Adelaide the 'Sedate' city ........

Perth in Western Australia is remote, in fact it's considered by many 'Perthites', (quite proudly I might add) to be the most remote city in the world. That may or may not be so, but its Eastern States counterpart and perhaps the most ignored city in Australia is Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.
Perhaps you've heard of it, I have of course, but up until it was suggested recently that I should pay it a visit, I had rarely, if ever, thought about it. I mean it isn't up there with Sydney, home to the Opera House and Sydney Harbour  or Melbourne, voted the world's most liveable city. It doesn't even have the exotic appeal of Brisbane and surrounds, with its tropical weather and world wide known, Barrier Reef.  Adelaide is simply your average, small city. on the edge of the Australian Bight.

It's called the City of Churches, obviously I didn't look hard enough, because whilst I noticed a few, two or three, that was it. I'd rather think of it as an elegant, sedate and somewhat old fashioned place. There were no noticeable traffic problems, and what traffic there was moved at a moderate pace. There is an air of genteelness, which I haven't felt in any of the aforementioned cities.

North Terrace

Along with the stunning older style stone and brick built buildings, there were plenty of new constructions underway, but all appeared to be at a moderate height, something the modern city seems to have moved away from. Certainly the trend in Perth is to build higher and higher.

Adelaide Convention Centre

Hidden gems

A modest 1960s three bedoomed home in leafy Applecross hides many hidden gems. It's lush green vegetation belies the drought ridden landscape of the recent summer Perth environment. Perth has been experiencing an increasingly drying climate over the past 20 years and there was no respite this year.

The sleeping goddess rests in the cool of the day

But some gardens seem to have a life of their own and laugh at the growing trend towards waterwise plants,  as they wave their tropical fronds against a cloudless sky. My friend has one such garden, but what makes it really special are the 1001 hidden gems that present themselves.

In every nook and cranny

a treasure lies........

Years of foraging amongst roadside collections, market stalls and op shops has brought together an amazing collection of 'precious' items which sit quietly amongst the equally eclectic collection of leafy fronds and flowers.

Gods and goddesses, elephants, nymphs sit together with fairies, lizards and frogs, ceramic pots and lions.

                                               

Yum!

Ever hopeful

A regular haunt for my friends, both two and four legged is The Little Stove, in Bicton. They make a great coffee and some delicious blueberry muffins.

In and Around the suburbs of St Kilda

Suburbs are where most of us live........but some seem to have just a bit more attitude. St Kilda not only has the high life, check out Luna Park, Fitzroy and Acland Streets for lots of that.  But I'm talking about the places where most of us live. Here are snapshots of living in and around St Kilda's suburbia.

Streetscape

Up and coming fund raiser

Those trams again ------they get everywhere.

St Kilda Primary School circa 1875

A new community garden......yet to be opened

The local place of worship and tapdancing or so I read on a community notice board.

Children's Art

Carlisle Street - Easter weekend

Not sure where the rest of the bike went - but then nowhere's perfect!

Trams and Trains

Melbourne is one of those fortunate cities where the car, whilst still used, is not essential. Trams traverse most of the inner suburbs and trains cover not only inner but many of those outer suburbs. Of course buses pick up the slack, but they never seem quite as attractive when compared to the more old fashioned forms of transport that Melbourne is famous for.

Of course when  I came across this cute little smart car, I almost forgot my affair with those trams.

Hm...... I wonder what it's like to drive......not too many parking problems either.

Easter in St Kilda, Melbourne

Not just symbolic but carrying a message.

One, I hope not lost on the many passerbys

Demolishing a house........

It's over six months since I added anything to my Blog....Why?  

Well I've had my hands full.  Work and house demolishing and repairing the remainder  proved to be more time consuming that I would have thought. 

 

The guy handled that huge machine as if it were a fine instrument

                                                                                                                                                  

Still to be repaired...................sigh.............

                                                                  

Still needs a coat of paint, but repairs are finished........Yea!!

Finished? Almost and whilst quite stressful when comibined with a complaining neighbour and various other demands, at least it is over and I can now focus on the future.

Perth's Profile Changing

The CBD, the business centre and Northbridge, the nightclub dominated area, are undergoing a change that's set to link them, in the hope that it will give Perth city a new vibrant heart. The first stage, a brand new entertainment and sporting precinct, was opened when the Perth Arena made its appearance in November 2012. 
 
Having seen a great basketball game there I can agree with the majority that the new facility is excellent. Being impressed with this structure, I have been interested to see how the remaining elements are developing and whilst I still don't have a clear idea of what it will eventually look like, it is interesting to watch it grow.

Taken from the Horseshoe Bridge looking towards the CBD

Looking down the concourse from the Horseshoe Bridge, the Perth Arena is in the background, centre right.

As can be seen there is still a long way to go before completetion. It will need a lot of trees to soften the overall effect, because that is a lot of concrete.

From the opposite side Northbridge is looming in the background.

As I have already stated I am not sure what the final vision is, but I can't wait to see it all complete. So with Perth Link together with the Elizabeth Quay development, Perth may well and truly enter world city status and finally shake the large country town tag.

Contrast

Well my last post was of a wet, wild and wintry day; just look at the contrast one week later.

Yes, to use a well known Aussie saying, "It was a beaut day," with a max of 19oC

A day too good to ignore, so a visit to the city was called for.  Perth was humming, as busy as I've seen a winter's Sunday.  Lots of families filled the cultural centre as well as the Murray and Hay Street malls.

More popular than shopping however were the three special events happening in or near the cultural centre.

Yes, an ice-rink has been erected in front of the Pica Centre

                                           



With 45 minute timed sessions throughout the day from early in the morning till late in the evening, it has proved a great attraction for all, especially the kids of all ages amongst us. And because Aussies are know for liking a beer or a glass of red, there is also a bar or two together with some delicious fast food such as chorrios and hotdogs. We were even given examples of professional skating when some ice hockey professionals took to the stage.

That was not the only event taking place in the Cultural Centre.  The other could not have been more different and was taking place at the West Australian Museum.

I

Old meets new

The Dinosaur Discovery exhibition was proving just as popular amongst the children as the ice-skating and the queues to get in were just as long.  The ice-skating entry fee was an acceptable $10, which for Perth, (the high price city as I like to call it) was pretty reasonable and the dinosaur exhibition slightly more at $12.50 for kids and $20 for adults.

However there was a total freeby put on by the City of Perth in Forrest Chase. Like the ice-skating it too related to Winter in the northern hemisphere and includes snow covered trees, fake snow and the ability to construct small snowmen.  However free or not, I wasn't able to get in.

Still tickets can be booked daily and with careful planning it looked to me as if children especially could well enjoy a day to remember. Of course there is no guarantee the weather will be as beautiful as it was today and in fact rain is forecast tomorrow.

Wet, Windy, W I N T E R

Whoever thinks it does not get cold in Australia has not spent time in this southern half.  Tasmania and Victoria can be freezing and whilst Perth does not often compare, we too can have some wild wintry weather.
                                              

A fierce squall sent us all scampering for shelter

 

 

                                                   

Even this seagull was grounded

The past four days have been both wet, windy and very cool for this generally considered mild temperate climate. Temperatures have hovered between 5oC to around 16oC with the wind chill making it seem quite a bit cooler.
                                                                     

Chardy

Those of you who live in much cooler climes may snear at we wimpy Aussies who run for the leather boots and sheepskins as soon as temperatures drop below 15oC, but remember our blood is much thinner to help us cope with summer temps that climb to the high 30s and low 40s with increasing frequency. Even my dog sleeps in front of the fire in an effort to keep himself at temperatures he is more used to.