Sunday Selections #351

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. For the next few weeks I am reverting to the theme I was using this time last year - Home and Away.

Starting with home.  While I haven't forgiven the cockatoos for their garden vandalism, there are still splashes of colour and joy.  And rather a lot of work.  Work done, and work to do.

 

 

And then to away.  Travelling is himself's passion.  Physically and emotionally I cannot travel as he does.

Itinerary?  He books his ticket out, his ticket home and accommodation for his first and last night.  After that where he goes and what he does are subject to change at any moment based on what looks interesting.

He started in Beijing.  Looking at the weather forecast I worried.  The warning 'Unhealthy Air Quality for Sensitive Groups' is current.  As a person who has had a lung spontaneously collapse three times now (once while he was overseas) I think he qualifies.  It didn't limit him and he wandered the streets and sent me photos of some very elaborate gardens in public parks.

 Doesn't that air look thick?

Then he headed north to Datong to see the Hanging Monastery.
He loved it.  He said there were a LOT of steps.  He forgot going up, but counted them coming down, but got bored and stopped at 700.  I gather his calves were complaining.

 He is having a truly wonderful time and, for the moment at least, is in Pingyao, to see a city which retains its ancient charm.

Where he goes after that is a mystery (to me at least).  The plan was to explore more of China before heading into the 'stans to travel part at least of the Silk Road.  I think this area will probably have him returning for quite a while.

I am looking forward to following his travels from the comfort of home - and have included links for anyone else who wants to explore further.

Sunday Selections #298

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.  For the next few weeks I am going to revert to the Home and Away theme I was using this time last year.
Starting with home.  Well in the general vicinity anyway.

Shortly before himself headed off, we went to a  guided 'Breakfast with the Birds' at our National Botanic Gardens.  It was an early start (much earlier than he usually arises) but afterwards he told me it was worth it.  

Over 200 species of birds are known to visit the Botanic Gardens, and for one month (co-inciding with Floriade) they open the gates early on weekends so that small groups of people can be shown some of them.

We had a lovely time.  Very few bird photos follow (many were small and moved faster and less predictably than greased lightening), but there are some shots of the beauty of the gardens.

I do love kookaburras.

If you embiggen you will see several birds nests in the tree above.

The Wood Ducks at least stayed still long enough to take their photos...

In the prolonged wet weather we have been having some surprisingly large trees have slid to the ground...

Orchids were coming out everywhere.

The early morning light and the bird song made a beautiful start to the day.  And the cafeteria opened early for us too, and the after walk breakfast was also a treat.

And now to more exotic treats.

Of course himself had to see pandas while in China.  I believe that pandas are 'reluctant breeders', but you would never know it from his photos.

And some shots from a market place he wandered happily through.

He tells me that ginger cats are almost the only ones he has seen in China.  Which surprised me.

He tells me that this is 'furry tofu'.  Which is so very wrong on so many levels.

Noticing the fish, I asked whether the markets smelt, and he said that he has smelt much, much worse. 

He is still having a lovely time, and still having his photo taken on a regular basis.