Discoveries with Dougall 7 and a Parliament of Magpies.

Back on this beautiful continent and within a day or so it was the beginning of Spring. Wandered around the garden to notice the new growth, the small buds and unfurling leaves. The days sunny and warm, perhaps a little too warm, and I do hope that Spring hasn't come and gone already. 

Looking across the valley in front of our house the Jacarandas have turned a vibrant yellow their little leaflets falling off like rain, followed by the spikes which fall like brown arrows to the ground. Alarmingly a bloom of purple has appeared on our tree before anyone elses. 

So taking my enthusiastic Dougall for a walk we set out yesterday along the lovely paths of Red Hill and Paddington. 

Today our discoveries took us to a well behaved kindergarten of Magpies and Currawongs.They were curious on the ground but also in the branches of the trees above. Their young colours are evident, their curiosity sparked by our presence and they looked down at us with no fear or worry.This Parliament of Magpies is so much more respectful then the British one at the moment as MPs hurl abuse and accusations against each other in the never ending discussions around Brexit.  Maybe the UK MPs need to take a leaf out of the Magpies' Parliament. 

Clive James,  a well known Australian writer has written a poem called the Floral Clock. Here is an extract of some of the lines I like best. 

"The flowers will speak their language, which is time made visible. It thrilled me from the start. It thrills me still."