remember last weekend

Our weekend away is still fresh in my memory. I do love going away and I really, really love hotels. It must be a throwback to Ansett days.

Now any hotels worthy of mention must have a sumptuous buffet breakfast.
This one did; and we broke our own record of staying for 2 hours until they suggested Paul and I might move on with our day.

A Mediterranean breakfast for starters.

It was another gorgeous day to begin with, as this seagull will attest. This view looks south to Surfers Paradise this time.

but the rain came. No use for the swim up bar.

Meanwhile, back at Carindale, one of our garden friends was eyeing off the water in our pool.

He took the plunge and swam around under water for 5 minutes or so.

....enjoying the pool side ambience. Paul's orchids are presenting well this Spring.

will show you something Swell

Paul and I try to get to the Swell Sculpture Festival at Currumbin Beach on the Gold Coast every year.

It's a great day out and there are always fantastic things to see, with the ocean and the sky as a backdrop.

The Festival continues this weekend, finishing this Sunday.

Here are my favourites.

We managed a cup of coffee and a piece of pie in the Surf Club pictured.

This washed up mermaid was created by the Monte Lupo group from the Multicap Disabilities service in Brisbane. She got my Viewer's choice vote.

 

Surfer's Paradise in the background

More photos soon about the rest of the weekend. We did have fun!

Blog about another birthday

Ok; we've done Myles' Mey's and Nick's birthdays, Father's Day and our Wedding Anniversary for 2013.

Today we celebrate Paul. He's successfully claiming to be 48 to those who don't know him so well. Curses.

I think he did find the Fountain of Youth when we were in Daylesford.

haven't finished with lighting up my world

Well, Myles and Colton have been celebrated for their 20th and 4th birthdays respectively.
I talked last time of Myles resisting photographic arrest. Look at this image I found in which Myles is clearly teaching Colton to look away from the camera.

Getting back to the theme of lights; I can't rest my case without reminiscing about the following.

Lovely Minnie Mouse' house...

and the fireworks display down the road at Sleeping Beauty's castle.

...and in the happiest kingdom of them all in Brisbane City Land here is the newly restored domed ceiling in our City Hall.

joined with family to celebrate Myles' 20th birthday

It's that time of year again. Over the next 4 weeks, we celebrate 3 Cooper birthdays, Father's Day and a Wedding Anniversary; not to mention a nephew and sister in law birthday as well.

Today we toasted Myles.
You may recall, he is notoriously difficult to photograph.

We tried.













and tried

 and tried

 and tried

Finally we got a good one.

Happy Birthday dear Myles, Happy Birthday to you.

continue my light expose

When I left you, I'd shown you lampposts and light through glass.
Here then is the main event:

Ceiling lights

                                   Chihuly glass, Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas

                                   Strata Hotel, Durango Colorado

                                   Kasbah between Fez and Erfoud, Morocco 

                                            Auberge, Sahara Desert

                                   Library, Victoria & Albert, London 

                                   Mohican Casino, Connecticut 

                                            Restroom, Crystal Cathedral, Los Angeles 

                                   Saks 5th Avenue, Los Angeles 

                                   Victoria & Albert Museum, London 

                                   Seafood restaurant, Boston 

                                   Diner, Gulf Shores Alabama


...and a random desk lamp from a Steampunk exhibition in Brisbane.

see the lights

Whilst perusing photos, I realised that there are certain subjects that Paul and I focus on time and again.

One of these is 'Light'.

It may be light through glass...

Shelbourne Museum, Vermont

                                       Hotel ceiling, San Antonio

                                        Mesquite mosque, Cordoba

                                        Cathedral, Madrid

 or lampposts....

                                         Lakeview Village, Upstate New York

                                               San Diego

                                                 Marrakesh 

                                                  Madrid
                                     
to be continued......