A drive to Te Anau

The clouds on our drive from Queenstown to Te Anau were light and fluffy, drifting slowly across the bright blue sky. The sun made everything shine, and the clouds looked like soft white shapes floating above and within the mountains. I am linking this to Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday

Saigon Street Stools

There were a few spare stools and high chairs tucked away in the side room of the restaurant where we had dinner at Steamer’s Wharf in Queenstown. Saigon Kingdom has such a cozy, authentic Vietnamese vibe. Their pho? Totally hit the spot. 👍👍👍 I am linking this to Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge

Pizzeria Doors

Some doors of Farelli’s by Giovi in the Steamer Wharf in Queenstown, New Zealand. It is authentic Italian family style dining I am linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge

Tuesday Streetart: 3 Faces – 81

This is a streetart in Christchurch Central city. No idea who the artist is, so if anyone has a clue, I would also like to find out.

A snapshot from Akaroa

Making friends with the alpacas at the Shamarra Alpacas in Akaroa. This is just an hour away from Christchurch, New Zealand I am linking this to Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday

First Glimpse of Christchurch

Touchdown …Christchurch, New Zealand. All of these public art were taken at the airport. I am linking this to Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge

Tuesday StreetArt – 80

Created on November 24, 2024, this is a collaboration from DLP and Camilo Delgado (Refuz) and it now occupies the wall on the corner of Campbell and Johnston St, Collingwood.

Back to London

My son just left yesterday after a wonderful month-long visit, and my heart is full of cherished memories. From long brunches at cafés and enjoying his delicious home-cooked meals to taking trips up the mountains and engaging in fun family Jenga battles (which I lost three times by the way)—but redeeming myself with a win…

One last tribute…

I’ve known Cee through her various challenges on WordPress. There was even a time when we casually discussed my hosting some challenges, but I never felt confident enough to do so. Still, since I started blogging in 2020, I’ve participated in several challenges, with my favourite being the “Flower of the Day challenge”. When I…

Tuesday StreetArt – 79

This is one of Chris Dyer’s murals that I happened to capture in a quick drive-by shot in Melbourne. Chris is a Peruvian-Canadian street artist, muralist, and visionary creator known for his vibrant, psychedelic mandala-inspired creatures. I am also linking this to Jez’s Fan of Challenge and for Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday

Looking in and out through the window

My son and daughter-in-law stayed at this beautiful Airbnb for two weeks—doesn’t it look lovely? It’s in Fitzroy, a perfect spot for catching up with their friends. Now, he’s back at Mum and Dad’s home in the southeast of Melbourne for another two weeks before they fly back to London! ❤️❤️❤️ Looking out of the…

Streetart Doors in Collingwood

Another blog about Streetart doors, but this time from another suburb – Collingwood. This has long been a hub for Melbourne’s street art scene, with its laneways, warehouses, and even shopfronts transformed into open-air galleries. But among the sprawling murals and bold graffiti pieces, one detail often goes unnoticed—the doors. These next ones are kind…

Wordless Wednesday – 26

GARDEN WORLD, SPRINGVALE I am linking this to Wordless Wednesday and to Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Easy’s Train Windows

Whenever my extended family goes out for lunch or dinner, we like to explore different cuisines. This time, we opted for something simple yet classic—the humble burger, but with a twist. We dined at Easy’s, an American-style diner with a retro, graffiti-covered aesthetic, uniquely set inside a converted train. Pretty cool, right? Here are some…

Sketching beyond my comfort zone

Everything came to a halt during the pandemic. That was also when I realized I needed to do something meaningful, even while staying at home. I tried some online courses but struggled to stay interested. My brother-in-law, who enjoyed taking U3A courses, encouraged me to give them a try. I didn’t take it seriously at…

Streetart Doors from Fitzroy to Collingwood

Collingwood and Fitzroy are two of Melbourne’s most vibrant and hip inner-city suburbs. Known for their gritty industrial past, both areas have transformed into cultural hotspots filled with street art, independent boutiques, live music venues, and some of the city’s best cafés and bars. Here are some incredible street art doors I came across while…

Chairs & Benches in Monochrome

The theme for this week’s Monochrome Madness Challenge from Brian is Chair or Chairs. Here are some that I found from my travels . BUDAPEST GIRONA BARCELONA PRAGUE SYDNEY MONTSERRAT LONDON LISBON EDINBURGH

Assisi Windows

This is the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi which is a major Christian pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Assisi is a town in the Umbria region in central Italy, where Saint Francis was born and died. Round and arched windows highlight the beauty of this basilica. I am linking this to…

River

This week, Johnbo invites us to “Pick a Word” and select three or four appropriate photos to share about it. The word I am choosing is – RIVER. In my travels I love sitting by a river where I feel at peace, watching the water shimmer and listening to its soft, steady flow. Here are a few…

Veg Out … a walk in the community garden

We visited this place a few years ago, but as we passed the wire gates of Veg Out Community Gardens this time, we noticed countless new things to discover. Curiosity got the best of us, so we decided to step inside and explore once again. Veg Out Community Garden is an organic, chemical-free oasis in…

Bold

BOLD carries a lot of weight—literally and figuratively. It can describe striking colours, daring artistic choices, fearless ideas, or even an unapologetic attitude. In art, bold can mean vivid, high-contrast colours that demand attention, or it can refer to strong, confident lines that shape a composition with purpose. In street art, boldness isn’t just about…

Tuesday Streetart: Tram – 77

Melbourne’s trams have undergone a vibrant transformation from their traditional green and white colour to dynamic canvases showcasing diverse artworks. This is Tram#217 by Kait James, which is part of the 2024 First Peoples Melbourne Art Trams. Kait James is a Wadawurrung artist living and working on Wurundjeri country. In her practice James explores her…

Holyrood House Windows

At the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, the windows beautifully connect the front building,  to the grandeur of the royal residence to the haunting beauty of the ruined abbey. I am linking this to Monday Window Challenge

A “Pause Button” Moment

“A photograph is the pause button on life.” Quote by Ty Holland Through my wanderings, I’ve walked vibrant city streets, taken photos of hidden corners, and soaked in the rhythm of unfamiliar places. Every journey brings new stories, colours, and inspirations—each destination leaving its mark on my heart and mind. With this drive-by photo along a…