Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Friday 17 February 2012

Japanese Gardens

The Smaller Portion has been telling me for a while 'We never go anywhere, we never do anything.'  He is right.  Guilt got to me this week and I agreed to go on an outing with him.

He chose to go to the Japanese Gardens at Cowra, some two and a half to three hours drive away.  We have been there before years ago and both liked it.  It is hot at the moment, and I am not at my best in the heat, but off we went.

It was truly beautiful, and I love the meld of the exotic and the native plants.  There are two ponds both stocked with koi carp and both frequented by ducks.





























Have I mentioned it was hot?  Perspiration was running down my face (goodness how attractive) washing off my sunscreen.  I got burnt.

When we finished our wanders we were both parched and hungry so we wandered into the cafe.  Full.  Himself was not prepared to wait.  I grabbed a juice each and we headed off.  He refused to look for anywhere else to eat so we drove home.

Today, unsurprisingly, I am knackered and paying the painful price for an overfull, overheated day.  Was it worth it?  I don't know.  It was beautiful, and I did love the gardens.  Just the same at the moment my pain/gain barometer is falling into the negative zone.  Perhaps when I am no longer so tired and sore I will do the equation again.

52 comments:

  1. Those gardens are glorious, but perhaps better enjoyed in cooler weather. I saw them in winter and they were gorgeous. Love all the moundy plants. Would like to do something similar at my place.

    Hope the weather improves soon.

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  2. Beautiful gardens . . . I would love a garden with a stream . . . a bridge . . . a pond. Anything "watery" I suppose.
    I hope your pain has gone and you are rested.

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  3. When you are not so tired and sore, your equation will be different.

    Or, we like to think we learn from our mistakes, but who among us has burnt the roof of her mouth on pizza for the last time?

    Stunning garden. Especially for the dead of winter...

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  4. thank you for taking the lovely images to share, despite your bad state. the ducks and the fish one amazes me.
    Cat Drawing?^ those 'moundy plants' are most likely clipped azaleas and a visit (carrying prepared sandwich snack) in Spring would be glorious.
    X X

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  5. I would say it was worth it. Beautiful place and you got to share it with a loved one. Can you say ...memories. I am not that great with heat either. When we were in Hawaii we got lost in a garden and became dehydrated. Worst heat experience I ever had! You pictures are beautiful. I would love to go there. Probably like you though, when it is cooler.

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  6. The gardens are certainly beautiful, but I'm sad and sorry that you got sunburnt. Did you wear a hat? I always do when out wandering and have a small tube of sunblock in my bag as well. Add walking or resting in shade as much as possible and I'm usually okay.

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  7. It was beautiful and now you won't have to listen to him complaining for a while. Everything has its price.

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  8. Cat Drawings: Ann O'Dyne is almost certainly right and the mounds are azaleas. Last time we went it was spring and there were azaleas in vibrant bloom everywhere. I imagine that autumn is amazing too.

    bugerlugs63: I would love a water feature in my garden too. A BIG one, with running water.

    Murr Brewster: I am hoping that in a few days the equation will change. Unfortunately MS loves the heat. And I hear you about burning the roof of my mouth. Last week...

    Ann O'Dyne: The ducks and the fish were a joy. I took lots of photos of them and may devote a post to them.

    Teresa: Welcome and thank you. Heat is just so challenging these days.

    River: Foolish me did forget my hat. I skulked in the shade whenever I could though. The sunburn really isn't that bad, it is the MS heat thing which is grinding me down. For now. I will rise to the surface again.

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  9. mybabyjohn/Delores: It is beautiful, and I hope you are right. Sorry, your comment came in while I was replying to other people.

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  10. We do much for love, really. It is not good that the MS gets in the way of your living.

    It is interesting that the gardens are there, really. I believe they are a memorial to a camp where Japanese people were interned during WW2. There was a mass breakout and many died.The gardens are a tribute to courage...

    Not a bad choice for a day out...

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  11. Christine: It is intensely frustrating that MS gets in the way of living.

    During World War II Cowra was the site of a prisoner of war (POW) camp. Most of the detainees were captured Japanese and Italian military personnel, On 5 August 1944, at least 545 Japanese POWs attempted a mass breakout from the camp. Simultaneously, other Japanese prisoners committed suicide, or were killed by their countrymen, inside the camp.

    During the breakout and subsequent recapture of POWs, four Australian guards and 231 Japanese died, and 108 prisoners were wounded. The dead Japanese were buried in Cowra in the specially created Japanese War Cemetery, which was ceded to Japan in 1963.

