True Love

Mini Polish, originally uploaded by chateauglenunga.

Here is David earlier in the day practicing his other passion - tending to the Mini. Here David is placing masking tape over the black plastic parts of the car prior to applying polish to the duco. The car received; a wash; a first polish; a sealant polish, a vacuum and dust; a leather treatment; a plastic treatment and a rubber condition. The car, I assure you, is gleaming and beautiful.

Wok & Woll

Wok & Woll, originally uploaded by chateauglenunga.

David cooking up a storm on Saturday night. Onions and spices are being stir fried to be added to a chopped pork loin fillet, which is then cooked in a Chinese clay pot on the stove top. The renovated kitchen is being well used.

David's Early BP

David's birthday present was very easy to arrange this year - it was the spotlights for the Mini you see below. He decided what he wanted, did the research, ordered them over the internet and arranged to have them installed. All I did was say, like Optus, "Yes".

"Yes, you can have them but it's your birthday present," I said.

So what do you think?

Interesting, different, unusual?



At night with the spots 'On'.



Looking serious but he is actually happy with the lights.



A view of the back of the spotlights in the daytime.



In close up.

Shantaram

I just finished one of the best novels I've ever read, 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts. A huge, sprawling novel set in Bombay, it grabs from the first chapter until the last line on page 933. Beautifully written and with scenes that are cinematic in their intensity. Its' so good I'd consider reading it again - I've only ever re-read one book before, 'Lord of the Rings', both times prior to the film. Speaking of film you may want to read it before the film comes out in 2008 and ruins the whole thing. Although Johnny Depp is involved so it might be okay . . .



Plot Summary from Wikipedia:
Shantaram is an uncompromising story of a fugitive - based on Roberts' experience - on the run in Bombay, India; a man who sets up a free clinic in a slum, works for the biggest Don in the Bombay Mafia, works as a money launderer and street soldier, heads straight into Russian guns in the mountains of Afghanistan, and earns the name insightfully given him by his best friend's mother - "Shantaram", meaning "man of peace".

Surprise Visitors

Jim and Monty were surprise visitors to the opening of the exhibition on Saturday, see below. We took them down to McLaren Vale in the Mini on Sunday, they flew back to Perth on Monday.



David and Monty at the D'Arenberg cellar door.



Harvey, David, Jim and Monty at the Primo Estate Cellar door. Taken with a self-timer. There's wide angle distortion at the sides of the picture - at least that's my excuse.



Jim and Monty at Magill Estate. The lavenders are in full bloom.



Monty and David in the Mini. Jim and me are in the back.

These are the 'people' photos I took but I took a lot of nice architectural, landscapey photos that day too. They can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/8622063@N04/sets/72157601976567863/
(Click on the link if it's live, otherwise copy and paste it into your browser.)

Detours Re-Routed Exhibition Opening

The exhibition, Detours Re-Routed, opened on schedule on Saturday, September 8. Effy Kleanthi opened it and she gave a lovely speech. I had a few words to say, and about 60-80 people came through during the opening. Tom, the owner of the pub/restaurant was really pleased with the turn out. He bought one of the large pictures, Gentle Rain. Friends Monty and Jim from Perth surprised me by turning up at the exhibition opening - something I was definitely not expecting. A group of us stayed around for dinner after the opening.



Everyone wandering around and having a look. Four rooms have pictures in at the Rising Sun.



Monty, Me and Jim. Monty and Jim surprised me by turning up at the exhibition opening. They flew in from Perth for the weekend! It was very unexpected. Monty is an owner of two of my pictures - the latest being Gentle Rain from this exhibition. I had just sent it to Perth for him.



During the speeches - James, Karen, Julie, Noel, David and a colourful addition to the assembly Dr Gertrude Glossip.



Terry, Martin and Ray with Kerry at the back and John Pumpa's eyes over the top of everyone at the back.



Amelia and Richard. I haven't heard what Amealia thought of the work yet - I expect incisive commentary.



Me waffling away about something. Mum looks on.



Janine extreme left. Jodie and Helen next to her. Andre up the back under the left side of the stained glass window. Monty and Jim on the other side. Browsing.



Harvey, Monty, Jim, Kate, Malcolm and Terry. We stayed around for dinner after the exhibition opening.



Tom Savis owner and operator of the Rising Sun and the friendliest publican in town with Effy who opened the exhibition. I gave each of them a bottle of French champagne as a thank you.