What time is it?

Daylight saving was extended by one week, but some electronic equipment did not know; and nor did some of their users!

There was confusion at the airport with delayed flights due to ticketing problems; confusion at taxi ranks and train stations. Most mobile phones changed and people believed them!

Thankfully I knew about the extension as it was published in the media. Also my computers knew about it as I do regular updates; not only was Microsoft on top of it, but so was Apple and Ubuntu Linux.

The unique ceramic clock photographed is in the kitchen of Encounter Centre at Victor Harbor.

Swatch-FIVB World Tour

The Swatch FIVB (beach volley ball) world tour was held this week at Glenelg. I took this photo on Thursday in the early stages of the tournament; the building in the background is the Stamford Grand Hotel.

The finals were played today with victory being claimed by Brazilians in both the men's and women's divisions. See a newspaper report here.

Earth Hour 2008

Click on the photos to enlarge

As part of Adelaide's participation in Earth Hour, the Northern Lights' display and other public floodlit displays in the City were switched off between 8pm and 9pm.

We participated by switching off our lights and electrical appliances - no computers or TV for an hour!

Earth Hour was conceived last year in Sydney (Australia) as a way to highlight climate change. The event has gone global with at least 370 cities around the world taking part this year. Is your city one of them? Read a newspaper report here.

Apparently as a result of last year's event, many individuals and businesses did an audit of their energy uses and made permanent changes.

Here is a photo of our Art Gallery in daylight - the statuettes have gone!

Marble Hall

This is the centrepiece of the casino in Adelaide; originally the waiting area of the railway station. The floor is made of marble imported from Europe and the area features four original telephone booths and a replica of the station clock. Above the hall is a twelve metre dome; supported by Corinthian columns.

Skycity Adelaide

Housed in the historic Adelaide Railway Station building this is Adelaide's casino. It was first opened in 1985 and was then called the Adelaide Casino. It was sold by the State Government to Skycity in 2000.

ABC Wednesdays - J for jetty

There are six jetties along Adelaide's suburban beaches. The jetty shown is at Brighton; it was built in 1995/96 to replace the original 1886 jetty that was damaged beyond repair by a storm in 1994. The new jetty is constructed with concrete; unlike its predecessor which was made of wood. The structure on the end is a telecommunications tower.


Along South Australia's coastline there are numerous jetties which in the past were vital to the development of the state as they were serviced by cargo ships. Today they are primarily used by recreational fishermen and tourists.

To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see links to other participants' sites go to mrs nesbitts place

Aussie Rules Football

This is the chimney stack at the West End Brewery at Hindmarsh.

Each year after the Grand Final in the local football competition, the colours of the winning teams are painted on it. Last year's winner was Central District (red, white & blue) who defeated North Adelaide (red & white) in the grand final.

In addition to the nine teams in the SANFL (South Australian National Football League), there are two teams in the AFL (Australian Football League).

Football season is upon us - the AFL commenced last weekend and SANFL's season starts this coming weekend.

I will post more about Aussie Rules footy at a later date.

Picnic in the park

This is a park in Old Noarlunga, adjoining the banks of the Onkaparinga River. This is a typical scene on a weekend; people have set up for a picnic lunch - some are using the barbecues supplied (in the shelters on the far side of the picture) while others have brought their own.

Parks like this are quite common in suburban Adelaide and rural South Australia. Some have tennis courts available and playgrounds for the children. It is also common to see people having a game of cricket or kicking a football.

Little corella

Today I went for a bike ride with my cycle group in the country-side south of Adelaide. The weather today was glorious; fine and sunny, but not too hot. It was great to get out on my bicycle again; I haven't done much during the past few weeks due to our heatwave.

We had (a not so peaceful) morning tea at Old Noarlunga. In the trees across the road from the cafe were hundred of little corellas; they were making quite a racket!

The little corella is the most widespread of the corellas in Australia. Click here to read a factsheet about them.

South Australian National War Memorial

Whilst the night-lit photo I posted yesterday highlights the sculptures, the daytime shot shows off the stonework. This was the work of South Australian Monumental Works, Tillet & Son.

The materials used were granite from Harcourt in Victoria, grey marble from Macclesfield (SA) and white marble from near Anguston (SA).

To see more photos of the memorial click here

South Australian National War Memorial

This war memorial was officially unveiled on Anzac Day (25th April) in 1931. It is dedicated to those who gave their lives in the service of their country during the Great War 1914-1918.

Inside the memorial is a crypt with bronze honour rolls lining the walls. These contain the names of the 5511 men who fell.

The figure within the arch represents the spirit of Duty, holding a sword shaped as a cross, the symbol of battle and sacrifice.

