Friday, April 29, 2011

Individual Aireys

Some inspired beach art!
I met with the local Aireys Inlet Development association at a stall at the General Store. They are still working on preventing the establishment of a Supermarket down at the lower shops. This is entirely unnecessary from the local  perspective.
We have a good General store and Anglesea is only 12 minutes away As well the site of the Supermarket it is to be as big as the one at Anglesea, and has in its plans about 12 parking spots.
Not in keeping with the whole mood of Aireys which is quieter, less developed and lower key
Could be Haydens Rd in the 50's
The roads are very reminiscent of growing up in Beaumaris, unsealed dirt (or sand ) surface with a view of the sea!
The houses are of a variety; from our perfect place blending into the trees! to more basic designs There are a few like this. A shed type entrance and the living area all built on the platform above.
the basic style .All on treed blocks!
Some look like they were built in the 50’s and been the family holiday house for a few generations. I know there are some ‘illegal’ sheds but didn’t see one on the walk.
the Early fibro model
There are  a lot more architect inspired places around.
Some really in keeping with the setting some a bit more ‘modern’ and even out of place
this would be more at home in Footscray
But a man’s home is his castle and we can’t all like the same thjng!
Our piece of heaven


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Day 38. Platform design


One of the months along the walls
Station designs in Melbourne are not too inspiring. I remember my visit to Moscow and being stunned by the art of the subway station walls.
Well Japan has  a similar bent. 
Birds of all variety
Not necessarily art works  but designs that are works of art and attractive in themselves.
This platform wall is all pressed metal design
Some are done on a theme of the actual station area  or  others obviously commissioned as a design in itself.

This is my favourite set.

After tides

The sand was smooth as far as I could see
The weather this Easter has been fantastic; only one off day and today dawned glorious again. Real Autumn weather with the comfort of a fire in the evening.
The great view of the lighthouse
Today's walk along the cliffs and beach was initially over pristine wet sand that the tide showed had been huge again. The lighthouse and cliffs were their usual stunning colour and contrast.
Great views from the walkway
Walking along the rocks was enjoyable but slippery at times Spencer had no trouble!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Day 37 Restaurants

While I love the food in Japan the elements of the cafe or Restaurant hold great appeal.

This Gyoza place had a machine that listed the dishes. You  bought a ticket and gave it in at the counter
From the loud greetings of "Irrashaimase" as you enter, to the picture menus, the efficient and polite and understanding staff to the food itself, it is all a great experience.

There are many 'chain' restaurants that serve only one type of food. Tonkatsu, ebi tendon, gyoza, etc Service is quick and efficient as all food is prepared the same (freshly) and in set bowls and plates. A speedy way to serve millions of people!
Tonkatsu restaurants are one of my favourite Fried crumbed Pork served with rice, salad, pickle and tea (usually all for $10) Sushi places abound even can find the 'sushi train'
the Chef at work in the tiny bar type shop
Okonomikayi
A fabulous Okonomiyaki (omelet sort of thing)
Some places look like they would be very expensive so one enters with some trepidation.
This one in Kyoto that Celia and tried ended up costing us $22 each, but what an atmosphere and a meal!
In a small street we spotted this one
Little Japanese or English passed between us but the universal message of 'What do you recommend " was a winner.
Tempura

Anzac day Holiday

Made the most of the new flat screen TV to watch the Anzac Day programs and the Big Game.
Collingwood's win over Essendon by 30 points sounds less than thrilling but the win was only on the last quarter so very exciting! The round score of 100 was with a goal kicked after the siren. Just to rub it in!

I went for a walk when the sun came out and found the hakea tree at then end of the road is in bloom.
It is a fascinating blossom, even the seeds look good!
I usually walk along this beach, and around the point
There have been king tides this Easter and the beach inaccessible at high tide, but the views were great.
 The weather has left a lot of interesting dried trees to admire
I love the contrast of the moss and the bleached wood.



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Monday, April 25, 2011

Surf's up!

