Sawers' World View

Takayama, November 2010

2012-01-12T00:34:00.000-08:00

Would that be 2010 or 1950?

Breakfast in our Ryokan. Hida mushrooms cooked on a Magnolia leaf.

Not to forget all the usual fish, salad, eggs, miso...

Boutique proprietress where m~ bought her dream
jacket

Manizales...City Of The Andes

2011-11-22T18:40:00.001-08:00

Corn, Corn, As Far As The Eye Can See, Corn

2011-11-08T16:10:00.000-08:00

Yes they do grow a lot of Corn in Sherman County

Carrera Séptima, Bogotá

2011-10-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

On any Sunday...

Gay Parade, hamster racing, good times with Bogotanos.

Police Museum, Bogotá

2011-10-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara, CA

2011-09-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

The Farmer & His Wife, Sherman County, NE

2011-09-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

I could see this shot saying monochrome, try me without colour.

La Candelaria, Bogotá

2011-09-15T23:30:00.000-07:00

Sherman County Fair, Loup City, Nebraska

2011-09-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

居酒屋, 東京 Izakaya, Tokyo

2011-09-13T20:28:00.000-07:00

Villa de Leyva, Colombia

2011-09-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

Villa de Leyva

2011-09-12T17:19:00.000-07:00

Pickup Heaven, Sherman County, Neb

2011-09-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

Overnight Bus From Manizales to Bogotá

2011-09-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

Bogotá, Colombia

2011-09-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

"the accumulation of time in walls,"

William Gaddis

Bogotá, Colombia

2011-08-27T18:48:00.000-07:00

Santa Fé de Bogotá

2011-08-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

The Prussians have arrived.

Un hombre en Villa de Leyva.

2011-08-27T01:07:00.000-07:00

Loup City, Nebraska

2011-08-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

Un hombre en Villa de Leyva.

2011-08-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

Un hombre en Villa de Leyva.

2011-08-24T01:58:00.000-07:00

Mojave

2011-08-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

Tsumago, Japan

2011-08-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

Tsumago, Japan

2011-08-17T14:55:00.000-07:00

A new approach to posting...
Single images, or maybe two instead of photo essays.
The Americas coming.

渋温泉 Shibu Onsen

2011-03-30T02:59:00.000-07:00

Just up the road from Yudanaka...I'm going to be killed for this.

湯田中 Yudanaka

2011-03-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Land of the snow monkey and the 温泉 onsen, a land of beautiful people.

東京スライドショー Tokyo Slide Show

2010-12-18T02:18:00.000-08:00

Three weeks in Japan with m~...a seasoned nipponophile.
It started with four days in 東京 Tōkyō and then another three on our return.
We stayed in 日本橋 Nihonbashi, the old Edo centre of Tokyo in a businessman's hotel, good choices all round.
The images below are in a rough chronological order, first night and first day.
That first morning I immediately headed for 築地 Tsukiji, the Tokyo Fish Markets and took a lot of photos.
I Love Tokyo.

4 Days @ Valdis'

2010-04-26T03:16:00.000-07:00

I guess it could have been Four Days Of The Valdis, either way it was four days at Val's Aerie.

The Aerie overlooking Mount Warning. Last remains of prehistoric volcanic activity. Prehistory played out every night and every morning.

The First Night

The Surrounds

Stephen Worked

The Trek To Mount Nullum

Finley Light In Fading Light

Our Beloved Jack

Baci

2010-04-03T23:27:00.000-07:00

The girls have formed a new group...Baci. You know kisses in Italian.
They do mainly A cappella (also Italian).
So, we all got together and shot a few hundred thousand promotional images at Ingrid's 'Church Of The Poison Mind' and in the process had a lot of fun.
What a bunch of pros!

ROLLING, rolling

2010-03-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

ROLLo and INGrid

We were here to celebrate the marriage of Richard and Ingrid, founded upon the rolling hills of Oberon.

'But fine wine was only the beginning. Ceremony prevailed: a blissful wedding, great music, fine speeches, Kiwi lore, a blessing of the thresholds, suckling pig (okay, lamb). The vegans loved the salads. What a celebration! Everyone dressed for the occasion, happiness beaming from every beautiful face. All went away blessed.' It was said.

Taliasaurusrex visits Tonysaurusrex

2009-12-20T20:51:00.000-08:00

A rare visit to the father by the daughter from halfway 'round the globe means much filial snarling, snorting and baring of teeth in the world of the 'Rex...perhaps even some affectionate swiping of tails...'tailswiping'!!!

Beware the drooling jaws of The 'Rex!

The StrawBale House

2009-10-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

The StrawBale House actually went up the previous weekend.

We were here to build Ingrid's StawBale Studio!

Which began with some earnest instruction from the apostle Richard.

And then...

An orange view.

A sculptural figure bathing in straw.

All the workers.

With stiff backs.

Laying the FIRST bale!

The Portraits

The Post Portrait.

