Perth Mad Men

This impressionistic day in the life of Perth has office scenes reminiscent of Mad Men.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Zs6BieUZM

Historic Perth

These old documentaries featuring Perth are worth a look.

1. Perth in 1930

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IStbjtDmK1s&list=PL45EE375716CAA187

2. Perth in 1954. Featuring Floreat's The Boulevard. Bonus footie feature: Claremont vs. West Perth

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=b2TaLGlj6ig&vq=large#t=27

3. UWA in 1961

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TcC83wEOcM#t=910

If they repeated that performance in the Sunken Garden, I'd happily pay a couple of shillings for a ticket.

Skyline Drive-In Theatre

Near Reabold Hill in Floreat is the old Skyline Drive-In.

Despite closing in the mid-1980's, it's still possible to see traces of its existence. Here's a current photo from nearmap.com. The Cambridge Council is at the bottom right.

And in its heyday, in 1965:

In 1985, just prior to its demise:

In the Shell Grotto

A grotto underneath a villa on Isola Bella, an island on Lake Maggiore.

Menaggio

Another of those tedious towns on Lake Como.

UWA in 1933

Timing Sleep

Ever wanted to know precisely how long it takes to fall asleep? My technique is a boring podcast. Within minutes I'm unconscious. Last night I started listening, and this morning I only recall the first 90 seconds! But is it possible I heard more but in a half-awake state did not remember it?  

The Novelty of Rain

Not a good photo, but this is a personal reminder of sitting through the heaviest rain in five months while watching the Fremantle Dockers play Gold Coast on Saturday. Hundreds of supporters left the ground before half time after getting drenched. Wimps !

Innaloo in 1953

Woodlands and Innaloo were sparsely populated in the 1950s. There's not a single car on Scarborough Beach Road (the east-west road) or Liege Street (the north-south road on the right). There's a farm where the shopping centre now stands, and it's uncleared bushland on the future site of the cinema. This is from Landgate's map viewer.

1965 at the Drive-In

From Google Maps, here's the view from above the Metro Drive-In cinema at Innaloo in 1965. At the top right, notice the empty fields which are now Innaloo Shopping Centre. And note the lack of traffic lights and indeed almost complete absence of traffic at the intersection of Scarborough Beach Road and Liege Street at the top right.

---

And here's the current view.

---

                   A history of the theatre, courtesy of cinemaweb:

On 20 April 1957, M.G.M. opened the Metro Drive-in with a gala screening of High Society, attended by more than 300 notables: according to the West Australian (18 April 1957) this included 'members of Parliament, civic leaders and heads of the commerce, industry and theatrical sections of the community'. The venue was claimed to be at that time the largest in the country, with provision for 950 cars, and a holding area at the rear for a further 600 waiting for the next session. It had a four-lane entrance to the 22 acre site, and seating accommodation for 400 walk-ins. The screen was advertised as one of the two largest in Australia, at 72 feet high, and bolted into 500 tons of concrete foundation, to withstand winds of up to 80 miles per hour. A nurse was employed to supervise the children's playground, which was securely fenced. There were even attendants to treat windscreens with a water-repellant solution so the screen would remain clearly visible despite rain. Restaurant patrons could eat while they viewed through the glass windows and heard the sound broadcast over speakers. Parents could heat up baby food or bottles, and infants' changing facilities included provision for washing and drying nappies 

An interior shot of the cinema from 1981 (source):

Last Day of the Season

Arriving in Stresa, I managed to catch the last tourist boat out to the islands on the last day of the tourist season before they shut down for winter.

More from Lake Maggiore

How pretty?

9.5/10.

Lily in a Pond on an Island in a Lake

On Lake Maggiore is the beautiful island of Isola Bella. In fact, I've repeated myself because Islola Bella means beautiful island.

Above UWA in 1954

Taken from the commemorative book produced on the occasion of the Queen's visit to Western Australia in 1954.

Viva Italia

Lake Como in autumn. What a dump.

Sorry for Watering my Neighbour

This is an apology to my neighbour who was apparently hosed on Saturday. When watering my hanging baskets late on Saturday, I did check for any neighbours resting quietly on their chairs on the back patio next door. With no sign of anyone outside I starting hosing against the fence and immediately heard a female shriek from next door. Plenty of spray hit her. I naturally fled to the other side of my house to hide until she'd gone inside.

Despite minor guilt, I now feel we're even. Every morning she drives her 4WD across my front verge, ripping up the lawn just to save 20 metres from her commute. So she deserves a minor hosing once in a while.

What Era Are You Living In?

Courtesy of the New York Times, this chart shows that my lack of a dishwasher, air conditioning and a clothes dryer puts me somewhere in the late 1960s compared to the average American. I am also hoping that electrification will reach my suburb soon.

Source: NYT

Italian Timeslip

In quaint Menaggio, having a wonderful pasta lunch in this café, I felt transported back to the 1950s, as I played Candy Crush on my iPhone.

More of Lake Clooney

Despite best efforts, Mr Clooney was not sighted.

Lago Di Como

Returning to my Italian roadtrip at the end of last year, he is a wintry view of Lake Como from Varenna, as I was waiting for the ferry to Menaggio and Varenna.

Meet Joey

This young orphan was being cared for by a friend.

Splat

Here's Jo-Wilfred Tsonga's double-handed backhand. Of all the Jo-Wilfred's I know, he's the one with the best hair.

0.2 Seconds Later

Having launched the ball, she now floats gracefully above the court. My serving action is similar to hers, although my undies remain hidden.

A Serve of Alize Cornet

From the Hopman Cup in January, this is the serve of French number one Alize Cornet.

Why Haven't I Blogged?

Because after my ankle surgery on 10th February, it was too uncomfortable sitting at a desk until recently.