Christmas 2010

I would like to wish everyone a happy and holy Christmas filled with joy and love. May your day and the days to follow be happy and fullfilled. I have not been very well and have not visited your lovely blogs but I will do so hopefully in a few days.

 

I wish for everyone a life of happy times and love.

Today's quote: Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas ~ Calvin Coolidge.

Ruby Tuesday ~ Morris Dancers

Dancing at the fair
We went to a local fair in October and there were Morris dancers performing. I really love watching them - listening to the bells on the men's legs and all the handkerchief waving and the music. It's a real fun day and it's sort of like stepping back in time to the olden days. Quite a number of teams have fancy hats with lots and lots of flowers on them. The hats with the flowers are worn by the men. I saw several Morris dancing teams at a folk festival a couple of years ago, took heaps of photos and found I'd accidently deleted them. I was so disappointed. The men's hats were lovely.

Above: Let me drop everything and dance on your problem!
This is the motto of the Brittania Morris Men.

The history of Morris Dancing
Morris dancing has been around for a long, long time - much longer than you or I. Our great grandparents weren't even a twinkle in their parents eye. Go back to Shakespearian times - Shakespeare mentions Morris dancing in "All's Well that Ends Well", and makes it clear that the Morris dance was commonly performed on May Day (May 1).

It is believed that dancing formed part of the celebration of Celtic festivals, but somewhere in the mist of time, the origins of Morris dancing have become lost and today survives as a form of folk dance performed in the open air in villages in rural England by groups of specially chosen and trained men and women. Rather than being a social dance, it's more ritualistic. The dancers take their dances seriously and feel the dances have a magic power which serves to bring luck and ward of evil.

Above: Traditional set
The dancers here performed in the Cotswold style. The chap at the front left of the set is the Caller - the person who calls out the figures of the dance.



I videoed part of the dancing. The first is a Handkerchief dance, followed by one of the stick dances - the dancers have long sticks about a metre in length and tap the ground and cross sticks. Different dance teams have different versions and no two are exactly the same. Today's quote is the motto of the Tarka Morris Men of Bideford, England

Click here to see more photos around the world from Ruby Tuesday

Today's quote: Nemo Enim Fere Saltat Sobrius, Nisi Forte Insanit. (Hardly anyone dances sober, unless he's completely mad. Cicero 106 - 43 BC)

Vicolino Caffe

 

May I take your order?
This great little cafe in Centre Place is a real nice, family run affair with a wonderfully friendly atmosphere where you feel comfortable just sitting over a cuppa, taking your time watching the world go by. Or in this case, watching the people go by.

For make no mistake, Centre Place is a funky, trendy narrow laneway made naturally dark by the tall, tall buildings on either side and a rich blend of Bohemia and decadence worthy of the most written about places in Europe.

They have these darling Bentwood chairs with tiny round tables and the menu is written in chalk on the blackboard on the right hand side. The place isn't very big but what it lacks in size is more than made up by the delicious home-cooked food. So if you're in Melbourne early, pop in and have a hot, hearty breakfast to get you going for the day.

Today's quote: Acting requires me to be very observant, which means being able to sit in cafes for hours and watch people ~ Keira Knightley.

Time On Flinders

 

Above: Flinders Street Station
This is the Elizabeth Street entrance to Flinders Street station. The entrance is opposite a T intersection and the clock is visible from a fair distance - as you can see, it is 20 past 2 in the afternoon.

Today's quote: Time is free, but it's priceless. You can't own it, but you can use it. You can't keep it, but you can spend it. Once you've lost it you can never get it back ~ Harvey MacKay.

The Bicycle

An old yellow bicycle propped up against a weeping willow - who put it there among the flowers? I see in my mind's eye a lady in a long, old-fashioned blue skirt, white blouse with small frills, a cameo at her neck, a straw boater with a red and blue ribbone and tan leather riding gloves to protect the delicate skin of her hands. With black leather boots she comes, places a small cane basket on the handle bars and with a ladylike movement, mounts her bicycle and rides off along the country road.


Today's quote: Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike ~ John F. Kennedy

Flinders on the Yarra

Above: Melbourne backdrop
Strolling along Southbank one fine morning I took this photo facing north/west. If you enlarge the photo, you can see small boats moored on the other side. You can walk along Flinders Walk beside the river under the trees behind which is the iconic Flinders Street Station.