    The gardens were established by Cowra City Council with the assistance and support of Japan. the Australian government and some private individuals, opening in 1979.

    One of the nicer War Memorials I think.

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  12. Ah - you got some lovely shots though. It was good of you to go on the outing despite the discomfort.

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  13. Such lovely photos which make me want to go there, but do take care of yourself. Hot weather is seldom good for anyone.

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  14. Wonderful. Japanese gardens absolutely transport me. grateful thanks for these images.

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  15. What a lovely peaceful place.
    And yes, the cooler weather can't come soon enough for me too.

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  16. Beautiful photos - but like you, i'm not a fan of the heat. When it's cold, you can always add layers. When it's hot? You can only get naked, and that doesn't help...

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  17. So glad you could give us the photos. I had to google chrysanthemum stone. It is stunning. Formed with a minor accessory mineral, according to wikipedia. Now that doesn't do it justice. Thank you.

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  18. How absolutely beautiful. I am also not at my best in the heat, which is why we moved somewhere that doesn't have much of it at all. We do need to learn to enjoy the rain, though. I love the gardens and your pictures are wonderful. Thank you for sharing them with me.

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  19. What a beautiful place. I CAN'T go out in the heat. I've tried, but my MS symptoms overcome me, and I end up toast. I hope a day or two inside where it's cool, help you recover.

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  20. Such beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous place with the rest of us.

    I'm sorry that your body is not cooperating and that your outing left you in such pain. I hope you are feeling better today, my friend. :)

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  21. That second photo is particularly beautiful. I'd love to get lost in such a place for an afternoon.

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  22. Bonza photos. I've no doubt after a few good nights sleep the pain/gain barometer will be a distant memory. The main thing is you both had a good time that's what counts :-).

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  23. It looks beautiful in the gardens! It is a tough choice with the heat and getting out

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  24. Lynn: It is a beautiful place and I knew that which helped.

    persiflage: I think that you would like it, but I would recommend spring, autumn or winter visits.

    Dave King: Japanese gardens do have a serenity which gives them a special charm.

    Manderley: Bring back winter, I say. The gardens were incredibly peaceful. Birdsong loud, people noise muted. Bliss.

    daisyfae: Thank you. That sums up my more printable thoughts about summer exactly.

    Joanne: The chrysanthemum stone blew me away. So beautiful, and formed naturally.

    DJan: Thank you. We have had far too many droughts here for me to ever mind the rain. And everything smells better for it.

    Karen: Toast it is. And it is hard for other people to understand that overheating can cause a flare up which lasts several days. Which is why my pain/gain equation is still in the negative.

    Jenn June: Thank you. Another day or two yet I think.

    John Wiswell: It is indeed a spot designed for ambling, and peaceful thought.

    Windsmoke: I hope you are right. And yes, the beauty helps.

    Kim @ Stuff: It comes down to choosing a life or an existence. Sometimes I have to do things which I know will stirr the MS up so that we can have a life. Never easy though.

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  25. you have a beautiful eye for a photograph!

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  26. I have found that people who do not have to make the constant equation of activity vs. payback really don't understand how different it is for us. It's not a matter of having a good sleep and all will be just rosy with happy memories the next day. An outing like this would do me in for weeks. Literally. MS is brutally unforgiving. Especially when it's hot. The pictures are indeed stunning, but I can just feel the heat radiating through them... I do hope the physical misery lets up soon.

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  27. Whaty a lovely place! Your photos certainly do it justice; they make me want to visit.

    I so hope you are starting to recover from the outing - whether it was worth it for you , only you can decide. My heart goes out to you.

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  28. John Gray: Thank you. It is difficult to take a bad photo there. I took nearly 170 and deleted a small handful where my hands had been shaking.

    Paper Chipmunk: Thank you. On so many counts, not least for knowing that a good sleep and a cool drink do NOT make it all better again.

    Alexia: It is a very beautiful place. Which is a big something.

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  29. I think it must have been worth it because you took so many worthy pictures.... =)

    Almost felt like I was there.

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  30. Have Myelin?: Thank you, I am glad you liked the photos.

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  31. The gardens are beautiful.. I love the heart shaped pink flowers and baby ducks.
    I don't like going out in the heat either but I am glad you did and shared the beauty with us.
    Hugs,
    Pam :)

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  32. Thanks for the history of the place. I remember seeing a documentary about this years ago but had forgotten the dates. I hope the pain is relenting.

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  33. Pam: The gardens are beautiful, and it doesn't seem to matter what time of year you visit them. The pink flowers were crepe myrtle blooms. They come in shades ranging from palest pink to almost crimson. I read somewhere (I think) that the gardens are planted with only soft coloured flowers, so I assume the crimson crepe myrtles are out.

