If it ain't broke ...

... THEN DON'T TRY AND FIX THE DAMN THING!!

After reposting the garden photos, several people had asked the names of particular plants, so I decided to add some captions, which then messed up the formatting. So, clever me decided that the easiest way was to delete the photos and repost them through Hello, with captions included.

With a click of the mouse, and a few minutes work, all twenty photos were reposted, complete with captions ...... WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! Captions were all there and about 5 complete photos and 15 half photos.

So now nothing's there at all (it's all Saved as Draft) ... now I'm not here either!

Thank you.

Thank you for all of the lovely comments about the photos of my garden on Tuesday's blog. I received and read them via the email even though I couldn't gain access to the blog itself. I've now deleted that particular posting, including the comments, and now I can gain access without the whole system crashing. As mentioned in the earlier post, I still haven't solved the photo problem, but I wanted you to know that I did appreciate all of your comments.

Photo Difficulties.

Well, at least I can access my own blog again! I had to delete entirely the posting with all of the garden photos as the system would crash every time I tried to logon. I'm still having difficulties with posting photos though. I thought it was because I had upgraded Picasa, but I uninstalled both Picasa2 and Hello, then reinstalled Hello and tried to post a photo from a different program with the same result - only half of the photo posted. So I still don't know the solution, but I'll keep working on it. If I have no luck, then I just may not ever post a photo again ....lol. I'd probably give up blogging too!

I will repost the garden photos when (and if) all these problems are resolved - unless it's winter time by then and they are out of date ....LOL.

If at first you do not see - look again!

If at first you do not see our back fence, .....




..... just wait a few hours, and then you will.


All clean, straight and new ..... and just waiting to be painted! Any offers??


This afternoon's clouds - alas, no rain.

Through My Window

This was the scene through my kitchen window at 6.30 this morning. Yes, I do like this time of year with fresh new leaves on the decidious trees and a vibrant glow of new life in all the plants, even the grass. Alas, it will only be a matter of weeks before those paddocks (fields) begin to dry off as the grass goes to seed, so I will enjoy it while I can. (Click to enlarge.)

The variety of flowers.

Have you ever stopped to wonder just how many different flowers there can be in the world? How come each tiny seed or bulb can produce its own unique plant, with flower and seeds? It may be as tiny as a crocus or as huge as a Californian Redwood, and every size in between, each has its own characteristics. Here are just a few.

Cherry tree.




Canadian Maple flowers.


'Shay's' tulips - planted to celebrate her birth 5 years ago.


Felicia.

Grand Final Clouds

Many days when there have been wonderful cloud formations all around, I've been tempted to drive to the hockey centre to take photos from up in the stands. Today the clouds were obliging, even if the wind and temperature were not.

Darkening clouds over the grounds before the game.

Synthetic grass must be watered before matches and sometimes again at half-time.

If only they would bring rain.

Teams warming up.

In play.

Setting sun.

Around and About

These photos are of various scenes in and around Floriade and Commonwealth Park.

Pots of mixed flowers and baskets on stands.


Floral arrangement of Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise)


Anthiriums (just for Tanya)


Army helicopter pilots with a birds-eye view.




High Court of Australia


Pollarded basket willows.




Potting mix trial. (Kerri - do you have any spares?)


Replica of Cockington Green, a miniature village on the outskirts of Canberra. Modelled on Babbacombe in Devon, UK.


I wonder does she give coloured and flavoured milk?


Captain Cook Water Jet with National Library.




Elm in flower beside Commonwealth Avenue.


Violas on Commonwealth Avenue with Parliament House in far distance.

Japanese Garden - for the two Vals.

The white and cream violas, red camellias and the rocks are part of the Japanese garden display at Floriade. The sign (which you can't see) reads ... "Enter through the bamboo surrounds and traditional Japanese arch to enjoy the serene and austere Zen garden. The traditional rock garden is surrounded by thousands of pure white blooms representing the pebbles and sand traditionally used in this ancient gardening practice. In Japan each year the 'Tonami Tulip Festival' is held.

Floriade.

NO, this is NOT my garden. These flower beds are all part of the magnificent floral display known as FLORIADE, which is held in Commonwealth Park, Canberra, every year for four weeks from mid-September.

This year there are more than one million blooming bulbs and plants in designs which represent some 16 countries. The garden beds are inspired by flags, iconic symbols, history, flower festivals and traditional gardens from Canada, France, Spain, China, New Zealand, Turkey, England, Netherlands, Japan, America, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Colombia, Belgium, and Australia.

Plants include hundreds of thousands of tulips, plus violas, Dutch hyacinths, iris, ranunculus, English daisies, daffodils, jonquils and poppies.

Plantings are staggered so that not all are in flower at the same time to ensure that there are good displays throughout the four weeks of Floriade. At the conclusion of the show all garden beds will be removed, including soil, bulbs and plants. Commonwealth Park is the temporary home of Floriade, and has been for the past 19 years! Next year new soil will be brought in, and new bulbs will be planted in newly designed beds, ready for another spring spectacular.