A photo a day - Day 37 - Finding my feet

 

What is this weird thing on the end of my leg?

A photo a day - Day 36 - Mother and daughter

 Mother and daughter

A photo a day - Day 35 - Pure joy of swinging

 Nothing quite beats that free feeling of swinging through the air

A photo a day - Day 34 - Strange bird in a Ballarat swamp

 

I don't know what this strange water bird is. But there were quite a few of them around the swamps and wetlands of Ballarat.

A photo a day - Day 33 - Ribbons for the victims

The Catholic church in Ballarat, like in many other places, has a lot to answer for. Home to George Pell and convicted paedophile Gerald Ridsdale, the diocese of Ballarat counted many victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the clergy. The ribbons on the fences at St. Patrick's Cathedral are a show of support for the victims of the heinous crimes perpetrated under the watch of the church.

A photo a day - Day 32 - Ballarat swan

Lake Wendouree at Ballarat is teeming with bird life. On a weekend trip there with Jazzy and Kimi, we hung out particularly with the swans.

 

A photo a day - Day 31 - A bust at Montsalvat

 

Decades ago, early on a Saturday evening when all the shops were already shut, we needed a birthday present for a friend whose party we were going to. Not wanting to turn up empty handed, we nicked a solid metal bust from Montsalvat. I always felt a mix of guilt and pride about that theft. I'd like to know who the rightful owner was and somehow return it if I could. Whenever I find myself at Montsalvat, I'm always drawn to the busts.

A photo a day - Day 30 - Photo by remote control

 

Kimi wondered how I took a selfie yesterday with my fancy camera. So I showed him. Though the presence of a phone in this photo belies the true magic.

A photo a day - Day 29 - Vote YES

 Time to start my unofficial campaign to try and increase the YES vote in the upcoming referendum to recognise indigenous Australians in the constitution. The result will show us what kind of nation we have.

A photo a day - Day 27 - Whiskey in old glass

 A nice drop of whiskey in a beautiful crystal glass that is older than me. It was a wedding present given to my mum and dad. The old hip flask came from Tori's dad to Tori, but I've procured it. The whiskey is a nice ten year old Talisker from the Scottish isle of Sky.

A photo a day - Day 26 - Tamil fish feast

 

Nige is a Tamil asylum seeker who came to Australia some years back and set up his life in Australia with assistance from Now and Not Yet, particularly from Derek, the main guy at the cafe. Nang is a Burmese refugee, who after spending ten years as a refugee in Malaysia came to Australia with some assistance from me, as part of the Warrandyte Refugee Support Group. Tonight the two of them, with assistance from Nang's husband Maung, cooked up a Tamil feast for a room full of fortunate diners.

A photo a day - day 25 - Waiting to bud

 

Tori loves flowers. Very occasionally I remember and I buy her some. She bought these ones herself.

A photo a day - day 24 - Buddha chilling in the garden

 

On the day after the Dalai Lama was caught asking a young boy to suck his tongue, Buddha relaxes in the garden.

A photo a day - day 23 - Django claims the blanket pile

 

Django will sleep on anything that newly appears in the house. Even better if it's as comfortable as a pile of blankets.

A photo a day - day 22 - Friends reunited

 

Jazz and Em reunited after nine months. Great friends.

A photo a day - day 21 - There was gold in them thar hills

Warrandyte was the first place that gold was found in Victoria. Old mine shafts and tunnels dot the hills in the surrounding area as a testament to those who came here to seek their fortune. And the old bakery, primary school and various other buildings in the main street give an indication of how long a village has been on this spot. Of course the indigenous history in Warrandyte goes back for thousands of years. Not sure when the original locals came across the gold or really whether they thought much of it. Quite odd really the value that some people put on this shiny metal.

A photo a day - day 20 - Wii Indoor Sports Day

 

Wii indoor sports day with a friend.

A photo a day - day 19 - Portrait of Greg

On a day that started with news at 5am that a distraught Jazzy had purchased an airline ticket today to be flying home from France tomorrow, followed by a full day of intense work. Worn out.

A photo a day - day 18 - Pound Bend, wide and slow

Pound Bend was the first place I ever visited in Warrandyte. Lazing in and around the river on a hot summer's day with a group of good friends, while sharing spliffs and strawberry wine. We were all in our early twenties and life was fine. 

A photo a day - day 17 - A portrait of Kimi

 

Kimi, aged 11 years and 9 months. Grade 6. A basketballer, tennis player, bike rider and guitarist. 

A photo a day - day 16 - NaNY Gallery exhibition opening for David Hewitt

 

Tori has created a gallery and a social happening out of nothing more than an idea. Initially looking for a space to hang her own art, it has morphed into the NaNY Gallery at Now and Not Yet cafe, thanks largely to the generosity of Derek and Biff, who run the cafe. The bi-monthly openings now draw a regular crowd, paintings are purchased, wine is drunk and a celebratory social occasion has blossomed. Kudos to Tori for making it all happen.

A photo a day - day 15 - Sainters celebrate 150 year anniversary in style

After complete despondence last year, renewed hope and joy as the Saints bring supreme effort and a recognisable game plan to be undefeated after three games of the new season. The Saints players truly came to the party at the celebration of the clubs 150th anniversary with a fighting win against the Bombers. Sainters!!!