    Christine: It was my pleasure to give a quick potted version of the history. There are also some of the Japanese who were killed in the attack on Darwin buried in the Japanese War Cemetery at Cowra.

    The pain has a way to go yet, but thank you so much for asking.

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  34. I agree with you: pain or gain. Pain goes with heat for me as well. The photos were gorgeous, though. Thanks for sharing the day with us.

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  35. I love the Chinese gardens in Sydney, if I ever get up Canberra way again I will add these to my go to visit list.

    Sorry the heat took such a toll on you, hope you are on the up soon.

    Beautiful photos, thanks so much for sharing with us.

    Hugs from Perth xxx

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  36. The large stones really caught my eye, and the wavy sand patterns.

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  37. Susan Kane: Glad you liked it.

    Kakka: And hugs (gentle ones) to you too. Cowra is a few hours away from us but if you have the time it is a worthwhile trip.

    Strayer: I found the patterns in the gravel really hypnotic. Loved them.

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  38. It looks so beautiful, such a shame it was so hot for you :(
    Hopefully the sunburn and pain will fade and you can venture back there on a more civilised day and revel in the beauty :)

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  39. Jayne: Thank you. It is beautiful. I will try again in Autumn, when I expect the colours will be incredible.

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  40. Fabulous photos of the gardens. I hope you recover quickly from such a long day. Lovely that you and the smaller portion had the time together to enjoy such beautiful surroundings but I can imagine the heat was a downer. I don't take to heat too well, humidity more than the heat for me. It makes me feel ill if I have been out in it too long, and I have to find a cool place inside as I have been known to pass out. Gregg always knows as I turn into a patchwork quilt kind of color from head to toe.

    Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my cheetah post. I was very interested in how you once was able to pat one of these beautiful animals. What a joy that would be.

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  41. What a beautiful area! So green and decorative. (for lack of a better word!) I've always found it so strange and wonderful that Australia's seasons are the opposite of ours in the US. Hope you feel better soon. Rest up!

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  42. Denise: Thank you. It would be hard not to take beautiful photos. Every time you turn around the view is spectacular.

    Becky: I am so envying your winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Thank you.

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  43. Ha! That is funny that you're envying our winter! It hasn't been our "normal" winter this year. We've had warmer temperatures and hardly any snow, which is kind of a nice change. I can get out and walk more!!

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  44. Becky: Just at the moment we are in about the warmest time of year. My MS loves it, and consequently I hate it. Still cooler times are coming.

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  45. We still have snow..~~

    and you have pink lush flowers.

    WOW! x

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  46. Dear EC,
    What an interesting WWII background that garden has. So much death and pain, misery and despair and yet that garden is serene in every way. Thank you for the lovely photographs that revealed that serenity and the one of the ducks in water. I could almost hear the splashing.

    How are you coming on measuring that pain and gain stuff???

    Peace.

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  47. So good of you to share these photos - my virtual walk through the garden had the benefit of no oppressive heat and the effects that will linger on in days to come will be only good ones! I hope by now you are feeling better and that the trip was worthwhile!

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  48. My Inner Chick: I would love some of your snow. And the gardens would still be serene.

    Dee Ready: I am a pacifist to the core, but these gardens are a lovely reflection on the possibilities when two opposing countries can surrender their differences and work together.

    Pain still has the vote.

    Two Tigers: I am glad you enjoyed them.

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  49. I realized that every time I sat down to look at a blog, yours was not in the first twenty or so with new entries. SO I am catching up.

    It is SO hard to weigh activity with the payback--AND there wasn't even a relaxing meal to sort of ruminate(Sorry) over the sights of the day. My guess is that the pain and discomfort were not quite worth it.

    But you surely have given us beauty here. The gardens seem almost to be a blend of the British formal gardens with the Japanese. There is some of the more formal topiary, but all with a Japanese sense of balance and serenity. Thank you for posting all these.

    On to the next day!

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  50. JeanetteL.S: You are always welcome here, early or late. The gardens were and are very beautiful but the pain/gain equation is still tipped against them. I find myself saying 'normal people would be better by now' and other such rubbish. Thank you for being here.

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  51. Yes, never make a final word on anything while you're in pain or tired and especially when both. And spare yourself from comparisons. It does no good no how to put values on things that are immaterial. Like what other people can do.

    Wow, sorry to get so heavy but it's what I'm writing about right now.

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    Replies
    1. Austan: Welcome. Not heavy at all. True, and something I have to remind myself about often.

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