Sunday Selections #629

 

 

 

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.  This week, and I hope you will forgive me, I am indulging myself.

Starting with more skyscapes.

The watch cockie was surveying the scene with me.

The corellas were starting to come in too. Like me, they are early birds.

The last two shots are at dusk - less than five minutes apart.

I went in to town to do my usual shift at Lifeline last week.  It was a chilly day, but the skies were brilliant blue and the autumnal glory is still on display.

I completed my shift and was saying goodbye to the staff when I received a VERY pleasant surprise.  Last week was volunteer week and in recognition that I am the longest standing volunteer at my centre I was given a beautiful bunch of flowers.  I floated towards the bus stop - and as I went past the early morning centre (where I made my usual food donation on my way in) on my way home several of the homeless people there told me how beautiful my flowers were.  They were right.

The flowers above broke off when I was unwrapping them so they sit in a small vase above the sink.  And make me smile. The remaining photos give some detail from the big and beautiful bunch.

I hope you are all appreciated for who you are this week.

Tuliptop Gardens - the extravaganza

A little while ago we went to Floriade, and I mentioned that I was a little disappointed.  Many of the comments I received on that post made me wonder whether I had got jaded and was expecting too much.

This week we went to Tuliptop Gardens.  I was battered and bruised and a little hesitant about being seen in public (and then I thought about it, and realised that it probably took more courage on the part of my Smaller Portion to be seen beside a battered woman).

Tuliptops was established and is maintained by two people.  Which blows me away.  The work involved is incredible.  Each year they dig up all the bulbs and redesign the garden beds and replant them in time for spring.

Unlike Floriade there is a charge to enter the gardens - $12.  Included in the entry fee is free and unlimited tea and coffee and a sausage sandwich between 11.30 and 1.  There are chairs dotted around the garden which you can move to any place you fancy.  I saw two elderly men having a nap in the sun.

There is a viewing platform.  The path up to it is quite steep, but is wheelchair accessible.  At the viewing platform there is shade and perhaps another six or seven chairs.  I love this place.

The first photo shows the path down into the gardens.

At the bottom, if you look to the left, this is your view.  The sound of frogs is almost deafening.

The view to the right.

And looking straight ahead.  Once you are down to the garden level, classical music plays through speakers attached to the trees.

The waterfall.

Climbing up towards the viewing platform.

The view down across the valley.

Back down at ground level.

Isn't it glorious?  I walked too far, I taxed my bruised leg and I paid for it the next day and I don't regret it for a moment.

Floriade 2011

Floriade is Canberra's spring flower festival and is held for four weeks each year, starting  in mid September.  It is held close to the centre of Canberra by Lake Burley Griffin, and draws in big, big crowds.  Entry is free, though there is plenty to spend money on inside the festival.

The smaller portion and I went in yesterday as we do at least once every year.  This year I was disappointed.  It is very, very beautiful as mass plantings in a lovely spot cannot fail to be.  Just the same, I thought it was lacking in imagination, and didn't make nearly enough use of the water.  In one (amazing) year, Chihuly glass sculptures floated on the pond, surrounded by barges of flowers.  In other years plantings have gone right up to the waters' edge and were reflected in it.

We started a little way off, wandering through parkland.  I love this mural.  I haven't noticed it before, so either I am supremely unobservant (quite possible) or it is relatively new.

As we got closer, the first of the birds appeared.

I hadn't realised how big swan's nests are (clicking on this or any other photo should make them bigger). I appreciate a bit of quirkiness, and had to stop off and take photos of these birds too.  They are a permanent installation, but I take at least one photo of them every year.

Then into Floriade itself.

And a bit more quirkiness.

And some more flowers.   Lots more flowers.  Almost all tulips this year.  Whatever daffodils there were are gone (after the first week) as are most of the hyacinths.  There are still some dutch iris to come out.  There is usually a small section devoted to Australian native plants, but I missed it this year.  Tulips, tulips everywhere - with some annuals used as under plantings.  So, into the blaze of colours.

And a Ferris Wheel.  Not just a sop for bored children.  There is a lot of Floriade that cannot be appreciated without a high vantage point.  In years gone by ramps were built at strategic points.  For the last four or five years, the ramps have been phased out, and replaced by the Ferris Wheel, which gives a perspective you can no longer get any other way.  And of course the Ferris Wheel is not free.

From ground level these patterns were simply not evident.  There are many, many shops at Floriade too.  Selling everything from garden tools to pearl jewellery.  Multiple food outlets too.  After our ride on the Ferris Wheel we headed out, following these swans.  Literally, as the gate keeper had to open the gates wider for them.

And a slow amble along the edge of the lake, back to where we had left the car.  Was it beautiful?  Oh yes.  Was I disappointed?  Again, yes.  Will I go back again this season?   Probably not.  Will I be back next year?  Of course.