A Growing Delight

Bruges, Belgium

2009-07-12T20:00:00.021+10:00

Bruges is called : 'the Venice of the North'. This splendid medieval city is one of Belgium's crown jewels. In no other European city the feel and the look of medieval times are so present as here in this city close to the North Sea.

Today's Bruges has a population of about 45.000 people (the old center) or 120.000 people (center together with the suburbs). These numbers clearly show that Bruges is not a tiny miniature city. It ranks, even today, among the important cities of Belgium.

It is also the capital of the Belgian province of West-Flanders. A lot of people take day-trips from Brussels to Bruges, but there is too much to see here to fill only one day. The best way to visit Bruges is to spend at least one night in one of the many beautiful and cozy hotels. Later in the evening, when all the tourists have gone, Bruges finds back its charm and quiet of old times.

When one is lucky with the weather, a stroll through the tiny medieval streets can be an enchanting experience. Bruges is always beautiful, in the summertime as well as in the wintertime. Lucky visitors will never forget the city after they have seen it on a snowy December or January day.

Bruges is unique, in the sense that here the town authorities have done the utmost to preserve the medieval-looking image of the city. Of course, not every stone in Bruges has come to us straight from the Middle-Ages. The 19th century neo-gothic style is more present than one should think. Because of these 19th century renovations, some critics have put Bruges down as a 'fake' medieval city. Nevertheless, the combination of old, not so old and new fascinates everyone who first sets foot in Bruges. http://www.trabel.com/brugge.htm

It was an overcast day when we visited this beautiful town, but that didn't detract from our enjoyment of the canals, buildings, waffles and strawberries, chocolate, lace, and countless photo opportunities. Here are a few.

Lovely cobbled streets

Horse drawn carriages waiting to take tourists through the streets and down the alleyways, and drivers with an endless source of historical details and rich anecdotes.

Many old bridges span the canals.

'The Lake of Love' - deemed the most beautiful lake in Belgium (maybe Europe?) - with special significance for the family.

Taking a breather - both horse and tourist.

Surely everyone in Belgium most own a bicycle.

"Anyone for chocolate.....

....... or some beautiful Belgian lace?"

The Tulips of Keukenhof

2009-07-06T22:46:00.021+10:00

Last November, when we made the literally spur-of-the-moment decision to take a trip to Europe, the one attraction that we knew we wanted to see was the Tulip Gardens in Keukenhof in the Netherlands. The rest of our itinerary would fall into place around this visit.

We visited these beautiful gardens with Russell, Shannon and baby Evelynne, and found that we were as impressed by the magnificent trees and the gardens overall as much as by the tulips themselves. Here are just a few of the hundreds of photos taken that day.

These are fields of commercially grown tulips and would normally be a spectacle of colour. We were a little late in the season though and all the flowers had been harvested.

Some 'flowers' are more beautiful than others, I'm sure you'll agree.

SAINT-BENOIT du Sault.....

2009-06-28T16:43:00.008+10:00

.... has been called 'the most beautiful village in France'.

I'm sure there are many beautiful villages in France, but this one is certainly worth a visit. Situated in the south of the Centre region, near the borders with Limousin and Poitou-Charentes, the village owes its origins to the benedictine monks who established themselves in the area around the 10th century, having chosen the site on a raised rocky outcrop because of its defensive advantage.

The village of today, with its pretty, narrow streets of medieval houses, dates from the 15th-16th century. The centre of the town is set around the Church, priory and fort, and was protected by a stone wall around its perimeter.

Richard and our fantastic host, Frankie, admire the roses.

More Belgium - ANTWERP

2009-06-23T17:04:00.012+10:00

The city of Antwerp is the second largest in Belgium and surely a shopping mecca for all of Europe, hence the countless clothing, perfume, jewellery, shoe and handbag stores in the city centre.

Lovely shops selling quality merchandise - although not to me; I had to keep in mind those weight limits on luggage...lol. However, we were more than compensated by the many beautiful buildings.

