Posts in the Everyday Escapades category
Goodbye Summer
Where Do You Run To – Vivian GirlsThis summer we went all over but we didn’t leave home.
*Photography by Sean
Holiday Greetings
Oh, hello there. Things have been a bit quiet here lately, as Sean and I have been visiting family in Tasmania (which is where I met these two fine fellows) and enjoying some incredible summer weather. This is the first time I’ve had an iphone image on the blog and I’m not sure if I’ll make it a regular thing, but I’ve been in holiday mode and haven’t felt like getting the ‘proper’ camera out.
Actually, as of ten minutes ago Skip_Town is on Instagram (yeah I know I’m late to the party) and since we’re having a bit of an extended break (a New South Wales road-trip starts tomorrow) I’ll be giving it a bash. Come say hi… if that’s what one does on Instagram… I have yet to find out!
Everyday Escapades: Bruny Island, Tasmania
Last week work bought us to the cheese-maker/surfer/farmer’s paradise of Bruny Island, off the coast of Tasmania. It’s not far from Hobart, but there’s something about the ferry ride over, and the small stretch of water separating you from the mainland (also an island!) that makes you feel very pleasantly disconnected. We were working at a private event held in a local shearing shed, converted for the occasion. The shearer’s quarters were our accommodation for the night, which was completely no-frills as you’d expect, apart from the five star view we woke up to the next morning. So beautiful!
By the way, our friends over at Island Menu (a food blog devoted to Tasmanian flavours) recently featured some beautiful snaps from Bruny Island. So if you want to see more of this unique destination (and make something yummy while you’re at it), head on over.
Everyday Escapades: Mapping the ‘Burbs
On a rare blue-sky winter day in Melbourne, I set out to ride the St Kilda path of “Mapping the ‘Burbs”, which is part of the State of Design festival that has been taking place here over the past two weeks.
Presented by the Australian Institute of Architects, several cycle-friendly maps have been created for various suburbs around Melbourne, marking significant buildings and locations. They’re available for download here, so should any architecturally-minded cycling enthusiasts out there find themselves in our fair city, try it out!
Unfortunately, after a bike malfunction I never made it past the Peanut Farm Reserve community gardens. Although I was initially only planning on a quick visit, the sunny weather drew me in and I actually really enjoyed being in a working garden and taking a few photos in the late afternoon sun. It’s got a total 1990′s vibe with heaps of weird art and mosaic murals left over from when St Kilda was, arguably, in its prime. Luna Park is across the street, so you can potter peacefully in your garden to the sound of distant screams.
A unique little corner of Melbourne, to be sure.
*photography by Jess
Everyday Escapades: Thoughts of Denmark
I’ve led a pretty frugal existence lately, as I study and freelance and adjust to life in a new(ish) city. But in the past week I’ve acquired not one, but two very special treats – both with a decidedly Danish flavour.
One, I finally got a bike. It’s black and shiny and I’m almost afraid to ride it lest I crash (very possible) and scratch it. I took it for its first outing yesterday, to the Community Cup charity football match, featuring teams made up of radio announcers and musicians. There was a lot of falling over, pizza on the field, and five (I think) streakers. Just for the record, the musicians won.
Two, I got a very warm, sturdy, beautiful knitted Ilse Jacobsen cardigan. Is it wrong to be excited over knit-wear? It’s just that when I wear it I can imagine my name is Gjerta and I’m on my way to pick berries or some other stereotypical (mostly imaginary) nordic-type hobby.
Anyway, self-congratulations concluded, these two new acquisitions got me thinking about all things Danish and how I really must go back there soon (I had a short visit a few years ago). An internet image-search spree followed, and if you care to scroll down, perhaps you too will catch the must-go-to-Denmark-now bug.
By the way, I’m guest-blogging about travel photography over at The Design Files all this week. So if you’ve come from there, welcome, and if not, check it out.
Souvenir still lifes
While unpacking boxes upon boxes of stuff at the new place, I came across my battered and beloved shoebox full of travel paraphernalia. Flyers and fabric, booklets and bank notes, trinkets, coins, packaging, tickets… in short, junk. But special junk… to me anyway.