Click here to see other worlds

Today's quote: If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk ~ Raymond Inmon

Amorous Apples

Did you know that in ancient Greece, the apple was considered to be sacred to Aphrodite and if you threw an apple at someone it meant you were declaring your love and likewise, if you caught it, it showed your acceptance of that love? Imagine it that were the case today, I wonder how many apples would be caught? No doubt there would be many a young swain hoping his lady love was good at ball games!



Today's quote: I throw the apple at you, and if you are willing to love me, take it and share your girlhood with me; but if your thoughts are what I pray they are not, even then take it, and consider how short-lived is beauty ~ Plato.



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Federation Reflective

Above: Two Gentlemen of Verona
A sunny day down at Federation Square when I snapped these two gents partaking of morning tea.

Click here to see other weekend reflections around the world.


Today's Quote: Seeing is deceiving. It's eating that's believing ~ James Thurber

Pellegrinis - A Melbourne Institution

Pellegrini's is a Melbourne institution which has operated in the heart of the CBD for several decades. Paul, the owner, migrated from Southern Italy and started the business in the 1950's. Noted for its hearty meals, great coffee and delectable Italian desserts, this is a place where everyone should come - at least once in their life.
The food's delicious and so are the waiters!

 

Above: Waiters
How about a coffee? They use a special Vittoria blend which gives a great flavour.

 

Above: Memorabilia line the walls
There's a fantastic collection of 50's and 60's memorabilia - handsome dudes on motor bikes, saucy actresses with hour-glass figures, old postcards and assorted knick-knacks. There's even an old 78 record!

Above: Dining Italian style
The place is always packed and you either sit on a stool at the bar or a stool at the wall - Italiano style.

The food is what might be called plain fare - unpretentious, not fancy stuff topped with wilted greens in un-natural poses. Just good old-fashioned Italian fare.

I did hear of a lady who asked for a garden salad to which the waiter replied something like "we do not have a garden"

 

Above: Cannelloni Ripieni Di Vitello e Spinaci
My lunch. Home cooked and delicious, large serves and meals only $14.00.

 

Above: Delectable Deserts and Goody Num Nums
Don't they just take your breath away if you're a sweet tooth? I put on weight just looking at them!


Today's Quote: Making coffee has become the great compromise of the decade. It's the only thing "real" men do that doesn't seem to threaten their masculinity. To women, it's on the same domestic entry level as putting the spring back into the toilet-tissue holder or taking a chicken out of the freezer to thaw ~ Erma Louise Bombeck

Remembrance Day 2010

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, in 1918, at the signing of the Armistice, the guns in Europe fell silent. And so, every year on the same day at the same time, we remember those who have fallen in all wars, and made the ultimate sacrifice.


These photos were taken today at the Remembrance Day Service at my local RSL.

Above: Commemorative plaque

Above: Memorial Cross

Above: Flag bearers

I filmed the service which is in three parts.



Click here to see Part 2
and
Click here to see Part 3

Above: Paying respects

Above: Two diggers


The Ode
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

From 'For The Fallen' by Laurence Binyon

Above: Lest We Forget


Today's Quote: In war, there are no unwounded soldiers ~ Jose Narosky.

Theme Day - Transportation ~ The Farmyard Express

Farmyard Express
All aboard, the farmyard express stopping all paddocks. How much is the ticket? Two apples and one banana!

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Today's Quote: I have come to believe that there are infinite passageways out of the shadows, infinite vehicles to transport us into the light ~ Martha Beck

His Majesty the Baby

Yesterday I went to the hospital to see the newest addition. Mum wasn't there but the little man was fast asleep and I couldn't resist taking a few snaps. They came home a couple of hours later. It is a very busy time at the moment, between baby-sitting active 4 year olds, cooking their meals, jostling work hours and helping out, I don't know whether I'm Arthur or Martha! Everything else seems to be in a state of limbo.

The Little Man

A Little Bundle of Joy

His Majesty the Baby

Sleeping peacefully

Today's Quote: It is the nature of babies to be in bliss ~ Deepak Chopra

Reflections on the Yarra

Tall Stories
Have you ever noticed the reflections in the water? How some of them are perfectly straight, yet others are curved and squiggly? Although I might have wished the "lines" were straight, they do make for interesting patterns don't they?

Click here to see reflections around the world, brought to you by Newton Daily Photo

Today's quote: No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see ~ Taoist proverb

Oriental Arcade

Above: Oriental Arcade
Tucked away on the right-hand side of Beach Road in Sorrento, is this lovely little arcade with an air of mystery about it. As you walk down the narrow alley way to the back so's you can access the shops, you are greeted with an Italian waiter, or is that a Greek wearing a toga? statue on one side, and beautiful and delicate fernery plants on the other.

