Perth. Family, Bells with no church, Church with no bells, etc

We spent last weekend in Perth.  It was a family get-together for Kian Wei's birthday.

It is over 10 years since we went to Perth, together with Yvonne.  There are many new and modern buildings.  It is a clean and neat city, with surprisingly little crowding. People we spoke too (ie taxi drivers!) appreciated this aspect of Perth, some having moved from eastern cities finding them too "rush rush".  I was impressed with the city.

By air, Sydney is only marginally closer to Perth than is Singapore.  The non-stop flight to London must also help reduce the isolation.

Anyhow, some pictures.

Family pics, usually taken in restaurants!

Of course, we couldn't resist a visit to the Swan Bells.

There is also a carillon, which can play, among other things, "The Road to Gundagai".

The ringing chamber

Another view.  Note the spider.

Close-up of the spider.  It is an old bell-wheel.  For non ringers, a spider is a contraption on to which bell-ropes are placed after ringing.  It can then be raised so that the ropes are safely out of the way.  An untended rope attached to a ringing bell is a sight to behold and potentially dangerous.  In an activity that is hundreds of years old, it is one item in the ringing chamber that allows for some creativity!

On our wanders, we went to see St Mary's Cathedral which was built over many years.  No bells.

In the modern part, the sanctuary has been moved to the centre of the cathedral, and is wheelchair friendly!

The stations of the cross were also modern.  This is the first seven.

We also went to Freemantle to have their famous seafood.  On our walks, we saw a concert area that had been barricaded off and covered with black sheeting.  If I had been in China, I would have posted this under Chinglish.  But maybe it is WAglish? Certainly the offenders would all be under 30 - or drunk.

Coronavirus was also not far away.  This was at the Mint - they explained they were a government department so had to obey government rules.

And on the flight home.  Some unusual features in the landscape and a tiny fire in the distance.

We could only read about Sydney's drenching while we were in sunny Perth. When we got back tonight, many of the fires were out.  We should go away more often.

Thanks to KM for adding "Bells with no church"!

Home

We landed in a balmy Sydney evening with hardly any (comparatively speaking) smoke.  But apparently this is a blip and more heat is coming our way.

Annular eclipse

Today we saw an annular eclipse - where the moon is in front of the sun (as in a total solar eclipse) but is not quite in the right position to completely cover the sun.  It leaves a "ring of fire".  However many of the phenomena we have come to expect of total solar eclipses were present - the weird lighting, sharp shadows, and a cool sunlight.

In the morning there was not a cloud in sight, but that soon changed.  The sun played hide and seek with us.  But that had its own beauty.

This was taken by Joanne, one of the watchers nearby.

Yes, the eclipse is the main game, but eclipse watchers are also interesting!  Look for a familiar photographer. The first was taken by BL.

 

Sugar hit

On Christmas Day we had tickets to see the Bicentennial Exhibition.  Free, but strictly crowd controlled.  While waiting, there was a tent selling food and drinks.  Who could pass this.  Some selling points there for the sugar industry.

BTW, it was delicious. Looking forward to a safe pregnancy!

At night we had Peranakan food with CS and family.

Merry Christmas

We went ringing at St Andrews cathedral for their midnight service on Christmas Eve. No ambulance required for this one - whew!  (It was December 2017 when we had the drama in Sydney).  In the ringing chamber beforehand.

You can see the bells on video!

On Boxing Day, there is an annular eclipse in Singapore.  Godiva have a chocolate called "Eclipse Passion".  Taste is better than their scientific accuracy!

And they have Christmas Markets (well, a Christmas market).  This was outside the revamped  Capitol Theatre, now a Kempinski Hotel.  Note the lack of puffy jackets , boots, and gluhwein!

And there was a skating rink.

Christmas Breakfast at Maccas.  Coffee good, but no toasties.

Monday 23rd

A quiet day.  Kin Mun has recce'd a location for the eclipse on Thursday, and had to go to get a tripod.  I took a trip to the sewing/overlocker specialist in Singapore and bought a couple of feet plus some needles for my overlocker.

Everyone knows about the fires in Australia.  The lady sitting next to us in the foodcourt asked about them.  She also knew that the PM took a holiday and wasn't too popular. And it was all on the front page of the Straits Times.

Singapore - dog training

Sunday is a quiet day in Singapore - and no bell ringing either.

On our way back from the local food court after breakfast, we saw a dog training session.  More like puppy training.  Gorgeous, expectant, tailwagging little puppies aiming to please their masters. Their appearance reminded me of Mr Curly, but smaller and different colours.

Unfortunately I only had my mobile phone and  I am not as quick on it as on my camera.  But we did get a shot of the trainer driving off!  Must be a demand and good rewards for the humans as well!

HCMC to Singapore

We are now back in Singapore.  It is only a ninety minute flight.  But one last pic of the traffic.  Saw this family on a bike.  The little girl, sitting on Dad's lap, was eating her breakfast of a bread roll as she travelled.

Now we have to resist the urge to cross the road whenever we feel like it!

Living dangerously - crossing the road

I did cheat by joining two men who were making their way across the road. I realised they were heading to the middle of the junction, so they could then cross the road to the other side.  Many manoeuvres in this game!

And another incident - without local help!

Last day in HCMC

Breakfast buffet, with Christmas decorations.

We went again to the main market.  A long time since I have seen a wet market.  This is the pork section. A pic doesn't capture the noise and the smell.

Bikes galore. This is the footpath.

Now to get to the other side....

Eventually..

This is lunch.  We had to wrap things ourselves.  Delicious.

And dessert.  Have had this at Hornsby!

And saw this in a pharmacy. Was told it was for men.