When April showers go on for hours

I decided to set myself a bit of a challenge this week, given that we have had some very nasty weather,  so I thought I'd grab the trusty 400D & head out to get some shots in some decidely bleak conditions.

Now to photograph Newcastle in perfect weather conditions is easy, just point & shoot basically 

& let the beauty of the environment fill the view finder. However, the weather I encountered 

was atrocious, pouring rain, howling winds that made  taking 'that' shot so much harder. 

The weather was that bad that Newcastle Port was actually closed to all shipping, bar the Stockton ferry. The pictures around Newcastle were taken a 3pm in the afternoon & shows just how dark & gloomy the conditions were. The picture of the lake at Valentine were taken this morning at 9am, still gloomy, but not as bad as yesterday.

For some extra effect, in post production, I added some 'raindrops' to the images using the 'IrfanView 4.2' photo programme. I just done it for some effect, as there is no way I would subject my 400D to such wet conditions. IrfanView is freeware & you can download it at http://www.irfanview.com/

So sometimes its worth setting yourself a challenge, you just never know what will find on your journey of discovery.

East is east & west is west, but I reckon both sides of Maitland are BEST!

Located about 30klms away from Newcastle, nestled alongside the Hunter River, is the picturesque historical town of Maitland. 

Maitland is a river town & prior to motor vehicles & trains, the quickest way to 

get produce to Sydney was using the Hunter River via Morpeth & Newcastle. So Maitland quickly grew into a large transportation hub .

Actually there are two Maitlands, East Maitland & West Maitland (ok, 4 if you include Maitland, the area situated around the Courthouse & South Maitland, near the showgrounds!). East Maitland was the preserve of the rich, mainly because the town was built higher than its riverbank cousin to the west. As a consequence while most of the commerce was gathered around the riverbank, the toffs preferred to live where their feet would stay a tad dryer than the plebs who plied their trades around the wharves.

The architecture is absolutely stunning & this is exemplified by the Post Offices. Maitland PO (situated in Maitland West) is one of the few Australia Post properties whose soul hasn't been sold to become a restaurant or solicitors office, but still enjoys its original purpose, a functioning PO. However, East Maitland was sold off years ago & was replaced by a 'modern' soulless edifice in High St., which I suppose is better than the current fashion of putting LPO's in shopping centres.

Where Flag Now Doesn't Fly

There is a building down by the railway track,

Where eyes no longer pry,

It's now a private residence,

Where the flag now doesn't fly.

There is a building down in main street,

Where the solicitors now all lie,

It's now a place of commerce,

Where the flag now doesn't fly.

There is a building in the middle of town,

Where the food comes from a

 deep fry,

It's now downmarket restaurant,

Where the flag now doesn't fly.

There are a  still a few buildings left,

& I hope that they never die,

They are the local Post Office,

Where our Australian flag 

... still continues to fly. 

Do You See What I See?

One of the most intriquing recent events in Newcastle was joining the crowd on Newcastle foreshore at dawn & watching a cruise ship enter the harbour. It had a real carnivale atmosphere as 100's of well-wishers lined Macquarie Pier, Stockton & The Foreshore on a balmy summer dawn to witness this very unique event. 

This time our guest was the Celebrity Cruise Lines $350 million ship, Millenium. This 1.950 passenger cruise ship is huge & at 91,000 tonnes, it would've had to been one of the biggest ships to enter the port of Newcastle ( your average bulk carrier is only around 40,000 tonnes!), or if not the largest of these type of cruise ships, it would be close enough to it.

The sight of this magnificent ship dwarfing Nobby's headland as it passed, was in itself, a sight to see. 

  

As an extra bonus, Fort Scratchley fired a 3 volley salute from it's No.2 Mark VII gun as a welcoming gesture to our newly arrived guests.  

Luckily, I was at Fort Scratchley, with my old friend, the Canon 400D, to capture the whole event, from the pre-dawn movement to the time that the tugs actually be berthed this beautiful cruise ship at Dyke No.1.

So if you are ever in Newcastle, whether you live here, or even just on a visit, a walk to the Foreshore just before the break of day maybe just worth your while. You just never know what you may see ... you may even get to see what I see!

View From A Fort

I do tend to spend a lot of time at Fort Scratchley these days, mainly because I'm now  a Fort Scratchley guide & so, now most weekends I can be found doing conducted tours of the Fort Scratchley tunnel complex (at only $8.00 it is the best darn value for money tour in the Hunter Valley!).

Not only is it great value for money, but the view is spectacular & the best part ... the million dollar views are free!

Now, the other day when I went up it was a stinking hot summers day with the temperature hovering around the mid 30's, however, in the blink of an eye a southerly storm front blew into Newcastle & cooled the afternoon off. However, as quick as the storm arrived it had passed, luckily not causing too much damage (unless you count the poor soul that was drowned at Port Stephens or the sailor that got struck by lightning on Lake Macquarie!)    

So if you want to see a storm roll in, take in a unique view of Nobby's (Whibay Gamba), or just watch the activity on a real Australian working harbour, take the time to stroll up to Fort Scratchley.

And if you see me ... say hello!

Black & white is alright ... right!

I remember as a kid growing up & all we had was a 22" (55cm) black & white television set, the new fangled Polaroids were black & white & all those you beaut family snaps were in ... yep you guessed it, black & white.

Up until 1975, we certainly lived in a black & white world!

However, although we now live in a colourized world, black & white photography still is able to capture the imagination by its use of contrast to give subjects a beauty that can escape the casual observer

"Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony"

Sunshine, Lollipops & Coalships

If Lesley Gore was living in Newcastle these days I'm sure she'd be tempted to re-write her 1965 hit song from 'Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows', to the title I have suggested above. Perhaps not as sugary as a song about teenage love, but still a catchy title!

You couldn't have asked for a more perfect Newcastle day, the sun was shining, the temperature was hovering around the high 20's, a light north easterly was keeping things pleasant on the sand, the water was bracing (not cold) & I was even able to park in the car park at Nobbys Beach (that is a feat in itself!). But the best thing was though, I had at least two of my favourite girls with me to share the absolute beauty of this picture perfect Newcastle day.

Jessica just loves the beach & also thankfully for me isn't the least bit camera shy & so I was able to get some great shots of her playing in the water & on the sand. it's great when you can capture kids having fun, without them having to pose, I think it just brings out their natural beauty!

As for coalships, well they just keep coming & going up & down the Hunter River, 24/7 to destinations around the world as they have done for over 200 years from the Newcastle Port. I hope Newcastle never loses its working harbour function & its coal operations. It maintains Newcastle's history & gives the city its 'real' character.

Although I'm sure environmentalists would beg to differ!

When Spring Is Reflective

There is nothing better than working in the vineyards in the early springtime, the days are warm enough for short sleeves, the winds are gone & the first hint of a new vintage are appearing on the vines. Yes indeed, the Hunter Vineyards are at their best at this time of year.

However, it is sobering to note that even in this time of renewal, some things must pass in order that the circle of life can continue & so it is, even in such a peaceful setting as the vineyards. So with a bit of time to spare, I decided to take a walk through a little ramshackle cemetery located next to Wine Country Drive Pokolbin. Armed with my trusty Canon 400D & a slowly setting sun, I took a walk through the distant memories of others.

What type lives did they lead, did they fulfil their dreams & were there many tears shed at their funeral?

I'll probably never know, but I do know that on one late sun filled September afternoon, the memory of Mr & Mrs Hungerford & the others that are laid to rest in that quiet place, were fleetingly bought back to consciousness.