A new member of the family!

So I've been busy. Have I what? I am now the walker, pee and poo lady. Yes finally the eyes of this somewhat large dog yet only a puppy had caught us at the pound. Even if she was only 8 weeks young then when we spied her she looked like a huge dog. The lady in-charge said she was a Bull Mastif...oh yeah! Well this she rapidly withdrew but it was too late we had already fallen for those beautiful eyes. No worries!  We'll manage! Let's do it. And so she did.
When we brought her home we suddenly realised that everyone around us had owned a lap dog...the size of about 12 inches. Ours was about 12 feet...no that's slightly exaggerating! We had to wait till she was 7 months before we let her have the 'desexing' surgery. And now, when she is almost 8months she could finally go to the Bayswater off-leash park and swim her life away. She immediately made friends with other dogs. Her non-aggressive attitude allowing her to mix freely with other dogs while I stood chatting to other owners.
She even had a social afternoon  with two Scottish terriers and ran her heart out without one moment of nastiness. 'If you don't bring Penny don't bother coming!' Wow he doesn't know our Penny we thought but it was a great afternoon.
And we also did a DNA test on her. Over $200.00 but well worth it...those large paws and long legs were finally put to rest. No sign of a Bull Mastif was the out come. Instead we had bought ourselves a rescue dog with many show dogs years ago but finally had an American Staffy Terrier crossed with several other types. She does have a singular mind (that's the Terrier in her) but other than that has a food obsession and is growing up rapidly. She loves all physical activity and now even likes jumping into the river. What next? Perhaps swimming? We hope so! 

Water...water...everywhere...but.......

We were told on the news! Weren't we? Of course we were .....and we believed it.

So off we went to drive to Northam...the waterlogged Northam... and while the road trip via Irish Town road was interesting... some areas blocked by water crossing the road in general it was unremarkable.
Not so when I came home to inspect my photos. So I had an expert change the colour monitor on my computer and low and behold my life changed...on a second visit he couldn't explain to me why all my pictures came out DARK on C-drive yet perfect on Lightroom. Oh well...you decide...because by the time he comes back with a solution the flood waters will have receded and my black photos will be irrelevant. Here goes!



Wow they look almost acceptable! These were taken just beyond the Northam Weir.

 But then Katrine bridge was another story. The road was gone...an extension of the bridge remnants...and the water was flowing at a great pace. My long-term memory tried to adjust to the Avon descent of many years ago when a life was lost in the bridge pylons...much to our panic stricken eyes from the shore.

After a calming lunch we drove back to unremarkable Toodyay...well almost that is...the river was as full as ever and flowing way too fast for anyone to tackle in boats.

But we had to drop our friends back at their farm not far from Toodyay on the Goomalling road... and there it was the ...the damage done by the moving water. Even the work done by them to resurrect access from the last flood a few weeks ago had to be repaired. How frustrating indeed!

Many Happies for the New Year!

It is tough when the Blogger site doesn't speak the Aussie lingo!
Everyone here knows what I mean...you do don't you?

Or do you all feel like you've just been washed up on the beach? Well, you must have enjoyed yourself...really brought that New Year in!








Are you hoping to have everyone playing the same tune...well almost the same?

Sick of the persistent lights in the sky?


No! You can't go back...only forward...so make those resolutions come true!



Delusions or tunnel vision? Whatever! Things can only get better. Think positive and ignore that nagging other...that negativity has no place in this wonderful photographic world! Best Wishes!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Wishes!

Did your letter to Santa go in the box? But did it arrive? Does he know what your wish was?

Did you wish for a new car?

Or was it Dad who needs the new Shed?

Or Mum who is planning a hospital stay in the new year?

Or does the whole idea of Christmas move you?


Take it from one who knows....it is all worthwhile!

Never mind! And there is a solution...... as Albert Einstein said:

Xmas is on the way!

Or should I say The Festive Season is about to start?
Whichever it could be it is taking too long.

These boots are made for walkin...that's for sure!

 But can you guess where these photographs were taken?

A bit of retro photography to break the boredom!

 A western sunset combined with some tunnel vision. Creativity from the West!

Size isn't important!

What? You might ask. It has always been important in my life. Yes...Yes... but think again!

 I just wish I hadn't become so excited when I discovered what these two were up to!

What a bonus in Kings Park!

In front of everyone? Well almost!


The Kangaroo paw did hide them somewhat.


To show that I recovered my shaking I took the wild flowers...and what a success they were!

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!