Springtime in Melbourne

Spring has finally come to Melbourne!
After a cool four weeks, Spring has arrived. The skies are blue, the flowers are out and it's short sleeves and 3/4 leggings. The gardens are blooming, it makes you feel happy, you could shout with joy at the fragrance of roses so sweet, the scent you inhale as you take time to wander around your neighbourhood and local parks.

It's Springtime now
The flowers are out
The trackies have gone
We're gadding about
In cool summer cottons
And hats on our heads
It's welcome to Spring
In our pinks, greens and reds



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Today's quote: I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden ~ Ruth Stout

Hurstbridge Wattle Festival

The last Sunday in August is the annual Wattle Festival and I went with two gentlemen - Master Five and Master Four to witness the glorious wattle that abounds in the lovely town of Hurstbridge. It is a fun family day with free horse, bus and train rides. Driving through Diamond Creek and along Heidelberg Kinglake Rd is one of my favourtie drives with the sound of birdsong and the fresh smell of trees and flowers playing imaginitive dreams with your senses.

Horse and Buggy
The horse and coach rides must be the most popular because the biggest queue was here. The boys loved riding on the carriage.

Double Decker Bus Rides
The double decker bus was the second favourite and after we had waited patiently, it was our turn but they wanted to ride "on the top" so we waited for the next one. Everyone wants to ride on the top!

Tongan Dancers
The Tongan dancers were wonderful and we sat entranced listening to Tongan music and watched various traditional dances. The ladies were a little cold in the strapless Tapa.

The Hupmobile
A display of vintage cars saw many people having a good look. Here we see Master Five and Master Four sitting in one of them. There were many more things to see and do, but alas we ran out of time. You can read more about them here.

The Wattle Girls
These lovely girls willingly posed for me - aren't they pretty in their wattle clothes?

Miss Wattle 2010
Here we see Miss Wattle 2010 graciously posing before hitching a ride with the horses. She was dressed in a lovely ballgown of green and yellow and sprigged with wattle. She said ballgowns and horses don't go well together and gave us a demonstration of how to fix this problem by tucking her gown into her purple satin bloomers!

Wattle
And of course - the wattle. Did you know there are over 600 different species throughout Australia? One species of wattle, Acacia pycnantha, is the floral emblem of Australia and is featured on our coat-of-arms.


Today's Quote: You are invited to the festival of this world and your life is blessed ~ Rabindranath Tagore

Scenic Sunday - Autumn Aurora

Autumn Leaves
Don't you just love walking down a street filled with glorious autumn colour?

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Today's Quote: Autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower ~ Albert Camus

Autumn Glory

The fiery reds of Autumn
I love the glorious colours of Autumn and was so taken with the beauty and colour of these trees when I was driving down a local street visiting a family member, I just had to stop and get out. The silver bit in the bottom right hand corner is my car. The Acer Palmatum (Japanese Maple) is one of the most beautiful trees, especially in Autumn when the leaves turn a rich, fiery orange-red. Unfortunately, the tree was so large, I wasn't able to get the whole tree in the photo. But here's another shot below -

Above: Acer Palmatum
These streets are in one of our outer suburbs not far from the Dandenongs - you can see the Dangenong Ranges in the distance at the top of this street near the main road. Photos taken 16th May this year.


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Today's Quote: God is the experience of looking at a tree and saying, "Ah!" ~ Joseph Campbell

Les Bicyclettes

The wheels of the bikes go round and round
Strolling along the Yarra some weeks ago, seeing this chap and his daughter riding their bikes brought to mind the song by Mireille Mathieu. I remember hearing this on the radio when I was a little girl and the melody always stuck in my mind.

I did my back in again. An old injury has flared up and at present it's lie flat on my back or find a comfortable position on the sofa with plenty of cushions! My time on the computer has been limited, not very comfortable sitting on a kitchen chair. I really must invest in a proper computer chair with back support - ergonomic I believe they're called. I've not been able to visit and see all the wonderful photos as much as I'd like just at the moment, but I'll do my best.
Cheers.

Melbourne in Springtime

Sweet Snapdragons
Pretty Petunias
Romantic Roses
Iridescent Irises
Noble Narcissus
Gorgeous Gladioli

Blossoms In The Breeze

The Herald of Spring

Standing on the balcony in my backyard last Saturday afternoon, I noticed one of the trees covered with blossoms, and I asked myself when did that happen? I hadn't noticed them the week before. And they made me realise Spring is just around the corner and the dark, cold days of Winter are almost over.

Can you guess which trees they are?

I am going on holidays today, and shall try and post on my travels. Ciào.

Perfumed Garden

The kiss of the sun for pardon
Song of the birds for mirth
You're nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth

There's something about a garden - whether your own, someone elses, or a public one. It never ceases to amaze me the beauty and wonder of God's handiwork when I inhale the fragrance and see all the beautiful colours and myriad of petal design. It gives me a heady delight and makes me realise that amid all the troubles and trials and tribulations and strife - it is still a beautiful world.

Winter

The Leafless Tree
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Proudly stands the leafless tree
Its twigs and branches bare
While waiting for its leaves to grow
And Spring to fill the air

Then slowly shall its leaves unfurl
And blossoms forth shall bring
A heady perfume, shady boughs
Sweet sound of birds that sing.