For the most part I’ve been head down, you-know-what up for the last few months (and, indeed, years) and am relieved to be entering into the final year of my Professional Writing and Publishing studies. It feels like it has been a long, hard, slog, not least because there are no breaks between study periods when studying through Open Universities Australia. Not even a break for Christmas. It does get wearying, with never so much as a single day when I don’t feel I should be doing something for uni. Like now. I have two major assignments due in the next week, so here I am writing on my blog. (I’m telling myself I’m just getting warmed up. *cough*) Nevertheless, the end is in sight. Whew!
Cruising along
We had a wonderful break in routine at the beginning of January when my parents took us on a 5-night cruise on the Astor, down the south coast of Western Australia to Esperance and Albany. Such a wonderful experience! (And I refused to entertain thoughts of the uni work that was piling up while I was away.) By some bizarre quirk of fate, a writing and horsey friend I’d met on Facebook, Colleen, was on the same cruise. Coincidence? It was so good to spend time with her and get to know the person behind all the text messages of more than three years. She was on the cruise with a lovely friend and it made the holiday extra-special for us to have them there.
Leaving Fremantle Harbour.
Esperance is so beautiful. We went on a lovely day tour, taking in Hellfire Bay, Lucky Bay, Twilight Beach and the amazing Cindy Poole Glass Art Gallery.
Looking out to sea from the Rotary Lookout.
Lucky Bay
We’re quite familiar with Albany, so had a relaxing day there, splitting our time between pottering around the ship, having coffee with hubby’s brother who lives down there, and wandering around town. Albany was the first white settlement in Western Australia and many aspects of the township reflect that period in its history.
Mokare, man of peace.
Me in the stocks.
Iconic of the town is the leafy sea dragon, and this mural painted on silos down at the wharf made me really want to go diving…
Leafy sea dragon painted on silos at the wharf.
In the evening, we went to the Field of Light art installation at Albany’s Avenue of Honour. Once it was dark it was just beautiful.
Field of Lights art installation at the Avenue of Honour.
I’d never been on a cruise before so it was an amazing gift from my parents. They are just the best!
Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak
Earlier this week we went to the Boorna Waanginy light show at Kings Park. A celebration of Aboriginal culture, it was part of this year’s Perth Festival and really worthwhile. I unfortunately didn’t hear most of the commentary, but appreciated the beauty and skill of the lighting, especially the 3D aspects. It was a fantastic production, despite it being so crowded it was literally impossible to move at times. Sadly, most of my photos didn’t turn out because of the low light, but here are a few.
Near the beginning. You can’t really see here, but 3D goannas and other fauna were running up the tree trunks.
Stories in the treetops.
Trees in the trees!
Last leg.
The end. 2,500 lanterns were made by WA school children, and each is a pledge to care for country.
SHRINE by Tim Winton
In another first, last night we went to the local theatre, Melville Theatre. The Melville Theatre Company is currently putting on a production of Tim Winton’s play SHRINE.
SHRINE programme.
It was excellent! The venue was unprepossessing from the outside but looks can be deceiving. There was an atmospheric bar area with dimmed lighting, complimentary port and sherry on offer, and candles on the bar tables.
Before the show.
The theatre itself was larger than I’d imagined, and the staff had given us brilliant seats to accommodate my hearing difficulties. Altogether it was impressive for a community theatre.
2019 is off to an excellent start!
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