Seeing Newcastle

I was centrally located. Close to Hamilton station, and shuttle buses.

If I wanted to check out the local sights, plenty to see without much
effort or distance.

I did venture out to the city, and saw a lot the first afternoon. Friend
Robin showed me all the local galleries the next day.

 Love the colour of this bike in the city and it's chippy paint. 

 The abandoned Civic Railway station which used to be the end of the line. 

The old indicators seen through mesh, all locked away. 

 Deserted platforms. 

 Wonderful wrought iron awning trusses. 

 The old benches, all is getting covered slowly by pigeon strike. 

 At the end of my street is a park and a river walk. 

 Many fish were jumping here early in the morning. 

 I stayed at the end of this quiet street, all character cottages. Across the grass 

and onto this bridge for a river walk, met many people walking and their dogs. 

 The park also boasted a community garden. 

 The nearby Moreton Bay Fig tree, at night you could hear the Flying Foxes, 

and a resident Tawny Frogmouth. 

 Iced coffee in a cafe, good fashion mag and an Anzac cookie. Sweet indulgence. 

 This shot is taken in a Newcastle Mall, beautiful old building, currently unused. 

 My homemade Anzac biscuits are heaps better than this one. 

 Robin has the keys to the printmaking kingdom. 

 Ooh, so many presses!

 Invited Robin back for a cuppa at the end of the big day out. 

Outside my holiday abode.

As one of the owners of this holiday let is a landscaper, it becomes
more apparent about some of the construction and decor details within.

 My private deck. Greenery, wood and weave.

 Convenient self-advertising. 

 Sweet vintage caravan parked out front, or is it on site office? The added wood siding, 

the rusted metal door, and I like the picket fence shadow play. 

 I do like the rural or industry look of rusty corrugated iron sheet.

 These windows are actually above the bath in my room. I guess,

that this originally was the opening of the old garage. 

 The side gate, enter this towards the passage to the apartment. 

 Adjoining is the cottage - also a holiday let. Sleeper surround and rusty door with lion knocker. 

Amazing and unusual Artichoke flowers.

Daughter Bec buys herself fresh produce from a local co-op.

Some grower had a nice idea to sell their artichokes that had
gone to seed, as an extra item.

I gathered up a quaint vintage tablecloth and took these shots.
I have never seen this flower before.

Photography fun

If you can't stand this, scroll away!

My Blog - my fun.

I was inspired by the styling of my holiday studio apartment, and added my
own touches for some travelog photos.

Sometimes photo images become 'Visual poetry'.

 Prerequisites for a good holiday: Artist's diary, big notebook for creative writing, laptop,
in paisley pouch of course! Maps and general tourist guides, pencils for drawing. 

Bright colour on neutral bedspread. Pattern on pattern. 

 The message on this notebook started this trip, it's call to new adventures. I bought it on 

a girl's day out with my friend CC the last time we were in Newcastle.

 A motivational book for creative people, something I had to read. 

 I saw quite a few things from this brochure, but more left for next time. 

 The laptop was a necessary but heavy accessory. The TV I couldn't work out, but it had heaps of DVDs. My cereal, snacks, tea and marmalade. Plus you can survive with a tube of Vegemite! 

 Goods on the animal skin on the trunk. 

 This notebook held notes of what I researched beforehand. The map
was partly hand-drawn on for the important areas.

 Sandy, earthy, beach and coastal textures and palette. I forgot to bring my cap so needed 

to buy this cute hat for sun protection, love the shell, and bead strand detail.

 The glow of opulent copper. Metal detail. 

 Natural elements. 

 Light through a pretty textile. 

 After the bath.

 Faux animal print against marble.

 I drew my thank you to the owners, so happy for this experience. 

 Good sandals, thongs, runners, backpack - check.

 The second day we had a big afternoon shower and that night gale like winds. 

At this point it looks interesting, trees seen through the deck roof. 

 Across the road there is a giant Moreton Bay fig tree on the edge of a big park. I picked
this leaf up while I waited for my friend to collect me to visit the galleries of Newcastle

. 

 Leaf against perforated cream leather cushion, and also aginst doona pattern. 

 Arranging the thank you drawing, against different objects as I 

finish tidying the apartment for departure. 

My jewellery against the animal skin, hand-painted leather bangle, real sea life 

specimens set in aqua colour resin earrings. I have sourced my costume jewellery from
op shops, pay pennies for it and love the older or vintage ones more than modern.