Melbourne Laneways Graffiti... PPF

Something a little different for you this week.

Once again, it's unfortunately not my own work... it's been that kind of week once again. 

The weather has been reasonably good, so I've been busy outdoors. 

Although having said that I have managed to do some art, but I can't show it here, as the person who it is intended for might see it before the grand unveiling. 

Anyway... on to today's exhibit. 

It's travelling back in time to our days in Melbourne and this canvas shows one of the many Melbourne Laneways. 

This one is completely full of graffiti.

Graffiti is often a controversial subject because some visualise it as pure vandalism, whilst others a form of modern art. 

Here in the Lanes it seem right. 

I personally hate to see peoples names scrolled on railway bridges or randomly painted on the side of a beautiful buildings etc... but here in these lanes provision has been made and it makes quite a spectacular sight. 

I'm afraid that I can't give the photographer credit for this work as I can't quite work out the signature. Maybe you can?

Al fresco eateries, one-off shops and cosy little bars all nestle side-by-side in Laneways threading throughout the city.

If you'd like to see more type 'Melbourne Laneways' into your search engine under Images and you will be able to see these popular areas. (or click here)

I've borrowed this canvas from my son's bedroom and I apologise for the quality of the photo. 

It's difficult to get the image to look like the original. 

The canvas texture shows through. 

I purchased the print at the Melbourne St.Kilda Sunday market and my son immediately requested it when he saw it. I think he may have dabbled himself in the past.

I will be linking up as usual with Kristin and Eva over at Paint Party Friday link up. 

Thanks ladies for hosting such an inspiring linky.

Enjoy your Friday and thanks for stopping by.

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I would just like to add my thanks to Alexandra over at bluechairdiary blog for picking my design for  her Sunday Sketches competition. Alexandra is moving over from the US to England for a temporary period and wanted her link to Sunday Sketches to reflect that it is being hosted from England.
Please tap on the logo in my side bar to nip across to see lots of Alexandra's brilliant illustration work, but also lots of other artists too.
Have fun!

Brighton, Australia... PPF

I have to admit that I'm reeling today from the outcome of our EU Referendum, along with many others no doubt. We are on the cusp of many changes in the coming months for sure. 

It also looks like there may well be a Scottish Referendum because of this result... so uncertain times lie ahead. 

We never envisaged so many changes when we made the decision to leave Australia three years ago and I'm wondering with hindsight, whether we would make the same decision if we had to make it now.  

Whilst preparing for forthcoming visitors this weekend and not having had any time for artwork, I thought you might like to see a piece of art that we bought when we lived in Melbourne.

We bought the painting below from the St. Kilda Esplanade Sunday Market and actually watched and talked to the artist. 

It was brilliant to watch her work. 

It's a beach scene of Brighton with Melbourne city skyscrapers in the right hand corner.

The beach huts are so colourful... I love them.

I'm so happy that I bought this painting, because we've had visitors come to stay with us from Melbourne. It's a little reminder of home for them, as it hangs over the bed in the guest bedroom.

When I look at this painting I'm immediately transformed back there.

I'm not sure if the artist still sells her work at the Sunday Market... but if you are ever in Melbourne and find a Sunday morning free, then I recommend a visit. 

It's a craft fair and there are so many stalls selling lots of interesting things.

After being up late last night watching the drama unfold... I think I need to lie down for a wee while.

Obviously I can't go into this bedroom. 

The tea and coffee making facilities are already ready and waiting. 

(I'm linking to PPF as usual. Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting).

Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for popping in. 

My Sunday Photo... Fawkner Park, Melbourne

With the continuation of dark grey days, I'm obviously craving light at the moment and there's no better light than in the Southern Hemisphere. 

This photo shows the nearby park that became my regular daily dog walk, when we lived in Melbourne, Australia. It's name is Fawkner Park named after Melbourne's co-founder, John Pascoe Fawkner, and first reserved in 1862, Fawkner Park remains largely unchanged from its original design.

I would love to stroll around this park once more with its meandering paths lined with Moreton Bay figs, elms, poplars and oaks trees.

Muffin and I had some lovely walks here.  

It introduced her to grass and trees, after living in the Middle East.

A doggy paradise.

Fawkner Park is a popular park in Melbourne's South Yarr and part of the City of Melbourne.

