Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
Like River I usually run with a theme. This last week while himself's uncle has been staying with us we have been playing Tommy Tourist. The last time he came to my city was slightly over sixty years ago. He hadn't been back because it is tooooo cold (I wish) and he is afraid of getting pneumonia.
From Red Hill Lookout. We are known as the bush capital - and the photos do show just how much greenery we retain here. Which I love.
This cafe/restaurant has been at the Lookout for as long as I can remember. It may even have been there on his last visit... Probably not though.
The Arboretum. Another grey day which peeved our visitor.
Looking down on our Governor-General's home by the lake.
The wide brown land sculpture - which is in metal and stands about twelve feet tall, comes from a Dorothea Mackellar poem which, in part, reads:
'I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!'
I do love the detail etched? into the railings here.
'Nest' is a favourite. I take new photos every time I see it.
Tree torture.
Inside the Visitors' Centre
A bearded raven sitting on a sign in the carpark.
And, because it was raining (which I loved and he took as a personal affront) we went to the Royal Australian Mint. All the coins we use in Australia are made here, commemorative coins and coins for some other countries too. And our Olympic medals.... The notes are made on the other side of the country.
I loved the Safety First, Last and Always sign.
This representation of our dollar coin was a seat in the viewing area.
The Great Barrier Reef commemorative dollar coin is a beauty isn't it? How I would love to see it in general circulation.
No free samples issued. Sigh.
And a spectacular sunset.
He will have left us by the end of the week, and I hope to visit your blogs again. I have missed you. I will, as always, respond to comments but it is likely to take longer than usual. When the rest of the household wakes we are continuing the tourist trail.
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life. The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent. Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
Like River I usually run with a theme. This last week while himself's uncle has been staying with us we have been playing Tommy Tourist. The last time he came to my city was slightly over sixty years ago. He hadn't been back because it is tooooo cold (I wish) and he is afraid of getting pneumonia.
From Red Hill Lookout. We are known as the bush capital - and the photos do show just how much greenery we retain here. Which I love.
This cafe/restaurant has been at the Lookout for as long as I can remember. It may even have been there on his last visit... Probably not though.
The Arboretum. Another grey day which peeved our visitor.
Looking down on our Governor-General's home by the lake.
The wide brown land sculpture - which is in metal and stands about twelve feet tall, comes from a Dorothea Mackellar poem which, in part, reads:
'I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!'
I do love the detail etched? into the railings here.
'Nest' is a favourite. I take new photos every time I see it.
Tree torture.
Inside the Visitors' Centre
A bearded raven sitting on a sign in the carpark.
And, because it was raining (which I loved and he took as a personal affront) we went to the Royal Australian Mint. All the coins we use in Australia are made here, commemorative coins and coins for some other countries too. And our Olympic medals.... The notes are made on the other side of the country.
I loved the Safety First, Last and Always sign.
This representation of our dollar coin was a seat in the viewing area.
The Great Barrier Reef commemorative dollar coin is a beauty isn't it? How I would love to see it in general circulation.
No free samples issued. Sigh.
And a spectacular sunset.
He will have left us by the end of the week, and I hope to visit your blogs again. I have missed you. I will, as always, respond to comments but it is likely to take longer than usual. When the rest of the household wakes we are continuing the tourist trail.
I LOVED the "Nest" sculpture!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: So do I. I think it is inspired.
DeleteWell, I loved the tourist trail without the faintest hint of peevishness. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteRelatively Retiring: We had more peevishness today. It dawned grey. Sunshine now though.
Deleteno free samples! awwww
ReplyDeleteSince I love twilight, you know I loved those last shots. :)
Author R. Mac Wheeler: Not a single teeny-weeny sample. And I love our sky at dusk too.
DeleteGreat photos indeed.
ReplyDeleteBlogoratti: Thank you. It would (of course) have been much, much better if the sun was shining. Or so I was told.
