Mezze Moments
Yes, it is Marina banging on about the birds again - but listen to this one. Last night as the sun was dipping this was the sound on my deck.
And on this walk a gentle reminder of the importance of trees.
One of my favourite trees the cadaghi or Coymbia torelliana- a native of Northern Queensland. However far back I stood I still could not capture its full height and girth.
And then some choice plants and moods of sunlight floating through the trees.
A rainy, shady, sunny, happy day.
12 mm of rain fell - BBQs were cancelled, things got soggy and a day out at the beach or in the garden was not on the cards. What did happen was that my feathered friends made it a day to remember even so. As soon as the rain abated we heard them celebrating in a tree.
First we were visited by some Corellas who do not come very often. Then the cockatoos came in and they seemed to come in big numbers, singing on the tree next door and swooping in for sunflower seeds and some raucous celebrations. The currawong, butchers and kookaburras came too.
Happy Australia Day !
We are happy to be here surrounded by some good friends, many birds and animals and so much beauty. A dedicated gardener with the National symbols is a fitting tribute to the day. No parked cars this time.
It's a little different this year, overcast and quite rainy with La Nina but the garden is loving it and we are enjoying the cooler nights and watching so much good tennis. It's been a slower and more insular start to the year because of Omicron but we are hoping the tide is turning and the pandemic will become endemic and will soon be forgotten, though plenty of lessons will need to be taken from it. The Radio Station has moved to new premises and while still beset by many problems and costs I am confident it will resume community broadcasting and live programming before too long.
Yesterday I met a friend for lunch to finalise the gardening programme for 2022 and next to us two ladies left their bags as they strolled into the cafe to order. This is Oz.
Brisbane City Council has done us proud starting the new year by planting many trees in our street and the adjoining one. We have a Golden Penda outside our home and cant wait to see how it will grow.
Meanwhile in the neighbourhood I love to see the escapees (not the convict ones) as they are so beautiful.
Hubby woke up and wondered how the worms he transplanted into the box window outside our bedroom were enjoying their new home. We love our view, we hope they will too.
I am setting out in search of an artist today -I found him, but that is another story. It was once more so lovely to be walking the neighbourhood. It's been a while. There is much to see and take away for sharing with you all.
A magnificent gum in flower just around the corner.
And a little further along an unusual bus stop.
Time to pick up the pace after what has been a week of staying in and the days dragging.
Took the hubby to see this magnificent Exhibition in Beaudesert called Bimblebox 153 and Bird Reflections. We were the only people there with our masks on. The exhibition is about Bimblebox, a Nature Refuge near Longreach which has for years been threatened by coal mining. 158 birds are featured here and each bird is given an artist, a writer and a musician.The project began in 2013 and 450 artists worldwide have contributed to the works, the music and the recordings of the birds to draw attention to the plight of these birds in Central Queensland. The mediums used were very varied from watercolours, linocuts, screen printing, ceramics and ironwork. It is an immense curating feat which is not only admirable but will serve as a record of birds in this area. It is moving, beautiful and well worth a trip to Beaudesert to see it. It is on until the 5th of February.
Brown Honeyeater Madeleine Williams
Common Bronzewing Peter McLean
Emu - Head in the Clouds- Clare Cowley
Crested Bellbird - Sandra Pearce
Red browed Pardalote - Brenda Dyack
Brown Falcon - Beatrice Carlson
Heartening stuff in our otherwise pandemic life.
The main difference two years into this pandemic, is that Governments around the world no longer assume the role of Big Brother that we can push and rail against if that is what you were inclined to do. Covid and indeed Omicron, and even reporting it, has become a personal responsibility and most are recognising that while there is an inevitability about catching it, they are best shielding from it. This applies mostly to our age group of the 60 +. So while there are no lockdowns, there is a definite withdrawal from daily busy life.
This is what is happening in my neck of the woods. Would be interested to hear how it is in yours.
Downing street parties and Novax Djoko dominating the news. Planning for the New Year feels a little tentative all over again. This time the buck stops with us.
We are flying north, yes flying, and while we may not be passing the borders of this vast state it does feel a good start to the New Year. Our destination is Cairns on the eastern border. Currently Tropical storm Seth which was whirling around here is heading south as we head North. In its wake are torrential downpours, king tides and swells. I am a little anxious about this one so let's hope this is not my last post. The rains of the recent weeks has resulted in rivers flooding and their muddy waters spreading into the ocean and the view from my cabin window was impressive. Like cream being poured into blue jelly.
