Hi Patsy ... I was visiting in Perth for the whole of October and November 08 and made two visits to Kings Park Botanical Gardens. I was amazed at the beauty of the place, but very distraught when I read in your blog about the fire .... such a pity that something like this can happen. My daughter, Lindy and her family, have moved to Perth 2 years ago from South Africa, and this was my first visit to your beautiful country. In all respects, this was an amazingly wonderful time for me, and I fell in love with Perth! They stay in Woodlands, close to the Ikea and not far from Innaloo. While there, we managed to set a little time aside to paint, unfortunately not enough! With small children around, it is not so easy. Now back home in George, RSA, I have been asked by my daughter -in-law to do a few paintings of old, dilapidated houses ... so, in between all the usual daily things, I try to find time to start with this 'commission' ... she told me that she would like the paint to be thickly applied, but I find that I am more comfortable with the glazing technique which allows for thin layers of paint. Your blog makes for very interesting reading, and I do wish you well on all your endeavours and challenges. Your flowers are beautiful, and I can very well remember the masses of roses whilst visiting ... Blessings to you and keep well!

Hi Patsy...owe you an apology my more info' does not say what I retired from...Well 25 years [two life sentences?] at the chalk-face, later the white board & solvent abuse...a College Lecturer in Applied Sciences. Or science to the masses...hairdressers, beauty therapists, caterers, hoteliers, food science teachers, nurses, marine engineers, rope makers...biology/human biology to near-degree level...chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry...strewth I had forgotten most of this...that was very early retirement [1]. Then a Passport Officer, [civil servant]...that was retirement [2, the final one]...along the way in no particular order... factory cleaner, warehouseman, pharmacy dispenser, laboratory scientist, shop keeper, import/export/market trader [horticultural bulbs], travel consultant...anything to keep the wolves at bay while the sprogs needed supporting...