals, extravagant balls and theatres bursting with spectators and/or Venetians in the grip of a massive gambling addiction...who was piling up sequins and who was accumulating debt...large exquisitley embroidered fans (strings of diamonds and pearls) gossip hidden and camouflaged had been whispered behind cupped hands

among the Venetian Ladies...And so the use of masks can be understood.
Females...tall behives for their hair...drenched in perfume, hairspray and nail polish of all colours, flirted beauty spots in all aspects of makeup...appasionata (in the corner of the eye)...coquette (above the lip)...galante (on the chin)and assassina (the killer in the corner of the mouth).

It is written in the book that high heels had long been out of fashion (Venetian ladies preferred more sensible low evening shoes, often decorated with a diamond buckle) as these although expensive were much more suitable for dancing.
So 2 kinds of masks were usually seen:the more casual black or white 'Moreta' that covered only the eyes or the cloaked masks or 'Bautta' which hid the entire head down to the shoulders.
However as the shop window shows...all kinds are available now.

The greatest natural disaster to strike the ancient world!

When and how? When the volcano in the island's centre ejected tephra for 4 days, burying the city of Akroriri, then collapsing and sending a tsunami throughout the Eastern Mediterranean.

The island of Santorini, Thira, Fira or Thera, was thus formed by one side of the caldera (crator) of a volcano. The central part having been partially submerged by the sea leaving a roughly crescent-shaped land mass which now forms the island.

As it was our second visit we arrived by plane at the airport on the west side of the island. We therefore missed the awe-inspiring sight and geologically intriguing layers of different coloured, dark pumice at the receiving port.

Our view of the caldera was truly awe-inspiring from our hotel even if the numerous steps resulted in our loss of wheel no. 4 on my suitcase.





Also we were there to view the once a year lighting spectacle on the island opposite.

However our antiquity tour helped us concentrate on the Minoan period and the 'lost' Minoan town of Akroriri where painted walls and beautifully carved furniture (in the museum) evidenced the sophisticated lifestyle of the Minoans.

This city had been buried in the eruption of 1500 BC and has been preserved as a kind of "Pompeii". It has recently been opened under its new shelter and its many walkways.

10,000 square metres of the city has been opened up (the French school of Archeology first explored the ravine at Akroriri in 1867 to show that a pre-historic city lay beneath tons of volcanic ash 60 metres thick).






And so the greatest natural disaster struck the ancient world. the last eruption being recorded in 1956. And on average every 20000 years an event like this may occur.

How will you be remembered?

It is a question, silent it may be, yet something that concerns all of us as we slip nearer to the top of the queue.
What have you written to those who you leave behind... when your final moment does come?
Is it your wish that your name remains in eternity?
Well, it depends on your name of course and...what you have achieved in the years of your life.
All this matters!

So of all the sights seen on our last escapade this one does stick in my mind. Was it his foot size? Or did he impress me as the founder of the city we visited...the remains thereof...remains that he made sure in which he would be included. No, he was indeed the founder of the city, TEMENOS, founded in the mid century 3rd B.C. And the founder's name, ARTEMIDOROS of APOLLONIOS from PERGE of PAMPHYLIA. Now wasn't that name worth recalling? One can't ignore his feet either.

So this PRIEST, who in his old age settled in Thera founded a number of sanctuaries embellishing the city. However his open-air sanctuary was chisilled out of the rock by Artemidoros himself. His altars, relief decorations and numerous inscriptions decorate the place today.

 The throne of the goddess of Tyche; the lion of
Apollo Stephanephoros;the eagle of Zeus Olympios and the dolphin of Poseidon Pelasios completes the set with the portrait of Artemidoros wearing a wreath.







We found Dolphins throughout our tour of Crete also.

 Even if you don't discover this history, a visit will fill you with great sights of the local geographic land marks.
Kamari, the volcanic beach resort plus remains of the city on top of the hill overlooking the now present airport feeding the tourist mecca of Santorini will make your visit worthwhile.

Australiana at its best!

So we chose the weekend with the most storms and rain. Of course we had to catch the sun to lighten our photographs but the birdlife and the bushwalks made up for it...not to mention the MUMM champagne but I managed to take a few pictures.

The 4yr.old insisted on paraphrasing or simply copying what was being said at kinder...I hate Koalas...I hate Kangaroos...they are so boring!

And the ducks? Oh I can't play on that grass the ducks will get me...they'll get my ball! Oh dear!

But the adults enjoyed themselves...or at least we did...a great place to catch up with family and friends.

Again the different colours astounded me. It was a very dull day...the sky was grey...and we had to catch a clear patch when we saw it.

 Of course a bit of the abstract had to creep into the photoshoot.

Not much water left what used to be the lake supporting row boats and families enjoying the great outdoors.

Now nothing is allowed on the lake at all. In fact warnings are everywhere to keep away.
But we were able to walk around it for at least 2.5 hours...and then collapse at our room to welcome the many different types of birds who have now taken to nesting amongst the shrubbery.

But a visit to the Koalas in the trees and down the many steps to see the Staglatites made our weekend complete.

Oh...and the bouncing castle of course...that cannot be missed...shoes off!!

So I've decided!

It has only taken me one month...only? Yes... and I'm not sure if I've made the right decision.

You know that it has been freezing lately but what do we expect from the weather these days,,,indeed!

But rain all weekend and .....and the open fires look more and more inviting than ever.

Then again I do love....bears...no not those...even if they were irresistible at the time. And I did bring them home for the grandies.

But again...the grandies win. We will go and see the bears...even if they aren't members of the bear family. 'But I don't like Koala Bears' says grandie number 1 and aged 4yrs. Too bad thinks grandmother. It isn't your birthday!

But the dilemma goes on.  'And I don't like Kangaroos'
What? Oh they won't even know you are visiting. And the Koala Bears will stay in the trees. Won't they? I think...and hope!
And there are wonderful caves! We can visit them! And walk around...take photos thinks grandmother...it is MY birthday...nor the Geologist walking beside us but...there is wonderful accommodation...and short walks...but you grandies don't need to be told.
 Wonderful surprises! I think!

More of The Gorges of Karijini in WA

No one can say we weren't prepared. We had spent most of the morning dressing up. Look closely you can't get more prepared than this. And were we shaking in our boots? Of course some of us were. I hope using these photos or this one in particular won't get me into trouble.

Our two younger...much younger guides...decided after looking us over...that we were much too inexperienced (()LD?)  to allow us to go any further. After all people rescuing others have died in the process.
Died in the process? And the rescued lived? Hmmn! Just for a photo? No! I for one was happy to just sit and eat my lunch. I could never forgive myself if someone came to rescue me and as a consequence gave up his/her life. After all we did look the part...but maybe we were better off upstairs...you know...where the air was refreshing and the sky clear.
But before we left and to explain the photograph...
the dark blue was the water flowing...down to the bright yellow pool of water and further to another
pool...both of which we had to be able to swim through...or should I say wade through.
Our glorious leader...Tom Putt Master Photographer et all set up this shot whilst holding onto his

tripod... the only time I might add when it was acceptable to hold onto a tripod.

 So life above was ours. While our knees recovered. This is surely a time one should only participate in the climbing when young and fit.






But the experience was well worthwhile. It is a heaven of never-ending photo shoots.