A few months ago , I bought a beautiful new camera, a SLR Canon 60D, I was over the moon with happiness. I learned so much in a few weeks and had a spring in each step I took.

However, a few weeks ago, our house was burgled, my car was stolen, along with my camera and tripod, my car was returned, albeit a little dressed up with the thieves’ graffiti as a permanent reminder in the interior of the car…rotten mongrels…as for my camera…sadly it is still missing, since the burglary I have been feeling rather down ,sadly with my not being at work for such a long time  and household insurance being so expensive, I didn’t have any…another kick when down…. I am missing being able to visually share my love of the outdoors and nature…hopefully one day I will be able to have the chance to be able to enjoy photography again.

I refuse to let those oxygen thieves get me down I gave Leah my old camera when I got my new one….it is hardly an SLR but it does take nice photos and so I am going to start walking again and take some more spring photos to share….

http://alikey.com

I am now using my own domain name, after many moons I am able to use it…Thanks to my friend Craig.

The non event in Perth

Last night was a rare night where there was a luna eclipse, Perth was also the one place where one could view this wonderful spectacle…hmmmm with the weather being cloudy,misty with rain…we never got to see the eclipse…….I however did take a photo of the ‘non event’

Winter has slowly made it’s presence known here in Perth, am I happy ? No. After living in Wellington New Zealand(one of the 3 windiest cities in the world along with Chicago and Perth)  for 8 winters I can honestly say I am not a winter person at all. We have had some rain, however  after last year’s driest winters on record we need a very wet , wet winter to help Perth’s water shortage. It is the wind I loathe, here in Perth it seems to blast its way making our rather temperate winter very cool – I keep saying I need to fly north to the warmer climes…I wish. We are very lucky that our winter lasts the 3 calendar months it is given…then spring comes with so much warmth and colour – I can’t wait !

Physically I am getting stronger after my nasty accident in which I am happy to announce that the  Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Commission has accepted liability, which means I will be getting compensation which is wonderful, however nothing can take back the pain, the forced sick leave, the problems that my daughters have been through etc. to be honest I am glad to be alive.

I do have to say without dear , dear friends my recovery would have been much longer, they know who they are and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I hope to return to full time work very soon.

Winter skies

Lake Monger , dry

No water for the swans

Nicky's new friends

Today is 25 years since I stepped on Australian soil, a long time but a well loved time…and my thoughts ? Australia is a great place , especially my beloved Perth, it is beautiful, pristine, quiet, clean,old fashioned, boring (the press) , small, great to bring up children, fantastic beaches, parks , lakes , bush, …………I love living here…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth,_Western_Australia

During my hiatus, I  was in a nasty car accident, a very idiotic person decided to run a red light, sadly for my I ended up with a lot of pain…fractured fibula and a fractured sternum , 4 months down the track I am still suffering, ohhh and by the way the other driver never got a scratch..and he is yet to accept liability. It would be nice if he did, then I would be able to live like a normal person, instead of wondering where the next lot of money is coming from.

Thankfully dear friends of mine, bought a car for me, so I could return to work , another precious friend helped me out with my rent and other bills, they are amazing angels, life would be very hard to comprehend if I didn’t have a car and a roof over my head.

I am now working 5 hours a day 3 days a week, starting next week, I asked my doctor to let me work 6 hours a day 4 days a week, not because I want to but because I have to…I need wages, I am not sure how I will go , however it is for under review by my doctor and if I find it too hard I will go back to the 5 hours a day..3 days a week…I need a roof over my head ie: rent and so this why the huge increase of hours.

I am lucky , very lucky to be alive, have all my faculties and I am getting better , I have been to my lakes to take photos and in the next few days I will be uploading photos of my visits…it has been a long hot summer, I have loved it, however being in hospital for 18 days 5 weeks convalescing I missed a lot of it…I am looking forward to next year when I can enjoy life a lot more.

                                                                                                      Bruising from seat belt

The non fractured leg, still swollen and very sore

Fractured fibula

My zimmer frame

My beautiful car ..I thank my dear friends J&R for this amazing gift.

I have decided to give my blog another go, try once a week and see how I go…

Since I last visited a lot has happened, one incredible , precious and amazing thing happened, I became a Grandmoo…(grandmother) to Nicholas, or Nicky…my darling Jade gave birth on the 20/10/2010 to a wonderful healthy boy, 8lbs 30z in the old weight and very healthy, I was fortunate to be asked to be Jade’s birthing partner, which was a wonderful experience to say the least…I was able to cut the cord too…so special for a grandparent to be able to do. Sadly the father, didn’t want to have any part of it, sat in a corner and distanced himself away from all the action, even when it came to holding his son, he had to be forced to hold his son…sad for all…however, Jade has done an amazing job at being a mom, I am proud of her and as Nicky goes, being a Granmoo, it is the best thing that has ever happened to me…

Nicky a few minutes old

A precious time

Superman

One word….Happy !!

At last winter is over and I am very pleased. It has been a long winter for us Perthlings.

With spring comes new life, I was very lucky to be greeted by this wonderful family (:

Australian Shelduck

Scientific name: Tadorna tadornoides
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes

Beautiful mom

Handsome father

The family

"look mom, I can see under water "

Beautiful babe

Last year I was involved in a car accident, no major injuries however I was given a CT scan…..this resulted in the radiologist finding some nodules on my lungs. I went through a few weeks of worrying times, luckily the nodules were too small to do any biopsy and was told not to worry too much as they could be nothing, however I used to be a smoker (a reluctant smoker to say the least, I loathed the smell etc I gave up about 12 years ago and I haven’t looked back…..) and this is the worry…….the specialist said to come back in a year and have a CT scan to see if the nodes grow……today I had that scan……I have an appointment with the specialist in a week …..I am hoping my lungs are clear…….

After the scan, I went to my favourite park, Kings park to see if the wildflowers had started to bloom, a little early , but I needed some diversion and what better way to divert one’s mind than to get my camera and take some photos of bright colours …..and to share ……..

Mallee gum

Qualup Bell

little everlastings

Eucalyptus flower

pretty

28's

28 parrot......

28 parrot, named after the sound these gregarious birds make

for now, hopefully I will be back soon with musings of lakes, walking and life

What a night last night, it was very busy and when it came to going home, I passed my lake and headed straight home…I was exhausted, out of energy….I was looking forward to a nice sleep, however my neighbours made it quite clear they had come home , along with friends…how did I know ? by the loud slamming of doors outside my bedroom window, the constant yelling, slamming of house doors ……I hope they stay quiet tomorrow……