Castle Fun Park

When I was a kid I used to beg my parents to go to Castle Fun Park, but they always, always said "No!". It didn't matter how artfully little me posed the question, their resolve was steely, they never cracked! (they just cranked up Roger Whittaker or Demis Roussos on the car stereo to drown my whiny pleas)
So for years, the only glimpses I got of the closest thing in Perth to Disneyland, were from the back seat of our Kingswood as we drove past. Sniff. Their refusal to budge still hurts actually - because I really, really wanted to tell my friends that I'd swum in a pool shaped like Australia and sat on a (real life) throne! It's all a bit sad really...and it gets sadder. You'll see in a sec because a couple of days ago I finally got my chance to visit Castle Fun Park - or to be more precise, what's left of it!

CFP was built in 1979 and abandoned in the early 2000's. Subsequently most of it was destroyed by a bush fire. Vandals have all but finished off the rest.

The Bavarian Castle then  

image via. 

(and no, I didn't nick that swan Sue!)

and now

Lucky duck! I'm still a little bit jealous! Image via

And I was scared before I saw this!

I would've thrown my twenty cents pocket money into the wishing well if I'd had the opportunity...perhaps I wouldn't be here now if I did - I might be living in a castle instead of the wonky old shop house...

This aint Disneyland!

Things aren't what they used to be that's for sure!

Check this neat little video to compare and contrast and for a hit of 80's nostalgia. The soundtrack alone cracked me up. 

And please send me a note if you were one of the lucky ones who got to paddle in Tasmania(!) 

Knit Wit

Remember that "riveting news" I mentioned in my last post?
(I'm talking knitting here, not my fringe) 
Well, I wanted to show you the beanie I made.

Officially it's called the lumberjack beanie, but because I made it for Anthony who is no lumberjack, and because we've spent a few days at the beach I'm calling it the fisherman's beanie.

Anthony, Melros Beach, yesterday.

So Frenchy, he's chic ;)

Admittedly it's a bit wonky and my pom-pom needs work, but I'm pretty pleased with my efforts. I've discovered (for me) knitting is much less headache-inducing than sewing (which I've all but shelved), and most importantly, Anthony isn't embarrassed to wear it in public. He says "it does the job" 

he might be a man of few words, but he's no fool! He probably wanted to say "it could double as a tea cosie!" but he didn't. I bet that's what he was thinking though. I bet it was on the tip of his tongue ;)

What more can a beginner knitter hope for?!

In Da Club*

It's official! I'm a bona fide, honourary, paid-up member of the Manchester Modernist Society!

 Look, here's my membership card

 and my badge

I'm going to wear it to work tomorrow and my work-mates will look at me with a "what the?!" expression.

Why Manchester? 

(Liverpool, Sheffield and Birmingham have Modernist Societies too)

Well, if Manchester's good enough for Johnny Marr, it's good enough for me!

(obviously I'm a Smiths tragic)

And, unfortunately there's not an Australian Modernist Society, perhaps there should be? Perhaps there is? Please let me know. 

Sadly, after eight years Modernist Australia is no more (as far as I'm aware it was as close as we got...) Patricia and Pete certainly increased awareness and appreciation of Australian mid-century architecture, and I'll miss their posts.

(another good blog bites the dust!)

Here's the link to all four societies if you'd like more info.

Other riveting news: I've got a fringe and I'm teaching myself to knit.

* 50 Cent, 2003.

When we were in Albany (was it only a week ago? It feels like forever!) we popped into St Joseph's Catholic Church. Not to attend mass - just for a bit of a sticky. St Joseph's was built in 1877 - this was a nice little coincidence because the last time I visited St Joseph's was in 1977 during the Saint Pius X Year 7 camp (now that was a long time ago!)
The thing that struck me most about St Joseph's, apart from its beautiful vaulted hull-like ceiling, were the red-hot pokers (I love them and have them in my garden) arranged so beautifully in front of the statues of Mary, Joseph and co!

Apologies to Joseph for chopping off his head. I'd offer up a Hail Mary, but somehow that doesn't seem quite right...poor old Joseph, he always gets a raw deal!

I love the symmetry of those candlesticks, et al. 