Meir Street

Antwerp Railway Station - exterior...

.... and interior

More beautiful buildings

An up-market shopping mall - goldleaf and all.

Antwerp Cathedral

Peter Paul Rubens - Antwerp's most famous son.

Two more cathedral photos.....however this beautiful building deserves a posting of its own.

An organ grinder....I think the monkey took the photo...lol.

....continuing Beautiful Belgium

2009-06-22T09:19:00.015+10:00

I'm glad you liked the photos in the last posting, Shannon, as seen and appreciated through our eyes and camera lenses.

Here are some more random shots of your beautiful village and lovely people.

(Click on photos to enlarge them if you wish.)

"Three little ducks went out one day....."

Restaurant boat at anchor.

Russell taking his ladies for a stroll.

Just the place for a relaxing coffee.

View from the bathroom window onto the back gardens.

View from the dining room down to the loch.

Wartime artillery on the river bank.

A barge on the river.

Making adjustments before continuing the walk.

Which way is up?

At the far end of the canal.

The boats come and they go.....oh, what a life!

Relaxing in comfort.

It's getting a bit crowded in here.

Museum.

All tied up for the night.

Mothers' Day.

If I could just get my hands on those!

One of the many lovely areas to walk in the village.

Loch-keeper to the rescue.

Now that's big....complete with a band and a BBQ.

Freedom on the river.

Who will be asleep first?

Gathering the brood on the canal.

Adventures.

Wistful serenity on our last evening.

Beautiful Belgium

2009-06-19T19:16:00.006+10:00

Over three weeks spent with Russ, Shannon and baby Evelynne in this beautiful little village in Belgium was sheer delight.

The village has a river on either side and a 600 year old canal running through the middle. Many boats are permanently moored on the canal and move through the loch out into the river. We had a wonderful view of the loch and all the action from the their third floor apartment.

Here are just a few of the views in and around the village - views we never tired of looking at and photographing.

The houses along the cobbled streets vary in size, style and colour, and are always interesting.

The canal is bordered by well-tended gardens and lawns.

View towards the bridge which opens to allow the boats through the loch to the river.

View from the kitchen window ... what a view!

The chestnut trees were in full bloom throughout our visit.

A familiar sight - schoolchildren cycling home for lunch.

Arriving home - or maybe about to depart.

Down the canal.

Bridge reflections.

Turn the corner to find a village full of surprises.

The bridge opens to allow another boat into the loch.

Boats moored whilst waiting for the loch gates to open.

Houses of every shape and colour.....

.... and boats, both large and small.

Six Months Already!

2009-06-17T06:44:00.001+10:00

Where does the time go? Our beautiful grandaughter, Evelynne, is six months old today.

We recently spent 3 and a half weeks with her and Russ & Shannon in Belgium. What a wonderful time it was, getting to know them all as a family and seeing the beautiful part of the country in which they live so happily.

Happy half Birthday, darling Evelynne.

(Photos all taken between 28/4 and 22/5)

Brrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

2009-06-15T17:28:00.002+10:00

We really needed a sense of humour to appreciate Canberra weather's cruel joke on Friday! Having arrived back in Sydney at 6.00am to sunshine but a chilly wind, we boarded the bus to bring us back to Canberra. Very smooth ride, but somehow having just travelled about 24,000km to get home, that last couple of hundred seemed the hardest - especially when we spied the temperature outside the ABC ..... 3º at midday!!! Almost enough to make us turn around and catch the first plane back to Europe.

Jet lag hasn't been an issue ..... just the cold! Thank heavens for ducted heating, although even that was working overtime to heat a house that had been closed up for a week. We've been pretty lazy since arriving home, apart from finding the car battery flat, and after charging it all night, discovering that it had actually 'died', necessitating a new battery before we could go and do any shopping, going to one hockey match, and downloading about one third of approx. 9000 photos. A good many of them will be culled since we seemed to spend our time both taking photos of the same things.