DeleteI can't imagine that the Canberra now would even resemble the Canberra of 60 years ago. I hope it is not sixty years before I visit again.
ReplyDeletecarol: I hope you don't wait sixty years too. And that you let me know when you are coming.
DeleteWell done thank you
ReplyDeleteMartin Kloess: Thank you.
DeleteGreat photos, loved the railing detail esp.
ReplyDeleteNilanjana Bose: Like Nest, I take photos of that railing every time I see it. It is very beautiful, very clever and so right.
DeleteBeautiful sunset, and a tour worthy of any himhimself. You can quote me.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragaon: Thank you. You are the wrong gender for him to believe a quote from you though...
DeleteGotta love complaining visitors...
ReplyDeleteLove that nest and bird! And tree torture... LOL I never thought about it that way but you're right.
River Fairchild: Fish and visitors smell after three days. And some of them before. And bonsai is tree torture. Reminiscent of Chinese footbinding.
Deleteall i can think of is that your visitor would surely have been a lot less susceptible to pneumonia sixty or even forty years ago!
ReplyDeletekylie: No arguments here. He bases it on the fact that someone he knew visited Canberra and developed pneumonia. Which of course doesn't occurr anywhere else.
DeleteNo free samples, why not I ask.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame him for not visiting in winter but not much chance of getting pneumonia in summer in Canberra.
Merle..........
Merlesworld: You would have to be unlucky (or work at it) to get pneumonia here in Summer.
Deletelove the reef Australian dollar. American money is so boring
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I loved that commemorative dollar too. I haven't seen it anywhere else though.
DeleteI can never understand why some folk whinge when the sky is grey and at rain! You'd swear the world was coming to an end! Keep that smile on your face, EC...just don't grind those clenched teeth, and while biting your tongue be gentle! :)
ReplyDeleteMay the next few days bring you blue skies! Hehehehe! When Jewel and Jazz sneak out from the closet, give them a cuddle for me and a few purrs from Remy and Shama! ;)
Lee: Jazz makes occasional sorties out of the cupboard. Jewel stays there till the visitor has gone to bed. I am feeling seriously guilty.
DeleteLooks like you saw some beautiful spots. I'd like to each in the Lookout...must be gorgeous view!
ReplyDeleteBookie: Both the restaurant and the cafe have some stunning views. There is a taller lookout also with a restaurant (revolving) which would get even better ones.
DeleteWhat is that picture of under the Governor-General's home?
ReplyDeleteBirdie: It is an excerpt from a poem by Dorothea Mackellar - and I have amended the post. I think most Australians know some at least of it, and many of us can quote rather a lot of it.
DeleteOh, but that is a lovely poem!
DeleteBirdie: It expresses our country well. And love for it in all its complexity.
DeleteVery handsome Raven and holy cow, what a beautiful sunset!
ReplyDeletemshatch: A woman after my own heart. I loved the raven and the skies.
DeleteThe restaurant at the end of universe, lovely. And you've the sunsets, beautiful scenes EC.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Not *quite* at the end of the universe..., but close. And thank you.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteI think it looks lovely! The nest sculpture took me right back to my childhood...to a TV programme called The Clangers (little pink knitted mice-type aliens and whose voices were created using a swanee whistle) who lived on a planet with various other creatures like the Soup Dragon and the Iron Chicken, who lived in a nest made from metal bits and pieces (which looked a bit like that sculpture) she found floating in space...ahhh, such happy memories of s lovely gentle programme.
Thank you for the reminder.
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I don't know that programme at all - and it sounds right up my alley. The Soup Dragon and the Iron Chicken speak to me...
DeleteI had to look up the Clangers. Cute but the Swannee whistle talking was a bit much. Love your Nest, the Raven and your stunning sunsets - wish we had such a view here.
DeleteYour visitor is a bit of a downer, one visit every sixty years sounds perfect to me. At least you're not responsible for the weather. Or are you?