I spread it out over the lounge room floor and picked out certain things to share with you. Seeing it collated and photographed like this, I suddenly remember why I keep it. What do you collect on your travels?
United States of America
Japan
Europe (various countries including France, Ireland, Sweden and Turkey)
New Kids on the Block
Hooray! We’ve settled into the new place and as of a few hours ago the internet is on! To commemorate the
occasion (the move, not the internet connection) here’s a photo of four bathing beauties taken on St Kilda beach
(the new neighbourhood) in 1910. Hopefully I will be following their example at some point in the future when it is
not the middle of winter. My! It was so cold today.
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and say hi. Back to regular posting shortly.
*Image courtesy Museum Victoria archives
Everyday Escapades: Signs of Brunswick
This weekend I’m moving to the other side of the city. Beach side! Since I arrived in Melbourne I’ve been based in the formerly quite industrial, inner-city suburb of Brunswick. Apparently it’s changed a lot and become more gentrified over the past five years, but remnants of a past life can still be seen in the warehouses around the train-line.
I went on a couple of early morning missions to document the wonderful, faded old signage in the area. A souvenir of my time here, if you like.
Goodbye Brunswick!
Everyday Escapades: Salamanca Market, Hobart
Have I mentioned I’m Tasmanian? Both of us are, in fact. Saying it like that – “I’m Tasmanian” – makes it sound like its own country, and I guess as an island state it does feel like that sometimes!
Anyway, I now live in Melbourne but I’ve spent the past week back in Hobart catching up with friends, walking around old haunts, and generally enjoying the autumn crispness before it turns into winter frostiness. Actually, this week is shaping up to be a bit of a Tassie-fest as I’ve got several more posts coming up chronicling this visit.
Salamanca leaves by Sean
One of the most well known tourist attractions in Hobart is Salamanca market. Every Saturday around 300 stall-holders set up in the shadow of convict-era sandstone warehouses with the harbour to one side and the mountain above. Sound nice? It is. But after a while, most locals become slightly oblivious to the market itself (as the stalls rarely change) and visit mainly to stock up on vegies, grab a coffee, newspaper, and sit in the nearby park enjoying the bustling atmosphere but not necessarily participating so much. But this time, maybe because I haven’t been for quite a long time, I decided to have a look around.
As much as I am tempted to edit out the parts I don’t like – the huon pine carvings, for example, or the fluffy hippy hats – the truth is that the market stalls can be pretty hit and miss. Nevertheless, for visitors it’s well worth a stroll around and if all else fails just do as the locals do, as described above!
My favourite section has always been the vintage clothing corner which is small but bargainous. This time, in preparation for winter, I picked up a great chunky cream woolen jumper and a hand-knitted grey vest. There are also a couple of decent secondhand homewares and book stalls. Plus there are some great boutique food stalls such as the Bruny Island Cheese Co. plus heaps of organic veggies.
I took a few quick snaps as I walked around – there seems to be a bit of an Australiana theme going on, which I like.
Did you notice the lovely old magazine “Walkabout” in the picture above? I couldn’t help myself – I had to buy it! It turns out that it’s a travel magazine from 1938. Isn’t that amazing! There are some very amusing advertisements inside which I’m planning to share with you sometime soon.
By the way, Lucy from The Design Files recently did a great post all about Hobart, including a very cool Hobart Walking Guide.
Everyday Escapades: The big game
I am by no means a big sports fan, but I recently went along (with my Dad) to check out one of Melbourne’s favourite cultural pastimes – a big, raucous game of Australian Rules Football. To outsiders it can seem a strange game, with both hands and feet involved, and an unpredictable oval-shaped ball. However, it certainly evokes passion from those who love it, and in the past has been described as a virtual religion!
With this in mind, I bought my Olympus Pen camera in the hope of catching some colourful fans.
Here is my favourite snap of the game.
As we write in our Field Guide, unless you’ve got a big telephoto lens or are very close, at big sporting matches you’re better off focusing on the action around you rather than the action on the field. I only had a 14-42mm lens with me, so at various moments of excitement I turned around and captured the expressions of the fans around me, which is often more interesting anyway.
*Photo by Jess
