Sunday 18 December 2011

The Building that Brought me to Tears




Bonython Hall - part of the University of Adelaide.
As we approached this building, when on holiday there last month, I became excited at its Gothic style, my favourite style of architecture. I began snapping away with my new camera. We came to the steps and the great doors were open, inviting us in. There was no hesitation as I entered the building and lifted my head to take in the magnificence of the ceiling, the decoration, the flying arches, the heraldry and all the space about me. My eyes welled with tears of joy at its beauty.
A small group of people were gathered at the far end of the hall. They began to disperse. A woman headed towards us and said she would have to lock the door now. I asked if we were not supposed to be in there, and she kindly said it was okay (one of those times when having grey hair and looking like a little old lady when you're not, actually works to my advantage). She allowed us to take whatever photos we wanted before leaving.
That was a day in which we were truly blessed, to have come to that building, the one building on North Terrace I really wanted to see inside, and the door was open for us.
(And if I cry at an Australian Gothic building of the 19th century, I'll need more than a box of tissues when I go to England!!)

Monday 12 December 2011

Beautiful Hahndorf

Hahndorf in South Australia is one of the most beautiful man-made spots I have been to. My husband and I fell in love with the place. While there I took some more 'artistic' photos with my new camera. Mind you, I took over 650 photos in 10 days, so here are just a few taken around Hahndorf -





Friday 9 December 2011

South Australian talks


I haven't felt much like sharing with the world lately, plus I am busy writing, so my head is immersed in a very particular place at the moment. Still, it's high time I blogged and shared some photos. Above is me giving a talk to the lovely ladies of the Murray Bridge Library Group in South Australia last month. While holidaying there, I also spoke to Salisbury Stitchers (below), a group that meets in suburban Adelaide, and who specifically invited me along to their meeting.
Both groups were very warm and welcoming. I found South Australian to generally be friendlier and more relaxed than Melburnians. There is a lot to see and do in Adelaide and I look forward to going back again some day.