Carol: I don't *think* I was responsible for the weather. It is all part of the conspiracy which besets him at every turn. Like the one which made his camera battery run out when he hadn't brought the charger with him.
DeleteSome people are just born grumpy! I would've enjoyed seeing all those things in any kind of weather.
ReplyDeleteDumb question - what are the squiggly things on the hillside?
Alex J. Cavanaugh: Not a dumb question at all. The squiggly things on the hillside spell out the words 'wide brown land' and are from a poem familiar to almost all Australians. I have amended the post so that I don't leave people in the dark.
DeleteThe sunsets are my tops. And the raven.
ReplyDeletedinahmow: They are high on my list too.
DeleteI'm laughing gently that he thought Canberra too cold......so he won't be dropping in to see us in Michigan, then lol?
ReplyDeleteI'm assuming he's from up Brisbane way? Goodness, to be able still to travel at his age, be grateful, Uncle and appreciate what EC and the SO are showing you.
I hate bonsai, sorry, but I do........
Gillie: He is indeed from Brisbane way, and remarkably spry for his age. He is deaf as a post and needy though.
DeleteAnd I called the bonsai tree torture for a reason.
You are jolly fun to tag along with. Don't worry about us, just take care of yourself and we'll catch up later
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you. I have been missing seeing into other people's worlds. Badly.
DeleteThank goodness you weren't totally incommunicado, which I had feared! Canberra - cold, in January? Good grief! Loved these photos, especially the fern on the railing and 'Nest', and the sunset shots.
ReplyDeleteAnd like Gillie above, I dislike bonsai intensely - 'torture' is the right word.
Hang in there!
Alexia: Tree torture it is. I understand that it takes skill and patience and would much, much rather trees were left to grow into their natural beauty.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place you call home! If I had a coin that beautiful in my pocket, I'd be hard-pressed to spend it.
ReplyDeleteNo worries about visiting blogs. Take care of business and get back into your routine once your "personal tourist" season has ended.
Wslly Jones: I have never seen that coin anywhere else, and would happily hang on to it if I was lucky enough to get one. I don't think it ever made it to general circulation.
DeleteThe Great Barrier Reef commemorative dollar coin certainly is a beauty. I didn't know we did colours on our coins. It would be great to have it in circulation.
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: It is gorgeous isn't it? There are a couple of $2 coins with colour on them too. Commemorating World War 2.
DeleteSo many photos here that I love. The cafe/restaurant, Nest, the bearded raven and those amazing on fire sunsets. Those two are worth framing!
ReplyDeleteThe "wide brown land" sculpture is really nice, is it metal?
River: wide brown land is metal. And big. Each word is about twelve feet high. I really like it - but Nest has my heart.
DeleteI would really like that Barrier Reef coin. I might see if I can get one. We intended visiting Red Hill Lookout but we ran out of time. The waters at Yarralumla look placid and no kangaroos bounding around. A diverse selection this week.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: It was a calm day. Just as well because wind as well as lack of sunshine would have set him off big time. Good luck in tracking that coin down. I lusted after it too.
DeleteAnd kangaroos were later in the tourist trail.
Loved seeing around your area. I hope he at least was pleased with the sunsets! They are stunning.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: The sunsets were my treat. Himself and his uncle were watching television. Their loss.
DeleteI know it is not funny for you, but your post and the comments had me smiling :)
ReplyDeleteKeeping a sense of humour about the less lovely things in life can be hard but you are doing very well at it.
Thank you for the lovely and varied photos this week. My favourite - although it was hard to pick - is the bearded raven.
jenny_o: I laugh at almost everything. For which I am grateful. My sense of humour (black though it is) has kept me from drowning often.
DeleteWe are occasionally lucky enough to get a family of bearded ravens visit us at home. Always a treat. The patriarch is very protective and does a good survey before he will allow the rest of the family to land.
Just too many wonderful things to comment on but I love all the greenery retained around Canberra. I too hope the sunset may have pleased him.