So, I'd best go and turn the heater up a notch ..... and see if I can brighten up these pages with a few photos.

It's almost over.....

2009-06-08T07:01:00.002+10:00

.... and time to leave the beautiful scenery of Europe in the summer and return to Australia in the winter. However, we've had six fantastic weeks which we'll relive over and over for many years.

After leaving Belgium we spent 6 days in a tiny village in the Berry Province of France with a new friend, Frankie. What fun we had visiting so many quaint little villages, travelling country lanes and learning French customs, especially in relation to food. Thanks Frankie, it was wonderful...and I hope your little village is appreciating the vast improvements to its musical culture!!!.....lol.

A somewhat roundabout plane trip from France and two bus rides eventually brought us to Bristol, England, to stay with my cousins, and fall in love with England all over again. A week in a little village in NW Wales brought us some more highlights....stunning scenery, adventurous train rides, and a delightful day spent with Marion (Reflections through the Seasons) were other memorable treasures of our trip.

Since returning to Bristol we've caught up with other cousins and my niece from Australia, and enjoyed the first rain since arriving in Europe on 28 April.

Now we have only two more days before we begin the journey home on Wednesday afternoon, hopefully arriving by Friday afternoon, ready for a good sleep no doubt.

What an amazing time we've had, meeting new people, including our beautiful grandaughter, Evelynne, and catching up with friends and family in three countries. We've seen new places, experienced new cultures, and made new friends......and along the way we've taken several thousand photos!!!

Oh what joy it will be to sort through the photos and relive so many wonderful moments all over again. I'm looking forward to sharing many of them with you in the coming weeks.

Still here.....there.....and everywhere!

2009-05-16T14:56:00.004+10:00

.....at least, it feels like it. Since leaving home on 27 April, I've been hoping to let photos tell the story of our travels but so far I haven't gotten around to posting photos from other people's computers, so this is just a brief 'travelogue' of our trip so far, and the photos .... we've taken one or tw0!!!!!.....will have to come later.

We took the bus from Canberra to Sydney followed by two of the best flights I've ever taken. QANTAS really did themselves proud - not least by giving us seats in the Emergency Exit row....lol (lots of legroom)....all the way to Frankfurt (brief stopover in Singapore). The flights were very smooth, meals good (for airline meals!), the staff very efficient and friendly. Russell was waiting for us at Frankfurt, having left home at 2.45am in order to meet our 6.30 arrival.

Every truck in Europe must have been on the motorway to Belgium that rainy morning, but despite this the traffic flowed smoothly, and quickly, all the way. A few surprises for me were that I expected Belgium to be flat, which it is, but I just hadn't envisaged the quantity of trees - everywhere! And everything is a colour that I vaguely remember from years ago - green; in fact, VERY green.

The next surprise was to see the delightful little village where Russell lives (photo desperately needed here!!!). This was a real surprise because we had been travelling through some ordinary towns and commercial areas, which could have been almost anywhere in the world, when suddenly, around a bend is a completely different 'world'. It's a very small village of old houses/apartments of every shape, size and colour, with rivers on either side and a canal through the middle. In fact, from the third floor (oh, those steps!) windows here, we can look straight down onto the canal and the lochs.

It was wonderful to see Shannon again, and to meet for the first time our newest granddaughter, Evelynne (now 5 months old). She is just like a live doll, but much more fun. (even more photos needed HERE!)

This post could become an epic of 'War and Peace' magnitude, so I'll briefly tell you where we've been since arriving. We've walked and walked, watched several hockey matches in various locations, had a picnic in and walked through the Botanic Gardens (but not the entire 92 hectares!), taken the river ferry over to the markets (twice), visited the Commonwealth War Cemetary at Tyne Cot, Ypres, and next day spent a few hours in that most fairytale-like city of Brugge.