The high Easter tides made it hard to find a beach to go for a walk!
Gerry was staying out at Deans Marsh and rang to say she was taking the dogs for a run on the beach at Lorne and to meet her there. I stopped at one near the Deans Marsh roundabout as the ones closer to Lorne were all covered with water.
Not much walking space!
The sea was rough with high waves (a record time for the Bells Beach Surf Classic) and mist and spray all filling the air along the Great Ocean Road.
Spencer and Zac in the grass
I prudently brought my clogs to change out of my lovely red leather boots and rolled up my jeans. A good plan, as we were walking along wet sand with the waves 50 meters out when suddenly we were ankle deep in water. Needless to say Spencer had a lovely time!
I then followed Gerry back to the cottage they were staying at out of Deans Marsh. 
A lovely drive back through the hills of trees. The cottage (house) was at Blake’s’ Winery and I had met the owners when they were at the Aireys Market that morning!
The vines
I picked some lemons and limes while there and we had a lovely meal and chat as we listened to Richmond in a very tight win to North Melbourne. I gather Wendy missed it!!!
On the drive home I stopped at an accident where a car had gone off the edge of the road down into the trees. No one hurt and there were two other vehicles there, but they needed a tow rope which I didn’t have so I went on.
It was reminiscent of the same happening with Celia, Maddy and me years ago with Ern and Coral. Ern was driving too close to the edge in similar forest area and the car went over the soft edge and down into the gully We had a 4 wheeldrive come by a few minutes later and they were thrilled to be able to use their winch!!  As the wife said no need to thank them they were having the time of their life getting to use the winch and 4WD!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Ingenuity required to hang the banner (found in my cupboard)

I was involved in a very successful breastfeeding study day at Royal Children's Hospital. The Lactation Consultants on Cardiac unit were the instigators and we had to move the venue as the booking numbers increased from and expected 25 to 85. 
 Question time was a joint affair
We used the Ella Latham Lecture Theatre and foyer We had no funding (of course!) but Medela who make the Breast pumps we will have at the new hospital, gave enough for morning and afternoon tea.
We used a lot of the Neil cartoons (it's a Baby; St Pips ect) who had given me some and his consent when we did the irritable Infant study
We had lots of meeting as we planned it but it all went over well with really good feedback. We ended up with some gifts of sweets, bottled water and a donation for the conference bags so staff felt appreciated. I also gave the Gaia cream sachets that I had in my office. We also donated the last of the Breastfeeding Guidelines books that  I still had; printed in 1991 they are not new but the basic details is still the same.
My photo display resurrected
Also moved the last of the Translations of “What to do when your baby is not feeding as usual” which I have had for years.  All part of the S5 clean up before the move,  I now have a ¾ empty cupboard Meredith will be impressed when she sees it.
I spoke about breastfeeding and Failure to thrive, I didn't feel it was my best presentation, but feedback for it and all sessions was glowing so we were all very satisfied!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Weather changes

The room set up with beckoning sunshine
Glorious weather on Friday at my Seminar by the beach, contrasted with a strong northerly on Saturday causing a very fast and 'few boats finishing' sailing.
I walked along to the craft market at the Gallery forecourt and up to the stairs to the back of the building where I have rarely been.
A different view of the skirt of the spire looking down to the white cubes of the  new MTC building and on to the Gallery of Modern art.
As I looked back the clouds building were a lovely contract to the spire itself.
Managed to miss the showers all day

Man Style

I made the most of my NGV (National Gallery Victoria) membership by going to a Members update on a new exhibit Man Style. Charting a course between absolute restraint and ostentatious display ManStyle looks at  the extremes of masculine style and some of the most influential ideas that have influenced menswear over the past three centuries.
Hunt Coat from Henry Poole & Co. Commonly called Pinks, the colour of faded Hunting jackets
Frock Coat and waistcoat 1810
A bit of a shock to realize that the 3 piece Suit dates from 17th century, albeit more ostentatious than today's business man. The waistcoat was introduced in 1666 to be a change to the ostentatious dress of the day However it was ripe for exploitation and developed into a thing of beauty! And is still around today.
The exhibition was over two sites. The one at Fed Square was about the Dandy while the one at International was the Peacock!
He was embroidered like a meadow bright
And full of freshest flower red and white. The Squire from the Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, one of my favourite pieces of literature, and compare
"If John Bull looked around at you, your are not well dressed, but either too stiff, too tight, or too fashionable  Beau Brummel
Who else but Percy Grainger!
Fashion has changed !
What a lovely exhibition it was! With paintings of men in suits through the ages to illustrate the point.
WORLD of Auckland  The Sanderson suit

 the fabric choice making a statement
You might be mistaken for thinking Andrew had offered his wedding reception jacket!

Bespoke tailoring of Saville Row Brummel would feel proud!

India and after

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