Category Archives: photography

Celebrating July

31 Tuesday Jul 2018

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It’s the end of another month. July has been a month of celebration…. Our 30th wedding anniversary, a mini break, a new job. We decorated our drift wood tree and wine was consumed.IMG_E6643IMG_E6280

I have lots to learn in the Aged Care organisation where I now work , including how to drive this rather scary photo copier machine! IMG_6689The office is in a good location near Kangaroo Bay.IMG_E6604

On weekends I’ve relaxed by walking on the beach and balancing pebbles.IMG_6176DSC02122

It’s been a mix of mild sunny days yet with snow on the mountain. There are flowers in bloom.IMG_6673DSC01722

Tasmania loves any excuse for a public winter bonfire. The annual “Festival of Voices” concluded with “The Big Sing”, an outdoor stage, various choirs, singers, everyone joining in. All keeping warm near two huge bonfires.

The Mid-Winter Festival also involved bonfires, local food and wine, cider, wassailing the apple orchards, Morris dancing.

As life settles down, I hope to have more time for blogging, to post and to read other people’s posts. This is my contribution to Su’s Changing Seasons.

Round the World Yacht Race 2017-2018

29 Sunday Jul 2018

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Last December we had the privilege to see all of the Round the World Yacht Race competitors in Hobart.

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This weekend the race was won by “Visit Sanya” when the yachts arrived back in Liverpool, UK, after eleven months at sea. “Visit Seattle” came in second place.

History has been made, as both these boats were skippered by women. Australian, Wendy Tuck, aged 53, became the first women to win any round the world yacht race. British skipper, Nikki Henderson, aged 25, took second place.

Congratulations to both women and all the teams involved.

#respect
#womeninsport
#thisgirlcan

The yachts leaving Hobart.IMG_9950

June has flown by

01 Sunday Jul 2018

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I haven’t written much, or taken many photos. We’ve been too busy, out and about with visitors, experiencing the winter festival that is “Dark Mofo”, exploring out city as Hobart “paints the town red”. We’ve had sunny days, foggy days.DSC01673-2IMG_5526 (1)IMG_5957DSC01549

I’m reliving the month now, as I check our bank account, remembering concerts, meals out, ferry trip, cafes, wearing my new pj’s.IMG_5940

Out driftwood tree had a Dark Mofo theme this month.IMG_E5629

Walk inside the Art – Dark Mofo

23 Saturday Jun 2018

Posted by in creativity, photography

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It’s the last weekend of Hobart’s annual winter festival. There are various art installations across the city for “Dark Mofo”.

Here are just a few of them. Free, large scale, installations, open to everyone. Art that engages you, surrounds you, absorbs you, promotes discussion.

“Leviathan” by Matthew Schreiber
A massive geometrical sculpture wrought from lasers and light.IMG_5735IMG_5726IMG_5734IMG_5743

“Winter Fires”
Footpaths amongst the low level flames.IMG_5699IMG_5706IMG_5708IMG_5707

“Spectra” by Ryoji Ikeda
49 searchlights that reach up to 15 kms into the night sky. A beautiful, spiritual experience, especially in the rain.IMG_6019IMG_E6030IMG_6021IMG_6090IMG_6010

This is the view from our place, 15 kms from Spectra’s location.DSC01660

Paint the Town Red – Part 1

12 Tuesday Jun 2018

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As Hobart prepares to welcome it’s annual DARK MOFO festival, the city is glowing a warm red colour. Multiple buildings and structures are lit by red lights. These were the first to “paint the town red”.

This is the Tasman Bridge which crosses the River Derwent, linking the city to the Eastern Suburbs, airport and East Coast scenic route and Tasman Peninsular.DSC01548DSC01543

This is Wrest Point Hotel and Casino.DSC01558

Willow Court

08 Friday Jun 2018

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This is Willow Court. A three-sided building with verandah, surrounding a central quadrangle. It dates back to 1830.IMG_5429IMG_1973IMG_2003IMG_5424IMG_1993

Originally, it was a barracks for sick and infirm convicts. Other buildings were added to the site, 23 in total between 1830 and 1968.IMG_2542IMG_2048IMG_2007IMG_2095IMG_2005

Over the years, the name of the institution housed here changed … invalid depot … lunatic asylum … hospital for the insane … mental diseases hospital. These names reflected changes in the community and government attitude towards intellectual disability and mental illness.

In 2000 Willow Court closed its doors as patients were de-institutionalised and cared for within the community. Tasmania was the first state in Australia to adopt the “social model of care”.

Communities were left with large empty buildings and equally large maintenance bills, often too much for small municipal councils or state governments to bear through their rate payer/tax payer base. Theft, arson and vandalism all added to already growing problems of natural decay.

Today, some buildings have been renovated and re-purposed. A popular restaurant, a motel, antique shops, sets for film and tv filming, for art installations. There is talk of a museum. The Antique Shop is a fitting companion, linking items from the past to these historical buildings,

Other buildings continue to decay whilst new owners are sought.IMG_2100

Willow Court is of national significance as an asylum that was in continuous use for 170 years and as the first to close. It is still used in the education of students in disability, aged care and mental health.