This week has been a 'biggie'. On Monday we drove (actually Russell drove - we prefer to stick to 'our' side of the road) to Kuekenhof in the Netherlands to see the tulips (just choosing a FEW photos will be a problem here!). The family then returned home for a few days respite from 'parent-overload', while we spent two nights in Amsterdam (I'm sure the thousands of cyclists there are glad we've left - that's two more obstacles out of their way...lol). Despite Amsterdam being full of museums, most of you won't be surprised to read that we took a four-hour tour out into the country where we saw farms, cows, canals, cheese, canals, clogs, canals, windmills, and more cows and canals, and even more water than I believed possible. In fact, I have ordered a canal to be located at the bottom of my garden - permanent water...what bliss!...ha,ha. A canal ride through Amsterdam gave us a glimpse of its amazingly varied architecture (and no bicycles to dodge...lol). Sad as we were to leave Amsterdam, Switzerland beckoned and we had two nights with more family in Basel (Shelle and her family and her in-laws). Despite the language barrier with Kurt and Berta, it's amazing how much can be communicated and they took us to see a garden centre, with more plants, more colour, more ideas, and more visual overload than I've could ever have imagined. It was brilliant - and if it was back in Australia I wouldn't need a garden; I would simply go and live there! The grandchildren took us on a long walk to one of their favourite spots in Basel, along the river. It was wonderful to see them again after 6 weeks and to see that they are enjoying their time (and school) so much.

So yesterday we flew back from Basel to Amsterdam then caught the 'fast train' back to Antwerp, to be met by Shannon and the increasingly alert and knowing, Evelynne.

Still to come are a brief trip into France to locate the grave of Richard's cousin, killed in the war, followed by a few days in 'the middle of France' with a friend (as yet unmet, but "Hi, Frankie"), and then it's off to England for nearly two weeks to stay with cousins, during which we'll have week in northwest Wales (and meet another blog friend - "Hi, Marion"), before returning home on 12 June.

Have we enjoyed ourselves? How could we not? We've briefly experienced the history, the beauty and the friendliness and hospitality of Europe and its people, and been assisted and welcomed on every occasion. Certainly a trip to remember, especially when we look at our several thousand photos ...........lol.

Homeward Bound

2009-04-25T07:37:00.010+10:00

Hours of driving a familiar road can become a little boring, so despite my resolve not to take photos of the depressingly dry countryside on our recent trip to Victoria, boredom got the better of me.

These photos are all taken in New South Wales and include shots of roadworks along the Hume Highway as well as general scenes, all taken through the not-so-clean windscreen of a moving car - hence the quality!!!

Roadworkers' camp.

Surely one of the most mind-numbingly boring jobs ever created, but an important one nevertheless.

Although I don't particularly like large machines, I am quite amazed by some of the equipment used in these projects.

One day I'll take a series of road sign photos - although it's not the easiest thing to do while the car is moving.

Another roadworkers' campsite.

See....I told you it was dry!!!

On the Barton Highway, approaching Canberra. You can just see Black Mountain Tower on the hill in the centre.

Fire in the Brindabella Ranges south of Canberra.

Only a few hundred metres to go.

Garden Show - beauty in surprising places

2009-04-22T19:19:00.010+10:00

On the same day that we visited the State Library, Old Melbourne Jail and walked what seemed like a marathon of streets, we made our way to the Garden Show in Carlton Gardens and the Exhibition Buildings.

I confess that I was really too tired to take a lot of interest in the Garden Show......

....... until we went into the Exhibition Building. That's when my interest in the plants decreased whilst my admiration for another beautiful building rose. Sadly, my photos barely do it justice.

Victorian State Library & Melbourne streets

2009-04-22T16:38:00.005+10:00

The Victorian State Library is worth a very long visit. The displays, the history, and the magnificent architecture will keep you enthralled for hours.

The roof was once copper-lined, and though it now creates a much lighter atmosphere, many preferred the patina of the original copper. I never saw the copper roof, so I can't express an opinion, except that I love this building.

I always think it a shame when these lovely old building become overshadowed by towering edifices of concrete and glass.

Some more Melbourne streetscapes.

