Sunday Selections #319

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 week?  We were very, very busy while himself's sister was with us.  I took well over 1000 photos, so for a little while Sunday Selections are all going to come from the Tommy Tourist trail.  While she was here we went back to Enlighten (which will get a post of its own), saw the balloons rise (which was very, very lucky because the weather has grounded them on all but two days), went to the lake several times, went to the Botanic Gardens and Telstra Tower, went to the markets and the glass works and saw an exhibition at the National Gallery (probably another post on its own).  She has gone home, and I am in recovery mode.

After watching the balloons take to the air (and they will also get a post of their own) we wandered into the Parliamentary Rose Gardens which are attached to our old Parliament House.  Old Parliament House is now officially called The Museum of Democracy but I haven't heard the term used by the general public.  Whatever the name, its gardens are a lovely spot.  Wasted on the pollies (then and now)
.

As I commented last time we visited these gardens, the manure spread by our politicians is obviously very, very good for roses.  The gardens used to be restricted to the politicians and staffers, but are now open to the public.  And many a wedding is held here.

Today is the last day of the Balloon Spectacular so my brother and I will be heading off before dawn in the hopes that they will fly.  I hope so.  I really hope so.

PS:  I am home again.  Yet again the balloons didn't take to the air.  Which is sad.  For everyone.

Parliamentary Rose Gardens

When we were leaving the balloon festival I stopped to admire some roses outside Old Parliament House.  They were thriving, and reminded me it has been toooooo long since last I went to the Parliamentary Rose Gardens.

The Senate Rose Gardens are perhaps better known, but there are also House of  Representative Gardens.  (And, a few hundred metres away the National Rose Gardens).  So, last Friday we went to check them out.

It was a hot day and has been a hot and dry summer.  The gardens were not at their best - but still lovely.  And the air was perfumed delightfully.  We limited ourselves to the Parliamentary Gardens, and will go to the National Rose Gardens next season, when the roses are in their prime.  The Parliamentary Gardens are free and open to the public.  They can also be hired for special events, and weddings are often held in them.

As usual, many, many photos follow and will happily embiggen if clicked upon.

First the Representative Gardens:
Sadly I don't know the names of many of the roses.  There were tags, but some were missing and some were obviously wrong.  Next season when I am planning to buy more roses I will go back and take detailed notes (and hope that the tags have been updated).

This is Gold Medal - and I think it deserves one.

It's a Winner

 

Starstruck

 

Just Joey

 

Solfaterre

 

Perle d'Or

 

I thought these gardens were delightful - even at the end of the growing season.

Then onto the Senate Gardens - which are on the opposite side of Old Parliament House.  I think I prefer the House of Representative Gardens, but was very happy to wander around in them both.  Interestingly the red roses in both gardens were looooong past their prime.

Jude the Obscure

 

I have no idea what these berries are - but really liked them.

Falstaff

 

Golden Celebration

 

Mme. Alfred Carriere

Gloria Mundi

Lots and lots and lots of roses.  A delight for the senses.