 It provides recreational areas for teams playing Cricket, Softball, Soccer, Australian Rules Football, Tennis and Rugby.

I've seen early morning fitness classes enjoying working out in the open air, children having fun in the play park and people enjoying the free on-site barbecues and picnic areas at the weekends.

And of course the usual joggers and dog walkers.

Fond memories indeed.

(if you'd like to read more about the park then click here to be transported to an old post written way back in 2012)

I hope the light improves soon with the arrival of spring.

Have fun outdoors if you can.

If you'd like to see more photo's then click on the camera and join us over at Photo A Life 

Happy weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by.

My Sunday Photo... Melbourne

I've been watching the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne during this past week and it's set me off thinking about my time spent living in this amazing city... 

...so I thought I'd pay tribute by posting a picture for my Sunday Photo.

There's such an eclectic mix of architecture within the city that there's sure to be something for everyone.

Happy Australia Day for 26th January.

As usual I'm linking up with My Sunday Photo 

Enjoy your Sunday everyone and thanks for stopping by my place

xoxo

Grow Your Blog Party 2014...and a GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to the Grow Your Blog Party!

For those of you that haven't heard about the brain child of Vicki over at 2 Bags Full she's offered to host a party for over 500 people. Now I call that generous and incredibly brave. 

If you click onto the logo below it will take you into all the other party people and their blogs, but hopefully you'll not go before staying awhile. 

Now anyone that knows me will understand what a huge task this post has been for me to create...I have difficulty being brief or to the point at the best of times and that's one of the reasons why my blogs name has 'Natter' in it! 
I love to natter...about everything!

Basically, I've been described as someone being able to talk even under water and I know that's true. 

Yes, I'm aware that even this opening paragraph is in serious jeopardy of running away with me. So with that in mind I'll move swiftly on...
Firstly, though I thought I should give a brief idea of what makes me tick...I'll give only give you a few things to keep it brief...I'm not over thinking these either...they're not in any particular order, I'm writing them as they come into my head. 
Yep I'm that dizzy...and blonde! hehe

I adore my family and friends (plus our dog obviously...I live with my hubby, son and soon my daughter will be moving back home too plus our pooch Muffin)

I love drawing/art - I seriously want to devote more time to this (My Etsy shop needs to reopen) Gardening, but like to involve others when the going gets tough

Drinking copious amounts of tea and virtually never refuse a cuppa

Blogging big time of course! 
Reading and books (I've been devouring them ever since I first started to read)

Cooking and baking (sharing recipes and getting used to using my Aga once again)

Wildlife and Nature 

Photography, I'm just about to purchase a new camera...how exciting is that?

I started blogging a few years back when living in Melbourne and my daughter who was living in Edinburgh Scotland, at the time suggested it might be good to have a diary in the form of a blog to record daily life on our travels. 
At that time I'd never even heard the word 'blog' or what it meant.
Well, it was a shaky start and I'm not sure I've improved as much as I would have wished but it's certainly something I love to do and can't imagine not doing. I have posts pop into my head randomly and I'm constantly taking photos of everything in my day and thinking how they would be added into a post or tweet. Yep...I'm an avid Twitter user too. 
Blogging has changed my life and opened doors that I never thought possible. It's also brought new friendships from all over the globe. It really never ceases to amaze me just how powerful and wide stretching it can be.

Here I am doing one of the things I love to do...drawing whilst having my trusty assistant nearby to help with all of the major decisions. 

You can see she's riveted! 

That's Muffin by the way . 

(She's a mini Shih Tzu but there's nothing mini about this poochs attitude. She also known as Muffy, Muffty, Mufftypup, McMuffy after our last move, to name but a few) 

Although she looks cute and puppylike...don't be fooled...she's just celebrated her 10th Birthday ...and she certainly knows how to work the system or more precisely us! 

We have finally given up the expatriate life after 24 years of travelling and living abroad. We've had lots of adventures and certainly seen life along the way! 

Some a little too close and personal for my liking, but you have to take the good with the bad. Embracing it all.

So we've returned home...but I've never been sure where home was when asked this reasonable question. Over the years I decided that 'home' was wherever our nest happened to be at the time and we were all together. You have to adapt to this concept in order to have some consistency to your life when you're away.

But we packed our expatriate bag for the last time and flew off...but to where I hear you ask? Well here's a clue where we've landed.... 