Chirnside Mansion....

2009-04-18T07:37:00.010+10:00

.... was the third attraction on our visit to Werribee.

The tourist notes about Chirnside Mansion tell us that this exquisite 60-room Italianate Mansion, which was built at Werribee Park from 1874 to 1877, was a testatment to the successful partnership between Scottish squatters Thomas and Andrew Chirnside. The pioneering brothers were a driving force behind early settlement in this region, all of which evolved from humble beginnings.

Thomas Chirnside left his homeland of Scotland in 1838 with a few hundrend pounds in his pocket, a Bible and dreams of a new life in an emerging country. Boundless opportunities were available in a developing agricultural industry, and as an enterprising individual Thomas invested largely in stock and the land. His younger brother Andrew joined his bold venture in 1841 and together the brothers set about building a lucrative pastoral empire.

With the business progressing well Thomas returned to Scotland for a visit in 1845. He remained for a couple of years, during which time he fell in love with his first cousin, Mary Begbie, and asked for her hand in marriage. Her parents did not approve and he ventured back to Australia alone.

With Thomas safely back, Andrew finalised plans for his first trip home. But before leaving, his older brother asked a favour - to bring Mary back to Australia any way he could.

Andrew returned in 1852, accompanied by Mary as his wife. Thomas never married.

Thomas wanted Mary to reside in a home of stature and serenity unrivalled in Victoria. In conjunction with Andrew he set about building an elaborate 60-room Italianate style Mansion at their Werribee Park property. The residence was also an opportunity to showcase their successful venture to the world. Using the finest materials and expertise the Mansion was built in three years in the 1870s for Andrew and Mary Chirnside and their three youngest children.

Thomas took permanent residency at his nearby property at Point Cook until his last few years, when he joined Andrew and Mary in the elaborate Mansion at Werribee Park.

Thomas and Andrew passed away within three years of each other, in 1887 and 1880 respectively. Andrew left Werribee Park to his two youngest sons, George and John Percy, with a proviso that Mary maintain residency in the Mansion for her remaining days. The sons subsequently divided the property, with George overseeing the Mansion and surrounding land.

Mary died from a terrible accident in 1908. Her hair caught alight from a bedside candle and tragically she did not recover.

Chirnside ownership of Werribee Park ended in 1922. Initially purchased by a wealthy grazier from Warrnambool, it was sold again a year later to the Roman Catholic Bishops of Australia for development as a seminary.

The Victorian Government acquired Werribee Park from the Catholic Church in 1973 and commenced work to progressively restore the Mansion and remaining 400 hectares of land to its former glory. Now proudly managed by Parks Victoria, the park offers visitors a rich array of history, culture and stories to explore.

The Gatehouse

Victoria State Rose Garden

2009-04-16T07:50:00.008+10:00

In the same vicinity as the Werribee Zoo is the Victoria State Rose Garden. Beautifully laid out and maintained, the display was breathtaking....the more so when you consider the summer that Victoria has just endured. These gardens are a credit to all concerned, and a 'must see' for anyone visiting the area.

We were there on a very sunny day, consequently the light was a little too bright for good photos, but I hope these will give you some idea of the magnificence of this garden.

(Click on the photos for a larger view.)

As we were leaving the gardens we struck up a conversation with a young couple and their two small children who live locally. They said they visit the gardens regularly (entry is free). They appreciate the space, the green grass (the children love that), and they all feel so relaxed and uplifted after time spent in this lovely garden.

A Great Day Out

2009-04-14T19:30:00.017+10:00

Werribee Open Range Zoo (sorry, I can't get the link to work properly) is 30 minutes drive west of Melbourne, and is 'home' to many of the animals which require a larger habitat than is available at its parent, the Melbourne Zoo.

No, he's not one of the exhibits....lol

Meerkat posing.

Strutting emus

'Camouflagued' bus for our drive which enabled us to get closer to the animals......

......with easy access.

