Sofitel Melbourne

When down for Ultra, we stay at the Sofitel, in part because I used to get a free night under their paid reward programme. Now there's not a lot of benefit for me as I'm failing to be able to use the free night since they changed the offer to require buying 2 nights to get one free, as I rarely do that, so while the refurbished rooms are nice, I look forward to trying out newer hotels next year. I seem to get better discounts through booking dot com or other hotel chains free memberships, so after decades with accor, it looks like I'll be sadly moving on. Of course there are still discounts with the Accor free membership so you never know...

I digress. The building was build by the architect I.M. Pei in the early 1980s, so the look is strangely dated yet also still appealing when caught at the right angles.

I love in the sea of reflections, there were two people like hidden like a Where's Wally? in real life.

Linking with #WeekendReflection.

Please note if you have 2 nights to stay in Japan, their 2 nights, one free in the Fairmont Tokyo saves you about $900, but that was the only time I could have used it, but it wasn't the location I needed. If you can get away out of school holidays or for some weekends, it might work for you, it just stopped working for me.

Ultra

It was our annual pilgrimage to Melbourne for Ultra. We have it down to a fine art - land, head to Supernormal for lunch and then off to the festival. This year we added brunch at Lucy Lui before our flight home. It's always a 5 star weekend.

My friend was recovering from Covid so we took it easy with a rest break for one set and then staying up the back after that. She did incredibly well to last most of the day/night. We were there for about 6 and a half hours, plus the taxis and a walk home. It's a big day!

But the sense of well being and elation is priceless.

Do you have annual traditions you look forward to even though you do the same thing each year?

As an aside, the rain did come, but so did the rainbows. And my $11.95 raincoat did so much better than a poncho. So all good!

Posts on previous Ultras are here: Sydney, Melbourne 24  and Melbourne 25 plus this funny one on the stress of what shoes will make my feet last the distance! And of course it gets a mention in Tell us about Festivals! 

#Allseasons linky runs from Thursday to Wednesday each week. 

Link one post that shows something seasonal. Traditional weather wise, a seasonal nature marker or a seasonal celebration or event.  Please link relevant posts only.

Make sure you link back to this #AllSeasons post. 

Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run.  

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Fear and Disappointment: What we are doing to the world.

When in Melbourne, I like to spend the time inbetween activities checking out all the street art. I did notice a bit of a theme.

"They told us the future would be better than this". You can't blame young people for being angry at the older generation. The poverty, the insecurity for work and housing. And we're all angry at the war mongering that's going on.

"A head full of fears has no room for dreams"

I think we have stolen a lot from our youth and we really ought to be ashamed. We need to do more. We need to leave them something better. 

This pretty mosaic reminded me of the fall of Rome. It feels very much like we are arrogantly destroying ourselves and our way of life. "A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within." Ariel Durant. 

Linking with #TalkaboutitTuesday #MuralMondays and the mosaic for #MosaicMondays

Field of Flowers

The florist at the fish markets is an exercise in abundance.

It's like a field of flowers in the middle of the walkway.

"Make me now as happy as the field. With flowers enriched" Eileen A Soper

Linking with #PictoiralTuesday #WordlessWednesday #FloralFridayFoto #GardenAffair #NaturesNotes

Note there's nothing racy in the clip but it's in Thailand so there's a fair bit of skin - people in the pool kind of thing, not rude. So depends on your work rules if it's suitable for work.

Sydney Fish Markets

 I've been spending a bit of time at the Fish markets, and it's busy but such a lovely new venue.

I have to laugh at this So Sydney take on special sushi. Not sure about the sprinkles & fruit tho!

This cake however, I'm eyeing off for when I break my diet...snore!

Linking with #GaleriaHimmelsblick #Skywatch #WordlessWednesday #KeithsRamblings #WaterThursday

#SundayBest

Here's the B&W scales. 

Fish Friday

The light and the texture in these photos are quite interesting, I thought.

“A photographer is like a cod, which produces a million eggs in order that one may reach maturity.”― George Bernard Shaw

Linking with  #WordlessWednesday #ThruMyLens  #WeeklyWonder

(See full colour here)

Happy Easter

Linking with #AwwMondays

Happy Easter Everyone! I am taking 2 weeks off for the holidays so this #Allseasons runs for 2 weeks!

Take care, stay safe and enjoy the break for those heading off somewhere.

#Allseasons linky runs from Thursday to Wednesday each week. But this linking will run until the 15th April.

Link one post that shows something seasonal. Traditional weather wise, a seasonal nature marker or a seasonal celebration or event.  Please link relevant posts only.

Make sure you link back to this #AllSeasons post. 

Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter