Colours of the Tropics

The sun popped out long enough today to do a bit of much needed maintenance in the garden.   Our "wet" season has started a lot earlier this year so looks like we might be in for a wet Christmas. 

I can't believe how well my little Panasonic Lumix has captured the colour and detail of this poinciana bloom.  I've  been experimenting with the Macro and flash settings and am quietly pleased with the results.   If you look closely you can even see a couple of little bush bees stopping by for a drink of nectar!

Everything in the garden has taken on a new vibrancy after the rain.  The beautiful blooms of the Poinciana  are starting to fall and the ground around them is covered in a thick carpet of red petals.


Just look at the colour of this Bangkok Rose.  The actual flower is that tiny little yellow thing in the middle.  The rest of it is made up of these gorgeous dusty pink bracts.  I have a number of these beautiful shrubs in my garden - one in the softest, palest pink and another a  crisp, clean white.  The contrast is just stunning.

Whilst on the subject of colour - I never grow tired of vibrant bougainvillea.  It just screams "Look at me!"  My arms have taken a bit of a battering over the years - the thorns are lethal . 


The cute little Sunee alamandas with their striking yellow flowers and glossy green leaves just look so cheerful.  They always make me smile.


Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me.   How about this for an incredible colour combination.

My special "Christmas" edition of  Colours of the Tropics would not be complete without a few candles (or two) - Golden Candles to be precise.  Just look at the intricate formation of these flowers and the cute little angel wings at the top.   They just look as if they are ready to fly away.

"The human spirit needs places where nature has not been rearranged by the hand of man."

 ~Author Unknown

Thank you

A couple of weeks ago (on a 2 hour flight home from Brisbane) I read Randy Pausch's book "The Last Lecture."   I remember Matthew showing me the You Tube video of the "Last Lecture" some time ago and how inspired we both were by not only his thoughts on life but also his mantra for how to live your best life.

This one particular quote really struck a chord with me :

 "Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other."

— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

In his book Randy Pausch talks about the lost art of writing "Thank You" notes.  It got me thinking about when was the last time I had actually put pen to paper and written a note to thank someone for something?  Sure, I've probably tapped out quite a few emails of appreciation but as for handwriting a letter of thanks - well, I really can't remember.

There is no doubt that email has revolutionised the communication market.  How amazing it is to quickly tap out a message and voila!   In the blink of a second it is sent - across the street.... across the state.....across the world.  

I can remember a time (not all that long ago) when late November would find my mother sitting at the dining table with a pile of Christmas cards, her little red address book (containing all the names and addresses of every relative or friend who had ever sent her a Christmas card in her entire life!) and a beautiful box of perfumed stationery.   With her trusty Parker fountain pen she would sit for hours (night after night) handwriting the most wonderful newsy letters filled with stories about what the family had been up to throughout the year and what our plans were for the next.   The letters would then be folded neatly into quarters and placed inside a Christmas card ready for posting. 

She also wrote the most beautiful Thank you letters.   She was just so appreciative of every little bit of kindness or thoughtfulness that was shown towards her.   "A thank you costs you nothing...." she would say.

How true is that.......... 

 

So - thank you Randy Pausch for reminding me that in this wonderful techno savvy world we live in sometimes it's good to be reminded that leading your life the right way is never just about you, it’s about you and the people around you.  

Guess what's on the top of my Christmas Wish List this year?

Perfumed writing paper and a Parker fountain pen!

Conquering the Pyramid

There was an eerie stillness on the mountain as Julie, Kendall and I headed off for our regular trek up the Pyramid.  Not surprisingly we were the only climbers at the base of the mountain at 5.30 a.m.!  "Why are we doing this again?"  

We first decided to start climbing the mountain back in July.  Our first attempt found us (barely) managing to reach the 500m marker - it was such a gruelling climb.  Steep inclines and rocky outcrops where we virtually had to use ALL our upper body strength to pull our bodies through massive rock formations.

However over the past 4 months we have persisted, persevered and through sheer endurance (and an incredible amount of determination!) we are now at the 2.5km marker which is just 20 minutes from the top!

In my wildest dreams I never thought I would ever be able to make it to the top of the Pyramid.  I remember as a young child,  Pop Walsh telling me that the Pyramid (Walsh's Pyramid) was named after our family.  As so happens with family folk lore, I was later to find out that Pop's story was in fact a slight stretch of the imagination.  However,  here I am at the ripe old age of 56 overcoming so many obstacles (not the least being my incredible fear of heights!) to achieve something which has been a childhood dream.

Kendall decided to come along just to check out first hand what all this mountain climbing was about.   If every face tells a story - hers is definitely saying - "You must be joking!...." 

Just up this track (about 500 metres) is the 3/4 mark and then it is just another 20 minutes or so to the top.  At this stage we are planning to reach the summit by the end of the year. 

There's something hugely satisfying about fulfilling your childhood dreams.  I am sure Pop Walsh would be smiling.

Holiday Dreaming

Five weeks to go to the end of the school term.  Yah!   I am soo looking forward to the Summer holidays  and have already started dreaming about places I would like to visit or things I would like to do.  

For many years, the idea of 6 LONG weeks of school holidays used to fill me with trepidation.  With 3 children it wasn't possible for us to go on holidays every year and so the dreaded "what to do in the holidays dilemma" used to kick in about this time every year.   The first couple of weeks weren't too bad - they would be so excited about all the Christmas hype.   However once Boxing Day came and went and the novelty of Christmas presents had well and truly worn off - well that's when things would start to go downhill fast.  This is when I would start to hear the dreaded "B" word.  I'm BORED!  If only I had a $ for every time I heard the "B" word - well we would have been able to go to Fiji (or some other exotic location) every year!.   My brain would go into overdrive trying to think of ways (that didn't cost a fortune) to entertain them and  keep them from being BORED (and inflicting nasty injuries on each other!)   It's amazing how resourceful you can become when faced with the prospect of 3 BORED children and 3 more weeks of school holidays.   Ah... the memories of it all!

So with school holidays (and bored children) now a dim, distant memory - I am able now able to look forward and make plans for our annual school holidays.  Never being one for lazing beside a Resort pool sipping away on cocktails......   these are some of the ideas I have come up with :

Holiday Idea #1

For as long as I can remember I have romanticised over the idea of riding across the Snowy Mountains and re-tracing the the footsteps of the Man from Snowy River.  Wind in my hair....breathtaking mountain views....trusty steed beneath my loins (not exactly sure if that is where the trusty steed would be?).... The thrill of re-living Australian fork lore.  Three FULL days in the saddle - miles from civilisation in the Australian high country.   Doesn't this just sound amazing?    OK - perhaps the fact that I haven't ridden (seriously) for 30 40 years and I might take a bit of time to regain my horse riding mojo  AND perhaps the fact that there is something in the fine print which states "experienced riders" - well that is hardly a deterrent is it?

And just look at this fabulous accommodation you get to stay in after a FULL day in the saddle.......

Hmm... not sure if the rooms come with en suite?   But Hey..... "roughing it" for 3 days is not going to kill me......is it?

What about this next little gem.....

Holiday Idea #2

Four (4) FULL days walking through the south Island of New Zealand!   Doesn't this look fabulous.  Four  LONG  full days traversing tussock covered plains and climbing majestic mountains (I hope it's not this one in the foreground!) using only the power of your 2 feet.   Blisters....... what blisters? Surely nothing that a couple of packets of Gel Pad Band aids couldn't fix!

And just look at this for accommodation :

Sure, it does look a little bit tiny but hey, we wouldn't need doonas would we?

And finally,

Holiday Idea # 3

Now,  for the life of me I can't understand why Alan baulked at this one?  I couldn't think of anything more perfect than a 2 week trip around Ireland in a gypsy caravan!   Just think - fabulous Irish countryside......miles and miles of quaint country roads.  Only me, him and the horse!   Gout?..... what about your gout?  Nothing that a couple of pints of Guinness wouldn't fix.  What's that I hear you say - "Who is that leading the horse?" ....... well that would be you of course Alan!!"

P.S.
(Holiday plans are now on hold.      Alan is checking out Resorts in Fiji......stay tuned for further details....)

Bath Time!

 

It happens every time.  These two little words - BATH TIME - strike fear in the hearts of  "Micky" and "Buffy" and (literally) sends them scurrying for the hills!    Try coaxing a shivering 20kg bundle of Blue Heeler out from under the bed and then carrying it (dead weight) to the waiting bucket and hose in the backyard.  It is no easy feat.  Multiply it by 2 and you can understand why Bath Time in the Valley takes on epic proportions.   How is it that dogs HATE having a bath and yet - take them to the river or the beach and you have to DRAG them out of the water?   I cannot understand the canine psyche.  You would think they would love nothing better than a cool, refreshing douse of water on a hot day and then a gentle, calming massage with ti-tree shampoo.  Sounds good to me.   But not these two!   

So in my search to find a practical solution to our "Bath Time" woes - I stumbled across this helpful  little doggie tip :

Make bathing a positive experience!

"Talk to your dog while you are bathing her! Provide treats for her when she is sitting calmly and doing what you would like her to do. Sing to your dogs while bathing them! You want to associate cleanliness with fun times and great rewards! Even if you are soaking wet by the end of the process, the whole ordeal shouldn’t be a stressful one for you or your dog."

Ah.....it's all clear to me now.  All I need to do is come up with a good song.... a few treats and hey presto!:

  

 Can't wait to give it a go this weekend!!

 

With This Ring

To be honest I have never been a fan of large, over the top weddings.  All that pomp and ceremony - not to mention the huge costs involved.   For my own wedding (many, MANY years ago now) all I ever really wanted was to stand under a towering gum tree, surrounded by a few close friends and family and just say the words that were in my heart.  Simple, uncomplicated and personal.  Suffice to say my parents didn't share the same view.   They were horrified.   I was their only daughter and they wanted to give me a PROPER wedding.  None of this barefoot/hippie stuff!  Not that I WAS a hippie - although I guess being a child of the 70's I did have a touch of the free spirit running through my veins.  Anyway, as history will recall, I gave into their wishes and had the large, over the top wedding with 200 (or so) of my CLOSE friends and a sprinkling of family. (Funny - can't even remember now who these 200 CLOSE friends were?) The reception was held at the local Bowls Club - white paper covered tables; overcooked roast beef;   fruit salad and cream.  My parents beamed with delight and pride - they had given me a PROPER wedding!   Although I was extremely appreciative of the effort they put into making my day special - it never really was special.......

It seems strange to reflect on this now, some 35 years later.  Perhaps part of the reason for this was a wedding I went to last Sunday.   It was held at the most picturesque beach location, just north of the city,  late in the  afternoon.   It was just so simple but so beautiful at the same time.  The groom had constructed (and hand carved!) the most amazing white pergola - festooned with white chiffon and flowers - under which he and his bride stood.

The inside beams of the pergola were then carved with the most beautiful verses and heartfelt messages.  Such an incredible expression of love.

It was just such an idyllic setting.   Sailing boats in the background and kookaburras laughing away in the trees.  Amazing!

The ceremony was just so simple.  The bride and groom had each written their own vows.  They looked into each others eyes and spoke them as if they were the only two people on that beach that Sunday afternoon in October.   I could feel the tears welling in my eyes.... (Yes - I am such a sook!)

The rest of the afternoon was just perfect - sitting under the trees enjoying the delicious home cooked food and savouring the joy of the occasion.   No pomp - no ceremony ......and definitely no over-cooked roast beef!

And just look at this magnificent gum tree!

Where were you when I needed you 35 years ago?.........



P.S. - To Alan :

Even though I never got to stand under that gum tree 35 years ago and say the words that were truly in my heart........and even though to this day I cannot abide over cooked roast beef and fruit salad!........ I know the following is what it is REALLY all about.      

'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'