Beautiful Screens

These are but two of the many screens I photographed while in Japan.  The top picture is of a window screen in a Kyoto Ryokan and the Shoji (door) screen was at another ryokan in Kanazawa.  In Korea screens like these are even more complex

Our Weather

We often have lovely cloud patterns in the evening which occasionally turn to rain.  It has been dry and frosty recently but rain is predicted for the end of the week.

Spring Frosts

The top picture is of a miniature camellia and rock in my pond surrounded by ice one frosty morning.  The collection of vintage and home-built aeroplanes was last weekend when they had a get together.  I would like to be able to show you the collection of helicopters that gathered there last night.  There were at least ten ready for frost fighting over the near-by vineyards.  Last year there were over forty one night and there are at least seventy helicopters on call if needed. Not helpful for getting a good sleep.

Using Stones

Stone has been a wonderful building material throughout human history.  This lovely curved bridge at Katsura Imperial Palace in Kyoto leads to a beautiful Tea House.  At Uji, near Kyoto, is a famous pottery which, sadly, was closed when we visited but I could not resist photographing their stone fence.  The fence to their pottery workshop was made with old kiln props and shelves and was a real work of art.

Historic Aeroplanes

It is great fun living next to people who love flying.  These two Tiger Moth aircraft were visiting my neighbour this weekend and the red Gypsy Moth now belongs to Jan.  It was flown solo by her father from U.K. to Australia 1934.  He was not permitted to fly across the Tasman so it was shipped to New Zealand.  The story goes that, in case of accident, he carried a spare propeller strapped to the side of the plane.  Just as well he did not need to use it as it would not have fitted as it was the wrong one.

More Kyoto Gateways

I was unable to establish the date that these gateways were constructed but the wood has weathered to a wonderful texture and the metal-work is so fascinating.  If only I had had enough time and film while in Japan I would have loved to have done a photo essay on these features.

Nishi Honganji, Kyoto

The Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto is not as large as the Higashi Honganji but is much more ornate. The woodwork and metal hinges and locks were facinating and I will show some more next time.  I hope you will enjoy seeing them.

It Must be Spring

With all the new leaves and lovely blossoms, along with changeable weather giving rainbows and some warmer sunshine it can only mean that spring is now with us in the Southern hemisphere.

To Follow My Last Blog

Following my last blog I am always disappointed in my bamboo.  It is supposed to be a very large one but the conditions here, or my constraint on it escaping, seem to keep it to a small size.  Not really suitable for making lovely fences.  This round pot of Estelle's is similar to the stone water basin shown last time.

Katsura Imperial Palace

Even without an English commentary we enjoyed our visit to Katsura in Kyoto.  This bamboo fence was much more formal than the ones I showed on my last blog and the stone water basin was so like some of the round pots that Estelle made.