Lucy

Lounging by the pool.

Poolside flower patch

Since making this house our new abode the women have been planting out the little stip of dirt by the pool with flowers. Fully grown, they should be quite spectacular.

This photo is of the refelections in our pool. The unenhanced version is all pastel aqua. Enhanced, it takes on a submarine magic (to my mind's eye, anyway).

World Pool I

Both this and the following images are majorly modified shots of the sky reflected on the pool surface early on Saturday afternoon. I used the Arcsoft Photoimpression software to alter the hue and then applied the 'firelight' effect in the 'create' menu (first time I've used effects). It would probably be a bit boring if you saw it all the time, but these images are quite striking...

World Pool II

Poolside Marigold

Poolside Hibiscus

Poolside Purple

Poolside Flowerpot

Poolside Pansies

Birds of Paradise

Our Birds of Paradise look really cool...

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...looking, as they do, over our pool.

Collective Birds

As a collective, the curiosity of these adolescent Birds of Paradise takes on a slightly more sinister aspect.

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This picture was taken three weeks earlier, and shows them about to bloom.

Diver

Yes, the pool's being used!

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Pool and pool life

Before moving on to show you around the place we left in California Street (below), I feel I should show you what most defines the present abode to most of those who have visited - the pool. This photo was taken the evening we moved in. You can see the 'rust stain' at bottom right, and the machine that collects most of the leaves which sink to the bottom.

...Living on the edge of the Torrens Valley, we have a fair few ducks passing through or over our yard. Some just can't resist enjoying their own private pond for awhile...

These two appeared to be considering the local environs for their new family home. Even though I have a fondness of ducks (see here and here), I hope I have dissuaded them. Visitors, I don't mind. Ducklings in our pool during its first summer would be a bit much!