Behind closed doors

OK, so this is a slightly strange blog post and it's much more about photos than words today. For some reason, I've been thinking about the mystery and intrigue of what's behind doors. As a traveller you get to see public spaces, whether they be streets, museums, galleries, gardens, markets or sites of historical significance. Occasionally when travelling you get invited behind closed doors to see someone's home. 

Whenever I'm travelling, or even exploring Melbourne's laneways or Ballarat's historic city streets, I'm fascinated as much by what I can't see as what I can. This isn't voyeuristic, I just want to make sure I'm not missing out on anything! Maybe it's an Alice in Wonderland curiosity. Sometimes, as in most of these photos, the door is so beautifully carved or painted that it just adds to the wonder. 

Well, we can't see everything and go everywhere so these images today are just some of the many doors I've admired but haven't been through. 

The photos were taken in Morocco, England, Sweden and Thailand.

Ode to Autumn

It's one of those gorgeous all-Australian autumn mornings in Ballarat today when the hot, sticky summery  weather has given way to cool, fresh rain. Steam is coming off the ground, the air is suddenly crisper and everything looks brighter and more vivid. Everyone keeps telling me that Ballarat in autumn is beautiful and we're just coming into the new season. I can't wait to get out and take photos of the leaves once they change, and feel them crunching underfoot. In the meantime, here's some photos I took in autumn around England a few years back. What a glorious season - wherever you are!

English gardens

There's nothing more beautiful than English gardens with their roses, hedges, grottoes, mazes, irises, petunias, lilies, kitchen gardens and secret seating spots. Thankfully Ballarat is full of English-style gardens so it provides everyday inspiration as I walk around. I'm trying to create my own little garden inspired by those in England, but for now here's some photos of the great gardens to whet your appetite for a drive in the country (if you live in England), or a walk through the streets (if you live in Ballarat).