An Easter full of Curiosities

Maybe it was the full moon, or maybe it was just because, but we had an Easter weekend full of curious sightings.

We set off at 5am to try and miss the traffic.  The early morning mist gave the rising sun an eerie glow.

The Sculptures by the Harbour exhibition  was well worth a visit.  The name is a little misleading as the sculptures are actually in the harbour just in front of the Albany Exhibition Centre.

On the Saturday night we ate outside using a cooking technique that a family friend had seen on a recent trip to China.  You cut sections of green bamboo and fill the hollow centres with a combination of finely chopped meat, rice, vegetable and spices, you then plug the hole (we used carrots) and put the bamboos into an open fire, turning them over at regular intervals.  When they start to sizzle and/or the carrot shoots out you know they are ready.  Then comes the tricky bit - you have to split the bamboo open without losing the contents.  This is where a very very sharp knife (or machete) comes in handy.

We were observed closely by the resident frog and skink.

Then just when we were having a quiet coffee by the beach the next morning, and things seemed quite normal .....

along comes a local with his friend to get a takeaway coffee!

Happy Easter

Have a great Easter weekend everyone.

Things to do with old paper

Old maps and old sheet music are great for making things.  The paper folds well and is always interesting to look at.

Here are some things I have been making:

Portable Herb Gardens

Just like you would occasionally move cushions or pictures around in your house to change the look of things, it's nice to be able to change the look of your garden without having to involve shovels, wheelbarrows and lots of heavy lifting.

This summer I made some portable herb gardens.  One is in a large terracotta pot, the next is in an old wooden box and the newest one is in an old motor oil stand that has seen better days.

You can move them around your garden easily, and they make a great gift.

Somerville Outdoor Cinema

It wouldn't be a proper Summer in Perth without a trip to the Somerville.

It takes a bit of organising, as it has become a very popular venue, but we went to see the much acclaimed French movie Amour a few nights ago.   It was a picture perfect night and a full house.  My photos don't do justice to the amazing backdrop of the Norfolk island pines but there is something magical about the place as the daylight dwindles and the trees are in silhouette against the evening sky.

Gordon Street Garage

West Perth has joined the big league in terms of ultra cool new eateries.  With a vibe not dissimilar to Gil's Diner in Melbourne, Gordon Street Garage  is a former mechanic's workshop which has been re-invented as a cafe, complete with its own onsite coffee roaster.

It's open from 7.30 am till late,  and already there are queues out the door at lunchtime!

Feeling Festive

Although the days have been hot, we have been having some wonderful balmy summer's evenings in Perth.  Perfect, in fact, for going for a wander around the Perth Cultural Precinct where both the Fringe Festival and the Perth International Arts Festival are in full swing.

This is Perth like you have never seen it - outdoor pop-up bars and a cafe - spiegeltents, live music and a quirky fountain made out of things you would find in a junk yard.  And all of it right smack in the middle of Perth.  It's a Festival fairyland.