In the front is a group symbolic of the youth in the community; a student, a farmer and a girl.

For detailed information about the Memorial click here.

Cool shelter

No it isn't the effect of a rising sea level due to global warming! This is one of two shelters along the beach at Pt Vincent, across the Gulf from Adelaide. It must be nice to sit on a seat in the shade on a hot summer's day dangling your feet in the water.

ABC Wednesdays - I for illegal

Are these trolleys stolen or just borrowed? We often see shopping trolleys left by the side of the road after someone has used them to transport their shopping home, even though they are not meant to leave the shopping centres.

I am amazed at the blatant audacity of the people who are using these trolleys outside of their yard. Are they hoping someone will come along and wheel away their junk?

I spoke to the manager of my local supermarket. If someone does spot his trolleys, he will often go out and collect them, but as far as prosecuting people for using them illegally it is not worth the effort. Unfortunately the rest of us pay for these; their cost included in the items that we buy.

A week or so after I took this photo, the trolleys were gone, but the junk was still there. I hope the council followed this up. People can arrange for up to two hard rubbish two pick-ups a year, but junk left on the footpath outside of the council's official pick-up time is considered as illegal dumping and fines apply.

To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see links to other participants' sites go to mrs nesbitts place

Sunset

The heatwave is over at last and tonight we were treated to this 'cool' sunset!

North Terrace at night

When I went to the city to photograph the Northern Lights display, it opened my eyes to the beauty of Adelaide at night.

The buildings on the southern side of North Terrace are commercial in nature, while opposite them is the cultural hub; the museum, art gallery and library. Whilst some of the buildings have been renovated the historic facades have generally been retained.

Community band concert

Click on the images to enlarge

Today I played in a concert at Woodville Town Hall. As the temperature soared to 40c, we played to an appreciative audience who ignored the heat and came to hear us; such dedication!

I play saxophone in the Henley & Grange Concert Band. Today we did a combined concert with the Woodville Concert Band. Each band performed a bracket of about 5 numbers and then we played 5 pieces together.

It was rather uncomfortable in the hall that is not airconditioned, but in true community spirit both bands had a good roll up. When we set the date no one even thought about the chance of it being so hot!

I thank Steve P for taking photos for me in rather difficult conditions - the light level was low.

Morning swim

It's a pity I didn't have my bathers; would have been a refreshing swim that morning.

Sunrise at Glenelg

Click on the photo to enlarge

This photo is from my archives; taken back in January on the day I photographed The Boss Beach Cleaner. I was at Glenelg at daybreak only because I had slept on my boat overnight for security reasons; the lock gate had broken so I had to dock at the public wharf in the outer marina. It was so lovely at that time of morning; so peaceful.

Heatwave record broken

Whew it's hot mate! South Australia has now had 11 successive days above 35 degrees celsius (95 degrees fahrenheit). This has broken the all time record for any capital city in Australia's recorded history. And we have more to come; a change is forecast for next Wednesday - that will make 16 days in a row.

When travelling along some of our suburban main roads we have signs like this one to remind us that it is hot; just in case we didn't know!

Today at 2:56 pm it was 39 degrees, but a few minutes later the maximum was reached - 40 degrees (104 F)

Is this a coincidence? I suspect not - the advertisers near the time & temperature display screen are an air-conditioning firm and an electricity supplier.

For my ABC Wednesday readers - I could have posted H for heatwave.

ABC Wednesdays - H for Holden

"If you can't afford a Ford buy a Holden" - I remember hearing this said while I was growing up. This quote epitomises the rivalry between Ford enthusiasts and their Holden counterparts. The rivalry continues today, especially at the top end of Australian saloon car racing; the V8 Supercar series.

The photo above shows a 1954 FJ Holden; the cute young girl in the car is my wife!

The Holden car was designed and built in Australia; part of the American General Motors group. Throughout its life it has been a favourite for Australian families as it was "designed for Australian conditions". The first Holden was built in 1948; sixty good years and going strong.

The major Holden manufacturing plant in Australia is at Elizabeth, a northern suburb of Adelaide.

This is a current VE model Holden.

To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see links to other participants' sites go to mrs nesbitts place

Adelaide Railway Station - Inside

Looking south in the waiting hall in the Adelaide Railway Station. To the right is the entrance to the platforms and at the end are the steps up to North Terrace.

Adelaide Railway Station

Today was a public holiday. The Adelaide Cup was run at the Morphettville Racecourse; numbers were down due to the extreme heat we've been experiencing. The major sponsor for the event was Skycity, the owners of Adelaide's Casino located in this historic sandstone building.

The first railway station built on the site was opened in 1856; the current building was opened in 1928.

