No Drone Zone

Remember that theatre group I mentioned last week? A Slightly Isolated Dog? Well, I went back to see their next show, Jekyll & Hyde, and it was excellent too (same deal with the dodgy photos).

Jekyll & Hyde in a London fog

Evening walks are lit up with fairy lights. I'm not sure whether these are left over from the festive season or whether people just light up their houses all year round.

We're nearly at the end of the football season and there was a lot of pressure riding on Liverpool to finish in the top four so they could qualify for the Champions League next season. Added to the drama, they had to play Burnley in their penultimate game, and they had to win. The tension in our household was palpable, as you can see.

The next day, however, Melantho decided to make things interesting from a kitten perspective, by trying to climb on the range hood. She slid down it and fell off; she's fine with only greasy paws to show for her adventure. Perhaps she was making a comment on my domestic cleaning skills, or lack thereof.

I need sticks for the play I am directing, The Penelopiad, so we collected some on a morning walk. Some people have dogs to carry their sticks for them. I've got Him Outdoors. 

The Eurovision Song Contest has come around again. It is an odd thing, but Australia loves it and even participates in it although they are clearly not in Europe. (Don't ask). We enjoy the kitsch and the camp as much as anyone so we join in with the consumption of edible representatives and wearing of vaguely themed outfits.

Eurovision food

The Lithuanian outfits were all yellow, so...

For this week's stroll with the Walking Crew we visited the National Arboretum on a bright sunny and very cold morning. Canberra is beautiful away from the drones!

Wild Life

I'm as surprised as anyone that it has taken me this long to finish the ginvent calendar. This was delicious. I had it straight and also with soda, as recommended. I preferred the former. It is mellow and fruity with notes of sweet cherries and almonds.

I went for my usual run and came to this obstacle very near the end - there had been no indication that there would be a detour (the only way to get where I wanted was to turn around and retrace my steps). If this were a road and cars were involved, there would definitely have been a notice posted at the start. It is annoying proof that councils care more about drivers than cyclists and pedestrians.

But there was good news when I cracked open a pomegranate and came across a wealth of seeds. The little crunchy red jewels add taste and texture to many a meal, particularly this one that I made.

Roast cabbage steaks with tahini dressing

As winter approaches, the evenings lengthen and so do the shadows, creating interesting photographic opportunities.

The season also brings visitors to the garden. This pair of kookaburras came to say hello and I think they are adorable, as is the fact that the collective noun for kookaburras is apparently a riot.

I went to see a great play performed by A Slightly Isolated Dog. An ensemble of five extremely talented actors interpreted the tale of Don Juan with improvisation skills, audience interaction, humour, music, precision timing and excellent sound and lighting effects. The team encouraged us to take photos to share on their social media (a great idea for marketing purposes), and I wanted to highlight their fresh approach to my networks. Hence I took these photos, which are not very good, but they might help to offer an idea as to the energy and commitment of the cast.

 

Bandits! Bandits! Bandits!

You, you, you oughtta know

Regular readers of this blog will recognise the following images from the weekly walk around Lake Burley Griffin with the Walking Crew. This is a beautiful time of year with blue skies and crisp, still mornings, which lead to viewing wildlife and reflections.

And my other current form of 'relaxation' is also research - exploring different interpretations of The Odyssey and the women therein. This is one of the many stacks of books to read.