A perfect day

20 Sunday May 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in remembering / musing

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On occasion, I forget that I live in this small island at the bottom of Australia.

Yesterday was one of those days. In my mind, I was on the other side of the world, back in the UK, joining in the royal wedding, along streets that I have walked, in a castle that I have visited.

A three-way message chat with my two daughters lasted several hours. Hobart to Sydney to London, our Aussie evening to a UK morning.
The conversation began…..
“What are you wearing?”
“Pj’s at the moment! Why?! Are we supposed to be dressing up?”

We then enjoyed watching the guests arrive, commenting on their outfits, those we were pleased to see, the Clooneys, the Beckhams, James Cordon, the co-stars from “Suits”, Priyanka Chopra in her stunning outfit, the Royals.

There were some fun comments made by my Aussie Husband and my Aussie son-in-law. I’m pleased that both my girls proudly displayed their British heritage for the day. Between us, we had English treats on our menu, from scones, strawberry jam and cream, to roast beef.

It was such a joyful occasion, a display of love, inclusion, a modern twist to such a traditional event.

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Thank you for including us in such a perfect day.

Weekly Photo Challenge – Liquid

18 Friday May 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in weekly photo challenge

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photos

Here are a few random photos to reflect this week’s theme. MLSA3228A

Liquid

Weekly Photo Challenge – Place in the world

13 Sunday May 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in one with nature, weekly photo challenge

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Tasmania, trees

My place in the world is Tasmania and it looks spectacular now, in autumn.

These trees on the bank of the River Derwent at Bushy Park show their autumn glow, even on a grey day.

A unique deciduous beech tree, “fagus” (nothofagus gunnii) changes colour at this time of year. The trees grow to about two meters. The leaves are the size of my thumb nail. We visited the “fagus festival” at Mount Field National Park a couple of weeks ago.

The Japanese Garden within the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart has a range of red maple trees.

Place in the World

Hobart storm

12 Saturday May 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in one with nature, weekly photo challenge

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Hobart

Hobart experienced a “severe weather event” during Thursday and Friday.

More than the average months rain fell in a few hours. Multiple storms hit the city as lightning and thunder rolled around for five hours. I took these photos a few minutes before we experienced a total blackout. The storm water drain looked more like a fountain.

The Hobart Rivulet burst its banks during the night, cars floated down the main streets. (These pictures are from the internet). imagev158b304c256f3fa9e0d5f64847a7a6c28-v8giluk5anc0g62y8q2_t460 6e90da571846a61e79a4306c56b38d40 509ed2fa379bce972211b78f7e512ab9

Homes and businesses were flooded, some by the Rivulet, others from rain water. Luckily, we live on the first floor but neighbours below us had water damage. We lent torches and candles during the power cut and offered help.

The University Law Library was flooded, with books ending up outside. b33faa4a520969d78a456416ec7c2bc1

Aussie Mate is Night Manager at a city hotel. He spent Thursday night in ankle deep water as their Reception, Restaurant, Kitchen and car park were flooded. Electricity supply was intermittent, no lifts, no breakfast, limited hot water. Ten rental cars were damaged, so abandoned by guests. You can see the high-water mark on this car and the mud left behind as the water receded.

This morning I took a walk around our city. Lots of people are busy cleaning up.

Our usually picturesque waterfront was full of floodwater debris, so is now being dredged.

The Rivulet is still running high. This is a normal day compared to yesterday morning.
You can see here where it rose above the wall and marker, leaving debris in its path.

There is still much to repair. IMG_E4720-2

It’s been an eventful couple of days. Our first experience of flooding. Although power is back on, one of our circuits will not reset, so we have important things like fridge, freezer, tv, internet, but no lights. We can manage with candle light until Monday, electricians are busy helping others in more urgent need than us.

This is not our usual promotion of Hobart, of “our place”. I should reassure you that previous significant floods in the city were in 1929, 1960, 1973. Now 2018 can been added to the list. Place in the World

Weekly Photo Challenge – Unlikely Landscape

06 Sunday May 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in days out, one with nature, weekly photo challenge

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Tasmania, trees

Last weekend we enjoyed a day out at Mount Field National Park, here in Tasmania.

The landscape changed with altitude as we hiked from Lake Fenton up to Seager’s Lookout. The rocky path climbed higher. We passed snow gums and yellow gums and had glimpses of the lake through the trees.

Unlikely

Zzzzz –the end of the alphabet challenge

30 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by RuthsArc in all about me, photography

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A2Z Challenge, seasons

IMG_E2093-2

At the beginning of April, I wasn’t working, I had time on my hands, so I decided to join this annual alphabet challenge.

Here we are at the end of the month and I have managed to post every day. It’s been a rather random selection of topics, but I’ve enjoyed sharing my month and some favourite photos.

My “photo a day” group also ran an alphabet challenge this month, with the first four days having number themes before the letters started. Here are PAD my photos.

Looking back, it’s been weeks of glorious weather here in Hobart. Even though I started a full time temp job mid-month, I’ve still found time to get outdoors and connect with nature, as evidenced by the pictures.

I was chuffed that my photo of Russell Falls, taken on Friday, was selected as a “Fab Four” winner for the letter W in the PAD group.

This is my contribution to Su’s Changing Seasons challenge