Ayers House

This morning we visited Ayers House.

Ayers House is named after Sir Henry Ayers who lived in the house during the latter half of the 19th Century. Sir Henry Ayers was a distinguished politician and financier, who became Premier of South Australia seven times during the nineteenth century.

Constructed of local bluestone, the house is attributed to the work of colonial architect Sir George Strickland Kingston. Built on the site of a small cottage, the house evolved in several stages from a nine-roomed brick house built by William Paxton, a chemist and early Adelaide entrepreneur who returned to England in 1855.

We meet Ryan Kelly

We were walking along a street in Adelaide, heading for Ayer's House, when a young woman popped out and spoke to us : Noel and Edward ??! Well, we had no idea who the young woman was until she told us that she was Ryan Kelly. It is several years since we had last seen her. She attended our little primary school in the early 1980s. Ryan is studying in Adelaide. It was a wonderful surprise to meet Ryan after so long.

Vale Christopher Strong

Christopher was a wonderful friend and colleague. He was passionate about the environment and education on a global level. I first knew him as an energetic and trail blazing headmaster of Launceston Church Grammar School. I also worked closely with him as a committee member of the World Education Forum Tasmania. Christopher touched people of all ages with his spirit of encouragement and generosity.

The Savages

Vale Margaret Thompson

Margaret Thompson
May 20,1926 - July 29, 2008

We were saddened today to learn of the passing of a dear friend, Margaret Thompson. We will remember her for her generosity of spirit, her zest for life, her superb embroidery skills and her love of nature.

The Band's Visit

We visit David and Betty Scrine

David and Betty have moved house since we last visited Brisbane in February. We were delighted to find them in such a beautiful setting at Victoria Point, very close to the water. We enjoyed spending a very happy morning with them.

Picasso & his Collection in Brisbane

Today we visited the current temporary exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art: Picasso and his collection. We spent several hours at this excellent exhibition. There was so much to see and an incredible amount of information about the life and times of Picasso and his artist friends. We had a coffee break as well as a lunch break.

We were also delighted to find some art works by a Baha'i artist, Mark Toby featured in the exhibition.

We meet Helene McPharlin at the supermarket

This afternoon we had to make a quick trip to one of our local supermarkets, mainly to stock up on some food for Albert the cat. We were surprised to meet up with Helene, who attended the alternative primary school (The New Community School) that Noel and I established in Launceston in the mid 70s. It is always a delight to reconnect with the young people who were part of our lives over an eleven year period in the 70s and early 80s. Helene is now married and a mother of two beautiful children.

Where on earth is Matt?

We visit the Phenomena Factory with Hespa

We spent an hour with Hespa exploring the various learning centres that make up the Phenomena Factory at the Launceston Museum. We enjoyed trying out the various science based activities as much as Hespa.

Hespa and Albert the cat play with 'Felicity Wishes' dolls

This morning, Hespa had fun playing with her Felicity Wishes Dolls. She spent time dressing her dolls in special outfits for me to photograph. Albert enjoys being at the centre of interesting activities too.

Hespa having a pony ride at the market

While we were at the Evandale Market, Hespa enjoyed a ride on a pony.

We have a tour of the Tasmanian Baha'i Centre of Learning in Hobart

We were in Hobart for a meeting and we were invited to have a tour of the Tasmanian Baha'i Centre of Learning which is being constructed on land adjacent to the ABC studios in downtown Hobart.

We had not been in the site for more than a year so we were very impressed to see the great developments that have taken place over that time.

None of the trees, that were on the site that was previously used as a car park by the ABC, were removed - instead they were incorporated into the design of the Centre.

Tasmanian dolerite has been used to clad some of the buildings which adds to the visual beauty of the Centre.

Hespa with frost and ice

Hespa has not previously experienced frost and ice, so this morning she hopped out of bed quite early and investigated 2 of our bird baths which were quite frozen.