ReplyDeleteI to love this country but do wish it wasn't so damned hot during our summers. At least you do have some cooler weather during your winter.
That dollar coin is beautiful. Is it only for collectors? I guess it is is and more's the pity.
We do have a mint in Perth which has been here since the late 19th century. In October, 2011 it created the world's largest, heaviest and most valuable coin breaking the record previously held by the Royal Canadian Mint. It is approx 80cms in diameter and 12cms thick. It is made of 1,012kgs of 99.99% pure gold. A red kangaroo on the front and QE2 on the reverse. It is legal tender in Australia with a face value of A$1 million, but at the time of minting it was valued at A$53.5 million. (Just thought you may be interested).
I am sure you are looking forward to more peace during the coming week.
Mimsie: As you know I am not a fan of the sweaty season either. I knew about the mint in Perth - but not about the huge golden dollar. Thank you for that.
DeleteAnd yes, some peace will be more than welcome.
Beautiful sunsets, we always love those.
ReplyDeleteNice to be guide, we often see more than we bargain for.
I have a coin from the 'mint' but can't find that coin for the life of me..
Margaret-whiteangel: The skinny one collects 'proof' coin sets so we have a few around the house. I would have loved to have seen the 'reef' dollar before though. A lovely thing.
DeleteI love the etching of the leaf on the rail too, but the Bird's Nest was the winner for me! And the stroppy looking Bearded Raven made me grin.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm in Arizona and it's grey or raining I get really pissed off too. I mean I expect it in the UK every day but not sunny AZ!
LL Cool Joe: Our visitor's home state gets rain, more often than we do. I gather he takes it as an affront there too. It should only rain (or be grey) when he is asleep. The Bearded Raven was looking down on us with disdain wasn't he? Fair comment too.
DeleteThe first photo is spectacular. The fourth photo, top to bottom, is breath-taking. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: I am glad to share some of the joy of my city.
DeleteAnd I forgot to add: bearded raven? I didn't know you had hipster ravens in your neck of the woods! :-)
DeleteGreetings from London.
Even though your guest is not showing a very positive attitude, I am sure he is having a good time.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I think he is enjoying himself. He seems to think that everything should be perfect, which is I gather his way, and hence the complaints. It is early here and no-one else is up. It is dawning grey again though.
DeleteHi EC - it's a lovely country ... such fun to see the photos .. and to see the Mint, the Outlook, the sunset or rise, and the particular photos ... bet you're glad for some rain though .. he may not be - but you will be .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: Having been without water I am NEVER sorry to see rain. I loved what we received, and would welcome more. Which is predicted for the week - but in negligible quantities.
DeleteWonderful post, Sue. I especially like the ravenl (see paragraph below) and the sunsets and the "wide brown land" poem and photo and the nest sculpture and the commemorative coin and the kangaroo chair and the...
ReplyDeleteWell, you get the picture.
I saw on Facebook yesterday a video clip of a raven sitting on a fence, squawking. He had apparently been squawking fornearly an hour until the humans nearby figured out that it was asking for help; they came near with their phone-camera and discovered that the bird had several porcupine quills in its neck. The bird, with a bit of trepidation, actually let the humans remove them. Your photo made it real again.
rhymeswithplague: I am glad you enjoyed the tour. There is more to come too.
DeleteI loved the story of the raven asking for medical assistance. Such intelligent birds. I am really glad that the humans (finally) realised what he was requesting too.
Wow. Thank you to those humans.
DeleteOh WOW your Uncle must have enjoyed every minute. Your tour is incredible. Hug B
ReplyDeleteButtons Thoughts: I hope he has been enjoying it. I think he was. Despite the weather.
DeleteDon't worry about trying to respond to my comment. I'm just letting you know I'm here and glad you are surviving the Uncle. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Always lovely to see you. And it is no problem responding to you. Ever.
