New Years Storm

Today was 38 degrees all day but about 8pm the clouds started gathering. This was about 8:30pm and within half an hour it began to pour with rain.

Treasures

I love the treasures hidden in these tiny pools.

My Favourite Place

This is one of my favourite places in the world. These rockpools are fabulous to swim in with the crashing surfing behind you.

After dinner walks

Walking on the beach after dinner.....perfect.

Hanging around

Just hanging around as the sun sets.

Beach time

Christmas has been and gone for another year. Now it's beach time to recharge ready for 2010.

Christmas windows

These cute "babushka" santas were in a local shop but when we went to enquire how much they were we were told they weren't for sale. Such a shame - they're great!

Best cider

On the way home from the winery on Sunday we stopped here to grab some delicious cider. I highly recommend it!

Yarra Valley

Yesterday we went for a drive to a winery in the Yarra Valley, it was lovely. We had some wine and a delicious lunch. A perfect Sunday.

Horizon

Crazy "summer" weather! We've had storms and rain that comes and goes. No doubt it will be back to mid 30's in no time.

Westgarth Cinema

This old cinema is such a beautiful building. The best part is it's still a cinema and it's such a pleasure to watch movies here.

Staying local

I love walking along the creek near my place. It's so nice to live in the city but have this so close.

Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly entertains the crowd.

Camping sunset

Sunset over our camp at Meredith Music Festival.

My little monster and me

Check out this little guy - wouldn't you love him as a pet?!?!

Love Thursday

I love the painting on this little bookshop. To be honest I've never actually visited the shop but I often walk the back way home to see these little characters.

Oh so green

We've had a lot of rain recently and combined with the lovely sun that's followed it's made everything so green. It's beautiful - I guess we should enjoy it before the brown of summer.

Trams

I love the trams in Melbourne - especially the old ones. This lovely little tram shelter is a great reminder of the way things used to be.

Vivid beauty

These roses grow in my front yard and I am constantly amazed by their vivid beauty.

At the Meadows

A wet night out at the greyhound races.

Love Thursday

I Love NY.

Flooded creek

After the rain all weekend the creek has flooded - it is good to see this much water after so much dry weather.

Tree fern

Taking a break among the trees

Blame it on the rain

Today it has rained almost all day. I made it out for a brief walk with the dog. I love the clouds over this my favourite view of the city.

Back to my roots

Over the weekend I went back to the area where I grew up and was taking some photos when this little fella came and sat near by.

Give me a home among the gum trees

Always reminds me of home.

Love Thursday

I would love to be back in Bali right now.

A travel favourite

If you've never been to Yosemite National Park I cannot recommend it highly enough. it is one of the most beautiful and amazing places in the world. This is an old favourite from my most recent visit.
Note that those pine trees at the bottom are full size trees - this rock face is incredible.

Another lifetime

The last few days I have been going through photos from my travels as I prepare my portfolio for the new website that I'm setting up to launch my photography business. It struck me that this photo was taken around this time last year and my life feels infinitly different to the life I was living then. I loved my Vancouver life but I was always dreaming of what my future Melbourne life would look like. It's nice to be here in "the future" and not be disappointed at all - it is as good as the dream!

City skyline

View from the scene of Sunday drinking.

Sunday sunshine

I found this lovely garden of kangaroo paw on the upper terrace at Hamer Hall - such a beautiful find.

Water Wall

Looking through the water wall at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Summer in the city

The city skyline, trams, Federation Square and the Yarra River - so Melbourne. Happy Friday!

Love Thursday

I love summer evenings. I love that it's light til late. I love that it's warm enough to be out in short sleeves and skirts. There's just nothing quite like that magical feeling of a summer sunset.

Clouds and trees

I love taking photos of clouds. I don't know why. Maybe it's the challenge of trying to get them to look as impressive as they look in reality. Two dimensions just don't do them justice.

Fresh Fruit

This fruit tree is in my back yard. There's so much fruit on it that we don't know what to do with it - a crazy problem to have.

Summertime

This week the weather is going to be high 20's and low 30's for most of the week. Loving it!

Sunday swimming

Today I went swimming at this beautiful waterhole in the Yarra River. It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday.

Gardening time

I'm really enjoying gardening of late. We're really lucky to have a huge backyard and so we're taking advantage of it. It's the best. These pots are left over from my non-backyard days but still really useful.

Raindrops on roses

Well actually there are very few raindrops in sight at the moment, Melbourne has been pulling out some glorious weather. These roses are in my back yard and they are the most beautiful smelling roses I have ever come across. They're passed looking their best at the moment but still gorgeous.

Love Thursday

I love fresh fruit and vegies at the market. These were so beautiful and colourful I just had to take a photo.

One year on

This time last year I stood in Grant Park, Chicago with thousands of people and witnessed history being made. Here we are one year on, it's pretty amazing.

My dreams

Lately I've been dreaming of the beach. It's my dream that one day I will live near a beach like this.
(This is Fairhaven Beach in Western Victoria. This photo was taken on a visit there a couple of months ago)

Melbourne town

This time last year I was in Chicago - it's a far cry from where I am now in so many ways. I'm really glad to be home, I love my Melbourne town.

Country drives

I took this last weekend when I was driving to my parents' place. I was driving along alone and just had to stop and take some shots. It's so beautiful out that way.

Park and city collide

I love that Melbourne has so many parks. It really is special to be able to be surrounded by trees yet so close to the city.

Early morning river

This is the view I see every morning when I'm heading to work. I kind of like the grey days as they make great reflections on the water.

Love Thursday

I took this photo a few months ago when I stayed down the beach with a couple of friends and thier dog. This is my good friend with her dog Hank.

The Arts Centre

This is the Arts Centre in Melbourne. Melbourne doesn't really have a "landmark" as such - not the way Sydney has the bridge and the opera house and New York has the Empire State Building but I guess one significant thing on our skyline is the spire of the Arts Centre. I love the reflections in this shot.