Hehe isn't he stunning...a Highland Cow! 

(Not sure if you can call a 'he' a cow but maybe that's the thought for the day?) 

Did you guess right? 

Yes, we are in Scotland...in Aberdeenshire to be more precise. 

We moved away from a house here and rented it out whilst we travelled but we're back to stay. 

If you'd like to see the landscape and join Muffy and I on one of our daily walks then click HERE

I'm not sure this is it...the final destination and we'll stay, but for now we've no plans to move for a while. But I've learnt to never say never! 

It's surreal to be here once again but I'm loving settling back in. 

There are major renovations on the 'to-do list' and I've mentioned them in previous posts. Two bathrooms are just about finished except for a little bling to be added. There is decking being crafted right before my eyes as I type here and next week we are replacing all the windows and doors in the house. 

Keep your fingers crossed that snow doesn't arrive!

If you like the TV programme 'Grand Designs' with Kevin McCloud then come and visit here regularly because it's all happening. I wouldn't be surprised if Kevin walked up our driveway any day now. 

But there are peaceful parts of the property...

Here's a view of the side garden and one of my main bird feeding stations. 

(obviously this photo was taken in the summer months...

it doesn't look like this at the moment) 

It's amazing just how many birds have started to regularly visit us now there's a five star restaurant opened up. I just love to see the birds and can seriously lose hours watching their antics and acrobatics. We used to have pheasants visit when we last lived here, but I've yet to see one in the garden since we returned, but I'm hopeful that the word will spread..."they're back, come on down"!

Here's a few photos that I snapped over the summer. 

There are so many things to capture on camera.

Since we've been back in Scotland, we've been lucky enough to share in a fairy tale wedding at a castle...click HERE if you'd like to take a peek and there's lots of plans ready for exploring the area once spring arrives. There's so much happening here, history, architecture and fantastic scenery to name but a few...so it's going to be tough deciding what to post but I'm sure I'll manage. 

I hope that you'll join me because it just won't be the same without you. 

(The city of Aberdeen and around and about)

But there's also lots to share still about our travels and no doubt they'll make an entrance too at various stages. 

We've lived in hot places, cold places and everything in between.

(In order from left to right...Qatar, Canada and Melbourne) 

Melbourne was our last port of call and I miss it terribly. I made so many wonderful friends (Little Wandering Wren is taking part in the GYB Party...so why not nip over to say 'Hi'. She'd love to see you plus you'll be able get a warm too because it's summer there at the moment).

We had a fantastic time in Melbourne and have fantastic memories and at one stage we very nearly stayed. It was a very close call.

Melbourne has been voted the best city in the world on numerous occasions and rightly so.

Before Melbourne we were in the Middle East and I seriously thought we were heading home from there but instead of turning left on takeoff to come back to the UK we turned right to Australia!

What a fantastic time we had whilst there and I couldn't possibly pick a previous post for you to see because there's just too much choice. I think it might be better if you'd like to see any details by heading into my sidebar to browse. 

Muffy was actually born in Qatar and we couldn't leave her behind so she made the journey...and Australian quarantine. 

Now here's the link but be assured no animal was hurt in the making of this post...click HERE 

It's way back in the early days of blogging for me so please be forgiving if you look back. 

Can you imagine what might go through her little brain? 

"What are they thinking? I'm from the desert and then they take me off to Australia which turns out to have winters and quarantine"! 

Not content with that they then decide to cool me down even further and take me to Scotland! It's really a good job that I have friends and connections out there that send me beautifully knitted jumpers in Aran that have made my life at least bearable!" 

I am very selective in my choice of location for snoozing...it's normally near the wood burner or Aga

If you're still with me at this stage I'm thinking you need a reward. I'm going to have a giveaway and if you leave a comment below then you will be entered into the draw. I did this at last years party and there's no show without 'Punch' so Muffy had to do the draw. 

If you want to see how we did it then click Sticky Draw Prize Draw

I think we'll do something similar this year but at the moment I'm not sure what I'll be giving away. But I know 'Hamish' will be in there...plus a few bits and pieces like the book marks from a craft market in Melbourne. 

I would like to include something that I've created too but at the moment it's looking unlikely, but as I said 'never say never eh'? You never know?

Here's just a snippet of some of my art...the first was my personal mandala and was so much fun to include lots of things relevant and special to me. 

I was thrilled to open my Etsy shop last year, but I decided to close it just before I moved from Melbourne. I'm hoping that I will be able to re-open it again soon.  

For our last big adventure last year we went to New Zealand...both the North Island and the South Island with a few thrills along the way. 

If you want to see these posts they are in my sidebar (October 2012)

We plan to explore Europe now that we are over this way...so as they say...watch this space! 

Before I go I want to share a recipe with you and it's quite relevant with it being Australia Day on Sunday plus this is one of my hubbies favourite recipes. I know I should perhaps have tipped my cap or should I say Tam O'Shanter (tartan hat...if I had one) to it being 'Burns Night' on Saturday night (25th January) but I haven't got to grips with haggis yet...but no doubt I will. Maybe that'll be for next years party? 

I would have liked to have a new recipe for my regular visitors because they've seen this one before but the days just keep running away with me and I don't accomplish half of what I'd like to before my energy runs out and it's time for bed! If only I didn't have to sleep?

If you like the look of this yummy lemon tart then click on Australia Day Classic Lemon Tart

The recipe is enclosed in that post and it's one of my most popular posts.

I promise I'll have a new recipe soon...my Aga needs to get busy! 

Phew...well I think it's time for another cuppa in my favourite Denby mug.

(There are obviously other brands available than the one shown here...hehe...in fact there's a whole plethora of flavours and other brands out there...all waiting to be tasted  ~ how perfect is that) 

I'll just thank you for popping into my place and taking the time to browse. If you manage to leave a comment to show that you've been here all the better (or if you decide to follow...I always find I do a little clap and dance when I see a new follower) you'll be entered into my giveaway and will feature in a future post when Muffy does her party piece! Plus I always try to answer everyone that leaves a comment. 

Just one more thank you...and that's to Vicki for hosting this incredible event. I can't imagine just how much time and effect has gone into organising it.
Vicki is a very special person...just pop over to see her wonderful blog to get to know more.

I'm away now to put on my glad rags, lippy and dancing shoes to party the weekend away!

Have fun whatever you have planned...enjoy! 

Farewell Melbourne...its been great knowing you...

I couldn't nip off without putting a quick post out to you first, but I have to emphasis that it really is a quickie!

I'm just waiting for the car to take us off to the airport! 

I wrote a great post last night and whilst I was finishing it off....it went whoosh somewhere and disappeared so I'll have to redo that one once I arrive back in the UK. It was 1.30am so I had to stop. 

It was SO annoying!

Anyway we've had our last night in Melbourne and there's no more sleeps to go (sob sob) 

so it's talleyho and away we go!

I've been sent photographic evidence by my daughter that the weather over there in the UK has taken a turn for the better. 

The sun is out! Yay! 

That's unless my daughter has used photoshop for her pics ;D

But I'm really so sad to be leaving Melbourne...we've had a fantastic five years! 

Thank you everyone for everything!

(Flinders Street Station)

I'll be revisiting Melbourne again because I've still got gazillions of photos to share with you.

Thanks again Melbourne...it's been great knowing you and who knows we may be back!

Never say never eh?

Au revoir for now

I'll catch up with you when I've clicked my glitzy red heels and arrive home!

In the meantime take care everyone 

xoxo

Time for another walk...this time through the city.

Well the holiday is over...for my SiL that is. No she didn't leave by sea if you're looking at the picture below but I thought it was a great way for you to see the city skyline. 

I also thought I'd post a few photos of a tour through some of the streets of Melbourne. If you're a recent visitor to my blog then you won't have seen some of my old post photos...Melbourne has such a variety of things to see and do, its difficult to know what to include. If you want to see some more then type Melbourne into the search bar to the right for some of my previous posts.

Everytime I look at the skyline it seems to change...but I suppose that's usual with a vibrant ever changing city.

As well as the modern skyscrapers there are the old treasures.

The South Bank is a must for any foodies. There are so many fantastic Restaurants

to choose from....walk along the bank of the Yarra River and decide which to sample. You'll not be disappointed.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground or MCG as it's known has be featured when showing Melbourne. It's in the centre of this photo.