2008 Adelaide Fringe - Inventing Time

Today we went to the opening of a visual art exhibition; part of the Fringe. Inventing Time is an exhibition by three local artists that "looks at time's impact on the person and how it can manipulate, shape and motivate."

These photos depict two people's interests, their likes and dislikes; represented by very intricate drawings. The colours used are each person's favourite and least favourite.

If you are in Adelaide go and have look; at the Flightpath Architects Exhibition Space (101 Hindley St) until 28th March; Mon to Fri 9-5pm. Even better, buy one of the pictures - one of the artists is my son!

Playful dolphins

Another beautiful day on the water. No sooner had we left the harbour, we spotted them just inside the old breakwater; a large school of dolphins (about 20). We motored over towards them and they happily swam alongside and underneath the boat. I got my camera out and started clicking. Bonanza!

After about 20 minutes of circling in the area, we set off for what we went to sea for - sailing. Glorious!

Northern Lights (continued)

Click on the images to enlarge

The Mitchell Building built in 1882 is part of the University of Adelaide. When it was opened it accommodated the entire University. The building is named after the philosopher Sir William Mitchell.

Today I am showing the complete series just to show the variety of artistry in this brilliant display.

Northern Lights - Bonython Hall transformed

Bonython Hall is one of six buildings along North Terrace that is painted with light from 9pm until 2am until the end of the Festival of Arts. The spectacular display entitled Northern Lights is the creation by artists from a Sydney based company, the Electric Canvas. A different picture is projected onto the buildings every few minutes.






Here is a link to an article that was printed in the Advertiser, our local daily newspaper. It gives background information about the company and the display.

More to follow ......

ABC Wednesdays - G for Gordon

I am famous! Well that was my reaction as a child when I first found out about a town called Gordon in northern South Australia. To my dismay I found out there were only ruins there.

On my cycling tour in the Flinders Ranges in 2002, I had this photo taken; Gordon at Gordon!

In 1865 Goyders Line was drawn; a boundary of the land that had sufficient average rainfall suitable for cropping. Many farmers ignored the recommendation and started farming outside of the line. Many new towns were established as a result but as predicted the farms failed and the towns were eventually abandoned.

You can read more information about Gordon (the town!) here and about George Goyder and his Line here.

To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see links to other participants' sites go to mrs nesbitts place

Fringe Family Weekend

Adelaide is all go at present - entertainment is laid on with something for everyone. Concurrently on the weekend we had the Fringe which included free family events, the Adelaide International Buskers Festival and the opening of the Festival of Arts.

This photo was taken in Rymill Park, the venue for the Fringe Family Weekend. These people are being entertained by aRTy Ms, a busker from New Zealand. I only caught the end of her show - aerial manoeuvres on a static trapeze. Just as I arrived she was enthralling the crowd with some fire stunts.
Other buskers were performing at three other locations in Rundle Mall, the city's main shopping precinct.

On top of the events I've just mentioned, this week is Writers Week and Artists Week and next weekend is Womadelaide - a music, arts and dance festival held in our beautiful Botanic Park.

Welcome aboard

Let me introduce Stacey and Tracey (not sure which is which); they are flight attendants for OzStar Airlines. Their comedy routine was part of the Adelaide International Buskers Festival which was held last weekend. It was an animated performance and very entertaining. They pretended the audience were all passengers on a flight. As part of the in flight entertainment they performed some skilful manoeuvres with hula hoops and cleverly juggled skittles.













You can find out more about these performers and their schedule by visiting their website by clicking here.

QE2 farewell

Click on the photo to enlarge

Today the Queen Elizabeth 2 visited Adelaide for the last time. She is on her final 103 night world cruise, after which she will be turned into a floating hotel in Dubai.

Compared to many other cities in the world, not many cruise ships visit; but this is on the increase - 17 ships are docking here during the 2008-09 season.

The QE2 has only visited here 8 times with the first visit being in 1985. Today hordes of people took up a vantage point near Port Adelaide's Outer Harbour to catch a final glimpse of this magnificent ship.

I have chosen this photo as it puts the ship's size in perspective; see the houses in the foreground.

March Theme Day: Graffiti or street mural

Today is theme day in the CDP community. Since starting this blog I have photographed a lot of street art and graffiti.

I have chosen to show this one; the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles doing their bit for conservation. This along with at least a dozen other significant sized murals are painted on walls alongside the Sturt Creek.

I do not know the origins of any of this street art/graffiti, but it is certainly nice to see instead of the mindless tags that 'decorate' so much of our city with teams of people, volunteers and council workers, spending so much time and money cleaning it up.

Over 140 other City Daily Photo sites are participating. Please pay them a visit.

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Chicago (IL), USA by U R us, Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,