Joyful Gerberas

Gorgeous Gerberas for sale at the Canberra Farmer's Market

Joining up with Today's Flowers

(thank you Denise and the team for hosting)

Canberra's Arboretum

Following the 2003 devastating Canberra bushfires, the Australian Capital Territory government dedicated an area of burnt-out pine forest west

of the City as the site for an innovative new national Arboretum.

In 2005 a National Design Competition was held, resulting in a

 winning joint proposal for the establishment over 620 acres

of 100 forests of rare, threatened and symbolic trees from

Australia and around the world.

Following are some images I captured on a VERY wet and windy day!

Looking east from Dairy Farmer's Hill toward Black Mountain and Lake Burley Griffin, one can see some of the trees in their forestry groups.

.... and more down the slopes as I continue the panoramic view 

The structure almost centred, is the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion (in honour of the wife of a former Australian Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam) - it is available to hire for special events and functions.

... and the building seen here is the main Visitor Centre housing the Bonsai Room, Cafe, interactive information booths, touch-screen educational displays, indoor and outdoor sculptures, amphitheatre, etc.

Here is one of the more attractive bonsai specimens -

still a relatively young thing!

.... and one of the many educational displays. 

The zig-zag pathway seen in the foreground is intended to make the visit more accessible to those in wheelchairs, and I understand that adjacent to each zig or zag, a politician or significant visiting dignitary will be invited to participate in a planting.

This is the interior of the Visitor Centre/Pavilion which I think is a stunning design. This too, can be hired out for events.

I acknowledge that this post is a departure from my usual more simplistic

efforts, but this Arboretum really is such a fascinating project - and

I've barely touched on its features. (There is a fabulously creative children's playground adjacent to the Centre which, sadly, I was unable

 to photo because of the inclement weather)

 If you are in or near Canberra, or plan a future visit, may I strongly encourage a visit here be placed into your schedule? Entry is free!

It is a delight for children and adults alike. There are some very informative and enthusiastic volunteersin attendance who would be delighted to answer your questions!

Trusting you've all had a wonderful weekend.

Canberra's Floriade

 

The week before last I travelled to Canberra to not only spend time with friends

but also to visit the Floriade.  It was spectacular - Tulips galore in a myriad

of colours, shapes and sizes, with a supporting cast of thousands



Linking up with Nick's Floral Friday Foto

Relaxing on the weekend

A busy launching area at the Southern Cross Sailing Club

A glorious Sunday afternoon's sailing on Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin

 ... and this is a more recent photo of the Captain Cook fountain (another shot taken some 40+ years ago appears on my post of early this month)

 These sheep won't bother anyone - they are an artistic creation added to the

landscape of Kambah's shopping centre and much enjoyed by the locals!

This Currawong enjoyed digging out nesting material - much to the

annoyance of the basket owners!

Linking up with Outdoor Wednesday

Who's in a puddle?

Just having fun at the market, while Mum & Dad are doing the boring stuff!
Captured at the delightful Farmers' Market in Canberra last week -
a wonderful atmosphere and sense of conviviality as friends and families
shared breakfast before or after purchasing their fruit, veg, meat, fish, bread or flowers (or all of the above!)

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

Canberra offerings

Following a delicious Sunday lunch at the lakeside sailing club with my hosts and their friends, I took a stroll down amongst those venturing onto the water of Lake Burley Griffin in their various craft.
(Having now been able to refresh my memory as to the vast area this lake covers, I am better able to understand how fellow photoblogger Kayakcamerman keeps coming up with a stunning variety of sunrise captures! If you've not had the pleasure of visiting his site, may I encourage you to do so - you won't be disappointed)

These Strelitzias ("Bird of Paradise") were available for purchase from

the fabulous Farmers' Market where my hosts and I enjoyed

a scrumptious breakfast

This gorgeous Pansy was one of many thousands providing complementary

ground level accompaniment to the millions of tulips at Canberra's

annual Floriade exhibition.

Linking up with Blue Monday

Mandarin Orange Monday

 Monday Mellow Yellows, and

Today's Flowers

(with thanks to all the patient, accommodating hosts!)

Blossoms Galore!





These were the welcoming sights last week to visitors at Canberra's

Tulip Top Gardens.

This glorious venue is a family operated garden on 10+ acres which is open to the

public for 4 weeks each year from mid-September.

Over half a million bulbs and flowers are planted by hand each year and, as their

blooms unfold, a spectacular display is created amongst the 1000 blossom trees.

(I will be featuring some of the magnificent tulips displayed in coming weeks)

Linking up with James' Weekend Reflections

(congratulations James on your 4th anniversary and many thanks

for providing us with the opportunity to contribute to this site and visit

the images posted by others)

Awaiting clearance

 As we were waiting to take off for Canberra (Australia's Capital City),
I was looking through the cabin window appreciating our small CBD when an incoming Qantas jet suddenly came into view.




.... looking up the Gulf of St Vincent and leaving Adelaide behind (and yes, despite the changed sky, this shot was taken only minutes after the previous one).

Linking up with Skywatch Friday with thanks to the hosts

Veale Gardens

 

A corner of the delightful, relaxing Veale Gardens on South Terrace,
bordering the City's square mile.

I'm off to Canberra to stay with friends and visit the Floriade for a few days.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

(I was going to link up with James' Weekend Reflections, but don't know how to do that in advance, so this will be early or late -
 Perhaps I'll try doing so from my Galaxy Tablet while interstate)