Roaming. Koala on King.

Poor koala. Locked in a King St shopfront with just a potted palm for company.

Roaming. Heaven.

I'm not sure I need to say anything about number nine. Silk, the King St Hotel, Travelodge, McDonald's, Market Town and reportedly the largest KFC in the southern hemisphere are all nearby establishments, no doubt roaring trade ensues.

Roaming. Merewether.

A stunning autumn day in beautiful Merewether is certainly something to miss.

Pie Report. Camel Adventure.

I should have known I was in for trouble by the pained smile on the pie seller's face. My adventurous spirit selected a camel pie from Fredo's bain-marie at Coolongolook — the location should have been a giveaway. It's safe to say this pie was one of the blandest ever reviewed here, and at $5 it was a steep price to pay for something resembling wet dog biscuits. I'm also at a loss as to why Fredo Pies — famous for their crocodile pies — use Marilyn as a mascot. Any answers?

Camel

1.00 Pastry
0.50 Filling
0.50 Tastiness
2.00 Structure
1.00 Value

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED | 1.00

Roaming. Farm Life.

Today's post is a list. A list of some of the cows named by my folks on their little farm out west: Daisy, Heidi, Sally, Nicole, Gemma, Sadie, Annie, Licourice (sic), Mumma, Red, Caramel, Kate, Iris, Pearl, Mia, Shirley, Edna, Taurus, Rex, Olive, Jedda, Blackie, Rosie, Maizie, Derek, Bess, Trixie, Angel, Cloey (sic), Elvis, Hannah, Marsha, Lucy, Fred, Wilma, Queenie, Anzac, Judas and Sam.

Mulch. Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there, especially my own.

Roaming. Decisions.

A uniquely Novocastrian juxtaposition of irresistible signs just off Hunter Street Mall.

Glossy. Horsing Around.

Maurizio Cattelan's cover for New York magazine confirms his status as one of the more intriguing artists on the planet. And funny too. I've mentioned his magazine Toiletpaper before; I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Blink. Hiroshi & Sid.

Hiroshi (left) watched Newcastle Harbour pass from the safety of the heavily graffitied Telarah train. His fashion hues were soft: beige pants, beige spring coat, pale yellow shirt capped off by light silver hair, which made his big black bushy eyebrows stand out. As Hiroshi sat quietly, fussy Sid (right) was pacing the length of the train eager to find a seat, poking his umbrella at possible options.

Roaming. Pep Up.

Mother's Day is not far away, but it seems that every day is a Mother day on the streets of Newcastle.

Roaming. Needlework.

One of Newcastle's charms is its quirky shopfronts. The often desolate Hunter St is home to Stereo Needles (pictured), a restaurant called Il Volcano with a suitably decorated interior, and a shop for collectors decorated outside with portraits of The Beatles.

Mulch. The Design Files.

The Novocastrian Files are reporting that The Design Files are in town, and I'm sure the locals welcome you! So do we at This Is Ikon, we're always keen to see what The Design Files have on their radar.

Mixtape. 50 Words for Snow.

Kate Bush has been creating perfect pop moments since the 1970s, each one more ambitious than the previous. Kate's captivating 50 Words for Snow is no exception to that rule and is on high rotation here providing a perfect soundscape for cool grey days. Stephen Fry's kooky contribution works, oddly, with Elton John's appearance on Snowed In At Wheeler St charming – and I'm not an Elton fan. Like many in the 1980s I was fixated on Kate's music and videos, particularly Sat In Your Lap with Kate on Skates in dunce cap – that clip was as transfixing for me as Nina Hagen's Smack Jack. Kate's 50 Words for Snow is the perfect way to welcome in a lazy Sunday.