The oval is clipped to within an inch of its life. In comparison, the lawned areas of the surrounding park are meadow like. Proudly displaying lush green blades of 200mm plus grass, the result of cooling autumn weather and an abundance of rain. Petersham Park was resplendent during our walk with Stan today.
Month: March 2017
Conference with a view
So many conference venues I have visited either don’t have windows or they are heavily shaded. What a treat this week while attending a University Community Safety and Wellbeing conference; windows and views.
The Elizabeth Street clock tower completed in 1907 is a Melbourne landmark. Glimpsing it signals proximity to Flinders Street railway station.
This picture was taken from a room on the twelfth floor of Victoria University, 300 Flinders Street.
Pretty in pink
See how the size of this glorious pink crepe myrtle tree dwarfs the cars parked nearby. I couldn’t resist capturing the pretty pink flowers contrasted against the vibrant green leaves of the tree behind.
Marriage inequality
Forty five years ago today on a chilly Spring morning in England my brother aged five and I aged eight pulled on purple velvet trousers. Long sleeved shirts featuring a small floral motif in shades of purple, lilac and lavender against a white background and cravats completed the outfit. Later that day in 1972 we would parade down the aisle of the Church of the Redeemer in Birmingham with our mother as she took the hand of my first step father. This was the beginning of a decade and a half of an abusive relationship that at its lowest point saw us experience the despair of living in a ‘battered wives home’. Marriage vows didn’t hold much weight with this step father.
Seventeen years ago today on a chilly Autumn day in Australia my partner aged thirty seven and I aged thirty six stood in our underwear as our torsos were smeared in Vaseline and glitter. White faux fur boots, shorts and polar bear heads and arms completed the outfit. Later that day we would parade up Oxford Street onboard the Noah’s Ark float with hundreds of other people celebrating diversity and calling for equality as part of Sydney Mardi Gras 2000.
Under UK law and being British subjects we were able to marry at the Consulate in Sydney in 2014. Our non-abusive marriage is not recognised in Australia. The choice of entering a loving same sex marriage is not available to our Australian friends.
Happy Mardi Gras 2017.
Friendship rekindled
During the last twelve months of residing in the U.K. we became friends with a lovely couple. They shared our love of great food, wine and conversation. We enjoyed going to antique fairs, afternoon teas and dining in each other’s homes.
The date drew nearer for when we were due to emigrate to Australia. They told us that they were relieved that they hadn’t known us longer as the farewell would would have been much worse.
We exchanged emails and Christmas cards for a number of years. Somewhere during six house moves we lost touch. Towards the end of October last year we were delighted to hear via LinkedIn that they would be visiting Australia in 2017.
Over their five days’ stay in Sydney we caught up for dinners and a lunch. The nineteen years slipped away in conversation, laughter and gaiety.
I took the above picture of three of us chatting while gazing across Coogee Beach. There is mutual agreement that we will all catch up again, when we can.
theINFP 