Welcoming B&B

While exploring the countryside around Congleton in Cheshire, England during my holiday house exchange in April this year, I came across this welcoming Bed'n'Breakfast property - Yew Tree Farm.

Although I was not in need of accommodation, its setting was charmingly attractive so I took a few shots and am happy to give them a free "plug" in the process!

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

and thanking the team who maintain that blog so we may enjoy the captures others have taken around the world

Pink and Blue and ...

Another pretty sunset on Blue Heron Bay, overlooking one of the marinas

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and

James' Weekend Reflection

One of many fascinating homes (and fences) spotted throughout Vancouver Island -

in South Australia most of our houses are built of brick or stones:

timber houses are not the first choice of home builders here 

due to potential white ant (termite) attack,

so it was refreshing to see the wonderful variety of timber home designs.

A colourful roof

This shed, full of character from the outside, caused me to back up the car

on my journey from Brentwood Bay to North Saanich, on Vancouver Island last month.

The air was crisp as I filled my lungs with the freshness of it all - it is SO

good to be far from suburbia!

Linking up (with thanks to the host) to 

Outdoor Wednesday

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.

Afternoon delight

Returning from a day's outing to Strathalbyn with a good friend
we were delighted to come across this section of the Angus River on our way to Macclesfield.

The sky was blue, the sun shining, river running, birds singing in the trees
and the rich green pastures showing evidence of recent good rains. What a great start to the week!

Joining in with Our World Tuesday

In the wild

These blooms were growing wild on the outskirts of the Barossa Valley

and were such a contrast to the long grass and weeds amongst them.

Joining up with Nick's Floral Friday Foto

The Eight Bells

"The Eight Bells" in the hamlet of Eaton some 10 minutes west of Oxford, England.

One of many charming little pubs throughout the UK that offer a warm, friendly welcome and appealing fare - it's well worth a visit!

(I was told by a previous landlord that the large Yew tree out front is more than 300 years old.)

 Inside the lounge bar with its copper hooded fireplace and low ceiling beams.

Cornish country

Taken near Lostwithiel in Cornwall, UK.

This ancient gatepost and mossy, bramble-covered fencing caught my eye as we meandered up and down country lanes near our fabulous accommodation in Lostwithiel. It was tempting to explore this rich green grassy land further, but the sign on the tree was a deterrent!

Joining up with Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com.au/

Red sky at night . . .

This was the fiery sunset from a friend's property at Springton in South Australia's Barossa Valley a few weeks ago, after a rather hot day. (Thankfully it was not a fire, despite giving every appearance of one!)

Joining Skywatch Friday at http://skyley.blogspot.com.au/

Make hay . . .

With Christmas on our doorstep, so to speak, my mind is drawn to the birth of baby Jesus and the bedding on which He lay. 

Contributing to http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com.au/ and

once again, wishing fellow bloggers all over the world a very Happy and Special Christmas.

Country life

Contributing to http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com.au/

Happy weekend all!

Oh, the travelling I've done...

Enroute to the Clare Valley recently and in search of the "compulsory" coffee stop, we came across this reminder of yesteryear's means of transportation. I wonder where it travelled and what items it carried to the home of its owner - food, building materials, grain for livestock, firewood....?

Joining in with Outdoor Wednesday participants at

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Goose territory!

 This is the vineyard being "patrolled" by the geese in my earlier post. It is in the region of One Tree Hill and you can see the Mount Lofty Ranges in the background.

To view other parts of the world, visit http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/

With grateful thanks to our wonderful hosts who provide us with the opportunity to share scenes from around the world.

Canola

Returning from a great day's outing at Mintaro, couldn't resist pulling over to take this shot with the mobile phone (being a bit pushed for time to set up with "the real" camera!)

Joining in Skywatch Friday at http://skyley.blogspot.com.au/

and http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com.au/

Happy weekend to all.

Left, right... left, right

Have a "gander" at these two!  On my way home yesterday lunchtime from a property  near One Tree Hill in the northern Mt Lofty Ranges (locally often referred to as "the Adelaide Hills"), I spotted a gaggle of geese meandering through their owners' vineyard, but this pair stood out as they waddled in unison.

Drop by http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/ for other pics

A Country Garden

On our way into the country for a specific photoshoot, we were keenly on the lookout for a bakery and coffee stop. Thought we'd found it here on a back country road, but sadly the cafe was temporarily closed, but we enjoyed stretching our legs and exploring the fascinating garden!

Participating in http://scenicsunday.blogspot.com.au/

Back to the beautiful Clare Valley

Although this shot isn't as sharp as I would have liked, I couldn't resist posting it; there's nothing quite like a drive in the country to elevate one's awareness of the beauty that surrounds us. Here, at the southern end of the Clare Valley, we are looking across one of many vineyards that typefy the region - noted for its white wines.

Participating in Outdoor Wednesday with thanks.

Visit http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

Mintaro

Mintaro, in South Australia's mid-north, is an important region in the State's history. In the 1840's it was an early staging point for transferring Copper from the Burra mines to Port Wakefield. Then from 1860 onward it was South Australia's leading producer of high quality slate and there is much evidence of this around the town today where it has been used for roofing and walling.

Above, on the left, is the Wesleyan Methodist Church (later to become the Hall) built in 1854, with the larger Methodist Church on the right having been constructed in 1867.

This shot is part of a sad ruin, yet Heritage Listed site comprising a dwelling, store, and carpenter's shop which became Lathlean's Post Office and Store in 1862.

En route to Mintaro and some local wineries, our journey was temporarily interrupted as these sheep were being moved from one grazing area to another.  We didn't mind in the least, being a rare opportunity to enjoy seeing the lambs up close.

Contributing to http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/

A country pond

A pond in the Clare Valley on a Winter's day

Joining in with Weekend Reflections (thanks for hosting, James)

For more images of reflections from around the world, visit

http://www.weekendreflection.blogspot.com.au/

Sunset over Clare

Participating in Skywatch Friday -

visit http://skyley.blogspot.com.au/ for more sky shots

(with thanks to the hosts)