DeleteWeather often doesn't cooperate when a person has out of area guests. I love the "nest" also. That is stunning. Too bad the mint doesn't give out bags and bags of free samples.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: When they have so much that they have to transport it in trucks, and use a robot to lift it, it seems ungenerous not to share doesn't it?
DeleteLOVE Poe's Raven! He is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOOOOOOOve the poem!! Brilliant. xxx
My Inner Chick: It is a wonderful poem isn't it? And the ravens are a particular favourite of mine.
DeleteSo glad to get more glimpses of Australia and especially your part of the earth. Thanks for expanding my vision.
ReplyDeletePatricia A. Laster: The blogosphere makes our world smaller doesn't it? Smaller, and more friendly.
DeleteG'day Sue,
ReplyDeleteI shall keep my comment brief. What wonderful photos and I'm sure his uncle appreciated you doing the "Tommy Tourist" bit. Very nice poem. Strewth!
Gary :)
klahanie: Dear Gary. I hope so. I really hope so.
DeleteTime to rest after that. I love bonsai, but alas, I have kilt them all, oh and orchids too. Other than those two, I can grow most anything.
ReplyDeletedonna baker: It is maiden's hair ferns and gardenias where my brown thumb shows. I haven't tried bonsai because I prefer my trees big.
DeleteMore Tommy tourism to come.
Having visitors can be tiring. I am always amazed at what I haven't seen in my area when people want to see it all. I have seen quite a bit- but there are new things to explore. I loved looking at your pictures and the green is definitely a plus in my book. I hope your visitor is having fun. The nest is fascinating to look at!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all of these with us. :)
~Jess
DMS: ~ Jess: Having visitors is very tiring indeed. It doesn't hurt to look at the local area with fresh eyes, but it is an exhausting process.
DeleteWow! Gorgeous photos! I love the coins and the sky and the view (and the rain!!) and I agree about the tree torture... Not my favorite. Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteNicky HW: Some day you will get here and see them for yourself.
DeleteThose railing etchings are clever! I'd like a few of those around our neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteAs ever, gorgeous sunsets.
John Wiswell: The etchings belong with that beautiful view don't they?
DeleteYour area looks like a beautiful sight to see no matter what the weather is like. The Royal Australian Mint would be a most intriguing place to visit.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Thank you. I like my city, though many do not.
DeleteDo the taxpayers pay for the Governor General's home by the lake?
ReplyDeleteGrannie Annie: They do. And a home by Sydney's harbour as well.
DeleteThe bird/nest sculpture! Love it.
ReplyDeleteFree samples would have been nice...
Ms CrankyPants: Instead they charge $3 so you can mint your very own dollar coin...
DeleteBeautiful sunsets...and every time I visit your blog I seem to dsicover a new bird I've never heard of - a bearded raven - brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAngela: You would love the bearded raven. Family minded, intelligent, beautiful.
DeleteThe sunset pics are spectacular, but so are all the others. I love how you find such interesting things to photograph. Uncle may not like the weather, but he must love you two, who are so giving and kind to take him on this tourist trip. Hope he liked it. I did.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: I hope he has been enjoying himself too - despite the weather. We got hail last night. Big hail.
DeleteSpectacularly beautiful photos. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNew Release Books: My pleasure.
DeleteYou take the best photos! Have you ever considered making a calendar and selling it?
ReplyDeleteGinger Dawn Harman: Flattery. I have looked at other people's calendars in awe and wonder.
DeleteLove the nesting bird! And all the rest, actually.
ReplyDeleteJono: Nest is spectacular. The sculptor is quite young (born in 1966 I think) and I hope he has many more productive years ahead of him.
DeleteStunning photos of the sky. And the other photos are also pretty.
ReplyDeleteLux G.: Thank you. I live in a pretty place.
DeleteI love, love the sunsets!
ReplyDeleteAll the pictures actually, but the colors in the sky - amazing!
Ravens - I've always been fascinated by them - the nest sculpture! WOW!