Emmdale Roadhouse

2009-10-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Dawn on the Barrier Highway and the B-Doubles gather round the watering hole.

FINI

Nyngan Chopper

2009-10-26T17:27:00.001-07:00

At first I thought it was a Vietnam War Memorial but no, it's one of the choppers used to evacuate almost the entire population of Nyngan during monster floods in 1990.
Floods? It seems so inconceivable that there could be that much water ever again.

Kinchega

2009-10-25T22:43:00.001-07:00

Kinchega National Park encompasses Menindee Lakes and must be beautiful when they are full. The Darling wends its way through the redgums and is quite magical, even when bone dry.

All that's left of The Providence, part of the boiler...here's the history.

"The Providence was one such steamer and became stranded in 1872 for several months. Once water levels rose again the Providence continued its journey along the river towards Kinchega station. Tragedy struck once again when the boiler exploded, throwing one crew member (Gunn, a Chinese cook) into a tree, and killing the crew John Davis (Captain), Edward Sparkes (engineer) and John Roach (fireman). Gunn was rescued, but later died of his injures. All the crew died and are buried by the old Kinchega homestead.

The only survivor was Henry Trevorah, a miner from Wilcannia travelling to visit family. One story says the crew fired up the boiler without checking the water levels after a drinking session in Menindee, while others claim the boiler was faulty and it was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. The boiler remains on the banks of the Darling, and can be seen if you take the Homestead Loop of the River Drive."

On the road to Menindee the sun settles into the dust.

More on The Dying Darling

2009-09-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

Finally developed this film which has been sitting in the Rollie waiting to be used.
Self explanatory really...it's low, it's dry. The centre photo is Willaba Punt Crossing, on the way to Bindara, used to transport sheep and bales across the river...back in the days when there was water!

Lake Mungo

2009-09-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

On the day we went to Lake Mungo the wind came up, filled the sky with sand. Great day to appreciate the erosion that has formed this place for the last 15,000 years or so. Our guide Graham, then took the opportunity to get even with us invaders and lectured us in the burning sun for about an hour on the origins of thin-skulled homo sapiens found at the lake and dating back 40-60,000 years. But by the time we had lunch in the haven of the National Park compound, all was cordial and we witnessed Graham's virtuosity on the didgeridoo.

That was awesome mate!

The Dying Darling

2009-09-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

We drove south from Broken Hill to Wentworth (the junction of the Darling and the Murray) crossed into Victoria to Mildura, which looked lush compared to NSW, then crossed back into NSW, never far from the Darling.
Every creek, every river, every dam...bone dry, except for the Darling, which is just a trickle. The Murray is still in reasonable shape.
On the way to Turlee Station where we would be staying, we saw dry land wheat, such a toxic green -- they plant it without water, then this chemical green wheat with desert all around!
After leaving Mungo we drove in a severe dust storm to Pooncarie, crossed the Darling to the west side and followed it all the way to Bindara, the homestead of Old Netley Station, a million acres in the 1850's. (A couple of photos on cam'era ƒ.)
Then on to Menindee Lakes and Kinchega National Park...all the lakes were dry of course. No people, a few lizards and lots of emus.

Turlee Station

2009-09-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

Fortunately on our arrival Dione (the mum) was there. Otherwise we would have had to book in via UHF channel 8.

As it turned out we were the only guests and so we had the run of the place and also got to know the family. They go back four generations in the area, uncles and other relatives owning stations all around the lower Darling. Shearers' quarters become guest accommodation, the cookhouse the share kitchen and dining room, outdoor showers and toilets, all very civilised, nothing like a bit of fresh air.

We got to see station life unhindered, all 145,000 acres of it, albeit during a quiet time.

The Schoolhouse

Although you get used to the expanse of the place pretty quickly (Lake Mungo is half an hour away, any shopping is an hour and a half...by dust), it is still astonishing that less than thirty years ago the brothers went to 'primary school' in this little building on the property and they had a governess. A lot of the instruction was by radio...the epitome of distance education. M~

The Mines

2009-09-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

The unions dominated life in this town, our friend of the first day told us that by about the mid 70's if Broken Hill went out the rest of the country would go out with them.

Deaths and injury in the mines was obviously the determining factor for early establishment.

Broken Hill

2009-09-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Exploring residential streets on our first morning in Broken Hill, we very quickly made a friend. He lived in this well-kept corrugated iron home sporting a nice big front window with a big news spread of Obama's election night in faraway Chicago. (Where Frank Lloyd Wright first made a name for himself...) Not only could we enthuse about US politics, but our new friend told us about the unions and that our next stop had to be the Trades Hall a couple of blocks down the street.
M~

The Syndicate Of Seven who claimed the entire 'Line of Lode' and then went on to form Broken Hill Proprietary.

The inescapable Mullock Heap!

It dominates the view and replaced The Line Of Lode.

Although this city was built with iron, stone was the choice for significance.

The Living Desert and Sculpture Site just out of town.

