On this day, 16th October, 2019, this dragonfly decided to say hello.
A Friendly Dragonfly
Category: Photography
Road Trip – The Full Story – Pt 2 Friday 29th August
Following on from my previous post, Friday morning arrived and we headed back to the chaos that is my grandsons house where it was agreed that he and I would go out and do that touristy thing while the girls stayed to look after the smaller girls.
During a previous visit to WA Gerry and I took a trip up to Exmouth and on the return leg it was planned that we would make a stop, just south of Kalbarrie, to visit the Pink Lake, aka the Hutt Lagoon at Port Gregory. Back then our plans were thwarted by bush fires and we were diverted away from the area.
So the plan was for us to take a trip up to the lake and have a spot of lunch. It was also a great opportunity to spend some one on one time with Ryan. After a pleasant drive, we arrived at Hutt Lagoon with the water being a beautiful pink.
However, no sooner had I reached for my camera than a breeze blew up, ruffling the waters surface, and the pink colour disappeared. Ryan had warned me about this but we had hoped to avoid it happening. It was still very pretty, judge for yourselves.
Thankfully the wind reduced and normal service was resumed.
While climbing up to the view point there was plenty of flora and fauna to view including this perky little fella, a Western Bearded Dragon.
Once we had satisfied our curiosity at the lake, we headed off to the small town of Northampton for lunch. But lunch was delayed whilst we took a small detour
….. to visit the Lynton Convict Depot or alternatively known as the Port Gregory Convict Hiring Station. Convicts were brought here to provide workers for the Geraldine Lead Mine and for local settlers.
Lynton Convict Hiring Depot according to Wikipedia ……
The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot (1853–1857) was the first convict depot north of Fremantle, Western Australia. It was established on 22 May 1853
The depot was operational between 1853 and 1856, and was designed to hold up to 80 convicts although it is believed that actual numbers varied between five and forty. However, most would have slept under canvas as the depot wasn’t completed unti 1855.
When the convicts eventually moved into the building their accomodation would have looked something like this. Sorry about the image quality.
I can’t imagine what it would have been like to be in close proximity to up to forty bodies with dubious hygene habits. Especially during WA’s summer heat.
An interesting site with an interesting history. Should you visit, wear tough footwear as the ground is somewhat uneven.
Having had our fill of WA history it was time to attend to our bellies, and so we continued our journey to Northampton. Rachel had done some research and suggested a coffee shop, on the main street, named The Shearing Shed.
Parking up, we ambled across across the street to a small but busy cafe with a huge menu. Ryan had a burger while I had a “Boss Cocky” which is basically a filled, two egg omelette served with fries and salad. Very tasty. These we consumed, sat outside at a picnic bench style table.
According to Wikipedia ……
Northampton is one of the oldest towns in Western Australia, having been declared a townsite in 1864.
Replete, we clambered back into Ryan’s car and headed back to join the girls. It had been a really nice day out.
Back at Ryan’s it was time to join the fray and engage with the girls. Or should I say whirling dervishes. They really are a pair of pocket tornadoes, and both with the boundless energy of a Duracell Bunny, they soon had me exhausted.
And so, after the evening meal, and with the girls in bed, we headed back to our chalet for a little R & R.
Hutt Lagoon
Aka The Pink Lake, near Port Gregory, WA. Hutt Lagoon is Australia’s Most Unique Lake
Hutt Lagoon, or the “Pink Lake,” is a marine salt lake in Western Australia, famous for its vibrant pink color caused by the Dunaliella salina algae and high salt content
When we arrived the lake was a beautiful pink colour. Then the wind got up and the colour disappeared. Thankfully, the wind dropped away.
Blowing The Cobwebs Away
We have been in WA for nearly a month now. Having travelled out from the UK to support our daughter following the passing of Steve, her husband.
Up until now, our time has been filled with preparations for the funeral and general mundane household shopping trips and, most recently, collecting Steves ashes from the funeral home.
To be honest the weather hasn’t been the best but yesterday we managed to get out of the house for a couple of hours. This is the first time that a trip out hasn’t had a purpose. By that, I mean it was, just to get some fresh air, for a change of scenery.
We opted to drive down to Rockingham, forty odd kilometres south of Perth, to walk along the foreshore. After a forty-five minute drive, we found ourselves on the prom.
The sun was shining, and the sky was blue, and with a temperature of 20°C it really was very pleasant. We had already planned to have fish ‘n’ chips, and so it was we found ourselves sitting in the sunshine enjoying an al fresco lunch.
Freshwater Cobbler in crispy batter with crispy but fluffy chips. The Cobbler was a first for me. The lady who served me in Nae’s Seafood & Grill informed me that it was a kind catfish. It was very tasty, but it’s not Cod or Haddock. However, it did hit the spot.
Then, it was time to head back along the prom and back to the car. And, after a forty minute drive home, we were soon sitting in the lounge with a very welcome cuppa.
The brisk, but not unpleasant, sea-breeze definitely blew away the cobwebs we had accumulated.
Shame the weather forecast for the next few days shows a temperature drop and plenty of rain and thunderstorms.
Dog Walk
Not far from my daughters house, there are these pretty lakes.
On previous visits, they have been all but dried up, muddy pools only suitable for hippos.
However, there have been days of wall to wall rainfall interspersed with beautiful sunny days. As a consequence, the lakes are perhaps a little over full.
I took these photos yesterday while out walking the dog.
Unexpected Picnic Guests: A Pheasant Encounter
There we were, minding our own business, enjoying a sunny picnic in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. When this fellow came mooching along, hoping for a tasty morsel.