Although the bus stopped from time to time we didn't get out of the bus. So it wasn't always possible to get good photos through the narrowly opening windows.

Bison

Impala (I think)

African oryx

Resting camels

Zebras and oryx

Zebras and rhinoceros

Rhinoceros

African Wild Dogs

Lions

Hippo - not sure if the mudpack is a beauty treatment...lol

Time to wash it off

All clean and shiny - maybe the mudpack worked?

Cheetah

Ostrich...

....and zebra

I don't normally like zoos, although most of them these days seem to try and replicate the animals' natural habitat as much as possible. We enjoyed being able to get close and see these animals in a relaxed, natural setting.

Moonee Ponds

2009-04-12T22:50:00.005+10:00

Whilst in Melbourne recently we stayed in a delightful Bed'n'Breakfast cottage in the suburb of Moonee Ponds, which is quite close to the city - only 20 minutes by train. I'd not stayed in one of these older suburbs before and was fascinated by the beautiful old homes. The blocks were fairly narrow but quite deep, affording sufficient room for a small garden in front and a larger one at the back.

I loved the quaintness of these homes with their little verandahs and lace trim. I could have taken endless photos instead of just these few that we passed regularly on our way to the station or the shops.

Many of them looked so solid and substanial, welcoming and homely.

The houses didn't have driveways at the front leading to a garage but backed onto a laneway with entry to garage or carport - although I fancy you would need a very small car to be able to manouvre into these garages.

One Wet Day in Melbourne

2009-04-10T21:08:00.011+10:00

During our recent visit to Melbourne we spent a wet day in the city. Quite a novelty for those of us who haven't seen rain for such a long time.

Waiting for a train just like this - only going in the opposite direction.

St Paul's Cathedral - years ago the steeples towered over surrounding buildings. How times have changed!

A favourite meeting spot under the famous Flinders Street Station clocks......

....... and opposite, the equally well-known Young and Jackson's Hotel.

Melbourne tram.

Flinders Street - eastward.

Flinders Street - westward.

Sara arrives.

Flinders Street Railway Station from across the Yarra River.

The Yarra River.

Princes Bridge over the Yarra.

Father and daughter strolling along South Bank.

Buildings overlooking the Yarra.

South Bank skyscraper.

The Casino.

Kings Street bridge.

The clouds are getting more ominous.

Waiting for a certain photographer to catch up.

Flinders Street Station overshadowed by office blocks.

Another view of the station from the Elizabeth Street end.

Looking for coffee......Degraves Street.

Collins Street.

I worked in this Bourke Street building in 1964, but it was then a G.J.Coles store.

Swanston Street.

Bourke Street.

Wouldn't you think that fabric stores would provide comfortable seating for worn out husbands? Then they wouldn't need to hide their 'who-dunnit' books between the pages of the pattern catalogues in order to qualify for a seat....lol.

Back to Flinders Street to wait for our train which never came due to storm damage on the lines. After waiting half an hour we gave up and took a tram home instead.

Bathurst's Beautiful Begonias

2009-03-09T12:06:00.005+11:00

Bathurst is Australia's oldest inland city with many beautiful old buildings, parks and gardens, sporting complexes, including the world famous Mt Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, as well as cultural and educational institutions.

In one of the city's lovely parks is this Begonia House, with every plant more breathtaking than the last.

This first photo was especially for the benefit of my dear blog friend, Kerri, who has a magnificent garden of her own in USA, but even she may be just a little envious of some of these gorgeous blooms.

Show Scenes

2009-03-01T15:32:00.012+11:00

Like many agricultural shows these days, the Royal Canberra Show is only a fraction of the size that it was up until a few years ago.

However, on a Friday morning it's still good for a few animal photos....lol.

Belted Galloways

Mixed breeds waiting to be judged.

Charolais resting in the shade.

Murray Greys fronting up to the judges.

Getting a trim.....

....... and a shower.

Holsteins waiting for their turn ......

...... in the milking demonstration.

