Aztec koalas

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Walking east along Murray Street towards Perth City we came across this spectacular curved mural on a tower attached to what appears to be a multi-storey car park. This work by Mexican artist Favio Martinez Curiot was painted as part of Form‘s Public 2015 festival in April 2015.

Curiot’s street art often depicts mythical creatures blended with animal and human forms. This mural portrays Aztec looking koalas sitting in a gum tree. It is featured in the top ten murals from public street art festival by Widewalls. 


PUBLIC, FORM, Perth, Australia, 2015 Image by Ryan Musiello from Favio Martinez Curiot‘s website.

St. George

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Detail of Ascalon, a contemporary representation of the legend of Saint George and the dragon. It is located in the yard of St. George’s Cathedral, Perth, Australia. The work is designed by Western Australian artists Marcus Canning and Christian de Vietri. 

Saint George is the patron saint of England. He is reputed to have slain a dragon in the Middle Ages. The story is likely to have emerged from the Middle East, being carried back to England by the Crusaders. 

Christmas in Sydney

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The thunder storm last evening cleared the heat and humidity. The temperature in Leichhardt is a comfortable 21 oC, due to peak at 28 oC by midday. 

Christmas Day is going to be a collaborative effort kicking off around lunch time. I need to make mince pies before everyone arrives. 

Happy Christmas. 

Room with a view 

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The original eighth floor room allocation was okay until the 8-4 maintenance work started on Tuesday morning. The view from the bay window was uninspiring unless one looked right toward the Swan River. 

As the repairs are scheduled to occur for the remainder of our stay, the Hyatt Hotel kindly moved us to the third floor, well away from the sound of angle grinding and drills. 

As of 4pm the temperature is 41 oC in Perth, Australia. We have spent the last four hours by and in the cool water of the pool. The above picture is taken from the comfort of our air conditioned room. 

Gift story

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We have two sets of keys for our home. We gave my set to our friends so that when we fly back from Perth next Friday they can bring Stan home, ready for our arrival from the airport. 

The temperature in Sydney hit a sizzling 36oC earlier this week. With one of us sipping a cocktail in the pool I needed a way to get into the house. In good old fashioned style, a key under the doormat did the trick. 
The cool hall appeared gloomy after leaving the intense heat of the late afternoon sunshine.  I spotted a narrow striped object lying on the coir runner, about five inches long. A gift for me, I thought, perhaps chocolate? I picked the cylindrical parcel up. As I walked into the light of the dining room I noticed a corner of the white and gold paper had been torn. The name Stan was written on the paper, not for me then! Inside, one of his favourite treats sealed in a plastic wrapper. I walked into the study. On the floor lay a medium sized box containing more gaily clad items.  
As I sank into the cooling water, an Aperol spritz in hand, I relayed my journey through the house. We laughed in admiration at the stealth Stan had employed in retrieving his gift. It had been tucked deep inside the box. None of the others were disturbed. 

Park Hyatt, Sydney

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Approaching the Park Hyatt Hotel from the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay, Sydney. 

The hotel follows the line of the foreshore in a graceful curve. I especially like the way it appears to nestle in front of the Harbour Bridge. 

Fifties fitness

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New challenges at work will require peak physical and psychological performance, no more excuses. Time to do something about fitness in my fifties. 

Procrastinated for a year; moping and moaning in melancholic moodiness. Finally I shook off the can’t do attitude this morning. 

Only one other person in the gym. Fifteen minutes of cardio followed by forty five of weights has set me up for the day. Hoping I will be able to do it again tomorrow. 

Smattering

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A smattering of these signs appeared on the side of bus shelters around Sydney. 

A smattering also describes my knowledge of this initiative by American Express. 

I am reliably informed that there are four businesses listed in the locale; a smattering here too!