Here's that ceiling I mentioned...you can just make out Anthony pondering his days in the Melbourne Grammar School choir. Not.

I like the juxtaposition here. Pope someone-or-other and leopard print cushion. Nice.

The doors to the confessional remind me of your front door Dana ;)

Where I used to spend all my pocket money! Remember I'm the kid who wanted to be a Nun when I grew up!

I think this is a good place to end, don't you :)

Thanks for reading x

The Giant Ram

The Giant Ram, Wagin, Western Australia.

Well I had to, didn't I?!

Buster Gonad's got nothing on these!

The Giant Ram was constructed to commemorate Wagin's role in the Australian wool industry. It is nine times the size of a live ram and is said to be anatomically correct (ahem!) It was erected on site in May 1985 and sculpted by Andrew Hickson, who took eight months to create it.

Fake It Till You Make It

 Dear Ron,
I think your little nod to Goya's Antonia Zarate is lovely.
IMO you've done the Old Master proud. Antonia's eyes follow me around the room better than a portrait in a B grade Gothic horror flick.

I just wish you didn't sign your name with a permanent marker! A little scribble in a bottom corner would've been so much nicer.

Love, Kylie

"Spanish Eyes" (portrait of Antonia Zarate 1805, after Goya) Ron Clarke, 2011. Two dollars op-shop. 
Are You In This? Original British World War 1 recruitment poster. Anthony's Christmas present last year. Priceless.
The quoits were my Nan and Pop's and the primitive little table is from the Depression era.

Note: apologies for the preponderance of real estate posts. I know they're not everyone's cup of tea (and that most of the homes I've featured aren't either), but as I've mentioned before they're an easy way in and I've had fun writing them. I will write about other stuff - I'm not a real estate agent in sheep's clothing. Promise ;)

As always, thanks for reading x

It's Friday, I'm In Love

with two mid-century gems just listed for sale in the fancy-pants and very nice suburb of Coolbinia. Modernist homes for sale are thin on the ground in Perth so to find two of these gems listed at the same time is a real treat.
Sadly though, I've got a sinking feeling it all might end in tears. Read the agent's spiel. You'll see.
I hope both homes find someone to love them. If I win Lotto on the weekend, that person will be me! 

agents listing

agents listing

Please take the time to click through all the photos, these really are very special homes - I would hate them to be replaced with what the agent describes as a "contemporary masterpiece" Ahem?!

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

You know, you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

If you do, you might make the mistake of taking a potentially awesome home like this one (especially if you ditch the Bali shizz and cover up that mosaic star in the foyer)

(I see Ninjas tumbling down those stairs)

for granite.

(sorry, but I couldn't resist!)

For sale here.

Dive In

I've seen a lot of etched shower screens over the years (mermaids, fish, flamingos, swans...) but none of them as lovely as this. 

(and I don't need to mention those perfectly coordinated venetians, "tumbling block" floor tiles, et al. Do I?!)

From its wrought iron front gate to its flat roofed back shed there's only one thing not to love about this little gem from the 60's: it's 97 kilometres from Perth - that's almost an hour and a half in the car! Too far for me :( 

For sale here.

"Well, I'll be domed!"

Dear Mr Kelly, 

your (d)home is amazing!
I wish I had your guts and gumption. If I did I'd jump that barbed wire fence and knock on your door. I'd shake your hand and tell you how much I love your house. You must be a pretty cool dude - of this I'm absolutely certain.

Yours sincerely,

Kylie Oram

Further reading - a few suggestions:

Kelly House, Barragup link
(thanks Vicky)

Mr Kelly's first dome home link

The Shine Dome link

The Mysterious Dome Homes link

Journey Into Space: Sydney Spaceships link

Bubble Houses link

Binishels in NSW Schools link

and lastly, holiday in an absolutely stunning Modernist dome here.

I'm having fun trotting out these quick little posts - they're an easy way back in and I hope you're enjoying them too x 

note: Mr Kelly's (d)home is situated on Pinjarra Road, Barragup, Western Australia. I took these snaps yesterday on the way home from Mandurah. 

Stairway to heaven?

Pump out a hymn on that organ

and climb this baby

to the promised land.

For sale here.