It plays (literally) such a large role in so many sporting events, not just cricket. The total capacity of the MCG is approximately 100,000. The MCG was first surveyed in 1861 by MCC committeeman Robert Bagot, who changed the ground’s configuration into what is today’s conventional oval. It previously was an irregular hexagon with a band rotunda in the northern corner.
 

And then of course like any major city there's the people...

With so much walking I'm sure a little afternoon tea would be a treat...so off we went to the Hopetoun Tea Rooms  for a little refreshment. (Psst...by the way it's a great place to take Mum for Mother's Day)

Who could resist?

 But then they have been established since 1892, so they know what they're doing.

After more shopping, eating, drinking and sightseeing, foot sore and shattered we headed home. At this stage I forgot to take more photos...there's only so much fiddling you can do with your arms full!

So I'll have to leave you here and get on with the day...Muffin hasn't been well for the last week or so, but she's gruffing and ready to go this morning...^..^...obviously the vet's tablets have done the trick!

Have a great week and I'll be back soon with some more of our trips.

It's a little chilly out there so wrap up cosy this morning ~  but the sun's still shining though...yay  :D

A walk through Fitzroy Gardens in the centre of Melbourne...

When you see the picture below you would be forgiven for thinking that I had taken this photo whilst in the UK.
This quaint little cottage just shouts Britain to me and the fact that the sun isn't shining just reiterates that fact. But this little cottage is in fact Captain Cook's original cottage but it's here in Melbourne.
It was originally built in 1755 in Great Ayton, Yorkshire, England and purchased in 1933 by Sir Russell Grimwade as a centenary gift to the people and State of Victoria.
When Melbourne celebrated its centenary in 1934 the cottage was moved, brick by brick from Great Ayrton. It was shipped in 253 crates complete with a ivy cutting which had grown on the original building. Today the house is covered by the ivy and situated in the picturesque Fitzroy Gardens, in the centre of Melbourne to commemorate the voyages of Captain James Cook, discoverer of Australia.

In 1933, the last owner of the cottage, Mrs. Dixon put the cottage up for sale and it was suggested that it would make an ideal focus piece for Victoria's centenary in 1934. The prominent Melburnian Russell Grimwade agreed to buy the cottage and present it as a gift to the Victorian people. However, a difficulty arose in that the patriotic Mrs. Dixon had stipulated that cottage should remain in Britain. She had rejected offers from wealthy Americans for this reason, but she was persuaded to accede to Victoria's claim on the cottage as Australia was, after all, still "in the Empire".

The cottage was purchased by Russell Grimwade in 1933, dismantled, and shipped to Melbourne in 253 packing cases, arriving April, 1934. As the cottage structure had been altered considerably by a succession of owners following the Cook family's occupation, its Australian assemblers had the task of restoring the cottage as accurately as research and guess work would permit to its mid 18th century appearance.

A site in the Fitzroy Gardens was selected to complement the cottage with its large shady European trees and the construction work was completed in six months. The cottage was handed over to the Lord Mayor, H. Gengoult Smith by Russell Grimwade on the 15th October, 1934 during a centenary ceremony.

The cottage has undergone two restorations. The first was undertaken in the late 1950's and the most recent in 1978, when a thorough effort was made to investigate and restore the building, furnish it with material appropriate to the period, and surround it with a garden of eighteenth century character.

Cook's Cottage celebrated its 75th Anniversary in Melbourne on Saturday 17 October, 2009 in the Fitzroy Gardens. 

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After taking our trip back in time we then wandered into another of Melbourne's favourite tourist attractions, the Conseratory. It was opened in March 1930, providing over 70 years of spectacular floral displays. The Building copies the Spanish mission architectural style and originally costing 4,000 pounds.

Unfortunately I now realise that I didn't take a photo of the outside....ho hum... but inside there's a feast for the eyes!

Everything looked so healthy and alive!

A little bridge leading nowhere in particular...I can't resist them....

I always feel so much better when looking at beautiful plants...it makes my heart sing

How wonderful to be able to come into this place to visit during your lunch break or to sit outside in the gardens, or just rest awhile...music quietly played smoothing the ears whilst the plants soothed the eyes.

Because you could quite easily forget that you where in the centre of the busy CBD....

I'm afraid that that is all I have time for today...I must get on because we are off to explore again.

I hope you enjoyed your quick visit to Fitzroy Gardens but if you want to see or know more just click on the link.  

Have fun everyone ~ don't forget to keep smiling :D