Sunday Selections #555

 

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.

 

Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.

 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle. 

 

The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.   

I usually run with a theme. On Friday our lockdown was not lifted, but moved to lockdown lite.  Masks continue to be mandatory and our travel is restricted.  However we can do a great deal more now.  Many businesses have reopened, including bars, cafes and restaurants (subject to reduced numbers of patrons).  Some have not.  Sadly (from my perspective), libraries, bookshops and nurseries will not reopen before the end of this month.  Many businesses are open on a click and collect basis, but these are places I like to browse - and I really want to purchase some vegetable seedlings.

So for this week I am reverting to type again.  There will be photos from Floriade Reimagined, and from our garden/jungle.  I will try hard to find different subjects for your tired and patient eyes in the weeks to come.

Starting with Floriade Reimagined.  Bulbs were planted in community shopping centres and other places across the city.  Because of our lockdown I couldn't hunt many of them down - but here are some of the ones I did see.

Then to our garden.  We have had a very wet Spring.  The garden (weeds and all) has thrived.  When we finally get a few dry days there is a LOT of work I need to do.

I really like this ornamental cherry and look forward to it blossoming each year.  After a torrential downpour (or six), those blossoms are now pretty pink confetti.

The lilac is out and scenting (I am told) the air in a delightful way.  Sadly a succession of sinus issues means that my sense of smell has been diminished.

The banskia roses are coming out too.  In some lights the yellow banskia roses cascading down between us and a neighbour look like golden fairy lights.

The daisies are going gangbusters too.
 

As covid restrictions ease across the country, politicians and some people are talking about freedom.  My heart goes out to the health care workers who have and will pay a high price for that freedom.

I hope your week is happy, healthy and fun.

Sunday Selections #505

 

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.

Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image.
  
The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle.  

The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen. 

I usually run with a theme. I am going to finish the Floriade Reimagined posts for this year (and of course include some shots from our garden too).  Remember I said last week that I was going to be more restrained in the number of photos this week?  I lied.  Sorry.  Restraint will continue to be a work in progress.

 A few weeks ago we headed down to the lake to kill the proverbial two birds with one stone.  I needed a kangaroo fix and I was pretty certain that there would be some community Floriade sites on our way.

 

 

I have no idea who built the 'teepee' or why but I enjoyed it.

There were kangaroos (yay) and the recent rains made the park they have claimed as their own look pretty good too.

Happy, we slowly headed home, keeping an eye out for Floriade manifestations.

This was in a shopping centre - and I thought it looked fairly sad.

These next two were on a street corner in a suburb and I really enjoyed them.

Capeweed blooms have given lots of Canberra a golden glow.  Despite its prettiness it is an invasive weed.

These beauties all came from a small suburban government Primary School. 

Then to another look at our garden.  The orchids have done very well this year.

 

I planted the purple 'Burma' orchid in the garden a few years ago and it is very happily spreading - something I never thought I would say about an orchid.

As a further reflection of my total lack of restraint, the bottle brush are also thriving.

And a sad update.  Some of you will remember Jo who posted most days and usually participated in Words for Wednesday.   Jo's own health is precarious and she was also caring for her husband Matt who has dementia.  Sadly Jo has had a stroke and at the moment cannot care for herself let alone Matt.  They are both in residential care (in adjoining rooms) for the moment while options are considered/explored.  I wish them both well.

And to finish on a nicer note.  While there were no mass gatherings for Floriade this year the Floriade shop remained open (online only).  Himself surprised me and ordered a couple of fridge magnets - 'so you can send them to people who read your blog.'  There are only two of them but I would be very happy to post them to anyone who would like them - on the understanding that it is definitely first in best dressed.  If you would like one, let me know in the comments - and send me an email with your address if I don't already have it.