In the farmyard nursery -

Alpacas

Piglet 'milkbar'

Swimming lessons for ducklings.

Black kids.

Donkeys

Geese

"Baa, baa, black sheep"

The horses have returned after missing last year's show due to an outbreak of Equine Influenza.

Could this be our newest grand-daughter in a few years?

Up and over.

Sideshow alley - almost deserted on a Friday ....

..... but it will come alive at the weekend.

Keeping control......

...... with a little help.

"Aren't I beautiful?"

"Perhaps this is my better side?"

"I had my hair done especially for today......"

"...... but I seemed to have got my horns in a bit of a twist."

Champions.

'Ships of the desert'

Highland cattle sporting 'handlebar horns'.

Stilleto sharp!

More Charolais at rest.

Is it 'Backyard Blitz'?

2009-02-20T22:22:00.005+11:00

No, it's how to use up 1000 bricks.

Build a wood-fired barbeque, with storage either side (yet to have doors attached), and then pave the whole area with bricks and sand.

....and the bashful brickie contemplating nearing the end of a job well done!

In Mourning.

2009-02-09T21:36:00.004+11:00

Here are photos I posted last year after a trip to Victoria and a drive home through the lovely towns of Healesville and Marysville and surrounding beautiful countryside.

As you all now know, following the most devastating fires in Australia's history, the township of Marysville has been at least 90% destroyed, and all the countryside in these photos is now a blackened vista of Hell.

My heart breaks for the thousands of people who have lost loved family members, friends, neighbours, homes, businesses and stock throughout Victoria. One cannot begin to imagine the horrors these folk have already endured and will continue to suffer in the weeks ahead. (The death toll tonight is 131, but that is expected to rise to over 200 as many people are still unaccounted for .)

Nor can one comprehend the sick obsession that sees people deliberately light fires, and in some cases then 'pretend' to help extinguish them, but not before they have brought death and destruction on an unimagineable scale.

But let's not forget the incredible courage and fortitude shown by so many firefighters, who put themselves at great personal risk in order to save people and property. They really are a special breed.

What has happened to my beloved Victoria? The countryside will regenerate, towns like Kinglake, Marysville and others will be rebuilt (they have in the past), and even the forests will regrow, but I fear that many people may never quite recover from this tragedy. Our thoughts, our prayers and our tears are all on your behalf.

Friday Photos

2009-01-23T20:24:00.005+11:00

Ripening plums

Nectarines are so teasing with their lovely red skins but they won't be ripe for several weeks yet.

I hope the potatoes are growing as well under the ground as they are on top.

French beans flowering.

Now where did those ripe tomatoes go?

The things you find on your front lawn!!!

White Iceberg roses.

These three roses were planted nine years ago to celebrate the birth of our first grandchild, Zoe.

Reward at days' end.

I love the way the trees appear to change colour in the stormy light.

Be it Little or Large....

2009-01-16T15:02:00.004+11:00

..... BOTH are beautiful.

From today's delightfully marked little Gecko......

.....to the glory of yesterday's huge Sunset.

The Lure of Leaves

2009-01-10T10:41:00.017+11:00

I often find the leaves of plants as attractive as the flowers. The colour, shape and texture is endlessly fascinating.

Here is a selection of leaves in my garden photographed over the past couple of years.

Grevillea 'Johnsonii'

Acer palmatum 'Seiryu'

Dodonaea (Hop Bush)

Eremopholia

Nandina

Liquidamber

Euphorbia

Phormium (New Zealand Flax)

Banksia

Dill (seed heads)

Marguerite daisy

Gaura (and raindrops)

Penesetemon

Jacaranda

Zonal pelargonium

Correa

Pyrethrum

Bronze Fennel

Cherry, Smoke Bush and Variegated Abelia leaves

Sapium sebiferum (Chinese Tallow Tree) ....1

..... 2

Sorbus (Mountain Ash)

Nectarine

Acer rubrum (October Glory)

Acer palmatum

Dodonaea (Hop bush - in winter)