Racks of clothing are hanging around outsisde and as you ascend the stairs your eyes are filled with visions of a riot of colour. A great place to spend buying or just browsing.

Today's Quote: Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping ~ Bo Derek

Blowhole - Art on the Waterfront

 

Blowhole
This 15 metre high wind-powered sculpture was created in November 2005 by Australian artist Duncan Stemler who has an interest in kinetic and public sculpture. Blowhole is a large scale public art commission (won through competition) for Vic Urban in Docklands. The armature and cups interact with each other to form patterns, colours and shadows. The cups are arranged to pick up the wind like an anemometer on the top of a yacht’s mast and spin in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction with the rotation speed dependent on the prevailing wind.

 

Ian Potter Museum of Art director Chris McAuliffe said of Blowhole, it was sensitive to the location and shows a sense of history, which is to say it has something of a maritime, waterfront promenade feel.

Below is a short vidoe of Blowhole in action -


It is fascinating to watch it in action - see the cups how they spin and turn as they are propelled forever forward in motion by the wind.

Usually, the images you see of Blowhole are of the two up top. Below are two not often shown.

 

Above: Blowhole with rings
The rings are strategically placed around the Blowhole.

 

Above: Close-up
The rings came up to about waist high.


Today's Quote: Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will ~ George Bernard Shaw

Tesselaar's Tulip Festival

Every year from mid September to mid October Tesselaar's Tulip Festival is held. There are over 100 different types in all sizes and colours.

Above: Tulip Time

Tesselaar's Tulip Farm is in Silvan, in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges about an hour's drive from Melbourne.

Did you know
Tulip images are found as far back as the 12th century where they were used to decorate a Bible. The three petal image of the tulip was and still is used as a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

Above: Windmill
There is more than just tulips to see, although the flowers are the main focus. Various windmills are to be found.

Above: A shady spot
This chap looked like he had had enough.

Above: Tip-toe through the tulips
Everyone likes to walk among the tulips.

Tulipomania
Tulipomania began in the Netherlands and the tulip became a status symbol for the rich. The gamble of creating a new colour break was an exciting game to play. Much experimentation was done trying to get the best effects. Wall plaster and powdered paints were mixed into the soil. Bulbs of various colour were spliced and joined together. Rare colours and streaks were also created - later with the discovery of the microscope these variations were revealed to be caused by a virus.

During tulipomania exorbitant amounts of money were spent on the frenzied purchasing of bulbs - houses were mortgaged and people joined syndicates to try the bulbs. Tulips were literally worth their weight in gold. A single bulb like 'Sempus Augustus' was worth more than a house in Amsterdam's best district.

Above: Tulips as far as the eye can see
The first famous tulips in the Netherlands were planted by Carolus Clusias, the curator of Leiden's botanical gardens. He was approached to sell them, but refused. Later they were stolen from his garden. It was these stolen bulbs that created the stock for the booming tulip trade throughout the Netherlands. The Dutch named their tulips after Admirals and  Generals in the spirit of the times.

Nurseries were established in the 17th century and as the stocks grew so did the market. The new colour breaks were the most popular and helped maintain the aura and mystery of the tulip.

Above: Tulip Fantasy
It was cheaper to have a tulip painted by the masters of the time than it was to purchase a single bulb. Master painters were commissioned to paint a momento of the tulips grown, these became treasured possessions.
Bulb farms were worked by hand, fields were tilled, drainage trench ditches dug, bulbs planted and dead headed after flowering. The work was labour intensive.

Did you know
The tulip motif has been used extensively in art, as crystal etchings and the shape has been a feature in gold and silver work.

Above: Stall holders
Most all of the stall holders and people working here were dressed in Dutch costumes. There are twelve provinces in the Netherlands and "traditional" Dutch clothing is therefore different in each area.

Above: Traditional costumes
The young lad was working at the bulb buying marquee and was quite happy to pose. The centre couple are members of the Folk Dancers and the lady on the right I just happened to see walking around.

The Beginning
Read how Tesselaar's began over 60 years ago.