What, do you suppose, had caught his eye ? Was it the pork pie with its jelly and crispy crust? Or was it the egg mayonnaise and watercress sandwiches. Perhaps, when all’s said and done, it was strong cheddar cheese and tangy chutney.
Either way, he was out of luck with me around. I don’t share my food with party crashers.
View From The Conservatory
View From The Conservatory
A beautiful pair of Orchid blooms.
Thirsk
This is a post that I intended to publish last year. But, as is often the case, time and stuff got in the way. This is from April, 2024.
Last year we were invaded by a contingent from our Australia based rellies. They arrived mid April and we elected to take a trip up to York for a few days.
We spent a lovely few hours in Thirsk, a pretty market town located about a forty minute drive north of York in the Vale of Mowbray. Thirsk is the hometown of renowned vet and author James Herriot. Thirsk is depicted as Darrowby in the TV series.
We parked in the market square and were immediately immersed in a friendly, genteel atmosphere harking back to past times. A reflection of rural england at its finest.
We were, however, pulled back to modern times, surrounded as we were by numerous knitted or crocheted “toppers”, a much more historically recent creation.
These toppers are knitted or crocheted. I think they became popular during the Covid pandemic. Initially appearing on top of pillar boxes.
They were originally designed as a tribute to NHS workers.
Subsequently, they have been installed as a form of commemeration, or even just for public enjoyment.
A new name has become popular for the folks that create and install these pieces of art.
They are known as “Yarn Bombers”
Although a couple of years ago a Daily Mail jornalist branded the perpetrators as “Wooly Delinquents”
Personally I think we should embrace them as a bit of fun. They do no harm and some of them are really quite intricate. They truly are works of art.
I think the last word should go to this creation.
Goodwood Road Racing Club – 81st Members Meeting
Per my recent post, on Sunday, 14th April, I had the great pleasure of attending the annual Members Meeting, held at the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit.
This was the 81st Members Meeting. It’s amazing to think that this annual event has been going for so long.
Thankfully, the weather was kind, dry with some sunshine throughout the day, although the temperatures did drop later in the afternoon.
But hey, this post isn’t about the weather. Let’s get on to the main event. It’s all about historic cars, some of which are over one hundred years old, being raced around the Goodwood circuit.
So here are some photos of some fabulous cars, oh and motorcycles.
Getting us started is a fairly modern vehicle by Goodwood standards ….
This was just one of an array of Alpines lined up to greet us as we arrived.
Close by there was this fine display of monster Bentleys.
On arrival we were just in time for the first race.
Here we are on the grid but no sign of the cars.
These guys were all lining up to compete in the Parnell Cup, a twenty minute race for Grand Prix, Formula 2 and Voiturette cars. These cars are of a type that raced between 1935 and 1953.
Next up was the Derek Bell Cup. a twenty minute race for 1-litre Formula 3 cars that raced between 1964 and 1970.
Yes, all lined up ready for the off. Unfortunately the race start was delayed for a few minutes.
Unfortunately, due to a racing incident the race was red flagged, an ambulance was deployed and all the remaining competitors had to return to the grid for the eventual race restart.
For a totally different form of racing we move on to the Sidecar Shootout. Racing sidecars was a first for Goodwood. The shootout featured eight of the quickest pairings from the Sidecar World Championships.
The riders, or is it drivers, and their passengers have to be truly insane. One of the competitor vehicles was clocked at 144 mph.
Between each racing event, the McLaren cars would come out to play.
Presumably checking that the circuit was clear of any debris prior to the next event.
Which in this case was the Surtees Trophy. The Trophy race is for unlimited sports racing prototypes that raced between 1960 and 1966. The race duration was twenty minutes.
First the formation lap …..
And then they were off.
Charging into the first corner.
Here are a few detail shots …..
As we headed into the afternoon it was time for a Mustang or two, or thirty. Yep, thirty Ford Mustangs headed out onto the grid for the Ken Miles Cup. This forty-five minute race was for first generation Ford Mustangs that raced up to 1966.
Unfortunately, due to a racing incident, the safety car had to be deployed and the track cleared before racing could continue.
And then we were racing again …..
Sadly, this guy didn’t get to the finish line …..
But the Members Meeting isn’t all about racing. Some of the events are demonstration runs. On this occasion there was a real treat in store for motorsport fans, Can-Am. The Can-Am series introduced some of the wildest, most extreme race cars of all time.
Following the Can-Am demo we were treated to a real vintage display. Part 2 of the S.F. Edge Trophy. A five lap race for Edwardian racing cars, and Aero-Engined Specials, from the early 20th Century. Here are a few of my snaps …..
And now, back to the future. Here we have a Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 “Mule” supercar
Travelling back in time, just a little, we were treated to a demonstration of Niki Lauda’s McLaren MP4/2B……
And then as time was marching on, at around 17:00, we had the final of the Sidecar Shootout.
Finally, as we were getting ready to leave the circuit for the day, there was much activity on the grid as Goodwood prepared for the Peter Collins Trophy, a twenty minute race for sports racing cars of a type that would have raced between 1948 and 1955.
We didn’t actually see this race get underway as we were heading to the car park, but all in all we had a fabulous day. Once again Goodwood put on a spectacular event.
Thank you to Goodwood
Thank you to all the competitors and demonstration drivers.
Thank you to all the owners who allow these fabulous machines to driven as they were intended.
I’m of an age that I remember some of these vehicles racing, watching them on a Saturday afternoon, in black and white, on the BBC. Certainly I can’t get enough of them and all being well, I will definitely be back for the 82nd Members Meeting in 2025.
WrAnTz 