Yolanda Renee: Nest is WONDERFUL isn't it? And I am fascinated by ravens too (all birds really).
DeleteHi Sue. These pictures are so beautiful. And a real education. I love how you got some of 'I Love a Sunburnt Country' in. One of my old faves...:-)
ReplyDeleteDenise Covey: I think that 'wide brown land' was an inspired choice for a sculpture in that spot. It frequently is brown too - but beautiful.
DeleteSuch lovely shots! Thank you for taking me on the journey with you. I LOVE seeing new places. (It's hard to get out with the kids...)
ReplyDeleteCrystal Collier: It was my pleasure.
DeleteOh my that Raven wins my heart! As does the poem and the wide brown land script, (that is an incredible sight to behold) you have brightened my day with your photos and gave me so many chuckles today! Take good care, and enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: The raven is a stunner isn't he? And I do love the wide brown land. Literally AND metaphorically.
DeleteI hope your visitor has enjoyed his trip and appreciated the time, thought and energy you've put into showing him your lovely city. You always put so much into your posts that make it great to visit and savor. I've not heard bonsai called 'tree torture' before, what a perfect description.
ReplyDeleteKim: It takes expertise to torture a tree and keep it alive. Expertise that too many cultures have also used on people. And animals.
DeleteThank you so much for your compliment about my sharing of my obsessions.
Look at that sky!! I love it! And I can see why Nest is amazing. It looks great to me too.
ReplyDeleteI meant to say amazing 'to you.' :) Have a great week!
Deletemail4rosey: I knew what you mean. It is gorgeous isn't it? And so right at the high point of the arboretum.
DeleteIt is stunning! We have lovely white and gray snow here, yuck. Your side of the world is much prettier.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: We are still having grey skies, with occasional splats of incontinent pigeon rain. It is also hot and humid. I would really like some of your snow.
DeleteI very much enjoyed the pictures.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush: I am glad. I live in a pretty city - whatever the weather or the season.
DeleteYour coins are fascinating and that sunset....absolutely breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteWe've left the light on for ya.
Sandra Cox: Thank you. The sunset was amazing wasn't it?
DeleteGorgeous shots - love that sunset!
ReplyDeleteladyfi: Thank you.
DeleteA really beautiful series of photos. Love the sculptures and the poem.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Our country so often is a wide brown land. Sometimes bare too.
DeleteDamn, I've missed your pictures although, admittedly, they make me a tad jealous. haha
ReplyDeleteRobert Bennett: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteI love the delicacy of Bonsai, and your photos and the poem are great, as always. I hope you are feeling good.
ReplyDeletee: I am well aware and appreciate the work which goes into Bonsai, but would rather see a tree grow naturally.
DeleteI hope your restlessness has eased off a bit.
No rain today, although still overcast and matching my mood at the moment...The upside is I am completing a bunch of inside tasks, so that is something...The tax man cometh whether we like it or not. Best to you!
Deletee: The tax man does indeed cometh. And I haven't yet prepared last years return. Soon. I hope your indoor tasks go well.
DeleteI love to whatch your country in these Sunday series.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy weekend
orvokki: Thank you. And a happy weekend to you too.
DeleteHow did I miss this post??? And it's such a dandy one, too. I'm so glad you enjoyed your trip. And I love "nest" and the poem on the hill. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLynn: The poem on the hill was a brainwave wasn't it? And the arboretum is just going to get better and better. Over 45000 trees planted now, and they haven't stopped.
DeleteYou would not believe how your photos lift me, get me excited and rarin' to go, Child!
ReplyDeleteneena maiya (guyana gyal): I am so pleased. Thank you.
DeleteSuch a pretty city - grey or not.
ReplyDeleteLove that artists are supported. Nest is always a delight to see.
And your skies are also always a delight :)
Vicki: The support for artists was largely the work of one Chief Minister. I am so very grateful to him.
Delete