Above: Windmill girl
Another windmill. After this I had lunch. The cafe provided light foods etc., but I wanted Dutch food, so went to the stalls on the other side and had Frikandellen and Reifkoek. Frikandellen are Dutch sausages - like a minced-meat hot dog and Reifkoek are potato cakes. The potato is grated and mixed with onion then fried - very greasy and very fattening! Later in the day I indulged in one of my favourites - Poffertjes. Dutch pancakes. Miniature pancakes - you get 19 of them and I went for jam and cream. Lashings of creams, smothered in icing sugar. Mmmm....heavenly.

Above: Folk Dancers
While eating my lunch, just as I was finishing, I heard an announcement that there was to be Dutch folk dancing in the centre bit near the souvenir shop. Wasting no time, I walked there - there was a very large circle of chairs placed around, and I espied two empty chairs. Needless to say, I made my way quick smart to the appropriate empty chair(s) and sat down on one. Lucky for me that I did - soon there were many, many people standing in rows behind.

Below is a video I took with my camera. I didn't capture all of it and alas stopped in mid-air so to speak - before a dance ended. (I wasn't sure how long the battery would last, plus my arms were tired from holding them up to film)



Above: Melbourne Tukkers
The group is called the Melbourne Tukkers and I thouroughly enjoyed watching and listening to the music.
I found my toe a-tapping for most of the performance.

Above: Dutch Beauties
These lovely ladies were part of the folk group - as you can see they are all smiling and happy.

Above: Under the willow
After lining up for about 45 minutes to buy poffertjes, I saw this lovely old willow and was quite taken with the serenity of the scene.

Click here to see other worlds.

Today's Quote: Dutch tulips from their beds flaunted their stately heads ~ James Montgomery

Springtime in Melbourne

Spring has finally come to Melbourne!
After a cool four weeks, Spring has arrived. The skies are blue, the flowers are out and it's short sleeves and 3/4 leggings. The gardens are blooming, it makes you feel happy, you could shout with joy at the fragrance of roses so sweet, the scent you inhale as you take time to wander around your neighbourhood and local parks.

It's Springtime now
The flowers are out
The trackies have gone
We're gadding about
In cool summer cottons
And hats on our heads
It's welcome to Spring
In our pinks, greens and reds



To see more Yellow Mellow Monday posts click here


Today's quote: I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden ~ Ruth Stout

Theme Day - Graffiti...Dining With Dinosaurs

Dining with Dinosaurs?
I just love this wonderful piece of glorious graffiti don't you? I noticed it while on one of my Melbourne Walks. They say art imitates life, well imgaine if art came to life - think of the mad scramble there'd be!
I don't think many would want to be din-dins for this fellow! Look at those teeth...

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

I am going to my daughter's for a day or two and will visit on my return. May you all have a lovely Friday and a safe weekend. God Bless.

Today's quote: Dinosaurs may be extinct from the face of the planet, but they are alive and well in our imaginations ~ Steve Miller, Freaks!

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date
You don't have to be in Alice In Wonderland to attend the Mad Hatter's Tea Party - just come to Melbourne. This darling display of beautiful hats by various Australian Milliners was in the Block Arcade during Melbourne Spring Fashion Week.
We promenaded along Collins Street and viewed the "Hats Off To The Races" exhibition. After voting for your favourite display, you received a gift bag of samples and vouchers.

Lilac Luscious
Wondering what to buy for that special lady in your life? Then look no further ~ imagine the admiring looks she would receive wearing this beautiful creation of midnight blue adorned with mauve flowers around the crown and a dark violet organza ribbon bow. The perfect accessory for a Sunday afternoon stroll.

Lemon Fantasy
What lady wouldn't want to be seen in this gorgeous piece of millinery confectionery? Featuring a gun-metal grey straw crown overlaid with chartreuse tulle and a silk band, finished with a large silk rose and feather.

Midsummer's Night
For that special occasion ~ a darling little confection of organza beaded swirled ribbon overlayed with butterflies of pastel and the palest of gold satin flowers with diamante centres.

The Cheesemaker
And for every day wear, this practical pink straw with magenta single flower and a swirl of delicate azure netting.

The Milliner
One of the milliners next to her array of hats. The Guest Judges were the Lady Mayoress, Emma Page Campbell; Deputy Lord Mayor, Susan Riley; and Millinery Master Peter Jago.
At the conclusion of the exhibition, the Hatters High Tea Party was held in the Hopetoun Tea Rooms.


Today's Quote: A hat is a flag, a shield, a bit of armour, and the badge of femininity. A hat is the difference between wearing clothing and wearing a costume; it's the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it's the difference between looking adequate and looking your best. A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat ~ Martha Sliter