Silverton.
Where Mad Max lives on.

The Journey

2009-09-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

To Broken Hill and beyond...

It was an early start

This was our aluminium capsule for the next fourteen hours

On the way to the great outback...first stop Parkes

Then Condobolin

Then "You a Belong West"

Then hour after hour of this...

I, Van Hoe am headed west

Menindee, almost there, only about another two hours!!!

Tassie

2009-08-04T00:35:00.000-07:00

Back in February me and the housemate did a trip to Tasmania, flew to Hobart (I'm always a sucker for aircraft photos) then drove...
First stop Eaglehawk Neck, the Dog Line. Port Arthur was too much of a theme park but there was this melancholy little cemetery on the way in.
Tassie has a gorgeous coastline, littered with beaches and bays and islands, quite often we were the only people around. Roadkill is horrendous, rest assured I didn't leave the possum on the road, nor did I kill it.

Richmond

2009-08-03T00:17:00.000-07:00

Richmond, Tasmania that is, a most perfect Georgian village. The omnipresent Gaols a reminder of how harsh life was...not so perfect.

Mt Wellington

2009-08-02T00:15:00.000-07:00

1300 meters straight up from Hobart, quite surreal.

Battery Point

2009-08-01T00:12:00.000-07:00

The Hill overlooking the harbour, where all the posh people live, gorgeous homes...georgian, victorian and edwardian are all represented here.

Antique Fair

2009-07-07T16:31:00.000-07:00

Once a month there is an antique fair at Wentworth Park grandstand, for all the years I've been living in Glebe – never gone, until last Sunday that is. It's enormous, people make a real effort.
This is one of the dealers...

Sydney Life

2009-07-07T16:20:00.001-07:00

I entered this in Sydney Life...

Saturday Morning At Carriageworks

I also entered Padstow Pilgrimage from my ca´mera ƒ blog.

Serious consideration was given to this...

Water Strider

Head On

2009-04-06T21:58:00.000-07:00

One year later and I'm reporting on my entry to Head On.
I wasn't successful this year either, although I do like this year's entries as much as I liked last year's...

'Just As We Thought'

NPPP

2009-04-06T21:08:00.001-07:00

It's been a while, yes.

Well...entered the National Photographic Portrait Prize back in October last year, 2008.

Wasn't selected, they weren't particularly strong images.

The one below though is interesting, a neighbour who's been living in the street longer than me! The graffiti has been there a long a time, his cross shouldered bag however is new, it contains his heart! He literally wears his heart on his sleeve!

Update: He received a donor heart, is still in hospital, the graffiti painted over and the wall awaiting his instructions for new artwork.

Update II: He's home and happy with his donor heart, but the new wall is still a blank canvas...

I call this The Eastern European. My hat my street an east european.

It was all different back in 2005 of course, my photo of Garan hung in the AGNSW for six weeks.

Sunday Afternoon At The O.H.

2008-10-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday afternoon m~ and I went to see Philip Glass at the OH.
Before the performance he gave a talk in the northern foyer.
The light was good.

Sydney Life

2008-08-08T00:59:00.000-07:00

Ingrid Grace, marathon runner, artist, pianist, librarian.
Somewhat damaged, somewhat vengeful, taken at her friend Philip's, the old Pyrmont Post Office.

Ah, Sydney Life, the annual exhibition hosted by City Of Sydney and displayed in Hyde Park.
Who knows what they want, 800,000 entries and 24 chosen, if that's not a lottery what is?
I did manage to be one of the chosen in 2004 with this:

Sixteen Feet

Blake Prize

2008-08-04T20:20:00.001-07:00

This is David, my brother, he's having his hair cut by a friend on the morning of his wife Rene's funeral.
I entered this in the Blake Prize, an art prize and exhibition for religious and spiritual imagery, of which it is neither, it is needless to say genuine emotion, and grief from someone who's lost his lifelong partner and love.

Manly

2008-05-05T01:25:00.000-07:00

The last vestiges of summer

Port Kembla

2008-04-25T01:25:00.001-07:00

The Steel City Of The South
Just a quick visit, and a nice dark and stormy afternoon it was too.

L6 west Metabolic

2008-04-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

Ah, what is now becoming the annual pilgrimage to Level 6 for my zometa infusion.

pool

2008-04-22T22:32:00.001-07:00

Well, I didn't make it into Head On, but of course the essay was stimulating, here are some of the photos.

The pre-dawn, Victoria Park.

Head On

2008-03-31T01:12:00.000-07:00

My First Blog...

I rode to Walsh Bay last week to use up a roll of film.

The roll contained my shots of George for Head On, a portrait competition that I decided to enter.

George swims at dawn every day.

'George Swims For His Life, Everyday'. Or something like that. George is a teacher, same school as Mary.

Of course Mary wanted me to crop this photo, Mary wants me to crop every photo, must be the editor/teacher syndrome, always trying to help.

The head shot of George, satisfactory enough for Mary and Head On, we'll see?